Luke on the game reccs mun has received

[burningdaylight]

Look, no one's sayin' you shouldn't get excited over all this, but jus'... take your time,  y'know? Think about it before you go on jumpin' into things. Then maybe in a week, if you made your mind on puttin' me somewhere, we can sit down, figure out what's what.

[Luke smiles gently, tiredly.]

...Don' worry about me, alright? You're the one with the job keepin' you busy.  I, uh... don't have much in the way of plans these days, anyway.

[He glances down at his wounded leg, a hand bracing his side.]


(ooc: Spoilers for Episode 5  appear in comments)

Comments

[littlesurvivor]

You'll....you'll be okay, right?

[Because. Well. Luke is a friend. One she would go back for if she had to. They have an understanding. Besides, once someone's mind is made up, it's usually not easy to change it.]

Mine is probably letting me go as far as games for a bit after Asgard, but....I can at least see you other places.

[burningdaylight]

[The haunted shadows around his eyes seem to lift at the sound of her voice. And as he turns his head to look at her he feels compelled to offer her a more convincing smile the one he had mustered for the mun.]

…Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.

[His expression brightens some.]

Asgard, huh? Well, looks like my mun and I’re gonna be takin’ it nice an’ slow over at Bakerstreet a while, get things sorted out. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for you. [Impossible for him not to, really, after what they've seen and endured together.]

[littlesurvivor]

That's good. At least that place isn't usually too bad. Depending on the...'meme' they might put you in.

[Clementine's lucky she is spared most given her age, at least. With Luke she can't be as sure but she hopes he'll manage okay. He's tough. Can look after himself if necessary. Has been separated from the group before. Doesn't mean she has to like it though. Still, it's....something at least.]

I'll look out for you too. I'll probably be around there a bit more once she doesn't have me in Asgard.

brotherly luke doing brotherly things

[burningdaylight]

[So maybe she knows about those not-so-kid-friendly ones. He scratches at the back of his head a bit embarrassedly, smiling yet.]

Oh -- yeah! I, uh... seen some of what's out there.

[He's kind of sorry that she might have, too, but he supposes that can't quite be helped. 'Kissing stuff'. That's totally all it is. Yup. His expression sobers.]

I'll be fine, jus'... look, Clem? Hate to be the one havin' to tell you this--

[Because it's a little bit awkward, the sort of reminder a parent would make, but hey, they're buds and he cares for her well-being. Maybe it's a warning she's already heard, but he feels it bears repeating.]

--but, you know, don't let anybody push you into doin' anythin' that makes you feel uncomfortable, okay? They could seem like the friendliest person in the world, but if y'don' like what they're doin' with you, ever, jus' say no. Be loud and give 'em a push or a kick if you have to. Don' worry about them gettin' pissed off at you for not goin' with it, it's more important that you're safe.

[He frowns sympathetically. How can he be vague and clear at the same time?]

There's more than jus' lurkers a girl your age's got to worry about, y'know?

such a good big bro. I laughed so hard at the 'kissing stuff' though. Seriously.

[littlesurvivor]

There are....not all games are safe, Luke. Some are pretty dangerous. And others....it's not nice.

[More than the kissing stuff. More than what she nearly walked in on. At least with him and Jane it was consensual. Some games don't care about that. Clem has enough to deal with that nonsense in Asgard, hearing of people on the roofs getting caught by patrols.

Still, the longer he talks, the more what he is implying sort of starts to sink in and she raises an eyebrow before giving a nod.]

I can take care of myself. Besides, if anyone tried to get to me they'd have to go through Lee and the Doctor. Not to mention other friends I've made in Asgard. I'll be okay. I'm more worried about you.

GOOD

[burningdaylight]

[It feels like so long ago when they had sat in the kitchen of the cabin and had watched each other’s faces in the hazy candlelight, shadows dancing on the walls. She had spoken of Lee then, trusted him enough to share something so deeply personal, and Luke could never forget it.]

I know you can. You’re a tough little girl, toughest I ever known. But I’m glad you have some good people lookin’ out for you. People you can trust when it counts. There ain’t much out there more important than that these days.

