Zavien
The Risen Sun
The open communication between the couple tugs a little at his heart, but Zavien grants a quiet smile, appreciating their relationship in spite of what chaos it may unleash. After hearing Kai's passion and dedication, it's not surprising. They obviously have something special and precious enough to risk fighting for. He just wished it wasn't against him.
Depositing treats along the ground, Zavien stands to nod his head. He lets her speak without interruption, mulling over her words with a seriousness that he doesn't buckle under, but lets fall over him like a gentle hand to guide his perception. It doesn't sway his own beliefs, but his lips still curve up as he says, "I understand." He knows he should stop there, to let the improbable scenario fade, but if he's going to be working with Flora, she should know his reasoning.
Zavien glances away for a moment to gather his thoughts, then returns her steady gaze with his own, soft and green as the stalks of sunny grass that bend but never break. "I don't want to tell Koa, especially if it's only going to hurt him further, but it's ultimately his choice on whether he wants to hear Kai out. If I tell Koa he needs to talk to Kai and he insists on hearing it from me - despite multiple warnings and attempts to convince him it would be better coming from Kai - " his shoulders give a small shrug, not dismissive but heavy with the truth he should have never asked for, "then as a friend, I have to tell him. Not doing so would damage our trust, because I believe refusing to tell the truth to those involved is the same as lying." The pause is long, letting his own morals and beliefs become blatanly clear despite it's soft and compassionate delivery. The fact is that he won't be the kind of person who hides behind half-truths and uncertainty, keeping information that doesn't belong to him from the people who deserve to know it, no matter how uncomfortable.
Offering another gentle smile, he finishes by saying, "That's why I couldn't give Kai an absolute - not when Koa is my priority right now." There's a hint of apology in his eyes, not for holding his values, but for what unintentional role it may play. He'll do what he can to minize the damage to everyone involved, to force the conversation between Koa and Kai first, but he won't apologize for standing by his friend. Kai and Flora have each other to lean on while Koa has no one, and Zavien won't abandon his friend to suffer the truth alone.
He may not know Flora well enough to catch her cues, but he's grown up around enough women to know when he's treading thin ice, the batting of her eyelashes anything but innocent. Contrary to the body's instinct to panic in the face of danger, Zavien sits back on his heels, calming as his head tilts in return. "Because people will do a lot of things for love, and I love Kai, but he's just hotheaded enough to make offers on your behalf in one sentence and quick threats in the next." The warm smile he gives is meant to reassure, to push away the cold of the warning for the positives of their relationship and Kai's unwavering devotion to her. "It's an admirable and rare thing, but I hope he finds a better way to show it - before a leader who hasn't been the hotheaded Dragoon takes offense." The joke is light, easing any suspicions of anger or annoyance she thinks he might still possess. After all, he has been - and sometimes still is - the Dragoon who dives into danger and dumb decisions to protect others.
Depositing treats along the ground, Zavien stands to nod his head. He lets her speak without interruption, mulling over her words with a seriousness that he doesn't buckle under, but lets fall over him like a gentle hand to guide his perception. It doesn't sway his own beliefs, but his lips still curve up as he says, "I understand." He knows he should stop there, to let the improbable scenario fade, but if he's going to be working with Flora, she should know his reasoning.
Zavien glances away for a moment to gather his thoughts, then returns her steady gaze with his own, soft and green as the stalks of sunny grass that bend but never break. "I don't want to tell Koa, especially if it's only going to hurt him further, but it's ultimately his choice on whether he wants to hear Kai out. If I tell Koa he needs to talk to Kai and he insists on hearing it from me - despite multiple warnings and attempts to convince him it would be better coming from Kai - " his shoulders give a small shrug, not dismissive but heavy with the truth he should have never asked for, "then as a friend, I have to tell him. Not doing so would damage our trust, because I believe refusing to tell the truth to those involved is the same as lying." The pause is long, letting his own morals and beliefs become blatanly clear despite it's soft and compassionate delivery. The fact is that he won't be the kind of person who hides behind half-truths and uncertainty, keeping information that doesn't belong to him from the people who deserve to know it, no matter how uncomfortable.
Offering another gentle smile, he finishes by saying, "That's why I couldn't give Kai an absolute - not when Koa is my priority right now." There's a hint of apology in his eyes, not for holding his values, but for what unintentional role it may play. He'll do what he can to minize the damage to everyone involved, to force the conversation between Koa and Kai first, but he won't apologize for standing by his friend. Kai and Flora have each other to lean on while Koa has no one, and Zavien won't abandon his friend to suffer the truth alone.
He may not know Flora well enough to catch her cues, but he's grown up around enough women to know when he's treading thin ice, the batting of her eyelashes anything but innocent. Contrary to the body's instinct to panic in the face of danger, Zavien sits back on his heels, calming as his head tilts in return. "Because people will do a lot of things for love, and I love Kai, but he's just hotheaded enough to make offers on your behalf in one sentence and quick threats in the next." The warm smile he gives is meant to reassure, to push away the cold of the warning for the positives of their relationship and Kai's unwavering devotion to her. "It's an admirable and rare thing, but I hope he finds a better way to show it - before a leader who hasn't been the hotheaded Dragoon takes offense." The joke is light, easing any suspicions of anger or annoyance she thinks he might still possess. After all, he has been - and sometimes still is - the Dragoon who dives into danger and dumb decisions to protect others.
Lead with light, even in shadow
