He had not expected tears.
Not from the man who had, effectively, told him to ‘sit down and shut up’ less than a day earlier.
Still, the cobbler had chosen his side with those words, and the bard did not let him shy away from the consequences of his actions or hide behind a shield of humility and pity. Jigano could not know what was in Are’s past, but he knew something of the recent events surrounding the various attacks on the Spire and its guardian, and he had listened to Outlanders and Naturals both… and found Outlander impatience and recklessness to be deaf and heavy-handed.
Ascended impatience too, as it had turned out in the end.
But Are had leapt in feet-first and eyes-closed, and the lorekeeper was done trying to soothe hurt feelings and stubbed emotional toes.
He listened to the wobbly voice as Are began to speak. He did not know the word ‘kristinn,’ though he took some satisfaction in hearing that the cobbler was rethinking his actions in a new light. The intensity of his gaze did not waver, however, as the other man seemed determined to put his foot in his mouth yet again.
”On the contrary, your words mean a great deal,” Jigano said dryly. ”The words you spoke last night, for instance. And the words you will use going forward, whether you chose to apologize to those you have hurt, or choose instead to wallow silently in regret and shame.” At last the bard sat back, shaking his head as he lifted the mug Are had brought. ”Cleverness matters less than empathy,” he said at last, letting the words roll slowly from his tongue, the sharp bite faded from his voice. ”And ignorance is no excuse for hurting others. Especially if you know what it is to be hurt in just that way.” Gods knew he'd made that mistake often enough himself, and it was a bitter draught every time he realized it. He sipped the warm beer, hiding his grimace with practiced ease before he looked at Are again. ”So, Are son of Jorm… what is it that you wish to do now with this lesson you have learned?”
Not from the man who had, effectively, told him to ‘sit down and shut up’ less than a day earlier.
Still, the cobbler had chosen his side with those words, and the bard did not let him shy away from the consequences of his actions or hide behind a shield of humility and pity. Jigano could not know what was in Are’s past, but he knew something of the recent events surrounding the various attacks on the Spire and its guardian, and he had listened to Outlanders and Naturals both… and found Outlander impatience and recklessness to be deaf and heavy-handed.
Ascended impatience too, as it had turned out in the end.
But Are had leapt in feet-first and eyes-closed, and the lorekeeper was done trying to soothe hurt feelings and stubbed emotional toes.
He listened to the wobbly voice as Are began to speak. He did not know the word ‘kristinn,’ though he took some satisfaction in hearing that the cobbler was rethinking his actions in a new light. The intensity of his gaze did not waver, however, as the other man seemed determined to put his foot in his mouth yet again.
”On the contrary, your words mean a great deal,” Jigano said dryly. ”The words you spoke last night, for instance. And the words you will use going forward, whether you chose to apologize to those you have hurt, or choose instead to wallow silently in regret and shame.” At last the bard sat back, shaking his head as he lifted the mug Are had brought. ”Cleverness matters less than empathy,” he said at last, letting the words roll slowly from his tongue, the sharp bite faded from his voice. ”And ignorance is no excuse for hurting others. Especially if you know what it is to be hurt in just that way.” Gods knew he'd made that mistake often enough himself, and it was a bitter draught every time he realized it. He sipped the warm beer, hiding his grimace with practiced ease before he looked at Are again. ”So, Are son of Jorm… what is it that you wish to do now with this lesson you have learned?”
