dissonates | [Action /Voice]

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[So it's been almost a month. A lot has happened in that time, most of which Asch would much rather have avoided. But there's little helping that; it's common knowledge that life will kick you around even when you're already down, and he's used to it by now. Luceti has made him complacent over time, and this past month has been a very rude awakening. It's time to move on and stop pretending he's someone else.

So with the mask of dismissal very carefully reconstructed and back on his face where it belongs, as soon as the village starts to quiet down and the effects of the experiment fading, Asch returns from the mountain at last. His first trip is to the shop to leave his camping gear there, not wanting to carry it all the way back to the house. Instead he finds a crate and takes it to Good Spirits, raiding the back room (whether the bartender of the night likes it or not) and grabs a few bottles of the very strongest liquor. It probably looks like he's going on a drinking binge, and after all that's happened, who could blame him?

But no. Next stop is House 5, to come home for what he's decided will be the last time. He heads inside, calling out as he deposits the alcohol on the kitchen table-]

Hey, replica! We're leaving, let's go.

[After that it's time for packing. Then moving to a community building- the closest one, a safe distance but not too far, either. There's very little that he wants to keep, after all. Finally, a comment left in the journal this evening, to avoid a crowd-]

House 5 will be gone tonight. Don't interfere.

[And true to his word, thanks to well-placed tinder, matches, and a crate of hard liquor, House 5 will be a raging inferno around sunset this evening, with Asch, Luke, and Star the cheagle watching it burn to the ground.

Feel free to bother him at any time during all of this, if it tickles your fancy!]

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[It doesn't take Asch very long to pack. He fills a couple of boxes he'd scrounged from the item shop with pointless little odds and ends, belongings but not really reminders. Cups, kettle, a particular tablecloth, a painting that wouldn't make him think of anything but the painting itself. The coffee maker was left behind; he didn't want it. From his room there were books, clothes, weapons, little gifts he'd received over the last year or so, things he'd collected for their uses, rather than for sentimental value. The fon slot seal- that he tucked away, hidden beneath his clothes where Luke would never see it. He hadn't sorted out what to do with it yet.

He checked every room in the house except Luke's, obviously, making sure that nothing they might want was left behind. In the end he still only had a couple of boxes, nothing that would take any more than a handful of trips to move to their new home, wherever that would be. Still had to figure that one out.

One last stop before he finishes, though- the one he'd saved for last. He stands outside of Guy's bedroom for a long while, torn between whether to go in or to just leave. In the end, though, he pushes open the door, steeling himself. He has to see it. For his own sake, for the sake of the memories they'd shared, he has to look one last time.

Empty, of course... just as Luke had found it before. Asch stands in the doorway at first, just staring, then steps inside, walking towards the bed. He's calm, so calm, almost like a statue. There's no reason to get overly emotional, after all. It's fine.

It's fine.

And then he drops to his knees like a stone, hands grasping at the sheets on the bed, breath quickening, trembling slightly.

It still smells like him.]

[Most of his belongings were things Luke got for himself, but even the ones Guy got for him, he took with him. What Paprika told him was true - you can go on remembering, but remember the happy times. He still remembers how Guy got him the jacket with the buttons: Luke hated zippers, which he finally revealed after Guy embarrassed him publicly. The memory makes him smile faintly before he packs it away; One day at a time. He was already getting better at this "remember the happier times" thing.

He'd have to be careful with his plants. The music box, too. And all the swords he collected went into a separate, protected bag. Everything else - his bedsheets, little pictures, his journals, and other little things he had collected get packed away, too, with only a few things he didn't want anymore being left behind.

Luke heads to Guy's room next, for the same reason as Asch. Just one more look before he left, for Guy's sake... Maybe his own, too.

But then he hears that noise once he's a few feet away from the door, like something just fell... And someone's breathing growing quicker. Luke didn't have to look to know who it was.

He stops, turns and leans his back against the wall. He'd let Asch have his time alone for now. Luke knows how much he hates being seen like that...]

