08 [Voice]

[drawnbythesword]

[Filtered to Hubert, Sophie, Richard, and Pascal | 50% unhackable]

Lambda's gone.

[/Filter]

...I'd heard of it happening before, but this is the first time it's personally happened to me... What... [There's a hint of hesitation and sadness in his voice.] ...What exactly happens to someone who's sent away from here?

Comments

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

...Yeah. [Even though Lambda won't have to be experimented on here anymore... They have no clue what lies ahead for Lambda on Efinea.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

... I see. Thank you for telling me, Asbel.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

...Of course, Richard. If anyone needed to know, it was you.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

Will you be all right...?

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

...Yeah, I'll be fine. [He'll cope, in time.]

...Will you?

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

It's far better for Lambda to be safe in our world than it is for him to be here and experimented on again.

[Which isn't really an answer, but shhh.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

...Yeah, it is. [It doesn't make it any better, though.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

At least this way we know he is safe back at home as well.

[... but that pain in his chest isn't from his wound.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[...Richard's trying so hard to stay strong... Asbel has to be strong too. For both their sakes. He forces a smile.]

...Yeah, I'm sure he is. Lambda won't have to suffer on Efinea like he would here. [It's an awkward smile.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

In a way, he's the luckiest one of us all, getting to go home first. I'm almost envious of him for that.

[A year is a long, long time away from home, longer than Richard has ever been away before.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

...Yeah. Maybe he'll find some happiness there now...

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

He of all people deserves it.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[Asbel nods. If there was one thing he could certainly agree with, it was that. Lambda definitely deserved to finally receive some happiness in his life.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

Lambda... surely deserves to be happy...

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

... Yeah, he does. I'm sure he'll find happiness. [Somehow.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

... I'm sorry, Asbel, but I'm a little tired right now. Would you mind letting me get some rest?

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

...Of course, Richard. Get all the rest you need. [He turns to face the doorway now.]

Just call if you need anything.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

I will... thank you, Asbel.

[And he manages a little smile at him before settling back down on the pillows and pulling the covers up.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Mmmh... [He heads out the door, making sure the light is off and the door is closed behind him.

Don't worry, Richard. He'll watch you over you always.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[As much as Richard appreciates that sentiment - and he does, truly he does - there are still some things he can't let Asbel see. He doesn't want to make his friend worry about him the way he knows Asbel does. Asbel has enough to deal with now; why make it worse? Richard isn't that selfish.

Or at least, that's how he views things.]