[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]

[... okay, Richard can't resist this one. It's just plain too easy. He'll be creeping over to Asbel and very carefully placing his hand over his friend's eyes to see how long it takes him to react.]

[drawnbythesword]

[At first, there's no reaction. But as Richard's hand is still likely cold and wet, it eventually does prompt a reaction, after about ten seconds or so, when he groggily responds.]

H-hey... What's going on...

[ledbythewind]

Honestly, you didn't learn in the Knight Academy that chairs aren't a proper place for sleeping? What did they teach you there?

[drawnbythesword]

[This must be a dream! But why can't he see, then? Hmm... Maybe he's blindfolded as part of a test!]

Ahh, I-I'm sorry, Instructor! Please, forgive me!

[ledbythewind]

Asbel, did you forget the fourth rule of the Code of Knightly Behavior?

[Okay, Richard doesn't even know if there IS a Code of Knightly Behavior, much less what the fourth rule is, but he's hoping.]

[drawnbythesword]

Absolutely not, sir.

[ledbythewind]

Then please repeat it for me.

[drawnbythesword]

The fourth rule of the Code of Knightly Behavior is to display generosity towards your fellow person at all times, being able to give of yourself whatever is needed, in order to create a strong, rich, and diverse community... ...Sir.

[ledbythewind]

[Okay, Richard can't help it... the fact that Asbel is being so very SERIOUS about this causes him to laugh.]

Didn't I also tell you to address me as your equal?

[drawnbythesword]

Instructor, I can't even see who you are right now.

[ledbythewind]

[Another laugh.]

Asbel, I know I haven't been gone long enough for you to have forgotten your best friend's voice already.

[drawnbythesword]

Eh, Richard?! But when did you become an instructor at the Academy?

[ledbythewind]

Asbel... open your eyes.

[And he'll be removing his hand now, smiling.]

[drawnbythesword]

[When Richard does remove his hand, Asbel does indeed open his eyes, slowly, staring in front of him as his eyes adjust to the sudden light.]

[ledbythewind]

[And Richard will be standing there in a green outfit that Asbel won't recognize, soaking wet but not particularly bothered by this fact. If anything, he just looks happy to see his friend again.]

[drawnbythesword]

[He continues to stare, still groggy. But he does manage to utter one word.]

...Richard...?

[ledbythewind]

[A nod.]

Yes, the real thing. Or do I need to awaken you with a kiss to convince you?

[drawnbythesword]

[...And now that he's awake enough to actually react...]

...Richard?! [And leaping up from the chair now with vigor!]

[ledbythewind]

I believe the proper response is supposed to be "welcome back."

[drawnbythesword]

Well, yeah! But, I mean... You... You're back?!

[ledbythewind]

[Just reaching out to take Asbel's hand in his own now. See? He's real.]

[drawnbythesword]

[He continues to stare at Richard. He's here, he's real, he's right here... Richard's come back...!

...Okay falling back into that chair.]

[ledbythewind]

[... that was not the response he was expecting.]

... Asbel?

[drawnbythesword]

[He gives a sigh.]

...Richard, you shouldn't give your friends a scare like that.

[ledbythewind]

I'm sorry, but the fact that you can recite things from your training in your sleep is rather impressive, you know.