LOREN
”You did,” Loren agreed softly. ”But I asked if you were okay, Remi. And I thought we were practicing honesty.” The details of the events that had brought the alchemist here were less important, right now, than the other man’s state of mind. However, if Remi didn’t want to talk about it there wasn’t really anything the Launceleyn could do. Despite the fact that every instinct called out for him to stay right where he was, Loren somehow found the courage to walk over and lay a hand on the other man's shoulder for a brief moment before it slipped away. Progress.At the alchemist’s question, the summoner nodded firmly and then stood beside Remi, facing the door. There was no going back. ”It comes down then. It and all the rest of them.” Besides eliminating any remaining concerns the librarian might have about the hidden doors and the rooms and tunnels behind them, it would also wipe one more reminder of Zariah from the manor. Somehow, the fewer there were, the more comfortable Loren became. Unfortunately, others didn’t seem to feel the same.
Sighing, he rubbed his temples, his good cheer finally ruined by his cousin. ”But there are naturals with magic too. And, whether we like it or not, we’re in Caido now, and we have to live by the rules of this world. Moreover, I’d rather change self-perceptions of who we are, and while a name might help with that, it can only go so far. Plus, banning a word is just going to make people want to use it more out of spite, especially if the ruler is unpopular.” Once again, his cousin, even though she had good intentions this time, had the absolute worst execution. There was nothing the summoner could do but try and provide an alternate vision of the future, one that brought people together instead of driving them apart.
Even the adoring look Remi sent his way couldn’t salvage the librarian’s good cheer; if anything, it just served to make him more depressed about everything, since it made his heart ache to see it. It wasn't something the librarian could allow himself to get used to. ”Well, I’m glad you approve. But I doubt it will ever happen, given everything else going on.” If Loren survived LongNight and the blight it would be miracle enough. And now, instead of his formerly secret and recently voiced dream all the summoner wanted was to knock these dumb doors down. Hopefully Remi would fulfill that particular request and they could finally get on with their lives.
A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood
