Reflecting reflections

[guyexplains]

[A blond young man in a green tunic and cream coat is seated by one of the ponds near the forest. He's just looking at the water, one knee drawn up, the other leg stretched out. One hand rests on the raised knee, the other is behind him, bracing him as he admires the view

Comments

[promisedsomeone]

[Asch is distracted, as usual, but he notices Guy lingering near the forest-- one of Asch's favorite places-- and he can't quite bring himself to walk away. There's a lot unspoken between them since that incident. He wasn't... he doesn't want to make amends. It isn't worth it.

But he lingers anyway, hesitating at the other side of the pond. There's a crimson sash tied around his upper arm, a dark look in his eyes, and something quiet and telling about the way he clutches his other arm... as if it might disappear. He huffs and lets go of it, and turns as if to leave.]

[servidude]

Not even going to say hello?

[Guy's voice is calm and level. He doesn't look up from where he's admiring the view, and even the expression on his face is mild and smiling.]

You were raised better than that.

[promisedsomeone]

[Ouch. He slowly turns back around. Usually Guy is the one to say biting remarks like that and leave, but Asch stands his ground. He's been here longer.]

What do you want?

[servidude]

[A fascinating question Asch. One full of possibilities. Guy's just going to go with the simple answer though.]

I want to talk to you. Or is that too much to ask?

[promisedsomeone]

Then talk already.

[He's not going to sit down next to you like some kid. He's just fine over here.]

[servidude]

A conversation takes two people. I'm not just going to talk at you.

[If Asch won't come to him, Guy will just have to stand and face Asch.]

[promisedsomeone]

[Asch looks like he doesn't want to be here, but that surprises no one. He crosses his arms. And waits.]

[servidude]

What were you thinking?

[Welp. Starting blunt.]

[promisedsomeone]

[He doesn't even try to lie or get out of it. He's seen this conversation happening for a while. Usually Guy is the one who storms off, so Asch stands his ground. And he doesn't flinch.]

I didn't find out who you really were until after I left.

[He looks away.]

I thought you could tell me which one of you was real.

[Every instance of Guy in his memories is completely different. Asch wants to confide in him as a friend, because that's what his childhood memories tell him. But the Guy he knows in his timeline doesn't want anything to do with him, and he's only concerned about the replica. And then there's this Guy from a future Asch has no part of anymore, a Guy who is open and friendly and actually wants to help.

He's so confused. He feels like they're all lying to him, which doesn't help. Asch just doesn't know how to reconcile the past with the world he's in now.]

[servidude]

And letting me nearly kill you proved what? What exactly was that going to accomplish?

[If Jade hadn't intervened...] Did you think that was real?

[He takes a step towards Asch, furious and upset but maintaining at least some calm on the surface. What Asch had said to him then hurt, in part because it was true--true for the experiment and in a way true for who Guy had really been, his true past, as well. But what got to him even more was Asch's complacence, Asch's words now.]

[promisedsomeone]

If nothing else, it proved that you could do it.

[The words are honest, brutally so, and he doesn't even bother trying to soften them. His voice is quiet, calm, and empty-- and yet there's something incurably sad about the way he looks at Guy, the way he just takes it.]

[servidude]

Is that...

[Guy stares at Asch, and then, damn it, damn his self control, he is furious. He steps forward, grabs the redhead's arm and drags him forward, shaking him.]

Yeah, there was a time I wanted that! I did want revenge. And if I'd gone down that path...

But I didn't. That may have been me but it wasn't who I am. So what the hell were you trying to prove?

[promisedsomeone]

[He looks a little rattled at-- well, being rattled-- and he tries to pull out of Guy's grip. Because being shaken is not conducive to conversation.]

Why the hell are you blaming yourself for something I made happen?

[servidude]

You...

[Guy doesn't let go. Somehow hearing Asch say it like that is even more infuriating. He drags the teenager to the edge of the pond and shoves him in.]

[Because it's the mature thing to do. And he's too frustrated for words.]

[He needs a moment to gather his thoughts somewhat coherently and stop reacting so emotionally. Pull it together, Guy.]

[promisedsomeone]

Let--

[And then there is a GIGANTIC SPLASH and flailing. Asch lifts himself up out of the pond looking like a ginger Sadako, sputtering and pretty pissed off.]

Whatfffffppph-- [pfffffftttttttt HAIR IN FACE HAIR IN FACE. He runs his hands through his bangs and tries to shove them back.]

What the hell is wrong with you?!

[servidude]

That's my line. Do you really want to die that badly?

[Yep. Shouting match. At least seeing Asch wet and dripping and disgruntled is somewhat cathartic, under the general feelings of being really pissed off.]