[He smiles sympathetically, though little of the warmth in it reaches his tired eyes. She’s a real sweetie. Figures she’d fret over him.]

It’s been pretty quiet ‘round these parts. Ain’t seen a lurker [ …since he went under.] – for a while now. …But I appreciate it, Clem. [He wishes he could be more reassuring, wishes he could set her mind at ease.] I’m good, s’long as you’re safe.

[littlesurvivor]

[So much has happened since then. Losing so many of the group. Some leaving, others dying or being bit. Just like last time. But still she keeps going. Somehow.]

I do. I'm not sure what I would have done initially if people didn't find me and look out for me then. The Doctor especially. Ellie even got worried when he offered to take me in, apparently.

[Though she had no idea at the time, of course. Ellie being worried about some guy wanting to take in little girls like that. Clementine herself didn't think much of it if only because she knew Eight over time since her arrival beforehand. There's a nod and small smile of her own there.]

Yeah. That's one good thing about here. And Asgard. No walkers.

[walkietalkie]

They're not going to listen. [ hey, luke. she'd offer a better greeting, but it's important that he knows what kind of trouble might actually be getting into. ] They never do.

[burningdaylight]

I don't know.

[Luke purses his lips lightly, frowning as he wonders if the same could be said of his mun.] Maybe. [He doesn't know yet, being a fresh muse, but so far he feels like his thoughts and wishes have been respected. He hasn't reached that point of feeling utterly hopeless yet as so many have seemed to and he hopes he never will.]

But there ain't no harm in tryin' to reason with 'em.

[Luke takes in her expression, her tone for a moment.]

You okay? [He asks, quietly. Extra room on this log he's sitting on if she's wants a seat.]

[walkietalkie]

[ her expression softens a little, and she nods, her gaze dropping. ] Yeah, I'm okay. [ don't worry, luke. she can take care of herself.

i guess she thinks a little more about what he first said, because now her brow knits and she lifts her eyes to his again. ]

You shouldn't say stuff like that, though. About not having plans. It doesn't matter where you were before - [ if you were dead before, is what she means, but she's not gonna say that. not to luke. ] - you're here now, right?

[burningdaylight]

[But it’s his job to worry. Even if all the worrying in the world hadn’t been enough to save the others he had set out with. To save the people he had struggled to protect -- and failed. His throat moves, his fist clenching and unclenching over his thigh.]

Yeah. [His voice is raw.] Guess I am.

[That's part of the problem, isn' it? His being alive - having a second chance now - when none of his old friends from the cabin made it through. At least Clem made it.

He won’t tell her just how much he remembers. Won’t tell her about the scorching-cold water flooding his throat as he tried to gurgle out her name. About the deep, tearing pain in his lungs as they filled while he had watched her body float hauntingly, further and further away. Darkening to a silhouette in his failing vision. She doesn’t need to know.

It's a while before he speaks again.]

It’s good seein' you again, kid.

[walkietalkie]

You too. [ and despite herself, despite everything she should've learned by now about getting attached to stuff you're just gonna lose, she admits a little quieter: ] I missed you.

[burningdaylight]

[Luke's sorry for that, sorry for so much, and it's written all over his face. So much went wrong. So much could have gone differently had he only said more, done more, and the regrets only weigh heavier at her words.]

It's alright now; you don't have to anymore. I'm right here, jus' like you said. I came back.

[Like he said he would. He doesn't know how this happened but this is not time he's going to waste.]

[vaccination]

Jeez. The hell happened to you? They're planning on throwing you somewhere while you're like that?

[burningdaylight]

[Luke might not recognize her face or voice but he can’t help offering her a pursed-lipped, too-brief smile while he debates how much information he should volunteer. She’s a stranger – but she’s also a kid and she does seem to be genuinely concerned. And he likes to think he has a pretty good sense of when something – or someone- isn’t quite as they appear.]

I’m alright, I jus’… I need a little rest is all. Looks like I have at least a week to take it easy, though…

[He pauses, thoughtful, his eyes darkening.] Ain’t much used to keepin’ still for that long, to be honest. Can't much afford to be these days.

[vaccination]

Looks like you need that week. [She's seen worse injuries, but an injured leg could make a lot of things suddenly life or death.]

