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 Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:23 pm
Why Technology Is Awesome Meepfur Upon waking up this morning - or, well, whatever it was! - Adrienne had decided that, since she hadn't seen Illisia in awhile, it was time to pay her a visit! And then drag her back here so that she could introduce the night elf to the wonders of kitchen appliances. Really, how could anyone not have them? How could you keep food cold without a fridge? How could you bake cookies if you didn't have an oven to put them in? Did that mean she'd never even had cookies?
It was an eventuality she prepared for before setting out, making cookie dough and stashing it in the refridgerator. Once that was done, she headed off down the hall and straight for Illisia's door, upon which she knocked. Zero Dream Knock knock knock
It was that light sound that roused the night elf out her slumber. Well... Lindita hadn't rushed straight for the door, which meant the demoness was elsewhere. She had taken her request to stay mostly away for Laurence's sake somewhat seriously.
But then, Lindita kind of held to her every word as gospel anyway. Akward.
She did, eventually, get to her feet and go to answer the door. "Adi !" She smiled. She was glad to see the little werewolf, even if it had cut her nap short. Meepfur At first, Adi had begun to suspect that Illisia wasn't home, but eventually she caught sounds of movement, and the night elf opened the door. "Illisia!" She beamed with delight, reaching for the druid's hand to pull her into the hallway. "C'mon! I have things to show you~" Zero Dream Illisia didn't offer too much resistance to being dragged - she stumbled a bit, but her innate balance was enough not to make her faceplant. Wait, what now ? Things to show her ?
She really had no idea what it had to be, but... "Okay then !" She'll see it for herself soon enough. Thankfully she was snapping awake pretty quickly. Meepfur "I told you I'd show you appliances, didn't I?" she explained with a giggle. Down the hall they went, to very near the beginning and Love's green door, which Adi had simply left open - it wasn't like she'd be gone long! She drew Illisia down Rio's wide, tiled hall, past three very green rooms and into a kitchen, where she released the night elf at last. And here were said appliances, everything that belonged in a modern kitchen.
The werewolf stood in the middle of the floor and beamed. Zero Dream Ilisia did allow herself to be dragged along, and she did show interest at the green rooms, but didn't quite get to pause to look in greater detail. Not with a very excited Adi dragging her along, no !
When she was finally released, it looked like she was having a staredown with the refridgerator. "...It's a metal box ?" Clearly, she failed to see the wonder. Meepfur Adi couldn't help but giggle. "It's a fridge!" she clarified, opening up the door of the stainless steel appliance to reveal the cool, lighted interior full of food. "It keeps things cold." Zero Dream Illisia seemed to remain, as a whole, rather unconvinced. In fact, she gave the fridge an odd poke. It was a metal box ! Sure, it did generate cold from nowhere, but that still seemed a little unnecessary in the night elf's mind. "Well. That's what you smoke meat for." Who needed a cold metal box anyway ?
And Adi knew how to smoke meat, right ? If not, then... well, she would have to remedy that. Meepfur "Sure," she allowed, albeit with another giggle, "But this way you can keep milk! And eggs, and juice, and leftovers, and cookie dough and stuff!" So saying, Adi pulled out the batch she'd made earlier to present to Illisia - and with her free hand, opened the freezer door.
"And you can keep stuff, like, forever in the freezer! And ice cream! Have you ever had ice cream?" Zero Dream At the very least,Adi's enthusiasm was amusing to be witness of, and Illisia couldn't help but smile. "Well, did you know you could take apples." She started, peeking at the cookie dough bowl. "Put them in a barrel, and sink them in a lake for the winter, and then when you fish them out in spring, they hadn't aged a day ?" Ah, beat that, fridge-thing ! She certainly did not need such silly things.
"Well, of course." She gave a mock-pout, sticking one finger in the dough much like a child would, taking a piece to taste. "What do I look like, a uncivilized savage ? I can make ice cream that would make anything you've had so far pale in comparison." That was one hell of a claim, knowing kids and ice cream, Meepfur Adi blinked, considering this. "...that sounds like an awful lot of trouble to go to. What if you want them before spring?"
"How do you make ice cream if you can't keep it cold?" Somewhat disappointed that Illisia wasn't impressed with the fridge/freezer, she closed the doors and went on to the next appliance - the oven, which she had preheated. Reappropriating the cookie dough, the werewolf glopped it out onto a cookie sheet. Zero Dream "Think of those apples as long term storage. Like, you have an orchard and don't want them to spoil." She licked at the batter on her finger. "But you'ld keep apples for the winter."
Illisia did follow Adrienne, clearly a little curious, even if not completely amazed. She just saw no need for such things, but if Adi found them useful, all the better for her. The hints of dissapointment were noticed, and she tried to be a bit more excited.
"It can be kept cold." Illisia said. "Just not with a... fridge-thing." She meant freezer, really, but apparently fridge was easier to remember. Meepfur It still seemed like an awful lot of trouble to go through to keep apples, sinking them in a lake and all. That was what freezers were for! But she was truly mystified by how one would make or keep ice cream without the aid of the freezer. "How? With magic or something?"
That would be cool! Adi opened up the oven and slid the cookies in. Zero Dream That was such an odd thing to have to explain. "Well, im sure there exists magical means, but my people do not use them." She continued to peer at the young girl's actions curiously. "Ice rooms deep underground are more like the things we use." Meepfur Undergound ice rooms? Adi tilted her head as she considered this, long ears twitching. That, again, sounded like an awful lot of trouble to manage - digging a room way underground, getting the ice t put in it and all that. Refrigerators and freezers, on the other hand, you plugged in and they worked. She was pretty fuzzy on the how, but uh...all that really mattered was they worked and they were convenient.
Well, whatever. She knew of at least one thing the druid had never had. "I'll make you a smoothie!" she declared, heading back to the freezer. "What's your favorite fruit?" Zero Dream This was, indeed, something the night elf had never heard about, much less had, if her expression was to be believed. And it was indeed the case. "A what ?"
Oh, my. Adrienne clearly had to remedy to this. "Hm... I like these red fruits of this world... Strawberries ?" She still didn't know why they were called like that. The night elf doubted they tasted like straw. Meepfur "Ohh, those make the best smoothies!" Clearly approving of the druid's choice, Adi quickly set to making it, setting up the blender and assembling all the necessary ingredients - ice, strawberries, yogurt, orange juice, and a little bit of honey. All of these then went into the marvelous appliance, and after a few minutes of noisy blending, she seemed satisfied with the result, which she poured into a glass and offered proudly to her friend. Illisia was sure to be impressed this time! Zero Dream When the blender roared to life, Illisia's ear pinned back immediately - the sound was rather loud for someone with a sensitive hearing such at her - but when the offensive sound ended, they where right back to their original position, and she peered over the young werewolf's shoulder curiously at the result.
She accepted the glass as it was given to her, and took a sip. That... wasn't quite like anything she'd ever tasted before, to be honest. "That... is pretty nice !" Sweet, but with a kind of tangyness she couldn't quite put her finger on.
"But say..." She took another sip of her drink. "Why do they call them strawberries ?" Meepfur Success at last! Adi wagged her tail proudly, though she was soon given pause by Illisia's question, and had to admit, "I have no idea."Drawn by the noise of the blender, the sound of voices, and irresistible curiosity, Shyamaath peeked into the kitchen to see what was going - and if she could be of any assistance! And she smelled cookies. There was that, too.
"Did you need anything, Adi?" she asked. Zero Dream "That's kind of weird." There had to be a reason, really. She'd just have to figure it out somehow. Asking Creation himself seemed a little too silly.
She paused as the aoidei entered the room, stiffening for a moment. Illisia wasn't so much a fan of demons, but... this one seemed like an aoidei. Like Lindita. The idea of 'good' demons still needed some adjusting in her mind, but she said nothing, instead allowing Adi to answer. She had been the one to have been addressed, after all. Meepfur "Nope!" Adi answered the white-eyed aoide, even as the oven started to beep loudly. Oooh, cookies~! Turning off the timer so it would shut up - really, did the noise have to be that obnoxious? - she donned an oven mitt and pulled the cookies out. "Want some cookies?""I'll get the milk," Shyamaath volunteered, hooves clopping on the tile floor as she headed for the refrigerator, and greeted their guest on the way. "Hello, Miss Illisia." The demoness bowed. Thanks to Adrienne's tendency to tell them whever something exciting happened - which was practically every day - the aoide was able to recognize the host from the girl's description of her. "I'm Shyamaath, or Shy if you like." Zero Dream She knew her name ! Well, it wasn't that surprising, not really. She was just being paranoid, she tried her best to remind herself. Adi had probably just talked about her. It wasn't like she was hard to identify in a world where it was mostly human.
She couldn't pass for a human even if she'd even bothered to try.
"Pleased to meet you." It wasn't Shyamaath's fault, really. After millenias of fighting demons, well... one became a little alert. She did manage to keep her voice relatively pleasant, all considering. Meepfur Adi fetched a plate, and far too impatient to do something like let the cookies cool even if they'd be easier to get off the baking sheet, a spatula to remove the chocolate chip goodness.It was certainly a better reaction than she and Ishkha had gotten from Adi's other host-friend, Laurence. He'd been very...uncomfortable around them, which Rio had informed them later was because he was a priest. It was sort of adorable, really. "Would you like some milk, too?"
"I'll be out of your hair in a minute," she added with a chuckle, "But I can't resist cookies." Or the opportunity to be nosy. Zero Dream She wasn't able to lower her guard completely, not really, but she did her best to look like she wasn't, which was fairly convincing, at least to most. "They do smell good." She granted, and carefully went to take one of the cookies, careful not to burn her fingers on the hot metal. They got done much earlier than she'd thought they would - maybe it was because of that strange hot box ? But she'd never seen any fire come out of it ! Or maybe she was too distracted by what the young girl was doing to really notice ?
This world could be so odd. Meepfur When Illisia failed to answer her question, the demoness decided not to repeat it; instead, she simply poured four glasses. The druid could accept or leave one as she saw fit. Shyamaath then procured a second plate, accepted several cookies from Adi, picked up two of the glasses of milk, and headed carefully out of the kitchen balancing the goodies. "It was nice meeting you!"Her own plate loaded with the rest of the cookies, Adi held it out for Illisia to take one. Zero Dream Illisia hadn't even noticed that she hadn't answered the demoness' question - it had just kind of slipped off in some corner of her mind where it mixed with the rest of her thoughts and was lost.
She did tilt her head up again when Shyamaath spoke as she left, and this time she did manage a smile. "Maybe ill see you later ?" Maybe. She still wasn't sure about demons acting as servants, but she figured if anything could keep them in line, it would be gods, yes ?
Illisia then accepted the held out cookie, and took a bite. "Ohhh... These turned out real nice, Adi." Her expression turned into a mock pout. "You bake better cookies than I do !" Oh, the shame. Though it was mostly play. Illisia could bake a mean cookie, but it was hard to tell which was best - it's been forever since she did any actual baking. Meepfur "I'm sure you will, if you visit again. Or Ishkha - she's really nice too! And there's Nashwa too, but she's not an aoide. She's just staying with us for awhile." Though she hadn't been with them long, Adi already adored Nashwa, and was secretly hoping the katta would stay. She was an amazing cook!
The werewolf beamed at Illisia's praise of her cookies, even if she was being playful. "You should make some sometime! I'd love to taste yours." Zero Dream "I certainly should, if I can find all the right ingredients... Or, hm, have you ever made candy, Adi ?" Sugar was such a base thing, really, she could taste it in these cookies so there had to be some in this world, and it had been so long since she'd made mints !
"Though." She gave the oven a weary look. "This thing won't explode on me, won't it ? I don't think Xun would like that."I would certainly hate for you to be hurt, though I do not think there is anything to fear from this. That was enough to lure the dragon from the sidelines, his voice amused by his host's wearyness.But it's so weird ! And unnatural ! What's wrong with a wooden fire ? Meepfur Adi shook her head. "Nope! We've never needed to, really, since Rio and I both have candy wings, and he can magic up chocolate. Plus he says it's dangerous to cook candy, since it's really really hot. Nashwa can do it, though. She made us some the other day."
"Nah, it won't blow up! Unless you forget to turn it off when you're done, that can be bad." ...speaking of. The girl reached over and turned off the oven. Zero Dream "It is quite hot." The elf admited - and she could see why that had been a no-no when Adi was younger, but she certainly wasn't a child anymore, wasn't she ? "I could show you, if you want ? I used to make mints every year. It's pretty easy." Though, what need would she find when she had candy wings ?
But then, maybe it wasn't so much of born from a need rather than a want to spend time with this adorable young lady. "I was about your age when my mother showed me."
She'll even brave these weird appliances things, honest ! Meepfur "That would be fun! I can show you how to use the stove, and you can show me how to make candy. It'll be like a trade!" Her little gummi wings fluttered. She liked mint! She didn't get it as candy very much, though.
After she'd dipped her cookie in milk and devoured it, she ventured, "Can I ask you something?" Zero Dream "That does sound like a good trade-off to me." Illisia smiled. In reality, she didn't feel the need to learn this strange device, but if it made Adrienne happy, she didn't mind. Doubtly so if it meant spending some time with the adorable little werewolf.
Illisia likewise took a large bite of her cookie, ears perking up at Adi's question. "Of course, what is it ?" Meepfur "Weeeelll.." Adi picked up another cookie to nibble, trying to hide a little hint of nervousness behind it. "I wanna be an aoide, and I was sort of waiting for someone to ask, but I've been thinking maybe I should go ahead and ask someone. And I was wondering, do you think...maybe Glyph would like me?" Zero Dream "An aoide ?" Illisia asked, a split second before she actually remembered the oddness of the girl's family tree. So god and aoide made aoide ? Or was there some way for her to actually physically become one ?
...This was weird to think about, and so Illisia decided to ignore that for the moment.I think they'd be a good fit. Xun interjected, even though his opinion hadn't been asked. Through, maybe I could keep her. He then teased.Oh hell no, that'lld be way too weird. Having one aoide was odd and annoying enough, the last thing Illisia wanted was to have Adrienne, of all beings, trying to do exactly the same thing Lindita was doing to her.
"Ill'd ask him !" She answered, smiling. "You never know unless you ask, after all !" Meepfur "Mm-hm!" she confirmed. "Harmodius said I could be one, but I have to find a god first."
"So you don't think he'd mind if I asked?" That was chiefly what she was worried about, at least at the moment. She'd worry about the yes or no once she'd actually decided to ask. Zero Dream "I honestly don't think he would." Illisia nodded along to her own words. Would he actually agree... Well, she couldn't say - she wasn't Glyph, after all - but she had a mad time imagining that he would say no.
But then, as always, her bias toward Adrienne's adorableness was evident. "I think you'll go a wonderful job at being an aoide." Meepfur "I hope so," Adi said wistfully. "It's what I've always wanted! I'll miss living with Rio, but...everyone has to grow up, right? And I can still visit." It wasn't like she'd be far away, no matter who she ended up serving - almost everyone lived right here! Zero Dream "That's right ! Nothing will stop you from visiting as much as you'll like." Least of all Love himself, she was certain. It was hard to imagine Desiderio as anything less than a dotty, cuddling father mother, even though she had never seen the two interact directly. "And everyone does have to grow up one day, you're right. My son hasn't lived with me for centuries, but we were still pretty close, for example."
Even grown men love their mama, after all. Meepfur Centuries! That seemed like an awfully long time to the young werewolf, although she was familiar with the concept, at least, of long stretches of time, given her parentage. Still, though, it was hard to imagine! "Is your son a druid, too?" Zero Dream "He is." Illisia practically leaped at the chance to talk about her son, like any proud parent would. "More skilled than me, but he'd been a druid longer than I was." There was no shame at that admittance. He's best at shapeshifting, where im better at healing plants and people." Meepfur "Really?" Adi was very interested to hear anything to do with another druid, or to do with her friend. "Can he change into more things, then?" She also couldn't help but be interested in that particular aspect of being a druid, even if it was the plants she liked best. Zero Dream "Not really, but he's just better at it ?" She didn't really want to bring up fighting as an example, even if it was exactly what her son used those forms for. "He does it quicker than I do, and just... better." That was the jist of it, really. "He's a little more used to it, too. Your perception changes alot when you're suddenly closer to the ground and you don't really have hands anymore..."
It was only after her first successful shapeshifting that she truly came to appreciate the blessing that was opposable tumbs. Meepfur "Ohh, I'd never quite thought of it like that." She'd thought, mostly, about being faster, about how much fun it would be to run on all fours. And what it would be like to be one whole thing, not a combination of two. Not that she minded her different parts, not at all, but what would it be like if she could be all wolf or all person? It was something she'd always wondered about.
"Is he purple like you?" Zero Dream That as such a cute question ! At least, she was able to keep herself from giggling. "He is ! All night elves are purple. Some less than others, but still..." Some could be called pink, even, but that was beyond the point.
