sheridan | [Closed] Alone, awake and thinking of...the weekend we were in love.

[He shakes his head a little at the look of sympathy. It's all right. They seem committed, and he'll happily support them however he can -- just as long as he doesn't get dragged into the middle of one of their meetings.]

[Asbel knows it...won't be easy. He has his own duties to work around, even more with the ceremony on the horizon, but. He wants to give Richard this chance. To see what else Ephinea has to offer them without a war or a coupe or some other trouble at their backs.]

Come on, Richard. You're starting to make it sound like this was my idea. If you want to go, then we'll find a way for it to happen. Besides, even the king needs a vacation every once in awhile, right?

[This time he's pretty sure Richard's trying to reach his hand, and he'll shift his weight awkwardly so he can turn his palm to make that possible, an amused grin tugging at his mouth.]

I'll show you some of the places we visited before. And we can find new ones to explore, too. Wherever the wind leads us, I guess.

And then we'll figure out ways to make Windor, Ephinea, and Fodra even better than they are now, bit by bit.

[See? He remembers everything you said, Richard. He wouldn't forget that.]

[ Asbel's gentle enthusiasm brings him relief. It was his idea, but that didn't quite justify pulling his dear friends from their busy, settling lives for his own pleasure. ]

You know, you just may be right about that. And as a king, I also have to look out for those who rule these lands.

[ Richard's way of making the sentiment mutual, of course. Asbel might have less power in the political machine, but that doesn't mean he isn't entirely too busy with the upkeep of Lhant as well.

For a split second, he thinks his friend is trying to pull his hand away- but instead, he simply turns his palm over, grinning as though it's the most natural thing in the world. Richard, by comparison, is certain to be overthinking- but that doesn't stop him from making the leap, the tips of his fingers sliding along Asbel's open palm to find their space between his.

And he's stolen the words right from Richard's mouth, too. For a near dizzying moment, he can't seem to understand how this wasn't enough. How this couldn't be enough for someone- being considered and cared for the way Asbel did best. It's a strange emotion, born from the conflicting circumstances of the evening entwining with the way those words wash over him, full of meaning and promise.

The promise that he'd accompany him on this new adventure. ]

Wherever the wind leads us. [ He looks pleased at the mere thought. How long had it been since he'd done anything or gone anywhere without being bound by some sort of purpose? ] Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea. We should make sure to visit your brother and everyone else as well.

[ Well, since they're already talking about it, they may as well share ideas, right? ]

Do you have any places in mind?

[A soft laugh.]

I guess I can't argue with that. Just don't be too surprised if I start coming to you from now on whenever I need some time off. It's not usually so easy to get.

[But isn't it natural? They've done this so many times already that Asbel doesn't even second-guess himself. Surely some of the warmth of his hand can be felt through those gloves, and even if not, Asbel's fingers still manage to find the gaps between his to curl firmly and gently protective around the back of Richard's hand.]

And well, I guess I hadn't really thought too hard about where, but...

[No time like the present, right? So he considers. It's not exactly a bucket list, but he wants to take Richard places that will either amuse or amaze him, places that'll leave him feeling a little happier and help him relax for a bit.]

You've never been to Katz Korner, right? I'm sure you'd get a kick out of it. And we could try to locate the Rockgagong while we're visiting Hubert in Strahta. I don't think any of our stories really do justice to just how huge the thing is. Oh! And we should stop by the Velanik Inn too, see how everyone's doing. I wonder if the playwright we met has come up with any new performances lately?

And then, who knows. Maybe if we time things just right, we can swing back by Gralesyde and catch one of their festivals.

I think I can live with that, so long as you indulge me with the pleasure of your company.

[ Would he truly ever object to Asbel coming to see him in Barona more often? And while Richard wouldn't always be able to get around his own engagements, he would do his utmost to make time.

