To Each Their Own (Richard) -FIN-

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"So, uh...Thanks for bringing me,"

Richard was about to turn to Lestrade again to say it was no problem, but before he could do so he found himself almost face to face with a man he recognized as a supporter of Edward's campaigns from years past. It would do his damaged reputation no good not to acknowledge the man, but the man beat him to it.

"Fancy seeing you here, Richard!" the man greeted, hand out-stretched. Richard shook it with feigned enthusiasm for the man's appearance on the scene. "I haven't seen you here for some time-"

Richard was about to give some falsified reason when the man continued.

"I have to say I've been curious - how are things these days in the comptroller's office?"

"Well, the stock market won't solve its-" Richard began.

"No no, I mean, with Hector in the position of your dear departed brother, God rest his soul. It must be difficult to cope with that..." The man paused. Richard decided it would not be appropriate to remind him of his days in office, especially when the man had so clearly favoured Edward.

"I get by," Richard said, with as much of a shrug as he could muster. Having done so he turned to Lestrade and gave a curt nod before making his excuses to the man who had approached him and hurrying - as much as a man of his condition could hurry - to find a space in one of the pews. He didn't want to think about Edward now - the conversation with Lestrade had been a banal distraction, but this...this had forced his thoughts about the murder - and his guilt - to the surface once more.

He found a seat, took it and closed his eyes, head bowed, as though in prayer.

If he was going to assuage his guilty conscience he would need a miracle.




ooc: Fin for Rickyboy. Thanks for a wonderfully awkward little thread m'dear! (:

[GREGORY LESTRADE]

Before Richard could answer, another man appeared from nowhere and stuck his hand out enthusiastically for Richard to shake. Lestrade didn't miss the way he was sure Richard tensed for a second with something akin to annoyance as he shook and the man said quickly, "Fancy seeing you here, Richard! I haven't seen you here for some time. I have to say I've been curious - how are things these days in the comptroller's office?"

Lestrade nodded at Richard as a silent goodbye and would have left while Richard began to speak about the stock market, when the guy interrupted Richard again (annoying guy, wasn't he?) with, "No no, I mean, with Hector in the position of your dear departed brother, God rest his soul. It must be difficult to cope with that..." Wait but Hector was the mayor, assuming there was only one Hector involved in current NYC politics, and he had replaced... but then... oh. Oh.

"I get by," Richard said, then turned to Lestrade with a nod for good-bye and rushed into the church, obviously trying to avoid more conversation with the guy who was pestering him. Lestrade stared after him, a bit stunned. So that was... right. Richard was that Richard. He probably should've realized that sooner, because there weren't many Plantagenets in general walking around that he'd ever heard of, but still. Shit. He'd just... shit.

Well... oh well. He'd just have to let it go. It's not like he would've said anything different if he had known before, but for some reason, his cluelessness made him feel like he'd been incredibly rude the whole time they'd been talking. He sighed, annoyed with his general inability to recognize people he'd never seen in person, and walked into the church. Well, at least it wouldn't be too hard to avoid Richard during the service. Since it was a church and all; no words necessary. He'd always hated having to be quiet for two whole hours as a kid; he enjoyed the quiet now. And today he was pretty damn grateful for it.

OOC: You too; that was fun! :)