"He has green hair, though. Like his father." Meepfur "Green hair, really? That's so cool! That must look neat, since he's purple. Is he here too, somewhere?" 'Cause if he was, she really wanted to meet him! Zero Dream Illisia sobered a little at that. "He is... but I don't know where. He will come here eventually, but... I don't know when."
Still, just knowing that Elik was alive had been a weight lifted from her chest.
"Im sure you'll recognize him if you see him, though." Meepfur It was too bad that he wasn't here yet, but since Illisia seemed sure he would be eventually, that was fine too! Adi's tail wagged with excitement. How cool would it be to meet another druid? "I'll keep an eye out for him, then! There can't be many people wandering around who like that."
Purple skin, green hair, reeeeaaally long ears? Yeah, not likely. "What's his name?" Zero Dream "Only me and him, that I know of." Just like she'd never really passed by unnoticed, she didn't expect her son to be able to. If there were more night elves around, they were likely send here after her and her son. "His name is Elik... He's taller than I am, and hard to miss. He can't keep his hair looking neat." There was that look of fondness in her eyes. "And he refuses to tie it. Silly boy, just like his father." Meepfur "He's even taller than you?" Not entirely surprising, since boys were usually taller, but still! Illisia was already really tall. Adi giggled. "He'll be really hard to miss, then." Zero Dream "But that'd a good thing, now won't it ?" Illisia was amused. "Though, those mints won't make themselves if we don't get started, hmm ?"
With that, she stood up from the chair she had been sitting on, rubbing some chocolate away from the corner of her mouth, absent-mindedly.
"Though, hm... ill't probably be better if you did it, and I just told you what to do ? How about that ?" Meepfur "Oh, okay!" Adi had momentarily forgotten about making mints, sidetracked by Illisia's mention of Elik. She was already sooo excited to meet him! "What do we need?" Zero Dream "Sugar, water.... Equal parts. And some cold water in a glass. We'll need that." Her tongue clicked out loud. "And some mint leaves, of course. Though, if you don't have that, then we can just make normal candy." This wouldn't be too dramatic.
"And we need a pan for the candy to cool in." Meepfur Adi bustled about, assembling everything Illisia listed - sugar, water, cold water, and a pan were all retrieved and set on the counter. "Yep, we have mint! I made Nashwa a little herb garden, I'll go get some. How much do you want?" Zero Dream "Hm, three or four leaves should be enough ?" Illisia wondered out loud. It should be to give just enough of a minty state without going too overboard.
"You want to put all the water and the sugar into the pot and heat it until it boils." She started to explain when Adrienne had come back with the mint, which the busied herself with chopping into fine little squares. Knifes and cutting boards were nice, safe and familiar. after all. "And then we wait." Meepfur Again, Adrienne did as instructed, with almost as much enthusiasm she showed in their other, more serious lessons. Candy was pretty awesome, too, and so was any time spent with Illisia. "Should I stir it, or leave it alone? Zero Dream Good think she'd asked ! "Leave it alone, or else you'll get all sort of nasty little sugar crystals in the candy. Like little lumps. They don't taste good at all." Hopefully Adi wouldn't ask just how she knew all that.
When she was done with the mint, she took place beside the werewolf. "It needs to cook for awhile, so that the water can get out, and we'll have a syrup that'll harden into candy when it cools down." Meepfur "So it won't burn?" Adi watched with intense interest, her tufted ears fully perked. "How do you know when it's ready?" Zero Dream "It won't, unless we forget about it." Illisia nodded, extremely confident of that fact.
"That's what the glass of water is for." She took a spoon, dipped it in the sugar syrup, and then moved it over over the glass - when drops hit the water, they formed little threads in the water. "See this ? We have to wait until the syrup becomes threads that break as soon as you try to bend then. We have a long way to go." Meepfur Adi watched the demonstration with fascination. "Ohh, cool!" Since this was apparently going to take awhile, she pulled over a couple of chairs and plopped down on one. "So we're going to go hunting one of these days, right?"
"In between all the lessons," she added, grinning. Being a druid, making candy...there was room for hunting in there somewhere, right? Zero Dream Illisia accepted the offered chair and sat, leaning back to oversee the boiling of the sugar water. Right now, it would certainly make good syrup, but not exactly candy !
"Oh, that's right !" She knew she had forgotten something. "Of course we should ! We'll make time if we must." The night elf was amused by that idea. Meepfur "We can sneak away," she said, winking. "Is there something you really like to hunt?" Zero Dream "Not with candy on the stove. That'd make a mess." Illisia winked back.
"Hmm... I don't know, actually. Mostly, I've been fishing. It's like my body is stuck on wanting. fish. All the time. It's a little annoying." Bigger game was probably a bad idea, if she wasn't certain she could shapeshift... Unless...
"We could go for bigger game if I can find a bow, or something." She mused out loud. Meepfur "And then we'd have to clean it up when we got back." And it would be hard by then, and difficult to scrape off the stove.
"We can get you one, easy! We can get one from my uncle's temple, he's got just about everything for hunting." She had her own bow, but it was probably too small for Illisia...it was a little small for Adi now, actually. Zero Dream "And im not scraping." Brat.
Her uncle... oh, Hunt, right ? "Il'd love to meet him one day, actually. Your uncle, that is. Pay my respects, and all." Hunting was one of the ways of her people, after all. It was just as ingrained part of night elf life than the worship of nature. < Meepfur "You could come with me, then!" Adi's tail wagged at the thought. "And you could meet my dad too, and my brother Kin." She'd love for her teacher to meet the rest of her family! They'd all get along, surely. Zero Dream "Of course !" She answered, happy. She'd love to meet them.
She returned her attention to the sugar, momentarely, dropping a few more drops just like she had before. This time, the sugar formed a ball in the water - it kept its shape when Illisia fished it out, but it squished down easily under her fingers.
"Still got a bit to go." Meepfur Ohh. Once again, Adi watched what Illisia did with the sugar. She'd do her best to remember all of this, for future candymaking adventures. "So if you want something that's another flavor, do you just put, like, fruit juice in it or something?" Zero Dream "That's what the mint is for." Illisia gestured toward her little platter of chopped mint. "When it's a little more done, the mint goes in, so ill't taste minty."
Illisia sounded just as home teaching candy-marking than she was was teaching druidic arts. Perhaps even more so. "Once it's done, we let it set a little, then we can make it into little candy balls." Meepfur "Can you make other shapes, too?" Making food into different shapes was always fun! Flowers and hearts, of course, were the favorite around here. Zero Dream "Probably, we could try !" Well, why not ? As long as they had it set into whatever shape before it cooled down...
Another check proved to be the almost-there mark - Illisia gathered the mint and put it inside the boiling pot, letting the small chunks float though. With all that boiling, there wasn't really a need to mix it. Meepfur It seemed very strange, to Adi, that they were cooking but not stirring anything...but it seemed to be working, so whatever! While they went back to waiting, she plucked another question from her endless supply, "Can you tell me more about druids? How they started and stuff?" Zero Dream Hmmm, that was certainly a tall order indeed.
"Well, there's alot of it. But ill try to keep it nice and simple, hmm ? Or else we'll still be here in a few weeks."
She was silent for a moment, obviously thinking. This was, indeed, alot of history to try to sum up just like that. "Well... Cenarius taught the night elf to be druids a long, long time ago. Cenarius would be... some sort of demi-god, the legends said." Though, with what she now knew.... she no longer was so certain if it was true. An aoidei, perhaps... ? "Though his teachings, the night elven people were bound to the Emerald Dream... and our first world tree was planted. With the blessing of the Aspects, we were granted immortality." ...Dragon aspects, now that she thought of it ? Hmmm. This was bad to try to explain when she now had more questions than answers. "Through... that's all gone, now. There's a new world tree, but it's not as strong. Traditionally, only males could be druids, and they studied one totem only... but alot of things started to change when we became mortal again." Illisia sounded a little sad at remembering those memories. "So you have female druids that shapeshift into all sorts of things... like me. We call ourselves Druids of the Wild." Meepfur Hmm. Adi's ears twitched while she processed this information. It was a good answer, but it gave her a lot more questions. Like why could only boys be druids before, or why they'd only change into one thing, or what do you mean world tree? The only world tree she was familiar with was Yggdrasil, and she was pretty sure there was only one of those.
Confusing! One thing at a time, though. "What's the Emerald Dream? And Aspects?"
Okay, two. Zero Dream Ah, what a box did she just open for a curious little girl, hadn't she ?
"The Emerald Dream." She started, dipping her spoon to test the candy once more. The drop fell in the glass, forming threads rather than a ball - Illisia seemed to be satisfied with it, and she moved the syrup off glowing red circle, dropping the chopped mint into it and swirling the pot to help it cool faster. "Is some kind of spirit, dream-like state, the realm of the aspect Ysera. From what I have been told, it is a mirror to the world of Azeroth, but different in the sense that it is what the world would look like if no sentient species had ever lived onto it. I've never been there myself, but I hear that it is a beautiful place. "It was... kind of like the blueprint that Azeroth was created from, though I have no idea how true that actually is."
There had been many things she had held as absolute truth that in reality... wasn't really the case. It was sobering, in a way, to see how little they actually knew of the world, while they thought they knew so much.
"As for the Aspects, they were created by the Titans to be guardians of Azeroth." Xun was now listening, very intently, and she couldn't help but laugh. "They are dragons, each guarding a specific area of the world. I figure... there's a bit of truth to every story ?" Definitively different, there were only five aspects for nine dragon-kings...
And to think, that gem in her upper arm... she was becoming something even greater than the aspect themselves, wasn't it ? For a moment, a chill went down her spine. Meepfur Huh. She'd like to see something like that! A world without people sounded very strange, but she'd still have liked to see it. The world the way it was supposed to be. Or was it?
As she watched the continued process, Adi reached over and turned off the burner. "Titans? Is that another word for gods?" Zero Dream "Im not so sure." Illisia admitted, laying out the molten sugar onto a tray lined with parchment paper than she had Adi lay out earlier when they'd gotten all the supplies out. From there on, they could cool into candies - not fancy little round candies, sure, but delicious nonetheless. And wasn't that the important part ?
"It might be, through, but I think we'd need to ask Lord Harmodius for that." It made sense they would be, through, given what they had done, and how long ago it was been - alot of what she knew of her world clashed with what she knew here, and so forth. Meepfur "Hmm, I guess we would." Adi swished her tail and eyed the forming candies. "How long before we can eat them?" That was, of course, the most important part of the process for any sort of cooking or baking. Zero Dream "Ill't be a few hours, unfortunately. We could go outside in the meanwhile ?" Illisia answered. There were, of course, some more tricks she could show Adi ! "Ill'd really like to see your tree again, I havn't seen it in awhile. I bet it got bigger." She grinned.
"You have to make sure Rio doesn't hoard all the candy for himself, through." Meepfur That was too bad about the candy, but Adi was always happy to go outside! Especially if it involved her tree. "I hope so! I've been trying to help it a little, but I can't really tell if it works."
It wasn't like getting a flower to bloom, there weren't really a lot of obvious signs.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:25 pm
You're Coming With Me, Right ? Zero Dream Creation's many words never quite left her mind. His offer, even less so. Lindita had gone and learned what seemed to have been forever ago, holding the knowledge that she would need to find her home world again.
And now, Xun's affairs were, more or less, taken care of. For the time being. He had met almost all his brothers, and they had talked, gotten to know how things were, and how things would have to be.
It made her a little less guilty to do this, and now she was ready. She had to go, do this, and take the chance... while she still could. Very nearly ready, at least. It was not like she had anything to pack.
But, still, there was one more thing she felt she needed to do before she left - and that was why she stood in front of the door that was right next to her own, with a marking so similar.
Even if he did not want to come with her.... Illisia felt that she, at the very least, needed to warn him that she would be gone for some time. Just so that Glyph wouldn't think she was...
Even she didn't quite want to think about it.
She had made a makeshift shoulderguard out of some metal she had found, and tied a long length of cloth to it - it covered her arm, and Xun's gem, nicely, even when her hand rose to knock. SkieBorne  The door opened a few moments later, answered by Glyph himself as he blinked and rubbed his eyes, having clearly just woken from a nap. Unable to suppress the yawn, the smudges of dirt on face and feet alike were testament to his continued activities in the woods beyond the Pantheon. With mussed hair and tunic nearly sliding off one shoulder, his gem flashed bright in the light as he stepped aside and gestured for Illisia to come in, "Illisia! This is unexpected! How ar-" He cut himself off as he finally registered the sombre air about the night elf and the sleepy surprise gave way to clear-eyed concern as he reached out to her, touching fingers to her bare arm, "What's wrong? Come in."
Frowning, he ran a hand through his hair and settled the leaves that had begun to change colour, splashes of gold and red contrasting the green.Zero Dream Ah, he was home, at least. That spared her the trouble of actually having to find him, and in a way it would have been troublesome - it was troublesome to cover large distances if she was uncertain if she would even be able to shapeshift.
She did smile when he opened the door, but somber was the right word for what he saw - or, perhaps, she looked like a soldier about to head off to war. In a way, it might be the case, as she had no idea just what would await her on the other side. As far as she knew, there might be nothing left of her people.
She nodded to him and stepped inside, though it was evident that her gaze was lingering in his direction.You are totally checking him out. Xun's voice echoed in her head, amusement nearly dripping from it. He knew, now, that Illisia was very aware of her own feelings about the god of Forests......Which didn't mean she still wouldn't pretend that denial was a river in egypt, her ears standing up nearly straight. Im not !
There was only a warm, hearthy laugh from the god she bore, and she could barely resist pouting. Instead, she looked around her, and caught one drifting leaf in her hand. "You know, I don't think I've ever come here before..." It was beautiful, and full of life, much as she expected. SkieBorne "What?" Forest asked quickly when her ears stood erect and tugged his tunic back over his shoulder out of self-conscious embarrassment, "I just got back... I've been out." He murmured by way of reply for his appearance. He did, however, smile quite broadly when she looked around, "Aah. Yes. I redecorated recently... it was getting too small. I'm glad you like it."
Pleased, he closed the door behind the night elf and lead the way into the central room, where he settled in a piled of cushions arranged near the small pond. Stretching, he eyed her, "You didn't answer my question. Something's wrong Illisia... tell me?" His gaze was soft as he patted the pillows around him, "I told you to come find me if you needed anything... what is it?" Zero Dream "Nothing." She answered, quietly, a bit embarrassed by her reaction. Stupid dragon... !!! Some days she certainly wished she had means to smack him.Xun Jiang was not silent, leaving her to focus sorely on the other god rather than onto him, but it was all too evident to the night elf that he was currently very, very proud of himself.Brat.
She sat as well, beside him, though she said nothing, to begin with, looking at the surface of the pond rather than directly at him. "I saw Creation again, some time ago." That was a good as a start as any, she figured. "He... put a lot of my worries to rest, but he also told me that I... I could go home, if I wanted. He taught Lindita how to take me here." She paused again.
"And I want to go. I still have to hand in my report of all I have seen here, all that I've known... I feel like I owe it to my people, and if they come to believe, then... It will also help, won't it ? But I don't know what to expect when I get there. Creation didn't tell me how things were." There was probably a reason for that. She didn't dwell on it.
"What I mean to say is..." She finally looked up at him, looking more vulnerable at this very instant that he had ever seen her be. "...Will you come with me ? I... I don't want to go alone." SkieBorne He looked on, attentive, as she gathered her thoughts. Whatever this was about, it was important - you didn't need to be a god to figure that out. When she began, Glyph nodded but kept silent even if his expression fell. She could go home - would go home - and a twist of sadness turned his insides cold. And Glyph wasn't going to stop her, either - he understood the need to go see her people, to make her report and bid her farewells.
He bit his lip as his hand found hers, and understanding look in his eyes as he offered a smile. It lacked the usual enthusiasm, however, as he spoke, "I understand. I'll mis-..." He trailed off when she continued and tilted his head to the side, fingers clasping hers a little more tightly. Glyph recognized the fear and anxiety and hope that made her vulnerable and wanted to help - she meant a lot to him after all.
So when she did ask, that sad smile brightened and he playfully pulled her against him in a loose hug and laughed, amused and strangely relieved, "You think I wouldn't? Of course I'll go with you Illisia, I'll watch your back and be your evidence." He huffed, the tension easing from his shoulders as he hugged her more tightly, "I won't let you be alone. Okay?" Zero Dream His initial reaction was not a good sign, really, and her ears drooped a little bit as she went on her explanation. It was okay, if he couldn't, she kept telling herself. She'll just manage--
And then, suddenly, she was right against him, and a part of her never wanted to let go, and her eyes closed on reflex.
"I thought you might have..." More important things to do, she wanted to say, but she kept that to herself. "...Other things to attend to." That was slightly more diplomatic, at least. "..Thank you."
She hadn't wanted to go alone. SkieBorne "Well, I have a lot of things to tend to. A lot of places to fix and a lot of people to reconnect with." He smiled and squeezed her tight before he let her go, but he didn't move away - he left that up to her since he wouldn't complain if she stayed near. "And one of those things that needs doing is seeing your homeland and doing what I can for your forests. Right? Going means I can be with you and I get to do a little more of what I ought to be doing."
