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+---- Thread: Moved by a sudden impulse (/showthread.php?tid=12563)
Moved by a sudden impulse - Zavien - 02-27-2026
Tanau and the sun have finally deigned to show Caido mercy, and as Longheat begins its transition into Leafchange, the weather is almost pleasant as Zavien works his way through town. While he checks in on the Breakers and does what little he can to assist here or there, his smile is a little brighter, the sweat along his skin failing (for the first time) to condense into rivulets down his back. Even when his hand raises to run through his hair, the damp ends stand up rather than flop to his forehead with the weight of moisture.
Hefting the donation box in his arms a little higher, Zavien looks to where Sol trots by his side. [say]"This should be the last thing, then we can - "[/say]
The words are cut off by an indignant shriek and the feeling of something other than dirt beneath his boot. Startled, he shuffles out of the way, bumping a building wall with more force than he means to. It jostles the items inside where he can hear the soft snap of something delicate and fragile, but his eyes are on the hissing bundle of black fur. While Zavien winces at his misstep, Sol hops to his defense, growling a low rumble.
[say]"I'm so sorry."[/say] Guilt and shame color his voice as he moves to set aside the box and attempt at making amends with the cat.
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Random Event - 02-28-2026
The cat’s back arches into a sharp crescent, fur bristling until it seems twice its size, and its hiss splits the air like steam escaping a fissure in stone. Yellow eyes flash with offended fury as it lashes out, a swift, precise swipe that catches the light; its claws spark against the air with a brief, unnatural crackle, bright as flint struck in the dark. The sound is small but wrong, enough to prickle along Zavien’s skin as a curious tremor runs through him; so fleeting and strange that it could be mistaken for nothing more than a rush of startled blood. Before apology can fully take shape on his tongue, the cat lands lightly, tail flicking in disdain, and darts down a narrow alley in a streak of black shadow, vanishing between stacked crates as though it had never been there at all.
Dew's spirit pact has been used for a curse! For the remainder of this thread Zavien's impulse control will be almost non-existent.
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Zavien - 03-01-2026
The cat's reaction is warranted, the hiss slicing through the air with a sharpness that could cut steel, except this sends an uncanny draw along his skin. Zavien shivers and anticipates feeling blood well along his shin, bracing for the burn of claws; but the spikey black creature doesn't strike him, vanishing into the alley with a seething glance.
Running a hand along the back of his neck, he tries to soothe the hair that stands up along his spine, pursing his lips at the unnatural sensation fading into sweat. [say]"Sorry,"[/say] he mutters, disappointed he couldn't quell the insult before the creature left.
His thoughts realign to the task at hand, glancing down at the box within his grasp and the heat coating his skin. [say]"Geez. It's still so hot."[/say] Without a second thought - particularly to how strange his actions are - he sets aside the box and strips off his shirt, rolling his shoulder muscles to expose them to the hint of a breeze. Tucking the t-shirt into his jean's belt loop next to his scabbard, Zavien lifts the box back up and resumes their path down the street.
Less bothered by the heat, he begins humming as they walk, the melody torturously out of tune despite the energy and joy infused into every note. The sound might as well be a dying ghost whale drowning in the scream of styrofoam, falling on his own deaf ears without a care. It draws the unnoticed attention of a few people, but Sol is looking at him the closest, seeming more interested in Zavien than anything around them. The companion feels that something is off, but nothing seems blatantly wrong, and so he resigns himself to close monitoring, wings hugged close and head lowered just low enough to appear suspicious.
The town is small and they reach the donation center without any further incidents. It sits next to the ice cream stand, where a bustle of people attempt to enjoy the last bit of excruciating heat. As he passes, Zavien picks out a flash of blonde, throwing a momentary smile before meeting an older gentleman at the door of the donation center. He hands over the box, laughing brightly as he apologizes for the bit of broken pieces, more amused than remorseful for the mess. The man doesn't seem to mind, taking the offerings without complaint for their condition.
