Faolan listened to everything that Lucien had to say, and he felt his hard-line softening with every word. It was clear that Lucien was ready to move beyond the walls of isolation he had grown so accustomed to. Who was Faolan to deny him the right to freedom, who was Father Cyril, or anyone for that matter? If Faolan did not agree to take Lucien with him, he may never leave, and that was not something Faolan was prepared to accept.

But it just wasn't that easy.

He sighed again, and shook his head, not in dismissal or negativity, but out of sheer lack of any argument he could make against the lad's request. All save one.

[color=a36209]"I believe you."[/color] He said, finally, meeting the Frenchman's eyes. [color=a36209]"And I want to help...being forced into something that isn't right for you, well...let's just say I know how that is. But...there's something..."[/color] His voice quieted at this, [color=a36209]"There's some mitigating factors to us two traveling together that you'd need to know about and agree to before I can say yes."[/color]

He wondered vaguely if he should just tell Lucien everything, but no, now was not the time or place. They could easily be walked in on, or overheard, and it honestly wasn't the most believable tale. Still, Faolan did need to warn him about his boughts of...well, absence, before he could allow Lucien to travel with him.  He also found himself wondering if his conditions would end up scaring the boy away from the idea, although he decided that if that was enough to spook him, then he wasn't ready anyway.

He decided that vagueries were best in this instance, at least until he had to tell him the details. His leg began to bounce a bit in nervousness as he spoke. He had never really explained this to anyone before...he was sure he sounded like a header, but there were things that Lucien needed to be aware of. [color=a36209]"I have something that I need to do every month, and I can't take you along. So, you'll be alone for a couple days, maybe a week out of every 30 or so days. It's coming up on that, so this time I'm going to have to leave and come back for you here."[/color]

Despite his nervousness, he was confident that Lucien wouldn't ask for details. The lad had learned that he was private, and had respected that so far. Besides, he had his own things he was keeping to himself, so Faolan doubted that he would risk the reciprocal question if he asked. Faolan was fine not knowing, some things were better kept to one's self.