visit in your dreams

Everybody here wanted something more

Soaring through the midday skies, Soh peered down at the Labyrinth far below. She'd only ever seen it at a distance, and certainly never from above; she rather thought that this view was superior, given the stories she'd heard about the place, about how the pathways and hedges shifted and changed, often trapping wanderers in murky water home to all sorts of nasty creatures. Soh was uninterested in exploring the maze, except perhaps from the air. She wasn't keen to become trapped forever, thank you very much.

So on feathered wing, she looped this way and that, idly searching for nothing in particular. She'd come to the Grounds in search of Nova, but when she hadn't found her friend in the Inner Quarter, she'd decided to stretch her wings, hoping that the activity would give her some of the energy she seemed to be sorely lacking of late. So far, it seemed to be helping, the crisp air ruffling her mane and tail doing wonders to wake her up and improve her mood.

She banked in the air over the center of the maze, intending to return to the Inner Quarter. She'd just have to send Nova a letter, she supposed. Maybe she should have just done that to begin with, but oh well. It was too late to change things now. She'd find her friend as quickly as possible, get the necklace that she needed, and return to Zavien soon enough. But for now, she would just have to enjoy the flight back to civilization.

Searching for a sound we hadn't heard before

Sohalia

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

With Jeff found and their relationship repaired - he was wearing a much nicer white beanie with spiders stitched into it now - Nova had left her new friend and made the impulsive decision to explore the inside of the Labyrinth. In retrospect, she should probably have noticed the differences between the Labyrinth and the Queen's Gambit. There weren't any pretty roses to line her path, and apparently there wasn't any warm fire to find in the center. Instead, it was all swampy waters and shifting shadows that were so boring to look at. 

As she wandered through, her red and blonde hair flashed bright amidst the leaves, glittering ice spreading in front of her as she walked the damp paths. Her interest had begun to fade minutes ago, but she wasn't ready to give up completely, keeping a bounce in her step as she spoke casually to her companion. "I don't know what you found so interesting about this place. It's just a bunch of gross plants and water. It even smells bad." She wrinkled her nose as she took another whiff of nasty mildew, continuing on her disappointing adventure.

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

Everybody here wanted something more

Soh continued to fly, enjoying the feel of the wind in her feathers, ghosting over strong shoulders and through twists of mane and tail. There was something so wonderful about flying. She'd always thought so, from the time she was originally attuned and became able to shift into a snowy owl. Flying had been the first thing she could remember doing solely for herself, and the sensation still lingered even now whenever she took to the sky.

A flash of something red and gold caught Soh's eye as she glided above the labyrinth, a rush of warmth lighting in her chest at her recognition of Nova. Soaring effortlessly lower, Soh skimmed the maze below for any signs of danger; seeing none, she continued to descend, calling out an equine hello as she landed in the muck near her friend. Hi, Nova! she said through the Attuned bond. What in Caido are you doing out here? She wrinkled her nose, snorting at the decaying smell of the place. It certainly was a far cry from where she'd have thought to find Nova.

Searching for a sound we hadn't heard before

Sohalia

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

The flap of wings drew her attention, blue eyes landing on a gorgeous white horse with wings. She gasped, excited even before she hears the familiar voice chiming pleasantly through the bond. Bouncing on her sheet of ice, she beamed a bright smile. "Soh?! Is that you?! I didn't know you had a pegasus shift!" Light feet carried her forward, inspecting the beautiful shift closer, a designer's eyes wondering what she could do with so many feathers. 

Soh's question earned a fleeting amount of attention as Nova leaned up to admire the pegasus's mane. "Jeff didn't like his hat." As if they would make any sense as to why she was trapsing through the nasty much of the Labyrinth, Nova breezed past the topic, turning it back on her friend. "What are you up to?"

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

Everybody here wanted something more

It's my newest, she said, a touch of pride in her voice as she carefully folded her wings just so against her sides. A gentle breeze ruffled her feathers, and Soh tucked her head around to adjust a few that had gone awry. She stood quietly as Nova inspected her, not minding the attention, but not quite relishing in it, either, unused to being so carefully studied.

