(2022-09-07) Yetis, Lions, Criminals and Ghosts from the Past

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Author:	Saaron
Summary:	Nesselos and Therald meet again in Southshore to do some errands for the people of the town. They discuss many things again, including their past, and the human ends up opening up about his life during the last 20 years.
Rating:	T for Teen

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little a angst, as a treat, mentions of wounds, death and negative mental health.

Therald lies by a tree, taking a nap.
Nesselos walks by and sees Therald lying by a tree.
Nesselos: OH NO! ARE YOU BLEEDING?
Nesselos kneels down.
Therald wakes up and jumps to his feet. "What? Who? When?"
Therald: I mean… *he rubs his eyes.* Where?
Nesselos: Oh good. You look intact. *Ness smiles, now totally unconcerned*
Nesselos: I heard about… things that happened up north, and I knew you were Argent Dawn, and then I saw you lying there…
Therald: Oh! Right, yes, I was just… taking a nap.
Therald: The situation there seems under control, and I was dismissed so I thought I'd come here to rest.
Nesselos: That's good. *Nesselos smiles.* I heard it was a great victory, at least?
Therald takes a second to answer, reathing steadily. He seems to be picturing something. "Guess you could say that, yeah."
Nesselos: I was going to help out more around here. I'm not a hero, so this is more what I can do. Do you want to join me again?
Therald: Sure. I thought I might run into you today and we could work together again, that's why I'm here.
Nesselos: Excellent!
Nesselos: I heard there's some problem with lions up north.
Nesselos: I guess there are also troublesome humans up that way.
Nesselos: We can try to avoid them? I don't want to kill your kind.
Therald: The syndicate, yeah.
Nesselos: Whoa. What is that?
Nesselos points at Cave Yeti.
Therald: Well. If you've got official orders to handle the syndicate…
Nesselos: They did say something about it in town… but I don't know…
Therald: Those are yetis. I've heard someone needs their fur back in town.
Nesselos: Humans asking me to kill other humans? I'm better against animals./
Nesselos: Oh, let's collect some!
Therald nods. "I can understand why you'd feel that way. Not all humans are good, though."
Nesselos: Why don't they call themselves something else then?
Therald frowns at the question, confused. "Well… because they're still humans regardless?"
Nesselos looks puzzled, too. "But people change what they call themselves all the time."
Nesselos: Like we are Draenei, not Eredar.
Nesselos: The mean elves are Sin'dorei, not Quel'dorei anymore.
Therald: … I guess.
Therald: It's just not something we do in our culture.
Therald: Dwarves and gnomes don't do that either… I think.
Nesselos: I have heard different names for dwarves.
Nesselos: Dark Irons. Bronzebeards. Wildhammers.
Therald: Well, yeah but those are clan names. I guess you could say the people north of here are… Syndicate humans.
Nesselos: Syndicate humans. *Ness nods thoughtfully*
Nesselos peers at Vinnik, a Forsaken leaving the cave, searchingly.
Nesselos: And it doesn't bother you to kill Syndicate humans.
Therald pauses, staring at a random point inside the yeti cave. "I wouldn't say it doesn't bother me… But if the Argent Dawn were to consider them a threat to Azeroth, or if they were threatening the villagers from here…"
Therald: What about you? Do you feel bad killing… eredar? Was that the word you used?
Nesselos nods. "I have never killed an Eredar."
Nesselos: I'm not sure how I would feel.
Nesselos: Before I was a shaman, I mostly hunted animals. And that was for food, or to kill dangerous predators.
Therald: If it's anything like us humans… Not good. But sometimes you've got to do things like that.
Therald raises his eyebrows. "I didn't picture you as a hunter until now!"
Nesselos grins. "I was not an experienced hunter. I have not lived long enough to be experienced at anything."
Nesselos: But yes, until Azeroth.
Therald 's eyes widen at the age comment. "If you say so…"
Nesselos: Have you always been a soldier?
Therald: Not really. I wanted to be a blacksmith.
Nesselos: Oh! I bet that would be fun. Making things!
Therald: It is, yeah! I had a mentor teaching me, back then.
Nesselos smiles. "Then you're already partway there."
Therald gives Ness a sad smile.
Therald: So… lions?
Nesselos: Yes, dangerous predators. There's too many of them up this way.
