(2022-10-12) The Ex-Factor

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Paluuva and Erixa meet up to chat about a recent development in Paluuva's life.
Rating:	T for Teen

Chain: Exes and Woes

Erixa and Paluuva meet just outside the portal room in Shattrath.

Erixa waves at Paluuva. "Hello, teacher!"

Paluuva chuckles, smiling warmly. "One day you will simply call me 'Paluuva'."

Erixa tilts her head. "Should I? I suppose it has been centuries since I was a child in your classes."

[Paluuva]: It is a difficult habit to break. Many of my former pupils continue to refer to me as they did when they were young.

[Erixa]: Well, then, Paluuva. *Erixa tries it out, and laughs* I suppose we are more friends now, than student and teacher?

Paluuva 's smile grows.

[Paluuva]: I would like to think so.

There is some foot traffic nearby.

[Erixa]: Perhaps we could head up to Aldor tier. It may be a little less in-the-middle than down here by the portals.

[Erixa]: How have you been since we spoke last?

Paluuva nods, glancing up at the high terrace.

They head up the elevator to the Aldor Tier and stand outside the inn.

[Paluuva]: I have been well. Especially since the Scourge invasion let up back on Azeroth.

[Erixa]: Yes, that was terrible. I helped as much as I could. Even went around alone for a while.

[Paluuva]: Alone? That was dangerous.

[Erixa]: Ah, well. I am very strong.

[Erixa]: And I met others there, Argent Dawn people.

[Paluuva]: You are. But you are also smart. Do not sacrifice one for the sake of the other.

[Erixa]: I do not intend to. And we drove them back to Northrend!

[Erixa]: All of us, together, I mean.

Paluuva nods.

[Paluuva]: I was there as well.

[Erixa]: In any case, at least we are safe for now.

A kaldorei sees the two of them and stops by.

Whysperwood kneels before Erixa.

[Paluuva]: Yes, indeed. Oh dear, we seem to be in the midst of traffic.

[Whysperwood]: [Darnassian] I anu.

[Paluuva]: A friend of yours, Erixa?

[Whysperwood]: Human tongue? It’s a bit strange to speak.

Erixa nods in greeting to Whysperwood. "No, I am afraid we have not met."

[Whysperwood]: This city gives me hope.

[Paluuva]: A Common tongue, at least.

[Erixa]: I am Vindicator Erixa, I am sorry if I was in your way.

Whysperwood waves goodbye to Erixa. Farewell!

Whysperwood salutes Erixa with respect.

Erixa waves at Whysperwood.

[Erixa]: Well, he seemed friendly.

[Paluuva]: If a little odd.

Paluuva chuckles.

Erixa chuckles. "Perhaps we can get out of the main thoroughfare."

[Paluuva]: Why don't we go sit over here with a nice view?

[Erixa]: Alright.

The two draenei move to a terrace overlooking Shattrath City.

[Erixa]: This city gives him hope, he says, when it is really only rebuilt ruins.

[Paluuva]: I confess…I was not being completely honest when I said I have been well.

Erixa looks at Paluuva with concern. "Are you hurt?"

Paluuva lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.

[Paluuva]: Not physically.

Erixa looks out over the refugee city. "Unhappiness, then? About Outland? Or is it something else?"

[Paluuva]: Oh, no no. It is…a personal matter.

[Paluuva]: I received a letter from someone that I knew a very long time ago. Someone that I did not expect to ever hear from again. Things between us did not end amicably.

[Erixa]: One of us, then. Was it… someone you hoped to never hear from again?

Paluuva nods solemnly. "In truth, yes. I had put him behind me. Or…at least I believed I had. But now…he wants to see me. Not for anything romantic, he claims. I believe him. He was never one to initiate romance. Ever."

Paluuva lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.

Erixa raises an eyebrow. "An ex? If not to rekindle, what does he want?"

[Paluuva]: He says that he has taken an interest in arcane inscription, and he has asked for my help in instructing him. As he put it, I was always the most 'tolerant' of him, so he believes I would be the best choice to come to now."

