[ AUDIENCE: NIER ]

[dormheads]

Comments

[darksubverted]

[what in god's name is luke having to listen to here jesus]

Real--?

[Well. This isn't the first time memories have happened, and it won't be the last time either.

There's something very different about getting one so... seemingly simple, though. No monsters, no struggles, no pain, no fear. A memory that leaves him satisfied, but maybe a touch melancholy in a nostalgic way.

The stew splashes once or twice very gently, and he reaches up to touch his wet face in confusion. Quickly, he tries to rub his eyes with the back of his hand. WHAT?]

[amain]

[ hello i loved this married couple and Nier did, too. The memory is one he holds close to his heart despite the loneliness and the grief that comes remembering it now. It reminds him of what he wants in life, what he wanted to take back when he was home.

No more monsters, no more struggles, no more pain, no more fear. Nier only smiles as he eats his stew. When he's about to apologize and give some more context, HE CATCHES LUKE CRYING? ]

Luke?

[ hewwo? ]

[darksubverted]

[No, don't perceive. He goes back to focusing on the stew without missing a beat.]

It's nothing. I burnt my tongue. It was too hot.

[...]

[amain]

[ That... Gets him laughing. ]

Be careful. [ He will not. Point out the young man was crying. Instead, he leaves shortly to get some water for them both. ] Here.

now nier isnt eating suddenly with tearful principal bear

[darksubverted]

[..................watches carefully as Nier disappears a moment.

Very quickly makes sure there are NO red or wet eyes. Like, so fast.]

Thanks. I could have got it myself.

[He'll take it anyway, though. See? He's not crying. Never cried a day in his life.]

he wouldn't have been able to attack principal bear anyway

[amain]

[ Nier literally could still see it from where he went to get water, buffoon, but it's fine. ]

It's not something you need to hide. I'm not going to make fun of you.

[ He can't, but he wouldn't, either. Since... Nier was the one crying in the memory. ]

STOP

[darksubverted]

[He looks like he's going to reject this observation, but then pulls his lips thin instead, disgruntled.]

I don't know why... this keeps happening. Every time I'm with someone almost. I get... whatever those are. Memories?

[amain]

I'm pretty sure it's this place. Almost every week, there's some kind of curse.

[ At least that's what Nier would call these. He isn't aware of the nice one yet. He's considering he didn't attack Caleb because he's having severe depression. ]

They're annoying.

[darksubverted]

It's never happened before, not as long as I've been here.

[Haha.

He frowns down into his stew with enough frown to wither it if it wasn't just food.]

[amain]

[ Nier stays quiet as he eats, but something does get to him. ]

… Luke, have you considered that you’re not… Actually from this place? Or this world.

[darksubverted]

[Pretty quickly, he gets a rather defensive look on his face. Like he's trying not to get snappy, but it's difficult.]

Not you, too. I'm me. Luke. Nobody else.

[amain]

[ ITS NICE WEEK STARTING TODAY YOU CANT SNAP AT HIM ]

… I just want to make sure that you have control over your own life, Luke.

[ Nier at least wants Luke to have the agency he himself didn’t and doesn’t have. ]

[darksubverted]

[He has to follow a nice week rule? Says who? Haha.]

I know.

[He's just incredibly stubborn. (Is it that?) He frowns into the stew again, and then glances up.]

If... I'm not me... then who am I?

[amain]

... You're you and we'll find out if there's anything strange happening.

[ He doesn't know if Luke's background is actually his, but his time as Luke interacting with them all is still him. ]

Don't worry about it too much. You can forget what I said.

[darksubverted]

Mm.

[He gives Nier a sort of quizzical look. He's him, huh. But they keep prodding him with such weird speculations.

When he looks back down to try for more than simply stirring the stew around, Nier gets a sweet, little memory.]

[amain]

[ Will Nier even be able to hear these boys calling each others' names... What a sweet memory. They seem like very good friends. ]

Is that one of yours?

[darksubverted]

That name again... Sora.

[Yep. Haha!

Luke just looks extremely bewildered by this.] No. I... [Here he is gazing off into the middle distance toward the right, brows tightly together.]

The boy from the beach... but... Nothing has ever happened like that. And... my name is definitely Luke.

[amain]

[ WOW MEMSHARE IS DANGEROUS. Nier… Isn’t sure what to say. ]

It’s all right, Luke. Take a deep breath.

[darksubverted]

I'm alright.

[It gets him to focus back in, and he glances over at Nier before looking down.]

Things... just aren't making a lot of sense. Not since the start of the year.

[amain]

With this whole Dorm Wars program, right?

[ I typed dork wars ]

[darksubverted]

[i hate you so much]

Dorm Wars weren't... The Dorm Wars isn't about any of... this. What's happening. Murder was never a part of it. Murder isn't a part of school. It isn't the Dorm Wars. It's...

[He shakes his head, frustrated.]

I feel so... helpless.

[amain]

Luke, you’re helping in your own way. We have to play the game, don’t we?

[ Murder is part of school now! He reaches over to pat his shoulder. ]

Just do your best. I think we’ve been learning a handful, so… We’re kind of on the right track.

[ Not that Nier likes any of this. He hates it all, actually. He isn’t even sure if they’re getting closer, but they are getting something. ]

[darksubverted]

[Stop, don't just say it's a part of school.]

I know. I... You're right. I hope so.

[amain]

[ HE DIDNT SAY SCHOOL… HE SAYS GAME. ]

Yeah. We’ll figure this out… But you can’t look away. [ … ] Including those memories you don’t recognize. You have to face them. They might lead you to the truth.

[darksubverted]

[NOT, NIER. YOU. YOU SAID MURDER WAS A PART OF SCHOOL NOW.]

...

[His brows furrow, but he looks up at Nier for a long moment or two before turning his head slightly away. Wow! Really don't want to start thinking about whether or not he's the right person!

Imagine some blockhead telling you that your life is a lie.]

I'll have to cross that bridge when I get to it then.