Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
With the distance growing between her and the Void Lotus, Thal could feel the kindling of an ember deep within. The subtle glow was her dying hope. A breath of reason. Of motivation. Of purpose.
It wasn't the grand notion of saving the world or making a difference. It wasn't the buddings of a plan to join the priesthood or recite any virtuous intentions. No. It wasn't anything quite so novel.
She didn't want to die.
Despite all the lost and lonely feelings flooding her mind, Thal wanted to live. It was a selfish and cruel thing to force her existence on the world any more than she already had, but her most primal instincts spurred her on, a fluttering of her chest that fanned the dying spark to a growing flame once more.
Her mouth clamped closed against the water and her eyes flickered open to find Tal pulling her upwards, a frenzied flailing of limbs that somehow moved them upward. Now that her decision had been made, Thal began to kick her legs, propelling them towards the surface with the ease and grace of someone familiar with the sea. As they finally hit the air, she gulped in a clear lungful, sputtering at the water sitting in her mouth. Talyson's back pats helped expectorate the remaining fluid.
Shooting the Accepted a grateful glance and letting her mouth's shape resemble the words 'thank you,' she strained to lift her body the rest of the way out of the water. She made sure to lift her face covering back up before attempting to slow her respirations in order to calm her racing heart. A shiver ran down her spine as she thought about how close she'd come to giving in. Tring to hide the stark dread in her eyes, she looked around at their surroundings.
It wasn't the grand notion of saving the world or making a difference. It wasn't the buddings of a plan to join the priesthood or recite any virtuous intentions. No. It wasn't anything quite so novel.
She didn't want to die.
Despite all the lost and lonely feelings flooding her mind, Thal wanted to live. It was a selfish and cruel thing to force her existence on the world any more than she already had, but her most primal instincts spurred her on, a fluttering of her chest that fanned the dying spark to a growing flame once more.
Her mouth clamped closed against the water and her eyes flickered open to find Tal pulling her upwards, a frenzied flailing of limbs that somehow moved them upward. Now that her decision had been made, Thal began to kick her legs, propelling them towards the surface with the ease and grace of someone familiar with the sea. As they finally hit the air, she gulped in a clear lungful, sputtering at the water sitting in her mouth. Talyson's back pats helped expectorate the remaining fluid.
Shooting the Accepted a grateful glance and letting her mouth's shape resemble the words 'thank you,' she strained to lift her body the rest of the way out of the water. She made sure to lift her face covering back up before attempting to slow her respirations in order to calm her racing heart. A shiver ran down her spine as she thought about how close she'd come to giving in. Tring to hide the stark dread in her eyes, she looked around at their surroundings.
Thalassa
