Alanon's Plan: Part 2

Aríen waves at you.

You smile at Aríen.

Aríen hugs you.

Alanón says: Sit, please

Aríen nods at Arvoss.

Arvoss eyes Aríen with an odd look.

Arvoss says: Ye're a paladin

Aríen says: I am

Arvoss nods.

Arvoss says: Ye found me, ye wanted t' talk o' sommat, wha's yer business?

Alanón says: I wanted to ask you something, about Shaurria

Arvoss says: Shaur? Wha' about 'er?

Alanón says: Before I ask anything, I should probably tell you a bit about my people

Arvoss raises his eyebrow inquisitively at you.

Alanón says: We night elves can be... insular at times. Some of us more than others

Arvoss says: Aye?

Alanón says: We tend to take care of our own business without outside interference. Such as.... a young orphan, living without supervision or influence...

Arvoss blinks, then frowns.

Arvoss says: A'righ', wha're ye oan about? Wha's tha' got t' do wi' Shaur?

Alanón says: She has no parents, no official teachers, in fact, no Kal'dorei influences at all, outside of myself and my brother

Aríen says: And that other druid, Kal's friend

Alanón says: And Pitch is... not looked on favorably by many of the Circle

Alanón says: Windstar would be considered too young, she is barely older than Shaur

Aríen nods. "That is true."

Arvoss says: Sae wha'?

Arvoss glares.

Alanón says: My people would want to correct the problem. Most likely by sending someone and fetching her back home. To Teldrassil

Arvoss blinks at you.

Arvoss says: Ye'd take 'er away?

Alanón says: They would, yes

Arvoss frowns, then glares at Alanón, fingers twitching toward a runeblade.

Arvoss says: Ye'd take 'er ovah mah dead body. She's nae goin' annehwhere!

Alanón says: Arvoss

Aríen makes a soothing gesture, shaking her head.

Alanón says: I am not planning on taking her anywhere

Arvoss blinks again, but doesn't look convinced.

Alanón says: I know how you take care of her. And how you feel about her. But...

Alanón says: The Circle sees you as just a human, and the fact that you're a death knight makes it ten times worse

Arvoss scowls. "An'?"

Alanón says: So, my question... Would you allow me to adopt Shaurria?

Arvoss blinks.

Arvoss says: Adop' 'er?

Alanón says: I assure you, I will not take her away

Alanón says: She'll stay here just like she has been

Arvoss peers at you searchingly.

Arvoss says: .... ye expect me t' trust ye, afteh ye told me allat?

Aríen raises her eyebrow inquisitively at Arvoss.

Alanón smiles faintly.

Alanón says: I am not like most of my peers, which is partly why I'm here in the first place

Alanón says: If she is my ward, they won't be able to touch her. She will be left in peace, especially since I will be continuing to teach her

Arvoss grunts.

Alanón says: But I won't do this unless you agree. I need your permission

Arvoss says: Wha' fer? Ye jes' all bu' said ye could take 'er off annehtahm ye wanted t'

Alanón says: But I will not

Alanón says: I'm asking for your trust. I give you my word, I won't take her from you

Aríen says: And if it helps, you have my word as well

Arvoss frowns in thought, looking down for a moment. He looks back up with a small, sad smile.

Arvoss says: Sae ye say tha' if Ah dinnae agree, they'll mos' like take 'er fra me

Alanón says: I'm afraid so

Arvoss says: An' if Ah agree, she'll be safe

Aríen nods.

Alanón says: Yes, I give you my word

Arvoss shakes his head. "But she willnae be mah girl annehmore." His smile becomes, if anything, even more sad.

Arvoss says: Ye're nae givin' me a choice innit, ye ken tha'?

Alanón returns the smile. "I'm afraid not. Not if you want to keep her here and safe."

Arvoss shakes his head again, then rubs his face in his hands.

Arvoss says: D'ye even ken wha' yer askin'? Yer askin' me t' give up mah girl

Aríen looks at Arvoss sympathetically.
.
Alanón says: I have had two children of my own. I understand

Alanón says: Arvoss, she'll still be yours. Nothing on paper will change that

Arvoss says: But Ah'll ken it

Arvoss says: .... Lemme think oan it. Ah'll let ye ken in a day'r twa

Alanón says: Of course

Aríen nods.

