[He reaches up, wraps his fingers around Richard's wrist, and holds it, right there. Let's not poke his eyeballs out, thank you.]
Does that mean you cannot see them? [What a wonderful opening to segue into their foolproof method of getting past this absurd little penalty game! But... does he want to? He could wring a little more out of this reticent man.]
[Richard jolts a bit at that firm contact, struggles instinctively against it for a moment, but there's not much strength behind his actions when he's as stunned as he is.
He doesn't understand what Shalem is asking. Can he not see the scene right in front of him?]
Of course I can! They're right there--! Let go of me, I need to... Asbel!
[And he tries to stretch out his arm again, to reach towards where Asbel lies, as if he can somehow will him to get back up by doing so.]
[The first person to ever reach his hand out to Richard, not the prince. The first person to risk his own life without hesitation to protect Richard, to say that he was happy Richard was all right, to not want any sort of reward or repayment for his actions.
Ah. [That's the sound of a man who just had a revelation. He just figured something out-- well, perhaps it'd be more accurate to call it a hunch.]
I see. You can't live without him, is it? However, this wallowing in the whims of a young man would not be a good ending for you. [He places both of his hands on Richard's face.]
Richard, what's something you can show, but you can't see?
[Where has he heard these words before? He knows that he has, because there's something familiar in that echo, a feeling that he's been asked this question before.
But what was the answer he had given then...?
"From now on, no matter what happens..."
"... the three of us will always stay friends."
Friends. His friends. People who care about him...
... and then he thinks of a girl, quiet and seemingly emotionless, but who took his hand with such kindness.
Ah. He understands now.]
... friendship.
[The one thing he's wanted to believe in above all else.]
[It's like swimming through water at first, groping blindly for the surface, but Shalem's voice gives him a direction to head for, something to try to focus on...
... and so he reaches out his hand, trusting that there will be someone there to grab it.]
[Richard is reaching out once again, and this time Shalem takes it. His hand is gloved, so even if there's a bit of an inhuman touch, the leather will keep Richard from getting alarmed from the coolness of his skin.]
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He stands before Richard, but doesn't step aside when the man reaches out, so Richard's fingers brush his face.]
Who are you looking for? [His voice is soft, but carries.]
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[He can't tear his eyes away from the scene, can't even look at Shalem, but at least the voice registers.]
My guards, they... they were supposed to protect, not... not this...
[Have they turned on him once again? Is this simply an inevitability in the end?]
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Does that mean you cannot see them? [What a wonderful opening to segue into their foolproof method of getting past this absurd little penalty game! But... does he want to? He could wring a little more out of this reticent man.]
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He doesn't understand what Shalem is asking. Can he not see the scene right in front of him?]
Of course I can! They're right there--! Let go of me, I need to... Asbel!
[And he tries to stretch out his arm again, to reach towards where Asbel lies, as if he can somehow will him to get back up by doing so.]
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Who is Asbel, and what is he to you?
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[The first person to ever reach his hand out to Richard, not the prince. The first person to risk his own life without hesitation to protect Richard, to say that he was happy Richard was all right, to not want any sort of reward or repayment for his actions.
The first person to ever truly care.
Ah... that's it, isn't it...?]
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I see. You can't live without him, is it? However, this wallowing in the whims of a young man would not be a good ending for you. [He places both of his hands on Richard's face.]
Richard, what's something you can show, but you can't see?
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But what was the answer he had given then...?
"From now on, no matter what happens..."
"... the three of us will always stay friends."
Friends. His friends. People who care about him...
... and then he thinks of a girl, quiet and seemingly emotionless, but who took his hand with such kindness.
Ah. He understands now.]
... friendship.
[The one thing he's wanted to believe in above all else.]
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Many would call it cliche, but it always turns into something.]
And how shall that guide you out of this fog?
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[People he needs to get back to, people he needs to protect.]
They need me.
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... and so he reaches out his hand, trusting that there will be someone there to grab it.]
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