Elias sank into the transfigured chair, finding it a firmer support than the front step had been, even if the shock of the accident was mingling more and more now with rueful sheepishness. “No, no, I’ll be fine, I promise,” Elias said, trying now to brush off her concerns. Besides - “My younger brother is a healer, and -” he fished out a battered watch from his pocket, squinting against the headache to read it, “he’s due back in no time. He’ll sort me out.” (With a round of laughter and head-shaking at the mess Elias had made for himself, no doubt. Unless Elias cleaned himself up and fixed the garlands before he got back.)

He smiled at her in grand assurance of this, and thought being able to make light of the situation might assuage any lingering guilt on her part for going about her day. “Though I’m much obliged, Miss Finch. And perhaps next time you come across me I won’t be getting in such a scrape!”

---