You will never do anything in this world without courage.
The embarrassment of the event has long faded, buried in time and bigger life experiences, but he still grins, a pinkish tinge forming on his ears at the loud and vocal announcement of his public display. "I did." Although he thinks 'thrown' off is the better description of events. Ronin hadn't taken it easy on him, and Zavien would have been upset if he had, but his body hadn't appreciated the efforts.
Then she's suddenly leaning on him, clutching at his shoulders like it might push the point deeper, and losing her balance in the clinging mud. He reels backwards but holds his ground. Not really sure what to do with his hands, Zavien hesitates before reaching to support her elbows, trying to steady while he takes Colt's advice like one does a toddler's ramblings about why you shouldn't eat dirt. Despite the carefulness of his actions, his eyes are alight with amusement and sincere agreement. Nodding his head, he watches her deflate, the grip loosens, her eyes dim as thoughts crowd the words. Zavien just stands, supporting as he says, "That's right. We all fall sometimes."
He wants to ask what may have led her here, to ask what the shadows were from, to know what fall she'd suffered; but they're practically strangers, and the moment passes faster than a raincloud on the horizon, concentration taking over.
This time, he doesn't hide the smile, watching the kids zip behind her in a fit of giggles, Sol in the lead. He has a pouch in his jaws, jerky occasionally spilling out to get slurped up by the mud or a squealing child. The situation is too light and chaotic for Zavien to be upset, baffled at how he's found himself babysitting a woman while his dragon entertains the kids.
Tilting his head to look at her, he doesn't argue or try to shove logic into the conversation, doesn't ask about the momentary darkness, more than happy to go with the flow of the drug-induced comprehension. "Hi Colt. Would you like something to eat? I brought some sandwiches, or there's a shop down the street that has really good ribs." He doesn't know her well, but she seems like a ribs kind of person.
Then she's suddenly leaning on him, clutching at his shoulders like it might push the point deeper, and losing her balance in the clinging mud. He reels backwards but holds his ground. Not really sure what to do with his hands, Zavien hesitates before reaching to support her elbows, trying to steady while he takes Colt's advice like one does a toddler's ramblings about why you shouldn't eat dirt. Despite the carefulness of his actions, his eyes are alight with amusement and sincere agreement. Nodding his head, he watches her deflate, the grip loosens, her eyes dim as thoughts crowd the words. Zavien just stands, supporting as he says, "That's right. We all fall sometimes."
He wants to ask what may have led her here, to ask what the shadows were from, to know what fall she'd suffered; but they're practically strangers, and the moment passes faster than a raincloud on the horizon, concentration taking over.
This time, he doesn't hide the smile, watching the kids zip behind her in a fit of giggles, Sol in the lead. He has a pouch in his jaws, jerky occasionally spilling out to get slurped up by the mud or a squealing child. The situation is too light and chaotic for Zavien to be upset, baffled at how he's found himself babysitting a woman while his dragon entertains the kids.
Tilting his head to look at her, he doesn't argue or try to shove logic into the conversation, doesn't ask about the momentary darkness, more than happy to go with the flow of the drug-induced comprehension. "Hi Colt. Would you like something to eat? I brought some sandwiches, or there's a shop down the street that has really good ribs." He doesn't know her well, but she seems like a ribs kind of person.
Zavien
It is the greatest quality of mind next to honor.
