Zavien
Each step towards the Celestine dragged, reluctant. He subconsciously fell into the familiar path, his mind nearly stumbling along the same line of thought that he'd had when he walked it: How was Lena doing? Were there any interesting cases today? What should they eat for dinner? It was so natural for so long, trying to bubble to the surface as they trekked to the shrine.
He managed to stave it off, instead perseverating on the issue at hand, the earthquakes that continued to plague them and what it might mean. Every possibility turned worse, his panic rising from the multitude of stressors until he felt lightheaded form the effort of shoving them down, his breaths quickening nearly imperceptibly.
By the time they arrived at the entrance, Zavien knew he needed to move quickly. His thoughts felt worse than any reality could be, slowly trying to suck the faith and positivity from him. But Safrin would know what to do. She would have the answers. She could fix this.
Leaving Sol to keep Soh company, he moved at a brisk walk to summon the goddess, an offering tucked in his pocket.
---
See: trembling in my heart
---
The way back was slower than before, moving at a sluggish pace - although maybe that was time slowing. Zavien wasn't sure. Everything felt numb, the reality only taking root because of his need to act. Because he hadn't been given a solution to their problem, he wasn't going to offer Stormbreak the comfort it desired. The only news he brought was tragedy and devastation.
His head hung low, lost in a moment of private grief before he'd have to tuck the emotions away again, to stifle them and make room for the responsibilities that came with saving his people. And it all started with telling one person. If he could do it once, he could do it a thousand times.
Sol's chirp is what finally drew his attention, Zavien stopping as he realized Soh stood directly in front of him, just far enough away to keep him from losing composure. The question worked through his brain on a delayed filter, giving him a moment to swallow before he nodded solemnly. Nothing in his expression gave the impression of good news. There was a darkness to his eyes, turning them the green of fallen pine needles. His jaw clenched tight, attempting to hold together the pain and heartbreak looking for cracks in his defenses. The slope of his mouth was low, crestfallen and wishing it could stay closed.
"She said - " He ran a hand through his hair, rough and tugging at the lightened strands like it might keep his emotions in check. "The Void infection went deeper than we thought." He couldn't find the words to describe the fractures Safrin had seen, the roots Dahlia and her infection had dug into the heart of their city. It wouldn't change the reality, the truth that he'd have to reveal with some semblance of strength and reliability.
Zavien sucked in a breath through his teeth, lifting his gaze to the bright sunlight beating down on them as if it could dry the dampness that finally pushed to the surface. "Stormbreak is crumbling." The hand in his hair tightened into a fist, giving him something to feel beyond the carving open of his insides, the despair threatening to take hold as he said, "We have a few weeks at most." Unable to say more until he recruited more strength, Zavien paused, taking deep breaths and waiting for the crushing weight to land on Soh, uncertain how he would comfort her when he was barely holding on himself.
He managed to stave it off, instead perseverating on the issue at hand, the earthquakes that continued to plague them and what it might mean. Every possibility turned worse, his panic rising from the multitude of stressors until he felt lightheaded form the effort of shoving them down, his breaths quickening nearly imperceptibly.
By the time they arrived at the entrance, Zavien knew he needed to move quickly. His thoughts felt worse than any reality could be, slowly trying to suck the faith and positivity from him. But Safrin would know what to do. She would have the answers. She could fix this.
Leaving Sol to keep Soh company, he moved at a brisk walk to summon the goddess, an offering tucked in his pocket.
---
See: trembling in my heart
---
The way back was slower than before, moving at a sluggish pace - although maybe that was time slowing. Zavien wasn't sure. Everything felt numb, the reality only taking root because of his need to act. Because he hadn't been given a solution to their problem, he wasn't going to offer Stormbreak the comfort it desired. The only news he brought was tragedy and devastation.
His head hung low, lost in a moment of private grief before he'd have to tuck the emotions away again, to stifle them and make room for the responsibilities that came with saving his people. And it all started with telling one person. If he could do it once, he could do it a thousand times.
Sol's chirp is what finally drew his attention, Zavien stopping as he realized Soh stood directly in front of him, just far enough away to keep him from losing composure. The question worked through his brain on a delayed filter, giving him a moment to swallow before he nodded solemnly. Nothing in his expression gave the impression of good news. There was a darkness to his eyes, turning them the green of fallen pine needles. His jaw clenched tight, attempting to hold together the pain and heartbreak looking for cracks in his defenses. The slope of his mouth was low, crestfallen and wishing it could stay closed.
"She said - " He ran a hand through his hair, rough and tugging at the lightened strands like it might keep his emotions in check. "The Void infection went deeper than we thought." He couldn't find the words to describe the fractures Safrin had seen, the roots Dahlia and her infection had dug into the heart of their city. It wouldn't change the reality, the truth that he'd have to reveal with some semblance of strength and reliability.
Zavien sucked in a breath through his teeth, lifting his gaze to the bright sunlight beating down on them as if it could dry the dampness that finally pushed to the surface. "Stormbreak is crumbling." The hand in his hair tightened into a fist, giving him something to feel beyond the carving open of his insides, the despair threatening to take hold as he said, "We have a few weeks at most." Unable to say more until he recruited more strength, Zavien paused, taking deep breaths and waiting for the crushing weight to land on Soh, uncertain how he would comfort her when he was barely holding on himself.
A flower cannot blossom without sunshine,
and man cannot live without love.
and man cannot live without love.
