Serenade for String Orchestra in E Major

[collector]

[Braxiatel walks through the rain with an umbrella in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. He is taking more care in keeping the rain out of his tea than he is in keeping it away from his clothes, and for a moment he even sticks his head out from under his umbrella to look up at the clouds. When he speaks, he is speaking to himself, his voice like smoothed glass.]

That's an awful lot of oil going to waste. And in such a way. [His smile is made of irony, and he looks down at the stars still under their feet despite the rain.] How the old symbols are reformed.

[With the skill of the absurdly well-balanced, he switches his cup to the hand holding the umbrella, opens the library door, and steps inside.]

[After a moment, he pops his head back out again.]

Oh, one thing: have there been any odd deaths lately? I'd be interested to know.

[Then it's back in out of the rain.]

Comments

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{Teasing,} Really? I would have thought that you were the sort of person that would prefer to be busy than to have idle hands.

I understand what you mean, though.

[collector]

On that note, I really ought to be getting back. The paperwork really won't disappear while I wait here.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Of course, Braxiatel. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask.

[collector]

[He smiles warmly] Believe it or not, this has to have been one of the most pleasant deaths I have ever had. Quick, painless, easy. And it got me out of a very boring conversation with Narvin, which is always a plus.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{She frowns briefly in disapproval, but smiles coolly again}

My, what a troublesome Master I've come upon this time for him to say such careless things.

[collector]

Was it careless?

[Don't you mean 'clueless,' Caster?]

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{She is trying to be nice}

Whether or not you are joking, I would imagine a conversation with Narvin is preferable to death, no matter how insufferable he is.

[collector]

I'm not completely convinced of that.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Well... I suppose you know him better than I, but please do not be so careless in the future.

[collector]

You mean try not to die, or try not to make off-handed comments about dying?

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Both would alleviate my worries.

[collector]

Then I will do my best.