WHO WANTS PRESENTS?

[knightofratatosk]

Who: Anyone and everyone!
What: Getting unexpected gifts
When: From 6 PM on the 23rd until midnight of the 27th
Where: The central plaza and the fountain
Summary: Hey, that's a rather interesting-looking button at the bottom of that statue. I wonder what happens if I press it?
Rating: No higher than PG-13, I hope.


[Anyone passing through the center of town this evening will have a very hard time missing that large golden Santa statue that has suddenly appeared in the fountain. But... wait, isn't that Bil instead of Santa? Somehow, that isn't exactly a surprise.

But perhaps the most interesting feature of the statue is the large button at its base. Will you press it?]

Comments

[drawnbythesword]

...H-huh? [Richard's laugh, well... It helps to snap Asbel out of his semi-daze.]

What were you... expecting me to say?

[ledbythewind]

[Richard puts his hand to his chin, as if thinking.]

[drawnbythesword]

[He's just... waiting. Come on, Richard, don't leave him hanging!

]

[ledbythewind]

... I believe a simple "thank you" will suffice.

[drawnbythesword]

[...

...

...

Oh.]

...Yeah. Right. ...Thanks, Richard.

[ledbythewind]

[Another laugh. He was really only joking, but...]

That's what friends do, right?

[drawnbythesword]

[You should know better than to joke around Asbel, Richard.

He starts to stand up, still holding onto the painting.]

Yeah... that's right, and you're one of my closest friends.

[ledbythewind]

[Oh, he knows, and that's why he does it.]

... you aren't planning to carry that home all by yourself, are you?

[drawnbythesword]

Huh? Well... Yeah. How else was I going to do it?

[ledbythewind]

Don't you think it would be much easier if you had some help?

[That's totally an offer, Asbel. Now you'd better accept it.]

[drawnbythesword]

Err... I... Guess, yeah? It would be easier... [Herp.]

[ledbythewind]

That's what I thought as well.

[And he's moving around to the other side to help lift it from that end and steady it so that it doesn't go tipping over while they're carrying it.]

[drawnbythesword]

Eh? Richard, what are you...? [Seriously Richard he would never dream of asking you of all people to help him.]

[ledbythewind]

Helping, like I just said I would. Or do you not want me to?

[drawnbythesword]

[But that's--I--This--...Mmrrrrrgh. alrightfine He lifts up his end.]

[ledbythewind]

[Good boy, Asbel. Don't worry, Richard is stronger than he looks, so he's not going to have much trouble lifting it at all.]

[drawnbythesword]

[B-but you are Richard! You're best friend and the king and--mrrrff.]

[ledbythewind]

Now, lead the way, Asbel.

[AND NO BUTS.]

[drawnbythesword]

[Not even Yuan's? )8]

Right... [Aaaand walking.]

[ledbythewind]

[There's something that's been weighing a bit on Richard's mind, so he figures he might as well use this opportunity to ask...]

How has Lambda been? Is he adjusting to living with you by now?

[drawnbythesword]

He's... [A heavy sigh, and...] ...Well, he's adjusting better than I thought he might, but... I'm not sure how to help him ease into living among humans.

[ledbythewind]

[Richard shakes his head.]

I'm not sure there's anything we can do other than give him time and whatever space he desires. He needs to learn for himself that we mean him no harm, and that humans are capable of far more than just causing pain and suffering. That isn't something we can force him to realize.

[drawnbythesword]

Well, it's... [...Bing! Idea for once!]

...Say, Richard. You've known Lambda for a long time. Does he have any sort of hobbies or interests? Maybe if he felt some sort of common ground with people, it might make it easier for him to accept them...

[ledbythewind]

Known Lambda...?

[He laughs softly.]

I'm not sure that's the word I would use to describe it. I wasn't even aware of his presence until after my uncle took the throne, and even then, it was more of a shared existence than a friendship.

[drawnbythesword]

Still... You've seen each others' minds, so maybe...