Home Sweet Home
Zero Dream
They were so nearly, nearly there at last, after what had to have been days of travel. It made Illisia both happy and nervous at the same time. She could see the buildings of Auberdine from here, even - some were very obviously gone, some stood, and more importantly there were new ones, completely unknown to her memory.
Even if there would be no one here - which the druid now doubted - there had been people here recently. Which meant, at the very least, that the boat was likely in operation.
They'd get to Darnassus one way or another, and from there... From there, she had decided she would see. She had information to give, and knew very well that said information would likely change her people forever.
This was what she was nervous about, having taken the lead in walking, brows furrowed in thought. She had no idea how things would go, at all.
Even if there would be no one here - which the druid now doubted - there had been people here recently. Which meant, at the very least, that the boat was likely in operation.
They'd get to Darnassus one way or another, and from there... From there, she had decided she would see. She had information to give, and knew very well that said information would likely change her people forever.
This was what she was nervous about, having taken the lead in walking, brows furrowed in thought. She had no idea how things would go, at all.
SkieBorne
Glyph walked just behind and to her right, as a second-in-command might during a military march, his bearing tall and erect when if his attention was hardly focused on the city in the distance. His gaze wandered over the bushes and the trail, obviously well - and recently - used and at the intriguing creatures that ranged about in unhurried searches for food, making no effort to hide in the bushes. Whatever held residence in the city was kind enough to its environment not to have instilled dread and fear in the surrounging wildlife. Even the plantlife was in refreshingly good health, with trees unscarred and proudly reaching into the sky. It soothed Glyph, to feel the thrum of peace here... there sickly woods in the south of Darkshore had been an drain on his enthusiasm and reserves.
He stopped, however, when a massive loping creature slipped through the undergrowth on the side of the trail, unfazed by the tangle of roots and branches. Its dark fur, with slashes of pale striping stood out plainly to Glyph as he watched it approach then move past. Ears that were perked and swivelled forward registered the feline rumble as it tossed it's head.
Grabbing Illisia's elbow, he pulled her around, tense. "There's a giant cat in the bushes..." He murmured, gaze never leaving the forest. A predator that big would be troublesome if it chose to attack, he didn't wish to fight.
Zero Dream
She'd nearly hadn't even heard him, deep in her thought as she was. The least of her worries was a cat in the bushes, but she did finally stop when she saw his expression, and felt his hand on her arm, and following his glance.
"Just don't bother it, and it will probably just mind it's own buisness." Illisia shrugged - she clearly wasn't too worried about it. "It might belong to a hunter, or maybe not, but the cats that stay that close to the city are used to seeing people go back and forth. Don't mind it and it probably won't mind you."
"Just don't bother it, and it will probably just mind it's own buisness." Illisia shrugged - she clearly wasn't too worried about it. "It might belong to a hunter, or maybe not, but the cats that stay that close to the city are used to seeing people go back and forth. Don't mind it and it probably won't mind you."
SkieBorne
"Yes, but. I think I saw a saddle on it... and it was growling..." He replied, frowning, ears flicking with attentiveness, "The prints on the road have been large too... do your people ride giant cats? It had saber teeth as long as my hand!"As he spoke, a figure came dashing up the road behind calling curses in a language he didn't understand and shaking a fist at the general direction of the saber. He was out of breath and covered in foliage and mud and looking rather nonplussed. Unmistakably night elven, Glyph tapped Illisia's shoulder, his brow arched high upon his head, "The cat might not bother us, but he looks in need of help."
The youth was jogging up the road, swatting branches and debris from his clothing, clothing that marked him for an apprentice hunter. And, judging from his expression and the tiger that had loped by, had not done so well in training a mount.
Walking towards the teen, he waved and flashed a smile as he called out a greeting that was altogether ignored. The hunter hadn't even flicked his gaze to look at the stranger outsider. Glyph frowned as the night elf walked past, "How incredibly rude."
Zero Dream
"A saddle ?" Oh, she hadn't seen that at all. "Yes, we ride large cats-"
The rest of her explanation was forgotten with the new arrival, a young elf apparently chasing after his mount, and it was hard not to be amused - both at the scene and Glyph's upsetness. "No, you just speak common."
Uh ?
"Hey ! Wait up !" She called after the young hunter. "The more you run after it, the more ill't run away from you, you know."
What did they teach kids these days ?
Illisia slipped away, closer, until she eventually leaped - the cat didn't have time to reach, and she caught on the bridle. The elf hissed something and swatted the cat on the nose, and all growling stopped instantaneously.
The rest of her explanation was forgotten with the new arrival, a young elf apparently chasing after his mount, and it was hard not to be amused - both at the scene and Glyph's upsetness. "No, you just speak common."
Uh ?
"Hey ! Wait up !" She called after the young hunter. "The more you run after it, the more ill't run away from you, you know."
What did they teach kids these days ?
Illisia slipped away, closer, until she eventually leaped - the cat didn't have time to reach, and she caught on the bridle. The elf hissed something and swatted the cat on the nose, and all growling stopped instantaneously.
SkieBorne
Glyph's frown only deepened as Illisia switched to the language too and he was left standing in the road. His ears drooped as he walked after the pair and shook his head. His first meeting hadn't gone all that well.The young hunter turned at Illisia's comment and returned a short retort, well aware that the sassy feline would continue to make a game of dishonouring him. Still, he fell behind with an embarassed expression and watched as Illisia swiftly coralled the nightsaber.
When it was smacked on the nose, the cat settled immediately and tossed it's head, yawning as it pawed at the ground.
Glyph eyed the tableau and chuckled, his poor mood lifting quickly. "Do you need help?" He called as he caught up, nodding to the flustered hunter as they approached her. "And I don't understand what you're saying..." He reminded, gently.
Zero Dream
"I should be fine." With that display, it was evident that Illisia was quite skilled in what had essentially been her foreign language - it also had made evident where her accent came from.
"Not everyone speaks common, unfortunately." She stood again, still holding on the cat's bridle - she wasn't allowing him to move as discipline, but she wasn't holding tight enough to harm the large feline, either. "Most at least know how to understand it, since our allies speak it, but the younger elves might not all." Hadn't she warned him about that.
Probably not. Oops. "This shouldn't be too long."
"You need to establish yourself as the leader before trying to ride it." she addressed the hunter again. This was a common mistake - her son had done just the same thing. "Just because it's been trained, doesn't mean it recognize you as it's rider. You need to discipline firmly, but gently, until it knows it's place and started to trust you. A hiss and nose-swat works as punition, and you can reward it with pets or treats."
She handed the bridle over then, watching the cat closely. "Do you know if the boat to Darnassus is running ? We need to go to the capital, my friend and I."
