Solaria ONLY

the B in bimbo stands for Big

[solariaevermourn]

Little Bird

The Evermourn estate is dry and comfortable with the late summer air. Solaria pulls the thin linen blanket tighter about her shoulders, eyes gliding across dozens of sheets of paper. She’d repeated the same words over and over until they lost all meaning, and the letters were started to get jumbled together. A void lingered in her heart, a spot that had been reserved for missing her late mother. With the wedding preperations, it had started flaring up again. Solaria wanted her help with the vows. A mother’s advice. A gentle whistle tears her drifting mind away from the papers, and she turns her golden gaze towards one of the tall, open windows. There’s a flurry of white feathers before a quaint little bird lands on the branch right outside, black eyes fixed on her. Solaria looks around the estate - it was empty. The majority of her servants had been sent to the Dawning lot to help with the move, and Nitali was taking a well deserved nap in her chambers. The heir slowly gets to her feet, walking towards the window as quietly as she can, so as not to scare the creature. It doesn’t move until she’s standing right by the windowsill, at which point it hops closer with a low ‘hoot’. Solaria stifles a giggle before hooting back. It hoots back, in her voice. The sound catches Solaria so off-guard that she trips backwards. A pair of hands is at her back immediately, and she whips her head around to come face to face with Vitali. “Woah, sick bird,” the tall blonde chuckles, and the bird flies off. “Hey. I’ve got some stuff to talk to you about. Come on.”

[solariaevermourn]

Planning is going amazing!! Poire and Saff have agreed to be my witnesses along with Vitali and Nitali, and I couldn’t be happier for it! Is having four witnesses greedy? I dunno, it feels appropriate. All the arrangements have been made for the ceremony, PRIM, THE PRIM, is gonna marry us!!! I don’t think I could have picked a better candidate. His voice is REALLY nice, heheheh!

I’ve been writing a lot of letters to Symerenia these days, since she moved. She lives at Hearthglen now (not Lights Hope!!) and is training new Silver Hand recruits! She says she’s got business at the Hall of Blood, though, so she’ll be visiting soon. Something about... mushroom zombies in the Plaguelands? They found an acolyte that had mushrooms growing out of his eyeballs. Awful! She told me not to travel through there. I hired a guard for the farm in the Eastern Plaguelands, just in case. I think I might have them move here earlier than planned if they end up not being safe down there.

Ekkva dropped by today for a chat, that was nice - she seemed worried, though. But we had a nice, long talk. She’s a Shivarra! A demon! She’s got SIX arms! I don’t mind, more arms to carry me with, obviously! I wonder if Morris knows? He’s been to Outland, maybe he’s met Shivarra before.

The new estate is coming along nicely. Thankfully it was built to last, so it’s mainly some upkeep and the interior that needs some TLC. It’s got such goooorgeous blue roofs, just like most buildings had before the fall! I’m gonna see about having a winter garden installed, I think that’ll be nice.

[solariaevermourn]

Morning After

She wakes up with a pit in her stomach. The bed was vacant, Lord Nightflare’s warm body long gone. As she curls up around her blanket, clutching her pillow to her face, she’s happy for his absence. She doesn’t want him to see her like this, stifling her own sobs, her body trembling with every choked out sound. Solaria doesn’t know how long she spends crying, but it’s long enough that she starts to feel lonely. So she pushes herself up, wipes her tears, dabs on some concealer to hide the worst of her dark circles, and gets dressed alone. She has her breakfast alone. When Lord Nightflare finally creeps out from the dark corners of the estate, she puts on a brave smile for him, kissing him sweetly. “I’ll see you soon, alright? We have so much to plan!”  He stands on the steps leading up to the estate, waving her farewell as she disappears into the Suramar gardens. The rest is a blur. She steps through the portal to Silvermoon, and soon after, she sends Vitali and three of her guards back into Suramar, to Lord Nightflare’s estate. She gives them direct orders to track Castre and Polleaux’ movements, to never let them out of their sights. “Distract and occupy them.” Better safe than sorry. Then she spends the rest of the day crying in Nitali’s arms. Nitali doesn’t press her for an explanation or demand the truth. Nitali only brushes Solaria’s red locks out of her face and pats away her tears and gives her tissues to blow her nose with. It’s enough.

