instead without a word she leaves. goes looking. she has an idea as to where he might be. she doesn't have any caramel apples with her ... but she does, on a hunch, have an extra scarf.
and of course, her idea proves to be right, when she finds him on That One Bridge. but she doesn't say anything as she walks up. only hugs the emerald green scarf to her chest and simply ... watches him, for a moment, in silence. ]
[A few people had simply passed him by, figuring that something heavy was on his shoulders and that he should be left alone. So when Xion's footsteps come to a halt by him, Luke blinks and looks back at her - he looks tired, distant and sad - before he lowers his head and watches the river again. Though he might not be showing it, he's... really glad she's here. He doesn't like dealing with these kinds of things alone... it's a wonder why he sometimes tries to isolate himself when they happen.]
[ still without a word, she will lean up on her tip toes so she can slip the scarf around his neck after he looks away again. then she will take a moment to climb up onto the railing to sit beside him. she doesn't look at him, or touch him, or make any sort of comforting gesture -- not yet. instead she, too, simply looks at the water.
when she finally speaks her voice is quiet and even, not betraying any emotion. ]
It's a nice place. [Nice and quiet, save for the constant running of the water. But that just makes his thoughts clear out easier and gives him something else to focus on.
He reaches up to touch the scarf, just to shift it a little and make it more comfortable, and mutters a quiet "thanks". It was pretty cold right now...]
[ action ] nice.poppetryMarch 28 2011, 04:22:42 UTC
It's a sad place. [ she says it without thinking, then immediately realizes it's true. not sad in a bad way.. but it has a lot of sadness associated with it, doesn't it?
she looks at him, finally, eyes searching his face. she opens her mouth to ask the question -- to say the words, perhaps, I heard you earlier -- then immediately realizes they aren't necessary. after all, why else would she be out here? why else would HE be out here?
after a beat , she drops her gaze, mouth closing as the words die on her lips. instead, she reaches out to very gently take his hand in her own, running her thumb softly over his knuckles. still not looking up at his face. ]
[ action ] shut uuuup B|cakeblockedMarch 28 2011, 04:35:11 UTC
[Luke glances at her when she says that - sad, really? But didn't they reveal they were replicas here? Told each other they liked each other? Had their first kiss? But, well... she's been here longer. Maybe sadder things have happened here... Maybe it could just be nice for him. That'd be fine.
His attention is back on the water when she asks him that question, though, and he doesn't respond for a few minutes. It's easier to not talk about it. He just gets that lump in his throat when he does... Still, he answers and closes his fingers around hers, though he turns his head away a little.]
I think so. He's from the future, so I don't know... [Honestly, Luke's pretty sure he himself isn't okay there, in Guy's future. But that's something else entirely that he doesn't want to bring up.]
[ Of course, all these things are true. But Luke ... might really be the only reason she has any happy memories associated with this bridge at all. Mostly her memories involving this place... involve danger, or sorrow, or fear.
And now Luke's going to have that association, too. He'll remember coming here the day Guy disappeared. That's a difficult thing to forget. "Nice" and "sad" ... in this case, aren't really mutually exclusive.
She's silent for a moment more, after he trails off, shifting their hands so she can weave their fingers together. Her eyes remain on their joined hands, and her voice ... all of a sudden has just a little raw emotion to it. Just a little. ]
It's not fair, is it? When other people go home. We're supposed to be glad they're home and it's supposed to be better that way, because then they're not stuck here too, but it's not! It's not any better at all. Because... [ her grip on his hand tightens, and her expression draws in, too. ] ... friends are supposed to stay together. So ... so I don't care what
( ... )
[He's silent as she speaks, and ever for a moment after. Luke keeps his gaze on the water, and the sullen expression never leaves his face as he listens to her. Once he speaks up, he turns his head towards her a little, though he still doesn't lift his eyes from the water. Sometimes it's easier to not see the other person's emotions...]
That's what I've always thought. I always wondered why people would say they're happy their friend went home. I get it, but... they're still gone. And if they come back... They probably won't remember being here. It's okay to be sad... and it's okay to miss them, too.
[Then why is Luke trying to hard to keep it all locked away? Well, he'll get to that.]
But when I think about Guy going back and... not remembering this place, or... what Auldrant might be like in his time, I just... I get so scared. I don't want to think about it, because...
