♞ XI. written & action.

[holyknights]

Is there a reason the village was empty the other day? [Everyone keeps talking about a "missing day", but that's not an answer. ...not that he expects a good one.] And something else— Where do you go when you want to get away from someone?

[He doesn't bother filtering that last part. Why bother? If he wants to ragequit his house, then dammit, he will.

Kind of like today. In order to get away from the general annoyance that is his house, he is reading quietly in the tea shop. Surely no one would expect to find him there, right?!]

Comments

action;

[holyknights]

[...can he not eat in peace? And what's with this... talking between rooms?]

What?

[And aren't there better things to talk about?!]

action;

[statice]

[maybe because elliot's mug is too damn ugly]

You said "maybe".

action;

[holyknights]

[..........such a pain.]

Are you too good to talk to me face to face?

[He's not yelling, and he's probably not going to, but he doesn't mind being... exceptionally loud.]

action;

[statice]

[Point. But hey, he wasn't the one who walked past him like no one's business. Why does he have to be the one to move?]

i'm tired of erasing re:

[statice]

[...would be what he'd say if he didn't care about this whole thing.

Man.]

[statice]

[He shuffles to his feet and a moment later, there'll be a rather dispassionate servant lounging at the doorway. Happy?]

subject lines out of spite!!! I MEAN...

[holyknights]

[Nope. Elliot glances up at him, and the frown on his face only grows wider.]

Can you not sit down at the same table, either?

why can't you leave them blank...

[statice]

You don't need to see my face to talk to me.

because then they will be lonely...

[holyknights]

[Elliot does not feel like playing these games anymore, Leo.]

I don't need to, but I want to. Is that a problem?

[If you don't sit down, he will stand up right now and make you.]

they're destinied to be lonely!

[statice]

[Sigh.

And he takes the seat opposite him and raises his eyebrows. How about now?]

alas, poor subject lines...!

[holyknights]

[Don't make that face at him, he will punch you—

He looks down at his food for a moment, but despite holding his fork, he doesn't really seem like he's going to eat anymore. He looks back up at his servant with a serious face.]

If I tell you something, will you listen?

leave them be to their fates.

[statice]

[






To say "yes" would reek of insincerity. To say "no", on the other hand...

Well, to say "no" would be a stupid thing.]

I'll try.

[holyknights]

[What a frustrating answer. But at the same time, Elliot kind of appreciates that he's honest... even if he doesn't appreciate it very much.

But he doesn't care anymore. All of this has been so frustrating for him, and if he doesn't say anything now...]

I feel like... something is strange lately. [Just be honest, you idiot. That's what he tells himself, but thinking of how to say what he feels is hard.] I don't know why. But somehow, I... I don't think I know how to talk to you anymore.

[statice]

["Why"...

...is a question he'd like to ask, but he'd given him his word. Leo remains silent, unmoving.]

[holyknights]

Something's different. [He knows what's different, he just doesn't know why.] You've been difficult these days.

[statice]

[But all he's been doing is-- sitting by his side, like he always has. Why is that different now?

...what has changed?]

Difficult?

[holyknights]

You don't listen, but it's different from before. Your presence is different.

[statice]

....ah, I see.

[Isn't this-- nostalgic.]

[holyknights]

Do you even care?

[statice]

I do. [Quiet, not rising to the bait of getting into an argument.] Of course I do.

[............]

[statice]

I just-- don't know what to say about that.

[holyknights]

Well, find something. It's... not comfortable anymore. I hate it.

[statice]

[....................

He wishes he hadn't sat down now. He's more of a sit-at-the-side-and-comment guy; having to just sit there and answer to things has never been him.]

How is it different?

[holyknights]

How should I know? It just is. [It's frustrating, but he doesn't know how to describe it.] I don't feel like I'm spending time with my friend anymore.

No, I changed my mind. You're getting a multiparter.

[statice]

[Him him him, it's always him. Of course it would be him— he's strange. He's the one who messed up this whole thing by making stupid decisions and—

He makes sure that his breathing is level because he's not sure if letting it hitch at the moment would betray his thoughts. He's already looking downward at his hands (on the table, clasped very tightly) and for a moment, he fancies just standing and walking away.]