Faolan shook his head at Lucien's response, but let him finish his thoughts before he interjected. It was never Faolan's intention to make the lad feel guilt or sorry that he had spoken. He was starting to see exactly what a life of isolation had done to the Frenchman. He felt trapped, quarantined in the name of protection. Faolan's heart was calling out to that suffering, a pain he had never known was to be trapped in one spot, fiercely protected in the way that Lucien was. In some ways, the lad was lucky, yes. He had a roof, men who cared for his well being genuinely and would protect him with everything they had, or at least that's how it seemed. It was more than most could ever ask for, but he also needed to realize that "his lot" wasn't what he was born with. Hell, Faolan's own life had changed years ago, and when he was just sixteen. He was forced to adopt his current way of living, and while there were growing pains, he knew it was something that he had to do to keep others safe. Faolan had played the protector his whole life, so he understood the priest's plight, but he also valued freedom above all else, and new it was what Lucien longer for. He could hear it in his voice.

He stopped walking and turned to Lucien, his expression different than he had shown before. His face had softened, and his eyes were locked on the Frenchman's as he spoke, a rare occurrence as Faolan hardly ever made eye contact.

[color=a36209]"Stop apologizin' for things that ain't yer fault, lad."[/color] He began, and though his words were solid and harsh, his tone was soft, "[color=a36209]You've got a lot of things that others wish for, sure, but there's no need for feelin' guilty. You've done the best with what you have, aye. But, you said it yourself, you're twenty goddamn years old. If you [i]want[/i] to stay here and be a priest, do it if it'll make you happy. But if, and only if it's what [i]you[/i] want to do. You can't spend your whole life pleasing others. Just because they want somethin' for ya' doesn't mean it's right. Your lot is what you make it...so make it something to be proud of."[/color]

It had all come flowing out of him before he realized it. And what exactly had made him go all high and mighty on the lad? He had no notion, but at least the two were alone on the street when his conscience decided to take over. It was then that he realized that he and Lucien were friends, seemingly without him ever knowing it.