ledbythewind | [Accidental Voice/Action] (afternoon of the 21st)

[Richard didn't initially realize what day it was when he woke up. In fact, it didn't even occur to him until he checked the calendar, at which point it hit him like a ton of bricks.

A year.

He's been in Luceti for one whole year now. And how much has happened during that year... some of the happiest and saddest moments of his life have occurred here, in this little village. A part of him wonders how his kingdom is doing back at home, what will await him when he returns... and then his thoughts drift to the news he received from Asbel the other day, that Sophie and the others are now here as well. There's a lot to think about, most of which he's already spent days agonizing over. Right now, he just needs a break and the chance to clear his head, which means aimless wandering.

Said wandering takes him past the item shop; on a whim, he decides to enter it, just to take a look around. A violin on a shelf catches his eye-- that's not something he'd been expecting to see. How long has it been since he last played? More than a year, at least. Yet something urges him to pick it up, so he does, heading out of the store and to a place where he can be alone... or so he thinks.

He settles himself under Ammy's cherry tree and takes it out to practice, not realizing that the wind has blown his journal open and it's now picking up everything.

His playing is shaky at first as he readjusts to the feel of the instrument, but soon a lovely, sad melody will be issuing over the journals to anyone who may happen to be listening in.]

(OOC: Tags to come in the morning, and just as a warning, my notifs are still all wonky. 8|)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Don't you think that's undermining his faith in you?

[Frankly] I don't know what you've done, so I can't judge here. But if Asbel does and still treats you like a friend, that's his right.

Edited 2011-03-24 03:32 (UTC)

Asbel... Asbel is one of the kindest people I've ever known. Perhaps too kind sometimes.

[Unspoken: He's not as hard on me as he should be.]

And that bothers you.

Probably more than it should.

Would you feel better if he judged you by your own standards then?

[And condemn you, from the sounds of it]

In the end, he isn't the one whose judgment will truly matter. I have others I need to answer to as well.

[Like the people of all three countries.]

[If Richard truly did something that unforgivable...

Sanji can't deny that he's right. People are held accountable by their actions, and the people those actions affect. It's how the world works and turns.

Thus, a nod. Of agreement]

Allowing him to coddle me isn't going to do me or anyone else any favors.

Him forgiving you isn't coddling. He can't account for how everyone else will react -- [And he shouldn't, frankly] -- but maybe this is how he chooses to be your friend.

Just sticking by you.

Edited 2011-03-24 05:32 (UTC)

...

[Naoki had promised the same thing - to stick by him - but... he's not sure he can believe promises like that anymore.]

[He nearly exhales a weary sigh.

If he knew what Richard was thinking... eh, it wouldn't change a thing.]

I can't say shit's not hard for you, but try and believe in your friends anyway.

I should try, shouldn't I?

[... but he's afraid, not that he'll admit it.]

That's the idea.

I suppose I'll just have to become stronger, like Asbel.

Don't worry so much about Asbel.

It's better to find your own damn strength.

My own strength...

You and Asbel are two different people, after all.

What works for him might not work for you. And sometimes you've gotta find your own way to deal with shit.

[Accidental Voice/Action] (afternoon of the 21st)

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