kingdomdaze | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Anyone and everyone
When: Day 6, night
Where: Anywhere
What: A simple, not at all foreboding mingle

[The rain puddles from the day before have mostly dried up and the streets should be safe to walk once again...though one must be careful around the edges of town as monsters are lurking just beyond the town's boundary...]

[Still, they don't seem to be much of an issue, and those of you with common sense and no monster-hunting job requirements are likely staying in]

(ooc: We haven't had a monster post in a long time so if anyone wants a brief monster encounter and mentions it in their comment, I can arrange for a super short and easy encounter for you. ♥)

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[This man does have monster-hunting job requirements, but he seems to be staying by the prison, hunched over a collection of notes. Though he does look up every now and then to keep an eye out for anyone who may still be wandering the streets...]

[At least one someone happens to be walking the streets at this hour. Someone who is opting for the fresh night air over staring at the walls of his (really small) room at the inn. Luke doesn't seem particularly concerned about the potential for monsters, but he's armed with his sword nevertheless. He's not noticing that bent over figure in the distance yet, nope... just taking in the new surroundings...]

[Van looks up to see the passerbyer, raising a brow. Though the haircut is new, he clearly remembers that shade of red hair and that distinctive coat -- there was no chance that he could be mistaken. But of all the people that might follow him to this place...]

[Well, no matter. The replica's presence may make things inconvenient, but a smile and a few nice words took care of most anything.]

Are you lost, Luke?

[The all too familiar voice has Luke turning on a dime, one hand drifting back towards the hilt of his sword but not quite closing around it. There was no way! Not after the fight at the Absorption Gate...]

I watched you fall...

[Luke knits his brow, trying for a sterner expression and a less awed tone this time.]

How did you survive.. and get here?

[It's a rare occurrence for Van to be startled into silence, but the replica's reaction and words were so far from what was anticipated that Van didn't have any words prepared for it. He fell? And was expected to be dead...?]

[Whatever that meant, the replica's appearance was far more than just an inconvenience now.]

[It takes longer than he'd like to compose himself and find a proper response, and there's more genuine confusion in it than Van likes.]

Luke...What do you mean by watching me fall? Are you certain you didn't simply have a bad dream on your way here?

A bad dream?

[Luke begins to straighten up from his defensive stance, sword hand falling to his side. Something's off. Way off. Especially considering the way Master Van is addressing him...]

And I'm Luke again? Not "replica"?

[ Sorey's mind is elsewhere - anyone who sees him will see his gaze towards the sky, taking in the stars. Anyone is welcome to interrupt his thoughts.

Though, you may catch his attention by walking by regardless. ]

["Replica".]

[Luke now clearly knew what he is -- something he had no reason to even suspect when Van was last with him. This is more than simply an odd occurrence. This is a problem, one that may potentially endanger everything.]

[Dropping his act and telling the replica to leave is a tempting thought, but he can't risk giving away everything just yet until he knows what exactly is going on.]

Of course you're Luke. Why would I call you anything else?

[Buying in would be easy. Van sounds so genuine and so concerned, after all. To think that had always been put on for Luke's sake… so he'd play his part and then die.]

[Because I'm not Luke, Asch is. Because you think I'm less than human.]

I don't know.

[Luke's a terrible liar, but he wants to know how the hell Master Van is here and what that means for Auldrant.]

Maybe I was dreaming after all...

[Or maybe he's dreaming now. This is so screwed up…]

Edited 2015-10-09 04:50 (UTC)

[soooo... sorry to those of you within earshot of Chihaya's room in the inn tonight-- you might be able to hear the intermittent sounds of a melodic male voice from inside, but more importantly, every 30 seconds or so, there's a louder thump, like someone's hit the floor]

[maybe because she's practicing karuta, and keeps hitting the floor]

[investigate?]

[Luke's reaction still seemed a bit...off, but it seemed to be the best reaction he could hope for for now, and so Van simply smiles to him.]

Whatever it may be, I'm certain that the Queen of this land will have some explanation for it. I'll get in touch with her to find out what's happened.

In the meantime...You've just arrived, haven't you? Do you know the way to the inn from here?

[Luke is trying very hard not to stare too intently, but there should be cracks in that smile somewhere- or at least a hint of utter dismissal behind those eyes... No? Well then..]

Yeah, I just came from there. Sleep wasn't happening and I'm still not a fan of being cooped up, so I decided to look around.

[He's going to try for some answers again...]

