dissonates | [Voice / Action]

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[Voice; Filtered 100% to the Abyss cast (sans Van)]

Van is here.

He's not an immediate threat, but you should know.

[With the announcement dealt with (and perhaps an intermission with the replica) Asch heads out, his goal being the south end of the village. He has a certain house he needs to visit.

And Luke should be doing the very same thing :|a]

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Luke ... no matter what, you're ... you're a good person. I'll always believe that, and ... [ And you should too. But ... she knows she can't really ask that of him, especially not right now. ]

[...

He doesn't answer that. Van's arrival just... tore down the dam that had slowly built around his insecurities, allowing them to flood over him once again. Akzeriuth was his fault. The Score being thrown off track was his fault. Everything terrible that happened to his world, his home... was his fault.

How can anyone call him a good person...

But he doesn't let that be known; instead, all he does is tighten her hold around her waist and keep his eyes shut. Maybe... if she keeps believing that, then... he'll believe it too someday. Even with Van here.]

[ ... but she knows why he's not answering. The Luke that kissed her under the stars and swore to her he was proud of his name would have said something. Something, at least -- but now he's silent, and just holding her even tighter.

And she knows what that means. And it makes her breath hitch in her throat as she swallows back a sob.

It's not fair. It's just not fair.

Bizarrely, she thinks of Noel. She thinks of going with Luke that day and finding Noel out by the Battle Dome and just ... talking to her. Three Replicas... all fighting for their humanity. And she remembers Luke standing by her side -- more uncertain than she, but willing all the same to fight. To show that they are worth something, that it's okay to be...

And it feels now like that moment couldn't be further away. Now Van's here, and Van's going to ruin everything. He's going to destroy everything Luke has worked so hard for, every bit of that shaky pride, and he's going to take Luke away from her.

Can she do anything but watch it happen? Are words enough, with someone like that here...? ]

Luke--

[ Her voice is fraught and tight, the edge of it betraying her hidden tears, but he won't get to comment on it. Because abruptly she kisses him hard, desperately, full of sadness.

There is an idea at the back of her mind. A dark and terrible idea. But ... there's just no way ... someone like her ... could deal with Van herself.

...

Right? ]

[And Luke had just leaned back and opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, only to get cut off and let out a very startled sound instead by a fierce kiss from Xion. It's enough to make his eyes go wide and... leave him unsure of what to do with himself. One hand stays at her waist while the other hovers uselessly in the air, until it slowly lowers back to her waist, though he's still no less caught off guard.

...

Damn, Xion.]

[ It's a kiss of all her anger and all her grief. And yes -- it's a fierce kiss. Fierce and hard. Her hands are tangled in his hair, fingertips pressing against the back of his head, and she kisses him so fiercely and so desperately.

She wants him to believe her. And if words won't work, maybe something like this will. ]

[Were Luke in a normal state, he'd... probably stay the same, sitting there uselessly and blushing, maybe push her back and ask her to slow down. All the other times they kissed like this, they always... built up to it, never started right off like that. It was too much right now.

But Luke is still frazzled. He's angry and nervous and scared and helpless against the tide of insecurity. And she's telling him he's a good person, and with Van's arrival still fresh on his mind, he's reminded of everything he's done to prove the opposite. He's trying so hard to be better. So hard... and he thought he was getting somewhere. Van showing up just...

... At the same time, he still wants to fight. Now, not only to prove his humanity and his right to live, but to prove his master wrong. To let him know that his reason for existence was not for destruction, not just to throw off the Score. He's Luke... and maybe someday he can shout that back at Van without that hint of desperation in his voice.

Luke shuts his eyes and lets himself fall back from a kneel to a sit, one hand back to support his balance on the floor while the other reaches up to grip Xion's hair, and he finds himself kissing her with that same fear and grief and anger and resolve. It's still too much, too strong; he has a feeling this kiss won't last long. But right now he just revels in it. Not only does it allow him to get everything he's feeling out of him, but, well... How often does one get kissed like this?]

[ It doesn't. Just a few moments later she breaks it off, though she doesn't let go of him and actually rests her forehead against his, trying to control her breathing. ]

I won't. [ Her voice is much stronger -- surer. ] I won't let him take you back. I don't care how many times I have to say it or -- or how many kisses it takes. [ Her voice falters, just a bit -- if he were able to lean back and get a good look he'd see she suddenly flamed bright red. What did she just do...?!

Focus, Xion! ] You really are a good person, Luke. Or you wouldn't care... remember? You'd be like him. And ... there's no way you're anything like him at all. Don't ever forget that.

[Well, if Xion were to look at him, she'd see a matching color across Luke's face. Did they really just...?!

Focus, Luke, focus! He keeps his eyes shut and one hand still in her hair, just breathing... and listening. That's... That's right. They talked about this once, after he told her about... that day. The reason why Van is weak, and why Luke is stronger than this. Because... he can care, while Van only cares for his own goals. Everyone else is just... a puppet. After all... Van was able to smile at the face of thousands of people meeting their deaths.

Maybe he can fight this after all. It's... tentative; he knows the power his master has. But it's not so hopeless now, at least.]

I don't... want to be like him. I used to, before... everything. But I can't do it now.

[He does lean his head back, only to duck it a little lower.] All my life I thought Master Van was... the only person who understood me at all. He was my teacher, and I... I really looked up to him.

[He shakes his head, the hand in her hair idly sliding down to the back of her neck.] I... don't think I do anymore. Not at all.

[ Slowly -- somewhat sheepishly -- she untangles her fingers from his hair, gently carding through it before letting her hands slip down to rest on his chest. Once he moves his head a little, she lets her arms slip further, so she can circle them loosely around his waist instead. ]

That's ... probably what he wanted you to think. [ Very gently. ] But you're not alone anymore, Luke. You'll never be alone again. And your friends -- they're the ones who understand you, and love you, too. Van ... I don't think he could do that, for anyone.

[Despite her best efforts, his hair is still a little messy thanks to her gripping onto it. Hers probably is, too, but Luke's not looking at that right now.

Instead, his eyes come up to meet hers, though something about it seems shy. Their kissing earlier left him both like that and just slightly dazed. But after a moment, he leans forward a little to bring his balance off of his hand, to give him the freedom to circle his arms around her neck, rest his forehead against hers again, and let out a sigh.]

I've never felt more... [real.] like myself - like Luke until I met everyone here. You, and Miyabi, and Paprika and... and everyone else.

[His lips quirk up into a smile, his first one since he arrived at her house.]

I think I'll be okay with everyone here. [And you.]

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