kaisou | we'll surely meet again

Entry tags:

harumasa asaba

we'll surely meet again

WHO: Luke, Ash, Haru, Jun, Varian
WHERE: Campus
WHEN: Mid-March, before the fae plot
WHAT: Krusnik Kids Meetup
WARNINGS: "Krusnik Kids Meetup" -- So whatever being a Krusnik kid entails. Experimentation, the like.

[It's a normal day on campus.]

[It's a normal day on campus, except there's someone sitting in on one of Luke's lectures. Typically, this wouldn't be a problem. Luke would be distracted anyway! How many times has he slept at his desk? How many times has he smuggled his phone is, confident the professor couldn't see him?]

[But Luke is actually trying to concentrate today, and it isn't working. His eyes keep wandering back to the man with the bandana. Have they met before? Luke doesn't remember him, but---

ẁ̷̨̡̡̻̪̝͐̓͘͝͝e̵͉̪͚̼̫͙̿̆̈́̂̓͜ ̸̨̧̞͚̂͑͆͆̐̚͝͠ͅn̷̨̜̼̖͖͚͒̇̋̏̑̔̏͝e̸͉̙͂͝ę̵̱̲̦̹͙̼̙̞̀͌͂́͛̈́ḑ̵̼̭̓̌͑̒̄̈͋̓̓͛ ̸̫̮̙̤̤͎̜̬̍́̆̀͊̚͜͝t̸̮̼̬̦̦̘͌̓̚͜ō̸̪̻̪̦̣̇̈̃͝ ̵̢̥̟͓̜̼͍̼͊̆͒̊͑͂̈̀͘͘̚s̵̡̛̼̹̥̟̪̣̤͇̦̹͇̃̈́̑̐̈́̌͌̊̍͠͝e̶̥̪͚̥̙͉͌͊̚͠a̴̭̺̰͉̗̭̲̻͛̀ͅl̴̛̗̥͓̺͔̽̉̏́͜ ̵̨̛̗̙͔̩̟͇̥ĥ̷͈͎̎͌̚i̵͕̊̊͛͊̌̓̉̚s̵̢̧̰͚̾͛͘͠ ̴͍̜̟͈̠͉̫͍̓̆ṗ̴̧̝̤̥̘̺͈̓ͅo̵̻̞͎̎̿̅ͅẉ̸̨̼͚͖̮͖̲̂̔́̊͋ȅ̶̞̫̙̻̳͇͖͉̦̼̍̒́r̶̡̲̖͚̩̟̜͎̼̮͊̽͊̀̋̈́̓̒́̋̈ͅ
̸͔̫́́̓̋͐́͊͋̂͠͝
̴̜͕͙͌͋̌̑̎͌̚͠͠p̶̠͊̀͗̑̏̓̊̊û̵̥̺̳̗̮̱̪͖̩̥͖̀̍͛̓̎͌͆̈́̕ŗ̵͙̭̭̖̼̼̟̞̲̙̊͂͝g̵̨͙̖͖̳̳̩͂́͆̆̀̐́̕ẹ̶̗́͂̈́̊͒̆̊̚͜͜͝ ̵̧̧̣̖̳͙̱̯͒̊̊̽̈́͝h̶̢̢͈͚̠̐̕i̷̧͚͔̺͕͇̊̄͜͜s̵͙̳̖̳̣͔̱̼̫̰̘̈́͒ ̷̛̙̗̝̗̱̼͈̭̩̄̒͑͑͛̎͐͜m̶̱̓ḙ̸̛͕͎̝͐̉̍͋͌̍̚̚m̴̛̪̠̙̳͎̯̉͊͋̈͑̚͠͠ȍ̷̰̠̫̺̠́̕͠r̷̼̼̝̪̮͇̐ÿ̸͓͓̯̺̦̩̠̬́̌̽͌́͆̓͛̽͝
̶̡̨̣͍̱̲̖̒͊̉̊̄̄́͘͝
̵̝͔̠̙̼̗̳͔͋̽̈́̎͑t̷̤̦̟̲̠͙̠̔̓̄̀̎̿͆̚͝h̵̪̟̽̓̕e̵̟͚̦̰̲͇̙̖̎̏͘ ̵͈̠͗p̴̧̡̹̲̜͔͚̮̬̳̤̽̋̈́ͅa̶̛̛̘͚͆͑̋͐́̋̒͠͠r̶̡͓͚͇̖̭͎͙̺̲̫̫̽̊́̈́̄͘ê̴̡̹̮̘̟̑ͅn̵̢̗͇͍͉̤̹͍̍̀̈̓̓͆͒͝t̶̡̛͖̼͇̭̼̞͌͊̆̌́͌͗́̇͝͝ͅs̷̗͇̙̮̮̰̗̙̃͗̅͠͝͝͠ ̵̨̢̪̺̙͎̲̅̚č̸̤͕̝͙̿̒́͘ą̴̹͚͇̱͉̳͕̱͌̎͠ņ̷̛̛͙͖̱͇͕̝͍̮̩͌͋̀̽̎̈̓̀̚'̷̨̙̖̮̹̮͚̯̥̈͛́̑̈́͆͒͒̀̒̔͝t̴̯̣͕̬͎̆̇̇̐̏̄̂͊͆̚͜͝͝ ̷̧̡̢͇̺̝͚͎̜͑̄͑̈́̾́̃̍̀͜͝k̸̥̖͔̻̖͉̹̫̩̥̰̃͜n̵̛͔̟̙̘͔̊́͊̀̈́̍̈̎o̸̘̞̹̗̮̍͒̋͌̔̈́́͊̈́w̵̡̾̏́̒͘͜

