drawnbythesword | 02 [Action]

[Waking up in some strange room he didn't recognize was not on this young boy's agenda today. Whatever the place was, he wasn't too keen on staying in it for long. Thankfully, he found a note on the nearby desk that told him Richard was in "House #43". It looked similar to the boy's writing, and hey, would he really steer him wrong?

So today, you might find this younger Asbel in one of two places; First, you might find him wandering the village, looking quite confused as he searched for something. If he sees you, he may run up to you, saying if he can ask you a question.

...Alternatively, you may very well find him at his desired destination, House #43. It really is difficult to find a house when the numbering is all out of order. In the case of the latter scenario, you will see (and hear) him shouting at the top of his lungs at the house.]

Heeyyy, Richaaarrd! Are you in there?! [...Apparently someone's never heard of knocking on the door first.]

((ooc: Asbel's been reduced physically and mentally to the age of 11. Replies will come from

seekscrosophie for the sake of icons.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Are you a friend of Asbel's?

[The snow outside is only serving to make him more concerned-- it had been warm and sunny back in Windol. Had he been brought all the way to Fendel? But he doesn't remember a village in Fendel named Luceti...

His eyes narrow.]

What country is this?

[Naoki gazes at him steadily, thoughtfully. He's certainly different from the Richard he knows. I wonder...]

Nobody knows. All we know is that this place is called Luceti. All of the villagers are drawn here.

[He pauses and runs his hand through his hair. The best way to do this is just be honest, he thinks. Even if it might sound farfetched to him at first, or if he's not believed.]

Mm, and that's...that's a bit complicated. But I know you and him, or, rather--I know the two of you when you're older.

[Richard just stares at him with an expression that's a mixture of accusing and "are you out of your mind?" This man claims to know him when he's older? A country that doesn't have a name? That's impossible. Only idiots would believe something like that.]

... I don't believe you.

[Well, Naoki had expected something like that. He sighs, twisting his ring as he thinks of some way he could prove it to him beyond just his word.]

I'm not lying. You're brought here, to Luceti, when you're an adult.

[Richard falls silent. This man is clearly delusional, but he'd mentioned something earlier that might help clear things up at least a little bit...]

You said Asbel was here?

[Yeah, Naoki can tell Richard doesn't believe him. Soon enough, hopefully he can find a way to convince him otherwise.]

That's right.

[His next words have a commanding tone that Naoki rarely hears from his adult counterpart.]

Take me to him.

[Usually? Naoki wouldn't mind that tone so much if it was the Richard he knows. However...]

It's more polite if you ask, you know, Richard.

[...he's not one of his subjects, nor is he going to treat him like a prince. Naoki wants to make that perfectly clear right now.]

Why should I ask someone who might have kidnapped me?

[... yeah, Richard was kind of bratty as a kid and very used to getting his way.]

[Naoki just laughs at that.]

Wouldn't that be all the more reason to ask? Kidnappers wouldn't like being ordered. [He shrugs lightly.] Even if I haven't kidnapped you.

[This is not a pout. This is totally not a pout. And Richard totally isn't getting upset and kind of frightened, either.]

[At last Naoki sighs and brings a hand through his hair.]

...listen to me for a moment. I'd rather let myself get hurt than have any harm come to you. You're safe with me, okay? I'll promise you that.

[He shifts to the bedroom door to open it.]

[Richard's gaze is still suspicious, but he also realizes that he doesn't have much choice at the moment, and that angering this strange man with the glowing tattoos is probably not a very good idea. For now he'll just nod in assent, though he keeps his eyes fixed on the bedroom door in case he needs to bolt.]

[Naoki doesn't move to lead him out yet, but he looks down at his hand thoughtfully. At last he moves a hand and pulls the ring off of his finger, clenching it tight in his palm before turning toward Richard.]

This is the most important thing I own. So here--hold on to it for me. It's my proof that I'll keep my word.

[He holds out the ring to him.]

[Hazel eyes widen as he holds out his hand for the ring almost without conscious thought-- this was exactly the same as when he'd given his own signet ring to Asbel, and he knew what the gesture meant. A promise, the ring returned when the promise was kept. Hesitantly at first, then with greater confidence, he closes his fingers around it and nods.]

I trust you.

[The slight tension in Naoki's shoulders and body melts away like water and here a soft (fond? Most likely) smile spreads over his face as Richard takes the ring. He nods his head and then turns to the door, opening it, indicating for him to head out first.]

Asbel's waiting in the living room with my friend, Isamu.

[Make no mistake, Richard is still slightly wary of this entire situation, and likely will be for some time. However, Naoki doesn't seem like a bad person, and if Asbel really is here, then maybe he can help explain things further.

He doesn't need any further incentive to head out into the living room and start looking around for his friend.]

02 [Action]

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