(2026-04-23) A Tranquil Place

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Caspis and Florande meet Velrin in Paw'don Village, and introduce her to the beautiful side of Pandaria. Orchards are enjoyed and art and history is discussed. ~2600 words
Rating:	T for Teen

+ Show additional content warnings

reference to romantic partners, a crush

Florande is curled up by the cloud serpent fountain, just across from the old Stormwind portal, resting in panther form.

Velrin makes her way into the town square where she planned to meet. She looks a bit nervous. She's not in her armor for now and is instead dressed in a warm sweater and thick trousers. She's clutching a Red Crane plush to her chest.

Caspis, circling above, spots familiar faces and glides down quietly to join them, turning into his elven form as he comes in for a landing.

Florande perks her head up at Velrin’s approach, and then also shifts into elven form. "Oh! I must have missed you coming through the portal."

[Velrin]: Florande! *Velrin's ears instantly perk up* I've missed you! *She goes in for a hug.*

[Caspis]: What brings you here? *He looks at both of them in turn.*

Florande accepts the hug, and tilts over towards Caspis. Can it be a group hug?

Caspis moves to gently embrace them both with his long arms.

Velrin squeezes them both painfully tight.

Caspis seems okay with it.

Florande giggles, melting happily into the group hug. Without letting go, she says in a breathy voice, "Velrin wanted to come visit Pandaria. I came down this way to meet her. It is lucky you are here too, Caspis!"

They do, eventually, step back from the hug to talk.

[Velrin]: I-I've been a little nervous about coming here because of the Sha, but… I wanted to at least see it a little bit. *Vel says softly.*

[Caspis]: I am being cautious too, because of my anger. But this town is peaceful.

Florande nods. "This is a good place to visit now. There was a lot of doubt at first, but it has been defeated."

[Caspis]: I find this place tranquil now, and often return to it when the fight begins to take its toll.

Velrin sighs in relief, "Thank goodness."

Caspis smiles at Velrin. "Beautiful, is it not? I have never seen the like."

[Florande]: Maybe we could go sit among the apple trees? The orchard is wonderful."

[Caspis]: As you wish.

They head out into the orchard.

Caspis admires the fallen pink petals.

Florande leads the way down the path in the center of town, out into the peaceful apple orchard. She settles on blossoms, beneath a massive, gnarling root.

[Velrin]: This is a lovely place, isn't it? *Vel sits and takes in the scenery.*

[Caspis]: Among the most beautiful I have encountered.

[Florande]: I have been to many places now. Krasarang Wilds, and the Valley of the Four Winds, and the Vale of Eternal Blossoms… it is a lovely land. Oh, and there is a team of Sentinels here, too.

[Caspis]: The Vale of Eternal Blossoms reminds me of the kaldorei empire at its height.

Velrin smiles at Caspis, "That must be a happy thing then. To see a glimpse of the world before the Sundering."

Florande also smiles at Caspis. "Did you make statues and carvings like the ones there, back then?"

Caspis seems to think the matter over for a long time. "In some ways, I believe I prefer the new way the kaldorei have of building and coexisting with nature. But there is something admirable about such splendour, as well."

[Florande]: The new way is more comfortable, to me, *Florande nods* I like the feeling of life all around me, not carven metal and stone. I spend more time in Mistfall Village, in the Vale.

Velrin thinks for a moment and nods, "I like our ways now too. Azeroth has suffered much over the years though. I guess…" Velrin trails off and doesn't finish the thought.

[Caspis]: I do recall there being many fine statues in the large cities I toured with my mother. But it was … a long time ago. Our people have been resilient, and have changed along with it. For the better, I think.

Florande leans back to nestle in the grass and large pink blossoms. "It is good to be willing to change. Still, it is also good to remember time with your mother… what were you touring?"

[Caspis]: She was a bard, so she would be invited to places to sing. She always wanted to sample the fine dining and other amenities in each city, and she let me come along, as I was well-behaved.

Velrin smiles and settles down in the grass to listen to Caspis' story.

[Caspis]: My father preferred to stay out in the wilderness - he was not fond of cities - so it was a special time to spend time with her alone. She was beautiful, and her voice was lovely. I… did not inherit that gift.

[Florande]: Oh, that sounds so lovely. Listening to her sing, and eating nice food. I do not think I am a beautiful singer, either. I still sing, sometimes, just for the joy of it.

[Caspis]: As do I. My apologies to anyone nearby.

Velrin giggles playfully, "Singing is always fun, though. I've had a little more time to practice lately."

Florande giggles as well. "You practice singing? Do you perform?"