---Ugh, he's getting a headache. Wait, is the bandana guy coming over here?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He can tell that Luke seems a bit distracted. Distracted, headaches... a tiny alarm bell rings in the back of his mind, but he plays it cool by considering what the redhead has said.]

I noticed he doesn't tolerate BS, either, but it's nice to see a professor that cares. The last time I took a class, it was really obvious the prof was way more interested in selling his book than actually teaching.

[Harumasa smiles.]

Oh, I'm Harumasa Asaba! Sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier.

[Ash says nothing, acting for all the world like he has no interest in the conversation. He just keeps watching out of the corner of his eye, waiting.]

Will do. I'll try and steer things as best I can.

[He sends back- at least he does have a good idea how people are doing emotionally. He might be otherwise socially awkward, but emotions? He's got those on point! He casts an eye over to where Ash is sitting, before focusing back on Harumasa and Luke. ]

See? Told you, you definitely can't just walk his classes.

[He says this with an exasperated tone like they've talked about this multiple times already. Then, he'll give Haru an opening: ]

This is Jun's brother- y'know, my boyfriend? The one with the green hair?

[Luke nods along, like he is definitely following the conversation.]

[Normally, he's a yapper. He's happy to talk all day. And not listen to what anyone has to say, actually. He tries, but he doesn't always succeed.]

[But right now his head is full of thoughts.]

Huh, yeah? Jun. Your boyfriend.

[And then, completely non-sequitur---]

Hey, this is kind of weird, but have we met somewhere before? You look really familiar.

[The pain is starting to get sharp, it's---

d̴̡̘̲̙̳͖̼̞͎͋̽͐͑̾͐͂̔̿̓͆̽̒͒͝o̷̧̧̢͎̬͓̞̝͙͙̺͛ņ̵̠̻͉̗̒'̷̛̥͗͠t̷̡̨̟̤̼̖̬̳̺̭̪̼́̓͆̀̂͒̋̄͠͠ ̷̧̖̼̮͂̒̕t̷̡̼̺͚͈̱̣̭͙̤̪̓̊̑͂̒̿̈́͋́̃͜o̶̡͈̗̊̒̈ṷ̸̠͈̍̓̏̃͂͊́̎́̐̏̕͝c̵̦̋͐̆̈́̍̂̕ẖ̴̡̢̖̮͛̉͗͑ ̴̧̭̝͓͉͇͇̝̖̗̳̗̪̤̚ͅm̶̧̘̺̥͈͇̻͚̩̗̉̀̀̀̿̀́̿͘͘͜͠͠ͅy̷̡̭̠̲̰̦͙̤͛̅̈́̅̏͗̐͌ ̵̠̳̝͋́̎̐̓̊͘͝͝͝ḅ̸̢̟̜̣̦͙͙͋r̷̜͕̹̼̠̟̦̼̯͖̱͍̳̠̈́̀̓̓̈̍̆͆̏́̊͝ͅǭ̸̙̜͓͚͕̔͛͐̏̏̓̐̒͘͜͝ţ̷̱͍̺̻̳̼̦͈͐͌͌͒̒̑̂́̒͒͗̚͜͠h̷̢̨̨̲̦̮̞̥̲͎̰̺̮͔̅̔͛̀̒͆̐̂́̈̚e̵͈̯͉̿̒̀̓̋̒͂͘ŗ̶̛̛͎̣̥̦͎̫̫̩́̀̆̌̿̾̃̽͂̏̋͘͘͜!̴̡̛͔͍͙̲͇̰͔͚̘̦̥͆͐̅̏̂͆̽͌͘͜͝͝͝ͅ ]

