Again the soundless snort of agreement, Jigano offering a wing-flaring bow of acknowledgment to Remi's point. Admittedly, he hadn't used to be quite so self-sacrificing without the world being at stake... But, as Rory was fond of saying, things changed. And maybe Remi's way of doing things wasn't quite so baffling as it used to be, when he had first arrived.
Not that he was quite ready to admit it in so many words yet. Caido may have changed him, and for the better, but he had no shortage of flaws to cling to and his pride was hardly the least of the lot.
With Edy in charge, it might not, Jigano agreed, allowing the moment of optimism to linger and color his excitement at hearing that Sam was well and still around, even if they couldn't see him. The hope faded as Remi concluded the tale in its unexpectedly abrupt end, no less surprised than the bard at how quickly the bookmaker had retreated. Jigano croaked softly to himself for a moment, thoughtful as he considered his words before clicking his tongue against his beak unhappily. He had a lifetime of loneliness before this past year. Despite all that has happened to him since, the friends he has made... it might still be easier for him to retreat to what he knows when placed under as much stress as Zariah has created. It sounded as though Sam had reached out and, when Remi hadn't been able to agree to his new family running and hiding, had retreated. Hopefully, given time and Zariah's continued absence, the gentle bookmaker would find his courage and return to them again. And perhaps now that he knew that there was an Ascended running around in the woods, he could do a bit of searching himself...
But there were snakes to save and portals to possibly unearth, even if it meant putting his friends in danger once more. Jigano shared his tale a second time, and blue eyes gleamed as Remi showed interest in the tidbit he hadn't been certain whether to share or not. His opinion of the alchemist rose a bit more, and he bobbed his head in confirmation. A portal. Similar to the ones that brought us here... maybe, he added, in the name of honesty. No way to tell for sure until we examine it, but Roana jumped through it and disappeared from the Hollowed Grounds until the barrier came down and she returned. Safrin's book showed what looked like a series of portals that might help us reach other parts of Caido, though, so I'm guessing this is one of those. Whether they could help people get home again... might depend on many things. If these were created by the Voice, and if she's willing to put enough power into them to stretch between worlds... and if she can even find the worlds that people previously came from. Many, many ifs, and few enough answers to be found up here. They would need to go down again to learn more about it, and that was a task made far more dangerous by the poisonous plants.
And maybe Remi could help shift that stone wall that had appeared... perhaps it had been raised to protect the serpent from the gas?
I am immensely grateful for your assistance, the raven said gravely, refusing to think nothing of Remi's willingness to help him and instead bowing deeply as best he could in his avian form.
At least when he rose again there was the chance for lightness, and he chortled at Aoife's antics. Less messy flowers! he teased back, his mind already racing with mischief. A trip to the forge was in order, if he could stay out of prison...
Not that he was quite ready to admit it in so many words yet. Caido may have changed him, and for the better, but he had no shortage of flaws to cling to and his pride was hardly the least of the lot.
With Edy in charge, it might not, Jigano agreed, allowing the moment of optimism to linger and color his excitement at hearing that Sam was well and still around, even if they couldn't see him. The hope faded as Remi concluded the tale in its unexpectedly abrupt end, no less surprised than the bard at how quickly the bookmaker had retreated. Jigano croaked softly to himself for a moment, thoughtful as he considered his words before clicking his tongue against his beak unhappily. He had a lifetime of loneliness before this past year. Despite all that has happened to him since, the friends he has made... it might still be easier for him to retreat to what he knows when placed under as much stress as Zariah has created. It sounded as though Sam had reached out and, when Remi hadn't been able to agree to his new family running and hiding, had retreated. Hopefully, given time and Zariah's continued absence, the gentle bookmaker would find his courage and return to them again. And perhaps now that he knew that there was an Ascended running around in the woods, he could do a bit of searching himself...
But there were snakes to save and portals to possibly unearth, even if it meant putting his friends in danger once more. Jigano shared his tale a second time, and blue eyes gleamed as Remi showed interest in the tidbit he hadn't been certain whether to share or not. His opinion of the alchemist rose a bit more, and he bobbed his head in confirmation. A portal. Similar to the ones that brought us here... maybe, he added, in the name of honesty. No way to tell for sure until we examine it, but Roana jumped through it and disappeared from the Hollowed Grounds until the barrier came down and she returned. Safrin's book showed what looked like a series of portals that might help us reach other parts of Caido, though, so I'm guessing this is one of those. Whether they could help people get home again... might depend on many things. If these were created by the Voice, and if she's willing to put enough power into them to stretch between worlds... and if she can even find the worlds that people previously came from. Many, many ifs, and few enough answers to be found up here. They would need to go down again to learn more about it, and that was a task made far more dangerous by the poisonous plants.
And maybe Remi could help shift that stone wall that had appeared... perhaps it had been raised to protect the serpent from the gas?
I am immensely grateful for your assistance, the raven said gravely, refusing to think nothing of Remi's willingness to help him and instead bowing deeply as best he could in his avian form.
At least when he rose again there was the chance for lightness, and he chortled at Aoife's antics. Less messy flowers! he teased back, his mind already racing with mischief. A trip to the forge was in order, if he could stay out of prison...
