[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[It's a clear autumn day, with crisp air and blue skies-- the perfect weather for taking a long walk, which is exactly what Richard is out doing right now. Only, well, it's less of a walk and more of a patrol of sorts, just in case. Not that he actually expects to find Naoki, but it can't hurt to keep an eye out anyway. He'll be wandering around pretty much all over town, out into the forest, and finally back to Apartment 23, where he's been staying for the past few days.

Anyone who spots him will probably notice that he looks somewhat tired and in less of a good mood than he usually is.]

Comments

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

The foot.

[ledbythewind]

You know you're always welcome to come to my apartment if you'd like company or want to get out of the cold. I live in Building Four, Room Four. It's right down the hallway on the first floor; just knock on the door and I'll let you in if I'm there.

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

[Company, huh? That's not why he sought Richard out, though. He really doesn't have much of a need for company.]

... Has Naoki returned yet?

[ledbythewind]

[At that, his eyes darken.]

No, not yet. Sir Isamu and I have been keeping a lookout for him, but...

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

How long do the Malnosso keep their test subjects?

[ledbythewind]

I'm not sure. I've heard it can be anywhere from a few days to a month or more.

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

A month... [That's a long time in human standards.]

[ledbythewind]

Yes. There's no way to tell how long it will be, nor can we predict what condition the person will be in when they're finally returned. We can only hope that they won't do anything too terrible to him.

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

I understand.

[ledbythewind]

I suppose kidnappings are unavoidable here...

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

[That's not a comment he's very fond of, Richard.] Were you kidnapped by the Malnosso before?

[ledbythewind]

No, at least not in the usual sense. They sent me back to our world from a while rather than do experiments on me. The last thing I remember is... Asbel separating me from you.

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

And yet you returned here.

[ledbythewind]

I did.

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

It seems this place is unwilling to relinquish its hold on its prisoners. [And that's depressing. Very depressing.]

[ledbythewind]

Yet it also seems like more and more people are being sent home lately.

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

Who can assure us that they were sent home?

[ledbythewind]

No one, but if I was sent back home for a while, I believe that the others are as well.

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

You have faith in that?

[ledbythewind]

I do.

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

.... You've changed.

[ledbythewind]

Changed...?

... if I have, it's thanks to Asbel and Naoki. They're the ones who showed me how important it is to be able to trust others.

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

Two people do not represent all of humanity.

[ledbythewind]

But they are proof of the kindness humanity is capable of, just as I am proof that people can learn to trust.

[forsurvival.livejournal.com]

Humans can deceive. Promises can be broken when they are no longer convenient. I trust you won't forget that.