[Harumasa frowns a little in concern. Luke seems a bit off somehow. His senses are on high alert, telling him something's wrong with his little brother. Their plan seems to be going awry.

But then he asks that question and his eyes widen in surprise. Harumasa feels like a bucket of ice water has been dumped on him while simultaneously having the floor pulled out from under his feet. He forcibly pulls himself together, though. Hesitating, cautious, he says softly:]

... I think we have. A long time ago.

[He pauses.]

It... wasn't a nice place.

[What to do, what to do?]

[...yeah, okay, things might be getting dicey. Ash shifts in his chair, seeming casual, until he stands and moves right next to Luke. If Luke starts to bolt or lash out, Ash can hopefully grab him.]

It sucked so much. Hazel's other brother, Ash. Hi.

[Varian frowns, watching Luke, he can sense a little unease there, but can't quite tell if it's from just being surrounded by people he doesn't know of if something deeper is happening (11). He watches Ash move, trying to not tense up - he doesn't know what a good idea it is to trap Luke, but then if he bolts would it be worse? Probably. He needs people around him for this.

He offers Luke a smile, trying to be encouraging. It's the sort of smile he'd level on him when he was finally, finally starting to understand a problem. ]

They wanted to talk to you about that. If... if you're okay with it? Just talk, okay? It's safe, they're safe, you're safe.

[Somewhere long ago? Not a nice place?]

[Luke has been plenty places that weren't nice. His family once took a vacation in Florida, for example. But this feels different.]

[Somewhere terrible, somewhere deep in his mind, lost in an abyss.]

[The terracotta tiles of his childhood home slowly morph into a cold tile floor. There are machines everywhere, and the room is filled with stark white lab coats. There's an impressively sterile quality to the room, and he isn't alone.]

[There's a group of kids. Bandana is there, as is the guy behind him. If he squints, he almost recognizes the kid with black hair, too.]

[Everyone is scared, even if they don't want to show it. It's a nightmare, a real nightmare.]

[Where is this? Who are these people???]

Edited 2025-03-11 02:36 (UTC)

[He lost his memory when he was younger.]

[His parents always said it was a horse-riding accident, but that always felt wrong, for a reason he couldn't express.]

[Was this where he was before? Is this what he'd forgotten?]

[NO!!!]

[That couldn't be right. He was Luke Waldorf. He'd always been Luke Waldorf, even if he didn't remember the first years of his life. His parents were good people, if a little strict.]

[And he definitely was never a terrified child in a lab, hoping that someday, someone could come and save him.]

