CATCH ALL POST

[generalflirt]

Who: Everyone
What: Last-minute draft encounters
When: Anywhere from this post up until when the drafted leave
Where: Anywhere
Summary: I figured some people might want a convenient catch-all post for last minute interactions if they don't want to put up their own post (or do things apart from what they are doing on their own posts). Feel free to

Comments

[cakeblocked]

[Luke was going to be sent out again, and this time there were a lot more people he knew and cared for who were coming along. Some who couldn't even defend themselves.

He'd have to kill again. Luke should really stop thinking that such peaceful periods would last... They never lasted. He could never stop doing it, could he...

Luke can be found in the battle dome, fighting simulations of Third Party soldiers and fighting back the grimaces that threaten to come over his face, by Seventh Heaven leaning against the wall and staring at the ground, around CH2, and in the apartment itself. He's awfully lost in his thoughts, but he'd appreciate some words with his friends.]

[mirrorbirth]

[Asch has been keeping a silent eye on Luke during his training via their link, keeping the connection subtle enough to avoid distracting Luke's training. Since the announcement, the change in Luke's demeanor has been pretty obvious, and Asch understands why. That idiot still hasn't resigned himself to the necessity of death in this world.

He'll be waiting at the table when Luke returns.]

[cakeblocked]

[There is death in this world, sure... but why do they have to cause it? Why are they forced to go out there, without any means of rest and recovery this time, to fight a war they shouldn't be fighting? And defenseless people are coming along again... some kids.

Those thoughts keep plaguing Luke's mind all throughout the day until he returns later in the afternoon. He was about to head to his room and just call it a day... Until he spots Asch, that is.]

Asch...

[mirrorbirth]

[Asch glances over as his name is called, and he silently nudges a chair out from under the table, so Luke can sit. C'mere, replica. We're gonna have a heart to heart. be afraid]

[cakeblocked]

[oh he's very afraid Luke looks at the chair for a few seconds before he purses his lips a little and heads over to it. He's not sure if he wants to hear what Asch has to say... He knows that his original saw who all was going on the draft. What were they going to talk about? How killing was necessary and he was an idiot for feeling this way?

But he still sits, though he keeps his gaze on the floor beside him.]

[mirrorbirth]

[Asch says nothing for a long moment, still mulling over his thoughts carefully before he sets his gaze on Luke and speaks up.]

This one sounds like it's going to be more dangerous than any draft we've had before.

[cakeblocked]

Yeah.

[Luke still won't look at Asch. Mostly, this is just hard to think about, let alone talk about.]

I don't even know what a rainforest is... but they're making us go out there without any kind of help. We can't rest or... get any gels or anything.

[mirrorbirth]

I can understand what they're trying to do, to an extent- you'll never learn how to be real soldiers if you're being coddled all the time.

[There's no easy, safe escape on the battlefield anywhere else, nor is there a guaranteed revival after seven days of death. Maybe that illusion of safety is holding them back.]

[cakeblocked]

[Luke's expression darkens a little at that.]

Does Ion need to know how to be a real solider? Or Ranka, or Paprika? They shouldn't even be on the battlefield, especially one like this!

[The expression relaxes slightly, in favor of confusion and deep worry.]

And shouldn't the ones in charge of battle be supportive of the people fighting for them? I might not know what they're supposed to be like, but it's like they don't even care when we're the ones fighting for them! I don't get it at all...

[mirrorbirth]

There's plenty of soldiers on our world who didn't choose to be that way. [Including us, he doesn't say- doesn't really have to.] Being a victim of circumstance doesn't mean you're excused. The Fon Master has powers that they'll find useful. Paprika could act as a scout unless they find a way to attack her, the way her body is. [He doesn't know Ranka, so he leaves her out.] Everyone has skills that can be utilized, even on the battlefield.

[antlioncyclone]

[Never thought to use Third Party simulations before now.

...They're tough, but not that tough. Just aim for the wings.

Hey, that's Luke....]

[cakeblocked]

[It is pretty tough, considering the Third Party likes to keep their wings away from their opponent. Luke can't get back there much, so he usually has to do it the messier way.

All of the blood and bodies will vanish once this is over, but right now as another soldier falls to the ground, Luke breathes heavily and stares down at the hologram, who struggles with his last moment of life. It's... it's a fake, but it looks so real...]

bah

[antlioncyclone]

[...hmmm.

Mewtwo was ready to start another round, but...he'll be waiting here for Luke to come out.]

BAH

[cakeblocked]

[It takes a few minutes for the simulation to end and Luke to come out, though he hovers by the entrance to grip the doorjamb and keep his head down. The blood is gone, everything faded into a simple room... but it's still all in his head. Just like the people he'd killed back at home...

He doesn't notice Mewtwo nearby. He's too lost in his thoughts.]

[antlioncyclone]

[Mewtwo has learned from harsh experience that telepathy tends to scare the dickens out of the unaware.

So let's not.

He shuts down the simulation he had been about to run and leans back with a thoughtful huff, glancing up briefly at the observation deck.]

[cakeblocked]

[The huff makes Luke look up from his thoughts, and he notices Mewtwo there. He slowly slides his hand off of the jamb after that.]

Oh... hey, Mewtwo.