Ahhh yes, this was familiar. Not unlike how Loren had been at their first meeting, lashing out and pushing away. Jigano rumbled softly at the contrariness, but the words that came next could have been lifted from his own heart. It was hard to argue something he agreed so strongly with in regards to himself... but it also was a reminder that Loren was in no state of mind to even consider any alternatives. I ask for your help, he finally sent back, forcing calm into his thoughts, for both of them falling into a spiral of self-loathing would only make things worse, and Loren deserved better from him than that. And I have been glad of it.
Sharp eyes didn't miss the way the goose's narrow head turned, towards Neron and Zariah, towards family and manipulations and games that Loren seemed too inherently kind to play. He couldn't fix Loren's self-loathing with magic, but he could send his support to the other man, and a gentle affection for a colleague who had become a friend. I am, he said simply. But despite the monster your family tried to make you, I think you're a better man than that. Better than you give yourself credit for, certainly. Even if you can't see that right now.
He knew he wouldn't change Loren's mind in a day, but he could at least be there for him, as others had been there for the bard when he had fallen down a similar bleak hole. They Healed each other as best they could. It was what friends did.
Sharp eyes didn't miss the way the goose's narrow head turned, towards Neron and Zariah, towards family and manipulations and games that Loren seemed too inherently kind to play. He couldn't fix Loren's self-loathing with magic, but he could send his support to the other man, and a gentle affection for a colleague who had become a friend. I am, he said simply. But despite the monster your family tried to make you, I think you're a better man than that. Better than you give yourself credit for, certainly. Even if you can't see that right now.
He knew he wouldn't change Loren's mind in a day, but he could at least be there for him, as others had been there for the bard when he had fallen down a similar bleak hole. They Healed each other as best they could. It was what friends did.