[ f̴̫͐̏͆̏̅̍͊́̑͐̎ơ̷̭͔̩̮̬̮̜̘̎̔͐̽̀̅̓͐̌̇͛̇̽̒ō̵̧̧͇̲̙̼̭̯̦̖͕̞̯̼̱̪̜̖̝͍̟̺̰̂̍͌ḽ̷̨̧̱͕̲̙̝̠̲̯̝̦͂̈́į̸͔̹̗͈̠̟̮͙͓͎̪͈̣̙̪̦͐̀̀̄̊͆́͛̏̅̈́̋͘͘̚s̸̨̛̤̥̜̻̝̗̥̮̖̦̋̋̅̄̓̌́̑͗̍͛̐́͛͋̓̕̚̚͝h̶̘̝̪̺͇͖͚̮̗̤͍͉͙̭͑̓͜͜͝ͅͅ ̶̡͔̺̲̬̘̙̮͆͐̃͑̚͜͝r̵̢̡̡̧̬̙̬̥̳͓̙̖̲̱̥͍̯̺͙̝̰͊̽͋̃̄̍̾͆̑̓̇͛̿̉̚̚͝ę̴̡̺̥̝̣͎̰͈͖̘͈̼͉̱̫̥̠̤̦̣̥̣̈́͒́̽̇̓̅͑͆́̆́͒p̶̡̛͈͇͇͖̰̫͚̳͙͇̘̥͚̭͈̺̫̒́͛́̍́̏̄̎̀͆̍̒͆̒̅̾͝͠ͅl̷̨̦̝̭̬͇̯̺͈̙͈̍͋͑͒͑͘͜͠i̸̡̗̮͎͕̰̪̠̩͔͚̹̭̖͙̼̱̟̹̱͍̬̾͌͌̃͜ç̸̨̫̲͕̤͕͉̫̲̙͍̱̰̥͙͓̜̯̀̀́͌͆͂̐̊ầ̴̘͚̹͉͈͉̤̦̯̻̼̮͑͗̊͋̀̓͊͂́̿͗͋͋͒̑͂̀͒͘̚͘ͅ ̸̢̺͖̦̘̠̬̖̟̬̹̮̺̺̝͗̌̎̀͂̾͑̍̽̒̃̾̏́̊͊̈͂̋̐̒͑̈́͘͜l̵̡̨̛̘̩̦̥͔̝͍̦̗͎͖͖̥̺͈̞͒̌̍̿̀̓̒̅̋̈́̐̊̓ͅủ̷̦̰̣̭͎͙̹̻͖̥͎̬́̈̽͐̓̀̑̉̑̾̓͌̅̒̀̅͌̂̍̓͜͜k̴̬̪̖̭̲̪͈͍̟̳̠̠͓̫̮̹̙̼̺̆͑̄̉̔̊̉͗͗̃͒̓̒̈̓̍͘͝͝͝è̸̥̞̺̫͕̖̈́̒̾̈̋̋̇͠ ]

[When Luke breaks, it's explosive.]

[Even he doesn't know why he's so angry. He's been mad before, but not like this. Everything in the room is beginning to swirl, and the pain in his head has become piercing as it radiates through his temple.]

Get away from me!

[Luke jumps back, trying to get as much distance between them and himself as he can. He needs to run. Whatever weathered door is keeping these memories at bay is going to break if he stays much longer.]

[And then he won't be--He won't be--]

You don't know what you're talking about! My name is Luke Waldorf, and I've only ever lived here!

[And then quietly, under his breath...]

I'm not--I'm not--

[Jun's still in the bag, being stuck to what he can hear and sense. And well... it's going as well as he dreaded it'd go. No, even more worrying, Jun was picking up some weird readings in his energy signature. If he had to describe it, it was like flood waters pushing against a sluice gate- threatening to force itself through.

He'll try to send a telepathic message first to Haru and then to Varian, consisting the same thing.]

Not sure what it means, but his energy signature is fluctuating. Careful.

[Harumasa keeps calm as Luke explodes. He doesn't move to grab him or anything. Rather, he catches Ash's eye and gives a subtle shake of the head. His past life's training, fortunately, is kicking in at this point, especially when Jun gives him that bit of information.

He knows what that means. They need to de-escalate this before things go from bad to extreme.

Calm voice, calm body. Harumasa keeps sitting and makes no moves to approach Luke. Only his eyes show his concern for the redhead's well-being.]

Okay. [He says it calmly.] Maybe I was mistaken. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.

[Harumasa hesitates before asking gently:]

You look like you're in pain. Is there something I can do to help? Call someone or...?

[Ash nods when he sees Harumasa's headshake, ready to follow his lead. He has no idea what's going on, aside from "this is why you don't generally do this with Sealed people".

