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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Velrin and Celaven go visit the Temple of the Red Crane, and Celaven admits a problem that he probably should have resolved before coming to the land of Sha. Or, you know, at least told his family and friends about, as he was advised. ~2600 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
The Krasarang jungle is unusually quiet near a particular area of mogu ruins. The reason for this might not be immediately obvious until one approaches the Sentinel Base Camp, close enough to see the peaked purple tents protected in the lee of crumbled walls, and the purple banners adorned with tree and crescent. Several Sentinel guards are visible near the entrance — presumably others are less visible. The camp may be temporary, but what 'temporary' means to long-lived people is less certain. At least, it has been here for months, since before the years' turning. This small camp has endured since the opening of the Vale to the north, and even before the mantid attack on Stoneplow.
Celaven Evensong waits by the hippogryph stand, speaking to the flight master with a faint smile. The man's coloring might remind Celaven of his half-sister Florande. For his part, Celaven seems unusually well-groomed for a man on a military post in the wilderness. His beard and mustache are carefully trimmed, and his long violet hair is still sleek, though it is tied back into a long tail behind his back. Though it is clean and well-maintained, though, his clothing is not quite as fine as he might have worn in the temples of Kalimdor — dark blue and bronze now, for the Alliance, the colors muted enough not to draw attention from predators or enemies as he passes through the undergrowth.
A few minutes before the appointed time Celaven can hear the beating of a hippogryph’s wings swiftly approaching. As the beast comes into view he can see that on its back it’s carrying Velrin, dressed in a warm looking sweater, thick trousers, and supple leather boots. The moment the hippogryph lands she slides gracefully from its back and scans the unfamiliar surroundings. The moment Ven enters her gaze her eyes sparkle and her lips draw into a big smile.
At the moment she lands, it is as if a light turns on within Celaven — his ears lifting, his step lightening, and a smile brightening his face. Celaven moves forward smoothly, and reaches out to embrace her.
"Velrin," he says her name softly, breathing out through the syllables. "I'm so glad you made it safely. I have missed you dearly."
“Ven!” Velrin gets misty eyed and sprints towards him, leaping into the air and grabs onto him with her whole body and squeezes him as tight as she can. She whimpers like she’s about to say something but bites his shoulder instead.
Celaven catches his breath at the leap, but he also catches Velrin — maybe he's stronger these days, from time in the military. He spins a little, to absorb the momentum, holding her securely in his arms. At the bite, he stumbles a little, a faint darker blush rising in his cheeks that he hides in her shoulder.
Celaven breathes in the scent of her, slowly relaxing his grip. He murmurs at her ear, "We're safe here, in this camp. From the sha, from the orcs, from the sauroks…"
Velrin unwraps her legs from Ven and stands on her own feet but keeps her arms tightly around him, “Good. Even if they were here I’d make sure to keep you safe.” Velrin giggles, “I missed you so much.”
"It was easier when we were on the same continent," Celaven says, not letting her go. "I've been safe here, though. Well, I am the healer, so it is my job to look after the others, as it is theirs to make certain I do not come to harm."
Now that she's close, Velrin can see a weariness to his features, faint shadows beneath his luminous silver eyes, which might not have been obvious at first, given the care he takes with his appearance.
"Hopefully soon we'll get to be together all the time again." As Velrin scans his face after pulling away enough to get a better look at him. Her fond, loving expression gradually shifts into one of worry and concern, "Is everything ok?" She asks, trying her best not to assume anything.
"Yes… yes," Celaven says, and he is smiling. "I've just been having some nightmares, as of late. I don't know if its this place or simply from my being separated from you… I take it you had no trouble getting here? The portal, the hippogryph?"
Velrin continues looking up at Ven with big eyes, but eases off of the subject for now, "Y-yes. Everything was fine. I've been taking things pretty slow just in case. I don't want to get all worked up and have issues with the sha." Velrin bites her lip and buries her face in Ven's chest, renewing her embrace.
Celaven circles his arm around her shoulders holding her close to him, and hums quietly in assent. "There's no rush, love. The great sha in the Wilds was defeated, but tell me if you feel any kind of creeping despair. Don't try to tough it out — there are ways to address the influence quickly, when it is caught early on." He pulls back slightly to look down into her eyes. "Would you like to see the Temple of the Red Crane? It is not so far from here, and it is a place of hope. It is, also, beautiful. I would like to see your beauty in a place more lovely than ruins or vines."
