if you don't scream, I'll scream

Nova

What you think of yourself

They landed easily in the cobblestone street, Nova shifting out of colorful feathers while Soh's hooves clopped against the stone. The street was fairly busy, people coming or going from their homes while others milled about the small stores people ran from inside their homes. Rain sprinkled from the sky, keeping the road damp and the people limiting their time outside without umbrellas or raincoats. 

But Nova didn't mind. Her red and blonde hair was perfectly dry, her magic rebelling against the weather with impressive force. Jeff scurried from Soh's bag back onto her shoulder, his white hat bright in the dim light that did nothing to dampen Nova's excitement. "I heard there was a really good pizza place around here!" She skipped as she looked back to Soh, grinning wide at the prospect of food.

is more important than what people think of you

Late nights, all entwined
Made a promise to never say goodbye

They touched down in tandem, shifting from feathers and hooves into two blonde young women out for a stroll. Without magic, Soh was remarkably damp next to Nova's completely dry figure, but she didn't mind. She'd been out in the rain for a while when she'd found Nova, after all. Tugging her wet hair out of her face, Soh rapidly pulled it into a loose braid and tied it off. "Oh, good," she said with a smile. "I was hoping you'd know a place. I haven't been back to the Grounds in ages, really." Or at least not in any part of the Grounds where she'd know restaurants to try.

In any case, they made their way down the street towards the pizza parlor that Nova had identified. Soh reached into her bag as they walked, pulling out the golden necklace that Nova had crafted for her, beaming as she inspected its craftsmanship more closely. It really was exactly what she'd been hoping for, and she fastened it around her own neck with a grin towards her friend.

"Okay, so," Soh started as they found the restaurant. "What have you been up to lately? Have you been spending a lot of time here in the Grounds?"

I replay it in the back of my mind
Over and over again

Sohalia

Nova

What you think of yourself

Grinning at Soh, she bounced into a puddle. "I'll lead the way!" Although she'd never been there before, Nova had an idea of where it was, and before long, she was guiding them into an inconspicuous house that smelled strongly of cheese, oregano, and delicious meats. 

She led them inside and secured a few seats at an empty table, plopping down to dig into a bowl of garlic bread the waitress had brought. There was a ravenous hunger she was eager to fill, and her words came out muffled as she tried to talk around a hulking bite. "No' reary! I came tho do thome work in the Guilth, but then I enthed up finthing a pothter for a hunth, and then Jeff go' lotht, and then I founth you!" Nova swallowed the bite, washing it down with some water before she beamed a smile at Soh. "I've mainly been spending time in King's End with my sister, or in the Greatwood to keep my brother company." She took another large bite, humming around the melty goodness of the butter and carbs. "Thith ith reary gooth!"

is more important than what people think of you

Late nights, all entwined
Made a promise to never say goodbye

The restaurant, if it could be called that, was housed in an inconspicuous building that gave Soh pause at the door. But she was with Nova, and Nova seemed unbothered, and surely she could trust her friend's judgment, right? So in she went, trailing along as they found a seat at a table and were promptly given garlic bread. Unfortunately for Soh, the scent of garlic turned her stomach, and she found herself picking at the piece that she'd taken for herself, looking at it longingly. She normally loved garlic bread; why was this bread making her feel ill all of a sudden?

Sipping at a glass of water instead, Soh listened, trying to figure out what Nova was trying to tell her. Something about work for the guild, a hunt, and Jeff getting lost? Soh nodded along anyway, doing her best to keep up. "Oh, you've been in King's End? Me too!" she said excitedly. "And the Greatwood is always nice to visit, too. Which is your favorite?"

I replay it in the back of my mind
Over and over again

Sohalia

Nova

What you think of yourself

Nova didn't notice Soh's avoidance of the bread. She'd eat the entire bowl on her own anyways. It did wonders for the anger eating at her stomach, her smile coming easier with the replenished energy after using so much magic. 

