He gave a slight shake of his head and a wry smile. "You won't be in the way, I promise. Amalia is... in the Infirmary for a while, and Sam is spending much of his time off exploring Halo. Loren seems to prefer doing most of his research upstairs in the Atheneum, and Ingrid and Tarasha live elsewhere and are rarely in the guild anyways. But if you'd rather make other plans, I understand." For him, a year had passed since their disagreement over ruling, time for emotions to become blunted and turn to regret and nostalgia. For her, it had been... what, weeks? Since the last time he'd checked on her during her illness, before she had disappeared - forever, he'd thought then. Relief at having her back now made those old disagreements seem trivial, but for her they were likely still fresh.
He nodded, smiling gratefully that she was still willing to include him in her future plans, but recognizing the pride that drove so many in the Hollowed Grounds - Natural and Outlander alike, yes, but particularly those Naturals who were survivors of such a difficult and dangerous home.
He hadn't expected the offer of return assistance, blinking slightly in surprise that quickly faded to a warm smile at her willingness to help. For the briefest moment he considered telling her to focus on finding her own happiness--
But she, like he, was one who liked to feel wanted. Needed. Useful. Perhaps the best thing he could do for her was to do just that, and he had that task he'd acquired from Neron...
"There is something..." he began, turning the idea around in his head, considering her thoughtfully. She looked stronger than he had ever seen her, healthier somehow, and her eyes... "A task, to potentially benefit the Loreseeker archives as well as our new neighbor-through-the-portal, Halo. Tell me, have you heard of mage glass?" Perhaps unlikely, given her missing memories, but then again maybe it would jar loose one of them?
His smile widened but turned rueful and a little pained as she sought the flower's origin. He rubbed his hands together for a moment in silent contemplation, plucking silently at the strings of magic in his soul, and when he spread his fingers again a yellow rose seemed to grow between them in the blink of an eye. "Ah, well, I did mention that I'd been 'cursed,' didn't I? I've made an unfortunate habit of angering goddesses of late, and one doesn't do that without consequences."
He nodded, smiling gratefully that she was still willing to include him in her future plans, but recognizing the pride that drove so many in the Hollowed Grounds - Natural and Outlander alike, yes, but particularly those Naturals who were survivors of such a difficult and dangerous home.
He hadn't expected the offer of return assistance, blinking slightly in surprise that quickly faded to a warm smile at her willingness to help. For the briefest moment he considered telling her to focus on finding her own happiness--
But she, like he, was one who liked to feel wanted. Needed. Useful. Perhaps the best thing he could do for her was to do just that, and he had that task he'd acquired from Neron...
"There is something..." he began, turning the idea around in his head, considering her thoughtfully. She looked stronger than he had ever seen her, healthier somehow, and her eyes... "A task, to potentially benefit the Loreseeker archives as well as our new neighbor-through-the-portal, Halo. Tell me, have you heard of mage glass?" Perhaps unlikely, given her missing memories, but then again maybe it would jar loose one of them?
His smile widened but turned rueful and a little pained as she sought the flower's origin. He rubbed his hands together for a moment in silent contemplation, plucking silently at the strings of magic in his soul, and when he spread his fingers again a yellow rose seemed to grow between them in the blink of an eye. "Ah, well, I did mention that I'd been 'cursed,' didn't I? I've made an unfortunate habit of angering goddesses of late, and one doesn't do that without consequences."
