ledbythewind | [Action]

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[Action]

[Richard is up early this morning, out and about before most of the rest of the household is even awake. He's not about to let his odd sensitivity to any sort of wind stop him from getting things done-- instead, he simply bundles himself up until he looks more like a walking pile of coats and scarves than anything else before making his way in to the center of town for a shopping trip. Of course, the downside of said bundle of outer layers is that it's a bit hard for him to see, meaning that he might occasionally stumble into people or objects before he even realizes it...

His first stop is the grocery store, where he can be found consulting a list and selecting ingredients. Okay, maybe making a black forest cake is a bit ambitious on his end, but he wants to give it a shot anyway. It SOUNDS delicious, if nothing else.

Then he heads to the item store to grab a few more things, even though he'd already picked out his main present some time ago. Perhaps a new toy for Tiger Festival as well...

Of course, then he realizes that his recipe calls for cherry liqueur, which requires a stop by Good Spirits to pick some of that up.

Finally, he heads back home to House 28, where housemates will find him in the kitchen baking something that smells very delicious and very chocolatey. The end result may be a little lopsided and the frosting job definitely leaves something to be desired (maybe he should've whipped that whipped cream a bit more, it seems a little runny), but at least it smells good?]

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And here I thought I had already made that much clear.

Yes. Every day I quiver in fear of your wrath when you aren't looking.

As well you should.

[He's moving to set the dirty dishes and cooking utensils in the sink to wash later-- just some preliminary cleaning up so that he doesn't leave the kitchen a complete mess while they're off at the Battle Dome.]

[For his part, Isamu is scraping up a bit more of the dough. He might stick the bowl in the refrigerator to finish later if he doesn't get to it now.]

I'm not gonna start calling you sensei, just so you know.

'Richard-sensei'... it does have something of a ring to it...

[He runs a bit of water into one of the bowls and sticks the utensils in it to soak while they're gone. There, now Asbel can't accuse him of not cleaning up, at least.]

I think 'your Highness' is already more than enough.

You know how I feel about that title.

[But the admonishment is teasing, with no real annoyance behind it.

Cleaning up accomplished, he'll head out into the living room to retrieve his coat... err, multiple layers of coats, plus scarves and gloves. He's going to look like a walking pile of coats by the time he's done bundling up to go outside.]

And yet you let me use it all the time.

[Isamu stares as he starts to put on all those layers, then holds a hand out to stop him after the second.]

...Seriously, you'll be fine.

I let you and you alone use it all the time.

[And it's true. If anyone else were to try calling him that, he'd tell them to knock it off. From Isamu, though, it feels like an affectionate nickname rather than an actual title.

When Isamu tries to stop him from bundling up, he pauses, looking a bit put out.]

It was freezing cold when I was out there earlier this morning. I'd rather not take my chances with the temperature.

[He's a little touched by that, but he's not going to admit it at the moment.

Not when there's a bundled up friend to tease.]

How many layers does it actually take to keep the cold out, though? It's still a bearable temperature.

More than I'm wearing right now.

[Which is approximately four.]

The wind cuts right through even the thickest coat I own, no matter how carefully I make sure it's buttoned up.

... Really?

Are you sure you just don't have bad coats?

[They look fine to him, but...]

I'm quite sure none of them have holes in them, if that's what you mean. This one in particular is brand new-- I just brought it home from the store last week.

[What he neglects to mention is the fact that he'd picked it up because he'd been wondering the very same thing.]

Do you just get cold really easily or something? Is this normal for you?

[He frowns looking back at all the coats.]

[But Richard just shakes his head with a dismissive little smile. No, it isn't normal, but he doesn't want Isamu to start worrying over him.]

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. After all, it isn't as if I have much in the way of natural insulation against the cold.

Even so, this many coats shouldn't be necessary.

... They haven't been necessary before, right?

[There's a brief hesitation while he weighs whether or not he should say anything about it. On the one hand, there's no way Isamu can prove that it's true. On the other, Isamu is Isamu and always has a way of seeing through his masks. Even if he says nothing and tries to shrug it off, chances are Isamu will know the truth anyway.]

... no. They haven't.

Then this is a new issue.

[Isamu crosses his arms over his chest, watching his friend.]

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Now that I think about it, I believe I'm long overdue for another cold anyway. That's probably all it is.

[And he smiles, trying to be reassuring about it.]

If you have a cold, you shouldn't be going anywhere. Especially if there's a chill.

[Now maneuvering between him and the door.]

[When Isamu moves to block the door, the smile on Richard's face edges towards something closer to mild irritation.]

It shouldn't be a problem as long as I dress properly.

"Properly" isn't that many layers, Richard.

[Not budging.]

Then how many layers would be acceptable in your eyes?

[Also not budging.]

Two. Maybe three, depending on how thick they are.

[Only two? Well, maybe he can handle that if he picks the two thickest ones...

He'll start stripping the excess layers off so that he can put his heaviest coat back on over his shirt and sweater combo. Which totally counts as one layer and he will not be convinced otherwise.]

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