"Not everyone speaks common, unfortunately." She stood again, still holding on the cat's bridle - she wasn't allowing him to move as discipline, but she wasn't holding tight enough to harm the large feline, either. "Most at least know how to understand it, since our allies speak it, but the younger elves might not all." Hadn't she warned him about that.
Probably not. Oops. "This shouldn't be too long."
"You need to establish yourself as the leader before trying to ride it." she addressed the hunter again. This was a common mistake - her son had done just the same thing. "Just because it's been trained, doesn't mean it recognize you as it's rider. You need to discipline firmly, but gently, until it knows it's place and started to trust you. A hiss and nose-swat works as punition, and you can reward it with pets or treats."
She handed the bridle over then, watching the cat closely. "Do you know if the boat to Darnassus is running ? We need to go to the capital, my friend and I."
SkieBorne
And so Glyph was made to wait, giving a nod of understanding as he watched his companion instruct the wayward hunter.The youth nodded as Illisia gave him the pointers, "Understood, ma'am. I've spent all twilight trying to get it to listen. I don't she likes me very much."
He took the bridle and swung up into the saddle, swaying as the beast crabstepped sideways in protest of his weight. Smacking its shoulder hard and hissing that same remark, he dug in heels and swore. After a brief power struggle the mount's irritation eased and it huffed, stretching low and long.
The hunter shook his head and looked to Illisia then, "The ship? Yes... it never stopped running even when the blasted Horde tried to make their move." His tone was questioning though, as if she ought to know what he was talking about, "The capital's been disinclined to accept strangers in, though..." He tossed a look Glyph's way.
Glyph, for his part, smiled and offered a little wave, looking a little uncomfortable.
Zero Dream
"I understand, and ill deal with it." Illisia nodded to the boy's explanations, but seemed overall undeterred. There was no way she was leaving Glyph behind, none at all. Forest was her support, her rock, and her proof that she wasn't batshit insane.
"Thank you for your help - and good luck with that stubborn lady. My first mount was a bit like that too." She smiled and saluted the young hunter before turning back to Glyph again.
"The ship is still running... But it seems like foreigners arn't very welcome in Darnassus right now, so I want you to stay with me at all times. Consider us attached at the hip." The nervousness was gone, evaporated, and she was the no-nonsense Illisia again. "The high priestess will see us, even if I have to swim the whole way to to Teldrassil."
"Thank you for your help - and good luck with that stubborn lady. My first mount was a bit like that too." She smiled and saluted the young hunter before turning back to Glyph again.
"The ship is still running... But it seems like foreigners arn't very welcome in Darnassus right now, so I want you to stay with me at all times. Consider us attached at the hip." The nervousness was gone, evaporated, and she was the no-nonsense Illisia again. "The high priestess will see us, even if I have to swim the whole way to to Teldrassil."
SkieBorne
The boy saluted back and prodded his reluctant saber into heading back into the city, swiftly gaining distance on the pair.Glyph shrugged at that, "Got it. But... Why don't you just tell them I'm Forest? I'm hardly a threat to your people... they're my followers - after a fashion. Just need to reform old connections." Nodding as he thought of the simplicity of it... they already believed in gods, and it had taken very little to convince Illisia. Perhaps that fortune would extend to those they met along the way? Surely not all Night Elves were as mistrusting and harried as the people they'd had to impress in Baadris.
He shot her a look at that, "I hope that doesn't happen." Stepping up beside her, he playfully knocked his hip against hers, "Attached at the hip. I'll remember that." Her change in posture was a little disorienting, however. He'd expected joy at finding her peers, not for her to slip into some sort of authorative mask.
"Are you alright?" He asked then, as they walked along, "Your mood seems to have... fallen. I thought you'd be happy to find the Night Elves."
Zero Dream
If only it was that easy. It would definitively be handy.
"My people as a whole... are rather resistant to change, especially in traditions. We are about to turn these traditions upside-down, so to speak. I am about to waltz in, after people most likely expect that I've died a long time ago, and tell them that our prime deity figure is dead." She sighed. The High Priestess, especially... Tyrande Whisperwind was a figure larger than life, inspiring and yet at the same time completely terrifying. Illisia had met her in person all but once, and it had marked her for life.
"I am happy, but I have to see this done before I can focus on anything else. Before I can just... let go. Right now, I am a woman on a mission that has gone overlong. And... im nervous." She wasn't sure he would understand, but she explained anyway. The odd duo walked down the streets toward the docks, and Illisia didn't seem to notice the glances they were earning themselves. Her hand had slipped into his again.
"My people as a whole... are rather resistant to change, especially in traditions. We are about to turn these traditions upside-down, so to speak. I am about to waltz in, after people most likely expect that I've died a long time ago, and tell them that our prime deity figure is dead." She sighed. The High Priestess, especially... Tyrande Whisperwind was a figure larger than life, inspiring and yet at the same time completely terrifying. Illisia had met her in person all but once, and it had marked her for life.
"I am happy, but I have to see this done before I can focus on anything else. Before I can just... let go. Right now, I am a woman on a mission that has gone overlong. And... im nervous." She wasn't sure he would understand, but she explained anyway. The odd duo walked down the streets toward the docks, and Illisia didn't seem to notice the glances they were earning themselves. Her hand had slipped into his again.
SkieBorne
That was true... he pursed his lips in a thoughtful expression. How would they win the trust and, for him, the worship, of a people disinclined to entertain outsiders? Illisia's news, while truth, would bring chaos into the ranks of an established order.He sighed, "Nothing's ever easy. At least not the things that are worth it, are they? Duty first, contemplating after. I'm here for you and I'll do my best to seem godly." Glyph chuckled, "Even if I have to stand on a stool to look your Priestess in the eye." He squeezed her hand then, meeting the gazes of those who thought to stare overlong at them. Garnering so much attention was strange when he lived in a place where nothing was odd.
Leaning over he whispered at her shoulder, as standing up taller would require they stop, a slight awkward blush colouring his cheeks, "They're all staring... I don't want to hurt your impression...." He didn't let go, though.
Zero Dream
Okay, the mental image of Glyph trying to look as godly as possible while standing on a stool ? She very nearly laughed out loud, and that would have certainly ruined her inpression much more than hand-holding would have.
But still, she have a silent nod and let go - though she figured that people who stare nonetheless. It wasn't like Glyph looked human even when one looked quickly, and that was the closest species he resembled.
Though, she was glad he didn't look like a blood elf. That would have been difficult.
When then reached the docks, the sentinel posted there gave the odd pair a weird look-over. "My apologies." Thankfully for Glyph, this one seemed to know common, and at least keep him in consideration. "But I fear your companion will need to remain behind, Lady Druid. Teldrassil is barred to outsiders at this moment." She was curt, but polite.
