Relief flooded him almost immediately. Richard remembered him, he actually knew who he was...

"Oh good," the words escaped in a puff of air he hadn't been aware he was holding back, "I'm so glad to hear you say that."

Asbel made his way up to him, still hardly able to believe it was really Richard. Sophie and Richard, arriving the very same day. It seemed impossible, and yet it didn't feel like a coincidence at all.

"Sorry about that, Richard. It's just...well, it's a long story." He offered his friend an apologetic smile, knowing even as he said it that Richard was too keen to just ignore things. But all that could wait a little while, he hoped. He didn't want to burden Richard with his own problems right here in the middle of the street.

"Did you just arrive? You must be pretty exhausted."