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lothirielswan · 1 year

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"I Wish This Was Sangria"

Check out the race leaders' support group from Dear Prince Dandelion!

Quest Objective: Steal some free mana buns.

“Yes, welcome to our support group.” Jaina answered. She added with a roll of her eyes, “Hi, I’m Jaina—”

“Hi, Jaina.”

“—and I’m a sex addict.”

Stamina elixir and sex addicts? Where’s the overlap there—I don't want to think about it.

Khadgar noticed my furrowed brow, “Most support groups share the same problems. It seems we are all grappling with something different and need some…comradery. Why don't you join us?”

“We have free mana buns,” The old blood elf replied.

I leaned around Khadgar’s form to meet his gaze. “Sorry, who are you again?”

“I’m Lor’themar Theron…?” He said. His words hung in the air with some implied meaning.

“Hi, Lor’themar.” The customary greeting followed.

“We’ve met before. I’m the regent lord of Silvermoon, engaged to your best friend…” Lor’themar hesitated, waiting for a sign of recognition. “...and I’m an alcoholic.”

Lor’themar? Alcoholic? Where have I heard that before—? Recollection hit. “ Oh! You’re that guy Sylvanas used to bully all the time!”

Thrall sunk down in his chair. Lor’themar frowned at the paper cup of coffee in his hand. “I wish this was sangria.”

Everyone in the room shot the regent lord pitiful looks. Thrall heaved a heavy sigh as if it were a common occurrence. “Please continue, Khadgar.”

“Thank you.” The archmage ushered me to an empty seat next to him and resumed his tale of addiction. “I’ve been overusing stamina elixirs for three months. At first, I thought it was simply to keep up with the three dragons I adopted and the demon that co-parents with me. But since I’ve started attending the retreat…I’ve realized that I’m not used to peace. I’m always expecting some explosion to break the silence! For instance: a week ago, my ki—Eona went out on a date late at night—”

Blood rushed to my face. Khadgar continued, “and I was so worried for her safety.”

Genn raised his hand. “Question. I’m Genn—”

“Hi, Genn.”

“—and I have anger management issues.” Genn glared at the ground as he uttered the confession. “Are you certain that your fear wasn't parental? My daughter, Tess, has had many nights out with her lady friends for the past few days. She doesn't return until morning! It always rubs me the wrong way.”

“Genn, now is not the time to discuss your daughter’s impending lesbianism. I’m Tyrande, and I struggle with…pyromania,” The High Priestess added.

“Hi, Tyrande.”

Flashes of moments with Tess filled my mind. Her arm linked with mine, strolling through the halls of Anduin-crazed women.

“You dress like a normal person, at least—cute, but normal.”

“I prefer wolves over lions.”

I looked everywhere but Genn’s face. Tess was pretty—which is not a relevant point!

“With all due respect, Tyrande: if my daughter preferred the company of women, I’m confident that she would tell me.” Genn rumbled.

“With all due respect, Genn: as a mother who has a daughter that prefers women, I’m not wrong.”

Jaina blinked. “Oh! We should’ve given our pronouns.”

Thrall raised a hand. “We’ll circle back. Khadgar, do you have anything else to add?”

Khadgar shook his head. Thrall motioned to Jaina. “You’re next.”

“Right.” Jaina straightened her posture. She crossed her legs beneath a long, weathered trench coat (another elaborate attempt at blending in). “For me, what I’m struggling with is…intimacy. I’ve been in a lot of relationships. All of them have just…ripped my heart apart. Over and over…I’ve recently recollected with a former lover of mine—”

Our eyes met. Jaina eyes quickly flit away. “But I’m incapable of journeying into anything more vulnerable than sex. I’m aware that relationships based purely on arousal exist, but I know that’s not what he wants. I also know that we click, and if I could get over the fear, we might work well together…perfectly, even. But how do you get over fear of someone you love?”

A respectful silence hung in the air. Kalec’s glassy, dead gaze from last night haunted me throughout her story. Jaina wore a similar expression as she stared at her lap. I want to say something. But…I’m Kalec’s sister. I’m too afraid she’d take it as a criticism instead of advice. But we are friends…

I shifted towards her in my seat. “Maybe…you should tell him that.”

