closed; are you still mad

[sacredashes]

Who: Asch + crew of the Shepherd
Where: ... on the ship?
When: Mmm backdated a teeny bit to 2/18, a Tuesday.
What: Asch is out and about after moping for a week.
Warnings: PG-13 for being a jerkass.
Style: Whatever you like! [actionspam] or prose, I don't mind either.
Status: Only people on the boat, please!

[There's no shortcut back to Isla Empieza.

Asch found this out the hard way when he woke up on the ship. Having shortly realized what happened, he made it a point to avoid everyone. He'd turned it into a fine art. He didn't introduce himself unless absolutely necessary, he slammed doors, he found places to hide. He didn't care. Until he found a goddamn solution, he wasn't about to get friendly with these people.

... But, he had to contribute too. Sometimes he cooked meals here and there, or magically did chores when no one was looking, because he would have to earn his keep even if he was a prisoner.

A week is long enough for anyone to realize they're stuck. After finishing up the crew's dishes, he goes up to the deck for fresh air. He's waiting for the other person who looks just like him. That's his purpose. But besides that, he's tired of having to sneak around like a damn criminal.

He leans against the railing, journal propped open in his hands. His hair is tied back to keep it from going every which way, though the wind has other ideas; he's also ditched his tabard for now. He's still armed with a longsword at his side-- and looking every bit like he doesn't want to be here.]

Comments

[headfons]

[He doesn’t fight against being grabbed, though his face does tense. Luke listens quietly, a serious expression on his face. He had sort of prepared himself for this kind of response.

This is definitely Asch. It’s definitely the guy he remembers fighting in that room back in Eldrant.

Once he’s released, Luke holds a blink a moment longer than necessary. The shorter-haired redhead can understand his being pissed. He really can. In all the situations where he’d been taken against his will…he’d reacted with anger, as well. Nobody wants to be forced somewhere without their permission. It’s more than a matter of him believing he knows better than Asch. And it’s more than a matter of him wanting to cling to his original.

At least…Luke doesn’t see it that way…]

Look, I get it. You've got every right to hate me, right now. But, I meant what I said about us needing to stick together. This isn't even Auldrant, so there's no telling what we'll be going up against in this place. [His glances to the side a moment, then looks back at Asch with an even firmer expression.] Like I said back on that island…If we're gonna get anywhere, it's by working as a team and putting our heads together. If you wanna stay angry at me, I can't change that. But, it still doesn't take away from the facts. We need your help, right now, just as much as you need ours.

[sacredashes]

[Asch wants to argue that he doesn't need Luke's help, but the facts are very telling. He doesn't have a crew or even a boat. Literally no one took him seriously when he asked about it. Also telling is just how calm he's been considering the situation. He could probably handle working on this ship long-term if the crew were just a little smaller. Asch thinks he can assert some authority if it's necessary; Jade is, after all, second in command-- and he's capable.

He has some decisions to make.

What Luke is saying right now doesn't have anything to do with him being inferior, or pushing his duties onto Asch. It's cooperation, pure and simple, just like Asch had traveled with them in the past when they had common goals. The one being unreasonable here is Asch. It hurts to realize that. It also hurts that he was shoved into this position against his will, and he's still not ready to let go of that.]

You don't need me, [Asch mutters with some diffidence.] I'm not interested in your pity, so don't even start.

[He turns and leans against the railing, looking out over the ocean.]

I'm only here to get shards. If you decide to go off on some detour like an idiot, I'll remind you.

[headfons]

[There's a bit of a weak smile at that comment about pity. Luke doesn't pity him, after all. Really, Luke hadn't expected Asch to response so...calmly. He'd expected some yelling, anger, retaliation...

...Anything other than what he'd gotten, just then. The stuff he'd grown used to getting from his original...

It's certainly nice, though. He'll try not to push his luck. Moving to stand somewhat next to Asch, he places a hand on his hip and stares off to the side. A soft frown appears on his face, but he can only let out a soft sigh. Because...

...Yeah, okay. Luke had been pretty bad about detouring back home.]

Alright...Fair enough.

[He'll leave it at this, for the sake of keeping the peace. For now, anyway. He actually can't promise he will avoid all detours. Hey, if something important comes up, and someone needs help, he's going to do what he can!

He's still struggling to wrap his mind around everything, at the moment, though. Closing his eyes, his face gains a more serious expression.]

So you believe all that stuff about the shards, then?

[sacredashes]

[For once, Luke is actually shutting up. Good. He really doesn't have the energy to argue. It's not as if he wants to spend time with his replica, but...]

I don't have a choice.

[He glances over his shoulder.]

I was dead. Whatever brought me back is involved with that legend, and that means it should be taken seriously.

Besides, I don't see any other way back. Not yet.

[headfons]

[His expression darkens just a bit- a combination of serious and...a sadness. He's always worn his emotions on his face, after all.]

So you... ['knew', he finishes in his mind. Looking away for a moment, he nods. Well, he might as well share something, as well.]

I...felt myself disappear, before I woke up here. I still feel the same way I did back home. [Referring to when his fonons were separating.]

...I agree that we should take it seriously. That's why I thought, from the start, that we need to work together.