[SE] Long way down

Though he had been slowly exploring the city in the clouds since he'd gained the occasional use of legs during full moons, the Falling was one of the places that he had not yet discovered. Zavien 's suggestion of meeting there to get to know each other better had been met with quietly pleased approval, and as Longheat warmed the air to a temperature even a Torcher could appreciate Hadama had taken the opportunity to make the trip sooner rather than later.

It was a bit on the dry side, but the view more than made up for it as Hadama made his way to the southernmost tip of Stormbreak and stood near the edge - but not too near - looking down at the wild, dark ocean below and the froth of waves breaking over submerged rocks. He had sent a letter to the dragoon to let him know that the once-Mer had arrived and where he would be waiting, and the King seemed content to stand and experience the elements for as long as Zavien needed before he would be free. The wind tugged at his braid of steely grey hair and he had finally acceded to wearing a sleeveless leather vest over his broad chest, but both his arms and feet remained bare on the stone leading to the island's abrupt edge.

His emerald gaze was distant, lost in memory, as he leaned on his trident and contemplated the view.

Zavien

I think all things,
in their way,

Zavien had been pleased to hear from the Mer King so soon, although he regretted that there wasn't more information for him to share. He'd have to make do with the presence of a certain golden creature on his shoulder. Sol took the opportunity to admire the cliffs, suspiciously enough that Zavien placed a cautionary hand on the dragon's head. After all, the Breaker may have leapt from the cliffs recently, but that did not mean that he had any desire to do so again. 

His steps were deliberately slow, and he kept his eyes trained on his friend as he made his way closer to the edge. Stopping a healthy distance from the drop, he gave the man a wide smile, knowing that the golden baby sharing his shoulders would attract attention with his sparkling scales and wide glittering eyes. When Zavien cocked his head, the dragon imitated him, their expressions surprisingly similar. "Hey Hadama! What has you so deep in thought?"

reflect heavenly truth,
the imagination not least.

Deep in thought though he was, Hadama was also alert to his surroundings. He had no desire to be startled off the edge of a cliff without a winged shift to save him, and so the sound of his name only drew his attention to its source. The human Breaker was a welcome sight, but it was the glittering gold of his living scarf that drew the Tidebreaker's gaze.

Stepping carefully back from the edge and moving to join Zavien, the King inclined his head in greeting and studied the bright companion with quiet curiosity. "Hello, Zavien. I was remembering previous visits to Stormbreak," he rumbled in answer. He rested the butt of his trident lightly on the bare stone beneath their feet, it's starlit tines sparkling faintly in the sunlight and the golden elements of its haft reflecting a color similar to that of the young dragon. "When I was a Mer, I could only visit during the full moon."

Explanations aside, he gave the little dragon a small bow of greeting, his calm voice warming slightly. "Who is this?"

Zavien

I think all things,
in their way,

Although he knew the Mer King had obviously been a Mer, Zavien had never considered what that meant for his limitations on travel. A city in the sky definitely made it hard to access for water-bound beings. Pursing his lips, he said, "Oh. That sounds inconvenient. Have you been able to explore the city much since then?" There were plenty of places to go and he had no qualms about playing tour guide again. 

And then topics turned to much more interesting things, like the little dragon on his shoulder. Grinning wide, he gestured a hand between the two. "Hadama, meet Sol! And Sol, meet Hadama." His eyes glanced over at his companion, watching as he wagged his tail and cooed softly in greeting. Zavien smiled proudly at the creature, excited to show him off to another friend. Even as he began nibbling his hair, pushing through the bond the feeling of hunger. Chuckling, the Dragoon pulled out a strip of jerky, offering it to Sol. "I have no idea where all this food goes." As if to prove his statement, the baby dragon inhaled the meat, a puff of smoke indicating his satisfaction. All Zavien could do was shake his head in amused disbelief. 

Looking back at the demigod, his faced fell slightly. "Thanks for meeting me again. I think we had a few things to discuss?"

reflect heavenly truth,
the imagination not least.

"Some," Hadama confirmed with a tilt of his head. "There is still much I have not." Most, in fact, though his explorations of the city in the clouds had become decidedly less frequent since the change in rulership. Their last adventure in the Grotto had only confirmed his suspicions that the Reaper was keeping a close eye on who came and went within her domain.

But it did not do to linger on such thoughts, especially when he did not know when the New Voice might be listening. The introduction of the dragon was a welcome diversion away from such thoughts, and his eyes warmed considerably along with his voice as he greeted the young companion. "Sol," he repeated. "It is a pleasure."

He watched the Dragoon feed his dragon, the sight a soothing one though he had no such bond of his own. "He is young?" he asked curiously as the jerky vanished without a trace. Not even a crumb remained to fall into the sea below, and thought Hadama did not chuckle there was a slight crinkling at the corners of his eyes.

