GRAND ARTIFICER

[shaperofcrystal]

' I'll always be here. ' [ Nylira ]

   her reassurance does not fall on deaf ears, as he embraces her- romuul’s always been better with his gestures than his words. he knows, in times like THESE, that promises like this really cannot be held to. nylira could die in the field tomorrow, or the next day, or any day between now and the natural end of their long lives. romuul himself could befall the same fate. nobody’s SAFE, not when azeroth is tearing at the seams like this.

   but he has faith, in her and their future and their people’s future. he has faith in the prophet’s leadership, he has faith in the army of the light. there’s a little voice chanting in his heart that things are going to be okay, and it sounds suspiciously like NYLIRA; the thought brings a tiny smile to his face as he presses his cheek against the curve of one of her horns. a little huff escapes him, like that of a tired puppy.

   “ i’m glad. ” he speaks finally, the usual resonance of his voice now soft and hushed. “ i love you. never FORGET that. ”

[shaperofcrystal]

she took his hand into her own as she rested her head upon his shoulder. their newfound love had not been given the time to properly flourish. now that the war was over, they could have found the time to cherish each other. ' let us be headed home!' Nylira pleaded with a weary sigh, ' I am so tired. '

      her hand in his and her presence on his shoulder was enough to bring a flush of WARMTH to his heart. there was a kind of peace in Nylira that the world needed more of, if the engineer was entirely honest; a simple look in his direction was enough to RELIEVE Romuul of his qualms. His cheek came to rest against the top of her horned head, eyes closed for just a moment.

      “ as am i, ” Romuul huffed out a tiny sigh, his tail flicking lazily at his back. “ we will sleep as rocks do tonight, ekliein. not even the shaking of the WORLD could wake us before noon. ” it was a jest, of course, but this war had tired their souls in such a way that Romuul would not be surprised if they did sleep forever. tired as Romuul may have been, he did not want that. every moment at Nylira’s side was one to be witnessed and CHERISHED for all that it was worth.

      the artificer nudged her, beginning to rise. “ home awaits us, then. damn DEMONS can stay away from it, lest they desire my hoof in their arse. ”

[yourwarcraftfaveislgbt]

YourWarcraftFaveIsLGBT: Grand Artificer Romuul

[shaperofcrystal]

NYLIRA.

UPON the mention of the hoof, Nylira laughed. She had truly feared her intent would have not been alike his: perhaps all he had ever sought was her friendship, her company. It appeared, though, this impression of hers had been a mere impression and no more. Fear of some outcome could have blinded one, and Nylira had been no exception. Then, the veil had been torn off her eyes and she saw it all clearly now: Romuul did share her feelings. There was no more doubt to it. 

AND Romuul had been anxious as well, it would seem. Both of them had been. Nylira had not sought to be rash. Perhaps, to him, it had been the anxiety of a new beginning. It was understandable, after all. The children needed both a mother and a father, yet to give them a motherly figure would have not come lightly. Nylira would have never dared asked it, though she did love his children dearly. No child would have been subjected to great sufferance, not as long as she drew breath. 

“BUT ‘Yes’ I will say! Romuul…” She glanced upon their now united hands. And it felt so proper, so true. For one moment at least, they could have forgotten the harsh bitterness around them. Amid all the grief, love was yet to be found, hope could have been rebuilt. Her hope, her joy, her love…they would dwell within him, within them as a whole. Her heart leaped with joy, that sort of gladness she had never truly thought to find. “If this is what you truly seek, then know I shall gladly give. My heart has chosen you, and I believe there is no other who should have it.” Again did she laugh. “This entire time, I wondered, doubting you would ever feel the same. Yet…by the Light! You do! You do! I have never been so glad…” The world melted away, with all its shade, sorrow, joy, fire, ice. There was him, and her, them. “If you would have this in truth, I shall not deny you. I never would.”

