[ It isn't that he goes looking for Asch, exactly.
Isaac does want to talk to him, two days later and a lot of conversations about how he got hurt under his belt. But he didn't expect to actually find him, at least not this easily. Cue Isaac absolutely freezing in the doorway of the study when he spots that very familiar red hair.
[Without turning around, Asch closes the book with a snap.
Apparently he's reading about... vehicles? It's not clear where he is in the book, but it's not exactly what you'd expect to see him indulging in.
Placing the book on the arm of the chair, he crosses his arms, and looks over his shoulder. His "I look like I just swallowed a bug" face is as grand as ever.]
[ Did ... he just see what he thought he saw or is falling over so much causing him brain damage. Asch almost looked concerned. ........ naahhhh, can't be.
The springing up part is still surprising enough on its own, anyway. Isaac will roll onto his back with a groan, having landed on his side. On his bad shoulder, no less, which is now screaming at him again. Plus he has to readjust his sling now, and when he does, a quiet hiss of pain escapes him. That's all, though. Slowly and carefully, he'll leverage himself into a sitting position on the floor. ]
Lost my sense of balance. Weird stuff's been happening to people all day. You've seen it, right?
He nods once, frowning. As much as he tried to ignore it, there was all kinds of shenanigans going on. It was worth taking note of.
It was worth taking note that Isaac was speaking to him a lot more evenly, too. None of his bravado from their previous encounter—just straightforward talk.
Anyway, he's perched on the arm of the chair now, arms crossed again, because he doesn't give a shit!!!!!!]
[ Well, this time he's not near tears recovering from a very intensely emotional conversation! Amazing how different circumstances can change one's attitude!!!!!!!!!!!
Isaac is hardly surprised by Asch being so brusque, and instead spends a minute on grabbing a chair and using it to slowly pull himself to his feet. He'll then plop onto the chair with something of a relieved sigh.
After that, he'll pause, until: ]
I haven't told anyone you're the one I fought with. I've had a couple people ask me, and some of them weren't too happy. So... just be careful, alright?
You don't get it, do you? What if someone got mad and there was another fight? We don't need more people getting hurt! Worse, do you know what kind of strain this is putting on Luna? [ here his disapproval is strongest--he's pretty mad. ] She's working so hard to take care of everyone, and to me she seemed pretty upset about all the injuries, because she's a really nice person who cares a lot. And we all keep getting hurt and doing stupid things, making her worry even more! Are you really going to make things even worse for her by refusing to have a little restraint?
... wait, that's it? Seriously? You're agreeing to it just like that?
[ UUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THIS MAN IS INFURIATING
Isaac just heaves a sigh. ]
Well, whatever. I'm not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth.
... you should consider apologizing to Plum, too. We gave her a pretty huge mess to clean up. She said the only thing I could really do to make it up to her was not destroy any other rooms, so that goes for you too.
Hey, it wasn't her fault! Blame Master Blue. Whatever that guy's deal is, he's the one who brought us here. We still made a huge mess she had to clean up.
... what you said, about ... about my "betters," and how getting rid of me would be a win for them.
[ said very quietly. ] You said it was pathetic. I guess ...
[ .... ]
I wanted to know who you meant. Who was the pathetic one. Me, or them.
[ there's ... a tension, in his voice. it's not the bald, sobbing grief from their fight, and it's not even an anger, either. it's an ... uncertainty. a resignation, a wishing. ]
[ It's how immediate the response is, more than the response itself, that stuns him. Well, really... it's both. Just that instant, firm conviction that the pathetic ones are--
--are the people who...
You could knock Isaac over with a feather. He's shocked into speechlessness, and for a long moment he doesn't seem to know what to say.
Finally he manages to wrench his gaze away and it meanders off to some far point, his brow settling low and tight. ]
... I don't think they want me dead. But ... they'd probably all be a lot happier if I were gone.
Hmm. [It's hard to tell if that's a "you're welcome", a thoughtful sound, or just a general dismissive noise.
He gives Isaac a once-over, expression stoic and unchanged. Yet just for a moment, there seems to be something in his gaze—something reflective, familiar... pained?—aaaand he's looking elsewhere, off at the shelves of books.]
I'm not here to justify your emotions, brat. You should have already known the answer yourself.
[ Again, Isaac can't help but catch the more complicates parts of Asch's expression. This isn't the first time, and like before it leaves him wondering what this guy's deal really is, beneath the stoic "fuck you" exterior.
of course then he says all that and isaac SIGHS LOUDLY. ]
Well excuse me for not automatically understanding everything about everyone! If I knew what they were thinking I wouldn't have these problems in the first place.
[ JEEZ. ]
... besides, you called me pathetic before that, so like, I think I'm justified in trying to clarify.
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WEEK ZERO: MONDAY EVENING
Isaac does want to talk to him, two days later and a lot of conversations about how he got hurt under his belt. But he didn't expect to actually find him, at least not this easily. Cue Isaac absolutely freezing in the doorway of the study when he spots that very familiar red hair.
... he'll swallow and lower his chin and say: ]
Hey.
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Apparently he's reading about... vehicles? It's not clear where he is in the book, but it's not exactly what you'd expect to see him indulging in.
