When Rory had first stroked his ears it had been a shock, but a pleasant one. An intimacy he hadn't been sure whether to allow until he realized how badly he'd needed something like it. Now, it was becoming a comfort for them both as their friendship strengthened. As a human, such contact felt... unearned. A reminder of those lost, and of his own guilt. As a fox it was simply... connection. A relief and release for both of them. So when Rory reached for him now he tilted his head into the touch, eyes nearly closing at the pleasure of fingers scritching along his jawline, and he pressed more tightly against his friend's leg.
When the man began to speak at last Jigano blinked up at him, but didn't try to interrupt. It sounded like Rory needed to let things out, and as a fox he was very good at listening. He kept his eyes open just enough to take in his companion's expression, but otherwise stayed relaxed and content under the continuing ministrations of gentle fingers. Pathetic? No, no, that wasn't right at all, but Jigano knew what it felt like, to be so angry at himself. At least the other man wasn't completely alone? Rory was still reaching out to him...
He whined softly when Rory sat back, taking his hands away. Blue eyes blinked up at the man, and he tilted his head in confusion at the name 'Wessex,' recognizing it from earlier but trying to reconcile the smell of death in the snow with a walking, talking human. Hesitant and uncertain what to do next, he sat and watched his friend with open concern until the final words spilled out, and a certain grim sense was made. He still didn't understand the Ascended, what they were capable of, what their limits were, who their 'Voice' was... but it hardly seemed fair that they could cheat death so easily while leaving their friends to mourn them.
And Rory had mourned, wounded and lost and still moving forward to tell the villagers what had happened. Jigano spared a growl in the back of his thoughts for Remi and this 'Ronin' person, for forcing the quiet hunter into the spotlight against his will and when he was already hurting so badly. But the blond didn't need righteous anger right now... he needed a friend.
Jigano shifted his weight, rising up to balance his small forepaws on Rory's knee as he stretched up as tall as he could. It wasn't enough - frustratingly short, for once he found himself regretting being so small. For a moment he held his breath, wondering if he dared jump up onto the man's knee, so he could reach--
No. No, what if he startled Rory? If it was too much, too soon? With a quiet whine of regret he relaxed down again, dropping his head to nuzzle at the strong, skilled fingers in Rory's lap instead, warm tongue licking out in an instinctive attempt to comfort and reassure.
When the man began to speak at last Jigano blinked up at him, but didn't try to interrupt. It sounded like Rory needed to let things out, and as a fox he was very good at listening. He kept his eyes open just enough to take in his companion's expression, but otherwise stayed relaxed and content under the continuing ministrations of gentle fingers. Pathetic? No, no, that wasn't right at all, but Jigano knew what it felt like, to be so angry at himself. At least the other man wasn't completely alone? Rory was still reaching out to him...
He whined softly when Rory sat back, taking his hands away. Blue eyes blinked up at the man, and he tilted his head in confusion at the name 'Wessex,' recognizing it from earlier but trying to reconcile the smell of death in the snow with a walking, talking human. Hesitant and uncertain what to do next, he sat and watched his friend with open concern until the final words spilled out, and a certain grim sense was made. He still didn't understand the Ascended, what they were capable of, what their limits were, who their 'Voice' was... but it hardly seemed fair that they could cheat death so easily while leaving their friends to mourn them.
And Rory had mourned, wounded and lost and still moving forward to tell the villagers what had happened. Jigano spared a growl in the back of his thoughts for Remi and this 'Ronin' person, for forcing the quiet hunter into the spotlight against his will and when he was already hurting so badly. But the blond didn't need righteous anger right now... he needed a friend.
Jigano shifted his weight, rising up to balance his small forepaws on Rory's knee as he stretched up as tall as he could. It wasn't enough - frustratingly short, for once he found himself regretting being so small. For a moment he held his breath, wondering if he dared jump up onto the man's knee, so he could reach--
No. No, what if he startled Rory? If it was too much, too soon? With a quiet whine of regret he relaxed down again, dropping his head to nuzzle at the strong, skilled fingers in Rory's lap instead, warm tongue licking out in an instinctive attempt to comfort and reassure.
