Epiphany - 29th March 2015
Rei'ann and Narindiel are on the top floor of the Quel'danas main inn, that overlooks Magisters' Terrace. An enchanted barrier has been erected around the balcony in which both stand, so that no one else can hear them. Rei'ann has just told Narindiel in precise detail of what had transpired in Azshara, between herself and Sylvarys. From afar, any observer will notice that both women seem to be in heated discussion. Narindiel's red-faced expression is one of anger and disbelief, and it shows in her animated posture, in the way she gesticulates as she speaks, pacing about every now and then. Rei'ann is her unreadable self, though the slight sag of her shoulders, and the lines of weariness across her brow reveal the turmoil beneath her calm.
N: I don't believe this. Again?! No wonder his mind is shattered. Of all the travesties to have happened, it had to happen to -him-. Good question: why -didn't- you do something about it? You -knew-! You could have put a stop to it!
R: I did -not- know. By the time I had put two and two together, there was Var'denath Dawnlight, standing in place of a high elf who was a distant acquaintance.
N: Didn't you -ever- confront Dawnlight about it? I cannot believe that he had the gall to -keep his body alive-!
R: He lied to everyone. He lied to me most of all.
N: Why did you -ever- marry him? I don't think that even -I- would have put up with anything more once I -knew- what he had done! Were you that desperate for an heir, -my Lady-? Were you -that- lonely?
The cutting tone to Narindiel's words is uncharacteristic of her, and so is the anger blatantly directed towards Rei'ann. Rei'ann 's face mask over once more as she looks directly at Narindiel, though the icyness is, for once, not there. Her tone is unexpectedly low and calm.
R: I had two choices, Windblaze: stay or leave. If I left, I leave a newly resurrected soul into an alien body, living the rest of his life as a lie, in the presence of so-called family - whom I suspected at the time - that he could no longer trust. I knew Alekei Dawnlight, and my thoughts about her were never made known to herself or her brother. I will not gratify any curiosity of yours, but you know now that Sunglance regretted marrying her. If I left, I'd leave the future of his sons in the hands of them. I therefore stayed, and the rest you know.
Narindiel laughs briefly. It is filled with scorn. Rei'ann outwardly appears unmoved.
N: Spare me that. -You- would sacrifice your own well-being for the sake of one single person? -You- who always thought of the bigger picture and the overall risk-benefit balance, the -greater good-? You had your own agendas, and don't you deny that, because I know. You used the same argument in persuading me to accept being Sungrave's student.
Narindiel freezes, blinking owlishly despite her anger. She clearly was not expecting such a forthright confession.
R: I remained with the Collective, first and foremost out of duty. When I discovered what sort of elf Dawnlight was, the sole I reason I stayed was to.. be eyes and ears.
There is something meaningful in Rei'ann's piercing gaze which tells Narindiel that no further detail will be revealed on this.
R: When he started to court me, I let my own personal needs influence my decision, I admit that. But the main reason I did not back out was as I just explained. Van Hellcall used to visit his estate. I knew that being an insider would pay off in that respect also.
Rei'ann pauses, staring at Narindiel without blinking.
R: But yes. I was lonely. And I gave in to naivety. That fault is mine. I should have destroyed Sylvarys' body when I had the chance, but I never knew that it was still alive.
Narindiel's anger seems to have abated somewhat. She runs her fingers through her hair, and laughs bitterly.
N: Was he the first you fell in love with? No wonder. You're like an adolescent, grabbing the opportunity the first time, and then trying to rationalise it with all sorts of excuses. In the end, you were deceived, just like the rest of us, when we experienced our first romance in youth.
Rei'ann keeps her unblinking eyes on Narindiel. She shakes her head slightly and slowly.
R: I did not fall in love with Dawnlight.
N: That, my Lady, makes it all the worse, because then you have no reason to put yourself through all that.
R: You would rather I didn't? You'd rather I abandon Sylvarys and his two unborn sons? You'd rather nobody else official keeps an eye on the goings-on in a Quel'dorei household occasionally visited by a former supporter of the Burning Legion? You of all people should know me better than that, Windblaze.
N: You have a -duty- to the Kingdom!
