”It’s on the list,” Jigano agreed ruefully in regards to the barrier. ”The very long, ever-growing list of things I’m trying to research here.” Every week, if not more often, brought something new that had to be looked into. Some things, like the Long Night, he hoped would be fairly quick – written by the locals in a tongue he could understand. Others, like the Spire, the Demon, the Barrier… were more elusive.
His erstwhile companion seemed a little distracted by his presence, but not distraught. Oblivious to Remi’s past or inclinations, Jigano chalked up his nervousness to being around a stranger, not even realizing his sex played a part in it. Why should it? He had grown up in a place where there was no stigma associated with such things, and would have been baffled to learn that someplace so backwards existed.
Not unlike Remi’s surprise over the existence of fairies, something Jigano was still getting used to as well - that they weren't taken for granted as being real, even if rarely seen. ”Really,” he confirmed, a little bemused still at how…limited Caido was in that respect. He’d only met humans so far, with and without magic, but none of the wide variety of sentient creatures and beings he’d known on his world. Apparently Northhaven was much the same as Caido in that regard which seemed… almost sad, in a way.
He nodded agreement, no little satisfied to hear that Remi was also a bit of a scholar in their pursuit of sifting truth from tales, but an eyebrow rose in query at the non-answer he was given to his question about the other man’s affinity with the infirmary. Before he could pursue it Remi was kind enough to continue, but his answer brought the second brow up for a moment before Jigano consciously smoothed his expression out to one of polite interest rather than total shock.
”An… animal shift?” he asked tentatively. ”That you… developed…” He hesitated, attention completely distracted from his book as he found himself examining Remi for any hint of what kind of animal. That feather… was he a bird? But what kind of bird would require people to be armed against it? Jigano chewed his lip furiously for a moment until the other man found a passage in his own book – one that had the bard blinking in surprise, then frowning at.
”Cruel. Evil, even. But smart. Enough for a man to say ‘But I didn’t wield the knife that killed him’ under truth-sensing. Or for someone too squeamish to do the deed themselves to still get retribution. That’ll be a nasty business to watch out for, then.” His frown turned momentarily to a scowl, but he shook his head and forced his expression to something more pleasant.
”The luxere, at least, I know. Isla and I met one in the glade. It’s a deer – a reindeer, I think – with glowing antlers and a gentle disposition. We sang for it and it approached us quite fearlessly. Looking for treats, no less.” His smile by the end was sincere, the recent memory a good one.
”But, please, tell me more of this animal shift you mentioned. Just how does one ‘develop’ such a thing?” There was lycanthropy, of course, or a sorcerer’s transmutation, but the way Remi had mentioned it didn’t sound like either of those things, and Jigano found himself more than a little uneasy at this development. Was he not, then, the only one here?
His erstwhile companion seemed a little distracted by his presence, but not distraught. Oblivious to Remi’s past or inclinations, Jigano chalked up his nervousness to being around a stranger, not even realizing his sex played a part in it. Why should it? He had grown up in a place where there was no stigma associated with such things, and would have been baffled to learn that someplace so backwards existed.
Not unlike Remi’s surprise over the existence of fairies, something Jigano was still getting used to as well - that they weren't taken for granted as being real, even if rarely seen. ”Really,” he confirmed, a little bemused still at how…limited Caido was in that respect. He’d only met humans so far, with and without magic, but none of the wide variety of sentient creatures and beings he’d known on his world. Apparently Northhaven was much the same as Caido in that regard which seemed… almost sad, in a way.
He nodded agreement, no little satisfied to hear that Remi was also a bit of a scholar in their pursuit of sifting truth from tales, but an eyebrow rose in query at the non-answer he was given to his question about the other man’s affinity with the infirmary. Before he could pursue it Remi was kind enough to continue, but his answer brought the second brow up for a moment before Jigano consciously smoothed his expression out to one of polite interest rather than total shock.
”An… animal shift?” he asked tentatively. ”That you… developed…” He hesitated, attention completely distracted from his book as he found himself examining Remi for any hint of what kind of animal. That feather… was he a bird? But what kind of bird would require people to be armed against it? Jigano chewed his lip furiously for a moment until the other man found a passage in his own book – one that had the bard blinking in surprise, then frowning at.
”Cruel. Evil, even. But smart. Enough for a man to say ‘But I didn’t wield the knife that killed him’ under truth-sensing. Or for someone too squeamish to do the deed themselves to still get retribution. That’ll be a nasty business to watch out for, then.” His frown turned momentarily to a scowl, but he shook his head and forced his expression to something more pleasant.
”The luxere, at least, I know. Isla and I met one in the glade. It’s a deer – a reindeer, I think – with glowing antlers and a gentle disposition. We sang for it and it approached us quite fearlessly. Looking for treats, no less.” His smile by the end was sincere, the recent memory a good one.
”But, please, tell me more of this animal shift you mentioned. Just how does one ‘develop’ such a thing?” There was lycanthropy, of course, or a sorcerer’s transmutation, but the way Remi had mentioned it didn’t sound like either of those things, and Jigano found himself more than a little uneasy at this development. Was he not, then, the only one here?
