Day 46: Sun Room

[human_sponge]

Peter woke up suddenly, his body twisting in the bed and then forcing him to catch his breath in pain. Pain, which was coming from his middle because of the thing that had scratched him last night, and after that

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[ran_on_empty]

Sync wanted to die.

It wasn't a thought primarily induced from the pain he was feeling, but that wasn't to say that it didn't contribute to the final product. No, these thoughts weren't new at all, and yet he never seemed to reach that point. It was as if fate itself was mocking his hatred for life, refusing to give him that he wanted more than anything simply because he didn't appreciate what he already had.

But what was there to appreciate when he was already born a failure?

Green eyes slowly opened, lingering thoughts of his dreams dissipating when the pain finally hit him in full. The God-General gritted his teeth, but other than that he showed no outward discomfort. There were more important things to worry about, to painfully swallow and digest like everything else in this damned prison. The very thought of 'last night' made his blood boil, features contorting into a snarl for those few seconds. As much as he refused to believe it ever happened his injuries proved him otherwise, sending shocks throughout his body when he tried to sit up. Sync slowly hissed, using his free arm to push himself up before shifting most of his weight to that side.

To think that this institute could even control him like that ... Brief flashes of yesterday entered his mind, face heating up in both anger and humiliation.

He'll make Claude regret not finishing the job.

"That was a nasty fall you had, Stephen." It was his nurse's words that pulled him from his thoughts as she entered the room, offering him a worried smile. Sync's face relaxed, though it was easy to see that he was anything but chipper.

"Yeah..."

Shifting his arm a little in his sling, the God-General tried to move to the edge of the bed, doing so slowly as to not agitate any of his wounds. He refused a wheelchair, seeing it as nothing more than a sign of weakness (plus his legs were just fine), and carefully followed his nurse out of his room and down the halls. Maybe it was nothing more than a string of conveniences, but the first thing Sync's eyes fell on when he entered the Sun Room was not the supposedly dead swordsman, but instead the familiar red mass sitting nearby.

The teen's expression remained calm as he walked away from his nurse, slowly making his way to where Luke was. It didn't matter if the redhead saw him first, and it showed when he didn't bother beating around the bush when he finally stopped in front of him.

"You've got some nerve showing your face at a time like this."

[replicatedorder]

It was really amazing how already simmering frustration could bubble over so quickly at the sound of one person's voice. Though it was the same as Ion's, Sync had a way of melding his voice that made him very uniquely him-it was the sole reason why, he imagined, that they hadn't been able to figure out his identity sooner. Then again, Asch and Luke didn't sound terribly similar, as Asch had a way of making his constant irritation noticeable. In a way, though, Luke wished Sync sounded-or rather, was-Ion, because he missed him. That was unfair, but given what Sync had done to his friend, he didn't feel that it was an entirely displaced notion. Ion wouldn't hurt anyone, but Sync-he was different, like all the God-Generals, and unwilling to let go of his past bitterness.

As it was, Luke wasn't very good at hiding the fact that he was irritated by the sudden appearance of the God-General. He carefully laid down his journal and glared at Sync, teeth grinding hard at the sight of him. He killed Guy. Though he hadn't been there, the fact still remained; he may have returned, but it didn't mean that Sync hadn't moved without purpose. Luke's features probably looked more like Asch's than ever in that moment, eyebrows furrowed, mouth tightened around the edges. He considered standing up to look down at him, but intimidation tactics when nurses weren't too far away seemed like a stupid idea.

"I could say the same to you," Luke returned. "I already know what you did the other night to Guy." Better to cut to the chase, to make his present irritation have a definition. Though it wouldn't be unfounded for Luke to have other reasons to dislike Sync, this was the most immediate. He wanted to add more, that doing that to Guy would make Luke never forgive him, but he couldn't quite form those words. As much as he wouldn't forgive him for it-hurting people wasn't something that meant one could simply "earn" forgiveness, this was a fact that Luke knew all too well-he didn't quite understand Sync enough to spit those words out. Or at least, he had some restraint before saying things like that.

But looking at him, just looking-he was a replica, too. He looked like Ion, who held on to life and willingly sacrificed himself. How could he be so different?

Luke admitted he could answer that himself. He could have taken that same path. He could have been as bitter, but he restrained himself. He had more to prove, and instead of giving up, he wanted to help others, to make up for his mistakes. Seeing Sync was like seeing a reflection of a part of himself that had undeniably been there, but Luke hadn't resorted to making that the prominent part of who he was.

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For a brief moment there was a trace of surprise in Sync's features as he stared the replica down, the latter's expression perfectly mimicking that of Aschs's. It was no surprise that his presence was often scowled at, because he could say with confidence that the feelings were certainly mutual. Yet this was the first time he'd ever come across Luke since he arrived, so he was a bit of a conundrum. It was strange; Asch had always been easy to spot in a crowd, and this bastard's hair stuck out even more so than the useless God-General. However, the latter's words threw him off for a moment, before it was all gone in a flash.