With another hand running through his damp hair, Zavien bids the man goodbye and gathers Sol - who hasn't let his companion out of his sight. [say]"Let's go join Soh."[/say] Grinning, he stalks completely bare chested towards the ice cream stall. A sheen of sweat glints off his tanned skin, only broken by the gnarled scar across his side, but he doesn't pay a single thought to it when he finds Sohalia amidst the crowd. Whereas he might have paused to consider decency and politeness, he steps into her space to give a warm, friendly hug and the biggest smile, obviously having missed her. [say]"Soh! Hey!"[/say] Pulling back slightly, he looks to the ice cream flavors. [say]"Did you already pick something?"[/say]
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Sohalia - 03-01-2026
In retrospect, perhaps agreeing to meet Zavien on the heels of her girls' spa day was a mistake. On the upside, though, ice cream sounded divine when Soh was a bit tipsy.
She walked casually through the street, skin still glowing from the lotions and oils applied at the House of Midnight. She smelled vaguely of bergamot and lavender, and her silver gaze was glassy with relaxation and alcohol. When she'd left the girls, she'd dressed lightly in a cropped tank top that floated around her navel, showing off the three lines of scar tissue that stretched down from her chest. Even if Tanau had broken the worst of the heat, it was still Longheat, and Soh was long past caring if she showed a little skin. Maybe Torchline was finally rubbing off on her.
In any case, Anani floated along above her, chiming gently and providing a gentle breeze that ruffled the hem of Soh's tank top. The little cloud wyrm was the first to spot Zavien and Sol, and her chiming grew more insistent as she watched them approach. Soh caught sight of them next, and even in her mildly inebriated state (or perhaps because of it), she did a double take at the sight of a shirtless Zavien. Had she ever seen him bare-chested before? She couldn't recall, but she had to admit that he was certainly easy on the eyes.
Dragging her gaze to his face, Soh was surprised to find that he was growing even closer, going so far as to step in for a hug. Startled, she nonetheless hugged him back, hands wrapping around his middle and cheek pressing against his chest, nose tucked neatly under his chin. [say]"Hey, Zav,"[/say] she said before pulling back. [say]"It's good to see you."[/say] Even if he was acting a little... strange. Weird, Soh thought, but maybe this was a good thing. Maybe this was how Zavien acted without the pressure of leadership carried upon his shoulders. Maybe this meant he was starting to move past Stormbreak's fall.
Shrugging off any annoying alarm bells in the back of her mind, Soh turned her gaze to the ice cream flavors. [say]"Nope,"[/say] she saying, popping the 'p' and grinning. [say]"But I'm feeling chocolate-y today. What about you?"[/say]
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Serendipity - 03-01-2026
High above the rolling hills, pale shapes glide lazily through the sky. A small group of Cloud Wyrms weaves through the air, their long bodies undulating as though swimming through invisible currents.
They chase one another in wide, playful loops, occasionally dipping low before spiralling back upward, clearly enjoying the freedom of open sky. Wisps of cloud cling to their scales as they pass.
The wyrms remain overhead, unconcerned with the world below, their presence light and fleeting as they drift onward together.
Cloud WyrmAreas Found: King's End, Torchline, Stormbreak, Hak Etme — Uncommon Cousins of the dragon, these small and serpentine creatures boast no wings or destructive breath. Rather, they breathe clouds. Their four-legged white bodies can be seen slithering through the air, puffy clouds streaming from their mouths to ease the intensity of the sun on the plains. They never get any bigger than a weasel, are known as docile, playful creatures, and they seem to enjoy collecting shiny things.
