dissonates | [Written...? / Action, May 20th and beyond]

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[Written...? / Action, May 20th and beyond]

[It starts with a hum.

It's quiet, barely perceptible, like a fruit fry buzzing away in someone's ear. Across the village, it starts flickering to life in the mind of one Luke fon Fabre, miles away, awake and unaware and waiting for it.

The hum becomes a whisper. Wordless noise. An echo of something that used to be alive and loud and binding. Intrusive, almost, and yet not- because something missed, needed, eagerly and anxiously awaited is rarely unwanted.

The whisper becomes words, messy and jumbled and confused, a thought process born of desperation, fear, pain, loneliness. The words of the dead, or the dying, or the living. Of all three at once.

I'm here.

imhereimhereimherereplicaimherewhereareyou

help me

Alive. Alive.

And calling for him.]

[It's much later - after he's found, after he's awake and aware of his new situation - that Asch finally touches the journal. He toys with the controls, flips through the pages quietly, listening to everything that's open to hear. It feels... startlingly normal. Just your average day in Luceti. Life does go on without you- but then, he knew that long ago. This is nothing new.

...Well, almost nothing. It's hard to do much of anything when you can't see the world you're used to seeing around you. Not for the first little while, anyway. By touch and trial-and-error he finds the camera eventually, and he scribbles out a bit of nonsense in what he thinks is the entry area that almost looks like words, he sends out a few misfired comments to complete strangers, and in the end he thinks the entire journal system isn't nearly user-friendly enough. Eventually he gives up and sets it aside, leaving it open. Just. Listens.

It's not much. But for the moment, it'll do.]

((ooc: okay so here's the deal- Asch is back from the dead and blind. He'll be in the clinic for a while while he gets used to it, so feel free to use this post as a catch-all in case people want to visit/stumble upon him for the entire week. His scribble entry is also sort-of posted with a slightly-obscured picture, so if you'd rather use the voice function to bug him, feel free |D Word will probably get around that he's back one way or another.

Luke may or may not be with him depending on the time of visit; more often than not, he will be ~~attached at the hip~~ keeping an eye on Asch and helping him to see. He might also be asleep or taking a break. Feel free to specify; if he is there, he probably won't speak much (to save Kukki's inbox and to simplify things), so it's just a matter of whether or not your character will be seen.))

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[At first, Luke wasn't sure he understood. He looks at Asch as he moves, one hand hovering over his original's chest when he gets close, eyes studying the long scar that traveled along his torso. He wishes he could heal it somehow, take that and the blindness away and let him take it instead. He lets his hand fall as he moves to kneel behind him, and he still isn't sure as Asch speaks, but...

Then, he does understand. "Look around, at anything but me". He's reminded of the few times Asch used him to see his surroundings, to tell Luke where he was, or to find him easier.

This... is just like that, isn't it? Asch can see. But only through Luke's eyes. That's why he looked so light-headed, why he reacted like that. Luke can't imagine looking at himself as he moves, like looking at a mirror image and relying solely on that to move.

His head lowers just slightly, nose brushing against Asch's hair briefly, before he shuts his eyes, turns his head forward, then opens them.

There's the forest ahead of them. He turns his head slowly, a wince appearing on his face and a sense of pain trickling into the link when his collarbone protests against the movement. Still, there's more of the forest, of a few rays of sunlight shining through the space of the leaves. There's the sound of a bird chirping near them, and Luke lifts his head to seek it out. It's barely visible in the shadows, right there. Luke can't see it, but Asch might.

After a moment, he turns his head up. Through the trees is the sky, the clouds, the sun. Everything that Asch can't see, Luke lets him see it. The sounds, the sensations of the ground and the sun and the air, the smells, things that might not be as strong for Luke.]

[For a while, Asch does nothing, merely allows the sights to flow into his mind, quiet and calm. It's not the same; there's a level of surrealism to the images- blurred edges, uneven clarity, faded colours, a fluxuating quality that comes and goes as if it were an ocean's tide. It's not like seeing through his own eyes. And he knows that it's temporary.

But... it's close. Close enough that he can fake it, even if just for a little while. Luke seems to understand now, and more importantly, he seems okay with it.

So he'll fake it. Just for now.

He lifts his head, opening his eyes again, giving the connection a very slight push and letting the sound, smell, and feel of the world around him fill in the gaps in his strange new sight. He gives Luke's shoulder a very slight squeeze before letting his hand drop, taking note of his replica's pain. He's still recovering; he belongs back in the clinic. It was a risk, coming here to get him. And he still...

....

...Thank you.]

[Luke doesn't answer that. Not through words, anyway. Instead, he catches Asch's hand in his own as it falls away, and he gives a squeeze of his own.

Always.

