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luke catchall
[Oh. Well, easily--]
Yes. [He doesn't sound defensive, but nor does he sound apologetic.] But you don't need to worry. I won't start trouble.
[He doesn't think Dion will either; they didn't speak much before he died, but Luke liked him just fine, and he doesn't anticipate that being much different here. It's just. Y'know. Sometimes you gotta do it to 'em.]
Yes. [He doesn't sound defensive, but nor does he sound apologetic.] But you don't need to worry. I won't start trouble.
[He doesn't think Dion will either; they didn't speak much before he died, but Luke liked him just fine, and he doesn't anticipate that being much different here. It's just. Y'know. Sometimes you gotta do it to 'em.]
I understand. Not all worlds are similar.
[ it took a lot for her to adjust to the ship and its technology. the different cultures were also something to wrap her mind around.
what's real and isn't is hard to grasp, but maybe what will help make it more real is a memory.
it's not a moment shouxue is proud of. losing herself to anger because her lady-in-waiting was in danger took her by surprise. the emotion that swelled was almost too much for her, and it scared her once she calmed down, how she almost couldn't register anything more than that heat and darkness of her fury (of a fury that might not have only been her own). ]
[ it took a lot for her to adjust to the ship and its technology. the different cultures were also something to wrap her mind around.
what's real and isn't is hard to grasp, but maybe what will help make it more real is a memory.
it's not a moment shouxue is proud of. losing herself to anger because her lady-in-waiting was in danger took her by surprise. the emotion that swelled was almost too much for her, and it scared her once she calmed down, how she almost couldn't register anything more than that heat and darkness of her fury (of a fury that might not have only been her own). ]
[ this is such a cute icon. he's such a bottom.
shouxue doesn't think any of this. she thinks that he's suddenly so shy for someone who could have killed a man. ]
You love her.
[ she says it not in a teasing way or as if she's digging for gossip and deets but matter-of-fact. ]
shouxue doesn't think any of this. she thinks that he's suddenly so shy for someone who could have killed a man. ]
You love her.
[ she says it not in a teasing way or as if she's digging for gossip and deets but matter-of-fact. ]
[That's good to hear, at least. Luke isn't afraid to be assertive or aggressive if he feels it's necessary, but this wasn't anything like that.
It's a little funny, though--she isn't the first person to ask him that question.]
It's just something I had to do. [...But she's seen him cold and cruel, hasn't she? She deserves a little more than that.] He killed someone I wanted to protect. Even knowing it wasn't really him--I couldn't just let that go so easily.
It's a little funny, though--she isn't the first person to ask him that question.]
It's just something I had to do. [...But she's seen him cold and cruel, hasn't she? She deserves a little more than that.] He killed someone I wanted to protect. Even knowing it wasn't really him--I couldn't just let that go so easily.
[SOMETIMES........ YOU CONTAIN MULTITUDES...... such as being both a top and a bottom, sometimes even simultaneously and with the same person. "You mean a switch, pixi?" No. No I don't.
BUT ALSO WHY THIS. WHY!!! DON'T JUST PERCEIVE HIM SO ACCURATELY AAAAAAAAA WHAT IF HE DIES AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON THE SPOT. He shifts awkwardly, looking very much like he wants to be anywhere but here at this very moment. It's not even the first time someone has called him out on this (because he is not all that subtle), but he's so used to guarding all his secrets that he never knows what to do. At least when it's more-or-less well-intentioned people, or straightforward people like Shouxue.]
We... grew up together. [That's. Not an answer. But his terrible dodging is probably its own answer?] Our moms were best friends.
BUT ALSO WHY THIS. WHY!!! DON'T JUST PERCEIVE HIM SO ACCURATELY AAAAAAAAA WHAT IF HE DIES AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON THE SPOT. He shifts awkwardly, looking very much like he wants to be anywhere but here at this very moment. It's not even the first time someone has called him out on this (because he is not all that subtle), but he's so used to guarding all his secrets that he never knows what to do. At least when it's more-or-less well-intentioned people, or straightforward people like Shouxue.]
