Quondam

[Rakaan Horne]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Uncertainty | Interacting with [member="Lynnori Cruz"]
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It came with a degree of difficulty, didn't it? Returning to a place that once provided trauma, so much trauma. It was what he believed, that is. Reality had decided otherwise- chosen a fate that was otherworldly, least to Kole. His memories of this place, no matter how real they all felt, were nothing but a carefully constructed fabrication. They had been the memories of one long since passed, or someone that hadn't existed at all. It didn't seem to matter, though; they were fake, all the same.

There hadn't been a great reason to return, either. It had been impulse, provoked by an event and the insistent nagging of someone else, someone that didn't understand solely because he was never going to allow them to. Harper was prone to such a thing. He often shielded the reality, his reality for more reasons than one but the majority of them happened to be inherently selfish.

​The Droid, incapable of comprehending the internal devastation and revelation that was lying in wait, took a breath. His chest rose and fell as the soil beneath his boot remained in a constant stand still. An uneasy expression was plain to see across his inorganic features. It'd been a rather gloomy day, even with the sun directly above them and attempting to beam through the clouds. A futile attempt, however. Rather representative, too.

Kole didn't speak as he took those steps forwards, nor did he cast so much as a glance in his companion's direction. He simply walked, and did so with a hint of hesitance within each step as that home had only drawn near.

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Inlaws | Interacting with [member="Kole Harper"] ~ Same Soul ~ "Where does your body go when I leave you alone?"
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"Hey."

Lyn sped up in her pace as he did too, as he'd been starting to outpace her in their impossibly long walk. It felt selfish to enjoy any part of it, to enjoy Arbra, and them on Arbra, but she knew Kole was troubled. So she suppressed that brief excitement at being away from Bastion's same nature, and simply reached for a hand hanging to his side. Always linked, those two, through deep connections or physical touch. Now, though, the love wasn't enough.

She was something of an expert on trauma, you see. The way it made you feel at first, then the way it came back like a lover in the night to feth you over. She'd been acquaintances both to people like that and trauma like that. Even still, she couldn't imagine what Kole was going through in this moment. But if Arbra was going to suffer then Kole should make sure his family were okay, it was that peace of mind that you often were thankful after the fact. Plus, Lyn would get to meet them. Would it measure up to Zeltros, maybe. A pang pierced Lyn as she strugged to recall that evening and could barely muster anything.

It had happened to a different girl.

"You okay?" She asked tentatively, lips upturned slightly and head inclined, but the scalpel-sharp stare of her eyes following him and his face.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Uncertainty | Interacting with [member="Lynnori Cruz"]
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They both seemed to withhold the same mindset when it regarded returning home. It had been such a long time that it may as well of been his very first venture to the homestead; which, strangely enough, was the truth. Kole had never been here despite the familiarities and memories that echoed within his mind. He could cast a glance out into these fields and recall a younger version of himself, a time in which his skin was smoother and his hair was lighter, those eyes of his, as real as they are now, staring into the stars as streaks creased throughout them. He longed to be somewhere else, anywhere that wasn't Arbra. A boyish smile and a heart full of dreams, it was a bright future that lay ahead but one that grew full of clouds before an emerging sun. He felt with her that these clouds were thinning.

Kole briefly averted his gaze, focusing on their hands as his stoic expression witnessed the final movements of her fingers as they interlocked with his own. "It's just-" He breathed, barely pronounced with much effort beyond that, "Been a while." It was the truth, after all. He had last remembered Arbra upon his final days as a citizen of the Alliance, venturing into the life of a soldier. He couldn't even recall if he told her that, all caught up in the web of lies he weaved that there wasn't a chance for him to understand which had and hadn't been said.

"I'm okay." The Droid furthered with sincere words, a subtle flex of a smile in an attempt to reassure. It was all a facade, a face to keep up. As per usual, he never intended to worry. Although, he began to remember more and more as he drew closer and closer to that building ahead of him. The interior, it's layout, the exterior and all. Everything, it all came back. It was all a lie.

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Country | Interacting with [member="Kole Harper"] ~ Same Soul ~ "Would your heart know if I met you in a brand new set of bones?"
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No doubt a younger (definitely pinker) Lyn would have been as equally infatuated with a younger, blonder, more carefree Kole. That's simply how they seemed to be slated to be. Same soul, different skin, ever-seeking the other in a cycle not likely to end soon, not likely to begin again for some time. This iteration was utterly satisfactory for now. Those fingers tightened and the female HRD bobbed her head slowly, "It'll be okay." She blindly reassured, shoulder pressing to his shoulder-- Roughly, given the height difference --as her gaze turned to the homestead before them, "Always liked farms."

No wonder he had hallucinated her asking to move to one.

Almost like they knew, hm?

