[Action / Accidental Voice]

[dissonates]

[There isn't much less pleasant than waking up cold and alone, is there? Which is exactly how Asch finds himself this morning- on his own in a tent behind the battle dome, no longer an adult but rather regressed to the tender age of about 11. In his haste to get up and figure out what's going on, he knocks over the journal, and it catches his alarmed call as he opens the tent flap to find a lot of snow and not much else.]

...Master Van...?

[This isn't the cozy, temperate region of Daath, which is puzzling, because he knows he'd been in Daath the night before. Where, then...?]

Master Van!

[Had he been abandoned? No... Van had said he needed him! There must be a reason for this.

Not noticing the journal, Asch tucks the blanket around himself and starts shuffling out through the snow, wandering into the village in search of something - anything - familiar.]

Comments

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Asch stares at the cheagle some more, and this time the cheagle stares back. After a long moment, Star mieus at him, cocking his head to the side as if trying to sort him out.]

...What would I do with it?

[Seriously what is he supposed to do with a sacred beast. Wait, is it a pet!?]

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy dumps Star into Asch's lap with a grin before turning back to the meal at hand.]

Hold him, for one.

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Suddenly finding himself with a startled, squeaking cheagle, Asch has little choice but to hold it and keep it from falling off, eyeing it dubiously.]

It's not going to breathe fire in my face, is it?

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Not unless you're cruel to him. You should try petting his head.

[Action]

[dissonates]

[....Um. Okay then. Asch hesitates, warily watching Star, then lifts a hand to try stroking its head. The little cheagle makes a surprised noise at first, then a quiet purr of approval.

Huh. This is alright, then.]

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[SNORT. Same as always.

Guy lets Star occupy Asch's attention as he finishes preparing dinner, then sets it before Asch and takes a seat across from him with just a mug of tea for himself.] There you go. I hope that's all right.

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Asch gives Star a nudge to move aside; the cheagle nicks a bit of greenery from the plate before scampering off. Asch shoots it a brief scowl, then starts digging in, obviously rather starved by the way he's eating.]

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy hides his smile behind his mug of tea, watching Asch scarf down the meal without hesitation. At least he's moved past the point where Asch is worried about being poisoned.]

You probably have a lot of questions for me. Anything you'd like me to explain?

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Asch ponders that question while he eats, slowing down a little when his stomach stops growling.]

...Why are you so much older than me?

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Of course Asch asks the difficult ones first. Guy fiddles with the mug for a moment, wondering if it were better to lie or tell the truth.

...mm. The more truth, the better. Less lies of which to keep track. Plus, he has a feeling Asch will apprecaite it more if he's level with him like an adult.]

This place, Luceti? Messes with people in ways we've never seen before. Makes them older, younger, things like that. The reason we're so different in age is because of whatever power is here is affecting one or both of us.

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Asch glances over at Guy, studying him carefully for any signs of deception. He's not as good at noticing that kind of thing yet, but Guy seems fairly honest, so. Hmm.]

...Do you know, then? Who it's affecting, I mean.

[If Guy knows so much about this place already, it means he's been here for a while. And unless he's just making it all up...]

[Action]

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Honestly, I can't be sure. They can alter your memories so you think you've been the way you have for years and years. I could actually be fifteen and think I was twenty-four this entire time.

[Action]

[dissonates]

...That's stupid. This place is really stupid.

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

That about sums it up. [Sip.]

Anything else you'd like to know?

[Action]

[dissonates]

Is... is Van really not here? He's not going to take me back?

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Not yet. ...not at all, if you'd rather not go back.

[Action]

[dissonates]

...It won't be my choice. Van will come for me for sure- I have to go back.

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

To destroy the Score, right?

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Asch hesitates, looking slightly suspicious, then nods.] It has to be me. Van said... it can't be anyone else. So he'll come back.

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Then, I won't stop you when that happens. You're free to come and go as you please. [Guy stands and reaches over to take Asch's empty plate.] Would you like seconds?

[Action]

[dissonates]

No... no. I'm okay. [He pauses, then adds as an afterthought,] Thank you.

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Asch said thanks?! Nnno.

Guy grins at the sheer cuteness of it all and takes the plate over to the sink.] Don't worry about it.