Every pair of eyes seeped into my skin. I traced the ivory pattern of Jaina’s braid with my eyes, the only object in the room that didn't hang on every word I spoke, “Letting him know might make you feel better. If the two of you truly work well together, he’ll listen. Maybe setting boundaries will make the relationship more trusting and less scary. I’m sure Kal— whoever it is, would agree.”

Heads bobbed in agreement. Jaina mouthed a thank you. Her shoulders relaxed.

Thrall’s gaze fell upon me. “Would you like to go next?”

I froze. The people surrounding me had far more power than I did. Their presences filled the room like an astral orb in the sky. But, at that moment, their identities were meaningless. As was mine.

I clasped my hands together in my lap. “I’m Eon, and…there’s way too many issues to just list one. My father’s dead. He passed away years ago. I think I’ve finally given up on trying to be something he wanted, but I may be wrong about that.

“My mother is alive. She hasn't spoken to me in years, and I’m too afraid to reach out first because of what she’ll say. I was not the best daughter. I left her alone with my aunt, and I’m afraid that made things worse. My aunt was a psychiatrist to the worst people Azeroth has known, and they broke her. I know it’s taken a toll on her and my mother.”

I paused. My body felt hollow, like organs and arteries had been yanked out and pooled on the floor in front of everyone. Something didn't feel right. Something was missing. “But I have support in my life. I have a close relationship with my brothers. They are an important part of my life. I have healthy parental figures in my life that don’t inspire feelings of inferiority—”

I glanced in Khadgar’s direction and kept going. “—I finally have the guts to pursue someone that makes me happy. I’m pretty sure I’ve been in love with them for years.

“The people I share blood with—and a few twisted individuals that I was close to—did some terrible things. Some people even called them monsters. But I don't see them that way. They’re people with problems. And I think I’m finally convincing myself that I’m not one either, and people don't see me that way.”

Khadgar sniffed and wiped at his eyes. “That was beautiful, my little murloc. I’m so proud of you—”

“Do you need a tissue?”

“...How about a bottle of stamina—”

“NO!”

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irishk0rn · 1 year

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Modern/School AU Brainrot - ship kids go to school

A modern AU where Arator and Shandris are teachers’ aids together and take care of popular WoW ships kids. Arator/Shandris is implied because it just kinda happened when writing this.

They/Them used for Shandris

Ships:

Sylvanas/Jaina

Wrathion/Anduin

Flynn/Shaw

Kalecgos/Khadgar

Vanessa/Tess/Taelia

Illidan/Kael’thas

Arator/Shandris (implied/sort of)

Arator was a very quiet and very sweet soul. Not one who wanted to disappoint and one who wanted to keep everybody and everything happy. That was one of his reasons for applying at Light’s Hope University for a degree in paladinship after all. Maybe in hopes he could wow some of his professors and show people that he could protect and serve, just like his father…

Shandris had their struggles, and sometimes struggled with their sense of worth and identity. Sometimes they felt like they didn’t contribute anything to anything, and felt hopeless as they went over hundreds of degree possibilities. They didn’t know what they wanted to do or who they wanted to be — they actually applied for this internship by mistake, but they were glad they did. They took after their adoptive father, Malfurion, in a role of teaching and molding future inhabitants of Azeroth. They figured they’d give it the best shot they could, and they were glad they did. They even met a sweet boy named Arator.

They didn’t feel as alone in their struggles, now.

It was near the end of the year and it was the last week of spring. Arator and Shandris decided that to reward them for working hard this year, they should have an end of the year party today, and do fun activities for the rest of the week until summer.

The kids arrived in the same order everyday. First, it was Lyra and Ari’landris. Mathias Shaw and Flynn Fairwind were their parents and Mathias was quite punctual. The children were always there fifteen minutes before the doors actually opened, but Shandris was always there at least half an hour early. They liked to let the children in so they wouldn’t be stuck outside should it be very hot or cold.

Second, Varok, Blacksage and Briarwood Nyx. The children that belonged to Wrathion and Anduin. Anduin was also punctual, but it was very simple to get the children to school on time. Especially when you have a dragon boyfriend. Anduin was hesitant at first about Varok and Briar having to ride on Wrathion’s back, but Blacksage was also a dragon and could keep the other two safe. Not that Wrathion was reckless when he had his children with him, though.

