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Words are being spoken but not directed at them. They could’ve easily eavesdrop on the conversation happening from across the meeting cart but it’s useless retaining any information anyways. Why concern yourself about some else’s problem when the solution you offer isn’t put into use? There’s no point instigating further and getting yourself involved when people only want you to lend an ear for them. Not give off-handed advice they’ve heard from many other people before you and refusing to fix the problem that sounds relatively easy.
Yet,…
Green eyes slowly away at the book in their hand. Glance up at two people sitting across the room. They were conversing with one another very excited and a bit too loud to be considered normal inside voices. The Conductor themself would have said something about it long ago but was nowhere to be seen in the meeting cart.
A lady with long red hair moves side to side, pacing around in front of a table. Her dress swayed with her movement as her heals clicked with each step and it started to get annoying as she stared down at a thin blue tablet in her hands. An older man with glasses sits at one of the chairs at that table. He laughs but one can tell from afar that he doesn’t know how to respond to her questions as she mumbles something incoherent under her breath. Only laughing awkwardly as if he couldn’t believe something he did actually worked.
For some reason they smiled. It feels a little bit too soft coming from them. It was warm. Content? It's almost like they were smitten by the scene of events unfolding right next to them but their attention only focuses on one of the pair.
Of course their attention only focuses on one of them. It always does.
Perhaps they should keep their distance for now and act busy by continuing to read where they left off. They wouldn't want to ruin the mood if they invited themself into whatever conversation the two were having. Though, their eyes still lingered. They turned, adjusting their body slightly to get a better view of the commotion but made it look like they were still occupied with the book in their hand.
The older man brought a hand to his neck, perhaps out of embarrassment as he then gave a small nervous smile. They wouldn't lie if they said it was a bit attractive. Cute even? But then again, it's something they usually don't see from him up close in person or when they interact with each other. Maybe one day they'll get the chance to see his smile up close rather than stealing small glance of it.
Their eyes fixated on the older mans face again. He's quietly listening to the lady who talks about her older projects and something about finding old blueprints on the express as she pulls a chair out and sits down across from him. Brown hair falls and covers his eyes as he leans over to see the tablet she handed to him. They find themself quietly think about how they'd tuck his hair back behind his ears so he could see properly. As well as telling him to fix his awful posture that he developed over the years of slaying away to office work before the events of St. Fountain.
Though, maybe it's just wishfully thinking that his old age might be catching up to the man. But they know it's just an excuse for them to touch the gray and white locks of his hair. It's one of the many reasons why the man stands out to them in the first place. Maybe they'll readjust his glasses while they're at it as it seems like it'll fall off his face the longer he continues to looks down.
"Is there something you need, Void Archives?"
His voice is soft and smooth. His tone gentle and mindful. Yet, Void Archives quickly looks away as if they weren't caught staring at the man at all. Opting to stare down at their long forgotten book in hand but their mind refusing to grasp a single sentence as they gave up rereading the same words over and over again.
"No. Not at all." They say confidently. "But, don't you think you two are being a bit too loud, Welt?"
Void Archives could hear Himeko audibly scoff and roll her eyes at that.
"Then come over here and sit with us." Welt invited them.
Void Archives thought about it as they gripped their book. Debating whether or not to accept it.
"... Fine." They stood up from their chair, closing their book and letting go of it. There was no impact as it quickly dematerialized into yellow particles before it could make contact with the floor. Making it's way back to their library. "So, what's this blueprint I heard you guys talk about?"
Void Archives made their way to Welt and sat right next to him. Folding their arms as they did so.
"Yeah. Himeko said she found some rough blueprint sketches of what seems to be a robot of some kind left by one of the previous nameless' on board. She had a great idea of making it but based on the materials and measurements, it feels a bit impossible."
Welt showed Void Archives the tablet as they took it.
It makes sense now why he was acting nervous earlier. Most of the things on screen didn't even make sense but that's probably due to the huge language barrier since most of the items needed sounded like it wasn't going to build a robot at all.
"I have nothing to say about this." Void Archives told them as they put the tablet down on the table. "But what I can say is that you can start from scratch with measurements and look for replacement materials for it."
Welt nodded.
"That's what I thought at first too but how much would it cost? And how long will it take us to build it."
"Don't worry about all that. I have enough credits to cover everything." Himeko said as she snatched away the tablet and powered it off. "Oh and before I leave, the conductor wanted Void Archives to clean the 2nd floor storage room of the meeting cart today for the start of the Express Duties."
Void Archives sighed out.
"You could have just told me that before Welt dragged me to this pointless meeting. At least I would have gotten it done quicker."
"Pointless meeting? Really??" Himeko said, way too sarcastically to both Welt and Void Archives.
She wanted to point out how the pretentious blond man, Void Archives, was making sad neglected puppy dog eyes at Welt from across the room as if she didn't notice it either. Himeko shook her head at that and forced a frown on her face but she was actually forcing herself not to smile at how funny it really was looking back on it. There's definitely something going on between them but she can only speculate for now as it's not really her problem to solve whatever they have.
"Oh and Welt. If you find Pompom, please help them out if they need it. Or tell them to take a break from overcleaning the place. Okay?"
Welt nodded as he too got up from his seat.
Void Archives watched as the two left the cart. They sat in silence in the empty meeting cart until they finally made their way to the spiral stair case. Climbing up the steps and opening the door to a heavily dusty room. Paper was scattered all over the place as boxes were stacked up high on shelfs that were aliened on the walls with other miscellaneous items.
Something in the middle of the room caught their attention as they walked up to that very tall spherical looking item. It was covered with a blanket so when they pulled it off, a thick layer of dust flew everywhere. It wasn't until the dust settled that Void Archives forced out a laugh due to irony. The same exact blueprint model that they told Welt and Himeko to make from scratch was standing right in front of them in pristine condition. Untouched by time.
Maybe they'll keep this a little secret to themself and gift it to the express as a present one day after fixing and touching it up if needed. Hopefully Welt would like it the most considering that he loves robots and mechas. Would that indirectly mean Welt loves them too?
Void Archives slaps a hand over their face at that.
Of course not. It doesn't work like that at all!!