Nesselos: Do you like being a soldier, too, though? It's a noble calling.
Therald: I don't hate it. I like helping. And there are many people who need that help.
Therald: That's why I like working with the Argent Dawn, even just as a simple guard.
Nesselos nods.
Nesselos: A simple guard, but you fought the Lich King, right?
Therald: Not the lich King himself. His knights only!
Nesselos shivers. "Still. It sounds very heroic."
Therald: Nothing heroic about that, no. Just… a job. I was fighting the undead, as I often do.
Nesselos shrugs. "I think it sounds like a heroic job."
Nesselos: I do not think I could face a death knight.
Nesselos: Unless I were just… behind you. Keeping you safe. Maybe I could do that. *He smiles*
Therald: I'm sure you could! You're an incredible healer. We could have used your help the other day.
Nesselos sighs. "I didn't even know what was happening, till the news trickled down this way."
Nesselos: They said the knights were ten feet tall, and breathed fire!
Therald: Oh, sure, yes! I was not saying that to make you feel bad or anything!
Therald: And uh… "they" are very imaginative.
Nesselos: Oh, just friendly people at the Southshore inn.
Therald: They're just undead necromancers in armor. Or blood mages. Or frost mages.
Therald: You might get to heal one on the battlefield some day.
Nesselos: Heal one?
Therald: Yeah. They're on our side, now, apparently.
Nesselos: They can be… brought back?
Nesselos: To life?
Therald: … That I don't know. But your healing magic… that's not holy, right?
Nesselos: No… Do you think water elements can heal undead? Do I want them to?
Therald: Death Knights are on our side against the Lich King, now… So you might want to some day in the future, yeah.
Nesselos: Friendly… undead necromancers… in armor… *Ness's imagination is trying to reach that far*
Therald: I wouldn't say 'friendly'.
Therald: Allies.
Nesselos: That is a synonym for friends.
Nesselos: Isn't it?
Therald: Friendship is something that lasts… usually. Allies, do not necessarily.
Therald: As soon as our common ennemy is down, who knows what the Death Knights will do.
Nesselos frowns. "Then we should be extra kind. So that they remember who they were."
Therald: I'm not sure. They're still undead monsters, that's who they are. Those are often resentful of the living.
Therald: I don’t know if they'll still be on our side if we ever defeat the Lich King.
Nesselos: But they would not have attacked Light's Hope, killed all those Scarlet Crusaders, if the Lich King didn't make them, right?
Nesselos: Or would they have done that anyway? I'm sorry, I think I don't understand. All I know is what they said at the inn.
Therald pauses, thinking. "Wouldn't they have? Without the Lich King they to guide them at first, they would have been like those ghouls, wandering aimlessly in undeath."
Nesselos: Why aren't they now, then? If they are free of him?
Therald: Because the Lich King is still giving them purpose, in a weird, twisted way.
Nesselos: So they were the Lich King's knights, but they didn't want to be. And now they're… our allies, because they want to kill him for… making them?
Nesselos: Is that how it goes?
Therald: I don't think they didn't want to be his knights. They were loyal to him until he used them.
Therald: Now they're angry at him for that.
Nesselos: Oh…. I see. They are angry he led them to a battle they couldn't win?
Therald: Yeah.
Therald: If they ever manage to kill him… who else will they have left to be angry at?
Nesselos frowns. "Maybe, if we're very kind…"
Nesselos: Oh no, a human is attacking me!
Nesselos: Stop, human!
Nesselos looks at the dead human in distress.
Therald: … That one's with the syndicate.
Nesselos: Is that why he attacked us?
Therald: Yep. That's basically what these guys do.
Therald: That's why people in town are trying to find people who will deal with them.
Nesselos sighs. "I guess we should, then."
Therald: You're doing the right thing. I'm pretty sure the people of Soutshore have tried to handle things peacefuly. That's not how the Syndicate handles things, though.
Therald rubs his hands after dealing with a little Syndicate camp. "I'm pretty sure these guys wouldn't mind if we took a look at their documents, there…"
Nesselos: Probably best to tell the people in Southshore.
Therald: … Yeah. "Important mission against Soutshore" doesn't sound good.
Nesselos sighs again. "I think peace is always the right way, but… sometimes not harming one person results in harm to another."
You nod at Nesselos.
