Quanil's estimation of their families chances was clinical, even analytical, and Jigano watched the newest Seeker closely, trying to determine if that would be a problem for the guild. Curiosity and a love of learning was good... but curiosity that wasn't balanced by compassion or empathy for others was potentially dangerous. Onni's fall into shadow was years distant in his memories but still fresh enough to worry him. The flicker of relief in Quanil's expression as they worked out how their family would be fine without them was a point of reassurance, however, so he continued to listen and wait.
'Freina' was a name to put to the missing girl, at least, a sibling who Quanil had read stories to and helped to raise. An idea began to form, but his young guest continued and he had to hide a snort at the idea of being 'cursed.' He kept his expression thoughtful as he tilted his head at them instead, watching their hands as much as their face. "Are you Abandoned, then?" he asked quietly. "Do you have Earth or Healing magic that helps the chickens and crops grow when you talk to them?" That wasn't really a curse in the eyes of most outlanders, no matter what local opinion on the matter was. Simple curiosity, though? No, they were painting a better picture of why they had wanted to get away, and it was understandable...
Even if the underlying consequences hadn't changed.
"There aren't so many people here that you can hide from them forever," he said gently. "Someone who knows you will see you in town eventually and tell them. And is that really how you want to start out as a Loreseeker - by building your place with us on a lie?" He shook his head, leaning back to sip his tea as he considered Quanil the Quandary. "I won't revoke the place I offered you, for it's my own fault for not asking these questions before I gave you that pin. But before you are sent on any other Loreseeker business you will need to do things. One: find out what happened to your sister." Simply separated in the crowd? Or dead, with so many other children? That might be the first hard truth that Quanil had to face. "And two, you need to let your parents know that you survived, and show that you are capable of supporting yourself on your own, as an adult in your own right."
'Freina' was a name to put to the missing girl, at least, a sibling who Quanil had read stories to and helped to raise. An idea began to form, but his young guest continued and he had to hide a snort at the idea of being 'cursed.' He kept his expression thoughtful as he tilted his head at them instead, watching their hands as much as their face. "Are you Abandoned, then?" he asked quietly. "Do you have Earth or Healing magic that helps the chickens and crops grow when you talk to them?" That wasn't really a curse in the eyes of most outlanders, no matter what local opinion on the matter was. Simple curiosity, though? No, they were painting a better picture of why they had wanted to get away, and it was understandable...
Even if the underlying consequences hadn't changed.
"There aren't so many people here that you can hide from them forever," he said gently. "Someone who knows you will see you in town eventually and tell them. And is that really how you want to start out as a Loreseeker - by building your place with us on a lie?" He shook his head, leaning back to sip his tea as he considered Quanil the Quandary. "I won't revoke the place I offered you, for it's my own fault for not asking these questions before I gave you that pin. But before you are sent on any other Loreseeker business you will need to do things. One: find out what happened to your sister." Simply separated in the crowd? Or dead, with so many other children? That might be the first hard truth that Quanil had to face. "And two, you need to let your parents know that you survived, and show that you are capable of supporting yourself on your own, as an adult in your own right."
