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RE: precious as a song - Alys - 03-08-2025
[say]”I think you have to heal on your own time,”[/say] Alys said, reaching out a comforting hand to squeeze Zavien’s arm. [say]”I don’t think you should be doing anything. It’s just a matter of what you’re comfortable with, day by day.”[/say] She offered an encouraging smile. [say]”You’re doing what you can, Zavien. That’s all anyone can ask of you.”[/say] Because wasn’t she just doing the same, both in her grief for Sascha and in her new quest to save her?
Zavien ran a nervous hand through his hair, speaking of his own request, and Alys tilted her head to one side, waiting for him to go on. There were very few things she wouldn’t do to help him, if they were within her power, and yet she was still surprised by the request, blanching slightly at the thought of him intentionally harming himself at Safrin’s bequest. [say]”That’s…”[/say] Unexpected? Cruel? Alys could think of a few choice words for the goddess’s requirement, but none of them seemed helpful. She took a deep breath and nodded. [say]”Of course I’ll heal you.”[/say] She might not completely understand the logic, but she did know that the gods often required strange things for quests. Tal had been through his share of questionable tasks, after all. Maybe she was just lucky that Mort hadn’t asked something insane of her - but no. He’d been so kind, so gentle, so understanding… she couldn’t imagine him making her harm herself in the process.
[say]”Whenever you’re ready,”[/say] she said, swallowing hard It was going to be an unpleasant task, but if Zavien could swallow his discomfort and pain and everything else to help her, she could certainly bear this.
RE: precious as a song - Zavien - 03-08-2025
The comforting words were like a balm against the rough edges of his emotions, easing that sense of 'expectations' on how he should be handling everything. He didn't think things could be considered 'good,' but at least he was out in the world again, talking with people and trying to grow. At least he wasn't shut in, lamenting about life. So, Zavien smiled a little more, nodding his head to Alys. [say]"I appreciate that."[/say]
He could see her own reluctance at his request, and he immediately regretted asking her. Tal had done something similar for Ludo to strengthen his dagger, but Zavien had never thought Safrin would ask it of him. Nonetheless, he let out a small breath of relief to hear her agree. [say]"Thank you."[/say] It meant that the experience might not be nearly as unpleasant as it could be. But as he unsheathed his sword, Sol let out a small whine, already knowing what was to come. Trying to comfort him, he scratched the dragon under his chin with a soft smile. [say]"It's okay buddy. It won't be that bad."[/say] He hoped.
Before he could change his mind or lose his resolve, Zavien lifted the starlit sword to his palm. It glowed and hummed with power, warning of what was to come. Biting his cheek, he pressed it into his hand.
The soft sizzling sound of his skin was the first thing he noticed before the pain hit him. He let out a sharp hiss, his body's instincts forcing him to remove his hand from the sword to prevent further injury, but the bright red of his palm showed that the damage was already done. As if it might throw the heat from his skin, Zavien shook his hand, the cool air both a relief and a painful stimulus against the tender nerves. When he finally stopped, he held his hand to his chest, clenching his jaw against the active burning sensation that radiated up his arm.
RE: precious as a song - Alys - 03-08-2025
The smell of burning flesh hit her first.
Alys swallowed down bile as she watched Zavien willingly burn himself for the goddess he’d chosen to serve for this particular quest. His skin sizzled at the contact, and he let out a sharp hiss of pain. She wondered, briefly, whether it was easier to bear now that he had died and returned. Where did a simple burn fall on the scale of minor inconvenience to death?
Zavien pulled his hand away, shaking it in the cool. Flowerbirth air as though that would dispel the pain that he no doubt felt. [say]”Here,”[/say] Alys said, her voice compassionate as she reached for the injured hand, calling upon her magic as she did so. Holding his hand in hers, she quickly healed the wound, leaving not even a scar to show where the burn had been mere moments before.
RE: precious as a song - Zavien - 03-08-2025
The pain and discomfort were difficult not to focus on, but when Alys took his hand in hers, the soothing touch of her magic was instantaneous. His breathing and heartrate slowed as he unclenched his jaw. The healing magic washed over his hand better than any water could, the burnt skin regrowing at an astounding rate. He let out an uncontrollable sigh of relief.
