Duskwither

and they all lived happily ever after

[auralion-duskwither]

Aura: 1, 6, 7, 8, 14, 18, 23 // Cail (cause I wanna know more about him even if it's through goofy memes!): 10 (imagine he has access to either of those!), 17, 24, 28, 29

What position does your character sleep in? 

Aura is a stomach sleeper. It’s not something he realized until later in life when he was off doing diplomatic work and no longer feeling as constrained by the expectations of the society he was born into.

If you were to pick one song – and only one song – to describe your character, what would it be and why?

“Save Me” by Globus. Aura tends to be a rather melodramatically tormented character–especially so in Mists of Pandaria. That and Globus’ “In Memoriam” were the two songs I listened to most while playing him during that expansion.

How does your character perceive themselves? Positive? Negative? Neutral?

I’m not sure Aura really knows who he is or what he wants well enough to have a proper perception of self. He is still at the stage where he lets outside expectations and desires dictate too much of his behavior to really allow himself to accept or understand himself. He tends to perceive success positively and failure negatively so his self image is rather caught up in how well he is performing at any given moment.

Are they a quick thinker or do they need time to sort through their thoughts?

Auralion is a quick thinker but tends not to be very impulsive and so spends longer on most things than is probably necessary.

Are they a team player or do they prefer to be solo?

Aura’s specialty is being a team player. Or at the very least giving the impression of being one. He likes solitude to recharge but does not like to be alone.

Are they a leader, do they prefer to follow, or would they rather just stay on the sidelines altogether?

Aura was born and raised to lead and feels very comfortable at the helm. He is not much for micro-management but he has no problem giving orders and he very much expects them to be obeyed. While very capable of being deferential and polite, he does not truly consider anyone to be his superior, nor does he respect authority–he respects individuals and will fight on behalf of those whose interests he wants to advance. In that same vein, he is not content to rely on his family name or his status and constantly seeks to expand upon his credentials and experience.

Do they prefer romance or affection? What is the quickest way to your character’s heart?

Aura tends to prefer affection over romance. He does not trust love or attachment and will avoid anything that does not seem relatively informal and superficial. The quickest way to his heart is to maintain a veneer of casual friendship laced with just enough conflict to allay any fears of love creeping in. Add enough physical affection make him feel appreciated and cared for and you have the perfect storm.

//CAIL

If they had a choice, would they prefer a subway or a bus for public transportation?

I think Cail would be a subway person. I can see him enjoying the energy and the constantly changing crowds. Unlike Aura, he loves to blend in and be almost invisible (a difficult task at times when your twin brother is exceedingly well known).

Is your character an introvert or an extrovert? How do they handle big crowds of people?

Cail is not much of one for talking but he loves crowds. He prefers to sit silently and listen to what others are saying or observe their actions. He is, however, far better than Aura at casual conversation. Aura is very out of his comfort zone if the subject is not political in nature unless he is among close friends.

Does your character have any enemies? If so, who and why?

Not particularly. Cailath gets along with just about everyone as he tends to be rather laid back. He can at times be a bit volatile, and will occasionally get into fights, but often they do not result in long-lasting grudges (sometimes because the other party does not live to hold one).

Are they afraid of death? Do they have any regrets?

Cail has no particular fears and Aura has spared him any opportunity for regret that he might have. He leads a fairly carefree existence.

Does your character get restless when things are too quiet or do they favour solitude and silence? Why?

Yes. Cailath gets antsy when things are too quiet and calm. He likes background noise and he likes the energy of crowds. He very seldom sleeps in his own house unless he is visiting Aura, preferring inns because he can always hear people moving around at all hours and join the crowd whenever he feels the need for company.

memelord-evenfell

[edhelernil-a-deactivated2018020]

30 Uncommon Character Development Questions ( send me a number )

What position does your character sleep in? ( i.e; stomach, side, back, etc. ) Describe why they do this – optional.

Does your character have any noteworthy features? Freckles? Dimples? A scar somewhere unusual? etc.

Does your character have an accent? What does it sound like?

Do they have any verbal tics? Do they have trouble pronouncing certain words or getting their thoughts across clearly?

What are their chief tension areas? 

If you were to pick one song – and only one song – to describe your character, what would it be and why?

How does your character perceive themselves? Positive? Negative? Neutral?

Are they a quick thinker or do they need time to sort through their thoughts?

Does your character dream or are their nights filled with an empty blackness? Describe a dream they’ve had or a night they couldn’t sleep and what they did to preoccupy their time.

If they had a choice, would they prefer a subway or a bus for public transportation?