It did not smooth completely away as Zavien looked back at him. The Mer King shook his head gently, offering a small reassurance. "I hoped we could simply talk today. Though I do have one favor to ask. For some of my Torchers. The Taliesins, if you know them? They are collecting rare flowers. If you should come across any Rae's Lilies, could you bring them to their houseboat on the Ahi Coast?"

Zavien

I think all things,
in their way,

"Well, if you ever want a tour guide, let me know! I know plenty of good food spots!" His smile was bright and friendly, completely sincere. He took food very seriously. Sustenance was important when you were training every day, trying to get stronger and build muscle. 

Zavien shrugged his shoulders at the question of Sol's age, slightly disrupting the dragon's balance and earning him an annoyed chirp. "From what I can tell, he is. I don't know any other reason he'd be this small. I'm assuming he still has a lot of growing to do." As if to prove his juvenility, the little dragon nipped at his golden locks, eager for more food and something to play with. Giggling boyishly at the action, he gently pushed the reptilian head from his vulnerable hair. 

He was surprised to hear that the Mer King didn't want to talk business, but even more surprised when he asked after Rae's Lilies. "Oh! I've actually been trying to gather some for Deimos! I didn't find any last time I visited, but I'll make sure to go again. If I find any, I'll make sure to grab enough for both. I've met both Ronin and Remi. They're good people." Zavien remembered sparring Ronin with fond memories. He should reach out to him again...

Thinking along the lines of good people, his face lit up. "That's right! I forgot to tell you!" Sol jumped at the exclamation, but quickly settled back down, tilting his head curiously. Zavien glanced around cautiously before stepping closer to Hadama. His voice was barely above a whisper as he said, "I ran into Sohalia recently in King's End."

reflect heavenly truth,
the imagination not least.

At the mention of 'food spots' Hadama's emerald eyes gleamed with interest. There were few other topics that Zavien could have chosen to tempt the king into braving the Reaper's potential presence, but that was enough to earn a dip of his head in acceptance. "Thank you," he rumbled. "I would be honored."

But food could wait for another day - or at least, later. The young? dragon had gained the Tidebreaker's full attention and he admired Sol from a respectful distance. "Mmh. Some companions stay quite small. Ronin's dragon is not much larger, and she is full grown." Which didn't mean she - and Sol - couldn't have the appetites of much larger dragons! And the interaction of the newly-bonded pair was a sweet counterpoint to the dangers that waited for them in their respective duties.

For the moment, however, he was content to pass along the request for flowers and to relax a little at hearing that Deimos had already taken the Dragoon into his confidence. The news that Zavien had to share in return, however, had emerald eyes widening briefly, his stoicism cracking for at least a few heartbeats as hope blossomed like one of Vi's Roses in his heart. "She is alive? She is well?"

Zavien

I think all things,
in their way,

With the matter of tour guides decided, Zavien gave him a warm smile. His glance to Sol again was met with a random nuzzle to the face that had him laughing. "Maybe. I think his personality is a little too big for this body though." The responding chirp seemed to confirm that the dragon himself expected to grow large, his chest puffing out dramatically. Zavien just rolled his eyes, looking back to the Mer King. 

He nodded his head at the questions, but his face was not as bright or hopeful as one might expect. "She's alive. She wouldn't say what she'd been through or how she escaped, but she appeared physically intact." Zavien recalled their conversation and the guilt that had spread across her face. She obviously didn't want to discuss whatever had occurred, and he wasn't going to push. Sighing, he added, "Sohalia didn't seem to want to see many people. Even sending word via letter sounded like too much, but she asked me to tell those who care about her that she lives." He knew it wasn't what anyone wanted to hear. Finding out that your friend is actually alive but being unable to see them sounded miserable, and Zavien had no doubt he would struggle between running to them and respecting their wishes. Looking up sympathetically at Hadama, Zavien said softly, "I'm sorry. I wish I had better news."

reflect heavenly truth,
the imagination not least.

The cool emerald gaze of the Tidebreaker warmed to see the clear affection between Dragoon and dragon. Sol's youthful exuberance and boundless confidence were a breath of warm air here amidst the cool winds of the Falling, and Hadama's serene stoicism was tested by the companion's antics and his obvious affection for his human.

But news of Sohalia wiped the humor from his eyes and replaced it with something far more fickle.

Hope.

Zavien had his full attention and the large demigod listened alertly to every scrap of news on the missing Heart. Even hearing that she was reluctant to see others did not seem to surprise him. He stood silent, mulling over the emotions and implications that came from this revelation but at the Dragoon's apology he gave a gentle shake of his head.

"Do not apologize. It is enough to know that she has been found. That she is alive." He bowed deeply to Zavien and Sol, one hand pressed to his heart. "Knowing that you have spoken to her lifts a great weight from my heart." Though the man had said it had been recent, Hadama paused only long enough to calculate how long his young friend had been missing before asking for more clarification: "How long ago did you see her?"