[Because his hands start shaking, like they are now, even the one she's holding. What if Guy came back and had such high expectations of Luke again?
( ... )
[ .... she doesn't ask. instead she reaches up with her other hand and brushes the backs of her fingers against his cheek, briefly touching his hair. then, gently, she uses that hand to pull him towards her oh so slightly and leans her head against his, shutting her eyes.
[What if, what if... so many uncertainties, and all because he was brought here from another time. He can be so stupid sometimes, and - why couldn't they have- why did they-
He blinks in surprise, and out of those depressing thoughts, when he feels her hand on his cheek, and just when he glances at her, she pulls him forward to rest their heads together. For a moment, he just stares at her closed eyes with his own widened ones... then he shuts them, and he reaches his free hand around to rest on her farther shoulder, his grip portraying the sadness and fear still in him by being a little tighter than it normally would be. They can't do much on the railing, lest they risk falling straight into the river, but... but this is enough. Right now, it's...
[ It's not a promise you can make. "I won't leave." That's not something a person here can say... no matter how much you might want to. No matter how much you might wish to say, as outlandish as some might find that idea.
As much as she's able -- as much as she possibly can -- she won't leave. She'll stay right here beside him, still gripping his hand in one and touching his face with the other, and let him pull her close. A little too tight -- but that's alright. ]
I'll stay here with you, okay? However long you need.
That makes him duck his head to let his forehead rest on her other shoulder, just to hide those stupid tears that suddenly sprung up. Guy had said he'd stay, too, and now... And he couldn't lose her, too. He just couldn't. Not after everything - It's such a stupid, selfish thought, but he - he wants to stay here. It's not like anything's happening on Auldrant, for all that he knows, and no one wants him there anyway... And he wants her to stay, too.
But this place... It could take either of them away without warning. They did the same to Natalia, Anise and... and Guy. It's just something he has to accept, even though he knows he can't.
In response to her, he means to spit out a thank you, but instead, quietly:]
[ It's funny... all she'd meant was right now. Right here on this bridge. It's only after a few moments that she realizes how what she said could be interpreted.... and feels awful for it, though she tries not to show it.
When he shifts, she moves with him, adjusting her hands and body to accommodate the way he's leaning against her. It's okay if he cries. She'd want to cry too.
But his words make her pause, eyes widening a little as she draws in a slow breath. It's not like she doesn't know already, but still, hearing them...
[For a few minutes, there's just a comforting silence. Luke's breathing might have hitched a few times, but otherwise, there were no other signs that he might have wanted to cry...
That is, until he pulls back and wipes at his face before he can look up at her with wet eyes, then glance down again as if to try and hide that fact. As much as the both of them being here means to him, it is kind of uncomfortable trying to twist and turn in order to hug without falling off of the railing, which prompts his next offer.]
[ ... she'll let him get away with the wet eyes. if he were actually crying she'd probably just wipe his tears away, but... well, he seems to want to hide it, so she'll let it go.
instead she just smiles softly and nods. ] Sure. Do you have anywhere in mind?
[House 5 held too many memories. As did Good Spirits. Where else could they go... Ah.
Still holding her hand, Luke slides off of the railing, speaking only once his feet are on the solid bridge.]
How about your house? I won't stay too long. [Definitely not for the night or anything. Xion already had a lot of people in her house, particularly a few who would probably judge or glare at him, so staying with her would definitely mean imposing.]
she knows better.
instead without a word she leaves. goes looking. she has an idea as to where he might be. she doesn't have any caramel apples with her ... but she does, on a hunch, have an extra scarf.
and of course, her idea proves to be right, when she finds him on That One Bridge. but she doesn't say anything as she walks up. only hugs the emerald green scarf to her chest and simply ... watches him, for a moment, in silence. ]
Reply
Reply
when she finally speaks her voice is quiet and even, not betraying any emotion. ]
... somehow, we always seem to end up here, huh?
Reply
He reaches up to touch the scarf, just to shift it a little and make it more comfortable, and mutters a quiet "thanks". It was pretty cold right now...]
Reply
she looks at him, finally, eyes searching his face. she opens her mouth to ask the question -- to say the words, perhaps, I heard you earlier -- then immediately realizes they aren't necessary. after all, why else would she be out here? why else would HE be out here?
after a beat , she drops her gaze, mouth closing as the words die on her lips. instead, she reaches out to very gently take his hand in her own, running her thumb softly over his knuckles. still not looking up at his face. ]
... will he be okay, there?
