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 Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:43 pm
 There was relief, nearly tangible, that the druidess did understand on some level. And was she was, at least listening. This was already being less of a train wreck that trying to explain it to Elik had been.
"Somewhat, but not exactly on a romantic level." No, it ran deeper than that, but really, that would come across as even more sappy.
"I know it is hard to understand." He conceeded. "It is difficult to understand if you have not lived it, I think." Even Glyph had thought it impossible once, after all...
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:18 pm
"I am not sure what I would have done, if I were in her place." She had faced death countless times, but this was somewhat more and the thought of it was intimidating.
The druidess took a few tentative steps toward the river again, stepping into the water. It was as close as she dared to get to him, not sure if she was ready to jump that last emotional chasm yet. "I am not sure what to think, now that I have seen and talked with you." Her gaze fell away from him, toward the flowing water that drifted past her. "My heart is conflicted, yet I cannot turn from you." She was starting to cry again. She had shed more tears in a matter of days than she had for years.
Part of her was mourning for Illisia and it warred against the part that protested her sister-in-law was here alive and in front of her in some form at least.
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Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 7:21 am
It was hard to try to analyze what had made Illisia take the decision she had, at least not without taking his own consciousness out of the equation, which was impossible. That specific time was a bundle of mixed calling and answering that was hard to put into words.
And, hypocritical as it was, he did hope that they would never have to figure out what Whisteria would do in this situation. Illisia had chosen this fate by her own volition - the other druidness might not be in the same situation.
Xun Jiang remained unmoving, in the middle of the river, not bothered by the stream even as he had to exert effort to stay put. A part of him wanted to go and dry those tears, but instead he forced himself to stay put.
"Well, you have not bolted in the opposite direction yet. I am thankful for that, at least." Oh, Elik. "I cannot pretend that nothing has changed, because... I am not the same." It wasn't clear of which part of his jointed consciousness he was referring too. Both, perhaps. He was not Kawagiri, he was not the Xun Jiang that Illisia had first held in her palm as a jewel, and he was not Illisia as she had been. "But... I care for you, and I care for Elik, even through he wants nothing of it."
"But... Illisia should have been more open with you, and now I will apologize for it. She... I..." The words jumbled, and he chose the option in which the words flowed best, less he give up on saying them. "I thought you had died... And then you were alive right in front of me, and even if I had wanted to stop all this... It was too late. And it seemed impossible to explain..."
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Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 8:42 am
"Elik may come around eventually, but you have to remember he is as stubborn as you and my brother put together sometimes. He is hurting and just may need some time to nurse his wounds." She drew in an unsteady breath and brushed the last of the tears from her eyes.
"I wish you had tried, but I doubt I would have understood then." Though she would have been upset at her sister-in-law for the decision she made, even more so than she was now standing here facing the outcome of it. It was real, there was no changing things. She was too weary and it wasn't in her to be angry or even hate Xun, even if she had wanted to.
A few more steps closed the space between her and Lifewater. The druidess embraced him without asking, hoping he wouldn't shy away. "I will not run from this, from you. But it will take time to get used to the idea."
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Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:59 pm
"Oh, I know that." Xun Jiang admitted. Like both mother and father, indeed - it wasn't something he could deny. "I have been giving him space for that reason. I figure he will seek me out, if he is ever ready."
Well, he hoped, because he wasn't sure how to tackle it otherwise. "It may be easier for him when I do not look like Illisia as much as I do now, I think."
Or it might simply cement it in Elik's mind that his mother was gone. He really had no idea, and even if he had raised the boy, in a way, Ti Lung was not quite sure how he would react. This was... Well, quite an unique situation.
If anyone had ever told Illisia she would one day become part of a deity, and a male one at that, she would have laughed and called them crazy.
The embrace came as a surprise - and he closed his arms around her, if awkwardly. "I understand. It is a strange thing, that I've done to myself. But then, I always end up in strange situations, don't I ?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 6:56 pm
"You were always good at that." The druidess hugged him a bit tighter for a moment before letting him go. "I'll look after Elik as best as I can until he decides to come around."
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Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:16 pm
"Thank you... I appreciate that." Elik was an adult, of course, but an adult that had gone through so much in such a short span of time, for a night elf. He would need the emotional support, and he was not fit to supply it when he was, more or less, part of the problem.
As much as he hated to look at it that way, it was probably how Elik saw it.
He made his way toward the riverbank, more so for Whisteria's comfort than his own. He would certainly remain there all day if he was able, but he knew it was probably otherwise for her.
Still, he didn't seem bothered by soaked clothes - and appendages - when he lifted himself out of the river, and held out his hand to help the druidess do the same.
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Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:05 pm
He was right, she wouldn't be able to stand in the water forever. She followed him back to the bank and took the offered hand. "Thank you."
The druidess didn't speak again until she had been standing and dripping on the bank for a few moments. "So I guess the question now is where does it go from here?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:54 pm
He sat, then, legs and tail left to dangle back in the water while his wings stayed level with the ground - clearly the dragon king couldn't get enough of being near, or into water.
"Well, that... would depend on where you want it to go ? I will not force myself on you, Whist." Xun Jiang shook his head. "If you'd rather I stay out of the way... I can do my best."
His expression did make it clear it wasn't what he would prefer, but it was something he could do.
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Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 11:39 am
"No, that would be just as bad as me running from you." Whisteria sat down next to Xun on the bank. "Besides, I don't wish to loose anymore of what is left of my family." Sure, it would take some getting used to but Lifewater was still family, by way of Illisia. "Its why I came here with Elik...I did not wish to be alone."
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 6:44 am
It made him hopeful to hear that, even if the road ahead was still a tangled mess. For the both of them, really. He had not expected to see her again, but of course, now that she was here, it made perfect sense for her to come.
What else did Whisteria have, on Azeroth ? Nothing, really.
"Do you have somewhere to stay ?" He offered. He knew of people in the markets looking for roommates, at the very least.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 12:53 pm
"The only thing I had to leave behind was Typala and her kittens. Elik mentioned something about there might be another way to go and get them later."
The druidess shook her head at Xun's question. "And no, not yet at least. I can sleep most anywhere though." The current plan was to play Stormcrow and find a nice tree. She had done that often enough even at home. One of the perks of being a druid.
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:40 am
Other ways ? "How did he go there ?" He asked, curious. He knew of the Doors, and... Well, he doubted Elik knew how to world-walk.
Unless Adrienne knew how to open the Doors but... No, he was certain the cheerful little werewolf would have assaulted him, all pride and excitement, if she had learned how to do that.
And there would not have been any problems bringing back Typala and her lastest kittens that way.
"Well, if you are in need of a place to rest... I know many of the market artisans that are looking for roommates." Neith had mentioned that much to him, as had many others. Greater numbers meant added security and greater ease.
And, well, he figured it was much too early to offer Whisteria to simply stay with him.
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:52 am
"Elik said it was called an Erras, I think? It looked sort of like a horse." In any case, the experience had been a bit disconcerting for her. If the druidess ever saw a mage she would never give them a difficult time about portals again. Portals and teleportation seemed much safer, compared to Erras travel.
"Might not be a bad idea, eventually at least, since I'm planning on staying here."
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:18 am
A what now ? Well, Xun Jiang looked clueless about that.
"Well, there are Doors one can use to link up to other worlds." Not Whisteria herself, no, as she did not have the mana required... He could, now, but had promised Glyph that they would go back together, and he saw no need to break that promise.
"I will send one of my aoidei to go with you." Not Lindita, no... but Aysu would probably pass more or less unnoticed. "He will be able to open the Door for you."
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