Maybe they should come up with a de-escalation plan for times when this happens. He'll suggest it to Jusis and Ayato.]

Yeah, our bad. I keep stuff for headaches an' anxiety attacks in my bag, nothin' more than painkiller and, uh, think it's sour apple gummies this time but they help my boyfriend.

[The candy may or may not actually help Pat, but he will say they do just to try and make this seem less...bad. He keeps them around all the same, though, for himself if nothing else.]

Edited 2025-03-11 14:30 (UTC)

[Ah. Well, this is going terribly. He's glad for the telepathic heads-up from Jun. ]

Thanks for the warning. Might have to pump the breaks on this a little.

[ Varian knows what lashing out looks like, he did it plenty himself until thing escalated to the point where... well. Things got real bad. That's something he'd rather lean on here. He raises his hands, then lowers them, a gentle, placating gesture. ]

Okay, Luke. It happens. They did say they weren't totally sure. [ They didn't but anything to keep Luke from spiralling worse. ] You want me to call someone? Or- or I could give you a ride back home?

[Probably not super smart having someone who's energy is spiking into his car, but he's trying what he can right now to give Luke a means out so he can breathe. ]

[Luke wants to shout.]

[He wants to scream and stomp his feet and shout that it’s not true, it can’t be true. He wants these people to go away, and take these stupid headaches that he’s had for the last decade with them. He wants none of this to be happening—-he just wants to be his parents kid.]

[And he is. And if he tells himself that he is enough, it’ll become true.]

[But shouting won’t help. He’s driven enough people in his life away with shouting. So instead he just backs off.]

No, I’m fine. Just—-

[“Don’t be someone I remember”]

Leave me alone, okay? I’m fine, I get these all the time, so just leave me alone. I don’t need your help.

Edited 2025-03-11 20:02 (UTC)

[Yep. This is going poorly. And from the sounds of it, Luke does not want anything to do with them. Which, he can understand that but...

Yeah, he knows his siblings and Varian won't want to leave it here. So... he comes up with a plan.

He has to poke his head out enough to see, he tries to be discreet, but there's a visible green fox ear sticking out of Haru's bookbag while they are talking, if Luke's paying attention (6).

But he then while everyone is distracted with trying to calm Luke down, Jun will use his telekinesis to... stealthily grab onto the wallet in Luke's pocket and pull it out, slowly but carefully sliding it under a desk out of view from Luke and the others. (13)

This is a surprise tool we can use later]

Edited 2025-03-11 20:34 (UTC)

[Harumasa is pretty sure he's willing to let it lie at this point. To a degree, at least. He has his answer without needing to ask the question. Not to mention... it seems like just seeing Harumasa has been causing Luke considerable pain. He can't blame the kid for lashing out like a wounded animal.

But he files away all the information he's hearing and observing. These are things to ponder when they regroup.

For the present, he's willing to do as Luke asks.]

Sure, Luke. [There's the audible sound of a phone vibrating, and Harumasa pulls his out to check. A timed notification he set up for a fake doctor's appointment, just in case.] I need to head out anyway. Got a doctor's appointment soon.

[He smiles a little at the redhead.]

Later, guys. Oh, and nice meeting you, Luke. Hope you feel better soon.

[Harumasa secures the bag on his shoulder out of habit and starts heading out the door. Looking completely unbothered by anything.]

[Yeah, they need to book it.]

Sorry man. You just look a lot like him--hey, Hazel, I'm your damn ride!

[Gathering up his things to follow after Harumasa, quick as anything.]

[Varian sure as shit sees what Jun is doing. He's a pretty observant guy (and is also used to living his life with a similar sized creature who keeps stealing his shit) so he sees his boyfriend stealthily poke his head out and telekenetically grab the wallet and hide it away (N20). But there's no way to get that while Luke is still here, so he just heaves out a sigh. ]

I saw that.

[That's sent at Jun- but it's clear everyone's decided it's best to book it. Varian's not great at just... leaving anyone, but he supposes it's better than setting off whatever fluctuating energy signature Jun was sensing. He offers Luke a small, reassuring smile. ]

Okay, buddy. Try and get some rest... hope it clears soon, okay? See you for tutoring on Thursday?

