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]

[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?]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Richard... [Asbel's hand remains on Richard's shoulder. It's firm, but not tight or angry.]

In a case like this... If you're worried about whether they can trust you again... Then I think you need to first trust in them... Trust that they'll trust in you.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[He opens his mouth to protest, but instead just ends up choking on a sob. He wants to believe Asbel, he really does, but that fear in the pit of his stomach and the ache in his chest won't go away no matter how hard he tries. His anger is directed more at himself than the Malnosso-- how could he have fallen for that? How could he have been so weak?

He can't stand how pathetic it makes him feel.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[...You better offer some sort of protection against sickness, Lambda, because Asbel doesn't want to get sick. Regardless, now, Richard, you are getting a hug from Asbel. How's that for trust?]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[That just makes Richard cry harder; with shaking arms he tries to push Asbel away. He doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve to be treated so kindly after what he's done. He's a horrible person. Why can't Asbel see that?]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[You can try to push him away, Richard, but he isn't going to budge. He is stubborn and refuses to let you feel this way.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

Stay away from me...

[But it's a half-hearted protest, even though he's still trying to shove Asbel away.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[NOPE STILL HUGGING.]

...I can't do that, Richard. You're my best friend, and I trust you, no matter what happens. That's what friends do for each other, after all...

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

I don't deserve friends... not when all I do is hurt them...

[Because someday... he'll hurt Asbel too, won't he? He'll hurt him so badly that he'll leave the way Naoki did. It's only a matter of time. That's why he needs to make him leave now, before anything else happens.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[There is silence on Asbel's end for a while. There are so many things he wishes he could do or say to Richard... Prove to him how moronic he's being. But Asbel's not that sort of person... So instead, he says this.]

...Everyone deserves friendship, Richard. Even... No, especially you.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[That's it. That's all it takes. Richard just falls apart, sobbing, heaving, shuddering sobs that wrack his entire body, even while he still keeps shoving at Asbel.

No, no, no, this is all wrong, damn it... what is he supposed to do if Asbel doesn't reject him too? This isn't how it's supposed to be.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[Finally, he lets go of Richard now. Not because Richard was shoving him away, but because actions or words aren't getting through to him right now. He takes a step back, staring at Richard now.]

...Richard, do you know why I trust in you?