we can't make any promises now

Well, the danger was a given, but Loren was too perplexed by Remi’s story to pay much attention to that. The Launceleyn gave the alchemist a confused look. ”I have a niece too?” Neron really must have gotten busy with Zariah, though the timing seemed off and there hadn't been a baby at the manor as far as the librarian knew. Then the other man continued the explanation and the summoner’s mind supplied the convoluted cover tale they’d come up for Beatrix, and he sighed. He really didn’t know why everything needed to be so complicated with his family. ”Oh wait, are you talking about Beatrix? She’s my half-sister, actually. It’s a...long story.” One he didn’t know all the details of, so probably best they didn’t dwell too much on it. The librarian couldn’t help the long-suffering sigh that escaped his lips. ”I’m sorry she bothered you with that. She’s distraught, understandably so, and even more understandably doesn’t trust me.” Loren woudn’t in her shoes. Then he paused, feeling incredibly awkward. ”You uh...didn’t, right?” He really didn’t want to say dildo to the other man for oh so many reasons. Loren rubbed his temples, the emotional output and drain, the spell, and this completely confusing and long-lasting conversation starting to take its toll. Yes, he’d been a duke, but barely (and not a particularly good one at that), and he was about as far from a diplomat as it was possible to be. ”Let me get this straight. You want to send the cousin of the evil queen, who has absolutely no knowledge of the situation at hand and is pretty much hated by the people here for one reason or another, out to talk to the evil fairies, who have no idea who he is and absolutely no reason to trust him, and it’s all because you’re hoping that because I was a duke once upon a time it bestows some sort of magical people skills on me?” Loren was trying to be charitable and understanding, but even his guilt and enduring love for Remi couldn’t prevent the incredulity from creeping into the Launceleyn’s voice. He really didn’t see how that would end well. ”My political advice: don't do that. Find the coolest head you know, who is known and accepted by the fairies, and send them out with every apology and gift you can muster, and in the meantime try to prevent people from doing any more damage. A delegation would be better, but if you’re asking me, a stranger to you, I figure your options are limited.” That was just plain common sense, though, not some mythical noble wisdom. And it probably wouldn’t work anyway, because people were dumb. Loren included himself in their number. Remi’s reluctance was understandable, and the librarian looked down with another sigh. ”The manor is actually designed to house people though. And as I mentioned, I’m sure Zariah designed it to withstand a siege if necessary.” Which it sounded like LongNight was. And whatever Zariah's faults were—and there were many—she knew tactics and strategy well enough. ”If you really think the temple will be better, I can call off the preparation at the manor and let Queen Wessex know about the change of plans.” Oddly enough, it bothered the summoner to say that, and the words didn’t come easily. It had been just about the one thing he’d actually felt could be helpful, and to hear that he’d been mistaken was tough. But this wasn’t about him. Yeah, it sounded stupid, Loren knew that, but he was running out of ideas here. Glancing up, the Launceleyn saw the alchemist’s smile; the pang that shot through the summoner at the sight of it forced him to look down again and hug himself once more. ”I know it’s dumb, but if done well maybe it could dispel some of the feelings people have about the manor...and...maybe it could help lower tensions?” His voice grew uncertain on that last part, since as Remi had already pointed out, the unease was deep seated, and the summoner hadn’t been around for it. At the mention of the wedding, the librarian finally looked up again. ”Who is getting married?” He doubted a stranger would want to host a reception at the manor, especially if they were Ascended. But Loren would ask. The other man hadn't even acknowledged the free healing idea, which meant he'd probably dismissed it out of hand. The summoner tried not to sink even deeper into depression to have yet another suggestion immediately shot down. It helped that he was pretty much already at rock bottom. LOREN Not quite an open book