ledbythewind | [Action]

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[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...]

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[... 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?

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

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

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

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. ]

I did say you were attractive.

[LET THAT SINK IN FOR A MOMENT.]

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

[Just smiling.]

[ ... ] Say...

Was I not clear enough?

You're making fun of me, aren't you.

I wasn't making fun of you at all-- I was just stating the truth.

[... yeah a part of him knew this was a bad idea.]

Saying things like that out of the blue. Tch... And that friend send you here, I bet. [ the wheels of irrationality turn turn turn, they tell us the lessons that he didn't learn.

you don't compliment people with low self esteem, richard. not when they're got superstrength and a dose of instability.]

Friend...? No, Isamu doesn't even know I'm here. To be honest, I came here to get away from my friends for a little while.

[He's confused as to just what his friends have to do with anything until... oh. Suddenly it clicks in his mind, because he too used to be suspicious like that. Suspicious that everyone was just out to use him.]

... I wasn't saying those things because I wanted something from you.

[ of course, shizuo's still fuming. the hand resting on the bartop is digging in deep enough to leave cracks in the wood, and the cup - made of steel, actually - is starting to dent from the intensity of his grip. that irrationality has him about ready to throw the thing at the other man's head.

but he noticed. and that's at least lessening the pounding at his temples and... damnit he needs air. or a smoke. or both. right. ]

Then why? [ IN. HALE. killkilllkilllkilllkill. EX. HALE. ]

[Those cracks and that dent aren't escaping Richard's notice, yet strangely enough, he doesn't seem to be as alarmed by them as he should be. If anything, he looks almost apologetic. This was definitely not the outcome he'd been expecting.]

I said them because to me, they were the truth. I'm sorry.

[ ... a suspicious look. he's still breathing kind of hard, but he lets go of the bartop stiffly. "true to him"? what the hell?

and then totally relaxed. like nothing happened. ]

... though I take this to mean you aren't interested in men.

[Okay, so he couldn't resist one last little moment of trolling. It's just as well, anyway-- if Shizuo had responded positively, he probably would've freaked out and backed off. He wasn't actually expecting anything to come of it; he just wanted to feel a little less lonely for a while.]

[ ... this is over his head. leagues and leagues over his head. and it's pissing him off.

so, deciding that this was definitely mocking him, shizuo's just going to stomp off and find zack. this is just weird and he doesn't get it at all.]

[Zack has been watching the drama from the other side of the bar, and he'd come this close to stepping in if it had gotten any more serious. Thankfully it hadn't, and Zack is actually kind of proud that Shizuo managed to calm down. Maybe that's due to Richard managing the conversation, but either way- crisis averted. Awesome. And then Shizuo leaves, which... probably means it's time to get involved. He straightens up and heads over to meet Shizuo in the middle.]

Everything okay over there?

[ he jerks a thumb towards the patron, looking calm but still pretty wired. ] I'm going for a smoke. [ in other words, he doesn't want to deal with this situation anymore, he needs to bail and clear his head and it's all in your hands now. the look you get is mildly apologetic. ]

Sure, sure. Take your time, it's not too busy here. [He considers saying something more - reconsiders - considers again, and then-] Thanks for not throwing the bar at his head. He really is a harmless guy, honest.

I don't know what the hell he was going on about. [ he won't comment on the bar. he was tempted. ]

I can't say for sure by just watching you, but to me it kinda looked like he was flirting with you.

[ a blank stare... this. someone... wha... there's a slight questioning lift to his eyebrows, clearly confused, before he frowns. ] No.

Really, you don't think so? I mean, if I was gonna flirt with somebody I didn't know, calling them attractive is a good start.

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