He was lucky to have friends who listened to him. Amalia and Rory, of course, but more recently Loren, Adam... even Deimos, at times. He appreciated that Maea let him speak his rambling thoughts, and when he finished he looked down at the lantern in his grasp, its white light shining softly through the growing dark. Maea's voice reached him, stating truths she could not know had been stated again and again over the past year, each time with a little less hope and optimism in them, determination eroded down by weary repetition. He simply nodded, wondering how many starting points they could have before they lost all meaning, but if it gave Maea strength he would not take it from her. He smiled for her, for the wisdom she fought for, but there was little he could add to it anymore.
Her next words brought more joy, however, a renewal of old promises and the start of their friendship. His smile widened as he took her hand carefully in his, squeezing it gently. "Of course we will, Maea. Welcome home." He spoke softly, warmth in his voice as well as his eyes as she answered the silent question he hadn't known how to ask. "We've something of an influx of new members at the moment, so there are many new people for you to meet. Loren, an Outlander mage and more recently an Attuned as well. Ingrid, who comes from Halo, irreverent and full of questions. Tarasha, a Fae of exquisite skill with needle and dye. Amalia and Sam you already know though..." he hesitated, sighing. "Sam has changed greatly since you left. He is finding his courage, but he has found it through a slavish loyalty to the Voice. Gods least fortunate, so much has happened..." He shook his head ruefully, leading Maea towards a large stone that had once marked one of the boundaries of the Capture the Flag field. "Where should I start? What do you want to know, Loreseeker Maea?"
Her next words brought more joy, however, a renewal of old promises and the start of their friendship. His smile widened as he took her hand carefully in his, squeezing it gently. "Of course we will, Maea. Welcome home." He spoke softly, warmth in his voice as well as his eyes as she answered the silent question he hadn't known how to ask. "We've something of an influx of new members at the moment, so there are many new people for you to meet. Loren, an Outlander mage and more recently an Attuned as well. Ingrid, who comes from Halo, irreverent and full of questions. Tarasha, a Fae of exquisite skill with needle and dye. Amalia and Sam you already know though..." he hesitated, sighing. "Sam has changed greatly since you left. He is finding his courage, but he has found it through a slavish loyalty to the Voice. Gods least fortunate, so much has happened..." He shook his head ruefully, leading Maea towards a large stone that had once marked one of the boundaries of the Capture the Flag field. "Where should I start? What do you want to know, Loreseeker Maea?"