Challenge Rating: Easy | Mythical HP: 84 | To Hit: +30 | Dmg: 16 Movement: Fly 40 ft. (hover); Walk 10 ft. SPECIAL SKILLS Friendly Bond: when befriended, will linger overhead to provide moving shade and soft breezes; Sky-Slip: glides through still air with ease, ignoring most gusts and turbulence; Downy Silence: featherlight motion makes them almost soundless even at speed |
TRAITS Cloud Breather: exhales soft, cooling vapour rather than flame; Docile & Playful: avoids confrontation, preferring games and gentle curiosity; Shiny Collector: irresistibly drawn to glittering trinkets and coins; Sunshade Trail: drifting cloud-streams cast welcome shade over travellers ACTIONS Cloud Puff: releases a dense little cloud to obscure vision or cool overheated allies; Zip Dash: darts in a looping burst of speed to evade grasping hands or predators; Chiming Trill: a bright, musical chirr that soothes nerves and encourages calm |
 |
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Zavien - 03-01-2026
Zavien notes the hint of something floral and sweet flowing off Soh as he holds her close. When he pulls away to assess their ice cream options, he glances briefly down to mention, [say]"You smell good."[/say] And then, as if he's only commented on the weather and not the scent of her, he adds casually, [say]"It's good to see you too. I've missed you."[/say]
After releasing Soh and sending a warm, vibrant smile her way (and Anani's), Zavien turns his attention to the stand and the sweet signage. His arms cross across his chest, head tilting to take in the various options. He hums thoughtfully, grinning back at her. [say]"Mm. Chocolate's always a good option."[/say] With a playful wink - as if chocolate being great is a secret they share - he stares at the swimming letters for a moment before shrugging his shoulders to say, [say]"I can't read the sign very well, but if they have peanut butter, I'll probably go with that. Orange would probably be my next choice."[/say]
His companion's strange behavior momentarily forgotten, Sol chirps a greeting to the familiar cloud wyrm, tail wagging playfully. And when a group of them suddenly appears with a small flurry of clouds, Sol hops and spins like a puppy before taking to the sky for a game of tag. Zavien laughs freely, watching them go while he steps up to order for them.
While the attendant is scooping their ice cream, he leans confidently against the stand, a friendly smile spread bright across his face. [say]"How are you and Anani doing?"[/say]
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Sohalia - 03-01-2026
Okay, so this encounter was officially weird, but not, Soh thought, in a bad way. More like in a my-friend-has-had-the-weight-of-the-world-removed-from-his-shoulders way. Surely that was all that was going on here, and this was the real Zavien now that he was beginning to settle in his new role - or lack thereof. [say]"Oh, thanks!"[/say] Soh chirped in response to the compliment. [say]"Lavender's my favorite, but the bergamot adds a little something, I think."[/say] Indeed, the sweet, slightly citrus-y scent was particularly pleasant when paired with the floral lavender.
When he said he'd missed her, Soh peered up at him with surprise. Had he really? She supposed that she'd missed him, too, but only now that he'd mentioned it. It wasn't like they'd spent that much time together prior to Stormbreak's fall, but now that they lived in totally different places, well, she supposed that made it easier to miss someone.
With their ice cream ordered, they settled in to wait. A group of cloud wyrms approached, chiming gently to one another. When Sol zoomed off to play, Anani happily joined the fray, and Soh laughed at the companions' antics with the wild creatures, who were more than happy to welcome two more. [say]"We're doing well,"[/say] Soh said, leaning casually against the stand with one hip. [say]"Things have been good in Torchline, and we've been able to travel a little. How about you and Sol?"[/say] She paused, then added, [say]"You seem really good today."[/say]
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Zavien - 03-01-2026
Unaware that any of his actions might be 'weird,' Zavien goes about in a pleasant flow of light and lack of concern. Where he might usually hesitate or question what to do, everything seems so simple and easy, actions coming without a second thought for appearances or insecurities. He just does it, not minding the freeing sense of it all. Perhaps he should be worried about the seeming loss of a filter in his decision making, but it's honestly refreshing, and he decides not to ponder on it right now. That's a problem for future Zavien.
Not an expert in flowers by any means, all Zavien recognizes is 'lavender,' his eyes widening as he recalls fluffy pink swords and deep brown eyes. The briefest flash of grief threatens to take hold before his mouth opens to say, [say]"I like lavender."[/say] Then he smiles again, adding, [say]"It suits you."[/say]
The first cup of ice cream is offered up as they prop against the stand. Although momentarily distracted by the abundance of skin between them, he accepts it with another pleasant word, passing it to Soh while their companions run off to play. [say]"It's been a good day."[/say] A chuckle follows, his green eyes alight as he clarifies the only little hiccup in their errands. [say]"I almost took out a cat, but everyone made it out okay."[/say] At least from what he could tell. The cat had scurried away with enough agility to suggest a lack of injury, and Zavien feels fine.
