#dairongarrick

[catisawells]

A New Day

    Warm light from the morning sun filled the lavish chambers provided by The Violet Bastion for her duties as Executive Assistant. They were really quite expansive, down a wing where the only other individual was Mason Kohler, though she hardly ever heard a peep from him. It was almost as though he hardly spent time in his personal chambers. Private washrooms and even a study available where she kept the plethora of reading material she wanted readily at hand.

    After she pulled her robes over her head the aspiring sorceress brought a steaming cup of coffee to her lips, delivered each morning first thing by Aveem. Sometimes it was on time. This morning happened to be one of them and she was thankful for that. Catisa stretched and wandered over to the balcony to push open the doors and look out upon the courtyard. It had been a long night, up late catching up on paperwork so that she could actually take a rare night off for a change and surprise Dairon.

    Just as she brought the cup to her lips once more some movement below caught her eye. The familiar figure of her partner, Dairon, was just below stretched out with her rear end in the air in one of her monk exercises. Catisa took a long drink of the warm and soothing liquid as she leaned over the side to admire the toned muscles on the woman’s body. How they tensed up just the right way to accent her curves and she caught herself smirking. She thought about saying something, but part of her just wanted to enjoy the sight for a little bit longer. After all, no one else would be up for a while.

@ronqueesha @masonkohler @arcanist-starweaver for mention))

[warenfitzgerald]

A Meeting of Prophecy

   “Mister Fitzgerald..?” The aspiring sorceress’s small voice asked, uncertain of the choices she was making. Just behind her stood the Monk from earlier that had been rather protective when he had mentioned Miss Wells. Though regardless it was a good sign to hear from them so soon. The old man smiled warmly to the pair and gestured for them to join him at the small table shoved into the corner of the tavern.

   “Yes, yes, please come join me. Order whatever you like.” His voice was deep and inviting as he looked to Dairon, “I apologize if I caused you concern earlier. Your guards haven’t been so inclined to grant me an audience and when I saw you all here I thought I couldn’t waste such an opportunity!” A belly laugh escaped the old man as the girls quietly shifted their way over to join him, “But enough about that, I’m sure you have a lot of questions.”

   “How do you know I’m The Oracle?” Catisa blurted out before her partner could give her snide remark, who opted to simply scowl and fold her arms as she stared him down. “What does that even mean, anyway? And why me?!” Her voice shook as she demanded answers and only paused when the older gentleman held up a hand as though to interject.

   “Well, Miss Wells I presume,” Waren started as he leaned forward with one arm braced against the table to hold himself up. “I do not know why any of us were chosen, but I do know that you are the anchor, the connection to this realm from the other side. Those nightmares that plague you are visions of a future yet to come and it is my goal to prevent it. I too was visited by a shadowy figure who told me I had an important role to play. To gather you up with the other servants and prevent this prophecy from taking root. To which I might add we should waste no time in beginning our search for.”

   “Are you kidding?!” Dairon spat, “You expect us to just give you some kind of free pass because you claim to be some kind of Prophet?” The leather wrapped around the woman’s knuckles tightened audibly. Catisa’s brow knit with worry and reached out with one hand to attempt to help calm her partner.

   Waren sighed as he was about to plead his case yet again to the young monk, but found himself cut off by the mage herself who turned to look her partner in the eyes as she spoke, “I believe him.” She started, “This cloaked figure keeps appearing in each and every dream no matter how the dream may differ from the last. Every time he appears he tells me to ‘Awaken’ and that it’s time. It has to be related, there’s no way this could just be a coincidence.”

   The old man caught himself in awe of the presence that was emitted from the petite mage in that moment and had to wonder what potential truly lay beneath that well kept shell. Some deep power that resonated of something darker, just on the edges of her mind and out of reach. Dairon huffed and offered Catisa a pleading look before she finally nodded her resignation, “Alright. I trust you.”

   “Thank you,” The aspiring sorceress grinned and turned around to address Waren once more, “So where do we start?”

