He suspected that Amalia and Ronin's decisions to avoid the portals was the morally correct one... but it did nothing to stop the Ascended from spreading and opening more portals. Jigano returned his friend's smile, though, tilting his head in acknowledgment and respect of the former-captain's choice. Maybe next year he wouldn't have his hand forced? "I will hope for that as well," he agreed fervently. "And do my part to spread the good word about Torchline's far more pleasant winter weather!" His grin was a little lighter as he stretched luxuriously in the warmth, and Isuma trilled her agreement - at least as long as she was in the shade.
A pulse of agreement slipped through the Attuned bond, instinctive and impulsive, as Jigano nibbled at the last of the treat and considered how much more comfortable he was as part of a Council than as a King. The little girl, though...
It was a good thing he had just finished eating or he might have choked, eyes widening as he looked at Ronin, startled by the revelation. "Gods..." he breathed, managing to swallow back whether he meant the less or more fortunate ones. He caught the chill detachment in his friend's voice and bit his tongue against the other questions that threatened to overflow. "I didn't... have any idea. Are you...? Is she...?" Each time he stopped, and he finally shook his head, slumping back against the tree. "How is Remi taking it?" he settled on finally, a cautious hope that the new Governor's bonds to his husband hadn't been strained to the breaking point so soon after the loss of their first daughter.
A pulse of agreement slipped through the Attuned bond, instinctive and impulsive, as Jigano nibbled at the last of the treat and considered how much more comfortable he was as part of a Council than as a King. The little girl, though...
It was a good thing he had just finished eating or he might have choked, eyes widening as he looked at Ronin, startled by the revelation. "Gods..." he breathed, managing to swallow back whether he meant the less or more fortunate ones. He caught the chill detachment in his friend's voice and bit his tongue against the other questions that threatened to overflow. "I didn't... have any idea. Are you...? Is she...?" Each time he stopped, and he finally shook his head, slumping back against the tree. "How is Remi taking it?" he settled on finally, a cautious hope that the new Governor's bonds to his husband hadn't been strained to the breaking point so soon after the loss of their first daughter.
