give me a life time of promises (open)

Sighing, Loren ran a hand through his hair. ”It’s hard to be honest with the gods when I’m barely able to be honest with myself.” He gave Maea a troubled look. ”But I’ll try.” His tone indicated how unlikely he thought it was that he’d succeed. "Honestly, I'm less worried about the bullying. I'm not afraid of what they might do to me if I refuse." Perhaps that was fatalistic—and his dark expression and sad tone didn't help with that impression—but he really wasn't scared. "But you're right. I'll try to be...more open and honest with others. With them. With myself." Again, the words came out with a great deal of uncertainty. At least he gave her a playful shove back, and scratched Astra's ears affectionately. LOREN Not quite an open book