ledbythewind | APPOINTMENTS POST

[Hubert is uncertain as to whether or not he should go over to Richard and do something. On one hand, it's far too personal and even degrading for the king. What he is certain of, is that there's something terrible off. And on the other hand . . .

He approaches. Then, again -- ]

Your Majesty.

[That's enough to get Richard to stop laughing and just stare up at Hubert, eyes narrowed as if he's scrutinizing him for some reason or another.

Then, after a moment of this, he announces:]

Sir Hubert, you seem to be upside down.

[He understands now. He says nothing on the remark in lieu of confirming his suspicions with another question. Clearly, Richard isn't in a state of mind to properly process everything.]

If I may, where were you earlier?

I was...

[Processing, processing. Oh yes!]

I was at Good Spirits with Miss Sheryl. She's a lovely young lady; have you met her, Sir Hubert?

[The bar.]

No. I haven't.

[But the location, on top of there being company, are reasons enough for him to believe that Richard is drunk. In this sort of state, Hubert has little socializing and few words to spare for Richard.]

You're inebriated.

I believe I passed that stage some time ago.

[His honesty levels seem to be directly proportional to how drunk he is at the moment. Whether this is a good or a bad thing remains to be seen-- and also depends on just who it is he's talking to.

In any case, he's going to be rolling over and attempting to get back on his feet without much success. Why does standing up have to be so difficult?]

[This is bad. Unsightly.]

. . . You need to get yourself to bed and rest.

[As strange as it is to say that to a king. And as awkward as it is, he bends his knees and offers a hand to pull Richard up. Richard's not getting anywhere on his own.]

[... but Richard will just be taking that hand with a laugh and then pulling, because Hubert is still upside down and clearly the only way to fix that is to get him down here on the floor so he's right-side-up again. Really, Hubert, that much should be obvious to someone like you.]

[Oh. That's right, he realizes belatedly with a slight cry that's cut short. Richard thinks he's the one who's upside down; so of course he'd be the one to be pulled on. But seeing as how he's considerably more sober and in better control of his strength and motor skills, he tenses and resists the force of the pull. Richard can yank all he wants, he's not going down.

Why is Asbel or Isamu or other house people never around when they're needed?]

[Wow, Hubert is really hard to budge. Has he gained weight? Richard didn't think he looked that strong, but then again, maybe it's from swinging that crazy weapon around. That must be it.

Okay, he'll reach out with his other hand and give the leg of Hubert's pants a tug in an attempt to unbalance him that way.]

Your Majes --

[Hubert doesn't see that coming, and he faces the consequences of his ignorance by tumbling forward. He lands next to Richard with an unceremonious thud and cry.

He's down for a split second before he shoots back up onto his knees, face hot from embarrassment as he no doubt chews himself out in the back of his mind. He looks at Richard -- but can't, because his glasses have fallen off. He fumbles around for them. They should be in front of him . . . ]

[Key word there being should. As it is, however, Richard has already grabbed said pair of glasses and put them on to see if that makes everything stop spinning. Unfortunately, it has the opposite effect: it makes it worse, but also more exciting, and if he stares really hard at the ceiling, it looks like waves!

BRB being hypnotized by this.]

[That's odd. He can't find them. Hubert raises his head to see if it's anywhere around him, though the attempt is in vain when he can hardly make out the surroundings. He turns back to where Richard is, who's little more than a swirl of colors.

. . . could it be . . . ]

[If Hubert were able to see, he would see that Richard looks about as happy as a clam at the moment, entranced by whatever it is on the ceiling that he's staring at right now. These glasses must be the source of Hubert's hidden powers!]

So this is how you've been hiding them from us all this time.

W-what?

[So Richard does have them. Suffice to say, Hubert feels exposed without them -- his vision is too poor and he's already made a fool of himself. Richard is making no sense. And he has Hubert's glasses, that drunkard. This won't do.

He extends a hand, palm face up, though unbeknownst to him he's dangerously close to hitting Richard in the face.]

Please return them . . . !

Your powers. I was wondering how you were able to fight the way you do, but now I've uncovered your secret.

[Oh nooooo, he is not giving these back now that he knows the truth. HE'S GOING TO TELL EVERYONE ALL ABOUT THIS, HUBERT.]

[ . . . is Richard seriously thinking what Hubert suspects he's thinking? He fixes his glasses -- or he would have, if they were resting on the bridge of his nose. All he does is stab himself in the face with a finger.]

It's no secret. I need them to see.

[NOW GIVE THEM BACK.]

Just what I said: super powers. But they don't work if you're not wearing them.

[... IDEA.]

I wonder if Miss Pascal could fix them so they shoot laser beams as well...

No!

[Just minutes earlier, he'd been reading in peace. What happened?]

No, there's nothing wrong with them. Even if Miss Pascal could, they're fine the way they are.

["What happened" would be one (1) very drunken King of Windol arriving home, that's what. At least he's in a good mood?]

But laser beams would make them far more effective against your opponents. Or is it that you're too embarrassed to ask Miss Pascal for help?

[Implications what implications.]

[It's certainly a change. And here his voice considerably rises in pitch, hands balled into fists at his side. If his face was hot from the humiliation earlier, he's positively burning up now. Getting riled up by a drunk, how the not-so-mighty have fallen -- ]

W-w-w-what!?

[Embarrassed, him? Ludicrous.]

Hmm? Do you need these glasses to accentuate your hearing as well?

[ . . . ]

Bed.

[That just sets off another gale of laughter on Richard's end; when he recovers, he aims what is decidedly a flirtatious smile up at the other.]

That's rather bold of you, Sir Hubert. Not even a "please" or a compliment first?

B . . . b-bold!?

[It's probably a good thing that he can't see the smile. Except the tone and words speak for themselves, and it's as though something in him just died.]

I mean rest! It's clear that you had too much to drink. Now, Your Majesty --

[Is Richard even listening?]

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[ action, June 25th ] I MADE THIS ICON JUST FOR YOU.

[ action, June 25th ] . . . BEAUTIFUL.

[ action, June 25th ] I HAD TO.

[ action, June 25th ] IT'S SO FITTING.

[ action, June 25th ] IT'S SO FITTING.

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