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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[Richard gives a slight shake of his head, expression gentle yet distant. In the end, he'd chosen to own up to his deeds, in part because it hadn't really been a choice at all. But this is all up to her.]

Whatever you choose to do, it should be a choice that you make for yourself, not something that you do because someone else said you should.

[Richard's words don't necessarily illuminate Pao-Lin's path for her any better than before. But they give her enough strength to push forward through the darkness.]

O-okay. [She heaves a deep sigh.] I guess I'll figure something out eventually... [Her tone of voice makes it sound like she doesn't really believe that, though.]

I'm sure you will. I have no doubt that you'll be able to figure things out for yourself.

[He catches that doubting tone in her voice; he just isn't sure what else he can say that would help. He's never been very good at this whole comforting thing, as much as he may want to try.]

Th-thank you. [Maybe Richard isn't the best at the whole comforting thing, but this is enough for now.

She suddenly laughs a little, a weak, hollow sound.]

Heh...it's kind of stupid, you know. I don't really want to go home, but...it's not like there's anywhere else I can go...

Why don't you come home with me for a while until you've decided what to do? There's more than enough space in my house, and I'm sure the others wouldn't mind if you stayed for a few days or even longer. In fact, I think Cheria would enjoy having someone else to feed.

[Pao-Lin glances up, startled at both the offer and at this new piece of information.]

Y-you know Cheria...?

Yes, she's one of my companions from my world. Do you know her as well?

Yeah, I've talked to her a few times. I guess that means you know Asbel and Hubert too...

[He nods.]

The two of them are also dear friends. If you already know them, I'd say you would be more than welcome at our house. They aren't the sort of people to turn someone away.

I know. [Of all the Ephineans, Pao-Lin knows Hubert the best, but that's a relative assessment based mostly on the fact that she'd talked to him the most and not necessarily that he'd confided in her about himself. But she definitely trusted him, and Asbel and Cheria -- and now Richard -- so it's not necessarily that she'd feel uncomfortable in their company. She'd rather just not bother them at all with her problems, especially one as gargantuan as this.

But Richard was offering, and she 's almost too tired to care now, and anyway she'd be more than willing to repay the favor somehow as best she could in the future. They're friends now, after all.

She gives an almost imperceptible nod.]

Th-thank you. I'll try not to bother you guys too much. [And she finally starts getting to her feet.]

[Richard's first instinct is to extend a hand for her to grab if she wants-- but if she'd rather get to her feet on her own, that's fine too. He's not going to push anything, not right now when he's got a pretty good idea of what she must be feeling. Guilt, the sense that she doesn't deserve kindness from others... he's felt all of these things and more himself. And he also knows that just kind words from others aren't enough to make those feelings go away; it will take more than that, but it needs to come from within. Hypocritical, perhaps, since he still hasn't quite worked through his own guilt, but at least he's aware of it.]

It's not a bother at all.

[Pao-Lin clasps Richard's hand when he holds it out to her, using the grip to help herself up. But once she's on her feet, she unconsciously clings to his hand for a moment longer, a little surprised by the comfort that the contact brings her. She's suddenly struck with the desire for a hug -- from any friend, not just Richard in particular. She just wants to be warm and safe again, not cold and lonely.

But of course she can't just very well ask for a hug, can she? That seems a little silly and childish to her, to say nothing of her belief that it's something she doesn't deserve.

Still, when she does let go of Richard's hand, she smiles up at him, albeit a bit weakly.]

Let's get going, then?

((OOC: We could probably end this with Richard's next comment or so!))

[Fortunately Richard notes that Pao-Lin doesn't seem to be in any hurry to let go of his hand and doesn't move to pull it away until she lets go on her own, instead giving it a very soft squeeze of encouragement and reassurance. In fact, if she'd wanted to keep her hand in his for the walk back, he wouldn't have objected at all. Isamu does that for him often enough that he's gotten used to the idea and isn't bothered by it anymore, especially not when it's so obviously a platonic thing.

Alas, he's not the sort to initiate hugs on his own, so Pao-Lin's silent wish for a hug will go unanswered. But he'll meet that smile with one of his own and nod to her before turning towards the path home, casting a glance over his shoulder to make sure she's going to follow.]

Yes, let's.

[And he'll lead the way at whatever pace she wants.]

(OOC: Sure!)

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APPOINTMENTS POST

[Action, May 12]

[Action, May 12]

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[Action, May 12]

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