[solariaevermourn]

31.07.2020

I sealed the deal with Silvermoon today. The Dawning estate has been left abandoned ever since the Scourge invaded and nobody has made an offer - nobody could afford it. They seemed elated to finally get it off their hands! They kept reminding me that the land has long since been reclaimed by nature. I told them I like, LOVE nature! And they love me. Once they see what I do with the land, they’re gonna love me even more. My project in the Eastern Plaguelands is proving fruitful! Or vegetable-ful, I should say! The family has already had a harvest of new potatoes. They sent a couple to the Cenarion Circle for testing, and they’re perfectly edible! Once they’ve harvested their final batch this August, I’ll have them move to the Dawning - Evermourn - Estate’s grounds to start working the land here instead! I trust these people, they’re really good, and they’re gonna need a place to live once winter sets in.  Vitali is moving with us to the new Estate as groundskeeper. She’ll get the Groundskeeper’s hut. She says she wants to start training guards, and I think that’s an excellent idea! I had a long talk with Nitali. The Silvermoon estate will still be in my name, but she’ll get full reign over it. The majority of the maids and guards will come with us to the new Evermourn Estate, but a few are staying behind with her. She says she’s considering making a Bed and Breakfast - that’s SO cute. I’m gonna miss living with her. I love her so much!!! But she promises to visit a lot, and besides, she’s insisting that she oversees the first month at the new Estate to make sure all the maids are up to par!  I got a moving notification in the mail this morning. Symerenia’s officially moved to Hearthglen. Not gonna lie, I didn’t expect that - I hadn’t even brought up my plans to her yet! Maybe she just knew. She’s smart like that. I’ll buy her a new place whenever she wants to, maybe something closer to her duties! I’m sure she’d like that!!!

It feels like we’re all grown up now. Going our seperate ways. I mean, all our lives will be entwined forever - Vitali and Nitali and Sym are a part of me that I could never get rid of. But here we are. I’m about to get married, Vitali’s getting her own place and a promotion, Nitali starting her own business at her new place, Symerenia moving away...... What a year this has been. And holy shit what an ENTRY this has been! Gosh, I need to write more often, I obviously have a lot to say!!!

[solariaevermourn]

Bravery

The Bonfire Bash had worn her body down. Her muscles ache from exertion as she shifts in bed, and her skin was still warm from hours in the sun. Even then, exhaustion didn’t lull her to sleep.  Nynxarion breathes softly beside her. He’s laying on his back, head tilted slightly to one side, lips parted the fraction of an inch. She scoots closer, resting her chin on his shoulder as she watches him. How differently could things have done? The day after she returned from the Western Plaguelands, what would have happened if he didn’t admire her bravery? What would have happened if he met her intrusion with violence? Would he have forcibly removed her? Just how close to the border of death did she dance that day? Perhaps there’s another timeline where Nynxarion is her murderer, rather than her fiancée. What a way to go. A betrayer clambering for forgiveness and safety. She’d never have ended up in such a predicament if she never left home. What would have happened if she never mustered the bravery to leave Quel’thalas? Hayden instilled something inside her, an overwhelming curiosity about the world he knew, the world she’d never seen. She wanted to experience it with him. The weeks she spent in the Plaguelands were filled with excitement and then she ruined it all in the course of one lunch. She couldn’t even face him at the Bash. Just talking to Votreo made her think of what could have been - she could have been their friend. Maybe her life wouldn’t have been as safe, maybe she’d have made even more enemies that way. Maybe that wouldn’t have been a bad thing. Solaria curls up into a ball against Nynxarions side, inhaling the scent of his skin. It numbed her thoughts and stilled her heart - made her forget, for just a moment. Brave people don’t forget. She’s not brave. She’s a coward.