  He was taken aback by the sudden change in the course of the conversation, but it appeared that at last he had found the one. The true Oracle. “Well,” A smile found its way to his aged features as he settled back into his chair once more. “There’s the trouble. Outside of locating you, I’ve had little luck finding the others. The Seeker would probably know where to find them, but that trail fell cold long ago. I have heard a rumor of a Kaldorei that calls herself The Hand gone rogue in Darkshore, however. That’s where I was going to go next after I found you, but now I am beginning to think this might be a job better suited for younger… more versatile hands.” As he spoke he gestured toward the pair of women knowingly.

   “Wha- I don’t know, is that all we have to go on?” Catisa asked with an arched brow after exchanging glances with Dairon.

  “I heard the tale from one of those Kaldorei Sentinels. I expect you’ll gather more information by asking the locals, but I urge caution… The Hand is the most fierce of the Servants and the most loyal. Their role is that of the Enforcer.”

@ronqueesha​ for mention))

[catisawells]

...Of the End

    It had been Dairon in the end who did manage to convince her to rest. Of course it was her, she could tell when something was wrong no matter how much the aspiring sorceress tried to hide it. They had both agreed to try and get some rest despite the fighting and shouting and alarms that filled the crisp morning air. While difficult at first they both had quickly drifted off to a deep slumber, exhausted from little sleep or rest for the past couple of days. Comforted by the warmth from each other’s arms, the girls clung to each other uncertain if they would ever have the chance again in the coming days.

   Amidst their slumber Catisa’s brow furrowed and once more she was within her dreams, though unlike before she was aware of it. Visions of that same darkness and frost accompanied now by ghouls swarmed about her in quickly fading images until the very ground beneath her feet began to tremble. Deafening cracks like air rushing to fill a vacuum filled her ears and her head started to feel as though it were splitting open. The very sky above opened up to consume everything in a black abyss. She wanted to scream, to cry out, but it hurt so much she could hardly move.

    The aspiring sorceress’s eyes fluttered open as tears rolled down her cheeks and pulled free from Dairon to stumble across the room. She clutched her head with one hand while searching through the cupboards with another until she located some kind of pain relief for her head. After she had managed to swallow the medicine she kept stowed away in case the night terrors became too much and her sobbing gave her a splitting headache as it often did, she breathed a sigh of relief.

    “Cat…?” She heard from the other side of the chamber as Dairon stirred from her movement, the monk always seemed to be aware of her surroundings even in her sleep. Though she was bleary eyed and tired, she could still sense something off about her partner. “Is everything alright?”

    “Of course!” The mage quickly wiped away any trace of her tears before she turned and rejoined her partner on their luxurious bed with a smile, despite the sounds of fighting still ongoing outside. “Just a headache, that’s all. Nothing some more rest won’t fix.”

@ronqueesha​ for mention))

[catisawells]

Training

    “Come on, give it everything you’ve got!” Dairon tried to give her a pep talk while she held up the training pad used for basic combat training and allowed Catisa to hit it. Prior to this they had been very intimately close while Dairon assisted her with her combat stances, though after she was certain she could maintain it they moved on to the next part of the lesson. It was tough, each strike the petite mage made with her palm against the pad barely even made a dent in it. Every muscle in her body screamed for her to stop, unused to the physical exertion for such an extended period.

    Instinct told her to use the explosive power of the fire magic she could manipulate, but that would violate the rules and the sanctity of the training so she buried that urge deep down. Instead she continued to drive her palm as hard as she could in just the way that her partner had shown her again and again. Sweat dripped down her brow and her arm felt like rubber, but still she kept on, each strike slower than the last. Until at last Catisa couldn’t even lift her arm, the strain visible on her features as she tried despite her body giving out on her.

    “I think it’s time for a break.” Dairon spoke from behind the pad and set it aside, “Honestly I thought you would have called it quits long before that, it looks like you’re starting to tap into some of that potential!” Her praise was returned with a faint smile from the aspiring sorceress who fought to catch her breath and collapsed to her knees. “Here, drink some water and keep hydrated.” She added as she saw how exhausted Catisa truly was and handed her a chilled glass brought out by Aveem on a tray. The little familiar was perfectly content just to watch the two women spar in their sportswear, if it meant all he had to do was conjure some water every now and then he was happy to do so!