Her question got an answer, sort of, though it wasn't one that she could make sense of. She tilted her head to one side. What was wrong with his hat? she asked, confusion coloring her voice through the bond.

In any case, she quickly shook her head, returning to her own activities. I was looking for you, actually, she explained. But when I didn't find you at the Gilded Market, I just went flying for fun. I'm glad I found you, though! Excitement bled through the bond. I have a commission for you! Oh, and some dragon scales from Sol!

Searching for a sound we hadn't heard before

Sohalia

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

Nova shrugged her shoulders, rocking back on her heels to look at Jeff on her shoulder. "He said it the color made him look fat." He scurried behind her hair, trying to hide from Soh's sight as Nova rolled her eyes. "I already said I'm sorry. How was I supposed to know you didn't like blue glitter?" Although she had to admit that the white beanie was a lot more flattering. 

To hear that Soh had been looking for her, the pegasus suddenly had all the hybrid's attention. She brightened, trembling at the prospect of something new to make, and even more when it's revealed that Soh brought something in exchange. "A commission?! Fun!! And you even brought *dragon scales?!" Her friend had mentioned that she'd bring Nova the scales if she could, but she hadn't expected them so soon, and she was hopping up and down, itching to get her hands on them.

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

Everybody here wanted something more

Still unsure how exactly the color of Jeff's hat had led Nova and her companion to the Labyrinth, Soh blinked large eyes at the young woman, but ultimately let it go. Nova was nothing if not unique, and maybe understanding wasn't as important as simply acknowledging. I think the white beanie is very nice, Soh offered, though whether or not Nova would pass the message on to her companion remained to be seen.

In any case, she was quickly shifting gears now that she'd found Nova, eager to see if her friend could help with what she needed. I did! Hold on - And Soh bent her neck, craning to nudge at a satchel tied around her neck. - in here. You can take the bag. It might not be a ton of scales, but it was something for Nova to work with, and certainly an indication of Soh's gratefulness - and Zavien's, as well.

So I'm looking for a necklace, she said. I'm hoping that it can beat in time with my heartbeat. She knew that the gods could probably do something like that easily, but if anyone she knew aside from the gods could do it, Nova could.

Searching for a sound we hadn't heard before

Sohalia

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

The compliment reached Jeff through the bond, his head peeking out again to peer at Soh while Nova let out an amused little giggle. "He says thank you." Although it might not have been words per se, his embarrassment had settled as he tucked himself comfortably on her shoulder. 

Soh had barely lifted her head before Nova was rushing forward, ripping open the bag to gasp with unending delight that sparked vibrantly across her face. She pulled out the bundle of scales, and although there weren't as many as she'd like, they would be more than enough to make something cute for Caly. Maybe she'd make a bag or a pair of shoes or maybe a cute hat!!

Squealing, she held them close. "Thank you! They're perfect!"

In turn, Nova focused in on the reason Soh had sought her out, tilting her head as she considered the request. "I can do that! What kind of necklace?" She didn't ask for the reason - didn't care really - just wiggled like she had to prep her magic for the task she was about to complete, thoughts and ideas already taking form.

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

Everybody here wanted something more

With Jeff seemingly calmed, Soh turned her attention back to Nova, who needed barely any invitation before she was tearing into the satchel at Soh’s neck. A silent, surprised laugh filtered through the bond, but Soh stood still as her friend revealed the golden scales. You’re welcome, she said warmly. I’ll try and get more as Sol sheds. It just might take a while. It was nothing less than what Nova deserved, after all.

Then it was down to business. Soh shook her head, sending her mane flying. Something simple, she said, almost apologetically, knowing that ‘simple’ was not Nova’s preferred style. Gold, with a small circular pendant. She paused thoughtfully. Just big enough to feel my heartbeat through.

