"Then I look forward to seeing her." He smiled, though he was still a little nervous. Perhaps it was just the word Gryphon, which sounded like something the Monster Hunter's guild might go after.
Sam did not notice or think of why Jigano may be offended about the book of songs. To him it was simple: Ronin had mentioned it to him first, and Jigano was simply in the list of other Outlanders who may have verses to ask about later. "Of course! I shall ask you for songs too. I was thinking I could arrange them roughly by the most appropriate season."
How would he make a book about the Fae? Sam opened his mouth to respond then realised he actually didn't have a wonderful answer to that question. He paused to consider it, frowning and looking out the window. "I suppose I will have to conduct interviews with those who have gotten close to them or been captured. When we rescue them. And...perhaps in the future if we make peace, I can go and speak with the Fae themselves." It was a sentiment filled with yet more optimism, odd for Sam yet he didn't seem to notice it, blind to his own unrealistic hopes when it came to his work.
Jigano asked about Cornelius and Sam smiled, a little sadly. No one had asked him about his mentor before, not really. It still hurt to think of, to speak of, especially after what he'd seen in the Spire. "He was...wonderful. I was...kicked out from home, nowhere to go, and he took pity on me as I was crying by his book stall in the market. He let me live here, in his house, and taught me the trade. He...was a tough teacher and often quite harsh, in some ways, but not like my parents were. I know he loved me, he was--was m-" Sam cleared his throat, the threatening tears clear in the wobbling tone of his voice.
"More of a father to me than my real one. He left me the house, and the stall, and all he had when he died. His own children died some years before we met. ...I do miss him terribly. I...saw something that was pretending to be him at the Spire, but...it wasn't real." It couldn't have been.
Samuel
He took a step but then felt tired
He said, I'll rest a little while
But when he tried to walk again
He wasn't a child
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