XX1: A Familiar Unknown

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

[There's a seemingly familiar young, red-haired soldier stepping forward from the midst of the Plane. He is unarmed but battle-ready with brows furrowed and stern gaze still locked ahead on an unseen goal. Hiding uncertainty with hardened eyes and set jaw, he takes another step forward while studying his surroundings.]

Dammit.

[What he once thought illusion is now a disorienting reality in tangible form both before and around him. He feels like he knows it; his eyes flash with recognition because he's seen bits and pieces of this before. Especially that 'inconspicuous' shop he's seen time and again.

Then, he turns around quickly, spinning on the balls of his feet. Something's behind him--at least, that's what he thinks.]

Who's there!? Come out!

[Even unarmed, he's a force to be reckoned with. He might not be stuck in that trap in Auldrant, but this could just as easily be another one.]

Comments

[explains]

[Guy is dressed as a Kimlascan soldier at the moment, though he has the helmet off for now. He stares at Asch's reaction, frowning a little distantly. Somewhat worried, but distracted by the problems back on his own Auldrant as well.]

You're jumpy today. Did something happen?

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

[Asch's eyes widen with both recognition and some measure of confusion after his gaze settles on Guy.]

No. What're you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with the replica?

[explains]

[Guy's eyes narrow, lips pursed together. It's not like Asch knows when he's from or that Luke isn't around in the future. He forces his features to smooth over. Asch should at least know his Auldrant is under experiment still.]

Not right now. I'm here because it's where we're staying. [It's safer.]

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

[But Asch doesn't really get it at all.]

How long have you known about this place? And why are you dressed as a Kimlascan soldier?

[explains]

[That certainly tells him something is up.]

...What's the last thing you remember? Do you recall being here before?

/equips canon with the Broken Beyond Repair title again

[promisedsomeone.livejournal.com]

[The figure that steps out of the shadows, shedding his own star-granted aura glow, bears the regal posture and long red hair of a duke. And for a moment, he might be mistaken for his father-- but no, it's the other Asch. He looks perfectly identical save the red sash tied to his upper arm.

He keeps his gaze even and measuring. He should have expected this, too. It's proof that he royally fucked up his own timeline, isn't it?]

So it's true.

/joins RealityShattered RPG

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

[His eyes narrow. Another replica? No, it can't be. Part of him knows that it isn't, but if that's the case...]

Who are you!?

yep that's what it's called

[promisedsomeone.livejournal.com]

I'm you.

[This is a little weird. More than a little weird. But he's dreamt this before. It's not completely out of the question, he's heard of this happening.

He crosses his arms.]

You must be another 'me' from another world or a different timeline.

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

[Another world. A different timeline. Isn't that what everyone's been saying until now? But nothing drives the point home more than personally meeting oneself while still existing--living--as oneself nonetheless.

Despite that, here and now still seems completely unreal and even impossible.]

Heh. Is that so? [This is just... disgusting. Insulting. How could something like this happen?]

And just what was it you were doing in your own 'timeline' before this?

[promisedsomeone.livejournal.com]

[This Asch stays where he is, noting that his mirror is unarmed. His own thoughts run along the same lines. It's insulting that he's apparently been replaced again, and this time it was really his fault.]

I was trailing Dist to see if he was leaking information to Mohs.

[And before that...]

Something major occurred in my world recently. It was changed slightly from the original timeline. That's probably why you're here.

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

[That's a -- rather interesting reaction. And an abrupt request. Conan obediently steps forward.]

Ne -- are you new here?

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

[...Just a kid. One who's just asked a pertinent question with disturbing implications.

Where the hell is here exactly? How did he get here? Are "new" arrivals common in a place like this?

But those questions can all be summarized in the following.]

What's that supposed to mean!?

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

If you have to ask, I guess you don't know -- so welcome. This is called the Astral Plane.

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

[So that's what this place is. That... doesn't really explain anything.]

...And you're from here?

[holmes-fanatic.livejournal.com]

No. Like you, I came here from another place a few days ago. I don't really understand how it's possible, but it seems that this place is between worlds and people come here from worlds where things happened differently.

[ex_oneiromancer912]

[Behind him is a lady, looking a little distressed but no more. When she sees him, the distress disappears and she smiles broadly.] You are back! I had been worried still.

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

[His gaze falls upon her, cautious and alert. His eyes narrow as he attempts to mask the unfamiliarity and lack of recognition.

Asch has so many questions and doesn't really know where to start. But he can set the record straight at the onset.]

...You're probably mistaking me for someone else.

[ex_oneiromancer912]

[The smile transforms into a look of confusion. He isn't wearing a sash, but that doesn't mean anything; Asch was always prickly and might have thrown it away for any reason.] Or it may be an experiment. Asch?

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

[The clear change in her countenance is almost relieving; it means there's common ground on which both of them are confused to some extent.]

What kind of experiment? [He tries to ask without asking or sounding stupid, and while he doesn't sound curious or demanding, he also doesn't say this like a question.]

[ex_oneiromancer912]

[She is used enough to Asch that she isn't bothered by his manner.] One that has changed your memories. It happened to me, when I was made to think I was the prince of a world I'd never even heard of. [And Asch, her princess in a tower. But she doesn't press that point.]

[promisedthem.livejournal.com]

... Asch?

[Asch's acting strange, for being here for some time. The question is hesitant as his replica steps out from the shadows, as if Luke isn't sure if he should snap him out of the state he's in. But...]

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

You! [Asch is somewhat mortified.] I thought I told you to go! What are you doing here!?

[promisedthem.livejournal.com]

[And now Luke feels as if there's some kind of spotlight on him and he's forgotten his lines. He stands there dumbfounded for a second, before he tries to figure out what's going on, his voice slightly raised in confusion.]

Go...? Asch, you didn't tell me anything like that!

[stupidgenes.livejournal.com]

What--

[Great. Not only did the replica fall into the same trap earlier, but he's once again back with the original in yet another snare.

His genes can't really be that stupid, can they? Asch facepalms in frustration, rubbing his forehead as if digging for sanity. He finally shoots an accusing look at the replica.]

Don't tell me you forgot! I opened that trap for a reason, so why did you follow me here!?

[promisedthem.livejournal.com]

What trap?! I didn't go into any... Don't you remember where we are?!

[It doesn't even occur to him that this might be a different Asch than he remembers. He's thinking that maybe Asch's memory is screwed up... It wouldn't surprise him, even though it's unlikely. He'd been writing for years to prevent this very thing from happening.]