take the moment and taste it

Returning to the Hollowed Grounds always brought a sense of nostalgia to Sohalia, even if she was visiting an area that she had never frequented before. Such was the case now, as she descended the steps into the Last Whisper, silver eyes darting here and there as though to watch for trouble. She'd never liked placed like this, not since she'd been attacked in Stormbreak. There were too many places for people to hide, to stalk, to attack, and she always felt like she was being watched.

But this was where she needed to come to get the parchment required for her quest, so here she was, making her way to the Gilded Market in the hopes of finding someone to help her. Never mind that she was fighting the urge to look over her shoulder the entire way.

Turning a corner, she found herself walking down a cobblestone street that housed the Market. Various vendors and merchants hawked their wares, and Soh meandered uneasily amongst them, searching for someone who might be able to assist her. To her surprise, she soon saw a familiar face. "Nova!" she called out, surprised to see the young woman here. "What a surprise! How have you been?"

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

She's a mess of gorgeous chaos,

Nova was arguing with a vendor about the 'uniqueness' of his dull, overpriced fabrics when she heard her name. Blonde and yellow hair flared around her bright features when she turned to take in the familiar face. The vendor was immediately forgotten, a light gasp shining in the air around her. 

"Soh!" She rushed forward to take the woman's hands, bouncing out some of her excitement. "Hi! How are you?! I've been good! I've been making so many cute clothes!" Sparkles shone around them, accenting the vibrant orange of her layered dress that looked somewhat reminiscent of a dandelion on legs. Surprisingly, water ran off it in small rivulets, a hood pulled back to hide amongst the layers. She was a ray of sunshine in the dark alley, and yet people appeared to ignore her for the most part, familiar with the antics she often hedged during her visits to the guild.

And you can see it in her eyes.

Nova

Nova's greeting was warm and welcoming, startling a laugh from Soh. She wasn't sure what she'd expected from the other woman - but given Soh's close friendship with Flora, who seemed to be in an endless feud with Jack and Calypso, the Luminary might have expected coldness where only excitement seemed to bloom. Relieved, she smiled warmly. "I'm good!" she said, and meant it. For once, there was no city to save or lover to worry over - she was simply, blissfully happy, and that was enough for her. "Is this one of your creations?" Soh asked, gesturing to the beautiful, quirky dandelion dress. "I love it. Remind me why I don't commission you more often?"

Nova was a bright spot in the dank alley, and Soh suddenly remembered why she was here. "Oh, hey - do you come down here often, by chance? I'm looking for someone who can make a special parchment for me, but I've never been before." At least she'd found someone she knew. That made her feel a bit less like she might be jumped at any given moment.

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

She's a mess of gorgeous chaos,

Nova's glittery list of disliked people didn't spread very far. Kaisel was the top of the list as 'ENEMY NUMBER 1' in bright red letters. His image was next to it with scribbled horns and an ugly black goatee. Otherwise, Flora was on the 'meh' list from what she knew of the Queen's relations with her dad and her connection to Kai (#messy); and Colt had reluctantly ended up on the 'meh' list after messing with her brother. Melita was probably above both of them, but she'd been so far removed that Nova barely ever thought of the woman. 

Overall, she didn't much care who Soh was friends with. She liked her and the praise she always showered, and that's all that Nova really cared about. 

Twirling so that her dress flared around her arms and legs like a miniature sun that sparkles, she beamed a little brighter for the praise. "Yep!!" Giggling, she shrugged her shoulders as she came to a stop. "Beats me!" She had plenty of commissions to keep busy, but she was determined to have more. 

The question was met with an exuberant bob of her head and an "Mhm!" to confirm her familiarity with the space, her energy seeming to multiply as Soh mentioned making something. Nova didn't care that it wasn't clothes, she bounced a little higher, waving her hand like there was a crowd around her that might get picked first. "Ooh ooh! I can! What kind of parchment?!"

And you can see it in her eyes.

Nova

Giggling at Nova's enthusiasm, Soh made a mental note to get in touch with the young woman next time she needed something fantastic made - which, given Flora and Kai's upcoming announcement, would probably be sooner than later. But for now, she was on a mission: parchment. "Oh, could you?" Soh responded, excited by the prospect of having someone she actually knew to work with rather than some random merchant, especially down here, where she was so uncomfortable.

Tugging a notebook from her bag, she flipped to the page where she had noted down what she needed. "Let's see..." She ran her finger down the page. "I need parchment that won't wrinkle or be torn. Two pieces, if that's possible!" She looked up from her journal, hopeful. "Are you sure you don't mind? I can pay you!" she added belatedly, reaching back into her bag for her coin purse. "Just let me know how much!"

