[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

[musubi]

No.

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

[ledbythewind]

Not even if I ask nicely?

[musubi]

Nooope.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard's only response is to laugh as he continues on his way towards the barracks and the teleporter there. It's a bit of an odd request, he knows, but he has his reasons, and a romantic walk isn't one of them.

SORRY FOR THE DISAPPOINTMENT, ISAMU.]

[musubi]

I'm going to trust that this isn't some sort of secret kidnapping.

[ledbythewind]

It isn't much of a kidnapping if you come along willingly.

[musubi]

Unless you have someone pop out of the shadows on the way.

[ledbythewind]

You wound me, Isamu. I would never think of doing anything of the sort.

[... probably. No guarantees on that.

He'll pause in front of the teleporter, steeling himself for a brief moment before he goes through it. No matter how many times he uses those things, he still finds them a bit disorienting, even if he does have to admit they're convenient.]

[musubi]

[Isamu follows with a sigh. Richard's just lucky he trusts him.]

[ledbythewind]

[Once he's out of the teleporter on the other side, Richard just pauses for a moment, reveling in the feel of the ocean breeze. Sure, it's not Lake Grale, but it's close enough for now; compared to Barona, Luceti is just so... still. While he may not miss a lot of things from home, he isn't sure he'll ever stop missing that wind.]

[musubi]

[Waiting beside him, Isamu idly rubs at the back of his neck.]

Kinda nice out.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard gives a slight nod as he continues to gaze out at the ocean, the last light of the setting sun illuminating its surface.]

It reminds me of my home.

[His voice is quiet and wistful as he says this. When will he be able to see it again?]

[musubi]

It's a real nice place.

[He nods his head in agreement.] Having been there, I can say this.

[ledbythewind]

Indeed it is. And yet...

[He bows his head just the slightest bit.]

... there's a part of me that doesn't want to go back.

[musubi]

Huh?

[Isamu blinks, unsure what Richard means for a moment. But then he sighs and shakes his head.]

You really need to stop with all your doubting.

[ledbythewind]

[Now it's Richard's turn to give a slight shake of his head, eyes still focused on the ocean.]

No, that isn't it. Before I came here, I'd never had the chance to live as a normal person. I spent my entire life in the castle, a virtual prisoner because of my status. But here, I'm just an ordinary man. No one treats me any differently... I can do things I could never have imagined back in my world.

[He looks over at his friend.]

For the first time, I can live my life the way I choose.

[musubi]

[Ah.

Isamu nods, understanding.]

I can see what you mean. I don't even know how I would have lived with all those responsibilities in the first place.

[ledbythewind]

I didn't have a choice-- it was the only thing I knew. But now... now I know what I missed growing up. In a way, I almost wish I didn't.

[musubi]

[Isamu fails at comforting words sometimes, so in this case he just reaches over and pats his friend on the shoulder.]

[ledbythewind]

[For Richard, that small expression of sympathy is more than enough. They know each other well enough by now that words aren't necessary anyway; he'll just remain quiet for a few moments in that comfortable silence before at last he turns to his friend with a smile on his face.]

Would you teach me how to build a sand castle?

[It's a strange request, but he's completely sincere about it.]

[musubi]

[Isamu blinks. That's a new one.]

Uh... I don't know if I'd be the best person to ask. I haven't done anything like that since I was a kid.

[Then he shrugs.] ...But I guess it's not that hard.

[ledbythewind]

[His smile grows the tiniest bit wider at that answer.]

Thank you. This isn't exactly something I could ask anyone else, for obvious reasons.

[A grown man wanting to build sand castles? Yeah, he's well aware that isn't what would usually be classed as 'normal.']

[musubi]

I doubt anyone would really laugh at you for it or anything.

[He begins walking toward an area of the beach closer to water.]

[ledbythewind]

That may be, but I'd rather not have to explain why I'm asking in the first place.

[He'll just follow Isamu, taking a brief moment to conjure up another orb of light to illuminate their path now that the sun is going down.]

[musubi]

[Taking a moment to roll up his pant legs and remove his footwear, Isamu then kneels down in the wet sand.]

Kids like to use buckets and such to form shapes, but we'll have to do without. It's just like a real crumbly clay, and you can only form it when it's wet. Otherwise the sand won't form at all.

Basically, don't form things that are too thin or stick out too far in either direction without support. It's too heavy and not stable enough for that.