WHO: Luke’s Emergency Contacts (and also him eventually) WHERE: Cygnus Academy WHEN:Mid August WHAT:Luke had a moment, and it’s about to get a whole lot worse WARNINGS:Tales of the Abyss
[Immediately upon receiving the call from Zelos, Nephrite abandoned whatever plans he had for the rest of the day. He'll be forever grateful that he's figured out how to use the wind to carry himself through the air: it makes traveling to Cygnus Academy a simpler affair without any concern for traffic, and the rushing in his ears almost drowns out the guilt.
Luke had collapsed from the onrush of some terrible memory. If his friends and family hadn't called, Nephrite would never have known. In avoiding triggering Luke's memories himself, he'd isolated the boy again. If he gets a chance now to make up for the mistakes of his past life, it's clearly not because he himself has learned how not to repeat them.
He touches down outside the building and makes his way to the infirmary where the others are already waiting, stone-faced and blank, none of his usual good-humored deflection in evidence.]
[When someone else Takame did not recognize entered the room, he looked to Luke's emergency contacts for recognition on seeing this man. When that was found, he dropped his guard the slightest bit. Soldier to Soldier, Nephrite could surely notice something so minute.
Takame was faculty here. As such, he moved to respond equally as stoic and steady.]
He has not. He will at any moment, though I cannot say for certain if that will be within minutes or an hour.
[Harumasa arrives not long after Nephrite does, and he's able to catch the question and answer. Despite not being one to show he's upset, his crow wings are still visible. They're tucked firmly to his back to minimize collisions, but he hasn't had the thought to dismiss them yet. It goes to show how much he cares about this, how much worry he holds for his little brother.
Not that Harumasa looks great after arriving (7). His face is a bit paler than normal, and he coughs somewhat quietly into his elbow. A real one, not any of his fake coughs.
Perhaps he's been pushing it so soon after Jumanji, but... it's his little brother.]
What happened before he collapsed? Any symptoms? Zelos told me it might be related to his memories.
[The young archer glances over at Nephrite.]
I'm his older brother. Adopted by circumstance.
[It's the simplest explanation he can provide to the Guardian at the moment. Once they've gotten more details about Luke's condition, then Harumasa will be more willing to answer Nephrite's questions.]
[Asch can't fly, but he does have shadow jump and has been using it to great effectiveness. Unfortunately his luck is still not super great, so he's the last to arrive.]
... Our family tree is getting out of hand lately.
[He steps fully into the room and gives Nephrite a nod of acknowledgment. He does not, however, apologize for leaving that out of the letters.]
It's not the first time Luke has collapsed, and last time it was because of his memories. ... Wait. What kind of training was it?
You can thank our dick of a father for that. Or rather his-- nevermind.
[He'll stop himself, thinking better of it. Zelos is leaning against the wall near Luke's bed. He'd noted that the three of them arrived. He expected Haru, but it's good to see the other two made it-- albeit for different reasons.
As the question, it's a simple one]
Sword training. Luke's been interested in learning to defend himself after he got lost in that maze. He signed up to learn with Takame, who teaches at this school.
[He says matter-of-factly. He had nothing to do with signing luke up, but he was in support of it. Learning swordsmenship is downright typical among the nobility of Tethe'alla, so he has no issue with it]
[He nods back at Asch, and gives both him and Harumasa a very assessing look. Now is really not the time to ask under just what circumstances Luke might have been adopted by someone else, but he will have some questions later for certain.
Sword training, though...suddenly, he has a sinking feeling he just might know what this is about. Who this is about. If it isn't the memory of killing someone for the first time...]
Did he say anything at all about who or what he was remembering when it happened? ...Even if it's a small detail, there's a chance I might be able to shed light on it.
[He traveled with Luke in that other life more than Asch did. There are things he would know that even Luke's twin might not.]
[Takame likewise did not comment on Harumasa's state. He knew the man had some manner of illness, but now was not the time. As for their family tree, well. The second unfamiliar man to walk in looked identical to him. Harumasa was another older sibling. There's a path to map out here for later. For now: report.]
I noticed Luke-kun was not acting like himself when he seemed thrilled about something he'd once called boring. It seems that something happened during the incident with those strange board games that greatly affected him. Enough to lose grip of his practice sword.
I wished to hear him speak of it at his pace, and on his terms and comfort. So I asked that he come inside to do so and he shared what transpired with me. He'd shared that he'd taken the life of someone within the game. He wondered what he could have done differently to prevent it.
