[o] [PQ] [SE] strength looks different on us all

// where your body hears the words of the sun //

Home was a breathless, whimsical thing now. She ran well past the gates, away from the destruction of dragons (another thing to be cleaned up after), and all the way to her favorite place in the entire world. Her lungs burned and her legs ached and she didn’t care – racing into gardens and thresholds, the beautiful oasis and canvas of colors, hues, and gradients.

And the animals.

“I’m so sorry,” she said to each as she rushed towards enclosures, already beginning to check water and give food, busying herself with anything and everything, the apology on her lips each time she turned towards another creature, another beast she hadn’t been there for.

It’d be different this time.

Once she knew they were taken care of, properly, she relaxed. There were hordes to do – enough to keep her occupied for days on end, but if she was resourceful, and people were willing, things could be settled and done. Getting a list together, she wound her way towards the noticeboards and planted several portions there, before settling back towards the office, already lifting windows and airing out the world.

--

Open PQ to help Lena clean up the Celestine after everyone’s absence from Stormbreak! Come on in and gather near the office.

1. Lena
2. –
3. –
4. --

Lena

// spoken in the voices of trees //

Sohalia

Don't try to wake me up
Even if the sun really does come out tomorrow

With Tarak gone and her soul cleaved in two, Sohalia threw herself into Stormbreak repairs and recovery, hoping to distract herself from the pain of her beloved companion's absence while simultaneously tiring herself out enough to drive away the nightmares. Unfortunately for Soh, her attempts did not work as intended. Still, she kept trying, determined to do some good in the world even during this darkest of times.

So she showed up at Lena's office door with a tired smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, reaching up to rap her knuckles on the frame. "Hey, Lena," she said. "It's good to see you back where you belong." The same could be said, she supposed, for any of them, now that they'd returned to Stormbreak. "Just tell me where you need me," she added, waiting for further instruction.

---

Soh arrives!

Don't believe anything you say anymore
In the morn, in the morning

Zavien

Zavien had let Lena go ahead to the Celestine, giving her time and space to see it for the first time on her own without him encroaching on that special bond. He had occupied his morning by assessing the damage of the city and guild. Sol flew overhead, giving him a general idea of the big picture while he checked in on some of the residents. Although pained by their recent traumas, Breakers were a resilient people, already banding together to begin repairs. He took input and gathered tasks like 

With a better idea of what needed doing around the city and their priorities, Zavien made his way to Lena's office, his voice already filtering through as he heard movement inside, "How do things look?" But when he popped his head around the doorway, he noticed Soh had beat him there, looking markedly tired and worn. 

Pausing, Zavien blinked before offering a soft smile. "Hey Soh." He chose not to ask how she was - he couldn't imagine it was anything positive after having lost Tarak. Instead, he dipped his head in quiet acknowledgement of her grief. "It's good to see you."

---

Zavien arrives to help!

If you don't like the road you're walking,
start paving another.

Theea

i have been trying to wander more

Wind tugs at my oversized jacket as I take the path leading into the Celestine. Scents of damp earth and crushed petals mingle on the morning air, and somewhere deeper in the gardens a caged bird trills an anxious note that echoes my own heartbeat. I tighten my grip on my backpack straps—its weight a reassuring knock between my shoulder blades—and knock once before ducking into the office.

Inside, sun‑shafts spear through window panes, turning dust motes into drifting embers. A woman I don’t know stands at a desk piled with ledgers, sleeves already pushed to her elbows, auburn hair catching the light like copper wire. Probably Lena, the one who put up the notices. Nearby, a broad‑shouldered man surveys cracked tiles and half‑toppled shelves, hands braced on narrow hips as if mapping repairs in his head. I’ve never seen either of them before, but there’s purpose in their posture—people who belong here.

I clear my throat, boots scuffing against the floor. “Hi—Theea.” I hook a thumb beneath one backpack strap. “Saw the notice and figured you could use another pair of hands. I brought tools, cloth, some spare nails—whatever helps. Just point me.”

