[ Loki huffs out a little laugh at the idea of letting the books 'age' in the dining hall area for a while. He suspects someone might take a few while Allumin is gone, but it's doubtful in his mind that the entire stack will be cleaned up unless he leaves it for days or weeks.

The thanks are unexpected and something not unlike surprise flits across Loki's features before he closes his eyes and shakes his head, still smiling. ] Next time I won't announce myself from behind you, [ he promises, in lieu of telling Allumin he needn't thank him. It's nice, he supposes, to do things for others like this. It isn't terrible by any stretch at least, and it's cost him only... a now slightly less sore arm and a sliver of pride but he's lost the latter before and over less. ]

Come on, [ he says, taking Allumin's arm as he had at the tourney. ] To the docks, and then to Hightown. Hopefully, we won't get rained on along the way.