Nicandro Swiftblade [Archive]

For current tumblr posts, please visit lionsbane-wra.tumblr.com.

[malsunstrike]

New Tumblr Location

For current tumblr posts, please visit lionsbane-wra.tumblr.com.

[nicswiftblade-blog]

"I want to..."

Part of Nicandro was glad to be back in Silvermoon. While he was never one to stick around in any one place for too long, the hunter took comfort in any location where he could be with Jasolei. No longer did the wanderlust claw at his subconscious. Instead he found solace at his priestess's side. 

Gently flickering candles illuminated the walls of their room at the inn, bathing the bedroom in a soft orange glow. Nicandro sat up in the bed, his back resting against the headboard with Jasolei pressed against his side. His arm draped around her shoulders, fingertips idly tracing up and down her arm. A content sigh parted his lips as he leaned down to press a kiss to Jasolei's black hair. The two remained in silence a moment, Nicandro focusing on the sound of Jasolei's gentle breaths and the feeling of her heart beating against his skin. Their embrace was innocent, the simple need of closeness drawing the pair together. In that moment, there was no other place that Nicandro wished to be. 

The hunter's mind fell to a single thought: the future. Fighting along Jasolei's side during the Siege, the time they shared in Kun-Lai, and even now as they lounged around Silvermoon with no plans on where to go next, Nicandro knew that there was one thing he wanted as a constant in his life... 

He wanted her. He wanted his beautiful Jasolei.

After dropping another kiss to her soft, black locks, Nicandro whispered against the top of her head. "Not today. Not tomorrow, but someday... Someday I want to marry you, Jasolei."

[jasolei]

Immerseus.

It was a unanimous, unspoken decision.  We would begin at the source of corruption at the Pools of Eternity and press on from there, pitting ourselves against the monstrosities Garrosh had employed to protect his fortress under Orgrimmar.  There was, however, a fundamental flaw in our plan that had been overlooked by each of us.

There was no obvious way to actually get in to the pools.

We searched the rubble and ruin for a possible entrance to no avail.  Many of the others tried in vain to shift the stones, yet slowly but surely, the other priest and I found ourselves at the centre of attention. She and I exchanged a knowing glance. Why they only teach that damned levitation spell to priests, I will never know.  But thanks to us, we had a way in.

The group fell into a hushed, almost reverent silence as we left the sole slant of sunlight behind, making our way along the corridor towards the pools.  It wasn’t as dark as I had imagined it would be after my eyes adjusted, but the insidiousness of the place seemed to cling to me in the same way the water clung to the walls like a second skin.

The corridor opened up into a large chamber, and at the far end of it was our first of many challenges.  While the rest of the group clustered together to talk tactics, I broke away and approached the ledge facing the open pools and rested my fingers atop the wet stone; watching the monstrosity that seemed to wordlessly declare itself as ‘Immerseus’.

I watched the way it shaped and shifted, the way the corruption bent the water to its will and turned it into a living entity.  I watched as the Pandaren poolkeepers stared blankly into the water they had once sworn to protect; now forced to birth new Sha essences from it to empower Immerseus.  It was the most perverse sight I think I have ever seen; that of something so innately evil brought forth from such purity.

I expected myself to be reluctant when the call came to take arms, but when I drew away from the ledge I found that familiar thrill of adrenaline charging through me. The other priest had already blessed the group with her own prayer of Fortitude, but I made sure to touch the chest of each of my boys and bless them again with my own prayer.  I trusted her, but I’m not too proud to admit to my arrogance.  It was a ritual I would repeat before each fight in the future, much to her chagrin.

The Pandaren were clearly hypnotised and thusly ignorant to our presence, so we were able to slip by them and hopefully we spared them their lives by doing so.  The few foes we couldn’t avoid were quickly dispatched by claw, tooth, sword or spell; and the ten of us fanned out to gaze up at the unnatural embodiment of the Vale’s sorrow.  It had felt too easy, but the upcoming fight turned out to be anything but.