The question was met with a tilt of her head, having never thought to pick a favorite out of the two. She let out a hum as she swallowed another bite, blinking across the table as she shrugged her shoulders. "Mmm. Either is good! I just wish all my siblings were in one spot." After all, she couldn't care less where she lived. It could be the climb or the depths of the ocean for all she cared. She'd make a pretty house and make it work. She just wanted to have her family all in one spot - happy. 

Speaking of, she brightened to hear of Soh's own adventures. "What have you been doing in King's End? Have you been to the Sunbean yet?! Isn't it awesome?!" The tone of her voice suggested that the only correct answer to this question would be a resounding yes.

is more important than what people think of you

Late nights, all entwined
Made a promise to never say goodbye

As Soh continued to avoid the bread, she surreptitiously pushed it just a little further from herself in an effort to remove the smell of garlic from her immediate area. Otherwise, though, she ignored the faint sense of nausea threatening at the base of her throat. Maybe she had just eaten something earlier that had disagreed with her.

In any case, she softened as Nova talked of her family. Soh might not know where she stood with Vesper and Calypso these days, and she wasn't sure what she thought of them, if she was being honest - but she also wanted Nova to be happy, and she could understand wanting to have all of one's siblings in one spot. Gods knew that she would want the same, if she had any family left.

Her own adventures in King's End brought a sappy smile to her face. "That's where my boyfriend lives," she explained. "So I've been there a lot lately." As for the Sunbeam, Soh tilted her head, frowning. "The Sunbeam - oh, that new coffee shop, right?" she asked. "Yeah, I've seen it! It looks really cute!" Though she'd yet to visit, she knew by Nova's tone that she'd have to add it to her list of places to try. "I'll check it out when I get back, for sure!"

I replay it in the back of my mind
Over and over again

Sohalia

Nova

What you think of yourself

Nova knew that her family was pretty famous throughout Caido, but it never occurred to her that Soh might have anything to say or think about her siblings. She thought they were pretty great, and she was ready to fight anyone who dared to disagree with her on that point. 

Downing another whole piece of bread on her own, there was only one left in the bowl. She shook her head vehemently, interjecting as Soh said the name wrong. "No no - Sunbean" she enunciated the 'n' with particular intent "like a coffee bean! Get it?!" She grinned, immensely pleased with the name Caly had come up with. It fit the light and bright coffee shop so well that they hadn't considered calling it anything else. "It's my sister's place! I make all the merchandise and live with her there when I visit!"

is more important than what people think of you

Late nights, all entwined
Made a promise to never say goodbye

"Oh, Sunbean, my bad!" Soh laughed, delighted (thanks a lot, autocorrect). "That's so clever, I love it." It really did sound like an adorable spot, and if Nova was involved with it in some way, then Soh was positive that it would be a (possibly eclectic) place to experience next time she was in King's End. She had to wonder if Calypso was anything like her sister. She didn't know the other woman all that well.

Pausing to take a sip of her water, Soh peered at Nova over the rim of the cup. "So, you've got the Sunbean in King's End. What about the Greatwood? Does your brother have some kind of business there, too?" Curious, Soh swirled her water in the glass. "From what I know of the Fae, they aren't always super welcoming to newcomers. I hope he's been doing alright there."

I replay it in the back of my mind
Over and over again

Sohalia

Nova

What you think of yourself

Glad to have cleared up the mispronunciation of the cafe's name, Nova beamed and inhaled her piece of bread. The edge of hunger was dissipating, and she slowed just enough to breathe between bites, using the extra oxygen to hum her delight for the garlicy taste. 

The question about whether Vesper has his own business is met with a tilt of her head, face scrunching in genuine thought. "I don't think so. He doesn't even have a place to live because he's so tall, so I'm planning to make a house for us to live in! It's going to have lots of windows. It might even be a treehouse!"

