06 [Voice]

[drawnbythesword]

[Filtered to Tear | 50% Unhackable]

I just wanted to apologize if my behavior this past week might have offended you. I know the experiment caused me to behave in ways I wouldn't normally.

[Filtered to Dist and Guy | 60% Unhackable]

Tear told me that you're very skilled with machinery and technology. If that's the case, I need your help.

[Filtered to Richard]

...Are you going to be alright?

[/Filter]

...How often do these 'drafts' happen?

Comments

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[The room is dark, but Asbel will probably be able to make out a lump under the covers in the bed-- one that lets out another small annoyed sound at the light streaming in from the now-open door. Close the door, that's way too bright. :(]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[Closing the door behind him, Asbel walks over to the lump in bed, placing a hand on it.

...It's warm.]

Richard.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Warmer than it should be, in fact, though it's also shivering a bit.]

Nnn...

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[...Definitely strange...]

...Are you okay, Richard?

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[At the sound of his voice, Richard's eyes open slightly.]

Asbel...?

[Oh, damn. He hadn't wanted Asbel to see him like this, especially not right before the draft.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[If Asbel bothered to feel Richard's forehead, he could easily deduce what's wrong with him. But the thought doesn't cross his mind. He's more concerned about Richard's behavior.]

...Yeah, it's me.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard shifts, trying to sit up a little more despite his dizziness. If Asbel is here, then... did something happen with Lambda?]

Did something happen?

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[He shakes his head.]

No... Not yet. I've contacted some people who should be able to help, though.

But... I wanted to make sure you were okay. Since Naoki left and all...

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

So you saw his message.

[Yeah, he's... really upset by that fact, but at the same time, he can understand why Naoki did it. He feels horrible enough about the situation himself, and he wasn't even the one who had to see his boyfriend and best friend being in love with each other.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Yeah...

...Richard, I know that someone leaving can be hard to deal with, but... I just want you to know that I'm here for you.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

Asbel...

[He looks as if he's going to say something more, but then a wave of dizziness hits him and he clutches at Asbel's shirt just to remain upright.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Ah! Richard! [He grabs onto Richard's shoulder, trying to keep him upright.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard ends up sort of slumping against the other anyway, breathing hard. Dammit, why is everything spinning so much...]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Richard! Are you alright? [He lightly shakes the other man.] Richard!

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[If Asbel didn't make the connection about him feeling warm before, he should definitely be making it now, because Richard is hot to the touch, his forehead covered with a sheen of sweat.

That shaking just causes him to let out a groan and cling even tighter, trying to get his balance again.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[Okay, whoa, Richard is really warm. It's very unnatural for him... Placing his hand on Richard's forehead now.

...!]

Richard! You're burning up...!

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[At that, Richard manages a wry little laugh.]

I'm sorry... I didn't want you to see me like this...

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Because you didn't want me to worry about you...?

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

Ever since we first met, all I've ever done is cause trouble for you. It looks like I can't escape that even here.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Richard... You've never caused me trouble. I swore to stand by your side and protect you, to be your friend no matter what, seven years ago. I accepted whatever may happen as a result of our friendship. And I've never considered you a burden after everything that's happened.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

How can you still call me your friend after everything I've done? I've hurt so many people, even you and Sophie, and now... now I've hurt Naoki and Isamu as well. I don't deserve your protection.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

That's because... I know you've never done it intentionally, Richard. You're one of the kindest people I know, always willing to put others before yourself. You would never hurt someone on purpose.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard just shakes his head. Asbel doesn't understand. It doesn't matter whether he did it intentionally or not, he still hurt them-- ruined everything that was the most important to him. How can Asbel not hate him? He certainly hates himself right now.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

...I don't know what you might have done to hurt Naoki and Isamu, but knowing the true Richard, I could never hold your actions against you. If Naoki and Isamu know you even a fraction as well... I'm sure they'll be able to forgive you. They just need some time.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

Asbel...

[He's shaking again, this time from the effort of trying to hold back the emotions that are threatening to overflow. He's tired, he's sick, he FEELS sick to his stomach, and what he wants most of all is to just go curl up in a ball somewhere and never have to face anyone again. He can't, he can't, what is he supposed to do now? How can he expect them to ever trust him again?]