healedbythelight | Eighth Page - [Voice / Action for house #28]

[For the longest time, Cheria didn't want to believe that it was true. That Asbel's disappearance from the house was just a temporary thing. His belongings were gone, but that didn't mean anything. He could've just been sent home for a brief while and would return soon enough. If it could happen to both herself and Richard, then why not Asbel? Though, now that four days have passed, she has to face the possibility that Asbel has followed the same route as Sophie, Hubert, Pascal and the Captain. That he may not return any time soon, and if he does, he may not remember what had transpired on Luceti.

People will have to know. Asbel had made so many friends here who would miss him... She can't leave this responsibility to King Richard- he's already been through so much. As much as he tries to hide it, Cheria can tell that Asbel's absence is hurting him as much as it's hurting her. No, possibly even more.

With a heavy feeling in her chest, she picks up her journal from the nightstand. She'd been hiding in her room for quite a few hours now, but she's getting restless. As she flips the book open, she starts to pace through the house.]

Ah... I'm sorry, everyone. This announcement will only take a moment. That is... To everyone who's met Asbel Lhant... [She chokes back a sob as she enters the living room. Having to announce it to the world only makes it that much more real.]

T-To everyone who may miss him... I'm afraid he's been s-sent home. I'm... I'm sure it's for the best, so please don't-

[Her voice cuts off abruptly as she takes a seat on the couch, only to realize she sat down on something. Or... someone. She tilts her head to the left curiously and breathes a sharp gasp when she realizes she's sitting in the lap of a boy who's lying sprawled out across the couch. Not just any boy, either.]

A-ASBEL!

[The journal slips from her hands in shock, though not before recording a bit of Asbel's response:] ... Huh? Cheria, what are- [There's a loud thud and the recording cuts off completely.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Seems like. [But Naoki's just glad it's turned out despite the, uh, irony. Though he is curious:] How is he?

He's... still a bit disoriented, I suppose. He was home for over half a year.

So long... [Hmm.] Does he remember this place, though?

Yes, he does. It's such a relief. I don't know what I would've done if he'd... [She trails off awkwardly.]

[Truth be told, Richard has been doing much the same, and thus he can't really fault Cheria for it. Laundry? Who needs to do laundry when he hasn't really bothered to get out of pajamas except when he needs to? (He's fully-clothed right now, though, so Cheria doesn't have to worry about that much.)]

I was going to make some tea-- would you like some?

Edited 2012-05-25 23:50 (UTC)

...Huh? Four days? [He sounds very surprised.]

...Yeah. [HM to get on cheerier topics and because he's curious,] Would you happen to be Cheria?

Hah? Yes, I am. ... And you are?

... Yes, four days... [What's with that tone of voice?]

...I guess I shouldn't be so surprised, huh? It's been six months or so, I think.

[She bows her head for a moment, thinking. She can't worry Richard too much. Having him worry would only make things worse, and then Cheria will feel worse in turn because he feels worse.]

Yes... I'd like that.

Six months? Then... [She finally sits back to meet Asbel's eyes. He said he'd gone back to Lhant with her, but... She needs to be sure.]

What... is the last thing you remember, exactly?

Naoki. It's nice to meet you. Asbel mentioned you before, so...

[You're still in his lap, Cheria.]

Ahh... Well... We were returning from Fodra, and said our goodbyes to everyone. And then... I kept my promise to you. [He'll leave it at that.]

[Cheria smiles brightly at that. She knows perfectly well what he meant.]

That's... I'm glad. -That you remember, I mean. [... Oh, she should move out of his lap now.]

[Oooh, Asbel mentioned her? That's so- ... Hold on.]

Naoki? ... Richard's friend? [When she says 'friend', she means 'ex'.]

What kind would you prefer?

[He feels awkward, out of his element, though he does his best not to let that show in his voice. Asbel should be the one to comfort Cheria when she's sad, not him. But with Asbel gone, he'll just have to do his best to take Asbel's place for this.]

Er... Well. Kind of.

[Awkwardly.]

It's very nice to meet you. [And she means that. Naoki and Richard may have an uncomfortable history together, but he seems like a very nice guy.]

Oh... It doesn't matter to me. Whichever you would prefer, I suppose.

[Listless as she is, she'll push herself off the bed, now. If they're going to have tea, they should go have a seat in the kitchen or the living room.]

[Oh, right. Yeah... Her getting off of his lap is probably a good idea. Don't mind the blush on his face as he shifts his position to place his feet on the ground.]

Yeah... Me too... Err, that I remembered, I mean.

[She won't mind the blush at all- she's far too busy blushing, herself. So for now, she'll just stand there and stare at the floor.]

... Richard will be happy that you've returned, as well.

...Has he been okay? [Asbel knows Cheria is strong. She could cope without him around in time. But Richard's not like Cheria.]

I think we still have some of that Earl Grey that I brought home a couple of weeks ago. I'll go put the teakettle on for the water and see if there's anything to eat as well.

[Not that he's hungry, but Cheria might very well be.]

Ah, yes... [Cheria honestly isn't that hungry either, but she won't stop Richard from getting something to eat. It's probably for the best if they both have some.

She'll follow him to the kitchen, then.]

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Eighth Page - [Voice / Action for house #28]

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