The casual response seemed to catch Richter off guard somewhat; feeling the tenseness in his face disappearing just slightly as he blinked. He could have laughed if not for the fact that he felt so out of his element, but even then, it didn’t feel like something this body normally did; instead settling on averting his gaze as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“.. I suppose you’re right. There are certainly no walls between us now, are there,” though they were both involved with Emil, the two men were still practically strangers with one another; and considering everything Richter had done so far, he was resigned to the fact that they would remain as such. This world seemed to have other plans however, much to his own chagrin. “I will keep that in mind, Regal.”
“So you remember Emil. You seem to be the only one out of the rest of your companions that does,” perhaps they had gotten to know him over the course of his stay here, but considering the interactions Richter had with the rest of them thus far.. it was clear to the half-elf that their memories did not align. Even with Regal now, something still seemed amiss; and Richter furrowed his brow in thought as he replayed the other’s words in his mind a second time. “.. and you speak as though we left off on a civil note before arriving here. It is not what I remember.. though, Emil has been able to recall more than I have. Do you share the same experiences that he does?”
It would alleviate some of the stress he was feeling, if that were the case.. even if it was not entirely what Richter deserved. To fight someone while out of his own body, no matter how strong Regal might have been was not something he wanted to do.. though the mere question of his well-being, at least, made him lower his defenses for the time being.
“This is.. not how I expected my journey to end, in more ways than one. However, I have no intention of fighting you here, or anywhere else in this world. Even if our circumstances were different, that statement would remain the same.” .. the honesty that left him was surprising.. but Regal did not seem the kind to hide behind lies, as Richter so often did.
“Yes,” Regal nods, crossing his arms as if to mirror Richter. “For a while I did not remember, but it all seemed to come back to me at once... as if my memory was being manipulated. I can’t say I care for it, but I’m grateful to now have my memories of Emil and the journey we shared.” Though... it seems Richter doesn’t remember the ending of that journey, either, just like Emil. How strange that each person’s memory stops in a different place.
“I share some of those experiences,” he nods. “Though perhaps I think my memory extends a bit further. There has always been a tension between you and I, but I think when we parted last...” he remembers the conversation intensely, the battle, names evoked...
“I’d like to believe there was an understanding there.” One that he hopes maybe they can reach here, as well. “Despite our differences... I believe there’s much that we share, Richter.” He has to admit that he’s curious what Richter’s plans are now that he’s been reunited with Aster. He’s fulfilled his wish, one way or another, much the same way Regal had found peace with saving the world that Alicia loved so dearly. What does journey’s end really look like for either of them, now?
“I believe you. And I’m glad to hear it, as I have no desire to fight you, either. It’s strange circumstances we’ve found ourselves in, but I despise senseless violence.” He glances over-- still so strange to look back at his own face.
“If you don’t mind me asking, however, does that courtesy extend to Emil, as well?” Emil is Ratatosk, after all, the one who took Aster away in the first place. He knows that at one time they had been friends, but... “He looks up to you, you know. Whenever we speak, he has nothing but high praise for all you’ve taught him.”
