Zavien
The trailing thoughts converged on the linear focus on improvement, on the people he served and the few things he could do now rather than things he could no longer change. It steadied the shaking of his breath, the tremble of his hands. He stood a little straighter, letting the responsibility give him the strength to stand in the midst of everything.
Zavien looked back to Soh, hoping she was right about the mud being temporary. But at least the citizens could work through a list of rainy-day items, slowly repairing the city in the small ways they could - one day at a time. He gave a small shake of his head, taking a deep breath like he was releasing more of the anxieties he'd guarded. "No, I think that's enough for now."
It wasn't lost on him how much he was asking of them, or how much he was asking of Soh, but he couldn't afford to fail them, and if that meant sharing the load, that's what he'd do. Still, it wouldn't go unacknowledged, and Zavien met her eyes with a sincerity that poured from his heart. "Thank you, Soh," he paused then added softly, "for staying." For choosing to stay in Stormbreak despite stepping down. For choosing to roll up her sleeves and put in the work. For standing by him. He wasn't sure she knew how much it meant to him, but he hoped the words might reach as he dipped his head, letting the strength falter for a moment. "I don't think I could do this without you." Regardless, there was work to be done, and the determination reformed, the brief lapse in composure ending with his shoulders drawing back, a new energy setting in his bones, ready to face it all.
[FIN]
Zavien looked back to Soh, hoping she was right about the mud being temporary. But at least the citizens could work through a list of rainy-day items, slowly repairing the city in the small ways they could - one day at a time. He gave a small shake of his head, taking a deep breath like he was releasing more of the anxieties he'd guarded. "No, I think that's enough for now."
It wasn't lost on him how much he was asking of them, or how much he was asking of Soh, but he couldn't afford to fail them, and if that meant sharing the load, that's what he'd do. Still, it wouldn't go unacknowledged, and Zavien met her eyes with a sincerity that poured from his heart. "Thank you, Soh," he paused then added softly, "for staying." For choosing to stay in Stormbreak despite stepping down. For choosing to roll up her sleeves and put in the work. For standing by him. He wasn't sure she knew how much it meant to him, but he hoped the words might reach as he dipped his head, letting the strength falter for a moment. "I don't think I could do this without you." Regardless, there was work to be done, and the determination reformed, the brief lapse in composure ending with his shoulders drawing back, a new energy setting in his bones, ready to face it all.
[FIN]
I learned that in suffering,
we find the true measure of our strength.
we find the true measure of our strength.
