She closed her fingers when he pulled his hand away, bringing it back to rest upon her lap. He had withdrawn, and his severe, distant demeanor had returned.
Roen remained where she sat for a moment longer, her gaze going to her hands. Heavy oppressive silence fell between them and the middle ground was no more.
“Our ways of coming to an understanding with each other, here in this land, it is clumsy.†The paladin finally broke the silence with that quiet murmur; she was no longer looking at him, her head bowed. “It is not like your people, where we can connect on a more intimate level and no words are needed.â€
“To allow for such a thing… it takes a great deal of trust. And that is something that we all struggle with here. Because we lack such a bond with each other. Sometimes it is like a dance of words between people.†A wry snort escaped her nose. “And some of us are still… very much preoccupied with pride, avarice, and self-interest.†She paused for a moment. “And some of us… do not tell the truth in our hearts until it is much too late.â€
“So I understand your reluctance to share. To trust.†She inhaled and splayed her fingers over the chainmail that covered her legs. Her voice was kept low throughout her quiet confession. “Sometimes… I too cannot find the words to convey what I feel. And to even try seems like a daunting task. Almost… painful in certain occasions.†She closed her hands again.
“But that does not mean that kinship and faith does not exist amongst my people. I had rejected it for some time now, believing it was what I needed to do. But... even now I am trying to regain what was lost.â€
Roen glanced up at the ceiling as well, noting that her hushed tones were carrying further in their silence. The blizzard was calming, and the howling winds were no more. She inhaled deeply, her expression taking a resigned and wistful turn.
“I once said that for a foreigner, your beliefs were not so strange.†She returned her gaze to the Xaela warrior. “I also said that you were not alone in this land for those beliefs.†She rose from her seat, her armor quietly protesting with a few metallic clinks as she did so.
“I will aid you however way I can, Khadai. Because I want to.†She curled a small reassuring smile again even though her voice remained subdued. She looked up to the ceiling as the creaking of the wooden beams had come to a cease.
“It seems the storm may be coming to an end. Perhaps you can be released from this discourse.â€
Roen remained where she sat for a moment longer, her gaze going to her hands. Heavy oppressive silence fell between them and the middle ground was no more.
“Our ways of coming to an understanding with each other, here in this land, it is clumsy.†The paladin finally broke the silence with that quiet murmur; she was no longer looking at him, her head bowed. “It is not like your people, where we can connect on a more intimate level and no words are needed.â€
“To allow for such a thing… it takes a great deal of trust. And that is something that we all struggle with here. Because we lack such a bond with each other. Sometimes it is like a dance of words between people.†A wry snort escaped her nose. “And some of us are still… very much preoccupied with pride, avarice, and self-interest.†She paused for a moment. “And some of us… do not tell the truth in our hearts until it is much too late.â€
“So I understand your reluctance to share. To trust.†She inhaled and splayed her fingers over the chainmail that covered her legs. Her voice was kept low throughout her quiet confession. “Sometimes… I too cannot find the words to convey what I feel. And to even try seems like a daunting task. Almost… painful in certain occasions.†She closed her hands again.
“But that does not mean that kinship and faith does not exist amongst my people. I had rejected it for some time now, believing it was what I needed to do. But... even now I am trying to regain what was lost.â€
Roen glanced up at the ceiling as well, noting that her hushed tones were carrying further in their silence. The blizzard was calming, and the howling winds were no more. She inhaled deeply, her expression taking a resigned and wistful turn.
“I once said that for a foreigner, your beliefs were not so strange.†She returned her gaze to the Xaela warrior. “I also said that you were not alone in this land for those beliefs.†She rose from her seat, her armor quietly protesting with a few metallic clinks as she did so.
“I will aid you however way I can, Khadai. Because I want to.†She curled a small reassuring smile again even though her voice remained subdued. She looked up to the ceiling as the creaking of the wooden beams had come to a cease.
“It seems the storm may be coming to an end. Perhaps you can be released from this discourse.â€
