[ none of us like this. don't worry about the bells... probably. ]
No. From what I know? They have been here with us, since our first day...
[ and they sound absolutely serious. truth within a dream, parted from anything else. his expression softens a little, thoughtful as eyes go towards the doors. they aren't open, but something knocks sharply. a whisper.
conviction: ]
But if I am to trust my dreams as I have before... then I would like to believe you. At this point, I'll investigate whatever I can to figure out what precisely is happening...
For a minute, Luke debates telling Io not to be too concerned--that their Callisto didn't seem to think it was a big deal, that Nut & Bolt probably just sent over a replacement. But surely Io would have no reason to lie to a dead man? And if he's telling the truth, if he really believes that they've always had the same Callisto, then...]
Please do look into it, but be careful, okay? If something's going on, we're all at a disadvantage.
[Oh I was expecting so much worse when I clicked on that I REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA BE LIKE THOSE VIDS RANKING EMERGENCY ALERTS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.]
Thanks. We'll keep trying, too, for as long as we're still around. [However long that might be... he has no idea, but. Well. At least that's nothing new to him.
The nice thing about being a ghost, though, is that it's much easier to hide things, which was Luke's specialty to begin with!! Nice!!! He smiles reassuringly.]
[ they're only terrifying when you're constantly dying so yeah we are pretty safe because luke is dead and io isn't dead (yet. damn.)
the good thing about being in a dream is that it's just a dream and who knows if he'll actually remember this. what if he sits up too fast? what if it just floats away into the ether where forgotten dreams go? luke could likely leave an impression. there's a good chance it won't be... ]
You're dead, Luke, I do not consider that "okay now."
[ a huff ]
If we do somehow find an opening, we'll see what we can do from our end... perhaps I will talk to Ganymede about this. They may have some ideas...
I don't love it, but I'm not in pain. Don't worry about me. Just look out for the others, okay?
[It's not like he wants to be forgotten--but he doesn't want Io wasting time on futile attempts to save the dead and neglecting the living in the process.]
I'll try reaching out to the others, too, in case I can't come back. [Imagine if the holo-deck fuckin broke]
I'll worry about you until we figure out a way to return you to us. I'll worry about the lot of you.
[ futile? no. save one, save them all. their fingers clench tightly, white-knuckled, old scars - defensive, deep, impossible one over the other. even scien, who is a veritable psycho, may have a modicum of concern. he didn't deserve that, to tear his own throat out like an animal. or did he looks at virche jk unless bye ]
But yes. Reach out to who you can - and be careful.
This other Callisto... [ softer, distant, searching... ] We'll figure this out.
We're dead, Io. [His tone isn't harsh--but it is firm. The tone of a soldier, of someone used to loss--of moving on because he had to. Because there was no time, no room, for anything else.] Destroying yourself over us isn't going help anyone.
[If it is, somehow, possible to come back from this, if they are--god knows how--still... "alive," in some capacity--then Luke does, of course, want to be saved. His goal from the beginning has been getting everyone home, and for all his issues and struggles with self-loathing, Luke always included himself in that, too. He's the one on the front lines, the guardian, the person who steps forward on instinct to protect everyone else behind him--but he always intended to make it home too. But he never wanted anyone to get hung up on his life; that is, in fact, the exact opposite of what he strove for since he was sixteen years old--or ever, if he's fully honest with himself.
Maybe this is his fault. This is what he gets for visiting, for telling Io they're still on the ship instead of safely tucked away in some traditionally beautiful afterlife. It's why he always planned to stay away from Rosa--why he intended to vanish quietly from her life a second time, rather than subjecting her to the neverending pain of grief.]
If you find answers, we'll take them. [He'll allow for that much, since he knows his words probably won't have the effect he's hoping for.] But the best thing you can do for--[us, he almost says--but no, that's unfair to the others]--me right now is to look after the others on that side, with you. That's what I want, okay?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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though as luke pursues this line of questioning, io slowly tenses, hands now fisting in the material of his bad leg. tighter, tighter. ]
N...o? Callisto is here. They're with us, they've always been us. Moodier than usual, but...
