001 ~ [Voice]

[soreplaceable]

[Raindrops falling from the sky and splashing down into the nearby river can be heard over the journal network. Someone talking very softly to himself can vaguely be heard over the sound of the rain.]

Where is this place...? Ah, there's buildings over there, I wonder if I should go there first...

[There is a pause as the boy in question stops and

Comments

[Voice]

[wingedreplica]

[Hold up. He KNOWS that voice.]

I-Ion?

[Voice]

[soreplaceable]

Wait, that's...

[And Ion certainly knows that voice.]

...Luke?

[Voice]

[wingedreplica]

Yeah, it's me.

Are you okay?

[Voice]

[soreplaceable]

Luke! You're here! I mean... wait. Weren't you still in Auldrant? How did you end up here too...?

[Pauses and takes a deep breath.]

I'm fine, just... still rather confused.

[Voice]

[wingedreplica]

It's a really long story that I should probably tell you face to face.

[He smiles a bit because.... He MISSED YOU.]

That's okay, most people are when they first get here. Can you tell me what you see around you? I'll come get you and bring an umbrella.

Re: [Voice]

[soreplaceable]

Luke...

[He can't help but wonder now how long Luke might have already been here.]

Ah, actually, someone else already led me out of the forest. I'm at the Welcome Center now.

[Voice]

[wingedreplica]

The Welcome Center? Mind if I come see you?

[Voice]

[soreplaceable]

You don't have to ask, Luke! I'd love to see you.

[Voice ---> Action]

[wingedreplica]

Okay, just sit tight and I'll be there soon!

[Ion will hear shuffling and Luke grabbing an umbrella and coat before practically launching out the door to get to the Welcome Center.

Give him a few minutes and he'll be coming through the door.]

[Action]

[soreplaceable]

[Ion closed his own journal and walked to the front door, patiently waiting for Luke to arrive, unable to hold back the excited smile on his face. And when the door opened and the redhead showed up, that smile grew into a grin.] Luke...!

[Action]

[wingedreplica]

[Luke stops, staring at him for a moment just tt be quite sure he was real. This place had a habit of taking his friends away without the slightest notice.

He walks over, reaching out and setting a hand on Ion's arm.]

Hey...

[Action]

[soreplaceable]

[Likewise, Ion was staring up at Luke, almost in disbelief. The last time he'd looked up at him hadn't really been that long ago, but that time was...

He was quiet for only a moment before reaching up and giving Luke a sudden, tight hug.] Luke, you're really here!

[Action]

[wingedreplica]

[It had been way too long. Luke held Ion tightly in return, happy to see him alive and well again.]

Yeah, I've been here a long time. It's been forever since I've seen you.

[Action]

[soreplaceable]

[He eventually pulls away, simply because it'd be awkward talking, otherwise. Even though it hasn't been nearly as long for him, he shares Luke's sentiment; it certainly feels like forever.]

How is this even possible, being here and seeing everyone and... [He trails off and then shakes his head. No point in berating Luke with questions right now.] ...how have you been?

[Action]

[wingedreplica]

[Once Ion pulls away, Luke backs away and scratches the back of his head.]

Luceti isn't a normal place in the slightest. But I've been okay... I've been here for the past two years.

[Action]

[soreplaceable]

Two years...! [Shocked expression.] That's... but I just saw you...!

[He trailed off. Saying this place wasn't normal was an understatement.]

I'm sorry. I guess I still don't understand what's going on.