Illisia, however, frowned slightly. This was abnormal. Night elves were always a little touchy with strangers in their city, but this was extreme. "My name is Illisia Shadowmoon." Illisia gave in answer. "I was sent on a mission by the high priestess during the disturbances, and I must now make my report. My companion... is part of my report." It wasn't the best way to put it, but it was the truth.
And then, the sentinel's eyes went wide. "By Elune..." She looked like she was seeing a ghost. "Lady Shadowmoon ! Please, the boat will be here in a few minutes."
...Well, this was easier than she had thought. "Thank you." And so, she went forward again, leading Glyph to the right end of the dock.
But still, she have a silent nod and let go - though she figured that people who stare nonetheless. It wasn't like Glyph looked human even when one looked quickly, and that was the closest species he resembled.
Though, she was glad he didn't look like a blood elf. That would have been difficult.
When then reached the docks, the sentinel posted there gave the odd pair a weird look-over. "My apologies." Thankfully for Glyph, this one seemed to know common, and at least keep him in consideration. "But I fear your companion will need to remain behind, Lady Druid. Teldrassil is barred to outsiders at this moment." She was curt, but polite.
Illisia, however, frowned slightly. This was abnormal. Night elves were always a little touchy with strangers in their city, but this was extreme. "My name is Illisia Shadowmoon." Illisia gave in answer. "I was sent on a mission by the high priestess during the disturbances, and I must now make my report. My companion... is part of my report." It wasn't the best way to put it, but it was the truth.
And then, the sentinel's eyes went wide. "By Elune..." She looked like she was seeing a ghost. "Lady Shadowmoon ! Please, the boat will be here in a few minutes."
...Well, this was easier than she had thought. "Thank you." And so, she went forward again, leading Glyph to the right end of the dock.
SkieBorne
He sighed quietly when she took her hand away but remained quiet. And then someone who spoke common! Glyph perked at that, and flashed a winning smile at the guard. The smile quickly faded, however, as she said he wouldn't even be able to board a boat. Illisia's quick remark, however, made him chuckle and he winked at the guard, "I'm Glyph." The rest of his title would come later, he supposed. The surprise of it would be better suited to the leadership then letting word spread from here to Darnassus already.
He blinked when the guard's demeanor changed so quickly and he glanced at Illisia, "Are you someone of import?" The thought hadn't occurred to him before. She was just his Illisia, friend, traveling companion, and confidante. Forest peered curiously at her as if trying to decipher anything else he ought to know just by looking.
Zero Dream
The guard seemed a little confused by Glyph's behavior, especially the wink, but she nonetheless answered him. "My apologies for holding you up, sir."
"I wasn't, before I agreed to do this with Elik." Illisia leaned against one of the pillars, containing her sigh. "But I thought most guards became aware of me after I left, so that they'd know if they ran into me. Seems like I wasn't wrong. This is... a little awkward, really. All this attention." Then, her voice dropped to a bare whisper. "Kind of like this whole aoide buisness ? I've never felt like someone... special. It's weird."
It should not be, because you are, indeed, special, my dear. Xun was quiet, for the most part - as Illisia seemed to have no intention to reveal his presence, it seemed best to do as little to distract her as possible.
But im not... oh, forget it.
Then, her voice picked up again. "But no one else was willing to go, and Elik and I... have no more family ties here. We had nothing else to lose, though... my friends were worried. They thought I was crazy, but... someone needed to go, and I felt like it had to be me. Elik just refused to let me go alone." She wondered how they were, if they were still alive - but now wasn't the time to think about that. "Ill'd like you to meet them, after we're done... if they're still alive."
In the end, it was this same sense of duty that had brought her to bear a Dragon King - through, now that she thought about it... Was it really coincidence, or had she been called all along ?
The boat arrived, and Illisia lead him onto it - settling to sitting against one of the walls of the cabins. "I think you'll like Teldrassil. It's more trees on top of a giant tree." Illisia looked completely serious.
"I wasn't, before I agreed to do this with Elik." Illisia leaned against one of the pillars, containing her sigh. "But I thought most guards became aware of me after I left, so that they'd know if they ran into me. Seems like I wasn't wrong. This is... a little awkward, really. All this attention." Then, her voice dropped to a bare whisper. "Kind of like this whole aoide buisness ? I've never felt like someone... special. It's weird."
It should not be, because you are, indeed, special, my dear. Xun was quiet, for the most part - as Illisia seemed to have no intention to reveal his presence, it seemed best to do as little to distract her as possible.
But im not... oh, forget it.
Then, her voice picked up again. "But no one else was willing to go, and Elik and I... have no more family ties here. We had nothing else to lose, though... my friends were worried. They thought I was crazy, but... someone needed to go, and I felt like it had to be me. Elik just refused to let me go alone." She wondered how they were, if they were still alive - but now wasn't the time to think about that. "Ill'd like you to meet them, after we're done... if they're still alive."
In the end, it was this same sense of duty that had brought her to bear a Dragon King - through, now that she thought about it... Was it really coincidence, or had she been called all along ?
The boat arrived, and Illisia lead him onto it - settling to sitting against one of the walls of the cabins. "I think you'll like Teldrassil. It's more trees on top of a giant tree." Illisia looked completely serious.
SkieBorne
Glyph tilted his head to the side, "The Aoide? What's so odd about them? They're reliable, trustworthy companions and attendants. When the courts of the gods begin to come back, the Aoide will be among those who keep the courts running and stable." He shrugged, "I don't consider them slaves but they are a help. Aisling always makes sure I remember to eat - I forget to sometimes, when I'm too exhausted to do anything but sleep."Forest leaned against the pole beside her and found her hand with his, amused that their bodies shielded the gesture from onlooker's gazes, "I'll meet them. I would like to."
The ship arrived and he broke off contact, following her down into the passenger cabins below deck. He had his face pressed to the glass, however, peering out the porthole to catch a glimpse of a tree with a forest growing from its top, "And Teldrassil's the world tree, right? It must be large to support a forest on top..." Curiosity made him impatient and he paced the cabin.
Zero Dream
Woosh was the sound of her point going right over Glyph's head, but she said nothing, instead, she just smiled quietly to herself.
And he was really so adorable when he did that. That pacing back and forth like an excited puppy. She probably shoudn't be thinking about that, but she was doing so, nonetheless.
"Is is the world tree." Illisia answered - she didn't need to look out the window to know exactly where they were - she had the short boat travel all but memorized. "And it spans the whole island. Thankfully for you, we'll be there before you can wear a hole in the boat." She smiled.
And he was really so adorable when he did that. That pacing back and forth like an excited puppy. She probably shoudn't be thinking about that, but she was doing so, nonetheless.
"Is is the world tree." Illisia answered - she didn't need to look out the window to know exactly where they were - she had the short boat travel all but memorized. "And it spans the whole island. Thankfully for you, we'll be there before you can wear a hole in the boat." She smiled.
