[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[It's early in the morning, just shortly after sunrise, and Richard is sitting on a fallen tree a short distance from House 6. Naoki had taken him there after CH 4 had collaspsed, and while it's far more crowded than Richard is used to, he's grateful to have a roof over his head and to be in the company of a friend (friends, possibly, though he's still not sure what Isamu thinks of him).

But eventually he needs some space, and that's why he's slipped outside to be alone for a while. Sure, he's seen several experiments by now, but this... this is completely different. Before this, Luceti hadn't seemed so bad at all. Now, however, he's not so sure.

And then there was that entire conversation he and Naoki had had the other day... it's amazing how confusing things could become in just two days. This is most certainly not the way Richard had been expecting to spend his 20th birthday.]

Comments

[ledbythewind]

That's fine; I'll wait for you here and enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki chuckles, places his hand on his shoulder briefly and stands up to wander off toward the river. He only takes a few minutes until he comes back, combing a damp hand through his hair, blinking and looking much more awake.]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard stands up when he sees Naoki approaching and stretches briefly before pushing his own bangs out of the way with one hand.]

I suppose later on I should try to battle my way to the shower once some of the other houseguests are elsewhere.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki grins at him, shakes his head slightly.]

I wasn't even gonna try and attempt it this morning. That's one battle I'll gladly put off.

[ledbythewind]

There's only so long I can put it off before it becomes a necessity.

[He indicates his hair with his hand.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki nods in understanding, gazing at his hair.]

I guess I'm kind of lucky I don't have to worry too much about that.

[ledbythewind]

But I suppose I could always...

[He pulls it back, gathering it into a ponytail with one hand while fishing around in a pocket for something to tie it back with with the other.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki looks at him curiously, studying his face with his hair pulled back like that.]

[ledbythewind]

[He doesn't even notice Naoki looking at him until he's managed to secure the ponytail with a piece of string he's been carrying around for that purpose. When he does, he blinks at the other.]

Is there something on my face?

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki blinks back at him, shakes his head quickly.]

Ah, n-no.

[ledbythewind]

[Then he'll just assume that his ponytail is crooked and go about trying to straighten it. Please hold while he fixes his hair.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki steps forward a little, shaking his head.] Th-that's fine too, Richard.

[ledbythewind]

It is?

[He drops his hands back down now that he's satisfied his hair is out of his face.]

Then shall we get going?

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki rubs the back of his neck sheepishly with a nod.]

Yeah, let's go. [And, beginning to lead the way.]

[ledbythewind]

[And following! Well, more like walking alongside him.]

Once we've compiled the list, we should post it in a public space as well as broadcast it over the journals to make sure that it reaches as many people as possible.

[Yep, he's in leader mode again.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki grins a little at that, nods his agreement.]

It'll help out, for sure.

[ledbythewind]

Then we can focus on taking an inventory of which buildings were destroyed and which are still standing and suitable for habitation.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki nods, looks pensive.] Maybe try to see if there's any food or supplies salvageable from the ruined buildings.

[ledbythewind]

Food... the stores aren't replenishing themselves now, are they?

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

No...it doesn't look like it.

[ledbythewind]

Then we'll have to start organizing groups to go hunting and foraging in the forest.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Mm, probably a good idea. But we'll have to be careful of that, too--who knows how long we'll have to make it hold out. [What a mess this has turned out to be. Naoki chews his lip and shifts to walk closer to him, wordlessly.]

[ledbythewind]

[He nods.]

This is the sort of thing I have to be prepared to face as a prince, but that doesn't make the actual reality of the situation any easier.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

It's going to be tough, no matter what...

[ledbythewind]

Yes. But we can get through this... we have no other choice.