lucetilogs | Canon AU Event Log

Yes, home.

[Ayumu isn't going to elaborate further at this point, though; she's already spent far too long in this discussion and delayed her departure past what she's comfortable with. Upon noting that Homura is making his own preparations for departure she simply climbs out the open window, dropping lightly to the ground below and casting another wary glance around before moving on.]

[Altered memories then, to accompany the rest. Homura takes a moment longer to grab his journal, then slips through the same window as Ayumu has, though without the practiced grace of his lover. He'll leave a message for the others when there is a private moment to do so. For the moment, however, Homura's main goal is to keep up with Ayumu, who moves as if she has a clear destination in mind.]

[Once away from the house Ayumu slows momentarily, taking the opportunity to pull her shirt into place as she frowns at her surroundings, orienting herself in the village in order to determine which way she needs to go now. That doesn't take long, though, and she sets off down the path with a glance to be certain Homura is following.]

Looks like another experiment. Derek was dumped in the plaza, but he says he's on his way back as well.

Oh, this is without doubt an experiment.

[Homura carries his shirt over his shoulder, preferring that to risking losing Ayumu should she decide to dart behind a bush at some former friend now suddenly seen as an enemy. Although it is fortunate that Ayumu at least seems to see him the same, Homura has to wonder exactly who this "Derrick" is supposed to be.]

Considering that, you might not be so shocked to hear this. Where is "home" supposed to be, exactly?

[...oh. Well, joy. Experiment times, fun for everyone.

Ayumu frowns at him briefly before she shrugs it off and continues to walk, watching their surroundings as they go without bothering to hide it as she previously would have.]

The same house we've been living in for a while. North end of town, as far away from people as we could get.

Dare I even ask how much you remember of it?

[Now that is an interesting turn. Ayumu is never so overt in her surveillance, despite Homura's attempts to point out that her attempts to hide herself are unnecessary. Unfortunately their circumstances prevent him from appreciating the change.]

Home so far as I'm concerned is where we were sleeping. Along with Hijikata and Okita, if you remember them.

Is there a particular reason we live so far from anyone else? Aside from the Derek you mentioned, I'll assume.

...why would I remember someone I've never met?

[The names are certainly unique enough that Ayumu is certain she would remember them if she had met those people, whoever they were. She gives Homura a puzzled look that fades into a resigned shrug as she continues onward, heading north through the village toward the house. Experiments. Right.]

Derek is the reason. I'm surprised you don't remember that part— it isn't good for him to be around people too much. Just in case.

You could answer that for me yourself. I've never met Derek, although it's clear you think I should have.

[Although Homura apparently has good reason to be concerned. He doesn't doubt Ayumu's ability to handle herself on an ordinary day, and even now it seems she could still be quite capable. But experiment or not, the fact remains that there are creatures far beyond Ayumu's abilities in Luceti. If this person poses a threat, then whatever Ayumu has been manipulated to believe, Homura wants to be prepared for it.]

Then he's a danger to people. And to you as well?

We've been sharing a house with him for months, of course you've met him.

[That much she can shrug off, but the rest of it— well, that's not something people really just forget, especially not Homura. Ayumu halts in her tracks, turning to face him with hands resting on her hips and a deep frown creasing her forehead.]

You really don't remember anything, do you? Although you still seem to know who I am, that's a bit odd.

[Welcome, certainly, but odd. It's the people who are the closest who often suffer the worst when it comes to these experiments, from her past experience in Luceti. It's nice to have him still there, but it makes her wonder just why they managed to evade that bit. Wonder, and a little uneasy, as well.]

And you've known both Okita and Hijikata since before your arrival in this world. I think it's clear that memories have been tampered with.

[Hers, although Homura doesn't bother to point that out. Ayumu will undoubtedly be as sure of her viewpoint as Homura is of his. That much isn't worth arguing over.

He stops along with her, giving a faint nod when she questions him. As for the rest, Homura grins. While he's fairly sure she remembers most of their relationship, it's hard to resist the urge to test just how much.]

It is, but I'm glad for it. I never appreciate forgetting my wife.

I've known Derek since we were kids, and that was pretty long before I ever showed up here.

[Yes, it's pretty clearly Homura's memories that were tampered with, though why the Malnosso would invent friends of hers and only have other people remember them... well, stranger things have happened, and she isn't going to question it. Things should be back to normal in a few days, and they'll just have to see how everything settles at that point.

As for the rest, though, she only quirks one brow at him, lips thinning into a frown that hides the faint smile that wants to escape, then turns on one heel and continues onward. She's still worried about Derek and doesn't want to delay too long; these other issues can be dealt with while they walk.]

Pretty sure I'd remember getting married, too. Which I don't.

How unfortunate. It was a lovely ceremony. Isn't that what mortals say?

[Homura chuckles as he once again falls into step after his lover. Even if she doesn't buy the lie, she seems amused by it. It's good enough for the demi-god.]

