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]

That's good... Sophie's fine. I'm sure she's still a little shaken up, but she's recovering fine.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

I'm glad.

[He closes his eyes and leans back on the pillows.]

I'm sorry that I caused you so much trouble. I just wanted to protect her...

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Please, Richard, don't apologize. [He steps forward now.]

I'm not happy you were hurt because of it, but... Nothing I do or say can possibly express how grateful I am that you did that for Sophie.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

... is that really enough?

[It's half to himself.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

I promised Sophie I would always protect her, but... I purposely left her behind just moments before she was attacked... If you hadn't been there, she could have died. The fact that you were able to put what happened at home behind you and willingly protect Sophie means the world to me, Richard. And I'm sure she feels the same.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

The pain I inflicted on her was far worse than the injuries I received protecting her. How can I possibly atone with just this alone?

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Richard... Why did you protect Sophie?

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

... because I didn't want her to get hurt again.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

I think the feelings contained in doing that say much more to Sophie than just doing it.

But... it doesn't seem like Sophie forgiving you matters, because you refuse to forgive yourself.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

...

[Well, he can't really deny that, so instead he just looks away.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Why do you continue to beat yourself up over this?

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

You know, Asbel... I may not have been able to do much, but I'm glad. I'm glad that I was able to protect Sophie, even if just for a moment.

[Subject change? Perhaps.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

...Ah, well... Protecting her doesn't have to end there, Richard.

[Damn you, Richard.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

That's why I need to become stronger, so that next time, I'll be able to do it on my own.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

...Remember, we're all here for each other. We'll protect you just as you'll protect us. [But I'll do it best. |8]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

You've done more than enough of that already, Asbel. I'm truly grateful for it.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[He shakes his head.]

No, I haven't done enough, not yet.

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

And how many times have you saved me so far?

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

Eh? Ah, well, there's... [brb counting the times.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Waiting.]

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

[Richard, why you trollin']

...It's been quite a few times, I guess...

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Because that's how he rolls, man. It's also an excellent cover, which is what it's serving as right now.]

Exactly, which means you've done a splendid job protecting me.

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

That's exactly why I can't stop now, though! I swore to always protect you, Richard...

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Asbel may not notice, but Richard clutches the blankets in a tight fist with his good arm, knuckles going white.]

Always...

[Action]

[drawnbythesword]

What if... [Asbel looks down at the ground now.] ...What if I wasn't there to protect you when you really needed it? Like what happened with Sophie...