I call out ‘Stay Awhile!’

Tarasha spoke only the truth and Jigano took no offense at their putting more bluntly what he had tried to couch in more poetic language. No matter how it was phrased, it was the unfortunate reality of the situation. He did grin at her assumption, however, nodding easily. "I am, indeed. I've only been here for bit under a year and a half." Though that year had been packed with more love and loss than the last five years he had spent on his own world.

Tarasha's teasing promise and thoughtful question were met with a grin and a sigh, respectively. Jigano followed their gaze to watch Isuma playing in the flowers as he gave a small shrug. "To you and I that might seem wise," he agreed. "But who can say what the gods think? It's something to ask, perhaps, when next a prayer is answered. I suspect it's mostly that they wish us to discover the answers for ourselves; they aren't here to live our lives for us, after all." Except for the Voice, that is. She seemed far more intent on meddling and directing the lives of her 'children' than any of the Old Gods.

"Probably Amalia," he chuckled at the mention of trading books. "We do have some special ones, ones Safrin led us to, that might be safer in the Sidhe Village. But, yes, that was when the borders were closed so I can see Delah being reluctant to break her rules - or ours." Not necessarily out of respect for the Grounders, but out of a desire to avoid the messiness a war would entail if Wessex got pissy about her power being thwarted. The offer to take him to the Undercroft, though... the bard's eyes lit up, an expression of a kid on Christmas Fiat Lux flashing briefly across his features. "Would you? I know it's a long shot but... thank you, Tarasha. I would appreciate it, and I would trade much for the chance just to see it! After hearing about it second-hand, it seems almost a mythical place," he admitted with a self-conscious laugh. The draw of knew knowledge, new books and tales and histories, had been an itch under his skin since Eliza had told him of it a year ago. Maybe some day...

"Alas, one of our newer recruits, Loren, will be hosting," Jigano said, pressing a hand in teasing sorrow to his breast. "But I will happily engage you in such a contest at the time and place of your choosing!" He grinned and offered the Fae a wink as Isuma peeped a final cry of defeat and fluttered up from the flowers to rejoin them, her white fur gone yellow with pollen. Jigano sneezed as she alit on his shoulder, laughing at both her mess and Tarasha's confidence. "Rest assured, I shall! Though I don't think you'll find me such easy prey," he warned back between chuckles, gently trying to push Isuma's face away as she chortled and tried to rub her head against his cheek, enjoying this new 'game.'