Love mends even the broken parts
Loren blinked at Maea's question. "Uhhh." Scratching the back of his head, he shrugged. "You can search people for weapons, I suppose. Make them strip before entering the ring so they can't hide them anywhere. Magic and shifts are tougher, because you'd have to get someone to enchant the ring to prevent their use." Biting his lip, he tilted his head to one side. "As for other precautions, you could put people in armor. Except, weapons. So, um, maybe wrap their hands to blunt the impact a bit?" He gave her an apologetic smile.
Sighing, he buried his head in his hands. "Probably. And I know this is selfish and self-centered of me, since other people have their own problems to deal with."
Lowering his hands, he rested them on Astra, who snuggled closer to him. "But I said I was leaving the Hollowed Grounds. Not its people." He couldn't keep the hurt from his voice. "And only then because I knew if I just left without saying anything it would be...too much like the last time I disappeared." Glancing away, he felt a stricken expression steal over his features. "But it felt too hard to...say goodbye to everyone individually."
Resting his chin on the luxere's back, he found himself once more unable to meet the pale woman's gaze. "It's just...tough. When people say they'll be there when you need them and then they're...not." Smiling sadly, he cleared his throat. "Even if it's all my fault that they're not there." It came out in a guilty whisper.
Lifting his head, he finally gazed at Maea directly again. "I know. I just...don't like talking about myself. For a variety of reasons." Running a nervous hand through his hair, he shifted his weight awkwardly. "What would you like to know?" It was hesitant, and he took a deep breath to steel himself for her questions.
Sighing, he buried his head in his hands. "Probably. And I know this is selfish and self-centered of me, since other people have their own problems to deal with."
Lowering his hands, he rested them on Astra, who snuggled closer to him. "But I said I was leaving the Hollowed Grounds. Not its people." He couldn't keep the hurt from his voice. "And only then because I knew if I just left without saying anything it would be...too much like the last time I disappeared." Glancing away, he felt a stricken expression steal over his features. "But it felt too hard to...say goodbye to everyone individually."
Resting his chin on the luxere's back, he found himself once more unable to meet the pale woman's gaze. "It's just...tough. When people say they'll be there when you need them and then they're...not." Smiling sadly, he cleared his throat. "Even if it's all my fault that they're not there." It came out in a guilty whisper.
Lifting his head, he finally gazed at Maea directly again. "I know. I just...don't like talking about myself. For a variety of reasons." Running a nervous hand through his hair, he shifted his weight awkwardly. "What would you like to know?" It was hesitant, and he took a deep breath to steel himself for her questions.
loren