Just like that the replica's features hardened, gracing Luke with an arrogant smirk as he leaned down to his level.

"Hm?" Sync's smirk widened, this time baring teeth. "I guess news travels fast here."

There was no doubt that Anise or someone else who was close to either her or Claude had informed Luke of this, but he wasn't going to let that worry him. Really, with all things considered, it was nothing more than a minor setback. However, it was the fact that he'd been powerless to stop it that bothered him more than the potential enemies he might've gained from the event. Sync didn't bother to pull back, instead leaning even closer to show Luke just how little he cared.

"Believe me, you wouldn't have been able to do a thing anyway," The replica began, voice low while his eyes remained sharp. "You all might've killed me before, but you're so weak when you have to fight on your own. It's pathetic."

[replicatedorder]

So that was why and how it happened. Guy had been forced to take on Sync on his own. It surprised Luke that Sync was even powerful enough to take down Guy, but Luke remembered how he felt the night before. Guy had indicated that he was the same way-but by that standard, shouldn't Sync be the same way? Still, it made him uneasy to think of his friend having to fight on his own. He didn't exactly understand why Guy hadn't been strong enough to take down Sync, but Luke concluded that it must have had something to do with being caught in a bad place.

Of course, he didn't realize just how true that was.

Luke didn't budge as Sync leaned in closer to him. He wasn't planning on showing any weaknesses, on letting the other know that he was unsettled. Before replying, he thought through his next response, and remembered Guy's note on the board when he went to leave his own. Guy had to tell everyone he was okay, and given Sync's words, he wondered if the God-General hadn't been clued in yet. "Guy told me first thing this morning." It was a simple enough statement, but he imagined it had some weight.

"And the last thing he is is weak," Luke added, feeling the need to jump to his friend's defense. "But I have to know. What did you get out of killing him? Is this the life you still want to live?" Though he could have mustered up some sympathy in his tone, Luke didn't bother.

[ran_on_empty]

It seemed as if Luke was full of surprises today, enough to make him as bad of an eyesore as Anise for a brief period. Of all things the latter had to say, it was the one thing that caught the God-General completely off guard.

Guy told me first thing this morning.

His smirk had completely disappeared from his face, replaced with one of shock, mind blanking as if he'd been stuck by something. However, as if realizing what he was doing, it wasn't long before Sync's expression twisted to one of amusement before laughing. It wasn't loud enough to bring forth any unwanted attention, but it was just as condescending as anything else.

"That's a good one!" Just how stupid was Luke to make him believe that his words actually held any sort of weight? It was bad enough that Luke was actually trying to defend the bastard, but to act like Guy actually told him everything himself? It was no surprise that the replica didn’t bother to even acknowledge the redhead’s questions, far too immersed with what was more important.

"Believe me, I made damn sure that weak" Sync made sure to overemphasize the word. "friend of yours was as good as dead. He won't be coming back any time soon."

[replicatedorder]

The hunch was correct. It turned out Sync hadn't known, which left Luke rather relieved that he was able to deliver that news. Perhaps the wiser approach would have been to leave Sync believing, but he wasn't much for that kind of complicated strategy-and again, there was a note on the board that would have contradicted it. He liked being able to wave this in Sync's face. Truthfully, it probably should have been Guy who had the opportunity to reveal it, but somehow this was better. Putting the God-General in his place right away was satisfying, what with how he had killed his best friend and all.

"Yeah, he was dead," Luke agreed. "And that's something I won't be forgetting anytime soon." It wasn't a matter of saying that he wouldn't forgive, but forgetting-that was more important. It wasn't like Sync would forget where he came from; it wasn't like he would completely drop the part where he had died by their hands. This wasn't something Luke saw as retribution, though, and he knew that most of the God-Generals wouldn't see it that way. Largo's approach had always stuck with him, at least in that regard.

"But he's back now. He looked pretty good, considering what happened to him." That was embellishing a little, but it was the truth. Despite looking sore and forcing down food, Guy was able to explain things to him, and he was still able to smile. That was something he had been grateful for. "It's not that hard to believe, is it? You're here, after all." And so am I, he added silently, but Luke didn't wish to divulge these details unless it was shown that Sync knew already.

[ran_on_empty]

Like I care if you don't forget.

Even though they weren't said, Sync made sure that his words shone in his eyes. The replica before him was nothing more than a steppingstone, a nuisance that tied him to his responsibilities back in Auldrant. He honestly doubted that Luke would be smart enough to keep his distance, but it wasn't like he expected much in the first place. While Sync knew full well that his stay was still short, so much has happened in Landel's that it was no surprise he didn't bother to put forth the effort to even acknowledge Luke as a threat.

Even with the ability of second-order hyperresonance the replica had, no doubt, been pinned down to their level. If he was as handicapped as Guy had been without a sword, then he was no threat at all. When it came down to raw power and skill their efforts were simply laughable compared to someone like him.