It's a blessing, and perhaps a curse, then, that Asbel doesn't noticeably perceive or consider Richard's feelings and actions as anything out of the ordinary. Because despite becoming used to it, his heart still bursts with affection at the way Asbel holds his hand so securely. The warmth is especially nice- while Lhant isn't particularly chilly this time of year, the late night breeze is left unchecked without the sun.

And so, as Asbel begins considering ideas out loud, Richard lets his voice wash over him; that strange, sharp feeling erodes away with its gentle tide. Certainly, he's not surprised Asbel already has such a range of activities in mind, with how well-travelled their journeys had made him. But the choices are- much more intriguing than they are practical. Well, he did ask for experiences. ]

Katz Korner...? [ ... what is that? He doesn't recall seeing it on any map. ] I can't say I've ever heard of that. It seems like I might have more to learn than I thought.

[ He doesn't seem too bothered by that- although, at the mention of Gralesyde's festivities, he looks thoughtful again. ]

I should look into possible events taking place in Strahta. Wasn't there a beach resort in that area as well...?

[ He has to admit his curiosity... ]

[He may not perceive them exactly, but he has to admit that sometimes the things that come out of Richard's mouth are... a little embarrassing. The kind that makes his face hot and forces him to look away and collect himself because the way his eyes smile, and the way his voice gets all warm, does something funny inside his chest. Sometimes... he's really not surprised at all why Richard's so popular with his people. When he's relaxed like this, he's downright charming. In his opinion. Not that he'd know.]

I'm pretty sure I can do that. If I send too many letters, Frederic will start wondering what's up.

[And then their diabolical plans to acquire extra vacation time will all be ruined.]

Katz Korner is...well, it's really something. I don't think many people have heard of it, and I'll bet the Katz probably prefer to keep it that way. But it's definitely worth a visit. The Katz themselves are pretty talented, too.

[Ah, but at the mention of the beach resort--]

The beach resort? Oh yeah, we went there once! It's like a miniature ocean inside of a hotel. I should still have the prize I won around here somewhere.

Edited 2022-01-18 15:08 (UTC)

And we can't have that.

[ He squeezes Asbel's hand lightly to enunciate that point, perhaps emboldened by how easy it feels to do so.

There's something conspiratorial about all of this- something reminiscent of a more innocent time, when they'd first met. Sneaking around to see each other, plotting a vacation as they hid, tucked away from the world atop Lord Windegarde...

Richard is extremely observant of Asbel's occasional glance straying, the rather fetching embarrassment pinking his cheeks. Where he fails, though, is connecting observable actions to the proper, perhaps positive conclusion- the conclusion that he may be flustering Asbel, too. ]

You're only piquing my curiosity further. [ Although, he supposes there's no use asking when he's certain the visit would explain just what these Katz were.

The resort sounds rather spectacular- a miniature ocean? Richard perks up curiously at the mention of a prize. ] A prize?

Guess we can't.

[He laughs softly.]

[It kind of does, huh? It's... nice. How easy this all is, and how willing Richard is to join him in this (totally innocent) conspiracy of theirs. Richard may be the only one who gets him this way, someone he can goof-off with without going totally bonkers or being scolded for clinging on to childish tendencies.]

Besides, isn't the whole point of planning a trip to get you excited and pump you up for the journey ahead?

[He rubs the back of his neck, hopefully not looking too fetching as the memory occurs to him and his expression turns sheepish.]

Oh, that. Yeah. The girls were taking a long time to get ready, and I didn't want to have too much fun without them. So I entered a contest while we were waiting around. I wasn't really expecting to win it, though.

Edited 2022-01-20 04:33 (UTC)

That, it is. I'm already looking forward to it. But I'll have to find some activities to surprise you, too.

[ It's too easy, in fact, to give into the childish excitement that these plans bring. After all, it's too good to be true, isn't it? And yet, here they are, talking about these things in a very real way. And now, Asbel's excited too- so he can't even think about disappointing his dear friend.

Maybe it takes some of the magic of spontaneity away, but he's definitely going to find a way to impress Asbel in return.

