I'm doing it for you

Zavien

With the start of Deepfrost approaching, Zavien needs a distraction.

Soh's pregnant. He's going to be a dad, and as excited as he is, Zavien is equal parts terrified. Even now, he subconsciously runs a hand over his chest, feeling the heartbeat that thrums steady despite the distance between them. It's there. It's calm. It's a constant source of reassurance that Soh is fine - the baby is fine.

Just the reminder is enough to keep him from worrying, but it doesn't change that Deepfrost is approaching - that LongNight is approaching - and the last few years have proven to him that it's a time of violence and death, a time for unforeseen dangers. This year, he plans to be as prepared as he can, to keep those he cares about safe from whatever might come their way. 

It's why he finds himself at the shrine again, seeking help from those who have never failed him. 

Zavien settles with Sol at the foot of the shrine beneath the starlight, placing a lavender candle that glows softly with tiny star studs in the center of a plate of star-shaped sugar cookies, flavored with a delicious Leafchange rum. He looks to the sky, blissfully clear of clouds this night. "Safrin, thank you for giving Soh the news." A smile spreads across his face. "We're really excited to be parents, and it only feels fitting that you were a part of that next step." The mood dampens as he continues, "But with it, I want to be ready to protect this new life..."

He rests a hand on the hilt of his sword, appearing more sure and resolute as he asks, "Can you please help me strengthen my sword again?"

---

Zavien is asking Safrin for a quest to upgrade his Starblade! If he doesn't roll high enough, please use his level 6 token. <3

Starblade | A sword that glows with inner starlight and burns on contact.
Type: Light | Style: Offensive | Level: Upgraded | Cost: Action

Accepted receive +20 and roll with advantage at all shrines. Include this at the bottom of all shrine posts.

With so many spirits around you, you attract the attention of the gods when visiting a shrine. Roll with advantage when praying at a shrine. (In order to use this, make sure to note the ability at the bottom of your shrine post).

Regional Score bonus: +5 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +5 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.

That’s How We’re Gonna Win.
Not Fighting What We Hate,
Saving What We Love.

safrin

The starlight does not merely brighten so much as gather, each silver thread thickening in the air until the darkness around the altar seems to remember what it is to adore her. Light blooms in slow, impossible layers, spilling softly at first before unfurling in a radiant swell that shapes itself into Safrin, all gleaming grace and celestial splendour, while the scent of lavender from Zavien’s offering deepens at once into something almost unbearably decadent, lush enough to feel like it could be tasted. Her smile first belongs to Sol, warm and indulgent as it settles upon the dragon, before her gaze lifts to Zavien and turns positively luminous.

"Mm, of course," she says, her voice rich with velvet amusement, as if the answer had always been written somewhere among her stars. "Motherhood is sure to look good on her, just as fatherhood will look good on you." Reaching down, Safrin plucks one of the star-shaped cookies from the plate with elegant ease, considering it for a moment before glancing toward the sword at Zavien's side, her expression shifting into something thoughtful and knowing. 

"You’ll find, with a new baby, that your role as protector might look a little different," she says, the slightest smile curving her mouth as though the truth of that already delights her, "but a sword is never a bad place to start."

---

Zavien has been given a quest! In order to upgrade his sword, he must:

1. Complete 2 training threads. One where someone else uses his sword against him and burns him with it, and one where he burns someone.
2. Complete a thread using the sword against a Flora/Fauna with a difficulty rating higher than Difficult. (He does not need to kill the F/F or finish the fight)
3. Complete a thread considering the limits of what he would/wouldn't do to protect his new family.

Zavien

Sol gives a chirp of greeting to the goddess who coalesces from starlight in a radiant display. Zavien dips his head, low and appreciative of the herald's presence, never allowing himself to take for granted the brilliant power and majesty she exudes, not even when she welcomes him every time with a smile that shines brighter than any star. 

He can't hide his own indulgent smile or the flutter of his heart, his stomach still managing to flip every time he hears someone else say it out loud. He wonders if that feeling will ever go away, or if it'll only get worse when the baby's born, but right now Safrin's giving him the best of compliments and he places an endearing hand over his heart. "Thank you." Whether he'll be a good father or not is still to be seen, but Zavien knows he'll try his best and love their child no matter what. 

Safrin only highlights how in over his head Zavien is as she reminds him that protecting a baby might not even need a sword, and he laughs nervously to think of what all he'll need to learn to keep this little one safe. "You'd know better than me, but I appreciate your support regardless. It'll help me feel better if nothing else." At least he'll have something to focus on as time creeps closer to the arrival of their new addition.

Moving to stand, Zavien dips his head once more. "Thank you, Safrin. I'll see you again soon."

[FIN]

That’s How We’re Gonna Win.
Not Fighting What We Hate,
Saving What We Love.