ledbythewind | APPOINTMENTS POST

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APPOINTMENTS POST

This post can be used to thread with or get in contact with Richard at any point when he doesn't have a post up! Just comment here (please use the format [Action, June 24th], [Voice, March 5th], etc. to make it clear when the thread is taking place and what type of thread it is) for a thread with him; if it's a continuation of another thread or post, please link that so I remember the context of the thread.

GO NUTS.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

For taking care of me during that one draft.

[And Richard just reaches out a silent hand to offer some Filial healing when he hears that grunt-- though he's sure Sanji has already had about as much healing poured into him as is possible, if he can ease his friend's pain even the slightest, he's going to try.]

[Sanji snatches the wrist in a terse warning.]

I never demanded a shitty IOU.

[Richard's eyes widen slightly and he freezes in place, though he's quick to shift his expression back to neutral.]

This isn't an IOU. I'm doing this as a friend.

[... That's... not a word Sanji really applied to Richard before. Which is why it takes him a second to realize that it is true.

Perhaps before he would have felt a little guilty. Now, exhaustion weighs on his shoulders. His hand drops from the wrist.]

... Aa. Right. [He wipes the light sheen of sweat from his forehead] Sorry about that.

... How long have you been here for? [What did you see?]

[Richard just hovers his hand there for a moment as if ascertaining that it's all right to continue what he was doing before letting the healing energy collect in his palm and flow outwards from his fingertips in a soft green light.]

Only about ten minutes. Don't worry-- you didn't keep me waiting for long.

[He won't bring up the subject of the nightmares-- that's for Sanji and Sanji alone to address, should he so choose.]

[Richard's words are quickly followed by a breathy sigh, and the chef's eyes darting to a corner of the floor. He suspects the worst anyway, but Richard pointedly not bringing up the nightmares is a luxury he'll take.

Gradually, though, the muscles in his back loosen as the energy does its work. He can still note the hazy pain, but it's distant and dulled, and doesn't seize his entire body up. He offers a slight smile]

Thanks.

[Richard offers a shaky smile when he finally withdraws his hand, face a shade paler than it was, though he's quick to shake it off.]

It's the least I can do. Is there anything else you need?

... [Damn it, Richard. Sanji's sick, not suddenly less perceptive. He meets the smile with concerned suspicion]

Oi, I'm just fine. [He'd get up and walk to prove his point if he didn't know Nami would somehow appear and tie him to the mattress.] Should I be asking you the same question?

[And if Nami didn't do it, Richard would be more than happy to step in for her because he's hypocritical like that.]

Yes-- healing just takes a bit out of me, that's all. It's nothing to be worried about. Surely you've seen Isamu using the same power.

[But his smile fades as he gestures to Sanji's back.]

How did that happen...?

[Richard's reply does put concerns to rest, but Sanji internally winces at the shift back to him. He nearly doesn't answer.

If not for the way his wingless shoulder blade throbs, as if to remind him that he can't will the past away by ignoring it... maybe he would let the silence draw out. But eventually he settles backwards again - not laying down, but leaning against the pillows, heedless of how uncomfortable the position is. He doesn't feel like being any more vulnerable]

Heh... I was careless. [His expression blanks out. His eyes close briefly] Isn't that always the excuse?

And in most cases it's the truth rather than an excuse.

[Richard understands that feeling of vulnerability all too well-- it's why he dislikes it when people stand behind him or between him and the door, and that's exactly why he chooses not to comment on any of that. Sanji doesn't have to say anything for Richard to get a pretty good idea of just what he's feeling at the moment. It's a delicate subject and he wants to tread as carefully as possible.]

[The comment manages to elicit a sharp, bitter smirk, that is gone as soon as it appears]

Guess so. [Gods, he wants a cigarette. His right hand flexes in an aching gesture.]

... It was an ambush. [A shrug.] We didn't see it coming.

[Which is only half the truth - they didn't see it coming because they had no literal choice but to wait, stuck in a cave with no food or water. Friend or foe, it would've been a surprise.]

[Richard is quiet, his usually-warm hazel eyes cold and his mouth set in a thin line. Even if it was battle, even if he himself had given the order for ambush tactics during the fight in Wallbridge, he still can't help but find it a cowardly way to fight.]

I hope you at least gave them what they deserved.

Not before they took something of mine. [There's no satisfaction to be heard in his voice; such is the depth of his stupid self-pity.

Though he does add:] I doubt the shitheads survived the cave-in.

Cave-in?

[Okay, he hadn't heard about THAT part, and as such he can't help but be a little concerned. Just what the heck happened down in those tunnels?]

...

That's right. [Voice even more carefully flat] It was the only way to get him off.

[Richard remains silent for a long moment, just absorbing this. He himself has some of the worst memories of his life associated with tunnels, so there's a part of him that's relieved he didn't have to go on this draft... but then he feels guilty for thinking that way, because what if he could have done something to help?

He isn't sure what to say.]

... I'm fine, Richard. [Sanji isn't privy to those thoughts of Richard's, so the most he can do is hazard a guess] Someone found me in time before--

[Before I died. From more than just a ripped wing and some bloody wounds. His throat dries and tightens, and he glances off to hide the swell of heat behind his eye]

[And Richard gives a slight shake of his head and manages a smile that's probably a bit more cheerful than he actually feels.]

I'd guessed that much from the fact that I'm talking to you right now.

[But that glance doesn't escape his notice, in part because he has a tendency to do exactly the same thing.]

[A snort. There's no joy to it. But the moment has passed, and his gaze readjusts itself back on Richard's face.

... And it's as if Sanji's remembered that they are a bit alike in this regard, because he cracks a wry grin]

Tch. Guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[Richard understands more than you know, Sanji-- which is exactly why he's weighing bringing the topic of his own experiences up. It's not a cheerful subject at all, but something tells him that hearing that Richard really does understand what Sanji is feeling right now might help make Sanji feel a little better about this whole situation.

That doesn't make it any easier for HIM to talk about, though. He takes a deep breath before continuing:]

... I've nearly died in tunnels twice before.

[Sanji shifts uneasily and nearly tells him to stop. He can sense a "Caring is Sharing" story a mile away - maybe if this were more on his terms, he could swallow it, but at a time when he already feels off center...

The order is on his tongue when he searches Richard's face. And that, strangely enough, is when his words dissolve on his tongue, replaced by soft, new ones]

You're lucky you weren't on the draft. [It's not chiding. If anything, Sanji sounds relieved Richard didn't come along]

Am I? I'm not so sure.

[Richard's own voice is softer than normal, almost hesitant. Even though logic tells him he likely wouldn't have been able to do anything to help, there's still that "what if" in the back of his mind. He wants to be able to help people the way Asbel does... he's just starting to wonder if that's even possible.]

[His eyebrows knit]

I was trapped in a shitty cave-in for three days. And not one person could find us. [Even Asbel could have done nothing]

Perhaps you're right. But it's hard not to wonder whether or not my presence would have made a difference.

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