Ion ♫ 002

[caprice_of_song]

Who: Ion and Sync
Where: Somni, within walking distance of Cafe des Reves
Style: Third
Status: Closed

Comments

[thebrewingstorm]

It was just one ordeal after another in Somarium, and Sync wanted no part in it. Furthermore, come rain or shine, monsters or no, he was leaving Raven's crowded tavern for somewhere that was less crowded (and, preferably, didn't have Jade Curtiss and Princess Natalia in it).

He was so absorbed with that order of business that he didn't notice Ion right away as he walked right by a ways behind him on the street. Sync gritted his teeth once he heard the familiar voice nearby. Sure enough, when he turned around, he found himself looking at the Fon Master's back. And he'd done so well at managing to avoid him thus far...but no one's luck lasts forever.

For some reason, he didn't leave like he wanted to. He stayed where he was, his expression mostly unreadable behind his mask, as though waiting for Ion to say something first.

[caprice_of_song]

As he turned, Ion caught sight of a stone-still figure standing not far from him. There was no mistaking those clothes--or that hair. No one else's managed to be quite the same ridiculous shade of green as Ion's. He had known this person was in Somarium as well, but had half-hoped they would never have reason to come into contact with each other.

"Sync." Ion paused, awkwardly, sadly, and made a few steps towards him. "I... didn't expect to run into you like this."

[thebrewingstorm]

"I can't say I expected it, either," Sync replied harshly. His eyes narrowed slightly behind his mask. Meeting Ion on top of everything else that already happened...it would have annoyed him to begin with, but now it seemed like just another addition to a long list of grievances. "I'm even more surprised that your companions let you out of their sight. With the way they fret and worry over you, I would have assumed they'd keep you on a much shorter leash."

[caprice_of_song]

The hostility in Sync's voice was to be expected. After all, he had made it very clear he wanted nothing to do with Ion or any of his friends. Nonetheless, it was still unpleasant having to realize all over again just how bitter he was.

"Things are different here," Ion answered levelly, looking straight at Sync's masked face. It was somewhat disturbing to think that, underneath it, his own face was staring right back at him. "My status as Fon Master doesn't mean anything and can neither be used for or against me now. They know that."

[thebrewingstorm]

"And yet they were adamant that I stay away from you," Sync said. Of all the things everyone from Auldrant had warned him not to do, 'don't cause trouble' and 'stay away from Ion' were the ones he was told most often. Not always in so many words, but the meaning was the same every time. "You should've heard them. Really."

[caprice_of_song]

Only someone like Sync could twist it around to make something like friendly concern look like a bad thing. There was nothing wrong with Luke and the others worrying about his welfare. After all, they had lost him once, and Ion didn't want them to have to lose him again--not when it wasn't necessary in Somarium like it had been in Auldrant. He loved them too dearly to bear their sadness without reason.

"Don't be like that. There are no sides anymore, Sync," he said. What was the point of fighting? "There's no reason for you to go on hating us like this. We're not at odds like we used to be."

[thebrewingstorm]

"Shut up!" Sync barked suddenly, bristling at Ion's words. He honestly didn't understand how the Fon Master's replacement could be so blindly optimistic, so willing to forgive and forget. No wonder he'd been taken advantage of so much all over their world.

"Did you think just because we're not on Auldrant anymore, everything's fine and we can all be friends?" He practically snarled the last word. "Stop your naive babbling! The only things that changed are where we are and who's involved."

[caprice_of_song]

Ion could practically feel the bitterness and resent surging off the other boy. So far this was going no better than their only other encounter... and that was saying something.

"There's nothing naive about it!" Ion retorted, completely sure of his own words. He would not resort to raising his voice. It wouldn't help. "I never said we had to be friends, but there's no reason for us to go on like this. The Score is gone. Why do you insist on fighting with us?"

[thebrewingstorm]

The only real, sure-fire reason Sync had for insisting on fighting was lingering feelings of resentment and animosity. It was something he couldn't let go of, didn't WANT to let go of...and he wasn't going to be convinced of otherwise anytime soon.

"I don't have to explain myself to the likes of you."

[caprice_of_song]

"No," he answered, trying to be as reasonable as possible, "you don't."

It was quiet for a moment, and Ion felt the tension in the air prickle slightly. He would simply give up on Sync if not for his fighting skills. He knew Legretta and Anise had already gone head to head at the very least, and the idea of any of his friends coming to further harm through future confrontations was... unthinkable.

"You've heard my side of all this. Please, at least think about what I've said and consider coming to a temporary truce."

[thebrewingstorm]

"A temporary truce?" Sync echoed, "Spare me from your diplomatic wishes, Fon Master. I don't want to hear them." He was sure Ion would keep up the hopes that one of his words might make it through to him somehow, but he wasn't interested in a truce at the moment. Judging by how at least one person he'd met so far had reacted...neither were some of Ion's friends.

[caprice_of_song]

Ion hadn't counted on Sync being as impossible as he remembered, which was probably a foolish thing to do. While this outcome was to be expected, he couldn't help but find it frustrating. What was it that stopped Sync from wanting to have a normal life? Did he enjoy sowing the seeds of hatred Van had given him, or was it something else?

"I thought as much," Ion murmured. "What would you suggest we do?"

[thebrewingstorm]

No one had ever accused Ion of backing off too easily, and even then he was being persistent. Admirable in a diplomat, but annoying for everything else. Why did Ion pretend to care so much about what Sync wanted? His efforts would yield nothing, no matter how he went about doing things.

"I suggest that you leave," he said, "Turn around, return to your nervous little friends before they throw a fit and scour the city looking for you, and stop trying to win me over. Is that what you were looking for?"

[caprice_of_song]

A resigned sigh.

Ion didn't want to have to think of anyone as a lost cause, but he almost wished he'd stuck with his assessment from back in the core. Sync simply didn't want to change.

"That seems to be the best option," he replied, noting with a hint of particularly sour irony that they had finally found something to agree on. He had hoped for something more positive to have mutual feelings toward, but that probably wasn't going to happen any time soon. "I'm sorry things turned out this way."

Collecting his nerve, he turned to go.

[thebrewingstorm]

They'd agreed on something somehow, and Ion was taking Sync's advice and leaving. He was, admittedly, a little surprised that the other replica was giving in, but he wasn't about to stop him. He would be glad to go his separate way again. Once he was sure Ion was on his way, Sync abruptly turned on his heel and started off in the other direction without another word.