Loren had assumed it wasn’t a natural disease—what with the whole infecting a goddess and all—but hearing Jigano confirm it was useful. The suggestion that the plants and animals near the Spire had an immunity was certainly worth looking into. ”Perhaps. How far away from it from a natural disease is it, do you think? Could it be that by treating it like a regular outbreak we’re going about this the wrong way?” If it operated differently in terms of spread and transmission then maybe all their careful research had been for naught. ”Still, I can take a sample from the Hollowed Grounds and see what happens, since I’m going out there anyway.” The Launceleyn added it to his growing list of tasks. As for the bard’s indisposition, all Loren could do was offer a sympathetic glance.
When the white-haired man apologized and bowed of all things, the summoner firmly shook his head. ”No. You were being kind. I was…” He trailed off, not really sure how to explain it. ”I was out of line, as I've said. But I hope you’ll believe that I was not entirely in my right mind at the time.” Admitting to madness might not be the best strategy, but it shouldn’t be too surprising given his bloodline.
Thankfully, the bard agreed to come find Loren if necessary. He nodded gratefully in response. Somehow, despite the odds, he’d turned this relationship around. They were even joking with one another, strange as that might be. ”I call dibs on setting the first fire. You can do the second one. But I appreciate you not leaving me homeless before Deepfrost, and I’d ask that you at least let me find a new place for me and the kids first.” Honestly, the summoner still didn’t know what he was going to do with Beatrix and Jace.
Loren bit his lip, knowing Jigano was right, and yet still not wanting to involve the alchemist in this unless absolutely necessary. ”I’m sure he’s already doing a lot.” But because the Launceleyn honestly could not say if he was doing this for his sake or for Remi’s, Loren knew he had to say yes. ”Alright fine. But only if he wants to.” Of course the alchemist would want to. It was Remi.
However, as the bard brought up the relationship between the summoner and the alchemist, he felt something flare up within him. ”It’s my own damn fault, and I will deal with it. It will not interfere with the research.” The heat in his words surprised Loren, but then again, he was all so confused and mixed-up inside about the whole thing that maybe it wasn’t surprising as all that. Yes, they’d been lovers. But they weren’t anymore, and Loren knew the other man had moved on. It was time for the Launceleyn to do the same: he just needed to figure out how, and throwing himself at all the problems of the Hollowed Grounds and beyond seemed like the best way to do it.
When the white-haired man apologized and bowed of all things, the summoner firmly shook his head. ”No. You were being kind. I was…” He trailed off, not really sure how to explain it. ”I was out of line, as I've said. But I hope you’ll believe that I was not entirely in my right mind at the time.” Admitting to madness might not be the best strategy, but it shouldn’t be too surprising given his bloodline.
Thankfully, the bard agreed to come find Loren if necessary. He nodded gratefully in response. Somehow, despite the odds, he’d turned this relationship around. They were even joking with one another, strange as that might be. ”I call dibs on setting the first fire. You can do the second one. But I appreciate you not leaving me homeless before Deepfrost, and I’d ask that you at least let me find a new place for me and the kids first.” Honestly, the summoner still didn’t know what he was going to do with Beatrix and Jace.
Loren bit his lip, knowing Jigano was right, and yet still not wanting to involve the alchemist in this unless absolutely necessary. ”I’m sure he’s already doing a lot.” But because the Launceleyn honestly could not say if he was doing this for his sake or for Remi’s, Loren knew he had to say yes. ”Alright fine. But only if he wants to.” Of course the alchemist would want to. It was Remi.
However, as the bard brought up the relationship between the summoner and the alchemist, he felt something flare up within him. ”It’s my own damn fault, and I will deal with it. It will not interfere with the research.” The heat in his words surprised Loren, but then again, he was all so confused and mixed-up inside about the whole thing that maybe it wasn’t surprising as all that. Yes, they’d been lovers. But they weren’t anymore, and Loren knew the other man had moved on. It was time for the Launceleyn to do the same: he just needed to figure out how, and throwing himself at all the problems of the Hollowed Grounds and beyond seemed like the best way to do it.
