Andarin: The Mountains: Say it if it's worth saving me; NICO + SKY

All because of you,
I haven't slept in so long;
When I do I dream,
Of drowning in the ocean,
Longing for the shore,
Where I can lay my head down;
I'll follow your voice,
All you have to do is shout it out!

Whether or not one is guilty of not having been there for the ones they loved, if one returns to share that emotion for them now, it is as good as gold to me. In my opinion, if Nicodemus had been so harsh and cold towards his daughter because of things I did not know, yet came back and received forgiveness, he is a good father. Because he found his errors, he figured out his mistakes, and he came back to his pale daughter, asked her forgiveness. It takes true strength to do so, not to mention an exceptional amount of heart to swallow one's pride and try to get back their loves.

Nicodemus remains nostalgically silent, just as he had when I had first met the Seer; it was not an awkward silence, but more of a respectful, understanding quiet that allowed me to release my thoughts. Jsut as I was about to add more to my own degradation, however, the dark stallion raises his head and tells me something I had never expected to hear from anyone. You are important to Skylar. The pale, childlike little mare that I had trained into Apprenticeship, whom I had only helped rise to the next step in her life? Important is a powerful word; it discerns what is useful, and what isn't. It determines what is a priority, and what should be left in the dust. And Nicodemus, this Seer that had the quietest voice in all of Andarin, was telling me that Skylar thought of me so highly. I swallowed, looking away. I was uncertain as to what to say, now, as it came as such a surprise.

And yet, something more phenomenal occured, and it took me aback enough for my legs to move backwards, my inked depths watching the arrival of the beautiful, ever silent Skylar. Her ambient tones were familiar, and I could not say I didn't miss them. Without my noticing, my brow furrowed and I felt lost, for the first time since Delilah's stabbing of my heart. I raised my head to the skies, narrowing my eyes with sorrow as my emotions threatened to overwhelm me. After everything that had happened to me, I was being told that I was remembered. Known. Important. I remained there for a moment, closing my eyes and allowing myself the chance to calm down. And then I lowered my head, my familiar lost, morose, tired features looking towards Skylar reuniting with her father. "Skylar..." I hadn't any idea what to say. "I..." there was little that any words could say that could capture the true extent of my feelings. I shook my head, for I was overwhelmed. I thought the young girl to be dead, my close friend, and I thought that Arnleif had died, and my other friends, and Delilah had left, gone, gone. Everyone had gone. I had been left standing alone, as I was always destined to be, at the peak of my mountains, wondering why fate's puppetry always led me to befriend such good creatures, and then lose them. But now, as I saw her pale figure this day, I felt my heart give slightly. There was hope yet. Some were returning, and it heartened me to see Skylar and her father together.

A pause, and then I managed to find my tongue, though my voice was grating and unclear, "You remember how I told you to overcome a single fear, Skylar?" I sighed, a humourless smile creasing my face. "You've done it tenfold. You conquer your fears each day. I'm proud of you." As a friend. As a father. As a teacher. Whatever she sees it as, that is my voice, and though I still remain detached and sorrowful, I know now that I am not alone. Not so alone anymore.

All because of you,
I believe in angels,
Not the kind with wings;
No, not the kind with halos,
The kind that bring you home,
When home becomes a strange place;
I'll follow your voice,
All you have to do is shout it out!

EARTH III
W O L F
AMBASSADOR