Richie has been sat outside at the beach. He's got his smokes with him, but he left his booze at home, and he's already pulled through half a stick before the kid parks up beside him. He taps his ash to the opposite side, wondering if he shouldn't snuff it. Be polite.]
You said it.
[He goes quiet again and decides fuck it, they're outdoors. He takes another drag, prolonging the silence.]
...You did great today. I don't know if anyone's told you, but you did.
he'll sip his glass a little more slowly - yves is actually aware of his low tolerance at least and on such a serious night, he's trying to keep his wits about him for as long as possible ]
But... I do feel similarly. [ of course he does ] It's a pretty unfair situation.
A heavy burden, to put someone's soul in our hands.
[Which carries a weight to it. A bigger question. Is it being sent away to a different eternal fate? Or going the same way Charlie did?
His jaw tightens and he has to look the other way.]
Don't know that anyone was meant to carry a thing like that. Sure, you got to deal with matters when they get out of hand. Murder happens all the time without literal angels presiding over the proceedings. People have to make that call every day.
...Hard not to feel that extra bit of pressure, though. When you've got only one day to decide. When whatever you decide might make for a fate more permanent than not. I don't think we acted rash, but we were rushed.
[ looks thoughtful for a second, peering down at his glass as he tries to rattle the thoughts around in his head... ]
... I'm not happy about any of it. [ he thinks that much is obvious, but still ] I'm worried about Jiao. I'm worried about Jing Yuan.
I'm worried about all the heartache that people are going to carry from this, because even if you do your best—you should never have someone's life so suddenly thrust into your hands.
Everyone already died a physical death. I wish they didn't have to be hurt emotionally as well.
Me too. [Maybe Jing Yuan worries him less, considering his staggering lack of contact with him. But still, generally.
He does find it a bit hard to drum up the words to respond. Because Yves is right. It shouldn't have happened this way. People shouldn't have to hurt, full stop. But it did, and they do, and he can come up with some recycled line from a soapy B-grade movie, or he can try to say something that means something and fall flat on his ass. Neither appeals.
So he becomes Irish.]
Ah, me foine boyo, ye've got the hart of a saint ye do, as bleedin' as any that died for the Lahrd! Praise be ye, and pray ye never lose sight o' that sunshiney disposition o' yers. Tis a rare ting to find! Rare indeed.
UNFORTUNATELY WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT YVES JUST... LAUGHS....!!!! the sound is startled out of him, so suddenly that he looks genuinely shocked that he couldn't even muster a laugh... and yet he just lets it happen. he laughs, placing a hand over his chest as he catches his breath ]
Oh, Monsieur Richie....
[ still laughing a little, residual lil quakes in his shoulders, before he goes to refill richie's glass ]
If I can bring even half as much joy to people as you do, Monsieur Richie, I think I'd be very fortunate indeed.
[All right, he laughs a little too. More softly and with eyes averted, still feeling sheepish. God. Bill would know what to say about things. He was the writer. The cooler head. Richie just shot the shit in a thousand different voices.]
Easy, easy, you trying to take advantage of me? [But no, he'll happily take a second shot. He might cut it off there though.] Trust me Yves, the people here take a lot of joy in your company. You've got the lot of them wrapped around your finger.
[ RICHIE IS RIGHT FOR IT HE'S PERFECT because this laugh is what yves needed, after a whole day of tension. he grins, amused ]
I wouldn't say it's like that... but if I can help bring comfort to people in any way, then I'm pleased to do so. I hope you know that you do the same, is all. I'm not happy that we've met in death.... but I'm happy that I've gotten to meet you at all.
week 0 post-trial
sits down next to him wherever he is ]
What a day.
no subject
Richie has been sat outside at the beach. He's got his smokes with him, but he left his booze at home, and he's already pulled through half a stick before the kid parks up beside him. He taps his ash to the opposite side, wondering if he shouldn't snuff it. Be polite.]
You said it.
[He goes quiet again and decides fuck it, they're outdoors. He takes another drag, prolonging the silence.]
...You did great today. I don't know if anyone's told you, but you did.
no subject
starts pouring the alcohol into glasses, offering one out to richie
he smiles quietly ]
Thanks, but I think everyone did. Adolphe and I have just a little more practice than most.
no subject
Why thank you, barkeep.
[He'll take his little drink, and he'll clink it to Yves' before having a sip.]
Right right right. The Corps. [He nods.] People did step up pretty well, especially considering how few of us are from that line of work.
...Just ridiculous that any of us should have to.
no subject
[ clink!
he'll sip his glass a little more slowly - yves is actually aware of his low tolerance at least and on such a serious night, he's trying to keep his wits about him for as long as possible ]
But... I do feel similarly. [ of course he does ] It's a pretty unfair situation.
A heavy burden, to put someone's soul in our hands.
no subject
[Which carries a weight to it. A bigger question. Is it being sent away to a different eternal fate? Or going the same way Charlie did?
His jaw tightens and he has to look the other way.]
Don't know that anyone was meant to carry a thing like that. Sure, you got to deal with matters when they get out of hand. Murder happens all the time without literal angels presiding over the proceedings. People have to make that call every day.
...Hard not to feel that extra bit of pressure, though. When you've got only one day to decide. When whatever you decide might make for a fate more permanent than not. I don't think we acted rash, but we were rushed.
How are you feeling about it all?
no subject
... I'm not happy about any of it. [ he thinks that much is obvious, but still ] I'm worried about Jiao. I'm worried about Jing Yuan.
I'm worried about all the heartache that people are going to carry from this, because even if you do your best—you should never have someone's life so suddenly thrust into your hands.
Everyone already died a physical death. I wish they didn't have to be hurt emotionally as well.
no subject
Me too. [Maybe Jing Yuan worries him less, considering his staggering lack of contact with him. But still, generally.
He does find it a bit hard to drum up the words to respond. Because Yves is right. It shouldn't have happened this way. People shouldn't have to hurt, full stop. But it did, and they do, and he can come up with some recycled line from a soapy B-grade movie, or he can try to say something that means something and fall flat on his ass. Neither appeals.
So he becomes Irish.]
Ah, me foine boyo, ye've got the hart of a saint ye do, as bleedin' as any that died for the Lahrd! Praise be ye, and pray ye never lose sight o' that sunshiney disposition o' yers. Tis a rare ting to find! Rare indeed.
[Slaps him on the back and finishes his shot.]
no subject
RICHIE!!!!
UNFORTUNATELY WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT YVES JUST... LAUGHS....!!!! the sound is startled out of him, so suddenly that he looks genuinely shocked that he couldn't even muster a laugh... and yet he just lets it happen. he laughs, placing a hand over his chest as he catches his breath ]
Oh, Monsieur Richie....
[ still laughing a little, residual lil quakes in his shoulders, before he goes to refill richie's glass ]
If I can bring even half as much joy to people as you do, Monsieur Richie, I think I'd be very fortunate indeed.
no subject
Easy, easy, you trying to take advantage of me? [But no, he'll happily take a second shot. He might cut it off there though.] Trust me Yves, the people here take a lot of joy in your company. You've got the lot of them wrapped around your finger.
no subject
I wouldn't say it's like that... but if I can help bring comfort to people in any way, then I'm pleased to do so. I hope you know that you do the same, is all. I'm not happy that we've met in death.... but I'm happy that I've gotten to meet you at all.
I hope that's alright to say.