[God Quest] I can go the distance

Danger gleams like sunshine

The walk weighs heavy on him, reminding Zavien of how spoiled he'd been with the Celestine at his doorstep. He's never had to search for the shrine or pack a lunch for the trek. Even Sol seems bothered by the journey, glancing towards the distant speck of land that floats over the horizon. He has to occasionally nudge the bond to guide the gliding dragon towards the uppermost hill, the one blessed with the presence of a stone altar, like a beacon to all who come to mourn, praising the life of those lost.

Finally cresting the hill, Zavien huffs a deep breath, taking a moment to gather his words as he lays out the leather bracelet and a bouquet of wildflowers he'd been able to gather, all in various shades of blues and purples interspersed with white and yellow. "Safrin, I'm sorry I don't have more to offer you this time. With everything that happened in Stormbreak..." As much as he wants to shower the goddess with the appropriate level of gems and sparkly objects, every cent has been allocated for, budgeted to stretch and cover the bare minimum supplies to survive in their new refugee status. He smiles regretfully, leaving it simple. "Things haven't been easy."

Certain that Safrin doesn't want to hear about his financial problems or the resulting existential crisis of being exiled from his home, Zavien directs his attention to the bracelet, clearing his throat. "But I've finished what you've asked - if you have a moment to inspect my work." After all, if he ever wants a chance at getting Stormbreak back, he'll need all the help he can get. 

---

Zavien is turning in his quest from I'll be there someday!

1. Complete a training thread where he stands as still as possible while trying to hit a target
- [Training] if I can be strong - stood still while throwing pinecones at Liam
1. Complete a training thread while trying to remain 5ft away from his opponent
- [o][Training][SE] World bent low - tried to stay away from Noah
2. Complete a thread focused on hand-eye coordination
- [SE][Training] I will find my way - worked on punching with Tal
3. Complete a thread purchasing/haggling/making either a bracelet/ring/wraps/bracers/etc
- worth my while - bought a leather bracelet with scale patterns embossed on it

Zavien

to a brave man's eyes.

Safrin

The air stills as Zavien finishes speaking, the wind catching in the wildflowers and sending their scent tumbling down the hillside. The sky seems to blink—stars dimming, then flaring—and from the hush, Safrin steps into being. She appears not in splendour, but in softness: her gown glimmers like stardust woven into mourning silk, her eyes dimmed only slightly as they take him in. There’s no disappointment in her face. Only understanding.

"I know," she says gently, reaching out to brush her fingers just barely across his shoulder. The touch is light, but it carries weight. "The Tower, and while some were hurt or worse, you did everything you could to protect those that you could." Her gaze flicks to the bracelet and the humble flowers, and her smile deepens, not pitying, but proud before she turns her eyes to the horizon, where Stormbreak would lie beyond the curve of the world. "You will return to the city you love," she says with a quiet certainty that rings like prophecy.

Turning back to him, her expression brightens, stars returning to her gaze like hope returning to the dark. "Now, let me see this bracelet..." She reaches for the bracelet with a reverent touch, lifting it delicately between her fingers. Starlight spills from her palm in liquid threads, winding through the leather like silver veins until it pulses with quiet power.

---

Zavien has completed his quest and received:

Starlight Cuff | A leather cuff intertwined with threads of starlight that when activated, extend the movement of the user's hand to 5ft total. Includes effects from items/weapons.

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

Danger gleams like sunshine

He appreciates that Safrin doesn't blaze through his grief with brilliance and blinding light, but comes alongside him with the gentle brush of night and shimmering sympathy. His head dips, weighed by the loss-dense emotions that ache in his chest, allowing a moment to feel them in their entirety. "Thank you. I just wish I could have done more..." A whisper of regret that he'd been out gallivanting with Lena, that he hadn't been there to assist in the evacuation, that he'd been miles away - powerless to help. It's something he couldn't change, and he has to put the reality of it behind him so that he could focus on what he can do, now.

Unwilling to contradict a goddess's words, Zavien nods his head, letting the sentiment wrap around his chest to fuel the hope and determination that resides there - the dream he holds of returning home. He doesn't let the thoughts of 'what if' or 'how' intrude on the emotion, the sun and starlight combined shining too bright for such doubts. Especially as her starlight wraps through the leather, dipping into the spaces of the embossed scales to give it life and magic that he prays might help him against the threat on his home. Softly - gratefully - he smiles at her. "Thank you."

For a moment, he lets the hope and light reign, filling him, but Zavien doesn't let it blind him to the struggles that await. Glancing away, he runs a hand through his hair. "I don't know what path the Dragoons will take... but I know it won't be easy - it won't be safe." When he turns back to Safrin, it's with the firm determination of sunlight through the darkest depths of the ocean, reaching and unwilling to dim. "I expect we'll need your help if we're to stand a chance, and I hope you'll be willing to assist us when the time comes." Zavien dips his head low, a hand to his chest like a knight asking for permission before heading to battle - or an Accepted asking for her blessing to Channel when the crucial moment arrives.

Zavien

to a brave man's eyes.

Safrin

The stars in her eyes flicker gently, the light of them warm and eternal. "Of course I will come," Safrin murmurs, her voice like velvet dusk, rich with promise. "And you won’t have to look far—I’ll be watching you the entire way."

She steps forward, the air shimmering faintly with her nearness, and with a whisper of constellations trailing behind her fingers, she brushes her touch across Zavien’s shoulder. A quiet blessing—wordless, but felt. Hope, courage, and the memory of starlight seeping into the very marrow of him.

Then, like the final glimmer of twilight slipping below the horizon, she vanishes.

~FIN

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!