Duly punished (open)

[jarndyceheir]

Richard is badly shaken, and trying to walk it off before he runs into anyone he knows. He hasn't noticed anything wrong with him, as yet. He doesn't feel sick, or poisoned, or crippled. But the incident has both spiked the guilt he felt about Tom and revived unpleasant memories about his murder. He finds himself heading for the kitchen,

Comments

[dearcousin]

If he'd like, have an Ada, who won't notice him right away, in case he'd rather not deal with her just yet.

[jarndyceheir]

He'd rather not, perhaps, but he will, as he needs to realize a bit more about the enchantment. He notices her, and quickly puts the unopened bottle he'd found away. "Ada...what a pleasant surprise."

[dearcousin]

"Richard!" There's a flash of a strange expression on her face, but she's smiling again in an instant.

[jarndyceheir]

He notices, though, and falters. "Are you... is everything alright?"

[dearcousin]

"Yes, of course. Are you alright?"

[jarndyceheir]

"I'm... I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" He smiles, a bit weakly.

[dearcousin]

"You look weary," she says, drawing a step nearer.

[jarndyceheir]

"Perhaps a bit. I simply... encountered someone and we exchanged some rather unpleasant words on the subject of Mr. Jones. But that's all past." Or rather, he's hoping it has nothing to do with Ada, for the time being.

[dearcousin]

"Yes," she says, nodding firmly, then hesitates. "And Mr. Jones? How is he?"

[jarndyceheir]

"He is... he is fine. A bit out of sorts, perhaps, but not unwell."

[dearcousin]

"I am glad to hear it."

[jarndyceheir]

He nods. "Indeed." Richard sits, a bit shaky still.

[dearcousin]

She comes at once to stand behind him. She puts one hand on his shoulder and with her other hand brushes the hair from his forehead, very gentle and very sweet and very-- sisterly.

[jarndyceheir]

He reaches back to take the hand on his shoulder and draw it around so he may kiss it, lightly. "It has been an utterly strange day."

[dearcousin]

She does not reply. After a long moment's hesitation, she asks, "You are certain you have made the best choice?"

[jarndyceheir]

He turns to look at her. "What, my love?"