[solariaevermourn]

Three Sisters

Symerenia didn’t realize she’d missed Solaria until they were embracing each other on the stairs to the Evermourn estate.

She pulls Solaria’s hands towards her own lips; she kisses her skin, she kisses her knuckles, she kisses her ring,

She kisses her ring.

Symerenia pulls back, eyes wide. When she looks back into Solaria’s eyes, her sister’s golden hues are brimming with excitement and mischief. “Solaria—“

“Come on! I have so much to tell you!”

Solaria is dressed for summer. Her linen dress bounces as she walks into the circular living room of their shared home. It’s bustling with life. Vitali is splayed out on one of the couches like she owns the place, feet on the table, stroking a black cat in her lap. Nitali is having tea with another servant. They both lazily wave and smile at Symerenia like they’re equals.

Her gut freezes as the realization washes over her; this isn’t her home anymore. The other residents take their sweet time retreating into their chambers and the kitchen to give the two sisters some privacy, but not before Solaria speaks up; “Nitali, could you clear out Symerenia’s room and rent a nice room for Eurebus? Thaaanks!” Symerenia is almost left speechless. Almost. “Eurebus?” “Nynxarion’s daughter.” “Nynx—“

Before she has a chance to protest, Solaria pulls her into one of the couches.

“Please.” Symerenia doesn’t sound like herself - she never begs. “Please. Tell me everything.”

Faced with her sisters distress, Solaria only smiles, hugging the Blood Knight’s shoulder. And then she unravels the tapestry she’d been weaving while Symerenia was away.

The attack on the Nightflare estate. Symerenia had learned it burned to the ground - not in a million years would she had suspected her little sister to be the reason. Her little sister, who had never had a lick of talent for neither the Arcane nor the Light. Her little sister, now a fire mage. Her little sister, now engaged. The ring was decadent, fit for a Silvermoon noble - it’s what Symerenia always wanted, wasn’t it? For Solaria to settle down. And yet she only feels hatred and confusion staring into the blue jewel sitting on her sisters delicate hand.

“Symerenia.... I’m pregnant.”

The silence is overwhelming. Symerenia’s golden hues don’t stray from the engagement ring. Her heart skips a beat and then stops completely. It gets hard to breathe. Not him. Not Lord Nightflare. Anyone but Lord Nightflare.

“I’m.... going to be an aunt.” Symerenia takes Solaria’s hand into her own, and puts on her brave face. The smile she gives her little sister is warm and gentle, not betraying the hurt that’s welling up inside her chest. “Solaria. My little sister settled down at last, huh?” They both laugh. It doesn’t ease her anxiety. As she hugs Solaria to her chest, she stares off into the marble walls.

Lord Nightflare had done the impossible. Why him? “Congratulations.” When Solaria pulls back, the joy is oozing from every part of her. It’s too much. Symerenia has to look away, pretending to be distracted by the fresh flowers on the table.

“Sym. Nynx wasn’t alone when he attacked his father. He... uhm...” The hesitation in her sisters voice makes Symerenia look back at her. All the joy has evaporated in a matter of seconds. “.... yes?” “It’s... he... hired Somara.”

Symerenia wants to scream and sack the Estate. She wants to run away and never return. “No.” “They fought - she fought for him.”

The stoic Blood Knight feels her tears threaten to spill, but then she sees hat Solaria is already crying. In that very moment, Symerenia accepts her duty. The one occasion where she can still be a big sister. She hugs Solaria and doesn’t let go until the young blood elf has cried out every last teardrop. The sun sets and the sky turns dark while they sit there, the Estate quiet except for Solaria’s heartbroken cries. Symerenia stares into her palms. Rough and hardened from decades of fighting. Decades of sparring. Decades of dueling with her beloved Somara. “We still have each other.”

It’s a bitter, empty solace. They’re both missing a piece of themselves that neither can fill. They lost Somara once before - and now she’s lost to them again.

