[SE] one last breath

Sohalia

Whether she had known or not, the clear pain reflected in Lena's voice was enough to bring Soh great distress. An innocent question gone awry, innocuous query though it had been, then young woman's heart squeezed painfully as she tried to decide if she should say or do anything else to try to bring Lena comfort. All the well-intentioned words in the world wouldn't bring back her sister, however, and it seemed ill-advised to Soh to offer hollow sentiments where they wouldn't do much good. Perhaps, if she could reach out through the Attuned bond, she could cocoon Lena in the compassion and sorrow she felt on her friend's behalf...

But even that seemed intrusive, and there was a long moment of awkward silence as Soh picked at the edges of the remaining lemon bar on her plate, unsure what to say or how to proceed. She'd really put her foot in her mouth this time, and she fervently wished she could go back to only a few moments before, when they had been talking and laughing about myths and legends.

these aching memories still dance around me

Lena

and sweetest in the gale is heard
and sore must be the storm

The silence that followed left the Caretaker uncomfortable and uncertain – striving to figure out how to best circumvent the situation. She’d already forgiven Sohalia – it hadn’t been her fault for stirring up the next of emotions, for that would always lie with those already gone too. There was no getting Sera back. There were no modicums of revenge. There was naught more than those empty notions, and collecting memories, fragments, that Lena could always have in the well of her heart. “It’s really okay, honest,” she murmured, giving half a smile. “Her companion still drifts around the Celestine from time to time, so there are bits and pieces of her remaining.”

Sighing, her eyes drifted back to the plate of desserts, half-tempted to bite her lip and wondering if she should leave. “Would you like anymore?” came instead, an earnest attempt to place a balm on the situation.

that could abash the little bird
that kept so many warm

Sohalia

Uncomfortable and uncertain was a good description of the moments that followed as both women struggled to find a way forward. So when Lena offered an olive branch of sorts, Soh grasped it gladly. She nodded in relation to the information about Sera's companion, though she personally thought that sounded rather sad. Having such a strong bond with someone or something had to mean that the hole left when one of them died was unfillable.

Soh bustled to the table to gather up the remnants of their salad and grasped at the straw that was dessert like a lifeline. She let out a soft sigh of relief and offered a half smile over her shoulder. "Not this minute - but, if you don't mind, I'd love to keep some for later. It was delicious."

these aching memories still dance around me

Lena

and sweetest in the gale is heard
and sore must be the storm

There were a number of ways Lena could have combatted the forces of the trauma instilled upon that day. But she preferred to find the positives, in whatever she could – because there was no bringing Sera, nor the other people perished, back. Instead, she had glimpses of a dragon, the awareness of a soul still out there who understood, and hordes of others who still remained in the dominion of Sera’s projects and buildings. A legacy of her engineering skills; rather than how she was lost.

They seemed to angle around it though, and Lena took the opportunity to busy her hands, wrapping up portions for Sohalia to consume later. “Sure. And then there will be plenty of leftovers for the festival.”

From there, they could finagle conversations back and away from the tragedies of the past, and perhaps, pave the way for more brightness in the present and future.

{FIN}

that could abash the little bird
that kept so many warm