Glyph gave a sure nod then and fell quiet, just watching her, "Besides, you mean a lot to me. What kind of god would I be if I didn't take care of the important ones?" Zero Dream She didn't move - didn't want to, even though she was quite certain that she probably should, but she didn't care, for the moment. Illisia was willing to take what she could get, especially right now, with so many emotions rising inside her heart.
"That's right." She had to admit. "I don't know a thing about how things are here... if Creation's influence reached that far."It has. Xun interjected, without the shadow of a doubt in his mental voice."Xun say it has to." She smiled. "He can't ever stay quiet." Her tone was light, rather than annoyed, however. SkieBorne When she didn't move, Glyph tentatively set an arm about her middle and rested his cheek on her shoulder, "Xun's right, you know. Creation's been expanding his influence ever since he came back. It might not be much, but it'll be there." He also laughed at the comment, but held his tongue. He was curious about Xun, having not yet spoken to the dragon king, but the god would speak when was ready... and, in a way, Glyph wasn't sure he wanted that moment to come in the near future.
With a sigh, he closed his eyes, "When are you leaving? And how are we getting there?" Zero Dream "Lindita knows the way." She said, then realized that Glyph probably had no idea who she was talking about. "That's Xun's aoide. There's a way to open a direct path from here to Azeroth and back. Lord Harmodius kept saying things about Doors but im not quite sure I understood all that." Illisia had a 'don't ask me, I have no damn idea' look on her face at the moment. "Lindita seemed to know what it was, though, and I sent her to him to learn how to do it. She said she'll be ready whenever we want." SkieBorne "Ooh. I wonder if they're the same things as what Ankou used when I visited Baadris." Glyph mused, drumming his fingers on his thigh, "That'll make it a short trip then, thankfully. I'd like a day to rest and restore myself... I'm afraid I've pushed myself too hard again. And with winter coming on... it's been difficult to focus. We could leave the day after tomorrow, once I've made my plans known?" Zero Dream Ankou. That name kept coming up, again and again. Creation had spoken of him, and now Glyph, and so she was honestly starting to wonder just who he was, though she kept quiet on that front for now.
"That'll work out nicely - I have a few loose ends to tie up, myself." Since the only one of Xun's aoidei was coming with them, perhaps it was better to leave some sort of message, should any of the dragons seek her out, given their high... disappearance rate. SkieBorne "Alright." He nodded, "But... I don't mind the company, would you like to stay for a bit? Maybe for dinner? I was promised a fruit pie of some sort, and salad." Glyph smiled, shifting slightly so as to settle more comfortably, having no intention of moving. Napping until dinner time sounded like a grand idea to him. Zero Dream Illisia smiled in answer. "You had me at 'fruit pie'. It's been forever."
They could elaborate further on their (no longer sorely hers, she reminded herself) journey during that... or simply nap. She wouldn't mind that either.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:25 pm
The Last Preparations Oven the few days after getting Glyph's agreement to go with her (and after she had gotten over just how relieved she felt at his agreement), Illisia had gone in motion and had barely ever stopped. It was good that they were not leaving immediately, or else she would never have been ready in time ! Normally, this wouldn't have been so complicated – she would have left Lindita to take care of anyone who might show up, gathered supplies, and went. But there was two things that she had to keep in mind. First was the fact that Lindita, being the one to know how to work with this whole Doors deal, had to come with them. This was more complicated than this let on – Lindita was much too likely to get killed before she even had time to open her mouth if she even showed up near an elven settlement. Demons were always 'shoot first, ask questions later', proven by her own initial reaction. Ultimately, Illisia would probably have no choice but to force the aoide to hide out in the first remotely safe spot she could find, which rubbed her in all kind of wrong ways... But it was better than endangering her. Xun would be very upset if something happened to her – there was no real need to voice that thought out, she could feel it. The second was the other dragon kings. Normally this wouldn't be much of a problem, but again, circumstances played against her. With how many dragons had to deal with failed hosts, with the stress of not knowing where the others were, she couldn't quite just vanish for who knew how long just like that. To that means, she had sent Lindita to two of them – Yu, and Zhijian – in order to warn them of their departure, and to let them know that she would be safe. That way, the news would hopefully spread along. When the days passed and there was still no sign of Laurence, she left him a note in evidence, on the makeshift table she'd made for him to be more comfortable. The rest, in comparison, was easy – gathering food and water. She'd made water pouches out of the leather of her recent hunting sessions, made them waterproof and filled them. For food, she looked around the pantheon garden for fruit, nuts and berries, carefully bundled so that they wouldn't get squished in her bag. She made sure to gather some food and water for Lindita as well, for a separate bag that the demoness would be able to carry. If she had no other choice than to leave her behind, then she would at least make sure she would have as much supplies to go by as she could carry, before she had to fend for herself. This trip could be very long, or very short; ultimately it was hard to say. There were too many factors, going from the state of things to just where they would be when they would end up in Azeroth. Hopefully they wouldn't end up in orcish territory. They would find themselves rather unwelcome. There were no maps, no notes. Everything she knew, she had in her head – Universe's death, the gods, Gehenna. She wasn't sure how she was gonna explain all that, but she would find a way. She had to. And then, the last thing she needed to bother with was to hide the gem. She'd rather not have to explain – cowardly, perhaps, but... it was better that way. It really was. It was easy to tie cloth to her shoulderpads, that flowed down and hid her arm completely from view, and kept the gem hidden at most angles even as she moved it. This was good enough. And it would have to do. And now she had to go home... only to eventually return it. It was such an odd turnabout of events, but it was the way it had to be. It couldn't be otherwise, and in a way, Glyph would be her proof, and her failsafe. He'd take her back with him, even if she didn't want to. And now, all that was left to do was wait.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:27 pm
Behind Door Number One... SkieBorne Having made his arrangements and slipped out under the radar of his Aoide, Glyph was waiting at the entrance to the hall of doors Ankou had once lead them through. If he was right in his guess, this is what Illisia had meant and it would be from here that they depart. Nice and direct!
He wasn't going to lie and say he wasn't nervous, though. Glyph had no idea what lay beyond in Azeroth and with the potential to recconnect with a rather important group of mortals, he didn't want to blow it. God he was, but diplomacy was not his forte. He was as he was and hoped that would be enough to convince these Night Elves that the Gods had returned.
The whole thing reminded him of his trip to Baadris. Hopefully demons wouldn't jump out of nowhere during their trip.
Slung over his shoulder was a satchel filled with a couple loaves of bread, some fruit, and plenty of seeds - both edible and inedible. If the land had been laid to waste entirely, they would need to start from scratch, and that meant seeds. He only hoped they weren't that unfortunate. Zero Dream It didn't take long before Illisia arrived as well, from downstairs rather than from her room directly. From the looks of the bag she was carrying, she was also taking supplies with her - it was better to be safe than sorry, and so she also carried water and food with her, even though she had known Forest would bring those things with him as well.
From the look of it, she also seemed nervous - her hands were fidgeting with the cloth handle of the bag, though she did not seem to notice as she walked up to him and smiled. "I didn't make you wait for too long, I hope ?"Following her was a shorter demoness, matching the chosen shape of her master with what little clothing she wore - minimal, but practical. She also carried a bag, and she stopped to bow. "Lord Glyph." She said. "It is a pleasure to meet you." SkieBorne "Hnn? Not at all. It took some doing to slip away from my Aoide. They were insisting they come along but someone needs to train Adi and they're doing a splendid job of it." He smiled, gaze sliding to the demoness as he returned the bow with a nod of his own, "Hello! A pleasure to meet you as well. I've been told you're going to guide us to Azeroth?" Zero Dream Train Adi... ? For a moment, the thought didn't seem to connect, but then it suddenly did, as if a lightbulb turned on. "Oh, so she did ask you !" Illisia's voice was suddenly warm and... relieved. "Im so glad...""I am, Lord." Lindita remained polite to a fault, a tad more formal to this foreign god than she was to Illisia. She couldn't remember him, but then, her memories from before her sealing... Were muddy at best, and seemed to run together into some kind of distinguishable soup. "It will be rather simple, once you and the Lady are ready ?""I am ready." Illisia nodded, still wondering what this whole door business was all about. SkieBorne Glyph blinked, "Ah, yes she did. Were you the one to spark that idea in her?" He seemed amused and unsurprised, "I couldn't say no, now could I? She has a green thumb, a wonderful personality, and is cute as can be. She'll make a wonderful Aoide."
He nodded at the query, reminded of Glaucon's formality, and grinned, "I wonder what it will look like... I saw it through a mage's eyes last time I had occasion to be here... My vision is not so altered." Glyph clasped his hands before him and leaned forward like a child, obviously quite curious. Zero Dream "No, but she told me she'd been thinking about it the last time I saw her." Illisia answered, her hands never really stopping to fidget with her bag. The whole situation made her nervous - she didn't like not knowing what was going to happen. It wasn't that Lindita hadn't tried to explain - she had - but nothing had quite made sense to her.Lindita nodded back, then walked the few steps that separated them from one of the blank doors, her hand rising to rest on the smooth surface - and then, the demoness closed her eyes.
She had to get it right, and part of her wished she still had Xedre here, in spite of everything, just to make sure - this was her first time doing this alone, truly alone, and she saw it as a way to gain the Lady's true acceptance in spite of her heritage.
She couldn't ******** this up, and she knew it.
For a minute, nothing really happened, but then a rune came to life on the surface. Then another. And another. And then, at last, the door opened under her touch revealing a stable hallway on the other side. She let it open, wiping the sweat that had gathered on her brow. Magic like this had never came naturally to her."...Did it work ?" Illisia sounded just as confused as she had been a few minutes ago, unfortunately for Lindita."It did." She nodded, gathering her focus again. "I will go first." Just in case. You never quite knew what could wait on the other side, and there was no way the demoness was letting Illisia - and thus, indirectly, her own lord - be harmed. SkieBorne "Aah." He murmured in replied, distracted by Lindita as he was. Padding around behind her, he waited patiently, a quiet, confident presence.
When the magic was done and the runes flared to life, Glyph caught his breath and waited... then let it out in a disappointed huff, "It's just a hallway...." He sighed, "It looked like a swirling vortex of iridescent tendrils stretched into a tube last time." Laughing, he shook his head and allowed Lindita to go through, "Looks stable...."
Granted he knew very little of such things but he wasn't struck by any odd amount of apprehension, which had to be a good thing.
After the demoness stepped through, Glyph eyed Illisia, "I will go next." His tone brooked no argument as he gave a loose salute and stepped through. Zero Dream Honestly, Illisia would much rather step into an hallway rather than a swirling vortex of potential doom, and in her mind, Lindita had, for once, made the smarter choice on something.
She'd been about to argue anyway, but Glyph was already heading off inside the strange hallway and the night elf was left to grumble to herself, and follow.Lindita stepped ahead carefully but at a normal pace, the sound of her hooves echoing into the seemingly endless hallway. There was little light to go by, but she could see well enough, and knew well by now of Illisia's night vision - therefore, with Forest in between the both of them, he couldn't get lost.
Not that there was anything to get lost in a straight line, and after a few minutes of walking, she could see the end - no light on the other side, of course, but she stepped outside to the sound of dead leaves crushing under her hooves.
They were into the ruins of what had once been a village, by all appearances, but now it seemed all but abandoned, the buildings were left in ruins and nothing came to meet her sudden emergence. SkieBorne Glyph's gaze wandered over the featureless walls, trying to find some hint of magic about them beyond the charge in the air before they stepped through. It didn't quite work and soon enough he was stepping out into the ruins a town and the hushed sounds of a forest met his ears.
Immediately they pricked and he inhaled deeply, stumbling a bit as he felt himself align to this world. He'd been stuck on the Pantheon's realm for so long, he'd forgotten the conditions of other worlds would effect him so. There was a dulled sense of life here, and the air held a crispness to it that spoke of autumn. He laughed as he turned his head towards the treeline, "There's so much!"
Taking a step forward, he caught himself and shuddered, he pulling his roving senses back to him before he got too lost in the expanse of forest. Turning, the sparkle in his eye and the p***k of his ears spoke of enthused curiosity, "Which way? I can guarantee we won't get lost." His lack of sensitivity about the city itself, however, was not deliberate... ruins were ruins and he no cause to believe this place should be populated. "Are there many ruins like this? There's a lot to reclaim...." He looked to broken road beneath their feet and the moss and vines that chased the cracks. It was a relief to see life so stubbornly clinging to its cycles. Zero Dream Illisia was next to come out, nearly tripping right into Glyph as he stopped to do... whatever he'd been doing, the night elf actually had no idea. She side-stepped him with a chuckle and tried to see if she could make sense of her surroundings.
"We're at the right place." She could say that much, with no hesitation at all - these ruins where definitively night elven, and she was so stuck on trying to identify just where they were, that she never noticed Lindita let go of the breath she'd been unconsciously holding.
"These buildings... I know them." She had been here before, she knew this, and yet... Eventually, it was not the ruins that clued her in, but the water - the level was lower than it used to be, but she knew only of one settlement with two lakes around it, and her heart suddenly stopped, and she turned to take in the sight truly. Astranaar, of course. The orcs had attacked in droves, damn these savages, and they'd been forced to fall back...
And, ever since then, no one had gone to reclaim the village. Illisia drew in a sharp breath. "North." She said, pointing in that direction. "There is another village about five days' walk from here, in Darkshore." But would Auberdine be a similar shape as this ? What of Darnassus ?
There was no way to tell.
Still, before anything else, she had one thing she knew she had to do.
"Lindita... Thank you." She said. "You did well, but... I need you to stay here. Ill'd rather you not come with us any further than this.""My Lady ! It isn't safe !""It's an order, Lindita." The elf's tone was gentle, yet firm - but more strangely enough, her voice had seemed to drop lower than it usually did, sounding a little lower in that very instant. The night elf didn't seem to notice, but Lindita did - and bowed her head.
"My Lady..."
"They won't give you time to explain anything." Her voice was back to normal, and she sighed. She didn't like to do this - as much as the aoide could annoy her, she had been the one to take them here. But still, the demoness' very life was at sake. "They'll just attack you on sight. My people, and demons... Especially after all that happened... They won't take any chance if they see you. Do you understand why I need you to stay here ?"
It wasn't anything personal. It wasn't because of anything she did. It was... it was for her own safety, and, suddenly, everything made so much sense. Illisia's reactions toward her initially now made so much sense. "I will watch the Door." The demoness finally said, looking up at the mortal elf that housed her Lord. "I will not allow it to close."
"Thank you." Illisia sighed. "...Im sorry, but I can't let you be killed, Lindita." SkieBorne Glyph nodded as he noted the direction then took the opportunity to scan the area again. There was so much life! The forest thrummed with it and it longed walk among the trunks, to touch the saplings of a different world. They felt a little different, even sounded a little different, then the woods of the Pantheon but not so alien he hesitated.
Too absorbed in his desire to be among the forest, Glyph registered the exchanged and simply set the drop in voice as Illisia feeling strongly. If this world hunted demons then Lindita would do better to avoid society. As it was, he wasn't even sure about the kind of reception he would receive.
He did, however, meet the Aoide's gaze, "I won't let anything happen to them. You've my word that I'll protect and guide them. We're in my realm, I promise we won't get lost." Bemused, he dipped his head in thanks then looked to Illisia, holding out a hand, "If you would? It'll be faster if walk there directly."
With that, he set off towards the forest, alert and wide-eyed with interest, "This is your homeland?" Zero Dream "Yes, Lord." The demoness bowed to Glyph again. "I am certain of this, but still... please be careful." She would have no way to communicate with them, and that bothered her, but there was nothing she could do about it.
With one last nod of the head, Lindita turned to survey the ruins and see if she could settle a small camp. There was no telling how long they would be gone.Illisia nodded back at the aoide, a frown still lingering on her face. She honestly hated to do this, but... there was no other choice.
"It is." Illisia answering, hesitating only a moment before sliding her hand into his own, and following him. With her knowledge of the area and Glyph's sense of navigation in the forest, perhaps this wouldn't take the normal five days... Still, it would have been better if they had mounts, but it couldn't be helped. "Im not sure how Lindita managed it, but she did drop us in night elf territory... Well, what used to be night elf territory." Now, she wasn't so sure. Astranaar laid in ruins, and there were still obvious sings of conflict marring the area, but there seemed to be no one else there, save the occasional forest animal. "When War hit, this land went into great conflict, and we had to fall back into Darkshore. The orcs fought like savages. Well, more than usual, even." She muttered at the memory. "When the other influences took place, they must have fell back to tend to themselves." But neither alliance or horde seemed to have reached back to reclaim the lands... why ?