It's then that Luke decides they ought to get back to the clinic - Asch to help get used to life without his sight, even if it's only temporary, and Luke to recover a little more. He keeps a hold on Asch's hand as he turns slowly on his knees, eyes half-lidded so that Asch won't be jarred by the sight of movement so much.

But when Luke faces behind them, his eyes widen, because he sees someone standing there.]

... Xion?

[ Busted.

She hasn't been able to hear a word of their conversation, and only saw small bits of it - lurking about 30 feet away like she has been. But she notices when Luke's gaze fixes on her -- it's a little too particular for him to just be glancing around -- and she sighs. It takes her a few moments to make her way over to them, but her expression is quietly sympathetic. ]

... sorry. But I wanted to make sure both of you would get back alright.

[ She crouches down in front of them, looking from one boy to the other, her eye critical now. ]

Do either of you need healing before we go?

[Asch feels a sudden wave of awkward discomfort; what just happened between he and Luke is kind of... personal, and he's not happy that she's been spying on them. He'll just be over here quietly staring at her (through Luke's eyes) and glowering a little, though with his faded eyes it isn't particularly effective. He's also trying not to feel so embarrassed about the fact that Luke is holding his hand in front of his girlfriend, but his misery is starting to creep into the fonic link.]

I'm not injured.

I'm okay.

[He's not particularly embarrassed: out of anyone, Xion would understand why he's acting this way with his original. It's more from Asch's embarrassment and misery that Luke can feel through the link that he loosens his hold, then lets go of Asch's hand.

But because of that loss of contact, Luke lowers his eyes and turns his head towards Asch. Will he be okay without someone to lead him through wherever Xion takes them? Luke can always keep ahead of him, or just behind him, to let him see. But still...]

Do you... know the way back to the clinic? [It's directed at Xion, seeing how Asch couldn't possibly know where they are. And Luke realized only a moment ago that he had no idea either. He'd been so focused on the trail to Asch that the link gave him that he didn't even look at his surroundings.]

[ Still, she notices Asch making a brave attempt at glaring at her, and her mouth pulls to one side, just a bit.

Though when she notices the faded eyes, her expression blanks out. ... is he--?

No. Don't ask. Don't even allude to it. She knows Asch has his pride, and making a big scene out of what might be blindness won't help anyone. ]

Alright. [ To Asch. She stands, and addresses Luke. ] I do. But I think it would be a lot faster if I just opened a portal. But that's only if you two are okay with it.

[Asch's hand twitches a little, resisting the urge to reach out. He will not be weak and helpless, he will not. He'll just. Find Luke's shoulder or something when it's time to go.]

I have no problems with your portals. Walking back would be- [-awkward. He has a brief mental image of tripping over a hundred tree roots on the way back and makes a face.] ...A waste of time.

... Right. [Luke wouldn't have a problem walking back, but he has much the same mental image as Asch. And he doesn't want Asch to feel more misery than he already does.] Then we'll use your portal to get back.

[He moves to a kneel, and he raises his head, this time to look at his shoulder and at Asch. To Xion, it might look as if he's staring out of concern. But this is mostly for Asch: Giving him a view of himself as well as where Luke's shoulder and hand are. It's an offer, one that Asch doesn't have to take, and Luke doesn't say anything that may allude to it. But it's there if he needs it.]

Okay. [ She watches them both, for a moment, in silence. But when Luke kneels, she immediately turns her back and takes two steps away, opening her portal. She won't turn around until she hears them moving.

She is trying, as hard as she can, to respect this. She understands what it means - the bond between original and replica. But she couldn't not come. So this is the balance she offers. ]

[It's still disorienting and dizzying, watching the world - and himself - this way, but Asch reaches out a hand slowly to grip Luke's shoulder, fumbling at first before he adjusts to the distance and catches hold. Once he has a firm enough grip, he gives the shoulder a slight squeeze. When Luke stands, he'll rise with him and follow where he goes.

He can do this. They can do this, just need to take it slow.]

[When Asch squeezes his shoulder, Luke shuts his eyes and raises his hand up to cover Asch's for a second, then turns his head forward. It's contact, telling him that he's got the message, and that he'll be moving once his hand's gone.

It's only when his head is forward that Luke opens his eyes, then stands. He moves forward slowly, taking note of the way Asch walks, eyes staying ahead and letting his original take in the images.

They can do this. Together.]

[ Xion looks back over her shoulder when she hears them start to move, and smiles very faintly as they work together. Jeez...

