Ah. There was the voice, for all it was neither greeting nor introduction. It was, at least, familiar enough for Jigano to turn and examine the cat once more with narrowed eyes and a sharp twist in his chest. Kiada... one among many who he had let down had turned against him at the first opportunity. One among many who had left him fevered and weak and helpless and made no attempt to find him. One among many whose simple presence cut at him with the sharpness of a knife and the precision of a needle.
Isuma peeped in dismay as the smaller gryphlet was shoved aside, and the bard's eyes narrowed in a sudden spike of temper. Holding out his arm he summoned her back to his side, holding her close as he glared down at the caracal who had been so rude to his companion, even as the gryphlet shivered unhappily at being caught between two friends who had nothing but growls for each other.
His song did not pause, but Jigano cracked the shields of his mind just far enough to let a flicker of wounded anger slip through the Attuned link. He was hurting and unhappy, and the only reason he could think of for Kiada to follow him was so that she could rub in further how he had disappointed her, failed her, let her down. He was in no mood to let himself be torn down again, but at least he stopped walking, watching the cat and waiting to see what she had to say.
Isuma peeped in dismay as the smaller gryphlet was shoved aside, and the bard's eyes narrowed in a sudden spike of temper. Holding out his arm he summoned her back to his side, holding her close as he glared down at the caracal who had been so rude to his companion, even as the gryphlet shivered unhappily at being caught between two friends who had nothing but growls for each other.
His song did not pause, but Jigano cracked the shields of his mind just far enough to let a flicker of wounded anger slip through the Attuned link. He was hurting and unhappy, and the only reason he could think of for Kiada to follow him was so that she could rub in further how he had disappointed her, failed her, let her down. He was in no mood to let himself be torn down again, but at least he stopped walking, watching the cat and waiting to see what she had to say.
