[Voice/Action]

[ledbythewind]

[It started out as a normal day-- if it can be called "normal" considering that two of his housemates are currently about eight years younger than usual, but fairly uneventful regardless. The "keep Asbel from getting himself or Hubert killed" duties were passed back and forth between him and Cheria as needed until finally he managed to escape and leave them to pester Cheria about the dinner she's currently preparing.

... come to think of it, he hasn't seen Sophie all day. He should go let her know that dinner is almost ready.

He hardly gets the door open six inches before he realizes with a sinking feeling that something is terribly wrong. Sophie's room is empty, bare, as if no one had ever lived in it at all. And Richard has been in Luceti long enough to know what that means...

It's with a neutral expression born from years of practice that he shuts the door behind him and heads back downstairs to inform the others of this, opening his journal to send a short message on the way.]

For those of you who knew her, Sophie has been sent back home to Efinea.

[He really isn't looking forward to explaining this to Asbel and Hubert...]

Comments

[toreachapples.livejournal.com]

...

I need not remind you that this is a good thing, Your... Richard.

[ He shakes his head. ]

Don't let your emotions rule you.

[ledbythewind]

[At that, Richard manages a tiny smile, pained though it is.]

Yes, you're right. It's much better for Sophie to be back where she's safe, and... where she can't be experimented on again.

[Even mentioning that is still painful for him.]

[toreachapples.livejournal.com]

I can assure you the experiments are only getting worse. It's good that she got out before something major happened.

[ Arms crossed over his chest, he stares directly at Richard, reading his movements, even though he doesn't have to. The King's sad. It's obvious.

It seems to Malik, he's being selfish because of his sadness. But now isn't the time for all that, so he keeps his mouth shut. ]

Try not to let it get to you.

[ledbythewind]

Especially with situations like the one with the moon. If they're willing to go that far, who knows what else they'll inflict on us in the future.

[It's good that Sophie's gone home, really it is. But that doesn't make it hurt any less, especially considering the condition Sophie had been returned in after her kidnapping. He'd never gotten to properly apologize for that either...]