I gave him what words of advice I could, told him this act did not make him evil nor any less of a good person. He did not display any symptoms, only told me "Thanks, Sensei". Then he'd suddenly begun holding his head in pain. When he'd fainted, I reached out to one of his Emergency Contacts and brought him here.
[The way he recalled every detail truly was more akin to giving a report than remembering an event. But it helped to know everything.]
[Harumasa's glad to not have any attention on him, frankly. He's not sure he can handle that yet. But he can handle this much. It's a familiar pressure. Almost an old friend.
The young archer listens to the report intently. It is what it is. He's given and received them in his past life before so he understands what this is.
Sensei, though... it's as Harumasa expected. Still, he looks thoughtful.]
Just so we're all on the same page, usually recalling memories doesn't result in migraines on the scale Luke experiences them. Neither do they render a person unconscious.
[Harumasa's a little hesitant to say more since he knows why they're happening like this, but just a glance at Luke's unconscious form fortifies his spirit.]
My family and I suspected that this might have been Krusnik's fault, but we didn't have any concrete evidence. All we had to go on was a vague feeling of something not being right with his magical signature, and the fact that he had a migraine immediately upon seeing me. Before Luke was adopted out to his current family, the "researchers" would have Sealed his memories and his power. But he was seven when they used that magic on him. So, we suspect that the Seal might be extremely unstable since it was used on a child.
[Surreptitiously (14), Harumasa goes to take a seat nearby Luke. He makes it casual, but truthfully it's because he's afraid that if he stands too much longer he might pass out.]
So he took up sword training after all. [Asch knows Luke has talent for it, or at least he did in his past life. All those things eventually came back to Asch, so most likely they would for Luke, too. He listens to the report quietly and digests it, trying to narrow down what it could be...
So that's what happened during the board game. That's what Luke had been tight-lipped about. This is all so... annoying.
He looks at Haru.]
... That's what I was afraid of. [And he'd wondered if that was the case, seeing as TBO members are pretty familiar with that spell.] That Seal has already started to come apart. When he saw me again, the first brick fell out of the wall.
As for what memories caused it this time... it could be anything. Maybe even memories of his past life's teacher. [He glances at Nephrite.] But he might have a better idea.
[Neph is quiet as he digests this information, his expression tight and increasingly irritated - although not at anyone in this room.]
The sealing does explain a great deal. I would have expected his past-life memories to trigger on multiple occasions before this point, particularly the incident he described to you today. [He nods to Takame.]
...Those fools. [He shakes his head.] I would say in this context, attempting to trigger the memories of the teacher from his past life who he most relied upon for emotional support is likely the immediate cause. But knowing that doesn't solve the underlying problem.
[He takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly, and looks to Harumasa.] You seem to know more than I do about what happened in that facility. [Oh, he sounds very angry about that place. It's just something he's putting off for another time.] As you say, the seal would have been on both his memories and his powers. Finding a way to undo the former will also unlock the latter. I don't know how much of his other life's powers had come to him by then, but...if it's anything like what I remember, that's a situation that will need to be managed carefully.
[While up until this point Takame had an immensely calm disposition, the mention of Krusnik caused him to visibly tense and let out a sharp breath. His memories with them... were recent. Painful. But he could handle it, he was already broken before two years ago.
Luke was just a normal young man. A normal young man experiencing all of this.]
I shudder to imagine what sort of man his past life's teacher was should that manner of reaction occur.
[...]
My name is Takame Kesi. I realize that I am a stranger to you all. But someone has placed his trust in me to care for Luke should this situation arise. If I may, I would like to lend my assistance on whatever matter of his power and memories you speak of.
[He looks up at Nephrite when he mentions how Harumasa knows about this facility more than him. His smile doesn't reach his eyes, and there's a distinct lack of his normal cheer and humor in it.]
I should hope so! I was there since I was five.
[However, it changes to a more genuine one as he looks over at Takame.]
Yeah, I know the person who did. I can vouch for them, and I appreciate you looking after Luke.
[Back on topic, though....]
I can tell you that they wanted his power. They had designs to find a way to control a god for their use, though I had never been able to discern why they wanted that in the first place. Doing it purely for power and playing God would've fit for some of the people in charge, but that didn't fit for all of them. That's getting way off-topic, though.
Fact of the matter is, they couldn't control his power because it simply was far too destructive to be useful. Adoption isn't the normal protocol for kids like that, but I guess the right people were at the right place and time to decide that adoption was more profitable.
[Wow, wonder how that could've been. Must be a coincidence or a twist of fate.]
[If the voices reach Luke as he’s sleeping, he’s unable to distinguish them from the screams of people in a dying city.]
