Promises

JP with Omni and Lorem:

Sometimes the best response was just silence and a hug. Gonyaul tried to comfort her, giving her the freedom to vent as she pleased, within his arms for as long as she needed. He had a much clearer understanding regarding her current behaviors based on this childhood trauma.

Gonyaul knew only Voah could come to the conclusion to forgive or not. He wouldn’t be able to force anything. It takes time to uninstall deep rooted limiting belief systems and replace with one’s that grow.

He gave her another squeeze, enveloping her safely in his arms. He whispered, “I sorry you experience so much horrible pain, loss and sadness.”

When she calmed down, Gonyaul looked into her eyes and pierced through the fog of doubt and regret, “I know not all things. I do know this. Voah sahnsuur, you matter. You matter now and all time. Can’t change past, but you can start now and move forward.” It was not condoning what happened, but responding to her longstanding desire that she wished she could have traded places with her mother’s death.

He kissed her sweetly on her forehead, “if none of that happened in past, then right now with you would not exist.”

He sighed and spoke off into the breeze playing past his face and pushing around his long hair, “we not know how life will flow, but all works for the good in the end.”

Gonyual was right. Voah couldn't change the past, she had allowed it to shape her into what she was for almost two decades. She had already claimed her revenge before starting for Arcadia, before her father passed... and it hadn't changed anything, was never going to change anything. This singular incident with magik was the catalyst for her future and the Inquisition had channeled her trauma and used it as a tool for their own purpose. She realized that now. It had never been easy to let go, but it was getting easier now.

Gonyaul's calming words and gentle demeanor soothed her mind, bringing her out of the pain of the past and back to the present. She held him tighter. With her head settled on his chest, she looked at his wizened expression as he gazed over the plains. She regained her self-control. She had meditated many times on all of the words that stuck with her since their meeting in Aquilo. He was the truest love she had ever known since childhood.

She knew Gonyaul meant that everyone mattered, but that she especially mattered to him. He had chosen her, and that was so much clearer to her now. He said he "wanted to walk and help her journey... heart in heart.” And she wanted to return that sentiment, wanted to be everything Gonyaul wanted and needed. They would have to eventually talk about their future.

“Gonyaul… you are my harmony… the sea to my shore… I don’t know what lies ahead for us, but I know that I don’t want to do any of it without you.”

Gonyaul breathed deep the loving air between them. That part of him that longed for belonging and acceptance was overflowing. He nuzzled her gently, his arms confirming the same sentiment as they strongly held her.

“Voah … my heart song complete when our music play together. Desire most to do life with you.”

He kissed her sweetly and smiled with a blissful contentment. Gonyaul then started leading her back to the horses, they still needed to keep moving

As they walked he added, “Thank you for sharing story with me. I hope one day you can forgive young voah. Show her grace. thank her for doing her best to survive the bad to get you to here. It will be easier to move forward if not facing backwards.”

Only Gonyaul would thank someone for sharing an awful memory. It made Voah smile. He had a wisdom and certainty that she envied and she wished to learn to appreciate all of life's experiences as he did.

"I promise to try... but I will need your help to get there." she said. She wiped away the wet and squeezed him one last time before parting. Their day had barely just begun and they had a long way to go.