divus | GODLY AUDIENCES: LUKE FON FABRE

...

Can I ask you a question, then?

[Leaning back against the door, he shrugs, and nods, bracing for it.]

Sure.

What are you going to ask for if Piety ends up making a comeback and winning this...?

[...

He's quiet for a while. It's the first time he's put serious thought into materialising it verbally, so to speak.]

...I want to save Asch. And... I want to be alive.

I want both of us to come back alive.

[For a moment, it looks as though he's going to keep talking—but he hesitates, eyes drifting elsewhere.]

I... was thinking about asking Ion if he wanted to come, too. If I could. But... but if he wins, I feel like I already know what he'd choose.

[He'd never been one to shirk responsibility.]

...yeah, I hate to say it, but it's not like he'd really choose. We're gods now - we have to stay here.

[They're bound to this world.]

Unless, like, somehow he stopped being a god anymore. But I don't think that's going to happen.

[...]

What do you think is going to happen if you don't get your wish?

I think I'll die.

[For real. The finality of it is... something he doesn't dwell on.

But everything comes to an end.]

Guy... he's from the future—two years after our fight at Eldrant. He... hasn't seen me yet.

[and really, who suddenly shows up after 2 years?]

[if this was an anime, there would be a record scratch sound effect right about now. it's not, so there isn't, but Ambition stares at him incredulously anyway.]

What? No! That's not allowed!

[she stomps her foot]

You have to live.

[Ambition's sudden reaction to the plainclothes truth he's been avoiding saying out loud the whole conversation is... weirdly comforting, somehow. Not for the first time, he's reminded of Anise. The corner of his mouth twitches upwards at her incredulity—a strange bonus to being numb to the inevitability of your own guaranteed demise.]

You're talking to the person who wants that more than anything. I told you—I made a promise. It's just...

[He pauses, attempting to swallow the lump in his throat.]

...No one's going to be happy if I compromise on who I am to get there. Not me, not anyone.

...well. If I win - I'll find a way for you to live. I will. Even if you're not on my team.

[she's the worst

she's absolutely playing favorites, but she's the worst]

I'll be a god. The supreme god, I'll be able to do that!

[there's a beat of silence, as he stares at her, the declaration still hanging in the air--

--and he starts laughing. there's no malice or taunting behind it—just an honest peel of laughter.

wiping an eye, he grins apologetically.]

I'm sorry, I just--[his shoulders shudder, and he barely contains another wave of giggles.]

You're a really good person, Ambition. I'm glad I summoned you. I'm glad we get to talk like this.

Thank you.

[she yanks her mask off and throws it at him]

Stop laughing at me when I'm being serious!

[it manages to hit him directly between the eyes.]

Aack!

[he stumbles, wobbles to his knees, holding his forehead, laughing half in shock, half in helpless amusement.]

I'm s-sorry...!

Fine. Apology accepted, but only if you promise not to die no matter what happens.

Edited 2019-03-21 23:54 (UTC)

[his laughter subsides into a smile.]

...It's a promise.

I'll... I'll make it back home alive.

[he sighs, letting himself lean heavily against the door. First Tear, now Ambition... and he still had to protect Ion. Somehow or other, he was going to have to make it through this.]

Good. Don't tell anyone, but... if I win, even if you're not on my team, I'll...

[...]

I'll try to help.

[For a long moment, he's truly lost for words, touched to such a degree by her offer.]

Thank you, Ambition.

[It's truly heartfelt. Pushing himself off his knees, he approaches her, and holds out his hand again. Time for reintroductions.]

Luke.

Chloé Bourgeois.

[She takes his hand and shakes it.]

Don't get all emotional about it, okay? It's just that it would suck if you were dead.

It's an honor to meet you face to face, Chloé.

[He huffs a smile, crossing his arms.]

Yeah, well... I feel pretty similar about it!

...The real challenge is going to be making it through the rest of this competition.

You'll get through it. You know you're not doing this alone, right?

Ha, no pressure.

[but he's still smiling.]

Yeah—I've got my friends. Guy, Ion—you, as well—and other people I've met, too! And I know they don't want anyone else to die.

But I can't just count on that... I should try and do something, too.

[...]

...Should I ask you for... like, a boon, or something?

A boon... that's not a bad idea. I guess you'd have to, like, do me a favor to earn it, but if you tell me what you want I can come up with something that would allow me to give it to you.

Edited 2019-03-24 02:09 (UTC)

[he beams. apparently just for using the right word?? he's a child.]

Okay, a boon... okay...

[...]

Uh.

Can I... get back to you on that?

[translation: he's got NOTHING, and wants to ask Ion.]

Sure. Let me know when you've decided, and we'll work from there.

Great! I'll think it over this week, okay?

In the meantime... we better get over here, before Senri starts banging on the door or something. [he grins.]

Thanks again, Chloé. It means a lot.

Oh please, he can wait. Learning a little patience won't kill him.

[BUT... Luke does have a point, so she nods and opens the door. He's free to go.]

Just let me know when you've decided. ...I want to help you.

[The sad part is? That's completely true.]

(no subject)

dupelicate - 2019-03-25 05:35 (UTC) - Expand