LOREN
Well, for once Loren could actually provide what someone wanted without causing a whole bunch of heartbreak and strife. He’d almost forgotten that was possible. Maybe he shouldn’t count his blessings just yet, since he hadn’t actually do the thing and there was always a chance he would mess it up. He was certainly a mess these days.
Still, he went over to the pantry and pulled down a small jar of strawberry preserves; that done, he sliced a few pieces of bread and put them on a plate with the knife. Placing the plate and the jar in front of Peter, the summoner went to the kettle, which had just started to whistle. ”I can toast the bread if you’d like.” He took the kettle off, and poured himself a cup of boiling water, into which he dropped a satchel of tea. Although he probably should’ve looked, he didn’t really care which one it was. He just needed something hot, and he wasn't particularly hungry.
At the other man’s words, Loren almost smiled gently. However, he didn’t quite find it within himself. ”I never found pain to be a particularly good way to learn anything, or a good motivator.” It had been kindness and self-confidence—the former of which he didn’t receive anymore and the latter of which he lacked nowadays—that had made the summoner strong. And if admitting his family’s techniques were completely and wrong in more ways than one to Peter was a problem, well, they were all dead. ”Does this happen often?” If so, Loren would be willing to help the other get to the bottom of the issue. Actually, maybe it would be best to stay away before the summoner found a way to exacerbate it.
Again, as Peter spoke, Loren wished he had the capacity to show some warmth or affection, but it was beyond him at the moment. ”Well. I hope you're not saying that based on your experiences with my relatives. We’re not a good family, and definitely not a loving one.” The summoner's eyes had grown more haunted, if such a thing were possible, and he hated the bitterness that crept into his voice. ”Trust me when I say that you'll find a real family one day. I have no doubt, when you find the right people, you’ll be able to settle down.” Skittish as the other man was, he seemed like a good person. Definitely better than the summoner, who managed to alienate everyone in his life in short order.
Still, he went over to the pantry and pulled down a small jar of strawberry preserves; that done, he sliced a few pieces of bread and put them on a plate with the knife. Placing the plate and the jar in front of Peter, the summoner went to the kettle, which had just started to whistle. ”I can toast the bread if you’d like.” He took the kettle off, and poured himself a cup of boiling water, into which he dropped a satchel of tea. Although he probably should’ve looked, he didn’t really care which one it was. He just needed something hot, and he wasn't particularly hungry.
At the other man’s words, Loren almost smiled gently. However, he didn’t quite find it within himself. ”I never found pain to be a particularly good way to learn anything, or a good motivator.” It had been kindness and self-confidence—the former of which he didn’t receive anymore and the latter of which he lacked nowadays—that had made the summoner strong. And if admitting his family’s techniques were completely and wrong in more ways than one to Peter was a problem, well, they were all dead. ”Does this happen often?” If so, Loren would be willing to help the other get to the bottom of the issue. Actually, maybe it would be best to stay away before the summoner found a way to exacerbate it.
Again, as Peter spoke, Loren wished he had the capacity to show some warmth or affection, but it was beyond him at the moment. ”Well. I hope you're not saying that based on your experiences with my relatives. We’re not a good family, and definitely not a loving one.” The summoner's eyes had grown more haunted, if such a thing were possible, and he hated the bitterness that crept into his voice. ”Trust me when I say that you'll find a real family one day. I have no doubt, when you find the right people, you’ll be able to settle down.” Skittish as the other man was, he seemed like a good person. Definitely better than the summoner, who managed to alienate everyone in his life in short order.
But don’t be weary if it’s broken
Families are like that—
they’re split up and always torn.
