#la'ret

[shadoloran]

Grief

Donavin rubbed his hand over his head, feeling the way the stubble was growing back in. He missed it, but he knew it would just be a matter of time before it grew back in and they were all losing his elastics and pencils again. The temple was quiet without anyone there but him and Chi and the demons... but they were enjoying a time of peace and research and Vin was working on the spells that his Dad had given him to do.

He and Chi had still kept up tradition, having breakfast together in the time that the whole family often came home even if it had been mostly just them and Darnath on occasion. It was one of the mornings that he decided to go out and get the mail, finding one for Chahni and one for himself aside from the usual official spam mail from the two cities his family was allied with. 

Curious, he wandered into the library and plopped on the couch to open his. 

Young Master Shado'loran,

It is with deep regret that we inform you...

He had to read it twice over and then a third time as his eyes watered. Chahni looked to him curiously, making her way with concern around the desk but he was suddenly wracked with a sob and she wrapped her arms around him. 

"Vinny... talk to me what's wrong?"

But all he could get out was one name. "La'ret..."

[shadoloran]

"Vinny! Don't wait up for me, Gentil and I are having a girls night at Flynn's!" Chahni sounded almost manic over the hearthstone. Donavin blinked and stared at it as if the message might change. He waited, walked over to it and pressed the button but she was already off. 

That was sudden... wasn't it? He held the stone and paced a moment, thinking of what he should say. She was going anyway, he wasn't going to stop her there was no need to. He didn't quite understand the allure of 'Girls Night' but he knew that it was somehow necessary. And at Flynn's? Like Flynn Flynn?

He put the stone down and stared at it. No, the message wasn't changing. He sighed and looked around their room. Most of it was packed up and ready as per his Dad's instructions. He fixed his hair and looked to the door. Was everyone asleep? 

Quickly he paused to look in the mirror and fixed his clothes. He'd go check on La'ret and make sure he was up to date on the next family shift. He hoped he wasn't sleeping already.

[shadoloran]

Vin and Dar had fashioned him a little charm, helping him out for at least a little while to focus on his task and not to turn around to go back to the dig site while out of the protection of the spell. He sat on the kite willingly, soaring back over the cliff side and into the Valley to go back for his student and friend. 

He couldn't remember how long he'd been gone. So many things rolled through is head and he fought with some of them, still not knowing if it were all real. His family had found him... Miss Whynn had found him thank the stars. Still a little achy but it was barely noticeable as his mind whirred with all of the sights he'd seen in that vision.

What would he actually do if he got to the Heart? What would he do if he reached it and let the dark sha energies bathe over him? What would he turn in to? 

He carefully dismounted the kite as it settled along the ground and looked around. He hoped La'ret was still there. He hoped he would forgive him for what had happened and most of all, he hoped La'ret would still be all right. He worried for him.

Vin hopped up the steps to their cottage and knocked gently, before attempting to push open the door. "La'ret?"

[shadoloran]

Up

That night he went running again. Long after La'ret fell asleep, Donavin often lay awake just watching him peacefully, tired out after their lessons. He was comforted by the scent of him, so close by and yet it made him even more antsy. But running; well that was helping him sleep deeply at least for a couple of hours by morning.

His feet hit the packed earth, speeding full tilt along the cliff walls. Something about the energy that came from over that climb was calling to him in ways that were very similar to the way Ulduar used to haunt his dreams. He couldn't be certain if that was the culprit but he was certain it wasn't the just sha corruption because he was uncorruptable! Wasn't he?. Here, there was something more.

Panting hard, his lungs felt raw with the cool air. He looked up into the sky and could almost see the top of that cliff. There had to be a way up to where that golden water was coming from. He ran up the edges of the pools and slowed, only to splash himself with that strange water. Somehow, it felt even more refreshing than a long bath.

Heart hammering in his chest, he barely noticed the way the twilight was slowly fading into dawn. One by one the stars were disappearing and he scanned the wall, his ear twitching as the shadows beckoned him. Using the most dense pockets of them as a guide, he grabbed hold of the rock and pulled himself up.

Up and further up he climbed, his muscles burning in the effort. He was more lean than ever these days, with all the fresh food and spices La'ret made and the amount of exercise he obsessed over to burn off the tension. Rocks dug into his body as he scraped up, shirtless and exposed. He paid no mind to the distance he was climbing and bare-handed pulled his way closer to the top.