her musical laugh would prompt his own; through their joined hands, they shared their JOY. Romuul’s very soul itself felt as though it would rise from his body. finally, this weight was LIFTED from his shoulders! finally he could be open and honest about his feelings with Nylira as he had desired for so long! it felt as though there had been a rope constricting him and squeezing his lungs to the brink of SUFFOCATION, that had now released him and allowed him to breathe freely once again. to know that his feelings for Nylira were mutual was relief in its GREATEST form.

and how excited the CHILDREN would be! they loved Nylira as they would have come to love the mother who’d given birth to them, if they had gotten to know her. often had he heard them whisper to each other in their beds of how sweet and kind she was, and how much their father loved her. they would even talk of scenarios of marriage and other siblings, a chance for a REAL family; it hurt Romuul’s heart that he had never been able to provide that for them, for every child deserved to know two loving parents. all Romuul had to offer was HIMSELF, and for his children that had always been enough, but Nylira’s presence would begin to heal the VOID their mother had left in them. of this, he was sure.

the artificer smiled so much his cheeks had begun to ache. “ there is no one i desire more, ” he admitted softly, eyes alight with love and hope the likes of which he had nearly FORGOTTEN. tentatively, but BOLDER than before, he raised one of her hands and placed the most delicate of kisses upon her knuckle. “ you bless me, Nylira, ” he whispered, lips still brushed against her hand, “ i never thought... i never thought that we would be here, like this. but we are! this is us, and we’re here, and it’s... it’s AMAZING. ”

[shaperofcrystal]

NYLIRA.

AS his hand came upon her own, Nylira curled her fingers around it tenderly. It was not that sort of harsh, stern grasp. It was gentle still. Thoughts, however, ceased to be clear in her mind. Perhaps this was the sign she had sought. He spoke of how she could have eased his oh so troubled spirit…he had also touched her hand. And was it…was it that colour had come to his cheeks? Oh, by the Naaru! It was!

HER smile widened. It was truly a most lovely sight. And, perhaps, it was also the sign she had asked for. Nylira silently thanked the heavens. Now, it was all a matter of how precisely was she to tell him, how to bring it forth in such a manner that it would not have been too bold. Though, it was also known to her how tangled words often consumed more time for within tangled words there dwelt no true meaning. She had faced true perils, horrid creatures borne of scorn and anger. Was she truly afraid to declare her heart’s intent? Or was she afraid of the outcome of it?

“YOU truly bless me with such kind words!” Turning to face him, she took now his hand in both her own. Her throat felt suddenly too dry, and she almost faltered. “I…” Oh, stars! But why was it that this moment was such a torment?! “I…” She brought herself to glance into his eyes. “Forgive me my boldness, but I also find a certain solace in your presence. I can speak freely, without fear of judgement. My heart is truly carefree and light when we meet.” Nylira shook her head. “I have no proper words for this, yet I hope you shall not deem me an intruder of some sort. I do understand your grief, and I do not seek to barge in your heart. But, when we share moments such as this, all the burden is gone from me. You offer me that sort of joy that I find in no other.” The mage laughed. “I have made a fool of myself now, have I not?”

Romuul’s lungs seemed to forget their purpose for a moment, as her hands held his. by the Light and all that was holy... it was HAPPENING. her smile brought him closure in a way that very few things could. “ if you are a fool, then i suppose that makes me one, too.” he gave a nervous chuckle, free hand moving to rub the back of his neck. “ trust me, i understand completely. your company brings me peace that i have not felt since... before we landed on Azeroth. you bring me prosperity in a world that offers naught but CHAOS. ”

it was true, that there was still GRIEF in his heart for his late wife; sometimes it came to haunt him in the dead of night when he could not sleep. but would she be able to rest easy, knowing her dear husband withheld from himself what he desired, what could truly bring him HAPPINESS once again? his eyes found Nylira’s, their glow dulled somewhat in his timidity. “ my soul still carries the SCARS of the wounds my wife’s death left behind, yes... but i do not want to limit myself because of it. she would connect her hoof to my face if she were to hear of such things. ” his smile widened just a tad. “ she would want me to be happy, and... you make me happy. ”