[He wakes up remembering nothing of his dream—-only a faint feeling of guilt remains. That he really, really messed up in a way that he can’t go back and undo.]
[These feelings are quickly pushed aside, however, as he sees how many people are in the room with him. There’s his Ma—-teacher, Takame. There’s three brothers from two different families, and also his sister, and also Asch’s dad for some reason?]
[They aren’t here because of him, are they? That’d be really embarrassing.]
[Belle, with a cup of coffee in her hand, cheerily waves at Luke. If she looks a little exhausted despite the general cheer, hush, she definitely doesn't.]
Making sure you didn't get concussed! Hey, Luke. [She puts up two fingers.] How many fingers am I holding up?
[... Well, Belle wasn't technically wrong. But seeing Luke awake brought a rare smile out of Takame. Strange given Luke has likely never seen Takame smile, but unlike a certain other bastard of a teacher his was full of true warmth, relief and care.]
I am relieved to see you awake. I brought you here after you fainted and contacted Belle.
[Zelos meanwhile is hanging back, leaning against a wall with his hands behind his head. He was just as worried as everyone else, but he's going to completely play it off like he wasn't]
What those two said! Sorry, I'm sure you would've prefer waking up to a bunch of cuties from school fawning over you, buuut it's just us.
[Asch is somewhere near the wall, too. With Luke looking fine, he's... back to crossing his arms. Luke seems like he's back to normal, but he's still a little worried... of course he's not going to say that, though.]
We were making sure you didn't drop dead. [deadpan] Congratulations.
[Nephrite is standing beside his son. He forced the usual mask of a smile back onto his face when he saw Luke waking, knowing what he was about to encounter...but some part of him almost hoped, with the seal weakening, that he'd see something unexpected in Luke's eyes.
Nothing. Not a trace of recognition. He's still just Asch's father. He wishes he was as emotionless as his past life had believed himself to be; maybe that innocent ignorance wouldn't cut so deeply.
The smile stays on, somehow, as he answers mildly, nodding toward Asch:]
I'm just his ride.
[A blatant lie: they arrived separately, Neph didn't even take a vehicle. But it's the only thing Luke would be able to process right now if he doesn't want to risk another crack in the memory seal.]
[Harumasa is sitting next to Belle, which is about as close to the bed as they can get. Color has returned to his face by this point, so he looks a lot better than he did when he first arrived.
However, he does clock the fake smile on Nephrite. Of course he does. He's Witnessed that the man cared a lot, and he's seen the care the Nephrite of today has shown Luke. Even if it's subtle (generous reading). Harumasa won't call him out on that, though. That feels a bit cruel.]
Pretty much what Belle said, even if Red Asch won't admit he was worried~. [Hehe.] How are you feeling?
[It’s weird, being surrounded by so many people when he wakes up. But he doesn’t hate it.]
[He addresses Zelos first:]
Nah, I’m not weird like you.
[And Belle:]
Two??? Is this a trick question or something?
[He’s going to ignore Asch for now in favor of NOT starting baby fights round 3, but he will address the group as a whole:]
You guys didn't need to come all this way. But, thanks, I guess. It was a pretty bad one, huh?
[And this time, his eyes do linger a little longer on Neph. There’s no hint of recognition just yet, but there’s a feeling of something familiar. Like it’s not weird he’s here with the rest of his family, because he is family.]
Impaired vision is a sign of a concussion! But you passed with flying colors, so. [Teasing:] It's a pity you don't want a cutie, I could go get Eous from the store.
[Sobering up, and letting out a breath.]
Sort of...? Takame called us and said you'd just passed out in the middle of training. We worried something might've set off your faint. [She tilts her head slightly.] Do you know what it might've been?
Not that kind of cutie! Maybe I can't stop you from dating, but Eous is a baby! [He says to Belle, before addressing Luke] And who're you calling weird?? I rush over here, to check on my baby brother who fainted like a Victorian with a corset too tight, only to get called weird??
Oh, how you wound me...!
[It's all said in his usual melodramatic way that his siblings have long figured out is not at all serious]
[Which is cemented by the fact when he reaches over and very carefully gives Luke an affectionate hair ruffle before continuing very normally like he didn't go into full dramatics ]
But yeah, it's basically what Belle said. Do you think it could've been dehydration? Lack of potassium? A bad memory recall? We checked you over already and didn't find any injuries, at least.
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Connecting Threads
A-Two
A-Three, Four and Five!]
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Luke had collapsed from the onrush of some terrible memory. If his friends and family hadn't called, Nephrite would never have known. In avoiding triggering Luke's memories himself, he'd isolated the boy again. If he gets a chance now to make up for the mistakes of his past life, it's clearly not because he himself has learned how not to repeat them.