Third, the Windrunner and Stormrage children arrived together. Kath’adar held her little brother’s hand inside, something she had done since they first started going to school. Just to reassure Elówynn that school wasn’t scary and it would be fine. Ar’leece liked to take a toy bow in her backpack and pretend to be like her mom, while Derek always found a really big stick outside the school to act as a staff to be like his other mama. Kath’adar, though her name means fire, actually has druid magic, like her uncle. Elówynn, despite his name suggesting forest, is the firebug. But he also likes actual bugs.

Fourth, the children of Vanessa Vancleef, Tess Greymane, and Taelia Fordragon arrived. Three boys. Cyrus, Edwin and Alec. The confusing part wasn’t that they all looked similar due to some features of their mothers being similar, but that they had all three last names of their mothers. Their mothers all kept their last names when they married, so the children were all stuck with Greymane, Vancleef and Fordragon. Thankfully, on their papers, they put G.V.F. for short.

And lastly, six children that Archimage Khadgar and his dragon husband adopted. Shandris, Arator, nor any other teachers or students ever actually saw those six walk through the doors. They always seemed to just appear whenever attendance was being called. Arator supposed that was a perk of having two mage fathers. You didn’t have to compensate for the time of getting to the school, you just had to be ready by the time attendance was called, which was 9:15am. Then you could just be portaled there. The children were all of different races and magicks. There was a worgen, a tauren, a night elf, a half elf, a human and a troll. It went Lórdain, Bala’dar, Elyce, Anar’alah, Kal’dor and Vol’rien.

For now, Arator and Shandris had both arrived around an hour early to help set up the party and sit in the teachers lounge and chat. Arator was quite thoughtful, and had a cup of coffee sitting at Shandris’s usual spot with a few varieties of sugar packets and creamers next to the cup. He made himself his own coffee and sat across from them.

They let out a sigh of relief. “Arator, thank you,” they said, rubbing their eyes and moving their fingers to their temples to rub. They sat across from the half-elf and let out another sigh.

“Really, I appreciate it. I was so tired and rushed this morning and I just… gah.”

Arator lifted the hand that wasn’t occupied by his coffee cup to give them a wave of polite dismissal. He took a sip and returned the cup to its place and smiled. “Don’t mention it,” he said. He allowed himself a yawn and covered it. He was quite tired as well.

“And thanks for the help with the party…”

Arator went slightly red in the cheeks and gently shook his head. “There’s no need for thanks, really. It’s not necessary,” the half-elf insisted. Shandris nodded and didn’t press further, fixing their coffee the way they wanted and taking a sip. “Okay, so, the Fairshaws will be here in about ten minutes—”

Arator cracked an amused smile at them. “Fairshaw kids? Mathias and Flynn’s? I love that. I am stealing that.”

Shandris giggled. “Yes, okay, the Fairshaws will be here in ten minutes. Then the Wranduins—”

Arator smiled more. “Do you have nicknames for all of the childrens’ parents’ relationships?”

“They’re called ships. I call them ships.”

“Oh my Gods.”

Shandris held a finger up to metaphorically silence Arator. “Shh! No interruptions! Now. The Wranduins will be here exactly when the first bell rings. Then, the Sylvaina children and my uncle’s gremlins will arrive. After that, the Taelivantessa agents of chaos will make their entrance. Lastly, don’t worry about making sure the crazy wizard kids make it through the door, they are just going to appear. You never really get used to it, it just happens.”

Arator blinked furiously. “That is a lot of information. Do you have this written down somewh—”

The paladin was silenced by a heartsy and glittery mini notebook thrown at his head, with a pen the colors of the nonbinary flag. The eraser was the pansexual flag. He fumbled with it for a moment before he secured both items in his hands. “Thank you,” he said, the words coming out in a chuckle.

Shandris checked their phone. “The Fairshaws should be here right about now. I’m going to let them in.”

Arator sucked down the rest of his coffee and stood up. “No, no, I’ve got it. Stay here for a while and relax — especially since you had to wake up so early.” Shandris smiled at him as he left the lounge and let out another deep sigh. They were glad they met him — he was so sweet and helpful, they didn't know what they’d do without him on the job nowadays. He was experienced, having transferred from another school for convenience. They closed their eyes and took a long sip from their coffee and it helped the tension leave their shoulders. They finished after about two more minutes and stood. They placed their cup in the sink after rinsing it out and then left the lounge, where Arator was talking to Lyra and Ari’landris.