Arvoss looks from one to the other, then sighs.

Alanón stands and offers a hand to Aríen.

Aríen accepts it with a smile.

Alanón says: I will contact you in a few days, Arvoss

Arvoss nods, staring down broodingly at his hands.

Aríen offers Arvoss a small reassuring smile as she walks past.

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Two days later-

Alanon's buzzbox squawked, and he quickly picked it up. The death knight's voice came over the frequency. "Oi, elf, ye there?" Alanon pressed the button. "Yes, Arvoss. I'm here." There was silence for several seconds, until the druid wondered if the transmission had been lost. Then, quietly, "Mah ansah's aye. Ye can do it." Alanon breathed a sigh of relief, then hit the button again. "Thank you, Arvoss," he started to say, but the box clicked and the channel went dead.

Alanon sighed again, then began packing a few things. Time to head back to Stormwind and see what Shaurria thought.

Alanon's Plan: Part 1

Oh hey, look! It's another chat log. >.>

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Aríen slides off Faithful and ties his reins.

Alanón smiles at Aríen.

Aríen boggles at the cats.

Pitchblàck says: Don't judge

Pitchblàck says: We are cats after all

Alanón says: Some of us more so than others

Aríen says: Umm, yea, I just don't think I can join you all the way up there

Pitchblàck mock-glares at Alanón.

Alanón says: Hello love

Aríen smiles at Alanón.

Alanón jumps down to the cannon's base.

Alanón says: Up here should be fine, so long as you both can hear

Pitchblàck says: Kay

Aríen starts scritching Alanon's shoulders.

Alanón says: Pitch, have you seen or spoken with Iluthian lately?

Pitchblàck says: Nope, haven't seen him around

Alanón says: Do you know if he's met Shaurria yet?

Aríen says: Is that the druid Kal mentioned?

Pitchblàck says: Not that I know of

You raise your eyebrow inquisitively at Alanón.

Alanón says: Yes

Aríen says: ....She was, uh, pretty mad at the time, too

Alanón says: What Pitch has told me about him has reminded me of a few things, which I should have thought of before

Pitchblàck says: Mhmm?

Alanón says: You say Shaur is an orphan

Pitchblàck says: Yep. She has Arvoss though, she does alright

Alanón says: That is one of my concerns

Pitchblàck says: Oh?

Alanón says: You saw how Iluthian reacted toward death knights. Unfortunately his opinion is a common one

Aríen frowns.

Pitchblàck twitches his ears.

Pitchblàck says: So?

Alanón says: If word got back to the Circle about a young druid living alone, with no parents... What do you think they'd do?

Aríen blinks. "Hmm..."

Alanón says: And if they hear she's living with a death knight, you can believe they will react that much faster

Pitchblàck says: ....... They wouldn't

Alanón says: Yes they would

Pitchblàck says: But Arvoss wouldn't stand for that. He'd fight them to keep her here.

Alanón says: That is what I hope to avoid

Aríen looks worriedly up at Pitch.

Pitchblàck says: How?

Alanón eyes Aríen.

Alanón says: That's why I asked you to come here

Aríen says: ...Me?

Alanón says: Because my idea will indirectly affect you, because you're with me

Aríen raises her eyebrow inquisitively at Alanón.

Pitchblàck says: .... and? What's the idea?

Alanón says: I would like to officially adopt Shaur

Aríen says: ....Oh

Pitchblàck blinks.

Pitchblàck says: .......That could work....

Aríen looks thoughtful.

Alanón says: If she is my charge, the Circle couldn't touch her

Aríen nods slowly.

Alanón says: She could live here with Arvoss unopposed

Pitchblàck says: But would they let you?

Alanón says: I think so. They don't seem to know about her yet, and if we simply don't mention Arvoss...

Pitchblàck says: ..... but will Arvoss let you?

Alanón says: That is a small problem. How well do you know him?

Pitchblàck says: Not very, aside from getting on his bad side a time or two

Alanón snickers at Pitch.

Aríen gives a slight chuckle.

Alanón says: I need to get his permission first, and if he gives it, see what Shaur thinks

Pitchblàck nods.