He touches down outside the building and makes his way to the infirmary where the others are already waiting, stone-faced and blank, none of his usual good-humored deflection in evidence.]
Has he awoken at all?
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Takame was faculty here. As such, he moved to respond equally as stoic and steady.]
He has not. He will at any moment, though I cannot say for certain if that will be within minutes or an hour.
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Not that Harumasa looks great after arriving (7). His face is a bit paler than normal, and he coughs somewhat quietly into his elbow. A real one, not any of his fake coughs.
Perhaps he's been pushing it so soon after Jumanji, but... it's his little brother.]
What happened before he collapsed? Any symptoms? Zelos told me it might be related to his memories.
[The young archer glances over at Nephrite.]
I'm his older brother. Adopted by circumstance.
[It's the simplest explanation he can provide to the Guardian at the moment. Once they've gotten more details about Luke's condition, then Harumasa will be more willing to answer Nephrite's questions.]
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... Our family tree is getting out of hand lately.
[He steps fully into the room and gives Nephrite a nod of acknowledgment. He does not, however, apologize for leaving that out of the letters.]
It's not the first time Luke has collapsed, and last time it was because of his memories. ... Wait. What kind of training was it?
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[He'll stop himself, thinking better of it. Zelos is leaning against the wall near Luke's bed. He'd noted that the three of them arrived. He expected Haru, but it's good to see the other two made it-- albeit for different reasons.
As the question, it's a simple one]
Sword training. Luke's been interested in learning to defend himself after he got lost in that maze. He signed up to learn with Takame, who teaches at this school.
[He says matter-of-factly. He had nothing to do with signing luke up, but he was in support of it. Learning swordsmenship is downright typical among the nobility of Tethe'alla, so he has no issue with it]
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Sword training, though...suddenly, he has a sinking feeling he just might know what this is about. Who this is about. If it isn't the memory of killing someone for the first time...]
Did he say anything at all about who or what he was remembering when it happened? ...Even if it's a small detail, there's a chance I might be able to shed light on it.
[He traveled with Luke in that other life more than Asch did. There are things he would know that even Luke's twin might not.]
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I noticed Luke-kun was not acting like himself when he seemed thrilled about something he'd once called boring. It seems that something happened during the incident with those strange board games that greatly affected him. Enough to lose grip of his practice sword.
I wished to hear him speak of it at his pace, and on his terms and comfort. So I asked that he come inside to do so and he shared what transpired with me. He'd shared that he'd taken the life of someone within the game. He wondered what he could have done differently to prevent it.
I gave him what words of advice I could, told him this act did not make him evil nor any less of a good person. He did not display any symptoms, only told me "Thanks, Sensei". Then he'd suddenly begun holding his head in pain. When he'd fainted, I reached out to one of his Emergency Contacts and brought him here.
[The way he recalled every detail truly was more akin to giving a report than remembering an event. But it helped to know everything.]
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The young archer listens to the report intently. It is what it is. He's given and received them in his past life before so he understands what this is.
Sensei, though... it's as Harumasa expected. Still, he looks thoughtful.]
Just so we're all on the same page, usually recalling memories doesn't result in migraines on the scale Luke experiences them. Neither do they render a person unconscious.
[Harumasa's a little hesitant to say more since he knows why they're happening like this, but just a glance at Luke's unconscious form fortifies his spirit.]
My family and I suspected that this might have been Krusnik's fault, but we didn't have any concrete evidence. All we had to go on was a vague feeling of something not being right with his magical signature, and the fact that he had a migraine immediately upon seeing me. Before Luke was adopted out to his current family, the "researchers" would have Sealed his memories and his power. But he was seven when they used that magic on him. So, we suspect that the Seal might be extremely unstable since it was used on a child.
[Surreptitiously (14), Harumasa goes to take a seat nearby Luke. He makes it casual, but truthfully it's because he's afraid that if he stands too much longer he might pass out.]
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So that's what happened during the board game. That's what Luke had been tight-lipped about. This is all so... annoying.
He looks at Haru.]
... That's what I was afraid of. [And he'd wondered if that was the case, seeing as TBO members are pretty familiar with that spell.] That Seal has already started to come apart. When he saw me again, the first brick fell out of the wall.
As for what memories caused it this time... it could be anything. Maybe even memories of his past life's teacher. [He glances at Nephrite.] But he might have a better idea.
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The sealing does explain a great deal. I would have expected his past-life memories to trigger on multiple occasions before this point, particularly the incident he described to you today. [He nods to Takame.]
