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[relinquishing]

[It takes him all day to muster himself out of his bed to make this post in the dormitory levels. Had he not been slammed with a message about his new "job", he would have kindly stayed in his room for a day or two just to... he wasn't even sure what the right word was. He didn't need to relax. He needed to detox. His journey home had been short, but he hoped and prayed it was just a dream. Only a dream, please just let it be that. But he'd seen the barren landscape, inhaled the putrid, acidic smell of miasma leaking out of every crack and crevice, seas of purple mud and poison all that remained of his world.

Of course he wanted it to be a dream.

...]

Two questions. Feel free to answer or not.

First: How many of you have been back home? As in: how many have returned to what used to be their home, only to come back? What did you see, and did it... feel real?

[...]

Second: What are we left with if the worlds we all know are really gone? Is it just us, this Tower, countless years and a few grim expectations?

I really am starting to wonder.

Comments

Re: [Always filters]

[relinquishing]

[Dude stop being Luke's mom, that's HIS job. >:|]

Really? Well, I'm sorry for the battle scars that you earned for that. His nails can dig pretty deep.

[bloodyashes]

[Yeah well, you weren't here to do it.]

Yes, jumping him in the bath with a hairbrush was stupid of me. I could have drowned.

[relinquishing]

[Drowned.

He grimaces, fighting back the clench of pure horror that came over him at the sight of the word. A woman's head over his shuolder, hands at his neck, his head being forced under the rusty, murky water--

...]

Glad you're still intact, then. Hope he didn't cause you too much trouble. He tends to be picky.

I'm sure you understand, though. I don't remember you being much different at that age.

[bloodyashes]

[Completely oblivious to that particular trauma, it's Asch.]

I can deal with his whining.

And we both know I was never as picky as he is. He's in a class all his own.

[relinquishing]

[He's not a big fan of talking about his deaths here, please and thanks. He's already had three of them and even that is enough to make him want to vomit a little.]

You were also ten and a bit more mature for your age. You had your own quirks we had to mess with when you were six or seven, and that included your hair.

So don't go comparing.

[bloodyashes]

I hardly think wanting to spend time with my bed-ridden mother qualifies as picky.

[And okay he may have thrown a small tantrum or two if someone else tried to do it. Hush, Guy, you recall nothing.]

[relinquishing]

[You wish, kiddo.]

Don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say anything like that!

...

As long as Luke's fine and things are back to normal... then I guess we're okay for now. Thanks, Asch.

Anything else?

[bloodyashes]

[Just letting it go.]

There was a weather disaster, while you were gone. You should check through your things and make sure nothing was damaged.

Also, if you haven't been to the cafeteria yet, the menu is unappetizing at best. You're welcome to come hunting with Luke and I if you'd prefer something less like prison food.

[relinquishing]

Weather disaster? What, what happened?

And yeah, so I heard. Well, I AM your servant, so I guess I should tag along, huh?
I need practice with the blade anyways. Or to save my taste buds. Whichever works better for you.

[bloodyashes]

A lot of things, but the most pressing would be the water damage from a solid two days of indoor rainstorms.

And you're not my servant.

[Look how blunt he is being.Do not attempt to argue it.]

[relinquishing]

I'm Luke fon Fabre's servant, last I checked. But alright, whatever you say.

...How the hell did they manage to make it rain inside... well, whatever. I'll make sure to look through my things.

[bloodyashes]

Which means you're his servant. I don't want or need one.

There were thunderstorms and snow, as well.

[relinquishing]

[You've still got the blood in your veins, kiddo. Like it or not, he's still got ties to you. He just isn't bound as tightly as he is to your double.]

Sounds like a party. I'm surprised the place is still standing.

Anything else, sir?

[bloodyashes]

I'm surprised we didn't freeze to death under the snow.

Not that I can think of.

[He'll let that sir just slide for once.]

[relinquishing]

Sounds like it's been a rough month. I'm sorry to hear that.

Well, if there's nothing else you want to know, I've got things to take care of.

[AKA now being a maid for the tower.]

See ya, Asch.