lucetilogs | Insert creative subject line here

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Insert creative subject line here

Who:

forsurvival,

raizanshou, possibly also

ledbythewind and

denyingreasons later on.
What: Mallynap return!
When: 12th of February, around sunset.
Where: The river near house #43.
Summary: The Malnosso have returned Lambda from his kidnapping. Drama ensues.
Rating: PG-ish?. But there will be major Tales of Graces spoilers.

[Four days have passed since Lambda was taken by the Malnosso and finally, they've had their fun and deem it time to return him. They've extracted all the information they needed, after all. Perhaps they're even a bit curious to see how people will respond to his current state. Results of experimentation can be an experiment in their own right, sometimes.

As the sun sets over the village of Luceti, people living in the most northern part of the village may hear a loud splash. Something's been dropped into the river. Something heavy. Yes, you guessed it! Lambda's lifeless body remains floating on the surface of the river, the current dragging it along, but only for a few seconds. Then it slowly begins to sink. It settles onto the river floor in such a position that one might be fooled into thinking he's sleeping. Things couldn't be further from the truth.]

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[Asbel remains silent. He simply reaches out, hand extended, and grasps the swirling mass.]

[When he does that, Richard can't help himself-- he has to look away, because he knows what's going to follow, and it's still too raw and familiar for him to watch.]

[It doesn't take long for Lambda to accept this invitation. His form- his essence starts losing its shape, before disappearing into Asbel's body. It's merging with the arles still present inside the boy, entwining with his thoughts and nestling itself neatly in the back of his mind. All this will no doubt feel overwhelming for Asbel, even if he's already experienced it before. It's not a pretty process.]

Guhhh--! [He grits his teeth at the process takes place. Having experienced it before doesn't make the sensation any easier to bear. In fact, knowing he's experiencing this a second time only makes it all the more difficult. One would hope never to experience this once, much less twice in one lifetime.

There's a bright flash of light, as Asbel lets out a sharp cry of pain, before falling to the ground, unconscious.]

Asbel!

[Richard is by his friend's side in a flash, kneeling beside him to check his vital signs. Once he's reassured himself that there's a pulse and that Asbel is in fact breathing, he tries giving his shoulder a shake to wake him up. C'mon, buddy, give him a sign here.]

[He's dead, Jim.

...Okay he's not dead. He is breathing, and there's a pulse! All vital signs seem normal! But he's not waking up, nope.]

[There was energy--strange, unfamiliar energy--not far from the house. Naoki had sensed it a while ago, but it was only now he comes to a stop not far away, blinking with an arm partly lifted to shield his eyes at that flash of light.

Then he's moving, dashing toward the two of them.]

H-hey--

Asbel!

[Sorry Naoki, Richard isn't even aware of your presence just yet-- he's still trying to get his friend to wake up, partly because he wants to make sure that Lambda kept his word...]

[Naoki comes skidding to a halt next to them, crouching down next to Asbel.]

Richard--here, just calm down a sec.

[It takes a moment for him to process Naoki's voice. Once he does, though, he gives a shaky nod, swallowing hard.]

He... Lambda needed a vessel, so Asbel...

[Naoki studies Asbel for a moment, frowning in concern as he checks his vitals--like he needs to. Still, they don't feel unnatural, so he can relax slightly.]

...I see. Let's...get him inside, for now. [They can figure out what to do from there.]

[The nod Richard gives is an uncertain one, though he's reassured somewhat by Naoki's presence. What if Asbel doesn't wake up? But he knows he can't let himself be consumed by worry, so he moves to stand... and in doing so, spots Lambda's humanoid body lying on the ground.]

That's...

[Naoki follows his gaze and pauses as well, eyes widening slightly. And then he seems to come to a decision and he shifts, leaning down to hoist Asbel effortlessly over one of his shoulders.

Then he closes the distance to move and scoop up the humanoid body, as well, holding him under his opposite arm.]

Do you need any help?

[Even after how long he's known Naoki, the other shows his demon strength so rarely that it's still a little surprising to see it in action each time because he honestly just forgets.

He might not be able to carry Asbel, but he can at least manage with the humanoid body if needed. Or so he thinks.]

If you'd get the door when we get there, that'd be good...

[Naoki trails off. He's more concentrated on not jostling either of the forms in his grip as he takes his steps toward the house.]

All right.

[He'll follow close behind Naoki as they make their way to the house, ready to catch or help support just in case, and also to make sure that Asbel is still breathing. Once they get there, he'll immediately make his way up the steps to open the door and hold it for him to allow him to enter.]

[Naoki carefully shifts the two of them again before heading to the door himself, stepping inside and pausing briefly. Hrm. Bringing them to Richard's and...Richard's room might be best. So they can rest comfortably (or, at least, Asbel can).]

We can put them in my room for now.

[He suspects that's what Naoki is thinking, so he'll go ahead and give his permission for that. It's easier than trying to carry them up the stairs, at least, and Richard wants to be able to keep an eye on his friend until he awakens.]

Can do.

[With that, Naoki goes about carrying them to the room in question, pausing before slipping inside, eyes sweeping around.] ... [A moment. Shift. Then he moves over to lower them both down carefully on the bed.]

[Richard doesn't even object to him setting Lambda's body on the bed, at least for the moment. He'll have to move it eventually so that he can sleep, but for now, his first priority is Asbel.

Once Naoki has gotten them both onto the bed, Richard goes about getting Asbel settled, pulling the blankets over him to make sure he's warm enough.]

I don't know how long it will take for him to awaken. Back then... [when it happened to me] ... I'm not sure how long I was unconscious afterward. My memories of that time aren't very clear.

[He closes his eyes, not wanting to think about it too much.]

[Naoki leans slightly over Asbel, studying his face with a light frown before turning his attention to Richard, crossing his arms over his chest as he reclines back against the wall.

As he sees him close his eyes like that he asks, quietly,] This really troubles you, doesn't it? [Not that Naoki isn't, of course. His concern is clear--Asbel is a good person, after all. More than that, something of a friend, so he worries.]

[Without opening his eyes, Richard inclines his head slightly in agreement. He doesn't want to say too much as he doesn't know whether or not Lambda can hear him in his current state; still, it can't hurt to discuss it just a little.]

... it does. I don't want Asbel to become like I was. Even though Lambda promised that he would not harm him, I'm still worried.

[A moment passes, then another, Naoki's eyes focused thoughtfully on the figures on the bed.]

He promised, huh...? Well, I don't blame you for being worried. I am, too. But we should try and give him the benefit of the doubt... [A glance to Richard.] Asbel did, right?

Edited 2011-02-16 02:25 (UTC)

That's right, but...

[He trails off with a sigh, brushing his bangs out of his face in a reflexive gesture.]

I need to be stronger so that I can trust him the way Asbel does.

He's put you through a lot. [Naoki flashes a sympathetic look at him.]

It's not surprising to me at all if it takes you longer to form that same trust.

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