[Edel PRP] - Bittersweet (Glyph and Xun)

[SkieBorne]

They hadn't been returned to the Pantheon very long when he heard that Illisia had succumbed and Xun had taken his host. It had sent a rush of grief through him and he'd avoided his rooms for a few days before he finally worked up the courage to go speak to the Dragon King.

There was so much he'd wanted to say, to do and show Illisia, to walk hand in hand... to lay in the grass or wander the orchards... and now she would be gone, changed... He felt guilt for not being there but found solace knowing that the days following their triumph at Teldrassil and the journey home had been loving ones, a happiness he'd shared with the night elf... and a happiness that hopefully she knew even as the change took her.

With his own experience, the sudden lurch and consumption, Glyph didn't expect to find much of Illisia in Xun... but hope is a survivor and so it was that he stood before the door to the Dragon King's apartments with a bundle of daisies in hand, hoping they might talk. The smile he wore was only half true, mourning as he was. Would there be anything of Illisia left? Would he and Xun get along? Forest did not know for certain.

[Zero Dream]

Glyph was lucky - Xun Jiang had been about to leave for the day when Forest came knocking at his door - and it was in such a state that Lindita opened it - with the dragon king more or less dressed (if the loose shirt and pants he wore could be called an adequate attire for a god) with a bag slung over his shoulder.

...Well. He had figured such a day would come, sooner or later - the was no use delaying the inevitable. "Lindita... Go ahead, please. I will catch up with you later."

The aoide didn't question - she nodded and went on her way.

And then it was just the two of them, which perhaps in a way was worse. There was no pretense he could hold, with his aoide out of earshot. "Glyph..." His name came rolling out easily - perhaps too easily, to familiar - and he turned back, letting the bag tumble down on the earth as he led forest deeper in his set of room.

"I was wondering where you were." There was no accusation. "I am glad to see you well..." What was he supposed to say ? How could he put in words... And why did he feel like this ?

[SkieBorne]

Glyph hadn't been sure what to expected, just sort of milled about when Xun's Aoide opened the door and he found the pair with packs, obviously ready to go somewhere. It struck him harder then he thought, his gaze playing over the wings... the tail, the scales... the different posture, but her face, that was mostly the same. He mumbled something about coming back later only to have Xun invite him in. He hesitated a moment then nodded and stepped inside, hand dropping to the side, flowers still clutched lightly.

"Xun... Hello." Glyph ventured, offering a smile, though he winced at the question nonetheless, "I was tending the orchards... ," he bit his lip, shook his head and swallowed, a little awkward, "I... had hoped to have more time. Can we talk...?" Belatedly, he lifted the daisies and offered them to the dragon king, "Here, these are for you. I was hoping we could be friends, and I wanted you to know, I bear you no ill will for... for taking my Illisia."

[Zero Dream]

This was going to be harder than he ever thought it could be - Glyph looked... Well. The part of him that was Illisia, her feelings, wanted to run, grap him, cling to him and never let go, yell at him that she was still there, that everything was gonna be alright, until he believed it.

Xun Jiang, however, knew that it wasn't that simple. While Illisia wasn't gone, it was impossible to pretend that things would be the same. Illisia was in him, in a way so seamless that he couldn't tell with true certainity where she ended and where he began. But the fact was...

He wasn't Illisia. Not completely.

"Yes, we... need to talk." He accepted the daisies carefully, one finger running along the petals with obvious gentleness. He lead Glyph further back, toward the lake - water to soothe his nerves. Yes. There was a chair there, if he wanted to take it - Xun, on the other hand, sat right down in the grass, tail running a wide arc until the tip ended up in the clear water.

"Through I will admit..." He was still looking down in the flowers, trying to pretend his cheeks hadn't colored a darker purple. Affection, of course... But what to do with said affection ? Would it be better to let it be, let him heal ? Was this what he wanted ?

"...That I am not too sure where to begin..."

[SkieBorne]

Glyph followed the dragon king in, forwent the chair as he so often did and sat on the edge of the pool they'd saw in together, his feet touching the cool water as he looked out over the grotto. Forest had seen the flush, had secretly been hoping for it but he didn't know where to begin.