his stomach was in KNOTS, now. it had been so long since he had been romantic! what was he supposed to say? by the Naaru, why was love so damn IMPOSSIBLE!? “ my children have no quarrel with you. you take care of them as if they were your own flesh and blood. you are no intruder, not in my eyes or theirs. ” a deep breath was taken, trying to find the right words to speak. he had practiced this COUNTLESS times in the past and it had seemed so much easier when it was just him in front of a mirror, but... here he was. Romuul could think of nothing HARDER, in that moment. “ i... i want to try this with you. ” he cupped her hands in both of his as he spoke, calloused skin ever so gentle in nature. “ you do not have to say yes, but i-i... i CARE for you. i really do. ” his tail moved nervously behind him as he swallowed and awaited her response.

[shaperofcrystal]

NYLIRA.

HER heart was soon as a nightingale eager to escape the cage her ribs had seemingly become. So sweet, tender and kind were the words he uttered! He admired her, or how she had not allowed her anguish to be greater than herself. Suddenly, to hear him say such words weighed more than anything else. It gave her even more strength to pursue her path, to tell the world how powerful love truly was. But, it also troubled her. Was it now that she could have seized a chance? Or was it too early still? If only she had had a sign, some certainty. 

WAS it possible for him to feel alike how she did? Could it have been true? Could it have been the fabrication of the mind of a woman who had so come to love? Nylira knew not, and this thought left her so restless. It would have done no harm to ask, would it now? But, she also feared breaking the already tender and beautiful friendship between them. This was far from Nylira’s intent. If truly there had been cracks upon his spirit, she would have gently filled them with gold. As much as she longed to find what was that dwelt in his heart, the mage wondered: was love not supposed to be gentle? Why the haste?

“ROMUUL…” Nylira tugged her hair behind her ear. “I also ought to confess I admire your strength, and your faith.” Her face felt soon as though a fire had been before her, reaching to touch her skin with searing fingers. She swallowed before she spoke again. “Your heart is so tender, so…kind. It is those alike you for whom I cannot abandon my vow. And I cannot begin to thank you enough for these words. I…” The mage breathed, seeking to gather her thoughts. Words were gathered, standing upon the tip of her tongue. One moment, one confession and she would have known. But was it truly proper to so approach him? Was her wish to offer him her whole heart not…intruding? If she only could have known! 

“I simply follow the path of my father’s teachings,” she said instead, “I do not believe I would have ever been as strong as he was in the moments when the world crumbled about him, and yet he endured and he never has fallen prey to his sufferance. I strive to be the daughter he needs me be, to let him see not all was taken from him. And I pray that, through me, his teachings will persevere.”

his head cocked slightly to his left, Romuul listened with open ears. she spoke so... FONDLY of him! she admires me, he thought as a fresh tint of blue tickled his cheeks. nervously, his tail twitched behind him; desperate for her not to see such a common indication of ANXIETY in their kind, he turned sit beside her and curl his tail in his lap where it could not be moved so freely. how EMBARRASSING would it be, to appear so flustered in response to a single compliment! 

the more she spoke, the higher his heart rose in his throat. perhaps there was a CHANCE, however small, that she cared about him in the same fashion that he did for her. the thought EXHILARATED him! to share love with another was the greatest privilege he had ever had the honor to know; it was with such intense desire that he wanted to share it with Nylira! and for a moment it seemed that would become a reality, Romuul’s dreams would be dreams no more... but then they were NOT.

the artificer cleared his throat, swallowing his sullen heart back into his chest. “ of course. your father is a wise man indeed. ” it was truth, on Romuul’s part; the Prophet was the wisest man he had ever known, and he had known a GREAT many men. his daughter was every bit as wise and strong as her father. “ there is no doubt in my mind that he is PROUD of you. the path that Velen has walked is not an easy one; perhaps this is why so many turn to violence and hatred instead. but to see such RESILIENCE in his own daughter would no doubt ease his old soul. i know it does mine. ” in a rare moment of FEARLESSNESS, he reached over to pat her hand reassuringly with his own, accompanied by flushed cheeks and a gentle smile.

