It was the sad truth that the last thing Tal wanted to hear - or at least feel - when he was on edge was that he was overreacting, and Elizabeth's controlled calm only made him bristle more in contrary stubbornness. He wasn't quite rude enough to walk out on her while she was talking, however, and a twinge in his arm reminded him that he owed her for her previous care so the courier stood with wavering uncertainty in front of his chair to hear her out.
Again, her words sounded good, right up until she opined that the godegg in their vision wasn't evil, and Tal's fading scowl deepend once more as he raised his chin in stubborn, if wordless, disagreement.
She continued, though, and he held his tongue with visible effort so she could finish without interruption. And in spite of himself he found his scowl fading again, reminded of Maea's pragmatism and Alys's steadiness. He still didn't like what she was saying, but his weight shifted a little back onto his heels and away from the door as she finished. "Well... y'got that right," he grumbled in heartfelt agreement to needing more information. But then he shook his head, a mulish faith in those he'd met in the last five years lifting his chin. "There's plenty o' strong people who could do somethin' about it, though. An' there's been a lot more demigods bein' made lately, too. Gotta think that there's a reason for it, that th'gods are gettin' more active. That... egg... thing. It felt evil t'me. Th'Void-touched plants an' critters? Those are definitely evil." A shudder ran down his spine at the memory of the void lotuses in Hak Etme and the corruption of the Greatwood that he'd found himself in so often of late. "If y'need proof, get out o' your office an' check it out for yourself. Just, uh... y'know. Be careful," he finished lamely, reaching up to rub at the back of his neck with a grimace. "An' don't do it alone." She was a doctor after all. Or a ... therapist? Something like that. She didn't really seem the fighty type, and Tal didn't want to be the reason she got into trouble deeper than she could get out of on her own.
Again, her words sounded good, right up until she opined that the godegg in their vision wasn't evil, and Tal's fading scowl deepend once more as he raised his chin in stubborn, if wordless, disagreement.
She continued, though, and he held his tongue with visible effort so she could finish without interruption. And in spite of himself he found his scowl fading again, reminded of Maea's pragmatism and Alys's steadiness. He still didn't like what she was saying, but his weight shifted a little back onto his heels and away from the door as she finished. "Well... y'got that right," he grumbled in heartfelt agreement to needing more information. But then he shook his head, a mulish faith in those he'd met in the last five years lifting his chin. "There's plenty o' strong people who could do somethin' about it, though. An' there's been a lot more demigods bein' made lately, too. Gotta think that there's a reason for it, that th'gods are gettin' more active. That... egg... thing. It felt evil t'me. Th'Void-touched plants an' critters? Those are definitely evil." A shudder ran down his spine at the memory of the void lotuses in Hak Etme and the corruption of the Greatwood that he'd found himself in so often of late. "If y'need proof, get out o' your office an' check it out for yourself. Just, uh... y'know. Be careful," he finished lamely, reaching up to rub at the back of his neck with a grimace. "An' don't do it alone." She was a doctor after all. Or a ... therapist? Something like that. She didn't really seem the fighty type, and Tal didn't want to be the reason she got into trouble deeper than she could get out of on her own.
