(2022-12-12) A Temptation of Power

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Author:	Athena
Summary:	Cressidha stops by Colson and Mordecai's Stormwind house to discuss the Heart of Fury, and the twins talk about the nature of power and the upcoming holiday of Winter Veil. 4k words.
Rating:	T for Teen

There is a brisk tap-tap-tap knock on the door of Colson and Mordecai's Stormwind residence.

Mordecai, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he washes dishes in the sink, looks towards Colson. "Could you get that?"

"Of course," Colson says, automatically and then blinks as he stands up. "It sounds like Cressidha." The tapping? The vibe? Who can say. Regardless of how he knows, Colson moves out of the kitchen, making his way to the front door.

"Oh." Mordecai hunches his shoulders a little bit and actually slows down washing the dishes. Do not perceive him, Cressidha.

Colson opens the door and a faint smile grows into a wider gentle smile as he sees Cressidha. "Cressidha. Hello." He moves aside with an open gesture, holding the door politely. "Please, come in."

Cressidha smiles and steps inside. She is dressed in her Shadoweave robe, and she leans her staff against the wall by the door when she enters. "Colson, good afternoon."

Colson closes the door behind her. "Would you care for anything? We just finished eating, but if there was something you wanted…" Colson trails off in suggestion of the usual offers. Coffee. Tea. Possible left over deserts from the benefits of marrying a baker.

"No, that's fine. This isn't a bad time, is it?" Cressidha peers through the window that divides the sitting room from the kitchen at Mordecai's back.

"No," Colson answers, and gestures openly at House Options. Look at all this seating! Places! Activities! Colson is clearly pleased and proud of the living space and it shows all over his body language. "I have finished training for the day. We have nothing else planned."

Cressidha nods, shifting her weight a little from one foot to the other. It's obvious (to her twin, at least) that there's something on her mind. "In that case… hm." Cressidha makes her way over to the couch on the right-hand wall and takes a seat in the center, folding her hands in her lap.

Colson follows, moving to sit nearby to her left, as he raises his brows in inquiry.

Cressidha says quietly, "Yesterday. When we recovered the Ata'mal crystal. The Heart of Fury." She laces her fingers together. "Did you… sense anything from it?"

There's a very brief look of something like surprise, and then it's clear that Colson is considering the question carefully. When he speaks, it's slowly, as though he's very deliberately choosing his words. "I could sense magic from it, as with any enchanted stone of power, as a paladin and one who works rather closely with such on a much smaller scale regularly. However, I would not have known it for what it was of how great a power it held simply from looking upon it." Colson's voice goes gentle. "Was there something that you detected from a closer experience with it?"

Cressidha nods slowly, looking down. "It was like… possibility. Potential. Power. I've never felt any of that so tangibly before."

Colson's hand moves to the couch between them in what seems to be an unconscious gesture as he watches her face with a faint look of concern. "As Akama spoke of? You felt that same pull." He lowers his voice slightly. "That is why you felt sure you could not hand it over. For if he were untrue, even for only a moment…"

Cressidha rests her hand on top of Colson's. "Yes, as Akama spoke of. It was… the right thing to do, giving it to A'dal as quickly as possible. I don't know how long I could have held it, myself."

Colson nods, no trace of judgment in his expression or voice. "It is a very difficult thing, to hold power. To be granted the potential for far more, to feel drawn off the narrow path of our limitations for more…it does not make you weak for feeling that temptation. I have faith that you would have been able to resist it, long enough for another to carry it if we had need." He smiles gently at Cressidha. "You were not alone in that burden." His brows raise. "Though I am glad we did not need put that faith to the test."

"I didn't particularly think I could be tempted," Cressidha admits. "Not by something like that."

Colson makes a faint sound. "We all have our limits." He pats Cressidha's hand gently with his other. "It is worthwhile to know where one's are, and where one knows one must draw a line to define where one stands against the pull of reason and sense, and the possibility of enough power to make a difference, and reforge the circumstances to one's beliefs." Colson shrugs his right shoulder. "We have seen exactly what goes wrong when even those with great will and power already believe they cannot possibly be corrupted or tempted beyond it."

Cressidha is still looking at her lap. "I gave it up. So why am I still thinking about it?" There's a faint trace of frustration in her tone.

Colson's voice is very gentle, and filled with affection. "Because it was a very difficult thing, and the same part of you that has worked tirelessly for the past two years to change what you are able to with the power that you have, saw that moment of 'what if,'" Colson says. "'What if I could do it all? I could fix everything. What if I had enough power?' And now, you know it exists. Not as a hypothetical potential, or some form you would never touch, but one that you held in your hands." Colson looks at his own and Cressidha's. "You are a good person. That you want power does not contradict such. We are not only our temptations. Our actions are what matters. What we do with it. I wish I could promise you that it will fade, but the truth is that it might not. You may always be aware of it, particularly in your darkest moments, when you know if only you had a little more power…" Colson trails off.

