This is the long forgotten light at the end of the world
Her glance to the open sky and the light shrug suggested that yes, her mother was probably watching, one way or another. And that no, she did not particularly mind it, though many might find it intrusive. Not Seren.
As Sah faced her and grew serious, the demigod set her own lantern aside and raised her gaze to meet his. A little reluctant, unsure whether she wanted to hear this answer. It... left her feeling about the same as she had expected. Torn, greedy - not in a good way - and a little ashamed, that this beautiful world had to be so steeped in conflict. Sentiments that reflected on her face, until she dropped her gaze again. The steel in Sah's gaze worried her, and the promise that bound him to her looked too much like a shackle.
"Maybe you would be surprised to find that I don't agree with everything the gods decree either," she murmured. A scaly nose pushed its way in between them, and Seren stroked Umbra, glad for the distraction, for something to busy her hands with. "There are many aspects of this conflict that doesn't sit well with me. The treatment of those born with magic - " she carefully steered away from the term Abandoned, hating the way it wanted to curl on her tongue " - and the fate of the Ascended are only a few issues I have. Shared with many others, no doubt. Only fanatics and madmen actually want to eradicate a people, and unfortunately many of that type will flock to a cause if only for a place to live out their cruel desires." Stormbreak came to mind, and not for the first time did she wish she could just leave the place.
"I... would lie, if I said I didn't want you on my side," she admitted, mouth drawn into a frown - directed inward, at her own selfishness. "But I don't want to force your hand or put you in a situation where you have to choose anything. If that were to happen... I - I'd almost rather cut things here and now and not speak again if it meant you never had to be dragged into this mess." The thought of never seeing Sah again was unexpectedly painful, a sharp thorn stabbing into her chest. But though it made her eyes prickle and sting with sudden moisture, there was a determination too, as she gazed up to catch his gaze.
"Even if you never choose a god and swear neutrality, if you stay near me, you will be swept up in this," she warned, wishing the truth wasn't so grim. "Because I already am, and I don't have a choice." At least not one where she came out alive and sane.
And perhaps that was all the choice she really needed, and one she'd already made.
As Sah faced her and grew serious, the demigod set her own lantern aside and raised her gaze to meet his. A little reluctant, unsure whether she wanted to hear this answer. It... left her feeling about the same as she had expected. Torn, greedy - not in a good way - and a little ashamed, that this beautiful world had to be so steeped in conflict. Sentiments that reflected on her face, until she dropped her gaze again. The steel in Sah's gaze worried her, and the promise that bound him to her looked too much like a shackle.
"Maybe you would be surprised to find that I don't agree with everything the gods decree either," she murmured. A scaly nose pushed its way in between them, and Seren stroked Umbra, glad for the distraction, for something to busy her hands with. "There are many aspects of this conflict that doesn't sit well with me. The treatment of those born with magic - " she carefully steered away from the term Abandoned, hating the way it wanted to curl on her tongue " - and the fate of the Ascended are only a few issues I have. Shared with many others, no doubt. Only fanatics and madmen actually want to eradicate a people, and unfortunately many of that type will flock to a cause if only for a place to live out their cruel desires." Stormbreak came to mind, and not for the first time did she wish she could just leave the place.
"I... would lie, if I said I didn't want you on my side," she admitted, mouth drawn into a frown - directed inward, at her own selfishness. "But I don't want to force your hand or put you in a situation where you have to choose anything. If that were to happen... I - I'd almost rather cut things here and now and not speak again if it meant you never had to be dragged into this mess." The thought of never seeing Sah again was unexpectedly painful, a sharp thorn stabbing into her chest. But though it made her eyes prickle and sting with sudden moisture, there was a determination too, as she gazed up to catch his gaze.
"Even if you never choose a god and swear neutrality, if you stay near me, you will be swept up in this," she warned, wishing the truth wasn't so grim. "Because I already am, and I don't have a choice." At least not one where she came out alive and sane.
And perhaps that was all the choice she really needed, and one she'd already made.
Seren
