"Good points, all," he conceded with a smile, impressed at the way her mind was working now, chasing down alternative paths and looking at more than one possible answer to the questions at hand. "And from what I have heard, that is indeed why we were brought here. Though... not necessarily by the old gods," he cautioned. Her humility in admitting that she might not have been the best person to speak to Ludo had the bard humming noncommittally, arching a brow at her light voice delivering such shadowed words.
"Aren't you, though? Midwives battle death as much as any healer. You're connected to death and life, both, in that regard. You're as qualified as any - indeed, more qualified than most - to speak to him, I'd think." But perhaps that adversarial relationship had caused a bit of friction? Only... no, from what he'd seen Ludo wasn't a stealer of lives but a guide of souls. Phoebe would take nothing from him that would not eventually be his in the fullness of time, so perhaps it was as simple as a clash of personalities... or the stresses of Long Night on the young woman's mind.
Their steps continued, along with their conversation, and Phoebe's resigned question earned a slightly strained smile from the bard, though perhaps the odd play of shadows and light made it less obvious. "Only if we aren't clever enough to find a third option," he said softly. "And we might not be. But that doesn't mean we should stop trying."
///
The Shrine had been quiet, for better or worse. Perhaps the Voice did not wish to talk to a non-Ascended, or perhaps she was busy with other plans, but either way Jigano was relieved that Phoebe had avoided a curse or retaliation for her hubris. He led the way back, turning their conversation to the past rather than the future, and listening curiously to the midwife's life. "A skill that earns you such an important place would seem to make you a somebody, don't you think?" he encouraged gently. "Where did you learn your trade? Did you go to that medical school Kalt mentioned? Or was it training you inherited from your family?"
"Aren't you, though? Midwives battle death as much as any healer. You're connected to death and life, both, in that regard. You're as qualified as any - indeed, more qualified than most - to speak to him, I'd think." But perhaps that adversarial relationship had caused a bit of friction? Only... no, from what he'd seen Ludo wasn't a stealer of lives but a guide of souls. Phoebe would take nothing from him that would not eventually be his in the fullness of time, so perhaps it was as simple as a clash of personalities... or the stresses of Long Night on the young woman's mind.
Their steps continued, along with their conversation, and Phoebe's resigned question earned a slightly strained smile from the bard, though perhaps the odd play of shadows and light made it less obvious. "Only if we aren't clever enough to find a third option," he said softly. "And we might not be. But that doesn't mean we should stop trying."
///
The Shrine had been quiet, for better or worse. Perhaps the Voice did not wish to talk to a non-Ascended, or perhaps she was busy with other plans, but either way Jigano was relieved that Phoebe had avoided a curse or retaliation for her hubris. He led the way back, turning their conversation to the past rather than the future, and listening curiously to the midwife's life. "A skill that earns you such an important place would seem to make you a somebody, don't you think?" he encouraged gently. "Where did you learn your trade? Did you go to that medical school Kalt mentioned? Or was it training you inherited from your family?"