When did you get here, Master?

Edited 2015-10-09 21:31 (UTC)

[ Mika doesn't like the idea of monsters being so close and wants an idea of what, exactly, they are all up against. So he's headed out to explore the town boundary! ]

[ It's too late for their to be mysterious thumping!! Tarnist is definitely grousing about it, and perhaps a bit curious, so he's rapping sharply at Chihaya's door. ]

Ah-- yes!

[the melodic voice cuts off abruptly and there's a bit of a sound of a scramble before Chihaya opens the door-- there's a bunch of cards arranged on the floor if you peek over her shoulder, maybe that explains something...]

Yes?

Do you know what time it is? Just what are you doing?

[ Unfortunately the cards only makes things more puzzling, which aggravates Tarnist further. ]

Wah!

[whips around to look at the window, only just now seeming to realize the late hour, before turning back just as quickly]

Ahh! It's already this late! I was practicing, I'm sorry--!

Hmph. Now you know.

What were you practicing that made such a racket?

[--brightens!!]

Karuta! Have you heard of it? Mhn, everyone's from different places...

[Monster patrols mean the garrison is out in force, right? In any case, Kratos is patrolling the edge of town, hoping to head off any people who happen to behaving like this young man. He strides over quickly.]

This isn't a good time for exploring, young man.

[ Barely gives Kratos a glance. Mika's a punk. ]

Now's the perfect time.

I have not. Indeed, there is a lot of things in the world and the worlds beyond I am unfamiliar with.

There's so much! Sometimes people start talking about things and I can't figure out what they're saying at all! Different things are so normal to everyone... Ah, but, it's a game that I play at home!

[Van has a great deal of experience in maintaining his mask, though he's putting in more effort to uphold it in light of this unexpected -- and unplanned for -- turn of events. There may not be anything immediately noticeable for Luke to pick up on, but there's a certain...strain to Van's expression and voice.]

I only arrived six days ago. I was actually in the middle of preparations to come to Baticul before I received my invitation here, and the matter seemed important enough that I couldn't forsake it. Even if that means our next training session would be delayed.

[Training session... How long had it been since they'd trained back home? It's as if Master Van hasn't been present for the past several months. Despite what he said before, Luke is sure he didn't simply dream up Akzeriuth and everything that followed.]

I understand. Things do seem really messed up here...

When I was invited, there was something about a wish as a reward. Did you hear that too?

With time it might become easier.

[ At the mention of it being a game though, Tarnia's interest is thoroughly piqued. ]

What sort of game requires so much noise?

It's a game about speed! Do you want me to show you?

Certainly. I may as well see just what causes such a fuss.

Great!

[dashes back to kneel in front of the cards, picking up the remote for her little transportable stereo-- she hasn't managed to run the batteries down on it QUITE yet]

When the reader calls the first verse of the poem, I take the card with the second verse written on it! I'll play a verse on the CD!

[ Follows in, watching her curiously. ]

How unexpectedly artistic.

[Van glances back at Luke, but only for a moment before he's looking on ahead again. His smile doesn't falter...much.]

I did. The wish is certainly a nice reward, but it's not one I would put too much hope on just yet.

[Luke's watching that expression carefully.]

But say it's real... What would you wish for, Master?

Mmh! It's a blend of humanities and athletics, everyone likes it for different reasons...

[goes quiet, though, pressing play for the stereo and getting ready, looking maybe surprisingly focused-- before taking the card on the first syllable when it's read, hand thumping against the floor]

Ah!

[ THAT WAS FAST. HOW DID SHE EVEN KNOW?? ]

[pauses the stereo and sits back up, beaming]

See? It's a lot of fun! I can teach you the poems if you'd want to learn!

The poem did not even have a chance...

You're talking to Mizusawa's ace, of course!

[PUFFS UP :>]

[There's a moment of hesitation before Van answers:]

A better future, of course.

Edited 2015-11-05 19:42 (UTC)

Ace?

Of course.

[Luke echoes the words and smiles, and damn does it probably look fake but the thought of Van's "better future"...]

Stupid question, right?

I think I'm still a little messed up from that ferry ride. I should probably get back to my room and try to sleep again or something... Goodnight, Master Van.

[Van eyes Luke for a moment then smiles and bows his head. The replica will still be here for a long while yet...and there'll still be plenty of chances to uncover what's going on.]

Very well. Sleep well tonight, Luke. I'll be in my own room if you need anything.

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