[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[It's late in the afternoon when Richard awakens in the middle of the forest, clad only in the pair of white pants given to all New Feathers when they arrive. As if that weren't bad enough, it's currently raining, and he's disoriented and confused and why does his back hurt and where is he? There's something strangely familiar about this situation, though. He feels like it's happened before, but his memories are fuzzy and he can't seem to remember anything beyond... beyond...

And then, very slowly, like water trickling through a crack, it begins to come back to him. He's been here before. Twice, in fact, over a year in total, and Asbel and the others are here as well. He needs to find them.

So he'll be making his way through the forest - he remembers enough to follow the river, at least - to the village, feeling decidedly uncomfortable at exposing so much skin (he's royalty, this isn't proper, even if he's done it here before) and spending a few confused moments trying to remember where the clothing store is so that he can retrieve his own clothes.

That accomplished, he sets out for the house... only to realize that he can't remember which house it is. With only a vague memory to guide him, he wanders the streets until one house feels more familiar than the others. Let's just hope he's got this right.

And so it is that Richard opens the door to House 28, soaking wet and still trying to remember everything, but glad to be home.]

Comments

[ledbythewind]

[A hug is fine too. Richard will just pull him close, hand rubbing idle circles on his back.]

I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you worry.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

Shut up.

[Isamu just clings a little helplessly.]

There's nothing you could have done.

[ledbythewind]

Is this where I say I'll make it up to you somehow?

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

Just... don't go anywhere.

Ever.

[ledbythewind]

I won't... I promise.

[... okay, Richard can't resist the urge to tease, because he's feeling just a little bit emotional too, and clearly the best deflection tactic is TROLL MODE, ENGAGE.]

But if I didn't know better, I'd say that almost sounded romantic.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[Isamu doesn't release him, but turns his head slightly to glare.]

...I'll hit you.

[ledbythewind]

Am I being rejected? How very cruel.

[But the fact that he's laughing is a dead giveaway that he isn't being serious at all.]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

I'll tell you when I start digging guys.

Then we'll talk.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard's laughing quiets down just a bit, his smile taking on a slightly more wistful note.]

Don't worry, there's no rush for that.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

There's no... nothing for that, because it isn't a thing.

[He huffs, then gives another squeeze.]

I thought I was all alone for a while there.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard matches that squeeze with one of his own and chuckles.]

I promised, didn't I? I'm not going to leave you alone... I'm going to bring you back home with us.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but... You dont' have any control over what the Malnosso do with you. You could have been gone for good!

I don't see how you can promise that.

[ledbythewind]

[This time it's Richard's turn to reach up with one hand and smack Isamu lightly on the back of his head before pulling his friend's head against his shoulder.]

Friends always come to help each other, no matter what. That's part of what being a friend means. Don't you remember? We made that vow to always stay friends.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

What good does that do if you come back and don't remember making it?

[ledbythewind]

[That leaves Richard at a loss for a moment... until something occurs to him. Without moving his arms from around Isamu, he reaches up to tug off one glove and remove the signet ring he's wearing beneath it. It's a new one, since he'd given his old one to Asbel years ago, but it will do just fine for this. Once he's got it off, he pushes Isamu back just enough so that he can raise his hand up between them, motioning for the other to hold out his own hand in return.]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[Isamu does just that, though he looks baffled.]

What're you doing?

[ledbythewind]

[Richard just deposits the ring in his palm with a smile.]

There. Now you have proof of my promise, even if I forget.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[Isamu just stares at the ring for a long moment.

But that's not the point! It won't bring the memories back, and...

He hates this place.

But this is something.]

Ah... You shouldn't... I mean...

[ledbythewind]

And why not? Surely you don't think you aren't worth remembering, do you?

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

That's not... That's not the point.

[ledbythewind]

Oh?

[Richard tilts his head, curious.]

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

I just... I don't know if I could deal with it if you just had no memory of anything.

[ledbythewind]

Even if the mind doesn't remember, there are some things the heart never forgets.

[His hand drifts to cover the other, where the ring Naoki had given him used to rest.]

You know, even though I didn't have the memories of this place when I was back in Efinea, I had a strange feeling that something was missing. Something that I needed to remember no matter what.

[ingrate.livejournal.com]

[He feels slightly better at this though, but... only slightly.

Isamu buries his face in Richard's shoulder.]

...I don't even know what I'm doing with myself anymore.

[ledbythewind]

[Of course, that triggers the hug reflex again - Richard vaguely wonders just when both of them became so okay with this sort of physical contact, but that thought gets shoved to the back of his mind - and he hopes that he's not getting Isamu too soggy in the process given how soaked he is.

His voice is soft when next he speaks.]

... without him?

[Because he understands that feeling, oh, does he ever.]