Hoping wasn't very reassuring. Hope was in very short supply right now as his was dashed against the rocky shoals of Jiao's sympathetic pragmatism and kindly-meant honesty. At least he could shake his head at the mention of magic, feeling a little relieved. "No, I never knew anyone who studied spellbooks or anything like that. Though I guess my kinship with the wind might seem magical to humans." He smiled finally, a brief expression of humor amidst his anxiety at the silliness of the fully-mortal.
The Fair One's silent negation was only to be expected, and Kel's hope had barely raised at all, so it didn't have far to fall. He bit his lip, finding more reason than not to avoid the shrines, even as talk of his own gods made him wistful. Jiao's attempt to raise his spirits with her encouragement earned a wan smile again as he nodded, though the last thing he wanted was some grand gesture on his behalf.
Deities might expect something in return for such a prayer, and he had nothing he might give. "I'll not bother them for awhile," he promised. "If they can't send me home... I guess... I wouldn't even know what to pray for." He looked at Jiao shyly, manner tentative as he spoke. "What... can I ask what you prayed for, when Safrin answered you?"
The Fair One's silent negation was only to be expected, and Kel's hope had barely raised at all, so it didn't have far to fall. He bit his lip, finding more reason than not to avoid the shrines, even as talk of his own gods made him wistful. Jiao's attempt to raise his spirits with her encouragement earned a wan smile again as he nodded, though the last thing he wanted was some grand gesture on his behalf.
Deities might expect something in return for such a prayer, and he had nothing he might give. "I'll not bother them for awhile," he promised. "If they can't send me home... I guess... I wouldn't even know what to pray for." He looked at Jiao shyly, manner tentative as he spoke. "What... can I ask what you prayed for, when Safrin answered you?"
