drawnbythesword | 15 [Action]

[It was two weeks he was gone. Two weeks ago Asbel departed from Luceti to go on a mission. It wasn't anything too out of the ordinary. A simple mission off to the mountains to combat third party soldiers. If there was one thing Asbel knew how to do well, it was fight. Not that the mission went off without a hitch, but... Well, it was successful, at least.

Asbel walks through the plaza towards his house, his white coat draped over his shoulders instead of being worn, and his left arm is hanging in a makeshift sling. He probably should stop by the clinic to get that treated properly, but... Well, he's more concerned with getting home to everyone first. He wants to see Cheria and Richard again. If you spot him in the plaza, you're certainly free to inquire and perhaps try to get him to go to the clinic, but...

Regardless of what happens in the plaza, Asbel soon arrives at his house, calmly opening the door as he steps inside.]

Cheria, Richard, Isamu... ...I'm home. [He's looking pretty beat, and there's that whole arm issue, but... he's home.]

---
[Voice]
[Sometime later, after recouping a bit, Asbel pulls out his journal, wanting a few answers. Two weeks is a long time to be away in a village where things can change overnight.]

Did something happen in the village while I was gone? It looks like something went down at the Battle Dome.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah, yeah... Of course! I know that... [He bends down to grab the cloth he dropped earlier to tie it back around his shoulder. ...Or at least try to. It's pretty hard to do one-handed.]

An argument? Probably.

Oh, here, let me help you. [She's going to ignore any objection Asbel may make as she leans forward on the bed to try and get a hold of the cloth.]

... I'm sorry. You shouldn't be worrying about me while you're injured.

Well...if you say so. [Still looking a bit worried, but she understands.] Take care, okay? And tell Cheria I said hi.

Yeah? Thinking of anything in particular?

Not really. But if there's something I can use to help my friends...

[Asbel just gives you the biggest lineface ever.]

You honestly expect me to not worry about you after telling me to not worry?

[He gives her a nod.]

Yeah, I'll do that. Don't worry, I'll be in top condition again before you know it.

He's understanding, but... if he doesn't know what's on your mind, then he can't understand. [Asbel, that's the pot calling the kettle black right there.]

[Blinks. T-then Naoki looks away, rubbing the back of his head. It's funny, 'cause he'd been thinking that way in regards to the missions.]

I heard that, ah. By doing them you could keep a person from being kidnapped...

[He's not going to object to Cheria trying to help him.

...He may, however, object to the awkward position Cheria's forcing him into.]

Umm... Cheria?

[She hardly notices the awkward position- she's too busy trying to tie the sling around Asbel's neck.]

Yes?

There are other people far more deserving of your concern than I.

I pretty sure he knows.

He's just having self-worth issues. Again.

Yeah... If I could use my points to do something like that... Well, I think it'd all be worth it, then.

Even if that's the case, then I'll just give all of them and you my concern.

...I see... [Richard, why do you have to keep like this? Sure, you have it rough, but you're supposed to be strong.]

I don't think this is going to work.

Asbel...

[Richard isn't sure what to say in response to this. One thing that's become abundantly clear to him during his time both here in Luceti and in his world is that he's not like Asbel-- he doesn't face things the same way the other does, and his opinions and reactions are colored by his life experiences, which have been almost the opposite of his friend's. He's not sure he can ever be like Asbel, even as much as he wants to be. Maybe they're just too different.]

No, I can do this. [Geez, Asbel, she just needs to tie the thing around your neck. It's not that hard, as long as you keep your arm still.]

Same here. It's why I've been thinking I might go on a couple in the future. [Naoki frowns, thoughtfully.]

I'll get onto him eventually. I'm just hoping he feels stupid before then.

I know this won't be the last mission I take on. [A heavy sigh.]

...Richard? [What's on your mind, bro? He can tell when you're in trouble, not what you're thinking.]

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