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.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Glad to hear I didn't botch this one up.

[If a decent wrap counts as a miracle, Asch hasn't seen anything yet. ...Or, you know, otherwise sensed. Because it's official - the guy has absolutely no imagination. But he's being so honest, Ginji can't bring himself to just brush it off as a minor concern. If it's the worst part to Asch, then it's the worst part.]

[Fixing the food problem doesn't seem so hard, though. Ginji basically intends on proving to Asch he isn't as handicapped as he seems to think he is. If he'll let him, anyway.]

...Like what? What're some of the things that are being a pain?

...Ginji, I can't see.

[It's said in a voice that is much more obviously irritated, glowering blindly in the pilot's general direction. What's a pain? Trying to do things when you can't see them.

It's somewhat of a miracle that he's been so calm thus far, and now that it's starting to sink in - how lost he is without his replica to help him see - the anger is starting to affect him.]

No, I just...

[Ginji lets out a breath. Asch is already mad, so it's not like he has to worry so much about making him that way.]

I know. But you've still got your other senses, right? You can hear, and feel things, and smell and taste them, Mr. Asch. And I think that... [a pause, he's just waiting for the redhead's temper to explode at some point] ...probably, if the food was put together a little differently, it wouldn't be as much of a problem.

Like drinking soup out of a mug or grilling meat on a stick. Or arranging objects a certain way. That's the thing about life. With most things there's usually more than one way to get them done. At least temporarily.

And all of those things, while possible, will be a constant source of frustration for me. It takes time to make those changes when you can't even see what you're doing. It's messy. It's awkward. It's annoying. So you'll have to excuse me if I'm not looking forward to the next few months, even if it's not much of a problem, as you said.

[The part that's the most frustrating, the part he won't say, is- it's not like he has someone around him at all times who'd be willing to help him. Not like Luke, not like the others. There's just Arietta, and he's supposed to be the adult in that situation.

He's surrounded by people and he's never felt so alone.]

[A wince. Well, that's not really flying... Ginji perches in his chair and mulls over what Asch has said for a moment more. He can't quite guess how lonely Asch is feeling, but his annoyance and irritation are clear enough. It might be hard for him to make those changes, but for someone else it'd be a cinch. Of course he'd interpret it as if he had to do it all on his own...]

Sorry, guess I worded that pretty badly... Nonetheless, I don't mind lending a hand if it'd make things less frustrating for you.

And I'm not just saying that - I really mean it.

[Asch is quiet once more, lips pursing at that. Ginji too... what's with all these offers?]

It's... not like you have any obligation to me. You're not my employee here, remember.

[He just can't understand it- why people are so willing to get involved. He knows he's not a pleasant person to be around, generally.]

[Ginji shrugs, then remembers Asch can't see it.]

'Employee' makes it sound like I was doing uninteresting work for a paycheck, Mr. Asch. That's not what it was. Flying's all I've wanted to do for a really long time. And because you and the Dark Wings came along when you did, I was able to fly all over the world.

Point is, you don't spend months in the air with someone and then shrug it off and forget about them. So I'm not going to just leave you hanging when you're going through trouble.

Hn...

[Asch wants to stay angry, he really does. But Ginji is too logical, and Asch already has issues with too much logic invading his tantrums, and - apparently - he's run out of arguments. Or energy for arguments. Either way, he responds with a quiet huff and returns to his food, picking away at the remainder of the wrap and starting on the vegetables. Eventually he breaks the silence, though his voice is somewhat begrudging.]

If you feel that strongly about it, you can help me move back to the house. I'm tired of staying in this miserable place.

[In the relative quiet, Ginji begins to wonder whether Asch is going to say anything else - the huff, after all, might have been the closest thing he's going to get to an answer. In fact, if not for the sounds of the pattering rain outside and of food being eaten, the slowly stretching silence would eventually drive the ex-pilot, ex-employee crazy. And then there it is.] Ah...Sure thing.