Pitchblàck says: I'll bet she agrees

Alanón says: So, do you know where Arvoss is, roughly?

Pitchblàck says: Somewhere near Icecrown, that's all I know

Alanón says: The Citadel?

Pitchblàck nods again.

Alanón says: Then I can find him

Alanón looks back at Aríen.

Alanón says: Would you like to be there?

Aríen says: Sure. I wouldn't mind meeting him myself, actually.

Alanón nods.

Alanón says: I'm heading back myself, so I'll probably track him down tomorrow. Sound good?

Aríen nods at Alanón.

Pitchblàck says: Good luck. He can be a bit... touchy

Alanón says: But he cares for Shaur, more than himself it seems. If he can see that this is best for her, he'll agree

Alanón says: So. I'll see you next time I'm in town, little brother

Pitchblàck says: Yep

You pounce on top of Alanón.

Aríen smiles at you.

Alanón says: .... Pitch

Pitchblàck snickers.

Pitchblàck says: Goodbye, big brother

Aríen chuckles.

Aríen gently pats you.

Pitchblàck purrs.

Twas the night before Winter Veil...

What have your characters been doing tonight? >.>
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Alanon gave Arien a hand up onto the crenelation overlooking Stormwind's harbor. "I like the view from up here," he explained as they sat down, making themselves comfortable. Arien snuggled close, leaning her head on his shoulder, and he put an arm around her. "Mhmm," she answered. "It's quieter up here, too." They sat and watched the boat for a while, as it ferried people to and from Northrend. There were a fair number of people, even for the late hour and the fact that Winter Veil was the next day.

They had been sitting for several minutes when Alanon broke the silence. "They say it will be months still before we face Arthas," he said thoughtfully. "I wonder what he could get up to in that time." Arien looked at him, eyebrow quirked. "Would, uh, it be bad of me to say I'm glad?" she asked, and he chuckled, then admitted, "I think Barraccus is more eager than I am." She frowned slightly; she had heard the death knight's story, or enough of it. "He would be, he has enough reasons." "Yes, he does," Alanon replied. "Although I think he is waiting until Quae is strong enough to join him. She's pushing herself hard." Arien nodded. "Good, she'll watch his back and keep him from getting in over his head." He gave a half-grin. "Usually seems to be the other way around, but we can hope." She snickered, cuddling closer as he gently squeezed her.

After a moment he continued. "It's both encouraging and sad to see everyone rushing to get on the boats, ready to get to Northrend. I think we'll have the numbers when it's time to assault Icecrown, but at the same time I wonder how many of them will be coming back." Arien said nothing. Alanon idly pulled something from his pocket and began playing with it in his hand. Arien tried to see what it was, but he kept it from view, so casually that she knew he did it on purpose.

"How about some happier thoughts?" he said suddenly. "Anything in particular you're hoping to get for Winter's Veil?" "Hmm...," Arien thought out loud. "Honestly, I'll just be happy to get some free time. I haven't gotten to do much with Kal for a while." Alanon nodded. "Funny thing, my family has never put much thought into the holiday," he told her. "It's, no offense, too much of a human thing." Arien shrugged slightly. "It's the truth." He glanced at her sidelong and went on, "But there are a few parts that I'm growing to like." She looked at him from the corner of her eye. "Like what?" He gave her a small, mischievous grin. "Like this." He held up what he had in his hand. It was a sprig of mistletoe, which he proceeded to hold up above her head. Arien barely had time to recognize what it was before she was quite thoroughly distracted by a kiss.

She finally pulled back, grinning, and flicked his nose gently with a finger. "That was cheating," she said, not sounding convincing at all. He grinned back. "I checked the rules. Surprise is fair play." "Hmmph," was her only response, and he chuckled as he pulled her closer. They went back to cuddling, while the boat below sounded it's horn as it pulled away from the docks.
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Shaurria sat on the Ironforge bank steps with one arm around Pitch's neck, trying to avoid getting stepped on as people crowded by. "So that's the tree that everyone's so excited about?" she asked him, and he nodded. "In the morning that fellow there will allow us to pick out presents, and we'll get to open them," he explained, nodding toward the odd-looking dwarf sitting next to the tree. "People usually give gifts to each other as well. It's a very... active holiday." Shaur just stared at the gaily-decorated tree. "I don't get it," she finally said, and he chuckled. "Neither do I," he admitted. "I don't always come to town during the holiday because it's so crowded. People are too busy rushing around to notice a cat underfoot, even one as big as me. Easy to get stepped on." "Hmmph." She eyed him, then started scratching through his ruff, grinning when he started purring. After a bit a rather large dwarf almost tripped over them, cursing as he caught himself and moved on. Shaur frowned. "Can we go someplace else now?" she asked. "Yeah," he said. "Let's head back to Stormwind."

