Half his attention on the lantern and half on Jigano’s reply, he was slow to start his own creation. His gaze drifted down to both the elaborate – in Rance’s eyes – first lantern, and the still in-construction second. There was a story being told in paper in paint, as much as in the fox’s face and words, though Rance lacked enough information to read it. He arched his brow in curiosity at the slow and vague reference to the previous year, but didn’t interrupt to ask for details. It was possibly – probably – something private, especially considering the shadow of death that still clung to the edges of the conversation.
Jigano’s smile returned and the moment passed. Rance was coming to realize at least one detail about the Provost: he was a teacher. Maybe not a leader, though Rance had no proof to support that yea or nay, but he definitely enjoyed instructing. As he said, it was ‘part of the job’, part of helping other Outlanders, part of heading the Loreseekers, part of being a Loreseeker, if Rance was understanding him correctly. Of course, the lessons had practical, personal purposes as well and Rance’s own smile returned. “There is that. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a place long term that used favor and skill exchanges over payin’ for stuff with metal or gems. Fallin’ back to the habits of the Hidden instead of the humans – the ones I’m used to, at any rate – might take a little time." He flashed a wider grin. “But not too much.”
As Rance put his lantern together, he asked about the final fate of their creations. By the time Jigano was answering, Rance had finished the simple box frame and was taking his first piece of paper, a pale, sky blue. Opting for paint instead of trying to cut the fine paper without damaging it, he picked a pot of red and a brush. "It wasn’t unusual for people to keep their mourning candles, too. Especially if you weren’t able to make your own and buyin’ another each year was too expensive. As long as you burned it for a couple hours up until midnight, the Ghost Queen would be acceptin’." He began painting a rounded feather shape in red. Just an outline with a line partially bisecting it to designate the shaft, but it was enough.
Jigano’s smile returned and the moment passed. Rance was coming to realize at least one detail about the Provost: he was a teacher. Maybe not a leader, though Rance had no proof to support that yea or nay, but he definitely enjoyed instructing. As he said, it was ‘part of the job’, part of helping other Outlanders, part of heading the Loreseekers, part of being a Loreseeker, if Rance was understanding him correctly. Of course, the lessons had practical, personal purposes as well and Rance’s own smile returned. “There is that. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a place long term that used favor and skill exchanges over payin’ for stuff with metal or gems. Fallin’ back to the habits of the Hidden instead of the humans – the ones I’m used to, at any rate – might take a little time." He flashed a wider grin. “But not too much.”
As Rance put his lantern together, he asked about the final fate of their creations. By the time Jigano was answering, Rance had finished the simple box frame and was taking his first piece of paper, a pale, sky blue. Opting for paint instead of trying to cut the fine paper without damaging it, he picked a pot of red and a brush. "It wasn’t unusual for people to keep their mourning candles, too. Especially if you weren’t able to make your own and buyin’ another each year was too expensive. As long as you burned it for a couple hours up until midnight, the Ghost Queen would be acceptin’." He began painting a rounded feather shape in red. Just an outline with a line partially bisecting it to designate the shaft, but it was enough.
