LOREN
As Abasi explained how the magic of his world worked, Loren tried to follow along, but it wasn’t easy. It was so far from the spells that the summoner cast and the rigid systems that he knew that he wasn’t even sure if it was magic at all, or something else entirely. Still arcane, perhaps, just not structured neatly. ”So heka is sort of like the foundation upon which all other gods and magics rest?” The Launceleyn’s voice came out tentatively, since he wasn’t really sure if he’d understood it at all. The other man’s comments about the difference between the magic of this world and his own were at least understandable. However, Loren wasn’t entirely sure he agreed with Abasi’s analysis. ”I’d like to think there’s magic in all those things here as well.” Well, maybe not the Pharaoh, but everything else the other man had described was far more impressive than anything the summoner could do.
The lesson on the gods was simpler, though a bit cryptic. ”Well then, I find myself repeating myself, because that sounds very impressive indeed.” Abasi’s confession that he preferred certain deities to other’s caused the corners of the Launceleyn’s lips to quirk up slightly. ”Oh? And which ones were those?” However, all these discussions of higher powers caused the summoner to reflect on his own experiences. ”We didn’t have any gods in my old world. And...I’ve only met one of the gods of Caido, really.” Loren’s voice came out reluctantly. While he didn’t really want to talk about his encounters with Frey, he knew he should provide the other man what information the Launceleyn had about the gods of Caido.
However, if Loren had thought he was reluctant to discuss Frey, he didn’t really know what reluctance was; Abasi’s continued insistence that the summoner was worth something or worthy of the other man’s regard was hard for the Launceleyn to accept. From someone Loren had used to know, it might be understandable. From a complete stranger, it was surprising and uncomfortable. He flushed slightly at all the compliments. ”Well. Thanks. I’m glad you like me. But you don’t really know me that well.” When the discussion swung back to his appearance, Loren’s blush deepened. ”So you think there’s room for improvement, then?” He knew Abasi would just push back again, so the summoner sighed. ”Too self-deprecating, I know. Though if you do have suggestions, I’m all ears.” This was a surreal conversation, and the Launceleyn took a sip of his tea to cover his embarrassment.
The lesson on the gods was simpler, though a bit cryptic. ”Well then, I find myself repeating myself, because that sounds very impressive indeed.” Abasi’s confession that he preferred certain deities to other’s caused the corners of the Launceleyn’s lips to quirk up slightly. ”Oh? And which ones were those?” However, all these discussions of higher powers caused the summoner to reflect on his own experiences. ”We didn’t have any gods in my old world. And...I’ve only met one of the gods of Caido, really.” Loren’s voice came out reluctantly. While he didn’t really want to talk about his encounters with Frey, he knew he should provide the other man what information the Launceleyn had about the gods of Caido.
However, if Loren had thought he was reluctant to discuss Frey, he didn’t really know what reluctance was; Abasi’s continued insistence that the summoner was worth something or worthy of the other man’s regard was hard for the Launceleyn to accept. From someone Loren had used to know, it might be understandable. From a complete stranger, it was surprising and uncomfortable. He flushed slightly at all the compliments. ”Well. Thanks. I’m glad you like me. But you don’t really know me that well.” When the discussion swung back to his appearance, Loren’s blush deepened. ”So you think there’s room for improvement, then?” He knew Abasi would just push back again, so the summoner sighed. ”Too self-deprecating, I know. Though if you do have suggestions, I’m all ears.” This was a surreal conversation, and the Launceleyn took a sip of his tea to cover his embarrassment.
But don’t be weary if it’s broken
Families are like that—
they’re split up and always torn.
