[Voice / Action]

[dissonates]

[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]

Comments

[action]

[fabrecation]

[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?]

[action]

[fourteen]

[ 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.

[action]

[fabrecation]

[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.

[action]

[fourteen]

[ 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.

[action]

[fabrecation]

[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.]