    Catisa gladly accepted and gasped for air once more after a few healthy gulps. “I just don’t think my body is cut out for this!” She exclaimed with an exasperated sigh, “You make it look so easy, but that pad is more of a nemesis than you are!”

    Dairon laughed and moved to sidle up next to Cat, only pausing to ensure that Aveem could see her doing so and stuck out her tongue at the familiar. “I’ve had years of training. You’ve only been trying for a week! And you’re already ahead of where I was a week in. I couldn’t even hit the training pad for at least a month!”

    A sly smirk spread across Catisa’s lips as she regarded her partner, “I knew you were moving it back! It was almost imperceptible, but you moved it back ever so slightly every time I took a swing to make it seem like my blows weren’t as strong as they were.” The mage looked as though she would have punched her in the shoulder if she could move that much, but her muscles cried out in agony from the intense training sessions she was forcing her through all week.

    “You got me!” Dairon admitted with a boisterous laugh, “Admittedly I went a lot easier than they did with me, but you figured it out so fast! It honestly caught me off guard the first time you made contact. Your form was nearly perfect and you adapted very quickly to being able to extend yourself further as needed. Most take years before such a thing comes to them naturally, but unfortunately what you don’t lack in technique is lessened by the lack of power behind your hits.”

    “I know,” Catisa sighed, “I just-”

    “Waa-” Just then a bucket’s worth of water splashed into Dairon’s face and drenched her, the culprit brazenly stood before them. Aveem’s shoulders bobbed as though he were laughing maniacally and Catisa broke out in laughter, instantly forgetting what she was going to say due to the familiar’s retaliation. The monk started after the familiar who quickly tossed the bucket and skittered away as it was chased around the courtyard. “I’m gonna get you, Aveem!” @ronqueesha​ @arcanist-starweaver​ for mention!))

[catisawells]

Black Ice

    Not a soul stirred on the Estate in the dead of night, the aspiring sorceress had been fast asleep beside her partner in those lavish chambers. Despite the comfort of the soft bed and presence of her lover, her eyes fluttered open and she couldn’t get back to sleep. After a while she decided she needed some fresh air and rose, snatching up a robe to cover herself as she quietly stepped out onto the balcony. Dairon remained asleep sprawled out like she usually did. It was adorable how comfortable she had become around her.

    The evening air was crisp and nipped at her exposed skin which sent a chill down her spine. It was unusually cold, in fact… her eyes went wide as the courtyard began to ice over and plants withered before her. Her breath was visible as the temperature continued to plummet and snow started to fall from the sky more and more until it raged into a winter storm that would consume all of Redridge. Thick layers of ice coated everything in the courtyard save a lone raven that flew against the harsh winds which threatened to overpower the creature.

    It looked as though it were about to win in its continued struggle when tendrils of shadow rose from the crevices of darkness everywhere the eye could see. They writhed and lashed out, destroying everything in their path. One latched onto the raven and pulled it to the ground when in the same instant the ice had crept up her legs and locked her into place. Catisa began to struggle as fear took over and broke her out of her stunned trance that had her gawking in disbelief.

    “No, no not again! Please, just tell me what you want!” The mage cried out.

    “Awaken.” Came that voice completely devoid of life and emotion that rang in her head hollow and forced like gravel. As though her pleas had summoned the presence the cloaked figure that usually accompanied the voice materialized before her from the wisps of the shadows themselves. “It comes.”

    “What comes?! Please stop!” She continued to plead. Behind the figure the ice continued to creep along through the open balcony doors and to the edge of the bed. “No! NO! LEAVE HER ALONE!”

    “Cat! Cat it’s okay!” A familiar voice suddenly cut through the ice and fog and shadow, “I’m here, Cat!