It began with the bellowing roar of the druid as he charged at Immerseus.  There was no way to be prepared for anything that came at us; we just had to depend on our own awareness and abilities.  The nimble rogue and his daggers were an excellent counter to the heavier falls of Malric’s Light-blessed sword and the warrior’s brutish axe; Nicandro’s keen eye and practiced hand releasing perfect shot after shot and always finding the opportune moments to cause a distraction and give the druid or warrior a chance to recover.  I, on the other hand, found myself at something of a disadvantage without a corporeal body to inflict pain upon, without a heart to set fear into or a mind to twist and warp.  Instead, I worked on drawing the corruption out of Immerseus; weakening its attacks and making Malric’s strikes more effective.

The corruption splattered liberally all over the platforms we stood on like blood as Immerseus swerved back and forth between the druid and the warrior; and the priest, shaman, Nic and I had to keep dodging and weaving to avoid being contaminated. Those who fought in melee range seemed to manage to avoid the brunt of it, but when Immerseus disappeared back into the water from which he had first emerged; all six of them were thrown back as a surge of water exploded from the depths, sending congealed globes of corrupted water out along with it.  Without even a second thought I performed a Leap of Faith on Malric, reaching out for the Champion’s very essence and tugging hard to change his trajectory away from the wall and towards myself.  He looked more than a little disoriented when he landed, but I figured it was better to be disoriented than concussed, and he was quick to join me in attacking the suspicious globules that were slithering back towards the main pool.

It went on and on like that for what felt like forever; with Immerseus returning and periodically disappearing again to send forth waves of those strange globes of water in its place.  There was barely anywhere left to stand on the platform that was free of corruption; and I couldn’t manage to sustain anyone other than myself and Nicandro in levitation.  I was rapidly fading from the effort of keeping us both aloft as well as trying to draw corruption out of Immerseus.  

Fortunately when the monster retreated into the water once more, no spray or globules followed.  The corruption slowly ebbed away from the stone of the platform; inert and innocuous as it seeped into the cracks and out of sight.  I was finally able to lower Nicandro and myself to the ground once more, but I guess it’d been a lot longer than I had initially remembered since I had practiced that much levitation.  I collapsed.  It was embarrassing, but it turned out that I wasn’t the only one who was so spent.  The other priest was almost entirely inert against the cobblestones being tended to by the shaman, and the druid was in mid-shift back to his Trollish form in hopes of cleansing the black taint of corruption from his fur.  Nicandro was, of course, by my side in half an instant; bow discarded haphazardly in concern as he reached for me, and Malric wasn’t more than a fraction of a second behind him.  But when I looked up at them, I couldn’t do anything but laugh and open my arms to both of them for a hug, sitting with them and watching the water slowly settle and regain its crystalline purity.

The victory bottle of Soju we shared that night was the best thing I have ever tasted.

Well… Maybe second best. 

[jasolei]

Siege of Orgrimmar - Prologue.

Seven months.

It’s been seven months since Nicandro, Malric and I stood in the desecrated Vale, waiting to be inspected by scrupulous Goblins, waiting to be judged worthy to enter the depths of Orgrimmar.

I had, of course, planned to go alone, but the boys would have none of that. I had expected Nicandro to at least protest if not insist he come along, but not Malric. Not when Aurora could not join him.  But whatever his reasoning; be it the order, the Horde, or simply honour… I’ve been glad of his company more than once, both in and out of combat. 

The testosterone and anticipation was rife in the air as we waited; it was sickening.  Fights frequently broke out among the contenders, and there was a quick exchange of palmed gold between those nearest us when Nicandro and Malric suddenly drew their weapons in unison; when it was actually just their reaction to the Goblin who had had the audacity to throw my robes over his head with the pretence of inspecting the enchanted bindings around my thighs.  Somehow I think the Kezanite will think twice about lifting the robes of a Shadow Priest again.

To say I was relieved when we were deemed acceptable and were able to leave the throng of other ‘heroes’ is an understatement.  We were ushered off to an enclave to meet the rest of our party.  We were only three of ten who would delve into the underbelly of Pandaria and push on towards Orgrimmar.  A hulking Troll druid of the Claw and a hard-eyed Tauren warrior were to lead the charge and protect the other eight of us, and a Sin’dorei discipline priest and wiry Goblin shaman were responsible for keeping us alive.  Malric, Nic and I, another Sin’dorei (though a rogue this time) and, ironically enough, an Orcish warrior completed the team.  It will be healing for the Horde, I think, to know that an Orc other than Thrall was directly involved in bringing Garrosh to justice.  All the same, I couldn’t help but be a little amused that I was the only ‘spellslinger’ in the group, aside from the healers.

