[Video]

[not_the_dreck]

[Asch doesn't look happy -- but then again, when does he ever? -- when he appears on the screen. He makes a face at it (that looks like he swallowed a bug), before speaking.]

Anyone seen an idiot around here? He--

[He cut himself off, making the most irate face imaginable, before forcing the next sentence out between clenched teeth.]

--looks a lot like me. Only with short hair.

Comments

[scorpiospider]

I've seen pleeeeeeeeenty of idiots here. Only one that looks like you, though.

[not_the_dreck]

[TWITCH]

Then shut up, that wasn't what I was asking!

[scorpiospider]

Iiiiiiii don't know. That's certainly what it sounded like you were asking!

[not_the_dreck]

[Hangs. Up.]

[athngabla]

[Are you talking about Krillin Luke?]

Luke, right? Not recently. Why?

[not_the_dreck]

Hn... I haven't seen him either...

[A worried look flicks across his face briefly, before he let out an irate sigh.]

Just need to make sure the dreck didn't get himself in trouble.

[athngabla]

[Lancer's response is almost lackadaisical in nature, if a response could be such. He clearly doesn't seem too concerned.]

He's probably alright. It's dangerous here, but nothing greatly so.

[There's a pause, and the faintest of grins crosses his features.] Or is he the type to get himself in trouble given a moment's chance?

[not_the_dreck]

Just lets say, sometimes I'm afraid if I blink, he's going to end up doing something moronic.

[athngabla]

Ah, he's that kind of friend, huh? It takes a lot to kill that type off. There would have been a big commotion. Something hard to miss.

[You know someone else who has that kind of friend?

Anyone who would consider Lancer a friend.]

[not_the_dreck]

Hmph... you're probably right. We probably would have heard him whining.

[Poor Lancer, so abused.]

[athngabla]

I'm starting to suspect that "friend" was the wrong word to use, here.

[not_the_dreck]

Hmph... I tolerate him.

[That is an improvement, by the way.]

[athngabla]

Asking about someone's well-being seems a bit more than just toleration, if you ask me. It's not like I'm psychic and know much other than "enough to tell you two apart easily.", though.

[not_the_dreck]

Only because if that idiot ended up maimed, I'd be blamed for it.

[athngabla]

...You kiddin'? Not that they're as bad as some other things, but the Shadows don't just play around. I dunno what happened between you two, but I'd still put the Shadows as "more likely to be the culprit" in that situation.

[not_the_dreck]

Trust me. Some of his 'friends' would rather blame me first.

[athngabla]

Heh. Like I said, I dunno what your history is with 'im. If you feel like telling it, I can lend an ear. If you don't want to? Well, we've all got things we don't like the hassle of explaining.

[His tone implies that his own list of such hassles is rather comprehensive.]

[not_the_dreck]

[Asch fell silent for a moment, and he looked like he was going to tell him it was none of his business, but he rethought it quickly enough. Finally, he let out a frustrated sigh.]

...he's my replica. A copy of me.

[athngabla]

...Sorry, I'm not familiar with that term.

[And not even from a modern enough time to understand "clone", sadly. Still, he'll take a stab at it...]

M'sure you're sick of the association, but I'm going to guess that's something like a twin.

[not_the_dreck]

Hmph...

[He paused, thinking...]

I guess. A 'man-made' twin. Only more moronic and embarrassing to look at.

[athngabla]

Ah... Something like a duplicate of a man born from sorcery and magic?

[A pause, and he chuckles to himself.]

Sounds like it could be handy if the result wasn't a moronic embarrassment.

[not_the_dreck]

Exactly like that.

[CUE BITTER FROWN.]

Yeah, he would have been. At least he's not that stupid anymore.

...still an idiot though.

[athngabla]

People can wise up some, but their inherent nature's usually pretty hard to change. To put it more simply, a fool's always going to be a fool.

[A short laugh.]

Would you rather he be exactly like you?

[not_the_dreck]

This is true.

[Oh god, no no no no no.]

Ugh, no.

[athngabla]

There you have it. Ain't it better that he's a bit of an idiot, then?

[not_the_dreck]

Yeah.

[...but he's not sure what that says about him.]

[athngabla]

[The worlds boring if everyone's the same. The idiot's gotta be balanced by Mr. Serious, of course.]

[Lancer rolls his shoulders, yawning.]

...Anyway, if any of his pals are around and give you crap in the event he actually did get hurt, I can vouch for ya.

[not_the_dreck]

Hmph... thanks.

[He... thinks?]

[athngabla]

[Some day he'll realize he's talking to another one of those "fools"

Everything will suddenly become clear.]

No problem. Anything else you wanna talk about?

[not_the_dreck]

I'm not much of a talking type.

[This is pretty much beyond the norm.]

[athngabla]

Believe me. I kinda got that impression. Shall I leave you be, then?

[not_the_dreck]

[Asch paused.]

I don't have anything else to mention. But... thanks.

[video]

[king_of_heroes]

He's probably dead.

[ Oh, Gil. You and your trolling at exactly the wrong right time. ]

[video]

[not_the_dreck]

[Asch looks like he wants to be pissed, but... it is Luke he's talking about.]

...I wouldn't be shocked.

[SO MUCH FAITH IN HIS REPLICA.]

[video]

[king_of_heroes]

[ A simple wave of his hand is all he'll give before grinning into the camera again. ]

I'm sure he'll turn up soon. If not, perhaps he wound up in a better place.

[video]

[not_the_dreck]

If he doesn't show up soon, he'll wind up in a better place.

[Poor Luke. So abused.]