Zavien
Relief breaks across his features, but he can't help the pang of selfish jealousy in his chest. Why Stormbreak? Why did his people have to suffer so much after all they've been through?
Guilt slices fresh across his thoughts, shame blossoming. He wouldn't wish this on anyone, and their being spared from the catastrophes of his city is a blessing. It should be only joy that he feels, to know that others won't share in the same fate; but he can't help the tinge of pain at the unfairness of the world.
Lowering his head again, Zavien nods his head to clear the burden of self-centered emotions. At least the Celestine would stand. Lena's pride and joy and purpose will continue to live on along with her memory. It provides a kernel of comfort that he'll cling to later, a small shimmer of light in the smoke of their suffering.
Having heard all he needs to know for the people of Stormbreak and the other leaders, Zavien is already cataloguing the necessary actions for evacuation, thinking of shyships and notices and meetings and broken hearts that will need him to be strong. He rolls his shoulders back, pressing desperately against his emotions to keep them in check as he acknowledges the goddess, "Thank you, Safrin."
His eyes take in her celestial beauty. This time he doesn't shrink from it when he admires the starlit compassion and gracious elegance with which she carries the knowledge of collapsing worlds, all the more grateful for being deemed worthy of her consideration and affection despite his many flaws. Determined to be worthy of the faith she has in him, Zavien vows, "I don't know what the coming weeks will bring - and if time gets tight, I may ask for your help again - but everyone will know of the role you played in warning us and allowing us to evacuate before it's too late." He dips his head in reverent appreciation, thankful of the warning even if it's not the news he'd wished for.
His hand reaches up to rest on his chest, keeping the pieces of his heart from tumbling out. "Thank you for giving us this chance."
Guilt slices fresh across his thoughts, shame blossoming. He wouldn't wish this on anyone, and their being spared from the catastrophes of his city is a blessing. It should be only joy that he feels, to know that others won't share in the same fate; but he can't help the tinge of pain at the unfairness of the world.
Lowering his head again, Zavien nods his head to clear the burden of self-centered emotions. At least the Celestine would stand. Lena's pride and joy and purpose will continue to live on along with her memory. It provides a kernel of comfort that he'll cling to later, a small shimmer of light in the smoke of their suffering.
Having heard all he needs to know for the people of Stormbreak and the other leaders, Zavien is already cataloguing the necessary actions for evacuation, thinking of shyships and notices and meetings and broken hearts that will need him to be strong. He rolls his shoulders back, pressing desperately against his emotions to keep them in check as he acknowledges the goddess, "Thank you, Safrin."
His eyes take in her celestial beauty. This time he doesn't shrink from it when he admires the starlit compassion and gracious elegance with which she carries the knowledge of collapsing worlds, all the more grateful for being deemed worthy of her consideration and affection despite his many flaws. Determined to be worthy of the faith she has in him, Zavien vows, "I don't know what the coming weeks will bring - and if time gets tight, I may ask for your help again - but everyone will know of the role you played in warning us and allowing us to evacuate before it's too late." He dips his head in reverent appreciation, thankful of the warning even if it's not the news he'd wished for.
His hand reaches up to rest on his chest, keeping the pieces of his heart from tumbling out. "Thank you for giving us this chance."
There's some good in this world,
and it's worth fighting for.