—

Symerenia tosses and turns until she can’t bear it any longer. She takes one last look at the room that has been her home ever since Quel’thalas fell. Her sanctuary in a house that was always ruled by her sister and her servants. She wasn’t going to be kicked out of her own home. She was going to leave on her own terms.

So she packs everything that holds any sentimental value. She leaves the Evermourn heirlooms for Solaria and the future of their family. She dons her armor. As the Blood Knight leaves her room, she casts a glance up by to the balcony where her sister sleeps, no doubt accompanied by Vitali and Nitali. One last time.

She leaves in the dead of night. She locks the door and stashes away the key, never to be used again.

It’s a long ride back to Hearthglen.

[solariaevermourn]

The very moment the doors to the Evermourn estate close behind Lord Nightflare, Vitali and Nitali descend on Solaria. They scoop her up and squeeze her tight, Vitali’s face buried in the crook of Solaria’s neck, Nitali’s cheek squeezed against Solaria’s chest. The trio simply stand there for what feels like an eternity, speaking in a language much more powerful than words.

“I was so worried.” Comfortably seated on the couch, all three women squeezed together, Nitali gives Solaria a pained stare. “That explosion.... like... I really thought we lost you.” The worry in Nitali’s voice is evident, and genuine. When Vitali speaks, the tall guard sounds exhausted. “I just don’t, like, get it, you know? I remember when we were kids. You couldn’t... do anything like that, Sol! This doesn’t make sense.”

Solaria has no answers to give them. The three were stuck having to comfort each other, not knowing why they were in this situation in the first place. Solaria leans back against the cushioned couch, rubbing her eyes. “I’m so sorry. If I knew I would explode or whatever, I would have made sure you two were out of the way. I’m so sorry.” Every word she speaks becomes more choked up, but Vitali and Nitali hush her and squeeze her tighter. “We’re okay! You know it takes more than that to get me down, Sol!” Vitali’s confidence wavers under the confusion in her voice, but it comforts Solaria none the less.

“We should make breakfast.” Solaria barely recognizes her own voice from how strained it is. Every time she speaks or makes the slightest movement she’s afraid the whole Estate will catch on fire. But the presence of her two friends helps calm her mind. They make pancakes, like they used to make them back in Goldenmist. For one morning, Solaria can pretend they’re young girls again, free of worry and pain, happy in each other’s company.

[solariaevermourn]

Lord Nightflare had to prove himself to Symerenia in order to get her help. She broke his nose. :)

[solariaevermourn]

she’s made a habit of mingling with the wrong (or right? :) ) crowd

[solariaevermourn]

02.06.2020

Vitali and Nitali chewed me out for what felt like an eternity. Truthfully, I cannot blame them. They watch me at my lowest, shovel pressed into the ground. I love them. They love me. I’m so sorry for putting them through this.

Maverick cannot be trusted, but here I am, trusting him. I cannot look away, not from him, not from Lord Nightflare. At night I wonder who is going to come for me. Will it be a Death Knight or a Paladin that gets the killing blow?

His smile is really pretty. He’s funny, too. And, I suspect, dangerous. That’s good. I would like all of Silvermoon to see Lord Esclarmonde and Lord Nightflare enter the doors to the Evermourn Estate. I want them all to watch.

My sweet Lord Nightflare is away. Symerenia is at Lights Hope Chapel. If she spent a lot of time there before, it now it seems she’s taken up permanent residence there. Better that then seeing her show up with new scars. Maybe she knows how to help me. I refuse to believe she lied to me. Not Sym. She would have told me. She would have helped me. Or maybe she was happy to see me confined to Silvermoon.

I miss Poire and Saff and Lumi and I even miss Virtue. I wonder what they’re doing, I hope they’re safe. Safer than me.