SkieBorne
Glyph stopped at that and coloured a little, "Sorry." Stopping by the window, he leaned against the hull as he looked out over the water, "Is there anything I should know about the elders you're taking me to see? And... could you teach me a few phrases of whatever language you were speaking?"Zero Dream
Illisia blinked. Did he honestly just ask for a Darnassian cram session ?! Oh dear.
"Not expecially... We'll be seeing the high priestess, and i've only met her once myself. The archdruid might be here too, but I can't really be sure." She only heard about Malfurion awakening, shortly before she'd left. "If he's here, through... This might be a good thing." This might very well work in their favor, she figured. She'd sensed Glyph's divinity through her attunement to nature - perhaps it would be the same for any druid ?
"As for sentences..." She was silent, for a moment, before offering a few things - the basics. Honorifics, and the words that would allow him to decode the meanings by estimation. There was probably no way she'd even be able to get into the proper intricacies of the Darnassian languages even if she had years to do it in, truly.
"I should have through about it before, im sorry." But she'd been thinking about so many things...
"Not expecially... We'll be seeing the high priestess, and i've only met her once myself. The archdruid might be here too, but I can't really be sure." She only heard about Malfurion awakening, shortly before she'd left. "If he's here, through... This might be a good thing." This might very well work in their favor, she figured. She'd sensed Glyph's divinity through her attunement to nature - perhaps it would be the same for any druid ?
"As for sentences..." She was silent, for a moment, before offering a few things - the basics. Honorifics, and the words that would allow him to decode the meanings by estimation. There was probably no way she'd even be able to get into the proper intricacies of the Darnassian languages even if she had years to do it in, truly.
"I should have through about it before, im sorry." But she'd been thinking about so many things...
SkieBorne
"Let's hope he's there then, someone of such rank ought to know divinity easily then, and I won't have to stand on any chairs to make a point." He chuckled then fell quiet as she began to teach him phrases and words of the Darnassian language.He repeated each phrase with patience and effort, quickly picking up some things while others he fumbled with. It was clear, however, that he had an ear for language. "It's okay, really. It's my fault for not asking. It would be like my starting off in my host's native tongue."
Zero Dream
"You need to stop saying things about standing on chairs, or else im gonna make you do it just so I can satisfy my need for a proper mental image." Illisia giggled, but then she stood, and she was serious again, even through she was still smiling.
"We're almost here, come on~"
By the time they had made it to the deck, the ship had docked, and Illisia led him off, but then... she stopped.
Something... something wasn't right. She couldn't tell what, but something wasn't right at all. She saw nothing amiss, beside the new buildings that had been rebuilt to replace the old, but that couldn't really be called amiss. No, this was a feeling of dread slowly creeping up her spine.
What...
...The earth here is pained... Xun could also feel this - probably only because he was within Illisia.
"We're almost here, come on~"
By the time they had made it to the deck, the ship had docked, and Illisia led him off, but then... she stopped.
Something... something wasn't right. She couldn't tell what, but something wasn't right at all. She saw nothing amiss, beside the new buildings that had been rebuilt to replace the old, but that couldn't really be called amiss. No, this was a feeling of dread slowly creeping up her spine.
What...
...The earth here is pained... Xun could also feel this - probably only because he was within Illisia.
SkieBorne
Illisia's smile, however, was answered by a pensive frown as Forest's senses, honed somewhat during their travel, picked up unrest and a disquieting sense of struggle. It wasn't the inhabitants at all, he knew immediately upon stepping foot on the deck and stopped, his gaze falling on Teldrassil. An expression of sympathy and echoed pain settled into his features as he bit his lower lip.Coming up alongside her, he touched her hand briefly and caught her eyes in a gaze that spoke of knowledge he couldn't quite express. "I am needed here. Teldrassil is ailing, and the forest that crowns it... an ache in the bones like sap run cold and hard. It has not weathered Gehenna unscathed." Shuddering, he moved forward with sobering purpose.
The set of his jaw and the lack of sparkle in his eyes made it clear he felt the hurt all too keenly. Without waiting for her, Forest set off towards the world tree, intent on soothing the pain and restoring what he could. Wisdom told him he'd been gone too long and guilt followed like a bitter aftertaste.
Zero Dream
Glyph felt it too - she'd known it before he'd even spoken, just by seeing the look on his face. She hadn't known exactly what it was, but he did, and there was a look of pure shock and horror on her face, and for a moment she was struck still, letting him advance without her.
It all made sense now.
She ran to catch up with him again. "Xun said that the earth is pained." She whispered, then shook her head. "This must be why... Teldrassil is bared to outsiders. They must be trying to righten it's condition."
And apparently failing. If Teldrassil died...
"Let's go to the temple. They'll tell us what's wrong. They'll tell us what to look for." Her voice was pained, and had, once more, dipped a little lower in tone.
It all made sense now.
She ran to catch up with him again. "Xun said that the earth is pained." She whispered, then shook her head. "This must be why... Teldrassil is bared to outsiders. They must be trying to righten it's condition."
And apparently failing. If Teldrassil died...
"Let's go to the temple. They'll tell us what's wrong. They'll tell us what to look for." Her voice was pained, and had, once more, dipped a little lower in tone.
SkieBorne
"If they are, they are doing little to soothe its pain, and ignoring the Forest as a whole. The tree is not the only thing aching." Glyph shook his head, "To the temple, yes, but I don't need them to tell me what's wrong. I am Forest, Illisia." His tone was gently reprimanding. Glyph might not be any where near full strength but an ache such as this from such a distance? It was not something minor."I suspect the flow of mana is as snarled and tangled as a bird's nest." He replied after a moment, clearly distracted, "And don't worry. I'm not going to let it perish. I refuse to let Teldrassil or the forests it shelters die." That at least, should be obvious to her.
Zero Dream
She frowned at those words, clearly a little angry by them. "There's no way they're letting it die." How could he even say that ? Teldrassil was, as far as she had seen, the last bastion left to them. "There's no way they're not doing something. They might not be figuring it out, but we're not all gods." Yes, she was insulted. No, it wasn't quite what he had said, but it was how she took it.
She stomped forward with nothing else to say, heading toward the red portal at the back of the small village they had docked in. They'd figure it out one way or another.
She stomped forward with nothing else to say, heading toward the red portal at the back of the small village they had docked in. They'd figure it out one way or another.
SkieBorne
Glyph stopped at that, in the middle of the street, alone, and watched her storm ahead. "Illisia." His voice cut through the hush as people paused in their work to stare at the quarreling pair. Glyph's voice was harder now, edged in something very close to insult. He was nonplussed and aching, made irate by a misunderstanding of something he thought had been rather clear."Illisia." He spoke again, voice growing harder. Those sensitive to power fluxes might feel the gentle aura shift about him restlessly as he crossed his arms. A fight was the last thing he'd wanted. "I never said your people were not doing anything. I think they're doing the wrong things. Would you be so callous as to begrudge me my nature? I don't curse and storm every time a tree is felled for war or housing."
