[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[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.]

Comments

[ledbythewind]

And you were the one who suggested the phrase in the first place. What am I going to do with you?

[His tone is more playfully admonishing than anything else, though.]

[musubi]

I don't know. I'm kind of a terrible person.

[ledbythewind]

I'd have to agree with that much.

[Unbeknownst to Richard, one of the fireflies hovering around has decided to make itself at home in his hair near the base of his ear and is now mimicking a rather interesting glow-in-the-dark earring of sorts. Combined with the hat, the whole thing probably looks a bit ridiculous.]

[musubi]

It says something when no one ever disagrees for the sake of politeness when I say that.

[He snorts at the errant firefly, tempted to flick it away but not following through.]

[ledbythewind]

There isn't really much of an argument to be made in your favor, you know. You do have a reputation to maintain.

[But his tone is fond despite the teasing.]

[musubi]

[He chuckles.]

This is true. Can't lose that.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard smiles... then floats the orb over to Isamu so that the next thing his friend knows, he'll be getting a face full of fireflies. LOOK, SOME NEW FRIENDS FOR YOU, ISAMU.]

[musubi]

...Oh come on. [He grumbles, but holds still for the most part, only blowing at the fireflies a couple times in a half-hearted manner.]

[ledbythewind]

[Okay, Richard has to laugh a little at Isamu's reaction and his grudging patience with the fireflies that are now swarming around him.]

Perfect.

[He sits watching this scene for a moment before moving to stand; once he's on his feet, he reaches a hand out to Isamu in an offer to help him up as well.]

There's somewhere I'd like to go... can I ask you to come with me?

[musubi]

I suppose.

[He takes the offered hand.] As long as it's not to a candlelit dinner or a romantic walk by the beach.

[ledbythewind]

[... oh. Well. Now this is awkward, and there's a slight flush spreading across Richard's cheeks as he quickly withdraws his hand, looking away.]

I assure you, that wasn't what I had in mind for this.

[musubi]

[Whoops. Now he's embarrassed him.]

Hey, don't worry, man. I was just teasing.

[ledbythewind]

[Yep, Richard looks pretty embarrassed right about now.]

Of course-- I knew that. But I did want to go to the beach, though I promise there will be no romantic walks involved.

[musubi]

[Oh whoops.]

Aha... ha... Wow. Man, I didn't know. Didn't mean to embarrass you. Sure, we can go to the beach.

[ledbythewind]

I would have asked Asbel, but...

[He, Cheria and Sophie were all busy inside, and he didn't want to intrude.]

I didn't want to go on my own.

[musubi]

Nah, it's cool. I'll go with you.

Birthday boy wishes and all that.

[ledbythewind]

Thank you.

... but I believe that technically means you would still have to agree even if I did plan on a romantic walk on the beach.

[musubi]

Oh is that right? Sneaky.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard just smiles and starts walking towards the road, Isamu's hat still perched on his head. His birthday comes one day a year so he's going to take advantage of it, damn it, and what better way to do so than by teasing his friend?]

[musubi]

[Isamu follows with a sigh, hands in his pockets.]

I'm going to spoil you at this rate.

[ledbythewind]

[At that, Richard turns to look over his shoulder with a laugh.]

You mean you haven't already?

[musubi]

I'm not yet on a leash, am I?

[ledbythewind]

I didn't know you wanted one. That can easily be arranged.

[musubi]

No.

[Isamu points a finger at him. Very strict.]

[ledbythewind]

Not even if I ask nicely?