"A little more power makes no difference to me. I can get that on my own, given time. This was indescribable, Colson." Cressidha finally looks up at him. "I cannot even put it to a numerical scale, the way holding that crystal felt."

Colson's expression is mild, and unsurprised. He nods. "There are some things we simply are not meant to possess. There is always a cost to being part of that which serves the Light on such a scale. It is very easy to fall. It is very difficult to falter, even for a moment, on our path and force ourselves to right it once more and keep walking, forever aware of another branch we might take. It is a heavy burden at times, and knowing it might have been that easy is what drives the compassion for others who lost that battle, such as the former Prince Arthas, or Prince Kael'thas. We are all capable of falling," Colson says in a soft voice, and it's clear he does not hold himself as an exception.

The water stops running in the kitchen, but Mordecai does not emerge from it. He is still visible through the divider window, standing with his back to the twins and looking out towards the garden.

"If I'd taken it," Cressidha asks slowly, "what would you have done?"

Colson considers it. "I am not certain. In the moment, I would have made a decision. It might have been one I regretted later, or one I felt was the best I could have made. If I had been wrong…" Colson exhales slowly. "It would not be the the first or even the fifth decision that haunts me." Colson smiles faintly but there's pain in his eyes as he presses his hand on top of Cressidha's, his skin warm. "I love you. I would have done everything I could have to keep you as you truly are. The details of that…I will never truly be able to say with certainty. I might have stopped you. I might have attempted to persuade you to give it up." Colson sighs. "I might have joined you. I do not know."

"I think I would have listened to you," Cressidha says, frowning a little in thought. "I hope. You have spent more time thinking about such things than I."

Colson doesn't disagree as his smile goes a little wry. "The consequence of being part of an order where my power is limited only by my own restraint, as the greater my faith and my belief in my own self-righteousness, the greater the power I may wield. It is the truest danger of a paladin, a constant temptation of the endless grace of the Light." Colson pats Cressidha's hand. "You did not fall. A stumble, that is all. We are not perfect," Colson says in that paladin voice, in a phrase that sounds as though he has said it many, many times, and believes in it utterly.

Cressidha gives Colson a sharp look. She says a little defensively, "I didn't stumble. I turned it over." Her tone goes softer. "If I hadn't been with the squad, I don't know if I would have done so as easily."

Colson nods. "One of the many reasons why it is best to not walk any path alone." He looks seriously at Cressidha. "I have stumbled, more than once. Felt the moment where I might reach for something more, and each time, held back my hand from grasping it," he says calmly. "It took something so great and powerful to tempt you at all. That is an admirable thing."

Finally, some tension in Cressidha's shoulders eases, and she smiles a little at Colson. "Well. I have never thought myself particularly easily tempted."

"It is far more difficult the more you have things you fear losing," Colson confesses, glancing in the direction of Mordecai with a soft look on his face, before he turns back to Cressidha. "That strong will, honed through experience of knowing that you have held such in your hands and still released it, is more than a virtue. It is a skill. How many have we aided who knew to tell us to not give them that which might tempt them? To know one's limits is a strength. And now, you know where that line falls, and it is leagues beyond anything we might ever encounter again."

"Has he been well?" Cressidha asks, following Colson's gaze to Mordecai.

Mordecai's face is not visible from this angle, as he is still looking away, but his hands are - he's holding on to the edge of the kitchen counter.

"Yes," Colson says, and he sounds pleased. He gives into the temptation though of following Cressidha's gaze to Mordecai again and his eyes latch onto Mordecai's hands. Colson's manner alters immediately as he rises to a stand, concern on his face. "Mordecai?" Colson calls it out just loudly enough to be heard.

Mordecai startles faintly, turning. "Colson?" He moves quickly to the kitchen door, pushing it open and leaning out. "Is everything all right?"

Cressidha gives Mordecai a polite little wave and a nod.

Colson relaxes instantly, searching Mordecai's face like he's looking for a four leaf clover in a wild patch of it without touching a single thing.

Mordecai looks faintly worried, but that might just be because Colson hasn't said that everything is fine yet. He tilts his head a little.

Colson smiles faintly in relief, as he nods. "Everything is fine. Ah. Would you care to join us?" Colson manages to make it sound like a true offer, one where Mordecai can actually say no, in that tone Colson uses.

Mordecai smiles back immediately. "Oh, no, don't let me interrupt," he says, and disappears into the kitchen again, closing the door behind him. He begins to search the kitchen for a Kitchen Task he can do in order to look too busy to have to interact with Cressidha.

