[SE] heavy boxes and heavy hearts

Above all shadows rides the Sun

Even though the Family had departed, the Void creatures had remained, their presence an ever-present burden on the regions. He hadn't heard any news about reclaiming Stormbreak, but he knew the discussions would come soon, along with the responsibility of whatever the task required. In the meantime, King's End had been nothing but kind to the refugees, offering food, shelter, jobs, clothes, purpose, and so much more that Zavien couldn't be more grateful for. He and Lena had discussed possible methods for showing their appreciation, yet the Dragoon had leaned towards what he knew best: fighting and defending. Since the fighting was ultimately on the horizon and he was only one person, he decided that defense was the best gift he could give the people of New Haven. 

As such, he and Sol got to work gathering tools and supplies to set up various methods of deterring the infected beasts. The little dragon flew around the town, finding sticks that might serve as spikes for walls or roofs, while Zavien went to pick up some pallets of wood that would serve as barriers or traps. With a coffee in hand and the warm Leafchange sunlight, he almost missed the slow heating of the ring on his hand. It was only when he switched the hot drink to his other hand that he noticed the lingering heat, a realization that made him glance concerned at the people around him.

Zavien

Since the Family's departure - and, frankly, even before that - Liam had been adrift. For so long, he'd been hunting roses with Maea, but when his need and desire to find a flower evaporated, replaced by the violet haze that colored his thoughts these days, so, too, had his purpose. And with that removed, he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do next. But he also wasn't content to just sit around in the Greatwood anymore, and so he had begun to travel. Sometimes, he went to Stormbreak. Other times, he visited the other regions. On this particular day, he'd come to King's End. New Haven was bustling, and he wandered for a time, window shopping here and getting some lunch there, until finally he spotted a familiar face. Breaking into a smile, he strode towards Zavien and Sol. "Hey, Zav," he said, completely at ease and unaware of the other man's ring that identified Liam as a Friend of the Family. "What're you up to?" Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes

Above all shadows rides the Sun

He stared for a moment, stunned. Liam. Zavien had come to consider the man a friend, someone to train with and confide in, and now, what should be a happy moment was tainted by the warmth against his hand, the undeniable indicator that the man was infected. Having gained insight to the 'experience' from Deimos and their discussions with Sunjata, he knew that the Family was the biggest influence, but what did that mean now that they were gone?

Realizing that he hadn't responded, he tried to school his expression, responding with a friendly smile despite the surprise and panic that still rang in his head. "Oh um - I'm good. Just surprised to see you here." Among other things; but he cleared his throat, his mind spinning through how things may have happened and what it meant now. "How are you? Are you..." he paused, unsure how exactly to phrase the question before finally ending with "feeling okay?"

Zavien

In truth, not much had changed for Liam since the disappearance of the Family. He still viewed them differently from the rest of Caido, and there was a part of him that was, perhaps, disappointed to find that they'd left. But as far as his day-to-day life? Things had carried on much as they had before - albeit with less flower hunting. Hence the traveling. At Zavien's greeting, Liam laughed lightly, forgiving any brief pause and assuming that it was caused by surprise. After all, it was rare that he left the Greatwood. "Yeah, thought I'd do some traveling this season," he offered. But then Zavien was asking how he was, and Liam tilted his head to one side. How should he be? "I've been fine," he said. "How about you?" Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes

Above all shadows rides the Sun

Zavien did his best to smile at the laughter, trying to lighten some of the dread pressing against him. It wasn't that he didn't believe Liam, but he wondered if they had the same definition of 'fine.' He got the sinking feeling that they didn't. 

Doing his best to act natural, he ran a hand through his hair, the ring nearly catching on the strands. "I'm good. Just trying to put up some defenses for the town - a little thank you for their hospitality." Since the Family had made it impossible for them to live in Stormbreak any longer; but he kept that part to himself, offering a quiet smile that he hoped hid the discomfort. "Do you want to give me a hand? There are quite a few boxes, and the fences would be easier to put up with two people."

Zavien

Fine was, after all, a relative term, and in Liam's mind, he had never felt better. He was stronger, faster, more capable - and that was all to do with his status as a Friend of the Family. Even if they were gone now, he retained the newfound strength, and although he felt a little adrift and rudderless without them, he was still happy overall. He had Maea, after all. But regardless, he shifted his focus back to Zavien, who seemed perhaps a little distracted. "Oh, sure," he said, smiling. "I'd be happy to help." He moved towards the boxes, ready to assist in whatever way Zavien required. "Good to hear you've been treated well here," he offered, unwilling to get into the why they were in King's End. Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes

Above all shadows rides the Sun

It was good to see that Liam's helpful nature hadn't changed, offering him a polite smile as he agreed. Downing the dregs of his coffee, Zavien led the man to the space where his collected boxes and pallets were, filled with wood and various supplies for the fences that would help protect the town. 

