The walk had been slow going, but Renaud didn't mind. It had been only a matter of weeks since he knew the pain of long journeys, the dry bite of sucking in freezing cold air with every breath. He was perfectly sympathetic to Loren's mortal plight, and in fact he felt uncomfortable for no longer sharing in these pains that had always seemed to define being alive. A soldier with no discomfort or pain to overcome was damn near a travesty. So Renaud adjusted his pace to Loren's, pausing whenever needed and taking a careful effort to never overtake his travelling companion by much.
The sun was preparing to creep back over the horizon as the two reached Loren's manor. It was an impressive structure, though not awe inspiring to a young Frenchman belonging to one of the old aristocratic families. A large house, Renaud was surprised to discover, still caused him some anxiety - he came from a time when displays of opulence were like to lead to a meeting with the guillotine. He had to consciously remind himself that those days were over as they stepped through the precipice and into the home.
Loren was tired, that much was clear. In fact he looked like shit. To his host's apologetic smirks, Renaud offered a sympathetic smile. It had been a long evening of walking. He too would have looked and felt like a disaster if it were the old days. As it were, he didn't even bother to dust off the snow coating his skin and hair. He didn't notice it.
Renaud shook his head politely at Loren's offer of 'anything else'. "No, thank you, the room is plenty enough for me. You're too kind." He wordlessly followed his host as Loren turned to walk up the stairs.
As they traveled through the manor, Renaud allowed his gaze to wander. He took in the architecture like a scholar, studying for differences and similarities to the structures of his own time.
"Do you have children?" He asked as the pair were about halfway up the stairs, his eyes travelling across the walls of the home. He had been referring to the toys Loren had picked up as they entered, and felt the need to clarify.
"I am referring to the toys you picked up as we entered. How many do you have?" A cheeky smile spread across his face. "Or perhaps the toys are yours? I do not mean to assume."
