I took some time off. You thought I'd just ignore you while you're in the hospital? Don't be in such a hurry to get rid of me.
[Is he? Probably not actively—this is his childhood friend, after all. Someone dear to him, someone he's happy to see. But perhaps, somewhere deep inside of Luke, he does think it'd be for the better, even if he can't remember why.
Is she really happier seeing him, like this or otherwise?]
[It's true; he doesn't want to get rid of her, really, but it makes his skin crawl for her to see him like this, even if his injuries aren't as bad as the others'. (That, too, is a terrible feeling, but he's definitely not going to tell her that.)]
I just don't want your work piling up. I know they're pretty merciless. [Who...? It flows out so easily, but he can't remember why. It bothers him, that hole in his mind, but he doesn't want to get caught up in it while she's here, so he gives her a bright, reassuring smile.] You don't have to worry. They said I should be good to go pretty soon.
... All right, if you say so. Give me a call when you're out, okay? We should grab a coffee or something. It feels like I don't get to see you enough, these days.
[And not just because he's in the HOSPITAL right now.]
It's easy to give her a smile, and the answer she wants to hear--]
Of course, I will. You'll be the first one to know.
[--And if he were smart, it would be another lie. He would vanish, run, distance himself. It's how he's always felt. She doesn't need to know his feelings, because he... he...
Why...?
...Maybe it doesn't matter why. Because the truth is that he's weak--that he knows what he should do, but the mere sight of her is enough to make him falter. Maybe it's silly to be angry at himself for wanting to keep a promise instead of breaking it, but he can't help it.]
[Eventually, he's discharged from the hospital. With that said, he's not completely cured of the effects from the gas—at times, his body will feel weaker, or he'll have trouble breathing. He's told there's a chance it'll get worse as time goes on. That, in the worst case scenario, a flare-up will kill him.
Not exactly pleasant news, but what can he do but persevere?
He returns home to his apartment suite, which he shares with two roommates, Margaret and Anise. Who, for the record, also probably came to visit you in the hospital at some point. I'm not assigning them asshole roomies. Anyway, it's not the best of places, with a shitty landlord, but they make do. Maybe one day they can afford to get out of here and be somewhere better. (Though with your newfound health condition, you worry that that dream will have to be pushed further to the side...)
When Luke walks in, Anise gets up from the couch.]
Luke! How are you feeling?
Edited (pixi if you tag back right now save your tag and delete it because we'll be moving it) 2024-03-20 02:50 (UTC)
Dahut wanders over into new territory, and it's new territory because the landscape is instead one familiar to Luke (not that Luke knows this).
From Dahut's perspective, he sees Luke, a somewhat shadowy (i.e. dead) figure like him, though Luke is covered in burns and cuts, pieces of shrapnel going through him in what were likely his fatal injuries.
As Dahut approaches, pieces of images, memories, emotions flood his mind. The illusion Luke's trapped in, not unlike how Dahut was just moments ago; all of his regrets and guilt. This is a man who has always tried so hard to be a hero, and yet he's weighed down by his failures—the people he could not save, those he could not help like his Eudora crew members, the people who died when he survived. That he's conflicted over never telling his childhood friend that he loves her, at the same time that he regrets returning to her life, knowing he'll only cause her heartbreak.
Intuitively, Dahut will see and understand everything that happens to Luke in this illusion, including from here on out, and feel the things Luke does. He will also get the sense that if he tries, perhaps he can influence the illusion or that, at the very least, Luke can hear his voice if he calls out to him.]
[It's not great, but Luke comes to terms with this quickly enough, because he has to. Medicine and science have their limits, after all--and he's always, always hidden his troubles behind a smile, lest he cause trouble for those around him. This is a little more dire, but in the end, he just needs to act the same way he always has.
He didn't like getting visited by Margaret or Anise, either, but he faked his way through those, too, easy as anything. He does the same now--and it helps that, for whatever reason, his pain tolerance is a little ridiculous. It doesn't do anything for the wounds on his heart, but he can, at least, tell them the truth with a smile.]
A lot better, thanks! Though, I could go for some take-out tonight, if you're up for it.