We... grew up together. [That's. Not an answer. But his terrible dodging is probably its own answer?] Our moms were best friends.
[This isn't the first memory Luke's seen with elements wildly beyond what exists in his world. Even so, he's taken aback by it all--by the power of Shouxue's fury, by the potency of her magic. In a minute, he'll be back to himself, and this new side of her will slot into place in his understanding of who she is; for now, he's caught up in it, watching everything happen.
When it ends, he looks to Shouxue first, wanting to make sure she's okay.]
When it ends, he looks to Shouxue first, wanting to make sure she's okay.]
[ she doesn't know how much she can understand because even if she does have protective inclinations and rage issues that aren't wholly her own...
But maybe it is her bias from having her own mind and emotions played with and how much she liked dion before dying. She shakes her head. ]
For your own satisfaction? Or retribution? Was it to settle your own feelings of powerlessness even though you were already here?
[ already dead. ]
But maybe it is her bias from having her own mind and emotions played with and how much she liked dion before dying. She shakes her head. ]
For your own satisfaction? Or retribution? Was it to settle your own feelings of powerlessness even though you were already here?
[ already dead. ]
[Luke doesn't answer right away, seemingly focused on whatever he's building. But after a few moments, he sets down the items in his hands, leaning back in his chair to look at her properly.]
Why are you asking me this, Shouxue? [His tone is calm, idly curious.] Is it because you can't understand my thinking, or because you're angry with me for doing it?
Why are you asking me this, Shouxue? [His tone is calm, idly curious.] Is it because you can't understand my thinking, or because you're angry with me for doing it?
[SHOUXUE IS SO CUTE AAAAAA
Luke is in a much better mood upon getting a break from all his secrets being doxxed, and the night market only makes it even better. FINALLY!! FOOD FROM HOME!!! Or close enough, anyway.
He comes over, equally excited.]
What kinds do they have?
Luke is in a much better mood upon getting a break from all his secrets being doxxed, and the night market only makes it even better. FINALLY!! FOOD FROM HOME!!! Or close enough, anyway.
He comes over, equally excited.]
What kinds do they have?
[Smashes through your window like Kanda in that one panel I link all the time
ANYWAY UNLESS SOMETHING FUNKY HAPPENS WITH THEIR RETURN Luke will be here waiting!! Thank goodness they got clothes this week. He probably grabbed a big robe or something to wrap around her right away, but otherwise he will press a fresh set of clothing into her hands and then give her a little space to recuperate. They are not very stylish. I'm sorry Shouxue.
Eventually, though, he will come back and find her, holding a warm, wrapped baozi.
Gently:] Shouxue?
ANYWAY UNLESS SOMETHING FUNKY HAPPENS WITH THEIR RETURN Luke will be here waiting!! Thank goodness they got clothes this week. He probably grabbed a big robe or something to wrap around her right away, but otherwise he will press a fresh set of clothing into her hands and then give her a little space to recuperate. They are not very stylish. I'm sorry Shouxue.
Eventually, though, he will come back and find her, holding a warm, wrapped baozi.
Gently:] Shouxue?
[ you are so ready to play kanda and never have to talk to people
it's ok.... secret: she's not the most stylish either. she only has one fancy outfit, and she's gifted her more stylish clothing.
she'll be in the same clothes he gave her when he finds her. it takes her a moment to react to the the baozi. her head lifts at the smell, but it isn't near as energetic as she usually is when it comes to food. ]
Luke? .... Thank you.
[ she'll hold out her hand for the baozi. ]
it's ok.... secret: she's not the most stylish either. she only has one fancy outfit, and she's gifted her more stylish clothing.
she'll be in the same clothes he gave her when he finds her. it takes her a moment to react to the the baozi. her head lifts at the smell, but it isn't near as energetic as she usually is when it comes to food. ]
Luke? .... Thank you.