What do they think of creation? Do they believe in evolution or do they believe in God? What is their religion like?

Describe 5 unusual characteristics your muse has.

Have they ever been so overwhelmed they had to stop and take a break from something? 

Are they a team player or do they prefer to be solo?

Can they multi-task or must they focus on one subject at a time?

What are their best school subjects? What are their worst? List five of each.

Is your character an introvert or an extrovert? How do they handle big crowds of people?

Are they a leader, do they prefer to follow, or would they rather just stay on the sidelines altogether?

If your character was suddenly challenged, would they rather run away or stay and fight?

If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would that person be and why?

Your character has been granted 3 wishes; what would they wish for and why?

Does your character trust people right off the bat or does it take them some time to warm up to someone?

Do they prefer romance or affection? What is the quickest way to your character’s heart?

Does your character have any enemies? If so, who and why?

Do they have any weird bedroom habits? Any unusual kinks?

How does your character prepare for bed? Do they sleep at all or can they stay awake for days on end without trouble?

If your character had one thing to say to their parents before they died, what would it be?

Are they afraid of death? Do they have any regrets?

Does your character get restless when things are too quiet or do they favour solitude and silence? Why?

Finally; if your character was forced to eat one thing for the rest of their life, what would they choose and why?

[auralion-duskwither]

Aura headcanons

☾: Sleep Headcanon: Aura falls asleep easily and tends to be a heavy sleeper. He is occasionally disturbed by nightmares and often will not be able to fall back asleep after having one. 

☠: Drinking Headcanon: Aura is not much of a drinker. He will indulge in a glass of wine at formal events or when he has guests over, but otherwise does not have much of a taste for it. In the absence of bloodthistle, Aura will reluctantly resort to heavy drinking when the mood strikes. 

♒: Phobia Headcanon: Being powerless. While Aura used to fear specific races, his years of diplomatic work have for the most part cured him of the notion that power is in any way limited by race or faction. 

⋆: Sex Headcanon: Aura is, by turns, both sadist and masochist. He does not tend to have much use for in-betweens. For the most part, he prefers to be in control, but he is occasionally willing to relinquish that control, especially when under the influence of mind altering substances. 

☮: Random Headcanon: Aura prefers to fight in close quarters and probably would have pursued a more physically demanding specialty if not for his parents’ expectations and his injured wrist. 

☻: ‘Like’ headcanon: Aura is quite fond of peace and quiet. While his position in Silvermoon and his diplomatic endeavors elsewhere require him to be very sociable, in his free time he likes to get away from politics and obligations. 

♤: ‘Dislike’ Headcanon: Aura intensely dislikes trolls. He also very much dislikes to feel dirty and tends to be almost obsessively clean, both in his personal appearance and surroundings. 

☯: Pet Peeve Headcanon: Naivete. Aura has little to no patience for those unacquainted with the ways of the world. 

☄: Weather Headcanon: While he is especially susceptible to the cold, it is Aura’s preferred climate. He enjoys layered clothing and furs. He also has a soft spot for cuddling for warmth. 

☼: Cooking Headcanon: Aura enjoys cooking and is an accomplished chef. It is a skill he acquired in Outland while away from the luxuries of home and honed in Nagrand, where he was wary of eating anything he did not see prepared himself. 

[auralion-duskwither]

dongs (not really)

There was only one reason that you were ever able to reconcile the fact that your people had aligned themselves with the Horde.

What had startedout as a punishment ended up lifting a burden you had carried with you for years. Garrosh Hellscream, wounded and broken by his father's actions, traumatized by the monsters his people had become, gave you hope. Grom's son seemed nothing like his father—nothing like the Horde that had invaded Quel'thalas.

For the first time in what felt like forever, you could sleep through the night. You could dream without waking in terror. And little by little you grew attached to the Mag'har orcs. There was a certain sense of security to be had in it. Surrounded by a race that had once haunted your darkest dreams, knowing that they meant you no harm, healed a part of you that you had thought was beyond repair. It gave you hope for the alliance with the Horde.

So strong was this hope—so unwelcome the thought of allowing that hurt to resurface—that you could not let go even as you saw the changes in Hellscream's demeanor. You could only hold on tighter to what once was, refusing to acknowledge the present. No matter how dark his demons, no matter how foul his temper, Hellscream was an ally. He was a friend. And you resolved to follow him to whatever end.

You would not be hurt again. You could not allow it, no matter what it cost.

And just when you thought you were starting to heal—when your position was restored and your name cleared—the Iron Horde came streaming out of the Dark Portal.