[He doesn't stay like that for long. The last thing he wants is to break down and crash in front of Luke, or even in the same house, and with their link in the state it's in now, he's well aware of Luke's presence only moments after his replica's arrival at the door. Only his distraction kept him from even realizing Luke was on his way there. Once it occurs to him that Luke is there, however, he pushes those emotions away, shoving them off to the side and forcing himself to rise. He'd considered taking the blanket with him, just one small token of what had been left behind, but now? He knows he has to leave it. It has to stay out of his life now, just like Guy himself, or he'll cling to it and avoid moving on. Like a child forced to relinquish a security blanket, he pries his fingers loose, smoothing down the fabric and stepping away.

And by the time he reaches the door his expression is that trusty mask again, just the way it should be.

There's nothing left for him in this place.]

[Once Asch came out of the room with that same stoic mask on, Luke pursed his lips, but that was the only hint he gave at disapproval over bottling it all up. Though he sometimes ran from such things himself, Luke still believed that letting it out really did do some good sometimes.

Starting another argument would be counterproductive, though. So, he just lets Asch pass him by while keeping his head down to bite his own tongue, and once he's sure that he isn't going to call after Asch, he goes into Guy's room to take one last look around.

How many times had he walked in here to talk to Guy? He can still see him sitting on the bed, looking up from what he was doing to smile, greet him and ask him what's up. How many times had they done that, how many times did Luke sit in that very chair beside the bed and talk about everything and nothing at all?

Guy's presence was still very much in this room even though he wasn't there at all. Instead of pushing it away, though, Luke stepped further inside, taking in everything in an effort to remember it. It was sad, yet... happy, at the same time. Bittersweet. That bed, where Guy let him sleep a couple of times...

Luke pulled the blanket off of it, curled it around his arm, and hid it behind his vest. Just a small token.

... Come to think of it, Luke hadn't really looked at the room since Guy had disappeared. He had always avoided it, and even when he was frantically searching for Guy, it was just quick little looks; all of the details had been passed over in favor of finding something more obvious. He takes the time to really take in everything; the room itself, the furniture, the closet, the...

... Sword?

This was...]

... Asch! Asch!

[...Dammit, Luke, he'd just left that room, he didn't want to come back 8| It's with great reluctance that Asch returns to glare into the room, ready to snap angrily about being called over again, but the words die on his lips as he realizes what Luke had found.

The Jewel of Gardios.]

What the hell... why is it still here...!?

[It had been hidden in the shadows, which is why Luke didn't find it the first time. He thought he'd lost it forever, again. But now...

There it was, still as shimmering and impressive as ever. Luke turned to Asch while holding the hilt in his hand, absently stepping towards him while he stared and wondered. Once he was close enough, he held the weapon out for him and spoke of his wondering out loud. If Asch didn't want to take it, though, Luke would himself. They couldn't leave this behind.]

I thought everything they owned was supposed to disappear...

[Asch stares at it for a long moment, trying to wrap his head around the fact that it's there, when Guy is already gone. It makes no sense. How...?]

...You asked for it, didn't you? You asked the Malnosso if they could give it back.

Well, yeah, but... Wait, don't tell me they think it's mine?

[Just the idea sounds ridiculous. Maybe back when he didn't know whose it was, but now...]

I can't think of another reason. Either way, I don't care. [His gaze shifts briefly to Luke, then back to the sword for a moment before he turns and heads out. There's still a lot to do, so if Luke wants to take the sword, he'd better bring it.]

... How could you-?

[Luke cuts himself off by gritting his teeth. Ugh, was Asch just trying to push Guy away completely? But... They can't argue. Not now. Not when Asch just came back, not when they were in the process of moving.

Once he takes in a breath, Luke follows Asch out, keeping the Jewel gripped in his hand. There's no way he's leaving the sword behind.]

[Asch ignores Luke's halted comment, leading the way back to the kitchen and fishing a notepad from his tunic. He passes it over to Luke.]

It's a list of available apartments I found. Pick one, it doesn't matter which. That's where we'll go.

[Luke sets the sword on the counter before he leans beside it and looks over the list, recalling where the community houses are in Luceti. At first, Building 1 seems like a nice place, though his reasons are a tad selfish. It was a little further away from Xion, but what was another block or two? They were still close.

There were a lot of people there, though... It'd be weird enough moving into such a small place - at least, compared to House 5. The decision makes him a little annoyed at himself, but he thinks about other areas. He had Asch to think about too, after all. Which location would suit the both of them?

