Zavien
Koa's words dig into his mind. He should be noticing the implications of what his friend is saying, how Soh cares enough about Koa to save his sister, how they're closer than he'd realized; but all he can hear is the frustration that he takes ownership of, having hurt his friend's feelings. Always the empath, Zavien immediately thinks of what it would be like for Lena to be infected - and subsequently, it being his fault. It takes a deep, cruel grip on his lungs and twisted, his vision narrowing for a moment as all his fears seem to converge. His stupidity. His inadequacy. His fault. Panic descends on him just as a smooth nose presses against his hand.
He hadn't realized he'd closed his eyes, but Zavien pries them open to look at the dragon. Pipsqueak is as much a comfort as a reminder of Sol's absence, sending a sharp dagger of pain through his heart. It soothes while bumping against the missing piece of him, but it pulls him out of the moment enough to reorient him. Then Koa's concerned face is appearing in front of him, and he takes a shaky breath that shivers down his body. "Sorry - sorry. I - I'm fine. I - I just - just need a moment." In an attempt to reassure his friend - and maybe instill some of the related emotion in him - Zavien forces a weak smile.
He hadn't realized he'd closed his eyes, but Zavien pries them open to look at the dragon. Pipsqueak is as much a comfort as a reminder of Sol's absence, sending a sharp dagger of pain through his heart. It soothes while bumping against the missing piece of him, but it pulls him out of the moment enough to reorient him. Then Koa's concerned face is appearing in front of him, and he takes a shaky breath that shivers down his body. "Sorry - sorry. I - I'm fine. I - I just - just need a moment." In an attempt to reassure his friend - and maybe instill some of the related emotion in him - Zavien forces a weak smile.
I'd rather have a broken arm than a broken heart.
