(2022-12-08) Friends in Darnassus

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Author:	Alli
Summary:	Celaven and Velrin meet to catch up in Darnassus, where they discuss events old and new, as well as Winter Veil.
Rating:	T for Teen

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Celaven walks peacefully down the garden path. His face brightens when he sees Velrin sitting in a clearing where several deer wander.
Velrin's ears twitch and she turns to see Celaven. Her face lights up, "Celaven!"
[Celaven]: Vel! *He calls quietly, so as not to startle the animals*
[Celaven]: It feels like ages. How's Dalaran?
Celaven sits down by her side.
Velrin sighs, "Boring… I've been spending less and less time looking after Le these days." she scoots closer to Celaven, "She can just be so… frustrating."
[Celaven]: I imagine caring for a child can be quite frustrating, especially when it is not something you planned for or expected. *Celaven puts an arm around her*
Velrin leans into Celaven, "She doesn't listen. How am I supposed to care for someone who can't follow orders?" she sighs, "I try to be nice and play with her but sometimes its like it doesn't even matter."
[Celaven]: A child, not a Sentinel. *He smiles, looking over at the water* Speaking of your friends, Evanlyn came by my home the other day.
[Velrin]: Oh? She did? *she turns to look up at him*
[Celaven]: Yes. I guess I didn't make the best impression the other day. I hope I made a better one. *He turns to look down at her affectionately.*
[Velrin]: I hope so too. *she smiles and nuzzles her face into his chest, wrapping her arms around him*
[Celaven]: She can be quite intimidating, can't she? *He asks in a rather calm voice* She told me a lot about your shared history - none of your secrets, though, she was clear on that.
Velrin snickers, "Yes, she can be. I hope you were able to learn more."
[Celaven]: Yes, I think so. There are still many questions, but we've both had centuries of life. You and I, I mean. She did tell me some about Marus, and the void.
Velrin's ears droop down at the mention of Marus, "Oh… yes, of course…"
[Celaven]: Which we don't have to talk about, if you don't want to. *Celaven says, giving her shoulder a comforting squeeze*
[Velrin]: It's just a painful memory… *she presses her face deeper into his chest*
[Celaven]: It seemed like it must be, though she left out your part of the story.
[Velrin]: We were…. involved… for a time. Neither one of us was ready for it at the time. An ill-fated venture all told…
[Velrin]: I tried to reconcile with him later on, but…. *she starts to grip onto Celevan painfully tight* Needless to say we never truly reconciled.
Celaven winces, but then deliberately smooths out his expression, not protesting. "That does sound painful. I did not bring it up to hurt you, just… it is a thing I know some about, now. I thought I should say."
[Celaven]: And, of course, Evanlyn will likely kill me if I ever mention it to anyone else. *He says this lightly, but still seems serious*
Velrin takes a deep breath, "Of course. I know you just wanted to learn more about our lives."
[Celaven]: You can know anything about mine that you wish, too, Vel. I don't mean for that to be one-sided.
Velrin thinks for a few minutes, "Tell me about your father."
[Celaven]: My father. *Celaven's smile goes a bit distant.* Well, he's a druid by the name of Cerelar Evensong. He tired of me as a child, and left. He and my mother's relationship dissolved not too long after.
[Celaven]: I was trying to see him, the day we met. *He squeezes Velrin a little closer.* But I was told at the Cenarion Enclave that he had no time for me.
[Velrin]: Oh… I'm sorry…
Celaven shrugs gently. "It would not be fair to prod only your painful memories."
[Celaven]: In any case, it seems he found a new mate, and now has a daughter that is following in his footsteps. A druid.
Velrin nods, "Well… at least you still have your mother to lean on I suppose. A-and me i-if you need it."
Something relaxes in his face, and he smiles down at her. "Thank you. That… means a lot."
Velrin sees his expression change and blushes, "Oh uh… You're welcome."
Celaven rests in silence for a moment, and then asks, "Are you doing anything for Winter Veil?"
[Velrin]: Nothing in particular. Why?
[Celaven]: I believe I see more of the preparation in Ironforge than here, it's a major celebration. *He pauses, then adds* Ironforge, where Cobalt Company is based.