They were soon back in the Park, where Pitch sat next to the moonwell and watched as Shaur poked among the trees. "What are you doing?" he called to her, but she just waved a hand at him. She suddenly bent, picking up a fallen branch, and made her way back to him. He eyed it, then her. "What's that for?" Shaur frowned a little as she studied the branch. "M'gonna make somethin' for Arvoss," she said, then fumbled her little knife out of her belt pouch and started carving at it. Pitch watched in fascination for awhile, but soon grew bored and curled up at her feet, falling asleep to the sound of her whittling.
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Was going to do bits for more characters, but it's abominably late and I need sleep. Merry Christmas everyone!

Alanon and Arien: Ashenvale

Been meaning to write this up for ages, but my sister and I just never got around to it. We finally started on it a few weeks ago, but it was further delayed by writer's blocks, other posts, and just playing the game instead of writing. But it's finally finished!

This is a collaboration between myself and my sister, with my druid and her pally who have been "together" for a few months now. Alanon had asked her to come see his home in Ashenvale ages ago, but they've been kept busy. With the lull before the Horde and Alliance hit Icecrown, they finally found time to slip off. Enjoy!

(Also- PG warning >.>)
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Alanon met Arien in Darnassus, and together they flew down to Astranaar. They rode down to the house from there, talking some but mostly just enjoying the other's company. They arrived and stabled their mounts, then Alanon led her inside. "I'll start supper," he said. "Feel free to look around. I'll give you the full tour later." He grinned at her, and she returned it before heading into the main room. She perused the books on the shelves, then turned to the various knick-knacks.

Arien's attention was drawn to a small portrait on the side table. Picking it up, she studied it. It showed two Night elf females, both in Sentinel armor. The older one looked sober and reserved, but the younger's expression was cheerful, mischievous even. Arien peered closer. The younger one actually bore a strong resemblance to...

Alanon cleared his throat next to her. She hadn't even heard him come up. "I see you found them already," he said, laying a steadying hand on her shoulder as she jumped. "Sorry," he added, chuckling, and she smiled at him briefly before returning to the portrait. "Who are they?" she asked him.

He didn't answer for a long time, until she finally looked at him. He was staring at the picture, his expression a mixture of affection and sadness. "The older is Jaryla," he said at last. "She was my best friend; we grew up together. We were... together, off and on ever since, but never got serious; neither of us wanted anything more. The other..." He trailed off, then gently took the picture from her, studying it intently. "The other is Indria," he finished. "My daughter." He handed it back.

Arien blinked as she took it. "Daughter? B-but you never mentioned having any kids." He smiled faintly. "You never asked." Arien opened her mouth, then closed it, conceding the point. She looked at the picture again, then carefully set it back on the table. "Where are they now?" she asked as she followed him to the couch and sat. He paused before sitting down beside her. "What do you know of the battle for Hyjal? At the end of the Third War." Arien thought hard for a few seconds. "Um, not much, I'm afraid. The Cathedral mostly just taught us more recent things, and all of it centered around the Church's viewpoint. I believe a lot of records and things from Hyjal were lost, soon after the battle. At least, the humans' copies were." "I was there," he told her. She looked up at him, eyes going wide. "So were the others. Quae and I worked with the healers, Pitch, Jahira and Kel were scouts." He paused and sniffed the air. "One second, need to rescue our supper."