The assault opened every wound you'd struggled so hard to close or to deny. For years you had supported Hellscream against your family's wishes. You turned on them and you turned on your people in order to support your Warchief.

Because Garrosh was not like the orcs who had hurt you during the Second War. Because Garrosh had saved you, without even knowing it, from a lifetime of pain and blind hatred.

That Hellscream had orchestrated this repeat of history broke you in a way that you had not thought possible. The very foundation of your sanity crumbled as you heard the news. Everything you had believed in—everything you had rebuilt your life around—was a lie. And you couldn't decide if you blamed yourself more for not being there when Garrosh needed you or for ever trusting him in the first place.

You were never quite certain if it was hunger for vengeance or death that drove you, but you were quick to respond to the threat, helping to clear the Blasted Lands of the invaders. And when the time came you were there to push them back through the Dark Portal, closing the gate behind you and trapping yourself in an unknown land.

Days turn into weeks turn into months, and what started out as a suicide mission becomes a battle for survival—a battle you didn't sign up for. There is still a large part of you that doesn't want to survive. You accepted your role in this fully expecting to die and you made your peace with it.

You said goodbye to Cail, the both of you shedding tears as you held each other close, neither wanting to be the first to let go. You made peace with your uncle, the man you almost killed when he was sent to ask after your loyalties. You thanked Magister Evenfell once more for restoring your good name and your family's honor. You sent letters to Hearthglen, to Acherus, and to Orgrimmar, bidding farewell to those you did not expect to see again and did not have time to visit in person.

All that just to end up alive. Cold and wretched and without the will or the motive to carry on. You pull your fur cloak tighter around yourself, wrapping your hands in it and pulling your shoulders up to your ears.

It is unfortunate that your numbers are limited. You are replaceable, but the loss of even one person is a serious blow when reinforcements are an impossibility. No one else is coming through that portal. You volunteered for this mission and you are obligated to stay alive for as long as you conceivably can—to die only if it benefits the whole. Selfishness is a luxury you cannot allow yourself.

You sigh heavily, the fog of your breath lingering in the air, warming your face slightly. You feel the sting in the tip of your nose and in your cheeks as the blood rushes to them, and suddenly you want nothing more than to feel the warm rays of the sun in Silvermoon. You want to be able to feel your extremities and see color in your skin. Not just the red of your cheeks or your nose. Not just in the very tips of your fingers and toes when you dip them in the hot springs behind the garrison.

Truth be told it is your favorite place in this strange world. You were born into wealth and luxury, and at one point you would have scoffed at the idea of bathing outdoors in some naturally heated pool. But you must reluctantly admit that you never had bath quite so spacious as the springs behind your base, and when the crowds have subsided and the noise has died down it is peaceful and calming in its own way.

You glance around, noticing the figures huddled by the fire. Their numbers have been dwindling for the past hour as one by one they settle in for the night. You wonder if Malokh is still with them—if he's waiting for you.

In many ways you put the needs of those under your command above your own, but with him you must admit you are nothing but selfish. You look away from the fire, refusing to try to discern the shapes sitting there. He'll get the hint eventually. He's not such a lovesick fool that he'll stay up all night freezing to see if you'll come to him.

Without any conscious intent, you find yourself hurrying toward the cave behind the garrison. Your footsteps sound loud to your tired mind. Too loud. Your shoulders tense, the hair on the back of your neck standing on end as your ears perk up, listening for any sign that you've been heard.

For all your thoughts of death, you are truly afraid of the Iron Horde. You didn't fight in the First War and you were an unwilling participant in the Second. For all the horror the Scourge Invasion brought to your homeland, you never feared the undead the way you feared orcs. Mindless beings that they were, you always figured that they would grant you a swift death. You fear the freed undead far more than the Lich King's minions.

But as the moments pass and no strange sounds approach, you slowly allow yourself to relax. Yours are hardly the only footsteps to be heard, and the Iron Horde knows the location of your base. If they wanted to attack, it would hardly be because they heard you walking around at night.

Still, you hardly dare to breathe and you keep your steps light and quick as you make your way past the small herb garden set up out back and over to the pools behind it.

The water hisses and bubbles, steam rising off of it and up into the air. You lean over, feeling the warmth that radiates from the pools. You sit down on the floor and carefully scoot down the slope leading to the water, your feet and hands beginning to tingle with the sensation of warmth.

[auralion-duskwither]

Equinox: Aura, Cail, uh... Mal (rofl) // Galaxy: Aura, Cail, Ilthy // Aurora: Aura, Vaith // Zenith: uhm. everyone???