Anyway wow this is a lot, huh. Dahut just observes his fellow deadzo just vibing out here in a hell of his own making, still keeping his hand resting against the arrow.
Hilariously, Dahut would truly just leave Luke like this under other circumstances... NOT BECAUSE HE'S A DICK, LISTEN!!! But because he thinks that Luke deserves to make the same choice that he did: to stay, or to leave. If they're just going to be wandering around in hell anyway, why not indulge in a nice dream, even if it has a sour ending?
The only reason he says anything is because he knows Luke is a private person, and he's also not a fan of being forced to experience someone else's feelings and thoughts. SO HE TRIES TO CALL OUT but it's somewhat tentative at first.]
Luke can, though! Margaret, on top of things as always, orders takeout for all of them. Anise pats the seat next to her, indicating that Luke should sit down. They watch some TV while they wait for their food.
It's nice and peaceful, isn't it, Luke? Aside from the threat of your possible impending death, but you'll manage, as you always have with your life. Besides, you survived this past week, and that's more than what could be said about those who died from the gas leak. (Was there anything you could've done back then, to save them?)
Maybe you'll die before you can help Margaret and Anise, too. (Why does it feel like you already have?)
Eventually, the doorbell rings. Luke, you get up from the couch so that Margaret and Anise can continue to watch the show or movie interrupted, and answer the door. It's the delivery person, holding out the takeout bags.]
[It might also strike Luke as strange that this delivery person knows his name, because it was Margaret who placed the order?
Anyway, the whitewashed delivery man grabs Luke's shoulders.]
Don't grab your phone! Get out of there!
[Margaret and Anise look up from the couch, getting concerned here. Anise speaks up first.]
... Do you know this guy, Luke?
[Is this... an ex? Although for some reason, Luke will get the feeling that something about this delivery man is kind of familiar. There's a guilty feeling attached to him, as well.
Unless he's too baffled to think about any of this.]
[I did think about that but I figured he didn't question it for whatever reason. Listen. He has gas leak brain fog. DID FRENCH EUNHYUK DROP THEIR BURGERS?? IMPORTANT CONTEXT
Also even magic amnesia can't conquer reflexes, so Luke does what any normal person would do if some rando grabbed them and just automatically tries to pry his hand off... HE'LL PUT FRENCH EUNHYUK IN A WRIST LOCK IF HE HAS TO]
Hey, back it up. [Maybe he'd be a little more lenient if it was just him, but Anise and Margaret are right there--and he is, as always, a highly protective guard dog. The flickers of familiarity aren't enough to overpower that, but they're enough, in conjunction with the odd tone, to stop him from booting this dude out on his ass immediately.] What's this about?
[HE'S TRYING TO WAKE LUKE UP BUT HE'S JUST MAKING THINGS WEIRD.]
Oh, no...!
[Well. Maybe... it will be easier to talk Luke into waking up if he doesn't feel like he has to guard his roommates? Dahut can feel those vibes so clearly... Sasuga, Luke, you dumb asshole. STOP TRYING TO PROTECT FIGMENTS OF YOUR IMAGINATION (he doesn't think, since he had also protected figments of his imagination).
Anyway he could probably try to reason with Luke but instead he just tries to will Eunhyuk into sweeping his legs out from under him so he can pick him up and kidnap him.]
[Eunhyuk definitely dropped the takeout bags. Sorry, Luke.
Anyway, Eunhyuk lets out a noise of surprise when he's suddenly in a WRIST LOCK because he did NOTHING wrong. He doesn't even seem to understand why he grabbed Luke by the shoulders.]
Oh, no...!
[He just sounds genuinely so distressed? What's going on?
And yet, despite his distress, he will try to sweep his legs out from under him so he can pick Luke up and kidnap him.
In the background, Margaret and Anise are getting increasingly concerned. Margaret, this time, speaks.]
Luke, do you need me to call the police on this weirdo...?
