Prove that I'm more than my grief

Zavien

I think all things,
in their way,

He shifts his weight as he looks to the hillside, still cautious of the nearby threat as he listens to Colt talk. Waiting patiently to hear what input she might need, his eyes widen and fall back to her when she lands on a proposal. A cabinet seat. 

It's not what he expects. Not because he's not capable or available to assist, but because he hadn't anticipated the offer. Giving his help is one thing, but a cabinet seat would be a commitment, one that requires his presence and dedication to the region, one that implies Colt's trust in him. There are few ways to extend that kind of faith in someone, none more flattering than putting the responsibility of their region in his hands. 

Smiling, Zavien dips his head, placing a gracious hand over his heart when Colt finishes. "Thank you for the compliment and vote of confidence." But he's not sure the desert is somewhere he wants to live, and he's hesitant to make such a big decision on a whim. "I can't promise anything now, but I'll certainly think on it - and you'll have my help regardless." Along with any counsel she asked of him, in an official or unofficial capacity.

reflect heavenly truth,
the imagination not least.

Colt

I know it's a drag, I know it's a grind
I know that a dollar ain't worth a dime
I know you get tired, I know you get down
I know you get sick of this soul-sucking town

Might be no one is calling her crazy or telling her not to do it, not outright, but could be that after all the help is done, that she’s standing in a sandbox all alone with her cows and only a few of her hands (some of them don’t love the idea either and are moving on to other ranches). Maybe that’d suit her fine, in the end, burrowing into the middle of nowhere and securing safety out of danger and solitude. It’s a lonely idea though, and much as she’d claim to be fine on her own, no one ever is.

Of course, she understands. It’s her wild chase after all, and she’s grateful anyone’s willing to run alongside her for it, but what’s going to be there at the end? Even she isn’t sure, and for now she’s content to take the help she can find, but she’s hopeful that a few will see what she does in the desert. The opportunity to make something, the potential to shape who you are and what will be, the test of strength and endurance so you recognize just where you stand in the world.

Tucking away such isolating thoughts for now, she just nods, expecting his decision not to be handed over yet. She’d hoped, maybe, but she always expects a little bit of disappointment in life. ”We leave in a few days, if you wanna get your things in order. I’ll need help right away, scouting out areas for us to settle. Tents for a while, until we can build something.”

She glances at him, coming to a stop in a split in the road now that they’ve walked down from the hillside of Mourn. The travel post for Dream Well awaits her and another person she’s asked to speak to. ”I know it won’t be easy,” she offers to him with a smile, aware of what they’re stepping into. ”Most things worth it never are.” She shrugs, faint, farewell written into her shoulders as she reaches out for the sign. ”See you at the docks, ex-commander.”

[FIN]

Let's make a little lemonade if lemons is all we got
Sunset's like a tangerine, let's find a road we've never seen
Don't waste another mile or a minute not kissin' me
Life is short, make it sweet