Erixa tries not to laugh. "Perhaps he mistook interest for tolerance, long ago?"

Paluuva sighs, hanging her head abashedly. "No…no, he is correct. I was tolerant…and interested. Ours was a…complicated relationship."

[Erixa]: Would you want him as a student, all that aside? I ran into a former lover of my own, a few weeks ago. It was not so bad. I was delighted she was still alive, and then… *Erixa shrugs*

[Erixa]: There was some awkwardness, but I made clear that finished things were finished.

[Paluuva]: I…am not sure. At first I was ready to dismiss it. The letter had brought up old feelings I had thought long since resolved. But then he followed with another package including samples of herbs he had tested for ink properties. He is serious about this. You must understand. He has never committed to anything before. This is…new."

[Erixa]: So… this new level of commitment makes you think… he has grown?

[Paluuva]: I would not have believed it possible. But it has been ten-thousand years. Perhaps even he can mature in that time.

[Erixa]: But did he… even apologize? *Erixa turns more fully to Paluuva* Being committed to plant inks is not the same as being better with people.

[Paluuva]: Apologize? Oh, Light, no. He does not apologize. I doubt he even realizes he has ever done something wrong. No, I do not expect he has matured in that way. But…consider it more an academic curiosity about whether he can truly commit to something.

[Erixa]: Academic curiosity. *Erixa sounds skeptical* Okay. So now you are tolerant but not interested, right?

[Paluuva]: I am most definitely not interested. Tolerant? I am not certain. That is difficult to ascertain from letters alone.

[Paluuva]: But I do not believe there is anything he could say or do to reignite that spark of interest.

Erixa nods. "But then will it reignite the spark of pain, is the other question?"

Paluuva sighs, "It already has. I suppose the question is more whether I will be able to handle it. Can I quell that pain again? Or will seeing him just deepen the wounds I thought healed long ago?"

[Erixa]: Do you want me to come, when you meet him? I can do an impressive glare, if he needs quelling.

Paluuva chuckles.

[Paluuva]: No, but thank you for the offer. I am touched by your protectiveness.

Erixa grins. "I guess it is in my nature. But… you will remember that other people care about you, if you go to meet him?"

Paluuva gives Erixa a soft, glowing smile. "I never forget how blessed my life is, to be filled with so much love."

[Erixa]: It's only fair for us to have some blessings, after everything.

[Paluuva]: Yes, I suppose you're right. But we must always strive to be worthy of them.

[Erixa]: And I am sure it's on him to prove himself worthy, if he wants the blessing of you as a teacher.

Paluuva nods, squinting slightly as she considers.

[Paluuva]: I suppose that may be what he is trying to do by performing his experiments with peacebloom and sending me the results.

[Paluuva]: Perhaps he is trying to prove his dedication.

[Erixa]: Proving he will be a good student, even if he was not good at other things?

Paluuva nods.

[Paluuva]: What would you do in my position?

[Erixa]: I am sure you are wiser than I in this situation, but I have broken up with a lot of people. Would you be forever curious, if you did not at least go? What is the worst-case… that he aims for you again? Would it harm you to shut that down?

Paluuva chuckles weakly.

[Paluuva]: I would not rely too heavily on my wisdom in this matter. I am knowledgeable about many things. Matters of the heart, however…well, as this conversation can show you, I have been less than successful.

[Erixa]: I would counsel to remember that your decision now does not need to be your decision always. If you see him once, you do not have to see him again. The moment to say 'no more' can be any moment.

[Paluuva]: Of course, you are right. And yes, I will regret it if I do not at least satisfy my curiosity about this. It will haunt me.

[Erixa]: You'll let me know if you need someone to talk to, after? In case it doesn't go well, or does.

Paluuva smiles affectionately at Erixa.

[Paluuva]: You will be the first to know, either way.

Erixa smiles warmly at Paluuva. "I will hope the best for you, Paluuva."