She'll step out of the way to let them go through the portal first. Not wanting to alarm anyone in the battledome clinic, Xion's set the exit portal right outside, instead. It's not as good as it could be, but at least they'll only need a few steps to get inside, and most of the clinic staff should take over from there. ]

[Well, at least it's faster than walking. The resentment fades soon enough - after a brief flare as he walks though the portal and feels the transition half a second after it actually happens - and is replaced by a quiet gratitude. He should be nice about this. It's not like she had to follow them, or offer up a portal to make the trip back much easier.

Arriving, though, has a wave of unease joining that slight gratefulness. The Battle Dome? This is the last place he wants to be right now, in light of what happened only a week ago.]

...I told you, I'm not injured. I don't need to be here.

[Luke's eyes narrow, and he stares down at the ground. He can sense the unease as well as the gratefulness, and he knows the reason for them. This is where... that happened. There's sorrow from him, and quiet stubbornness. They're together again, and they're depending on each other again, for more reasons than last time now. Asch can't see without him, and Luke is still getting used to the fact that the link is whole and there.]

Asch...

[But he isn't sure what else to say without sounding incredibly selfish.]

[ She looks between them, briefly, bright blue eyes betraying nothing of her thoughts. Finally, she turns to Asch and addresses him. ]

This isn't really for you. Luke should get back in bed. [ Her gaze flicks to him, then back to Asch. ] If you want, I can take you home separately. But you'll have to rely on me to get you there. And if you want to come back for any reason...

[ She lets the statement hang. She hopes the idea that Asch would be forced to rely on her will be enough to deter him from leaving, but ... this, ultimately, isn't really up to her. She'll do what's requested of her, in the end. ]

[Asch hesitates again, and his hand unconsciously tightening on Luke's shoulder. He doesn't know how to answer. He wants to go, get out of here, just disappear for a while, but-

....

But he can't see. Without Luke, he's literally and metaphorically lost for the moment. It's infuriating and terrifying and he hates this, he hates it so much. On the flipside, he can't change it, either.

Maybe... for a few days. A ripple of reluctant agreement passes through the link, but he says nothing. He'll stay if he must. And Luke will, too. He just... doesn't have to say it out loud.]

[Luke waits for a moment, until the agreement is a little more sure. Then he gives a nod, enough for Asch to feel against his shoulder, and turns his head slightly, enough to let Xion know he's going to speak. No need to fully look behind him and make Asch even more disoriented.]

We'll stay. Just for a little while.

[ She continues to watch them with this uncannily, perfectly neutral expression. She's painfully aware that whatever is going on here is very delicate, and she's honestly trying to make herself as much a nonentity in the transaction as possible.

In the end, she nods, once. ]

Okay. I'm going to go check and make sure your room is still the way we left it, Luke.

[ And she promptly absconds inside. Again, she's just trying to be considerate, even if it seems like she's kinda acting weird. But whatever Luke and Asch have going on right now, she can't imagine Asch's pride will very easily handle someone seeing him relying on Luke so much -- so abscond she does. Kill two birds with one stone - the boys make their way inside and she, well, CAN make sure the room is as they left it. They've been gone a while, after all. ]

[Once Xion is gone, Asch shifts uncomfortably, stepping up a little to stand at Luke's side. It's a bit awkward, but no more awkward than what he's already seeing, so for the moment he'll deal with it.]

...Just how long are you planning to stay here?

[Luke glances at Asch before he looks forward again. He won't move just yet, not until he's sure Xion has time to get to his room. Then they can slowly move forward - at least this time there won't be anything to trip over.]

The doctors said I still have a week before they can let me go. Is... that okay with you? I can leave before that.

[Asch makes a vague "hm" sound in response, not moving as long as Luke isn't. He's not going to top off his already-peaking humiliation by walking into a door, even if he can see through Luke's eyes.]

It doesn't matter to me. It's not like I'm injured or anything, and... we're not living together. You have no obligation to deal with me.

[After a moment, Luke starts to walk again. It's still slow, even without the presence of roots and rocks. He frowns a little over that reminder, of the fact that they're not living together. It's not something he likes to acknowledge.]

I know I don't. But... I'm here now, right?

[Asch ought to know that Luke wouldn't ever leave him, especially not like this.]

...Mm. [Asch moves with him, lips pursing. He knows. Even without hearing it, he'd know. Luke's presence is as vibrant as any sun, resting comfortably in the back of his mind once more. He gets the feeling that the link is going to be open an awful lot in the coming months.

Although that does give him one concern, and it would be cruel for him not to mention it.]

We... need to be careful. The link can affect your fonic separation.

... It can?

[He hadn't known that. Is it going to make him worse? Quicken the process?

...

The mention of it makes fear rise up, but there's also quiet, somber acceptance. He's all right with that. This sickness might scare him to death, but there's nothing he can really do about it, huh?]

[Written...? / Action, May 20th and beyond]

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[action] /SKIPS TO MY-LOO

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