They say blood makes you related but
loyalty makes you family
Loren had been running all over the Hollowed Grounds, too busy to spend much time at the Atheneum during Deepfrost. However, soon after his return he’d seen how (in the insanity of the past few seasons and his absence) the once restored and proud building had been falling into disrepair. So, despite the cold, despite the long list of things he had to do, despite the way others still didn’t know exactly what to make of the presence of the latest Launceleyn, who’d come back, seemingly from out of nowhere, he made sure to spend at least part of his day at the Atheneum, doing what little he could to keep it organized and safe from harm.
Today was no exception: after making sure everything was settled at the manor and running his ever-growing list of errands, he’d picked his way through the snow towards the familiar dome. As always these days, he was accompanied by Astra: the tiny luxere was totally unaffected by the cold, given her luscious coat. Indeed, she seemed thrilled to frolic in it, ranging ahead and behind in wide loops. She always returned to his side for a head rub before too long, so he wasn’t too worried. While she was still new in his life, the summoner was pretty sure he would never get used to seeing her by his side. It was a joy and a privilege he knew for a fact he did not deserve.
Today, however, it appeared they’d have some company among the stacks: directly in front of them, a man was also hurrying through the drifts, heading unmistakably for the Atheneum. Loren smiled, pleased that others still remembered the scrolls and books, but it quickly turned to a frown as he examined the figure ahead. From where the Launceleyn was standing, it didn’t look like the other man was adequately dressed for the cold. While normally Loren would have assumed the stranger was an Ascended—who weren’t bothered by such paltry things as extreme temperatures—the way the figure ahead clutched himself indicated that the other man was very much feeling the cold.
Picking up his pace, Loren tried to catch up to the unfamiliar figure. However, he wasn’t quite able to completely close the distance before the man ahead slipped through the doors of the Atheneum. Luckily, the summoner was right on the stranger's heels; indeed, the unfamiliar man was still just inside the entrance when the librarian pushed through it. ”Hey, are you alright? Here, take this.” The Launceleyn slung off his own cloak without a thought and handed it to the other man. It was warmer in the Atheneum, that much was true, but still chilly enough that Loren felt goosebumps, so no doubt the other man was suffering more. While the summoner wanted to ask what had possessed the stranger to walk out in the cold completely unprepared, the Launceleyn decided to make sure the other man was safe before plying him with questions. Astra, for her part, walked forward and huddled against the pitiful figure, offering her own body heat to the cause. That was always a good sign, since she was a much better judge of character than Loren was.
Today was no exception: after making sure everything was settled at the manor and running his ever-growing list of errands, he’d picked his way through the snow towards the familiar dome. As always these days, he was accompanied by Astra: the tiny luxere was totally unaffected by the cold, given her luscious coat. Indeed, she seemed thrilled to frolic in it, ranging ahead and behind in wide loops. She always returned to his side for a head rub before too long, so he wasn’t too worried. While she was still new in his life, the summoner was pretty sure he would never get used to seeing her by his side. It was a joy and a privilege he knew for a fact he did not deserve.
Today, however, it appeared they’d have some company among the stacks: directly in front of them, a man was also hurrying through the drifts, heading unmistakably for the Atheneum. Loren smiled, pleased that others still remembered the scrolls and books, but it quickly turned to a frown as he examined the figure ahead. From where the Launceleyn was standing, it didn’t look like the other man was adequately dressed for the cold. While normally Loren would have assumed the stranger was an Ascended—who weren’t bothered by such paltry things as extreme temperatures—the way the figure ahead clutched himself indicated that the other man was very much feeling the cold.
Picking up his pace, Loren tried to catch up to the unfamiliar figure. However, he wasn’t quite able to completely close the distance before the man ahead slipped through the doors of the Atheneum. Luckily, the summoner was right on the stranger's heels; indeed, the unfamiliar man was still just inside the entrance when the librarian pushed through it. ”Hey, are you alright? Here, take this.” The Launceleyn slung off his own cloak without a thought and handed it to the other man. It was warmer in the Atheneum, that much was true, but still chilly enough that Loren felt goosebumps, so no doubt the other man was suffering more. While the summoner wanted to ask what had possessed the stranger to walk out in the cold completely unprepared, the Launceleyn decided to make sure the other man was safe before plying him with questions. Astra, for her part, walked forward and huddled against the pitiful figure, offering her own body heat to the cause. That was always a good sign, since she was a much better judge of character than Loren was.
LOREN
