i could dance to this beat

just you and me, dancing in a daydream; just you and me, lost in the clouds

After their meeting in Torchline, Soh had found herself thinking about Sah a great deal. He'd seemed so down when they'd met, and she'd been in no state herself to press him about his problems when she had plenty of her own to deal with. Still, despite the fact that Stormbreak was no closer to being freed than ever, and the Family was still out of reach, and people all around her seemed to be falling to infection - Soh's luck, she thought, might finally be turning. She was determined to complete her quest for Vi and receive a rose in return - and then, finally, she might be able to do some good.

Apparently, though, Sah had moved since the last time Soh had visited, and it took her a while to hunt down his new house. When she did, she approached the front door with a basket of donuts braced on her hip. Hopefully he would be home, and not have eaten breakfast yet, and she could check on him without being too obvious about doing so.

Sohalia

I have never feared the storm

Sah had returned from his run through the Climb not too long ago when Lilly's head snapped up and looked towards the door. Snarling, she took a step forward only to pause as she caught the scent of the person approaching. Her entire body relaxed, and she trotted over to the door, scratching it with a yip.

Momentarily on edge and suddenly amused, the Wild Thunder walked over and opened the door. Spotting Sohalia as she came up the steps, a warm smile stretched across his face. "Hey, Sohalia. It's good to see you." His eyes went to the donuts, lighting up with mischief. "If you're here to bribe me for something, you're off to a great start." Lilly came over sat in front of the Attuned, sticking her head out for attention.

There was still a weight to Sah's shoulders and the echo of fatigue around his eyes, but it was far less noticeable than when they'd last spoken. Now that he had a clear path forward and one of his quests under his belt the Wild Thunder was having an easier time holding onto hope.

Sah

just you and me, dancing in a daydream; just you and me, lost in the clouds

The door opened before she got to it to knock, and Sohalia grinned up at Sah. "Is it bribery if I just want to check on a friend?" she asked, offering a hand to Lilly for scratches. She was used to companions begging for attention; in fact, when Tarak accompanied her places, the silly griffin was the oddball in that he didn't ask for pets. He was a rather aloof little creature - very catlike, that way.

Soh looked Sah over discreetly as she held out the basket. He looked better than the last time they'd met, and some tension that Soh didn't even know she'd been holding loosened in her chest to realize it. "I brought a variety. My favorite are the strawberry-iced ones, but there's chocolate, and - I think those are caramel, and those might be, um... I forget, but anyway, I'm happy to share."

Sohalia

I have never feared the storm

Lilly happily accepted her due greetings as Sah laughed softly, "Probably not." But it was working. He noticed Sohalia's gaze and softened at the concern he found there. He was relieved to see that she was faring better as well. It was good to see her smiling again.

Focusing on the donuts his eyes found each flavor as she listed them. The mystery one was something unidentifiable, but it looked like it had some kind of filling. "I'll never say no to chocolate. Come on in." Stepping back, he held the door open for Sohalia to enter.

Closing the door behind them, he walked over to the kitchen and opened one of the cabinets. "You can place the basket on the table. Would you like anything to drink? I've got water, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate." It still felt odd to maneuver around this new space and Sah felt a pang of homesickness. He'd lived in the Lovi's previous house since his first night in Caido. But he didn't regret the move.

Feeling his dip in mood, a small shadow stirred at his feet. Frog popped into existence and his paw on Sah's leg, scratching at his pants. Snorting a laugh, the hybrid bent down and cradled the pup in one arm as he resumed his previous task. Frog's white eyes watched Sohalia curiously from over his bonded's shoulder.

Sah

just you and me, dancing in a daydream; just you and me, lost in the clouds

Sohalia entered and followed Sah into the kitchen, setting her little basket on the table and snagging one of the strawberry-iced donuts for herself. "Oooo, hot chocolate," she requested with a smile. It was one of her favorite beverages, the one she most often reached for during the winter. While it was clearly springtime, it was still cold enough in Halo to make the rich, chocolate drink a pleasant choice.