Accepting the second cup of ice cream (they only had orange) and a couple spoons, he pushes off the wood with ease, stepping back into the sunlight. A thought comes to mind when he's handing over her utensil, a proud smile somehow brightening his features more. [say]"We're finally starting to settle into the new place! You should come see it!"[/say] Since they have nothing better to do - and he assumes she'll say yes - he starts walking them down the road, his long stride casual as he moves to take his first bite. [say]"Where are you staying in Torchline?"[/say] The question flows freely, eyes settling on her with undisguised interest for how she's fairing in the beachfront region.
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Sohalia - 03-01-2026
It didn't take much to flatter Sohalia, and today was no exception. She took the compliment with a bright grin, accepting the cup of chocolate ice cream from Zavien with a quiet word of thanks. Whatever was with Zavien, she liked it; he seemed happy, carefree in a way that she could completely get behind, especially if it meant that he was going to be so sweet and charming!
[say]"I'm glad you all made it out unscathed. Cats can be terrifying."[/say] She winked, clearly teasing, but as someone with a tide jaguar shift, she felt particularly qualified to speak on the matter. She accepted the spoon he offered, then nodded at the invitation. [say]"Oh, that's great! I'd love to!"[/say] And then they were strolling side-by-side down the street.
Dipping her spoon into her ice cream, Soh popped a bite into her mouth. She closed her eyes, humming brightly as the flavor burst on her tongue. [say]"Oh my gods, this is so good,"[/say] she said. Then, opening her eyes, she smiled at Zavien. [say]"Right now I'm staying with Flora, but I've been wondering if I should get my own place."[/say] For one, she didn't wish to impose on her bestie's hospitality for too long; for another, she wanted somewhere that was completely hers. Her room at Wildering House was perfect, of course, but there was something about it being Flora's house that left her feeling like a guest rather than a permanent occupant.
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Zavien - 03-01-2026
Laughter bursts freely from him, starting from his gut and bubbling out without anything to stop it. [say]"They can be!"[/say] And although he hasn't seen her jaguar shift, the wink tells him all he needs to know, intrigue clear in how his eyes run down her - as if he might see the feline form hiding beneath the scarred skin.
Happy to lead her to his place so she can see the progress they've made so far, Zavien instinctively adjusts his stride to accommodate her shorter stature, keeping his attention divided between her, the road, and the orange ice cream he's only taken a single bite of. He can't explain why his gaze lingers when her silver eyes flutter closed, or why the hum seems to travel between them and settle along his skin, but he meets her smile with his own, offering out his cup without hesitation. [say]"Try mine."[/say]
Tilting his head, there's no filter to hold back the words that come to mind when she mentions her host. [say]"Oh. I had a disagreement with Flora awhile back. It's the main reason I didn't consider Torchline when Stormbreak fell."[/say] Zavien shrugs his shoulders; he seems unbothered now that Flora's forgiven his part in the argument, reaching to take a bite of his ice cream when he adds, [say]"I think we're good now, but I'm sure it'd be nice to have your own place!"[/say] No risk of awkwardness or strained relations, especially if people want to visit her.
[say]"What kind of place would you get?"[/say] It seems like a simple question, and yet the world seems to open up at the possibilities. They didn't have responsibilities or others to consider anymore. She could go and do and live how she wanted, from the clothes she wore to the place she lived, the only limitation was her willingness to grasp the opportunities in front of her.
