The Abandoned were usually distrusted by naturals because it had been Abandoned who had been involved in the war that resulted in the barrier being placed around the Hollowed Grounds. Of course the Abandoned today weren't the same ones... but who was to say they wouldn't fall back into the same power-hungry ways as their forebears? Certainly the gods seemed to follow that logic in keeping them at arm's length. Outlanders rarely had such hangups, in Jigano's experience, but it was still something kept hidden by most naturals - Rory and Evie in particular, he knew, whose secret he had promised to keep.
Quanil's efforts, though, seemed simply unorthodox rather than a result of Abandoned powers (unless, of course, they were lying because they didn't trust him enough yet with the truth). He simply nodded, expression softening to silent encouragement for the young Seeker's willingness to try something new and untraditional.
The abandonment of their family, though, however rocky the relationship, was a far thornier maze to navigate. Quanil could do what Zariah had failed at: destroying the Loreseekers Guild, not through malice but simply through youthful selfishness. If their parents raised a hue and cry to get their child back and stirred up the greater part of the populace against the Guild he would be forced to disband them - at least within the Hollowed Grounds. There would be several Outlanders, as well, who might encourage such a coup, just to see him toppled. Politics be damned, but he had been so eager to welcome a new face that he'd let his guard slip and made the very promises Safrin had so cruelly mocked him for making when he couldn't keep them...
This was his mess, not Quanil's, and he reached out towards the offered pin--
And closed their fingers back over it gently. "I said you were a Seeker and I meant it," he said gently. "Though you are by far the youngest of us, and that makes for some differences here at the beginning. Make your peace with your family, or your break with them, as your heart dictates. Find out the fate of your sister. I am visiting the Infirmary often right now to lend my skills were I can, so perhaps I can help with your brother and mother's injuries and try to build some goodwill, if they share your lack of concern over magic?"
Quanil's efforts, though, seemed simply unorthodox rather than a result of Abandoned powers (unless, of course, they were lying because they didn't trust him enough yet with the truth). He simply nodded, expression softening to silent encouragement for the young Seeker's willingness to try something new and untraditional.
The abandonment of their family, though, however rocky the relationship, was a far thornier maze to navigate. Quanil could do what Zariah had failed at: destroying the Loreseekers Guild, not through malice but simply through youthful selfishness. If their parents raised a hue and cry to get their child back and stirred up the greater part of the populace against the Guild he would be forced to disband them - at least within the Hollowed Grounds. There would be several Outlanders, as well, who might encourage such a coup, just to see him toppled. Politics be damned, but he had been so eager to welcome a new face that he'd let his guard slip and made the very promises Safrin had so cruelly mocked him for making when he couldn't keep them...
This was his mess, not Quanil's, and he reached out towards the offered pin--
And closed their fingers back over it gently. "I said you were a Seeker and I meant it," he said gently. "Though you are by far the youngest of us, and that makes for some differences here at the beginning. Make your peace with your family, or your break with them, as your heart dictates. Find out the fate of your sister. I am visiting the Infirmary often right now to lend my skills were I can, so perhaps I can help with your brother and mother's injuries and try to build some goodwill, if they share your lack of concern over magic?"
