LOREN
They had reached an impasse. Loren sighed and rubbed his temples, trying to figure out a way to communicate to Remi not to do something like this again while explaining what was admittedly troubling behavior on the Launceleyn’s part ”I was startled, okay? And, among other things, I apparently react poorly to being startled.” Hopefully that would clear up any misunderstandings and prevent any further shenanigans on the alchemist’s part.Propping himself up on his elbows, Loren gave the other man a confused look. ”Can we stop talking about me almost killing you please?” It was too close to the truth for comfort. ”And I thought I told you, and everyone else, about my summoning at the meeting. I can summon any beast I can think of, pretty much. So in theory I knew I could summon a manticore. In practice, didn’t know until it happened.” That was generally how it went with any of his creatures, and it was why he’d repeatedly said he didn’t know if it would work for the Spark Bird. They’d gone over this for a while, but he couldn’t exactly blame the other man for being distracted.
As Remi apologized, the summoner lay down again, annoyance flashing across his face. ”None of that.” He snapped at the other man without meaning to and immediately felt guilty. Sighing, Loren closed his eyes, needing the relief it would bring him to just shut out the world for a moment. He kept them that way when he spoke next. ”We agreed to a fresh start, didn’t we? So there is no reason for you to know me or anything about me. And there is absolutely no reason for you to apologize.” The Launceleyn cracked one eye open to look up at the alchemist. ”Although I have to wonder what Ronin thinks about you so casually flinging yourself at other men. Do you do this sort of thing often?” Maybe it was surprising to hear the attempt at humor coming from Loren and not from Remi, but the summoner needed a bit of levity right now, and he missed how easy the conversation had been before. This, whatever the other man was expressing, this worrying about not knowing the summoner was too close to territory they’d agreed to stay away from. Plus, Loren was genuinely curious to know if he should be on the lookout for such antics in the future.
A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood
