[Voice/Action]

[ledbythewind]

[It started out as a normal day-- if it can be called "normal" considering that two of his housemates are currently about eight years younger than usual, but fairly uneventful regardless. The "keep Asbel from getting himself or Hubert killed" duties were passed back and forth between him and Cheria as needed until finally he managed to escape and

Comments

action

[ingrate]

[At some point in the day, Richard can expect to find an arm around his shoulder.]

action

[ledbythewind]

[That's all the invitation Richard needs to lean over into him with a quiet sigh. He just FEELS tense-- having to explain Sophie's departure to a child Asbel and Hubert was not on the list of things he ever wanted to do.]

action

[ingrate]

[Isamu gives him a couple comforting pats.]

You gonna be alright?

action

[ledbythewind]

... I don't know.

[He hates admitting it, but at this point it's far too obvious that he is not in fact all right. Any attempt to lie would be called out, because Isamu is no idiot.]

action

[ingrate]

Anything I can do to help?

Within reason.

action

[ledbythewind]

Just stay here... please.

[And a shoulder rub would be nice, but he's not going to ask for that.]

action

[ingrate]

Yeah, of course. I didn't plan on going anywhere for right now.

[He'd do it if he asked.]

action

[ledbythewind]

Thank you.

[He shifts a little to get more comfortable in his leaning, then winces slightly as it aggravates one of the knots in his back.]

action

[ingrate]

[Frowning now.]

You alright?

action

[ledbythewind]

[Richard manages a little smile.]

Yes, just a bit stiff, that's all. It's nothing serious.

action

[ingrate]

[Isamu sighs and readjusts his position next to Richard so that he can get at his shoulders easier.

He's not the best at massages, but it's something.]

action

[ledbythewind]

[Richard turns his head slightly as if to ask what Isamu is doing. He didn't mean to imply that he expected his friend to do anything about said stiffness... though he's not going to object if Isamu really wants to.]

action

[ingrate]

You are pretty knotted up here.

I think.

Honestly I don't do this enough to be able to tell.

action

[ledbythewind]

I wouldn't be surprised if I was. But you don't have to worry about it; I can just take a hot bath later...

action

[ingrate]

Too late. Already doing it.

[He smirks, kneading his hands into Richard's upper back.]

Just tell me where's best.

action

[ledbythewind]

[Richard's a little uncomfortable with having someone behind him where he can't see what they're doing, but before he can voice any objections to it, Isamu finds a particularly tense spot with his fingers and an involuntary hiss of pain escapes Richard's lips.

Looks like that's good right there.]