We were given only a day to prepare, to finalise our supplies, potions and rations, and make any last arrangements.  Of course, the moment word got out that I was an experienced tailor, I found myself with a long night of sewing ahead of me (much to Nicandro’s chagrin), repairing satchel straps and sundry items.  It certainly wasn’t the last time I had to stay up all night and sew.  Still.  It was comfortable enough just to recline in hammocks in the Shrine of Two Moons and talk while I sewed, sharing a bottle of Soju.  I don’t think any of us would’ve been able to sleep anyway.

While I wouldn’t wish war on anyone, and I would never wish to put anyone I care about in front of the dangers we faced in those long months… There is camaraderie between myself, Malric and Nicandro that’ll never be broken now, and I really cherish that.  I feel as though I’ve finally gotten to prove myself to Malric, and hopefully show him that I had the mettle to be Visionary all along. And as for Nicandro… Well.  Now he really has seen all of me.  He saw all that my Shadow is, and all that it can do, time and time again.  Hell, he nearly got a taste of it (though that’s a story for another time).  But he’s still here.  He still loves me.

I guess he was right.  Maybe I’m not so broken after all.  

[aseaofquotes]

[jasolei]

Kiersten White, The Chaos of Stars

[jasolei]

Jasolei furrowed her brow, nuzzling deeper into the pillow she was embracing. She lay on her belly with her face turned away from Nicandro after having slipped from his arms sometime during the night, but the line of her body still pressed lightly against as much of his as was possible. Strands...

[nicswiftblade-blog]

Jasolei moaned sleepily, earrings jingling lightly as she rolled over and hid her face under her arm. "Just five more minutes..."

Nicandro curled up against Jasolei’s back, slipping his arm under her neck to pull her body close to his. The elf lifted his head up, placing a soft kiss against her earlobe. Nuzzling against her ear with the tip of his nose, Nicandro brushed past her piercings, each ring shifting slightly as he worked his way up the length of her ear.

A wicked grin peered over Nicandro’s lips as he reached the final metal earring. “Oh, you don’t have to get up, beautiful,” he purred to the sleepy elf in his arms. His free hand brushed golden locks of hair over her shoulder exposing her soft skin beneath. Dipping his head down, he placed feather light kisses against the side of her neck. He trailed his hand down to her bare stomach, his fingertips running in lazy circles around her navel.

"But I can’t promise I’ll only be five minutes…"

[jasolei]

Nicandro arched an eyebrow as he offered Jasolei a devious smirk. “Don’t make me beg, beautiful...”

The few days that it took for Jasolei and Nicandro to travel back to Pandaria were nothing in comparison to the long, dark weeks (that had, in fact, bled into months without either them realising) that they had spent in service of the Horde in the depths of Orgrimmar.  Satisfied with bringing the tyrant to his knees and letting the new Warchief decide Garrosh’s fate, Jasolei had insisted they disappear into the solitude of the peaks of Kun-Lai summit for awhile.  It was something she’d wanted to do with Nic since before the Siege had begun; and she figured they now had a very good reason to have some time to themselves.  Besides. There were hot springs.

There was one thing that Jasolei hadn’t taken into account, though. Although they’d both fought, slept, and eaten beside each other throughout the Siege, they hadn’t had a single second of time alone.  The moment her bags touched the floor of their cottage in the Peaks of Serenity, her feet left it as she was swept up in Nicandro’s strong arms. 

"Nic," she giggled, arms going around his neck. "Can’t I at least have a half hour to clean up a little? A quick bath?"  

"Only if you take me with you." He insisted, drawing back a little to find her eyes. 

"Come on.." she chided affectionately, tucking his hair back behind his long ears. "Fifteen minutes? Just let me get clean first." 

Nicandro arched an eyebrow as he offered Jasolei a devious smirk. “Don’t make me beg, beautiful…”

Jasolei laughed then, and the sound was full of joy.  They’d overcome a threat to themselves, the Horde, and to the world.  They were both safe, they were together, and there was nothing that could change that.

"Well if you’re going to be like that, maybe I will…" She quirked a defiant eyebrow right back at him before leaning in to steal a kiss. 

[jasolei]

“Just what did we do last night?”