Equinox: What makes you calm?

Auralion: Blood Thistle and feeling safe. Though the former is less applicable these days now that he has finally pretty much kicked the addiction. Aura hates being alone (in particular, sleeping alone) and the presence of someone else in close proximity (that he trusts) is very soothing. Aura also enjoys baths. 

Cailath: Cail is far less anxiety-ridden than Aura and is generally calm aside from when he’s in stressful situations. Particularly calming things include being at home, sleeping in his own bed, and the sound of ambient chatter. 

Malokh: Being exhausted after a good fight. Sleeping???

Galaxy: Who do you want to be?

Aura: Supposedly, the head of House Duskwither. In actuality, Aura wants the freedom to live outside the boundaries imposed on him by society and his family. Having never been given other options to consider, he doesn’t really know what he wants. 

Cail: He’s always been a little more directionless than Aura, being the second born (by about five minutes). He doesn’t have any particularly grand aspirations aside from to settle down and have a family.

Iltheridas: When he was alive, he wanted to advance the study of magic and achieved his goal of becoming a magister and the head of his household. In death, he finds setting particular goals rather frustrating due to the amount of restrictions placed on what he can do without inciting a war. But ideally he would love to see the world purged of the living (or at least see the living subservient to the undead during the brief span of their mortal lives). 

Aurora: What is the most beautiful thing that you can think of?

Aura: Coming home to find his parents still alive. Though, if he had to answer the question in person he’d probably give an answer like “a thousand dead trolls.” 

Solvaith: The light in Hearthglen at sunset. 

Zenith: What makes you feel good about yourself?

Aura: Overpowering his enemies. Dressing well. Feeling loved. 

Cail: Winning when competing with Aura. Receiving praise and attention. 

Mal: Victory! Also feeling needed and/or useful. 

Ilthy: Nothing. But watching others suffer and playing with the fragile lives of the living act as a reasonable consolation prize. 

Vaith: His posse of loyal death knights. Liathain being nice to him. 

Avitus: PASTRIES! :D And poison. 

[auralion-duskwither]

Astrological Asks

Aurora: What is the most beautiful thing that you can think of?

Stars: Who do you think of most?

Bolide: What makes you want to give up?

Comet: Who do you like to be with?

Constellation: Is your family blood related?

Eclipse: Is there someone who you think outshines you?

Equinox: What makes you calm?

Galaxy: Who do you want to be?

Meteor: What makes you feel alive?

Nova: When were you happiest?

Orbit: Is there someone you can't stop thinking about?

Solstice: Do you prefer time with friends or time alone?

Sun Spots: What makes you feel bad about yourself?

Zenith: What makes you feel good about yourself?

Black Hole: Has there ever been a point where you thought nothing would get better?

[auralion-duskwither]

†; ®; ±, ⊗, ♥ for uh. Aura, obvs. Cail! ILTHY? VAITH and Mal and Lia for good measure (your Mal, not mine!) HAVE FUN WITH ALL THE FUCKING QUESTIONS YOU DANK ASS NERD. (If you don't wanna answer erthing for erbody I won't hate ya!)

We’re gonna split this up by question instead of by character. Also a lot of my responses don’t answer the question super directly because a lot of this would be one word answers or straight up porn otherwise. 

Probably don’t read if you have any triggers? Also you can hover over the symbols to see the associated question! 

Auralion: If we just mean like anything vaguely sexual then Aura was definitely experimenting with Cailath from an early age. Probably about the onset of puberty. Owing to the fact that his relationship with Cail was taboo and he wasn’t interested in anyone else, he remained a virgin until the Second War, during which he was assaulted by the invading Horde army.

Cailath: Not too terribly long after the Second War, Cail lost his virginity to Aura. 

Iltheridas: Oh gosh I don’t even know… That was like a basquillion years ago. I am a thousand percent certain Ilthy was no prude and got into some sexy times but seeing as he was never married and had no serious relationships at any point I’ve never actually planned out a specific partner for that whole first time deal. Probably some random girl (or guy) he thought was vaguely interesting. 

Solvaith: had a highly inappropriate relationship with Iltheridas while he was his student. 

Malokh: Probably a girl he liked when he was younger. Unfortunately I had never really given a whole lot of thought to his early years in regards to romantic entanglements and the like. Mostly just the skull cleaving and such. 

Liathain: was something like 180 years old when he finally found something worth screwing. Prior to ingesting demon blood I’d almost say he was close to asexual but my headcanon is that that sort of increased his urges in that area. In Northrend he formed a particular bond with the Knights of the Ebon Blade and felt a particular kinship with the Death Knights owing to the fact that he felt that they could better relate to his outsider status as a Felblood. 

