LOREN
There would be. Except that Loren wasn’t really wondering about the past right now, but the future. While he wasn’t so sure either of them had made their peace with it—not fully, not in a way that would allow them to move on—the Launceleyn at least felt they’d done and said everything they could, and at this point it was best to let bygones be bygones. So he just nodded at Rexanna’s words.
The blue-eyed woman was at least right in her judgment about the summoner: he did care, probably too much, and it made him overly protective to the point of being stifling. Well, he could work on letting others take risks. But they also had to let him take his own risks, when it was right to do so. ”Thank you. But just...I know I get stuck in my head sometimes and act and say things without thinking how they’ll come across to others. So...when you tell me I’m wrong, just tell me honestly, without expecting me to intuit or interpret what you mean. And if you do, I promise I will listen without getting mad or defensive.” He wasn’t a mindreader, but he was far worse at picking up on other's body language and tone of voice than most people, which frustrated him. While he would work on getting better, he thought it was better to play to his strengths, at least at first. As her hand tapped his shoulder, he turned his palm up, gratefully squeezing her fingers.
At her apology, he smiled though it had a sad edge to it. ”Not your fault. And I’m learning to live with all of my past.” Slowly, excruciatingly, with many relapses. But that was how all progress worked. Returning her hug, arm tightening (though still at a comfortable level) around her shoulder, his smile grew, though still wasn’t exactly happy. ”That’s not who I am.” He never stopped doing things, which was part of the problem: even when it would be better to let it go or let others handle it, he tried to meddle or interfere, and always assumed he knew best. Which he could objectively admit he didn’t. That didn’t mean it was easy for him to step aside. At her offer to take care of any complaints, he let out a huff of laughter. ”I’ll keep that in mind.”
The blue-eyed woman was at least right in her judgment about the summoner: he did care, probably too much, and it made him overly protective to the point of being stifling. Well, he could work on letting others take risks. But they also had to let him take his own risks, when it was right to do so. ”Thank you. But just...I know I get stuck in my head sometimes and act and say things without thinking how they’ll come across to others. So...when you tell me I’m wrong, just tell me honestly, without expecting me to intuit or interpret what you mean. And if you do, I promise I will listen without getting mad or defensive.” He wasn’t a mindreader, but he was far worse at picking up on other's body language and tone of voice than most people, which frustrated him. While he would work on getting better, he thought it was better to play to his strengths, at least at first. As her hand tapped his shoulder, he turned his palm up, gratefully squeezing her fingers.
At her apology, he smiled though it had a sad edge to it. ”Not your fault. And I’m learning to live with all of my past.” Slowly, excruciatingly, with many relapses. But that was how all progress worked. Returning her hug, arm tightening (though still at a comfortable level) around her shoulder, his smile grew, though still wasn’t exactly happy. ”That’s not who I am.” He never stopped doing things, which was part of the problem: even when it would be better to let it go or let others handle it, he tried to meddle or interfere, and always assumed he knew best. Which he could objectively admit he didn’t. That didn’t mean it was easy for him to step aside. At her offer to take care of any complaints, he let out a huff of laughter. ”I’ll keep that in mind.”
REXANNA