Searching for a sound we hadn't heard before

Sohalia

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

Clasping the bundle of gold scales against her chest, Nova somehow brightened more to hear that this was only the beginning of her new supply. "Thank you!" She bounced again, hearing the soft clink of them as she pushed the bundle into her own glittery shoulder bag where it disappeared. 

The request was somewhat disappointing. She wasn't a fan of simple, but not everyone could be as cool as her. So Nova took it in stride, considering the specifications with another tilt of her head. "A gold pendant..." She opened her hands, letting the illusion magic take the form of a golden necklace with a small, circular pendant about the size of a thumb. "Like this?" she asked, looking to Soh. 

Once the pegasus confirmed the design, Nova got to work, threads of magic threading through the air to coalesce in a small orb of golden light. Holding it in her hand, she stepped forward to place a hand against Soh's chest, feeling the soft white fur beneath as she closed her eyes to concentrate on the beat of her heart. Her face tightened as she felt the sound echo through her magic and into the orb where it began to pulse softly with each beat.

When she opened her eyes again, Nova was grinning at Soh. She stepped back, looked at the pulsing gold orb, then pressed it tight between her hands. The magic left her, fusing to the item that took form in her palms, and when she opened them again, a small circular golden pendant lay at the center of a coiling of chain. Nova could feel the faint echo of Soh's heart when she offered it proudly forward, a bright smile on her lips. "Here you go!"

---

Nova has made Soh:

Heart of Gold | A small gold pendant that softly beats with Sohalia's heartbeat regardless of distance. Only works for Sohalia/Zavien. (Made by Nova)
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Basic | Cost: Passive

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

Everybody here wanted something more

Nova’s delight made it all the more worthwhile, and Soh snorted her confirmation that more scales would hopefully be forthcoming. While she hadn’t exactly cleared the offer with Zavien, she had a feeling he wouldn’t mind - not when Nova was being so kind and helpful with easing their worries.

After confirming that the design Nova showed her was what she was looking for, Soh settled in to wait. It didn’t take long for Nova’s magic to sparkle to the surface, golden strands of energy that coalesced into a small gold orb. When her friend stepped forward to press a hand against Soh’s chest, she couldn’t help but focus on her own heartbeat, the steady ba-dump grounding her, and when Nova pulled away to reveal the perfect pendant necklace, Soh nodded her head in approval. She could feel the heartbeat within from here, her equine senses tuned into such small cadences.

It’s beautiful. Thank you, Nova. Bobbing her head once more, Soh nudged the bag around her neck with her chin. Can you tuck it in here for safekeeping, please? And is there anything I can do to repay you?

Searching for a sound we hadn't heard before

Sohalia

I keep stars in my pockets
wear daisies in my hair

The gold shone in the low light of the Labyrinth, bright despite the perpetually overcast sky of the season. She beamed under Soh's praise, always pleased by the recognition of her skills more than any form of payment. It was her ego that needed refilling rather than her coin purse. 

"Sure!" she chimed, reaching forward to slide the shiny new necklace into the satchel around Soh's neck. Then she stepped back, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she tapped the bag across her body. "Nope! These are plenty!" Clasping her hands behind her back, she gave another broad and confident grin as she said, "But you better not give your business to anyone else!' She gave a playful wink, already thinking about the snacks she had tucked into her bag.

Nova

but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart
and take you everywhere

Everybody here wanted something more

Soh laughed, the sound echoing through the bond. I wouldn’t dream of it. she assured Nova brightly. She would have to find some way to thank her friend, if not in coin, then perhaps in dragon scales. Either way, she was certain that she’d be back soon in the hopes Nova could make another necklace - this time with Zavien’s heartbeat.

Do you want to head back to the Inner Quarter and get something to eat before I catch a skyship home? she asked, not even realizing her slip of the tongue: she was headed to Zavien next, not Torchline. But maybe that was fitting; after all, they do say that home is where the heart is - and hers was about to be firmly with her boyfriend (if we’re honest, it already was).

Regardless, Soh headed back to the Inner Quarter on feathered wing, eager to grab something to eat and book her skyship.

fin

Searching for a sound we hadn't heard before

Sohalia