His point was obvious. He knew he could help, he was driven to help... and she would mistake his intentions? It irritated him something fierce. "Have I not been honest with you? Respectful?" Glyph frowned, remaining where he was, gaze locked on the back of her head.
Zero Dream
Illisia stopped.
It didn't look like she'd actually wanted to stop - more like her legs suddenly locked and nearly sent her tumbling on her face.
What. are you. doing.
You two are misunderstanding each other. Xun's voice was equally stern in her mind. And you are causing a scene.
...That much was true - everyone was staring now. Still, her fists were balled up, her hands shaking. It kind of felt like both deities were cornering her at this point.
"You said they were doing little." Her voice was more even. "I don't believe this is true. They must be doing everything they can. I couldn't tell what truly was wrong. I don't think they can either." Looking at the wrong place, sure, but that didn't mean they were collectively sitting with their heads in the sand !
Misunderstanding... Misunderstanding... Im stressed and im scared...
Her fists slowly loosened down. "You have." She still didn't turn. She'd said too much. She hadn't thought. "...I didn't mean what I said."
It didn't look like she'd actually wanted to stop - more like her legs suddenly locked and nearly sent her tumbling on her face.
What. are you. doing.
You two are misunderstanding each other. Xun's voice was equally stern in her mind. And you are causing a scene.
...That much was true - everyone was staring now. Still, her fists were balled up, her hands shaking. It kind of felt like both deities were cornering her at this point.
"You said they were doing little." Her voice was more even. "I don't believe this is true. They must be doing everything they can. I couldn't tell what truly was wrong. I don't think they can either." Looking at the wrong place, sure, but that didn't mean they were collectively sitting with their heads in the sand !
Misunderstanding... Misunderstanding... Im stressed and im scared...
Her fists slowly loosened down. "You have." She still didn't turn. She'd said too much. She hadn't thought. "...I didn't mean what I said."
SkieBorne
Glyph blinked when she stumbled and lurched to a stop and silently thanked Xun for stopping Illisia. By the way she'd nearly fallen over, the druid hadn't intended to stop at all... and that stung. More then he cared to admit.Glyph huffed in exasperation at that and rolled his shoulders as he jogged forward to catch up with her, the irritation easing from his voice, "Yes. Doing little that was effective, Illisia. Would you salve a burn with oil? Or an infected wound with a dishrag? Sure, they may be treatments but they don't help." He sighed, "I think they're doing what they can. But I also think they aren't able to do what's needed."
Forest touched the small of her back when he reached her, his temper fallen away as quickly as it had come, "I know. I forgive you. I am also hurting and spoke without much diplomacy. I am sorry to have offended you, my dear." He didn't ask for forgiveness, there were more important matters on hand, "Breath a little and remember I'm on your side. We've come this far, and we'll keep going."
He gestured forward then, "I have no idea where I'm going so lead on?"
Zero Dream
And there they were, standing in the middle of Rut'theran Village, having just bickered like idiots and having earned a few spectator in the process. Her jaw was still set and t was starting to ache.
She was pretty sure she and Ilthilior had done something like that before, too. The thought didn't help any.
"Im scared." She whispered, but she didn't move yet. She breathed, slowlyÂ, in, out, in, out...
Finally, she felt like she had a grip on herself again, and she started to walk forward. "Darnassus' on the other side of this portal." She gestured uphill. "The high priestess is likely expecting us. They'd probably sent someone to tell her while I was standing here yelling at you like a stupid..." no, bad path right here. She sighed. "Let's go."
She was pretty sure she and Ilthilior had done something like that before, too. The thought didn't help any.
"Im scared." She whispered, but she didn't move yet. She breathed, slowlyÂ, in, out, in, out...
Finally, she felt like she had a grip on herself again, and she started to walk forward. "Darnassus' on the other side of this portal." She gestured uphill. "The high priestess is likely expecting us. They'd probably sent someone to tell her while I was standing here yelling at you like a stupid..." no, bad path right here. She sighed. "Let's go."
SkieBorne
He smiled, "I can tell. It's not a bad thing. I'm scared too, if that helps. I don't know if I can impress your elders... or how long it will take to heal your tree.... or... or...." he trailed off, biting his lip as he left the rest unsaid.Sighing, he nodded his agreement, "Yes, let's." Without further ado, he touched the portal and let it transport him to Darnassus.
Zero Dream
Darnassus was still an extremely beautiful city.
There were signs of the time - still broken spaces and building, and the ailing of the tree was even more so apparent here now that it had been on ground level - but there was still beauty here, in the streets shaped in rock, in the way it was a city within nature, with only very thick foliage under their feet rather than the blasted concrete Illisia had grown to hate so much. The building were living trees, that had been willingly shaped in what they were now. Those that weren't were made of stone. There were saplings, planted to replace the trees that had died during Gehenna, but they, too, were suffering. Wildlife, mostly squirrels, wandered the steets, unbothered by the presence of the night elves.
And oh, there were many night elves indeed. Where Illisia had looked strange and out of place at the pantheon, it was now the other way around, and Glyph stood out like a sore tumb,
A very short sore tumb.
"Over here." She tapped his shoulder, then headed down the right path - there was a large stone building in the distance.
There were signs of the time - still broken spaces and building, and the ailing of the tree was even more so apparent here now that it had been on ground level - but there was still beauty here, in the streets shaped in rock, in the way it was a city within nature, with only very thick foliage under their feet rather than the blasted concrete Illisia had grown to hate so much. The building were living trees, that had been willingly shaped in what they were now. Those that weren't were made of stone. There were saplings, planted to replace the trees that had died during Gehenna, but they, too, were suffering. Wildlife, mostly squirrels, wandered the steets, unbothered by the presence of the night elves.
And oh, there were many night elves indeed. Where Illisia had looked strange and out of place at the pantheon, it was now the other way around, and Glyph stood out like a sore tumb,
A very short sore tumb.
"Over here." She tapped his shoulder, then headed down the right path - there was a large stone building in the distance.
SkieBorne
Glyph never stopped looking around as they walked, wonder intermingling with the discomfort of the trees' illness. This... this was right. There was a harmony here that eased his ache and he nodded with approval at nearly everything he saw. He took pleasure in the feeling of moss beneath his feet instead of cobbles, and there a grand home wrought of woven trees willingly guided into form. The easy smile was back and he flashed a brilliant grin at Illisia, "This... this is wonderful. I like this."Granted, he tended to weave about those that were around, unable to catch a view of something because he couldn't see over any of them. Oddly, he felt like a child and it made him chuckle. "At least I won't get lost. And I don't mind purple." He murmured to Illisia as he drifted by, on the way to cross the street and seem something else.
