Jigano drew in a sharp breath, blinking in surprise at the unexpected gift that Sam offered. He had asked because he had to try, but in truth, seeing his friend's fear, he had expected it to come to naught. For a moment he didn't know what to say, hands wrapped tight around his tea mug.
And then he reached out, slowly, to touch the back of his friend's hand, a brush of warm fingertips over cool skin. "Thank you," he said softly, seeking Sam's gaze with an intensity of gratitude and hope in his blue eyes. "That you're willing to try at all... it means the world to me." He exhaled slowly, his breath a little shaky as some of the shadows retreated at the bookmaker's words. "I remember the book. And I remember how you held up in it, back before we knew it was just a story. You've more courage than you know, but even so it's the attempt that matters. Please, Sam... don't push yourself. We'll be meeting at noon tomorrow, and I know the sun alone is dangerous to you. If we find ourselves in danger, do your best to escape and let others know what has happened. The Monster Hunter's Guild, perhaps..." He even found a smile, small but wry, a shadow of his former confidence. "Or Remi. He might be able to come up with some clever alchemical answer that we have missed."
And then he reached out, slowly, to touch the back of his friend's hand, a brush of warm fingertips over cool skin. "Thank you," he said softly, seeking Sam's gaze with an intensity of gratitude and hope in his blue eyes. "That you're willing to try at all... it means the world to me." He exhaled slowly, his breath a little shaky as some of the shadows retreated at the bookmaker's words. "I remember the book. And I remember how you held up in it, back before we knew it was just a story. You've more courage than you know, but even so it's the attempt that matters. Please, Sam... don't push yourself. We'll be meeting at noon tomorrow, and I know the sun alone is dangerous to you. If we find ourselves in danger, do your best to escape and let others know what has happened. The Monster Hunter's Guild, perhaps..." He even found a smile, small but wry, a shadow of his former confidence. "Or Remi. He might be able to come up with some clever alchemical answer that we have missed."