"I'm here. If you're ever not okay." That was a given, of course, but it was good to remind him of that in the event he ever forget. On they went, to Kole's nonexistent home.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Uncertainty | Interacting with [member="Lynnori Cruz"]
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Kole could genuinely find some happiness in that final statement. It may have taken his mind back to a darker moment, one not so enjoyable but his recollection of her toying with his mind in his most vulnerable hour had been... strangely pleasant. Lynnori mentioned an isolated get away. and whilst it was never going to happen anytime soon, it was certainly the plan. He merely had a debt to square, or to run from. That, however, was only going to thrust the two into danger- he could live with himself in such a scenario, but not her. Not again. The HRD, taller than the other, enabled a huff of air to blow out before him and a subtle smile and temporarily diverted placement of the eyes. It amused him, is all.

I know.

Their weight forced the wooden boards to creek beneath their weight, but they both knew who's it was that caused the most noise. There was a window to the right of the door, just as he remembered. Kole closed his eyes and held them shut, a deeper breath followed by a lengthy exhale was made before placing a fist against the door. He knocked once, twice, three times. He could hear a shuffling occur inside, nothing frantic but a movement in furniture, perhaps. Those blinds that concealed the interior behind that window parted, a pair of eyes, elderly by his brief assessment, peered through. Slow steps, seemingly cautious, had been made in the direction of the door. His Mother emerged from out behind it, and whilst shorter than himself, Lyn had-- as per usual --been the smallest. "Can I help you?" That voice spoke, familiar- how could he forget? All that scolding, praising, everything in between.

It'd been a strange way to greet one's child, but it had been a while. He shifted uncomfortably in their presence, swallowing something within his throat. "It's me." His eyebrows raised in a hint of confusion, "Kole." He spoke rather firmly, willing to let it all go as quickly as can be. "I thought I'd come an-" He was cut off, not by himself but by the woman that stood opposite him. So familiar, even still, those aged features didn't stand in the way of his memory.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know a 'Kole'."

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Lost Boy | Interacting with [member="Kole Harper"] ~ Same Soul ~ "'Cause you may see me in different bodies."
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What were you to do in this scenario. Was there even anything.

Lyn only swept her gaze from Kole to the woman, forced to look upwards as usual. Noting the differences, struggling to find the similarities. The ones that did exist could be explained away. A few blank blinks left Lyn, who turned to Kole then, "Do we have the right house?" She murmured tactfully, hazel gaze turning back to his mother tentatively. Those joined hands tightened as she squeezed, a reminder that she was there. He knew she was there, but did he know?

They walked a wire, now. A tightrope that threatened to surrender them to the gorge of despair. How would his own family not know him? She'd been nervous for this ordeal, alongside excited, but hadn't expected this. Anxiety bloomed. Something must have happened; something must be wrong.

As in her mind, there was no way a parent could not recognize their own child, much less not remember the name they gave them. It was as if he'd never existed.

He hadn't.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Uncertainty | Interacting with [member="Lynnori Cruz"]
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There was something inside him that clicked, a weird flicker of a switch, or the snapping of a wire. It's how he knew something was wrong, and whether or not it came from the sincerity of her words, he couldn't tell. He didn't want to, either. It was terrifying to Kole, maybe because he believed every word. It was with an uncertain expression, one that reeked of confusion, that his head cocked to the side ever-so-slightly. His gaze narrowed, facing further into the very home she emerged from. Kole only received a puzzled expression back, and his beginning stages of panic had only caused it.

"C'mon, where's Dad?" He impatiently shifted, almost looking through her in an effort to search for his Father. Their relationship had been tense, and he didn't want to see that man more than anything, but it was better than this.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Is all he got in response. It was a calm voice, but one that withheld confusion. Rightfully so, really. "Who are you?" Then came concern, a hint of fear. But Kole was too blind to see it.

His tunnel vision, in this moment, had him entirely block out everything. Lynnori may as well not exist. "I'm your s-" He cut himself off, that grip tightened and it reminded him as to who was there, as to what was happening. His eyes, once again, briefly fell upon it before shifting upwards to meet those hazel orbs that rest in their respective sockets. She could see that kind of distress plain as day across his familiar face. "I'm your son." Kole almost pleaded.

There was this expression of shock, taken aback in a sharp exhale of air. That might've been it, she might've remembered in that moment as both her hands rest on her hips for a second. Kole only stared forwards, hopeful that it was all a game, but it wasn't. He could tell that as a hand shot up, rapidly connecting with his face. His head din't budge after it was forced into it's new position, only staring down towards the ground in complete and utter confusion.

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Neverland | Interacting with [member="Kole Harper"] ~ Same Soul ~ "Hiding below with the same soul."
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Lyn watched in silence as Kole stammered his way through explanation, watched as the woman they were potentially harassing reached a hand up to hold his face, as Lyn did so often. It was a tender, entirely human action, one the HRD found inexplicably interesting to witness. She watched for a few moments in passivity, unsure what to do. Could she make this better? Or would she only make it worse. All she did was all she ever did, hold Kole's hand in her own, the one hanging idly at her side going to also grasp his same hand, an even firmer grip as his was sandwiched between both of hers. Another reminder. Don't forget that I'm here, for you. That was what she so-often did now, simply remind him of her presence so that he might take strength and comfort from it. For better or for worse.