...Those fools. [He shakes his head.] I would say in this context, attempting to trigger the memories of the teacher from his past life who he most relied upon for emotional support is likely the immediate cause. But knowing that doesn't solve the underlying problem.
[He takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly, and looks to Harumasa.] You seem to know more than I do about what happened in that facility. [Oh, he sounds very angry about that place. It's just something he's putting off for another time.] As you say, the seal would have been on both his memories and his powers. Finding a way to undo the former will also unlock the latter. I don't know how much of his other life's powers had come to him by then, but...if it's anything like what I remember, that's a situation that will need to be managed carefully.
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Luke was just a normal young man. A normal young man experiencing all of this.]
I shudder to imagine what sort of man his past life's teacher was should that manner of reaction occur.
[...]
My name is Takame Kesi. I realize that I am a stranger to you all. But someone has placed his trust in me to care for Luke should this situation arise. If I may, I would like to lend my assistance on whatever matter of his power and memories you speak of.
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I should hope so! I was there since I was five.
[However, it changes to a more genuine one as he looks over at Takame.]
Yeah, I know the person who did. I can vouch for them, and I appreciate you looking after Luke.
[Back on topic, though....]
I can tell you that they wanted his power. They had designs to find a way to control a god for their use, though I had never been able to discern why they wanted that in the first place. Doing it purely for power and playing God would've fit for some of the people in charge, but that didn't fit for all of them. That's getting way off-topic, though.
Fact of the matter is, they couldn't control his power because it simply was far too destructive to be useful. Adoption isn't the normal protocol for kids like that, but I guess the right people were at the right place and time to decide that adoption was more profitable.
[Wow, wonder how that could've been. Must be a coincidence or a twist of fate.]
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wakey wakey
[He wakes up remembering nothing of his dream—-only a faint feeling of guilt remains. That he really, really messed up in a way that he can’t go back and undo.]
[These feelings are quickly pushed aside, however, as he sees how many people are in the room with him. There’s his Ma—-teacher, Takame. There’s three brothers from two different families, and also his sister, and also Asch’s dad for some reason?]
[They aren’t here because of him, are they? That’d be really embarrassing.]
Uh, hey everyone. What are you doing here?
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Making sure you didn't get concussed! Hey, Luke. [She puts up two fingers.] How many fingers am I holding up?
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I am relieved to see you awake. I brought you here after you fainted and contacted Belle.
[He followed Emergency Contact Rules!!!]
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What those two said! Sorry, I'm sure you would've prefer waking up to a bunch of cuties from school fawning over you, buuut it's just us.
[Zelos why are you like this.]
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We were making sure you didn't drop dead. [deadpan] Congratulations.
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Nothing. Not a trace of recognition. He's still just Asch's father. He wishes he was as emotionless as his past life had believed himself to be; maybe that innocent ignorance wouldn't cut so deeply.
The smile stays on, somehow, as he answers mildly, nodding toward Asch:]
I'm just his ride.
[A blatant lie: they arrived separately, Neph didn't even take a vehicle. But it's the only thing Luke would be able to process right now if he doesn't want to risk another crack in the memory seal.]
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However, he does clock the fake smile on Nephrite. Of course he does. He's Witnessed that the man cared a lot, and he's seen the care the Nephrite of today has shown Luke. Even if it's subtle (generous reading). Harumasa won't call him out on that, though. That feels a bit cruel.]
Pretty much what Belle said, even if Red Asch won't admit he was worried~. [Hehe.] How are you feeling?
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[He addresses Zelos first:]
Nah, I’m not weird like you.
[And Belle:]
Two??? Is this a trick question or something?
[He’s going to ignore Asch for now in favor of NOT starting baby fights round 3, but he will address the group as a whole:]
You guys didn't need to come all this way. But, thanks, I guess. It was a pretty bad one, huh?
[And this time, his eyes do linger a little longer on Neph. There’s no hint of recognition just yet, but there’s a feeling of something familiar. Like it’s not weird he’s here with the rest of his family, because he is family.]
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[Sobering up, and letting out a breath.]
Sort of...? Takame called us and said you'd just passed out in the middle of training. We worried something might've set off your faint. [She tilts her head slightly.] Do you know what it might've been?
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Oh, how you wound me...!
[It's all said in his usual melodramatic way that his siblings have long figured out is not at all serious]
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But yeah, it's basically what Belle said. Do you think it could've been dehydration? Lack of potassium? A bad memory recall? We checked you over already and didn't find any injuries, at least.
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