[solariaevermourn]

Silvermoon suited her perfectly, a gilded cage, custom made for her. The golden threads in her dress shone marvelously in the spring sunlight, reflected in the highlighter upon her cheeks, and the enchantment that made her eyes sparkle. Solaria was a sight to behold; a testament to the determination of the sin’dorei, with a smile to warm the most weary of souls.

Her glittering eyes held nothing but fear. When she returned to hide behind closed doors, her facade shattered. At night she didn’t dream of Hayden’s hugs or the scent of Suramar’s roses. She dreamt of long, sharp teeth breaking skin. Blood dripping from her nose. Bones shattering in a crushed hand. The smell of death. A balled up fist. Mother. Father. Symerenia.

Her cage was closing in. Quel’thalas, Silvermoon, the Evermourn estate, her body. She never wanted to leave again. Although Nitali and Vitali kept her bed warm, Solaria had never felt more alone.

[solariaevermourn]

[solariaevermourn]

Lady Evermourn

“Not again. NEVER again.” Solaria sobs against her sisters chest, hugging her tight, snot and tears shamelessly running down her face. Symerenias leans into the tight hug, even if it hurts her bruised ribs. “... Solaria,” she murmurs, stroking one hand down her sisters back. “I’m still here. You know it takes more than that to-” “I HATE that! You can’t even muster an apology! What if you ended up on the wrong doorstep? What if your attackers just left you out there to die? LUCK is what keeps saving your ass, Sym, and you’re running out of it!” The young heirs voice might be trembling, but it holds a certain level of gravity. It commands the room, the entire estate; some servants shift in discomfort right outside the door. For the first time in her life, Symerenia turns away in shame. She can’t bear to look into her sisters sad eyes. “... I’m sorry, Sol. I’m sorry.” She hugs her sister closer.  “Sorry doesn’t cut it.”

Solaria takes a step back, fishing a beautifully embroidered handkerchief out of her pocket. She turns away in an attempt to dab her tears away, but they just keep streaming down her face. And then she looks back at Symerenia, eyes brimming with that same determination the paladin saw in the mirror every morning. She speaks. “I am the Lady Solaria of Evermourn Estate. I command you to step back. Attend only your Blood Knight duties. If I catch word of you going off on some self-righteous rampage again I will cease the funds going into the Blood Knight order.” Assaults from san’layn, worgen and arcane mages didn’t hold a candle to the hurt Symerenia felt in that moment. It blossoms from the pit of her gut and spreads into her sore chest, making it difficult to breathe. When she speaks, her voice falters. "... Don't be silly, Solaria. You can't do that."  "Do you want to test me?" Symerenia opens her mouth to speak, but no words escape her lips. A cold shiver runs down her spine. She bows her head, like Solaria had used to do. She nods. “... No. As you wish, my Lady.”

[solariaevermourn]

Waking

“Shhh. She’s coming to.” When she opens her eyes, Symerenia finds herself staring right into the face of a kindly old man. His skin hangs loosely off his bones, and his hair hangs on in clumps - but the warmth and kindness in his hollow eyes is unprecedented. There’s something familiar there. Like staring into the eyes of her father. Her head feels worse than ten hangovers combined. The Blood Knight pushes herself up on her elbows, only to immediately roll over to her side, vomiting off the side of the bed. “... you hit your head pretty hard, there,” a voice comments from the darkness - another Forsaken, an older woman, a bucket of water cradled in her arms. 