    Brown eyes flew open, tears already streaming down her cheeks as Catisa lunged forward to embrace Dairon. She had been trying to shake her awake due to her screaming in her sleep. “Everything was frozen and shadows were everywhere and you were next and I didn’t know what I would do-” The mage only paused when a heaving sob wracked her body, but it was long enough for Dairon to interrupt.

    “Hey, hey! It’s okay, I’m here. None of it was real. Just take deep breaths like we went over, try to clear your mind. I’ve got you and I’m not going to let any of that happen.” The monk’s tone was hushed and affectionate as she tried to console her, stroking her hair as she continued, “I love you, Cat.” It took nearly an hour for the mage to stop sobbing into her chest. Her breathing had finally started to even out as the telltale signs of her drifting off to sleep began to show. Catisa had informed her of such incidents as a forewarning if she were to spend the night, which had prompted her to teach her the art of meditation.

    Though it was uncomfortable to see first hand. It reminded the monk too much of when she first started her training, unable to sleep through the night plagued with her own nightmarish dreams. Other soldiers that fought in some gruesome battles had similar issues, yet this poor girl hadn’t seen such combat in her life. Whatever she saw had to be terrifying.

@ronqueesha​ for mention))

[catisawells]

Twilight Bastion Excursion: Aftermath

    Usually it was difficult for Catisa to tell if Dairon had been playing an injury off as worse than it was for attention, but this time was different. She could tell just how much pain her partner was in as she helped her limp through the doorway to her chambers. Her own shoulder ached from the rubble that had come crashing down on her, but she fought through it for Dairon’s sake. After the adrenaline had faded exhaustion struck hard.

    Once within her lavish chambers they settled back upon the bed and nearly collapsed together. Fortunately the worst either of them suffered were scrapes and bruises. Given the chasm that opened up beneath that awful beast, their fate could have been far worse. The monk had been especially quiet during their return trip and even after they settled in little changed. They took turns dressing one another’s wounds and cleaning up, wincing and yelping in turn. Neither woman could scold the other as much as they wanted to deep down, they knew the risks of these assignments when they ventured out.

    It didn’t prevent Catisa from admiring her partner’s tenacity or from enjoying the time close to her, even just in the rare silences. Sometimes near death experiences tended to remind one of the value of the time that they have. It wasn’t long before she caught Dairon looking at her with longing eyes and let out a soft giggle.

    “What?” Dairon asked in a teasing tone as she reached across the spread lazily. Catisa might have gone overboard on the bandages and wrapped her upper torso up like a mummy so her mobility had been somewhat impaired.

    “Oh nothing, I just like the way you look at me.” Came the aspiring sorceress’s response as she reached over to cup her partner’s cheek and leaned in to press her lips firmly against hers. “And I’m glad you’re alright.” She murmured softly.

@ronqueesha for mention))

[catisawells]

Makes me think of somewhere Dairon might have been before @ronqueesha

[catisawells]

A Second Date

    After an exciting evening at the Darkmoon Faire playing their adorable games and riding the rides, it felt nice to just relax. The crisp night air felt great on her lungs and the past few days she felt like her body had just kind of jump-started itself. Dairon sat a few feet away from her meditating while she had a book in her lap that she looked up from to smile at the sight of her partner, ever vigilant in her discipline. She admired her for that, and the way she was always able to maintain her sense of humor and lust for life.

    It was difficult at times to maintain that composure and greet people with a smile each day, especially when the night terrors struck. Were it not for Dairon’s endless reserve of positive energy she was sure she would have fallen into a rut long ago. Like their new goblin friend that they met at the faire, Jynx. Dairon could entertain and joke with them all evening it seemed! Catisa was envious of that. She only had so much energy before it felt like she needed to sleep for a week.

    With a quiet sigh she closed her book and set it aside. The aspiring sorceress curled up and rested her head on the lap of her partner, a content smile upon her features as she felt that familiar warmth that radiated from her. She could stay like this forever, she thought as she slowly drifted off into the sweet abyss of sleep. @ronqueesha for mention!))