He thinks about Building 2 then. Not only was it still fairly close to Xion, but it was also near the Battle Dome, a place he knew Asch liked to visit regularly. That seemed to be a good choice. Now, as for rooms...

That decision doesn't take nearly as long, and he leans over to point out the apartment he thinks would be best.]

How about this one? Room five.

I told you, it doesn't matter. [Asch takes the notepad back, tucking it away and lifting a box off the table. This would be a hell of a lot faster if they could teleport or something, but moving the boxes from the house to the new apartment would at least give him some time to think.

Because he needed more of that, obviously.]

[Luke frowns at the dismissal, but he just shakes his head to himself and, once he sees that Asch is ready to head out, he takes the sword and heads back to his room to grab one of his own boxes (and to deposit the blanket he swiped into it). Once he comes back downstairs, he's carrying a fairly large box with his clothing inside, and the Jewel balances on top of it.]

Are we heading out now?

[Asch shoots Luke a brief look.] Of course we're going now, do you think I was just going to stand around holding this here? Idiot.[Let the abuse begin! But for the moment that's all Asch has to say, turning away and heading for the door.]

Okay, okay! I'm sorry!

[Jeez. Here Luke thought he'd mostly escape the abuse since their contact in the mountains, at least for today. He shoots Asch a look in return, then shifts the box to a more comfortable position before he follows after him. Stupid Asch. At least he was feeling better enough to snap at him.]

[The walk to the community building is quiet; Asch intends to remain silent, so any conversations would be started on Luke's part- though he'd only get a vaguely gruff respond even if he tried. Upon reaching their new apartment, he swiftly claims a room, dumping his stuff inside and heading out again to get more. This'll continue until all of their stuff has been moved.

He has one last mission at the house to accomplish, though, before he can really move in.]

[Luke had tried for small talk at first, but upon hearing Asch's responses, or lack thereof, he settled down and let their trips be silent. He claimed a room and set the box down, only having time to open up the box before he ran out after Asch. Jeez, he was in a hurry...

Back at the house is one last trip, and Luke stands with Star on his shoulder as he surveys the house. Mostly empty, save for stuff they didn't want or need.]

Well... I guess we're ready to go.

...Almost. [Asch stands quietly for a long moment, studying the house carefully, then he gestures for Luke to wait, stepping forward to return to the house. There was one more box left- the alcohol he'd pilfered from the bar. It only takes about ten minutes to crack open a handful of the bottles, trailing the contents from one room to the next. He pauses in Guy's room - memories there, still, and he doesn't fail to notice the missing blanket.

...Tch. He'll let Luke get away with it for now, if he wants to cling so badly. Asch is done with it. He breaks the top off of a bottle of vodka and pours the entire contents on and around the bed, leaving a second, full bottle beneath it. This room is the one he wants completely gone, after all.

He circles back around to the kitchen, leaving a bottle scattered here and there for extra fuel, but the majority are emptied completely. Once he's satisfied that the house is good and ready, he steps back to the entrance, pausing in the doorway just long enough to mutter the incantation of a fonic arte under his breath. Once the arte is cast and the glyph begins to fade beneath his feet, he faces forward and heads outside, shutting the door and stepping over to where Luke and Star are waiting.

And a moment before he reaches them, Explosion shakes the house for the second time in its recent history, and the fire begins to spread furiously as he turns to watch it burn.

He doesn't want a single wall standing by the time it's over.]

[Luke had noticed that small ball of light falling from the sky, the usual beginning of the Explosion arte, but he could only watch, not quite realizing what it was until it was too late.

All of the vodka that was spread without Luke's knowledge makes the resulting Explosion... well, cause an explosion. It's enough to make Luke yelp and fall back to his bottom, and for Star to let out a startled "Mieu!" and skitter away from them to a bush across the pathway. The windows break, the whole foundation shakes, and in no time, the entire house is covered in flames.

There went several months worth of memories... Though it was probably years for Asch. Still, this was- this was utterly drastic, and Luke stares with a gape, dumbstruck as he sits there with his mouth hanging open. After a moment or two, he slowly stands and raises his hands to his hair. Were they even allowed to do this? Surely there was some kind of rule against it.

And- Dear Yulia and Lorelei he was not expecting Asch to set the whole damn house on fire.]

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