Tal studiously pretended not to notice the single manly tear, knowing Zav would do the same for him if their positions were reversed, but he was glad that he had been able to help a little. He was even more glad for the momentary reprieve when the details of what had come after dying came out and the problems got a lot thornier and more complicated.
His frown of intense thought actually briefly quirked towards a wan smile at his friend's immediate staunch defense of Lena and the trust he had in her, but the caveat that followed had the courier nodding glum agreement. He definitely didn't trust the Family, either, but as Zavien continued Tal felt a cold lump of fear congeal in the pit of his stomach. He leaned against his friend's shoulder again, offering what support he could at the reminder that his family was at risk from his actions. That Alys, who had already lost so much, was even more of a target.
And the Family didn't play fair.
The courier chewed his lip, struggling with finding an answer to a problem that seemed pretty damn unsolvable. At least, as far as the dragoon getting everything he wanted out of the situation. Knowing that Zavien had died and only recently come back, though, put things in a very different context and Tal scowled down at the ground as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "This... prob'ly isn't gonna help much," he admitted reluctantly. Scaring Zavien further wasn't likely to help at all, in fact, but the soldier had asked for bluntness, right? "But... is there even anywhere on Caido that they can't reach, if they really wanted to? Stormbreak or Halo or th'Greatwood... Sure, they're th'most open about it in Stormbreak, but askin' Lena t'leave her home an' friends an' work at th'Celestine... we can't guarantee that she'll be safer anywhere else, I don't think." His scowl turned to a grimace as his shoulders hunched up in unhappiness at not having a better answer. "Y'need t'let yourself heal. But... y'can't make Lena do anythin' she doesn't want to, either. Maybe y'can find a place t'hole up for awhile an' she can visit y'there regularly? An' worst case... well, I'll help y'quest for a way t'see Void infection, so if anythin' does happen t'her, we've got th'healin' springs in Halo." oh you sweet summer child.
His frown of intense thought actually briefly quirked towards a wan smile at his friend's immediate staunch defense of Lena and the trust he had in her, but the caveat that followed had the courier nodding glum agreement. He definitely didn't trust the Family, either, but as Zavien continued Tal felt a cold lump of fear congeal in the pit of his stomach. He leaned against his friend's shoulder again, offering what support he could at the reminder that his family was at risk from his actions. That Alys, who had already lost so much, was even more of a target.
And the Family didn't play fair.
The courier chewed his lip, struggling with finding an answer to a problem that seemed pretty damn unsolvable. At least, as far as the dragoon getting everything he wanted out of the situation. Knowing that Zavien had died and only recently come back, though, put things in a very different context and Tal scowled down at the ground as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "This... prob'ly isn't gonna help much," he admitted reluctantly. Scaring Zavien further wasn't likely to help at all, in fact, but the soldier had asked for bluntness, right? "But... is there even anywhere on Caido that they can't reach, if they really wanted to? Stormbreak or Halo or th'Greatwood... Sure, they're th'most open about it in Stormbreak, but askin' Lena t'leave her home an' friends an' work at th'Celestine... we can't guarantee that she'll be safer anywhere else, I don't think." His scowl turned to a grimace as his shoulders hunched up in unhappiness at not having a better answer. "Y'need t'let yourself heal. But... y'can't make Lena do anythin' she doesn't want to, either. Maybe y'can find a place t'hole up for awhile an' she can visit y'there regularly? An' worst case... well, I'll help y'quest for a way t'see Void infection, so if anythin' does happen t'her, we've got th'healin' springs in Halo." oh you sweet summer child.
