APPOINTMENTS POST

[ledbythewind]

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.

Comments

[ledbythewind]

A close encounter?

[drawnbythesword]

Yeah... [He doesn't want to spell it out, Richard.]

[ledbythewind]

[Oh, he's got a few ideas already.]

Either way, I'm sure she was glad to see you again.

[... as am I.]

[drawnbythesword]

It's kind of weird to see, considering I just saw you all, but... I'm glad to see the two of you again. I can't imagine being alone in this place.

[ledbythewind]

Alone...

[Richard just closes his eyes for a moment, remembering what things had been like when he WAS here alone, before Asbel and the others had arrived.]

... even if you were, I think you'd be fine. You just learn to cope with it as best you can.

[drawnbythesword]

I'm... not too sure about that. [When he lost everything back home, he kind of reacted poorly to it.]

...But I don't want to think about that. What matters is that we're here together.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard remains silent for some time after Asbel says that, his eyes focused on the floor.]

And we'll stay here together.

[Though he... doesn't sound entirely convinced of this.]

[drawnbythesword]

...I'm sorry, Richard. [He says that sincerely.]

[ledbythewind]

[But Richard doesn't say anything in return. He really does want to believe those words, but after everything he's experienced in Luceti, promises of any sort are becoming less and less convincing to him.]

[drawnbythesword]

[That's fine if Richard doesn't say anything, because Asbel will keep right on talking.]

I know I promised I'd always be here for you, but... To be honest, that's not something I can promise. I don't have any control over the future; no one does.

...All I can promise is that I'll always be your friend, and as your friend, I'll do whatever's in my power to support you.

[ledbythewind]

... no matter what happens, we will always be friends.

[He could never forget that vow-- for seven long years, that had been the only thing that had supported him and kept him going. But...]

[drawnbythesword]

Right. That's something that, no matter how much things change around us, will never itself change.

[That's something Asbel truly believes in.]

[ledbythewind]

[Again he's silent, turning his head away from Asbel just slightly. He won't say anything, though, because what is talking about his feelings and how does it work? That's something he's never quite managed to master.]

[drawnbythesword]

[Richard's gone quiet. Did he say something wrong?]

...Richard?

[ledbythewind]

You don't have to feel obligated to keep being my friend if it's too much trouble for you, you know.

[drawnbythesword]

...I'm your friend because I want to be, Richard. There's no obligation or anything like that.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard closes his eyes for a moment and inhales, then lets it out slowly.]

I just... I can't stop being afraid that one day you'll change your mind.

[drawnbythesword]

I don't think that'll happen, Richard.

[He gives Richard a smile.]

I don't change my mind once I've decided on something. [He's heard that enough times to know he can't really argue against it.]

[ledbythewind]

[That smile reassures him a little, enough to return a tiny smile of his own.]

I know-- I know these are problems that I have to deal with myself. I only wish I knew how.

[Or if it's even possible for him.]

[drawnbythesword]

Even if they are problems you have to deal with yourself... That doesn't mean we can't support you while you do it, right? [He just wishes he knew how to tell Richard how to do it.]

[ledbythewind]

Thank you, but I couldn't ask you to do that.

[Asbel has enough things of his own to worry about, after all.]

[drawnbythesword]

But you also couldn't ask me to not do it, right?

[ledbythewind]

I...

[Damn it, Asbel has a point. If he offers, there's no way Richard could turn him down. WHAT DO?]

[drawnbythesword]

After all, you may be the King, but Lhant operates autonomously, and that means I do as well. [See, Richard, he's been learning how to be a good Lord and how everything works. Aren't you proud of him?]

...So that means you wouldn't be able to issue an order saying I'm not allowed to help my best friend. [Granted, that's not entirely how it works, Asbel. Richard could still decree you can't make him the target of your assistance or something like that. But he's banking on Richard not being like that anymore. He has faith in his best friend.]

[ledbythewind]

[It's true; Richard can't help but feel a tiny rush of pride at the fact that Asbel seems to be taking proper responsibility as the Lord of Lhant. But this isn't really the time or place for him to be dwelling on it, so the praises will have to wait until later.]

If I didn't know better, I would almost say you were blackmailing me, Asbel.