Weaver's features were hidden enough that Jigano caught only the faintest quirk of her lips beneath the hood, but the smile warmed him, as did her concern as she revealed the reason for her desire to hurry. The bard drew in a deep breath, expression turning somber as he took her warning to heart, frowning slightly as he looked around the eerie grove. "I had never heard of such a beast within the barrier," he admitted. "Except, perhaps, at Long Night... and those monsters do, indeed, rend flesh and steal lives." He bowed deeply. "Thank you for the warning, Weaver. I shall pass it along in the hopes that others will heed it as well." So many new dangers to learn about, and so many lessons that could prove deadly in the learning. He watched the petite Fae girl with concern, but in the end he feared his continued presence might cause her more harm than good in the long run.
At least with Delah.
He had expected a final goodbye, her green eyes mostly hidden within the shadows of her hood, but the light reflected off them as she spoke kinder words instead, more optimistic than he had any right to, and his sharp-featured face broke out into a warm smile as Isuma chortled happily and leapt to his shoulder to begin nibbling his hair. "I would like that very much. Especially if I could be there as a guest and not an interloper some day," he admitted, voice wry but hopeful. "I would very much love to see the Observatory again, and learn the names of the stars from your scholars." What constellations did they draw in the sky, or did they have any at all? What stars did they use to navigate? To wish on? To tell stories of? What planets danced their slow and stately waltzes across the heavens, and when did the far-traveling showers of fire light the nights? A thousand and one questions, a thousand and one new things to learn...
But not while risking Weaver any further. "Safe travels, and may Safrin light your path," he said in parting, biting back the offer to escort her to the edge of the grove, at least. He might have meant it as a kindness, but she had her pride and her secrets, and it was not his desire to force his presence on her or slow her steps with uncertainty when she needed to travel swiftly home. And he had learned that the place was called Ludo's Woods? That seemed fitting, and explained why even in the unsettling strangeness of it he felt a flicker of familiarity. "I'll come back tomorrow to deliver my offerings to Ludo when the sun is higher. Now that I know the risk I'll be more careful about my timing."
At least with Delah.
He had expected a final goodbye, her green eyes mostly hidden within the shadows of her hood, but the light reflected off them as she spoke kinder words instead, more optimistic than he had any right to, and his sharp-featured face broke out into a warm smile as Isuma chortled happily and leapt to his shoulder to begin nibbling his hair. "I would like that very much. Especially if I could be there as a guest and not an interloper some day," he admitted, voice wry but hopeful. "I would very much love to see the Observatory again, and learn the names of the stars from your scholars." What constellations did they draw in the sky, or did they have any at all? What stars did they use to navigate? To wish on? To tell stories of? What planets danced their slow and stately waltzes across the heavens, and when did the far-traveling showers of fire light the nights? A thousand and one questions, a thousand and one new things to learn...
But not while risking Weaver any further. "Safe travels, and may Safrin light your path," he said in parting, biting back the offer to escort her to the edge of the grove, at least. He might have meant it as a kindness, but she had her pride and her secrets, and it was not his desire to force his presence on her or slow her steps with uncertainty when she needed to travel swiftly home. And he had learned that the place was called Ludo's Woods? That seemed fitting, and explained why even in the unsettling strangeness of it he felt a flicker of familiarity. "I'll come back tomorrow to deliver my offerings to Ludo when the sun is higher. Now that I know the risk I'll be more careful about my timing."
