[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]

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.]

[lostinmyway]

[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?

[ledbythewind]

[That draws another quiet laugh from Richard.]

You really are a remarkable woman, Grune.

[lostinmyway]

[Once again, she smiles at the sound.]

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

[ledbythewind]

[He just shakes his head.]

I'm only telling the truth.

[lostinmyway]

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

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

[ledbythewind]

As am I.

[He lifts a hand to summon up another orb, this time floating it over in Grune's direction so that she can play with it if she wants.]

[lostinmyway]

[Grune pokes at it with a finger, wanting to see what it does. It's so pretty!]

[ledbythewind]

[The poke causes it to glow more brightly for a moment when her finger touches it, then fade back to its normal luminosity. Richard watches her, happy that she's enjoying herself with it, as simple as it is.]

[lostinmyway]

[She giggles at the response, then pokes it again. Poke poke poke!

The fireflies are probably getting fairly confused at this point.]

[ledbythewind]

[They are indeed, starting to drift away when the light fades, then moving back in closer as it momentarily grows in brightness when she pokes it.]

At this point, I'd say you're enjoying that more than the fireflies are.

[lostinmyway]

[Poke poke!

She looks away for a moment, back at Richard.]

Oh, do you think so?

[ledbythewind]

Yes. They seem to be a bit confused.

[Not that it isn't entertaining-- in fact, it's quite the opposite.]

[lostinmyway]

The light is over here--it isn't going away!

[She pokes the globe one more time to show the fireflies. Whether they're actually capable of understanding that is debatable, though.]

[ledbythewind]

If you enjoy it that much, perhaps you could try learning from Hyt yourself. Then you would be able to call the fireflies whenever you wanted.

[lostinmyway]

Oh, is that who taught you how to make the lights?

[Hmm.... Cecil can make lights like this, too, can't he? Was Hyt the one who taught him, too?]

[ledbythewind]

That's right. I made a pact with him so that I could learn how to use his magic.

[lostinmyway]

[Okay, that settles it:] I want to make a pact with him, too!

[ledbythewind]

[He laughs.]

It may take some time, but I have no doubt that you'll be able to do it if you really wish to.

[lostinmyway]

I'll make sure to do my best! And then when I know how to make pretty lights, too, we can play with the fireflies together!

[ledbythewind]

Yes, let's do that. Just the two of us.

[lostinmyway]

All right. [She smiles.] I can't wait!