[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]

[He nods, impressed yet not surprised-- Tear's capacity for artes has always been excellent, from what he's seen.]

It's the beginnings of a Holy Lance. Did you recognize it?

[seleniahymn]

Yes, as a matter of fact it's one of the artes I use. [She would demonstrate, but one Holy Lance was more than enough for what Richard was trying to achieve.]

For the most part my artes gravitate more to toward light, though I'm not limited to those.

[ledbythewind]

My own artes are mainly wind, though I have a number that utilize fire as well. I suppose you could say Holy Lance is one of the exceptions to that pattern.

[seleniahymn]

I suppose you could. [Though she was curious about his other artes now, she had only seen him in battle once before and that had not been the best opportunity to see him given the circumstances.]

Have you attempted experiments with the others before?

[ledbythewind]

Yes, I've made a few other combination spells in addition to this. I've used one of them during a draft before. The others I have yet to test in combat; they're merely theoretical so far.

[seleniahymn]

It would be best to test them before having to see how they do in a combat situation, don't you think? [She doesn't like thinking about what could happen to Richard in the event he used one of those spells for the first time in combat.]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard nods in agreement, though if he had his own way, he would prefer to avoid going on another draft as long as he was here. He's really not much of a fan of fighting in general.]

It would be, but I'm not sure how well they would work in a Battle Dome simulation.

[seleniahymn]

There is that to consider as well. Have you thought of asking someone to practice with you instead? [With necessary precautions of course, though there was a feeling that Richard would not be fully comfortable with such a scenario.]

[ledbythewind]

Is that an offer?

[It's part teasing, part serious. He's seen Tear in action before and knows that she's more than capable when it comes to artes, meaning she'd be an excellent sparring partner.]

[seleniahymn]

If you would have me, I don't see why not? [There is a hint of confusion to her voice, given she can't quite tell if he is being wholly serious, but if he truly needed a partner she would be happy to oblige.]

[ledbythewind]

I'd like that. Thank you, Tear.

[Sounds like he's serious about it after all. Anything that can help him potentially become stronger is a good thing as far as he's concerned.]

[seleniahymn]

It's no trouble. [It honestly wasn't, and it was something that could work to her benefit as well.]

Though I don't believe you would want to start right this evening, would you?

[ledbythewind]

[He nods with a smile, pleased that she agreed to it so readily.]

I think it would be to both our advantage if we had some time to prepare beforehand.

[seleniahymn]

And once you feel you are prepared, you will let me know? [She wasn't that busy with a mostly peaceful village life, even if he did decide to call upon her on a whim.]

[ledbythewind]

Of course. I'll just need to make sure that it isn't on a day when I'm scheduled to work.

[seleniahymn]

That's right, you sometimes attend at Seventh Heaven, don't you? [She didn't go very often, but she had spotted him there several times.]

[ledbythewind]

[He nods.]

Yes, I'm a waiter there along with Isamu. It lets me feel like I'm doing something useful while I'm here instead of just sitting around all the time.

[seleniahymn]

That's good, it wasn't so long ago that I tried to occupy my time by attending school here. It truly does help ease some of that desire to be doing something, if only a little.

[ledbythewind]

It's strange... back in my own world, I wished for nothing more than freedom. Now that I have it, I'm not sure what to do with it.

[seleniahymn]

[Something about the way he says it catches Tear's interest, briefly recalling that time she had comforted him after he had woken from a nightmare; it had been so long ago.]

You never had any form of freedom?

[ledbythewind]

An extravagant cage is still a cage, no matter how beautiful it may be.

[She knows he's a king; he figures he doesn't have to say anything more than that by means of explanation. Of course, should she question further, he will answer.]

[seleniahymn]

[She wasn't going to push that issue further, at least not right now. It didn't feel like the appropriate time to.]

But even if you do not know what to do with this freedom... are you happy with it?

[ledbythewind]

I am. If I hadn't been able to live like I am here, there are many things I would never have been able to experience.

[seleniahymn]

And those experiences can't be taken away from you. [A small smile makes its way to her face, just a little happy that Richard was allowed that freedom here.]

[ledbythewind]

That's right, even if some of them weren't the happiest.