Jasolei lofted an eyebrow as the slender man slipped into the chair to her right, wondering how he’d managed to find her again so soon.  He seemed nervous. She carefully slid a cup of tea towards him, along with a small selection of pastries.  Sugar was good for nerves, right?

"What did we do last night?” She repeated, the corners of her pierced lips curving up slightly into a knowing smirk. “We didn’t do anything. You apparently had far too much to drink and I helped you back to your lodgings.  After a few wrong turns, might I add.  Has anyone ever told you that you have a terrible sense of direction?” Her tone was sweet, if not gently mocking.  It was all in good humour. 

"You did mention something about lingerie, though…" Her dark eyes narrowed a fraction. "Initially I thought you were trying to be suggestive… Luckily for you, I gave you the benefit of the doubt, given that I am a taken woman. But from what I could garner from your disoriented mutterings, you craft it for others?" 

The priestess paused, setting her elbow on the table and resting her chin in her hand, leaning in towards Gentil conspiratorially and murmuring in a hushed voice.

"If so… Perhaps I might have some business for you…"

[fancied-another-meme]

Send me a sentence for my muse's reaction

[jester-of-the-cirque-blog]

"Are you crazy?” “Are you even listening to me?” “Are you even listening to yourself?” “Are you sure they won’t find out?” “Are you sure this is legal?” “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” “Are you threatening me?” “Be mine.” “Can you be anymore obvious?” “Do I know you?” “Do you love me?” “Do you remember this?” “Do you trust me?” “Don’t go.” “Don’t let me die” “Don’t look at me like that.” “Don’t make me beg.” “Don’t you dare come near me!” “Don’t you dare.” “Explain yourself.” “For you, I would _____” “Give it back.” “Give me another chance.” “Have you ever even done this before?” “How drunk are you right now?” “I already regret this.” “I am not wearing that.” “I can’t believe you missed that.” “I can’t do this anymore.” “I can’t even look at you.” “I could kill you!” “I dare you.” or “I dare you to _____.” “I didn’t do it.” “I didn’t know you could do that.” “I don’t want to look at you right now.” “I guess this is goodbye.” “I hate you.” “I have to go.” “I just want to cuddle.” “I know your secret.” “I love you, but I really wish I didn’t.” “I love you.” “I miss you so very much.” “I missed you.” “I need a drink.” “I need a hug.” “I never really loved you.” “I owe you.” “I think I broke it.” “I think I’m falling in love with you. “ “I think I’m forgetting something.” “I think it’s broken.” “I trust you.” “I want to be yours.” “I’ll be there in five minutes.”



”This is really inappropriate.” “I’m all for spicing things up, but isn’t this a bit much?” “I’m bad for you.” “I’m dying.” “I’m going to be sick.” “I’m not speaking to you anymore.” “I’m pregnant and it’s yours.” “I’ve never heard that one before.” “If you stay quiet, no one will know.” “Is that my shirt?” “It was me” “It’s so beautiful.” “It’s time to choose.” “Just five more minutes.” “Just go.” “Just leave me alone.” “Just let me die.” “Just relax.” “Just what did we do last night?” “Kiss me you idiot.” “Kiss me.” “Like you even care.” “Little too late, don’t you think?” “Make me.” “Marry me?” “Never again.” “No, that can’t be my baby.” “No! You can’t die on me now!” “Obviously there is something between us.” “Of all the things i’ve heard, that hurt the most.” “Put it away.” “Put your trousers on!” “Put. The. Weapon. Down.” “Quiet, I am trying to think.” “Relax, I have a plan.” “Really?” “Shut up and listen.” “Take responsibility.” “That isn’t mine.” “That sounds painful.” “That was a bad plan.” “That’s mine!” “That’s the cheesiest pickup line I’ve ever heard.” “They’re coming.” “This seems familiar.” “This stays between us.” “Truth hurts, don’t it?” “Unbelievable. I can’t believe you right now.” “Very good, you had me fooled.” “Want to hear a secret?” “We need to talk.” “Well that was unexpected.” “What are we doing here?” “What are you afraid of?” “What are you touching?” “What are you?” “What do you need?” “What happened to you?” “What have I done this time?” “What if someone catches us?” “What sort of noise was that?” “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” “What were you thinking?” “Where are my clothes?” “Where did you find this?” “Where do you even find this sort of thing?” “Where were you?” “Who’d have guessed you could pull such a face?” “Why are you wearing that?” “You could have died!” “You could have killed someone!” “You coward.” “You drive me crazy!” “You have ten minutes, so make it quick.” “You lied to me!” “You mean everything to me.” “You owe me.” “You’re all out of ____.” “You’re an idiot.” “You’re bad for me.” “You’re dead to me.” “You’re really good at this…” “You’re so weird.” “You’re under arrest.”

