He was sympathetic to Samuel’s situation with his family, but as the other man showed no interest in talking about it or wanting to dwell, Jigano politely let the topic drop. It was a bit soon to be prying into such personal matters without invitation, but since they were both trapped in the barrier together for the foreseeable future, and they were getting along quite well, there would likely be time for such things in the future.
Samuel’s grin was a breath of fresh air, much like his blossoming confidence, and Jigano couldn’t help but smile in response. He gave a gracious nod of his head and settled back to rest his hip against the table, watching his friend peruse the nearby shelves for a moment. He glanced down, curious about the other volumes on the table, and began to reach for one that must have fallen on the history. His stretching fingers had almost brushed it when the other man returned, his saturnine face aglow with cheer. The bard blinked, quietly delighted at the transformation, and drew his hand back to focus on Samuel’s find.
“It’s been a while since I was able to enjoy a good romance,” he admitted wistfully, leaning over to admire the ink as it was pointed out. “There’s so much I should be researching, learning about this place… but… perhaps a small break when I finish the history…” He caught his lip between his teeth for a moment, wavering, but Samuel’s obvious joy in the book made up his mind and he gave a decisive nod as his smile returned. ”Yes, I will. Thank you, Samuel, for the recommendation!” He turned to shift a few of the other books out of the way to make room for the new one on his growing pile, and again the nondescript, slim little volume caught his eyes.
”What is this, though?” he murmured softly, reaching for the book with the intent to move it aside. Fingers brushed the cover and a spark seemed to leap from the cloth-wrapped cardboard to his hand. The book snapped hungrily—
And with a startled look on his sharp features, the white-haired bard disappeared, sucked down into the pages of the volume, which settled back contentedly on the history, innocently motionless once more.
Samuel’s grin was a breath of fresh air, much like his blossoming confidence, and Jigano couldn’t help but smile in response. He gave a gracious nod of his head and settled back to rest his hip against the table, watching his friend peruse the nearby shelves for a moment. He glanced down, curious about the other volumes on the table, and began to reach for one that must have fallen on the history. His stretching fingers had almost brushed it when the other man returned, his saturnine face aglow with cheer. The bard blinked, quietly delighted at the transformation, and drew his hand back to focus on Samuel’s find.
“It’s been a while since I was able to enjoy a good romance,” he admitted wistfully, leaning over to admire the ink as it was pointed out. “There’s so much I should be researching, learning about this place… but… perhaps a small break when I finish the history…” He caught his lip between his teeth for a moment, wavering, but Samuel’s obvious joy in the book made up his mind and he gave a decisive nod as his smile returned. ”Yes, I will. Thank you, Samuel, for the recommendation!” He turned to shift a few of the other books out of the way to make room for the new one on his growing pile, and again the nondescript, slim little volume caught his eyes.
”What is this, though?” he murmured softly, reaching for the book with the intent to move it aside. Fingers brushed the cover and a spark seemed to leap from the cloth-wrapped cardboard to his hand. The book snapped hungrily—
And with a startled look on his sharp features, the white-haired bard disappeared, sucked down into the pages of the volume, which settled back contentedly on the history, innocently motionless once more.
