[Asch scowls, though whether because of the unintentional double meaning, the fact a replica's here, or because he just agreed with said replica remains a mystery.]
[In his opinion, he'd be doing Luke a favor. His head's close enough to empty as it is.]
The last thing I need is "moral support". [You have to admit, it's fairly useless on someone like Asch.] And I never said she was trying to put me through anything.
[ Can't let Asch do that. He might catch some amiability-eating disease and completely lose the ability to smile! He can smile, right? ]
Then why'd she need you to give her a hand? You're not good for much else. Er-- [ FLAILING ] Not in the useless way! Just in the 'can't do a lot in this situation' way! Haha...
[Yeah. Asch can, in fact, smile, but he's only managed it about twice since he left Auldrant. Not enough to even bother putting on a resume.]
....
[What an epic failure in communication between your brain and your mouth, Luke. Asch isn't going to even acknowledge that one with a response. He has about five seconds to save himself.]
[Suggest that to him, and he'd say there's no way in hell he's going to practice smiling. Idiot.]
What, you want a list? [But he knows by now that continuing to dodge is pointless. It'll just lead to more questions, and more, and that's just as irritating as being expected to answer in the first place.]
To begin with, she has this stupid idea that typing out my conversations is somehow going to make it easier for her to write everything else. [What conversations you ask. It's like how writing poetry is supposed to be harder than writing a story. Or something]
[ He'd have to get hit over the head a few more times before he'd dare to make such a suggestion. But there's always the option of trying to get Asch to smile on his own! ]
Most of them do that last, so it might work. [ Despite saying that, he still looks puzzled. What conversations, indeed. Could having Asch tell you what to do or yell in your face even count as a conversation? ]
Where're you going to this time? Unless you mean she's writing one of those "fanfic" things.
[ Luke would never want for a mission in life again. ]
A what.
[ He actually said 'talking horse.' ... Okay, there has to be a reasonable explanation for this. Obviously Asch is not drunk, so that leaves him going crazy or making a joke. Which is pretty much the same thing. ]
An AU you is still... well, you, though. [ And that "Asch" can also get hurt. ]
[Asch frowns at his reaction, but he'll repeat himself. With a noticeably dangerous edge.] A talking horse that's loud and speaks using outdated grammar.
[ Luke gives a sheepish shrug and scratches the back of his head at Asch's tone. Nothing wrong with making sure he heard right. ] Maybe Lorelei is really a horse.
[ Kidding, kidding. ]
I know. What I mean is they'd be another you. Like how could talk to yourself in this place.
[The only reason why it's so easy to tell is because between you and Luke, it's be hard for both of you to do each other's expressions...At least without the other cracking up soon after.]
And maybe you're really a comedian. [Not funny! Because seriously, if Lorelei were around then there'd at least be some hope for. (For what?)]
I know what you mean, and I'm telling you you're wrong. Those people might be "me", but they aren't me.
[This argument is confusing and the complete opposite of his earlier claims about Luke, but he's standing behind them this time. Those other Asches haven't gone through what he has. They aren't him.]
Page 1 of 4