It was curious - fascinating, even - to hear someone speak of the Old Gods so casually. Within the barrier he had known only Safrin and Ludo (and Amalia) to refer to them with such reverent ease. He was pleased to hear of her approval of both Mort and Safrin, and Ludo by extension. It was something of a relief to find that all of the Old Gods were viewed favorably by the Fae. If Mort and Ludo had been shunned he wasn't sure what he would have done. Vi and Safrin made sense for a woodland people to revere - gods of life and nature, working each in their own way to nurture the forest. He was glad - very glad - that Ludo wasn't met with fear or resentment for shepherding souls at the end of their mortal journey onto the next stage of existence.
Jigano couldn't help but tilt his head on curiosity as Rae's name was invoked. "We just celebrated a festival in Rae and Frey's honor. Fiat Lux, it was called, and it was a, ah... a very joyful time," he explained, a bittersweet smile quirking his lips at the memories of those colorful days and... warm nights. Amalia's laughter rang in his ears, her mischief given free rein as she danced and teased them mercilessly, exercising a little sister's prerogatives to the limits...
The question came out of nowhere, on the heels of his own memories of falling into Rory's arms, and his honey-toned cheeks flushed warm as he ducked his head, scrambling to recover his poise.
"Ah... well. I... there is someone, yes..." Blue eyes and golden hair and hands rough from tending the farm and lips like fire on his skin... Jigano glanced up from behind the veil of his silver hair, and in spite of the anxiety he felt for his missing friends, there was a softness and a warmth in his own blue eyes. "I have loved my family before, and cared deeply for friends... even loved them. But if you mean romantically... yes. I am." It felt dangerous to say the words aloud, as if he was pushing too far, too fast, but what other word so perfectly fit the way he felt for Rory? The way the hunter made him feel, as though he deserved to be loved, because Rory found him worthy of it?
Thrown off his guard and his confidence, he cleared his throat, his smile turning rueful and a little wry. "Is there a way for me to earn your people's and your Wildwood's respect, or at least acceptance?"
Jigano couldn't help but tilt his head on curiosity as Rae's name was invoked. "We just celebrated a festival in Rae and Frey's honor. Fiat Lux, it was called, and it was a, ah... a very joyful time," he explained, a bittersweet smile quirking his lips at the memories of those colorful days and... warm nights. Amalia's laughter rang in his ears, her mischief given free rein as she danced and teased them mercilessly, exercising a little sister's prerogatives to the limits...
The question came out of nowhere, on the heels of his own memories of falling into Rory's arms, and his honey-toned cheeks flushed warm as he ducked his head, scrambling to recover his poise.
"Ah... well. I... there is someone, yes..." Blue eyes and golden hair and hands rough from tending the farm and lips like fire on his skin... Jigano glanced up from behind the veil of his silver hair, and in spite of the anxiety he felt for his missing friends, there was a softness and a warmth in his own blue eyes. "I have loved my family before, and cared deeply for friends... even loved them. But if you mean romantically... yes. I am." It felt dangerous to say the words aloud, as if he was pushing too far, too fast, but what other word so perfectly fit the way he felt for Rory? The way the hunter made him feel, as though he deserved to be loved, because Rory found him worthy of it?
Thrown off his guard and his confidence, he cleared his throat, his smile turning rueful and a little wry. "Is there a way for me to earn your people's and your Wildwood's respect, or at least acceptance?"