Movement by the window draws me, and I spot Sohalia her expression stretched thin, eyes threaded with weariness the sun can’t wash away. I step close enough that only she will hear. “Hey, Soh. After this, if you need to breathe or talk—let me know, yeah?” Short, simple, a promise tucked into a few words. I don’t know what happened, but I know she’d been apart of the quest to cleanse this place.

Then I roll my sleeves to the elbow and wait for instructions, ready to dig in wherever the Celestine begs mending first.

i have been trying to breathe more, to love my lostness

// where your body hears the words of the sun //

It took a little while, but they gathered just the same. Sohalia ’s appearance made her smile, having already heard of her trials and tribulations, and maybe this could be a good distraction while she sorted things out. Gentle and kind, Lena nodded. “Thank you. And you soon too, we hope?” She winked, not wanting to put too much on the younger woman’s plate.

Zavien appearing didn’t surprise her in the least, though she would’ve expected him to be amidst the barracks for a while. With a wrinkle to her nose, she showed him the long list. “Good for the most part, but lots of things to take care of.” Hence the need for some help and assistance.

The last to arrive was a stranger to her, Theea, but welcomed regardless. The Caretaker would always have immense gratitude for those willing to participate in obliging and hospitable means. “Hello! Thank you so much for coming. I’m Lena.” And with the extensions of talking to the other Attuned, they seemed to have already settled into camaraderie and potentials.

Going back over her list, she figured they could start in the order she’d noticed things. “All right, I need someone to come help me weed and collect herbs in the gardens,” because it was quite a job after their time away and left untended. “And two for checking the gate on the unicorn enclosure. It might need to be replaced.” They’d be able to see once they got there…as it was dented and turned horrifically, barely at all…as if something had tried to barge its way through or into.

--

Pick your task, head that way, and get started! Tools are available!

Tasks:

- One for helping Lena weed/collect herbs in the garden
- Two for checking the gate on the unicorn enclosure

Lena

// spoken in the voices of trees //

Sohalia

Don't try to wake me up
Even if the sun really does come out tomorrow

At Lena 's greeting, Soh offered a wan smile. "Gods willing," she agreed, very much hoping that she would be back in her place soon. Gods, she hadn't even been by to check on her apartment yet. It was probably a mess. Maybe Lena would have time to help her clean up, after the Celestine was sorted. It had been a while since the two women had spent time together.

Zavien appeared next, and Soh nodded in greeting. "You too," she said softly, before Theea was arriving and stepping up to offer a listening ear. "Thanks," Soh whispered, swallowing against a sudden lump in her throat and reaching out to squeeze the other girl's hand gratefully.

With greetings complete and instructions given, Soh elected to check on the gate to the unicorn enclosure. "I'll go check the enclosure," she announced, then began to make her way over. Even from afar, she could tell that the gate was dented and misshapen, and she had to wonder how that had happened.

---

Soh goes to check the gate!

Don't believe anything you say anymore
In the morn, in the morning

Theea

i have been trying to wander more

A warm hush settles over me—part relief, part rising anticipation—when Lena greets me like I already belong. I hook my thumbs beneath my backpack straps and nod gratefully before scanning the list she holds out. Rows of slanted handwriting, all neat urgency. Weeding sounds meditative, but the note about the unicorn enclosure tugs harder.

Starlight glints along the dented gate in the distance, and somewhere beyond it I swear I hear a soft, breathy whinny. My heart tips; I haven’t seen a unicorn up close since my mother’s bonded stallion nuzzled me goodbye the day I left.

I glance at Sohalia—her presence calm and known amid this sea of strangers—and catch her eye. My voice emerges brighter than I expect. “Lena, if it’s all right, I’ll head to the unicorn enclosure with Soh. Two sets of hands, one gate.” A quick grin flickers toward her. “Besides, unicorns make the best supervisors.”

