Jigano grinned back, sending a pulse of optimistic agreement through the Attuned bond. Loren's confidence, however joking, was a breath of fresh air that the guild desperately needed, and the bard was eager to see what they could accomplish together. "Between you and Ingrid, we're off to a strong start to the year," he declared with a wink.
Loren's comment on 'professionals' earned a snort of amusement, though he was certainly right about that after Fiat Lux! "Maybe you can use your water powers to make us a healing igloo?" he suggested teasingly. "As for Kai and his twin, perhaps we can frame it as 'participating in an educational activity'? Though observers who record what they see and hear are also welcome additions to the Loreseekers." They'd find a niche for them, one way or another, or they'd make one. One thing Jigano had intended with his Guild when he made it was the flexibility for people to play to their strengths.
The Speaking Squirrels, unfortunately, had strengths of their own. "Simple ones," he amended with a slight shrug as they walked, following the curve of a hedgewall that seemed to guide them further and further away from the outer edge of the maze. "They've attacked us with the thorns before, thrown as tiny javelins or even shot from crude bows. One or two are barely a nuisance, but the problem is the numbers. It's like the proverbial 'nibbling to death by ducks' but far less amusing when it's those big sharp incisors and three inch long thorns being stabbed into your flesh." His tone was wry, staying light with Loren's teasing, but there was the hint of genuine warning in his eyes.
Talk of the summoner's love life was a far more pleasant topic - at least for the nosy bard, who grinned at the blush but pretended not to notice it for the sake of his friend's pride. "He seemed a bit out of place when I met him," he admitted. "I think he'd but recently arrived. I'm glad he's found someone to, ah, show him the local ropes... so to speak." The tone was completely innocent, even if the words might have a few racier connotations for those that chose to look for them. Given the wicked twinkle in Jigano's eye he was aware of them but waiting to see how Loren would take them. The return question brought a softening of his smile and tilt of his head in acknoweldgement. "Flowerbirth is a busy time on the farm," he said with a chuckle. "Crops to plant, goats giving birth, leaks to repair, fences to mend from winter's snows... there's always something to keep Rory busy, and me as well!" The leatherworker was still reluctant to emerge from his self-imposed exile, but Jigano kept up their social obligations in town, freeing his mate to handle the farm's many responsibilities.
Loren's comment on 'professionals' earned a snort of amusement, though he was certainly right about that after Fiat Lux! "Maybe you can use your water powers to make us a healing igloo?" he suggested teasingly. "As for Kai and his twin, perhaps we can frame it as 'participating in an educational activity'? Though observers who record what they see and hear are also welcome additions to the Loreseekers." They'd find a niche for them, one way or another, or they'd make one. One thing Jigano had intended with his Guild when he made it was the flexibility for people to play to their strengths.
The Speaking Squirrels, unfortunately, had strengths of their own. "Simple ones," he amended with a slight shrug as they walked, following the curve of a hedgewall that seemed to guide them further and further away from the outer edge of the maze. "They've attacked us with the thorns before, thrown as tiny javelins or even shot from crude bows. One or two are barely a nuisance, but the problem is the numbers. It's like the proverbial 'nibbling to death by ducks' but far less amusing when it's those big sharp incisors and three inch long thorns being stabbed into your flesh." His tone was wry, staying light with Loren's teasing, but there was the hint of genuine warning in his eyes.
Talk of the summoner's love life was a far more pleasant topic - at least for the nosy bard, who grinned at the blush but pretended not to notice it for the sake of his friend's pride. "He seemed a bit out of place when I met him," he admitted. "I think he'd but recently arrived. I'm glad he's found someone to, ah, show him the local ropes... so to speak." The tone was completely innocent, even if the words might have a few racier connotations for those that chose to look for them. Given the wicked twinkle in Jigano's eye he was aware of them but waiting to see how Loren would take them. The return question brought a softening of his smile and tilt of his head in acknoweldgement. "Flowerbirth is a busy time on the farm," he said with a chuckle. "Crops to plant, goats giving birth, leaks to repair, fences to mend from winter's snows... there's always something to keep Rory busy, and me as well!" The leatherworker was still reluctant to emerge from his self-imposed exile, but Jigano kept up their social obligations in town, freeing his mate to handle the farm's many responsibilities.
