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.

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.]

[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.]

[relinquishing]

I did. [Easy there, princess. You just misheard him.]

Meeting them is different than taking the time to judge them based on their worth. Last I checked, you had better things to do with yourself.

[AKA: when did you even start caring about something like this?]

[bloodyashes]

There's nowhere to go and not much else to do.

[For mister antisocial here, anyway. Guy'll probably make some friends and poke at fontech happily for quite a while.]

Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on him.

[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]

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.]

[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.

keywords!

[relinquishing]

And you figured you were the best person for the job.

[It's a statement, not a question. He doesn't sound particularly pleased. Asch you had better not being your creepy creeper thing again.]

Re: keywords!

[bloodyashes]

He's still my replica.

[In short, Guy? Yup, he's creeper creeping all the damn time. Creeper king in his beanbag throne.]

[relinquishing]

[His jaw sets at the association. True or not, that wasn't quite the point.]

That somehow makes you responsible for him?

[Like taking care of a lost child or pet dog. Or, at least, that's what it sounds like. Last Guy checked, Luke was still a person, regardless of Asch's connections to him.]

[bloodyashes]

Someone has to be.

[He crosses his arms, daring Guy to argue with him.]

He nearly blew himself apart trying to use hyperresonance just last week. At least until he's trained in that, I have no intention of leaving him to get himself killed.

[This is how he cares.]

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[relinquishing]

[Pfft. Cuffing him gently across the shoulder at that.]

You sure? I can never tell with you. Short temper and all.

[sacred_flamer]

[...okay, you deserve the sour face.]

...short?