[WELL I ROLLED A 16 SO I GUESS?? HE PROBABLY MANAGES TO AVOID THIS??? NOW HE'S REALLY GOING TO PUT HIM IN AN ARM LOCK FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY, INCLUDING THIS STRANGER WHO SEEMS CONFUSED BY HIS OWN ACTIONS]
Yeah--tell them it's a wellness incident. [THEY'RE GONNA SEND EUNHYUK OFF TO THE LOONY BIN I TYPED LOOBY]
[DON'T SEND HIM TO THE LOBBY BIN. Also why is it that even when he's piloting a 6ft tall body, he still can't manage to win in a physical fight.
Dahut will try to see just how far his manifestation powers go here and attempt to will a giant net into existing that he can just drop on Luke from above like the hand of god.]
[Margaret nods and begins calling for the police...
And. I'm. I did decide you would have manifestation powers depending on my whims and I can't think of a reason to deny you this, so sure. A giant net drops on Luke, except he still has Eunhyuk in an arm lock so now they're both caught in this net.
Anise stares.
Meanwhile, Eunhyuk yells.]
Monsieur Luke, the police aren't real!
[What do you think about this, Luke? Actually, he might vaguely recall that he does know someone (multiple someones) who are French (not this lunatic)...
But also, he sure is in a net right now. Anise gets up, wondering if she should help until the police get here.]
The little blips of familiarity are somehow making this MORE CONFUSING?? THIS IS LIKE IF HE GOT POISONED AT THE HOSPITAL BY TAINTED MEDICINE BUT INSTEAD OF GIVING HIM SPACE TB IT JUST GAVE HIM A FUCKING ACID TRIP
But he sees Anise getting closer, so he's just gonna. I guess. FOCUS ON THAT FOR NOW and his instinctive reaction--]
Well, this is fine. They're both trapped under the net and the police are on the way THIS IS FINE... He'll try to have Eunhyuk face Luke but maybe he's too net-trapped to do anything except vaguely turn in his direction, damn.]
I won't hurt them, I promise! No more nets! Will you please listen...?
[Margaret and Anise will do as Luke says, but Margaret assures Luke that the police are on their way, and he should yell if he needs them for anything. She also makes a point of saying that she wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't do this. She knows you...
I won't hurt them, I promise! No more nets! Will you please listen...?
[Unfortunately, even with.......... interference, the dream goes on. Luke's problems go on! As this happens, he will feel an attack come on—the eternal reminder of what has happened to him and what might one day claim him.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Of course, it's also quickly followed by panic, because Luke is an idiot. DON'T SEE HIM LIKE THIS!! GO AWAY!!!! (genuine) (lie) (unsure)
WHAT IF HE PRETENDS TO BE ASLEEP]
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You're really doing this? Come on, I had to make time in my busy schedule, just for you.
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He shrinks a little, slowly opening his eyes to look up at her. WOAH... SHE'S HERE... WHAT A SURPRISE THAT HE DEFINITELY DIDN'T NOTICE BEFORE]
Watson, is that you? [He rubs his eyes, like he's just sooo eepy] Sorry, I was dozing off. [...] Shouldn't you be at work?
[Fuss fuss]
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I took some time off. You thought I'd just ignore you while you're in the hospital? Don't be in such a hurry to get rid of me.
[Is he? Probably not actively—this is his childhood friend, after all. Someone dear to him, someone he's happy to see. But perhaps, somewhere deep inside of Luke, he does think it'd be for the better, even if he can't remember why.
Is she really happier seeing him, like this or otherwise?]
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I just don't want your work piling up. I know they're pretty merciless. [Who...? It flows out so easily, but he can't remember why. It bothers him, that hole in his mind, but he doesn't want to get caught up in it while she's here, so he gives her a bright, reassuring smile.] You don't have to worry. They said I should be good to go pretty soon.
[He will say this whether it's true or not]
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... All right, if you say so. Give me a call when you're out, okay? We should grab a coffee or something. It feels like I don't get to see you enough, these days.
[And not just because he's in the HOSPITAL right now.]
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It's easy to give her a smile, and the answer she wants to hear--]
Of course, I will. You'll be the first one to know.
