Zavien
Feeling Lena flinch, he tried to keep his touch a reassuring pressure of support. Despite being in the lions' den, she wasn't alone. They'd face it together. Although what 'it' was, was still to be seen.
Zavien kept his smile polite, taking note of the Pierce's own physicality as well, but not feeling nearly as confident. The only thing that filtered through his brain was caution and he was grateful as the man stepped away. The Dragoon's usually relaxed demeanor was riddled with the tense calculated movements indicative of a battlefield. Every sense took stock of the events. From the peculiar additions to the taco bar and Dahlia's appearance, to the strange 'embrace' (???) between Vox and Noe. As he was nodding a respectful greeting to their 'leader,' the ring on his finger warmed further as he heard Koa's sister THANK the mass of shifting nightmare fuel. At first, confusion filtered across his mind as he tried to puzzle out what in the hell was happening. Was the ring broken? Everest hadn't stepped any closer. But as pieces began to fit into place, Zavien had never wished to be an Attuned more than this very moment. Every fiber of his being screamed to tell Lena - to warn her - yet all he could do was smile like nothing was wrong. And he wasn't even doing that well.
Looking down at the offered plate with a momentary blank expression, he let his hand drop to hers. His voice was so dampened by effort that it sounded monotonous, a slight tremor to the smile he gave her. "Thank you." Grasping her hand 'lovingly' over the plate like any affectionate couple might do, he willed her to feel the heat of the ring on his finger and understand. Even as he released her hand, he didn't break their contact, keeping a touch on her lower back as he followed her to the regular food options. "You guys have really outdone yourselves."
Zavien kept his smile polite, taking note of the Pierce's own physicality as well, but not feeling nearly as confident. The only thing that filtered through his brain was caution and he was grateful as the man stepped away. The Dragoon's usually relaxed demeanor was riddled with the tense calculated movements indicative of a battlefield. Every sense took stock of the events. From the peculiar additions to the taco bar and Dahlia's appearance, to the strange 'embrace' (???) between Vox and Noe. As he was nodding a respectful greeting to their 'leader,' the ring on his finger warmed further as he heard Koa's sister THANK the mass of shifting nightmare fuel. At first, confusion filtered across his mind as he tried to puzzle out what in the hell was happening. Was the ring broken? Everest hadn't stepped any closer. But as pieces began to fit into place, Zavien had never wished to be an Attuned more than this very moment. Every fiber of his being screamed to tell Lena - to warn her - yet all he could do was smile like nothing was wrong. And he wasn't even doing that well.
Looking down at the offered plate with a momentary blank expression, he let his hand drop to hers. His voice was so dampened by effort that it sounded monotonous, a slight tremor to the smile he gave her. "Thank you." Grasping her hand 'lovingly' over the plate like any affectionate couple might do, he willed her to feel the heat of the ring on his finger and understand. Even as he released her hand, he didn't break their contact, keeping a touch on her lower back as he followed her to the regular food options. "You guys have really outdone yourselves."
I learned that in suffering,
we find the true measure of our strength.
we find the true measure of our strength.
