[SWE] The Feast of Bells - 318PC

Alys

this night is alive with the smell of insane —

There were so many people, and Alys was truly beginning to regret coming, but it was too late now. They were already here, and people were already noticing them. Sohalia was the first to approach, her quiet condolences appreciated but no less painful for their kindness. ”Thank you,” Alys replied softly, her gaze going to the ground. She wished that it would open up and swallow her whole; perhaps then she wouldn’t have to feel the Luminary’s pity for a second longer than she had to. While Soh was well-meaning, it didn’t change the pain that lanced through Alys at the reminder that she had experienced unimaginable loss - loss that she wouldn’t wish upon her worst enemy.

Then Zavien approached, and for a moment, Alys was irrationally angry. She needed her partner far more than Zavien did, and the thought of Talyson leaving her side left her adrift in a way that terrified her. it Zavien’s appearance - and his emotions - told her that perhaps he did need Tal, and that as selfish as she was to want to keep him to herself, he had others who relied on him. It wasn’t fair for her to hold her own neediness in the wake of Sascha’s death against others who had suffered just as much as she had - if not more.

So she forced a smile, though her gaze flickered anxiously to Tal. ”I’ll be right here,” she said, linking arms with Sohalia. ”Soh will keep me company. Won’t you?” she added, looking to the Luminary for confirmation.

— it's reaching for me and it's calling my name