Zero Dream
"Isn't it ?" She's known he would like this - there was really no way he couldn't have. Such was the balance in which people lived within the nature around them.
"There are four different main paths... You get back to the center no matter what as long as you follow them. For such a large city, it's a little hard to get lost." Illisia was also weaving in between the other elves (who spared Glyph curious glances, but overall let them be), and stopped at the opening of the temple. There was no door.
"Here we go..." She took a sharp breath, and stepped inside. There was a distinct lack of priestesses within Elune's temple - it wasn't so surprising, the same thing had happened before she had left with her son - they'd talked with Lady Whisperwind alo-
"ILLISIA !"
This wasn't the voice of Tyrande Whisperwind. This was the voice of a very excited priestess, with long white hairs kept free of any binds, all but running down the ramps of the side of the temple, and launching herself right at the slightly taller woman who had been her best friend.
"Thanks Elune, you're alive... I-I thought..."
"Meridia ?!" It was only a last minute shift that had kept the priestess from taking hold right where she had set Xun's gem. Still, there was great joy in seeing her - and Glyph would notice that their face markings were identical. "Im so glad you are alive, too... Ah... Where is Lady Whisperwind ? I have to--"
Meridia's mood sobered at these words, and she let go of Illisia, settling back into formality - there could be more happiness later, but now she knew her best friend would think of duty first. "Lady Whisperwind and Shan'do Stormrage.... They died, Illisia. Demons very nearly overtook Darnassus, and they gave their life so we could live. ...I am the High Priestess, Illisia."
Glyph knew enough darnassian to decode that last sentence, and Forest would probably treasure that look on the druidess' face long after she would be gone. It was that look of pure shock, disbelief and awkwardness, all mixed into one amalgam. Sure, Meridia had been Tyrande's handmaiden, and logically it would make sense that she would succeed the position, but still--
"...What." Apparently, that made Illisia forget her darnassian. It wasn't that it was a bad choice, but...
Her best friend was the high priestess ?!?!?
"Stop that. A fly'll get in your mouth." Meridia was definitively amused by that reaction, but then she finally seemed to notice that Illisia wasn't alone. "Oh ! I am sorry." Her words were thick, accented, the words of someone who was still learning a new language. "I did not mean to... forget you. Illisia and I are friends, and I am overjoyed at seeing her again. And you are, sir ?"
"There are four different main paths... You get back to the center no matter what as long as you follow them. For such a large city, it's a little hard to get lost." Illisia was also weaving in between the other elves (who spared Glyph curious glances, but overall let them be), and stopped at the opening of the temple. There was no door.
"Here we go..." She took a sharp breath, and stepped inside. There was a distinct lack of priestesses within Elune's temple - it wasn't so surprising, the same thing had happened before she had left with her son - they'd talked with Lady Whisperwind alo-
"ILLISIA !"
This wasn't the voice of Tyrande Whisperwind. This was the voice of a very excited priestess, with long white hairs kept free of any binds, all but running down the ramps of the side of the temple, and launching herself right at the slightly taller woman who had been her best friend.
"Thanks Elune, you're alive... I-I thought..."
"Meridia ?!" It was only a last minute shift that had kept the priestess from taking hold right where she had set Xun's gem. Still, there was great joy in seeing her - and Glyph would notice that their face markings were identical. "Im so glad you are alive, too... Ah... Where is Lady Whisperwind ? I have to--"
Meridia's mood sobered at these words, and she let go of Illisia, settling back into formality - there could be more happiness later, but now she knew her best friend would think of duty first. "Lady Whisperwind and Shan'do Stormrage.... They died, Illisia. Demons very nearly overtook Darnassus, and they gave their life so we could live. ...I am the High Priestess, Illisia."
Glyph knew enough darnassian to decode that last sentence, and Forest would probably treasure that look on the druidess' face long after she would be gone. It was that look of pure shock, disbelief and awkwardness, all mixed into one amalgam. Sure, Meridia had been Tyrande's handmaiden, and logically it would make sense that she would succeed the position, but still--
"...What." Apparently, that made Illisia forget her darnassian. It wasn't that it was a bad choice, but...
Her best friend was the high priestess ?!?!?
"Stop that. A fly'll get in your mouth." Meridia was definitively amused by that reaction, but then she finally seemed to notice that Illisia wasn't alone. "Oh ! I am sorry." Her words were thick, accented, the words of someone who was still learning a new language. "I did not mean to... forget you. Illisia and I are friends, and I am overjoyed at seeing her again. And you are, sir ?"
SkieBorne
Glyph expertly stepped aside as the other woman came careening through and launched herself at Illisia. His expression was mildly surprised and plenty hopeful - such a welcome would hopefully mean they could do without the stuffy theatrics of a royal court. He was no diplomat and there was no Judgement around to ease the negotiations.And then they were off yabbering in a language he didn't understand. With a sigh he straightening and stood just to the side of Illisia, watching them until he would be able to introduce himself. Meridia's announcement, however, tickled across his ears and he looked over, ears perked. Ooooh. Oooooh interesting. The look on Illisia's face was utterly priceless and he grinned at her. That would make things so much easier!
He eyed his friend as she broke into common with amusement and stepped up as Meridia addressed him. Smiling broadly, he bowed in an elegant sweep, "I am Glyph, Silvim Illustirre, God of Forests, High Priestess. And we coming bearing news, and help. I believe your Teldrassil's quite ill? Is there somewhere we can speak? And is the Arch Druid available? I'm very interested in meeting him."
Zero Dream
Meridia seemed rather pleased, at first, with the way this foreigner was talking to her - he'd made an effort to learn about things... Well, either that or Illisia had babbled endlessly.
But then, the 'god' part sunk in. One eyebrow rose in confusion, an expression that Glyph had often seen on Illisia herself - and the high priestess looked over and her best friend.
So much for easing through over gently, really. Though, she hadn't expected it to be otherwise. "This is the truth, Meridia. I brought him with me as... proof, though it seems that it is even more a good thing that he accepted to come with me." The familiarity stayed - normaly she should have been more formal, but my best friend is the god damn high priestess was a hard thing to grasp.
The confusion and disbelief still echoed on her features. "Did you hit your head, Illisia ?"
She'd seen that coming. "Stop that."
"I would not dismiss the notion so quicky, beloved."
A rich, male voice echoed from further back - there was a man walking down the same path Meridia had taken, long dark blue hair at his back, skin a little deeper purple than Illisia. He stood straight, but there was scarring on his face - an eyepatch also made it evident that he was lacking an eye.
