Zavien
He felt her support throughout the entire telling of his experience, her leg wrapped in his, her quietly uttered words, her soothing touch. Where he had felt alone and outcast by his feelings before, Soh stood by him, staring into his eyes like she would stand against the world if it tried to tear them apart. He didn't know what he'd done to deserve this kind of devotion, what he'd done to earn her loyalty so quickly. She'd known Flora for twice as long as him, probably more, and yet she sat here and promised that nothing she said would drive a wedge between them. Stubble scratched against her palm as he leaned into her, grateful for the reassuring words despite the worries they rose.
Flora's actions were easier to understand, although he didn't agree with the sharp escalation when a soft reprimand would have done the trick. Instead, she'd gone for the jugular over a single overstep and moved past it without caring what kind of feelings she'd hurt. It made sense if she'd felt Kai was at risk, and Zavien tried to give her the benefit of the doubt in spite of the coarse feelings of unease at having been insulted. "I get it," he said of Flora. He might not plan on spilling his heart to her or trusting her morality when it came to people she cared about, but at least he could respect her and be cordial as he always had, believing that she would always have Soh's best interest in mind.
As for Kai and the rest of the disagreement, Zavien stayed silent, watching her get worked up over something on his behalf. He'd long since run through what little anger he'd had, leaving little but the sour pain of disillusionment. He'd thought Kai a comrade, a cousin, a friend, only to have that ripped away when he was willing to throw threats in his face then act like nothing had happened the next time they saw each other. He'd never apologized for stepping out of line, never bothered to offer sympathies on the loss of Lena or Stormbreak, never made any indication that he cared about repairing the relationship he'd trampled over. It made Zavien feel worse than dirt to have seen him smile without any hint of remorse, like he couldn't have cared less about the damage he caused. It didn't make him angry, it made him feel worthless.
When Soh finally finished, Zavien moved to rest his hands over hers, not pulling them away but offering sympathies as his eyes diverted from hers. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "You shouldn't have to be the middleman between people you care about - or tiptoe around topics involving them." No matter what she said or claimed about being okay with them not getting along, he knew it would strain on her, knew it could fester and create bitterness when it should be times of happiness.
His eyes met hers as he continued, unwilling to let her pretend that everything was going to be as simple as caring about them both. "I'm sorry that it might make festivals awkward or gatherings hard, that you'll have to handle uncomfortable conversations or play peacekeeper when you shouldn't have to. I don't want you to feel divided or like you need to pick sides." That wasn't fair to her, and he wanted her to be happy. If that meant playing nice on weekends and holidays, Zavien was willing to do that. It just might never lead to cozy nights or fun double dates. Still, he offered her an encouraging smile, hoping she knew he would try as long as they did. "Maybe we can all get along eventually."
Flora's actions were easier to understand, although he didn't agree with the sharp escalation when a soft reprimand would have done the trick. Instead, she'd gone for the jugular over a single overstep and moved past it without caring what kind of feelings she'd hurt. It made sense if she'd felt Kai was at risk, and Zavien tried to give her the benefit of the doubt in spite of the coarse feelings of unease at having been insulted. "I get it," he said of Flora. He might not plan on spilling his heart to her or trusting her morality when it came to people she cared about, but at least he could respect her and be cordial as he always had, believing that she would always have Soh's best interest in mind.
As for Kai and the rest of the disagreement, Zavien stayed silent, watching her get worked up over something on his behalf. He'd long since run through what little anger he'd had, leaving little but the sour pain of disillusionment. He'd thought Kai a comrade, a cousin, a friend, only to have that ripped away when he was willing to throw threats in his face then act like nothing had happened the next time they saw each other. He'd never apologized for stepping out of line, never bothered to offer sympathies on the loss of Lena or Stormbreak, never made any indication that he cared about repairing the relationship he'd trampled over. It made Zavien feel worse than dirt to have seen him smile without any hint of remorse, like he couldn't have cared less about the damage he caused. It didn't make him angry, it made him feel worthless.
When Soh finally finished, Zavien moved to rest his hands over hers, not pulling them away but offering sympathies as his eyes diverted from hers. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "You shouldn't have to be the middleman between people you care about - or tiptoe around topics involving them." No matter what she said or claimed about being okay with them not getting along, he knew it would strain on her, knew it could fester and create bitterness when it should be times of happiness.
His eyes met hers as he continued, unwilling to let her pretend that everything was going to be as simple as caring about them both. "I'm sorry that it might make festivals awkward or gatherings hard, that you'll have to handle uncomfortable conversations or play peacekeeper when you shouldn't have to. I don't want you to feel divided or like you need to pick sides." That wasn't fair to her, and he wanted her to be happy. If that meant playing nice on weekends and holidays, Zavien was willing to do that. It just might never lead to cozy nights or fun double dates. Still, he offered her an encouraging smile, hoping she knew he would try as long as they did. "Maybe we can all get along eventually."
If you don't like the road you're walking,
start paving another.
start paving another.
