soreplaceable | 014 ~ [Action]

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014 ~ [Action]

[It was late last night when Ion was taken from the village, and it had been done so quietly it might have been impossible to know he was gone if his bedding hadn't been thrown around the room.]

[But he wasn't gone for very long, as it's less than a day later that Ion returns to the village sometime in the early evening. At a glance, he might just be mistaken for another new feather: he's sitting on the ground near the plaza, wearing those same white new feather pants with a somewhat confused look on his face. But to those who know him well, they might also notice his hair looks a few inches shorter than usual.]

[He isn't doing much, likely because he doesn't know what he should do. What does one do after they've just been born? Should someone walk by, he'll turn his head to stare at them, but he won't say anything.]

(( ooc: Since I've wanted to do this since forever and finally have the time: Ion is going to be de-aged (from 15~ to 12) for a little while! Although Ion has technically gone back to being a "newborn", Fon Master replicas were born with most of their basic functions rather than as a blank slate, so he'll eventually be able to talk and walk once he realizes what those functions are. He'll start out a little slow, but he's a very quick learner! Just don't expect him to know what anything is at first. |Db ))

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[There is a lot of talking going on that Ion doesn't understand. He heard his name mentioned once or twice, and visibly perked up a bit at the mention.]

Understandable. I do hope Jade arrives in good time once he's informed.

[Hell no. He saw through that plan and had just the right counter. Besides, he has a better relationship with the boy anyway. It'd be easier for Jade to examine and relay any information - not him.

The question makes Dist glance quickly back at Ion and his lips curl into a bit of a smirk.]

It seems he hasn't shed one of his more characteristic traits. He's overly trusting.

I hadn't planned on calling Jade. [What would the point be? Saphir was already here, and had Ion's trust.] Not with the intent of forcing him to come here.

[but there are more important things at hand than this half-veiled argument about whether or not Dist is staying. Nephry sighs and walks over to Ion again]

Are you hungry?

[Ion looks up at Nephry with that same curious face, not quite understanding what she's asking. He registered it was a question, but it wasn't a question he knew the answer to.]

Hungry? [He says the word as though he has no idea what it means.]

[Dist had a witty remark waiting, but was cut off when Nephry, of all people, ignored him. How could she--?! Hmph, well then! Dist observes the scene for a moment or two longer, just to see how it pans out, before gazing longingly at the door and heading towards it. She seemed to have everything under control, so maybe if he just sneaked away quietly...]

Saphir, stay with Ion while I get something for him out of the kitchen. [and she's looking right at him, brown eyes narrowed (in a way that is probably scary-familiar for him) to meet his]

He trusts you, and I don't want anything to happen to him.

[Ion isn't sure if he said the right thing or not, but suddenly that didn't matter when he saw Dist heading towards the door. That was where they came inside. This was inside. If he went out the door, he wouldn't be inside, and he wouldn't be here... right?]

[He didn't want that. Ion didn't know who this person was, but he knew Dist, and he had called him "Ion". And he didn't want Dist to leave.]

[And so, he suddenly got up to his feet and walked quickly across the room, nearly stumbling to the ground before grabbing onto Dist's sleeve again.]

[When he held onto Dist's sleeve before, Dist didn't leave him behind. So that meant it had to work again! ...right?]

[Stopping in his tracks the moment Nephry speaks, Dist is about to comment that she's out of her mind. He's no babysitter, and he's certainly no one's father. Not anymore, at least. He meets her glare with a look of discomfort, the words washing off his lips much like the color as well. Eerily familiar, oh yes. It's a face he won't soon forget, as it continues to haunt his memories to this day. ~~Jade, whyyy? ;A;~~

But the most uncomfortable moment comes when he's suddenly latched onto by the young Fon Master. Stumbling, Dist catches himself and looks down at Ion is shock. What in the world?!]

R-Release me at once!

[When did she ever even use the word 'father'? Ion's actions cause only a momentary softening of that hard stare. If this is what Saphir will respond to now - if this is the only way to get him to help - then so be it.]

He will stay with you for now, Ion.

[There is no space for argument in those words. Not even a chip in the paint. And Nephry goes into the kitchen to find him something to eat.]

[Ion doesn't flinch, doesn't blink, at Dist's command. He turns his head slightly as Nephry walks into the kitchen but then looks back up at Dist with those same wide, curious eyes.]

Dist. [His words are clear, clearly showing how quickly he's been picking up on speech. What had Nephry said to him moments before? When she was making him wait on the sofa? His grip on Dist's sleeve tightens just a bit.]

Stay here.

[Though Nephry's gaze is icy and reminds him far too much of her brother's, Dist has learned to endure. He can only take a negative aura shoved at him for so long, before he grits his teeth and pushes back. Even Nephry, whom he's fairly docile around, can push him to a certain degree. Now, especially, he's ready to bite at her words out of pure spite. No one tells Dist the Rose to do anything. No one!

