you shine brighter than anyone

Sohalia

Sohalia was unbothered by the peryton's antics, and she laughed as he pranced around her. He reminded her, in some small way, of a very overgrown, eager puppy. As she was buffeted this way and that by the deer's outstretched wings, she did her best to provide the scratches and attention that he so clearly desired.

She sobered, though, at the mention of the war. "I did," she admitted. "I was very fortunate - I had a protective guardian, who took me in after my parents died. They shielded me from most of the things happening beyond our little village." She felt a pang as she spoke of Auden, as she so often did, but it was becoming easier now to think of her guardian without bursting into tears. "I'm just now learning about what happened in the war. It's... difficult, especially knowing that I was so safe while others weren't."

Deimos offered a smile at the mention of Halo, though, and Sohalia perked up, oblivious to the man's discomfort. "Oh, only good things! My friend, Tal, he's from there, and he spoke highly of it. He mentioned a place called the Sea of Glass that's apparently quite a sight. He did warn me about the cold, though."

and that's the hope I have
the only thing I know that's keeping me alive