He was glad that he wasn't putting her out with the clothes. She had so far seemed a lovely and charming woman, and her generosity was something to be rewarded in some way, not to be taken advantage of. Though hearing that she was a seamstress was good information. He was building a list of people with useful skills for his various projects, and someone who could sew well was never a bad friend for a bard to have!
He took the bag and offered his arm in return, smile tilting wryly at the mention of drinks. "Sometimes it makes the telling easier," he acknowledged. "Though I would be honored to listen even without alcohol involved." Collecting stories was his business, after all, but listening with a sympathetic ear was something that came naturally, for all he could be accused of lecturing at other times.
Keeping her curse in mind, he didn't take her words the wrong way this time as they walked down the snowy path towards the Sanctuary. He wanted to ask about her dancing, but she started a story of her past that had him biting his tongue so he wouldn't interrupt. It all started simply enough, but her previous warnings of a dark past had him a little on edge as he waited for the twist it was bound to take. He hadn't expected her to be a princess though, and his brows arched in shock even as she pretended her own surprise. "But... how..." he said faintly, then shook his head, grinning ruefully. "Sorry, please go on!" He could imagine her consternation - the feeling of drowning - at being thrown into a world so different than the one she had known. Having to learn - and having the opportunity to learn - so much of what had previously been out of reach. Before he could do more than nod in empathy, though, the king's excuses started coming and Jigano frowned, already mistrusting them. Especially whenRexanna continued to call him 'the king' and not 'my father.' Something wasn't right at all...
"Ah," he said, a little grimly. "A forced marriage, then? I know it happens, but that doesn't make it rest any easier in my mind. It's just glorified slavery, in the end. But... forgive me, I truly don't mean to interrupt." He glanced up at the Temple's bulk before them, then back to his new friend with a raised brow. "Is this a story you mind telling in the tavern itself? Or would it be easier shared somewhere less, ah, public?"
He took the bag and offered his arm in return, smile tilting wryly at the mention of drinks. "Sometimes it makes the telling easier," he acknowledged. "Though I would be honored to listen even without alcohol involved." Collecting stories was his business, after all, but listening with a sympathetic ear was something that came naturally, for all he could be accused of lecturing at other times.
Keeping her curse in mind, he didn't take her words the wrong way this time as they walked down the snowy path towards the Sanctuary. He wanted to ask about her dancing, but she started a story of her past that had him biting his tongue so he wouldn't interrupt. It all started simply enough, but her previous warnings of a dark past had him a little on edge as he waited for the twist it was bound to take. He hadn't expected her to be a princess though, and his brows arched in shock even as she pretended her own surprise. "But... how..." he said faintly, then shook his head, grinning ruefully. "Sorry, please go on!" He could imagine her consternation - the feeling of drowning - at being thrown into a world so different than the one she had known. Having to learn - and having the opportunity to learn - so much of what had previously been out of reach. Before he could do more than nod in empathy, though, the king's excuses started coming and Jigano frowned, already mistrusting them. Especially when
"Ah," he said, a little grimly. "A forced marriage, then? I know it happens, but that doesn't make it rest any easier in my mind. It's just glorified slavery, in the end. But... forgive me, I truly don't mean to interrupt." He glanced up at the Temple's bulk before them, then back to his new friend with a raised brow. "Is this a story you mind telling in the tavern itself? Or would it be easier shared somewhere less, ah, public?"
