"I have no intention of being lost or dying any time soon," Jigano reassured his friend solemnly. "Remi..." He just couldn't get away from the boy, could he? Giving a rueful shake of his head and glad that Sam couldn't see him, he wrapped his arms a little more tightly around himself. "You will have to speak to him yourself. He is..." The bard trailed off again, trying to organize his thoughts and not let his emotions get the better of him. "He does not value himself enough," he said at last, slowly. "But that must be between you and him. What might come of your relationship... that's up to you to grow." He tilted a sad smile at his friend's back, keeping his own just a little short so he wouldn't overtake the bookmaker.
"But you won't need to go 'back', Sam. Think of the people you've met - Isla, Kalt, Nairi, Caiside - and remember how things were when you met myself and Remi as well. Not everyone will be your friend right away, but the more you see them, and speak to them, and share experiences, the more likely they, too, will become friends. Not 'replacements', either, but friends with their own important places in your heart." His smile widened encouragingly. "We're just the first. But you're too good of a person for us to be the last, Sam."
"But you won't need to go 'back', Sam. Think of the people you've met - Isla, Kalt, Nairi, Caiside - and remember how things were when you met myself and Remi as well. Not everyone will be your friend right away, but the more you see them, and speak to them, and share experiences, the more likely they, too, will become friends. Not 'replacements', either, but friends with their own important places in your heart." His smile widened encouragingly. "We're just the first. But you're too good of a person for us to be the last, Sam."