[thegoddamnhawkman]

i am

so bored

[mofobian-deactivated20190216]

Nothing is sexier than someone who wants you as much as you want them.

Unknown (via mofobian)

[weedandfunnies]

[nicswiftblade-blog]

Back in Hammerfall, Nicandro took the opportunity of the empty inn to get changed. He pulled the black swashbuckler's shirt over his head, glancing into the mirror as he quirked an eyebrow. Brown leather pants and boots weren't quite enough to complete the look. Even the cutlass sheathed at his left hip wasn't enough. He grinned as he glanced to the pirate hat sitting over on his cot.

Drawing his hands up to his head, he slicked his fingers through his black hair to pull it back into a ponytail. He swiped the hat from the mattress and carefully placed it on his head. After looking back into the mirror, Nic nodded contently at his costume for the Hallow's End party.

"Good enough," he grinned, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Jasolei walked softly up the stairs of the inn, dress hanging over the crook of one arm.  Having pushed her reservations about wearing the dress aside, she had managed to find a pair of strappy heels and several pieces of silver jewelry to go along with it, and she smiled to herself, thinking of the upcoming party and Nicandro’s possible reaction.

As she crested the final few stairs before the landing to the sleeping quarters, Nicandro's voice rang out from within. "Nic?" 

Grinning playfully, Nic unsheathed his cutlass, standing several feet away from the top of the stairs. "Avast!" He called out. "Who be that comin' up them thar steps?"

He laughed heartily before shaking his head. "Damn, does that even sound right?" He grinned in amusement as he sheathed his sword once more.

Jasolei laughed, pausing on the landing just out of view.

"That depends. Are you going to make me swab the decks, captain?" She closed her eyes and shook her head in amusement. 

"Nah, me beauty. I have better things for ya ta do in me quarters." He laughed, adjusting the pirate hat on his head. He continued, dropping his terrible accent. "Though if you look like you looked in Dalaran when you tried it on, I'm sure you'll have my boat dashed upon the rocks in no time."

His grin softened to a smile as he stood there, waiting for his Jasolei.

She gave a soft snort of laughter. "Hate to disappoint, love." She stepped through the doorway and held her arms out to each side, revealing her normal attire.

Her expression softened as it always did when their eyes met, but she soon dropped her gaze to look him over in his costume. "I didn't wish to walk through Silvermoon in my outfit, and I'm glad you didn't either. Quite the dashing pirate, just as I knew you'd be."  Without setting down her belongings she walked to him and leant up on her toes to kiss him quickly. "Who knows what kind of wench might've wooed you if I hadn't been around to stop her." She murmured teasingly against his lips.

He chuckled softly before returning the kiss. "Why court a wench when I can court a siren?" Nic smiled to her as he leaned back to catch her gaze once more. Lifting the hat from his head, he stole another quick kiss. He carefully sat the pirate hat on Jasolei's head, gently brushing his fingertips through her golden hair as he pushed it back behind her shoulders.

She just chuckled softly in reply, raising both eyebrows and looking up as he placed the hat on her head. "Now you're just trying to get me to talk like a pirate too." She smiled to him, letting the strap of the satchel slip from her shoulder as she set it on the ground beside her.

"That better not mean I'm supposed to sing like a siren when I'm dressed as one." 

"Only for me," he spoke softly as he smiled down on her, his eyes sparkling with affection. "Just like you don't want the wenches falling all over me as I walk through Silvermoon, I don't want you charming all the filthy scallywags with your beautiful voice." He smiled brightly, resting a calloused hand against her cheek.

"Oh? And just who in Hammerfall do you consider to be a filthy scallywag?" She grinned to him, turning her cheek slightly more into his hand. "I think you're the only one who's been foolish enough to fall for my 'charm', my pirate prince. Though I'm very glad that you did." She reached up with her free hand to cup his cheek in return, brushing her thumb lightly over his lower lip.

