[ console | video/action ] we get to carry each other

[edgeoftheknife]

[Hello folks, it's your friendly neighborhood gorgeous janitor. Except he's not looking so friendly, today. In fact, he's looking more serious than most people have probably ever seen him, here in Keeliai. When he speaks it's with a gravity that his words normally lack.]

Anton Shudder is no longer in charge of the Midnight Hotel.

I'm taking over.

[There's a pause, while he lets that sink in.]

Since Shudder has proven himself incapable of the running of the Hotel--or indeed, simple things like standing and walking, I find myself forced to keep him confined to a comfortable chair in front of the fire. With tea. And yarn.

He knits, did you know he knits?

[It should be noted that while the tone of the video has become decidedly less serious, Ravel's face has not.]

At any rate, I'll be taking over the day-to-day operations of the Hotel for the time being. Matters such as employment and pay will still go through Anton, obviously. Day-to-day functions should come to me, instead. Any present staff are encouraged to pitch in as you're able--God only knows you don't want me doing the cooking. Not unless the lot of you fancy grilled cheese or cold cereal.

[He pauses]

Was that it? Yes, I think that was it. Er. Carry on.

Comments

[gistful]

Precisely.

[Anton closes his eyes. In spite of the objection he'd put up, he does feel like sleeping. A good soldier sleeps when his body tells him to, barring no other complications.

[The touch of Raine's hand is light, and at first Anton braces himself, but the soothing warmth is just that--soothing, and warm. Warm in a comforting way, more than a heated way. No spell, but possibly pure magic, as far as Anton can tell. It doesn't stop his hands from trembling, but he relaxes a little more into the bed, and exhales, and makes himself relax completely.]

Thank you.

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine just wishes she could offer something more than this, scant comfort that it is. Anton seems tired by now, though, and a natural sleep is usually a helpful thing. Probably the most helpful thing available right now, unfortunately.]

[She'll stay there until she hears Erskine's footsteps, at which point she glances back. Frowns. He looks like he's seen a ghost, cliché as the phrase may be.]

Erskine?

[Does he not trust her with Anton? A little late for that, though she supposes she can't entirely blame him, given the events of a few minutes past. Anton's as fine as he's going to get for now, however. Why is Erskine...]

Is everything all right?

[edgeoftheknife]

[Breathe. Anton's fine. Breathe.

He nods, slowly at first and then more assured, even offering a small smile.]

Fine, yeah. Everything's all right.

[It takes him a moment to remember he's still got the glass of water in his hands. The smile turns sheepish and he crosses the bedroom to the side of Anton's bed opposite Raine. Since Anton looks comfortable now he sets the glass on the nightstand instead of offering it immediately.]

Just in case. Anything else I can do?

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine glances at Anton, who if not asleep already is doing a credible imitation of it, then returns her attention to Erskine once more. Finally lifts her hands, letting the light of her mana ebb from them and leaving Anton to his rest.]

[Quietly, as she rises:]

Sit on him, if you have to. I don't want him pushing this, and I suspect he'll try, once he feels a little better.

[She's still a little concerned about Erskine in general, but at the least she doesn't doubt that, here and now, he has an interest in Anton's well-being. It's enough. She can let whatever that was slide.]

[For now.]

[edgeoftheknife]

[Erskine shoots a look at Anton, that slight smile taking a sly turn.]

That I can do. Don't worry. He won't get far with any of the chores around here on my watch.

[And then he falls quiet, a natural lull in the conversation, but the past between them immediately skews it as awkward.]

Thank you.

[ruinsprofessor]

[Yes, that is an awkward silence, isn't it? They're hardly what she would call friends. It was half a joke, she supposes, but it just leaves empty air between them.]

[Before that can linger long Raine just nods.]

Of course.

[It's Anton, isn't it? Of course she'd help. Thanks are hardly necessary.]

If anything else happens, let me know. I'll be here as soon as I'm able.