Thanks, Mr. Asch. [Thanks, because an apology would make it sound as if he's sorry. And, aside from causing extra irritation for the redhead, Ginji isn't. Not really. Not for speaking up, and definitely not for caring.] So is there anything in here that needs to be taken to the house?

[Thanking him for giving him work to do? You're so weird, Ginji. Asch shrugs it off, though, gesturing in a vague direction, since he has no idea where Tsuae has wandered off to.]

Not much. Cat food- my journal. Some clothes, and... this.

[His hand makes it to the bedside table, where a stack of cards with letters and little bumps is resting within easy reach.]

[Sheridan breeds eccentrics, what can we say. Not that his gratitude is centered around the extra workload. Ginji halfway follows the gesture, looking around the room again, before slowly pulling himself to his feet - duty calls.]

Cat's over by the window right now. Let's see...If you'll handle those and the journal, I'll take care of the rest. Whenever you're ready.

I've got the afternoon off, and most of tomorrow. Doesn't look like it'd take more than a trip and a half anyway.

...Hm.

[He pauses for thought, lips pursing, then straightens up in his bed, drawing the covers aside to drop his legs out over the edge. Hopefully without kicking Ginji in the process, because he's not apologizing if he does.]

Now. I'm sick of this place, and I want to be in my own house.

[He snaps his fingers, and Tsuae looks up, meowing reluctantly. Really? They have to leave? It's so cozy here.]

[Ginji hastens to get out of the redhead's way. Having his feet stepped on isn't Ginji's idea of a good time, much less the risk of accidentally tripping Asch in the process.]

[So he'll make busy gathering Asch's things together and devising a way for them to travel a bit more easily. Asch did say 'now', after all. Maybe he'll be a little less crabby in the comfort of his own home.]

...Okay. Then you might want to bring an umbrella or a jacket. It's still pretty wet out.

I have a coat in the closet. [He gestures vaguely with one hand - probably in the wrong direction, but he doesn't care much, as there's only one closet - and gathers up his cards with the other. Getting wet isn't an issue for him. Getting out is.]

[He's quickly catching onto the fact that the hand gestures are misleading. No use in pointing it out, though. Habit. Ginji just shrugs.]

[The location of the coat is pinpointed with relative ease (there's nowhere else much to look), and with Asch's other things gathered together and waterproofed (an unused trashbag should keep the rain off at least), Ginji walks back over to the redhead - boots thudding dully against the floor - with Asch's coat held out.]

Well, I think that's everything. Here's your coat. [Um... Should he give him directions?] It's at arm's length, right in front of you, just below shoulder height.

[Asch scoffs quietly, as if dismissing Ginji's "help", but he does reach out for it, grasping the material and sorting out which way it's meant to be worn before sliding it on. He's trusting Ginji to tell him if it's inside-out or something equally ridiculous. He's gotten better at dressing himself without being able to see what he's doing, but these things do happen sometimes.]

[Ginji doesn't take it personally. As much as Asch must hate this, he's got to like it better than spending extra time fumbling around. Besides, the real problem is getting Asch back to his house. Down and up steps, around any other obstacles - without getting tripped up in the mud. It's sure to be a slow trek across the village, but it has to be done...since he's not sure Asch would go for a wheelchair or cane or anything that'd make his handicap obvious.]

[Once Asch has got his coat on straight (he really would have said if he didn't):] Anyway, I figure it'd be easiest if you just follow me out. That way I can let you know when there's stairs or anything else coming up. You can always grab onto my arm if you need to.

[...Or come back in about thirty minutes and he'll devise something 20% cooler involving metal, wheels, racing stripes, and a fine-print safety disclaimer.]