Turning to Zavien, I offer a bright smile. “We’ll holler if we need anything!.”

Boots crunching on gravel, I fall in beside Sohalia, back back ready.

[so sorry this is delayed wahhh lots of family stuff]

i have been trying to breathe more, to love my lostness

Zavien

As much as Zavien wanted to jump at the opportunity to work with Lena, he didn't want to monopolize her time and he wasn't sure if Theea and Soh felt comfortable doing the more manual labor of the unicorn gate; so he waited, letting the young women make their choices before he gave a nod of his head. Grinning, he gave her a beaming grin. "I guess that leaves you and me. I'll try not to distract you too much." He sent her a playful wink before heading towards where he knew the herb gardens to be. 

The gloves and gardening tools he'd come to borrow sat off to the side like they'd never left, untouched by anything but dust and time. Zavien lifted them up, smacking them against his leg to clear the grime before sliding his hands in. "I can start some of the weeding if that would help." He turned his eyes to Lena, waiting patiently for her go-ahead before beginning. 

---

Zavien helps with the weeding/collecting herbs.

If you don't like the road you're walking,
start paving another.

// where your body hears the words of the sun //

Surprised he hadn’t gone over to work on the gate, Lena playfully patted Zavien on the shoulder as they began to walk over to the garden. “Likewise. Maybe I can quiz you on all the plant names!”

But then they settled into their routine, and the Caretaker could trust him to know which were weeds and which were plentiful, necessary herbs for the region. “Yes please,” she nodded, immediately churning over several of the vital portions and pieces, and placing them into a bag.

The Accepted, of course, would find that he had a visiting friend, when the signs of a little vole had creeped in amidst his patch of dirt.

Meanwhile, Sohalia and Theea would find the gate quite bent, misshapen, wholly out of alignment, and the hinges certainly in need of replacement. And unicorn supervisors, all standing at attention nearby of various sizes, shapes, colors, and ages, as if hoping for some extra nibbles of food or watching everything take place.

With tools nearby, they’d be able to sort out a plan for what they’d want to do. Or pet the unicorns, as anyone would.

--

Lena and Zavien tend to the garden, and Zavien has found a vole friend!

Theea and Sohalia have found distracting unicorn supervisors and a very messed up gate.

No post order! Work on your current tasks!

Lena

// spoken in the voices of trees //

Sohalia

Don't try to wake me up
Even if the sun really does come out tomorrow

With a parting smile for Lena and Zavien - albeit a far cry from her usual cheer - Soh found herself accompanied by Theea to the gate. As they walked over, she linked arms with her friend, her heart clenching at the sound of a whinny. Perhaps she'd made a mistake in coming to the Celestine today, so soon after the loss of her companion. Being around other animals, healthy and recovering, was like a barb in her chest that she couldn't quite yank out.

Still, she giggled softly at the sight of the unicorn herd, who had seemingly come to supervise. "Should we say hello?" she asked Theea, pausing before the dented gate and looking at the other girl. "They seem friendly enough."

Once introductions had been offered to the unicorns, Soh turned her attention to the gate. "I think the hinges need replacing," she said. "And we need to find a way to get the gate back into shape. Maybe if we take it off the fence and lay it flat, we can use hammers to straighten it out. What do you think?"

---

Soh says hello to the unicorns, then suggests taking the gate down, laying it flat on the ground, and beating it into submission with a hammer. :D

Don't believe anything you say anymore
In the morn, in the morning

Zavien

His smile deepened the laugh lines of his face as he glanced down at Lena, a playful twinkle in his eyes. "Do I get a prize if I get any right?" He was starting to learn some of them, but he wouldn't admit that to her, more than happy to hear her explain the plants and their names over and over just to see the passion shining from her. 

