Sohalia
Not sure what tomorrow brings
Not sure why a caged bird sings
Not sure why a caged bird sings
There was a moment, however brief, where Sohalia wondered if Tarak would even answer her call. Perhaps he was angry with her - and why shouldn't he be, when she was the reason for his death? But the moment passed quickly enough, until finally upon the threshold, Soh saw a blur of sapphire; and then Tarak was in her lap, peering up at her through golden eyes. Tears overflowed as Soh made a strangled sound halfway between a laugh and a sob, and despite her companion's weak protests, she scooped him up into a crushing hug.
Which, naturally, lasted only a moment before Tarak wiggled free, perching daintily on the floor in front of his bonded with a look of fond reproach. This was a game they had played too many times before: Soh smothering her companion with affection while Tarak pretended to hate every moment. He'd never quite been able to hide the satisfied warmth that came through the bond, though.
But the beauty of the reunion was short-lived, if only because Soh was aware that they were on borrowed time. The brilliant smile fell from her face as she reached a trembling hand out to stroke her companion's head, scratching beneath his beak just the way he liked it. "I'm so sorry, Tarak," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I should have protected you, but I failed." The little griffin began to purr as he climbed halfway into her lap, leaning into her scritches. "Are you okay in Mort's halls?" she asked, worry coloring her tone. "It looks beautiful there, but... are you lonely?" Gods knew she was. She could never replace the piece of her soul that her griffin had taken with him on the day that he died, and she knew she'd spend the rest of her life trying to bury the ache.
Later, Soh would have to wonder how their bond still worked even after death, now that they were reunited. But for now, she simply marveled as a slew of images and emotions flooded her mind. A flock of griffins of all shapes, colors, and sizes. A hollow high up in a tree, clearly lived in and cared for. Plenty of food. All the things she could dream of and wish for were there in her mind's eye, clearly provided for her companion in the afterlife. Tarak was content, it seemed - far more so than the bonded he had left behind. Oh, he missed her, that was true - but he had everything he could ever want in Mort's Halls, and that knowledge brought with it a sense of peace that the Luminary had been sorely lacking in weeks past.
In what felt simultaneously like all afternoon and no time at all, Tarak shifted from her lap, rubbing his head against her hand with a final croon of goodbye. And Tarak was moving away, pausing to chirp cheerfully at her in the doorway that Remi had opened. Then, as though he'd never been there at all, he was gone, leaving only a pair of bright blue feathers in his wake.
Which, naturally, lasted only a moment before Tarak wiggled free, perching daintily on the floor in front of his bonded with a look of fond reproach. This was a game they had played too many times before: Soh smothering her companion with affection while Tarak pretended to hate every moment. He'd never quite been able to hide the satisfied warmth that came through the bond, though.
But the beauty of the reunion was short-lived, if only because Soh was aware that they were on borrowed time. The brilliant smile fell from her face as she reached a trembling hand out to stroke her companion's head, scratching beneath his beak just the way he liked it. "I'm so sorry, Tarak," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I should have protected you, but I failed." The little griffin began to purr as he climbed halfway into her lap, leaning into her scritches. "Are you okay in Mort's halls?" she asked, worry coloring her tone. "It looks beautiful there, but... are you lonely?" Gods knew she was. She could never replace the piece of her soul that her griffin had taken with him on the day that he died, and she knew she'd spend the rest of her life trying to bury the ache.
Later, Soh would have to wonder how their bond still worked even after death, now that they were reunited. But for now, she simply marveled as a slew of images and emotions flooded her mind. A flock of griffins of all shapes, colors, and sizes. A hollow high up in a tree, clearly lived in and cared for. Plenty of food. All the things she could dream of and wish for were there in her mind's eye, clearly provided for her companion in the afterlife. Tarak was content, it seemed - far more so than the bonded he had left behind. Oh, he missed her, that was true - but he had everything he could ever want in Mort's Halls, and that knowledge brought with it a sense of peace that the Luminary had been sorely lacking in weeks past.
In what felt simultaneously like all afternoon and no time at all, Tarak shifted from her lap, rubbing his head against her hand with a final croon of goodbye. And Tarak was moving away, pausing to chirp cheerfully at her in the doorway that Remi had opened. Then, as though he'd never been there at all, he was gone, leaving only a pair of bright blue feathers in his wake.
Don't ask cause I don't know
No idea just where to go
No idea just where to go
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
