CH544

“Heeeey Verbum,” Ben said as he snuck behind the other summoned, making the man jump.

“Uh, damn it, why are you here this time?” He sighed. “No, I get it, you’re here to find out about your newest title, right?”

“You got it, bestie, do you mind?”

“We aren’t besties! We aren’t even friends!”

“Verbum, that hurts so much to hear. Aren’t we fellow otherworlders? Didn’t we bond on our little adventure together? Come on, I’m a sweet guy, give in to my friendship.”

“You only show up when you want something and then leave. How the hell is that a friend?”

That stopped Ben from teasing. It was entirely right. Ben only came to the library when he needed something, it wasn’t to be friendly and social, he could see why that would be obnoxious, even if he did want to have a good relationship with the other, though Verbum was happy to take that second of silence to try and dismiss him.

“Here, I’ll go through it quick so get out of my hair already.”

The passing information told Ben he was right on both fronts about the title, it giving him an easier time when it came to helping train people as well as awakening them, but he couldn’t help but look a bit deeper than that.

With the connection up, Ben could feel a bit of loneliness from the other before him, only made worse by his constant worries.

It was a feeling Ben understood well enough, so he decided to do something small for the sake of being kind, even if the means of making it happen would be frowned on by anyone.

As discreetly as he could, Ben reached into Verbum’s mind, searching into his past memories to see and experience what he could of the other’s old world as a small surprise came together.

“Alright, I’ll head out soon but first, are you going to be here tomorrow or are you off doing something with Killi?”

“You’d have to ask her. Why, what are you going to try and make me do?”

“Nothing, I’ve got a small surprise in mind for you, trust me, you’re going to love it.”

Ben could immediately feel an intense burst of distrust coming from the other summoned but ignored it, giving him a bright smile instead. “Just watch buddy, I’m going to show you that I am in fact an excellent friend to have.”

He ran off with that, giving Verbum his peace back as he went to confirm that he and Killi would both still be at the library the next day before rushing off through different gates to both stores and markets, all to gather everything he was going to need.

Ben was tired the following day, obviously so to any who saw him. It wasn’t something he could help though, he’d stayed awake all night to work and test the things he’d made for Verbum, only to still have to do his regular work at the shop.

He was even more sleep-deprived than usual and the headache he’d been getting had become even more intense as a result, but that was fine. He’d done what he’d set out to do and was happy as he went on his way to show off his results, getting to the top floor of the library where he knew the pleiaden preferred to hide away thanks to how few were actually allowed up there and finding him in his usual seat, with him immediately locking eyes on Ben as he did.

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“Ugh, you really came back.”

“Of course, I’m a man of my word. Now grab a bookmark and come on down.”