∞ 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]

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.

[chikaidestroyer]

If I saw a point, I would do something about it.

[wise_maiden]

Mn. If you insist. It doesn't change my thoughts on the matter.

[She shakes her head, but shifts slightly, due to that aforementioned soreness]

[chikaidestroyer]

You should really focus on bettering yourself first, Professor.

[wise_maiden]

That doesn't disqualify me from making observations about others, you know.

[chikaidestroyer]

Of course not. [He says this often, relenting, to appear accommodating.] But I'm hardly in desperate need of attention.

[wise_maiden]

Perhaps not desperate need. But it wouldn't be right for you to constantly look out for me without my doing something in return.

You're not infallible, you know.

[chikaidestroyer]

Nothing is infallible if you look hard enough for problems.

But in any case. Don't worry about it. Especially now, of all times.

[wise_maiden]

... Very well. Just so long as you aren't brushing it off entirely, we can discuss it better at a more opportune time.

[chikaidestroyer]

[He just raises a brow. He really doesn't see the issue.] Fine.

[wise_maiden]

[When someone like Raine sees that you have a socializing problem, something is wrong, clearly.]

... Good.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert would bristle at the very idea of it being an actual problem. But he says nothing, returning his attention to his writing.]

[wise_maiden]

[She returns to her own notes as well, writing occasionally and saying nothing. And gradually growing more tired.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He continues working on his notes, flipping a few pages this way and that for references.]

[wise_maiden]

[Some time passes, and Raine's movements continue to grow slower.

Eventually, they stop.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert tilts his head when he hears the scritch of pen on paper stop, but he is momentarily distracted by some louder talking a little down the tunnel. He then returns to his writing.]

[wise_maiden]

[The pen slips from her fingers.

Not much longer later, her body slowly leans to the side, stopping when her head meets his arm, just below the shoulder.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[The sudden physical contact causes Albert to tense slightly, and he averts his attention to the contact spot. He stares in surprise at the sleeping Raine for a moment.]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine is very much asleep, and doesn't even realize the position that she's in.

... Although Albert's shoulder is more comfortable than the kitchen table, at least.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[The moment of surprise passes quickly. He figures Raine is better off sleeping on his shoulder than on her books or the floor. At least for now.

He returns to his writing, mindful of the sleeping professor.]