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Sohalia - 03-02-2026
Try mine, accompanied with an offering of orange ice cream, was all the invitation Soh needed to dip her spoon readily into the other flavor. The mingling of chocolate and citrus was somehow divine, and she gasped with an innocent delight. [say]"Oh, you have to try these together,"[/say] she insisted, holding hers out as she walked along. [say]"This whole ice cream hangout thing is definitely working for me."[/say]
The readiness with which Zavien spoke of his disagreement with Flora was reassuring; perhaps it was all water under the bridge, and she wouldn't have to contend with her two friends being at odds with one another. [say]"I'm glad things are good now. It's a shame you didn't come to Torchline, though,"[/say] she added. [say]"This ice cream is great, don't get me wrong, but there's this place there that does the coolest flavors. You'll have to come visit and see!"[/say]
As for her own place, she hummed thoughtfully. [say]"I don't know,"[/say] she said truthfully. [say]"I had a place I was renting a while ago, but I don't think it's on the market anymore. But it was up in Haulani, and had the most amazing balcony with the best view. Something like that might be nice. Or I could open up a cartography studio again, and find a place with an apartment like I had in Stormbreak. But, honestly?"[/say] She leaned it slightly, as though sharing a secret. [say]"I can't even decide on location, so I'm not too fussed about the specifics yet."[/say]
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Zavien - 03-02-2026
She lit up at the flavors, drawing laughter from his chest at the bug-eyed wonder she wore. Similarly unhesitating in his acceptance of her offer, he scooped a bite from her bowl as he freely admitted, [say]"I'm glad you suggested it. I like hanging out with you. It's easy."[/say] Especially without the burden of leadership, Zavien could feel the complete lack of stress when talking to her. It didn't eliminate the untethered sense of destiny he carried, but her genuine nature seemed to ground him in the moment, pulling at the desire to just exist in the moment.
The splash of flavor across his tongue had his head falling back, golden hair catching the sunlight as he sighed like a man drinking water in a desert. The orange was a ray of fresh light onto wooden floorboards, warm and bright and inviting in all the ways that made him want to melt into it. His shoulders sagged, heavy with approval as he said, [say]"Wow. These are good together."[/say] And even if Soh tried to refuse him, Zavien would snag another scoop of her ice cream through feints and tactile manipulation before freely offering his own with a cheeky grin.
Not really caring about Flora or their disagreement right now, Zavien shrugged his bare shoulders and looked playfully down at Soh. [say]"Just because I don't live there doesn't mean I didn't plan to visit,"[/say] he paused to raise a teasing brow her way before adding, [say]"but at least now I have another excuse."[/say] Especially if the ice cream was as good as she claimed.
Zavien listened attentively to her dreams, nodding where appropriate and imagining all the different places Soh might end up. And when she leaned in close like there was a secret to share, he followed suit, slowing so he could hear her words over the scrape of their feet. The admission brightened in his eyes, having felt exactly the same way ever since he'd left Stormbreak. He looked around in a manner that was dramatically suspicious before letting his voice drop softly to share his own secret: [say]"Me either."[/say]
Flashing her a knowing look, he straightened and turned his eyes ahead again, spotting his house a few doors down. [say]"Maybe the right place will just suddenly appear."[/say] Optimism painted his features in light, his smile encouraging as he added, [say]"At least you don't need to rush finding it."[/say] They had all the time in the world to figure it out.
Finally, he stopped, standing proud to admire the house in front of them. [say]"Here's my place! It's not much, but it's better than what I had in Stormbreak."[/say] He threw her a beaming grin without a hint of remorse. She might have seen Lena's place where he'd occasionally stayed, but Soh hadn't seen the ramshackle townhouse he'd lived in, with all its charming leaks and musty smells. It hadn't been anything fancy (or cozy), but he'd called it home.
The small house where he opened the door for her felt more like a tiny cottage. The people had spared no expense to find him a place to live, offering the warm yellow structure that practically glowed with sunlight, a beacon for the Breakers who might still seek him out. Despite being attached on both sides, the two-story building felt charming, like they'd stumbled upon it in the middle of the woods, standing alone in its welcoming nature. And when she stepped, Soh would find a sparse gathering of simple furniture. It was obvious that others had shared beloved pieces of their homes, from chipped woods to fading fabrics, they had a warmth to them. Sunlight flowed in from the open windows, painting the kitchen and living room in a golden light that felt like the embrace of an open hug, inviting people to step inside.
And yet, those who knew Zavien would notice that there was little of him in the space. There weren't any trinkets decorating the counters or weapons hanging against the walls. There was barely anything of his visible in the house, like he was a visitor not daring to disrespect the gift others had given him.