"Ka-Kaltyrian." Illisia's face fell at the injuries. They hadn't been there when she had left. "By gods..."
"I thought you'd left for Ashenvale." Meridia moved at the man's side. The body language made it very obvious that they were lovers. "Are you certain... ?" It was hard to accept. First, Elune hadn't answered her ever since the stars had died - and now this... god coming out of nowhere, at the side of her childhood friend, extending help to them. She was, rightfully, weary.
"What is certain anymore ?" He sighed, and then shook his head. "But the ancients say so, with a certainty I cannot shake form them. They urged me to come back and meet him for myself. They would know better than us, and I must trust their judgment," Much like Illisia before him, Kaltyrian could tell that there was something very different about this Glyph - but Meridia wouldn't be able to tell. He bent over to whisper something in her ear, and Meridia nodded to that, finally letting him go. "Please do not be offended by my wife - she must remain careful to face the many threats that plague our society - and she is not as finely attuned to nature as I, and Illisia." The man gave a nod. "I am the Archdruid you seek - my name is Kaltyrian Oakkeeper. And I fear you are right." He sighed. "And try as I might, my druids and I only seem to be able to delay the inevitable. I will gladly accept your help, if you are willing to give it."
"What of Elune, then ?" Meridia looked at Illisia, her silver eyes heavy. "You left to find what was going on.. and you seem to have found gods. Why is Elune herself not standing here in front of me ? Why does she not answer when I call ?"
"I want the truth, Illisia. I need the truth."
Illisia sighed at that. "Elune." She shook her head. "...is dead."
"I..." Meridia stoped, suddenly. "...I was fearing this." What would she do, now ? What of her people ?
But then, the 'god' part sunk in. One eyebrow rose in confusion, an expression that Glyph had often seen on Illisia herself - and the high priestess looked over and her best friend.
So much for easing through over gently, really. Though, she hadn't expected it to be otherwise. "This is the truth, Meridia. I brought him with me as... proof, though it seems that it is even more a good thing that he accepted to come with me." The familiarity stayed - normaly she should have been more formal, but my best friend is the god damn high priestess was a hard thing to grasp.
The confusion and disbelief still echoed on her features. "Did you hit your head, Illisia ?"
She'd seen that coming. "Stop that."
"I would not dismiss the notion so quicky, beloved."
A rich, male voice echoed from further back - there was a man walking down the same path Meridia had taken, long dark blue hair at his back, skin a little deeper purple than Illisia. He stood straight, but there was scarring on his face - an eyepatch also made it evident that he was lacking an eye.
"Ka-Kaltyrian." Illisia's face fell at the injuries. They hadn't been there when she had left. "By gods..."
"I thought you'd left for Ashenvale." Meridia moved at the man's side. The body language made it very obvious that they were lovers. "Are you certain... ?" It was hard to accept. First, Elune hadn't answered her ever since the stars had died - and now this... god coming out of nowhere, at the side of her childhood friend, extending help to them. She was, rightfully, weary.
"What is certain anymore ?" He sighed, and then shook his head. "But the ancients say so, with a certainty I cannot shake form them. They urged me to come back and meet him for myself. They would know better than us, and I must trust their judgment," Much like Illisia before him, Kaltyrian could tell that there was something very different about this Glyph - but Meridia wouldn't be able to tell. He bent over to whisper something in her ear, and Meridia nodded to that, finally letting him go. "Please do not be offended by my wife - she must remain careful to face the many threats that plague our society - and she is not as finely attuned to nature as I, and Illisia." The man gave a nod. "I am the Archdruid you seek - my name is Kaltyrian Oakkeeper. And I fear you are right." He sighed. "And try as I might, my druids and I only seem to be able to delay the inevitable. I will gladly accept your help, if you are willing to give it."
"What of Elune, then ?" Meridia looked at Illisia, her silver eyes heavy. "You left to find what was going on.. and you seem to have found gods. Why is Elune herself not standing here in front of me ? Why does she not answer when I call ?"
"I want the truth, Illisia. I need the truth."
Illisia sighed at that. "Elune." She shook her head. "...is dead."
"I..." Meridia stoped, suddenly. "...I was fearing this." What would she do, now ? What of her people ?
SkieBorne
Glyph stood, waiting patiently for her disbelief to fade. He'd expected as much, to start. People did not accept change in the blink of a heartbeat. When the man's voice chimed in, Glyph looked up and smiled at the Arch Druid, offering a bow to him as well. "Well met, Arch Druid. I am indeed willing to help, I could not do otherwise. As for your wife..." He glanced at her, bemused, "Illisia's reaction was quite similar. I'm not at all offended."
The mention of Ancients, however, intrigued him, "And these Ancient? Where are they that they would sense my presence so strongly? I'm... not yet at my full strength." He sighed and straightened, looking sad when the question of Universe came up.
"Universe - Elune - perished, yes, but we are trying to restore the skies, High Priestess, at the very least. The loss weighed heavily on all of us. Harmodius would likely be best for answering any questions of that nature... I am sorry for the news but hope isn't lost. I will need your druids' help with Teldrassil." He spoke softly, not wanting to belittle their loss, "A few days' rest would be appreciated as well... we've traveled by foot for some days."
Zero Dream
Meridia, to be honest, was now completely lost. She'd started to fear the worst, and the worst was true - there were many questions within her now, but... she was the high priestess now. She could not afford the luxury of mourning such, or to be uncertain. She had to lead her people though this. "In a way, it is... better than the uncertainty I had to guide my people through. There are no stars to guide the children of the moon... But I will see them through." She said, sadly, then looked at her husband. "For now, however, our immediate survival must take precedence. I will attends to matter of faith... after the world tree is safe."
This Glyph was, perhaps, the only chance of salvation they had. She might not truly believe, not yet, but she could see that. It was a chance she needed to take... and she was loathe to doubt her husband in anything.
"Indeed." Kaltyrian agreed. "Teldrassil had been quite ill ever since the catacysmic events ended, though it must have started before then." It seemed wise to summarize the events, if only for Illisia's sake. "The horde has mostly fallen back to recover, and so has the rest of the alliance, which is a boon for the moment. My druids are able to generally keep the world tree from worsening too deeply, but we cannot seem to cure what ails it so. If we came to be under attack under such circumstances..."
"We won't hold." Illisia sighed. This was looking drastic, but... they'd set things right. Well, Glyph would. She reached for his hand for comfort, but stopped herself mid-movement. Not here. Not now.
"That is right - I see your days as a sentinel are not so far behind you." Kaltyrian nodded. Illisia had always been a keen mind, even as she lacked the ambition to rise though the ranks - she would be an asset on their side, now that she had returned. "As for the ancients... I believe you will meet them soon enough... Lord ?" The archdruid seemed bemused as to how to address a potential deity figure. "They are the protectors of the city - large treants that wander the steets. You might have seen them."
