A sudden, lurching motion captured Elliot's attention, and with furrowed brows he watched Alessa barely keep herself from falling flat on her face.  Then the girl apologized, and tried to sweep the tears away.  A stab of pity pierced Elliot's heart, turning his bored frown morose.  [i]The hurt's just now reaching her?  ...She's taking it pretty hard.[/i]  He felt compelled to try and offer some comfort, but what could a measly buffoon, struggling with his own thoughts, give as solace?  Empathy wasn't part of the script he'd devised.  Nothing like this was supposed to happen.  Of course, Elliot hadn't naively thought that bad things would simply pass his life by, but he couldn't have understood or anticipated this sort of despair until it clawed at him without mercy.  He straightened himself up, moving his rear back into the chair, and transitioned into a forward slouch.  Though still not the best of postures, it gave the impression of being engaged.  With his head rested in his hand, he watched Alessa try to work through what plagued her. 

It would have been easy to look at the floor, or close his eyes and let the darkness mask the pain, but Elliot steeled himself to see the raw emotion on his new leader's face.  No matter how little he professed to care about any of the others, he hated to see anyone cry, especially Messiah.  Out of all of them, she tormented him the least.  He didn't know whether her true nature suited her rather saintly image, but seeing her now brought into his mind the image of some pure, holy girl touched by tragedy for the very first time.  It wasn't right.  When she spoke, he had ears for her.  A nod greeted her words.  [color=8F9779]”Yes, I shall carry whatever anyone requires.  Least I can do. The thought of getting a car struck me.”[/color]  Not quite knowing why he felt it necessary to share his plan, Elliot moved closer to the table and raised his profile to put his elbow on it.  Perhaps, he reasoned, he wanted to try and make the situation more normal.

His focus shifted to Ira, and a chill went down his spine as the nullification field went into effect.  It was rather like having an ache and not knowing exactly where in the torso or head it was.  Dryly he thought about how lucky he had been to leave all his things in his room; otherwise, a collection of cinderblocks, caltrops, knives, and other weapons might have exploded off him, or even into him, once unbound by his power.  Having heard her suggestion, he lifted his head out of his hand to give a succinct nod.  [color=8F9779]”It would take some planning on my part to ensure whatever I have on me doesn't hurt any of us as it all reverts, but that is an excellent plan.  Evening the playing field, so to speak.”[/color]

When Tulpa began to speak, he grew silent.  To broach the matter of Collin so soon was to reopen a very fresh scar.  Either the girl's choice to speak up now would make matters worse or it wouldn't.  Elliot, unable to help in any way, would have to wait and see.  He could not keep himself from shifting uncomfortably, and interlacing his fingers.