Catch All: Luke

[heartmunculus]

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w2; Post-Trial

[heartmunculus]

[After some time in the study, he starts walking through the hallways. Eventually he'll come across Luke.]

... Are you okay?

[It was pretty impossible to miss what happened between Luke, Piety and Guy.]

[dupelicate]

[Coincidentally, Luke is on his way to the study. As his path with Sieg intersects, he stops, looking askance at his compatriot. He gives him a curious look—and nods his head.]

Yeah. I'm fine.

How about you?

[heartmunculus]

I've... been better.

[Usually he doesn't have to deal with a four body pileup with a fifth on it's way.]

Trial was a lot today.

[dupelicate]

You can say that again. [ He scratches the back of his neck, leaning against the wall. Since they were chatting, there was no reason to occupy the middle of the hall. He opens his mouth, hesitates, and pushes on.]

Uh, hey... listen, if you want to talk about... whatever, I... I can listen. I'm not the best at it, but if it helps...

[He trails off, looking all the world like he just said something offensive.]

[heartmunculus]

[That's an odd reaction. But maybe it's not so strange since they're both fairly young and not particularly good at this sort of thing.]

... Thank you, Luke. There's no reason for you to look like you've done something wrong.

I'll extend the same offer. I might not have advice, but you can think of me like a lifeless statue and tell me whatever you'd like.

[Bizarrely he seems to think this is a comforting statement.]

[dupelicate]

[He shrugs, opens his mouth to refuse--but Sieg's final line cuts him off. Face twisting into something akin to anger, but much closer to hurt, he shakes his head voraciously.]

You're not a statue! You're a living, breathing, person. You don't have to talk to me about anything, but don' talk about yourself like that!

[heartmunculus]

[That clearly startles him.]

What?

[Speechless for a moment before he tries to figure out what part of what he said was wrong.]

Ah... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you.

[dupelicate]

[Luke shakes his head as Sieg offers an apology, humming in frustration under his breath. Why was this going around?]

No, no... that's not why I--[He sighs, collecting his thoughts.] Why would you want anyone to think of you as a lifeless anything?

[heartmunculus]

[Excuse you, this has been part of him since he's existed.

There's a pause as he thinks about it.]

It doesn't bother me. Saying it like that, it's easier to send me into battle too.

w5; Post-Trial

[heartmunculus]

[It's late in the evening before he makes it to the inn. There's a gentle rapping at his door.]

Luke?

[dupelicate]

[There's no immediate reply—just a shifting of linens, clothes.

Then:]

Yeah.

[heartmunculus]

Can I come in?

[dupelicate]

[Another pause. And again:]

Yeah.

[heartmunculus]

[He slowly makes his way in, since he's still on crutches.

He looks Luke over.]

... How are you doing?

[Because he sure had a meltdown after trial.]

[dupelicate]

[as Sieg walks in, he'll probably notice that Luke is still looking............ wrecked.

what a question.]

I don't know.

[it's as good as it gets]

[heartmunculus]

[It's hard not to notice.]

... That's fair.

[It's maybe a little bit Luke's fault, but if Astolfo was here wouldn't Sieg be just as adamant about trying to protect him too?]

[dupelicate]

Hmm.

[he sits up, at least. but doesn't pose any questions of his own. for once, he's uncharacteristically silent.]

w6, Sunday

[heartmunculus]

[He's quietly in the game room, playing with one of the handheld video games. Is he tired? Yes. Did he have a break down like two other people did today?

No.

So when Luke walks in, Sieg looks up.]

Luke? ... How are you doing?

[dupelicate]

[It's just in passing when he hears the noise, and pokes his head into Sieg's room with curiosity.

Ah. The gamebox.]

Hey. I'm okay. [shockingly okay, apparently.] How are you?

[heartmunculus]

[After trials he usually ends up here. It's just a good place to get distracted from everything that happened. Sieg, personally, wasn't close to either of the deceased or Sasuke.

So he's certainly doing better than some others.]

I'm alright. Better than some.

[For example, he didn't have a break down at trial.]

[dupelicate]

Hmm.

[It was a true statement, but not one he was about to touch on, considering. Humming to himself, he enters the room proper, glancing around.]

You come in here a lot? I don't think I've been in since I talked to Merriment.

[heartmunculus]

You don't talk to him much?

I'm usually here after trials.

[dupelicate]

I don't really want to bother the gods.

[he points to the game.]

Does it help you calm down or something?

[heartmunculus]

As far as I can tell, they like visitors. Disorder can get really lonely.

[He nods.]

It's repetitive so it helps.

[dupelicate]

Yeah, I can see that. Is she still dating cunning?

...What are you playing, anyway?