He smiled brightly against her thumb, though the word 'prince' continued to echo in his ears. Blinking a moment, his eyes drew wide. "I nearly forgot," he spoke before gently kissing her thumb. Turning from her, he went to the chest at the foot of his cot. Kneeling down, he rummaged awhile before retrieving a silver, diamond encrusted tiara. Holding it carefully in his hands, he rose to his feet to walk over to Jasolei. "What do you think?"

Jasolei quirked her eyebrow as he rummaged, turning to lay her dress carefully over the foot of the nearest cot. Nic was in front of her again as she straightened, and anything she had intended to say was silenced as he presented the delicate tiara on his outstretched hands.

"Uh.." She started, raising a hand as though to brush through her hair, only to find the hat still atop her head. "Well.. Of course it's beautiful, but..." She paused, letting go a breath before looking up at him. "I thought you said a wreath of flowers...?" 

Nic pursed his lips, unsuccessfully fighting back a wicked grin. "I did. As lovely as you'd look in this, this isn't for you." He smirked before explaining. "Can't imagine Dey would actually come with a costume, so I did the honors of finding one for him."

Jasolei licked her lips, smiling despite the colour creeping into her cheeks. "You did that on purpose." She chided, shaking her head at him and folding her arms.

"So why a tiara for him, then? What exactly are you going to make him be?" 

"Nothing he already hasn't made himself." Nic grinned broadly as he continued. "He's the Princess. Didn't Mal ever tell you Dey's nickname back in the SSO? Figure if Malric's going as 'Baron,' Dey's obvious choice would have to be 'Princess.'"

She shook her head. "I didn't know either of them had nicknames like that." She turned slightly to rest against the end of the cot, eyeing the tiara again for a moment before looking to him. "Did you have one too?"

Nic smiled as he carefully lifted the pirate hat from her head. Tossing the hat down against the cot, he stood in front of her, gently placing the tiara on her head. Smiling softly, he moved to sit down next to her. "Two, actually. One they gave me and then one I earned."

Chuckling softly, he drew his arm around her waist as he pulled her close. "I was terrible when I got to the SSO. Never really fought much aside from some sparring. Caught up with a couple of bandits on the road during my travels. But nothing like being in a real battle. My superior officer nicknamed me 'Rookie.'"

Jasolei closed her eyes and smiled softly as he replaced the hat with the tiara, reaching a hand up to touch it as he settled down beside her. 

"Rookie?" She tilted her head to one side, looking to him as he finished explaining. "So if that's the one you were given, what one did you earn?" She reached for his hand, lightly lacing her fingers between his.

He smiled as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "There was a massive onslaught by the Dawnblade. They managed to drive us back to Sun's Reach Harbor. Didn't have a choice but to push back. With so much focus on the ground assault, we neglected to notice the archers flying overhead. But one caught my eye just as he raised his bow and aimed directly at our Captain. I rushed between him and the archer just in time to deflect the arrow with my blade. That's when I earned my new nickname."

Quirking an eyebrow, he smiled softly as he asked, "Ever play chess?"

She furrowed her brow, picturing him fighting with his regiment on Quel'danas. "Of course," she answered after a few moments, looking back to his face. "Not that I was ever any good at it.. But, what's chess got to do with a nickname you earned by protecting your captain?"

He chuckled softly, leaning his head against hers. "In chess, the rook can move to protect the king. It's called castling. Since the 'Rookie' was able to protect our regiment's Captain, they decided to shorten it and call me 'Rook' instead."

Smiling softly, he turned to kiss her hair. "Which I like much better than Rookie anyway."

She smiled, untangling her fingers from his to reach up to cup his cheek. "Mmm, I like that too." She chuckled after a moment, drawing back enough to press her forehead to his. "Guess I'm the 'rookie' now, huh?" She said, referring to her recent training.

"Never," he smiled softly to her, leaning in to brush his lips against hers. "You'll always be my beautiful Jasolei."

[jasolei]

Jasolei couldn’t sleep.

For once it was not bad thoughts or dreams that drove her from the bed she shared with Nicandro, but a desire to feel Dalaran breathe in the darkness. The cold air of Icecrown chilled the evening considerably, and she found a light robe to draw around her frame before...

[lastdaysofmagic]

He certainly seemed to have all the qualities of a gentleman, but the interesting kind who knows exactly when to stop behaving like one.

