Zavien
I'm going to change the world,
Glad to hear her agree, Zavien gave her a bright smile brimming with excitement. "I asked for fire, but I would have been fine with any, honestly." He laughed loudly, his eyes crinkling at the movement. Frey had wanted the distinction as well, obviously intent on fulfilling his desire. It would still be interesting to see what they looked like though!
When she had finally exhausted her search and come to settle in the water, Zavien watched every movement like hawk. It hurt to see the desperation written across Lena's face. She tried to put on a strong facade, but it was obvious that the struggles of inaction were bothering her as much as they were him. Her small figure looked so helpless and fragile. He fought the urge to wrap his arms around her, to tell her that everything was going to be alright. To tell her that her efforts were enough.
Yet he couldn't bring himself to do any of that. He didn't know if everything was going to work out. Who knew if they would even survive the Void? And although her efforts were enough for him, he didn't know if they would be enough to make a difference. It felt like he was facing his own inadequacies all over again and his respect for Lena was too high for him to justify lying. So, instead, Zavien settled for companionship.
His smile was sad as he attempted to catch her gaze. "You know I understand that more than anyone." It wasn't much consolation, but he wanted her to know she wasn't alone. Sighing, he shifted to sit closer to her, hoping to provide comfort in proximity. His body was close enough to provide another layer of heat in the steamy cavern as he ran his hand gently over the surface of the water. He tried to find the words, knowing there wasn't much that would provide comfort in the presence of so much doubt. Tilting his head, he tried to let his earnest green eyes do most of the talking. "Your desires alone are more than most people are willing to contribute." Chuckling lightly, he let the ripples tickle the flat of his palm. "You know, I have to remind myself all the time that I'm not a demigod or a hybrid. I don't have years of experience or impressive abilities. I don't even make a very good accepted, barely able to channel more than a swarm of bugs or rain." He recalled Flora pleading him to channel her father and his inability to help as Maea lay limp at his feet before they vanished together. His smile faltered for a moment at the still tender memory. Closing his eyes, he took a moment to redirect his thoughts before opening them to give Lena an encouraging look. "But then I remember that there are only things I can do. No one else is going to care for the children of the Silk Houses. No one else is going to have my positive outlook on the world. No one else would be willing to be an errand boy when the risk of being discovered is so great." Zavien gave her a knowing smile. "And just like that, I find purpose in the menial or fruitless tasks. I find light in the darkness. I find hope even if my actions don't always produce results. Just like that, I find my faith again."
Realizing that he'd said more than he'd planned, he wanted to turn away in embarrassment, a blush pushing through the flush already present on his cheeks. Yet he held Lena's gaze, determined to show her that her efforts mattered. That she mattered.
When she had finally exhausted her search and come to settle in the water, Zavien watched every movement like hawk. It hurt to see the desperation written across Lena's face. She tried to put on a strong facade, but it was obvious that the struggles of inaction were bothering her as much as they were him. Her small figure looked so helpless and fragile. He fought the urge to wrap his arms around her, to tell her that everything was going to be alright. To tell her that her efforts were enough.
Yet he couldn't bring himself to do any of that. He didn't know if everything was going to work out. Who knew if they would even survive the Void? And although her efforts were enough for him, he didn't know if they would be enough to make a difference. It felt like he was facing his own inadequacies all over again and his respect for Lena was too high for him to justify lying. So, instead, Zavien settled for companionship.
His smile was sad as he attempted to catch her gaze. "You know I understand that more than anyone." It wasn't much consolation, but he wanted her to know she wasn't alone. Sighing, he shifted to sit closer to her, hoping to provide comfort in proximity. His body was close enough to provide another layer of heat in the steamy cavern as he ran his hand gently over the surface of the water. He tried to find the words, knowing there wasn't much that would provide comfort in the presence of so much doubt. Tilting his head, he tried to let his earnest green eyes do most of the talking. "Your desires alone are more than most people are willing to contribute." Chuckling lightly, he let the ripples tickle the flat of his palm. "You know, I have to remind myself all the time that I'm not a demigod or a hybrid. I don't have years of experience or impressive abilities. I don't even make a very good accepted, barely able to channel more than a swarm of bugs or rain." He recalled Flora pleading him to channel her father and his inability to help as Maea lay limp at his feet before they vanished together. His smile faltered for a moment at the still tender memory. Closing his eyes, he took a moment to redirect his thoughts before opening them to give Lena an encouraging look. "But then I remember that there are only things I can do. No one else is going to care for the children of the Silk Houses. No one else is going to have my positive outlook on the world. No one else would be willing to be an errand boy when the risk of being discovered is so great." Zavien gave her a knowing smile. "And just like that, I find purpose in the menial or fruitless tasks. I find light in the darkness. I find hope even if my actions don't always produce results. Just like that, I find my faith again."
Realizing that he'd said more than he'd planned, he wanted to turn away in embarrassment, a blush pushing through the flush already present on his cheeks. Yet he held Lena's gaze, determined to show her that her efforts mattered. That she mattered.
but today I'll just be a mermaid.
