Tumblr Academy reimagined

I hesitated, but knew I'd have to mention it eventually. "One of them pulled my arm backwards, and I'd worried about it having gotten more damaged then it was previously." I paused, waiting for him to question the "more damaged that before" part.

"What do you mean more than before? What haven't you been telling me?"

"It... got hurt really bad back in my normal world a little over a year ago. It's also why... I'm so afraid of wolves," I whispered. "I'd still been a relatively new apprentice at the time, I'd been training for just over a year. My mentor and I were called on a mission to kill a wolf that had been killing crops, and was rumored to have killed a young kid. He left me alone for five minutes, and when he got back the wolf had already attacked me, biting me left ankle, wrist, and shoulder... really badly," I paused. "I'd almost died because it was that bad, and I was even told I'd never be able to be a Ranger. Instead of giving up, though, I got help from one of the best healers and went through physical therapy. I'm left with a limp I've learned to hide and manage, and a shoulder that cramps randomly."

I looked him up and down. "I'm so sorry."

I shrugged slightly. "That's just life. Things just work out that way sometimes."

I nodded. "Hey, at least you were able to prove them wrong!" I smirked. "For a short guy, you are quite the warrior."

I smiled faintly. "Yeah, well, I've been through a lot in my life. I've gotten pretty tough."

"Good on you, mate." I gave him a confident smile.

I smiled and nodded.

"You know, I once knew a guy who had the exact opposite problem of yours. He loved wolves too much, but for the right and wrong reason."

"He what?" I asked. "Who are you even talking about?"

"A guy named Graham. He used to be the town's sheriff. Before that, he was a huntsman. He lived in the forest and lived among wolves. He loved them."

I shuddered. "Living amongst wolves sounds like my worst nightmare. I don't get how anyone could enjoy that."

I smiled softly. "He hated people, though. He claimed that, "Wolves are compassionate, unlike humans." He wasn't all too wrong on that one. However, it was his love for wolves and misunderstanding of humans that got him..." I couldn't clench my fists, so I just looked down, and my smile turned bitter. "He was only doing what he thought was right. He had the best intentions. He didn't deserve it."

I shook my head at the "wolves are compassionate and humans aren't" bit. I paused after hearing the last bit Alasitar had to say. "Anyone and anything can be compassionate," I said slowly, then addressed the last part he'd said. "And I may not understand most of what happened, but I'm sorry. I know how hard it is to lose someone you cared about, and people who hadn't done anything wrong." I grew sad as I thought back to when I'd been six. Not wanting to focus back on that dark time, I shook my head to clear the thoughts.

"It's alright. It was years ago."

I nodded.

I gave him an attempted, goofy smile to let him know I was fine.

I smiled faintly. "Anyway, getting out of the more depressing conversations, where are we going to go to now?"

"Well, we have to find somewhere to rest."

"Okay, but where would a place like that be?"

"A hotel, or motel. You know, it's basically like an inn."

I nodded. That would make sense.

I looked around for one.

((Ugh, why does Luke have to be a gentleman?! It's not helping my mental stability!))

((You okay, man?))
I glanced around then pointed. "Is that building your version of an inn?" The sign looked like something this world would possibly have as a hotel.