Caspis looks to Velrin, ears perking up slightly.

Velrin 's face grows a little purple, "Oh, I… I just do it for fun mostly. Just umm… I really like poetry you see, and… I-I've never really performed before. N-not for more than just Ven really…"

Velrin fidgets with her hands.

[Caspis]: You like poetry? That is lovely. I enjoy it when I come across it, though I have little knowledge or understanding of it. I admire those who can learn to use words with such skill.

[Velrin]: Me too. *Vel relaxes a bit again.* I got interested in it back when I was spending time in Silvermoon in the past. *She nods noncommittally to Flo*

Florande nods. "Yes, I do not know much of poetry either, but it is pretty. The way the words are all arranged to make a picture, or a feeling… do you write any poems?"

Caspis shakes his head.
[Caspis]: The only times I have ever tried to use words to any effect, outside of teaching and storytelling, is when I write letters to Anareline. They seem to have the desired effect, but I would not call it poetry.

Florande giggles at Caspis, and says, "Then they are a success…"

[Velrin]: I've… I've written a few, but… I don't know. I guess I feel a little embarrassed to share some of them…

[Caspis]: There is no reason for embarrassment, though it is acceptable to consider some things too private to share.

Florande says,"I would like to hear your poems sometimes, but only if you want to share them. I would not… judge. I would not even know how."

[Caspis]: I feel the same. I would simply enjoy the glimpse into your mind and heart.

[Velrin]: Ok, ummm… Maybe I can show you some of them sometime… Later… *Velrin seems happy to hear that her family is interested in her hobbies, but still a little self-conscious.*

[Caspis]: Of course. Take all the time you need to prepare.

Florande nods happily. "My only real art is the little wood carvings, and I have not had a lot of time for that lately. I made one for…" Florande blushes, unaccountably.

Caspis's ears perk up.

Velrin's ears twitch and she glances at Flo.

Caspis shares a glance with Velrin for a moment.

Florande puts her hands on her cheeks, a little puzzled. "I made a carving for Raschal. I dance with him. I don't know if he kept it or not."

[Caspis]: Ahhh I see.
Caspis smiles very faintly, his expression gentle.

Velrin smiles, "That sounds nice. I bet he liked it."

[Caspis]: Anyone would feel honored to accept such a gift, I'm certain. And value it. If not…
Caspis 's expression suggests that if not, he might bite the person.

Florande smiles a little. "I hope he liked it. It was a little scary, maybe? I had sha on my mind at the time… but then he doesn't get scared, so probably he just liked it."

[Velrin]: I… I have some poems and songs that are a little… scary, I guess… That doesn't mean they're bad. *She says partially for her own benefit as well.*

[Caspis]: What was the carving like? Can you describe it?

[Florande]: Oh, yes! It was like… like a mask. Like a spy-person wears. *She casts around for an explanation, and then claps her hands* Like Shun! He always has one. And then little curls like mist, all around it.
Florande nods at Velrin. "Sometimes art is a way of taking things that are scary and making them beautiful."

Velrin nods at Flo, "It can be really relaxing can't it."

Caspis nods with interest.
[Caspis]: I am interested in these 'scary' poems and songs. One of my mother's best songs was quite chilling.

Florande's ears perk with interest.

[Caspis]: Sadly I do not remember much of it now - it was something about a woman who saw something she could not bear, and drowned herself. It was haunting and sad and frightening, and I was too young to understand most of it.
[Caspis]: But it was beautiful, and I felt that the audience always cleansed some of their own pain by listening to it, and felt lighter.

Velrin shrinks a little, "Oh wow… That does sound like a good song."

[Caspis]: It was quite powerful. I believe that expressing some of these things in a beautful way allowed her not to carry them as a weight.

Velrin nodnodnods.

Florande nods. "So it can transform pain and terror for the people who hear, and not only the people who make."

[Caspis]: Yes. Turning pain into beauty. It is almost like magic.

[Velrin]: You think so? *Vel asks expectantly.*

[Caspis]: It is transformative and miraculous… so… it does seem magical, to me.
[Caspis]: But a gentle magic, like that of nature.

Florande smiles, touching her fingers together. There's a faint wisp of green between them. "A natural magic."

[Caspis]: But alas, not one I have the skill in which to instruct.

[Velrin]: When I was really little I wanted to be a priestess. I guess maybe I'm still able to use a little bit of magic anyway after all. *Vel beams proudly and hugs her crane plush.*

Florande smiles. "Yes, poem magic! And my carvings, I just tried things I liked. I have many half-carved pieces I have thrown in the forest." She looks at Velrin's plush. "That is Chi-Ji? It is a good charm. Chi-Ji is hope."