A small shadow stirred at Sah's feet, drawing Soh's attention downward. Frog appeared, only to be scooped up by his bonded. It brought a little smile to Soh's face. She had a soft spot for the youngest member of Sah's pack, if only because he had tried so hard to cheer her up in the past.

"So," she said as she waited for Sah to join her. "This place is nice." It wasn't quite as lived-in as the old house had been, from her memory, but she supposed that was typical when one had just moved. And while she didn't ask outright, she had to wonder what had prompted the change.

Sohalia

I have never feared the storm

Sah nodded approvingly and began to prepare the drink by warming milk on the stove and chopping chocolate. When it was done, he poured the steaming beverage into two mugs and carried them to the table. One had to be brought over with telekinesis as Frog was still taking up half of his reach.

The telekinetic mug was put down gently in front of Sohalia as Sah sat down, Frog curling up in his lap. Taking a sip, the Wild Thunder could practically feel Sohalia's inquisitive gaze. Placing his mug down with a sigh, he explained the drastic change. The words were hollow, factual even as a deep rage brushed faintly against the Attuned bond. Sah was able to suppress most of it, however, so as not to alarm Sohalia. "We moved because...well...Dahlia. She kidnapped and tortured my son because my being curt was too disrespectful. Took Luka from his own bed while I wasn't home. Moving doesn't fix it, but I didn't want either of my children to have to sleep in that place anymore." It didn't feel safe. Invaded and a source of trauma, moving was the only option.

Frog let out a soft whine, nuzzling Sah's side as he felt the rage that the Wild Thunder kept from spilling into Sohalia's awareness. Gently stroking the dark wolf's flank, he sighed. "It happened over LongNight, just a few days before we last met. I wouldn't have left for Torchline, but it was for Seren's funeral." Seren had been precious to him, in ways he couldn't truly articulate. A dear friend, a close confidant. Not his first love but...the potential had certainly been there.

Sah

just you and me, dancing in a daydream; just you and me, lost in the clouds

Sohalia accepted the mug from midair with a soft word of thanks, enjoying the warmth of the beverage as it seeped into her hands. Her happiness, however, was short-lived; as Sah explained the recent move, Soh felt horror creep into her thoughts. Dahlia had targeted Sah’s son - an innocent - for some perceived disrespect? Not that Sah had actually done anything to warrant such an aggressive response, but simply because he’d been curt?

And if Dahlia was capable of that, then why hadn’t she killed Soh when she had the chance?

”I’m so sorry,” Soh whispered, swallowing down the bile that rose in her throat at the unbidden images that flashed through her mind of a young man tortured simply because of who his father was. ”I had no idea.” And why would she have, when she’d been living in her own happy little bubble in the Greatwood, searching for roses? She swallowed hard. ”Is there anything I can do?”

Sohalia

I have never feared the storm

Sah's eyes softened, "How could you? I didn't say anything." He hadn't been ready to tell anyone outside of his family and immediate friends. Sohalia was actually the first outside of that group that he was telling. But given her history with the Family, and what he suspected she might attempt in the future, it felt important for her to know. Sah had no evidence and had heard no rumors that she or anyone in Stormbreak was attempting to take it back from the Family. But just by knowing Sohalia, and seeing her quiet, inner strength, he had no doubt that they had yet to give up. And if the Attuned in front of him was a part of that, he wanted her to have as much information as possible.

A pulse of gratitude and affection flowed into the bond with her question. "Thank you for offering. I'm honestly not sure if there is." His eyes trailed to the window for a heartbeat, instinctively seeking out the stars even if it was still daytime. "Safrin is helping me create a contingency plan to protect both of my twins. A way to get to them quickly in an emergency." The hand around his mug tightened a fraction. "It's not perfect, but with so little time, anything helps." He didn't know the details, but given what he'd heard from Deimos and Hadama, there was likely a group going to Starfall in the very near future. And the Wild Thunder would most likely be part of the group that would follow them. He needed to have his contingency plan set up before the season's end at the latest.

Sah

just you and me, dancing in a daydream; just you and me, lost in the clouds

Soh gripped her mug tightly as she considered this new information. It didn’t really change anything for her; her plans remained the same. Find roses, save Noe for Koa, contribute to the war effort in the ways she could, figure out how to take Stormbreak back from the Family… it all stayed the same, regardless of how evil the Family proved themselves to be. 

