[Voice]

[dissonates]

[There's a brief shuffle, and a strained gasp, before a voice speaks up. Someone's back from a little excursion with John. He doesn't have the energy to lock it.]

...Guy?

Some... help.

Comments

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

If they'll even let me go.

[dissonates]

You're usually tenacious enough to get your way.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

I'm usually charming enough to get my own way. Charming.

[dissonates]

So charm the Malnosso. At the very least it'll be entertaining.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

I'll give it a shot, but I make no promises.

I'd like one out of you, though.

[dissonates]

What, a promise?

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Yep.

If it looks like they're going to take you, I want you to use it.

[dissonates]

[....That's a big thing to ask for, Guy- something definitely implied by Asch's immediate silence. It's not that easy. What if there are others around, people who are important? What if he's not in control yet and the hyperresonance goes wild and out of control? They've both witnessed the power of an uncontrolled burst of the energy. A hyperresonance like that could destroy the entire area they'd be sent to, along with everyone in it.

How could Guy ask him to have that sort of responsibility?]

...I'll consider it.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Well, that's the best he's getting.]

Thank you. [He moves to collect Asch's empty dishes on the tray.]

[dissonates]

[Asch blinks at that, surprised; he's never sure when to expect an argument or a truce from Guy. He does appreciate it, though; hyperresonance is too much of a touchy subject to start a big fight over.]

...Thanks for... [Everything.] ...Helping me.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[There's a scoff on the tip of his tongue; thanking him for helping, really? But he holds it, then leans over and kisses the top of his head.]

You're welcome.

[dissonates]

[Asch just nods, lifting a hand to grip Guy's forearm for a long moment before he lets go. Long enough to convey... whatever it is he can't really say aloud right now.]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy pauses, a little startled by his hold, but doesn't move back when he's released. Instead he sets the tray aside and pulls Asch against his stomach in a hug.]

[dissonates]

[Asch doesn't resist it, unmoving at first, before he caves and winds an arm around Guy's waist. It's good to have his power back, but... he hates scientists. Hates, hates, hates them. And he can't really decide if it's a blessing or a curse that he can't remember what happened down there.]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

You're all right. [It's sort of a silly thing to say, but it's what you say to a kid who sees something scary or scrapes his knee, and it feels like the right thing to say now.]

[dissonates]

I know. [And he is; he's fine. Aside from a lack of control, he's as healthy as he's ever been. It's this silly little psychological issue that's in the way.

So he lets his arm drop, to let Guy know that it is okay- that he can let go and do his thing, and everything will be normal.]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy pauses and moves back.

But something stops him, and he sets a hand atop Asch's head.]

...you need to stop being scared of yourself.

[dissonates]

[Asch eyes widen again, head lifting to stare at Guy.]

Wh- I'm not...!

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

You are. [Where Guy was willing to compromise earlier, he isn't now, if his tone is any indication. He wasn't an expert on hyperresonance or fonic research maybe, but he thought he could consider himself fairly learned on the inner workings of Asch's head.]

Your hyperresonance, your power; it's not Lorelei's, and it's not Van's.

It's yours. Yours. And you can use it how you see fit. If that means putting it away and never thinking about it again, then you do it. But I'm not going to tell you how to use your hyperresonance, and I don't want your past to do it either.

1/2

[dissonates]

[dissonates]

[....But that's...]

And what about the replica's past? What about Luke? You can't tell me you've forgotten about Akzeriuth.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Luke wasn't in control in Akzeriuth. He stopped being in control the second he ignored reason and trusted Van over the rest of us.

[dissonates]

[True enough, but-]

A hyperresonance could destroy the entire village. Isn't that reason enough to be cautious?

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

I didn't say you couldn't be cautious.

But I know the difference between caution and fear. And maybe I'm crossing a line, but you're scared of it. Not just respectful.

[dissonates]

[....D-dammit Guy, shut up.]

Fear can be healthy if it saves lives.