This was a kinder, gentler Loren than the man he'd sparred with in Apopo's jungle, and Jigano was grateful for that softer warmth today. It was, perhaps, his turn to need a little comforting, and he welcomed the Healer's understanding and compassion for both Maea's loss and Rory's stubborn decision to remain in danger...
No less than the bard insisted on putting himself there.
"I would, normally... but... things are rather..." he trailed off on a sigh, unsure of what to say. He gave a helpless little shrug as he looked across the table at his friend ruefully. "Amalia and I are trying very hard to rebuild what I... broke... between us last year. I don't want to do anything to step on her toes at this point. Not when she's suggested I go to Safrin again." And there was anxiety in the bond at that thought, and a flicker of fear beneath it for that particularly goddess.
Talk of Amalia's brother was a little easier, if only because it was always easier to be on the outside of such drama than in the midst of living it. Still, he was glad that his two friends remained friends, and he returned Loren's smile gladly. "I'm glad that you have good memories from it, then, and that I can invite both of you to dinner when Deepfrost is over without it being awkward," he added with a chuckle.
He tilted his head curiously at Loren's uncertainty, but gave a wry nod. "That's how I felt with the magic of my item shifting," he agreed. "Until I actually used it, it just kind of... itched beneath my skin for a bit. If we had more time before the passes closed I'd offer to help you train a bit and see if we could coax it to the surface." The approach of Deepfrost was beginning to weigh down on them all, however, and he wasn't looking forward to Halo being cut off from the rest of the world for a full season.
No less than the bard insisted on putting himself there.
"I would, normally... but... things are rather..." he trailed off on a sigh, unsure of what to say. He gave a helpless little shrug as he looked across the table at his friend ruefully. "Amalia and I are trying very hard to rebuild what I... broke... between us last year. I don't want to do anything to step on her toes at this point. Not when she's suggested I go to Safrin again." And there was anxiety in the bond at that thought, and a flicker of fear beneath it for that particularly goddess.
Talk of Amalia's brother was a little easier, if only because it was always easier to be on the outside of such drama than in the midst of living it. Still, he was glad that his two friends remained friends, and he returned Loren's smile gladly. "I'm glad that you have good memories from it, then, and that I can invite both of you to dinner when Deepfrost is over without it being awkward," he added with a chuckle.
He tilted his head curiously at Loren's uncertainty, but gave a wry nod. "That's how I felt with the magic of my item shifting," he agreed. "Until I actually used it, it just kind of... itched beneath my skin for a bit. If we had more time before the passes closed I'd offer to help you train a bit and see if we could coax it to the surface." The approach of Deepfrost was beginning to weigh down on them all, however, and he wasn't looking forward to Halo being cut off from the rest of the world for a full season.