"Really now?" As much as Luke's confession aggravated him, Sync didn't show it as he continued to boastfully laugh. However, his chuckles eventually died down, a sense of calm washing over the God-General as he stood back to his full height and offered the replica a deadly smile. There was nothing worth responding to in Luke's last biting words, instead focusing on what was more important.

"It doesn't matter to me. There are only so many times he can come back before he finally gives up. Don't think some weakling like him can actually defeat me."

[replicatedorder]

For Luke, it wasn't difficult for him to notice the uncanny-and very annoying-similarities between Sync and Asch. They both chose from what he said to respond to, choosing to simply disregard the rest because it got a little too personal. Giving answers, giving him satisfaction-he knew it was too much to ask, but it didn't remove that little twinge of nagging feeling at the fact that they were like that. It was impossible to try to reason with any of them, even the most rational, even if they had their reasons and Luke understood them.

"It'll be different next time," Luke said, but he had a feeling that Sync would just ignore this, too. "I'll be there by his side, and you won't be as strong as you were before." His tone was flat as he spoke, uneasy, revealing that Sync was getting to him in some way. Not because he feared for Guy-though a part of him did-but because of the aforementioned willingness to go around what Luke said and respond to only what he wished to respond to.

"Heh," Luke added, a little bit of enthusiasm somehow making its way to his voice. "It's a good thing I showed back up again right around this time." It was marked off as yet another thing that he was sure would be ignored, but he managed to straighten up with confidence. Sync's next fight against their group wouldn't go so well.

[ran_on_empty]

The effort Luke put forth in order to rile Sync up was met with an uninterested scoff, green eyes grazing over Luke's head as if he was paying attention to something else. It was obvious that the replica's words meant nothing to him, just like his existence altogether. While they didn't directly affect each other, it was the redhead's sheer stubbornness that kept their plans from running as fluidly as he would've liked, and for that seeing him alive was unforgivable.

"So you really were here before." Sync's smile had disappeared by then, his tone making it seem like talking to Luke was nothing more than a chore. He glanced back down at the other replica, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly as he continued.

"Where were you when you were here then? Where were you when your friends actually needed you?"

[replicatedorder]

He tried to hold on to that enthusiasm and ease he mustered up, but it was difficult with the next line of questions that Sync chose to deliver. That was right: Where had he been? If he had a promise to deliver, why wasn't he here for his friends before? Luke knew he should have been there, that if he was so willing to take down this institution, why didn't he fight harder before? If the theories that Guy related to him were correct, it was still easy to manipulate him, to make him think he was someone he wasn't. It meant he really hadn't grown as much as he would have preferred, that he couldn't hold on to his right to exist.

But doubting himself was probably what Sync wanted. Making him wonder about who he was like as this "Brandon"-assuming that was who he became-would only make him slip further in his resolve. Luke fell silent while he mulled over this, remembering how strong he had been when he went up against Master Van that final time. Even if the man's intentions were in line with their own, his intentions and his approaches to things-his approaches to Luke-were incorrect. Luke never wavered in that resolve near the end, never stepped up and said that Asch should have been there instead of him. Yes, Sync had a good point. It was one that Luke couldn't even bring himself to confront.

He glanced away noticeably, his resolve slipping away so quickly. "I don't know," he replied, his tone surprisingly strong. Then again, he wasn't looking at Sync for the moment, so it lost that effect to some degree. "If I had a choice, I would have been there for Guy. I would have stopped you."

Luke shifted his gaze to meet Sync's head on. "But that doesn't matter now. I can't change that. Even if you want me to regret it, I can't, not if I want to help Guy. You're right in that I can't answer where I was before, but I can change that now. Even if you'll probably laugh at that, too, go right ahead. I appreciate this chance to be there for the people I care about." That bit of resolve was necessary, and by the end, he seemed to have gathered his bearings again.

[ran_on_empty]

Sync's gaze didn't waver when Luke finally mustered up the courage to look at him again, expression remaining passive as he listened to the replica's words. However, he wasn't aware that a dramatic monologue was necessary to answer his question, and it wasn't like he particularly cared if Luke was trying to convince himself that he was actually useful. He said it himself, didn't he? He didn't know where he'd been, so what was stopping him from making the same, fatal mistake again?

"You're so annoying." After everything the redhead said Sync could only muster up enough energy to point that out. Indeed, Luke's existence in Landel's was annoying, but the God-General hardly saw him as a threat. There was a difference between saying and doing, and until the latter actually made due with his words then Sync would hardly ever bat an eye in his direction. At least Claude had actually tried to act on his own, but in the end even he couldn't ignore his own sympathy. The God-General wasn't aware that he was still worth sympathizing, and that itself was enough to make his blood boil.

By then the intercom had gone off, signaling the end of this shift and the start of lunch. It was only then that Sync tore his eyes away, turning around in order to look for his nurse. However, before he left Luke completely, the replica graced him with a few parting words.

"I won't give you that chance." Call it a challenge, a promise even, but in reality it was nothing more than a scoff at Luke's declaration. The replica had more important things to worry about.