[Action/Voice]

[ledbythewind]

[Having to wake Asbel up in the mornings isn't anything out of the ordinary for Richard. In fact, it's become a routine of sorts by now, as his friend is a notoriously heavy sleeper who often needs the assistance of a pillow to the head or the scent of a fresh bowl of curry to lure him into wakefulness.

Today, however, he can tell right away that something is wrong when he opens the door, even if he can't see anything. The room is too quiet, too still, and his heart suddenly feels as if it's being squeezed in a vise. It's a struggle just to get Asbel's name past his lips in what is more of a plea than anything else. He doesn't even care that he almost trips over Tiger Festival on his way to the bed; he's just reaching out to feel the blankets, because surely Asbel is just sleeping too deeply to hear him, that has to be it...

... only the bed is empty, made up properly, as if no one has ever slept in it. There isn't even any warmth left to signal that Asbel had been sleeping there not long ago. Desperately he straightens up and gropes his way to the closet door, opening it to reach inside and feel for the clothing that he knows should be there, but that too is empty.

And even though he knows what that means, he doesn't want to accept it. He doesn't want to accept that his friend is gone. Numb, he reaches for his journal and fumbles it open, because he owes Asbel at least that much.]

Asbel Lhant has returned home to Ephinea.

[Composed as ever, even though his heart is breaking. That accomplished, he shuts the journal before he has to deal with anyone offering sympathies. He'll respond later, but right now the pain is too raw. He just doesn't have the heart to have to face the fact that Asbel is gone over and over again.

Instead, he sets the journal down and curls up in Asbel's bed, which by some miracle still smells like him. Now, for the first time, the darkness that Richard has become so accustomed to feels cold and oppressive and utterly lonely.]

Comments

[Voice]

[niceguypose]

[His blindest friend is suffering... the man with golden hair who bravely carried a frail girl on his shoulders in the scorching sand! Lee's closest people have yet to leave him at this time, but he still feels the pain.]

I... I am sorry to hear that, Richard-san! I do not think that I ever met this Asbel. But... at least he is free of this place? [Lee tries to be careful with his wording. He knows that not everyone has happiness - or life at all - to look forward to back home.]

[Voice]

[ledbythewind]

[It's a considerable amount of time later that Richard finally picks up his journal to respond to this. When he does, his voice is calm, yet if one listens carefully, they might be able to notice the strained edge to it. Remaining this calm is taking a remarkable effort on his part.]

He is. This is for the best. There are many things that await him back in our world.

[Voice]

[niceguypose]

[Something sounds off in his calmness. But Lee at least takes comfort in hearing that he has things awaiting him.]

That is the spirit! His life is awaiting him. I- I am sure that he will find happiness!

[Voice]

[ledbythewind]

I believe he has already found it, though he may not realize it for himself just yet.

[He had Cheria, after all, even if the two of them still need to work on communicating better. The attraction is obviously mutual, if Luceti has taught him anything.]

[Voice]

[niceguypose]

He has? I am sure that it is only a matter of time now! [He thinks back to the king's game and the stirring words that Richard spoke about his first love. Could it be...?]

Especially when he knows people as loyal as you!

[Voice]

[ledbythewind]

[Lee has deduced correctly! But hopefully he won't say anything out loud...]

... you're too kind.

[And, in his own personal opinion, far too flattering. Richard doesn't consider himself to be nearly as loyal as Asbel is.]

[musubi]

[Isamu stands outside the door for a while, not entirely sure how to approach his friend about this. Asbel had been with them for a long time, but the blond was far closer to him than Isamu had ever been. They'd come from the same world, after all.

Finally he speaks up, if only to announce his presence.]

... Hey.

[He steps in, walking over to the side of the bed.]

[ledbythewind]

[That may have been a sound Richard made in response, or it might just have been a sigh. It's hard to tell, and Richard doesn't seem to be in any hurry to roll over and face Isamu.

Logically, he knows that Asbel going home is for the best. He has responsibilities there, opportunities and a future, and now he'll be free of the experiments and drafts that are a part of living in Luceti.

But at the same time... Asbel had promised to be his guiding light, and now he was gone, and everything just felt so dark...]

[musubi]

[That's all Isamu expects, really.

He sits down at the edge of the bed, not making physical contact with the blond just yet.]

... I'm sorry, man. Asbel is a good guy. I know this must be hard on you.

[ledbythewind]

... he was the first person who didn't try to use me for my status.

[Words at last, though he still remains facing the wall.]

He was the very first friend I ever had.

[musubi]

And he still is.

[He does reach over now, resting a hand on Richard's shoulder.]

He's back home now, where he belongs. It's better for him there.

... I know you'll see him again.

[Voice]

[lostinmyway]

[...Oh Richard. There truly is nothing she can say to alleviate the grief he must feel now. Yet she will speak, if only to let him know she is available to comfort him, if that is what he wishes.]

I am so sorry, Richard.

[Voice]

[ledbythewind]

[There's something different about Grune's tone, something he can't quite place... were he in a better state of mind, he would ponder that, maybe even ask about it, but right now he simply doesn't have the mental energy to do so.]

Thank you... I appreciate your condolences.

[It's stiff, formal, but he's not sure he can keep up the facade if he tries to be anything but.]

[Voice]

[lostinmyway]

[She understands facades very well. She will not be so cruel as to attempt to break his.]

Would you like me to bring over something to eat? Or would you prefer to be left alone for now?

[Voice]

[ledbythewind]

That's very kind of you to offer. I'm afraid I don't have much of an appetite at the moment, but I'm sure Isamu would appreciate anything you wanted to bring.

[He has one close friend left-- anything he can do to make Isamu happy, he will.]

[Voice] Feel free to ignore--I'm just backtagging before Luceti closes!

[lostinmyway]

That is understandable. I will bring enough for both of you, in case your appetite returns later on.

[She is not so certain it will in the near future, but it would be good to provide Richard with an easy option for food just in case.]

[feistytrader]

[...He's not sure who Asbel is, but it sounds like someone important to him. And although he doesn't know Richard too well...]

...Do you want some ice cream?

[It might seem like a strange question, but it's his way of trying to help.]

[ledbythewind]

... ice cream?

[It is a strange question, so much so that Richard has to double-check to make sure that he actually heard it correctly.]

[feistytrader]

When someone leaves, having some ice cream make me feel a little better. [Of course, he doesn't get too upset over people leaving in the first place, but. It's the gesture that counts.] I could bring you some, if you want.

[Is he too awkward to understand how to comfort people? Is it a subtle way of asking if he wants company without being too invasive? ...It's probably both.]

[ledbythewind]

[... ah. He understands now. Eating ice cream is, for Silver, much the same as hiding in his secret fort and eating apples was for him-- a coping mechanism of sorts. In that sense, the two of them aren't so different after all.]

I think I would like that. Thank you.

[ Voice ]

[rashness]

[ Um.

Well.

Uh.

He should know what Richard likes to eat, but- ]

What's your favorite food again?

[ Voice ]

[ledbythewind]

[Rin. You poor soul. You have no idea what you have just doomed yourself to.]

Natto toast.

[Let that sink in for a moment.]

[ Voice ]

[rashness]

[ ........... ]

... You're not joking are you?

[ Voice ]

[ledbythewind]

You can ask Isamu if you doubt my words.

[Sorry, Rin, but he really isn't in the mood for jokes right now.]

[ Voice ]

[rashness]

No, I-- ... No, sorry. I'll make some for ya'.