video ✿

[heartofgraces]

[The video feed turns on to flowers. Flowers in boquets. Flowers in vases. some flowers clearly set aside for other purposes. Flowers on tribbles. Flower crowns and leis on a swizard who looks way too pleased with herself. Asbel's suite is full of them, or at least the view from his console, and he looks...well, significantly less frazzled than he had in getting them home, but that's not saying much.]

...So I don't suppose, in the middle of all this, anyone needs some flowers? Flower crowns, boquets, home decoration...anything like that.

[He coughs, faintly, before moving on.]

Actually, on that note, does anyone have any suggestions for what to do with these...? I have way more than I need for seeds or flower tea.

[He pauses and watches a tribble just sit amongst the flowers and coo, and sighs heavily before ending the video.]

Comments

[heartofgraces]

[Asbel rises, and manages to not just start sniggering, but he's having trouble stifling that smile. He takes the rose with the best fascimile of solemness he can manage, and--

snerks. No he can't do it he's sorry he's just started laughing. He's reached out to Richard's shoulder to try and keep his balance but, it's no good. Asbel had a mental image of using a rose with his artes and it was just too much.]

[oathwalk]

[Richard grins too, but he holds himself together and braces Asbel with a hand.] Then Captain Malik was right; you are an ideal opponent for poker. I'll remember that.

[heartofgraces]

Did he also tell you I remember what cards are played?

[There's a reason he's good at magi carta, and it's not just Pascal's impersonations. He's still kind of giggly when he manages to straighten himself out.]

[oathwalk]

He did tell me that, despite your long term memory problems, your short term memory was quite capable.

[Richard has gone straight into teasing Asbel mode. Also he's still holding that Rose in hand, rather delicately, so all of his Elegantly Kingly Gestures are accompanied by a rose.]

[heartofgraces]

Oh, shut up!

[You're getting a noogie, Richard. This is happening. He's being careful not to ruin the flower crown, but!]

[oathwalk]

Hey!

[OH MY GOD HE'S GETTING A NOOGIE helpless scrabbling for freedom]

[heartofgraces]

[ASBEL'S STRONGER THAN YOU there's no escape. He does release richard once he determines he's sufficiently noogied.]

It wasn't that I forgot anyone, you know. I just...well, I guess I sort of shove everything else aside if I have a goal.

[Not that that excuses it, and Asbel knows that, but...he felt it's something he needs to say, just once. He didn't forget Cheria, or Hubert, or Richard, he never did. But Sophie's death had haunted him like a spectre until he couldn't think of anything else.]

[oathwalk]

[Richard's expression softens as he looks at his friend.]

I know.

[He raises a hand to Asbel's cheek.]

I never for a moment doubted you, Asbel. I knew you would remember me, and that you would find me when I needed you the most. And you did. You still do.

[Richard taps Asbel on the head, his smile become a teasing expression again. It's more gentle, this time.] Now, I won't hear a word more on it. Help me gather these roses so we can bring them over to my suite.

[heartofgraces]

Richard...

[He's touched, he is, but Richard's already changed the subject and Lambda stirs, faintly, with a bored-sounding reminder Richard's faith is absolutely justified.

Well, time to gather those roses.]

Leave a few so I can get seeds from them, alright? There's still probably enough to fill a tub with them.

[He's pretty sure Richard'd bathe entirely in roses if he could.]