Zavien
The news sank, the danger and risk calculating through his mind. "Is it dead? Did anyone else get hurt?" He was already planning a raid or search party, considering what actions he might need to take if they were going to keep more people from getting injured.
Swallowing the panic and protective instincts, he took in her injury. It was still an angry red, but there was fresh skin growing, and there weren't any blisters or blackened skin. She's live.
He shook his head of the adrenaline and took a deep breath. "I'm glad you're safe. I don't think there's much more this can do, but if it's alright with you..." Zavien held up his hand, insistent but gentle in the offer of his ring. He waited only long enough for a glimmer of permission before he brushed a fleeting hand against her shoulder, letting the healing soak in. It might not mend the damage, but he hoped it might take some of the pain. Selfishly, it made him feel like he wasn't completely powerless, that he hadn't failed in protecting someone else he cares for.
Her question drew him from the relief, responding before he could process her confusion. "No, I - " Realization hit him, everything slowing as his green eyes widened. "You haven't heard." It was more statement than question, dread settling heavy in his chest. The news had spread through Stormbreak like a wildfire. Whether it was a blessing or a curse that everyone knew of his girlfriend's death, at least he hadn't been forced to bear the burden of telling anyone, let alone someone close to her...
Steadying the thundering of his heart, the echoes of his screaming thoughts, Zavien looked to the walkway, making sure they were alone so no one would see him struggle with the explanation, wrestling with the guilt of not telling her sooner. It took a moment, his eyes focusing on little more than memories as he finally turned to Soh, jaw clenched tight with emotion. "There was an... incident in the Celestine. During LongNight. A sea panther." A hand moved to his hair, running through the strands but staying clutched like it might silence the ringing there. "Lena - she - " His throat tightened, pressure building too high everywhere as he relived the moment.
He couldn't look at Soh, couldn't let her see into his eyes, where he knew he couldn't hide the fractured pieces of his heart, the grief that'd painted his light in a darker shade. Still, he had to tell her, and the words came, strained and full of pain. "I found her, but I was too late. Ronin couldn't save her."
Swallowing the panic and protective instincts, he took in her injury. It was still an angry red, but there was fresh skin growing, and there weren't any blisters or blackened skin. She's live.
He shook his head of the adrenaline and took a deep breath. "I'm glad you're safe. I don't think there's much more this can do, but if it's alright with you..." Zavien held up his hand, insistent but gentle in the offer of his ring. He waited only long enough for a glimmer of permission before he brushed a fleeting hand against her shoulder, letting the healing soak in. It might not mend the damage, but he hoped it might take some of the pain. Selfishly, it made him feel like he wasn't completely powerless, that he hadn't failed in protecting someone else he cares for.
Her question drew him from the relief, responding before he could process her confusion. "No, I - " Realization hit him, everything slowing as his green eyes widened. "You haven't heard." It was more statement than question, dread settling heavy in his chest. The news had spread through Stormbreak like a wildfire. Whether it was a blessing or a curse that everyone knew of his girlfriend's death, at least he hadn't been forced to bear the burden of telling anyone, let alone someone close to her...
Steadying the thundering of his heart, the echoes of his screaming thoughts, Zavien looked to the walkway, making sure they were alone so no one would see him struggle with the explanation, wrestling with the guilt of not telling her sooner. It took a moment, his eyes focusing on little more than memories as he finally turned to Soh, jaw clenched tight with emotion. "There was an... incident in the Celestine. During LongNight. A sea panther." A hand moved to his hair, running through the strands but staying clutched like it might silence the ringing there. "Lena - she - " His throat tightened, pressure building too high everywhere as he relived the moment.
He couldn't look at Soh, couldn't let her see into his eyes, where he knew he couldn't hide the fractured pieces of his heart, the grief that'd painted his light in a darker shade. Still, he had to tell her, and the words came, strained and full of pain. "I found her, but I was too late. Ronin couldn't save her."
I learned that in suffering,
we find the true measure of our strength.
we find the true measure of our strength.