Lyra turned her head and saw Shandris, running over to them and hugging their leg. “Shandris! Hi!” she squealed. The night elf chuckled and patted her head. “Now, now. We have a surprise for you! Just stay out here in the commons and wait for everyone,” they said, ushering her back to her brother. They put their hands on their hips and smiled gently. When the first bell rang, Shandris and Arator felt the familiar rumble of a dragon landing outside their school walls. Three children hopped off the black mass in the distance and went through the doors, all each with their little black scale backpacks.

Briarwood Nyx was riding on her sibling’s back inside and Varok was running in beside them. Blacksage let Nyx down and as soon as the three saw Arator, they tackled him with love.

“Oomf!”

“Uncle Arator!” they all yelled in unison, giggling wildly and crawling all over him. Arator laughed along with them and hugged them. “Hi, there, little ones… can you get off your uncle, please?” he asked them sweetly, paired with the sweetest smile known to man. Blacksage pressed their nose to his forehead and acquainted him with a dragon nuzzle before they allowed him to get up and so did their siblings. Arator got up shakily, having hit his back wrong. He brushed himself off and waited for the Wranduin children to join the Fairshaws in the commons before awaiting the Sylvaina kids and Shandris’s uncle’s ‘gremlins’.

Arator could see Jaina Proudmoore carrying her two children. She set them down outside the steps of the school and put them in their little coats, before kissing each of their cheeks goodbye. He tilted his head as Derek began to wander to the side, and then out of his sight. He panicked, then. He raced outside only to see Derek just barely out of sight and Jaina had already left. Derek was retrieving a stick from the outside of the school. Arator gently walked over to him and knelt down to his level.

“Sticks are dirty, little one. Put it down, please,”

Derek frowned and looked up at Shandris, who came up behind Arator. They chuckled. “Arator, let him have it. It’s clean, I swear. I let him have a stick every day so he can be like his mama.”

Arator’s face flushed red and he nodded, giving the stick back to Derek. Derek smiled and thanked him, giving him a big hug around his shoulders. “Thank you, Mr. Elfy!”

“Yes, yes. I am sorry, little one…” Arator looked down at the ground, finding it much more interesting than the situation. Shandris helped him up again and giggled. “It’s okay, Arator, you were just doing your job and trying to help. It’s cute!”

The half-elf let out a whine and ran his hand through his hair before crossing his arms. He turned to the night elf. “Didn’t you say that Kath’adar and Elówynn come around during this time? Where—”

Just then, two elf children ran into the area, surrounded by green fireballs. Arator panicked yet again and got into a fighting stance. “Demons!” he yelled out. Shandris started laughing and caught one of the children, separating them. The one they caught was Elówynn, who had the fireballs surrounding him. He was giggling and Shandris hugged him. “Arator! It’s just my baby cousins. Have you met Kath’adar and Elówynn?” They held up the small more blood elf looking one, who was giggling and playing with green little fires around him.

Arator sighed. “These children gave me a heart attack…” he muttered. He smiled sweetly and patted Elówynn’s head. “Hello, small one. My name is Arator.”

Elówynn palmed his cheek and smiled back at him. He then turned back to Shandris and hugged them tight. “Hi, cousin!”

“Hello, there. Who took you today?”

“Mama!”

Shandris nodded and kissed his head before putting him down. “Now where is your sister—”

Shandris was interrupted by the sister in question crashing into her from the air. They blinked and caught her. “Kath! I always forget you can fly…” they mumbled their last sentence before they booped her and put her down next to her brother. “Inside, now, all of you. Go on now. The other teachers should be here by now, sweeties.”

Derek, Ar’leece, Elówynn and Kath’adar made their ways inside as Arator let out a long, more audible sigh. “I’m sorry. I don’t seem to be connecting with the children…”

Shandris put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. “No, no, Arator. You went from dealing with high schoolers to fifth graders. I get it. I think the little ones like you! Just give it time, Tor.”

Arator rubbed his temples. “I really, really hope so…”

Arator took a deep breath and went into the classroom with Shandris, where they had set out cookies and cupcakes and chips. Shandris brought the drinks, which were Capri Suns, Roaring Waters, Milk and Water. There were also options for any of them who were allergic to flour or wheat or were lactose intolerant. The kids all ran in, which now consisted of three more boys. Alec, Edwin and Cyrus Greymane Fordragon Vancleef.

He retrieved his clipboard from his desk and began to call out the names, knowing he was probably going to mispronounce some of the names. He looked at the children sitting in a little blob formation before looking at his clipboard again. “N-now, everyone, I may mispronounce some of your names… for that, I apologize… ready?