“Don’t worry, I will.” Velrin scrunches her nose and smiles up at Ven, ears wiggling at the compliment, “That sounds wonderful.” She gets up on her tiptoes to kiss him.
Celaven supports her back, joining the kiss with no concern as to the kaldorei around in the camp. Then he pulls back, smiling, some of the weariness melting away. He keeps his arm around her as he ushers her towards the edge of the camp.
"We'll mostly go by the roads," Celaven says. "There's not likely much we'll run into on the way — possibly wildlife, you may see a saurok. The Horde are closer to the coast right now, last we've seen."
Velrin clings onto Celaven’s arm while they walk, “It’s ok. As long as I’m with you I’m not worried.”
Celaven rests his other hand over her arm on his, seeming unwilling to not touch her for even a moment, as he leads her down the path, in the dim light that reaches through the heavy leafy canopy. There is no rain right now, at least.
"Things have been a little less tense in my unit," Celaven says as they walk. "I'm pleased the higher-ups have finally accepted Tyrrell as our leader again. I understand why the demotion — and that it wasn't entirely due to the curse — but he has more than proven himself worthy of command, before and after Gilneas. It's easier, now that we can call him Captain again. How are things in Felwood? Is Nylarria well?"
“I’m glad things haven’t been too stressful for you. I know how stressful having a command can be. As well as hard it is to be so far away from home.” Velrin says knowingly. Her mood shifts slightly at the mention of Nylarria, making her seem a bit more worried, “Nylarria is… she’s… We’ve had more time to slow down and relax lately with the Cataclysm being resolved. I just think all her years of constant hunting are starting to catch up with her.”
"I think not being in command was more stressful for Tyrrell," Celaven says with a dry smile. "Things are settled now as they should be. As for Nylarria… sometimes healing is not a straight path. One can only outrun one's own suffering for so long, and eternal hunting is not a life. I'm glad that she has a safe place to start to find a way to heal."
“Yeah…” Velrin says weakly. Her voice doesn’t sound terribly optimistic. She shifts her attention, however, by rustling through her bag, “Oh! Mordecai gave me this though!” She pulls out her little Red Crane plush and shows it to Celaven, “Isn’t it cute?”
Celaven laughs at the little red crane, and reaches out to give it a little pat on the head. "What an adorable symbol of hope! Have you had a chance to speak with him, since you've arrived? As far as I'm aware, he's up north in the Vale. That's where Caspis and Florande are as well, defending it from the mogu. And then my mother — she's across the wall, attempting to befriend the mantid."
“N-not yet, no. I’ve… I’ve been taking things kind of slow, just to be safe.” Velrin mutters, “I met with Caspis and Florande though!”
"Oh, that's good," Celaven says with a smile. "I would not recommend going beyond the wall — it isn't safe for anyone — but I expect mother will be back soon. I confess I am not certain of her skills in diplomacy, but I would imagine she is mostly there to defend the rest of the team."
The two of them approach a small footbridge across the water. Up ahead, hints of a large stone structure and red-painted roof tiles begin to be seen through the greenery.
Velrin frowns like she’s disappointed with herself when Ven says that going beyond the wall isn’t safe, but keeps quiet and hugs Ven’s arm tighter.
She continues to take in all the sights as they walk. As soon as the temple begins to come into view, Velrin’s mouth opens.
"It's truly a place of beauty," Celaven says quietly. "I didn't see it until after Cobalt cleared it of the sha, and the initiates had started to put things to rights. I've heard a rumor the human prince spent some time here as well, helping."
“That’s good to hear.” Velrin smiles, “I’m glad to know the Alliance is trying to make a difference here.”
"We are," Celaven confirms, and then the temple comes fully into view. They come out into a clearing, where sunlight gleams on the thick, carven pale stone and red roof of the temple itself. In front are shallow pools of water, where crane initiates — pandaren — can be seen moving and talking with one another. Carven pillars mark the entrance to the main building, and two smaller structures are on either side.
