[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

[wingenvy]

He's never told me otherwise. I think he's just super-strong - there's people like that all over the place here.

[Like the guy with the freaky glowing eyes right in front of you, for instance.]

[ledbythewind]

Perhaps that would be why he reacted so badly when I told him he was attractive, if he's used to others trying to use him because of that strength.

... I apologize for the door, by the way. [Subject change? PERHAPS.]

[wingenvy]

[Probably a good thing- he can't confirm or deny Richard's comment. He just knows that Shizuo has kind of a lousy history. But don't they all? Why else would they gather here.]

Nah, forget about it- even if you hadn't been here, Shizuo would've done that. It's because of the other guy that he got that angry, not you. Believe it or not, this isn't the first time this happened.

[ledbythewind]

... does it always end with so much property damage?

[wingenvy]

...Usually. Good thing the buildings fix themselves, huh?

[ledbythewind]

[Richard nods, chuckling a little. Then, after another sip of his drink, he adds:]

I should go apologize to him for bothering him. I wasn't thinking that most men wouldn't take kindly to another man telling them that they're good-looking.

[wingenvy]

I... would actually wait until the next time you see him here. You can't really stop Shizuo when he's on a rampage, and you'll probably just get hurt if you try to talk to him today. And it's not like complimenting him was a bad thing, it's just not good to push it.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard's expression looks a bit distant as he stares down at his drink.]

... he probably hasn't had many friends, either here or in his own world.

[Yeah. He knows all about what that's like.]

[wingenvy]

Dunno about that one. It's hard to tell a lot about a person after one short meeting, so all you can really do is keep trying.

[But since he's more in the know, and he's not here to gossip about Shizuo-]

That sounds a little close to home, though. Everything okay?

[ledbythewind]

[And just as quickly as it vanished, that smile is back on his face again as he looks back up at Zack.]

Yes, just fine. I was just thinking about what an interesting place Luceti is to bring so many different and unusual people here.

[Sorry, Zack-- it's nothing personal; Richard just doesn't really confide in anyone.]

[wingenvy]

[Oh well, not everyone does.]

We always manage to get a good variety, don't we? Even if a bunch of people get sent back, the ones they bring in to balance it out always seem just as weird as the ones we had before.

[ledbythewind]

Perhaps being unusual is one of the requirements for being brought here in the first place.

[wingenvy]

Wouldn't surprise me. The day somebody halfway normal walks through the door of this place I might have to eat my boot.

[ledbythewind]

So what about me makes me so unusual? I'm curious to hear your answer.

[wingenvy]

Hmmm... well, you're very free with your flirty nature! With guys, I mean. I'm not used to people being so up-front about it.

[ledbythewind]

...

[This face. Just... this face. Oh god Zack was LISTENING to that just shoot him now please]

[wingenvy]

[And Zack can't help but laugh. Poor guy, that's what he gets for flirting so publicly.]

Don't worry about it! I won't spread it around.

[ledbythewind]

I would appreciate it if you didn't. I think it's evident enough that my judgment wasn't exactly what it should have been at the time.

[Okay, so he didn't KNOW that Shizuo would quite literally flip a chair, but still.]

[wingenvy]

So you're only a flirt when you're drunk?

[He's not so sure about that.]

[ledbythewind]

Is that an invitation?

[wingenvy]

I don't know if I'm your type.

[ledbythewind]

[Just laughing now. Technically Zack IS his type, but he's not actually interested.]

[wingenvy]

[Well, he's laughing, so maybe that means he's safe |D With a grin he stands up, stretching out and grabbing his empty glass.]

Well, I better get back to work! Try to stay out of trouble, okay?

[ledbythewind]

I'll do my best, but no promises.

[Not after that flying barstool, man.]