what qfoolish is, not who he is or the choices he makes- What he is has meant he will always, inescapably be subject to loss. Being a totem he was practically born for it, written into his blood alongside the names of his loved ones in delicate cursive. You could say it's a curse, the few individuals he allows himself to care for leaving, dying or disappearing. But perhaps it would be more accurate to call it simple fact. He will outlive them all, there's no way around it nor any magical loophole to be exploited. Whether his loved ones die young or leave late does it truly make a difference in the grand scheme of eternity? one way or another it's only a matter of time. Time he has and they don't, because he is a totem and so he lives. Always, inescapable.

He carries them with him. Every name and face and laugh and smile lost to time, gone the mind of every living creature that walks upon the ancient soil beneath their feet, forgotten to all except one. Held dear forever and ever (and ever and ever). It's the least he can do.