impossible reasons

Although Jyoti’s light was calming, it wouldn’t actually help in this situation. That was because the issue wasn’t that Loren was out of control. Quite the opposite: he had an almost scary grip on himself, and so, as Amalia shrank away from his voice he seemed to stand up a little straighter. It seemed that she, like so many other people, didn’t like to see him in this state. Well that was too bad. Maybe if they’d shown him a little more kindness and a little less suspicion, recognized that he was unwell and needed help, not pity or threats, it wouldn’t have come to this. However, it was a little too late for that. So, when the baker answered his question in such an inane manner, he simply smirked. ”Really? Is that so you can escape your own?” His eyes grew chillier, and though his breath fogged out white, it was nothing compared to what he felt within. Amalia had never really seemed interested in the Launceleyn’s homeworld before, so he seriously doubted she cared now. No doubt she was just looking for some convenient excuse to placate him. Unfortunately, he wasn’t going to be placated or patronized, not any longer. And then she had the audacity to ask if he was angry. The summoner chuckled, the sound dark and low. ”Yes, Amalia. I’m furious. Do you really want to know why?” He leaned forward, not trying to intimidate her, per se, just trying to make her uncomfortable. ”Maybe it had a little something to do with the fact that I am all alone. Perhaps, just perhaps, it’s related to the fact that you threatened my life after I came back from a mental breakdown, and told me I was useless and stupid on top of that. Or maybe it has something to do with the way you keep rubbing your wrist, as if I was the cause of your woes.” Her death was not on him, and he very much didn’t appreciate the fact that she was trying to make him feel responsible for that, somehow. ”I’m not.” Then he grinned, though it didn’t reach his eyes and had a cruel edge to it. ”At least not yet.” No doubt she’d break down before his verbal tongue-lashing like everyone else. LOREN Not quite an open book