[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Sometimes you just really, really need to get out of your house for a little while. That goes double when it is your birthday and your house is currently the residence of an ancient demon temporarily inhabiting the body of one of your best friends and a several-years-younger version of another friend in addition to the usual interesting cast of characters who reside there.

As much as Richard likes them, sometimes he just needs a little space, especially when he would much prefer that no one gets it into their heads to throw him a party or something. That's why this Saturday evening finds him at Good Spirits, nursing a glass of wine at the bar and just people-watching, though he isn't really making much effort to approach anyone. (Not yet, at least. Give him a few more drinks and that might change.)

Later on in the evening, he'll head back home and attempt to sneak to his room before anyone can jump on him to wish him a happy birthday. Of course, knowing his luck...]

Comments

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

[ there isn't a lot to that story. kasuka bought him these outfits as encouragement for him to stay at this job and work harder, then Izaya and his own stupid temper came along... and then Kasuka got busy, and he got busy. he scratches the side of his nose.

of course, only about half of that really goes through his head. he just shrugs. ]

I worked as a bodyguard before coming here.

[ledbythewind]

[A bodyguard? That... makes Richard a tiny bit twitchy, but logically he knows there's no reason for that. Most bodyguards are perfectly honorable people, and Shizuo doesn't seem like a bad person at all.]

I'm sure you're excellent at that as well.

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

[ damn, this guy is just full of compliments. ] I don't usually have to do much. I don't really like violence, so it's nice.

[ledbythewind]

[... that is a big plus in Richard's book. By now that third glass of wine is nearly gone and his inhibitions (and good judgment, apparently) have disappeared along with it. That's the only explanation for what he says next:]

That's a rather attractive quality in a man: protective, yet peace-loving. Truly a noble ideal.

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

[ the meaning goes right over his head. ]

That sounds like some sort of anime hero.

[ledbythewind]

You don't think so?

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

No. I'd like to be someone like that. It just sounds like something from an tv show when you put it like that.

[ledbythewind]

Judging from the way you described yourself, I'd say you already are like that.

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

[ ...... ] You're wrong.

[ledbythewind]

Am I?

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

[ he starts back to the bar. ]

[ledbythewind]

And modest as well. That's even better.

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

[ there's a slightly self deprecating quirk to his lips but it's gone pretty quick. whatever. shizuo takes his place at the bar and slides the wine back into place. ]

[ledbythewind]

I'm sure you must have no shortage of admirers because of it.

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

[ ... richard, that is a dangerous button to nudge. you don't sound like you're mocking him, but... ] I don't.

[ledbythewind]

... I see.

[In Richard's case, it's the opposite. He can hardly escape the stacks of letters he gets from eligible young women and their families back in Windol, the irony being that he's not interested in any of them at all.]

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

[ he shrugs in response, leaning against the table - milkshake, milksha- ahh, there' the whipped cream he mixed into it. ]

[ledbythewind]

[... it is probably not a good thing that Richard's tactic for dealing with topics that make him uncomfortable is to troll.]

... then what about male admirers?

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

Huh? [ ... ] A lot of guys pick fights with me 'cause I'm strong.

[ledbythewind]

Have you ever considered that they might be picking fights with you for another reason?

[Tact, Richard's has gone right out the window.]

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

Because they want me dead? [ YOU KNOW WHEN PEOPLE SHOOT YOU OR HIT YOU WITH BRICKS YOU DON'T WONDER IF THEY HAVE A CRUSH ON YOU. ]

[ledbythewind]

I did say you were attractive.

[LET THAT SINK IN FOR A MOMENT.]

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

[ ...................... ]

[ledbythewind]

[Just smiling.]

[moezuo.livejournal.com]

[ ... ] Say...