[o] [SE] come morning light

I've been searching through the highs and low
Tryna find out where all the lost souls go

Sohalia toyed with the charcoal staining her fingertips black, biting her lip as she considered Ronin's advice. It went against everything that everyone else (looking at you, Koa) had told her. They'd all said to stay away, rest, recover - but of course, that had been before she'd decided just how badly she wanted to save her home. Now that she'd voiced her desires aloud, it seemed crystal clear that the one place she needed to be most of all was the one place she wanted to save.

"You're right," she said, looking vaguely ashamed of herself, as though she should have come to this conclusion long ago. "I've been so worried about whether they would even want me back and how I would even go about getting started that I've avoided doing anything." She palmed the charcoal and tucked her journal away. "I'm sorry," she said. "If I ever finish the map, I'll let you know. I need to go home."

Running wild, but I'm running free
Lots of ground to cover and places to see

Sohalia

RONIN

the white knight

light is easy to love.

Smiling softly at Soh, Ronin reaches out to rest a hand on her shoulder, giving it a warm squeeze. "That's the thing about wanting to do what's best for people, and for your city," he says gently. "You'd do it whether or not they like you for it. Protecting people isn't a popularity contest." And sometimes - often, in fact - actions speak louder than words. "But you've got nothing to be sorry for - it's a lot of responsibility on your shoulders, and I commend you for considering it, and for not diving in without considering your plan of action."

Speaking of going home, though, the Knight nods his agreement, shifting to get to his feet and stretch his arms above his head. The muscles are still sore, but they'll get him where he needs to be when it's time. "As do I," he says with another, wry smile. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Soh? I'll send a message to the Dragoons HQ for you when I'm about to head up to Stormbreak, so you know where to find it and when I'll be coming."

show me your darkness.

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

I've been searching through the highs and low
Tryna find out where all the lost souls go

With all that had happened in her short life, it was easy, sometimes, to forget that Soh was still young and naive. Paired with the fact that she cared far too much what others thought of her, and it was the perfect recipe for someone who wished to earn her people's love and affection rather than simply doing what was needed. She'd simply never stopped to consider that she should act first and then worry about whether or not they liked her. In her mind, the two concepts had always gone hand in hand.

But that was the benefit in seeking out Ronin's advice. He'd been in her shoes many times over, and, fortunately for Soh, he was willing to share his wisdom. The warmth of his hand on her shoulder brought a small, shy smile to her face. She appreciated the praise, however unearned it might have felt at the present moment. At least now she had a path forward, and at least some idea of what she would do next.

She had a lot of work to do.

"Thank you, but no. I just appreciate your advice. I have plenty to do before you make your move," she added, half to herself as she planned and plotted ahead. "I'll keep an eye out for your message. And if there's anything I can do to help, let me know that, too." In the meantime, she aimed to stay busy. With a determined goodbye, Soh shifted into her owl form and took to the skies with a final screech, heading back the way she'd come.

fin

Running wild, but I'm running free
Lots of ground to cover and places to see

Sohalia