Velrin nods, "I do remember how it was decorated up in past years."
[Celaven]: They have a tradition…. well, if you can count a thing as a tradition that's happening for the second time. *He chuckles* A drawing for giving gifts. I was thinking I might join this year.
[Velrin]: Cobalt Company does?
[Celaven]: Yes. People put their names in a hat, and each is assigned someone to give a gift. Such that everyone gives one, and everyone receives one.
[Velrin]: Oh… *she shifts her weight and sits up a little* That sounds nice for them then.
[Celaven]: Us? You're still a member, Vel. I just let them know you were going on a health leave.
Velrin shrugs, "It's fine. I know they all hate me."
Celaven blinks. "I'm not aware of anyone that hates you."
[Celaven]: All I've heard is variations on 'I hope she's doing alright'.
Velrin turns her head and sulks, doubtfully.
[Celaven]: What makes you think they hate you?
[Velrin]: The last time I saw the twins they were angry with me. And I abandoned my mission before it was finished. They needed to find someone else to replace me.
[Celaven]: What did you see as your mission? Because from what I heard, you did good work out there.
[Velrin]: I never finished the job with stopping the Betrayer.
[Celaven]: There's a lot that goes into it. If you don't push in the knife yourself, you have still already helped to build the foundation of his defeat.
[Velrin]: I guess…
[Celaven]: Also, none of the other nine has personally killed the Betrayer in the meantime.
Velrin glances down at the ground, "Mmm, a shame…"
[Celaven]: But he's well-guarded. It is not a job for one person, or even ten, but for an army. Or armies.
[Celaven]: In any case, I do not think anyone grudges you taking time off. There will always be more work.
[Velrin]: I should be in one of those armies…. *she mumbles*
[Celaven]: Or the next army. One day, when it will not harm you to be in it. There will be more. Against the Lich King, perhaps?
Velrin shrugs noncommittally.
[Celaven]: As for the twins… I do not know why they were angry, but I am certain by now it will have cooled.
[Celaven]: They do not seem the sort to cling to anger.
Velrin sighs, "Fine. So what do you want me to do?"
Celaven smiles at her again. "Nothing too onerous. Add your name to the hat, as I will. I didn't last year, either."
Velrin pouts for a moment, then nods.
[Celaven]: See who you are assigned, and find something that will make them happy. Appreciate whatever earnest gift someone else gives you.
[Velrin]: Whatever you say… *she says disinterested*
Celaven gives her arm a squeeze. "It'll be fun. Or at the very least, not dangerous."
[Velrin]: I hope you are right. *she finally relaxes a bit and leans back on his shoulder*
[Celaven]: As for other plans… I don't know. *He looks out at the flowers and trees* Snowball fights? What do you like to do in winter?
Velrin shrugs, "Normally I'd just keep training like I always do. Then stay inside with a nice fluffy blanket and some soup or something."
[Celaven]: That sounds warm. *Celaven leans back on one hand, still holding Velrin with the other* Do you like hot chocolate?
[Velrin]: I do. *she smiles* It's probably my favorite thing from the Eastern Kingdoms.
[Celaven]: It is a remarkable invention. *He smiles back at her* Maybe one day we could make some together, while the weather's still cold.
Velrin blushes a little, "That sounds nice."
Celaven nods. "I also think Evanlyn believes we should be less affectionate. I did try to explain, but…"
[Velrin]: I know… *she leans over to give him a kiss on the cheek* And perhaps she's right, but… I really like having someone I can do this with…
[Celaven]: I suppose if, one day, you fall in love with someone who struggles with jealousy, you may need to reconsider, but… *he looks down at her* I don't see the harm in it.
Velrin beams up at him, "Neither do I."
[Celaven]: Then I don't think we need to change anything, for the moment. *After another brief pause, he adds* I didn't tell you what I've been up to lately. Some of it is interesting.
[Celaven]: I have a student, it seems. A human man who wants to learn more about Elune. *He smiles in memory*
[Velrin]: Oh, that's wonderful!
[Celaven]: He's a little clumsy, so far, but I can tell he does truly revere her in his heart.
[Celaven]: Can you imagine, he's never even been here? I suggested we visit, for his next lesson.