Celaven pauses, putting his hand once again on Velrin's arm. "I can't promise we'll meet the Celestial, but I think this place feels hopeful again."
Velrin bats her eyelashes at him and nods, “And maybe after this we can go find somewhere to watch the cranes too.”
"Somewhere quiet, preferably," Celaven says, his gaze heating for a moment. "Somewhere private. But for now, the temple. I do hope it does not become too crowded when the Alliance fleet arrives. I expect many will be curious about this place."
Velrin’s face flushes and she looks away bashfully, biting her lip. Her fingers sink deeper into Ven’s arm and she nods obediently in agreement with his current sentiment.
Celaven raises a hand to wave a greeting to some of the initiates as he leads Velrin into the temple. The columns to either side are carved in a crane motif, with beaks and wings, and Celaven leads Velrin up the stairs slowly to stand before the delicate statue of the red crane in a beam of sunlight, with smaller carved cranes with wings outstretched in alcoves above to either side.
"Despair was buried here," Celaven says, gazing up at the crane. "It turns out that it cannot be buried forever, but must be opposed."
Velrin takes in the lovely architecture and decor but holds fast onto Ven’s arm, “It’s gone for now, though, right? The Sha?” Vel asks nervously.
Celaven nods. "That large one is. Even if some power still lingers in this land, it is weaker now. There are other great sha, I know, but they're farther north — fear, hatred, anger…"
Velrin inches closer to Ven until she’s practically glued to him.
"Everyone is weak to something, darling," Celaven says quietly, and there's a touch of tiredness to his words. "But we watch out for one another, make sure to catch any possible influence early."
“Right…” Velrin glances sheepishly at Ven a few times, catching onto the weariness he seems to be ignoring, “Is everything… Are… Is there something, um, bothering you?”
"Just nightmares," Celaven says, with a reassuring smile. Then his smile falters, and he looks up again at the statue of the crane. "That is… recurring nightmares. Of my father. I do not think it is the sha, because it started months before I came to this place. Still, they are not growing less frequent. And sometimes, when I am alone, I feel like there is a shadow behind me."
Celaven brings his hand up to his collarbone, an unconscious gesture. It is the spot where he once wore a symbol of Elune, and now he wears the stormcrow feather in its silver clasp.
Velrin looks up at him with big, misty eyes, “Why didn’t you say something? I… Do you want me to stay here?” Velrin blurts out with concern. Her grip on Ven’s arm loosens a bit out of nervousness. It’s like she’s not quite sure yet if she’s able to back up those words, but she doesn’t take them back, “You have to… I don’t want you to feel alone. I’ve been trying so hard not to worry too much, but….” Velrin trails off.
Celaven freezes, staring at Velrin, and there's a touch of something deep and hurting and vulnerable in his silver eyes. "I thought — I didn't want to worry you. I know you carry so much, everyone does, and I…" his eyes shimmer with tears, and he says, "You're right. I should have told you, even if it is nothing. I… spoke with a priestess, to make sure I was not having a problem with the shadow, something I might have brought on myself. And she said… I should have told you."
He cups her cheek with one hand and says, "Will you forgive me? Will you stay?"
“Of course I was worried about you!” A few tears roll down Velrin’s cheeks, “You’ve been off in a dangerous place far away where I can’t protect you.” She grabs Ven’s wrist with both hands and rubs her cheek into his touch like a cat, “Of course I’ll stay. I love you. I just… When you keep things like this from me it makes me scared. I love you so much, and…” Velrin swallows and gasps to catch her breath like she’s about to cry.
"I love you," Celaven says, leaning his forehead to hers. "I could give any number of reasons, but… I didn't mean to scare you. You have protected me, though. Every time I touch this necklace, I remember you, and Caspis, and Nylarria, and it helps me to set aside whatever I hear in my dreams." Celaven closes his eyes. "I thought… maybe it was just a part of grief. I told myself I would ask for help if things didn't get better. And then… I was here…"
Velrin sniffles and tries to wrap her arms around him, “Well I’m here for you now too.”
Celaven slides his arms around to enfold her. "I will not hide any darkness of mine again, not even to protect you. I will trust in your strength, and your love, as you can trust in mine."