Still, it was comforting to know now exactly the why that all these things had suddenly happened, and not be left with more questions than answers. SkieBorne He smiled when she took his hand, squeezing it lightly, "Mn, this would have been a beautiful place before Gehenna. Perhaps it can be again, one day.What was this place called?" He pursed his lips as listened, wondering at the survival of the forest despite the wars that had apparently ravaged this city. Glyph's gaze trailed over broken archways and patios, shattered crystal ornaments and the broken swirling patterns that chased each other across fractured walls and he made a thoughtful sound, "And Darkshore is where we are headed? It sounds ominous..."
They were on the outskirts of the city, thankfully, and the walk to the bridge that connected island to far shore was short. The bridge had seen better days, though, and Glyph paused at the edged, eyeing the ivy that had creeped across the rails and bridged the gaps where chunks of stone had been broken away. "One at a time, I think. Hopefully it won't collapse. You go first?" If it did collapse, chances were it would do so under the second passage. Zero Dream "This is Ashenvale." Illisia answered the questions gladly - and noticed with amusement that the dragon king she bore seemed to be listening just as intently as Glyph was - though Xun Jiang was, of course, unseen. "And it was a beautiful place. Now..." She sighed. It was depressing to think about, how many things had been destroyed and lost.
"Darkshore isn't bad... It's just really foggy most days. It makes it hard to see what you're doing, sometimes."
She stopped in front of the bridge, and nodded in agreement. "Ill go first." And then, bare feet carefully stepped forward, and she did her best to find the spots that were still stong under her weight. SkieBorne Glyph nodded, "It still is, if you ask me. The forest and the ruins... hold a hint of magic and mystery if you ask me. And life. That's always something to be thankful for." He smiled kindly then, but shuddered, "Always foggy? That's going to make for some chill days...."
He bit his lower lip as Illisia made her crossing, the bridge groaning despite her efforts and he edged closer. Thankfully the bridge did nothing more then protest the crossing and held, seeing the night elf safely to the other side with naught but a few stones falling to the water below.
When it was Glyph's turn, he edged along in a similar path to hers, one hand held out to hover just above the railing for support if it was needed. And again, the bridge held even if it complained loudly. He turned to Illisia then, amused, "Well, that's the first hurdle. Shall we?" Touching her shoulder as he walked past, he tossed his head towards the north, "I would like to see more of your homeland."
He seemed almost anxious to get into the tree line, trailing hands over trunks and stopping to inspect newly grown up saplings when they finally entered. Zero Dream The second Illisia had footing on solid ground again, she flipped in a smooth movement to face Glyph, looking more than ready to leap and catch him should she even think she was hearing something falling. The night elf was tense, and she nearly bolted once or twice, but instead she held out her hand for him to take as soon as he was remotely in her reach.
It was clear that she thought that the sooner Glyph was off that bridge, the better.
It was only when he was on solid ground, and with his hand back into hers (why was she doing this, she shouldn't be doing this, and yet she couldn't resist the urge) that she answered. "You're right, it could be much worse..." There could be nothing left, but it wasn't the case. There was still hope that settlements further north would actually be inhabited. SkieBorne He smiled brightly when she took his hand and ran his thumb over the side of her hand as he slowed to walked beside her. "But it isn't. So it's best to count blessings, yes?" Glyph wasn't even watching where he was going as he moved through the forest, their path made easy by his presence. Wanting to draw her attention away from the what-ifs, he gestured at the forest around them as he offered a curious smile, "Tell me about this place. There is strength here and a quiet resolve... it's a pleasant sensation." Zero Dream She seemed to calm a bit when he was beside her at last, the tension in her muscles slowly leaving as she walked, and they entered proper. "Ashenvale was home to one of the oldest night elven settlements, one of the biggest ones in ancient times. I was born here." This explained, in part, how she acted, and how strongly she seemed to feel about how desolate the place had been.
"When the first world tree was destroyed by the second demon invasion, most of the population moved to Teldrassil. This is where we are going." She shook her head. "After that, Ashenvale became theater of wars and bloodshed. The south of the forest was deforested by the orcs." She nearly spat the name. "And demons on the east, toward Azshara. We were doing good headway to them when the disasters started happening." SkieBorne He squeezed her hand then and smiled, "Well, even so, your birthplace is a beautiful one and it's no wonder you grew to be as courageous and beautiful as you are. The forest will reclaim the land in time and from it, new generations will find shelter and support." Glyph flashed a mischievous grin as he winked, "I have that on very good authority."
Falling silent as he contemplated that news, he stopped after an idea struck him, "I can see if I can't sense anyone. I don't know if it will work but if it will ease your mind, I can try. I may need you to help me, though. I may be Forest, but I have not yet attuned myself to this place. If you would?" He gestured to where a tree had toppled and become a nurse log, fostering the slender saplings that grew from its moss-covered top.
Scrambling up on top, he stood amidst the saplings and smiled encouragingly at her, "C'mon. It's worth a try. And I'm curious." Zero Dream If the orcs don't beat us to it first. But she didn't speak that out-loud. Couldn't, even Glyph seemed so certain of himself. Everything could happen, but of course she preferred the scenario he was giving her.
And yet, when he mentioned trying to see if he could find anyone, she froze, nearly losing her grip on his hand. This... might not be a good idea. She'd been good with hiding her weakening powers from him, but if she had to somehow help...
"You can, if you want to..." She finally managed to say. SkieBorne He frowned at that, sitting down atop the log with a whuff of disappointment, "You don't want to? I'm not going to try to zap you or anything..." Glyph made eyes at Illisia then, in one last attempt to get her to help.
He closed his eyes then, hands still outstretched and braced against his knees as he'd crossed his leg, a quiet smile upon his lips as he opened himself to the forest's sounds, scents, and feel. Inhaling deeply, he seemed to settle where he was, frozen in place, and a whisper went out among the trees and through the underbrush.
Concentrating within as he was, the forest was a whole, a mess of life and roots and limbs that was hard to make out. There were scars and voids and the whole of the image assaulted him, pressing against his awareness. Lost as he was, Glyph exhaled slowly and calmed himself, building a mental bridge between himself and the forest that was also himself.
Externally, he did not seem to move and his expression had become serene, if distant. Zero Dream It's not that I don't want to--
It's better that way--
But all the words seemed to get stuck in her throat rather than come up, and instead she just stayed silent, and let him slip away.
It was always so hard to refuse him anything. Even if she was certain it was for the best.
Illisia took one step, then another, and another, and she sat beside him on the log. She paused, for a moment, seconds seeming like minutes before she slid her hand on top of his own.
Why can't I refuse you ?
Inwardly, she already knew why. SkieBorne When her hand slipped into his, Glyph's concentration faltered and his eyes fluttered open, the normal lavender flashing a deep emerald green. Though he kept a part of his mind on what he'd managed to establish, his attention settled mostly on her, "Thank-you my dear." He brought her hand up and kissed her fingers before winking, expression soft and full of fondness.
"Tap your power and forest as you normally do and make sense of the jumble?" He turned his gaze away then, as if regarding a complex and beautiful puzzle. Closing his eyes again, Glyph let his awareness fan out once more, a passive energy that seemed tugged in every direction at once, too small yet to quite encompass it all. Attention was concentrated, however, on their location, edging slowly out in a blind, if broad, sweep. Zero Dream She let him, as she always did - and yet, it only made her heart sink even more than it had already done.Illisia... Xun had always been there, in the back of her mind, wide awake and present, his own thoughts mixing so easily with her own that she'd nearly forgotten he'd been where - and when he spoke, the mental voice actually startled her.
Fine. She argued. Im fine.The Dragon King knew better, of course he knew better. but he said nothing else. It was her turn to close her eyes, focusing into her own power, trying to reach out for it. The nearly worse-case scenario happened, then - it didn't take. Something stirred, but it slipped in between her awareness as if it was something weird and alien.
Damnit, focus...
And she tried again. and this time it worked - there was nothing else but the expense of forest around them, nothing else, and her own power, fluttering like a weak heartbeat, sliding along his own sorely because he'd allowed it to.
'There was another settlement here.' She whispered without truly speaking at all. 'Horde... There's no one else here now. It's empty.' Only the forest, slowly reclaiming the land that had been stolen from it.
'And here...'
Suddenly, she lost everything again, slumping against the log, eyes wide open and nearly out of breath, a part of her unable to truly comprehend what she had just seen - what she had just experienced. SkieBorne Glyph frowned as he felt a sadness in her and then smiled inwardly as she engaged her power only to have it falter and fail entirely. Confused, he bent his attention to her and tried to bend the energy he'd attuned to around them to support her. It wasn't as effective as he'd hoped - his grasp was still too light - but she did raise her awareness.
Places and purposes were revealed, direction offered and pursued, allowing him to more easily reconnect with the realm. A river, a moonwell corrupted and aching, a void that throbbed at the edges like a newly scabbed wound. This place was injured and he ached in sympathy. Sparks of creatures, noted then dismissed flash through their link and, finding no knots of activity, he turned his attention to subtler things.
Enfolding his own awareness around hers, he murmured quiet words of encouragement as he felt her power flutter and stumble, pale in comparison to what he once remembered it to be. That was worrying, truly, and he faltered as well, distracted.
Then the connection was abruptly severed and her falling against the log jerked him from his trance, forcing himself back into more grounded perception. Unhurt, if a little dizzy from the whiplash of the disconnect, he scrambled forward, "Are you okay!? I didn't hurt you did I? Illisia?" Zero Dream The world was spinning in the direction that the world wasn't usually supposed to spin into, lines of green, yellows and reds blurring together in momentary confusion as her senses tried to righten themselves again, as if this wholly different way of using them had scrambled them, or if she'd spun onto herself just like she had done as a child, until she couldn't take it anymore and let herself fall down in a dizzy spell.
"Fine." She finally managed, reaching for his arm to take grip on it, pulling herself back into standing. Her vision was, thankfully, rightning itself again. SkieBorne He helped her up and sat kneeling before her, looking up with concern plain upon his features, "Are you sure? What happened?" Rising as well, he stood on toes to regard her eye to eye, searching. "And you know you can tell me anything, right?" It was a gentle prod at the weakness he'd sensed in her. Zero Dream "It... slipped away." There. She wasn't lying - it was how it had happened. "It slipped away and it knocked me out. Out of... Whatever that was." She still wasn't quite certain just what that had been. She shook her head, trying to knock the last few signs of dizziness from her awareness. "I lost balance and I felt. Im fine. Don't think the log scratched me..."
It had been an idea, and she's known it. "...Don't ask me to do that again." She was almost pleading. Don't ask me to say it. I know what ill't do to you. "It's better like that, I think. You're too much for me." She offered some sort of half-smile. SkieBorne Glyph frowned and settled back on the flats of his feet, glancing at the log they stood on and pursed his lips, feeling guilty, "Sorry... I think maybe that was my fault then." Fidgeting because he'd promised not to hurt her and had despite the best of intentions, the god dropped down with a sigh. "I did feel enough to know where we are in relation to a great deal of things... and that there are no great settlements here. Scars and renewal, yes, but no camps of people."
He held a hand up to help her down if she wanted it, "I won't ask again. I am sorry, Illisia. I meant only to help. But you can talk to me, if want. Don't forget that okay?" Glyph caught and held her gaze then, arching one brow, "Okay?" He wasn't sure what she was holding back from him but... it was enough that he was worried.
At her half smile, he offered his own brighter one and stole a hug before catching her hand turning back to the trail, "Perhaps we should cover some distance before we stop to rest? There's lots to see still... and I'm not going to try a repeat of that so soon... I'm a little winded myself." Zero Dream "We probably should." She finally managed to stand again, a little wobbly on her
"If we keep up at this pace, we'll be near Darkshore in a few days..." Though, who could really say ? Without a sky still, and thus without a cycle of night and day, it was just so hard to specifically pinpoint time anymore, unless one had a clock.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:28 pm
If My Love Is Blind... It was a little while after Glyph's so called incident that they eventually settled down to rest for the 'night'. And really, it was ridiculous, and the night elf was now convinced that the god needed to be in her sight at all time, less his lack of common sense create more grief than it was worth. Trying to talk to a satyr ?! Really ?! Who ever thought this was a good idea ?! ...Well, Glyph, apparently. Silly Forest, who apparently didn't know any better. Thankfully, she did. While the Forest god had settled to sleep a long time ago, the same couldn't be said for his night elven companion, who was sitting on a nearby rock, and staring into the dying embers of the campfire she had started for warmth. They were progressing though the forest much quicker than most people normally would, thanks to Glyph's abilities – they would be reaching Darkshore sometime in the next day if they kept at it, making up the lost speed from not having mounts at their disposal. It was reassuring, since they had yet seen any night elven life, or settlements. There was one upside in that fact, however, as it gave her the idea that Lindita was more likely to remain safe, at the very least. It was not what had kept her awake, though. The woman had laid down to do just that a few hours ago, and yet was unable to fall asleep. There were too many thoughts that bustled in her head, and she couldn't get it all to go away. Xun Jiang was unusually silent, but in reality, she knew why. The dragon king knew not to intrude, not right now, unless she asked for him. Illisia did catch a thought from him, unspoken, every now and then, but it was drowned in the bustle of her own. It was scary to think that there were now starting to know what the other was thinking without speaking it out. It was scary to know that her own powers were steadily but surely diminishing, how, one by one, parts of her seemed to slip out of her grasp, slip in between her fingers like water. The scariest thought of them all was the fact that she was utterly powerless against it. There was nothing she could do. Nothing to wait, until, eventually, everything had slipped away. Until it didn't matter anymore. She turned her head, silver eyes going to the sleeping god at her side – Glyph looked so happy even as he slept, so at peace in his own element that she couldn't help but smile, in spite of everything going though her mind. But, in a way, looking at him just made it worse. The night elven woman couldn't deny the obvious, no matter how hard she tried, no matter how badly she wanted to do so. Illisia couldn't deny all the signs, all the little things and all the reactions – she was falling in love. With Glyph. This was like Ilthilior all over again. She hadn't been looking for love, when the man who would become her second husband and the father of her son came, and then proceeded to turn her world upside down. It was even easy to see how, or why – Ilthilor and Glyph were alike in many ways, in their kindness, and their love for nature. Some girls always fell for the bad boys – Illisia always had a soft spot for the kind ones. It didn't make it any better. This was bad. This was a bad idea, and perhaps the worst thing that could happen in this situation, especially with how much stronger Xun Jiang was slowly, but surely, becoming. The night elf refused to let anything consciously show, and even more so tell him about those feelings. Not when she knew she probably didn't even have a year left in her. No one had ever told her how long she had, when she took the stone. No one had seemed to know. The point remained that she would be gone, and she knew better than to think it wouldn't affect Glyph – wouldn't knowing how she felt make it even worse ? Did he even feel anything like that for her. Probably not. Certainly not. Either way, even in the off-chance that he actually did, she couldn't leave him with a broken heart. But still, keeping it all inside made her miserable. She wanted to tell him, but she couldn't, not in good mind. And yet the night elf couldn't help but think, about all of this, and how if things had been different... Well, what then ? If she had never followed Xun Jiang's call, never met Creation that day, what would have had happened ? Would she have found her way back to Azeroth, and lived the rest of her life there ? Would she have remained at the Pantheon, would she have still fallen in love with Forest and spent her last centuries of life with him ? Even if, deep in her heart, she knew that she wouldn't go back, even if she could – it did hurt to think about it. She would have given Glyph everything she had, but in a very different way that she was giving Xun Jiang everything she had. The dragon king had grown so fused in her own sense of self that it was hard to think he hadn't always been there, like the other half of her soul she'd never known she'd been missing. But one day, it would all end for her – and she would take her secret with her, known only by the man who would take over her body as his own. This was what she had to do, to spare Glyph at least a bit of pain... But it did hurt. It hurt so much. Eventually, she regained her place at his side, he drew her close, just like that - without even being awake, on pure reflex. And then started to feel even more guilt on top of what she already felt. Such a silly little thing, but it was the last straw. Illisia cried herself to sleep, that night. Glyph would wake up to a still wet tunic, and the night elf would stubbornly refuse to say anything about that, no matter how much he would ask.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:30 pm
Laugh for me SkieBorne He was tired, weary, and covered in dew but he was in camp. Glyph hadn't bothered to brush the tiny droplets from his hair or twigs and they clung to him like tiny diamonds that sparkled in the soft blue glow of a pilfered enchanted lantern he'd found in his preparations. Perched on a fall of rocks behind where the night elf slept, he hoped the effect of his presence, the glow, and the quiet serenity of what would be early morning would soothe the sting of irritation Illisia was likely to feel.
He knew he'd been a terrible guide these past two days, walking them in great arching circles and disappearing for great lengths of time that stunted progress but... Illisia had been so haunted these past few days. Her inner disquiet might remain unsaid and shouldered in silence, but Glyph refused to let her suffer her burden alone. He was her patron, her friend... they'd shared many quiet moments since coming, moments he quite cherished in a way that was different from the sentiments that debating with his Aoide or bantering with his peers called forth.
It perplexed him so he kept it to himself, believing it a manifestation of his duty and concern for a Follower so precious.