“Okay. Ari’landris?”

A cute here from a child shouted from the crowd, and it made Arator smile. He continued down the names of the clipboard and was actually proud of himself for not mispronouncing any names.

“You forgot us!”

Arator yelped and whipped around nearly dropping his clipboard in the process. “O-oh! You guys! Are you… um…” he checked the second paper of names to find theirs. “Lórdain, Bala’dar, Elyce, Anar’alah, Kal’dor and Vol’rien?”

A little tauren child pushed his way to the front and nodded. “Yes! Me! I’m Bala’dar!”

Arator sighed and smiled. “Shandris wasn’t kidding. You all really do sneak up on us…”

—

The event was ready, all the parents needed to do was show up. The other teachers were all set up in their rooms and when Arator finally finished getting everything together, he just wanted to lay down and fall apart. He relaxed slightly when he felt Shandris’s embrace from the side and he gave them a gentle smile.

Arator had another class during the afternoon, and Gods were the parents even worse than the children they raised. When he saw them arrive he felt a little bit of his will leave his body. He gathered the papers for his afternoon class and approached the parents he believed would be easiest.

That conversation didn’t go bad. The tauren woman was disappointed in her son’s grades but she patted him on the head and thanked Arator for being so gentle and personalized with her son. She was a very sweet woman — actually, Arator can’t recall ever meeting a tauren that wasn’t a kind and gentle soul.

As he spoke to more parents, his mood quickly got worse. Now he was being yelled at by a father of a little human girl and she looked like she wanted to disappear out of embarrassment. Arator was averting the gaze of the man and he had his arms folded over himself.

“Yes— y-yes, sir, I understand you’re frustrated…”

His attempts at calming this man were futile and Arator just sunk further into himself. As the yelling continued he just eventually interrupted his sentence. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll nullify the grade. I-I’m… sorry for the inconvenience…”

The human man crossed his arms and nodded. “Good! Thank you!” He then took his daughter’s hand and left as quickly as he stormed into the room.

When the man left, the paladin looked as if he were nearly in tears. Shandris didn’t notice for a few moments until they looked over at him, and quickly made their way to him. “Tor? What’s wrong? What happened?”

Arator hugged himself. “Nothing, I… just made a mistake with something, like I always do. A man just corrected me, that’s all…” a very sheer tear ran down his cheek and he quickly wiped it, shaking his head gently. He smiled weakly. “I-I’m fine. Who all is here?”

Shandris frowned, and sighed, knowing they would maybe ask him later. For now it wasn’t the time.

“There you are, my little firebug!” Kael’thas smiled and picked up Elówynn, who giggled and hugged him. “Mama!” he squealed. He buried into Kael’s neck and yawned.

The blonde looked over at Illidan, who seemed to be waiting for something, listening intently for his surroundings. A small, faint wingbeat was heard before something darted by at a ludicrous speed, but Illidan grabbed and caught it. “Got you,” he mumbled, pulling his daughter close to him. She whined and pouted at being caught by her father.

Kael’thas giggled and leaned up to plant a kiss on her head and one on Illidan’s cheek. “She’s getting faster. She might give you a run for your money, old man.”

“Hardy har-har.”

Sylvanas was busy speaking with Derek and Ar’leece’s other teacher while Jaina was sitting with them in the commons. She acted like she was just wanting to be with the kids, but really she was having just as much fun with the sea-themed coloring books as her kids. Derek colored a sea lion, Ar’leece, a seagull, and Jaina colored an octopus.

Jaina then tore the pages out of the book and sent them away to their home with her magic. “These will be hung right on the fridge. These are amazing, my little sharkies,” she said.

Sylvanas looked over at her wife and children and smiled. “Are you all ready to go, my sparrows?”

Derek jumped at Sylvanas. “Mommy!”

Jaina chuckled and stood, Ar’leece in her arms. “Yes, my love. We colored. We should get them coloring books.”

“Does my dear Mrs. Mage like coloring, too?”

Jaina stuck out her tongue before nuzzling Sylvanas. “Maybe.”

“Hup!” Tess grunted and lifted up her sons, throwing two over her shoulder and holding one with her arm. “C’mon now, little laddies. Let’s get you home before your grandpa has a cow about how late it is…”

Vanessa took Alec from Tess’s left shoulder and held him as if he were the most fragile thing in the world. “Tess! They’re our sons, not sacks of potatoes!”

