Looking up, Arialla took in the goddess' appearance, the light, the golden gown. Beautiful. Safrin reminded her more than a little of her own god, Apollo -- also a creature of light and golden hues -- and the resemblance made her acutely homesick.
At Safrin's words, Arialla let out a long breath, relief and disappointment at once. Relief that Safrin liked her gift, and -- liked her? That was good. But disappointment, though no surprise, at the goddess' answer.
She opened her mouth to ask if Safrin truly had no insight on the matter, then took a moment to control her tone and choose her words more carefully. It was never a good idea to speak thoughtlessly to a god. "I understand that you cannot simply send me home, or even tell me how to get there. I had hoped that you might simply -- be able to point me in a direction. Something I could work towards. Somewhere to look."
Though the longer she stayed in Caido, the more Arialla doubted the feasibility of returning home. Especially after talking to Osozo, who had said there was still an Arialla at home, occupying her place, her life. Leaving her with nothing to come back to.
Arialla took another deep breath and thought more on Safrin's words. "'None have been allowed to leave' ... Is it the Voice who prevents us from leaving?"
Perhaps Arialla ought to have spoken to the Voice first, as Samuel -- and Osozo -- had suggested. But here, before Safrin, she didn't want to imply that she'd chosen the wrong goddess. She could always try to speak to the Voice later.
But she did add: "Could we convince or -- or force the Voice to let us go home?"
How did one bend a god to their will? Not, Arialla suspected, without the help of another, rival god.
please don't take my sunshine away
