A Fraction of the Skill

Elias sat at a corner table in the quiet restaurant, a stack of old magazines spread before him. The pages were worn, their edges curling slightly as though they had been thumbed through countless times.

He flipped lazily through one titled The History of Mountain Cultures, his expression one of mild amusement. Every so often, he hummed thoughtfully, pausing to read a particularly interesting paragraph.

Outside, the door creaked softly as Celia and Marie stepped into the street, the crisp mountain air biting gently at their cheeks. Marie adjusted her cloak and glanced over her shoulder at Elias, who hadn't so much as looked up when they left.

"Does he ever stop reading?" she muttered, pulling her staff closer.

Celia shrugged, her tone dry as always. "If he stopped, we'd all hear about how bored he is. Trust me, this is better."