♞ 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

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.]

These typos are legit, shut up.

[statice]

[...but no, that wouldn't work. That has never worked. Running away and pretending that nothing's changed, that these things don't happen to him— they've never worked, have they?

He tried that and Elliot had almost died.

He tried that again and Elliot had died.

Somehow, a 100% failure rate wasn't quite the best track record a guy could have.]

[statice]

[Well. Well then.









Here's a strange thought. What would happen if he told the truth? It's foolish, it's stupid, but being driven into a corner like this— maybe it'll be so ridiculous that it'll even get laughed off. But he'd have tried again, wouldn't it?

Hah.

Hah.]

...maybe I've changed.

/frowns upon them...

[holyknights]

I don't need you to tell me that! [He knows that much! After all, it wasn't as if this feeling was temporary. It had felt this way for a long time now.] What I want to know is why. You should talk to me, not act like everything is just fine!

Did you like the abuse. /)w(\

[statice]

[His nostrils flare, but he keeps a straight face as he fixes his gaze on a knot on the table. Controlled.]

It's not that easy.

Never! \o/

[holyknights]

That's the problem! It should be, shouldn't it? We're friends!