Yeah? How so?

[burningdaylight]

When there ain't trigger-happy bandits and scavengers on your doorstep, it's the dead you gotta worry about. Everywhere you look, they're out there, moanin'. [Tearing families apart.] ...For every one you cut down, feels like a dozen take their place.

[He gazes off to one side, not expecting her to understand. It sounds crazy -- but crazy is what the world has become and there's no end in sight no matter how fiercely he hopes for it. It'll be far worse before it gets better, before humans can begin to rebuild.]

[vaccination]

Infected? [Bandits and scavengers too, but Ellie's pinged by the mention of things that need to be cut down.]

[burningdaylight]

[Luke looks up a moment at the question, knitting his brows.] ...Yeah.

[Thanks to the nature of d_m, he can’t help but wonder if they occupy the same world and time. Earth’s a very big place after all.] Seems like we all are, whether we like it or not. Well, where I'm from, at least.

Here, have another Clem

[ohmydarlinme]

Luke.. how's your leg?

[ Yah, she might be from earlier in the situation, but her mun already told her how things end for her friends here. ]

Always happy to see another around. :) It's awesome.

[burningdaylight]

[Luke's not of a mind to sugarcoat the situation -- he never is, really. Between this and his busted ribs, his best attempts at keeping up with the others even on a short walk left him winded and pale and drenched in sweat. But it doesn't mean she needs a detailed report. No sense in making her worry more than she no doubt already is.

He lets out a soft, unsteady breath, looking down.]

Bullet's gone clean through, s'far as I can tell.

[Carlos would have known. He shuts his eyes against the thought, his lips pinching a moment. He doesn't try testing how much of his weight his leg can bear before it gives out knowing it'll hurt like a sonofabitch. Well, more than it already does, pain pulsing hot and rhythmically behind his blood-sticky fingers like a poker jabbing in and out of the muscle. So he'll be sitting down here for as long as the mundane circumstances allow. He knows how the story goes, anyway. Knows where the road's taken him, and he can only wonder what the future holds for him. Hell, he didn't know he had one left.]

Nothin's broken and I ain't bleedin' out like a stuck pig... [He lets out a huff of air, a mirthless sound.] ...so there's that, at least.

Yes, but Not enough Telltale people around to enable ;o;

[ohmydarlinme]

[ She could tell he was hurting, and it did make her worry. She wasn't sure what she could do to help him - the loss of their doctor and friend was even more obvious now. She moved towards his side, to sit next to him, staring at the wound for a few seconds. ]

... that's good, right? That the bullet went through?

[ Ah that humor. She smiled slightly. ]

Well you can still make jokes, so you'll be okay. If we get to rest. [ That's her prognosis. ]

I hear ya! :'I

[burningdaylight]

Yeah, it is. Otherwise I’d be makin’ a bigger mess of my leg tryin’ to pick it out with a knife. Never tried it before, an’ I hope I never have to.

[Luke winces a little at the thought, pretty convinced it’s not half as easy as the movies make it look. As with most situations depicted in action films. Her attempt at levity puts a weak smile on his face, though, for what it's worth.]

I ain't goin' anywhere; not for a little while. You take all the time you need to rest up, Clem. [After a beat:] You in, uh, one of a' those 'games' the mundanes are always talkin' about?

*sympathizes with ;o;*

[ohmydarlinme]

[ Clem made a face at that mental image. Yeah, Her. The girl that guts zombies and covers herself up with them without even blinking. ]

Eeyuck.

[ Well it's different when you're digging in a living person's leg. Gross. And painful. ]

Yeah. It's just me though. [ She missed her friends. She settles next to Luke. ] It's a nice place though. It's like how things were before the Walkers ...

[ She just couldn't get out of that mindset, so she's not really settled in. ]

[burningdaylight]

[That look on her face gets another laugh out of him. A pained wheeze of a laugh, but hey.]

Pretty much.

[He smiles at her as she sits beside him, listening patiently. It feels like a lifetime ago when life had meant something more than struggling day to day to survive. When his biggest troubles had been paying off student loans and coping with a bad chain of breakups.]

Well, good. Good. I'm real happy for you. God knows you could use a break from all this, after all you've gone through.