But a request is different. A request is just what Ion is asking of him. Dist blinks in shock down at the boy, and his wide eyes, stunned to silence. He purses his lips, not wanting to admit defeat, but...but how could he say no to a child? That's what Ion was now, a child. Even so, Dist's pride won't allow him to take this request as anything more than that of his superior. He'll do it out of respect for the Fon Master, nothing else.]

...As you wish, Fon Master Ion.

[Push back, then, Dist. See if it even registers with her. After all, he did the pushing first, or she wouldn't be like this.

She's not long in the kitchen, coming back with just some crackers and fruit at first. And a glass of water. There is no basis in her mind for what 'newborn' replicas eat]

[Meanwhile, Ion? Totally oblivious to the tension in the room and just clinging onto Dist's sleeve like he could run away at any minute. He looks at what Nephry is carrying and stares at it with a slight look of wonder. He's never eaten before and he doesn't quite know what food is yet. It just looks interesting.]

[Dist remains silent thereafter, only looking up when Nephry enters the room. Even though he said he would stay, every bit of him wants to do nothing more than leave this house. It's not where he belonged, and certainly not where he wanted to be, after everything had happened, and how that experiment spelled out what a monster he had been, plain and simple. Who'd want their enemy living in the same house as them? The notion just didn't make any logical sense to him.

And then there was Nephry. He didn't have enough time to face her. They were married in that experiment, they had children - grandchildren, even! How was he supposed to digest all that?! She was already married back in Auldrant, and he'd finally accepted that years ago..now this?!

Ugh...he'll deal with it later. Dist ushers Ion back towards Nephry and the food, seeing how interested he was in it, and just sighed. Why was this so tiring?]

[Taking cues as much as she can, Nephry picks up a strawberry (leaves already sliced off) and eats it, then offers Ion the plate]

[Ion watches carefully as Nephry eats the fruit, tentatively reaching out for the plate as it's given to him. He stares down at them again for a few second before slowly picking up one of the smaller strawberries. Then, much as Nephry had done, he plops it in his mouth and takes a bite.]

[And clearly this was a mistake because the smaller strawberry is revealed to be the most sour and sweet thing he has ever tasted... and the only thing he has ever tasted. His face scrunches up as he chews and swallows it down.]

[But once the ordeal is over and all that remains is that tingle sensation in his mouth?]

[He giggles.]

[And keeps giggling for a good minute or so, pressing his hand to his cheek. Such a strange feeling! Clearly this calls for a repeat, and he picks up another strawberry to eat.]

[Dist just hovers awkwardly some ways away as Ion begins to eat. He can't help but be somewhat curious to see the young replica's development, actually. He was surprisingly well made, for being one of seven identical replicas. Of course he had to be, to take the original's place. There was no room for error when it came to the Order and their precious Score, after all.

He almost laughs when Ion makes a face when he experiences sour for the first time, one corner of his mouth tugging up in a sort of half smirk. It was involuntary, and passes almost as soon as it appeared, though.]

[Satisfied that he understands what eating is, Nephry guides Ion back over to sit on the couch and sets his plate in front of him on the coffee table]

[The initial thrill of tasting sour for the first time was quickly replaced with his newfound understanding of hunger. The second the plate is brought down on the table and Nephry steps away, he digs into the plate and quickly eats up the rest of the fruit. There's a slight pause when he picks up a cracker, as if wondering whether it was meant to be eaten or not. But after trying one and finding it satisfactory, he goes ahead and eats the rest of the food on the plate as well.]

[Of course, he was still getting the hang of this "eating" thing, so he probably looks just a bit messy right now. His lap is full of crumbs from the crackers.]

[Dist observes for a moment or two longer before his curiosity seems to sort of fizzle out. It was still there, just not as prominent. Plus, if he was to really observe in a scientific sense, he should be taking notes and regarding the ones he had on-hand. In fact...he's curious about all this belongings that he left behind, especially his research. He only took the bare essentials when he left, after all, and makes a beeline for his old room to check up on them.

He can do that much, right? Dist looks over his shoulder nervously, as if expecting his second shadow to be trailing along behind him.]

[Hey Dist.]

[Dist.]

[Hey Dist.]

[Guess who just let out a very tiny gasp before jumping to his feet to follow?]

[At least he isn't clinging this time?]

[GEE, I WONDER.

Dist isn't surprised to see Ion scuttle to his feet and attempt to follow. He lets out an irritated sigh, hastening his pace to gather his research and get out of his room. Heaven knows he didn't want a small and curious child - replica or not - mussing about with his personal belongings.

He emerges from his room with a book and a few journals under his arm, shutting the door behind him, just in time to meet the young replica. This was getting pretty irksome. He'd never signed up to be a literal mother hen.]

I'm right here.

[Ion stops quickly when Dist suddenly exits his room, making sure not to run into him or stumble to the floor. He still isn't entirely sure what's going on, but if Dist brought him here, Dist must know what's going on. And, having been made with the conditioning for following orders, he can't help but adhere to those that give them.]

[He stares up at Dist for a moment with that same expression before mimicking his words back to him.]

I'm right here.

014 ~ [Action]

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[Action] 1/3

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[Action] /diabeetus for all

[Action] o-oh my heart. ;w;

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