I Hear You're A Nice Guy (Preston)

[Thorn Wyatt]

Ehhhhh.

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Elias picks up one more book.

"Okay. I'm helping."

Not very much.

[Preston Salabim]

Preston would hand him a few more books before finishing his own, much larger stack.

"I can take the bigger one. Don't worry."

[Thorn Wyatt]

Elias looks at the other books in his hands in disgust.

This bitch was taking advantage of his generosity...

"They're your books, not mine. Other than this one."

The one he'd claimed before.

[Preston Salabim]

"Technically, they are not mine either. They all belong to Cabal."

He'd lift up his own stack and make sure his footing was clear before walking toward the library.

"So, I never caught your name."

[Thorn Wyatt]

Nope. Elias was keeping this book, even if it was Cabal's. Once he'd claimed something, it was his, as far as he was concerned.

"Elias."

He says, walking after Preston. He's not really watching out for the man with the bigger pile, but he does glance in front of them to make sure no one's taking up as much space as he was before.

"And you're... G....Gr.....Grant?"

He's making it up.

[Preston Salabim]

"Preston Salabim. You may call me Preston."

He'd take a glance and continue now and then peeking to make sure someone else wasn't blocking them.

"It's nice to meet a fellow scholar though."

Even though he knew this guy was not one.

"So what drew your interest in Aether Disturbances if there are none near where you are from."

[Thorn Wyatt]

At that, Elias actually smiles.

"I want them because we don't have them."

That pretty much sums up most of his outlook.

"My territory is small and basically a garbage pile compared to this place. I figure I should bring some nice things back with me when I return."

[Preston Salabim]

"Where are you from? If you don't mind me asking."

[Thorn Wyatt]

"Territory 256."

[Preston Salabim]

"Ah. Then we are on opposite sides of 259. I'm from Ayatlan. More commonly known as 260 on the outside world, however."

[Thorn Wyatt]

"Do you run your territory too?"

[Preston Salabim]

"Not yet. But I fully expect I'll have a spot on the Wizard's Council by the time I'm through."

[Thorn Wyatt]

"That's... the other people who run it, then?"

He has no goddamn idea.

[Preston Salabim]

"In a way yes. The most powerful and influential Wizards make up the Council and we advise the King. The King technically rules things, but in practice, he is more of a figurehead while most policy decisions come from the noble houses, such as my own, and the Council."

As in when he makes the Council he'll have double the sources of leverage and influence.

"I was unaware you were a territory leader. Is there a title I should address you by instead then? Or do you prefer Elias?"

[Thorn Wyatt]

"Ahhhh. Sounds like a pain in the ass for your King."

Elias shrugs.

"You can call me whatever you want. King, lord, God... or Elias, I guess."

As long as it was the proper respect, and you didn't just ignore him, he was fine.