During the fall of Icecrown, he spared the life of the then-Scourge-controlled Vaith. He and Vaith developed a strong mutual attachment and while they are not canonically in a relationship with one another they have on occasion slept together. 

®——————-

Aura: Since coming to Draenor and leaving behind most of his friends and family, Aura has grown increasingly close to his former friend/rival/occasional bodyguard, Malokh. On more than one occasion, huddling together for warmth has gone further than initially intended. 

Cail: His last time in recent history was his tearful goodbye with Aura before the draenor expedition dealy. 

Ilthy: Iltheridas is less interested in engaging physically ever since he died, but he does rather enjoy watching his undead minions at work. His most recent interaction that directly involved himself was with a mage who stumbled upon him in Northrend. 

Vaith: only has an interest in personal interaction with Lia. For everyone else, that’s what his posse of loyal and well endowed Death Knight bros are for. 

Mal: Watching the Frostwolves connect with their alternate timeline family and loved ones while he is expected to slaughter his takes a toll on his psyche. Auralion is one of the only people who can draw him out of his irritable moods and falling asleep next to him is one of the only times he feels at peace. 

Lia: is and has been in love with the human paladin Laida ever since she spared his life at the Sunwell. After her husband died at the hands of Twilight Cultists during Deathwing’s reign of terror and an appropriate interval had passed, she moved to Hearthglen to help the Argents. There she reconnected with Liathain and the two struck up a romantic relationship shortly thereafter.

±——————————

Aura: Yes. Aura has a very strong sex drive and is nearly insatiable. In the absence of a partner with the time and stamina to engage in sexual activity one or more times a day, Aura will see to his own needs. 

Cail: Has very similar habits and needs to those of his twin brother, Auralion. 

Ilthy: No. Iltheridas has not felt the need to masturbate since his early years. When he was alive, he never found it particularly difficult to find someone to ENGAGE IN SEXUAL CONGRESS WITH when the need arose. Once dead he found that he didn’t derive much enjoyment from physical stimulation.

Vaith: No. Sexual gratification for him is achieved primarily through his psychological reaction to a given event, thus masturbating does not present him with the appropriate stimuli to be considered worthwhile.

Mal: Yes. Prior to (and even after) hooking up with Aura, the elf was a prominent fixture in his fantasies. His ongoing fascination with Aura made it difficult for him to form relationships elsewhere and he has often had to resort to self gratification as a result. 

Lia: Rarely. Having spent most of his life with little to no sex drive, Lia never really got in the habit of masturbating.

⊗———————————————

Aura: Is a bit of a voyeur, particularly in matters concerning Cailath. He has a strong sadistic streak that he tries to either keep at bay or involve in consensual scenarios with partners. He also has a bit of a size fetish, being strongly attracted to those who are physically much larger than himself. Prone to occasional bouts of masochism, but only with partners he feels extremely safe and comfortable with. 

Cail: Enjoys asphyxiating his partners. Also shares his brothers fondness for voyeurism. Has similar alternating tendencies toward sadism or masochism to Aura, but with less reservations in that regard. 

Ilthy: Demands absolute control and is always in the dominant position. Likes to have undead minions under his control interact with his partners. Strong sadistic tendencies. 

Vaith: is fairly vanilla as far as his own personal interactions go. He and Lia can get pretty rough with each other but that’s about as ‘kinky’ as it gets. When watching his loyal Death Knight companions engaging in such activities, anything goes. He enjoys watching them get creative. 

Mal: also fairly vanilla. Enjoys role play scenarios. 

Lia: Similar to Vaith. 

♥——————————————-

Aura: doesn’t require an emotional bond and would claim that he doesn’t care about that, but it’s definitely a plus for him. 

Cail: Pretty much the same as Aura except that he makes no claims about his need or lack of need for attachments. 

Ilthy: Requires absolutely 0 attachment to anyone to have sex. 

Vaith: Generally prefers an emotional attachment if he himself is going to be involved. He prefers to avoid emotional attachment when he is simply watching. 

Mal: An emotional bond is an absolute must. Underneath his cranky, battle-hardened exterior is a secret romantic who longs for a lifelong connection with a partner. 

Lia: Yes. He would see no particular point in engaging in sexual activity without some degree of attachment. 

[mordeshmedic]

Ask my characters about sex.