Nesselos: I will try to accept that we came into this situation too late for a peaceful solution.
Therald: Yeah. Once a criminal group is known like that… that's usually too late for a peaceful solution.
Nesselos: They seem to like poison.
Therald: They sure do! Good thing you know how to cure those.
Therald: …
Therald: You know how to cure those, right?
Nesselos: Oh yes! I know the best elementals.
Nesselos: Have no worries on that count. *Ness smiles broadly*
Therald: Perfect!
Therald: Nice! A beer.
Therald drinks the beer he just found on a dead guy from the Syndicate.
Nesselos laughs. Then he brightens. "Oh, he had two! It was good?"
Nesselos drinks a beer too. Therald isn't dying, it's probably safe.
Therald: This guy knew his booze.
Nesselos: I don't really know much about Azeroth beer! That was a Southshore one?
Therald: I think so. I'm liking it like I do the ones in town!
Nesselos: Alright, maybe time to head south. We can pick up some turtle meat on the way?
Nesselos: Maybe I can make the death knights a turtle meat casserole. That might win them over more.
Therald: Might have to try some when we get back. I've never tried turtle meat!
Nesselos: It's tasty! A bit gamey, but you know…
Therald: … I don't want to sound pessimistic, but I'm not sure Death Knights have to eat, since they're, uh…. not alive.
Nesselos: Sometimes game has the best flavor!
Therald: Okay well, it's time to put your hunting skills to the test!
Nesselos: I don't carry a bow anymore.
Nesselos: But I think I have other skills now!
Therald: You do! That elemental magic is impressive!
Nesselos grins proudly.
Nesselos: I think there is a Horde town near here.
You stare Rainbow down.
Therald: Looks like it, a lot of them around here.
Nesselos: Probably we're safe on the river.
Therald | Rainbow is the name of troll, obviously.
Nesselos: The Horde helps the Dawn too, right?
Therald: Yeah! That's one thing that drawn me to it. They put aside the petty wars to deal with real dangers.
Therald: Even though I've seen what the terrible things the Horde can do… I know the Alliance can do those as well, in time of war.
Nesselos nods sadly. "Everyone has that inside of them, I think. Every people."
Nesselos: The Dawn sounds like a great idea. It's harder to want to hurt people you know.
Therald: I don't know about 'everyone'. I can't really imagine you having such a dark side… Altough I didn't imagine you a hunter either, and here you are.
Therald chuckles sadly. "I should have learned already some people are can be really good at hiding this side of themselves."
Nesselos looks a little self-conscious. "I get angry sometimes. And then I'm not as understanding as I mean to be. We're none of us perfect."
Nesselos: Oh… the person who betrayed you? *Ness looks at Therald sadly*
Therald shakes his head. "Getting angry happens to everyone. Needlessly hurting innocents… not so much."
Therald: And… yeah, that person. There are a few lessons I've learned from that, and a few I seem to have forgotten already.
Nesselos: What have you forgotten?
Therald: Well, what we've just talked about! Some people can be really good at hiding a dark side.
Nesselos: I suppoose so. But I don't think you have a dark side. Or most people I know.
Brewmeister Bilger says: Hiccup!
Nesselos: Your son seems really kind, too. Even making an effort with…
Nesselos trails off.
Therald: Honestly, I don't think I do either… but I'm pretty no one who does think they have one, so that might be worrying.
Therald: With?..
Brewmeister Bilger says: Hiccup!
Nesselos considers his words. "With people who are the opposite toward him."
Therald: Him?
Nesselos: Like the woman who hurt him, that day that I met him.
Therald: Oh, Sandy! Wait. You said he got hurt, I don't think you didn't say you knew who did it!
Nesselos: Oh, it was a Forsaken woman, you know… Booty Bay… Neutral port… *Ness laughs nervously* Anyway, I didn't meet her, I only know what Sandy told me after.
Therald raises an eyebrow. "A Forsaken woman? What was Sandy doing around a Forsaken woman?" It doesn't seem like he's asking Nesselos, more like pondering out loud.
Nesselos looks at Therald, and then away. So busy with his bag.
Therald: Did Sandy… tell you something more about this?
Nesselos: Oh, he said it was… um…
Therald raises an eyebrow.
Nesselos: … his Forsaken mom?