At a hand signal, a squirrel he'd befriended with the help of nuts and berries bounced across her, its tail flicking to tickle one slender ear while its bodiy disturbed one long eyebrow. Hopefully that would awaken the sleeping druid. Zero Dream Illisia had began to suspect something. It was only the fact that the land had been forever changed and scarred by the effect of the weeks that had brought Glyph what little time he had managed to get. She had spent her whole life within these forests, after all - the sudden unfamiliarity had only added to the general unease.
They'd been covering ground fairly quickly... until now. And she did intent to get to the bottom of this, but for now, Illisia slept deeply, curled up in the grass.
The squirrel tactic proved to be a very effective way of awakening a night elf - long eyebrows started twitching at the barest touch, much like whiskers would - and a second later, the druid was attempting to catch the offending object that had perturbed her sleep - but thankfully, the squirrel darted off into the nearest tree quickly enough to avoid being caught.
Illisia muttered something illegible under her breath, stretching out her arms and legs as she shifted to sit. SkieBorne The squirrel chattered from it crouched in the lowest branches of a tree and peered at her a moment before bouncing along back behind her. When it chittered again, it hadn't disappeared into the bush but rather had climbed up Glyph's arm and settled on a shoulder. The motion had caused the lantern to swing and throw knife-edged shadows about before he stilled it with his hand.
"Did you rest well my dear?" He asked, voice soft with an undercurrent of invitation and mystery. Zero Dream "What happened to 'good morning' ?" Illisia was a little cranky - and overall not a morning person, so the awakening by squirrel hadn't done much to improve her overall moods, now that she'd been pulled from her dreams.
"I slept okay." She finally answered the question, letting out a yawn. SkieBorne He chuckled softly at her grumpiness and shrugged, "Good morning then. When you're less inclined to grumble and more inclined to walk, I have something for you." Glyph offered a smile then, tilting his head to the side. Zero Dream Okay, now he had her attention. The night elf blinked once, twice, a little confused with this sudden turn - so much, in fact, that she'd completely forgotten that she'd wanted to ask him just why the heck they had been going in circles.
Something... for her ? What was he... ?
She was on her feet with no further grumbling. SkieBorne When she stood, he followed suit and stepped closer, a broad smile on his face as he extended his free hand to her as a gentleman might, "Just something I think you'll like. Coming?" Tucking the pole of the lamp into his armpit, he stepped closer so as to wipe a smudged paw print from her cheek with a bemused expression.
"Would you like to wake up first? Or?" He asked, arching a brow. He'd so hoped she would wake with start at the squirrel but his plan hadn't gone quite as expected. Tossing his head, he fluffed out his hair and smiled once more, awaiting her answer. Zero Dream Glyph hadn't counted on Illisia's slowness of awakening. It was legendary among her family and her friends - not that he would have known before they'd started to travel together.
"M'fine," Though, to his credit, the squirrel had some kind of effect - she was on her feet a lot faster that she would have been otherwise - and now she was stretching more fully before she finally slipped her hand into his'. It was progress. SkieBorne Scratching his chin, he eyed her a moment before nodding. He cast a helpless glace at his squirrel friend who only chittered in response and dashed off into the brush. Tugging on her when she finally took his hand, he had to suppress a yawn. "Your sleepiness is infectious! Wake up, Illisia!~"
He spoke brightly, starting off with her in tow whether she was awake or not. And he wanted to show her before mind caught up with body and she started lecturing him on walking in circles for a few days... he'd answer for that after he'd made her laugh and smile properly for the first time in a while. Zero Dream "Fair tradeoff for training squirrels to wake me up on command." Really. How he'd managed that, she had no ide- hey !!!
She nearly tripped when he started walked, but regained her balance in mid-step. Looked like she was in this weither she wanted or not.
...Wait, where had he found that lantern ? She knew what it was, but she hadn't seen one that was still working during the whole trip so far... SkieBorne "I didn't train him to do anything. I asked. Pretty sure he enjoyed it too, cheeky squirrel." Glyph replied absently, as if that's all anyone ever had to do to get nature to cooperate.
With latern in hand, its cool light casting the flora in silver edged lines, Glyph pulled the night elf along. Even with his abilities, they took a winding path and he narrated as he went, "Your land has much beauty in it and I found something on one of my walks. You've been so quiet lately... I couldn't not do it." He was speaking mostly to himself as he held aside the trailing branches of a tree with a gentle gesture and pulled Illisia through a narrow gap between hill and ancient trees.
Before her, a path, old and overgrown, lead into the ravine and towards the end, a pale and flickering light similar to the latern he carried seemed to wait for them. "This way. Be careful, the roots and rocks conspire to trip." Zero Dream "Let me guess - you bribed it with nuts." Note to self - hide the nuts. Just to be safe. The more they walked, the more awake she became - all the movement seemingly helping. If she didn't want to trip on something, she needed to focus.
She had been quiet - she was aware of it. There were so many things going though her mind, so many different worries and thoughts, added with Xun's own that joined the fray every now and then... But now she felt guity about it. "I didn't mean to-"
She didn't get to finish before they were, apparently, there - and so she carefully stepped forward, mindful of the roots. SkieBorne "And berries." He replied with a soft laugh.
He cut her off before she could finish, turning to regard her with a desire to understand, "I know you didn't mean to. There are heavy thoughts on your mind and while I don't understand why you won't tell me, I do know such things can draw a mood into bleakness. Don't worry about me, my dear, or your people. Things will work out. If in nothing else, then believe in that." He touched her shoulder then and smiled, "Come along. We're not there yet."
Moving forward, lantern leading the way, he kept a hand on the close walls of the ravine and navigated his way through the narrow passage. Pausing at the other end, he stepped aside and waited for her, happiness sparkling in his eyes.
The passage opened up onto a walkway, somehow preserved through upheaval and demonic taint. Even though it was autumn, the glen was in full bloom and the soft scent of flowers floated in the air. Stepping forward, he set the lantern into the vacant spot - there were several of them lining the grass and stone walkway, all lit.
Faintly, the glitter of water could be seen playing against the backdrop a willow's thick curtain of leaves at the far end. Between the trees, bushes grew in wild tangles, their flowers near blooming and poised, as if ready. "I found this place and though it needed a bit of fixing up, I thought you might enjoy it." Padding along, he extended his hands and as he passed the blooms opened, called awake by Forest. "Thankfully whatever spell this place is under, it supports the life here. Maybe you can tell me what this place actually is. I think it's a shrine of some sort."
When he got to the willow, he pulled the branches aside with a smile. "It's in here, what I want to show you." Zero Dream She fell quiet, after he cut her off. Clearly not saying a thing was causing as much worry than actually speaking all about it... though Glyph only seemed to understand part of what had her feeling that way. Maybe it was better that way... and maybe it wasn't.
She didn't know what to think, anymore.
It didn't take long in the ravine before recognition finally hit her, eyes going wide. This place could only be... But that couldn't be...
The Master's Glaive ?!
The Glaive had been brought low and corrupted by Cultists long before Gehenna had ever happened, and she remembered fighting in this place herself, trying to drive them out of the sacred land. With it so full of life, she had nearly not recognized it at all.
And yet, there was no sign of the remains of the old god that laid her - though now she was uncertain if that creature had been a god, it probably hadn't, now that she knew more. Whatever the slain creature had been, its remain was gone. Was it a good thing, or a bad thing ?
"This place..." She finally found the words to speak, carefully ducking under the large branches of the willow. "Has seen its fair place of battle, as well." SkieBorne "Oh? It was closed off and hidden when I found it, run wild with growth and not a hint of combat." Glyph replied easily, wondering if he'd stumbled upon something great. When he held the other side of the willow's curtain aside, it revealed a grotto cast in emerald and sapphire hues. The water was blue as the sky had once been, and reflected the light of the lanterns he'd arranged in the brush such it suffused the area with light. The grass itself was covered in a lush, thick carpet of the kind that was a pleasure to walk barefoot on.
The lake was shallow, only a few feet deep, and in the center was a stone construction... with gates aligned to the north and south and rimmed in steps, the raised dais seemed to glow and sparkle. It was a moonwell, left since the retaking of the Master's Glaive, though the sword itself was set in a stone several yards north of the well. Along the edges of the clearing, offering nooks were carved of stone and covered in moss with leaf and vine motifs carved into the light coloured rock.
The brush Glyph had said had run wild was trained back, as it it had chosen to grow in an orderly fashion. The whole place thrummed with life and glowbugs drifted in a light breeze, making Glyph smile to himself - they had been an exepected boon. Sitting at the edge of the well, he gazed into the reflective surface, "When I found this place, it was struggling, on the verge of a downward spiral. Thankfully whatever this is seems to imbue the area with life and energy. It think now that they have a fighting chance, the grove will flourish"
Crossing one leg over the other and leaning back a little, "I thought you might like it. You mean a lot to me, Illisia. I love to see you smile and thought this place might inspire one. Or two." He smiled at her hopefully, "It's the least I can do." Zero Dream "They must have closed it, after they'd driven the cultists out..." Illisia pondered, out loud, but then she lost all the words she'd had, once she truly saw it - her hand shaking in his.
It... It looked so beautiful. It hadn't looked so beautiful, so alive, since... Well, it had never looked so beautiful and alive. Not for as long as she had lived. It had always been tinted. But... it wasn't anymore.
"...I've never thought il'd ever see this." She admited. She was smiling, but her eyes were watering at the same. "Not as long as I would live, I've never thought..." SkieBorne Glyph's expression fell as she looked about ready to cry and he rose, swiftly closing the distance to touch her shoulder, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you cry..." Frowning, he tried to get her to look at him, concern plain in his eyes.
Then he realized they were happy tears and he sighed hugely, relief flooding him. Tugging on her hand, he drew her towards the moonwell, "What is this? It's been glowing faintly since I found it... and it feels like it's a knot of mana. It helped me wake the grove. What was this place for?" He was full of questions, curious as to what, exactly, he'd repaired. Zero Dream "No, no..." She wiped the tears away with one hand. "It's okay..."
She almost laughed when she finally saw the moonwell. Was it really the first one they had come across in their travel. "This is a moonwell." She explained, carefully touching the side of it. "It is... was used to harness the energy of the moon." But where was it getting its energy from, now ? There was nothing, and Universe... Elune...
"Moonwell strengthen us." She said. "Probably because of this... mana you speak about. This place... There was a creature slain there." She didn't want to say old god, just in case it insulted him. "It's body was burried here, with the sword keeping it from regenerating. We guarded this place, to make sure the sword was never removed." SkieBorne "Ooh." He replied, a shadow of remorse darkening his features as he looked at its mirror-like surface. "I didn't know... maybe whomever changed this place, tapped the forest and the moon? It feels good to be near it. It was really easy to draw on, like it amplified or answered my call." Glyph pursed his lips as he regarded the sword, unsure of what that meant now that it was no longer stuck in something.
"The sword was over there to start... I didn't pull it out of anything. It's too big for me." He laughed, a little unsure. Zero Dream "Maybe ?" Honestly, she didn't know what to answer him on this one. "There wasn't a moonwell here, last time I've been here. It must have been built after I left."
"I know." It hadn't even crossed her mind, that Glyph might have moved it. "It was.. impaled in a skull, right here." She moved a few paces away, standing in one specific spots. "And then there were tentacles on the side, and it was all huge to match. I can only hope that the body not being here anymore... is a good thing, that someone finally destroyed it." Her lips were pulled into a thin line. SkieBorne He pursed his lips as he watched her point out something massive and shook his head, "None of that was were. Just the sword shoved in the stone over there, aligned with the well. Nothing even grew on it, no moss or vine." Shrugging after a moment he smiled, "I felt no animosity here, only peace and a sheltered potential. Whatever was here is no longer and it left no taint that I can tell."
Moving over to her, he set both hands on her shoulders and stood on his toes so he could set his chin on said should from behind, whispering into her ear, "But for now, enjoy this? Relax a little and let it ease your mind. I'll listen if you'll speak." He smiled and broke away, having spotted a sappling along the edge that had been uprooted from an animals' digging.
Crouching, he righted it and glanced over his shoulder as he coaxed it back towards health, its leaves standing up firmer. Zero Dream How long had this all taken for him ? Certainly not only those two days, but how could it have been otherwise ? She was still staring, very openly, at the area around her when he spoke again.
It seemed like no matter what she did, there would be no perfect solution. Both speaking of it and not speaking of it seemed like it would end in causing him pain. Damned if you do...
She moved, flowing through the greenery until she turned and sat at the moonwell, running her hand though the clear water. There was indeed energy in it - though it was a mix of influences, all greenery, rather than the familiar feeling of sky and moon.
How old is this moonwell, Illisia ? Xun asked her, directly.
I don't know. The night elf admitted with a mental sigh. I can't tell... It might have been there before I left. I hadn't been here before Gehenna even started. She'd been elsewhere, on another mission, in the distant, cold lands of Northrend.
She crossed her left leg over her right, still looking over the water. "I've... always been a creature of routine, I figure. But now there are so many questions and so many worries in my mind... Im not sure what to do with all this. I just wish I had a hint. Something that let me know that my people are still truly here. So far, it's only been ruins and moonwells, and to see how much we lost..." It was heartwrenching. Ultimately, Xun had greater worries, whole worlds to worry about, and a delicate balance to dance upon - but she was Illisia, and her heart was still with her people.
But she was just delaying saying it, now wasn't she ? "You host." She cut though, abruptly. "How long did it take you to.... take him over ?" It was so hard, in a way, to imagine Glyph as anything else but what he was right now - that before him, there had been another, just like her. "...He's getting stronger. The last time I have tried to shape-shift, it took so much effort that it wasn't even worth it." She shook her head. "I shouldn't be scared. I shouldn't."
"But I am."
My dear... Of course, he knew all this - she couldn't possibly begin to hide it from him, not as intervened as they were, but to hear it, truly hear it, was another thing completely. In a way, he was proud of her - this, he felt... was much better than to simply leave Forest guessing, though... even if she hadn't spoken, he would not have made her. The Dragon respected his host too much to do something like this.. SkieBorne He nodded as she began, turning to keep her in sight as she moved to sit at the moonwell. Glyph had been about to reply, to let her know there must be survivors when she stopped and asked something entirely unexpected. He paused, the topic a supremely personal one for him... as he imagined it was with the other gods.
For several heartbeats he remained silent as he tried to gather an answer for her. Nobody had asked him before, and it was something he'd been grateful for but her question was not couched in animosity or ridicule and he respected her too much not to answer.
At length he smiled sadly, a fond sort of expression for times lost and sat at her feet, admist the grass he'd helped grow over the past few days. "If you wish to know, let's start at the beginning. My host, whose form I currently wear, was one Malh'reth an entertainer and an illusionist of great calibur. I cannot remember when, precisely, we were joined but to me there was a blooming of life and a spark of potential that I instinctively sought. It's so foggy... disjointed." Glyph shook his head as he let his gaze roam over the ground, "He was blind when my Aoide tricked him into accepting my gem... vision destroyed by the first waves of Gehenna but he could see via his gifts. I am not proud that they chose such means to see their master's return but it is as it is. There were arguments at first, he disliked the concept of a parasitic deity you see, and saw it as someone robbing his hard earned freedom."
Glyph smiled at that, "I understood his frustration - it's hard not to feel the emotions and scars of your host when you occupy a corner of their very soulstuff. He wanted time to accept it, and I gave it. The possession was gradual at first..." Here he paused, biting his lower lip as he looked not at Illisia but the memories that played across his mind's eye, "and we became friends. He asked promises of me, which I freely gave, and I learned from him things I did not know I was missing. Malh'reth appreciated individuality, freedom, art and laughter... and love and lust. All the vices and virtues of life he enjoyed and many of those things stuck with me as I grew and he waned."
Glyph leaned back, looking at Illisia as he finished, tone soft and private, "In the end, it took some time but eventually he slipped and I caught him... and the transition was acheived. I had not meant to... devour him as I did but he was a ghost of what he had been and a peaceful end was all I could offer - he did not suffer. He thanked me even though he'd sacrificed his very essence to me. It's something I will always be thankful for and in a way, he'll have earned immortality." He laughed tensely, "I've had a terrible penchant for sweet confections since then. I kept his belognings as a reminder of the sacrifice he made and to not forget the lessons he taught me."
He poked a hand into one of his long sleeves and rustled around, withdrawing a small hand-sized journal that was worn and frayed and showed it to Illisia, "This was his sketchbook." There were a myriad of drawings from dolls to vases to trees and then, later, rough lines denoting shapes without detail, their wanton patterns reminscent of vibration. Glyph smiled at her, "It's okay to be afraid, I was - Mal was. But his memory and some of him lives on in me... and with his sacrifice Forest has a second chance to make things right. We all faded for reasons, Illisia, and it is by the selfless sacrifice of mortals like you that give us a chance to make ammends and another grasp at life."
Rising he offered her the journal and sat beside her, pulling her into a supportive embrace. Zero Dream And that silence was all that Illisia needed to know that she probably shouldn't have asked. What was she thinking, anyway ? That certainly wasn't something you just asked-
And then, to her own surprise, he answered her. She was silent that whole time, and she listened, taking in what was perhaps one of the most personal stories she'd ever heard.