[ And with that, he gives a little wave, following the others out. ]

[Man, now he kind of feels like an ass.]

[Not enough to actually apologize, though. As everyone is packing up, he’ll wave to them and say a half-hearted “thanks.”]

[Maybe if he pretends today didn’t happen, everything will be okay.]

[Surely, renting a good movie will take his kind off this.]

Ehe~

[He'll telepathically respond to Varian, mimicking his grandmother, and not elaborating further.

But as Harumasa heads out of the hall, he'll suddenly feel his bookbag get noticeably lighter as Jun teleports out of there. He teleports back into the classroom, hiding under a desk until he sees Luke walk out of the room.

Then he'll go over to where he stashed it, picking it up in his mouth, and then teleporting back out into the hall ahead of where his siblings and Varian are heading. Which means as they round the hall, they'll come across a green carbuncle sitting on the floor and wagging his tail, as he proudly holds a wallet in his mouth]

[Harumasa feels the bag get suspiciously light all of a sudden, but he doesn't react outwardly. He has a theory that Jun is up to some mischief. When they round the corner, he's proven right. Harumasa sighs, but there's a small smile on his face. He walks closer to his little brother, kneels down, and pats him gently on the head. Quietly, he says:]

I wanna lecture you so, so bad as a responsible big brother, but you're too cute like this. I'd feel like a monster!

[He opens the bag for his thieving little brother to hop in so they can go somewhere more private to talk. Once they hop into an empty classroom or something, Harumasa will let Jun back out and breathe a heavy sigh.]

Phew, I've never been more afraid for my life than being told his energy level was fluctuating! But I wasn't expecting to cause him pain the second he saw me. I can't shake the feeling something's not right.

[He looks to his brothers and future brother-in-law.]

Are you guys okay?

[Ash just snorts when he sees Jun with Luke's wallet, because bro what the hell.]

Terrible.

[But honestly, he'd probably have done the same so. Like.

Once they get to an empty room, Ash flops down in the nearest chair. And does not answer Harumasa's question.]

No clue about the energy levels, that ain't my thing, but I have an idea about what's going on with the pain. You don't seal kids that young. I haven't learned how to Seal yet, but they make you learn about it an' shit so you know what's up. If you do it wrong, it can fuck with your memory--like Luke--and you only seal adults. [Or highly dangerous teenagers, if it's the only option.] It, like, fucks with your brain or somethin' when you seal away the magic. [He sighs.] So, bein' sealed when you're that young...

[And off Luke goes, Varian heaving an audible sigh at Jun doing his best Venti impression in his head. As he appears with the wallet, looking pretty pleased with himself, he rolls his eyes. ]

I mean, I guess it's one way to get his address. We'll need to get it back to him, though.

[You guys are way too casual with crime here and he's saying this as someone who is an actual ex-convict. He follows them into the room, leaning against one of the desks, arms folded.]

That was a worrying reaction. It does make me think we did the right thing by trying to prepare him for this. It seems like just passing one of you in the street might have triggered it if he's this sensitive, so I guess it really was inevitable... him remembering, I mean.

[ But the energy fluctuation is still a worry. Especially with that "too dangerous to be of use to Krusnik" thing. He shifts uncomfortably at the talk of fucking up memories. A touch of guilt coils in his stomach, because oh boy, has he messed with people's memories. He takes a deep breath, pushes past it.]

Right. So that likely caused serious damage. Adding that to how powerful he can be... that's an uncomfortable combo.

[Unlike Ash, Varian knows better than to ignore Haru's question about his well-being, he shrugs.]

I've dealt with worse. I'm more worried about Luke than anything.

[Oh Jun knows that he looks too cute to scold in this form, and seems absolutely pleased with himself as he gets pets rather than a lecture. With a wag of his tail, he'll climb back into that bag and secure the wallet safely in there so he can talk again]

Ha, of course- that's part of the plan. Now we have his contact information AND an excuse to go see him again.

[It's a flawless plan, if Jun says so himself! ]

[When they get to the empty classroom, Jun will climb out of the bag and jump onto one of the desks. He'll look between the three, trying to sus out which is the most not-okay in this situation]

I'm fine. Maybe it wasn't a touching reunion, but we gathered some useful intel.