What was there? Was it just going to be more rock? He had to know where the golden hued water was pouring from. Where the faint music in the back of his mind was growing stronger by the day like a soft siren that called him home. Focused, the tune started to take better shape in his head and he closed his eyes, letting it lead him. Something old was awakening inside of him and it called him home.

[shadoloran]

After Effects

Acolyte of the Faceless Conclave. That's what they dubbed him as so he could remain to listen to their scriptures. La'ret's sister, Muirnae seemed passionate about what this collection of Shadow Casters might have to discuss and Vin always had ambition to learn about what others believed in. After their second meeting, he was at a point where he was still unsure of what the others believed in that attended.

Smoke swirled up around his thick hair; he sat on the porch of the little farm house he and La'ret rented near Halfhill and barely noticed the ethereal glow of the waterfall near the cliffside, letting the thistle cig burn down between his fingers. It was late and he'd come home well after La'ret had gone to bed. His mind was a torrent of thoughts as always but this time all of his focus was on what happened above Deathknell.

He'd been having doubts as soon as he'd heard The Speaker. They talked of corruption and how the Conclave had a nameless enemy that was trying to suppress the ways of Shadow because of ignorance. His first thoughts were perhaps they were merely rallying soldiers for their enemy. Alinith and Teir had always taught him that unless an enemy is yours, it is not wise to fight them - and if you believe in the cause, it will be your enemy. Vin had not heard anything to even understand beyond a few sentences what they believed in to even know what The Speaker was fighting against - until tonight.

He'd waited for Muirnae to show, but went on without her when she didn't. It wasn't like they were the best of pals so he proceeded to the hills above Deathknell on his own and let the shadow disguise him, his hood pulled down. There were a few new shades but that wasn't too much of a concern other than The Speaker not asking them to sign the book like he'd had to. And when the speech began, again they spoke of an enemy that he'd never seen and was sure it was going to be his last meeting. It still might be. Tonight Vin's life was threatened by the presence of one of The Faceless, corrupting the mind of The Speaker and he was vacant with what to do.

No minds were responding to his calls... his family was all out of reach. Vin could count the times in his life where he'd frozen, helpless on one hand and this was one of the ones he would remember the most. Knowing what he was... who he was... what would they have done if they'd have turned the young elf's way and even caught his gaze? And when the golden figure came down to resurrect the fallen - perhaps he was far enough out of the excitement that they paid him no mind. But what if they had?

Donavin felt like he needed to run. To fight. To burn off more of this pent up nervous energy that was driving him insane. The cool breeze felt good on his bare torso but it wasn't enough. He salvaged one last draw off the thistle and levitated to the ground and broke out into a run in his bare feet. He didn't know where he was going and he didn't much care. He just felt like he had to get away.

[shadoloran]

Antsy

We'd stopped by the water in The Valley of Four Winds for a break. Every excuse I had to get out of the house I made, whether Father believed them or not. I couldn't stay there, with the time I've spent being transitory in the last years I guess I just can't sit still. My mind works with too many things and lately I've been having to spend my time sectioning them from each other so I could concentrate on the present.

Father told me that some things were just out of my control. As a kid of my age, it's just too hard to fathom that when you have ambition out the yin-yang. La'ret could feel my tension as well and suggested that we head to the famous farmer's market in the next territory over and put all my nervous energy to good use. Besides, I was eating like crazy between our lessons.

A few times, La'ret had to tell me to slow down as we walked. That was when he suggested lunch by the water and maybe an afternoon of lessons. He knew it made me happy, even if it was practicing things that came so easy. 

La'ret crouched on the bank, his sleeves rolled up. He splashed water up his arms to cool himself down and I sat in the nearby shade, idly watching. My knee bounced; I could feel the build of energy and arcane inside and I felt like I needed to expend the power, somehow. La'ret turned his head, looking toward the bridge where a cart creaked over it and I found myself staring at the curve of his neck.

He always smelled so good, working with those oils and scents that seemed to blend so naturally over his honey-milk skin. Water glistened as it trickled under his collar, strays of his golden hair tickling over his cheek. He looked at me then and I gave him an awkward smile and pretended to look the other way.

Damnit.