(2026-01-25) This Corner of the World

Details

Author:	Luridel
Summary:	While waiting for White Squad to return to Binan Village, Mordecai Aspenwood and Caspis Silvershade take the opportunity to catch up with each other. ~1.3k words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Sunday afternoon, while White and Blue Squads are at work in Pandaria…

Mordecai sits at a desk on the lower level of Binan Village's infirmary, writing a letter.

Caspis descends from the upper floor, rolling up some used bandages on his way to dispose of them. He spots Mordecai and smiles very faintly, approaching once he has disposed of the bandages. "It's almost quiet," he observes.

Mordecai looks up and smiles, pulling his clipboard back to his lap. "Mmhm. Now that…" He tilts his head up towards the top floor. "…most of them have moved on."

"I trust the squads are doing fine work," Caspis says solemnly, "and for now, I have helped those I can here in the village. What are you working on?"

"I was, um, trying to write to Velrin," Mordecai says. "Because I didn't have time to go see her in person before I left for Pandaria."

"Do you need concentration? I did not mean to disturb you." Caspis bows slightly with an air of apology.

"No, no." Mordecai puts his clipboard away. "I was just thinking of what to say. I could probably… use some fresh air. Um, do you want to go outside? For a little?"

"That would be wonderful," Caspis says with visible relief. Poor cooped up druid.

Mordecai smiles faintly and heads outside. Binan Village is busy with refugees and villagers alike.

Caspis has dressed in something approaching local fashion - it must have been custom-made, given his proportions. His head is bare, revealing the progress he's made regrowing his hair since Molten Front.

Mordecai takes a deep breath and looks for somewhere to sit.

"This is a beautiful tree," Caspis says, gesturing to its orange foliage.

Mordecai sits down on the exterior wooden foundation that supports the infirmary, looking up at the tree. "Mmhm."

Conversation. Mordecai knows how to make it. Right? "It's good to have you and Anareline here."

Caspis nods, gazing up at the leaves as he sits beside Mordecai. "Cobalt Company requested the pair of us, but I thought it would be best if I stayed in a support role for now. It has been pleasant to work alongside you, even if we have not had much chance to speak."

Mordecai nods. "Colson was offered a spot on one of the squads, because their healer - um, Mr. Stillwall - left to help with a… statue." He tilts his head. "Have you heard about the Celestials?"

"I… do not remember," Caspis says. His ears droop slightly with embarrassment. "I … may have been briefed, but if so, my mind has misplaced the information."

Mordecai smiles gently. "It's all right. I haven't met them, either, but I'm told they're like the Wild Gods."

Caspis's feathery brows lift in surprise. "Ah, severed from Kalimdor during the Sundering?" Caspis guesses.

Mordecai hesitates. "I… think so? Um, the statue has… something to do with one of them. Yu'lon the Jade Serpent."

"I remember hearing how a great statue was destroyed," Caspis says. "I knew that it had great cultural significance, but I did not know it was of a Wild God."

Mordecai nods. "Jo wrote about it… I think I have her letter, hold on." He fetches his clipboard again, paging through until he finds the letter. He carefully clips it to the top, over his letter-in-progress.

"'This is a statue necessary for the Celestial (a kind of Wild God, I’m given to understand) to complete her cycle of rebirth, so it’s of tremendous cultural and religious importance,'" Mordecai reads.

Caspis frowns in concern. "But Cobalt members are working on restoring the statue, you said?"

Mordecai nods. "As far as I understand it. At least Mr. Stillwall is. And there have to be others. I think."

Caspis nods. "Surely they would not send someone alone on such an important mission," he says. Then he turns to study Mordecai. "Are you glad that you and your shalan were assigned here?"

"Oh…" That question takes Mordecai a moment to consider. "Yes, I think so. When we got the letter, I wasn't sure if we could go at first, because I had so much to do in Stormwind… and it's really nice to be here. I know that I've been useful to the locals. And it's beautiful here, and everyone is so generous. I do feel worried about the people I left behind, though. Some of my clients, and some of the newer acolytes in training…"

"What was keeping you busy in Stormwind?" Caspis asks. "The last I remember speaking with you was at the Molten Front, and I know by the length of my hair that was some time ago. If I have forgotten a conversation since then, please forgive me."

Mordecai shakes his head. He draws his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. "After the death of Archbishop Benedictus, I was given a new position in the Church of the Holy Light. And that came with new responsibilities. I'm the bishop overseeing the city of Stormwind."

"Ah, a bishop," Caspis says. "It is… the religious leader for a city, then?" He looks like he's trying very hard to commit this to memory.

Mordecai nods, because that's easier than trying to explain the hierarchy of the church in Azeroth.

Nobody wants to explain the hierarchy of the church in Azeroth. Not even Blizzard.

"Is there someone taking care of things while you are away? Or are your responsibilities of the sort that can be done from a distance?" Caspis looks mildly concerned, but also seems to trust that Mordecai has it handled.

Mordecai bites his lip. "There are a few people handling it. But sometimes they write to me. I… feel like I really did need the break."

Caspis nods. "I am certain that if there is anything that truly requires your intervention, you will be informed. Otherwise, it will be good to travel, to introduce variety into your activities. In my experience, human 'jobs' tend to be a bit on the repetitive and stressful side." He studies Mordecai, perhaps looking for signs of stress.

Mordecai looks a little stressed, but that might be his default state. "How are you doing?"

"I am contented," he says. "I know that Anareline is doing important work, and I am nearby if she needs me. I had no intensive training going on with any students, and so it was no trouble to depart Kalimdor for a time. Pandaria is beautiful."

Mordecai nods. "We're up in the mountains… do you feel closer to Aviana here?"

Caspis considers. "I believe she has somewhat forgotten this corner of the world," Caspis says. "Which is just as well, as I am unable to take her favored form here. The pandaren do not have druids, and all the large birds in this area are wont to steal their livestock, so if I were to fly about here, I might well be shot down."

Mordecai winces. "Oh. That's… dangerous."

Caspis nods solemnly. "Perhaps one day they will become more familiar with druids and learn to tell us from the dangerous birds, but for now, it is safer to stay grounded."

Mordecai nods. "You could speak with, um, Mayor Bramblestaff here and ask him to start spreading the word…"

"Ah yes, a good idea." Caspis looks thoughtful. "You know, it will take me some time to learn to trust authority again, I think. My instinct is to avoid speaking with leadership."

Mordecai reaches out to touch Caspis's arm. "Would you like me to bring it up to him for you?"

Caspis considers for a moment. "It might be good for me to practice," he says. "Old as I am, I should still be capable of change, hm?" He tips his head at Mordecai as though curious if he agrees.

Mordecai smiles encouragingly. "Of-of course. Would you like me to point him out to you?"

"Oh, yes," Caspis says, looking a bit embarrassed. "Sometimes… I have trouble pairing names with faces."

Mordecai nods. This is probably why he offered. "I'll show you. He's usually outside…" He puts his clipboard away and gets to his feet.