Zavien
The chill in the air weighs heavier than before, the burdens of unspoken words and too deep memories filling the vast space of the open canyon. The mists hover as if holding their breath, refusing to move until the conversation has flowed past the map of scars painting running across their bodies. The forest seems to understand that nothing good will come from dwelling on the losses of people, homes, and communities.
Zavien tries to do the same, his focus narrowing to the last few planks of the bridge, lifting to the solid ground where Sol perches proudly. A low trill of encouragement flows through the dense air, garnering a smile from the man when he faces the last steps of bridge. "It's nice," he says of Torchline. Although certainly muted compared to the praise most would sing of the region, Zavien doesn't deny the benefits. "Definitely warmer."
His foot finally hits solid ground and Zavien takes the deepest, purest breath of relief. Fear and anxiety fall from his shoulders like a winter coat, drifting into the chasm that would have loved if he'd fallen with it. The freedom releases the full strength of his smile, the one he now directs at the stranger coming up behind him. "I can't tell you how much I appreciated your help there." Without the ice magic, it might have taken him twice as long to cross the bridge. As is, it's already taken more time than he'd have liked, but he doesn't rush off, waiting for the stranger to cross before offering out his hand and another sunshine smile. "You already met Sol, but I'm Zavien." Now seated at his side, Sol gives another trilling chirp of a greeting, his tail swiping the dirt behind him, his excitement threatening to start a mini cyclone.
Zavien tries to do the same, his focus narrowing to the last few planks of the bridge, lifting to the solid ground where Sol perches proudly. A low trill of encouragement flows through the dense air, garnering a smile from the man when he faces the last steps of bridge. "It's nice," he says of Torchline. Although certainly muted compared to the praise most would sing of the region, Zavien doesn't deny the benefits. "Definitely warmer."
His foot finally hits solid ground and Zavien takes the deepest, purest breath of relief. Fear and anxiety fall from his shoulders like a winter coat, drifting into the chasm that would have loved if he'd fallen with it. The freedom releases the full strength of his smile, the one he now directs at the stranger coming up behind him. "I can't tell you how much I appreciated your help there." Without the ice magic, it might have taken him twice as long to cross the bridge. As is, it's already taken more time than he'd have liked, but he doesn't rush off, waiting for the stranger to cross before offering out his hand and another sunshine smile. "You already met Sol, but I'm Zavien." Now seated at his side, Sol gives another trilling chirp of a greeting, his tail swiping the dirt behind him, his excitement threatening to start a mini cyclone.
The secret of happiness is freedom,
the secret of freedom is courage.
the secret of freedom is courage.
