They say blood makes you related but
loyalty makes you family
As Aonghas glanced at the floor, Loren gave the other man a sympathetic smile. ”It’s hard to wrap your mind around, and harder still to accept, I know that. If you need a minute, I can give you some space.” The beginning, when the new arrivals first arrived and needed to get used to this strange new world, was always the hardest. The summoner hadn’t been able to handle it, which contributed in no small part to his own mental breakdown and disappearance.
Waving away the other man’s thanks, the summoner took a seat across the small desk from Aonghas, so the librarian wasn’t hovering awkwardly over the other man. ”You’re welcome, again, but seriously, don’t mention it. I know what you’ve been through, and the transition is rough enough on its own.” Clasping his hands in his lap, the Launceleyn wondered what Aonghas meant by not feeling like himself, but the summoner chose not to ask about that just yet. Interrogating the stranger would undo any trust that Loren had built between them.
”For starters, besides the cloak and the fire I can offer you a bed. My home has some empty rooms at the moment, and you’re welcome to stay there as long as you need to. That comes with food, too.” The Manor was fully stocked up for Deepfrost, and though it was filling up now and would be completely full for LongNight, they could support one more mouth. Besides, if the summoner asked, he knew he could get some extra supplies for a newcomer. And the more people he gathered there, the safer they'd be. Plus, the dour halls would benefit from some more voices echoing within them.
At the rather insightful (and definitely unexpected) question, Loren gave the other man a surprised look. ”I don’t know, actually. Quite a few. When I first came here, I arrived with a large group of people, mostly from my world. That was the largest single group to arrive, as far as I know. But there were people from other worlds among us. And there are people native to Caido in the Hollowed Grounds as well, plus even now we still have those like yourself, who stumble upon a hidden place and find themselves transported here, so it's hard to say.”The truth of the matter was, Loren had no idea how many outsiders there were or how many worlds they had come from. He didn't think anyone did.
Waving away the other man’s thanks, the summoner took a seat across the small desk from Aonghas, so the librarian wasn’t hovering awkwardly over the other man. ”You’re welcome, again, but seriously, don’t mention it. I know what you’ve been through, and the transition is rough enough on its own.” Clasping his hands in his lap, the Launceleyn wondered what Aonghas meant by not feeling like himself, but the summoner chose not to ask about that just yet. Interrogating the stranger would undo any trust that Loren had built between them.
”For starters, besides the cloak and the fire I can offer you a bed. My home has some empty rooms at the moment, and you’re welcome to stay there as long as you need to. That comes with food, too.” The Manor was fully stocked up for Deepfrost, and though it was filling up now and would be completely full for LongNight, they could support one more mouth. Besides, if the summoner asked, he knew he could get some extra supplies for a newcomer. And the more people he gathered there, the safer they'd be. Plus, the dour halls would benefit from some more voices echoing within them.
At the rather insightful (and definitely unexpected) question, Loren gave the other man a surprised look. ”I don’t know, actually. Quite a few. When I first came here, I arrived with a large group of people, mostly from my world. That was the largest single group to arrive, as far as I know. But there were people from other worlds among us. And there are people native to Caido in the Hollowed Grounds as well, plus even now we still have those like yourself, who stumble upon a hidden place and find themselves transported here, so it's hard to say.”The truth of the matter was, Loren had no idea how many outsiders there were or how many worlds they had come from. He didn't think anyone did.
LOREN
