[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

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[People come back. They always come back. Leo hadn't paid much attention to that particular section of the Guide, but he'd seen Asbel's announcement of Richard having returned home and well, here he is.

...looking a little lost, in fact. What is he doing around House 53?]

Richard?

[ledbythewind]

[Richard blinks and looks around when he hears his name being called, thankful at least that he changed into his own clothing at the store and isn't just wearing those white pants anymore. That would be a little too undignified for his liking.

At last his eyes fall upon Leo, and he hesitates, trying to recall the name. He knows he's talked to this boy before, remembers the face, but he's having trouble attaching the name to the face.]

... that's right. And you are... Leo?

[There we go. He hopes that's the right name.]

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[It's entirely undignified to be holding a watering can like this but who cares? Not Leo.]

That's my name. Are you looking for something?

[ledbythewind]

Ahaha... is it that obvious? I'm looking for House...

[... what number was it again? He can't remember. Damn.]

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[He waits a moment for the house number but when none is forthcoming, he isn't surprised. It's okay, he can wait, though.]

Do you remember who you're looking for?

[ledbythewind]

Asbel... Asbel Lhant. Do you happen to know where he lives?

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

How do I put this...

No, not at all. [He lifts his own journal that he has with him and points, with the hand still holding the watering can.] Would you like me to ask?

[ledbythewind]

I wouldn't want to trouble you...

[ ... but it's also kind of embarrassing to be wandering around like a lost puppy.]

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

It's not a hassle.

[ledbythewind]

Are you sure? If it is, I think I still remember how to operate the journals myself.

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[Dally all you want, Richard, the journal is being opened right about now. He recalls Asbel's announcement though he hadn't responded to it personally; the most he can do is attempt to ping Asbel via the journals.]

Didn't you return with your own journal?

[ledbythewind]

I did, but I'm embarrassed to admit that I've forgotten parts of how to use it. My memory of Luceti is returning very slowly, it seems.

[But he pulls out his journal to show that he does in fact have it with him.]

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

I see. [Though it's more of an absent reply as he studies his journal. Ring. Ring. Riiiiiing.

...your friend really doesn't know how to pick up ringing journals, Richard. Leo looks up after a few more fruitless ringing.]

He doesn't seem to be answering.

[ledbythewind]

[... oh Asbel. Still as derpy as ever, it seems.]

I wouldn't be surprised if he'd gone off somewhere and forgotten to take it with him. I'm sorry, perhaps I should handle this myself...

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[He shuts his journal with a rather bemused look..]

How would you do that? You said that your memory of this place was still returning, after all.

[ledbythewind]

[This time it's Richard's turn to look slightly sheepish.]

I'm sure I could figure it out after enough attempts, though said attempts might involve accidental broadcasts to the entire village.

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

[He laughs quietly.]

You might get a few disgruntled replies.

[ledbythewind]

I might get more than a few if I manage to get it wrong.

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

That's only normal. [That being said...] So what will you do now, Richard?

[ledbythewind]

What will I do...?

[He's quiet for a moment, gazing off into the woods.]

... I suppose I'll try to settle back in as best I can. That's the only thing I can do.

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

Are you anticipating trouble?

[ledbythewind]

I don't know, but I do know that it will take some time to adjust to being here again.

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

Mmm...there doesn't seem to be much choice, is there?

Although to be honest, I meant to ask how you planned to get home.

[ledbythewind]

I could always just knock on doors until I found the right house.

[ishisfriend.livejournal.com]

It's a very large village. [...] But if it's a house, it should be easier than covering every dwelling.