ledbythewind | [Action]

[Anyone who happens to walk by on the road beside House 28 this evening will be treated to a rather unusual sight: a cloud of fireflies hovering around the front lawn, greenish-yellow lights flickering as they fly back and forth, following the movement of a tiny orb of light.

Closer inspection reveals the source of said orb of light as Richard, who is seated in the grass-- he's using a tiny bit of Hyt's power to combine with his own magic (the base for a Holy Lance, not that he's going to cast the entire thing), creating a soft white glowing sphere that hovers a couple of inches above his finger. As he moves his hand to trace mindless patterns in the night air, the orb follows it, and the fireflies follow that in a parade of blinking lights. Richard can't quite hide his amusement at this, reflected in the slight smile on his face. It may be an odd way to spend one's birthday, but to Richard, it's more than fine-- not that he doesn't appreciate what Asbel and the others have done for him. He just needs a little time to himself to unwind after all of that.

But if anyone wanders by, he'll be happy to converse with them. He wouldn't be in a public place if he didn't feel like talking to anyone, after all.]

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[It's on her way home to House 34 for the night that Grune notices the lights. Even someone as inobservant as she typically is can hardly fail to notice something so bright and beautiful.

At first, she thinks it's Cecil who's responsible for the display. There have been a couple of occasions where he's used Hyt's power to play with little orbs of light very similarly to this. It's something she's always enjoyed watching, and so of course she comes closer, ready for a visit.

When she sees the source of the light is Richard, not Cecil, she pauses for just a moment--but out of surprise and not disappointment. Then, she closes the remainder of the distance between them with a smile already on her face.]

Hello, Richard. Your lights are very beautiful.

Edited 2012-08-07 04:00 (UTC)

[Richard recognizes that voice right away; he's ready with a smile in return when Grune draws near, though he doesn't stand up to avoid disturbing the fireflies still hovering around him and that glowing orb. What he will do is extend the hand just a bit in her direction, urging the fireflies closer to her so that she can get a better look if she wants.]

Thank you, but I'm afraid I can't take most of the credit for it. That part belongs to the fireflies.

[Grune bends down to take a closer look, and--]

Oh! Look at all your friends!

[They're so cute!]

Would you like to say hello?

[Her enthusiasm is infectious, and Richard can't help but share in it. Honestly, it hadn't really occurred to him to try to talk to the fireflies before she showed up, but why not?]

[Now that? Makes her beam.]

Yes, I'd love to!

[She sits down next to him and waits in happy anticipation.]

[He'll just hold his hand up as the fireflies swarm around it; it's faint at first, but if Grune listens carefully she'll be able to hear a multitude of tiny, high-pitched little "hello"s in response. They don't say much more than that, but it's a start, at least!]

[~~And from that point on, Fenimore could never get Grune to clean out any cobwebs or remove any bugs from House 34.~~

Grune bends in close, listening carefully for their little voices. When she hears them, she looks momentarily surprised, and then her smile comes back even stronger than before.]

Hello! It's so nice to meet all of you!

I think they like you already.

[As much as bugs can like anyone, he guesses. He's never really spoken to the bugs here before...]

Oh, I like them, too! [She beams at him again.] And I think they like you!

But do they like me, or do they like my magic?

I'm sure they like you and your magic. You're so kind, and your magic is very pretty!

[He lets out a soft laugh.]

Thank you, Grune. That's very kind of you to say.

[Hearing his laugh, her smile grows.]

You're welcome--but it's true.

[She addresses the fireflies.] Isn't that right?

[There's a tiny chorus of assent from the bugs, causing Richard to look slightly embarrassed (albeit happy).]

It isn't fair to gang up on me like that, you know.

[She tilts her head a little.]

Isn't it?

[But didn't Richard want to know that he has lots of friends?]

[In response, Richard just creates another orb of light in his other hand, then uses a tiny puff of wind magic to scatter the particles of light on the breeze, smiling.]

[Grune waves as the fireflies are scattered with his light.]

Goodbye, everyone!

[But this just has the effect of causing the fireflies to switch their target of hovering to Grune-- now they cluster around her, just floating lazily in the night air.

And Richard can't help it: he starts to laugh. Who would have imagined that something so simple could end up being so much fun?]

[She doesn't object to this state of affairs at all, and she greets the fireflies happily.]

Hello again!

[When Richard starts laughing, she joins in, absolutely delighted. The sound of one of her friends laughing is one of the most beautiful sounds of all, she thinks.]

It seems you've just made a bunch of new friends as well.

[It isn't often that Richard is this relaxed and happy, so he's in no rush to chase her or the fireflies away.]

[That's good, because Grune is pretty bad at leaving on time. Or doing anything on time, really.]

They're both our friends! It's so nice to share friends, isn't it?

[That draws another quiet laugh from Richard.]

You really are a remarkable woman, Grune.

[Once again, she smiles at the sound.]

Oh, my, what a kind thing to say! You're very sweet, Richard.

[He just shakes his head.]

I'm only telling the truth.

Hmm.... But you're still very sweet.

[She smiles at him through the fireflies.] I'm glad we're friends.

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