[eterniium-deactivated20171109]

YOU wanna know who I’m in love with ? Read the FIRST word again.

[shaperofcrystal]

*Gives Romuul a bear hug* WARNING!! It's contageous~ :3

“ ... contagious ??? ”

[shaperofcrystal]

Hey Romuul! Ever had a drinking contest before with an orc?

“ ... no. getting drunk with my enemies is not part of my skill set. ”

[shaperofcrystal]

Can I have a hug please?

[ gives the most awkward, stiff hug ever ]

[shaperofcrystal]

NYLIRA.

HER eyes met his and she…was at loss for words. All she gave, she gave freely. But, Romuul had come to mean more to her than she could have said. It was more and more often that he came to her thought, at times even uncalled for. Never did she banish him from her mind, yet sooner allowed him to stay. He filled her with Light of the purest and most true, and Nylira wished she could have reached to touch his tender heart and heal it of all its hurts. This, however, was not in her powers to do. It was not even in the powers of her most beloved and wise father. 

“WELL,” she began, and swallowed. It did not come easy to her to speak of it, of her silent vow to aid and care for all those in need. To him, though, she could have given this truth. “None should ever endure the pain my father and I have known, children least of all.” The mage sat, a sigh leaving her lips. “I wish this fate upon none, not even our foes, in spite of all they have done.” Her father, the Prophet, had been branded traitor by the very traitors of their kin. And, for his presumed treachery, he had paid a price too great, too unfair. It was due to this false accusation that Nylira had never known her mother and her brother. It was due to this misunderstanding, misplaced judgement that both she and her father suffered so. It once used to hurt, but now…now it left a void within her spirit that very little could have filled. 

“I vowed to myself that I would give all of my strength as to defend our people, that I would do all I can to at least ease the sufferance of the Draenei. No child should ever be raised in the absence of a parent. No father deserves to have the mother of his children taken from him, be it by death or by other…circumstances.” Her smile was returned to her upon the mention of his children, though alas! The chosen word bore such gravity: she was the closest thing they had ever known for a mother. “My vow stands for you and your children as well. And it gladdens me beyond thought to hear there could be at least a bit of joy that I can bring. It means my efforts are not in vain.” Her smile was widened. “It gives me faith that, some day, the world will remember it is love the one to give us strength, not hatred or anger. This is the only reward I could ever hope for: to know that love prevails still.”

even when she spoke of TRAGEDY, she did so beautifully. he knew well the plight of the Prophet, as all of the draenei did; so many years ago he had lost a wife, as Romuul had, but alongside her Velen had lost his firstborn son. it was a tragedy, certainly not one that Velen had ever earned or deserved for all the GOOD he had done. the emotional toll on him was great, Romuul suspected, and it was no surprise to him that Nylira shared that burden. part of him desired to go back in time and prevent it so that the Prophet and his daughter could have the family they DESERVED... but it was a childish ideal.

her affinity for UNCONDITIONAL love warmed Romuul’s heart. perhaps in his time alone, he had grown bitter and impassive, for the company of most others apart from his children brought him more DISCOMFORT than anything; but Nylira seemed to bypass those walls. she had reminded him of what love felt like and how AMAZING it truly was! she reminded him that there truly was good in the world, to balance all its EVILS. how he admired her for her boundless kindness and her endless faith in the world and its people. through all her suffering, she had never let it taint her. there was a beauty in that which grew scarcer and scarcer among the world each day.

