Jigano blinked at the mention of Nate, a man he'd heard of briefly but never met. He searched Remi's expression for a moment, seeking... something. Some lingering memory or sign of sadness at what he had lost. But for better or worse, when Ludo took those memories it seemed he had taken them all, and the alchemist had found a love the equal or more of any other in his life. Seeing the simple mischief there the bard relaxed, a tentative smile returning to his face. "I'm glad," he said softly, testing the words for truth and finding them to be not a lie, at least. "I haven't met Nate, but if he makes Sam happy... then I'm glad for both of them."
Whatever the bookmaker had done, he deserved some happiness. He deserved to love and be loved, and some of the pain seemed to ease in Jigano's chest at the hope that Sam was finding some of that love and support in the arms of someone who would appreciate who he was, and not simply what he could do for them. If Remi was so calm about this stranger sharing Sam's bed, then the bard would trust their soon-to-be host's acceptance of him.
Besides, it sounded like he'd be meeting the man soon enough.
And as they were getting ready to part, they should do so on a better note. Jigano carried the bag of tea and books to the kitchen to help Remi put the little bags of fragrant leaves and herbs, dried flower petals and fruits somewhere out of the way until they'd be needed. He pulled them out and handed them to the alchemist until the bag was almost empty, and then he offered it innocently to Remi - with a flicker of a mischievous smile of his own. "That just leaves one last thing to put away for later, but the kitchen might not be the best place for it."
Hidden in the bottom of the bag was something round and soft, roughly head-sized though shaped more oblong, with little nubs sticking off the sides.
Whatever the bookmaker had done, he deserved some happiness. He deserved to love and be loved, and some of the pain seemed to ease in Jigano's chest at the hope that Sam was finding some of that love and support in the arms of someone who would appreciate who he was, and not simply what he could do for them. If Remi was so calm about this stranger sharing Sam's bed, then the bard would trust their soon-to-be host's acceptance of him.
Besides, it sounded like he'd be meeting the man soon enough.
And as they were getting ready to part, they should do so on a better note. Jigano carried the bag of tea and books to the kitchen to help Remi put the little bags of fragrant leaves and herbs, dried flower petals and fruits somewhere out of the way until they'd be needed. He pulled them out and handed them to the alchemist until the bag was almost empty, and then he offered it innocently to Remi - with a flicker of a mischievous smile of his own. "That just leaves one last thing to put away for later, but the kitchen might not be the best place for it."
Hidden in the bottom of the bag was something round and soft, roughly head-sized though shaped more oblong, with little nubs sticking off the sides.
