Seren
A look of horror flashed over her face. Kill him? For nothing more than being Abandoned, for being born with a spark of magic not even the gods could erase? "No! Never" she said fervently, disgusted by the mere suggestion.
The hurt kept gnawing at her even as the young man began to explain himself. There were apologies in there too, but her upset abated only slowly. He was an Outlander? It explained something about his reactions, but... clearly there was much Sah had misunderstood too.
"While it's true that your magic makes the Old gods suspicious of mages, they aren't going to kill you for existing," Seren said slowly, trying desperately to keep her voice from quivering. "Someone misused their trust once, and what seemed like a gift is now viewed as a curse. Something that twists your soul and turns you away from them." She swallowed, and pried her fingers open; but her arms came up to wrap around herself, and Umbra pressed closer to her leg. His soft coos were reflected by tender support through their bond, and it helped to steady her. "But I know plenty of people who have attuned despite their magic. I think it's a wonderful gift, capable of creating marvels.... and the Gods will still answer your prayers. You might just have to work a little harder than others to make them want to listen."
The hurt kept gnawing at her even as the young man began to explain himself. There were apologies in there too, but her upset abated only slowly. He was an Outlander? It explained something about his reactions, but... clearly there was much Sah had misunderstood too.
"While it's true that your magic makes the Old gods suspicious of mages, they aren't going to kill you for existing," Seren said slowly, trying desperately to keep her voice from quivering. "Someone misused their trust once, and what seemed like a gift is now viewed as a curse. Something that twists your soul and turns you away from them." She swallowed, and pried her fingers open; but her arms came up to wrap around herself, and Umbra pressed closer to her leg. His soft coos were reflected by tender support through their bond, and it helped to steady her. "But I know plenty of people who have attuned despite their magic. I think it's a wonderful gift, capable of creating marvels.... and the Gods will still answer your prayers. You might just have to work a little harder than others to make them want to listen."
It's written in the stars above
Exactly who we are is just enough
Exactly who we are is just enough