Taelia took Cyrus from the other shoulder, and then held him like a baby. “No. He’s more like an aggressive lil’ fishie!” she smiled and started to tickle Cyrus’s tummy. “Who’s mommy’s little fishie? Who’s mommy’s little fishie?”

Cyrus giggled and laughed. “Me! Me! Me!”

Vanessa rolled her eyes and kissed Alec’s head. “Come on. Let’s get these little fellas to bed.”

Flynn was dancing to the music playing in the commons, dancing with both Lyra and Ari.

“Oh my Tidemother, Mattie, come dance with us. I haven’t heard this song in years.”

The song Flynn was referring to was “Cool Kids” and he and Ari were having a blast dancing to it while Lyra was on his shoulders and giggling along. Mathias had been the only parent who actually bothered to sign out so he was doing that. He was thanked and went over to his husband and children and smiled contently.

He picked up Ari’landris and booped him. “Are you ready to go, Flynn?”

Flynn was a bit too distracted dancing and pulled Mathias close to him, warning a high pitched yelp from his husband. Mathias huffed and gave him a kiss on the cheek before pulling away. “We can pick this up when the kids are in bed. Let’s go.”

Flynn let out a playful whine, but complied.

It was Anduin’s turn to pick up the children today, as Wrathion was out mending Azeroth’s wounds. But Anduin brought his phone with Wrathion on call so the kids could talk to him before bed.

Varok, Briar and Blacksage all ran and nearly knocked him over with the ferocity of their hugs. He giggled and hugged them all, kissing each of their heads. “Hello, my babies,” he said. He looked up at Arator and smiled, walking over to him and giving him a hug.

“How was your first day? I hope mine weren’t overwhelming.”

Arator gave a smile and shook his head. “They were wonderful. Thank you for asking. How are you and the family?”

Anduin sighed. “I miss Wrathion often, but we manage. It’ll be over soon and I will have my fiance back. He’s on call with Bumblebee right now. I have to get back with Tess. We’re having a sleepover with the kids tonight.”

Arator nodded. “I hope you have fun.”

Anduin smiled and nodded.

Khadgar and Kalecgos made a rather quiet entrance to the school and each held three children in their arms as they spoke to teachers and other parents. Their children liked to show off their magic.

Kalecgos and Anar’alah ended up ‘dueling’ and Kalec dramatically fell to the ground in his defeat at the hands of his eight year old son, with the wrist of his hand on his forehead and his eyes closed.

“You silly, silly dragon, you,” Khadgar said as he sat next to Kalec’s head and leaned his head down to face him. Kalec pulled him in and gave him a kiss.

“Eww!” Lórdain exclaimed. “Daaad! My friends are here!”

“Ew, kisses,” Elyse said.

Vol’rien frowned. “I like kisses…”

Khadgar sat up and kissed her forehead. “I know you do, sweetie. Everyone likes kisses. Do all of you have your things? We are only portaling once!”

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lothirielswan · 1 year

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Chapter I: "Plagues Were More Pleasurable Than You"

Quest Objective: Read the pamphlet.

— EONA —

— TEMPLE OF THE WHITE TIGER OUTSKIRTS —

Round two. If I fall on my ass, it’ll be really embarrassing.

Illidan Stormrage shot me a haughty look of derision from across the sparring temple. His crescent blades seeped with the putrid odor of fel as he angled their tips at me.

“You know, it’s been a long day. I’m supposed to be somewhere soon…people will notice if I’m gone,” Kalecgos’s head popped out from the side of a pillar. The wood was marred with blade kisses.

I ignored my brother. I raised my arm and let my fingers tickle the crystals embedded on my bracers. They hummed in response.

“People notice you?” Wrathion barely glanced up from his talons dripped in ochre. Despite his appointment as referee (black and white were colors that appealed to his wardrobe), Wrath was transfixed by the vibrant shine of his fingernails.

“High talk from someone who forced a makeover on me!” Kalec leaned out father from his hiding place, clutching the collar of his new silk overcoat.

“I pitied the people who were forced to look at you—mainly myself—at our coming engagement. Also, we must enter the premises separately. Makeover aside, this—” Wrath gestured at Kalec, “—cannot be associated with my public image.”