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

She's a mess of gorgeous chaos,

If that's possible. Nova was almost insulted by the implication that she couldn't do something so simple. She rolled her eyes, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she threw Soh a confident grin. "Easy!" Tilting her head, some sparkles drifted around them, eyes brightening. "Can I recommend adding some glitter?" What fun were two plain pieces of paper? 

Nova giggled when Soh asked if she could pay for it, shaking her head as she casually stated, "It's just some paper." Which begged the question... "What do you need it for anyways?" she asked. Leaning forward, she widened her eyes, the smell of her floral and salt-spray perfume drifting as she waited insistently for the answer.

And you can see it in her eyes.

Nova

There was certainly no offense meant on Soh's part, but she was blissfully unaware of her own implication, instead focusing on Nova's literal sparkles. "How about we talk glitter for my next clothing commission?" she suggested diplomatically. "Just plain parchment will do for this, I think." Not that it wouldn't be hilarious to give Zavien a sparkly piece of parchment - she could almost imagine the look on his face before she got around to explaining its purpose - but she just wanted something... normal. Something that felt like them in a way that glitter paper wouldn't.

As for what she needed it for, Soh smiled. "Oh! It's for a quest," she explained. "I just started dating someone, and since we live in separate regions right now, I thought a two-way parchment might be nice to keep in touch. So I asked Safrin for her help to make one!" She was, frankly, still surprised that the goddess had answered her; she hadn't had much luck with Safrin in the past thanks to bad dice rolls. Maybe it was because she favored Zavien more than Soh, and was willing to do something if it benefited the Risen Sun.

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

She's a mess of gorgeous chaos,

Sighing a long, arduous breath, Nova gave a playful roll of her eyes. "Fine. As long as the next piece has lots of glitter!" She'd certainly hold Soh to that promise, after all, promises were a legally binding agreement in her mind. It wouldn't do for someone to break such a bond. Gods help the person who did. 

Humming to herself, she began guiding Soh towards the guild's workshop, not even bothering to grab supplies for something like paper. Honestly, she could make this kind of thing in her sleep. She'd really have to convince Soh to come up with something more fun next time. 

So much information was suddenly coming her way that Nova gasped loud enough to earn more than a few disapproving looks from the vendors. "Really?! Who is it?! Is it K?! Did things finally work out with him?! Isn't my mom awesome?!" Suddenly, her whole thought process on the quest shifted, eager to begin working when it involved people like her mom - although she was fairly certain her mom would highly approve of a glittery sheet of paper.

And you can see it in her eyes.

Nova

Soh laughed. "However much glitter you want," Soh promised. She might live to regret giving Nova that permission, but she'd have to cross that bridge when they got there. After all, with the various events and festivals and gods knew what else across Caido, surely some kind of glittery dress would be appropriate at some point? Maybe it would be nice to wear for Flora's wedding - assuming it didn't outshine the bride, that is.

In any case, Soh followed along as Nova made her way to a workshop, looking around with interest at the (somewhat shady) atmosphere. Despite her reservations about the Last Whisper, Soh had to admit that the guild was well equipped. There were a variety of tools and materials that she recognized, and some that she didn't; if she wasn't so nervous down here, she might come back just to peruse at some point.

As she explained her quest, Nova lit up, drawing Soh's attention back to the young woman. "Oh! No, it's definitely not K," she snorted. "I decided I was done waiting around for him to decide whether he wanted me or not. No, this is someone else - I don't know if you've met Zavien Alexander?" She paused, and then added, "And yes - your mom is awesome." Not quite a lie, but a little bit of a half-truth. Well, Soh certainly wasn't going to complain about Safrin to her daughter - especially not after the goddess had blessed her with a quest!

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

She's a mess of gorgeous chaos,

If Nova was sad to hear things hadn't worked out with 'K,' she didn't show it. She bounced along the path and into the dim lighting of the workshop, playing with the syllables of the name. "Zavien... Zavien.... Zavien..." Humming, she thought it sounded somewhat familiar... 

She stopped in the middle of the workspace, pointing a finger at Soh while she announced, "Oh! He said he was going to give me scales!" Her lips puckered into a disappointed pout. "But I haven't seen him since." The dragon scales had been a really pretty golden color. She'd hoped to use them on a project for Caly. Tilting her head, she looked at Soh, curiosity glimmering in her eyes. "Wait, so when did you start dating?" 

