∞ 49: After the mission [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Turn down a few torches. We'll rest here for now.

[Albert's voice echoes as he calls out to the rest of the group to stop. It's been a steady walk away from the warehouse even though they had been told by their Malnosso co-conspirators to leave the tunnels quickly. Extinguishing several torches, as they had been every time they rested, would help keep the amount of smoke down.

He takes out one of the sunstones that Sigmund had brought along, activating it and taking a seat against one wall. He then pulls out a notebook and begins writing, keeping an eye on the others moving around in the semidarkness.

Really, the silence following their success was rather unsettling.]

Comments

[wise_maiden]

Heh. You really like your reminders, don't you? ... But I suppose they do serve their purpose.

[chikaidestroyer]

Reminders help refocus the mind. You can't really deny it.

[wise_maiden]

[Leans back against the wall, sighing a little] ... No, I suppose I can't, especially with my track record here.

I see you've been socializing.

[chikaidestroyer]

You will get back in control of your schedule again. Slowly but sure.

Is that what you would call it?

[wise_maiden]

I should have managed it better to begin with... but regardless, I appreciate the support.

...

You rarely talk to anyone, if you can help it. It's not as bad as the time you hid yourself away for a month, but in order for you to gain more contacts, you need to speak more directly with them.

[chikaidestroyer]

I don't see the need to talk to others. And I certainly don't need to gain more contacts -- especially when you are around.

[wise_maiden]

You make it sound like I'm around for convenience.

[chikaidestroyer]

Well, I won't deny that your assistance makes my job easier.

[wise_maiden]

I'm usually not this social if I can help it. But it would be to your benefit to gain other contacts, besides the few you allow yourself.

[chikaidestroyer]

I don't see the point of putting myself out there for whoever. If I see someone who catches my attention with their actions, I will contact them.

[wise_maiden]

I never said it had to be something like that.

Hmmph, and of course you've rationalized it.

[chikaidestroyer]

Of course I've rationalized it. Are you really that surprised?

[wise_maiden]

... No, I'm not surprised.

Merely concerned, I suppose.

[chikaidestroyer]

Concerned? There's no reason for it.

[wise_maiden]

Mn. And of course, you sound so sure about that.

[chikaidestroyer]

Of course.

[wise_maiden]

Which only gives all the more reason to be concerned, honestly.

[chikaidestroyer]

[He doesn't particularly care, Raine.]

[wise_maiden]

[He's going to. The day she's not around for convenience. She's just going to give him a look, and shake her head a little.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He's survived without you, Raine. He's survived without you...!]

[wise_maiden]

[Oh, it's on.]

... I suppose it's not something you hear very often. Is that it?

[chikaidestroyer]

Hm? [He looks at Raine when she prods verbally.] I tend to find myself efficient enough not to warrant concern, Professor.

[wise_maiden]

Sometimes we all aren't as efficient as we consider ourselves to be. Even you aren't immune from that possibility.

[chikaidestroyer]

And you think I could stand to be more efficient by socializing?

[wise_maiden]

It's not as if it would hurt.