[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]

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.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

We will. We've got each other, so we'll be alright.

[ledbythewind]

[At this, Richard pauses, a look of surprise on his face. But he quickly disguises this with a smile and nods.]

... yes. We're friends, after all.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki grins at him with a firm nod.] Exactly.

[ledbythewind]

[He smiles back, but it turns slightly sad for a moment.]

If only... no, never mind.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki frowns a bit at him in concern.]

What is it?

[ledbythewind]

I was just wishing that Asbel could be here today as well.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Ah...even with all this?

[ledbythewind]

No, I'm just being selfish. But I've... never celebrated a birthday with friends before.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Ri--it's your birthday today?

[ledbythewind]

[He nods slightly.]

Forget I even mentioned it-- we have more important things to worry about right now.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Ignoring that.] How old are you?

[ledbythewind]

Twenty. It's the age of majority in my world.