When Zavien glanced down again, his hand was unblemished, appearing as if nothing had ever happened. Only the memory of the pain just moments before told him that it absolutely had. Closing his fist to test the movement, he gave Alys an embarrassed smile. [say]"Thank you."[/say]
RE: precious as a song - Alys - 03-08-2025
Zavien’s pain eased, and Alys relaxed in kind, glad that she could do him this small kindness in the wake of him baring his soul to her in order to aid her in her own quest. When he thanked her, it was with an embarrassed smile, and she fought the urge to frown at him. There was nothing to be embarrassed about; his reaction to pain was natural, the body’s response to danger and its attempt to do something about it. Instead, she smiled slightly, her expression compassionate. [say]”Any time.”[/say] She paused, then chuckled drily. [say]”Although, come to think of it, I rather hope you don’t take me up on that too often.”[/say]
With both their goals complete, Alys turned towards Sidhe Village. [say]”Is there anything else I can help with?”[/say] she asked. [say]”What else do you need to do for Safrin?”[/say] Not that it was any of her business, but if she could be of assistance in any way, she wanted to offer. In the meantime, she steered them back towards civilization, winding their way away from the crimson river floating above. Perhaps Zavien would join she and Tal for dinner in the village; there was a nice little restaurant in the Bodega that Alys was quite fond of.
RE: precious as a song - Zavien - 03-08-2025
Her words made his smile a little brighter as he shook his head. [say]"Trust me, I don't plan on it."[/say] His words were emphatic, sincerely hoping that it wouldn't be asked of him again anytime soon. It was hard to say no to a god, but he didn't want to make a habit of self-harm.
Sheathing his sword, he slowly followed her back in the direction of the village. [say]"Thank you, but not for the moment. I have to train with my sword some more, and leave it in the moonlight for a night, but those can wait for the time being."[/say] After all, it wasn't nighttime, and he wasn't really in the mood for training after his emotional nakedness.
As if reminding him of the experience and the toll on his body, his stomach let out a soft growl. He let out a sheepish laugh as Sol jumped next to him. [say]"I could use some food though, if you'd care to join with me? I think I saw a shop selling bread. If it's the one I'm thinking of, they have delicious jams and jellies."[/say] It was something quick and easy to eat so that they could be on their way.
RE: precious as a song - Alys - 03-08-2025
Alys nodded as Zavien listed off other tasks, pleased to hear that none of them seemed to involve more self-mutilation. She supposed that training with his sword might have the potential for harm, but it depended on whether he trained by sparring, and how careful his sparring partner was. [say]”Well, be careful. And if there’s anything Tal or I can do, we will.”[/say] She was confident that her partner would say the same, were he here to join the conversation.
[say]”Food would be great,”[/say] the seer agreed as they moved back towards the village. [say]”I’ll be happy to join you.”[/say] They walked in silence for a few moments. Seeking to fill it with happier thoughts, she tilted her head to the side and asked, [say]”So, how did you meet Sol?”[/say]
RE: precious as a song - Zavien - 03-08-2025
[say]"Thank you. I really appreciate that."[/say] Not to mention that Tal had already helped him with one training session. It was nice to have friends who were willing to assist in whatever nonsense the gods put him up to. And he was always willing to return the favor.
Speaking of quests, as they walked to the shop, Alys's question made him smile. [say]"I got a quest from Frey. Essentially, I had to build a bonfire and cook some meat. He followed me all the way back to the shrine before I noticed."[/say] His following chuckle was lighter, easier, and he glanced at the little dragon trailing behind them with unconditional fondness when he paused to snatch a berry from a nearby branch. [say]"And now he never stops eating."[/say] He shook his head playfully, wondering how the dragon wasn't an orb. Zavien was tempted to ask the seer about her own companion, but he felt it was probably too soon, so he lapsed into silence as they entered the busy village.
It didn't take long to find the little shop, tucked between some cafes on the main road. He paused to smell the warm scent of fresh-baked bread wafting from inside. Humming with anticipation, he said, [say]"I think this is the place."[/say]
RE: precious as a song - Alys - 03-09-2025
Alys’s question brought a smile to Zavien’s face, and Alys was relieved when she felt the pulse of affection towards his companion. At least she could leave this interaction not feeling like it had been entirely negative, and perhaps some lighthearted discussion could help to lift the shadows that still swirled around Zavien’s heart.
She laughed as Zavien teased his dragon. [say]”Sascha was a bottomless pit, too, especially in Leafchange. She didn’t hibernate, but you’d have thought she was preparing to with how much she could eat.”[/say] As always, thoughts of her companion left her with a wistfulness in her chest, but it hurt much less now that she had the opportunity to bring her back. Even if she still wasn’t sure that she should.
They arrived at the bakery, the smell of fresh bread wafting from the door. [say]”Oh, it smells divine,”[/say] she said, mouth already watering as she pushed the door open.
