♞ IX. voice & action.

[holyknights]

I have books I need to get rid of— [...well. That's not right. He corrects himself.] —return. There's too many for me to carry, so I'll need help.

[Elliot, that's not a request, it's a demand. But this is Elliot Nightray—he does not and will never care. Housemates can find Elliot sorting through the books in his servant's room, trying to pile as many into a box as he can. This is going to take a while.

Others can find him hauling this stupid box of books to the library. It's especially cold today, but once again, Elliot does not care. He is getting rid of these books one way or another, dammit. It's only a small start, but he is tired of waiting.]

Comments

[sundead]

Why's he letting you do it now?

[holyknights]

He's not. He's not here.

[sundead]

[...Ayumu blinks.]

What happened?

[holyknights]

He was sent home.

[He answers simply. He doesn't really seem too bothered by it. If anything, he seems annoyed.]

[sundead]

[Sent home. That explains a lot. And Ayumu isn't sure how to feel about it - it's not like Leo was his friend, really, more like a guy he'd known and hung around a few times. And then Elliot doesn't even sound concerned about it.]

...Oh.

[he settles for the answer of least resistance.]

[holyknights]

Now I'm stuck cleaning up his mess.

[That may not be the part that annoys him most, but... it annoys him quite a bit!]

[sundead]

Well... [.....what does he say to a rich guy who just lost his servant] At least you have some help?

[holyknights]

He wouldn't have done it even if he was here. [So it didn't really matter whether Leo was here or not. At least, not as far as these books go. ...but that almost makes it sound like he's ungrateful for the help he is receiving, and that's not true at all, so Elliot mumbles some awkward gratitude.] ...but thanks. For your help.

[sundead]

[...what is taking compliments from other dudes] No problem.

[holyknights]

[It's okay, Elliot has no idea either. He gestures to the box.]

Is this enough?

[sundead]

[Ayumu lifts the box fairly easy.] I can probably take some more.

[holyknights]

Alright. [You may be one of the few people he doesn't have to worry about dropping the books or something. He goes to pick up some more books to put into the box.] Tell me when it's enough.

[sundead]

[He lets him put in a couple more before stopping him. He probably could carry more, but he doesn't want to accidentally dislocate his arms on the walk. Being stronger doesn't mean being invulnerable.] So to the library, then?

[holyknights]

Yeah. You don't have to come back after this. I'll handle the rest.

[By shoving them off on other people, of course.]

[sundead]

You're sure? [have enough people for that?]

[holyknights]

It's fine. You've already helped a lot.

[sundead]

Okay.

[...] Hey... if you need anything else let me know.

I'll help out, if I'm not busy. [you know, since your servant's gone. For no other reason though.]

[holyknights]

[Even if it's for no other reason, you are a real bro, Ayumu. Elliot nods, muttering his gratitude.]

...thanks.

[Not because he isn't grateful, of course—it's just not something he's used to, having friends like this.]

[sundead]

[what are friends, we just don't know...]

No problem.