“ the world needs more like you. ” his voice was soft, as if in awe of what sat before him. “ so often do we lose ourselves to the bitterness in our lives and hearts, lose sight of what is IMPORTANT... but you, you have turned that bitterness into something greater. ”  were his cheeks a little warm? it certainly felt so. he probably looked like a fool, but Romuul could not be bothered to really care. “ i’ve... always ADMIRED that about you. ”

[shaperofcrystal]

Would you mind if this one were to rp with you? She's a technomancer, think a magical engineer. :) If not thats cool.

oh hell yeah!!! come nerd out about engineery things with Romuul, Kiya, he loves the company!

[shaperofcrystal]

Psst! Romuul! Velens on dad patrol on your blue butt- tread lightly!!

“ every time he sees me with Nylira, he gives me a dirty look! do you know how unsettling it is for someone like VELEN to give you a dirty look?! ”

[shaperofcrystal]

cont. from here with @eterniium

the crash of the Exodar had left Romuul in tatters. his wife had been among the bodies the draenei had buried, that day. so DISTRAUGHT, he had been, as the woman who had been closest to his heart and soul was RIPPED from within his grasp in merely a whisper of time. but their children had survived, thank the Naaru. they were so small, then. they could not comprehend their father’s distress nor why he wept, or that they would never see their mother among the LIVING ever again. Nylira had been there, then; she had tended to the twins for bumps and scratches and then to himself, and she had promised the children that all would be well and wept with Romuul when she learned of his wife’s fate. she hardly knew him, but she had tended to himself and his children as if they were her own. Romuul would NEVER forget such a kindness.

life could not PAUSE for his grief. his people needed his trade and his children needed their father, and so he performed his duties as he was required and raised his children as best he could. he pledged himself against romance, for his children were all he had and he would see to it that nothing ever came between them. his heart ACHED for companionship, but Romuul was firm with himself. Altanii and Maholiir’s happiness and well-being were paramount to his own; he would not let love fog his vision and he would not dare try and REPLACE his children’s mother.

oh, but Nylira tested him! she was an angel among men, for all Romuul knew. he felt at ease with her in a way that most could never offer him. he felt... COMPLETE, among her gentle smile and honeyed voice. drenched in this feeling of wholeness once again, Romuul would smile and place his tools on his workbench before him. “ goodness, thank you! you BLESS me with your kindness. ” arms folded over his chest as he leaned against his messy work space. upon the mention of the children did his disposition soften even more, her thoughtfulness warming his heart. “ oh, they will love that! you bring so much happiness to my family, Nylira, i do hope you know that. ” his words could not have been more genuine, for his heart SWELLED whenever she smiled at him and the twins raced each other to her arms. “ you have made quite the impression on my little rascals, you know. they love you ever so fervently. ” a twinge of brief MELANCHOLY lined his voice. “ you are the closest thing they have ever had to a MOTHER. ”

[shaperofcrystal]

psst by the way: Romuul has two kiddos, fraternal twins ( one boy, one girl ). the girl is ALTANII, she is a soft-spoken timid little baby but she really loves everybody and she wants to be an artificer like her pop ( DADDY’S GIRL TO THE FUCKN MAX ) and the boy is MAHOLIIR, he likes to run around and yell and wrestle with other boys but he’s good at heart and never has any bad intentions. he wants to be a High Vindicator when he’s older.

they are Romuul’s first priority at all times and anyone who dares fuck with them will get his hoof to their faces. no questions asked.

[shaperofcrystal]

cont. from here with @puerdelumine

a frown came to tug at Romuul’s lips as the King’s apparent AFFLICTIONS were brought to light. he felt bad; the lad had endured so much, and at such a TROUBLING age! the ways of the world were cruel, Romuul knew too well. but it was making good of such distress and finding something to hold on to that was the REAL challenge. “ respectfully, Your Majesty... ” the engineer began, meekly folding his hands together at his front. “ it could be worse, yes, but there is at least a fifty percent chance that it could be BETTER! perhaps you have heard this before from others a million times as important as myself and i doubt that words alone could ease your troubles, but it is better to try and return with nothing than to have NEVER tried at all. ”

[shaperofcrystal]

cries bc Romuul is the sweetest bestest single dad in the whole wide world.