He gave her a grateful nod for her understanding of his meandering scholasticism, and focused back on her original question, also glad that they didn't have to worry about the vegetative villains year-round. Her follow-up earned a curious look, however. Engaging him with questions and nudging him into the role of guide and teacher was the surest way to soothe ruffled feathers and warm him towards someone, and as he calmed so did Isuma, the bond resonating with their shared emotional link. "Did your world not have sentient plants?" Many didn't, he was finding, but his personal experience with Viper Vines on his own world had given him a healthy respect for carnivorous flowers. "They're very much alive, and generally angry when they see humans, though Fangorn is quite nice. He and Isuma play together quite well."
He nodded, making a note to give her one of the extra booklets from last season's lecture on the topic, but LongNight was a more deadly consideration and his expression turned grim. "It lasts one week," he explained, glancing over to see how seriously she was taking the news. "One week without natural light of any kind. No sun, no moon, no stars. I don't know why or how, but the whole world goes dark, except for what light you've managed to gather for yourself. Candles, torches, lanterns, and the like. In the other regions it seems to be a time of quiet contemplation and togetherness with family, but here in the Hollowed Grounds there are creatures that come out during that week, things that were once Ascended but... failed. They seem to resent the living and seek out magic and the technological upgrades of their brethren, killing any people they can reach. Locked doors and silence mostly keeps them at bay, but anyone found outdoors, or a building that too obviously contains living souls will draw them." His expression held both mourning and frustration at the creatures and the personal toll they had taken among his friends. "We'll be holding a town gathering about it soon, to share information with the Outlanders that have arrived in the past year, to tell people how to protect themselves and how to prepare, though it might be worth considering going to another region entirely for the week. We're hoping Governor Remi will keep Torchline open to us..." He trailed off, his smile turning a little bittersweet as he nodded towards a building from which delicious smells wafted as they passed.
"On a lighter note, this is Devas Bakery, run by Amalia Chandrakant. If you need a meal or just want a treat, I highly recommend her breads and pastries." Isuma wriggled free of his arms at that, taking to the wing to trill her interest and disappear to the garden behind the building, seeking her friend Jyoti.
He nodded, making a note to give her one of the extra booklets from last season's lecture on the topic, but LongNight was a more deadly consideration and his expression turned grim. "It lasts one week," he explained, glancing over to see how seriously she was taking the news. "One week without natural light of any kind. No sun, no moon, no stars. I don't know why or how, but the whole world goes dark, except for what light you've managed to gather for yourself. Candles, torches, lanterns, and the like. In the other regions it seems to be a time of quiet contemplation and togetherness with family, but here in the Hollowed Grounds there are creatures that come out during that week, things that were once Ascended but... failed. They seem to resent the living and seek out magic and the technological upgrades of their brethren, killing any people they can reach. Locked doors and silence mostly keeps them at bay, but anyone found outdoors, or a building that too obviously contains living souls will draw them." His expression held both mourning and frustration at the creatures and the personal toll they had taken among his friends. "We'll be holding a town gathering about it soon, to share information with the Outlanders that have arrived in the past year, to tell people how to protect themselves and how to prepare, though it might be worth considering going to another region entirely for the week. We're hoping Governor Remi will keep Torchline open to us..." He trailed off, his smile turning a little bittersweet as he nodded towards a building from which delicious smells wafted as they passed.
"On a lighter note, this is Devas Bakery, run by Amalia Chandrakant. If you need a meal or just want a treat, I highly recommend her breads and pastries." Isuma wriggled free of his arms at that, taking to the wing to trill her interest and disappear to the garden behind the building, seeking her friend Jyoti.
