realityshifted

[can you blame a guy for trying?]

Not sure... A few decades? [he didn't want to place a timestamp on Emil's life. Despite all the trouble that they put each other through, Richter wouldn't wish this sort of unhappiness on anyone, least of all Emil or Marta]

It's not my place to decide.

[No, it was a good effort worthy of a prize. Too bad there are none.]

[Decades huh? That at least gives him an estimated time to work with. It sounds long, but he knows years can fly by quickly. Perhaps even more true when you're dead. There's a cheerful smile on his face. The conversation was less than happy, but he got what he needed for the time being. ]

Thank you for all the information, Richter. I'll-

[Wow Aster, way to spill everything before you even start.]

Please tell me if you start to feel strange or if the core begins to have a negative effect on you immediately.

...

[this time, it was Richter's turn to pinch Aster's cheeks briefly. How he did it with a perfectly straight face is anyone's guess]

I told you already; I'll be fine.

[he sighs as he drops his hands to his side] Remind me again why we're friends?

We can't be too care-

O-Ow! Hey!

[Very little takes him by surprise, but that did. Unexpected cheek pinching. He raises his hands to rub at his face and smacks himself with his notes instead. Your fate is in good hands Richter. Don't mind the small teasing smile that follows either.]

Because I always shared my lunch with you.

[there's a laugh and a smile at Aster's reaction. His expression is a bit dubious but there's genuine good cheer too]

Hm. I knew there was something other than your crazy ideas that I missed.

[That's all Aster wants. To make sure he has reasons to continue smiling.]

My ideas aren't crazy. They just...need work initially. That's all.

[Then it occurs to him to say:]

There is a large kitchen, if you're hungry or want to stock up.

[he just shakes his head at Aster. Nope, you've just got a few screws loose and Richter is standing by that description of you]

Is there? ... Though I don't think I could take any food back. [because there's no way he could explain it without sounding insane to the Centurions (and he'd like to avoid an interrogation by Tenebrae for as long as possible, thank you)]

If it's not too much trouble then.

It's not any trouble! Here, follow me.

[Now he starts going off in another direction. He knows Richter's appetite is fine if he's willing to get food. That's good.]

I can show you where the library is located as well.

[Because Aster reads more than he eats. He's going to show Richter where he 'lives' now. It's where he can be found a majority of the time.]

[and Richter dutifully follows after. While they're walking around, he makes sure to take note of where everything is for future reference. Being trapped in the Ginnungagap with only the Centurions for company would be boring...]

Hmmm. I hope you've been eating at least two meals a day, Aster.

[Maybe it wouldn't be that dull if he could slip onto the Plane every so often to visit Aster ~~and make sure that the blond wasn't accidentally starving himself~~]

[He gets excited okay. There's a big library in space filled with all kinds of stuff. Eating is easy to forget. Aster lets out a hesitant laugh and responds with:]

...I've been distracted by various things this place has to offer. You should see the library. All the books they have in there-lined up and from various worlds-it's amazing!

Aster.

[this is a long suffering look. Seriously?] I share your interest in research as well, but you need to eat every so often and I can't stay here all the time to make sure you do.

... A library with books from various worlds, yet you still needed me to go back for your notes? Then again... [he trails off, momentarily lost in thought]

[Yeah, seriously.]

I do. You don't need to watch over me. The body makes hunger difficult to ignore, even if I'm in the middle of a great book.

[This is why he didn't study bodies. Always getting in the way when he's supposed to save the world and stuff. At the second comment, he glances back to him.]

Hm?

Unfortunately, you're the sort of person who would put it off anyway, if it really is that great a book.

[it takes him a second before he replies with a shake of his head]

Nothing. Just remembered something I heard a while ago...

[You caught him there. He can't argue that a good book always takes priority, especially if there's new research in it. All hope will be lost the moment he finds things from their world in the library. His only defense? ]

Books are enthralling.

[He's still looking, now walking backwards so he can face Richter. He obviously knows where they're going. Let's hope he doesn't trip over himself like he did when he first arrived.]

What did you hear?

[another sigh. This time, he directs the puff of air upwards, ruffling his bangs and ignoring the fact that this makes him look a bit childish. Slightly exasperated but still undeniably comfortable in Aster's presence]

... Watch where you're going.

And it was something about mana being foreign to our world. Though I still think that you would have been fine even if I didn't have your notes on hand.

You're making a grumpy face.

[Aster grins at his reaction. It might have been because of what he said, but it was amusing all the same. He turns around once more, deciding that it was better to walk beside Richter than in front of him anyways.]

That's interesting. Where did you hear that from?

[He laughs quietly after he says that.]

I can't remember every detail of what I have written over the years. You never know what could become the deciding factor.

[that nets Aster a mock indignant look before settling back into his usual (grumpy!) expression anyway]

... Aqua, maybe. I had other things on my mind and wasn't particularly paying attention.

[he raises an eyebrow at that] Could have fooled me, the way you go on about it at times.

[Aqua is a reliable source. Even if it was a passing comment for Richter, Aster takes it as something he needs to research. It's a fun theory. One that could possibly lead to ways to help ease the crisis in their world if true. Too bad he can't return to ask for himself.]

Hm. I'll look into that possibility as much as I can.

H-Hey, I don't go on. I'm simply informing others.

[Keep on denying it Aster.]

[Aster, stop forgetting that you can easily have Richter be your messenger pigeon between here and Aselia.... The Ginnungagap. Whatever]

I'm sure you will.

[Richter smiles at Aster's flustered reaction. Yup, this is the look of someone who is totally just humoring you]

[Oh, he'll remember and oh how Richter will regret telling him that when he does.

Aster stares back at him, expression still a little flustered, but he recognizes the familiar teasing as that. There's a tiny smile on his face that only grows bigger the moment they reach the kitchen.]

Here we are. I believe this place also connects-much like the plane-to various places in order to obtain different food and drink products for consumption. It restocks, though I'm not sure if it's a person or by nature of this place alone. The technology inside is simple to operate. At this time I can't be sure what powers it, but I'm certain it's not exspheres or mana.

[What was that about not going on and on?]

...

My case in point exactly. [he shrugs but makes note of where on the Plane the Kitchen was. Locations were always an important thing to keep in mind after all. Especially if Richter ever had to drag Aster away from the library for food.

Just in case]

I take it that this place is better stocked than the cafeteria in Sybak then.

I-It was a simple explanation. Yes, though, it's stocked. The products vary as do the items you eat with.

[Every location they manage see together will now come with a handy little spiel curtsy of Aster.]

Would you like to get something? I think they have a few herbs.

[Yes, he remembers what you like Richter and yes, he is mother henning him to eat if he's hungry.]

[stop being so endearing, Richter already doesn't know what to do with himself. So he'll just shake his head and laugh softly instead]

... Only if I get to share some of yours. [Aster, you know Richter ~~can't~~ ~~doesn't~~ can't cook]

[No. Never! He won't stop. Aster takes a few steps forward and tugs lightly on the sleeve of his shirt.]

Of course. I'll see what I can make. Come on.

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