Sam and romance was always a wild ride of a combination, in Jigano's experience with the bookmaker, but his friend had experienced a couple of relationships now and had some fresh insight to bring to the discussion that Jigano didn't. The bard was genuinely interested in what his friend thought, and if it had changed since last year. He nodded understanding of the 'year' Sam suggested but his expression shifted to sympathy at the difficulty in finding a relationship that lasted that long. Perhaps Sam just set his expectations too high...? Raised on stories of fairy tale romances, he seemed enamored with 'happily ever after', or he had in the past. Nate's infidelity had been a blow to that, one that Jigano regretted his friend had to learn, but hopefully it would make his next relationship stronger for it.
Sam's worry did bring a smile to Jigano's face, even if it wasn't the most appropriate, but he grinned ruefully at his friend and shook his head. "And what does that make me?" he teased lightly. "I didn't have my first serious relationship until I was, what, twenty-eight? There's nothing wrong with taking your time and having standards, Sam. Rushing into romance, feeling like you have to be in a relationship to be valid... that's not likely to work out in the long run. It's okay to be sure of yourself first, and to take the time to find the right person. Being Ascended gives you more time than most to find them, without losing your looks," he added with a chuckle. His humor faded after a moment though, blue eyes growing a little concerned. "But if they aren't also Ascended, it means that you'll eventually outlive them someday, too," he reminded his friend gently. "You'll have to watch them grow old and die while you continue on... and their soul will go to Mort while yours goes... wherever the Voice keeps Ascended souls, away from everyone else." It was not the most pleasant of considerations, to know that even if Sam found someone he loved among the mortal races that they would have a brief span of decades together before being torn apart for eternity. Only another Ascended might give him that fairy tale love he seemed to crave, but if that love faltered or faded as it had with Nate it would make for some very awkward 'family' reunions.
Sam's worry did bring a smile to Jigano's face, even if it wasn't the most appropriate, but he grinned ruefully at his friend and shook his head. "And what does that make me?" he teased lightly. "I didn't have my first serious relationship until I was, what, twenty-eight? There's nothing wrong with taking your time and having standards, Sam. Rushing into romance, feeling like you have to be in a relationship to be valid... that's not likely to work out in the long run. It's okay to be sure of yourself first, and to take the time to find the right person. Being Ascended gives you more time than most to find them, without losing your looks," he added with a chuckle. His humor faded after a moment though, blue eyes growing a little concerned. "But if they aren't also Ascended, it means that you'll eventually outlive them someday, too," he reminded his friend gently. "You'll have to watch them grow old and die while you continue on... and their soul will go to Mort while yours goes... wherever the Voice keeps Ascended souls, away from everyone else." It was not the most pleasant of considerations, to know that even if Sam found someone he loved among the mortal races that they would have a brief span of decades together before being torn apart for eternity. Only another Ascended might give him that fairy tale love he seemed to crave, but if that love faltered or faded as it had with Nate it would make for some very awkward 'family' reunions.