Once they had their food and were settled back on the couch, Alanon picked up his tale. "The Burning Legion was making for Mount Hyjal, the site of Nordrassil, the World Tree. And the Well of Eternity." Arien blinked. "But they didn't reach it, obviously." "No, we fought them off," he said. "It was quite a sight. The Night Elves together with the human's Alliance, and the orcs of the Horde. You should have seen it." He paused. "Jaryla thought the alliance wouldn't last more than a week after the battle. Turned out she was right, though-" He stopped himself, shaking his head. "I'm getting ahead of myself. We got there in time to set up base at the foot of the Tree, then the demons were on us." His face darkened. "They brought Scourge with them too."

"We fought them off while Malfurion Stormrage attempted to summon the wisps. Their leader, Archimonde, did manage to reach Nordrassil and attempted to take its power for his own, but Malfurion blew the Horn of Cenarius before he did, and the wisps destroyed him." Arien just listened as he spoke, eyes wide. When he finished, she quickly asked, "But what about Ja-.. Jaryla and your daughter?" He looked off into space for a minute before he answered. "They were part of a scout squad defending our eastern flank, keeping watch for any surprise attacks. While they were on patrol, a massive group of the Legion came upon them, in the exact maneuver that they were trying to prevent. There were too many demons, however, and the whole squad was lost." Arien simply looked at him for a moment, then reached for his hand. "I'm sorry," she said softly. He shrugged slightly. "When you live as long as we do, you learn to live with loss. It hurt for a while, a long while actually, but it's passed." She just sat still after that, looking sadly thoughtful, gently stroking the back of his hand with her thumb. Alanon suddenly stood, pulling her up with him. "I didn't ask you to come here just to listen to old, sad stories," he said. "How about that tour?" He released her hand to pick up their empty plates, holding them up with a grin. "Starting with the kitchen?"

Arien helped him clean up their supper dishes, then he showed her around outside first, while there was still some light. He showed her the herb beds, then pointed out Pitch's favorite den, under a massive tree root nearby. It quickly grew too dark to see, and they returned inside where he continued the tour. He waited patiently while she examined Quae's bookshelves, then finally led her upstairs. "It's not much," he told her as she looked around. "But it's a place to sleep, and there's usually not many of us here anyway. With Quae and Barraccus gone and Pitch in Northrend, it's been empty for a while now."

Arien looked around the large, open upper floor. There were four beds spread along three walls, interspersed with small bedside tables and a pair of dressers. The fourth wall was a balcony left open to the outside, allowing the cool night breeze to blow in. Alanon cleared his throat, and she turned to look at him. "I, uh, probably should have said something before now," he said, looking a bit... embarrassed? "But, I was hoping you would spend the night here tonight." She blinked at him- was he asking what she thought he was?- then felt herself blush slightly as she realized that yes, he was. Alanon took her hand. "Arien, I love you," he told her softly. "I've been in love with you for weeks now. And while I would like to go further than where we are now, nothing is going to happen tonight if you don't want it to." He squeezed her hand gently.

She just looked at him for a minute or two, blushing faintly, indecision warring on her face. Then she took a deep breath, offering a small smile, and stepped closer. Reaching up with her free hand, she pulled his head down and kissed him soundly. Their arms went around each other, and she didn't protest when he lifted her up and moved toward the nearest bed.

* * * * *

Alanon woke shivering in the pale pre-dawn light. It took him a moment to remember why he was lying in bed at home, with no covers and a very warm body pressed close against him. He looked down at his side and stifled a chuckle. Arien was cuddled up at his side, her head on his chest, and was also half-uncovered; the blankets were twisted around and trapped underneath her. He tried pulling them loose, to no avail, then he looked at her again and forgot what he was doing. She looked so beautiful in the faint gray light. Helpless too, but he knew that wasn't true. He reached over and gently brushed some stray hair off her forehead, then suddenly frowned as she shivered. The winter morning was cold, and a chilly breeze was blowing in from the balcony. He gave the blankets one more tug, then gave up. Gently easing away from her, he got enough distance to change without waking her, though she reached for him with an unhappy sound when he moved away. He quickly turned cat, then lay back down, curling up around her. She snuggled in close again, her fingers burrowing into his thick coat, and gave a contented sigh. Smiling to himself, Alanon went back to sleep.
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Collaborating with this was fun. Hopefully we'll get to do some more with these guys soon. And it seems there's quite a bit of romance going around; to see what I mean, check here. >.>