ledbythewind | [Voice/Action]

[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...]

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...

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

[ He shakes his head. ]

Don't let your emotions rule you.

[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.]

[Of course, Cheria can't deal with Asbel forever. Eventually, he has to go harass Richard while she makes the dinner. So he goes looking for Richard, calling his name in the house, not knowing what Richard has just had to do.]

Heeeey! Richard!

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.

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...]

[Oh damn. Well, here goes... Richard puts on his best smile before turning to face the younger version of his friend.]

I hope you haven't been bothering Miss Cheria too much over dinner.

[...ah. She has no idea who Sophie is, but... well, he's always checking in on them. She's sorry, Richard.]

You doing okay?

... Was she a friend of yours?

[And here's Cheria, in the kitchen, preparing dinner. For all their housemates. She's been so busy, watching over Asbel and Hubert, that she hasn't had time to check her journal yet. She's still blissfully unaware.

Richard, you'd better tell her before she sets a plate too many.]

[Sophie, huh? Kouki definitely knows her, from their time as 'uncle and niece' and their occasional chat over the journals.]

Thank you for letting us know.

[Hmm, Sophie. Sophie. Ah- The annoying girl who greeted her upon first coming here.]

A curious one, wasn't she? It does some good to cycle through the blooms every now and then.

As well as can be hoped, I think. This is what's best for Sophie. We can't forget that.

It's the least I could do... she would want her friends to know not to worry about her.

Were you a friend of hers?

Curious, but that's what made her so very special. May I ask your name?

Yes, she was a friend from my world. But that's where she belongs, not here.

[Richard pauses at the door to the kitchen, trying to decide on the best way to approach this (as if there even is a "best way"). The news is going to be painful to Cheria no matter what, as the girl thinks of Sophie as a daughter or a little sister.

Finally, he settles for just getting her attention first.]

Miss Cheria.

... How is everyone, Richard? [She didn't know Sophie as well as they would, but... she had still been fond of her.]

[Cheria hadn't noticed Richard entering the kitchen. She was a little busy stirring one of the pots. At the sound of her name, she looks up and turns to give Richard a warm smile.]

Ah, Richard. I'm afraid dinner isn't ready just yet. It shouldn't be much longer.

Well yes, special is one word that certainly comes to mind. [Though hardly in the sense Richard means it.] Ask and you shall receive. Yuuka Kazami.

Richard. It's a pleasure to meet you, though I wish it weren't under these circumstances. Did you know her well, Miss Yuuka?

That's all right; I'm not hungry yet either. There's no need to rush.

[Then, shifting his voice to a more serious tone to indicate that he has something important to say, he continues:]

... but you might want to to put that spoon down for a moment.

[The moment she hears that tone of voice, Cheria realizes that Richard didn't come into the kitchen for the food. She hastily turns the stove down to its lowest setting before facing Richard with a solemn expression.]

Did something happen?

She said the curry wouldn't finish cooking if I kept watching it. [Whiiiiiiiiiiine.]

I guess we were. We talked over the journals from time to time.

Indeed. Despite these events it is a pleasure all the same Richard~ [Hmm. Not at all, they only had one conversation...] Yes, terribly. She would often visit my gardens and spend time here. [Lets get some lies going.]

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