[Video]

[sacred_flamer]

[There's a moment where you can see Luke, looking angry and about to cry, before his fist suddenly descents on the terminal screen, punching it as hard as he can. The view rattles angrily, and again when he plants his hands down on either side of the keyboard hard. His voice is high pitched as he struggles not to cry, but it's a futile effort, and it's not long after he starts speaking before he can't see the terminal because of the tears.]

Jason, you damn bastard!!! How could you make me do those things?! How could you make anyone do those things!? I killed my friends; I killed people I care about because of you! And then you made us tell you about everyone!? Betray everyone?! You... you...!

[He just can't anymore; he sinks down against the terminal, just barely in view as he curls his arms around him, sobbing so hard it feels like his chest is going to burst. It's a moment before he can say anything more, and when he does, it's barely more than a whimper.]

...I hate you... I hate all of you...

Comments

video

[puppy_lancer]

...Easy, kid. It's Jason's fault. You didn't have your mind then

video

[sacred_flamer]

But... but it's still me that did those things...!

Re: video

[puppy_lancer]

You mean your body. It's...not like you actually wanted to hurt them, isn't it?

video

[sacred_flamer]

Of course not, but...

[Action]

[relinquishing]

[He doesn't even bother responding. He's on his feet, searching for the terminal Luke might be at, and he doesn't stop until he's found it, approaching the redhead with a gentle hesitancy, a hand against the back of his chair.]

Luke...

[Action]

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke lifted his head at the familiar voice, rubbing at his eyes to see through the tears, though it's only effective for a short moment.]

Guy...

[And... wump; Luke latched himself to Guy's midsection, sobbing softly.]

[Action]

[relinquishing]

[That break of personal space was all he needed to wrap his arms around Luke, face burrowing into red locks and dragging them off the chair and onto the floor.

He can't do anything but hold the boy, his grip tight, jaw clenched and eyes shut tight, bottling what fear and anguish and anger he felt about this whole situation for the sake of the redhead in his arms. All he can do is cling. Cling and cling and be so, so silently grateful that Luke has a whole body again.]

[Action]

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke is more than happy to cling back, too scared and upset to care about the fact that he was crying all over Guy like he was a baby. He couldn't help it, he couldn't stop. It hurt, dammit; he had betrayed everyone he encountered the past week, and killed people he cared about. He couldn't... he just...]

Guy... why...?

Video

[scorchedchivalry]

Luke. I request that you come to my room. It is important.

Video

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke managed to lift his head, swiping furiously at his eyes as he sniffled.]

N-now? What's your room number?

Video

[scorchedchivalry]

Yes. Now. Room 1-09.

Video -> Action

[sacred_flamer]

Okay...

[It's awhile before Luke finally shows up, knocking lightly on Saber's door. He managed to calm himself enough so he doesn't look like a complete zombie, but he still looks like he's going to start crying all over again.]

[hachitaro]

[... Ah.]

Which terminal are you at?

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke didn't lift his head, but he remembered Taro's voice.]

The one on dorm floor three.

[hachitaro]

I'll be there soon.

[And here comes Taro, in the form of a mink. He crawls up to try to climb on Luke's lap.]

Hey.

[Pets make people feel better, right?]

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke let out a faint noise; he wasn't entirely sure what Taro turned into, but... aw, it was soft and silky. He reached down, hesitantly patting him.]

Hey...

[notayoungkitten]

You were not in control. None of us were.

[sacred_flamer]

It still feels like my fault...

[notayoungkitten]

I understand. It is hard not to.

Remember that misery is what Jason wants us to feel. Even if we have betrayed those that we would never harm when aware, we must continue to be strong.

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Jade's out of sight, listening to the boy quietly for a long moment. The Luke he knows wouldn't hurt people if he could avoid it.

Seeing him now... He thought about Akzeriuth. About how much the boy had changed even in this span. Was it truly better that Luke knew about Akzeriuth? Had it changed him that much? He'd blamed it all on Van, removing himself from the situation like anyone in shock. But here... He said that he'd done it under Jason's influence. In part, he took some responsibility. It was far more grown up than Jade expected from the boy.

He didn't know if he should approach him; if his presence would better his condition or worsen it. He adjusted his glasses and quietly moved from behind the wall he'd been behind, walking quietly to the boy that was leaning against the Terminal. Sometimes he forgot how young Luke really was. Not just his physical age, but his replican age.

He couldn't think of anything to say. in Akzeriuth, he'd hated the boy for... for what he was, what he acted like, how he handled it. Here.. Jade wasn't sure he was the right person to be here, but someone needed to be with Luke. So he sat down next to him quietly, saying nothing for a long while.]

Beating yourself up won't solve anything.

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke jumped at the familiar voice, reaching up to clear off his face a bit uselessly -- because Jade was probably going to tease him for crying like a child anyway, right? Maybe...? -- before he turned toward him.]

J-Jade, you're awake again. You okay?

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Jade would have, were the circumstances different, but Luke... no. The way he viewed Luke in his timeline was with more respect than he'd show this Luke. To that end... It was confusing, but the point was that even Jade couldn't make fun of him for crying. Murder was difficult.]

Don't worry about me. A little sleep never hurt anyone.

[It was troublesome, how much Jade had found himself unconscious since his arrival. But he'd figure that out later.]

Are you going to be alright?

[He's... Not used to this. Finding words is difficult- finding the right ones, at least.]

video;

[acceptedoblivion]

You're saying that like he gives a damn about what you think.

[Sorry Luke, but he isn't going to try and calm you down at all. If anything, he looks just as pissed.]

Trust me, he probably only thinks of the data you just gave him then your feelings.

video;

[sacred_flamer]

[Oh, a Riku... but which? Damn, they needed to start wearing name tags or something...]

I... I know that, dammit. I'm tired of being manipulated; I'm tired of people telling me I let someone talk me into doing something. Even if there was no 'talking into' involved here, it's still the same damn thing!

video;

[acceptedoblivion]

[That won't exactly work with most of them, sob...

He rolls his eyes, but it's...mainly a way to keep himself from thinking about what this could mean. That there could be, yet again, another person just like him. It... was a scary thought to think about, especially how that struck a chord with him.

He hated it.]

And you think you're the only one? [There's a sort of broken, bitter laugh.] I haven't even been here long, and I know that isn't the case.

[They're just going to use that anger for something else, and while he knows it all too well, he can't help it. Because it's sometimes easier to manipulate and break through anger, and it only took them three days for him before...]