in this castle of glass

LOREN

Sighing at Korbin's question, Loren just shook his head sadly. Running his hand through his hair, he glanced aside, the neutral mask slipping a bit. Underneath was mostly guilt and sorrow. However, he quickly smoothed over the cracks and slammed his mental walls back into place. More than I should have. The thoughts were matter of fact, albeit in a polite way.

Looking back at the hunter, the healer met the other man's gaze squarely. The Launceleyn placed his hands flat on the table so they wouldn't betray him with their usual nervous twitching. All I ask of you is that you show up and complete your tasks. Nothing more. It was a dismissal, of sorts, while also being an acceptance of the terms Korbin had laid out earlier.

look at how a single candle can both
defy and define the darkness