RE: precious as a song - Zavien - 03-09-2025
Zavien looked to Alys as she spoke of Sascha. It surprised him, but she sounded like she'd made strides of her own towards healing, giving him some sense of peace as he smiled. [say]"Maybe it's a companion thing,"[/say] he mused aloud. Boreal and Pip both showed that they liked treats, even Zuriel eagerly accepted food from Deimos. The theory had yet to be disproved.
Stepping into the shop, a bell above the door chimed their arrival and a charming young woman greeted them. A new batch of bread had just finished, and she sliced a loaf to give them, heat rising into the cozy air along with the mouth-watering smell. She also recommended a mixed berry jam to go with the bread, packaging it nicely as he paid.
With polite smile and wave of goodbye, Zavien carried the goods back out into the street. Once he'd found an appropriate seating arrangement, he put together two slices of bread, using a dagger to spread the jam over them. He then offered forward the first slice of bread, layered with a sweet purple berry mixture. [say]"For you."[/say] His smile was warm, a little less darkness ringing his eyes in light of the comforting conversation and good food.
RE: precious as a song - Alys - 03-09-2025
Alys had indeed made strides towards recovering from Sascha’s loss, given the impending return of her companion to her side, and even though she had yet to decide whether she was making the right decision, the potential of seeing Sascha among the living once more was enough to bring her peace.
Before Alys could protest, Zavien had ordered and paid, and she made a mental note to buy dinner for him sometime to repay the favor. In the meantime, she followed Zavien back out onto the street and settled next to him comfortably. [say]”Thank you,”[/say] she said, accepting a piece of bread and some of the violet jam. Taking a bite, she savored the newly baked bread, which was still warm from the oven. [say]”Mm, this is good,”[/say] she mumbled, bringing a hand up to cover her mouth as she chewed. After she’d swallowed, she grinned. [say]”How did you know about this place? Have you spent much time here?”[/say]
RE: precious as a song - Zavien - 03-11-2025
Taking a bite of his own sweetly jellied bread, Zavien shookhis head at her question. [say]"No no. Someone mentioned it to me when I first got here. I just hadn't gotten the chance to try it yet."[/say] When he'd checked into the inn, a Fae had mentioned a bakery with the best bread and jelly in Caido. He was reluctant to argue with them now. Licking a piece of jelly that had fallen on his finger, he offered a small section to Sol, who was looking up at him with eyes the size of golden saucers. [say]"I wish I'd come sooner. I might have to go buy a jar to take home."[/say] Whenever that happened.
The thought sobered him a little, and Zavien went silent, thinking longingly of Stormbreak and how much he missed the city. It had only been a few weeks, but his heart already ached to see Lena and the Celestine again. He felt like he'd made large strides in his healing process, yet the nightmare and anxieties had him cautious to return so soon. Zavien wondered if seeing Lena again might help with that.
RE: precious as a song - Alys - 03-11-2025
The bread and the jam was delicious, although given the prevalence of the Void and its violet hues, she would have been happier had it been another color. Even so, she enjoyed the sweetness on her tongue as she took another bite. As Soh begged for a piece, Alys was hit with a momentary melancholy, for even if she had a quest to get Sascha back, that didn’t mean that she didn’t miss her right now.
It seemed that Alys wasn’t the only one to experience a stab of sadness. At Zavien’s mention of home, she could feel his longing. Seeing as she’d already put him through the emotional ringer today, she elected not to say anything. Instead, she merely added, [say]”I wonder if it’s this good year round? Or just in the spring, when everything is fresh?”[/say]
RE: precious as a song - Zavien - 03-15-2025
Sol accepted the piece with ravenous enthusiasm, making Zavien smile through the homesickness. He took another bite for himself as he pushed aside the negative emotions. It wasn't forever, just for now. Even if it took him some time, he was determined to make it back, to be reunited with his purpose in life.
Latching onto the distraction of Alys's words, he looked closely at the jelly. [say]"That's a good question. Although, if they jar it, it probably preserves the flavors well."[/say] Which meant the seasons wouldn't matter, even if it certainly tasted better surrounded by blooming flowers and greenery. And he enjoyed every bite of the food and the pleasant company. But when they were finished with their snack, Zavien would politely excuse himself to purchase a jar of the delicious jelly, already deciding to gift it to Lena when he saw her next. His steps were lighter, eyes a little brighter from the confessions he'd released today, the burden he'd finally loosened from his chest. He still had plenty of progress ahead, but his smile came easier when he looked to the setting sun that evening.
[FIN]