[ stop thoma still looking for them is so cute...........

he continues eating his rice ball as he listens, nodding. of course thoma would think about his power, his vision, in terms of protection. that thoma cares about other people and wants to look out for them was maybe the first thing rand ever learned about him. the way thoma embodies his love, and his kindness, is such an enviable thing.

do you regret having your own?

he swallows the last bite of his snack, pausing as he considers that. he's more surprised to be asked than anything; no one's ever posed that kind of question to him before. ]

There are, [ he admits slowly. he'd tried so hard to protect his friends, his family, his home, his world. but what's starting to become clear to him is that there are people he wants to protect in horos, too. people who are starting to matter to him very much. some of this realization comes with the bitter sting of regret, and some...fear, in its ways. light, how he hates his power. but... ] I think...if I could protect people with this power, then I wouldn't regret it. Having it would mean something.

[ then he shakes his head, rueful. ]

That must sound foolish.