growing roses in the disarray

MAEA

Carry me through this world alive
I feel no more, this suffering

The tone made her look up, regard him in silence for a while. He was clearly struggling with his temper - and at the follow up she thought she began to understand why. Dimly, as he'd had similar reactions when talking about his family.

Someone who had been forced into things with no choice offered? Seemed a likely story.

"I have," she said. Looking down on her hands, she shrugged a little, looking rather sad.

"I'm... leaning towards coming here anyway. The Guild... it means very much to me. It's saved me, in many ways. But... If being a Loreseeker means I must seek permission for learning how to control my own powers, then... it will only become another cage. I've only just escaped one, when the barrier fell.

"I... really don't think I could stand living in another one. Even one of my own making."

So, if Jigano would not be persuaded, if his ultimatum stood firm, then... then she would leave.

It was a relief to actually say it out loud.

Bury me in this cold light
I feed the wolf, and shed my skin