Although I am curious about what you remember regarding us, you never explained why Derek was dangerous. [Although she trusts him, which seems natural given her belief of how long they've known each other.] I think that should be addressed first.

[Ayumu sighs, absently raking a hand through her hair as she considers just how to answer that. It's not something she particularly likes to talk about, or even think about, for all that she's faced with the stark reality of it on a daily basis.]

Because he's infected. And unless we somehow find a cure for him here – and we've certainly been trying – he's going to lose to it in the end. Maybe it's not an uncommon fate for a hunter, but it's one I'd really rather avoid.

[Especially since she'd be the one who'd have to end it for him, as his friend. As one who'd know he'd prefer that to what he would become. It isn't a pleasant topic, and she clearly isn't enthusiastic about giving details.]

[Reluctance on Ayumu's part to broach a subject is nothing new, although even in that, she's clearly more expressive than normal. Homura quickens his pace long enough to come up to her side, frowning in concern as she begins to tell him about Derrick's condition.]

From the sounds of it, I'd rather you avoid it as well. [The lack of details provides little in terms of reassurance; in the end, however, Homura already knows he'll dispatch Derek himself should the man turn into a threat--experiment or not.]

What are the signs that the infection is taking hold?

I've managed so far, and there aren't exactly a lot of suckers in Luceti to up the odds.

[Well. Not right now, at least. There will be one more if Derek loses his battle. At the question she gives an almost startled-sounding bark of dry, humorless laughter.]

He tries to kill you.

[It's weird to be explaining things she's known for some time, things that Homura has been living with since Derek returned to Luceti, but.. if it's the worst of this experiment she can deal.]

Watch his eyes. Behavior. Things like that. It really shouldn't be too difficult, honestly.

Suckers? [Although Homura is familiar with the more common meaning, given Ayumu's new change of mind, it's better to ask. Apparently whatever the Malnosso have done has put her in a new type of danger; yet another "gift" not to appreciate from their hosts.

The laugh earns Ayumu nothing more than a steady look; what she assumes is his common knowledge simply isn't, although she has made it clear what stakes they are now both dealing with.]

I'll be watchful of that, then.

[He nods quietly at the assessment, although Homura will wait until they meet this Derek to better judge.]

Anything else I should know? It seems there's been quite a lot to cover already.

Yeah, you know. Vampires.

[This whole thing is weird, what with the seemingly random gaps in Homura's memory. He remembers her, but not Derek, and not her occupation. What else has he managed— or rather, been encouraged to forget?

Ayumu just shrugs in response, glancing sharply to one side before identifying an odd shadow under a bush as just someone's forgotten jacket and not a person hiding. If Derek had to seek shelter on the way to the house... well, it seems likely, but there's no sign of him so far.]

Hard to say what you do and don't know at this point.

The creatures that drink blood, correct? [Mention of such beings have been made more than once during Homura's tenure. So this new version of Ayumu has intimate dealings with at least one such creature.] And Derek is one of these things.

[Homura grins as Ayumu finally gets it.] As far as I recall, you are a ninja, though publicly your role is that of a housekeeper. And vampires are not things that exist in your world, unless you have failed to mention them before.

That's one thing they do, yeah. And he's... not quite one of them. Just infected, so far.

[She shrugs again at that, trying to act as though it isn't a big deal at all; killing vampires has been part of her life for years now, but their peculiar situation is another matter entirely.

At his response, though, her expression clears as she makes a noise somewhere between a snort and a laugh.]

Me. A ninja? Must not have been a very good one, then, if you knew about it.

So he could still become one. That is what I'm watching out for.

[Because while Homura doesn't want to kill this person, he will if it becomes necessary.

As they continue and Ayumu makes a self-assessment, Homura favors her with a grin.]

To the contrary. You are quite good at what you do. I'm just observant--and persistent, when I wish.

[Homura will generally do as he wishes, and the topic isn't one that she particularly wants to dwell on at the moment, so she'll just nod and call it good from there.]

I suppose that some things don't change easily, then.

Apparently not. [Including the silence that comes when Ayumu drops the matter of Derek completely; depending on what she knows about him, it could be telling.]

So should I ask what you remember of me? [A smirk.] Aside from taking our vows, of course.

I remember not getting married.

[Ayumu shrugs, absently kicking a pebble from the path in front of herself as she walks.]

I don't know, we met last year, went through a couple experiments together, and when Derek was sent home it got quiet enough in the house that you moved in?

How unfortunate.

[The rest, however, is spot on--save for one detail.]

Right, although it wasn't Derek who left in what I remember. And what do you know of my past?

Your past? Somehow I doubt you're asking about the whole war-god thing, since that's fairly obvious.

[She glances at him sidelong, eyes narrowed just a fraction.]

But you've told me quite a bit about your past, as well. And someone who was once important to you.

Canon AU Event Log

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