Placing the book on the arm of the chair, he crosses his arms, and looks over his shoulder. His "I look like I just swallowed a bug" face is as grand as ever.]
Back for a rematch?
[But there's no particular bite to his words.]
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Listen... ugh. I don't know why I'm doing this for you, but you should kn--
[ Isaac moves to take a step into the room and, having forgotten he lost his sense of balance in the face of seeing Asch again,
immediately eats shit on the floor.
where he stays for an extended moment, making a noise like nnrngnrnghnrnghnrgn. ]
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If anyone asked, he'd say it was because of the sudden noise and movement, and he unconsciously sprang up.
Now then. What to say to a child who's just fallen painfully on to injuries you caused?]
...What's wrong with you?
[NAILED it]
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The springing up part is still surprising enough on its own, anyway. Isaac will roll onto his back with a groan, having landed on his side. On his bad shoulder, no less, which is now screaming at him again. Plus he has to readjust his sling now, and when he does, a quiet hiss of pain escapes him. That's all, though. Slowly and carefully, he'll leverage himself into a sitting position on the floor. ]
Lost my sense of balance. Weird stuff's been happening to people all day. You've seen it, right?
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He nods once, frowning. As much as he tried to ignore it, there was all kinds of shenanigans going on. It was worth taking note of.
It was worth taking note that Isaac was speaking to him a lot more evenly, too. None of his bravado from their previous encounter—just straightforward talk.
Anyway, he's perched on the arm of the chair now, arms crossed again, because he doesn't give a shit!!!!!!]
What did you want me to know.
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Isaac is hardly surprised by Asch being so brusque, and instead spends a minute on grabbing a chair and using it to slowly pull himself to his feet. He'll then plop onto the chair with something of a relieved sigh.
After that, he'll pause, until: ]
I haven't told anyone you're the one I fought with. I've had a couple people ask me, and some of them weren't too happy. So... just be careful, alright?
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Asch's expression doesn't flicker—but there's something thoughtful going on underneath.
Finally:]
Let them come.
I don't see any reason to hide it.
[ASCH...........]
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[ G R O A N ]
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The nosy lady.
...]
Fine.
I won't say anything.
[THAT'S ABOUT IT APPARENTLY. But it. Is. Something??????]
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[ UUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THIS MAN IS INFURIATING
Isaac just heaves a sigh. ]
Well, whatever. I'm not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth.
... you should consider apologizing to Plum, too. We gave her a pretty huge mess to clean up. She said the only thing I could really do to make it up to her was not destroy any other rooms, so that goes for you too.
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[YEAH WELL YOU'RE WELCOME..........]
That maid?
[His face twists darkly, and the scowl is back, but this time, at least, it's not directed at Isaac.]
Should I thank her for trapping us in this hellhole, too? No.
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[ BE NICE TO PLUM OR HE'LL KILL YOU ]
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[It's not very venomous—just point of fact.]
She's hired help, and part of this. Whether she agrees with it or not, she's going along with it—and that includes cleaning.
We have nothing to apologize for.
[harumph]
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yeah this isnt a battle worth fighting, he can sense it. he'll just ... have to do double the work to make it up to plum, then.
probably shouldn't mention he and plum are friends, he thinks. ]
Alright, alright. I get your point.
[ he'll lapse into silence then. it's pretty clear there's something else he wants to ask, but...
... first. ]
You know, even after everything, I never got your name.
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[For some reason, that was easy.]
You're Isaac.
[He looked him up afterwards.]
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Heck of a way to meet somebody, [ he'll murmur ruefully, mostly to himself. ]
... there was some stuff I wanted to ask you. About things you said during the fight.
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[HE'S HAD WORSE!!!!!!
But the last statement causes a clear tension, a tightening of Asch's hand on his arm, his shirt gripped ever-so-slightly tighter.]
Depends on what it is.
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[ said very quietly. ] You said it was pathetic. I guess ...
[ .... ]
I wanted to know who you meant. Who was the pathetic one. Me, or them.
[ there's ... a tension, in his voice. it's not the bald, sobbing grief from their fight, and it's not even an anger, either. it's an ... uncertainty. a resignation, a wishing. ]
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[It's immediate.
But no follow-up or explanation of that position looks to be forthcoming.]
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--are the people who...
You could knock Isaac over with a feather. He's shocked into speechlessness, and for a long moment he doesn't seem to know what to say.
Finally he manages to wrench his gaze away and it meanders off to some far point, his brow settling low and tight. ]
... I don't think they want me dead. But ... they'd probably all be a lot happier if I were gone.
[ Another silence. Then: ]
... thanks. I guess.
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He gives Isaac a once-over, expression stoic and unchanged. Yet just for a moment, there seems to be something in his gaze—something reflective, familiar... pained?—aaaand he's looking elsewhere, off at the shelves of books.]
I'm not here to justify your emotions, brat. You should have already known the answer yourself.
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of course then he says all that and isaac SIGHS LOUDLY. ]
Well excuse me for not automatically understanding everything about everyone! If I knew what they were thinking I wouldn't have these problems in the first place.
[ JEEZ. ]
... besides, you called me pathetic before that, so like, I think I'm justified in trying to clarify.
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