She ripped off another piece of bread, grinning around the bite as she asked, "Where dho you live?"

is more important than what people think of you

Late nights, all entwined
Made a promise to never say goodbye

The thought of Vesper trying to fit into the Fae homes in the Greatwood had Soh hiding a smile. While there were some establishments that would fit humans, she knew from experience that most were catered towards the Fae. ”I can imagine that must be a challenge,” she agreed. ”But if anyone can design the perfect house, it’s you.” It might be a bit glittery and sparkly for Soh’s rather simple tastes, but she had no doubt that it would be uniquely Nova.

Soh took a sip of her water. ”I live in Torchline right now,” she said. ”Since Stormbreak fell.” A note of wistfulness entered her tone as she recalled the little apartment she’d had over her cartography shop. It hadn’t been much, but it had been hers, something she’d been able to build into a home over time. She hadn’t realized how much it had meant to her until it was gone, and now there was nothing she could do to get it back.

I replay it in the back of my mind
Over and over again

Sohalia

Nova

What you think of yourself

Soh would probably have been even more amused to hear of Nova's playful suggestion she shrink Vesper to make his life easier. But alas, all she can do is beam a bright, proud smile, soaking in the praise. "Thanks! You'll have to visit when it's done!" Her brother might have something to say about it, but it would be Nova's house too, and she'd have whoever she wanted over whenever she wanted. 

At the mention of Stormbreak, she tilted her head. "Oh right. That was weird." She'd never been attached to the city. She'd gone dancing there once, tried some Dragon Snap, and found some cute shopping spots, but she didn't feel much of anything other than surprise when the city fell. For those who lived there, she guessed it might have felt a bit more dramatic than it was. 

Pursing her lips, Nova put another bite of garlic bread in her mouth. "I've had to move a few times. It's not fun." It was one thing she could relate too. Even now, she hadn't settled anywhere, bouncing between her siblings and trying to figure out what it meant to have a 'home.' It was a depressing thought that sent a melancholy shadow over her features before Nova shoved them forcibly aside with a bright smile. "Isn't Torchline great though?!"

is more important than what people think of you

Late nights, all entwined
Made a promise to never say goodbye

Weird was certainly one word for an entire region falling out of the sky, but Soh wasn't going to offer an alternative, resisting the urge to let their nice lunch be ruined by her wistful nostalgia. It seemed that she wasn't the only one, though, as a shadow passed over Nova's features when she talked about moving. "Yeah, moving is not my favorite," Soh agreed, wincing. Granted, her moves had been relatively easy. From the Grounds, she'd brought nothing with her, so moving into Stormbreak had been more an exercise in self-restraint while shopping than actually physically moving things. And after that, she'd fled Stormbreak and bounced around for a while, settling in Torchline just long enough to find some peace before returning to Stormbreak when the Family had left - only to be chased out by its fall a few seasons later.

She was more than ready to find somewhere new to call home. Traveling was one thing, but living on the move was exhausting.

But Nova plastered a bright smile back onto her face, and her enthusiasm was catching. "Torchline is nice," she agreed. "I do like being so close to the beach." And to her best friend. But aside from that? Torchline was just another region, and Soh wasn't sure she wanted to take up residence there forever.

I replay it in the back of my mind
Over and over again

Sohalia

Nova

What you think of yourself

Pursing her lips, Nova wiped her garlicy fingers on a napkin. "No. It sucks." If she could avoid moving ever again, she would, but her siblings seemed determined to tear her in two, unwilling to stay or go in the same direction. It left her in an annoying middle ground, floating between them to make sure they were safe and happy. If it had been up to her, they never would have left Torchline. 

Just thinking of it had her grinning bright, eyes glittering like the blue depths of the ocean. "Right?! I miss the beach." She let out a low, disappointed sigh, wanting desperately to trade her thick sweaters and rain jackets for bikinis and flip flops. But until Caly and Vesper moved back there, she'd have to settle for short visits. 

Suddenly, Nova perked up, spotting a waitress with a large tray heading their way. "Oh look! The pizza's here!" All other thoughts faded away in the excitement of food, the young hybrid managing to eat a lot more than anyone might have expected, somehow babbling all the while. 

[FIN]

is more important than what people think of you