Reply
His attention is back on the water when she asks him that question, though, and he doesn't respond for a few minutes. It's easier to not talk about it. He just gets that lump in his throat when he does... Still, he answers and closes his fingers around hers, though he turns his head away a little.]
I think so. He's from the future, so I don't know... [Honestly, Luke's pretty sure he himself isn't okay there, in Guy's future. But that's something else entirely that he doesn't want to bring up.]
Reply
And now Luke's going to have that association, too. He'll remember coming here the day Guy disappeared. That's a difficult thing to forget. "Nice" and "sad" ... in this case, aren't really mutually exclusive.
She's silent for a moment more, after he trails off, shifting their hands so she can weave their fingers together. Her eyes remain on their joined hands, and her voice ... all of a sudden has just a little raw emotion to it. Just a little. ]
It's not fair, is it? When other people go home. We're supposed to be glad they're home and it's supposed to be better that way, because then they're not stuck here too, but it's not! It's not any better at all. Because... [ her grip on his hand tightens, and her expression draws in, too. ] ... friends are supposed to stay together. So ... so I don't care what ( ... )
Reply
That's what I've always thought. I always wondered why people would say they're happy their friend went home. I get it, but... they're still gone. And if they come back... They probably won't remember being here. It's okay to be sad... and it's okay to miss them, too.
[Then why is Luke trying to hard to keep it all locked away? Well, he'll get to that.]
But when I think about Guy going back and... not remembering this place, or... what Auldrant might be like in his time, I just... I get so scared. I don't want to think about it, because...
[Because his hands start shaking, like they are now, even the one she's holding. What if Guy came back and had such high expectations of Luke again? ( ... )
Reply
don't be scared. ]
Reply
He blinks in surprise, and out of those depressing thoughts, when he feels her hand on his cheek, and just when he glances at her, she pulls him forward to rest their heads together. For a moment, he just stares at her closed eyes with his own widened ones... then he shuts them, and he reaches his free hand around to rest on her farther shoulder, his grip portraying the sadness and fear still in him by being a little tighter than it normally would be. They can't do much on the railing, lest they risk falling straight into the river, but... but this is enough. Right now, it's...
Don't leave him too.]
Reply
As much as she's able -- as much as she possibly can -- she won't leave. She'll stay right here beside him, still gripping his hand in one and touching his face with the other, and let him pull her close. A little too tight -- but that's alright. ]
I'll stay here with you, okay? However long you need.
Reply
That makes him duck his head to let his forehead rest on her other shoulder, just to hide those stupid tears that suddenly sprung up. Guy had said he'd stay, too, and now... And he couldn't lose her, too. He just couldn't. Not after everything - It's such a stupid, selfish thought, but he - he wants to stay here. It's not like anything's happening on Auldrant, for all that he knows, and no one wants him there anyway... And he wants her to stay, too.
But this place... It could take either of them away without warning. They did the same to Natalia, Anise and... and Guy. It's just something he has to accept, even though he knows he can't.
In response to her, he means to spit out a thank you, but instead, quietly:]
I love you.
Reply
When he shifts, she moves with him, adjusting her hands and body to accommodate the way he's leaning against her. It's okay if he cries. She'd want to cry too.
But his words make her pause, eyes widening a little as she draws in a slow breath. It's not like she doesn't know already, but still, hearing them...
She just holds him as best she can. ]
... I love you too, Luke.
Reply
That is, until he pulls back and wipes at his face before he can look up at her with wet eyes, then glance down again as if to try and hide that fact. As much as the both of them being here means to him, it is kind of uncomfortable trying to twist and turn in order to hug without falling off of the railing, which prompts his next offer.]
Uh... Maybe we should go somewhere else for now.
Reply
instead she just smiles softly and nods. ] Sure. Do you have anywhere in mind?
Reply
Still holding her hand, Luke slides off of the railing, speaking only once his feet are on the solid bridge.]
How about your house? I won't stay too long. [Definitely not for the night or anything. Xion already had a lot of people in her house, particularly a few who would probably judge or glare at him, so staying with her would definitely mean imposing.]
Reply
Leave a comment