That said, Asbel would look fetching to him most of the time- but he'll admit his curiosity at that sheepish look of his when the contest is mentioned. ]

What sort of contest was it? [ Richard might tilt his head. After all, his dear friend looks a little embarrassed about it, and that only makes him want to know more... sorry, Asbel. ]

[Activities to surprise him, huh? Knowing Richard, the possibilities are bottomless, from something most people would consider normal to something totally goofy that absolutely no one could've seen coming. And that really does make it a surprise! He only wishes they could have taken this journey a long time ago. If their schedules weren't so hectic all the time, if events had played out a little differently... Is it bad to think that way?]

[Asbel smiles, even if his face is still a bit pink in the dark with his hand tucked against the base of his neck, and it's with total light-hearted confidence that he says:]

Me too. Besides, I know you can do it.

[Surprise him, that is. With Asbel, success is pretty much assured.]

[Uh, but about the contest...]

Actually? It was a fashion contest... They were judging to see who had the best swimsuit.

[Probably not what Richard expected to hear. ~~Or anyone else for that matter~~.]

[ If it is bad to think that way, then Asbel can at least rest assured that he isn't alone in it. The more they talk, the more Richard regrets not having done this sooner. In some ways, though, the wait only makes this particular journey all the more meaningful. Maybe it's the urgency of it, or maybe it's something else entirely...

That something else isn't totally unrelated to the way Asbel's smile makes his own widen all too easily. ]

A... fashion contest? I must admit, I never expected to hear those words come out of your mouth. [ He's... genuinely shocked, but it paves the way for amused incredulousness as he chuckles- ] Now I feel as though I must see this award-winning swimsuit in person.

[And that one has Asbel laughing in weak but completely genuine embarrassment, his blush all but luminous because, uh, yeah. Richard probably really didn't expect to hear something like that, huh?]

It's-- it's not anything crazy or super fancy, if that's what you're imagining!

[He ducks his head, to hide the heat he knows must be radiating off his face all the way to the tips of his ears - not that he minds Richard's amusement or anything.]

The suit was sort of plain, that's all, so I personalized it a bit. They taught us how to mend clothing at the knight academy. Since we keep a sewing kit around, it just kind of worked out.

[ He'll try not to focus on how cute that blush makes you, Asbel...! But it's hard not to, especially what with how he even goes so far as to duck his head to hide it. ]

I wasn't, actually- but now that you mention it...

[ He can't help but tease, just a little bit. It's probably even funnier because, honestly- Richard didn't even expect that his friend would have even worn something outlandish as he suggests. The actual context manages to be more intriguing, even if more down-to-earth. ]

Still, it sounds as if you improved it, given the result. Perhaps you have a hidden talent in tailoring and alteration?

Richard...

[A mild, helpless little groan escapes him in response to the verbal teasing. Just what is he making you imagine, Richard?? It's not unexpected, if he's honest, but it doesn't really help him feel any less embarrassed about all this either, even though he knows it's all in good fun.]

[But, well, the way Richard effortlessly shifts from gently ribbing him to setting the conversation back where it was a moment ago just might.]

I don't know if I'd call that a hidden talent, but I think it turned out pretty well. Maybe if we go swimming or something I can bring it along.

[Since Richard's so curious to lay his eyes on the thing.]

[ What can he say? Asbel's reactions make him too easy to tease. Not much unlike his brother, in fact.

But even he has a heart- he isn't going to make his poor friend flounder without handing him a life raft to get back to the point at hand. Or, perhaps, Richard is beginning to find himself in planning mode- tucking away the resort as a definite yes in the back of his mind. ]

Then, we just might have to. [ This legendary swimsuit has been mentioned enough to truly make it a point of interest, after all...! ]

It'll be important to pack enough kinds of clothing for a variety of occasions. Let's be certain that we aren't unprepared- between Windor, Strahta and Fendel, we'll certainly need it.