[ there's a noise that pierces through the silence io trails off into - suddenly, the distant ringing of a bell. bong. bong. bong. bong. ]
By original... you're saying the one with us is...
[ bong. unhappily, just: ]
... I don't like where this leads, Luke...
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But you didn't--[Ah, shit. Bells can't be good.]--notice them going missing at all? Even for a few days?
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No. From what I know? They have been here with us, since our first day...
[ and they sound absolutely serious. truth within a dream, parted from anything else. his expression softens a little, thoughtful as eyes go towards the doors. they aren't open, but something knocks sharply. a whisper.
conviction: ]
But if I am to trust my dreams as I have before... then I would like to believe you. At this point, I'll investigate whatever I can to figure out what precisely is happening...
no subject
For a minute, Luke debates telling Io not to be too concerned--that their Callisto didn't seem to think it was a big deal, that Nut & Bolt probably just sent over a replacement. But surely Io would have no reason to lie to a dead man? And if he's telling the truth, if he really believes that they've always had the same Callisto, then...]
Please do look into it, but be careful, okay? If something's going on, we're all at a disadvantage.
no subject
io does nod softly, however, especially at the warning. the idea of being at a disadvantage... he taps fingers sharply on the stage. ]
I'll test the waters, see what I can find. Disadvantage or not, we'll keep trying.
[ hesitance. and then, firmly. ]
This place that you're in... from one stubborn person to another, be careful, Luke... how is your pain on that side...?
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Thanks. We'll keep trying, too, for as long as we're still around. [However long that might be... he has no idea, but. Well. At least that's nothing new to him.
The nice thing about being a ghost, though, is that it's much easier to hide things, which was Luke's specialty to begin with!! Nice!!! He smiles reassuringly.]
Don't worry. I'm okay now.
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the good thing about being in a dream is that it's just a dream and who knows if he'll actually remember this. what if he sits up too fast? what if it just floats away into the ether where forgotten dreams go? luke could likely leave an impression. there's a good chance it won't be... ]
You're dead, Luke, I do not consider that "okay now."
[ a huff ]
If we do somehow find an opening, we'll see what we can do from our end... perhaps I will talk to Ganymede about this. They may have some ideas...
no subject
I don't love it, but I'm not in pain. Don't worry about me. Just look out for the others, okay?
[It's not like he wants to be forgotten--but he doesn't want Io wasting time on futile attempts to save the dead and neglecting the living in the process.]
I'll try reaching out to the others, too, in case I can't come back. [Imagine if the holo-deck fuckin broke]
no subject
[ futile? no. save one, save them all. their fingers clench tightly, white-knuckled, old scars - defensive, deep, impossible one over the other. even scien, who is a veritable psycho, may have a modicum of concern. he didn't deserve that, to tear his own throat out like an animal.
or did he looks at virche jk unless bye]But yes. Reach out to who you can - and be careful.
This other Callisto... [ softer, distant, searching... ] We'll figure this out.
no subject
[If it is, somehow, possible to come back from this, if they are--god knows how--still... "alive," in some capacity--then Luke does, of course, want to be saved. His goal from the beginning has been getting everyone home, and for all his issues and struggles with self-loathing, Luke always included himself in that, too. He's the one on the front lines, the guardian, the person who steps forward on instinct to protect everyone else behind him--but he always intended to make it home too. But he never wanted anyone to get hung up on his life; that is, in fact, the exact opposite of what he strove for since he was sixteen years old--or ever, if he's fully honest with himself.
Maybe this is his fault. This is what he gets for visiting, for telling Io they're still on the ship instead of safely tucked away in some traditionally beautiful afterlife. It's why he always planned to stay away from Rosa--why he intended to vanish quietly from her life a second time, rather than subjecting her to the neverending pain of grief.]
If you find answers, we'll take them. [He'll allow for that much, since he knows his words probably won't have the effect he's hoping for.] But the best thing you can do for--[us, he almost says--but no, that's unfair to the others]--me right now is to look after the others on that side, with you. That's what I want, okay?