Even under his breath the General rumbled, a basso profundo comment that had Jigano only shrugging. There had been other trials, other challenges that surely could have benefited from a form that was stronger or fiercer or more dangerous than what he could currently claim. Foxes and ravens were agile and clever but hardly dangerous. His horse form was useful in many ways, but an enraged herbivore was still easy prey for a pack of decent-sized predators. Even his serpent form lacked venom, being more defensive and protective than threatening.
But perhaps that was because he wasn't a warrior like Deimos was. He listened with a flicker of his old curiosity chasing the mourning shadows from his eyes for a moment as the General revealed something of where his own new talents came from. That, and the slightest hint of an unexpected smile from the Sword that was a sliver of moonlight in the longest night. Safrin's touch (however abrupt and potentially lethal) to grant an eagle's flight? It suited the General, but Jigano hardly needed to tell him what he already knew. The tiger shape was news to him, and a brow quirked slightly in curiosity, but Roana's name was a reminder of the dead and the light faded from the bard's eyes as he dropped his gaze again, nodding quiet thanks for what Deimos had shared.
Caiside's name in the past tense brought a tightening to the corners of his eyes, but the invitation was not unwelcome. "He was my friend," Jigano said quietly, the words slow and carrying a full measure of grief. "And a member of my guild. We came from similar worlds and our fathers were both smiths." He flexed his hand against the returning forge calluses on it, remembering Caiside's lessons. "He... had the form of a great stag, so dark his fur was nearly black. He... helped me learn to overcome my reticence over using the Attuned mindlink." Every reiteration of the past tense was a blow that drove the loss home deeper, but it gave some solace to share his friend's name so that others would know it and remember him in some way.
But perhaps that was because he wasn't a warrior like Deimos was. He listened with a flicker of his old curiosity chasing the mourning shadows from his eyes for a moment as the General revealed something of where his own new talents came from. That, and the slightest hint of an unexpected smile from the Sword that was a sliver of moonlight in the longest night. Safrin's touch (however abrupt and potentially lethal) to grant an eagle's flight? It suited the General, but Jigano hardly needed to tell him what he already knew. The tiger shape was news to him, and a brow quirked slightly in curiosity, but Roana's name was a reminder of the dead and the light faded from the bard's eyes as he dropped his gaze again, nodding quiet thanks for what Deimos had shared.
Caiside's name in the past tense brought a tightening to the corners of his eyes, but the invitation was not unwelcome. "He was my friend," Jigano said quietly, the words slow and carrying a full measure of grief. "And a member of my guild. We came from similar worlds and our fathers were both smiths." He flexed his hand against the returning forge calluses on it, remembering Caiside's lessons. "He... had the form of a great stag, so dark his fur was nearly black. He... helped me learn to overcome my reticence over using the Attuned mindlink." Every reiteration of the past tense was a blow that drove the loss home deeper, but it gave some solace to share his friend's name so that others would know it and remember him in some way.