I flexed my arm. Crystal sprouted from my armor, sharp and curved like a sword. The quartz glowed a bright green. It matched the tattoos sprawled across Illidan’s chest.

Foreshadowing, the foreboding sixth sense that warned me of forthcomings, prickled my skull. Illidan burst into the air, leathery wings unfurling. The ground became a fool’s game.

I aimed my fist at the arches lining the roof. A thin wire shot out. The crystalized tip shattered on the wood, followed by a piercing crack. Tree roots curled out and grounded the wire.

It was my turn to take flight.

Air whistled in my ears. I darted across the temple without walking an inch. The dragon who can’t fly my ass! Ha!

Illidan’s form flickered before my face. His blade met mine with a shriek. Wind brushed my cheeks at the power of his strokes.

“What is your brand, exactly? Hair extensions?” Kalec was determined to win his verbal match with Wrathion from his hiding place.

Wrath’s head snapped towards his voice. “This is genetic and unattainable, mind you!”

“So is your personality!”

“I am not lacking in charisma. I am a delight!”

“Plagues were more pleasurable than you—seriously. Death knights have better manners—!” Kalec’s words were cut off by the kiss of steel.

Whispers of death accompanied Illidan’s swift strikes. I grimaced as the vibrations of his blows pulsated up my arms. The air swept past as I glided across the temple on the wire.

“I LEFT YOU ALONE FOR FIVE MINUTES.”

A hush fell upon the room. Archmage Khadgar stood in the doorway, hands on his hips. His disgruntled gaze (commonly formed in Illidan’s presence) drifted across the room. He briefly noted Kalec holding a curly lock of hair in his fist as Wrath chased him. His cobalt eyes caressed the scars from steel on every surface of the room. Khadgar’s face had aged ten years by the time he reached me, swinging from the ceiling by a wire and poking Illidan’s side with my sword.

“Eona, I will confiscate that toy if your pestering continues.” Illidan growled. He still gripped his twin blades with pale lavender knuckles.

“Hit him harder!” Khadgar shouted, using what Illidan referred to as Khadgar’s “over dramatic hand gestures.”

My gaze traveled from Khadgar to Illidan. The demon hunter’s leathery wings fluttered like a heartbeat as he hovered next to me.

“This is bad parenting!” Khadgar shouted up to Illidan.

“He’s right, you know,” I agreed.

“Still better than your father,” Illidan muttered.

“That’s not a high bar.”

“We’re late,” Khadgar called from the ground, teeming with exasperation.

Wrathion righted himself. His dark curls no longer bounced like goblin springs; they fanned the air around him in a chaotic smokescreen of black. He scowled at the smooth, ivory slopes on Khadgar’s head. “I don’t suppose you can summon curlers from thin air, Mr. Perfect Hair.”

Khadgar winked at him. “The fangirls don't lie, Black Prince.”

The roots holding my wire shrunk and dissolved. I slid down the nearest pillar and landed near the “elderly” mage as he handed Wrath black curlers. Everything seemed calmer in Khadgar’s presence, like an adored professor in a room full of students. There was something heartwarming about being around those I knew during my childhood on Outland, now intertwined with my Azeroth family. It was a rare and unfamiliar feeling.

Khadgar bowed his head at my crystalized suit of armor. “You may want to keep that hidden. It doesn’t seem to align with your status of retirement.”

“Sorry. I should’ve gone for something less flashy. Like a turban! Or go shirtless and show off some tattoos,” I dusted myself off and glanced down at my newest creation. The crystals lining my body gave off a soft violet glow. My hobby of crystals had bloomed into the new profession of crystology, relying upon both jewelcrafting and enchantments. The glittering armor wasn’t very rogue-like, but it made my job easier—my past job. Scouting. My new title was consultant.

“Those buffoons are lucky that hunting the Legion has hit a lull. What is this meeting’s purpose?” Illidan clicked his tongue as he lowered himself to the ground.

Our party looked at Khadgar. He sighed at our blank faces. “No one read the pamphlet, did they?”

“...We were all sort of relying on you reading it.”

Khadgar released a weary sigh. “Alright. We’ll just walk in with no foundational knowledge. We’re already ten minutes late. And—”

“Can we move this repugnant guilt trip along?”

“And Illidan will sit by himself!”

~ * ~

Illidan smirked as he sat next to Khadgar. The mage simply shook his head and removed a flask from his robe. When my eyes widened, he murmured, “It’s not what you think. It’s a stamina elixir.”

