He let her hand go without resistance, and as he did he already knew her answer. He had feared it even before he asked, but hearing it confirmed still hurt, and he had to force his hands to remain loose at his sides instead of reaching for Isuma's comfort, the gryphlet peeping in concern as she settled on his shoulder and rubbed her cheek against his face.
"I... understand," he said, slowly, as he gave in at last and reached up to stroke Isuma's soft wings as she purred reassurance to try and settle the ache in his heart. And he did understand; he could hardly complain about the gods playing favorites when Ludo had shown him such kindness and patience. He benefited from their patronage no less than Amalia did. No less then Wessex and Sam did, with the Voice, even.
"I suppose that I... I don't know what to do, anymore." He closed his eyes, feet sure and graceful over the path even then before he glanced at her once more. "If Ronin was forgiven for destroying the Temple, then maybe I... but I don't even know where to start. Not after the last time." And it was hard, when no one would give him a chance.
Gods least fortunate, was this how the Ascended felt every day?
"I... understand," he said, slowly, as he gave in at last and reached up to stroke Isuma's soft wings as she purred reassurance to try and settle the ache in his heart. And he did understand; he could hardly complain about the gods playing favorites when Ludo had shown him such kindness and patience. He benefited from their patronage no less than Amalia did. No less then Wessex and Sam did, with the Voice, even.
"I suppose that I... I don't know what to do, anymore." He closed his eyes, feet sure and graceful over the path even then before he glanced at her once more. "If Ronin was forgiven for destroying the Temple, then maybe I... but I don't even know where to start. Not after the last time." And it was hard, when no one would give him a chance.
Gods least fortunate, was this how the Ascended felt every day?
