"I would perhaps feel more favored if a god had ever chosen to claim me," he said with a wry smile. "Instead of it being a vagary of the Voice's machine." But he said it lightly, for it had been enough to simply retain at least some aspect of his heritage in his fox's form. "And I'd already lost Safrin's favor, even before this silent song of magic in my soul. Ludo didn't seem to mind what had become of me when last I delivered LongNight's lost souls to it, though, so I don't think it makes much difference in that matter. There's no need to be sorry on my behalf." He paused, tilting his head thoughtfully. "Besides, the Old Gods clearly don't mind utilizing mages, or at least, those who are both mage and Attuned, in their service, no matter what Safrin or the heralds might think." He had proof of that in one of his many pockets, round and smooth and cool to the touch.
He had become so used to people knowing that he was Attuned that he hadn't even thought about hiding it from Maea now, when once he had put so much effort into it. Too much had happened, too many secrets spilled or spent in the process of helping others for him to ever go back, and he was in truth happier for it, though he still hid the shifting itself whenever possible; a lingering hangup from his old world.
It was his turn to listen, then, sad that Maea should hate such an integral part of herself. Given the biases of the world she had grown up in, however, he couldn't blame her. "A strange lament for the young woman who danced with Ludo and bears its rags," he said gently, reaching out to brush her shoulder with a gentle hand and reclaim her pale gaze. "You are more accepted, I think, than even most Attuned. How many others can claim such visible favor?" He smiled as she looked up at him and offered her happiness. He bowed his head in acceptance, then looked up again, gaze more searching.
"Is there someone or something specific you wish to know about?" he asked, smile turning a little wry. "You have a Loreseeker before you who would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the recent history of the Hollowed Grounds and Greatwood." It was what he was there for, after all. What all of them in the Guild were there for; to answer questions and help whoever needed it.
He had become so used to people knowing that he was Attuned that he hadn't even thought about hiding it from Maea now, when once he had put so much effort into it. Too much had happened, too many secrets spilled or spent in the process of helping others for him to ever go back, and he was in truth happier for it, though he still hid the shifting itself whenever possible; a lingering hangup from his old world.
It was his turn to listen, then, sad that Maea should hate such an integral part of herself. Given the biases of the world she had grown up in, however, he couldn't blame her. "A strange lament for the young woman who danced with Ludo and bears its rags," he said gently, reaching out to brush her shoulder with a gentle hand and reclaim her pale gaze. "You are more accepted, I think, than even most Attuned. How many others can claim such visible favor?" He smiled as she looked up at him and offered her happiness. He bowed his head in acceptance, then looked up again, gaze more searching.
"Is there someone or something specific you wish to know about?" he asked, smile turning a little wry. "You have a Loreseeker before you who would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the recent history of the Hollowed Grounds and Greatwood." It was what he was there for, after all. What all of them in the Guild were there for; to answer questions and help whoever needed it.