Zavien

I think all things,
in their way,

Hadama's kind words only made Zavien feel more guilty. He wished he could have brought better news or brought the woman herself back to the others. Whatever had occurred had obviously scarred her, and he wasn't sure if he could say that her being alive was for the best. 

Considering the question, he tried to calculate the time. "Hmmm... it was the beginning of Flowerbirth, so a few months?" He was embarrassed that it had taken so long for him to pass on the information, but things had been hectic, and he had been hoping that she might reach out to people herself as he'd suggested. Hanging his head a little, he said, "I haven't heard from her since, but we also hadn't known each other beforehand." Zavien had last seen her in King's End, but she had only been out to visit Tal and he had no idea where she might be now. However, not being an acquaintance, she had no reason to inform him of her whereabouts.

reflect heavenly truth,
the imagination not least.

Hearing that Zavien had known of the information that Hadama had specifically asked of him for so long without sharing it was accepted without a change in the Tidebreaker's stoic expression. A request made last Leafchange... But what was done was done, and after a moment the King simply nodded acceptance. The Tidebreaker inclined his head in acknowledgment of the lack of further information and the reasons for it. That Sohalia had met with him at all so that he could share the good news now was a stroke of luck for Hadama. It was no surprise that she had not sought him out since.

"I see," he rumbled, courteous and simply grateful that the news had been shared now. Given all that Stormbreak was dealing with it was unfair to expect more from any of its citizens, and Hadama turned his attention back out over the drop and the ocean that swept out to the horizon. Emerald eyes searched the white-capped waves in the distance, though what he was looking for was known only to himself. "Forgive me. I did not ask during the hunt. How have you been this past year? And the... change in Stormbreak's leadership?"

Zavien

I think all things,
in their way,

Hadama's quiet acceptance of his admittance made Zavien glance away again. It was hard to receive so much grace in the face of his oversight. He vowed to be more considerate next time, even if he had a good reason for delaying the information. His head came down in a light nod of understanding and Sol gave a low rumble of comfort, rubbing his smooth snout against his cheek. 

The next questions had his eyes widening in surprise. The year had been so full of activities and experiences that he couldn't even recall all of them. However, Zavien hadn't really gotten involved in 'politics' until more recently when he'd offered to spy for Hadama and finally taken his place with the Dragoons. Shrugging his shoulders, he said, "Busy but surviving. I haven't had a lot of downtime. The... 'leadership' has been an adjustment in the overall population's affection towards the position, but I wouldn't say anyone is directly suffering from the change." 'Yet' was implied with the look he gave the Mer King. Although they hadn't seen any major shifts in Stormbreak as a whole, Zavien wasn't willing to let his guard down. 

Realizing that their new 'friend' status meant that they should probably be better about asking after the other's wellbeing, he returned the questions. "How about you? How has your year been since Starfall?"

reflect heavenly truth,
the imagination not least.

He nodded approval at the news of Zavien's survival, but hearing how Stormbreak had... if not flourished, at least not suffered under the rule of the Family had him tilting his head to the side in thought. "Surprising. But a relief," he admitted frankly. "I am glad your people have not been... changed... by this experience." Infected, the way that Everest seemed to have been, though there could be no proof until the ring was finished.

Having the question turned back on him had Hadama blinking and taking a slow breath. "It has been... difficult. But not without moments of joy," he rumbled quietly. "Rooting the Void out of Torchline seemed endless. But in the past year I have met both Rae and Vi, and with their help all of our land is now protected." From all but the Family, at least. "I have made new friends," he continued with an inclination of his head to Zavien. "But I have also lost others. And I have grown stronger in Safrin's blessings, and seen more of Caido." His stoic expression softened somewhat as he tilted his head at Sol where the little dragon perched and played in Zavien's hair. "Though I have begun to wonder what it would be like to have a companion at my side."

Zavien

I think all things,
in their way,

He accepted the well-meaning words, secretly wondering himself how many people might fall into the same suspected category as Everest. However, then he's listening to Hadama's recollection of the past year, riding the emotions of his answer. There was joy at hearing of Torchline's safety, and intrigue at meeting two of the Big Three, and sadness at the loss of friends, and pride in the Mer King for his personal growth. "That sounds like a lot. I don't wish for things to get stagnant, but it would be nice if we could all get a break soon." From Void and Family and danger and chaos and stress and the other craziness of the world.

The last comment has him lifting an eyebrow in surprise. "Well, in the short time I've been with Sol, I can already say that I highly recommend it." He smiled warmly at the dragon. Noticing that he was the topic of conversation and the source of Zavien's affection, the little golden reptile rubbed his head against the flat of his companion's cheek, a rumbling 'purr' sounding in his throat. Joy coursed through the Dragoon, but he let the reality of the bond dampen his warmth. "Although... there is always the danger of losing them. I can't imagine that kind of pain, and I would already do everything in my power to protect him." Especially with the condition of Caido and the rampant Void, he didn't want to ignore the risks of developing such a bond, not that he regretted his decision in the slightest.

reflect heavenly truth,
the imagination not least.