[--And if he were smart, it would be another lie. He would vanish, run, distance himself. It's how he's always felt. She doesn't need to know his feelings, because he... he...
Why...?
...Maybe it doesn't matter why. Because the truth is that he's weak--that he knows what he should do, but the mere sight of her is enough to make him falter. Maybe it's silly to be angry at himself for wanting to keep a promise instead of breaking it, but he can't help it.]
1/2
Not exactly pleasant news, but what can he do but persevere?
He returns home to his apartment suite, which he shares with two roommates, Margaret and Anise. Who, for the record, also probably came to visit you in the hospital at some point. I'm not assigning them asshole roomies. Anyway, it's not the best of places, with a shitty landlord, but they make do. Maybe one day they can afford to get out of here and be somewhere better. (Though with your newfound health condition, you worry that that dream will have to be pushed further to the side...)
When Luke walks in, Anise gets up from the couch.]
Luke! How are you feeling?
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Dahut wanders over into new territory, and it's new territory because the landscape is instead one familiar to Luke (not that Luke knows this).
From Dahut's perspective, he sees Luke, a somewhat shadowy (i.e. dead) figure like him, though Luke is covered in burns and cuts, pieces of shrapnel going through him in what were likely his fatal injuries.
As Dahut approaches, pieces of images, memories, emotions flood his mind. The illusion Luke's trapped in, not unlike how Dahut was just moments ago; all of his regrets and guilt. This is a man who has always tried so hard to be a hero, and yet he's weighed down by his failures—the people he could not save, those he could not help like his Eudora crew members, the people who died when he survived. That he's conflicted over never telling his childhood friend that he loves her, at the same time that he regrets returning to her life, knowing he'll only cause her heartbreak.
Intuitively, Dahut will see and understand everything that happens to Luke in this illusion, including from here on out, and feel the things Luke does. He will also get the sense that if he tries, perhaps he can influence the illusion or that, at the very least, Luke can hear his voice if he calls out to him.]
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He didn't like getting visited by Margaret or Anise, either, but he faked his way through those, too, easy as anything. He does the same now--and it helps that, for whatever reason, his pain tolerance is a little ridiculous. It doesn't do anything for the wounds on his heart, but he can, at least, tell them the truth with a smile.]
A lot better, thanks! Though, I could go for some take-out tonight, if you're up for it.
[Boigas]
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Anyway wow this is a lot, huh. Dahut just observes his fellow deadzo just vibing out here in a hell of his own making, still keeping his hand resting against the arrow.
Hilariously, Dahut would truly just leave Luke like this under other circumstances... NOT BECAUSE HE'S A DICK, LISTEN!!! But because he thinks that Luke deserves to make the same choice that he did: to stay, or to leave. If they're just going to be wandering around in hell anyway, why not indulge in a nice dream, even if it has a sour ending?
The only reason he says anything is because he knows Luke is a private person, and he's also not a fan of being forced to experience someone else's feelings and thoughts. SO HE TRIES TO CALL OUT but it's somewhat tentative at first.]
...Monsieur Luke...?
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Luke can, though! Margaret, on top of things as always, orders takeout for all of them. Anise pats the seat next to her, indicating that Luke should sit down. They watch some TV while they wait for their food.
It's nice and peaceful, isn't it, Luke? Aside from the threat of your possible impending death, but you'll manage, as you always have with your life. Besides, you survived this past week, and that's more than what could be said about those who died from the gas leak. (Was there anything you could've done back then, to save them?)
Maybe you'll die before you can help Margaret and Anise, too. (Why does it feel like you already have?)
Eventually, the doorbell rings. Luke, you get up from the couch so that Margaret and Anise can continue to watch the show or movie interrupted, and answer the door. It's the delivery person, holding out the takeout bags.]
... Monsieur Luke...?
[Huh. This delivery person doesn't look French.]
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Luke was halfway distracted by his guilt complex but now he's just like ??? OKAY I GUESS,]
Uh--thanks. Let me grab my phone. [He has *pple P*y]
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He will speak with less trepidation now and also try to will this Eunhyuk into grabbing Luke's shoulders.]