Edited 2012-07-13 23:38 (UTC)

[Grab his arm? How much of a child does Ginji think he is? Of all the stupid, frustrating offers he's had this week, that-

-makes a lot more sense as Asch makes it to the doorway and promptly trips over a bit of jutted flooring that he couldn't see, both hands lurching out to grab whatever is handy in order to pretend himself from falling flat on his face. One of those is the doorframe, and the other is Ginji's belt.

....Okay, that could have gone better.]

...F... fine. You can lead me out.

[Not so much of one. Asch doesn't really exude little brother vibes, you know? Instead he gets to play the parts of ornery benefactor, fallen prince, and that guy who's just as hard-headed as Grandfather.]

[Ginji frowns concernedly, but rather than arguing, he hoists Asch's things over one shoulder and trails along behind him. Good thing, too. The pilot barely has time to register what just happened before Asch decides using his coat belt for a railing is a good idea. It isn't, but it's enough to keep Asch from crashing into the floor. After readjusting his balance, Ginji reaches out to grip the underside of Asch's arm.]

[Yeah, it probably could have. Someone should really take a hammer to that floor.]

It's no problem, Mr. Asch. I realize you don't like relying on other people for help, but there didn't seem to be much way around it this time.

Edited 2012-07-16 02:32 (UTC)

[Right now he's just dusting off his familiar old stubborn guy persona, though it's lost a bit of steam due to his fall. Asch shuffles forward reluctantly, allowing Ginji to lead the way this time.]

...It's... just temporary. I'll get it taken care of soon.

[Sure, Ginji will play seeing-eye dog, moving along at steady clip. He doesn't sound bothered in the least - maybe annoyingly so. As if he leads blind people around all the time as a hobby and has nice conversations with them while he does it.] That's not really what I was getting at. From my experience, people like to help one another out, but with you, it's like it's an inconvenience to let them do it.

This'll still last a while, though. What do you plan on doing in the meantime?

[Every once in a while Asch can expect cues like "we're at the top of the stairs" or "the next board has some give" or "here's the door". Outside they will become notifications of loose gravel, uneven ground, inclines, and so on assuming there are any of these things to encounter in the first place. All the while light, forgettable elevator music may or may not play in the background, just to keep the bracket text from becoming entirely monotonous.]

[Ginji, really, you are too happy to be doing all of this. He's not even paying you for it this time.

His voice is quiet when he finally responds, after a long pause of thinking over Ginji's question. There honestly isn't an easy answer for it. At least the pilot is good with directions, so the trek isn't as daunting as he'd thought that it might be. Bastard is really too good at what he does ~~unless it requires a safe landing~~.]

...I'll figure something out. It's not as if I'm completely helpless here- there are still things I'll be able to do.

[And he'll think of them! ...Eventually!]

[Mr. Asch, you shouldn't judge; you're hardly ever happy! And anyway, it's not like he needs money for anything right now. Familiar company's enough.]

...Mhm, I know. And I'm sure you will. You're always figuring things out in a pinch.

[Well, a little encouragement never hurt anyone. Not that Asch is really doing that great of a job convincing Ginji that he's close to a breakthrough at this very moment.]

By the way, here we are.

...Here? The house?

[There's a slight tinge of relief in his voice, much as he tries to hide it. More than anything right now he wants the security of his own place- his home, his room, his bed, not some sterilized metal prison disguised as a place of healing.]

Yes, Mr. Asch. Number 47, right? This is it.

[Ginji readjusts the bag over his shoulder and guides Asch up to the front of the building. Seems like it'll be quite a bit more difficult to maneuver for someone who can't see, but at least it'll be nice and homey.]

Should I get the door?

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

[Action] Mystery of the disappearing typo.

[Action] NO ONE SAW ANYTHING...!

[Action] Of course they didn't, one of them can't see anything.

[Action] wow rood

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[Action] One of these days I'll gagtag you...

[Action] so many missed opportunities

[Action] I'll make it up to you someday.

[Action] I'll believe it when I see it!!

[Action] When you least expect it. .............that wasn't it though.

of course not, what was I thinking...

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