"I'm sorry," the bard said softly, all the same. He wasn't used to being around people who weren't as... damaged... as he was. He had wanted to protect Samuel's innocence, and that gentle heart, but here he was wounding his friend no less than he'd feared Remi doing.
The thought slowed his feet, his already sober thoughts taking a darker turn as he battled the warning signs of being too close to the barrier. It was a relief when Sam propelled himself forward, Jigano gladly joining him. He kept walking even after the rabbit was well away, shuddering at the lingering ache in his teeth and bones. His friend's philosophical question caught him off guard and he blinked, looking to the treeline with eyes that saw both as man and fox.
"Yes," he said softly. "That would be nice... more than nice, I think. Animals don't have to worry about good or evil or making sacrifices for the greater good..." he trailed off, giving a shake of his head to try and banish his ghosts, lips quirking into a wry smile as he looked back at his friend. "But... they don't get to read books, either, or make tea with their friends. Or go candle shopping, or play harps. So for these things and more, I'm grateful I've had the chance to spend time doing them with a friend, capable of both planning more such days in the future, and remembering those that have passed."
The thought slowed his feet, his already sober thoughts taking a darker turn as he battled the warning signs of being too close to the barrier. It was a relief when Sam propelled himself forward, Jigano gladly joining him. He kept walking even after the rabbit was well away, shuddering at the lingering ache in his teeth and bones. His friend's philosophical question caught him off guard and he blinked, looking to the treeline with eyes that saw both as man and fox.
"Yes," he said softly. "That would be nice... more than nice, I think. Animals don't have to worry about good or evil or making sacrifices for the greater good..." he trailed off, giving a shake of his head to try and banish his ghosts, lips quirking into a wry smile as he looked back at his friend. "But... they don't get to read books, either, or make tea with their friends. Or go candle shopping, or play harps. So for these things and more, I'm grateful I've had the chance to spend time doing them with a friend, capable of both planning more such days in the future, and remembering those that have passed."