[ It might become easier to pick up on the undercurrent of excitement in his tone. He isn't jumping off the walls or anything, but it's clear that the stresses of the night, and perhaps even the stresses of the past weeks, months, are temporarily ebbing away. Even if he knows he's going to have to pull through mountains of paperwork in advance to be even remotely prepared to take on this trip. ]

I guess we will. Which means you'd better pack a swimsuit yourself, Richard. I can't imagine it'd be an easy thing to do in your usual get-up.

[In fact he'd probably look like an oversized jellyfish trying to float around with his cape and all those ruffles. The thought has him smiling, despite himself. Richard in casual attire, though - now that's something you don't see every day! And it might make him feel just a bit better about this whole fashion contest business, too.]

But, you're right! We'll have to be prepared for anything. Which...means we're going to have a lot of luggage with us, huh? I wonder if we'll need to book a transport.

[And, maybe the more important question, being:]

How long do you think this journey will take us?

[Not to be the adult here, but they've already thrown a ton of ideas around, and anything less than a week would be over before it started. Which means he's also got to cram a whole week (or more?) of extra work into however many days he has left before Richard sends him a summons. And then there's the wedding preparations and everything to consider... This'll involve more tactical work than he needed back when they were trying to sneak up on the Fendelians' encampment.]

Edited 2022-01-27 15:01 (UTC)

Hm... I suppose you're right. [ A swimsuit, eh. While he has to agree that Asbel has a point, there's both his public image as well as a simple fact at stake: he's not used to wearing such... casual, revealing clothing at all.

~~The Lambda form doesn't count, does it?~~

So that slight tease might fluster him just the slightest- a slight chuckle as he finally breaks eye contact with Asbel, the starry sky much less prone to making him blush. ]

Perhaps we can plan for a transport for our luggage between countries, and store them securely... that way, we can travel light on a day-to-day basis. Or, we can have our things sent to specific locations beforehand, so we can ensure they've arrived safely before we even depart.

[ Of course, all the planning in the world doesn't make this any more convenient for them, really. While the finer points can be handled smoothly, that doesn't change the fact that their absences would be nonetheless felt even if they made up for all of their paperwork. So Richard has to make sure to be reasonable- while Asbel might want to do this, he doesn't want to put him through an excessive amount of trouble. Thoughtfully, he considers- reining in that excitement comes with a painfully practiced ease. ]

I don't want to pull you away from your duties for too long. [ He'll glance back to Asbel. While he trusts him to be honest, Richard also doesn't want him to feel pressured or worried about cutting their time short. ] If we plan our travels efficiently, we should be able to see a lot in a week.

[ A week is reasonable enough, he tells himself.

~~Never mind that that's definitely honeymoon length.~~ ]

That sounds like a great idea! Takes a lot of the hassle out of it, too.

[It's almost as if Richard's been planning this trip for ages. He never considered delivering stuff around the world in advance.]

But a week, huh? I'm pretty sure I can swing that. I may not be the fastest when it comes to paperwork, but I don't think it'll be too hard to keep up. Besides, the weather's nice, and a lot of people are on the road this time of year.

[As for the swimsuit, maybe he'll just have to go incognito; in disguise! (That could be fun, right?) Besides, Asbel never said it had to be anything revealing - just functional in the water.]

[But Asbel won't pressure him about it, instead seemingly content to sit like this looking up at the stars, until he blinks suddenly and leans forward. In that moment, he probably looks about 11, like he's seeing something cool for the first time in a while.]

Hey, look, Richard! A shooting star. Better make a wish.

[ For someone like Richard, that much is probably true. While he hadn't imagined this trip would become something tangible after all this time, he'd thought about it subconsciously enough for lots of ideas to emerge.

Maybe not ideas of disguises, but... he has considered that travelling around recognizably might put a bit of a damper on things. Maybe something to consider, so their trip isn't bogged down by the world's watchful eye. ]

Then, a week it is. I'll be sure to afford you enough time to prepare everything.

[ From paperwork to packing, this is a bit of an undertaking- but one that Richard seems genuinely happy about.