† - About their first sexual experience. ®- About their latest sexual experience.  ¿- What made them choose their sexuality? ±- Does your character masturbate? ½- Is your character seeing anyone?  ⇔- How does your character feel about their gender? Do they express their gender in their own way? Is it the same as their assigned sex? ⊗- Does your character have any kinks? ♥- Does your character require an emotional bond to have sex? Δ- Ask anything about the character’s sex life.

[the-entire-iron-horde]

avitus-ostrander!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[auralion-duskwither]

"Does your character(s) have a favorite mount? If so what is it and what does it look like? Does the mount have a story?" I admit freely I'm just stealing this ask from the dead ask fairy over at 'deaderafterdark' so I can actually work on our post, yoooo. RESPOND FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS A COOL IC MOUNT YA NERD.

Auralion's favored mount and closest companion (aside from his sprite darter, Waddles) is his wolf, Garak.

Garak was a gift from Garrosh Hellscream, and while Aura has attempted to distance himself from Garrosh's legacy in many other ways for the sake of his family, he was unwilling to be parted from his wolf. 

[auralion-duskwither]

testing my new sidebar image. 

Since I started this thing, I always had it in my head that I wanted some very light based pic of Aura for my sidebar that would either occasionally randomly switch to his shadowform or would do it on mouseover. 

After messing with gif settings for a while I decided I wasn't really liking that option, so I opted for the mouseover version of my vision. 

Aura's preferred spec is Shadow but for the sake of appearances he tries to put on a good show of being a follower of the Light. 

His deep, dark secret is that his facade is not as superficial as it seems. He has a profound love of the Light and unwavering faith, but it's not something he is consciously aware of. 

[avitus-ostrander]

-insert lots of angry noises- 

I didn’t want to side against Garrosh anyway but I could have done without Vol’jin’s letter telling me he trusted me. That hurt, man. I just imagined Garry waiting for the PC to side with him during the Siege and then you show up breaking down the doors. 

Not. Fucking. Cool.

[the-entire-iron-horde]

first of all, how dare you

[auralion-duskwither]

second of all, I drew this :D 

[auralion-duskwither]

bargaining

[the-entire-iron-horde]

Read More

[auralion-duskwither]

Read More

[the-entire-iron-horde]

Read More

[auralion-duskwither]

Since the Second War, you have wanted nothing more than to be what it is you feared. You are poised and practiced, born and bred to lead in a society that prefers to fight by means of carefully placed words and sullied reputations, but it is physical altercations—physical pain—that you prefer.

Beneath your carefully constructed facades there is a fury you cannot sate. There is a burning need to subdue all who would dare oppose you.

What brings you back into focus is his request—finally, what you have been waiting for—and you aren't sure if you are genuinely appalled or if this is just one mask you have constructed so carefully that feels legitimate. Real or not, the disgust registers on your face as you stare at him.

Ethanliel is not like you or his brother. He is kind—noble. And it is not an act. He is, you think, not fit to inherit the station that Magister Evenfell holds. Perhaps if he had been born to a lesser magister—one who made their name through talent and determination—he could have filled their shoes. But Evenfell, powerful and talented though he is, is not best known for his skill in the arcane arts. His specialty is secrets and intimidation, and where you were molded into a ruthless sadist by your experiences, you do not imagine the same could ever be said of Evenfell's legitimate son.

“How merciful,” you find yourself murmuring in response. It is not what you had intended, but you suppose that excessive honesty has taken its toll on your ability to conceal your true intentions.

You consider retracting your statement, but you think better of it and choose instead to stare directly at Theorian. It is a mercy to be freed from the responsibility of leading a household. It is a mercy to be liberated from relation to the Evenfells. For a brief moment your heart aches as you imagine how his mother will feel. Your hand involuntarily reaches for your pocket, but you draw back. The memory of your own loss is irrelevant. You have promised to do whatever it takes to see your name restored—for your family and for Cailath.

You do your best to contort your frown into a look of professional disinterest, though you don't know why you bother. After what you have discussed, surely Evenfell knows how it is you will feel about his request. But Ethanliel is not Cailath. He is not your child. Your mind retreats, refusing to relate to him or his plight, and after a few moments you don't feel all that bad.

Your tone becomes hushed to match Theorian's, but there is a casual, business-like quality to it.

“I suppose it's a fair trade. I secure your position in exchange for my own. Give me the details and I'll see that it's done.” For a moment you pause, and then your voice lowers further. “However, I have one condition. If I am caught, I will insist until my dying breath that I acted of my own accord, but you must make sure that the backlash does not reach Cailath. Get him out of Silvermoon if you have to, but do not let him suffer for my actions. Promise me this and I will gladly remove the obstacles to your inheritance.” 