But then they were at her workstation, decorated in all its glitter and pink glory, a sign posted in sparkly letters to say 'NOVA ONLY.' She spread her arms, pride puffing in her chest. "Here it is! Isn't it cute?!" There were half finished projects strewn about the counter, sketches with glitter gel pens, fabrics cut into vibrantly odd shapes, trinkets exposing all their mechanical innards, and a strange number of tiny hats.

And you can see it in her eyes.

Nova

"Scales?" Soh murmured, confused for a heartbeat - but then her mouth formed a surprised 'o'. "Oh, like, scales from Sol?" The little dragon did have beautiful scales; it wouldn't surprise Soh in the least for them to have caught Nova's eye. "I can ask him about the scales, if you want," she offered. Truthfully, she wasn't even sure if dragons shed their scales, so for all her offers of assistance, nothing might come of it - but she didn't think it would hurt to try.

As for the relationship, Soh's smile softened into something shy. "Oh, it's really new - just this season, actually." She didn't go into the details - those would be reserved for Flora - but she did giggle softly and add, "But I really like him, so..."

Nova's workstation was unique. They arrived to a pink and glitter mess of half-finished projects, some of which Soh wasn't even sure what they were. Still, Nova seemed proud, and it was a ray of light in the dank, dismal gloom of the Last Whisper, so Soh nodded eagerly. "It's so you," she said warmly. "I love that you've made it your own."

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

She's a mess of gorgeous chaos,

The name 'Sol' did kind of ring a bell, but Nova tilted her head, face scrunching as she thought about it. "Is that the dragon?" Not really caring either way, she jumped to clasp Soh's hands at the offer, shimmering with so much excitement that she nearly floated off the ground. "Yes please! I want to make something for my sister!" Probably a dress or a pair of shiny gold shoes. The possibilities were endless!

Relationship details were generally lost on Nova anyways (Caly would have been a different story), so she accepted the bit of information Soh shared without question, giving a succinct nod of her head to hear the final verdict. "Good! Screw K! Be happy!" Her hand raised in the air like a battle cry, marching them forward like a general towards her workshop. 

She preened under the praise, another wave of sparkles raining around them when she gave a spin. "Thanks!" Then she plopped into the fluffy pink stool at her bench, hands splayed in the space before her. "Okay! So, two pieces of paper that don't wrinkle or tear..." Her hands were already moving, gather a few bits of supplies - popping a piece of hard fruity candy in her mouth - then laying them out in front of her. They had nothing to do with paper other than the pencil, but she appeared confident that they were exactly what she needed. 

Nova grinned and called forth her magic, letting the tendrils of light coil through the gathered odds and ends. The faint image of transparent paper appeared to hover in the air, shimmering as it slowly solidified on one corner.

And you can see it in her eyes.

Nova

Resisting the urge to shake her head ruefully at Nova's lack of attention to detail (she knew that her friend had the ability to pay attention, because her clothes were always wonderfully detailed), Soh nodded instead. "Yeah, Sol is Zav's companion. Little gold dragon. Very sweet." Friendly, playful - all things that had long since endeared him to Soh. "I'll be sure to ask him about the scales," she promised. "I'll let you know what he says."

Then the pink glitter workbench was there, and Nova was beginning her work. Tendrils of light coiled and flexed in the air, coalescing into an image of paper that hovered in the air. Soh watched with interest as it began to solidify. "That's so cool," she said, awe evident in her voice. She'd never had the same disdain for magic as some Breakers; it seemed like a rather useful 'curse' to her. "What's your favorite thing you've made?"

And though I can't recall your face
I still got love for you

Sohalia

She's a mess of gorgeous chaos,

Content with the promise of scales, Nova's attention didn't linger on Sol or Zavien, already consumed by her task at hand. She got comfortable at her desk, magic flooding through her veins as she gave it direction into the air. It shimmered and rippled like gold and silver cords, weaving into something tangible, filling in the blueprint she'd transposed into the air. 

Beaming a smile towards Soh's awe, she kept working her magic, the single solidified corner spreading while she chatted. "I made my sister a necklace! When she touches it, she's protected by a layer of sparkly gold!" Unable to divert her magic, she had to make up for it with an even brighter smile, directing all her pride towards Soh.

An idea popped into her head, suddenly having to concentrate so she didn't mess up the forming paper as she bounced in place. "I could make you something if you want! Something sparkly! Maybe a necklace or a ring!"

And you can see it in her eyes.

Nova