Will I slip, just like that ?
Will you catch me ?Of course I will.She looked through that journal, even if a part of her was certain she probably shouldn't - careful not to spill any water on it's pages, touch feather-light as she flipped the pages, as if afraid it might crumble.
"Immortality." She mused. "So many seem to seek it..." She couldn't talk, really - hadn't she wanted her own immortality back so much, before all of this happened ? "But yet... Is it right to be immortal, in a world where even gods are young ?"
Maybe it wasn't.
Maybe it was all fate.
"...He was very talented." She whispered, looking at the pictures with obvious fascination. And then, she looked at him, the best she could in spite of being locked in his embrace. "Don't worry about me." She knew it was impossible - but she said it anyway; smiled in spite of her eyes being wet again. "Don't ever worry about me again. He'll take care of me."
She still wasn't completely sure what you happen, and maybe she would never be - but maybe, when the time come, she would just know. Maybe it was just meant to be that way. SkieBorne Glyph gave a light shrug at that, "I don't know. I suppose it depends on what you do with the double-edged sword of time. We may yet be young but the worlds that were ours are not. It sit here beside you and yet I am around you, in paradox. I am young but this forest is ancient... older then even you my dear. Time is hard for me to grasp, still. I note the turning of years in seasons, in cycles of decline and rebirth. A lifetime for a forest is... measured in the span of millennium and yet a heartbeat in the lifespan of the planet. Time, I don't think, is the issue but rather what you do with the time you have - be it a little or a lot."
Taking the precious book back when she was finished, he smiled a nodded, "He was. I loved seeing the world through his eyes." Gently tucking the book back in its place in his sleeve, then laughed softly, "That's like asking water not to flow down hill. I worry because I care and I'm not too inclined to stop caring, if you don't mind." He nodded, however, understanding what she was trying to get at simply dabbed at the tears that welled at the edge of her eyes, "You can cry if you want, I won't mind." Zero Dream There was this whole paradox thing again. If there was one thing that still eluded Illisia completely, this was it. Try as she might, she couldn't wrap her mind around it. No matter how many times she was told about it, and how many did it, the whole concept still refused to wrap itself in her mind as something even remotely possible.
Which was very evident in her expression - a very well-meaning 'I have no idea what you're talking about." What she understood, however, she agreed with. "You're right about that... It's all about what you make of what you're given."
The tears did fall, but she couldn't help it - she laughed at the same time. "Fine, Then, try not to worry too much." SkieBorne Glyph smiled kindly and leaned in to press a hesitant kiss to her forehead before tucking in so he might offer a shoulder for her to weep on, "I will try not to." He fell silent then and let her cry and laugh as she needed.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:31 pm
Signs Of Life Darkshore, as always, fit its name well. Thankfully, Illisia was used to navigate the fog, having living most of her long life in these parts of the Kalimdor continent – and the fog did little to hinder Glyph's innate sense of navigation in the forests that were, in fact, a part of himself. And so, the group stuck to the forested areas, and continued forth. Her mood had been lifted by the re-awaking of the Master's Glade, and while she was no longer a little worried ball of bleakness, it was still evident from Illisia's expression that there were still things weighting heavily on the night elf's mind – the lack of any sign of her people. They continued north, but had yet to find any settlement, any sign of life beyond the wild animals that inhabited the forest. And that worried her, though, this time, she had shared her worry freely. Don't worry about me, my dear, or your people. Things will work out. If in nothing else, then believe in that.She wasn't able to do that. Not completely, at least. Until she got a hint, a sign... The deserted ruins of Astrannar constantly came back to her mind. Would it be what awaited them in Auberdine as well ? What about Darnassus itself ? With the way the main path did cut though the forested areas, the two travellers did meet it, every now and then, at certain junctions that Illisia knew well, as they continued to head northward. They had passed the Grove of the Ancients with no sign of what once dwelt there, which had made Illisia's heart sank – this was where, a few years ago, she had taken some of her first steps into druidism, and a part of her had hoped to see Onu still there, ready to guide her once more. She could only hope that he was still alive, somewhere. The next of such junction was about an half day's walk later, and this was where Illisia finally got the first signs of what she had truly been looking for. She stopped at the road, kneeling down to be able to distinguish the shapes she had only seen vaguely through the fog. There were usually large paw prints in the dirt of the road, much too large to belong to the wild cats that dwelt the forest. No, she knew those kind of paw prints, and to what kind of animals they belonged. Large cats. Riding cats. Sabers. Alongside these paw prints were things even more heart-lifting – the shape of boots following them. More encouraging than that – the traces in the dirt were fresh. They couldn't be more than a day old, if that. There were still others in Darkshore. They wandered the paths. There was still life. Her people were still here. Lord Harmodius would not have sent you here if there wasn't anything to find. Xun scolded her lightly, but she wasn't listening – instead, she called out for Glyph, where he had stopped to rest a bit. And now, after seeing this, she once again had true hope.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:32 pm
Home Sweet Home Illisia and Glyph finally find an inhabited night elf settlement, and from there they reach Teldrassil - however, things arn't quite as well as they seem... Teldrassil is ill, quite obviously so to the two nature-oriented deities. They then meet the High Priestess and the Archdruid. Logged here
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:38 pm
Best Friends Glyph had fallen asleep what seemed to have been hours ago – the city outside her window had likewise fallen into lethargy, its inhabitants earning some much needed rest. Well, not all of them. Sleep was all but eluding Illisia, no matter how hard she sought it. Which was odd – the most complicated part was behind her now, wasn't it ? She hadn't gotten them to truly believe, not yet, but if the healing of Teldrassil didn't do it, then she wasn't quite sure just how she would be able to awaken belief in her people. But there where still so many things on her mind – mixing in with Xun's own thoughts. They hardly even stopped, even when he tried to keep them quiet – the dragon did not seem to require sleep at all. But it would be unfair to shift all the blame on the dragon king that was becoming a greater part of her with every passing day. No, Glyph was right. She had... she had to tell them. Everything. She owed at least Meridia that much. But how ? It seemed like she wouldn't get to think for too long – a soft knock came on the door. ”Illisia ?” Came a whisper. ”Are you asleep ?”That was reminiscent of their childhood, when one would sneak out of their mother's house to seek out the other – the memory was almost painful, given what she had actually been talking about. Wordlessly, she rose out from where she had been sitting on the bed, and slid out of the room without awakening Forest. ”I arn't.” She whispered. ”But Glyph is. We should speak somewhere else.””How perticular.” The white-haired elf pondered out loud, starting to walk down the steps that led to the bottom of the tree-turned-guest rooms. ”To think a god needs this kind of rest. One would think they would be beyond those kind of needs.””Some are.” She shrugged. ”They're all very different.””You really do believe all of this, do you.” Meridia sighed. ”I am still not so sure.”They emerged out of the trunk to what looked like a balcony of branches, closely intertwined to create a floor. Illisia leaned against the railing formed by some more of those branches, glancing away into the distance. ”I lived it. You didn't. Of course it's different.”One lose white eyebrow rose slightly at all. Something was bothering Illisia, and it was all too clear that Meridia was aware of at least that base fact. But she was still struggling with the 'how' – completely overthinking the matter. ”...Im so glad to know you're alive.” The High Priestess joined her best friend at the railing, leaning onto it as well. ”Things have been so different with you gone. And then Tyrande died, and I... and Kaltyrian... Everything happened so fast. Sometimes I wonder if im doing the right choices... If there had been a way to avoid all this.””You wouldn't be High Priestess if you hadn't deserved it. Same with Kaltyrian. You shouldn't sell yourself short, Meridia.” Illisia shook her head. ”Sometimes the choice you will have to make will be choices that others don't agree with – but you have to follow your heart and your mind. Do what you feel is the best.”She couldn't help but realize that their situations were oddly similar, when put that way. ”I know all that.” Meridia smiled. ”But I guess... I needed to hear you say it. But... Illisia, that's not why I am here. Where is Elik... ?” The white-haired woman seemed to dread the answer, but unknowingly to her, this was the least sensitive question she could have asked. ”Elik is still back there. On that world. We got separated when the portal took us there. I know that he is alive, and that ill find him. I just don't know when.””You seem so certain of that.””A Seer told me.” Illisia still wasn't looking at Meridia – still looking off into the pale light made by the wisps in the distance. ”First gods, and now seers.” Meridia sighed. “But after all that... when you come back...” She stopped, but then shook her head. ”Illisia. When you come back. Will you... be my General ? The sentinels are... yet in need of a leader. There is one now, you know her... Steelwind. But she's getting older, and she's asked to step down sometime soon. That place is yours, if you wish for it.”For what seemed to be forever, there was only silence. That... only made things even more difficult. ”I am not a sentinel anymore, Meridia.” Illisia finally said out loud. ”There were plenty of promising sentinels when I left the order. Why not one of them ?””Because I wanted it to be you.” Meridia sighed. ”But I think I already know you'ld say no. But I had to ask anyway.””You shouldn't let our friendship cloud your judgement, Meridia. What if I had never come back ? What if I don't come back after this ?””Stop dancing around the issue.” The High Priestess' voice was unusually harsh, and it surprised Illisia. ”Just because I am High Priestess doesn't mean im any different, Illisia. You're hiding something from me.””...How do you always figure out these things...” Illidia muttered. ”Because I've had to deal with you for nearly ten thousand years, maybe ?” Meridia crossed her arms. This means trouble. ”So will you tell me, or do you want me to try to guess ?”Illisia decided very quickly that she didn't want her friend to have a go at any guesses. Because these guesses might actually be right. ”Im not coming back.”Meridia seemed a little hurt by that, but she pressed on. ”Why ?””Well, I might be.” She relented. ”But not as... me.””You're not making any sense.””I know im not.” She muttered. ”Stop interrupting me and let me get there, alright ? Ill't make sense when im done.”Meridia only nodded. There was no going back now, Illisia knew. Her best friend wouldn't let her. ”The gods died. All of them, Meridia. Beside one. You need to cast out the idea of gods ruling from above, all powerful. It's not true. It might have once been the case... but it's not true anymore. Creation regather what left's of them and then... they are reawakened again. And they grow back to power slowly, leaning what they'd done wrong the first time around. But... they can't do it alone. The Gods, Meridia... they need us, just as much as we need them. Without us, they just die.”Illisia sighed. She just couldn't think of a easy way to do this – and so she settled, ripping the cloth that covered her arm. ”And one of these gods.” She finally said. ”Needed me more than any of the others did. To live again, Gods need a mortal life to bring them back to glory. A sacrifice.””And so this... god.” Meridia's eyes were fixed on the gem, her voice was wavering. ”...Took you ?””No. Some do take without asking.” She wasn't going to lie. She hadn't seen it happen, but many had told her just that – and a part of her was certain that it was true. The second she had seen Xun's gem... She knew he could have taken her right there and then. But he hadn't. ”But he didn't take me. I gave myself to him. So I could... make a difference. It seemed like the only way I truly had. I want you to live an happy life, I want you to have children with Kaltyrian. I want Elik to live happily and give me some damn grandchildren one day.” In spite of herself, she smiled. ”Even if I never get to see them, I don't care. Once Xun is himself again, he can help the world recover. He can help us. He will help us. None of that can happen if the worlds just up and die like they almost did.”Meridia was silent. It was so like Illisia – to go at any possible length to assure the safety and happiness of who she loved. Hadn't her leaving to begin with proof of exactly that ? But yet it seemed to... unbelievable. But deep in her heart, she knew it was true. Illisia withheld information, but Illisia had never directly lied to her. Never. ”What is he.... She nearly lost her words in her constricted throat. It was hard not to cry, really, but she knew she couldn't – not in front of Illisia. She'd take it so badly. ”The god of ?””His name is Xun Jiang.” She said. ”He is... a dragon king, working directly under Creation. The Lifewater of Worlds.””A dragon...” It was so hard to truly visualize. ”Like... an Aspect ? Illisia...””No, Meri. Stronger than even as Aspect.””By Elune...”For a moment, neither women spoke. The wisps continued their dance in the distance, unaware of the serious going-ons in between two best friends. ”...I can't blame you.” Meridia eventually decided. ”...If it had been me, and if someone had told me that I could bring Elune... no, Universe, Glyph called her ? If someone told me I could bring her back... I think I would have. This Lifewater... could have chosen a lot worse than you.”Illisia sighed. In a way, he had done that, once. But there were things she simply wouldn't talk about, and the failed host before her was one of them. ”Do you know how long... ?””I don't know. It's... different for everyone. So this is why I can't stay. If I want to have one last chance to see Elik...””I understand.” If she hadn't been High Priestess... perhaps she would have gone with Illisia. But she could not skirt her duty, her people. Illisia had been right – she couldn't let their friendship affect her judgement. The piece of cloth had drifted further back with the wind – Meridia moved to grap it, then handed it back to Illisia, who fixed it back to her shoulderguard, hiding her arm – and the gem – from view once more. ”You should rest.” And so should she, the high priestess couldn't help but think. ”I think Forest will need you... more than you think he will.””That is possible.” The druidess had to admit, and she turned back to head back upstairs. ”Good night, Meridia.””Sleep well, Illisia. ...Thank you.” Thank you for telling me the truth. Thank you for all you're ever done to me. Thank you for everything.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:38 pm
The Ghost Of You Zero Dream Glyph had wandered off early the morning after her talk with Meridia, which had been, in a way, welcome. It gave her some time to think about what she wanted to do while she was here, and what she needed to do. Teldrassil was an obvious part, if she could even help with that at all...
But there were also simple things. More personal things, like visiting her husband and her parents' grave one last time. It was a very human tradition, really. Night elves hadn't truly buried their dead in such a fashion before joining the alliance.
She couldn't even remember if she had told Glyph anything about Ilthilior, but it wasn't a state secret that there had been someone in her life, before. She had a son to show for it, after all.
This was one of the things one usually did alone, but... she had still asked Glyph if he would have liked to come with her. She wasn't quite known exactly why, but perhaps it had to do with his presence - it was always comforting when he was around, and this might end up offering him an insight on her culture.
Once they were ready, she started to lead the way. SkieBorne When she'd asked him to accompany her to the graves of her family members, he'd been surprised at first. Such things were normally private affairs and he hadn't wanted to be in the way. Still, he'd agreed if only because he appreciated the gesture for what it was and wanted to share the moment with Illisia.
Having grabbed his packet of seeds and tied them to his waist, Glyph followed along beside her, taking her hand so they could walk hand-in-hand. She'd seemed lighter, less burdened, this morning and it put him in a good mood. Whatever had happened, it had been a good thing and he wasn't going to question it.
When they turned down the that would lead to the gravesite, he glanced at her, "What was Illthior like? You've mentioned him before but haven't really described him. He must have been a good man to catch your heart." There was a private smile there as he returned his gaze to the path.
His conversation with the Ancients had left him with far more understanding of the land then before and he let his power ebb and flow around them, in subtle waves of influence that encouraged growth. It amazed him how much he'd grown since first overtaking Malh'reth's body... his abilities were still limited but where he had to focus on a single target before now he could encompass a small area. Here and there, buds would pop open or leaves would unfurl, the grass around them shivered a little taller. In response, he felt the forest stir at his touch and the thrum of life throughout played pleasant background music to their footsteps and conversation. Zero Dream "He was..." For a moment, she wasn't too sure what to say. Of course he had been a good man, she had spent so long with him, after all.
"He was gentle, kind. Not a mean bone into him - I think I've only seen him fight in true self-defense. He spoiled Elik entirely too much." She rolled her eyes, but she was also smiling. "Though I always thought it was his way to tell him that he loved him, so I let it happen. He slept the Emerald Dream for long spans of time. Every 1000 years or so he'd wake up and we would get to spend a century or so with him before he went back to sleep. I think he did so much so Elik wouldn't have to. He loved to make jokes and sometimes im sure he did pick fights with me on purposes just so he can just laugh and make me smile." Her voice had dropped to a bare whisper, and she stopped - the walk to the graves was short, and there were three simple ones.
"He was sleeping when Gehenna happened - the first wave killed many of the sleeping druids outright, but Illthior was lucky. He woke up and came back so we could try to figure out was was going on. By the time War happened... We were in Ashenvale, the orcs were invading, and there was a little girl trapped in the ruins of one of the houses, surrounded by orcs..."
She had to swallow the lump in her throat before she spoke again. "He went to save her, brave idiot that he was. The orcs killed the both of them. I... I didn't get in here in time to save either of them."
She cleared the wines that had started to grow over the tombstone, just enough so that the name could be visible. "He died trying to save a child that wasn't his. A child he had never known. That... is what true bravery is like. I promised myself that if I had to die... Ill't be much the same thing." SkieBorne Glyph listened to her story and nodded throughout, silent. When she finished, he smiled, "That is bravery indeed. And nobility. He was a lucky man, to enjoy your love and prosper from it. I am sorry for your loss, Illisia, but I do envy him." He and closed his eyes as he planted a seed at the head of the grave, setting the tiny think to growing with a thought, "Thank you." For what or whom he was speaking was unclear but when he rose there was respect in his eyes, "An oak will grow from that seed and mark his resting place with wisdom. It would be an honour if you allowed its growth."