If Illisia was yet part of the dragon, it still remained that Xun was not completely Illisia - he didn't even know if the Dragon King liked him, he'd been so sure to give the druid full reins. Glyph had been grateful at the time but now he wondered if perhaps he should have talked more with the God as well... Glyph yet loved Illisia, but confusion reigned.

For a time he sat there, looking out over the water, thoughts roaming, satisfied with the quiet sound of ripples and flowing water. At some point he set his hand out, reflexively reaching for Illisia's hand in the grass. Eventually Forest cleared his throat, having found the words he was looking for, "Perhaps we should begin here: where do we stand? And how do you see me...? I... yet love Illisia, but I do not know you, the God, so well..." His tone and the silence between the words spoke volumes, asked if the emotion was yet kindled in the other's breast, if Xun accepted him... if there would be hope for growth together rather then apart.

[Zero Dream]

The water calmed him - it always did, and more than ever he found himself thankful for the presence of the pond and waterfall here. These weren't easy questions, but... questions that needed to be nonetheless asked.

"That would depend entirely on you." He said, in a moment. "I would not want to force you along to something that would make you uncomfortable." Never wished to hurt him, he almost said, but... it was perhaps too late for that. And perhaps it had been unavoidable.

The line was still blurred and it was hard to make it separate again. "I care about you." He finally said, but he couldn't help but look a little helpless, a little confused. "It's hard to tell... Where her feelings end and where mine are supposed to begin. It isn't clear." This wasn't something he'd had to put down into words before. His brothers... Well, his brothers weren't really missing Illisia. It was just how it was.

[SkieBorne]

Glyph nodded, glancing over at Lifewater when he spoke, "I am not uncomfortable, merely uncertain... I can't pretend like nothing's changed. That... is why I spoke of friendship." Forest offered a kind smile, sitting back as he tilted his head, the sway of branches causing his leaves to rustle, "You are fused then..." He sounded relieved, as if a fear, and personal shame, had made him wonder about other outcomes.

He looked away suddenly, bit his lip as his fingers curled in the grass, "I am sorry, that I was not there for one last goodbye." Glyph bit his lip harder, trying to will back the tears that threatened at the corner of his eyes. Inhaling, he swallowed hard and brushed his eyes with the back of one hand, "I would like very much to get to know you, Xun. If you would allow my friendship?" He wasn't asking for love or commitment, but a chance to befriend. Glyph knew there would be facets of Xun that he could not help but like, if he had fused with Illisia... worried his affection would be annoying, wasn't sure how to handle any of this, really.

[Zero Dream]

"We are." He said with a nod, running the tip of his tail through the water, sending gentle ripples toward the waterfall. It hadn't been a dificult process... probably because that had been what the both of them had wanted.

If Illisia had been unwilling, it would have probably been harder. Not that he would have ever taken her by force - it just wasn't in him.

"She was never mad at you for it." Who could have predicted, after all ? Well, perhaps one. Adrienne. He still wasn't so sure what to do with her, who had been so close to Illisia... So many pieces to mend, so many puzzle pieces to fit back together.

He made a mental note to ask about her later - but for now, they needed to talk this through. "I would like to be your friend, at the very least. I have never had any ill will toward you." He managed to smile, through the nervosity was evident. "Perhaps if I ever short myself out, we can see about... more."

They couldn't rush this, or they would probably only leave broken pieces in their wake.

[SkieBorne]

The words Xun spoke, that there was no anger at his absence, made Glyph bite his lip as relief played through him. Guilt was a powerful thing and it had twisted at him... to know Illisia hadn't changed with anger in her heart soothed him somewhat and he glanced up, blinking as Xun continued a broad smile playing across his lips, "Thank-you. I know we have not spoken much before but I would enjoy your friendship." He didn't expect closeness nor the blossoming attraction he'd had before... didn't really even know if that was what he wanted now. Friendship was good. If there was more... then there would be more.

