The touch she offered him was comforting and for a moment, it surprised him. It wasn’t that he didn’t want it – in fact, it soothed his soul in a way he hadn’t realized he needed – but that he was taken aback for a moment when it happened. Zevulun had never realized he faced the loss of his mother, of his sister, and of his father with an all-too-accepting nature. Perhaps it was because of Mariael and her matter-of-fact words, or the idea that he didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him. Maybe because he and his sisters had all lost their mothers and their father together, he simply hadn’t realized how sorrowful he should be about losing everyone aside from them. For a moment as they walked he lapsed into silence, thinking about these new revelations laid subsequently before him. Zevulun wasn’t sure if this was good news or bad.
His ear flicked and he looked at Kikka again, watching as she spoke of her own family (or lack thereof). “I’m sorry you didn’t have your parents, Kikka.” Zevulun said honestly, smiling supportively. “I’m glad you’ve at least had Trell, I can tell how much you love him.” In fact, now her desperation to return to her brother made even more sense than it had before and Zevulun was very determined to make certain when it was time to go back to him, Kikka would have all the information she needed. The thought of them parting left a hollow ache in his chest, but it was a foolish and selfish emotion, he decided. They’d only just met and even though he’d shared a part of himself with her he’d shared with no one else, it didn’t mean they were bonded so closely… right?
“They are supportive,” Zevulun smiled. “Maybe that’s why I’m not as sad as I probably should be,” he frowned, echoing his earlier thoughts. “My sisters have lost their mothers when they were young too, but they’ve always had each other. I lost my parents and Auraleigh, but I’ve always had them. I’ve never been alone long enough to realize how sad I should be, I guess.” The explanation seemed strange and empty even as he said it. How could he accept the loss of his family with such ease? Why did he not feel the same gut wrenching sorrow at losing his father as Maziel and Mariael obviously felt? Maybe he’d just never allowed himself to understand it was okay to be upset, he didn’t always need to be the casual, cheerful individual he was.
Zevulun shook his head and chuckled softly, leading Kikka around a bend and closer to the border between the Bay and the Inlet. Not much of their surrounding had changed; it was still thick forest with an occasional winding stream soon to be frozen over. “I think you’re plenty strong, Kikka.” He said truthfully, casting a glance her way. “And I’m sure Trell sees it too,” he wondered if her brother was as kind-natured as she, or if they were polar opposites. “He entrusted you to learn about Tinuvel on your own, after all.” Zevulun paused and his smile grew. “You’ve got your own special kind of strength inside you.” Zevulun was quickly going to learn that’s what made each individual he came across so very unique – they were all strong in their own ways.
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