In a way her words had reminded him of himself and he wondered if the similarity was something she noticed... He wasn't sure if the stirring of sadness in him was the result of a shared loss or the knowledge that her heart belonged to another and that he was just a reminder of said loved one.
Padding over to the other graves he knelt before him and set flower seeds at the foot of their graves, murmuring a prayer wishing for peaceful rest in Nergal's care for all three. Something in the way he moved spoke of his inner imbalance, in the gentleness he touched the plants with to soft gaze he settled on her when he moved away.
He shook his head and cleared the thoughts then, a smile replacing the brooding, "Another time, another place." Glyph chuckled, "Fate is a fickle mistress, I wonder if he, or she, has been reborn to play such games." Turning away, he padded over to a small knoll and knelt there to gaze out over a dip in the land where trees grew tall and things and wisps flitted between their trunks as he tried to work out why he felt so out of sorts of a sudden. Illisia was a cherished friend, a companion... smart and witty and gentle and intense, all at the same time but a host nonetheless. She would be survive that trial, just as his own host had not, and his affections would be forced to come to an end. He bit his lip. In the meantime, however, he would enjoy her company to the fullest they were capable of. Zero Dream She watched him, wordlessly, as he visited each grave to plant a seed. There was... something wrong, she could tell. And why would he envy her dead husband ? "I would be honored." She would make sure to tell Meridia to not let anyone disturb that oak, or those flowers. Not that any night elf would be inclined to.
"The two other graves are my mother, and my father. All three died roughly at the same time. I.. thought I was going to go insane." She shook her head. "But I had to let go quickly... or I would have died too. Or Elik would have. If anything, I couldn't let my son die on top of all that."
"Fate can be a cruel thing." She took the steps that separated her from him. "But at the same time... he or she led me to you, didn't it ?"
She was silent, for a moment. "You know, im not the only one who has to talk all the time." She adventured. "Is something wrong... ?" SkieBorne He smiled at that and looked over his shoulder at her, "Indeed. And to your own destiny." Glyph looked back out over the forest with a sigh and plopped down to sit, limbs all akimbo, "No. Nothing's wrong. Just difficult..."
Glyph closed his eyes, "You're a wonderful woman, Illisia, in so many ways and I find myself caring for you more then just as a follower or a prophet. You make me laugh and I enjoy everything we've done together." He pursed his lips, trailing off in with a thoughtful mrring sound for a moment or two, "Your bringing me here just brings your fate into strong contrast and is something I can't rightly speak to. I am Forest, I took the very essence of my host so that I could rekindle my own... it's the only way we can recover... For me to say I wish it weren't true in your case is both hypocritical and unfair... Xun has every right to life as I do - more, perhaps, because he is a Dragon King. And yet... I feel like I'll loose something very important when you do eventually succumb to him."
He grit his teeth, "It's a conflict that is not an easy one to bear. I would not deny him restoration but I would also not wish you oblivion." Glyph closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to his forehead, having difficulty finding the right words as he thought of and discarded a million things to say. "I can only hope he'll forgive my reluctance to let go and that you'll forgive my condoning your death and that though I might wish it otherwise, I will not seek to stop it." He fell silent then, at a loss as to what else to say. Zero Dream Illisia was silent at all that, mouth half-open as if she wanted to speak, but no words truly wanted to come. "I..." And then, nothing else.I would like to speak to him. Xun suddenly spoke, and it startled her, slightly. He'd been silent, beside of the him of their thoughts mixing with each other, for quite some time - he knew this was personal, but...What do you want me to say ? She offered, automatically.No, Illisia. That... is not what I mean. Will you let me ?...I see...And so she let him. By now, he had more than enough strength to have taken if he had been inclined to do so, especially since he had been saving it. But he hadn't, and it was unusual for him to take the forefront - he never had before, not even for his brothers, but... this was a message that would convey better if he passed it himself. But yet, he found himself unsure as to how to break the ice, so to speak.Illisia couldn't help but fidget a bit, nervous as she waited - hold of her body was still her own, and it was a little... awkward."You speak of death, of oblivion." The voice that came out was definitively not Illisia's. It was low and even, rolling along like the gentle flow of a river. There was no mocking in those words. "I will admit that this place is a little foreboding."
Had anyone given his first host a proper burial ? Had there even been anything left of her to do so.
"I do not think that it needs to be this way. You say it is the only way... But I have heard otherwise. I cannot do much, and... I cannot give an apology for talking the one I needed. But I like to think myself honorable. What I can give you, Forest... is a promise."Xun, what the hell are you... Thoughts, lighting quick, in between the two of them, and... It wasn't surprising. In a way, it felt like she had known all along. ...Yes. This is what I want. Say it."She will not die. I will not let her." In a way, it was a three way promise. To Glyph, to Illisia, and to... himself. To live without Illisia seemed completely wrong, the simple thought filled him with dread. "Love became one with his host. If he has done so, then surely I... We can do the same. I do not know if it will be enough for you, but it is.. the only thing I can truly do, to save her." SkieBorne His ears perked out of surprise as he immediately picked up the rolling cadence to Illisia's voice and looked over, his expression open as the other spoke. He sighed, shaking his head, "The only promise I ever expected from you, Lifewater, is to swear you would be gentle. I do not fault you for taking what's needed but...
He laughed bitterly at the mention of Love, "Would that Love were here. Maybe he'd be able to answer my questions." Offering a brave smile he turned around fully and addressed the Dragon King squarely, "I do not presume to influence how your ascension takes place, Xun... I... I think I-" He cut himself off with a shake of his head. Some things were better left unsaid. Squaring his shoulders he offered a bitter-sweet smile, "am grateful to know you cherish her so. It soothes me to know she will reside in your heart as well as mine."
Clasping his hands before him, he cast his gaze to the ground and busied himself with encouraging a tiny sapling to grow, aware his words could just as likely incite anger as it could understanding. Zero Dream Or perhaps he would be just as inclined to hitting the both of you in the back in the head. Or trap you in a closet until something finally happens. The thought was amusing, but he did not let it be spoken out loud. The situation was complicated enough that he did not want to add more to it than he already it.
"It would probably be a lie to say that you have not influenced our decision." Was was he said instead. "But I think it would have been so either way."Hey, you... !!!!
Illisia didn't get to chastise her dragon in great length - after these words he let go, drawing back to the back of her mind. She shook her head once, twice, as if to work off some kind of daze - it was evident in her expression that this was the first time this had happened. "Well... That was weird." SkieBorne Glyph pursed his lips at that and turned back to the view before him, taking solace in the way the wind shivered through leaves or fanned the grass into green waves. "Be that as it may." When her voice changed again, he smiled to himself and nodded, "I imagine it would be... has he not spoken through you before?" Zero Dream "No." She shook her head for emphasis. "I always figured that he could... But if he had something to say, he always had me relay it, before." She knew exactly why, really, but Xun had been adamant - no one outside his brothers was to know anything about the failed host. He just wasn't comfortable discussing it with anyone else, and she could understand that.
"But he's right. This is... what I want, too." SkieBorne "That's good. I didn't doubt his honour but it is good to know he has not forced you." Glyph replied, nodding to her last statement but not speaking. He was feeling particularly awkward and was contemplating losing himself in the forest at his feet to gain some space.
At length, he coughed and abruptly stood straight, clasping his hands before him as he turned to face the night elf. His flustered expression turned embarrassed as he found the fast-growing grasses around him had already grown to his mid-thigh and he was standing in a reverse crop-circle. Carefully stepping out of the circle, he took her hand and kissed her knuckles as a gentleman would, "You do what is right for you, regardless of me, understood? That's what's important... and if that is what happens then I will be glad - for you both." Zero Dream Illisia nodded when he spoke. Normally she would have regarded the reverse crop circle with open amusement, but it was not so for the time being. No, now there was concern on her features.
"...Maybe I should just have come here alone. It's just making you uncomfortable." She sighed. "Im sorry. I just didn't want you to think I was... putting you aside for other things..." SkieBorne He blinked, "The graves don't make me uncomfortable... I'm honoured you would share your past with me." Glyph pursed his lips, ears drooping into a guilty expression, "I didn't think that. I.... Here."
Forest reached up then and slid a hand around the back of her head, standing up tall so he could place a tender kiss full on her lips. Then he stepped back, "Trust me. I don't think you'd set me aside." Zero Dream For a moment, there was nothing at all. Only the ruffle of the leaves in the wind, and nothing more.
Illisia was also completely still. She blinked once, twice - she seemed to ponder what had just happened in spite of knowing exactly what had just happened. Yet, this couldn't have just happened. Not really. Right ?
...Well.
Apparently, that was the point where she just plain stopped caring about the future and what it may bring - that was the point where she finally gave in, leaned in, and kissed him back. SkieBorne He blinked at that, caught in an expression of surprise. Not the most romantic return, really, but Glyph hadn't expected her to return the gesture... his kiss hadn't been like that... he... he broke off after a moment and chuckled dropping his gaze to the ground as he flushed a pleasant red colour. A silly little smile played across his lips as things clicked into place. Why he'd been so worried about her in darkshore, why taking her those plants for her room had been so important... and he mentally called himself blind while at the same time thanking Malh'reth for an understanding he wasn't sure he'd had before.
Tilting his head up to look at her once he'd sorted out his thoughts, his smile was private and tender, infinitely gentle, "Are you sure?" Zero Dream "Given that it's been driving me nuts for awhile now ?" Illisia had a similar smile - and she laughed. "Yes, I believe I am quite sure."Figure we will not need that closet after all.Oh, quiet, you overgrown lizard. All in jest, of course, and the dragon just laughed - she did her best to ignore it. SkieBorne "That's what's been stressing you out?" Glyph shook his head, "I was pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to cheer you up... and you wouldn't talk to me so I didn't know... and...." He frowned, eyeing her, "Promise me you'll talk to me at the very least. So you don't get eaten up by your emotions? It's not always a bad thing to share a burden."
He took her hand then and smiled broadly, "Good. Because I'm sorry I'm so dense. It's all this wood, you see." Winking, he knocked on his head as he chuckled. "Are you hungry? The druids I met earlier said they would share the midday meal with me if I wished to join them. They walked in on my conversing with the Ancients...." Zero Dream ...But that was kind of missing the point of her not wanting to notice, wasn't it ?
But she didn't want to argue - not here, not now. "Ill try to." It was just... so much of a part of her, in a way. She had always been very independent - stubbornly so, in fact.
"Ill' tolerate it." She joked, smiling. "Just because it's you."
She walked toward the grave, then, whispering something in darnassian for a minute or so before she then turned back to meet up again with Glyph. "That sounds like a good idea."
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:40 pm
Into The Heart SkieBorne Glyph stood at the entrance to the gathering place of the druids regarding the ornate entrance to the halls of Teldrassil and its guards resplendent in purple and gold ceremonial armor. Each was a druid, by their marks, and each stood at prim attention, their gazes scanning the area without settling on any one thing for too long.
He smiled at that as he inhaled deeply and let the woody smell of the shrine mingle with the scent of forests and soil that hung in the air like a favourite cologne. He'd refused any special garments or trappings and walked on with a look of nervous anticipation. illisia should be here, somewhere, he'd asked for her presence. Someone word of their kiss had spread like wildfire and the request had elicited a bemused smile from the Arch Druid.
Greeting the guards and then the Ancients that stood to either side, he turned to wait for the Darnassian leaders. Even now, druids were working inside and out of the tree, stabilizing it but not curing it. Zero Dream It wasn't long before one figure separated itself from the crowd - most notably, from the high priestess. Kaltyrian seemed rather optimist as he came forward, calm and relaxed. There were many things on his mind, sure, but none of that showed as he gave a small bow and addressed Glyph. He wore the same ceremonial armor than his druids did, with the addition of a cape. "Are we ready, then ?"It wasn't long before Illisia was spotted, coming forward as well. She was clad in the same purple and gold ceremonial armor, though her's also had a cape, just like Kaltyrian did. None of the other druids in assistance did. She lacked the cloth that had covered her arm most of the trip, as well. The druidess also carried with her a lantern, of sort - a large, gnarly branch, the top forming a circle of smaller branches. There was a wisp inside, rather than a candle or anything of the like - it was not trapped in the enclosure - in fact, the wisp easily fit in the open bottom of the cage of branches.
In stark contrast with the archdruid, Illisia seemed more than a little nervous - she was fidgeting with her lantern constantly, waiting to see what would happen. SkieBorne "We are. I would like to learn the pathways and rooms of Teldrassil and to meet the druids currently working. I am not strong enough on my own but the Ancients showed me a way of amplifying my power. I'll need your druids' cooperation and the central most area you have." He smiled at the Arch Druid as he made his wishes known. "I doubt this will be a quick process, Kaltyrian... so your belief and that of your order is very important."
When the lantern came bobbing and fidgeting forward, Glyph laughed lightly and padded up to Illisia, steadying it with his hands as he winked at her, "You look superb. The regalia suits you Illisia, and don't be so nervous. What's wrong?" Zero Dream "We will go through the main paths - it looks more confusing that it truly is. Once you will be familiar with the main path, figuring out the others will surely come to you easily."
The archdruid nodded with the later statement - he seemed to understand and accept that much, at least. "We will do everything we possibly can."
"Now, Illisia, don't drop your lantern." He added as an afterthought - he sounded quite serious, but Glyph could see he was smiling."I-Im not !" She protested - this turned into the lantern ending up in a death grip. "They're all staring at me..." And she didn't like it. She'd always skirted away from positions of power exactly because she didn't like all the attention that came with it. But then, it occurred to her that Glyph probably didn't know what the difference in attire meant. "Meridia didn't keep her mouth shut." Apparently this was enough explanation. SkieBorne He nodded his thanks to the Arch Druid and blinked as Illisia's knuckles paled on the branch that supported the lantern. He smiled in amusement at the Arch Druid's tease and agreed with him, "I'm glad you thought to bring a light. I appreciate it. And what do you mean?" He turned to regard Illisia as he started back towards the Shrine's entrance, letting the Arch Druid take the lead, "Coming?" Zero Dream "Of course." Kaltyrian started to head downward in the open part of Teldrassil - it was as old as the tree itself, which... was not so ancient, compared to the previous world tree. The natural pathway twisted a bit, acting like a spiral staircase for the first steps. This would go on for a few meters before they reached a more gentle slope. "She told everyone about me. And Xun." Illisia muttered, stepping after the archdruid. Well, everyone was an exaggeration - she had told Kaltyrian, and that had been enough to land her in the position she was now. "This place is barred to most of the younger druids. I... shouldn't really be here." SkieBorne "Is there only the one World Tree?" Glyph asked out of curiosity as they descended, his hand trailing on the wood as they walked. Even if one was not a druid, the thrum of energy in this place was incredible... and that was its dying state. He wondered what it would be like restored; and couldn't not blame the night elves for calling this place holy.
"...Oh." Glyph laughed, "I told you you wouldn't be rejected. And that's ridiculous. If Meridia, Kaltyrian, and I want you here then you're here. Would you naysay me?" He asked pleasantly, teasing as he looked back over his shoulder. Zero Dream "It is the only one still awake." Kaltyrian elaborated as he reached the end of the 'staircase' - if it could be called such, the span of space around them huge, more than enough for ancients to pass through - and then turned to offer his hand to Illisia, knowing that the weight of the lantern was likely throwing off her balance. "There is another, on the mainland of Kalimdor, but it has been dormant for years, after the demon attack that sought to destroy it. It is recovering, slowly. Teldrassil was created to take some of the strain off so that it could heal."Illisia took the offered hand, and once she was also on the main 'floor', she turned to offer her own hand to Glyph. "I figure I can't argue with a god." If the lantern she held was of any less value, Glyph would have likely been bopped with it. "Doesn't mean they should look at me like im salvation personified. That's more your part." SkieBorne "Aah. I see. Let's hope we can pinpoint the problem quickly then." Glyph replied, falling silent as they started into one of the chambers, "Are there many places like this in the World Tree?" He thanked Illisia as he stepped down and padded out into the room proper, touching the walls with a sort of awe and respect. "Is this the closest room to the heartwood you have? How deep are we?" They weren't in a forest and thus his sense of direction was no better then a commoner's.
He leaned against one wall, however, and shook his head when illisia called him savior, "No. I can't do this alone. I would likely perish without help. It will only be by the druids' good graces that this gets done. Perhaps in the future I may be able to do it single handedly but that future is a long time off yet." Zero Dream "We still have quite a while to go before we get close - while the heart of Teldrassil is kept sheltered, there is a room large enough close by that should work..." Or at least he hoped so - he wasn't so sure what could work, otherwise. He forced that thoughtful frown away from his features as he looked back toward Forest and Illisia. "The rest of the main path goes downward in a spiral - it will take us a few hours to get to the room I told you about. The side paths all branches off this one, beside the room where I am taking you - it lays at the end of this path.""That's not what I meant... Even if it's not the case, they do percieve the situation that way. At least, most of the population does." Always technical. But she couldn't really expect anything else from a god, now could she ? But, to be honest, she was worried. What if something happened to him ? What would she do, then ?