His smile didn't falter as he gave a playful shrug, "Either way I hope you do 'sort yourself out', for your own peace of mind. If you need a friend, you know I'm here." Glyph gave a wink then glanced out over the water once more, "I am sure the other Kings will be glad another is returned to their number."

[Zero Dream]

The relief on Forest's face was so tangible that he might very well have been able to touch it. It must have been something that had bothered him for quite some time... Then he was glad to have mentioned it, to have lifted that worry.

His tail lifted, poking at the surface of the water, luring out some koi from their hiding places. The tail teased over the surface of the water and the fishes seemed more than happy to play. "They are very glad. Some of us came later than others, and the earliest ones were left to wonder if the others would ever come..."

A daunting thought, that.

"Through... If you forgive me, I would like to ask.. How is Adrienne doing ?" He tilted his head to look at him. "She... knows, and I assume she has been the one to tell you... But other than that, I have not seen her. I want... to see her, to talk to her, but I am unsure where to start, or if it would even be appropriate."

The part of him that was Illisia wanted to see her so much, but other part was wondering if it was... too soon.

[SkieBorne]

"Adrienne?" Glyph echoed, then smiled, "She is alright... I haven't spoken to her much recently but I think she understands. Adi's always such a cheerful girl." He made a thoughtful sound then nodded, "I think it would be a good idea to seek her out... There can be no harm in it and I highly doubt it's inappropriate. It would be good to speak to her... as we are speaking now."

There were so many bonds that needed to be soothed, he realized, and regarded Xun with a soft expression. "If you need my help in anything, or a friend to speak to, please find me. Perhaps a picnic or a meal between all of us would be a good idea? A chance to reconnect..."

[Zero Dream]

It was certainly a daunting task that he had ahead of him - Illisia had touched many hearts, in different ways, and now that he had broken those bonds, he had to find a way to soothe the aches left behind, in the night elf's memory. It had been inevitable, from the moment she'd set the gem in her arm.

He could have ignored all of it, but it simply wasn't in him to do so. If he wasn't able to weather down this and at least try to mend the pain of those affected, then he certainly would not be fit to be called a king at all.

"I will keep that in mind." And probably make use of it. He would probably need it - he had his brothers, certainly, but yet... His brothers were probably too overjoyed to have him back to see that part of the 'issue'.

At least, he had to admit he probably would, when the next king would finally awaken. "Thank you. I..." He went silent then, and shook his head softly. "I would... like to go with you, sometime. Once I am more settled. See the world... for myself, this time."

He felt like he was asking too much, especially out of Glyph. He wouldn't blame Forest if he refused, but part of him was hoping he would accept.

[SkieBorne]

Glyph blinked at the response, apparently surprised by such a request and a faint blush coloured his cheeks as he smiled, pleased that Xun would like to travel with him. Forest had hoped for a picnic, or something simple... something 'neutral' but the offer that now sat before him was a pleasant one and fanned the spark of hope in his breast.

"I'd like that." He bumped a shoulder against Xun then in a friendly gesture and laughed softly, relieved this was going so well, "When you are able, then, I would very much like to travel with you. Was there anywhere you wanted to see? I still have to visit my host's homeland as I promised him I would... and there are the Night Elves to check on as well.... and any number of other places, wild and settled both."

[Zero Dream]

The dragon king only became aware that he'd been holding his breath until he'd finally let it go. How silly. What else had he been expecting ?

Maybe... this could go a little more smoothly than he'd thought it would be.

"Perhaps your host's homeworld first ? From what I've heard of him, I figure his people must be very interesting." That and... He didn't know if he wanted to go back to Darnassus. Not so soon.

Even if it seemed cowardly. But he'd rather be more used to existing again, more confident, before he went back.

[SkieBorne]

"My host's....? Of course! I'd enjoy your company. The Aurion are... interesting." Glyph laughed, giving a shrug, "I've been eager to experience that world myself. I just hope Gehenna did not damage it too terribly... I fear for its well being. Azeroth fared relatively well."

He pursed his lips and smiled at the other, "When you're ready we can go see the Elves again. I miss them, they were a good people."