[auralion-duskwither]

bargaining

[auralion-duskwither]

  Read More

[the-entire-iron-horde]

Read More

[auralion-duskwither]

Read More

[the-entire-iron-horde]

Read More

[auralion-duskwither]

You later knew it by the way he looked at his father and his siblings—especially his siblings. Just as he cannot understand your love for Cail, you could never fully comprehend his envy and his hatred. In some distant, intangible way, you could understand that they had something that by all rights should be his, but by the time you could truly comprehend that, you had given up dreams of becoming a Magister yourself.

In a fairer world, you would not have had to take up your father's mantle for centuries. But in this world your parents are dead and you must do what you can for your household while Evenfell, who cannot wait for the power his father's station will grant him, must fight for the chance to inherit a position that he may spend ages waiting for.

You are not without sympathy, even if you lack understanding, but when you feel his fingers dig into your flesh through the cloth of your robes and you hear the venom in his voice, you are immediately defensive—angry.

As his speech grows more coarse and vulgar, it is easy to forget the masks you wear around your people. You have been abroad for a very long time. You know diplomacy but you also know how to deal with those who have no patience for flowery language. You nearly fought for Garrosh's Horde. You are no stranger to unrestrained fury, and it is only for your brother's sake that you have ever shown restraint.

You feel that fury burn within you now, and it takes every ounce of will not to call the shadows to your aid. You clench your teeth so that the tendons in your neck draw a line from your jaw to your collarbone and you snarl.

You are seething, suddenly uncomfortably warm, your head light, limbs shaking with rage. You can still remember how it felt during the Second War, when the troll grabbed you, gripping your wrist with such force that every bone in it shattered. To this day you can barely make a fist with your left hand. To this day you sometimes wake at night, out of your mind with fear. But never, not once, have you wished that it had been Cailath instead of you. You know that he would have done the same for you—that he could have endured the same for you—but you would never ask it of him. He could also do the job you do and he could just as easily leave it, but you would never ask that of him either.

You know his capabilities because they are the same as yours. You are two minds that may as well be one. And though he, like you, would never ask for such a favor, you would gladly take all the misery in the world upon yourself to spare him. That is the one thing you desire your position for. It affords you the opportunity to 'spoil' him. Try as he might, Cailath cannot look out for you the way you can for him.

Your right hand finds Theorian's wrist and you grip it as tightly as you can, trying to pull it away from you. “What does it matter to you if I choose to 'spoil' him, as you say? What does it matter to you if I debase myself to earn a well-placed word from yourself and your father?! It is my right and my duty to see to the well-being of my household! Why should you be bothered if I choose to spare my brother from the unkindness of the world?

“You say that he could just as easily abandon this position as I could. Perhaps you have not noticed the difficulty I have experienced in attempting to do just that. Were our positions reversed, it would be Cailath here begging for your favor in order to save me! I sacrifice for him knowing that he would gladly do the same for me and I will not let him.”

For a moment you grow quiet, the anger dwindling as you consider what to say next. Your grip on his wrist slackens. You have come too far--given up too much--to turn back now. But when your rage subsides, you feel drained, once again defeated.

“You know nothing of degradation,” you whisper hoarsely. “You cannot possibly do anything to me or ask anything of me that could even come close to what I have endured to protect him.” 

[auralion-duskwither]

in the grand tradition of posting the pics I draw for sidebars, here is my ridiculously OOC pic of Aura! 

[auralion-duskwither]

bargaining

[the-entire-iron-horde]

  Read More

[auralion-duskwither]

Read More

[the-entire-iron-horde]

Read More

[auralion-duskwither]

You have known hostility and directness in the past. There is no denying that. But seldom does one ask questions when they are being offered the things that you are offering Evenfell now. If there are questions to be asked, they are almost always the same. “What's in it for you?” or some variant thereof.

It is similar to a 'why' but there is a subtle difference. One assumes that you hope to gain something, and it is easy enough to explain in the most inoffensive terms possible that you are merely seeking favor. And the same could be said now, only it is not the entire truth of the matter.

He does not want to know your end goal. He wants to know what it is that brought you to him—why you haven't just forsaken your family and your position, and that is something you did not come prepared for. You aren't even completely sure you know the answer. Not in its entirety.

You realize that you are frowning and you must look more than a little confused. You consider lying to him. Trying to concoct some story that would explain your behavior, but nothing you can think of seems believable. The truth seems absurd enough as it is.

