Loren was so broken down at that point that he completely missed the other man’s approach. Once the taller man began to speak, however, the librarian sprang to his feet, whirling around at this unknown and frankly unexpected intrusion. First he’d been confronted with the taunting images of his departed family; now he had to contend with a stranger.
Thankfully the other man didn’t seem unfriendly or hostile. Unfortunately, it had been so long since Loren had more than passing interactions with people that he wasn’t quite sure what to do in this situation. Actually, seeing as he’d never been in a situation quite like this before, he wasn’t sure he’d know what to do even if he wasn’t rusty.
First things first, he dashed the tears from his eyes. Maybe he was being rude by simply staring, but at least it gave him the opportunity to examine the other man. As Loren had first observed, the stranger was tall, having a bit of height on Loren, who wasn’t exactly short. The other man’s hair was almost a silvery gray, and long, and his frame was lean and hard. Unlike Loren’s gaunt figure, however, it was clear the stranger was in good shape.
Again, it was good that the other man wasn’t hankering for a fight. Then again, though his mind and his body were both weak, Loren’s magic was strong as ever.
Finally, the former librarian realized he needed to reply. “I’m fine, thank you. Please, don’t let me keep you.” He didn’t particularly want to be around people—although whether a stranger or someone he knew would be worse, he couldn’t say—and the effort of holding himself together in the other man’s presence was nearly impossible. Loren knew he’d fall apart again sooner rather than later. Still, he was doing his best to hold himself together for as long as he could.
Thankfully the other man didn’t seem unfriendly or hostile. Unfortunately, it had been so long since Loren had more than passing interactions with people that he wasn’t quite sure what to do in this situation. Actually, seeing as he’d never been in a situation quite like this before, he wasn’t sure he’d know what to do even if he wasn’t rusty.
First things first, he dashed the tears from his eyes. Maybe he was being rude by simply staring, but at least it gave him the opportunity to examine the other man. As Loren had first observed, the stranger was tall, having a bit of height on Loren, who wasn’t exactly short. The other man’s hair was almost a silvery gray, and long, and his frame was lean and hard. Unlike Loren’s gaunt figure, however, it was clear the stranger was in good shape.
Again, it was good that the other man wasn’t hankering for a fight. Then again, though his mind and his body were both weak, Loren’s magic was strong as ever.
Finally, the former librarian realized he needed to reply. “I’m fine, thank you. Please, don’t let me keep you.” He didn’t particularly want to be around people—although whether a stranger or someone he knew would be worse, he couldn’t say—and the effort of holding himself together in the other man’s presence was nearly impossible. Loren knew he’d fall apart again sooner rather than later. Still, he was doing his best to hold himself together for as long as he could.