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Sohalia - 03-09-2026
[say]"Aww, thanks!"[/say] Soh said, blushing faintly pink at the praise. [say]"It's easy hanging out with you, too."[/say] And she meant it - it was a different kind of ease than that with which she hung out with, say, Flora, but it was a kind of simplicity that Soh was coming to appreciate more and more. Perhaps it was that she and Zavien understood the weight of all they had sacrificed for Stormbreak in a way that no one else could, because no one else had fought so hard for their region and still lost in the end. And even when that wasn't what their conversation centered around, there was a camaraderie there that couldn't be denied.
Or maybe it was just that they were really quite similar, when it came down to it. Soh wasn't sure she really cared at present.
She giggled and screeched as Zavien stole another bite from her ice cream, attempting to spin playfully away and failing miserably. Then, when he offered his own, she snagged another spoonful before sticking her tongue out at him.
Her hopes and dreams were laid out before them, and as Zavien admitted that he wasn't really sure where he fit, either, Soh's eyes widened with realization. Maybe she didn't have to have it all figured out right now. Maybe it made Zavien truly brave, to try even though he wasn't certain about any of it. He was building a home in a place that hadn't yet stolen his heart. She'd never really tried that approach, and she wondered what results it would yield if she just picked a place and... tried.
[say]"Maybe it will,"[/say] she agreed. [say]"Or maybe it's useless to worry so much about it. Maybe we need to just pick a place and start - like you're doing here."[/say] Maybe it would start to feel like home naturally, if they just gave it a chance.
When they stopped in front of a house, Soh paused to survey the outside. It was small, but that was nothing to turn one's nose up at. It was a pretty yellow that felt like a not-so-subtle nod to his title as the Risen Sun, but it didn't feel like too much at all. Instead, it felt like a warm invitation - like Zavien's hand reaching out to welcome her personally to his home.
The inside was welcoming, if a bit bare; the collected furniture was clearly well-loved, but somehow that made the space homey in a way that the lack of decor did not. Soh paused inside, turning slowly on her heel as though to take in as much of the room as she could before offering an opinion. [say]"This is really nice, Zavien,"[/say] she told him. [say]"I love how much light you get."[/say] That was always a must-have for her - bright, but preferably indirect sunlight was best for her art.
And yet... there was something missing that Soh couldn't quite put her finger on. The space was beautiful, the furniture comfortable, but something was off. It was as though anyone could have lived here, not just Zavien. There was nothing about the space to indicate who it belonged to. [say]"I'm going to paint you something,"[/say] she announced. [say]"And you have to promise to hang it up somewhere in here."[/say] She spun to settle her silver eyes on him, her free hand on her hip, everything about her insistent. [say]"You need something on the walls that makes it yours."[/say]
RE: Moved by a sudden impulse - Zavien - 03-09-2026
Zavien laughed as they walked, still wearing the cheeky grin after having stolen another bite of her ice cream. [say]"I don't know if I'd call this 'starting.' It feels more like waiting - waiting for something new to reveal itself, to give me something new to fight for."[/say] He turned his smile to her again and shrugged his shoulders. [say]"Either way - like you said - it's useless worrying over."[/say] It wouldn't change the past and it wouldn't change the future. Until he found that new 'something,' he'd have to do what he could where he was, and that meant living with the people assimilating into King's End, making sure they had everything they needed to be happy in their new homes.
When they stepped into the sunlit house, Zavien let Soh wander in first, lingering by the door as she took in the space. Bare wood rubbed against his back where he leaned on the frame, the breeze from the open air cooling some of sweat there. [say]"Thanks. The Enders have been overly generous. I told them I only needed a bed and a chair, but you see how well that worked out."[/say] Chuckling, he gestured playfully with his spoon to the abundance of furniture. From a dining table to a couch and a dog dragon bed, there was more than he would have asked for, and more than he could ever thank them for.
He dipped his spoon back into his ice cream, suddenly captivated by the silver eyes daring him to argue, admiring the stubborn spirit Soh thought was necessary. It wasn't like he would have been against the idea anyways, but Zavien kind of liked seeing her so passionate after too many months of depression and seriousness. It gave her a new light and energy that had his eyes sparking. He couldn't help the smile that rose, bright as a breaking dawn welcoming however she chose to seize the day. [say]"Oh? And what would you paint?"[/say] He had trouble imagining anything that would represent him, but he was ready to be entertained by the ideas.