[Like Luke's headache, his disposition towards this... and his wallet. But he'll listen to Ash's explanation]

That, unfortunately, makes sense. A person's spirit power develops as you age, like the rest of your body. As such applying a seal on it before it finishes developing would cause some unexpected side effects.

Edited 2025-03-13 21:11 (UTC)

[Harumasa sighs at that "flawless" plan.]

I'll message him on Libra. I have a feeling I'm the better liar out of all of us and I'm not sure how to feel about that.

[At least Varian and Jun tell him straight up how they're feeling. The fact Ash sidesteps his question is why there will be a text to Fugo about it later.

Harumasa listens to what they have to say about their impressions, as well as Ash's information about Sealing. It makes him angry to know that these people should've known this, but they did it to kids anyway. Luke is most certainly not the only one who has been Sealed as a child.]

Hm... so even before Libra, there's a good chance the Seal would've failed at some point and he would've remembered. Possibly even gotten his power back at the same time if he'd been extremely unlucky. After all, a kid's brain also isn't fully developed, so that might also be exacerbating some aspects of the spell.

[In other words, this is an enormous mess that's been waiting to come out.]

Which brings us to our next step. I'm inclined to give him some space, especially with how Jun was reading him, but that only works for so long.

Yeah, no, space is absolutely the best idea. But, uh, anyone wanna explain to me about the power shit you guys mentioned? I don't pick up on that.

[Varian, someone who lied to and manipulated an entire kingdom multiple times, nods and smiles. Then, like a liar: ] Yeah, Haru. You're probably the best person for this. You can take this one.

[ People don't need to know how good he is at this. They do not. He's happy to keep that tidbit in his back pocket. Because otherwise it would lead to questions he doesn't want to answer. ]

Hmmm, it sure looks that way. Jun's right, there has to be so many side effects with him being sealed so young. We can be glad it isn't as bad as it could be already. I think space is a good idea. Maybe just... keep a quiet eye from a distance on him. Just in case.

[ To Ash: ]

Jun felt some power fluctuations while he was freaking out.

Edited 2025-03-14 21:19 (UTC)

[He makes a click sound with his tongue]

Oh so now you three want space... [he mutters, grumbling, but ultimately lets it go as he explains, absent mindedly scratching his ear with his back left like a dog would]

I have the power to read energy signatures, think of it like a magical fingerprint.

Luke's is.... unusual. While most energy signatures move and flow, Luke has essentially a solid mass over his, stopping it from flowing. But when he had that bad reaction, it was like his energy was flaring up and trying to push against the block... like floodwaters against a damn.

Sorry, it's difficult to describe.

[Even if Harumasa knew Varian was exceptional at lying, he would never have asked it of him. That being said....]

It's not nice to lie to my face, Varian!

[You never pass up a chance to rag on him for being bad at things, sir (16)!!!

Anyway, he kneels down to Jun's level to pat his head in a placating gesture. His hearing has weirdly improved to the possible misfortune of everyone around him.]

If we don't give him space like he asks, we're not gonna be able to earn his trust. Plus... with how his energy was fluctuating against the Seal as you described, it makes me nervous to do that again when there are a lot of innocent people nearby that could get caught up in it if it breaks free.

...do you guys think I should mention this to Hinoki--to Ayato? I don't wanna hurt Luke or anything, but if there ends up being a problem with the faulting Seal the Order will have to step in and help, and I can't do that yet.

[Varian smiles, raising his hands, palm out. ]

What? Maybe I'm being genuine. You don't know.

[ Yes he does. Haru's got it exactly right. ]

But yeah, we tried opening the door and he's clearly not ready. The last thing we need is to set him off, especially with those energy fluctuations. I don't think we should avoid him entirely, but definitely give him time to adjust - like... baby steps, y'know?

[ Hrm he pulls a face at that. He's not the biggest fan of the Order, but he's trying to not make that a big deal with Ash here and all. ]

Do they have the knowledge to help with a faulting seal? Presumably the old Order would just... well, kill him. Do you think they've worked out a better way with the new management?

