”Too many?” the bard repeated curiously. True, he’d gotten the sense that he wasn’t the only outlander around – hence why he’d gathered the courage to come openly into the settlement at last – but the rumors had managed to overhear while trying to stay out of sight hadn’t been clear on just how ‘normal’ it was for strangers to appear with no warning within the unsettlingly limited confines of the barrier.
The following suggestion of finding a roommate brought a bemused expression to Jigano’s face, and he tilted his head in cautious acknowledgment – though not quite acceptance – of it. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that; rooming with a stranger for more than a night or two at an inn held little charm, but so did spending his time living rough in the woods as a fox. He had found himself in the very embodiment of the ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ situation, lacking so much in the way of resources and, more importantly, knowledge about this new world. Still, he had already found one helpful person who he hoped would become a friend, and by logical extension that meant there might be more.
He wasn’t expecting the offhand description of neglect, much less Samuel’s casual acceptance of it as nothing out of the ordinary. Jigano blinked, taken momentarily aback, but then offered the other man a solemn bow. ”I am sorry for bringing up an unpleasant subject,” he apologized formally. ”But I think it’s a fine name for a bookmaker and a scholar, and it’s one you bear well.” Straightening he offered a smile again, looking to change the subject to something more enjoyable for his new friend. ”But perhaps you can show me your favorite book here? I would appreciate the recommendation of what to read after I finish the history.” He reached back to pat the cover of the large tome they’d just wrangled into place, not noticing how a smaller, slim little volume had somehow shifted itself on top of the large historical book and seemed to be edging closer to his hand whenever both men were looking away.
The following suggestion of finding a roommate brought a bemused expression to Jigano’s face, and he tilted his head in cautious acknowledgment – though not quite acceptance – of it. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that; rooming with a stranger for more than a night or two at an inn held little charm, but so did spending his time living rough in the woods as a fox. He had found himself in the very embodiment of the ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ situation, lacking so much in the way of resources and, more importantly, knowledge about this new world. Still, he had already found one helpful person who he hoped would become a friend, and by logical extension that meant there might be more.
He wasn’t expecting the offhand description of neglect, much less Samuel’s casual acceptance of it as nothing out of the ordinary. Jigano blinked, taken momentarily aback, but then offered the other man a solemn bow. ”I am sorry for bringing up an unpleasant subject,” he apologized formally. ”But I think it’s a fine name for a bookmaker and a scholar, and it’s one you bear well.” Straightening he offered a smile again, looking to change the subject to something more enjoyable for his new friend. ”But perhaps you can show me your favorite book here? I would appreciate the recommendation of what to read after I finish the history.” He reached back to pat the cover of the large tome they’d just wrangled into place, not noticing how a smaller, slim little volume had somehow shifted itself on top of the large historical book and seemed to be edging closer to his hand whenever both men were looking away.