Sol had been off wandering the Celestine's canopies, refamiliarizing himself with the garden and its inhabitants. However, when Zavien's weeding efforts revealed a small vole friend, the little dragon was gliding through the trees to join them amongst the herb garden. He plopped down in the dirt, tail wagging in the air as he pressed his face close to the hole, making tiny grumbling sounds of greeting. The Dragoon grinned, pulling another chunk of weeds from the soil as he watched the exchange.

---

Zavien weeds while Sol plays with the vole.

If you don't like the road you're walking,
start paving another.

Theea

i have been trying to wander more

Soh’s arm threads through mine, and for a beat I belong—heart light, shoulder‑to‑shoulder with someone who feels like she’s a part of my home instead of “just passing through.” We crunch over gravel toward the gate, and the closer we get, the worse the damage looks: bars twisted like pulled taffy, hinges hanging on sheer stubbornness.

Then the unicorns emerge from the dusk‑bright meadow, manes rippling under the false stars. My breath catches. I scan their faces—ridiculous, hopeful—half‑expecting to spot my father’s gentle mare that vanished after he died. Of course she isn’t here, but the fond ache that pulses through me is sweet, not sharp. I drop my pack with a soft thud and cross the grass, fingers outstretched. One velvet nose nudges my palm, warm and curious.

“Hi, beauties. We’ll have you safe and sound in no time.” My voice dips, hushed, as if we share a secret.

A clang draws my gaze back—Soh’s already working the battered hinge loose. I jolt into motion, kneel beside her, bracing the gate while she frees the last pin. Together we lower the warped iron to the ground. It lands with a dusty thump.

I rise, brush grit from my knees, and address our audience. “All right, friends—don’t spook. It’s going to get noisy for a minute.”

I heft a hammer, testing its weight. A few light taps ring like bells—warning notes—and when no hooves thunder away, I draw a steady breath and swing. Metal meets metal with a resonant crack.

---

Theea hits the gate with a hammer, hoping not to spook the unicorns (insert the office yikes gif)

i have been trying to breathe more, to love my lostness

// where your body hears the words of the sun //

Some of the unicorns were quite friendly, especially the foals, enjoying getting the pats without much fear at all. The ladies would discover, however, just how the gate had become so bent, as one of the stallions came over with distinct displeasure, banging straight into what was left of the metal – ears pinned, irate and protective.

Which probably sparked the need for replacements – as Sohalia and Theea did wonderfully, even if it did scatter most of the less curious equines.

Meanwhile, Lena and Zavien would be able to pick apart the weeds and herbs, settling into a routine. “Sure,” she winked again – she could grant some reward if that provided the right leverage and motivation. Her eyes wandered to Sol’s activities though, somewhat amused as she brushed some sweat off her brow, and maneuvered towards the next row. “Maybe you could find another home for our friend?” She hinted towards the companion. “Nicely and safely.” I.e. please don’t eat it.

“There. I think we’re done here though,” she said, content with the amount collected. “I’ll place these in the office to dry, and then we can start heading towards the paths. There’s a lot to clean.”

--

Sohalia and Theea can put the refurbished gate on!

Lena has suggested Sol find a new place for the vole, and they can all head towards the paths.

Lena

// spoken in the voices of trees //

Sohalia

Don't try to wake me up
Even if the sun really does come out tomorrow

The unicorns were friendly enough - especially the foals, who managed to bring a smile to Soh's face even despite her dark and dreary mood. It wasn't long, though, before the source of the gate's woes became apparent: an irate stallion, who banged into the metal with clear displeasure.

Following Theea 's lead, Soh found a hammer and got to work, ironing out the worst of the dents with a series of loud, metallic clashes that sent many of their unicorn friends scurrying. Only the most curious remained to supervise, snorting periodically, as the two young women hung the newly refurbished gate back into place. "There," Soh said, satisfied. "That should do it."

Then, with Lena 's blessing, Soh waited for her friend to gather her belongings and say goodbye to the unicorns before falling into step beside her as they headed for the paths.

---

Soh waits for Theea, then heads for the paths!

Don't believe anything you say anymore
In the morn, in the morning