Zavien
Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.
It was harder to hear the words aloud, the confirmation of what he'd read being weighed by Lena's own realization. He watched with his aching heart as the tears gathered in her eyes, powerless to fix the reason for them. Sol leaned against his leg, quieter than usual in the drowning of emotions down the bond. His soldier brain commanded tactical retreat, regrouping and rallying their forces. His resurrected self was in a state of panic, screaming and fleeing to the dark recesses of his mind. His valiant loyalist swelled, wishing him to rush into Stormbreak with swords blazing so he might save or avenge the people. And all the while, he pushed them aside in favor of what was needed for the moment: his compassionate heart.
He couldn't imagine what Lena was feeling. She hadn't been willing to leave the city with him, and he doubted she'd ever left for more than a day or two, and now to be told that she couldn't return without becoming infected...
Zavien pulled her into a hug, uncaring if he crushed the paper between them. There wasn't much he could say or do that would make the situation any better for her. All he knew was that she was here and safe right now, and that had to be enough for him despite the pain that pulsed with every beat of his heart. "We're going to get through this," the words were soft but steady, practiced in a way that told of his familiarity with them, even as he added, "but there's nothing we can do to help right now." It was the simple reality of where they were. Few skyships would be heading to the floating city in light of the news, and air traffic would be too thick with the fleeing locals. It was best if they didn't add their arrival to the insanity of the catastrophe.
Hoping to reassure her, Zavien stood as an anchor, firm and immovable despite the storms raging around them. "The Celestine is still standing, and I trust Koa to get your family safely to Torchline." The reality still felt too uncertain for it to make any sense, but he let it slowly take root as he held her, mournful and burdened with the desire to protect the world.
He couldn't imagine what Lena was feeling. She hadn't been willing to leave the city with him, and he doubted she'd ever left for more than a day or two, and now to be told that she couldn't return without becoming infected...
Zavien pulled her into a hug, uncaring if he crushed the paper between them. There wasn't much he could say or do that would make the situation any better for her. All he knew was that she was here and safe right now, and that had to be enough for him despite the pain that pulsed with every beat of his heart. "We're going to get through this," the words were soft but steady, practiced in a way that told of his familiarity with them, even as he added, "but there's nothing we can do to help right now." It was the simple reality of where they were. Few skyships would be heading to the floating city in light of the news, and air traffic would be too thick with the fleeing locals. It was best if they didn't add their arrival to the insanity of the catastrophe.
Hoping to reassure her, Zavien stood as an anchor, firm and immovable despite the storms raging around them. "The Celestine is still standing, and I trust Koa to get your family safely to Torchline." The reality still felt too uncertain for it to make any sense, but he let it slowly take root as he held her, mournful and burdened with the desire to protect the world.