Therald: his Forsaken mom? Don't tell me the woman who's adopted him is a Forsaken!
Nesselos: Oh no! No! *Ness laughs nervously again, but then trails off.* His adopted mom is definitely alive. And kind to him. I think.
Nesselos looks at Therald guiltily, his face paling as he realized maybe Therald didn't know about this at all.
Nesselos: So, about those Syndicate! We probably better tell the mayor about those plans…
Therald face goes expresionless, his eyes widening slightly. "Sirie— Sirie?"
Nesselos: I didn't mean to hurt you. *Ness looks down at Therald, trying to figure out what elemental to call for this*
Therald shakes his head. "No, no, it's" he gulps loudly, clearly holding back tears. "She's alive I mean, she's undead? And Sandy has met her?"
Nesselos: It… did not seem to have gone all that well… *Ness hesitates* She had a cruel sense of humor.
Therald scoffs. "I can imagine. She's always been cruel, but now that she's undead…"
Therald: I've always been lucky during battles, and I can count the few scars I've got on my body… the worst one I have, she's the one who did it. Stabbed me. Left me to die.
Nesselos 's mouth drops open with understanding. Then he says, "She was your person. Your betrayal. I'm so sorry, I thought you knew about the undead thing. I just didn't want to spread tales about the biting and… oh… Light…"
Therald takes a deep breath. "Yeah, she was. After 'accidentally' unleashing a Felguard on our village and going into hiding, willing to blame the armies of the Horde. It was like she'd planned for this…"
Therald: You did good to tell me about this, don't worry. *He says, but his eyes still look teary.*
Nesselos reaches his arms down, ready to give Therald a hug if he needs it.
Therald smiles sadly up at Ness. "It's okay. Not much of a hugger."
Nesselos: Okay. But if you change your mind. *Ness says earnestly.*
Therald: Thanks.
You smile at Nesselos.
Nesselos: I guess she hid that part of herself well. *Ness looks down sadly*
Therald: … yeah, she did.
Nesselos: I am so sorry. *Ness tries to smile at Therald* Sorry that it happened.
Therald: I died that day. I only survived because I stole a ring she made, she enchanted it to protect herself from death. Without it… *he shivers.*
Nesselos: I'm glad you lived. The world is better. You're a hero. *Ness says this with complete seriousness*
Nesselos: I… suggested Sandy not meet his mom again. I hope that was the right thing to do.
Therald: I don't know. I wasn't brought back by… some holy light, or maybe the elements like you might be able to. It felt cold. I feel like I'm stuck on that day ever since, that I'm not really allowed to live a normal life. Like I'm stuck back then…
Therald: Sorry, I don't mean to overshare, you're not here to listen to me blabbering about my… life. *He chuckles softly.*
Nesselos chuckles in reflection. "Oh, but I care about your life. You're my friend."
Therald: Sandy's always doing his own thing… I'm hoping that's the one advice he'll follow.
Nesselos nods.
Nesselos: Maybe… if you spend more time with your son… With friends… Maybe you'll feel more attached to now?
Therald sighs. "I— I haven't had a friend since then. I've only been working all this time, because I feel like helping Azeroth is the best thing I could do with this… half-life I have."
Therald wipes away tears with his sleeves. "In truth, I don't see myself as much different from the undead I've been fighting with the Dawn."
Nesselos starts tearing up in response to Therald's grief. "It's been a long time. Long enough for your son to be grown. And you've done so much good! Can't you be allowed a full life now?"
Therald smiles sadly. "That's… when he found me, that's the first time I truly felt alive in years."
Therald: To think that she hurt him…
Therald sweeps his hair with his hands, this simple gesture full of anger. "Sorry. I'm sorry, I don't know what's happening— I don't know why I'm saying all this. Knowing that she's still here and that she hurt Sandy I—"
Nesselos: I healed him. *Ness reassures him* Sandy will be okay. And she… she won't get a chance to hurt him like that again.
Therald: I hope so. I really, really hope so.
Nesselos: I better get back now, but… if you want to talk more. Maybe we can work together again?
Therald nods vehemently. "I don't know about talking, but working, yes, I would like that… my friend."
Nesselos holds out his hand for a handshake. More manly than hugging. "Then next time, friend."
Therald shakes his hand, he smiles, his eyes still teary.