whatever comes, let it come
what stays, let it stay
Cold and barren was right: as soon as Loren stepped through the portal to Halo, the name familiar to him from his conversation with a certain demi-god, those were the first two things he noticed. He shivered in his totally inadequate clothes, but before he could do anything to warm himself up, a voice rang out. Only then did he notice the soldiers, and the unfamiliar man who was apparently their leader. Teeth chattering, he did his best to muster up a response, hands seeking Astra’s fur for comfort and warmth. Unfortunately, before he could say anything, Adam was there, popping up from the portal behind, and speaking rapidly. And dithering, which they'd been expressly forbidden to do. It was all Loren could do not to roll his eyes or grit his teeth, though he wasn't surprised: the dark-haired man showed an incredible lack of common sense, insight, or self-preservation, and had been basically useless in getting them to the portal. Time for the old ducal manners then. It would be hard, but he'd manage; although his clothes were as black as the other man's, they were streaked with mud and dust, but still somehow he summoned up a regal bearing. ”Excuse my companion. We are from the Hollowed Grounds. We hope to establish trade and diplomatic relations between your land and ours. We mean you no harm.” His voice came firmly and calmly and his face was politely friendly.
They might have been face to face, but the other man’s face was unknown to the summoner. However, something in the stranger’s voice and words stirred now long dormant instincts. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the scared boy he’d been once upon a time, so at the kind of insult, all Loren did was narrow his eyes. ”I’m sorry, sir, you have the advantage of me. How do you know my name?” His voice came out politely as he could manage.
Then, because he wasn’t going to just stand there and freeze to death, he decided to see how far he could push this. ”Might I summon something to warm me and my companions?” It had been a while since he’d called upon his phoenix, but maybe it would come, even after his summoning had gone wonky. If not, he’d try to warm the water and ice all around him, but that seemed like it might create more problems than it was worth. Worst case, though, if he felt himself slipping under, he’d heal the damage from the cold. Plus, he could use it to attack the soldiers.
what goes, let go
LOREN
