[G] [C] 731.10.03 | Finding Time [Talian]

Valerian gave a small frown at Talian’s laugh. It was very obvious it wasn’t borne of joy though it wasn’t entirely forced either. It was just there, as if an intelligent man thought it should go there. A sigh was given as the Harper wondered if there was anything else he could say or do to help his friend continue adjusting with the way things now were but settled on reiterating that Talian didn’t have to put on a show for him. Given their past talks and the state he had seen the Healer in on that horrible morning, Valerian didn’t know why charades of any sort would be given. Did he seriously seem like the type of guy that liked anything other than honest opinions? “Laugh because you mean it, Tal.” He spoke softly and evenly, not at all chiding his friend but simply stating a fact that seemed to have gone overlooked. “Joyous or devious, I don’t care. But you’re the sort to use it as a shield and you know my words will still cut through it if they have to.” 

A slight movement was made in an effort to fix the blanket bunching awkwardly on his left pant leg without disturbing Talian too much when the man spoke again, earning Valerian’s full attention once more. What about him? What, specifically, was being asked of him? The first thought was relaying Veeth’s comment about being there for the Healer but Valerian had said first that he would always be there so it couldn’t have been that. The chance the question was directed about a loved one being left behind was slim since he was fairly certain everyone believed he wouldn’t be bothered with a relationship or would have simply shrugged and moved on if he had been. That thought did, however, lead Valerian to thinking of the North in general and decided that was likely what Talian was getting at. He supposed it was time for a tale. Yet again, Talian was getting details out of him that Valerian typically kept locked away.

“I’ve been writing a lot more. Chronicling my days since arriving as well as poems. I’ve always enjoyed writing.” He hesitated a moment before pointing to a cluster of stars with one hand and tilting Talian’s head in the proper direction with the other, “see those stars? Stargazing is something familiar from home and what I allowed myself to associate with that time. The two brightest represent my sisters. My mother, father, and brother are in the cluster as well. When I moved to Harper Hall, I sort of became friends with one of Jada’s brothers and their mom pretty much adopted me. The last two stars are for them.” Was he displaying a bit of his romantic soul by linking people to the stars or was he just a foolish and lost boy looking for any sort of comfort? Valerian still hadn’t decided and didn’t care what the answer was. It brought him a bit of peace when he was feeling a little out of sorts and writing or playing guitar didn’t help.

“Other than Jada’s brother, I never really bothered with friends or letting anyone know me, until Katila. I have a handful of friends and they’re all annoying in how they get me to talk so much and reveal aspects of myself,” his voice did carry a hint of his annoyance but there was also a smile in place as Valerian allowed himself to continue showing a little more than his usual bored indifference. He most certainly was still that, hard to be brought to any strong emotion one way or the other, but alone with a friend left him doing strange things like pulling Talian back in for a hug. He couldn’t quite manage to give voice to his gratitude for Talian being who he was but Valerian suspected hugs said a lot.