(2025-10-17) Overlapping History

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Corvin addresses the history he shares with Shun, as well as some assurance that it won't be a problem. ~1200 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Struggles of Stromgarde

The day has been a success. No one is poisoned, two Syndicate prisoners now rest in holding cells, and a young hostage is saved. The danger is not fully past, perhaps, given the continuing threat outside the Keep sector's walls, but for now there is a measure of peace. The evening is drawing on, and it is nearly time for those who plan to depart to do so.

Corvin Trent waits just outside of the doors of the central building, sitting on a crumbling wall of stone with a small fox curled upon the ground nearby. He's in human form for the moment, his grey eyes distant and his rifle resting across his knees (and pointing in a safe direction). He seems to be weighing some decision, arguing silently with himself to go in one direction or the other.

Having just dropped off the restrained Ashford to the holding cells and giving his report on things from his standpoint, Shun is now making his way out to start making the journey back to Pandaria.

As he exits the building, he catches sight of Corvin off to the side. He regards him momentarily, enough to clock that he's there and that no one is around to jump him or anything like that, then starts to move on.

For a moment, it looks like Corvin might let him pass in silence. But then, something settles in his expression, a decision reached.

"Kuroda," Corvin says, raising a hand in a carefully casual greeting. "Heading back to Pandaria?"

Hearing Corvin speak out, Shun pauses in his steps. He turns back towards the younger man.

"I am, yes."

Corvin nods, his gaze shifting away, and then back to Shun. "It's good you were here. For Ionala, and then for Ashford. If you have a few minutes, I thought… it might be a good idea for us to talk, before we all scatter again."

Shun lets out a light grunt, "The things going on here are just as important as what is happening overseas."

He then raises a brow, looking over Corvin carefully, "…Very well. Speak your mind."

Corvin takes a breath and lets it out slowly before he answers. Gon, the fox, perks up his head and regards Shun with faintly luminous eyes.

"You recognized me," Corvin says, pitching his voice low. "I could see it, when we first met. It's not a secret, not exactly, and I'm not — I'm not an infiltrator. I told the Cobalt officers, and they hired me anyway. Still, it's not a thing I want… widely discussed."

Shun lifts his head, still regarding Corvin silently as he speaks. It takes him some time before he replies.

"I did, yes. I was uncertain of your intentions prior. Perhaps I still am a little uncertain. It is not my call to make, however," he says. "And it is not something I plan on bringing to the light unless it becomes a problem."

"It won't," Corvin says, staring at Shun levelly. "I'd hoped the opposite, that I might be a help here. And with the Forsaken on the doorstep…" Corvin falls silent for a moment, and then finally says, "Do the Cobalt officers know about your… history?"

"They know some of it, and some know more than others," Shun shrugs, "The exact nature of my job is still somewhat classified."

There's a pause. Perhaps a little extra context is needed here.

"All that needs to be known is my job was to help dismantle the Syndicate from the inside. I was not quite able to finish that assignment so I am continuing that work from the outside here."

Corvin takes in that information, something shifting in his gaze, and he says, "What happened? If you can say, that is. Why you had to start working from the outside."

Shun considers his words carefully, "Someone sold me out."

"Ah," Corvin says, letting out another breath. There's another brief silence before he says, "I wasn't trying to dismantle anything. The people there, they were all I knew. But I did leave."

Corvin breaks his gaze from Shun's, and looks down at the fox. "It was just before the Forsaken took Hillsbrad, when I did. The cell I was with, they captured this Forsaken guy. He gave us warning of the upcoming attack. My lead ordered him killed, buried the info. It wasn't right. I got out when I could, planning to turn myself in at Southshore and warn them. That was when…" he shakes his head. "By the time the druids woke me up, it was far too late. If you want my intentions, there you go. I'm not letting that happen again here."

"Tsk. That sounds about right," Shun grunts, shaking his head at this new information.

"Sounds like you came to your senses in time either way," he remarks, "But it also sounds like this case is far more personal to you, then."

"Maybe," Corvin says, looking back up to Shun. "I guess it depends on how close you get to your marks. But that's one other thing, something I haven't been sure how to bring up, or if. It probably doesn't matter. Just… the assassin mentioned in the letter, this 'windward'? I think I know her."

Shun raises a brow and waits to hear more.

"It wasn't her code before, but she likes wind-related names," Corvin says, leaning forward a little. "It's a little obvious, I know. I think it's a pride thing. Gayle Stokes. She and I were… well, I haven't spoken with her since I left, obviously. I don't even know if she knows I'm alive."

"Ah. The name is familiar. Did not speak with her directly, though," Shun states. There's another pause before he asks, "If she is one of the assassins at play here, will this be an issue for you?"

Corvin doesn't answer right away, giving the question the thought it merits. And then when he does, it's only to say, "I don't know, honestly. I've killed before, but I'm not an assassin. Especially not for someone I… I don't know."

Shun's gaze hardens some as he continues to watch Corvin.

"You best at least stay out of the way, then, should it come to it," he states, "Depending on her actions, taking her in alive may not be doable."

"But thus far, only one individual has been marked for death. So there is that."

"I know what side I'm on," Corvin says, straightening. Gon hops up on the wall, resettling next to him. "You don't need to worry about that. Sir Atley trusted me to see this through, and I mean to."

"Very well, then," Shun simply replies.

"Well, then," Corvin echoes, holding out a hand to Shun. "I trust your discretion. I'll send word to you and Sir Atley in Pandaria, if there's any change in the situation here."

Shun glances down at the hand. After a moment, he gives it a single firm shake, "I shall look forward to it. I presume we will want to be making our moves against the Syndicate before too long."

With another curt nod, he goes on to continue on his way.