[Shadow Self meme-jack]

[bloodyashes]

[Even those who know Asch and Luke well might get a bit confused seeing this redhead wandering around. The slightly darker hair is a clue, tied back in a loose ponytail, and the clothes are little better. That's not something Luke would wear, right?

And yet he doesn't carry himself like Asch at all; there's something gentle about this boy that the God-General lacks. Asch is a blade just under the water, waiting to strike those who don't pay enough attention. This boy is a gentle stream, quiet but steady, nearly impossible to dam up.

The boy who might have been Luke looks at you with bright yellow eyes and a gentle smile.]

Comments

[bloodyashes]

I don't. I'm a murderer and a traitor and I turned away from the only person who wanted me without looking back.

[You thought you were the only one with Van Issues, Luke? At least you can admit to them.]

You think you deserve to be hated to Akzeriuth? You never intended for anyone to get hurt. I took lives and I gloried in it, and I did it all for him.

And even here I can't escape from it.

[desireforchange]

['But, Asch...' he wants to say...'you made up for it... you helped save us all'...'between the two of us, we managed to save Auldrant'...

He can't say that, though. Instead, he resorts to looking fairly surprised. Asch never seemed to have... Van problems. In fact, Asch always seemed so... composed, calm, ...level-headed. Sure, he's always had those anger issues.

Even with that, though, he always seemed like the more mature one. Luke had felt so... jealous, at one point. Now, he realizes, though...

Asch has always been just as messed up as he... still is, in many ways. Looking down, Luke lets out a soft 'heh'.]

So, what...then? Because you ...made some mistakes, you're just gonna sit around, and beat yourself up? You're gonna give up, without trying to think of a way to atone?

[He really... had not meant to let that slip out. Sighing, Luke scratches the back of his head. For once, he's the one looking annoyed.]

[bloodyashes]

It's hard to get started when you don't know where you're going.

[It's not said as a complaint, just a simple statement. There's a lot of simple statements, today.]

I try, but it feels a lot like rolling in place, sometimes. Dying wouldn't have been so bad.

[desireforchange]

[He tenses, his hand curling into a fist.]

Just... stop it, already. You don't know what the hell you're saying, do you?

[He gives a hard stare to the floor, before finally releasing a sigh.]

I used to think that way, but... sometimes the answer's right there in your face. It's a matter of opening your damn eyes to see it.

superlate supeertag

[bloodyashes]

I know exactly what I'm saying.

[A small laugh, then, and that at least is very unlike Asch. He's smiling, gratefully, although it's not directed at Luke.]

You don't have to look so worried. I've already been talked out of following through on it.

[He turns his head to look at Luke, briefly, before going off to stare into space.]

Someone cared enough to want me to live. For myself, not what I could do for him. I can't shame him by ignoring it.

lol it's okay

[desireforchange]

[Wow. Yeah, the laugh definitely caught him off guard, too.

Yeah, he's pretty sure there's no way this is even Asch...

His curiosity is piqued, though, on who the mentioned "him" is. When he speaks, it's in a more softened tone.]

Who?

just out of nowhere tags

[bloodyashes]

Someone who isn't here anymore.

[His expression turns more towards its usual kind of sour - his fists tighten at his sides.]

Someone I can't repay. Someone I didn't even have the courage to call friend.

[He sounds more like his usual self, there, although his voice is more regret than anger, instead of the reverse that might be expected.]

they're always fun!

[desireforchange]

[Tilting his head to the side, he frowns a bit, his own expression of softened concern.

Then, he attempts a smile.]

When someone really cares, ...they don't need you to repay them. People do things for those they care about, simply because they want to. Not so the other person will have to do something in return.

[bloodyashes]

He probably would have said something much the same.

[There's the sound of someone approaching in the distance.]

It's something other people get to experience. I've never been in a position where people didn't want something from me before.