07-25-2016, 06:22 PM
As calm as Dane seemed now, Cain didn’t miss the fact that Nox kept himself between them. That belied the statement that the other man was “satisfied,” as he said. The redhead didn’t let his guard down, knowing that his protector was weakened and that he was hardly safe. Although, as worn down as the man looked, clearly he must have something going his way, because he smiled at something notification he received on his wallet.
“When we get topside, we can talk Cain. Or you can go back to slumming it.”
He considered his options for a moment. It sounded almost like Nox was offering him a place to stay. Part of him wanted to refuse, to run away and hide back in the dark of the tunnels with the other homeless wretches of the capital. Down there at least, he knew the rules. He minded his own business and they minded theirs, and all it took was a little flash of magic here and there to ensure that no one would bother him. As tempting as it was to bury his head in the sand, Cain knew it wouldn’t actually do any good. There would still be monsters, and monster hunters, and other magicians. Maybe going with Nox would just put him on Dane’s radar, or maybe it would be the only thing protecting him from people like Dane.
In the end there was only one real choice. He’d given up his entire life and trekked across the entire continent in order to get this one opportunity. Cain might not be so lucky as to bump into another friendly magician, even considering all of the baggage that came with Nox. If nothing else he needed to at least hang around Nox for a little longer, see where he lived. Even if he didn’t end up bunking with the other man, he couldn’t let the chance of a mentor slip through his fingers.
“I’m definitely sticking around, mate,”
Cain decided. “I owe it to you to make sure you get home safely, at least.”
The redhead tactfully didn’t mention that their companion was the very thing from whom he may need protecting.
“When we get topside, we can talk Cain. Or you can go back to slumming it.”
He considered his options for a moment. It sounded almost like Nox was offering him a place to stay. Part of him wanted to refuse, to run away and hide back in the dark of the tunnels with the other homeless wretches of the capital. Down there at least, he knew the rules. He minded his own business and they minded theirs, and all it took was a little flash of magic here and there to ensure that no one would bother him. As tempting as it was to bury his head in the sand, Cain knew it wouldn’t actually do any good. There would still be monsters, and monster hunters, and other magicians. Maybe going with Nox would just put him on Dane’s radar, or maybe it would be the only thing protecting him from people like Dane.
In the end there was only one real choice. He’d given up his entire life and trekked across the entire continent in order to get this one opportunity. Cain might not be so lucky as to bump into another friendly magician, even considering all of the baggage that came with Nox. If nothing else he needed to at least hang around Nox for a little longer, see where he lived. Even if he didn’t end up bunking with the other man, he couldn’t let the chance of a mentor slip through his fingers.
“I’m definitely sticking around, mate,”
Cain decided. “I owe it to you to make sure you get home safely, at least.”
The redhead tactfully didn’t mention that their companion was the very thing from whom he may need protecting.