Loathe the way they light candles in Rome,
But love the sweet air of the votives
But love the sweet air of the votives
Safrin's tone remains cold and distant, casting a pallor of isolation through each cell of Koa's being. Beneath the shields he tries to maintain, a hollow ache echoes against his bones; he can feel the absence of her affection, her approval, as keen and dark as the self-doubt that plagues is thoughts these days. To have disappointed his friends, his family, even his city - this he's been able to handle.
But the idea of having let down his goddess? That feels too much to bear.
And then her fingers brush against him, and oh, Koa could cry. Without thinking he leans into the contact, eyes fluttering briefly closed, basking in the sensation of her skin upon his cheek. "I understand," he whispers, resigned and accepting; it aches, but it is all he can expect.
Tilting his face toward the goddess, Koa gazes down into her eyes, desperate to find some warmth and acceptance within those cosmic depths. "I've felt so adrift, Safrin," the young man confesses, licking nervously at his lips. "I used to know what my place was in the world, but now..." Homeless, loveless, apart from his family - Koa was not meant for this level of self-direction, and it wears upon him terribly. "All I ever wanted was to make a difference, y'know? I know I'm just a mortal, but if there was some way I could be stronger - something that would take the burden off of you, and the demigods, and everyone else."
A new ring, perhaps, that would block out some of the Family's power - or at the very least something that would let him injure their creatures. There are few things he'd enjoy more than to effectively punch some void monstrosity in the face.
But the idea of having let down his goddess? That feels too much to bear.
And then her fingers brush against him, and oh, Koa could cry. Without thinking he leans into the contact, eyes fluttering briefly closed, basking in the sensation of her skin upon his cheek. "I understand," he whispers, resigned and accepting; it aches, but it is all he can expect.
Tilting his face toward the goddess, Koa gazes down into her eyes, desperate to find some warmth and acceptance within those cosmic depths. "I've felt so adrift, Safrin," the young man confesses, licking nervously at his lips. "I used to know what my place was in the world, but now..." Homeless, loveless, apart from his family - Koa was not meant for this level of self-direction, and it wears upon him terribly. "All I ever wanted was to make a difference, y'know? I know I'm just a mortal, but if there was some way I could be stronger - something that would take the burden off of you, and the demigods, and everyone else."
A new ring, perhaps, that would block out some of the Family's power - or at the very least something that would let him injure their creatures. There are few things he'd enjoy more than to effectively punch some void monstrosity in the face.
Hurt and grieve but don't suffer alone;
Engage with the pain as a motive
Engage with the pain as a motive