Michael Dibdin, Medusa (via ladyrosenred)

[nicswiftblade-blog]

[Dragon Tattoo by Tatsu87]

Jasolei stood at the crossways of Runeweavers Square, mesmerised by the large gleaming statue that had been erected since her last visit to Dalaran.  Previously her visits had been cursory; often no more than a pause at Krasus' landing to change steeds and barter away the excess of her travels.  Consequently, she had no sense of direction in the city.

"Excuse me," she began in poorly accented common, approaching a human bearing the Kirin Tor tabard. "Could you point me in the direction of the Legerdemain?"

The man grunted, throwing down the butt of his cigar and extinguishing it against the pavement before lifting a hand and jerking his thumb over his shoulder.

"That way and hang a right." He answered gruffly, scowling at her as he looked her up and down. "If they'll serve the likes o'ya."

Jasolei curtseyed politely in thanks, and made her way to the Legerdemain. The building seemed mostly empty despite the travelers on the street, and Jasolei slipped into a seat at the far side of the room so she might watch the door, doing her best to ignore the two Kaldorei eyeing her and whispering behind their hands to each other.

Holding a small wooden box in his hand, Nicandro made is way into the Legerdemain. Eyes falling to Jasolei through the doorway, his smiled softly to her as he clutched the box tighter in his hand.

As he passed through the threshold of the inn, his eyes immediately fell to the Kaldorei. Quirking an eyebrow, Nic walked over to the elves, resting his palm firmly against the table as he leaned down to mutter a few words in Darnassian. With a huff, one of the Kaldorei quickly rose from his seat to storm out of the inn. The second elf shot a glance to Jasolei before following suit and exiting the Legerdemain.

A smirk playing about his lips, Nicandro walked to sit down next to Jasolei at her table. His hand reached up to rest the box against the table. "Hey there, beautiful." He spoke in Thalassian as his smirk softened to a smile.

Jasolei had taken the liberty of ordering tea and two cups in anticipation of Nicandro's arrival.  Her tome rested on the table in front of her, and she idly penned some new sketches as she waited, resting her chin in her free hand.

The scraping of the chair against the floor as the second Kaldorei stood to pursue her companion made her glance up from her work, and she smiled softly as her gaze settled on Nic as he moved to slip into the chair beside her.

"Hey yourself," she replied in Thalassian, laying down her quill and brushing the hair back from her face with her now free hand. She tilted her head to one side to look at him more easily, reaching out to squeeze his hand gently. She nodded to the box that he rested against the table. "What've you got there?"

He chuckled softly, leaning over to gently kiss her cheek. "That would be your pendant. Or what's left of it." He whispered against her skin, smiling as he leaned back in his chair. His thumb softly caressed the back of her hand as he reached with his free hand to push the box in front of her. Nodding toward the box, he smiled softly to her. "Go ahead and open it."

She smiled and leaned in to him slightly as he kissed her cheek, squeezing his hand lightly. The waitress approached with a tray bearing a teapot and two cups, which she set silently down on the table as Nic straightened and pushed the box towards her.

Reluctantly she pulled her hand from his, quirking an eyebrow and pulling the box closer. "Now I feel sheepish. I feel like in a roundabout way I've made you give me a gift." She chuckled softly, carefully opening the box to reveal the contents.

He chuckled softly as he leaned in toward her, watching as she opened to box. Inside was a writing quill, a long black feather carefully resting in the box. The pen nib was fashioned from the silver of her pendant, an intricate pattern molded into the side of the metal. It was nothing extravagant, but it was evident that a good amount of time went into carving the mold that was used for the pen nib.

Nic glanced up to her, tilting his head as he attempted to gauge her reaction.

She gasped softly as she set the lid of the box to one side, pressing her free hand to her chest and taking a moment to simply appreciate the features of the quill resting inside.

"It's beautiful." She murmured after a moment, reaching for it and carefully turning it over to look at the pattern more closely. "How did you...?" Her eyes ran up the length of the sturdy feather as she twirled it between her fingers, it was well balanced and obviously crafted with great care. She smiled warmly and glanced to him, reaching her free hand to his opposite cheek to pull him closer so that she might kiss the one closest to her. "I love it."