[Caspis]: Where did you get that charming creature? *looking at the plush also*

Velrin holds up the plushie, "Y-yeah! Mordecai gave it to me. He said it's one of the Pandaren's gods. He thought it might make me feel better, so I brought it with me just in case."

Caspis's face softens at the mention of Mordecai. "He is such a loving soul. I have worked with him here, for a time, and it is always pleasant to be in his company. He has taught me a great deal about the Light."

Florande 's ears perk up. "There is a temple for Chi-Ji in Krasarang! Maybe you could visit it, while you're here. It is all cleared out of despair now, fully hopeful."

[Velrin]: He really is such a kind person isn't he? He reminds me a lot of an old friend of mine… I-in a good way. *She says to Caspis and then turns to Flo.* Oh there is? I'll have to go visit sometime! If the Sha is gone then I'll be safe, right?

[Caspis]: Yes, it is safe. And very beautiful.

Florande nods nods. "And yes, Mordecai. He is so kind. I am not even nervous when I talk to him. I am sometimes nervous of humans."

[Caspis]: There is something very special about his soul, I think.

Velrin nods in agreement.

[Florande]: A gentle soul. Which is not to say it is not strong.

[Caspis]: He has endured a great deal of Azeroth's turmoil in his short years.

[Florande]: Even just… this past month, I think.

[Caspis]: I worry, sometimes, about the humans. How much they are expected to learn, and know, and endure, in less than a century.

[Velrin]: O-oh… Did… did something happen?

Caspis looks to Florande, brow furrowing.

Florande shrugs a little. "You know… the mogu fighting. He is alright now. And yes, there is so much expected of him, of all of them, for them being as young as I am, most of them."

[Velrin]: I see… Well, I'm glad he's doing alright… *Velrin eases a little bit, but she's still nibbling on her lip.*

[Caspis]: The struggle here has… taken its toll, yes. We had… an uncomfortable turn of events, but… all is better, now.

[Florande]: He is up in Mistfall Village, with the infirmary — shan'do and I are there often, too.

Caspis nods.
[Caspis]: I at first tried to keep my work here solely to healing, but too many hands are needed now in the fight in the Vale, and so I bring my ferocity - to the extent I feel safe doing so.

Velrin glances down at her hands, "I envy the humans a little bit. Their years are short, but that also means that it's easier to cling to hope. To not get dragged down by all the years…"

[Caspis]: But the longer one lives, the more one sees the cycles, the way that even the worst times eventually come to an end, and blooms burst through the snow.

[Florande]: It is a thing I have been learning too, even though I have so few years. How to rest, and wait, and let things pass sometimes.

[Caspis]: I have lived long enough to see the world "end" again and again, and yet there is always something beautiful after, if one is patient.

Velrin gets quiet and just looks down at her hands, fiddling with her thumbs.

[Caspis]: We can choose to spend the summer dreading the winter, or the winter thinking of summer.

[Florande]: But either way, the winter comes, and the summer after, again and again. *Florande looks up at the sky, as drops of rain begin falling.*

Caspis nods. "And in my case… sometimes I forget which days belong to which season… but I was always a bit that way."

Velrin leans forward to protect her plushie from the rain.

[Caspis]: Should we return to town? Protect your friend?

[Florande]: Maybe that is more of druid wisdom. *Florande says, smiling at Velrin as raindrops patter on her head.* I am becoming wise… but yes, maybe we should protect little Chi-Ji.

Velrin nods, "Yes please. The rain is cold." She shivers.

Caspis changes into his moonkin form so that he can hold a wing over Velrin and the plush. His moonkin form is a bit scary and dark, but familiar.

Florande just runs through the rain, unbothered.

The group heads back to the inn.

Caspis changes back.
[Caspis]: There. Safe, warm, and dry.

[Florande]: Chi-Ji is okay?

Caspis peers at the little crane.

Velrin takes the crane out from her breast and gives it a quick check, "Yep! Nice and dry."

[Caspis]: Excellent.
[Caspis]: I should check in on the situation at the Vale.
Caspis leans toward each to attempt a farewell head-kiss.

Florande snuggles in for a little hug with the head-kiss.

Caspis hugs.

Velrin leans into the kiss. Her ears do a lil wiggle.

Caspis gives Velrin just a little bit of an *extra* squeeze.
[Caspis]: Be well until next we meet.

[Florande]: We can have some of the food here, while it rains? *Florande looks hopefully at Velrin* And after, maybe I can show you the Crane Temple…

[Velrin]: Ok. *Vel responds cheerily*