Love mends even the broken parts
Loren didn’t know why he’d come out to the Spire. Maybe it was to check on the Roses; although the blight seemed to be fading, the blighted still had relapses, and they couldn’t be too careful. Or perhaps it had something to do with the fact that it was out of the way, and people avoided it (despite the pretty flowers) because of all the bad experiences they had there.
It could simply be the fact that it was where this whole crazy adventure in Caido had started for him. Sometimes, it felt like he’d never really made it beyond the desolate tower: whereas everyone else seemed to know exactly who they were and what they wanted from life, he was aimless and friendless. Oh sure, he had a bunch of house guests and children to take care of. But they were hardly people he wanted to share his life with.
He’d had that, and he’d squandered it, and there was nothing to be done about that but forge ahead.
Astra accompanied him, though she kept making anxious bleats, sensing the dark turn his thoughts had taken of late. He tried to muster up the energy to comfort her, but seeing as he couldn’t find it in himself to forgive all his mistakes, he couldn’t exactly give her the affection she deserved. Yet another failure to be laid at his feet. At least she hadn’t left him, as so many others had.
Thankfully, a figure in the distance soon resolved itself into a small woman, one who looked vaguely familiar. It took Loren a moment to place her, but eventually he realized he recognized her from repairing the Spark Bird’s perch. Unfortunately, they hadn’t gotten to properly introduced themselves (something she’d called him out for). Of all his transgressions, it was one of the more minor ones.
Still, at least this was something he could actually make amends for. ”Need any help with that?” She seemed to have things well in hand, but he should at least offer. Bundled up as he was against the cold, it took a moment to retrieve his gloved hand from his tightly wrapped cloak he extended it out to her. ”I apologize that my posturing prevented us from meeting properly earlier. I’m Loren.” Without exactly realizing it—because he was tired, and reverting back to old, bad habits—he was speaking more like a duke than he had in a long time, because the familiarity was nice. Weirdly enough, the luxere hid behind the summoner; she usually loved meeting strangers, but the Launceleyn put it out of his mind for now.
It could simply be the fact that it was where this whole crazy adventure in Caido had started for him. Sometimes, it felt like he’d never really made it beyond the desolate tower: whereas everyone else seemed to know exactly who they were and what they wanted from life, he was aimless and friendless. Oh sure, he had a bunch of house guests and children to take care of. But they were hardly people he wanted to share his life with.
He’d had that, and he’d squandered it, and there was nothing to be done about that but forge ahead.
Astra accompanied him, though she kept making anxious bleats, sensing the dark turn his thoughts had taken of late. He tried to muster up the energy to comfort her, but seeing as he couldn’t find it in himself to forgive all his mistakes, he couldn’t exactly give her the affection she deserved. Yet another failure to be laid at his feet. At least she hadn’t left him, as so many others had.
Thankfully, a figure in the distance soon resolved itself into a small woman, one who looked vaguely familiar. It took Loren a moment to place her, but eventually he realized he recognized her from repairing the Spark Bird’s perch. Unfortunately, they hadn’t gotten to properly introduced themselves (something she’d called him out for). Of all his transgressions, it was one of the more minor ones.
Still, at least this was something he could actually make amends for. ”Need any help with that?” She seemed to have things well in hand, but he should at least offer. Bundled up as he was against the cold, it took a moment to retrieve his gloved hand from his tightly wrapped cloak he extended it out to her. ”I apologize that my posturing prevented us from meeting properly earlier. I’m Loren.” Without exactly realizing it—because he was tired, and reverting back to old, bad habits—he was speaking more like a duke than he had in a long time, because the familiarity was nice. Weirdly enough, the luxere hid behind the summoner; she usually loved meeting strangers, but the Launceleyn put it out of his mind for now.
loren