He smiled brightly to her, his eyes closing only briefly as she kissed his cheek. "I carved the pattern for the nib from wood and asked Malric to melt down the silver and cast it for me." His arm slipped around her shoulders as he leaned close to her. "Now instead of a reminder of the past, it can be whatever you want it to be. Research notes for the order. Poetry or literature. An ink sketch. Anything, love. Because it can't hold any power over you anymore. You have all the control."

The smile didn't fade from her lips as he pulled her closer, leaning more against his shoulder as she continued to twirl it slowly around in her fingers, not wanting to miss a single detail.

"I really love it. I have to admit, I was skeptical about having it turned into something else.. But I'm glad that you did." She paused to reach up and kiss his cheek again. "Thank you for doing this for me. You're amazing, you know. Don't hold your breath for poetry from me though."

She chuckled and looked back down without pulling away from him. Reaching to dip it into the open inkwell, she drained the excess ink carefully before drawing it across the blank page with a flourish. As she sketched, the lines bled together to form a bird of sorts as she spoke.

"It writes beautifully. If Vex breaks this one? I'm not sure how many lives she'll have left."

He smiled at her hands as she penned the bird. Chuckling softly, he glanced back up to her. "If Vex gets the feather, it's a simple fix. Just need another feather. The nib should be indestructible -- by cat standards, at any rate."

His eyes fell back to the drawing as he nodded in approval. "I love it, beautiful."

She chuckled softly, glancing to him before nudging him with her shoulder. "You don't have to love it just 'cause I drew it, you know.  Just the first thing that came to mind for some reason." She shrugged, tilting the book to blow on the page and hasten the drying ink.

"Suppose I should show you some of the other things I've sketched up. I cut down on them, though. There was too many, and some of them just didn't make sense."

She flipped the pages back to a place she had earmarked before pushing the tome closer to him so he could turn the pages at his leisure.

His eyes poured over the sketches, smiling as he glanced over each one. He paused as he reached the final drawing -- a dragon fashioned of softly merged lines. His lips parted slightly as he reached a hand up to the paper. Gliding his fingertip along the edge of the dragon, he nodded slowly. "That one."

She glanced up to him after he turned each page, gauging his reactions. She smiled as he turned the final page and decided on the dragon, looking back down to his fingers resting on the page.

"You're sure? I can change it, or think of something else if you've a preference." She shrugged softly, brushing the end of the quill feather absently against her chin as she looked back to him. "Though like I said, it'll only be temporary anyway, with the ink I have. So you can always change it later. You still need to choose where you want it to go, though." She smiled up at him.

He leaned in to steal a soft kiss, smiling as he looked back to her sketch. "Where would you recommend?" He drew his arm more tightly around her shoulders, pulling her close to him as he rested his head against hers.

"I was thinking..." He muttered softly as his hand reached up to his chest, running over his heart, down the length of his torso. "Here."

She smiled as he leant in for a kiss, her free hand still caressing his opposite cheek gently. Her eyes were full of affection for him, though her attention was drawn downward as he brought his hand from the page to his chest.

"Mmm.. I think that would be perfect. Facing inwards?" She chewed on her lip thoughtfully, glancing to the drawing and then back to his chest. "Not sure how big to make it, though. But if you're sure it's what you want, love, I'll gladly paint it whenever you like." She quirked an eyebrow up at him. "Black? Or a different colour?"

He reached his hand from his chest to rest gently against her jaw. "Facing inwards. And black," he whispered, smiling to her. Leaning in, he nuzzled his nose to hers, smiling softly.

Her eyes closed for a moment as he leant in, and she stole a quick, soft kiss from his lips.

"I assume we can have the tea taken upstairs, if you want, though I brought wine with me. We can relax, and I can paint whenever you'd like." She opened her eyes to look at him again, brushing his cheek with the backs of her fingers.

"I love you." She whispered against his lips before capturing them lightly again for a moment.

He barely broke the kiss to reply with a whispered, "I love you." Smiling softly against her lips, he nodded slowly. "I'll follow you, my beautiful Jasolei." His hand trailed gently down her jaw before reaching to her hand, carefully intertwining his fingers with hers. 

[cozypumpkinlatte-deactivated201]

[jasolei]

The late afternoon sun always seemed to strike the walls of Silvermoon in a way that brought a different life to the kaleidoscope of red and gold hues splashed liberally across the capital. Jasolei found herself smiling faintly as she traversed the familiar path towards the Bazaar, eyes roaming...