Cressidha smiles fondly, watching her brother and his husband interact. "You're really settling in here."

Colson watches Mordecai with a simple, fond expression that grows sappier as he sits once more. "Yes. It is a wonderful reprieve, and a true joy to have…'home' again." Colson's expression goes a little wistful. "It was something I lost, when I left for Lordaeron. No matter where I was, it always felt simply that it was a place I lived, nothing more."

Cressidha pats Colson's arm. "I'm very happy for you two. You've found something with Mordecai that I'm quite certain I could never have."

Colson laughs, a bright sound that carries, even as he flushes fairly red. "Ah. Yes, well." He clears his throat. "What did you think of Aszera?" Colson asks in a shameless, unsubtle change of subject.

Cressidha laughs. "She's certainly very lively, isn't she? I don't know if she's the sort of person I would have imagined would choose to become a demon hunter. Altruis was considerably more… solemn."

"She was far more solemn, when I met her. And…" There's a shadow that passes across Colson's face, and his right hand moves automatically to his left shoulder. "I think that when she met Sil, it was even worse. She has healed quite a bit, in no small part since meeting Mordecai." Colson drops his hand to his lap. "There will always be some variety, of course, in any profession. Sandy is as much a warlock as Lena, though they are rather different in their approach."

Cressidha nods. "I haven't formed much of an impression of Lena just yet. She gives me a healthstone every week, though." Consistency. Cressidha approves (+5).

"I knew her in Theramore. Not closely, as we, ah," Colson pauses as he considers the phrasing. "Did not have the opportunity to advance the acquaintance, but she was unfailingly cordial, and did not ever seem to find me…" Colson waves a hand elegantly in the air to suggest the general negative impression he can make. "Since she has joined Cobalt as a warlock, I have been impressed by her diligence and her willingness to adhere to the very necessary boundaries of her chosen path. If you did wish to speak with her more, I have always found her to be a charming young woman, well versed in socializing."

"I see. I feel as though perhaps I ought to get her and Azizia gifts for Winter Veil, to welcome them to the squads. And perhaps Velrin, who I admit I am… a little concerned for."

Colson nods. "She has taken a very necessary leave. Perhaps a small token will remind her that she is not alone on the path she walks." Colson lowers his voice, fairly unnecessarily, as he does not speak loudly to begin with. "On that matter, I was hoping that I might secure your assistance in a gift for Mordecai, for the holiday."

Cressidha's expression brightens. "Oh?" It's the very mild but secretly enthusiastic Aspenwood 'Oh?'

Colson moves in closer, to whisper in a low voice his plan, and what he needs from her. It is very secret, very hush hush. He seems vaguely nervous about it as he explains, as though he's already doubting himself but he's come too far now.

Cressidha covers her mouth with one hand to hide a delighted smile, and she starts nodding even before Colson's done describing what he needs.

Colson has a faint flush to his cheeks. "Is there anything you would require that I might obtain for you?" He's still keeping his voice very low. It is entirely possible to assume he and Cress have gone fully silent out in the living room, for some reason.

"Written descriptions might be useful, for reference," Cressidha says, nodding. "And visual, of course, although that may be more difficult. Oh, Colson, how did you even think of that?" It seems like she approves.

Colson nods in agreement and there's something very soft in his expression as he folds his hands together in his lap. "There are some things I cannot give him. I cannot undo the past, as much as sometimes wish I could for him, and you both." He smiles faintly as he looks at his hands. "However, I can give him another moment to hold. It will not undo the other, but perhaps it will shine brighter, and that will be enough." He looks at Cressidha with a gentle smile.

"That's so romantic," Cressidha says, smiling. She has probably not said those exact words in that sentence since she was a teenager.

Colson chuckles, a little self-consciously, but he is obviously pleased, and there is some relief in his expression replacing the nervousness. "Yes, well." He looks over to the kitchen, with the classic Aspenwood Extra Sappy Smile. "I love him."

Cressidha wraps an arm around her brother's shoulders and squeezes once. "He'll like it very much, I'm certain of it."

Colson leans into the side hug, patting her hand briefly, with a soft look on his face. "You will tell me if there is anything I might do to aid you in any gifts this year? I have managed to adapt at least one design to something decorative, and I believe if given sufficient time to learn the design in a new material, I could do so for others, if you wished for an accent for something made more for aesthetics than practicality."

"I will keep you informed, yes. I admit I have yet to plan out what I'm getting everyone. Things have been… busy in Outland."

"Yes," Colson agrees. "Still, I do hope you have had some time to work on your designs." There's something that passes across Colson's face. Ah, a classic one — guilt. That same look of chagrin and guilt from a recent mention of a certain foul mouthed Death Knight. "Were you…that is…" Colson trails off.

