[Ion nods and then stands up himself, pausing to think for a moment before heading further north towards the forest. There wasn't much that could help at times like this, but spending time with others and trying to keep your mind occupied elsewhere could lessen the pain at least.]

Actually, there's a place not too far from here that I think you'd like. I go there whenever I need to gather my thoughts or get away from things for awhile. It's farther off from the rest of the village, so not a lot of people go there.

[Perhaps it's because people going home always inevitably makes him think of Auldrant, but he can't help but be reminded of another time he and Luke walked together through a forest like this.]

[...admittedly, it's a little nicer with Luke not yelling at him this time.]