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.

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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.

...

If you feel that strongly about it, do what you can to help now.

Does this mean you're putting me to work as your servant?

[That is not even close to what Sanji meant, but for perhaps the first time since their conversation started, he smirks - a real one, this time]

Get me water, slave.

[Oh, Richard knows exactly what Sanji meant-- humor is just his way of defusing an uncomfortable situation.]

Of course, master.

[And it will even have ice cubes in it.]

[Sanji takes it, gladly, downing the entire glass and hoping he doesn't immediately sweat it out in the next thirty minutes. The pain he can handle; the fever is far more annoying.

When he's done, he sets that glass on his nearby desk, and continues casually]

Don't call me that again. [It's creepy]

[Richard can't help but give a soft laugh at the expression on Sanji's face. Well, it seems like the mood has lightened a bit, at least. That's one thing accomplished.]

Now you understand how I feel.

... Oh, that's right. [Richard's royalty]

Maaah, that's gotta be annoying after a while.

[Richard nods, his smile fading slightly.]

That's part of the reason I keep that fact hidden here. I don't want anyone treating me differently just because of my status in my world. And... I don't like formalities, either.

Can't imagine any shithead here treating you differently. [Luceti in general doesn't roll like that, he's noticed]

But I'll bet it pays to be careful anyway.

As long as I'm here, I'm just Richard. That's all I want to be.

... That mean you'd stay here, if you could? [If maybe you weren't bound by duty?]

[It doesn't take Richard more than a second to come up with an answer to that:]

I'd go wherever I knew Isamu could be safe.

[His lips twitch slightly, upward, drawing his own conclusions from the admission. His tone sounds wry]

Right, right. [Should've expected that answer]

[Action, December 20th]

ledbythewind - 2012-01-18 05:17 (UTC) - Expand

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