If something happened, technically it would be all her fault. SkieBorne He smiled, glad for a straight forward path into such an important place. Still, that it would take a couple hours of travel to reach the heart amazed him. Teldrassil was masssive and intimdating, yes, and he supposed he really shouldn't be so very surprised but it impressed upon him how very little he was of yet. It was inspiring and daunting at the same time and he wondered if he would, in fact, he able to go through with this.
In the end, he wouldn't know unless he tried... he just hoped the outcome was the one they all hoped for.
Clearing his throat, he nodded and stepped after the Arch Druid, but looked to Illisia, a fond expression warming his features, "Either way, the important thing is to tend their tree, yes? They'll realize soon enough that I'm not endlessly capable." He chuckled, shaking his head as he leaned over to whisper to Illisia, "I mean, really. Do I look like a saviour? Don't worry my dear. I'll be alright." I hope, he added silently. He really didn't know how this would go. Zero Dream "Yes." She whispered back, though her features betrayed her worry. But then, asking Illisia not to worry was like asking bees not to like honey. It was just something she did at the barest sign that she probably should - she loved so much, and so deeply, that it wasn't hard to set her off. "But still... be careful."Kaltyrian was hearing everything. It was hard to hide something form his sensitive hearing, especially in these halls. "There is one thing you will learn." He said, softly. "Is that you cannot ask a lady not to worry. She will then proceed to bend all known logic, and worry even more." He didn't sound completely serious.Illisia frowned. "I have a lantern, and I know how to use it. Will all due respect, Arch Druid."And Kaltyrian just let out a light chuckle at that. SkieBorne Glyph made a face at Illisia when she didn't look relieved in the slightest. He wasn't that easily broken! Smoothing a hand over her back in the hopes the contact would reassure her, Glyph eyed the Arch Druid then laughed at Illisia's retort. "And I think, Arch Druid, that I do agree." He bobbed sideways before he could be swatted and winked at Illisia then settled back in for the long trek ahead. Zero Dream "I have enough lantern to hit the both of you." She sighed, but the threat was of course, hollow - the touch seemed to calm her, and her free hand immediately went to seek out Glyph's.
"But you're right... No matter what, this needs to be done." If now, well... her people would most likely die off. How many had already died ? How many night elves remained ? They had never been populous to begin with - what use was great numbers when you were immortal ?
So many things had changed.
And so they continued their descent - downward, ever so downward...
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:42 pm
Tending Illisia had made her way back outside Teldrassil once everyone had been settled – she knew she wouldn't help, in spite of her curiosity, of the fact that a part of her wanted to see this so badly. She would be dead weight, a distraction, with her powers as a druid as unreliable. It was better for her space to be filled by someone who could reliably lend their power to the process that she, ultimately, understood little about. It frustrated and worried her all at once, forming a tight little ball in her throat that she couldn't quite swallow down. Illisia didn't like having Glyph out of her sight – in a way, she fully saw herself as his protector. It was her duty to make sure he was okay, and how was she supposed to do that from up here ? The fact was that it was more like the other way around, that it was Glyph that had the power to keep her safe – but the thought never occurred to her. She didn't move from the entrance to the inner paths of the world tree – she couldn't in good mind do so, just in case she would end up being needed. And so Illisia waited. Sometimes she paced. Sometimes she sat. Most often than not, Meridia was keeping her company, and the two women talked. About the present, about the future – when they were talking, they worried less about what was going on below them. Illisia had been a whirlwind of different emotions ever since she had left the Pantheon, from extreme joy to extreme sadness, from anger to laughter, and everything else in between. She thought about Lindita, who was most likely still waiting, alone, in the ruins of Ashenvale, and she couldn't help but feel guilt. They would be here for a lot longer, by all appearances, but she couldn't seem to be able to wriggle out, take a mount and go to at least warn the aoide. If she didn't know better, Illisia would probably think she was losing her mind. But thankfully, she knew better. It was just that... mix of clashing emotions. She'd never liked to be so confused, but at least she could start to feel herself settle once more. Having to hide her feelings had caused the most of it, it seemed. How typical, but all the same, a part of her was still worrying about the future, and what it would mean. The unknown was always worrying – there was no helping that. She waited for nearly a whole day before druids and ancients began to rise out from within Teldrassil – those strong enough carrying those who had passed out. Something had happened, and she'd all leaped from the spot where she'd been sitting, nearly cutting her way through the crowd. She would have, had Meridia had not held her back. Kaltyrian was the last to come out – and he was carrying Glyph. That was the breaking point – Illisia literally tugged her way from the High Priestess' grasp and went straight to them. He was so pale... She'd never seen him so pale before. It was the only thing she could think about. Eventually, they had all those who had passed out ushered away to recover – and Illisia offered her help to take care of them – not so much by any magical mean, like Meridia and her priests, but by being an extra pair of hand wherever it was needed. Of course, most of her focus was on Glyph – no one could truly blame her for it. She only moved from the god's side to eat, as long as he was out of it – she slept right there, at his side, huddled up in a corner. She wouldn't let go. She couldn't let go. In a way, this was all her fault. She spent hours sitting at the bottom of the bed she'd had him put into, hand laced into his, watching carefully, just in case, just in case... Thankfully, Forest wasn't worsening. One by one, the druids started to awaken from their slumber, and Glyph followed them – but yet, Illisia couldn't help but feel this might not be the last time she would have to do this. Things were far from over. They had only just begun.
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:43 pm
See Who I Am The healing had began in truth now – Glyph only allowed himself, the druids and the ancient enough time to recover - a week or so - before they delved right back to their work – she'd been explained the urgency of the situation, but it couldn't help but worry her. They were wearing themselves thin, all of them, and it wasn't hard to see - she saw little of Forest herself, though it seemed that they were now taking turns in teams rather then working all at once. Scarce details was all she'd truly been able to decode. It was impossible to not feel helpless, with the outside view that she had on the whole thing. It all seemed out of her reach, out of her grasp. There were many people gathered outside the tree now. Many elves of all ages, men, women, children – priestesses, sentinels, hunters, even the rogue or two hiding out in the shadows as they did best, guarding the gathering in their own way. There were young apprentice druids, eyes wide as they felt the throw and hum of the ground below their feet. Something big was happening, and they could tell. Illisia was, technically, the only non-apprentice druid on the ground level. All the others were down there.Illisia felt it as well, the thrums and echoes of what was going on thousand of feet under ground level - it ran through her like lighting bolts, like jolts that made her muscles twitch. The crowd was diverse, and it called her many things – Prophet. Herald. Shan'do. None of them had refereed to her openly as a god, thankfully so in her mind. Either the information hadn't spread outside the higher hierarchy of society, or they did not understand what the gem in her arm actually meant. Still, she found herself trying – she tried to conjure her own power, the one that had once ran so strongly in her – but nothing worked. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't even conjure any of her nurturing abilities. She wasn't jealous of those who were down below, not really, but she felt useless. And she hated feeling useless. You should not feel that way. Came the gentle voice in her mind. Illisia latched on Xun's voice like a lifeline – if she was talking to him, then she wasn't driving herself insane with worry. Meridia was at her side, a similar worry on her own face. Two women worried for the men they loved dearly, mirrors in spite of all their differences. But what can I do ? I can't even...You said it yourself, Illisia. The gods need you, just as much as you need the gods. You might not be able to partake directly, but you can pray.
You can get them to pray, to strengthen Forest. Can't you ?And then, she understood. Illisia understood what she had to do. She turned from where she had been looking down the dark hole that was the entrance of the world tree, to actually face the crowd. There were so many of them... so many. Nearly the whole town, all who had survived the times of Gehenna. At the same time, it seemed like so few, compared to what numbers they had once been. ”Illisia... ?” Meridia was confused by her friend's sudden reaction. Had she felt something she hadn't ? Maybe she should have just told Meridia to get them to pray – she was high priestess, she certainly could do that. Illisia had been no one in perticular, before that fateful day where she had volunteered herself to seek out the wrongs that was tearing their world – and every world – apart. ”I'd like to have your attention.” She called out to the crowd, but not loud enough – they continued to talk among themselves, whispers of worry and uncertainty. ”A-HEM. I'D LIKE YOUR ATTENTION !”Subtility had never been one of Illisia's names, but that worked – in mere seconds, the crowd's attention was on her – part of her wanted to simply flee all that attention, but Xun was whispering, soothingly, in her mind. He projected calm upon her, calm and determination, and it helped. ”By now, I believe most of you are aware of what is currently happening in Teldrassil.” She started. ”I believe that most of you are also aware that Elune is... unfortunately, dead.” Meridia's gaze went downcast – it was impossible to ignore her friend's pain, and Illisia's free hand went to Meridia's shoulder. The other was holding steady on her lantern, the wisp still glowing side the cage of branches. ”It is a hard thing to accept, but for now, there is nothing we can do about Elune, or about the sky. But there are other gods out there. One is here, even, tending to Teldrassil as we speak. And they need our help. He needs our help.”She looked on straight ahead, with a determination she hadn't showed in quite awhile. ”I want you all to pray. Pray as hard and as true as if you were calling to Elune herself. Lend those below us your strength – they will need it. They are doing all they possibly can for Teldrassil, and so should we !”At first, nothing happened – but then, one by one, heads turned downcast. Some outright knelt, a custom earned form working close by with the Light-worshipping humans. Some where chanting – some were merely whispering, but it didn't truly matter how they prayed – as long as they did. At her side, Meridia was the last to fall in such a posture and, for a moment, she was the only one that stood completely straight, and... it felt like an adrenaline rush, leaving her wanting to catch her breath in spite of never having moved at all. Have you ever seen the hearts of planets and held them in your hand? She was certain that it felt like this very moment had felt – the sheer power that had been unleashed... with her as the driving force, the source. She planted her lantern in the ground then, turned back to face the entrance, and joined in the chants and prayer. Please let this work. Please figure this all out. Please save us. Please be safe.
Please...
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:45 pm
Three Weeks In It had been three weeks since they had started. And they were hard at work – the entirety of them. All of the night elven people, as well as their visitors - one unseen, the other much more tangible. Glyph and the druids down below, as close to the heart of Teldrassil that it was possible to be, spending themselves minute after minute, hour after hour... day after day. Then there were those above, supporting those hard at work – keeping them fed, healthy, allowing them rest as they needed it. And praying. Perhaps the most important thing was that they prayed. Illisia had been surprised by how willing her people seemed to be – the belief hadn't waned from her first attempt. Actually, if anything, it grew stronger as the tree's condition improved. Subtly at first, but every day meant more process. Every day meant more, of everything. More restoration, more faith, more belief. In a way, she'd been the pebble that had rolled down, and had started something akin to a tranquil revolution, tinted with grief, and yet hope. Hope that all that had been brought low could truly be mended, hope that one day there would once again be stars in the sky for the children of the moon. That one day Elune would once again answer their prayers. She hadn't been able to answer that, and neither had the dragon she bore – but she had brought hope. It was better than before... Before than nothing. But what had been done here would never be forgotten, even if they failed at the end of it all. Forest's gift to their survival would never be forgotten, and Elune would not be the sole deity the night elven people would hold beloved to their hearts. But three weeks also meant more than that. It also meant less. It meant a greater tendency to drift away, it meant that it seemed harder for host and god to keep their thoughts truly separate – often she found herself speaking his words instead of her own – Meridia had noticed, and it was impossible for her to act as if nothing was 'wrong.' A part of her, selfish perhaps, hoped she'd make it to the end of this journey. To see those she had grown to love again, one last time... Wasn't what it always came down to ? Hope for one last chance. It will be alright. Came the inevitable whisper against her conciousness. The dragon knew that his host was terrified... and in a way, understood. Fear of the unknown... So many seemed to fear the unknown. Remember my promise, dear. You will see them again. Yes... Illisia was uncertain – she feared she would always be uncertain. Until the end, perhaps. But it helped to be so close, in a way – he could hide nothing from her, and neither could she. But for now, at least, it was easy to drown that uncertainty in work, until she was as spent as Forest working below and easily succumbed into rest, time and time again. Days rolled by, over, over, and over...
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:47 pm
Dreams Of An Absolution Again and again and again, day after day, week after week until, finally, they were done. Or, well, as done as they could be, on each their separate undertakings. They had known – Illisia and Xun Jiang both, in a moment of single awareness that was both thrilling and utterly frightening – the exact moment where it finally happened. The moment when it all snapped into place, where they'd finally done all they could, had reached the end of their efforts, through not the true end itself. They could not lead Teldrassil to complete healing, it turned out, but they'd helped the world tree along. Glyph had cleared the tangles, as he called them, enough so that the mana and sap flowed – enough so that the world tree could heal itself by it's own power, it's own will. It was the best they could do, and she knew, from prior experience, that it would likely be enough. It felt right – it felt stronger than it had been once they'd stepped foot onto it. It might take a bit longer, but everything would be alright. Likewise, she could not force the night elven people as a whole to believe in the new gods she had introduced to them. She could only guide them, show them the way, and hope that they would walk it. Perhaps not the same way she had, but follow it nonetheless. The gods needed the mortals just as much as the mortals needed the gods. She was certain of this now, had seen it with her own eyes. And now she rested, eyes half-closed, leaning against the balcony of the house that had become her and Glyph's during their stay in Darnassus. Where Forest himself had gone, she wasn't sure. Off into the wildness to see his handiwork for himself, finally ? Perhaps. She certainly wouldn't blame him. He had given his everything to this... He hadn't needed to, but he had. And she was incredibly thankful for it, but looking back, it was completely expected. It wasn't like Glyph to leave people to suffer if he could do anything about it. One of the many facets that had made her fall for him. Still, as much as she wished to be with Forest now, Illisia felt like she was better suited here, resting. Tiredness came easily, too easily as of late, and she feared she would have only dragged him down. Her eyelids felt heavy and so did her limbs. She wasn't sure Glyph had even noticed, focused on Teldrassil's recovery as he had been. Perhaps... Maybe she liked it better that way, selfish as it was. He would worry too much, and she didn't like to see him worry. Things would be fine, at least here. The rest of Azeroth... Well, she didn't know. And perhaps it was unkind, but she did not care too much, not right now. Her people had always been her priority – the alliance had always come second. And she'd seen how easily the other races of the alliance had turned against them... But that had been War's influence, hadn't it ? Maybe. Maybe she was wrong to blame them for something none of them had been able to control. She had fallen prey to the effects of Gehenna just as easily as everyone else had. Why was it, in a world of gods, that they would allow things such as war, pain, famine ? This was something she'd pondered nearly all her life – the one thing that had barred her from becoming a priestess, for giving herself to that cause. She'd never believed this much, this unwaveringly. And she was giving herself fully to another... And yet she had believed wholly into what she'd seen, given in fully to something she couldn't comprehend, no matter how hard she'd tried. Why ? Balance. Was Xun Jiang's answer. She hadn't been sharing her thoughts, but he had heard them all the same. She was too used to it by now to be upset. It wasn't like he was doing it on purpose, after all. Our Master reflect in all things... For Creation, there is Destruction. For Peace, there is War. For Life, there is Death. For Water that brings Life, there is Water that can Flood, Destroy. Shen... Where are you ? The longing was evident in the dragon' s mental voice – it was clear that he was missing his polar opposite dearly, and did not resent him. How could one not dislike something that was the complete opposite of what one stood for ? Illisia couldn't understand, and yet, even with no words exchanged in between them, she knew that Ti-Lung did not blame her for it. Never could, and never would. Finally, the dragon king continued. At long as this balance is intact, then all can be well. If the scale flips too heavily on one side, it will righten itself in one way or another. Long periods of peace followed by war. Prosperity eventually give ways back to Decay, then eventually back into Prosperity. Back and forth, like that. Balanced. Back in what it should be.But if you had the power to make sure everything was alright all the time, wouldn't you do it ? Isn't it what you want ? Life, rather than Death ? Came the inevitable question. I probably would. The reply was immediate. He wasn't sure he could truly resist that kind of temptation. Which is why it is a good thing that I lack that kind of power. I can influence the balance by my actions, but ultimately they will be counter-balanced somewhere else. In ways that I might never become aware of, perhaps... But there will be consequences. In a way... Would there be a need to cherish the good, if there was no bad ?I don't know. Wouldn't we just all be happy ? ...I don't understand, Xun. The night elf sighed. I really don't.You may not, but you will. You will understand. The dragon's voice was soft and kind, like a gently rolling stream. I promise, you and I. We will understand. Together.Wisps wandered close-by, dancing through the dark, dead sky as if trying their hardest to replace stars, but Illisia did not notice it, drawn inward as she was. Neither did she notice Meridia was watching, in plain sight and yet completely unnoticed. And neither did she notice the worried frown on the priestess' face.
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