(2024-02-24) On Netherwings and Other Things

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Author:	OzmaAsimov
Summary:	Gwenivene and Kirygosa discuss the Nexus War, the relationship of the netherwing and blue flights, and babies!
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Nexus War

Kirygosa sits at a table in the Dalaran Cobalt Company HQ, sipping a cup of tea and flipping through a magical tome as if she has every right to be there.

Gwenivene emerges through the portal into the Purple Parlor, letting out a tired sigh the moment she is through. The normally perky young woman has circles under her eyes.

Kirygosa glances up at Gwen's sigh, and a flicker of concern crosses her face. "Gwenivene, what's happened?"

Gwenivene cheers a bit at the sight of Kirygosa, smiling warmly through her exhausted mask. "Oh, hello! More like what's been happening." She drags her feet over to the table. "I've been at the Oculus, trying to help stabilize things. I've been awake for…" She mentally calculates, "…31 hours."

Gwenivene flops into a chair.

[Kirygosa]: Oh, that's a long time for a human. *Kiry's eyes widen.* I hope nothing's worsening? At least, not any more than expected.

Gwenivene nods. "It's all within expected parameters. But it is worsening."

Kirygosa 's own face sobers. "I still have some hope we might convince the Aspect to see reason, but… it is diminishing. It was not so long ago that he recovered his mind, and perhaps he did not regain mastery of all of it."

Gwenivene nods solemnly. "I truly hope we can. It would be tragic to end all this with more bloodshed."

Kirygosa lowers her eyes. "So many of them are people I know. It is… hard sometimes. Hard to rejoice our victories, even when I know they are just."

Gwenivene nibbles her lip, speaking cautiously, "I'm…curious about something. You mentioned Malygos regaining his mind. Um…are you aware of how that happened?"

[Kirygosa]: Oh, that's… *Kiry looks away for a moment, then back at Gwenivene.* I think part of it was concern for the Life-Binder, during the Second War. He was… still not well, but he did manage to help. And then later…

Gwenivene nods, listening to Kiry to see where she's going with this.

Kirygosa taps her fingers against her mug, one, two, three… "Have you talked much with Ameth about the Netherwing Flight?"

Gwenivene nods solemnly. "She told me. About Zzeraku and Tyrygosa. When I asked her why she was so tense around…um…around you."

Kirygosa winces. "You know we never meant… Tyry was trying to help…"

[Gwenivene]: I believe you. But…it's difficult. I think my bond with Amethyraku makes me naturally more sympathetic to her viewpoint. She's afraid of the blue dragonflight…and angry. Most netherwings are, it seems."

Gwenivene removes her hat, tucking it behind her back where it disappears into her cloak.

[Kirygosa]: Malygos was… My father was… still easily confused. And they did attack us, which didn't help.

[Kirygosa]: Perhaps if that hadn't happened he would've understood what Tyry wanted, and would have helped them regain their own strength. Or not, I really, really cannot predict what he will do. I would never have predicted any of this.

[Gwenivene]: Y-yes…but it only happened because Tyrygosa brought them to the Nexus. You must understand…for the netherwings' entire existence they have been used by others. Feeling powerless. They saw a chance for power…for freedom.

[Kirygosa]: I can understand that now, of course. Back then… we just saw a strange new flight that didn't fit in anywhere… and I suppose my father just saw raw magic, moving around in living things. Or something like that.

[Kirygosa]: He was mostly locked away in the Nexus in those days, so I have very little information from which to draw conclusions on how he might have seen things.

Gwenivene nods sadly. "I suppose the netherwings setting their sights on conquering Azeroth didn't help. Especially considering…y'know…their parentage."

Kirygosa grimaces, and swirls her tea. "Given what happened last time Neltharion and the black dragonflight betrayed everyone. If he hadn't, I might have a much larger family now."

[Gwenivene]: I suppose I should just be grateful I got Amey out of there before all that happened. Cheese and crackers…it never occurred to me that she could have ended up at the Nexus, too.

[Kirygosa]: That would have been an unfortunate end. *Kiry sighs.*

[Gwenivene]: So, I hope you can understand why she is wary. I know it's not your fault. I think she does, too. But…it's hard for her to trust.

[Kirygosa]: It's hard for a lot of people to trust me these days. *Kiry smiles wryly.* I would say the silver lining is that my father regained his mind and his will, but… now look at what he's doing with it. And my brother with him.

[Kirygosa]: Sometimes it feels like I'm trapped in the Nightmare that plagued us all not long ago.

Gwenivene frowns. "I'm so sorry. You must feel so alone."

[Kirygosa]: I do still have Jarygos at least. He followed me. *Kiry smiles tremulously.* And maybe I can mend fences with your Amey, eventually.

[Gwenivene]: I'd like that. Because…I just want you to know I'm your friend. And…maybe that will rub off on Amey, too.

