that perfect tranquillity of life ( OPEN )

[flecks]

Date & Time: April 10, late afternoon & evening
Location: The library
Characters: Leo Baskerville & YOU.
Summary: There's some weird guy sitting on the floor, come trip over him or be weirded out at him because hey, there are perfectly fine seats in the library!!
Warnings: idek

[ When Leo isn't busy with the extra training the Initiative forces him to do and the community service at the orphanage, he can be found reading in the library. Reading books now isn't the same as it was before. He can't quite enjoy it like he used to, but it's the only way of coping he knows and so he keeps on reading. Not knowing what else to do, it's easy to fall back on old habits. Old habits die hard after all and his only escape from reality had always been books.

The Initiative library isn't nearly as grand as the one in Lutwidge Academy or even the Nightray family library, but it's plenty spacious and there's a lot of chairs to sit in, at a table or otherwise. However, Leo sits on the floor. Also out of force of habit. The library at his orphanage had been quite small with not much room for any chairs at all, but no one ever came there and that's why Leo loved it and willingly resorted to sitting on the floor. It's become so normal to him that he has actually come to prefer sitting on the floor when he's reading, no matter how comfortable a chair or bed is. That hasn't changed here either.

He's found a nice beanbag though, but rather than sit on it, he leans back against it. The beanbag is big enough to hide him out of sight and he's placed it near some bookshelves so he has new books within reach. Unfortunately this also means he's made himself an obstacle for the unwitting and he's too caught up in his current reading to realize it. ]

Comments

[bloodyashes]

[Or made yourself more noticable, maybe, but Asch doesn't say that aloud. He can already tell this kid is just on the edge of snapping, and he's not actually out to cause trouble. He's had enough happen in the last day to last him a long time.]

Should I go somewhere else?

[Think carefully, Leo, because people are less likely to trip over you if there's someone else they see first. And that red hair certainly attracts attention in the drab library, doesn't it?]

[flecks]

[ His knee jerk reaction is to go "yes go away" but luckily Leo doesn't blurt out every first thing that comes to mind unlike a certain someone else of mutual acquaintance. So, after a small moment of consideration, he ends up shaking his head. ]

No, it's fine. [ Just don't bump heads with him again, please. ]

They're getting nowhere fast haha

[bloodyashes]

If you're sure.

[Hey, it's not like the head bonking was exactly pleasant for him, either. Asch rubs at the base of his skull as he adjust in his seat, turning so that he's less likely to knock into Leo again in any direction. His head winds up leaning against the bookshelf instead, which isn't the most comfortable, but at least he's not going to hit anyone this way.]

not to worry o7

[flecks]

[ The other guy proves to be quiet company which is something Leo can definitely appreciate. It doesn't take long for him to get back into his Holy Knight volume and get so engrossed in it that he even forgets there's someone sitting with him altogether.

That's exactly why, after another thrilling plot twist, he can't help but gasp aloud and then mutter to himself: ]

Ahh, I want to see Elliot's face when he reads this . . . [ Which is unlikely with how he's been avoiding said Nightray, but he can wish. ]

YES good on you Leo

[bloodyashes]

[And Asch is pretty engrossed in his reading, although there's a bit of frustration on his face as he tries to figure out some of the diagrams. Definitely not his strong suit, this.

He hears the words, though, and though it takes them a moment to register what was said, his head jerks up pretty much immediately.]

...That wouldn't be referring to Elliot Nightray, would it?

[Forever a nosy bastard getting into his charity case's roommate's business.]

[flecks]

[ Oh oops that's right, he had company. Leo might have been embarrassed or offered an apology, but then Elliot's name is mentioned and all those thoughts and intentions fly straight out of the window. It tends to have that effect on him.

His head snaps up equally fast, eyes widened in surprise as his gaze comes to meet Asch's. ]

It is. How do you know him?

[bloodyashes]

[Oh, yes, this guy definitely knows Elliot. Good or bad, it's hard to tell - the only name that makes Asch snap his attention to the speaker in quite that manner is "Luke fon Fabre" and that's, well, a difficult case. So he's giving Leo a wary look as he replies - ]

He's one of my roommates.

[flecks]

[ His roommate? Of course, just like how Leo was put with Rise and Ino, so Elliot would have been put with strangers as well. It's just not something Leo stopped to consider which unfortunate souls might have been unlucky enough to end up with Elliot.