But he was honest with you and you decide that it would be best to respond in kind. It would be a most inopportune time to be caught in a lie.

Your frown deepens as you begin to speak.

“I hope you will understand that I mean no offense with what I am about to say, however unkind it might seem.” You find it difficult to continue to look at him, though you refuse to avert your eyes. “I was born an heir while you have had to fight to be recognized in any official capacity. Should you wish to inherit your father's position, you will have to endure further hardships—make sacrifices I would never have had to make.

“I have spent barely a moment at home since my parents died. I have formed allegiances and attachments elsewhere, allowing my deeds to speak for me at home. I give the impression that everything I do, I do for them. So that they will never ask me to return or to stay. I have made myself more valuable from afar than I am in person. Most others in my position would not be so eager to be on the front lines. You no doubt find me ungrateful. Or at the very least reckless.”

Your limbs shake slightly and your throat feels dry. There is something unnerving about this place—about Evenfell's questions and trying to be truthful after so many years of carefully concocting lies. The shaking moves into your shoulders—your jaw—and you are uncomfortably aware of your own size. Evenfell is by no means a giant. He is tall but slender. Almost sickly pale. You have fought or befriended creatures far more physically imposing. Yet you hate the feeling of vulnerability that comes with feeling so small.

You think perhaps that prior to the events of the Second War, you could have happily lived and died as a noble. Back then you never felt afraid. Just as you never felt afraid while Garrosh was in power. As an aggressor, you never felt like a victim. But that is not something you can tell him. You've resolved to be honest but that does not mean he needs the whole truth.

It takes more effort than you feel it should to reclaim your train of thought.

“I admit I prefer war to diplomacy and I prefer diplomacy to leading my household. And you are correct in assuming that I do not entirely desire the position I was born to hold. Had it been an option—had I not been sent home with my life hanging by a thread—I would have aligned myself with Hellscream.”

You consider for a moment how angry you have been with your family and with Cailath. You consider how hard you fought back when all he wanted was to bring you home alive. But in the end you chose death over victory. Though you know it was in your power, you could not kill him. Not even while possessed. You were ready to give your life for him during the Second War and, whatever anger you may feel, you would do the same again in a heartbeat.

“I gave in to my own selfish desires. I put my household at risk. And I'm sure you know that I do not entirely regret it. What I do regret is the harm it could have done to my brother. I risked his freedom to gain my own. If I am not able to restore my good name, I face exile or execution. And if I lose my position and my family survives the scandal, they will ask Cailath to take my place and he will do as he is told and it will destroy him.”

Your voice cracks with emotion, and for a moment you pause, loathing yourself for allowing him to see you like this. You are too old for such obvious sentiment and you have already given him more than enough to destroy you if he was so inclined. Part of you wants to stop—to hope that you have said enough to satisfy him, but the words come tumbling out as you blink back tears, gritting your teeth in a vain attempt to keep your tone even.

“I am willing to live the rest of my life doing something I have no passion for if it means that Cailath has even a chance to be happy. Please believe me when I say that there is nothing I would not do to ensure his well-being”

[the-entire-iron-horde]

So for about a million years I’ve been trying to get this pair of shoulders for Rys’ transmog set. I knew they dropped off Flame Levi, so Aura and I have been murdering it on normal 25 man for eons now. Literally months. In the past, he’s asked me if any of the other shared models had the same color scheme, and I was adamant that no, they didn’t!

Well, turns out the thing drops off 25 man hard mode Flame Levi, so that was a waste of a million months. Then Aura points out that, YO, DUDE, YOU ARE ACTUALLY DUMB AND THESE DO DROP IN THE SAME COLOR OFF MIMIRON. So I was like, whoa dude, I am dumb.

So we went and punched Mimiron.

(And of course the shoulders dropped.)

Anyways, I was too happy to be mad at myself, and too pumped that Aura’s not a dweebus like I am, because I’d been sitting on robes and a belt and gloves for this set for EONS and oh my god it looks so good.

So, gratuitous shots of my main cause I love her and she’s fierce and pretty as heck.

(Stag!Rysja on an island at the Darkmoon Faire just because I really like stag form, okay!)

[auralion-duskwither]

Hey I tried to be more polite and not say you were dumb. But it is super rad you got your hands on shoulders that match your set! The ensemble is super cool lookin! 

[auralion-duskwither]

Some quality screencaps of what I've been up to lately. Make of them what you will. 

The lovely druid in the first one is one of Evenfell's. As is the Blood elf DK in 3 and the blushing Forsaken in 4. The human male is neither of ours. I just think their dancing expressions are HILARIOUS.