[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[It's a clear autumn day, with crisp air and blue skies-- the perfect weather for taking a long walk, which is exactly what Richard is out doing right now. Only, well, it's less of a walk and more of a patrol of sorts, just in case. Not that he actually expects to find Naoki, but it can't hurt to keep an eye out anyway. He'll be wandering around

Comments

[causeblocked]

[On the way back to the apartment at the end of the day, he might just run into Isamu. He'll be coming back from the grocery store.]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard greets him with a bit of a strained smile and a nod. He'd been planning on stopping by the store himself, but he's been so distracted lately that it had totally slipped his mind. Good thing Isamu wasn't quite as absent-minded as he.]

I'd almost forgotten that we needed more food.

[causeblocked]

[He shrugs.]

Yeah, well... [He'll be hungry if he comes back.]

[ledbythewind]

Thank you.

[His eyes darken for just a moment.]

... no sign of him either?

[causeblocked]

[Isamu just shakes his head.]

[ledbythewind]

I see.

[He's not surprised, but... well, he'd hoped.]

I'm sure they'll return him soon. We'll just have to be ready for when they do.

[But those words are small comfort right now and he knows it.]

[causeblocked]

Yeah.

They'd better, anyway. [Not that there was much he could do if they didn't.]

[ledbythewind]

Or you'll force them to yourself?

[There's a note of irony to the teasing, because he'd do the exact same thing if he could.]

[causeblocked]

...Maybe. [He could, you know, make a pathetic attempt.]

[ledbythewind]

... I don't think I ever thanked you properly for helping him while I was gone.

[causeblocked]

What... did you think I would just leave him alone?

[ledbythewind]

Of course not, but that doesn't mean it isn't still worthy of my gratitude.

[causeblocked]

[Isamu just shrugs, looking awkward. If you say so, man.]

[ledbythewind]

... that was a vacation I could have done without.

[causeblocked]

I'll bet.

...Hope you're not still feeling the effects of it.

[ledbythewind]

No, that much at least seems to be gone now.

[But now he's curious, so...]

... you could tell?