"No matter the unraveling, you will see good and bad.
It's what you do with the circumstance that determines
the outcome." - Gracen Lee Loveless
"If anyone of you knows where Lavi Bookman is, I suggest you speak up now," Lvellie barked his order. Komui's office was much less crowded than before with only himself, Kanda, Lenalee,Bookman and Lvellie present. "As of right now, you are the closest to the people at large, therefore, if anybody knows anything it will be you."
Lenalee hadn't realized Lavi's disappearance. She hadn't seen him during the all out search the night before, or that morning. Lenalee saw Bookman standing apart from the others, even more than Kanda usually did.
"A Bookman watches everything without taking sides. He witnesses it without forming an opinion so that his account can be free of bias," the old man said. He had most eyes turned his way. Kanda was an exception, still listening if not looking.
"My apprentice did not follow this policy. He allowed himself himself to be drawn into Allen Walker's personnel war. I believe Lavi is with Allen, wherever that may be." Lvellie's face did not read happy. It held suspicion.
However, anyone who knew Bookman, also knew this was his character. The old man would know his apprentice better than anyone, was Lvellie's thinking at least.
"Assuming this is true, Lavi Bookman and Allen Walker are both wanted, having betrayed their allegiance to the Order," Lvellie announced. Komui, among others in the room were not happy to hear their higher-up's declaration.
Kanda moved towards the front of the room from where he was. Lvellie, who stood off to the right of Komui's desk, now was a mere foot from the samurai.
"I have a proposal," Kanda said, his face as serious as anybody could look.
"What would this proposal be, Yu Kanda?" Lvellie looked daggers into the Japanese man's direction.
"Call the search off regarding Lavi Bookman and Allen Walker for a months time." The room became silent. Unnaturally quiet.
'What is he thinking? Kanda must have an idea, or he is more bold than I ever thought,' Lenalee shuffled nervously where she sat on the small couch.
"If I am unable to find both within a month and prove neither are a threat or having betrayed the Black Order," Komui took notice to the exorcists expression, "I will personally take care of the situation, under your orders."
'Interesting,' Komui let a smile slip.
"So what do you say, Lvellie? It's your call as the superior in this room," he gestured in general to the rooms occupants.
'My brother looks happy. But why?' Lenalee couldn't help but question her brother's reason for looking pleased, considering the current situation.
Clearing his throat, Lvellie said,
"I just have one question. I know the terms of the proposal if you do not succeed. But say you do, what are you suggesting happen?" Kanda's air of confidence and stubbornness did not waver in his elder's attempt to intimidate him.
"Simple. Both Lavi and Allen's sentence and current viewing as traitors will be forgotten amd expunged. Do you agree to my proposal?"
Kanda's tone itself said he wasn't wasting time. Lvellie didn't delay in his response.
"I don't usually play into such wages, especially those that are unlikely to bare results." Komui was currently unsure of anything Lvellie might choose now. He could easily deny Kanda, and push what he obviously saw as a challenge to the back burner and out of the way.
Komui's superior also didn't hide his obvious assumption of how this would turn out: Allen and Lavi still at large, and wanted.
"I'll bite. You have one month Yu Kanda. That's it." Lvellie had played into the Samurai's hands, even if he refused to admit it, or have seen it.
'He couldn't help but accept a challenge he thinks he has an automatic win. Some never change. He really is a child sometimes,' Komui found humor in this thought.
"Thank you." His arms at his side, Kanda bowed almost waist level; even when he bowed in thanks (which was rare and natural for where he once lived) he didn't bother to bow as deeply and low as was expected. The exorcist's action went undetected.
The meeting, or whatever it was they had all been forced to take part in abruptly ended. Lvellie made the decision. Kanda and Bookman exited behind each other. Lvellie had been the first to leave.
"So what was the smile for earlier?" Lenalee asked her brother, letting a solemn but small smile go. They were alone.
"You saw that huh? It wasn't really anything. Just Kanda. I forget sometimes how clever he is." The girl moved to sit on the desk, pulling herself up.
"How do you mean?" He grabbed his little sister's hand. She received the gesture.
"Kanda postponed Lvellie's attack, giving us time to figure out how to help Lavi and Allen." Lenalee listened intently.
There it was. Her favorite thing about Komui; his infectious, childish grin. He never failed to make her smile.
"London is nice about this time of year right?"
"I actually think it's kinda cold about this time," the girl corrected.
Komui laughed. "I hope Kanda has a good coat then."
'Somethings never change. Brother still has his juvenile sense of humor,' Lenalee let the laughter catch.