[Velrin]: That sounds like an excellent idea!
[Celaven]: I think he may be the first human I've met who was so interested in Her. I would certainly like to encourage it.
[Velrin]: I agree. I wish more human priests took interest in our culture and religion.
[Celaven]: He is… not a priest. But then, he also seems very young, so who knows? Of course, though, one does not need to be a priest to revere Elune.
[Velrin]: Indeed.
[Velrin]: But if he is not a priest, then what is he? If you don't mind my asking.
[Celaven]: He's a knife fighter, from what I understand. For Cobalt, though, a respectable fighter.
[Celaven]: From what I understand, he had a rather… troubling family life, and has found the idea of Elune immensely comforting.
[Velrin]: I agree. Sometimes I'm not sure how I'd get through the day without her.
[Celaven]: Maybe we'll run into you sometime, when I bring him here. *Celaven smiles* Once I have him a little more solid on the basics. I don't think he actually knows many of our people.
[Velrin]: That sounds like a good place to start. I know he will be in good hands with you.
[Celaven]: I hope so. I'm afraid he rather startled a Sentinel on his team with his enthusiasm for Her.
Velrin giggles, "I do not blame her. I would be surprised too."
Celaven chuckles.
[Celaven]: And other news… *He looks out over the water, considering* I spoke with the death knight, the one whose sister I was looking for.
[Velrin]: I-I see… Is she… well? *she seems unsure how to approach the subject*
Celaven seems to consider that as a genuine question. "In a sense, there's the obvious no. But… she did not seem out of control. Perhaps it is a good sign, if they start trying to rebuild connections from life?"
Velrin nods, "That is good to hear. I had an encounter with a death knight once. Before they were freed, that is, and… well suffice it to say that is not the sort of person I would want to be around."
[Celaven]: Oh absolutely not, if they were an extension of the Lich King's will. *Celaven shudders* But even freed, I'm uncertain. What happened, when you met with the death knight?
[Velrin]: We fought. She was frighteningly strong. My companions and I were lucky to make it out with our lives. Not to mention lucky that her life was not our objective.
[Celaven]: I'm glad you all escaped her safely, then. *Celaven tilts his head, thinking* Perhaps I was too cavalier about it. But they are our allies now.
[Velrin]: Indeed. For better or worse.
[Celaven]: In any case, I did not have cause to test her strength, the one I knew. She brought another of them with her, so I was outnumbered, but there was no violence.
[Velrin]: That is good to hear.
[Celaven]: They were oddly insistent on trying to get me to say she was still a person.
[Velrin]: I suppose after having been stripped of it for so long they would rather like it back.
[Velrin]: I can understand the sentiment I think… *she seems to drift in thought a bit*
[Celaven]: How so? *He looks at her curiously*
Velrin snaps back, "Oh, it's nothing. I just… I have come to realize I may have been a bit cruel with someone."
[Celaven]: Oh? With who?
[Velrin]: Nylarria. The demon hunter.
[Celaven]: Ah. But she did need to be stopped, didn't she?
[Velrin]: Perhaps. But now we will never know.
[Celaven]: Is she not still alive?
[Velrin]: She is, but her teacher and her companions are not.
[Celaven]: And that is the cruelty?
Velrin sighs "I don't know…"
[Celaven]: I would say you could still reach out to her, but… perhaps someone else will.
[Velrin]: Perhaps. But she gave up on being a person long ago. I am not certain how much good it would do.
[Celaven]: Maybe if another demon hunter reached out to her. One who had not given up on being a person…
[Velrin]: It's possible.
[Celaven]: If I were to meet someone like that, should I send them in her direction?
[Velrin]: If you'd like. I doubt she wants to see me.
Celaven shrugs one shoulder. "As for the death knight, I suppose time will tell whether she's able to keep it up.”
[Velrin]: Indeed.
[Celaven]: Well, I should probably check in at the Temple. I did want to ask if there were any details I should be careful about, with teaching a human about our religion.
[Celaven]: Maybe hot chocolate, next time?
Velrin smiles, "That sounds lovely."
Celaven kisses her cheek gently. "Until then, Vel. I hope the peace does not leave you too restless.”