Zavien
Zavien's eyes narrow as he takes in the explanation. Understanding softens some of his anger, but the guilt doesn't leave. Because Kai's right, and he can't run from the truth of it, no matter how noble his intentions have ever been. Like a warped mirror, it shifts his reflection into something grotesque and detestable, reaching its gnarled grip out to strangle the reality of who he is. But Zavien won't let one mistake define him. Sometimes, turning on the light is all that's needed to reveal the truth in the mirror, blemishes and all.
"I'd never planned to act on it, and I never could have imagined she felt the same." His sword pauses as Kai adjusts, his voice resigned but firm when he admits, "But I was a terrible friend." Having rocked onto his heels during the interim, Zavien leans forward again, his Starblade shining like a reckoning that will come for them both. "Koa deserved better." From him. From Kai. From all his terrible luck with love. He wished his friend hadn't received blow after blow. He wished his friend hadn't been hurt in the process.
Their swords spark, the whine of metal-on-metal echoing through the sparring ring. But Zavien only hears Kai, his words sharper than before, reminding him of the fear he'd seen on the man's face when they'd argued, knowing that his response hadn't eased any of that panic. Sympathy keeps the anger at bay, even as he shakes his head, sword rising to block the strike against his side in a momentary stalemate. "I never wanted to come between any of you." Not Koa and Kai, and definitely not Flora and Kai.
He holds Kai's gaze as their swords lock, emotion fracturing across his face in quick succession: regret, sadness, pity. "I could have handled it better and I'm sorry if you ever thought I wanted to ruin your happiness," - hurt and anger rise up in the end, his jaw clenching tight as he shoves back against Kai to break them apart - "but I still haven't forgotten how you were willing to lie and ruin mine over a misunderstanding." His sword swings fast and bright towards the man's thigh, his restraint slipping in the swell.
3/4
Locks swords with Kai, shoves him back, and swings for his thigh.
"I'd never planned to act on it, and I never could have imagined she felt the same." His sword pauses as Kai adjusts, his voice resigned but firm when he admits, "But I was a terrible friend." Having rocked onto his heels during the interim, Zavien leans forward again, his Starblade shining like a reckoning that will come for them both. "Koa deserved better." From him. From Kai. From all his terrible luck with love. He wished his friend hadn't received blow after blow. He wished his friend hadn't been hurt in the process.
Their swords spark, the whine of metal-on-metal echoing through the sparring ring. But Zavien only hears Kai, his words sharper than before, reminding him of the fear he'd seen on the man's face when they'd argued, knowing that his response hadn't eased any of that panic. Sympathy keeps the anger at bay, even as he shakes his head, sword rising to block the strike against his side in a momentary stalemate. "I never wanted to come between any of you." Not Koa and Kai, and definitely not Flora and Kai.
He holds Kai's gaze as their swords lock, emotion fracturing across his face in quick succession: regret, sadness, pity. "I could have handled it better and I'm sorry if you ever thought I wanted to ruin your happiness," - hurt and anger rise up in the end, his jaw clenching tight as he shoves back against Kai to break them apart - "but I still haven't forgotten how you were willing to lie and ruin mine over a misunderstanding." His sword swings fast and bright towards the man's thigh, his restraint slipping in the swell.
3/4
Locks swords with Kai, shoves him back, and swings for his thigh.
We wear our scars as proof
that we are still alive.