[ she'll hold out her hand for the baozi. ]
[ that sounds like luke is a mess.
it's not hard to perceive when the dream laid it out simply. she, unfortunately (for me, ara), isn't too interested in people's love lives or that kind gossip, but there are a couple items of contention (that she may or may not be hypocritical about). ]
You have known her for a long time. You are keeping many secrets from her.
it's not hard to perceive when the dream laid it out simply. she, unfortunately (for me, ara), isn't too interested in people's love lives or that kind gossip, but there are a couple items of contention (that she may or may not be hypocritical about). ]
You have known her for a long time. You are keeping many secrets from her.
[ she is fine even if she's not happy about that memory. it was an alarming moment for her, not knowing how protective she could get, not realizing how much she came to care for someone, not knowing she could lose herself to her emotions like that.
she looks at luke with a pinched but tired expression. ]
Say anything you like.
[ there's no point in pretending it didn't happen. ]
she looks at luke with a pinched but tired expression. ]
Say anything you like.
[ there's no point in pretending it didn't happen. ]
You'd know if I was angry.
[ she's not emotionally honest, but she is straightforward about that. ]
I do not understand when Margaret didn't want you to do it.
[ he already knows she knows losing your temper for protection, but he was... rational isn't the word she wants to use, but he wasn't unrestrained either. she's had a life sheltered from a lot of interpersonal relations, and even if she knows much of how horrible people can be from how ghosts come to be and her own history, what luke did didn't make much sense to her, especially since he acknowledged dion's possession. ]
[ she's not emotionally honest, but she is straightforward about that. ]
I do not understand when Margaret didn't want you to do it.
[ he already knows she knows losing your temper for protection, but he was... rational isn't the word she wants to use, but he wasn't unrestrained either. she's had a life sheltered from a lot of interpersonal relations, and even if she knows much of how horrible people can be from how ghosts come to be and her own history, what luke did didn't make much sense to her, especially since he acknowledged dion's possession. ]
[SHE IS SO VALID. But it's fine because he's here now, which means there is more real estate to be had!! He looks over the ones she's holding, then turns to grab the varieties she hasn't picked out yet.]
Have you had crab dumplings before? They're a little expensive, but they're one of my favorites.
Have you had crab dumplings before? They're a little expensive, but they're one of my favorites.
[Correct. ALSO RIP YOUR IC SHIP CHARTS!!! Dahut truly has to carry this graveyard in so many ways.
Funnily enough, Shouxue's assessment is spot on in so many ways, but at least for this--]
She knows. She was there with me when we caught up to him. [It just works differently in his nightmares, because he didn't want her to be there. He sent her off for his first session with Ott--he just didn't have time to do it again.] ...But she shouldn't have been. It's not something she should've had to worry about.
[He hadn't wanted her to see him like that--so different from the warm, loving, happy person he always tries to show her. I promise I'll always be the person you like when I'm with you.
In reality, she'd reassured him that she understood the necessity of his ruthlessness; in his heart, he still believes that she shouldn't even know that side of him exists.]
Funnily enough, Shouxue's assessment is spot on in so many ways, but at least for this--]
She knows. She was there with me when we caught up to him. [It just works differently in his nightmares, because he didn't want her to be there. He sent her off for his first session with Ott--he just didn't have time to do it again.] ...But she shouldn't have been. It's not something she should've had to worry about.
[He hadn't wanted her to see him like that--so different from the warm, loving, happy person he always tries to show her. I promise I'll always be the person you like when I'm with you.
In reality, she'd reassured him that she understood the necessity of his ruthlessness; in his heart, he still believes that she shouldn't even know that side of him exists.]
[Aww, Shouxue. Well, at that look on her face, he just smiles gently.]
It's nothing. I was just a little surprised--I've never seen you like that before.
[Unless she had a huge public meltdown that I missed, not counting execution. Which, speaking of--]
But it makes sense. You're a very caring person.
It's nothing. I was just a little surprised--I've never seen you like that before.
[Unless she had a huge public meltdown that I missed, not counting execution. Which, speaking of--]
But it makes sense. You're a very caring person.
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