Don't grab your phone! Get out of there!
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Anyway, the whitewashed delivery man grabs Luke's shoulders.]
Don't grab your phone! Get out of there!
[Margaret and Anise look up from the couch, getting concerned here. Anise speaks up first.]
... Do you know this guy, Luke?
[Is this... an ex? Although for some reason, Luke will get the feeling that something about this delivery man is kind of familiar. There's a guilty feeling attached to him, as well.
Unless he's too baffled to think about any of this.]
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Also even magic amnesia can't conquer reflexes, so Luke does what any normal person would do if some rando grabbed them and just automatically tries to pry his hand off... HE'LL PUT FRENCH EUNHYUK IN A WRIST LOCK IF HE HAS TO]
Hey, back it up. [Maybe he'd be a little more lenient if it was just him, but Anise and Margaret are right there--and he is, as always, a highly protective guard dog. The flickers of familiarity aren't enough to overpower that, but they're enough, in conjunction with the odd tone, to stop him from booting this dude out on his ass immediately.] What's this about?
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Oh, no...!
[Well. Maybe... it will be easier to talk Luke into waking up if he doesn't feel like he has to guard his roommates? Dahut can feel those vibes so clearly... Sasuga, Luke, you dumb asshole. STOP TRYING TO PROTECT FIGMENTS OF YOUR IMAGINATION (he doesn't think, since he had also protected figments of his imagination).
Anyway he could probably try to reason with Luke but instead he just tries to will Eunhyuk into sweeping his legs out from under him so he can pick him up and kidnap him.]
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Anyway, Eunhyuk lets out a noise of surprise when he's suddenly in a WRIST LOCK because he did NOTHING wrong. He doesn't even seem to understand why he grabbed Luke by the shoulders.]
Oh, no...!
[He just sounds genuinely so distressed? What's going on?
And yet, despite his distress, he will try to sweep his legs out from under him so he can pick Luke up and kidnap him.
In the background, Margaret and Anise are getting increasingly concerned. Margaret, this time, speaks.]
Luke, do you need me to call the police on this weirdo...?
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Yeah--tell them it's a wellness incident. [THEY'RE GONNA SEND EUNHYUK OFF TO THE LOONY BIN I TYPED LOOBY]
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Dahut will try to see just how far his manifestation powers go here and attempt to will a giant net into existing that he can just drop on Luke from above like the hand of god.]
Monsieur Luke, the police aren't real!!
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And. I'm. I did decide you would have manifestation powers depending on my whims and I can't think of a reason to deny you this, so sure. A giant net drops on Luke, except he still has Eunhyuk in an arm lock so now they're both caught in this net.
Anise stares.
Meanwhile, Eunhyuk yells.]
Monsieur Luke, the police aren't real!
[What do you think about this, Luke? Actually, he might vaguely recall that he does know someone (multiple someones) who are French (not this lunatic)...
But also, he sure is in a net right now. Anise gets up, wondering if she should help until the police get here.]
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The little blips of familiarity are somehow making this MORE CONFUSING?? THIS IS LIKE IF HE GOT POISONED AT THE HOSPITAL BY TAINTED MEDICINE BUT INSTEAD OF GIVING HIM SPACE TB IT JUST GAVE HIM A FUCKING ACID TRIP
But he sees Anise getting closer, so he's just gonna. I guess. FOCUS ON THAT FOR NOW and his instinctive reaction--]
Get upstairs, you two!
[GET THE HELL AWAY FROM THIS INSANITY]
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Well, this is fine. They're both trapped under the net and the police are on the way THIS IS FINE... He'll try to have Eunhyuk face Luke but maybe he's too net-trapped to do anything except vaguely turn in his direction, damn.]
I won't hurt them, I promise! No more nets! Will you please listen...?
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But upstairs they go.
Eunhyuk does his best to look at Luke, very seriously.]
I won't hurt them, I promise! No more nets! Will you please listen...?
[Unfortunately, even with.......... interference, the dream goes on. Luke's problems go on! As this happens, he will feel an attack come on—the eternal reminder of what has happened to him and what might one day claim him.]
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