[He snorts at Varian, all while he's accepting the head pats from Haru. Excuse him as he turns his head to try to get petted in one of the preferred spots. He's been an animal too many hours today to think to feel embarrassed by this. (9)]

You're not. You always say something just like that as a follow-up when you're full of it.

[He has been arguing with Varian for years, he knows his tells okay]

Fine, fair enough. [He was mostly just griping anyway. As for the order, he definitely has a small concerned face too]

Mm... I'm a little hesitant myself. I'm sure the Order guardians stationed in Kaisou wouldn't actually kill him unless they felt they had no choice, but.... at the moment this is sounding like a socially and emotionally delicate situation, and they're um...

Not.

[Ash you're one of the more tactful on the team and that says... so so much]

[Harumasa is definitely going to do what the cute little brother carbuncle says and pet his head where Jun likes. So adorable!

He falls quiet as they bring up The Black Order. Jun being this close can probably see that it's because Harumasa's thinking seriously about it, weighing pros and cons in his mind and against his heart. The Black Order is building a new identity and has knowledge on the Sealing spell, as well as the means to neutralize powers on the scale Luke has. However, there's still a chance that they might instead take a more heavy-handed approach or might misstep. This is a situation where that threat of a misstep is so scarily easy to do.

If they let POKEGO know, then they run the risk of triggering an even bigger storm of repressed trauma. Their enthusiasm for science might even blind them to the warning signs or, worse, accidentally make them treat Luke like he's a fascinating new species of insect. Even if Harumasa gives them the benefit of the doubt, the risk is too great to accidentally trigger a memory of Krusnik through no fault of their own.

Blade is about the only person on the network he's even willing to consider letting in on this issue. Belle's skills wouldn't be of help here, and Wriothesley's in the same boat. At the same time, if it's just the four of them and they fuck it up, then what are they going to do? The worst case scenario is that Luke takes out the entire city or even just a city block. That's a lot of lives to be taking a gamble on some fucked up young people trying to help an equally fucked up young person.

... He hasn't had reason to use his power on purpose to see the futures of other people, other than what his power warns him about every month. However, this is a circumstance where he thinks it might be warranted.

So Harumasa looks up at them with a deceptively easy smile and lighthearted tone.]

Want me to take a peek?

[For Varian's benefit, he clarifies:]

It's our code phrase for me asking if we wanna use my ability to see into the future. In this case, Luke's future.

[Ash doesn't argue with Varian or Jun--they're right--though he does have to bite back laughter at Jun's sniper shot about the lack of delicacy in the Order right now. He's not wrong, and Ash won't deny it.

But then Hazel offers to take a peek.]

...only if you want to, Hazel. It probably wouldn't hurt to know, but I don't wanna put you at risk of somethin' if you do.

[Varian turns to look at his partner, putting a hand to his chest and fake gasping. ]

How dare you! Those are lies and slander against my good name!

[ They are not. He is absolutely full of shit. He nods at Jun's assessment of the Order though.]

Yeah, subtlety is um... not their strong suit. Sorry Ash. POKEGO probably wouldn't be much better, if it helps.

[They all know it's true! His eyebrows raise as Haru makes the offer, though. He does realise this is... likely something most people are not privy to - so he'll treat it with the respect it deserves, for whatever he's done to deserve to be allowed into this inner circle. ]

I see. That's... useful, but will... will it hurt you? Ash makes it sound like it could hurt you.

Sorry my love, but you know it's true.

[Jun's ears will perk up when Haru offers to take the look in the future. He knows what it means for Haru to offer that, especially in front of Varian. It means he trusts him. Even Jun hadn't told Varian about Haru's power, since he knew the weight of that secret]

Physically he should be alright, but mentally depending on what he sees... [Well, that's another matter] It's up to you, Haru, if you want to take that risk.

[He'll also send a message telepathically to Varian]

Haru's really cautious about telling people about his power, because people would exploit it when he was younger. So if you want proof that he sees you as family, this is it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

we'll surely meet again

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2/??? allusion to experimentation, krusnik shit

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4/??? ya boy rolled a 1 fr fr

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6/6 graphic mention of migraine, actual mental breakdown

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