Had they released her, all those moons ago, because they hadn’t thought her a threat? And, worse than that, were they right? For all her plans, she’d yet to actually accomplish anything for her own region. All she’d managed to do was help Halo with the Void. But she was no closer to leadership than she had been since being kidnapped, and that didn’t seem likely to change any time soon.

At least Sah had plans - something concrete he was able to work on with Safrin’s assistance. At his words, a thought formed in the back of Soh’s mind. She reached a hand into a pocket and fiddled with the HEARrings that she’d kept there for seasons, waiting for a reason to use them. She’d thought about giving one to Koa, but… if they could help someone else, maybe she should offer them to someone who could use them.

Someone like Sah.

Swallowing down the disappointment that she’d never be able to use her hard-earned item, she pulled the HEARrings from her pocket and placed them on the table. ”I don’t know if this could help, but these are HEARrings - they’re magically linked. I never got a chance to upgrade them, but they’re at least one-way communication devices. I know it’s not much but - they could help connect you with one of the twins, at least.”

Sohalia

I have never feared the storm

Sah's head tilted as Sohalia seemed to contemplate something. Before he could ask what was wrong, she spoke and his eyes were blown wide. His eyes fell to the HEARrings and the Wild Thunder made a valiant attempt not to eye them greedily.  The idea of letting one of the twins, Luka most likely, have a way to contact him sounded incredible.

There was only one thing that he could possibly say, his voice quiet. "Are you sure?" The hybrid would gratefully accept them in a heartbeat. But Sah was well aware of how much of a sacrifice it would be for Sohalia. He didn't want to pressure her.

Sah

just you and me, dancing in a daydream; just you and me, lost in the clouds

Soh was proud that her fingers only shook slightly as she sat the HEARrings on the table between them. She swallowed down the urge to snatch them up again, if only because they were the last reminder she carried of what she and Jude had once meant to one another. If she let these go, it was like saying goodbye, once and for all, to her one-time best friend. But Jude hadn't been hers for a long time, and these items could be put to better use for someone else.

So Sohalia took a deep breath and smiled. "I'm sure," she confirmed, nudging the HEARrings towards her friend. "They're not being put to any use with me, and I'd be happy to know they were helping you and your children." Well, happy-ish, but she wasn't going to say that to Sah. Not when he was valiantly trying to give her the opportunity to change her mind.

Sohalia

I have never feared the storm

Sah eyed Sohalia for a moment, seeing her reluctance but her resolve. Nodding, he gently picked up the HEARrings and reverently placed them in his pocket. The Attuned bond overflowing with gratitude. "Thank you." One hand came over and briefly squeezed Sohalia's, "Truly, thank you. I won't forget this."

He may not know the story behind the items, but they were clearly dear to his friend. The hybrid couldn't even begin to articulate how much this gift meant to him. With this, Sahs' contingency plan was further solidified and he had one more tool to ensure his children's safety. If he had a choice, Luka would be the one to receive a HEARing, but the hybrid would leave the final choice up to the twins.


~
Sah has received:

Type: Grey | Style: Other | Level: Basic
HEARings (1 & 2) | A pair of earrings that, when worn by two individuals, allows communication between them. Communication is only one way (i.e. HEARing 1 may speak and HEARing 2 may hear, but cannot respond). Both HEARing 1 and HEARing 2 are currently in Sah's possession.

Sah

just you and me, dancing in a daydream; just you and me, lost in the clouds

The gratitude through the bond went a long way towards soothing Soh's aching heart; she smiled at Sah - a genuine smile - and squeezed his hand when it settled over hers. "I'll be glad to know they're keeping someone safe." And it was true - no matter how painful it was to part with them, if they could be used to assist someone else, then they would be fulfilling a noble purpose.

Giving herself a mental shake, she sent a pulse of affection down the Attuned bond before straightening in her chair. "Now, what else has been going on?" she wanted to know. "Hopefully it's not all been bad?" And with that, they settled into an easy conversation around what was new. Soh was eager to pass some time in good company, and they did just that.

fin

Sohalia