This is not Belkend--

[relinquishing]

This isn't exactly a smart detour, you know.

[Understatement of the year, but he feels it still needs to be said. Going to meet up with Luke was one thing, but this? This isn't exactly where he was planning on ending up.

Mun, he can't decide if you're trying to be helpful or just playing around with him.]

I get it, I get it. You want me to see how Luke's changed. But this isn't the best way to go about that, right? ...Well, sure, learning something from this whole mess might be good for him, once he gets back on his feet.

He's also been through enough already.

I know I can't change what might have happened to him already. That doesn't mean I'll be okay with it. Or with the company he's stuck with, for that matter...

[Sigh.] But I guess I don't have much say in the end, huh?

Comments

[bloodyashes]

...He's managed to make some not entirely useless friends, actually.

[Welcome to the partay. You don't actually get the complimentary fruit basket, because this place is full of carrots.]

[relinquishing]

I'm surprised you keep track.

[Hello to you too, Asch. Thanks for the vegetables.]

[bloodyashes]

They pop up wanting to know why we share a face, usually. I'm sure you can imagine why.

[Please, Asch, you so totally keep track of Luke's friends. It's the stalker in you.]

[relinquishing]

Mmm. Can't be helped, I guess. [Hope you're keeping your fit-throwing to a minimum, Asch.]

But that's not exactly what I meant.

[bloodyashes]

[Hey he's only pitched one fit publicly not counting the time he slapped Luke in the middle of the night because he deserved that one]

Then say what you mean.

[Gettin' real impatient with everyone's shit.]

I'd apologize for releasing this guy on you, but I'm really not sorry.

[four_quarts]

Mundanes are rather like gods in that way. Perhaps they will listen, perhaps not; even in the latter case, it's all according to their whims if you are not persistent.

[Yes, he's looking pretty smug about this since he badgered his own mun into actually playing him for once.]

[relinquishing]

I... guess so. You could pretty much say the same thing about a stubborn friend, though. Or an overbearing master. [Equating his mun to a god doesn't seem particularly right, anyways.]

[four_quarts]

[It's a bad comparison in most cases, but when your main deity decides to be a human teenager instead of a goddess and it's actually possible to replace her... Well, you get the idea.]

True enough, I suppose.

[relinquishing]

[Sounds fair.]

Is that ever a problem for you, though? Being persistent with your mun isn't always an easy task, especially if they're not a good listener.

[four_quarts]

Mm, I wouldn't say so. My mun listens well enough, and if my wishes simply cannot be met at the time, I'm a patient enough man to wait for a more opportune time.

[attheclocktower]

You'd think muns could come up with nicer ways of letting us figure things out.

[Given that "letting" rarely comes into the equation.]

You're one of Luke's friends from his world?

[relinquishing]

Kindness doesn't always seem like a big priority for them, huh?

[He pauses, letting a gentler smile slip onto his face.]

Yeah, I am. I'm guessing you've met him.

[attheclocktower]

It doesn't. Especially at the Tower.

[She frowns, biting her lip, then shakes her head, looking up with a small smile of her own. No use thinking about things she can't change...]

Yeah, he's one of my friends there.

[relinquishing]

Really? [Ahh. Interesting. Having friends that are actually girls outside Natalia? Good for you, Luke.] Hope he hasn't been causing you too much trouble.

[attheclocktower]

Yeah.

[What, did she say something strange she has no idea.]

And he's been fine, really. [Yeah he mighta been a tad bit rude when he first arrived but a lot of people didn't take arriving well and besides he apologized, right?] The Tower's more of a problem than most people can be, anyway.

[sacred_flamer]

GUY!!!

[Oh god, if DW allowed it, there would be so many sparkles and huge text in that exclamation. For now just settle for a redhead pouncing on you and hugging you like he's physically seven years old: arms around the neck, legs around the waist.]

You'recomingI'msoexcitedIcan'twaittoseeyouagain!

[...he's a little bit happy about this.]

[relinquishing]

[Luke--!

Okay, Luke, he is really really absolutely delighted to see you, but there is a problem with this. You are not physically seven, you are physically seventeen. And also very heavy. Urk.

But he's still managing a laugh as he tries to keep himself steady on his feet, an arm firmly wrapped around Luke's shoulders. Gawd, you monkey--]

Hahah -- geez, hey, didn't think I'd be missed so much...!

[sacred_flamer]

Of course you were missed this much! You have no idea, Guy...!

[...and then he hops off, looking all Stern Master at his Servant.]

You're seriously late! How could you leave me waiting this long?!

[...but he can't keep it up that long, because omg Guy is going to be with him in Hell Tower this is Amazing and Awesome and EEEEEEEE.]

[relinquishing]

[Oh please, Luke, not with the look--]

Whoa, no need to blame me. I didn't realize you were going anywhere special in the first place--!

[SIGH. But whatever, no need to argue it right now. Luke's been stuck for who knows how long. A hand rests on his hip as he reaches up to ruffle Luke's hair.]

Stop looking so grumpy, alright? I came back for you, didn't I? Try to be a little happier.

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke let out a little "meep" as his hair was ruffled, sticking his tongue out at Guy.]

I'm kidding! Geeze.

[chokmah]

Are they picking on you again, Gailardia?

[Your mundane, that is.]

oh gosh hi Guy's from an early CP

[relinquishing]

Ah--

[Pardon him as he internally spazzes for a second or two. That sure is a name he hasn't heard for a while, and from a complete stranger on top of that.]

--y-yeah! Yeah, right, they just don't know when to leave a guy alone, you know?

But, ah... sorry, what did you just call me?

Oh good, that makes it more interesting!

[chokmah]

Oh, I know.

They're a lot like my rappigs; they enjoy making mischief. Take your eyes off them for a minute, and they've run off looking for adventure.

[Not so different from a certain emperor, really.]

Still, yours may have a point. It sounds like you're worried about Luke, too... [Have a curious stare.] Gailardia Galan of House Gardios.

[Hey man, you asked.]

[relinquishing]

[... Yeah, alright, just checking to see if he misheard. Which he apparently didn't. Not if this man was throwing out his full name like that.

Guy can feel his posture stiffening.]

...Have we met?

[chokmah]

A few times, sure. [If he didn't know better, he'd think you've forgotten who he is.]

[...]

[Nah, how could anyone forget this face? Unless.]

Hey, relax. Getting to know my subjects is part of the job description. But if it makes you feel better, I'll pretend we're meeting for the first time.

So anyway, I'm Peony, beloved ruler of the Malkuth Empire. [No pressure.]