Cressidha pulls her arm back, folding her hands in her lap again. "Hm?"

Colson glances to the kitchen and lowers his voice again. "The Death Knight you met. 'Roper.' He was…" Colson hesitates. "Private Roger Reynolds." Colson's voice is down to a faint whisper. "It was an SI:7 operation, one that went…" There's real pain in Colson's voice. "The mission was successful, but they classified it to an extreme. And the agent." A hitch in Colson's voice. "Well. You know what became of him. He died, then."

Cressidha stares at him. "That man was Private Reynolds?" She frowns and touches Colson's hand. "He was SI:7? There's an ex-SI:7 Death Knight running around now?"

Colson nods. "Yes. And I…" Colson exhales very slowly. He looks at Cressidha with a helpless sort of expression. "I am uncertain what precisely I can…or should…" He closes his eyes briefly. "When Miss Westwind went missing after the Battle of Light's Hope Chapel, and Lord Morningdew was insistent on pursuing her, I contacted Roper. He agreed to help aid in locating her and…ensuring her safety if necessary, from her former commander."

"Classified to the extreme, you said," Cressidha says, patting Colson's hand. "I don't need to know. It's quite alright."

"I only…" There's real pain in Colson's expression and he sets a hand over Cressidha's, holding on with a gentle grip. "He was a very good man, Cressidha. He deserved…he deserves better. And I cannot be the one to do so. I am grateful that Lady Alaisa ensured he had the very best possible." A faint smile as Colson looks at Cress and inhales a calming breath. "I believe he is more stable than many, but please do have a care, if you see him again. He is as dangerous as any of his order, and I cannot speak enough of his character now to know if he can be trusted at all."

"Oh, Colson." Cressidha shakes her head with a sad little smile. "Lady Alaisa was willing to go to quite some lengths in terms of funding to ensure he had the very best possible - quality, quantity, imbued netherweave, all of it. I haven't the slightest idea as to the nature of their personal connection, only that she treated him rather like a close friend, I should think. I have no particular intention of seeing him again, unless he should request further enchantments or wardrobe additions, I suppose." Cressidha seems rather indifferent to the idea.

Colson smiles gently. "If he is as I recall him to be, I expect he will, simply as someone who would appreciate the quality, and be unwilling to settle for less, after." Colson inhales deeply and settles something in himself. "I meant to say, that I do I hope it was enjoyable, to be able to design an entire wardrobe in full. I know that is not something you have the opportunity to do very often."

"Ah. It was," Cressidha admits.

Colson chuckles, and nods. "I am glad."

From the kitchen, at that moment, comes the clink-clang-clangclangclangclang of a metal baking sheet falling to the floor and wobbling when it hits.

"I'm fine!" Mordecai calls, before the sounds have even stopped.

Cressidha glances over and chuckles quietly.

Colson is already standing at the first clink-clang, and he sighs with obvious relief at the call. He runs a hand somewhat sheepishly through his hair as he sits again. "Ah. Yes, well."

"Perhaps I should take my leave," Cressidha says, patting Colson's arm. "I did drop in unannounced. He may have had other plans."

Colson's expression falls a little, as he looks at Cressidha with a soft, almost guilty look in his eyes. "Are you certain? Even unannounced, you are always welcome here. If you wished for some company, we could take advantage of the piano. We have been working on the waltz, Mordecai and I."

Cressidha gestures towards the kitchen. "Colson, he's hiding from me." Her voice is gentle. "I can come by another day, with more forewarning, if you'd care for more of my company, but I don't think Mordecai appreciates me just showing up."

Colson sets his hand on Cressidha's. "Yes. I will not ask him to be uncomfortable, and I know that company can be…difficult for him, particularly unexpected, but you must know that you are welcome here. You are not…company, not to me. You are my sister. Wherever I am, you will always have a place, without reservation." Colson sighs, and there's a look of something like guilt in his eyes. "I trust, though, that it is understood that he intends no offense, that for him, you are still 'company.' That, I hope, will alter with time." Colson smiles faintly, as he withdraws his hand to fold them politely together in his lap. "If you would be more comfortable returning another time, calling ahead to be sure, I will not ask you to stay."

Cressidha nods. "Of course. I understand, Colson." She gets to her feet, walking smoothly towards her staff by the door, at which point she turns around for her goodbye hug.

Colson moves in for the hug as though he expected the exact moment that it would be, holding Cressidha gently, a Blessing of Wisdom in the gesture. "Thank you for coming. It is always good to see you." He ends the hug after a very appropriate amount of time.

Cressidha returns the hug for the correct amount of time. "Of course. I'll be in touch." Smiling, she collects her staff and lets herself out.