Ianto's caution might have been well-meant, but the blighted bard bristled at the implied criticism in the fox's words. A growl tickled the back of his throat, the mood shift abrupt and without warning, and black claws sank into the wood of the staff in his hand as he glared after the fuzzy red butt ahead of him. It was lucky for both of them that Ianto interrupted the growing rage with a yip of good news, and Jigano scowled but felt the anger break against a flare of hope. He grumbled under his breath but stepped up his pace, leaning heavily on his staff to support his swinging step.
"I hope it's the right one..." What did Ianto know of herbs, anyways? It was probably another false trail, maybe one laid deliberately by the Labyrinth to lead foolish foxes astray, but the slimmest chance of 'maybe he's right' brought Jigano along at the rear, giving his best two-legged speed as Ianto dashed back and forth like an excited pup.
Hearing about Long Night outside the Barrier soothed the bard somewhat, his temper subsiding as swiftly as it had come. Jiao had said similar things, though couched in vaguer terms. "That sounds... nice," he acknowledged, even if it was a grudging admisssion with little of his usual grace. "I wouldn't count on it being so peaceful this year though," he warned darkly. "If you see Delah or her Fae, you should get one of them to come to the Atheneum. Jiao might be a good choice, she likes books. I've set aside a shelf near the front full of books that speak of Long Night preparations and the stories around it from within the barrier. From what we've learned, I wouldn't count on the monsters politely staying out of the Woods just because the warchief asks nicely." If it were that easy, Long Night wouldn't be nearly so full of terror and death, after all.
"I hope it's the right one..." What did Ianto know of herbs, anyways? It was probably another false trail, maybe one laid deliberately by the Labyrinth to lead foolish foxes astray, but the slimmest chance of 'maybe he's right' brought Jigano along at the rear, giving his best two-legged speed as Ianto dashed back and forth like an excited pup.
Hearing about Long Night outside the Barrier soothed the bard somewhat, his temper subsiding as swiftly as it had come. Jiao had said similar things, though couched in vaguer terms. "That sounds... nice," he acknowledged, even if it was a grudging admisssion with little of his usual grace. "I wouldn't count on it being so peaceful this year though," he warned darkly. "If you see Delah or her Fae, you should get one of them to come to the Atheneum. Jiao might be a good choice, she likes books. I've set aside a shelf near the front full of books that speak of Long Night preparations and the stories around it from within the barrier. From what we've learned, I wouldn't count on the monsters politely staying out of the Woods just because the warchief asks nicely." If it were that easy, Long Night wouldn't be nearly so full of terror and death, after all.
