Library [25/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal was late, and he bolted into the library from the stable, robes flying and dusty. He skittered to a stop behind the counter, got everything ready, then opened the library.

That done, he settled behind the counter and started checking in books. Why yes, he was trying to pretend he'd been completely on time.

Comments

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"I'm good," John replied, wondering how often Karal cleaned the windows at the library. "How've you been? Other than enjoying your work a little too much."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal blinked in puzzlement, then looked down at the cloth in his hand and flushed. "I was trying to keep busy," he explained, moving to stash it back under the counter where he'd gotten it from. "And for the most part, I'm well."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Good," John nodded, "Trying to keep out of trouble for once. What's the not-most part?"

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Lingering effects of last weekend," he admitted. "And Trenor is acting very oddly. But truly, I'm fine."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, last weekend was great, huh." John remarked sarcastically. "I gotta say Trenor always seems odd to me, but there you go. You know who else is acting oddly?"

Mentally he reminded himself how much he sucked at subtle.

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Many people, I would imagine." Yes, he was looking at John strangely. "Did you have someone specific in mind?"

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Well, I was talking to Andrew last night," John started, leaning against a bookshelf or whatever was there. "And he seemed pretty upset."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal sighed. "Yes, I imagine he was," he said quietly, making a note to find Andrew. "I spoke with Liir this morning."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"He's my next stop," John replied. "I just wanted to ask why you were discouraging Andrew from, you know, spending time with Liir? He seems to really like this guy and he holds your opinion pretty high up there."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal stared at him, baffled. "Why I'm what?"

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Andrew said something about you telling him he shouldn't monopolize Liir's time because Liir probably doesn't like him that way," John said, frowning slightly. "And I gotta say that doesn't make you sound too good. And I'm really feeling like I'm back in junior high."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I don't know what junior high is, and I certainly never said any such thing to Andrew!" Karal folded his arms and glared at John. "And you'll forgive me if I doubt very much that Andrew said I did."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John did not just hear Karal call him a liar. He didn't. "Well, what did you say to him then?" He could give Karal the benefit of the doubt, even as he glared back.

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He shook his head. Much as he wanted to defend himself, he would not betray Andrew's confidence, not even to John. "I'm not going to tell you what we spoke about, but I didn't tell him not to spend time with Liir," he said evenly. "My only concern is Andrew's well being, and I would never tell him what he should do."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John stared, this didn't help the whole 'being called a liar' thing. "Right. So basically you're calling me a liar and refusing to tell me what the supposed truth is." He took a deep breath, he'd been in such a good mood before.

"You wanna know what I think, Karal?"

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I'm not calling you a liar." He rubbed his temple. "For all you're Andrew's friend, what we spoke of is not your business. If it was you who I'd talked with, would you want me to tell people?" he asked, then sighed again. "And I have a feeling I don't, but tell me anyway."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John sighed, "You know, I'm not asking you to break confidence. That's not what this is about. I'm just trying to remind you to think about what your advice can mean to other people."

And he wasn't going to hit him. He wasn't. He just needed to remember that.

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

That hurt, and it showed, but only for a moment before he covered it up. "I'm a priest. That's all I ever think about," Karal told him. "All I want is for Andrew to know what he wants. To trust himself. I did warn him that a relationship with Liir was unlikely to be easy." He lifted his chin. "And that's all I'm prepared to tell you. Believe me or don't, trust me or don't, but I would never hurt Andrew."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

John considered Karal for a moment before responding. "Okay. I'm sorry. I was worried about Andrew and was led to believe you had a hand in the problem." He was maybe a little protective of Andrew.

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

John wasn't the only one. "There are no apologies necessary," he said, leaning a hip against the counter. "I should not have reacted as I did. I did not mean to imply you were lyinge."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[missed-the-gate.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," John said, taking a more relaxed stance. "Because I wasn't. But again, not here to fight. Apparently I shouldn't try to help, which I will remember for the future."

Re: Third Period [23/01]

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Of course you should!" Karal frowned at him. "You're here because you care for Andrew, and wanted to make sure I hadn't done something to lead him astray." He smiled. "It's to your credit."