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[frowning intensifies.]

...No, I...I don't know. Like I said.

That...wasn't the me I am. Sorry. You're looking for a different Cecelia. Lady Ardenbury. Whatever.

But...

[ Luke pouted, his shoulders slumping. ]

I know it happened, and some people remember it... but you and a few others don't remember anything at all.

I can't...actually fix that, you know. Because apparently that me is older? Like. Sorry? For disappointing you? For being...me? [yes, she's offended. yes, she's aware it's stupid to be sensitive about it, but too bad. she is!

she's not cool with being the lesser Cecelia; that shit was done and done back home!]

[ Luke let out a faint noise, waving a hand. ]

What are you apologizing for? You're obviously still Lady Ardenbury. You're just younger, that's all.

[an ear twitches.]

Same in...in name and origin, I'm sure, but...she's not the me I am now, right? You get that, right?

Well, yeah, but I guess that's the person you will be, or something?

[ He shrugged nonchalantly. ]

Whatever, it doesn't matter. You're still you.

[.........................................................what is going on. that's Darin-speak. why is he speaking Darin-speak.]

I...yes? I guess? Wait--you're done yelling and complaining at me now?

[ Luke pouted again. ]

I wasn't trying to yell, but I don't know what's really going on, and you're the only one I know that has her stuff together.

[o-oh.......................................................]

Um.

Well, that's...all the more disappointing for you, then. Isn't it.

Hunh?

[ He paused, tilting his head like a confused puppy. ]

What do you mean?

I-I mean! [DON'T LOOK AT HER!! she sets the phone at an angle so he can't.] Like! Like...since I don't? Have stuff together? Or whatever stuff you were expecting?

Hey, you know what's going on better than I do.

[ He let out a huff, the power of his pout increasing. ]

I mean, I don't even know where I am. This world is totally different from where we were before.

And I kinda miss the Vale. It was nice.

I'm sure that...there's lots of places nicer than this. All the noise and concrete and stink. Yes. [she tapers off into a mumble before going quiet for a beat.

then:] In any case, it's not like...you not knowing what's going on or where you are is anything new. Everyone starts like that.

Ugh, yeah; it's hot here, and the people are kind of... obnoxiously nice? Like... yeah, I'm an ambassador, I'm supposed to get respect, but the normal people around here are really obnoxious about it.

[ Huff!!! ]

But this was really weird, you know? Like, bad enough I got dragged from home, but I went from home to a weird place, to another weird place, and no one could tell me what was going on.

Uh, that is weird, yeah, but... Well, I mean. When did you get here? 'Cause there was, like. A thing that happened. And it kind of messed with everyone, so...so no one knew what was going on. So that's...probably why.

Yeah...

[ He paused a moment, sinking back a little. ]

So, uh... is... it okay if we... hang out, I guess? I mean... I know you don't know me and that's weird, but you're the only person that at least talked to me long enough to figure out what happened.

[A LONNNNNNNNNNNNNNG PAUSE.

WHAT THE HELL! she shouldn't have responded on default camera!! she's already exposed herself to scrutiny!!!!!

tomato-faced, stammering, off-camera:] W-why would...I mean--How come...n-no one else has talked to you? Since then? That was--I mean. Like. Weeks ago? Now?

[is he a psychopath or something? does he murder people? why do psychopathic murderers have to be attractive? that's fine in fiction, but-!!]

[ Luke huffed, folding his arms over his chest. ]

Look, I don't know why, okay?! No one really wanted to answer me, and people kept acting like I was the weirdo for wanting to know what the heck was going on!

Okay! Okay! O-okay...sorry. I don't know. People are weird, okay? So that's--that's whatever, I guess. I...um...

[what do i do what do i do what do i do what do i do]

Um...So...Just...talking like. Like this, right? On the phone? That's...what you mean?

Yeah, sure, I guess that's fine.

[ Luke paused a moment, before his arms flopped onto his lap. ]

Uh... I guess you need to know who I am all over again, hunh?

[ He let out a breath, before spitting out what came next like he was reading off a book. ]

I'm Luke fon Fabre, betrothed to Princess Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, heir to the throne of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, Ambassador of Peace to Akzeriuth.

[ Another breath escaped from him as he slouched. ]

...it's weird being in a place where that means nothing.

[another long pause, full of nothing but ceiling.

so he's...okay. he's some noble or political figure of a sort, betrothed to a princess...

not gonna lie! that...puts a damper on her spirits here. but maybe that's a good thing; she doesn't need to be wired on adrenaline all afternoon, worried about being judged by another mysterious, handsome face!]

...I mean...I guess, if you want it to mean something to other people, you'll find some who care. Like--Heropa? There's people out there who act like...worshipping or admiring imPorts is a job. So.

Yeah, that's where they planted me at. Honestly? It's kind of creepy.

[ He scrunched his face up. ]

You know, I'm supposed to be a hero back home, but if that's the kind of response you get from it, I'm not sure that's going to be very fun.

I mean...doing heroics for accolades is...rather shady anyway, don't you think? That sort of thing should be more in the...the periphery, I'd say.

Well, I'm supposed to be a big hero though? At least, that's what the Score says.

[ He let out a breath, sulking again. ]

Though I guess the Score doesn't mean anything here either. I didn't rely on it much before, but it's weird knowing that all that mattered just isn't here.

[a listening-sound, lacking a proper response right away.

after a beat:] I guess, like. If that's...not something you leaned on much before? Then...you don't have to worry about that part?

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