When Asbel suddenly leans forward, their shoulders brush- Richard following his line of sight in his urgency to catch the streak of a star, winking brightly into existence, and fading nearly just as fast. The childlike notion of making a wish, though- he can't help but crack a smile at that.

Still, he supposes he should. Not much could stand above a moment like this, but... he could certainly wish for more of them. Even if Asbel had already promised them, earlier. ]

If I'm remembering right, sharing the wishes out loud means they don't come true, right? [ Does that count if he'd already vocalized his wish earlier, before making it here? Although in some ways, wishing something to Asbel almost feels stronger than the cosmic power of a star. He'll turn his head slightly, catching Asbel in his periphery. ]

I don't think it'll take that long to pack a few bags. Just give me a week's notice to get everything else squared away and I promise I'll be ready to hit the road.

[That's long enough to placate everyone and convince Bailey to look over things in his stead, he thinks. It's an undertaking that is almost forgotten in the moment, his collar tickling the back of his neck as he cranes his head to see, his mouth slightly open as he follows the fleetingly bright trail, and then watches that now empty space, almost as if maybe it'll decide to turn around and come streaking by one more time.]

Yeah, something like that. Though, to be honest I was never any good at keeping them to myself. Cheria used to always scold me about that. Told me I was "un-believable" and didn't I want them to come true? [He laughs softly.] She and Hubert would never tell me what they wished for no matter how many times I bugged them about it.

[Sorry, Richard. He was kind of a terrible kid back then. It's a long moment later when he notices Richard watching him instead of the sky, and he smiles apologetically.]

[ The slightly slack-jawed look of wonder is difficult not to smile at, even if Asbel catches him staring.

Hearing those childhood stories makes Richard nostalgic for such a narrow window of his life. The younger Cheria's annoyance, paired with gentle Hubert's unassuming nature were part of some of his fondest memories, after all, making it easy to picture their reactions to Asbel's insistence. ]

Do I have to worry about you doing the same now? [ Asbel's given him a prime opening to tease, of course, so he has to take it! ] Try as you might, you won't be able to wrest my wish from my lips.

[ There are probably... less dramatic ways of phrasing that, but far be it from Richard to be anything but. His free hand hovers very earnestly over his heart, as though trying to emphasize this. ]

[There are way less dramatic ways to put it! And somehow wording it like that, with his hand against his chest, has Asbel ~~feeling some kind of way~~ startling like a deer caught on the highroad in front of a rampaging Turtlez. Sometimes... sometimes Richard's so charming even Asbel barely knows what to do with himself.]

--what? No way! I--I wouldn't do that now!

[Richard, why do you keep teasing him like this? Asbel rubs nervously at the back of his neck.]

Not unless you wanted to tell me, anyway. No... no "wresting" involved.

[Just don't ask him what he's imagining - it's way too embarrassing. He's blaming the party for putting such weird ideas in his head. And maybe a lack of sleep, too.]

[ Of course, Richard keeps teasing Asbel because he has such ~~cute~~ priceless reactions...!

It's too easy to laugh- maybe if he were any less tired, he would have withheld it in favor of keeping Asbel on the line for a moment longer. As the night draws on, though, he can feel the lack of sleep catching up to him- dulling those cunning instincts. ]

There's no need for any propriety on your part. After all, before any other titles we may bear, we're friends. [ That's... not the issue, Richard!

All joking aside, he hums. Ignoring the fact that his wish is simply a reiteration of his current promise with Asbel, it's not, at least, something he's unwilling to share. ]

Still, I suppose I could tell you when my wish comes true. At that point, I imagine speaking it aloud would be safe.

[ He wonders what Asbel wished for... ]

[Closed] Alone, awake and thinking of...the weekend we were in love.

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velanik stage play... part two...

wouldn't that be the greatest thing ever? the white knight: a tale of loyalty and devotion

so cute... richard would get so into his role, too...

all the dramatics! he'd have such a good time! asbel would too, watching him ham it up. :)

/qvq\

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i feel like these two could chat until the sun came up ;v;

Probably! And they just might!

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