[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

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Ah. [G-guilty clearing of his throat.]

Well, twenty's the legal age in Japan...but, uh...

[ledbythewind]

But?

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

I might not be...quite that age yet...

[So sheepish.]

[ledbythewind]

You know, I don't think I ever asked you how old you are.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Eighteen. Nineteen come October.

[ledbythewind]

[His smile grows a little wider.]

The same age as Asbel, then.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Ah, really?

[ledbythewind]

Yes, he's a year younger than I am. Though... [And here he laughs.] Sometimes it seems as if he hasn't changed a bit in the seven years since I met him.

[He's been sipping at the cup of sake this entire time, and it's almost empty now.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Heh, I see. Still like a kid in some ways, then?

[Naoki blinks at his cup, his own barely touched.] Ah--might be a good idea to pace yourself a bit... [He says even as he reaches for the bottle if he wants his cup refilled.]

[ledbythewind]

He is, but it's rather endearing. He puts his entire heart into everything he does.

[He holds out his cup for a refill, smiling.] Thank you, but I think I'll be fine. It doesn't seem to be that strong now that I've gotten used to the taste.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[What is this weird twinging feeling in his chest, it's uncomfortably familiar. Naoki blinks and refills his cup for him while ignoring it.]

Well, it's the best way to do things. [Hello alcohol he oddly feels like he needs you right now.]

[ledbythewind]

[A nod as he takes a sip from the refilled cup.]

I've been trying to follow his lead in that sense. I think I still have a ways to go before I can match his level of dedication, however.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki sips a little more from his own cup.]

Well, everyone's different, yeah? [A grin.] Maybe it's just something that'll take a bit longer.

[ledbythewind]

These are hardly the ideal circumstances, but... I want to try to make myself useful here somehow, even if my title means nothing.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

You are. Even just doing what you were then...it won't be too hard to make yourself useful here, Richard.

[ledbythewind]

I hope you're right. Of course, I still can't hope to compare to you.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

E-eh? [That earns some soft spluttering as Naoki goes red.] Don't be silly...

[ledbythewind]

I'm just telling the truth.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Don't compare yourself to me, I mean--we're two different people, and all... [He rubs the side of his neck with a palm.]

[ledbythewind]

All right, I'll stop. But I would like to be able to be as helpful as you've been, both to me and to everyone else.

[That second cup of sake is very nearly empty by now as well...]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

Well, you help me a lot just by being around, you know...

[Gazing at that cup. It probably isn't good for Richard to go through them so quick but...shifting that bottle, in case.]

[ledbythewind]

I help you...?

[He finishes off the last bit before holding it out for another refill, vaguely aware that it seems to be getting very warm all of a sudden.]

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[There's a pause before Naoki lifts the bottle to refill the cup for him--and Naoki hasn't even finished his first yet. Hm.]

Yeah, I mean--when you're around, I can keep calm, you know...?

[ledbythewind]

[That thought strikes him as incredibly funny for some reason, and he finds himself laughing without even realizing it.]

Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment, though I admit that's the first time I've ever heard it worded that way.

[denyingreasons.livejournal.com]

[Naoki gives him a somewhat bemused look, grins and rubs the back of his head.]

Well, I think if you weren't around, I'd have a much harder time keeping my head on straight.