I call out ‘Stay Awhile!’

I purse my lips and tilt my head from side to side, trying to remember any news I might have about the names mentioned, though I’m mostly drawing blanks. ”I haven’t heard of anything about them.” I offer with an apologetic grimace. ”That may be a good thing though, means they aren’t getting into trouble.” Then, as the untruth burns in my house, I hasten to correct myself. ”I did head Jiao went to Halo, and hasn’t been seen in the village since she left. If you ask me,” Nevermind that he didn’t ask me, ”I think it’s a bit tasteless. There are still folk mourning, and she just... waltzes through.” I shake my head again, the emotion behind it different this time. The explanation of loreseekers perks me up, my interest growing into an impossible to ignore wave. I am maybe not the most well read fey in the circle, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to learn. To grow into the world, flawed as it might be, flawed as I might be. It’s why I’m even here, at the edge of the woods. ”I think I might be a fey who’s interested.” I offer immediately. I don’t have a single idea what I would specialize in, what interest would fuel my studies and story sharing, though I have enough of them from my childhood, from the woods themselves. Perhaps that would be enough. Or at least a different point of view. ”I haven’t seen you do any murders yet, so you’re doing Nd good.” I say encouragingly, a wide smile on my face. I’m trying to chase away some of the bad feelings the... guilt, maybe? It was my comment that brought it on, and though I’m not wrong, that didn’t mean I need to throw the fact in Jigano’s face. The bard smiles, and says he knows what it’s like, a fact I do find a little hard to believe. I have lived a lifetime nestled within the trees and dark, and still barely understand them. A few trips, even with Arduinna (a fact that makes me supremely jealous) don’t compare. ”I’m sorry for your losses.” I want to say something more, but the platitudes all feel fake on my tongue, empty hopes for those I don’t know, have never known, will never know. I can feel a quiet awkwardness rise up in me, my feet shuffling, but I am not sure how to move past it, and can only hope Jigano does. Tarasha They are neither pink nor pale; And they will never be all mine;