[Kirygosa]: I hope so. *Kiry smiles.* And I'm your friend too. I appreciate how you always try to find a nonviolent solution. I heard you tried to persuade the mages in the Oculus, even though none of them regained their senses.

Gwenivene nods, wincing at the memory. "I couldn't even reach Urom. I studied under him! I never would have thought he would betray us."

Kirygosa shakes her head sadly. "Malygos is persuasive. In his view, he's saving the world. I expect he and Urom see us as the traitors, turning against the father of magic."

[Gwenivene]: I suppose you're right. I mean…yeah, it's hard opposing the Spell-weaver. But what choice has he really given us? He's going to destroy Azeroth if he keeps this up! At the very least he'll rob it of its soul. Magic is important!

Kirygosa nods. "Magic is a part of life, inextricably. For me, certainly, but also for you. And if human mages are doing something unwise, then he should teach them a better way. Not slaughter them and hoard all the magic for himself."

[Gwenivene]: Exactly! The Kirin Tor exists to regulate magic. We should be working together.

Kirygosa nods. "And if we can resolve this conflict, and I have anything to say about it, we will," Kiry smiles a little shyly. "I admit… I have been looking toward the future. I know we're at war, but…"

Gwenivene smiles. "Yeah…I like to think about what will come after. I can't think about war and death all the time. It's way too depressing."

[Kirygosa]: Yes, definitely too depressing. And I want to think, whatever comes after, there will be little blue whelplings to grow up and learn a new way to be a blue dragonflight. *Kiry self-consciously drifts one hand to cover her abdomen.*

[Kirygosa]: There's never a perfect time for that sort of thing, is there? So we use the time we have.

Gwenivene grins broadly at the thought. "Awww, little blue babies! That would be just-…" She blinks, eyes following Kiry's hand. "Wait…you're not…ARE YOU?" She visibly quivers in anticipation.

Kirygosa giggles, and tries to turn it into a more dignified chuckle. "I'll be laying my first clutch soon, yes!"

Gwenivene squeals! "Cheese and crackers! Kiryyyy!" She nearly throws herself at the dragon…but balks and more carefully puts her arms around her. "Congratulations! That's so exciting!"

Kirygosa embraces Gwen carefully, beaming. "I haven't told very many people yet, but it's a certain thing."

Kirygosa pulls back a little, looking at Gwen. "Do you think you'd want to be a babysitter? For whelplings?"

Gwenivene 's jaw drops. "R-really? You'd entrust them to me?" She puts a hand to her bosom, suddenly breathless. "I…I'm honored, Kiry. I would love to!"

Kirygosa is still beaming. "It'll be some time, of course, and by then I hope all the wars will be over."

[Kirygosa]: There will be so much to teach them, and I'd like for them to know the Kirin Tor as friends from the very beginning.

Gwenivene wipes her eyes. Yup, she's crying. "I want that, too."

[Gwenivene]: I think even Amey would soften to blue whelplings.

Kirygosa smiles. "Then maybe that would be a way to bridge the gap. Maybe in those days, I could even travel to Outland sometime, and meet with Amey's people."

[Gwenivene]: It might help if they see more blue dragons acting on their behalf. Not all of them feel as Amethyraku does. But…I think it's more common among those that were thralls.

[Kirygosa]: That's… understandable. And there are so few of us altogether, they won't have had a chance to see many examples.

[Kirygosa]: But perhaps we can see that as something we have in common. Both of our flights have been diminished, and we're both trying to rebuild and grow again.

Gwenivene nods. "It would be lovely to see the blues and the netherwings fully united. Both small dragonflights, but together just think of what you could accomplish."

[Kirygosa]: And perhaps, in a way, it would be like welcoming the blacks back home. They're not exactly the same, but they're an offshoot of the same tree, uncorrupted.

Gwenivene smiles. "That's a lovely sentiment."

Gwenivene stifles a yawn. "Mm…sorry."

Kirygosa finishes her tea and stands. "I should probably get back to the Wyrmrest Temple. And you should get some rest, Gwen."

Gwenivene giggles softly. "Yeah…that's 32 hours now. I think I'll sleep for another 32."

Kirygosa smiles. "I have no aspectral blessing to give, but I do hope you have no nightmares. Only happy dreams - maybe of whelplings."

Gwenivene beams happily! "Oh, I will! It was wonderful to see you again, Kiry. Please don't hesitate to call on me if you need anything."

[Kirygosa]: Trust me, I won't. And if you end up having any whelpl… babies… I would be delighted to meet them.

Gwenivene blushes at the very thought. "Oh…hehe. That, um, might be a while off. But yes, of course!"

Kirygosa grins. "There's plenty of time."

Gwenivene turns from pink to crimson. "I…um…we…just…y-yeah! Plenty of time."