His expression shifts instantly to something both sympathetic and apologetic. ]

I'm very sorry if he's caused you any trouble. [ Which undoubtedly he must have. Leo realizes that might be a weird thing to say out of the blue though, so he quickly elaborates. ] I'm Leo, I'm his servant.

[bloodyashes]

[Ah. Asch relaxes a bit at the introduction - that makes sense, although if Elliot's servant is around, he's surprised the blond hasn't dragged Leo over to their apartment before now.]

He's always trouble, as I'm sure you're aware.

[A hand extended over the edge of the beanbag - servant or not, Asch doesn't really care.]

I'm Asch, the guy who got stuck doing your job.

[flecks]

[ He can't deny either of those things because yes, Elliot tends to be troublesome and yes, he's been neglecting his duties as a servant. Mainly because the whole avoiding Elliot thing throws a wrench in it. He lets out a sheepish laugh. ]

I apologize for the trouble and thank you for taking care of him.

[ And in that case, Leo will take that hand for a polite shake. ]

It's nice to meet you.

[bloodyashes]

You as well.

[Firm and let go - very polite, yes. Just wait till you see how he deals with Elliot, and that illusion will be hopelessly shattered.]

Any advice on getting him to do the dishes?

[flecks]

[ The reply gets a nice polite nod too even! And anyone who can manage to put up with Elliot regardless of how is okay in Leo's book, really. The question though . . . now that actually earns an amused smile. ]

Getting him to do anything can be tough, but hitting him usually works. [ Servant of the year award goes to Leo, clearly. ]

[bloodyashes]

[It's cool. Asch is almost not surprised.]

Sounds like a plan. Lorelei knows it's the only way to correct his weapon stance.

[Look, Leo, he's training the idiot, too! What a charitable guy.]

[flecks]

[ Putting up with Elliot and teaching him things? You're already a saint in his book. ]

Ah, you're a sword master?

[ Elliot's not too shabby with a sword so for someone to be correcting him . . . that's what Leo assumes. ]

[bloodyashes]

Not exactly a master.

[The last word has a slight resentful tinge to it.]

Just someone with actual combat experience.

[Because... Yeah. Training is totally different, especially the kind of training offered to the son of a noble household. Asch doesn't hold a lot of respect for the latter.]

[flecks]

[ The tone is noted and it gets an ever-so-slight raise of his eyebrow, but Leo doesn't remark on it. ]

I see. Still, you must be quite good.

[ And because he feels he should defend Elliot at least a little . . . ]

Elliot has too, just not a lot.

[bloodyashes]

If I wasn't, I would probably be dead by now.

[It's not intended to be as harsh as it sounds; for Asch, it simply is.]

Including my training, I've been in the military for seven years. I doubt any experience he has compares to that.

[flecks]

[ It sounds harsh, simply put like that, but the explanation that follows makes it understandably so. Leo straightens a little, surprised. ]

You're a soldier? That makes sense then.

[ Yeah, there's no way Elliot can hold a candle to that. ]

Thank you for teaching him, I know he can be— ah, a difficult student. [ Putting it mildly. ]

[bloodyashes]

[Not like he had any choice in the matter, Leo, but things you're not going to find out in the first conversation. Even if you are a friend of his obnoxious roommate.]

I imagine he was an equally difficult master.

["Difficult" sounds like a good summary of everything Elliot does.]

[flecks]

[ Leo laughs, conceding. ]

He has his moments, but he's a good friend.

[ Because yeah . . . their relationship is rather unique, asking your best friend to be your servant and then still regarding him as your equal and all. ]

[bloodyashes]

[Well, it's not like those two things are exclusive in Asch's world. Difficult? Sometimes. Not impossible.]

Definitely seems like the loyal to the end type.

[Or... past the end, given the circumstances.]

[flecks]

[ Yeah, that's enough to turn his smile into a rather sad one. ]

He was.

[ Oops, slipping back into past tense already. ]

[bloodyashes]

...He's here now. Take what you can get.

[It's not like most people would ever get the chance to see the dead again. For those who were getting that chance - it was worth taking.

He would, if he had anyone here he cared about that much.]

[flecks]

[ Ah, so Asch knew . . .

The laugh slips out before he can stop it, a wry sound. ]

If only it was that simple. [ Then he wouldn't be avoiding Elliot. ]

[bloodyashes]

[Of course he knows, who the fuck do you think had to wash the blood out of that shirt? Sure as hell wasn't you, Leo.]

You might be surprised.

[But hey, it's your decision, bro. This is the guy who didn't visit his parents after seven years until he was practically dragged through the door, so.]