gaze. / @blightedcreator
Was Lucilius surprised? No, not in a realm where unforeseen routes were always possible - that was how he lost, wasn’t it..? - but he was interested, more so to see the clearer sky blue in the eyes of the man opposite to him, staring at them in wonder - full of that vigor he once had, the life that pulsed through him.
His hand instinctively reached up towards the other Astral’s cheek, sharpened claws for fingers stretching to pinch at the skin, observing with a furrowed brow the peachy tone - a forgotten sign of when blood still ran warmly through him.
It made the revived Astral ponder to himself the state of his conflicting being, his body undead yet his core - or would it be cores now? - still as tangible as it was before. But it was nothing to get teary-eyed about; it only heightened Lucilius’ curiosity about this ghost of an era gone by before him, manner still cautious as he observed the face closely - an intrinsic inquisitiveness that would flow eternally through him.
❝ Fascinating. An exact replica of my own self, yet from the past. Or could it be a convincing illusion forged from memories...? ❞
He spoke to himself - quite literally, at that - his voice barely above a mutter as he continued his examination, no sense of personal space while he closed the distance even further, thumbing the material of his snowy cloak, picking at the crimson ribbon tied to him, and tracing the golden lining that reflected in the ebony metal of his hands.
❝ Similar, far too similar. I do not remember creating another of my ilk. ...Is this Lucifer’s doing? Or of his spare? ❞
He made a quick mental note of the evident height difference.