016 [Action/Video]

[cakeblocked]

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[mirrorbirth]

[When Luke enters the apartment, he'll find Asch dozing on the couch, with Star curled up into a bundle on his lap. It's strange for him to still be asleep at this time in the morning, but what's probably even more strange is that he doesn't stir as Luke comes in.]

[cakeblocked]

[Luke had honestly figured that Asch wasn't home when he didn't answer the door. He still didn't have a good grasp of their link, after all; only enough to realize it was there, or when he was close, or to talk if he tried hard enough. He... feels close, but...

So, Luke unlocks the door and lets himself inside, locking the door behind him. Once he looks out and into the apartment... he is pretty surprised to see Asch there. Immediately, there's the strong urge to get out and run away, or at least retreat to his room and not come out for a while.

Instead, he frowns and purses his lips to fight it, and the fist holding the remains of his hair shakes as he lowers his head once more, and he reaches out within the link in an attempt to rouse him as well as speaking out loud.]

Asch?

[mirrorbirth]

[Star moves first, perking up and launching himself at Luke with a chipper, welcoming "mieu!" in hopes of some cuddles. After a moment with no sign of reaction, Asch's eyes snap open to zero in on Luke, holding his breath and remaining still for just long enough to probably make his reaction somewhat alarming. Once that's over, however, he exhales and sits up, brushing his hair out of his face.]

What are you doing here?

[cakeblocked]

[Luke might not like Star very much, but he can't help smiling a little and scritching the top of his head with his free hand. Asch's reaction, however, makes Luke flinch, still keeping his head low. It makes the still long bangs cover his face, which he doesn't particularly mind.]

I... [What was he doing here? Luke wasn't really thinking when he fled the weapons shop. He stays silent for a few seconds, then tries again.] I wanted to stay here again.

[offallingsnow]

[Nephry hears this, but doesn't have anything useful to say at the time. Or anything she wants to say in such an impersonal manner.

It's pure coincidence that she passes him later, as he searches for people.]

Good afternoon, Luke.

[cakeblocked]

[Coincidentally, Nephry was one of those people he was looking for. Once she greets him, Luke looks at her with wide eyes, then looks away. He's never sure what to say to these people... the ones he was so rude to just a week ago.]

Nephry...

[offallingsnow]

There's no need to look like I'm going to shout at you.

[cakeblocked]

... [He chances a glance at her.] You're not going to?

[Action] Because they kinda mouthed off at each other...

[boomchucka]

[Selphie's journal is neatly tucked into her backpack that's resting against her thigh as she's plopped herself under a tree to avoid the worst of the summer heat. It's still hot and bright out, but it's a bit cooler under the trees.

It doesn't make the fact that the two had snarked at each other in the worst way humanly possible as she starts to fan herself with that big, floppy hat of hers. The shorts and loose clothing weren't helping her to cool off but she'll be there for a little having a rest and downing about half of the contents of a water bottle being pulled out of her bag.

She doesn't even notice Luke wandering around.]

[Action] Oh yes. ):

[cakeblocked]

[Luke does notice her, though, after spending some time looking. He remembers how they argued with and called each other names... He can't help wincing a little when he remembers it. He'd definitely have to apologize to her.

So, he heads over to her, calling out her name once he's close enough to be heard, at least to let her know that she's there.]

Selphie?

[Action] =C

[boomchucka]

[Selphie looks up at the sound of her name being called and while part of her really wants to scowl darkly at the Replica, she doesn't. She doesn't smile or wave but she keeps her expression neutral. She remembers that argument they had all too well.]

Hey Luke.

[Action]

[cakeblocked]

[His own expression is... less than happy, and her own reaction makes him lose eye contact with her. This was... hard. Really hard... but he still had to get it done. So, he keeps walking, until he can sit not far from her.]

I'm sorry for arguing with you like that.

[totally action]

[bullet_dance]

[For the first time in weeks, Noel isn't outside on a mission or anything; she's outside to just be outside. A step in recovery? Most definitely. The lingering fear of what could happen while she's out there alone is still there, but that's why she decides not to stray too far from home.

Luke might be able to catch Noel at the bridge near the plaza. She's... kind of keeping to herself, watching as the fish swim through the river stream below, but he's more than welcome to approach. unless he's trying to get a better look at dat ass B|]

[totally action]

[cakeblocked]

[Luke finds her there by the bridge, and for a moment, he wants to just... turn and run, assured that she never saw him. But that would be cowardly. Luke went outside to face up to everything, not run from it.

So, slowly, he approaches her, though he stops at the end of the bridge, suddenly feeling very afraid, and... very sorry, too. He still remembers what he said to her...]

Noel?

[totally action]

[bullet_dance]

[Thankfully she's not distracted enough not to hear the voice. Noel blinks once before turning her head to the source.

...]

Luke...?

[Nevermind the fact that his hair was short again, but something felt really different from the last time they had spoken. When he asked her that question...

What was going on? Had he really been sent home, or...?

And more than that, well. What should she say?]

Y-Your hair... it's...

[totally action]

[cakeblocked]

... Short again. Yeah.

[He walks onto the bridge now, and he leans against the railing near her to watch the water. It's hard to look at her during this.]

I don't know if you got my message on the journal... I wasn't sent home or anything. The Malnosso messed with my memories and took a lot of it away. About... a year or so of them?

They took away me learning that I was a replica, and...

nothing;

[kakeravoyager]

[