Nightshift 45: M11-M20 Hallway

[destroyeroftime]

[from here]Oh, so this was the hall he needed to be in. At least, he was pretty sure it was the right place. If he remembered right, the man on the bulletin board talking about Search and Rescue, his name was Phillip Hunt. If there were only two people in a room, though, it shouldn't be too hard finding him

Comments

M19

[replicatedorder]

[continued from dinner]

That announcement killed the somewhat optimistic impatience that Luke had after Cloud managed to make him feel better about things. The guy in charge definitely had some kind of problem, and Luke was ready to show him a lesson. But given how long things took on their journey, he had a feeling that it was going to be a while before he really got things sorted out. It was just the first night, so he had to be patient enough.

After he had finished the tempura on his plate, he returned to his bed and sprawled out, flashlight lying against his stomach, and waited for the door to click open. A part of him wanted to stand near it, watching, waiting, even pacing, but he knew it would annoy him if someone else was doing that, so he tried to give an air of calm. Who knew what really lied out there? Depending on where he was at any given period of time, monsters always tended to look ... different. Some were scary, some were weak, and some, as Tear seemed to try to keep from pointing out, were rather cute.

Of course, Luke had a feeling that they wouldn't be getting warnings about cute, fluffy animals if they posed a threat. Those types usually weren't that tough. Or maybe it was just how Tear handled them.

Either way, he didn't let himself carry on thoughts about fluffy monsters versus scary ones for too long, instead thinking of strategies. Not that Luke was fantastic at them, but it killed the remaining time while his right foot moved side to side until that announcement clicked on, and not long after, the doors opened.

Something like "it's about time" seemed inappropriate. It wasn't like Luke wanted to trek out there into unknown territory. He kept his mouth shut as he sat up, flashlight rolling down to his lap, and turned so his feet could quickly hit the floor as he stood up. "I guess we're as prepared as we can be." That sounded a little less like someone who wanted to rush out there, he decided. And a bit more fitting for the slightly more subdued feeling that was coming over him.

Re: M19

[notthistrain]

As he'd been told they would, the doors did indeed unlock after the evening announcements. Though the way the head doctor spoke, talking about sitting back, he couldn't help but be a little worried. What exactly did he have in store?

"The guy I spoke to earlier said I was to meet him in room M20. ...Which room is this?" Cloud felt a little silly for not having checked the number on the door before being led in, but he should be able to check it now barring something chomping his head off the moment he stuck it outside the door. The knob turned with no trouble, and he peered out carefully to find a couple others already in the hall. He stepped out just enough to get a look at the their own door before returning with a somewhat embarrassed expression. "M20 would be, uh, next door."

It wasn't exactly a long way to travel, which meant he and Luke might be splitting up sooner than he'd thought. Though if they were going to be staying that close to each other, then introductions couldn't hurt anyway. "Did you want to just stop by for a moment? We didn't make very detailed plans."

Re: M19

[replicatedorder]

Luke had opened his mouth to reply to Cloud when the sensation came over him, making it so that he had to raise a hand to press it against his head. It'd been a while since he felt that, since he felt that flood of power flow into him so that he'd have the second order hyperresonance. It was a little frustrating to suddenly be feeling it, here, and he wondered, briefly, if it was Lorelei-but that seemed impossible. No, it was impossible.

After all, the voice was distinctly Asch's, which was impossible. Or had Asch somehow survived, too? Had something happened in those final moments to make that possible?

Asch? he returned, the confusion present in his thoughts. He looked up at Cloud and realized he didn't want to hold him back. Whatever this was, whoever it was, he needed Cloud to go help his friend. "It ... might be a good idea for you to go on without me," he forced out, his voice a bit strained. "Someone's contacting me." If it was him, he realized that would be a little hard to believe. "Uh ... I'll be okay," he added, straightening up a little to give the appearance of that. "Go to help your friend."

Re: M19

[notthistrain]

When Luke held his head, Cloud had a moment of worry that only increased at his next words. Someone was contacting him? The former infantryman could almost feel the strain on his own mind, the white flash of light and voices - his and yet not. It wasn't there and it wouldn't be returning, but the situation seemed far too similar. I'll be all right. Don't worry about me, I'm just gonna hand over this black materia...

Maybe he was overreacting, but it might not be worth taking the risk. He stopped at the door, one hand on the knob, as he watched Luke's reaction. The red-head wasn't clutching his skull in pain, nor did he appear to be entirely out of it, but that didn't necessarily prove anything.

"I really think you should come with me," he insisted, eyes slightly narrowed. If he allowed him to leave like this and something happened to him (or others because of him) then it would be his fault for not having recognized the signs when he lived through them himself.

Re: M19

[replicatedorder]

What do you mean? Luke asked in return. Where the hell had he been? It figured that Asch was already demanding something from him, instead of this being a reunion. He was glad to hear his voice, glad to know that there was a chance he was alive-and there was absolutely no doubt in Luke's mind that this was Asch, what with that being done. Only Asch would do that, only Asch would jump to that so quickly, only Asch ... It meant that Asch was able to hold his promise, after all. It didn't explain why Luke got his power, why he seemed so lifeless when he caught him, but it was a start. While he did start with that initial, familiar frustration at something already being demanded from him, he also felt comforted in knowing he was there. Asch was there, somewhere, and he was ... okay.

In the end, it was really hard to grasp all of that. I have to admit, I never thought I'd hear your voice again. Heh, I'm glad you're okay ... after everything. A bit too cheerful, perhaps, but Luke still wasn't grasping the full situation.

