Zavien
Many good people are tricked by fool's gold, thinking that the bright exterior is anything but worthless filament. They may look at Zavien and see the golden boy, the shining knight, the perfect soldier, a man with the perfect life. In reality, the gilding is nothing but endless hours of practice and an easy smile that easily catches the light, sometimes managing to fool those around him into thinking he might be gold. Beneath are the constant recognitions of his own faults, the failures he wants to fix, the layers of imperfections that flake apart with a gentle touch. He'll be the first to admit his mistakes and the first to claim his own inadequacies, because in his mind, Zavien is still a weak orphan boy who dreamed of being a noble Dragoon.
And now look at him. Homeless. Jobless. Directionless. And without his best friend by his side.
He doesn't capitalize on Kai's lack of concentration, his own mind lingering on all the regrets that threaten to stain his happiness. They're strong after so much time, but the light weakens them, and when they paint his thoughts, it's as if they've been watered down. The emotions are faint as Zavien nods his head, letting them share a single moment of understanding before their swords clash again.
But despite apologies and whatever shock Kai carries, memories bring with them the lingering frustrations, forcing distance between them again. Before he can think better of it, before he can reign in the fire of his feelings, before he can see the fight leaving his opponent, Zavien's sword is falling fast and damning into Kai's leg.
Like the stumble of a missed step, Zavien realizes his error too late. His strength isn't enough to stop the blow or keep the blazing surface of the sword from searing into flesh. No matter how his mind fights the reality, the wound splits easily beneath his blade, a wail rising to match the scream starting in his head.
"Shit." The curse is acidic on his tongue, an ashen, putrid taste that fumbles around the unfamiliar shape of the word. Anger has fled his mind in a plume of smoke, stealing his strength to leave him with nothing but guilt and shame. His sword feels heavy in his grasp, mouth gaping wide as he rips his weapon away so he can't do anymore damage. "I'm so sorry. I didn't - " He reaches out with his free hand, golden ring glinting on his finger - the same one that nearly gets chopped off by the flailing sword.
Zavien flinches from the exclaimed curse, trying not to breathe in the scent of charred flesh as he stretches out his hand again. "Shit, let me - " But he's cut off by the bite of metal in his arm, kept at a distance by the uncoordinated flash of steel.
Clenching his jaw against the inability to fix his mistake, Zavien lifts his sword to press it against the weaker blade, begging the man to think past his pain. "Kai, stop and let me heal you!" He pushes, trying to create enough of a gap to reach him without hurting him further.
4/4
Tries to push aside Kai's blade so he can step up and heal him. Gets nicked by the flailing sword.
And now look at him. Homeless. Jobless. Directionless. And without his best friend by his side.
He doesn't capitalize on Kai's lack of concentration, his own mind lingering on all the regrets that threaten to stain his happiness. They're strong after so much time, but the light weakens them, and when they paint his thoughts, it's as if they've been watered down. The emotions are faint as Zavien nods his head, letting them share a single moment of understanding before their swords clash again.
But despite apologies and whatever shock Kai carries, memories bring with them the lingering frustrations, forcing distance between them again. Before he can think better of it, before he can reign in the fire of his feelings, before he can see the fight leaving his opponent, Zavien's sword is falling fast and damning into Kai's leg.
Like the stumble of a missed step, Zavien realizes his error too late. His strength isn't enough to stop the blow or keep the blazing surface of the sword from searing into flesh. No matter how his mind fights the reality, the wound splits easily beneath his blade, a wail rising to match the scream starting in his head.
"Shit." The curse is acidic on his tongue, an ashen, putrid taste that fumbles around the unfamiliar shape of the word. Anger has fled his mind in a plume of smoke, stealing his strength to leave him with nothing but guilt and shame. His sword feels heavy in his grasp, mouth gaping wide as he rips his weapon away so he can't do anymore damage. "I'm so sorry. I didn't - " He reaches out with his free hand, golden ring glinting on his finger - the same one that nearly gets chopped off by the flailing sword.
Zavien flinches from the exclaimed curse, trying not to breathe in the scent of charred flesh as he stretches out his hand again. "Shit, let me - " But he's cut off by the bite of metal in his arm, kept at a distance by the uncoordinated flash of steel.
Clenching his jaw against the inability to fix his mistake, Zavien lifts his sword to press it against the weaker blade, begging the man to think past his pain. "Kai, stop and let me heal you!" He pushes, trying to create enough of a gap to reach him without hurting him further.
4/4
Tries to push aside Kai's blade so he can step up and heal him. Gets nicked by the flailing sword.
We wear our scars as proof
that we are still alive.