I patted his hand. “When Illidan returned and we both agreed to seek help, this wasn’t what I meant.”

“When you’re my age, we’ll talk about what the phrase ‘seek help’ really means, Eon.”

I decided to stay quiet and exchanged a quick worried look with Kalec. As Khadgar predicted, we were late, and Taran Zhu had already started his introduction. We pretended to be engaged in a meeting no one knew about, and no one really seemed interested in.

The most powerful beings on Azeroth were gathered in the massive domed room. Every race leader, every name that was sung in a song and still breathed (or used to). All traveled to the end of the world to attend and face one another.

I bit my lip as my eyes surveyed the room. It’s been a while since I was last here. My gaze roamed famous faces. They all seemed like blank canvases as my thoughts drifted to my first time in this room.

Andy…

“But we do not join now to judge or demand justice.” Taran Zhu continued. “We come together for peace. For all of Azeroth.”

Peace? I leaned towards Khadgar, “Please don’t tell me we’re bearing witness to Alliance and Horde: The Therapy Sessions.”

“Have you read a history book? That’s all they do,” Kalec muttered on my other side.

Khadgar muffled his sigh and took another swig. “Therapy implies growth, little one. I like to think of it as…marriage counseling.”

I tried not to stare too much at where his flask was located in his breast pocket. The weather-beaten pandaren carried on in the center of the room. His voice echoed off the dark stone walls like a mantra. “These meetings will serve as a respectful form of communication for world leaders.”

Wrathion leaned forward from his seat at Illidan’s side (no one liked it when those two were in close quarters. Environmental debates were ensured) and rolled his eyes. “If I wanted family drama, I’d spend the next Winter Veil in Northrend with the rest of those insufferable drakes. Oh, bother, they’re right across the room.”

Kalec and I searched the temple. I nodded when I spotted them first. The dragon aspects were in attendance. Chromie, Nozdormu, and Alexstrasza sat side by side. My grandmother held a quill poised over parchment, taking dedicated notes. When Alexstrasza noticed our stares, she grinned and waved like we were children excited by every ounce of attention.

I looked away. Kalec cleared his throat, “You shouldn’t take it out on her. With your mother—”

“Don’t mention mom. I’ve had enough bad parenting today,” I muttered. I knew he wouldn’t like that comment. But he was used to my disdain for my mother. I crossed my arms and legs as I searched in vain for some distraction. A various form of entertainment—

Tyrande Whisperwind was amusing. She tickled her sleeping husband’s ear with a borrowed quill. Malfurion’s snores battled Zhu’s speech for dominance, “—and we can work together to solve the problems of Azeroth—”

“Community service?” Khadgar stroked the stubble on his chin as he pondered.

“Maybe Taran Zhu is taking on a motherly role for the Horde and the Alliance.” I mused thoughtfully. I started to peruse the Alliance faces, “So many father-son relationships…”

Wrathion made a disgusted noise. “How overrated.”

My breath stopped as my eyes traced the lines of a face I knew well. The hair was longer than I remembered, gathered in a short blond ponytail. The jawline was taut and more defined. His lips were pale and pressed firmly together—

“Are you having a staring contest with King Anduin?” Khadgar broke my reverie.

Illidan’s voice was thick with sarcasm. “How wonderful it must be, to stare into a stranger’s eyes and make them uncomfortable.”

“King?” I blinked and tore my gaze from the living masterpiece. I knew he was king. I just wasn’t used to hearing that title in front of his name.

Khadgar smirked at my bluntness. He hummed in confirmation.

Anduin was seated between the colossal Prophet Velen and the ever-irritated Genn Greymane. Anduin’s posture was picture perfect, even with the ridiculous bulk of plate armor he wore, and he listened politely to Taran Zhu’s speech. The memory of the teenage boy I adored—loved, even—was there if I squinted. Past Andy and Present Anduin merged. Like a demon hunter’s spectral sight, layer upon layer of reality flashed before my eyes.

I traced along the golden trim of his breastplate, trailing upwards—and paused.

Anduin’s gaze met mine gently. It was the softest expression I’d seen in years.

Hi. I…I want to say hi. Am I allowed to say hi? My heart fluttered. I stretched out my fingers, hoping my gestures were subtle to everyone else, and waved at him.

A wide grin spread across Andy’s face.

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