Symerenia pathetically rolls over on her back, shutting her eyes hard. Her thick curls are clumped together in the back of her head. When she speaks, her voice is hoarse and strained; “Commander Symerenia Evermourn. Alert-” She’s interrupted by a skeletal hand to her forehead. “Already done. Sent word to Silvermoon when you showed up on our doorstep.” The paladin bristles, opening her eyes to stare up at the hand. It’s oddly comforting. “.... I am... terribly sorry for inconveniencing you so,” she chokes. The older woman approaches the bed, setting down the bucket of water and dipping a towel into it. “Don’tcha worry about it. We’ve dealt with worgen victims for years. You don’t compare.” Somehow, Symerenia finds insult in her words, but she’s far too weak to protest. A cold, wet towel is pressed against her forehead, and it eases her raging spirits. “The name’s Parkley Kain. That’s Amity.” The Forsaken man nods towards the woman, who unceremoniously rolls Symerenia over on her side, back turned against them. She groans. Her entire ribcage feels sore. “... Pleasure,” she coughs. Getting the blood out of her thick curls is a tedious process, and Symerenia finds herself wanting to drift off every other minute - but Parkley won’t let her. When she’s finally allowed to go to sleep - like a child - the Kains wake her up every now and then. It’s miserable, but she’s not dead. She’s not dead. She can’t die. That’s the only thing that continuously flashes through her mind.  In Silvermoon, a shrill cry echoes off the marble walls of the Evermourn estate. Solaria is inconsolable. Servants and guards rush to her side to calm her down. There are hands and hugs all over her skin, but nothing stills her trembling. 

[solariaevermourn]

She woke up alone.

The spot where Lord Nightflare had been was empty and cold. Solaria hadn’t noticed him leaving, but as her golden eyes gaze over to the window, she realizes it must have been hours ago. The Lords chambers were blanketed by a deep, comforting darkness, and she pulls the covers up to her chin, staring out the large windows.

Her hand reflectively reaches up to scratch the nape of her neck. She feels her skin. It’s impossible to tell that there’s anything there from touch alone, but she knew, and Lord Nightflare knew. She felt lost. Did Symerenia know? Her sister had been there, holding her hand when she got the inscription. Had she even seen it? Would she had known there was something wrong with the rune if she had?

Did she know the truth? 

Solaria grabs a pillow and pushes her face into it, shutting her eyes hard. She didn’t take Lord Nightflare for a liar, but the truth, whatever it was, was too much for her to bear. She could barely comprehend it. She didn’t want to face the notion that her parents had lied to her, that maybe Symerenia had lied, too. Warm and safe, wrapped up in blankets and surrounded by plush pillows, Solaria feels herself lulled back to the realm of dreams. She succumbs to it happily.

[solariaevermourn]

03.05.2020

Suramar is AMAZING! Lord Nightflare let me borrow his estate for the weekend and I’ve been on the go every waking hour! There’s just SO much to see. I couldn’t get it all done but like, I’ll be back! I spent most of Friday in the Gardens and checking out the zoo! Suramar has a ZOO. Silvermoon needs to get with the times! Appareantly lady luck is on my side cause Luminess, THE Luminess, was co-hosting a festival on Saturday! I was just chatting around with these two guys called Oriel and Quintrelle when I saw her and she told us all about it. It. Was. AMAZING. I think it was called like, Future Festival? Future Funk Fest? Well, it was great! There were plenty of foodstalls and fortune readers and... Arakkoa? Gnolls? I’ve never seen people like that before! Oriel and Quintrelle introduced me to their friends, Lea and Tera, and we tried out some of the food together! I think they’re like, colleagues or something.  I got my fortune told, of course. I asked about Lord Nightflare and this suuuper cute nightborne lady told me something great was going to happen. Or someone great. Well, either way, worth every gold! I also met Lord Esclarmondes.... servant? Kaldeir. He’s so cute. Oh, and Saff and Dahl’renn, too! We danced together! Hayden was there. We didn’t talk, needless to say. Spent the rest of my Sunday exploring the city. I went to the canals with Oriel, and then I met this gorgeous nightborn lady called Antonine! Wouldn’t you know it, she’s Reo’s fiancee! Hayden’s boyfriend’s fiancee! It’s complicated. Anyways. She’s a gem. I’m hoping she’ll come visit me in Silvermoon, but.... well, that’s complicated, too, isn’t it? Tomorrow I’m going to have dinner with Lord Esclarmonde and holy shit this is already two pages long! I should like, become an author.

[solariaevermourn]

Solaria is in Suramar for the weekend ^__^ uh oh