"'Acquired' was the old name for 'Abandoned'," Jigano explained patiently. "Magic-users, in other words. Magic users who sought to challenge the gods themselves... and, to an extent, succeeded. Which is why the old gods aren't very trusting or fond of Abandoned even now. They trusted their worshipers before, and were burned for it. They are least fond of the Ascended who worship the new gods, but their memories are long enough that all Abandoned are somewhat suspect, lest their ambitions lead them down that road once more."
He blinked in astonishment as Abasi made leaps in assumptions that made little sense to him based on their conversation, and his brow furrowed as he sat back in shock. "What in the lowest hells are you talking about?" he asked, genuinely confused and no little offended. "You were the one who said that gods could smite people they didn't care for. I was explaining why they don't do that, not on this world. Perhaps it was common on yours but... no, not here." He shook his head in disgust, rising to dust his hands off on his trousers. "And no, I've killed no one, not even among the Ascended." Not for lack of trying with Wessex, though that had been a matter self-defense after she had attacked him and then unleashed a Frost Giant on him. "I count some of their number as friends, even if I disagree with their goddess." The look he had for Abasi's apparent bloodthirstiness was disappointed and distant as he glanced back at the building behind him with a frown. His work was done quietly, not as flashily as Amalia's or Phoebe's, but he would see what words he could drop in a few ears, perhaps, to make it clear that this place had no connection to the gods of Caido or the centuries of burial traditions of such a small community. If he found that Abasi was misrepresenting himself as he seemed so eager to do with Jigano's words, then he would see if stronger steps would need to be taken.
"Phoebe has a number of responsibilities," he agreed, turning his attention back to Abasi with the courteous expression back in place, professional and polite to all outward appearances. "As does Amalia. As you might imagine, those with the gods' favor tend to be busy with tasks both mundane and divine. But I wish you the best of luck in your discussions with them."
He blinked in astonishment as Abasi made leaps in assumptions that made little sense to him based on their conversation, and his brow furrowed as he sat back in shock. "What in the lowest hells are you talking about?" he asked, genuinely confused and no little offended. "You were the one who said that gods could smite people they didn't care for. I was explaining why they don't do that, not on this world. Perhaps it was common on yours but... no, not here." He shook his head in disgust, rising to dust his hands off on his trousers. "And no, I've killed no one, not even among the Ascended." Not for lack of trying with Wessex, though that had been a matter self-defense after she had attacked him and then unleashed a Frost Giant on him. "I count some of their number as friends, even if I disagree with their goddess." The look he had for Abasi's apparent bloodthirstiness was disappointed and distant as he glanced back at the building behind him with a frown. His work was done quietly, not as flashily as Amalia's or Phoebe's, but he would see what words he could drop in a few ears, perhaps, to make it clear that this place had no connection to the gods of Caido or the centuries of burial traditions of such a small community. If he found that Abasi was misrepresenting himself as he seemed so eager to do with Jigano's words, then he would see if stronger steps would need to be taken.
"Phoebe has a number of responsibilities," he agreed, turning his attention back to Abasi with the courteous expression back in place, professional and polite to all outward appearances. "As does Amalia. As you might imagine, those with the gods' favor tend to be busy with tasks both mundane and divine. But I wish you the best of luck in your discussions with them."
