Zavien
He took Lena's words to heart, quietly strengthening his resolve so that he wouldn't fold when the moment came. Nodding slowly, he took a shaky, deep breath as she stepped towards the griffin.
The griffin didn't need to be told twice, clucking its beak at Sol as it took to the skies. The dragon crouched, looking ready to launch before he hesitated, his golden eyes boring into Zavien like a flash of sunlight. He knew this was his last opportunity - the last chance he would get to ask him to say, to save himself the coming heartbreak.
Instead, the Dragoon gave his companion a forced smile that looked more pained than content as his voice came in a whisper. "Bye Sol. Be safe." Sol gave a low croon, mixing promise with pride and encouragement before he took flight. His wings caught the sunlight, a beacon lifting into the sky to guide the griffin home. He didn't hesitate or prolong the departure, only giving a final circle of acknowledgement before flying off into the distance.
Swallowing against the growing dread, Zavien whispered, hoped, prayed, "Come home soon... please." He watched the sky for a minute or maybe longer, watched as the small glint of gold faded out of view, watched the empty horizon for a moment longer. It was disorienting to lower his gaze again, to find Lena standing next to him. "I - I think I'm going to tend to the lavender." He didn't have the heart to use his pet name for the plant, too distracted by the thread slowly growing taught against his chest, constricting against his breaths and making his thoughts weightless in his mind. Maybe losing himself in the work would help ground him.
The griffin didn't need to be told twice, clucking its beak at Sol as it took to the skies. The dragon crouched, looking ready to launch before he hesitated, his golden eyes boring into Zavien like a flash of sunlight. He knew this was his last opportunity - the last chance he would get to ask him to say, to save himself the coming heartbreak.
Instead, the Dragoon gave his companion a forced smile that looked more pained than content as his voice came in a whisper. "Bye Sol. Be safe." Sol gave a low croon, mixing promise with pride and encouragement before he took flight. His wings caught the sunlight, a beacon lifting into the sky to guide the griffin home. He didn't hesitate or prolong the departure, only giving a final circle of acknowledgement before flying off into the distance.
Swallowing against the growing dread, Zavien whispered, hoped, prayed, "Come home soon... please." He watched the sky for a minute or maybe longer, watched as the small glint of gold faded out of view, watched the empty horizon for a moment longer. It was disorienting to lower his gaze again, to find Lena standing next to him. "I - I think I'm going to tend to the lavender." He didn't have the heart to use his pet name for the plant, too distracted by the thread slowly growing taught against his chest, constricting against his breaths and making his thoughts weightless in his mind. Maybe losing himself in the work would help ground him.
The secret of happiness is freedom,
the secret of freedom is courage.
the secret of freedom is courage.