His smile widened a little more when they spoke of the people who took them in. He had nothing but positive words for the people, feeling overwhelmingly grateful for all they'd done for him and the other Breakers. "Absolutely. They've been more than kind, offering any extra housing, furniture, food, clothes, or other items. It doesn't feel like home but we could certainly be worse off."

Worried Liam might agree with him on that front, he changed the subject, still doing his best not to look too suspicious as he asked, "What have you been up to? Anything interesting?" He glanced to the side as he listened for the man's answer, moving to lift the box, but what he'd expected to be moderately heavy turned out to barely budge with his effort. Zavien had to move his eyes away, focusing fully on the task before lifting more forcefully with his legs to lift the container.

Zavien

Zavien led Liam over to an area filled with assorted boxes, piles of wood, and other supplies meant for building fences. He raised his brows. Apparently, the region of King's End must have done quite a lot for the displaced Dragoons, if Zavien was willing to go to such lengths to assist them. The warmth in the man's voice as he spoke of them further solidified the thought in Liam's mind. "I'm glad that you've been well taken care of," he said. He didn't quite understand why they were here instead of back home in Stormbreak, but nonetheless, he was glad that they'd been treated well. Even if the Family would have treated them better, had they stayed. In any case, Liam knelt to grab one of the boxes, waiting for instruction and instead receiving a question as to what he'd been up to. "Not much," he admitted, shifting the box in his arms as Zavien appeared to struggle with one that looked light, but must be fairly heavy. "I've been spending time in Stormbreak and the Greatwood - so nothing new there," he added with a soft chuckle. "But no, nothing particularly interesting." Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes

Above all shadows rides the Sun

Lifting the box, he leaned back with the effort, waiting for Liam to grab his own supplies before starting to lead the way towards the edge of town. He nodded his head with another warm smile as they passed the townspeople, further proving his point before the ex-Dragoon was bringing up Stormbreak. His smile momentarily faltered before falling achingly back into place. "I see... and how is the city?"

Doing his best to pretend like he wasn't already dismissing whatever purple-hued answer Liam decided to give, he stopped them at the last house, gesturing with his head. "I figured we could set a few small fences along the perimeter here to protect the town from - " he paused, reconsidering his words before backtracking. "To protect the town." Then he set the box down to open it up, lifting out a lot more nails than he'd been expecting along with a few hammers.

Zavien

Liam followed along with his own box, noting the way the townspeople smiled and nodded to Zavien. They did seem like friendly folk. At least there was that, he supposed, even if the Dragoons belonged in Stormbreak with the Family. "It's strange, without the Tower," he admitted. "And quiet, with everyone gone." But, honestly? Other than that, not much had changed. They arrived at the last house, and Liam sat his box down as he considered Zavien's words. It seemed fairly obvious that what he was trying so hard not to say was that it would protect the town from the Family - which was ridiculous, really, given what they could do - but Liam had no interest in arguing a losing battle with a man he considered a friend. It was a shame, really, that they'd ended up on opposite sides of the conflict. So instead he simply nodded. "Right." He opened his own box and began pulling out supplies. "I'm not much of a carpenter," he admitted as he worked. "But I'll do my best to help." Pointless though the exercise may be. Liam I am the patron saint of lost causes

Above all shadows rides the Sun

The smile faltered again, doing his best not to picture his city broken, in ruins; trying his best not to feel guilty about not having been there to help when they needed him most. His expression didn't hide it well, a wince of sorrow marring the brightness that he usually wore. "I can't even imagine..." He didn't ask more, unsure he was strong enough to know just yet, not when they still had so much to do before returning. 

Zavien, too, would agree that it was a pity Liam had been caught in the Family's snare, still wondering where the error had been made, and when. But for now, he was content to let the man help, certain that they'd be able to build a barrier against the Void creatures that still lingered. He forced a small chuckle, glancing to Liam at his side. "I'm not either, but luckily, we don't have to make anything complicated." Lifting a piece of wood, he offered it forward, pointing one end at a spot in the ground. "Here. Hold this while I hammer it in." 

And then the men continued to work, setting out small sections of wall until the afternoon. Then they were thanked with too much food and a good dose of smiles before parting ways so Zavien could wonder as to the condition of his other friends, and the work still to be done. 

[FIN]

Zavien