There was nothing for her to say. To interrupt now would risk shattering what was unfolding, so she held her tongue.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Uncertainty | Interacting with [member="Lynnori Cruz"]
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It was after that slap met his face, the sound faded away, and all that was left had been an appalled Kole with a red imprint slowly fading away. "My son's been dead for years." She spat so violently, flecks of saliva even striking his face. This woman, who he believed to be his mother, had only taken a step backwards with an absolutely angered expression plain across her face. "I don't know who you people think you are." Her hand grasped the door's handle, "But you can leave." Another hand reached for a blaster, that had become revealed. It didn't bother pointing at Lynnori, she was passively standing there, nothing to do. It was aimed at Kole, obviously.

His brow had raised, as had his hands. Even if Lyn refused to let go. It was in shock that Kole stood, unsure of how to respond beyond the point of submission. So, the Android began to take slow steps backwards in silence, fear, and anger. He hadn't feared the death as much as he feared his fragile reality crumbling around him. They were eventually to depart the small front-porch, and as they had, the door was to be closed. Leaving them outside, never allowing Kole to return there.

​Kole angled his head towards the ground, the soil in which he could remember standing within, and his eyes so full of confusion and pain. It made no sense, nothing at all. He didn't know what to do beyond return home and lie down, maybe sleep it off. It must be some strange dream.

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Neverland | Interacting with [member="Kole Harper"] ~ Same Soul ~ "I could have walked by you a thousand times."
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That was it, then.

They were forced off, and Lyn felt more confused than ever.

How could she even imagine how Kole felt?

She was only pulled along by their interlocked hands, her subconscious will to hold on keeping them linked even as Kole raised his hands in surrender, even as he led them away from the porch he recalled so clearly. As they were forced to re-walk the trek back, she opened her mouth to speak, then shut it. Then opened it again only to find her words stillborn, to which she only sighed. She couldn't ask him if he was okay, she already knew he wasn't. And she couldn't tell him it was okay, because, it wasn't.

Zeltros seemed picture-perfect simple now, compared to this.

"I-..." It had been a mistake to try to say even that much, her own bewilderment and disquiet forcing the sentence to die early. A glance was stolen up but seemed useless, unhelpful, what in blazes was she meant to do here? A pained feeling crossed through her chest, one that eventually made her eyes shy away from looking at him, instead studying the ground they trudged back along.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
Uncertainty | Interacting with [member="Lynnori Cruz"]
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He didn't have any words to say. Maybe he didn't want to say anything, or he really just couldn't bring himself to do so. It was a weird feeling, being entirelyy lost within your own head. It was the most basic of functions that worked, but beyond that, the previous situation had consumed his mind- plagued every thought, seeped into everything. Zeltros really seemed so perfect in reflection, and it didn't make this any easier. The way Lyn raved on about how she acted it, how awful it was going to be, but he was able to meet her mother, and her brother. It was strange, yes, but fine. Hell, they even partook in 'the usual', performing their act of mix-matching colours. They couldn't do that now for obvious reasons.

Kole's hand tugged away from her own, but not in a leading direction; he tried to escape it. No matter her intention, he couldn't bare to have any thoughts beyond the current situation. He seemed angry, and no Zeltron that fed off emotions was required to tell that. His venture had been made towards their speeder where he hadn't muttered a singular sound, intent on clambering inside and escaping. He only wanted to go home, he only wanted to think, and with each sight that reminded him of a life he never lead, he couldn't rightfully do that.

 

[Lynnori Cruz]

Arbra, Agricultural Land, Midday
North Star Falling | Interacting with [member="Kole Harper"] ~ Same Soul ~ "Different places, different lives."
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There was a deep pit in her stomach that reminded her of the hole in her memories.

The hole began the evening when they had decided on Ordo Plutonia. The hole ended when she awoke in a lab with little idea of what she even was.

That hole was death. Lyn's death. The gap in her brain where synapses had no information to fill what had happened; it felt cold. And it felt empty.

Kole's memories of here likely couldn't compare. His were of life, a stark contrast. A life that had happened here that had never even occurred in reality. He remembered being loved unconditionally by a woman who'd just pointed a blaster at him, who said he was dead and slapped him to high heaven. She couldn't remember a thing; he remembered falsities. To say which was worse was not up to them. Both felt equally miserable in her mind, both incomprehensibly sad.

And maybe that was why Lynnori said nothing when their hands unlinked, when they silently entered their speeder, when they drove away to resume life on Bastion. Nothing would be the same, though. There would be no 'let's talk about it', no 'I'm sorry' or no 'we'll get through it together'. It seems neither were strong enough, even when as two halves of the whole, to start to unravel and understand the new mystery thrust upon them.

Who, the hell, was Kole Harper? W͍͐ḫ̊o͐͜ ̬͝w̧̃a̹͑s̭͂ ̗͠t̤͒h̬̍e̗͋ ̺͑m͉͂a̭̐ṋ̍ ̢̓s͙͑h͎͋e̢͝ ͖͐ľ̟o̲͂v̡̋ĕ͖d͙́?̠̎

Because he sure wasn't what he seemed.