"You will have your rest." Meridia said, taking the forefront once more. "I will make sure of it. Through, before that... Illisia, is there something else that you have to tell me ? I need this information to know... what I will do." She sighed again.
And so, Illisia resumed her situation to her two friends, who were now the two figureheads of her society. She spoke of the gods, awakening once more - she spoke of the cataclysmic events, which she called Gehenna. She spoke of Harmodius, Creation and Destuction, unable to keep the sheer respect out her voice. She spoke of all she had seen, all she had learned, and all she had felt, for long minutes that dragged into nearly an half hour.
But not once did she even mention Xun Jiang. Or the fact that she was an host.
This Glyph was, perhaps, the only chance of salvation they had. She might not truly believe, not yet, but she could see that. It was a chance she needed to take... and she was loathe to doubt her husband in anything.
"Indeed." Kaltyrian agreed. "Teldrassil had been quite ill ever since the catacysmic events ended, though it must have started before then." It seemed wise to summarize the events, if only for Illisia's sake. "The horde has mostly fallen back to recover, and so has the rest of the alliance, which is a boon for the moment. My druids are able to generally keep the world tree from worsening too deeply, but we cannot seem to cure what ails it so. If we came to be under attack under such circumstances..."
"We won't hold." Illisia sighed. This was looking drastic, but... they'd set things right. Well, Glyph would. She reached for his hand for comfort, but stopped herself mid-movement. Not here. Not now.
"That is right - I see your days as a sentinel are not so far behind you." Kaltyrian nodded. Illisia had always been a keen mind, even as she lacked the ambition to rise though the ranks - she would be an asset on their side, now that she had returned. "As for the ancients... I believe you will meet them soon enough... Lord ?" The archdruid seemed bemused as to how to address a potential deity figure. "They are the protectors of the city - large treants that wander the steets. You might have seen them."
"You will have your rest." Meridia said, taking the forefront once more. "I will make sure of it. Through, before that... Illisia, is there something else that you have to tell me ? I need this information to know... what I will do." She sighed again.
And so, Illisia resumed her situation to her two friends, who were now the two figureheads of her society. She spoke of the gods, awakening once more - she spoke of the cataclysmic events, which she called Gehenna. She spoke of Harmodius, Creation and Destuction, unable to keep the sheer respect out her voice. She spoke of all she had seen, all she had learned, and all she had felt, for long minutes that dragged into nearly an half hour.
But not once did she even mention Xun Jiang. Or the fact that she was an host.
SkieBorne
Glyph nodded, "There was no habitation in Ashenvale while we were travelling, so that front is at least clear... an army takes a long time to move and I would think that some indication of their progress would echo back to me." He sighed, frowning slightly, "Armies are unkind to forests." When Illisia reached to catch his hand, he reflexively moved to offer it and found hers despite her pause. He did, however, glance at her when he had to reach further then expected and belatedly realized she might think the gesture inappropriate.He stood patiently and listened as she recalled the events of Gehenna and added a few things of his own, glad that these two people were so receptive and counted himself lucky to have travelled with Illisia. That she did not mention Xun, however, made him frown in confusion and when they were released and showed away to guest chambers he leaned in to speak in a whisper, halfway concerned, "Why didn't you mention Xun?"
Zero Dream
"It's..." She sighed, shaking her head, then leaned against the opening to look outside. She missed her own house now, unexpectedly, but... she had been thought dead, after all. She couldn't begrudge the fact that it had been given for someone else to live in, especially since her last known relative had left with her. "Better if I don't."
The wisps could be seen in the distance, bright little lights against the constant darkness of a lack of shy. "She's my best friend, Glyph... She thought I was dead, but now im not. How am I supposed to tell her something like that ?"
The wisps could be seen in the distance, bright little lights against the constant darkness of a lack of shy. "She's my best friend, Glyph... She thought I was dead, but now im not. How am I supposed to tell her something like that ?"
SkieBorne
Glyph's smile was slight as he came to stand beside her, also looking out over the greenery outside, "Isn't it better to tell her? To tell the people you care about? If they know, they'll cherish what they do see of you, don't you think? And will be able to... get used to the idea of your being a Host. It's hardly a dishonorable thing, to carry a Dragonking, and Lifewater at that." He turned around then and leaned against the window as he regarded her, "It's not good to bottle things up like that... you hurt yourself and the important people in your life. They'll listen, I'm sure."He cupped her jaw then and turned her face to look at him, though he remained silent as he searched her eyes, wondering why she was so determined to keep things so private. Glyph knew there were things she wasn't telling him... and it eased him, somewhat, to know it wasn't something personal that kept her from talking to him plainly. Still, he worried for her and wished she would let others help to shoulder the burden so she wouldn't founder.
Zero Dream
She didn't move, when he tiled her head to look at her - lavender eyes staring straight ahead into silver one. "I don't..."
Whatever she meant to say there, it was lost forever, and she closed her eyes. "It's not that it's dishonorable." She sighed. "Im just not sure she'll understand. Im not sure they'll understand."
But that wasn't the root of it, not really. That was apparent, and eventually, she did relent.
"I don't want anyone to mourn me. Not while im still alive."
Whatever she meant to say there, it was lost forever, and she closed her eyes. "It's not that it's dishonorable." She sighed. "Im just not sure she'll understand. Im not sure they'll understand."
But that wasn't the root of it, not really. That was apparent, and eventually, she did relent.
"I don't want anyone to mourn me. Not while im still alive."
SkieBorne
"Hey." Glyph spoke, his tone sharp enough to cut through the pall that had fallen over them, "No one is mourning you. I'm not. I... I will when you're actually gone," he swallowed at that, the cadence of his speech constricted by a suddenly stubborn throat, "but... I don't now. I'm enjoying our travel, our talks... you're a marvellous person, Illisia. And in another time, another place, things may have been different. But we can't dwell on 'what if' and 'maybe'. The fact is that if your friends treat you as dead before you are, then they're utter fools. And I'll dress them down." He crossed his arms, "But your people seem wiser then that, the Archdruid especially. Believe in your friends, Illisia. I think you might be surprised."He arched a brow then, as if daring her to disagree, hints of a smile tugging at his lips.
Zero Dream
Another time, another place... things could have indeed been very different, wouldn't they ? Oh, if Glyph actually had any idea of what he had just said. But ultimately, he was right. She couldn't dwell on it. Nothing could come out of it now.
Even if she would have to remind herself that every step of the way.
"...Stop giving me that look, or ill tug your ears." She couldn't help but laugh, really. "We should probably rest, for a little bit."
Even if she would have to remind herself that every step of the way.
"...Stop giving me that look, or ill tug your ears." She couldn't help but laugh, really. "We should probably rest, for a little bit."
