christ air [@ gill]
@gildedboi
It was the third Tuesday of the month, which meant that it was time for routine maintenance in the library. His assistant clerk was also off today, as far as he knew - something that Cinna viewed as a stroke of good fortune, as it meant he could test the ladders the way they should be tested without being judged.
He had a method to it, you see, perfected after years of being the only one doing the maintenance... though it was not quite the sort of thing that would be appreciated by everyone. First, he’d shifted it back and forth to confirm it first wouldn’t immediately detach itself. After confirming it was attached properly, he would climb to the top and then back down again, listening for any creaky rungs or similar potential hazards that could endanger the staff or patrons.
Once he’d climbed back down and found it no worse for wear, he would then grip both sides of each ladder, take it to the far end of the shelf... and then, with a few quick strides, proceeded to ride it in the opposite direction towards the front door like some sort of very long, ugly skateboard. He somehow doubted that the mayor’s son would truly appreciate this sacred practice... but it really was the best way to test the wheels.
The sheet he’d been writing his best times on was just for confirmation of their efficiency. Naturally.
And so, that afternoon, while the library was empty, that was precisely what he had been doing. He’d finished with the first larger one and was partway through testing the wheels on the second when he heard the familiar jingle of the door. He hadn’t fussed it at first; at his current speed, he’d be able to see who it was within the next few-- wait. That was-- Cinna blanched.
“...Hamilton?!”
Unfortunately, that moment of distraction had prevented him from putting the tip of his foot down to slow his roll in time. Rather than coming to an easy stop, the ladder slammed against the end of the track of the case with enough force to fling him a few feet in the direction he’d been leaning. Mindful enough to shelter his head under his arms, he’d hit the ground with a winded grunt and rolled a few feet before coming to a stop a few paces away from the other man.
And then, as though nothing had happened, Cinna uncovered his head and had the audacity to look up at him from the floor as though the entire spectacle had been an intentional, calculated move on his part.
“You forget something?...or are you here as a patron?”