The cheer made it easier to look at Cloud and offer a smile. "I'll stick around here if it seems like it's too bad to head out. I've got to talk to who's contacting me. It's a little hard to explain, but it's someone I thought I lost." He paused, rubbing a little at his head. "I promise I'll be okay, and I'll definitely explain later." If they didn't handle everything tonight, it seemed likely that they would be roommates for a while. Giving Cloud a little insight as to what was going on didn't seem like a bad idea in the least.

Re: M19

[notthistrain]

The blond still hesitated, still unsure about the situation. As bad of an experience as he'd had, he couldn't so easily let up on Luke even if he seemed positive that everything would be all right. Cloud wanted to stay as well, see exactly who this person was that was contacting him, but Kenshin would be waiting for his arrival.

He closed his eyes and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. The truth of the matter was that he didn't have any idea what was going on with his roommate, and he couldn't be so quick to judge. "...All right. But now I'm going to worry about you. Please be careful." It was true they'd only just met, but they'd also shared enough about each other to give Cloud a feeling of kinship. Lost as he was in this place, he was going to need all the help he could get.

Confirming the other man's well-being, Cloud turned the knob and stepped outside.

[to here]

Re: M19

[replicatedorder]

A week ago? Asch's words didn't make any sense. He tried to process it while watching Cloud leave, hoping that his roommate would understand. It would take a lot to explain, but at least the bigger part of the story was already revealed: he was a replica. The rest-including the part where he and his original shared a link-could come tomorrow. He just hoped Cloud would get through the night safely. As it was, the moment Cloud exited, he dropped the façade of being okay, pressing his hand hard against his head. Because this was never the most pleasant sensation, and it had always been worsened by the fact that it was one-sided. What're you talking about? Luke asked, his voice sharp. A week ago we were still finalizing preparations for Eldrant!

It was difficult to really show how happy he was with Asch reverting to this. Luke wanted to be happy, because he wanted Asch to live up to that promise, to come back, to live, just as he had fought for a right to live. They both had that right. Only ... Asch wanted to stay behind.

His free hand curled into a fist, jaw set as he pressed on. We defeated Master Van ... and I freed Lorelei. Just like we agreed to. I just hadn't thought that I'd still be alive, but I guess we both are. I'm glad, Asch. We can both keep our promises, huh? The cheer hit the end of his words again, even if it was difficult to hold on to that.

Re: M19

[replicatedorder]

Any remaining shred of annoyance at Asch faded away, replaced by relief that he was there, that he was okay-even if he was the same. That was fine, too. Luke wouldn't hold that against him, and he managed to get through an entire explanation without insulting him. It wasn't much, but it seemed logical to hold on to anything, even the little pieces. No, he didn't need approval from Van, Asch, or even his friends. Really, he figured he didn't need Asch coddling him, but it meant that they had a future now. It meant things could be different.

Luke hesitated before responding to Asch's words, processing them past the fact that there wasn't a single insult thrown in there. That meant that there had been more-more to what happened before, to what he said, and what promises had been made. If he left, maybe it hurt Asch, but maybe that was unreasonable to conclude. Unreasonable it may be, he still felt an apology was in order-one of only a few, as he was mostly past the stage in which he apologized for stepping even a little out of line. I'm sorry I left, Asch, he began, grasping for more words than that. I bet you expect this, but it seems strange to hear that I've been here before. But why would you lie to me? Brutal and cutting with his words as Asch may be, he wasn't a liar. So if you don't want to talk about promises, I guess I understand. Did I break one to you?

He wanted to ask more. Where was Asch? Could they meet? Could they talk? He wanted to tell Asch that this was how things were supposed to be, outside of the fact that he was glad. Both of them fought for that right, and while this place wasn't exactly great, it was a start. They just had to win one more battle to step out and be themselves. Monsters, in a way, seemed to be nothing compared to what they faced dealing with the God Generals' attempts to destroy the world and the Score itself. Luke was sure they could handle it, and his faith was strengthened by the fact that his roommate seemed to be good at handling stuff like this, too.

Re: M19

[replicatedorder]

Idiot friends? Luke couldn't tell who he meant. Did that mean he somehow had made friends in his time here, or did Asch mean his friends from outside this place? On one hand, if it were them, Luke would feel relieved to see them again. On the other, it seemed like a really bad idea for them to be anywhere near this place, and it only seemed to enforce his suspicions that this was some place to hurt them because they finally abolished the Score.

But it wasn't that that he chose to respond to first. Haha, don't worry. I'm not planning on dying any time soon. You don't have to worry too much. Perhaps it was a little flippant, but Luke had some desire to show Asch just how much life meant to him. And if it meant being flippant, then he would be: after all, it was just a fact of things. You better not die, either. Not again. You got it?

Now that he'd made his demands, he figured he was allowed a few questions of curiosity, and he delivered them quickly: And what ... friends? Did I manage to make some here? Or do you mean Guy, Jade, and the others? Oh, and hey, where are you? I want to meet up.

Re: M19

[replicatedorder]

So it was those friends. Guy, Jade, Tear-the rest. Only Asch wasn't clarifying which friends were there. Luke wasn't going to ask, because he had more pressing things to worry about. If they were here, he'd find them, or they would find him-it was as simple as that. It was more worrying that he had been here before and forgotten, but it just meant that he had even more life to hold on to. That meant these people couldn't win, and that this time, not only would he take down this Landel guy, but he'd make sure that everyone was okay and un-brainwashed first.

I am going to worry! Luke shot back. You don't always have to do things alone. But if you've been here a week, it won't be so easy as to just find our weapons again and get the hell out of here. He paused, thinking for a moment. I won't make you meet up yet, though. Just don't think it'll be as easy as that. He rationalized that it really wouldn't be the easiest experience for Asch-especially if he had been here before and forgotten.