R: I -did- my duty! I am -still doing it-!
The facade disappears, and the cut-glass quality is manifest in Rei'ann's tone. Anguish passes fleetingly over her features. Narindiel glares at her.
R: Do not ever doubt that.
N: Then do something to get him back.. I cannot be the one to do it.
R: Why not? He loved you. He loves you still. He thinks you will forget him because of Vellidan.
N: He is -not sane-, Magistrix!
Narindiel herself finally snaps at Rei'ann.
N: You think I don't want to scry him and find him right now, embrace him and comfort him?! You think I don't want him to be led out of that broken state that is his mind?! You think I don't desperately want to fix him right now, and fix him as fast as possible?! I do! But I can't be the one to do it! Because I don't love him in the way that he loves me, and reminding him of it would only worsen his sense of being unwanted!
R: How can you even presume to know what he's thinking and feeling? What he needs most is those whom he loves to lead him out of that mess.
N: Don't get me wrong. If he does ask for me, then I'll be the first person to be there. But the truth is that he loved you and Natsanna above everyone else. Natsanna will not understand this. It therefore leaves you. He could do without any more heartbreaks from myself.
Narindiel slumps against the edge of the balcony, anger dying after her outburst. She looks almost defeated, but still looks at Rei'ann with a softened expression.
N: He doesn't know that Azra is dead, does he?
Narindiel sighs. Her gaze wanders over and beyond Magisters' Terrance, towards where the Dawnlight Estate stood, now empty. Rei'ann keeps her gaze on her, the weariness returned. After a long moment of silence, she speaks, calm once more.
R: If Sungrave and I marry, would you officiate, Windblaze?
N: He asked me a long while ago. Of course I would.
R: If anything should happen to me, Sungrave will raise Cal'ehan as his own, alongside yourself and Lethius Bloodshard as guardians.
Narindiel whirls around and stares at Rei'ann.
N: What are you going to do, exactly?
Rei'ann looks back at her, now completely unreadable.
R: I have a certain Altered Time spell to reverse.
N: Will you for once -stop- being cryptic with me?!
R: Who's being cryptic? I'm the only one who can do it.
The dry edge to Rei'ann's words only agitates Narindiel more, as she observes Rei'ann reverting to her usual default personality.
N: WHAT are you PLANNING to do?!
Rei'ann looks back at her. She lets her face relax a bit more, making her look sombre.
R: Something that I should have done from the very beginning.
Rei'ann shifts as she starts to lift the barrier around them.
R: For Natsanna's sake, I suggest that yourself and Sungrave playing ignorant will make her feel less betrayed and alone, and hence less likely to break, when the time comes.
Narindiel stares at her, mouth agape. She steps before Rei'ann, putting her hand on the older woman's arm to interrupt her cast.
N: No... don't you dare! Don't you -dare-! Sungrave took pains to make sure he didn't find out about him. Sylvarys is -broken enough-!
R: He's not forgotten. He needs to know that. Four times I failed him, as a mentor, as family, and as a friend. No one of my House, nor of Sungrave's, will be implicated, do not worry. Neither will those who were in the Collective, save for three specific people, apart from myself.
Narindiel looks incredulous.
N: What's going on with you? You are -needed-! You are Lady Silverfire! You are a mother, a lover, a teacher, a friend! Not to mention that you are invaluable to the Spire!
Rei'ann smirks faintly as she regards Narindiel.
R: So was Sunglance all of those. And actually, that last part might just be the only thing that will save me.
Rei'ann pulls her arm out of Narindiel's grasp. Narindiel remains desperate in her pleas.
N: Would you not at least sleep on it?!
R: You have got to be joking.
Rei'ann begins to walk away.
Rei'ann pauses, back facing Narindiel.
N: Think about what this means. He might not even -want- to come back home after all of this! He might not even know what he wants! Don't play the martyr! This is -not- you!
There is a pause. The breeze tastes of the sea, and even this far from the mainland, the weather remains bright and sunny. The magic of the Sunwell's Light is a warm, comforting presence.
R: I have never truly learnt how not to have regrets, but as you know, there is always a first time for everything.
Rei'ann turns her head, looking at Narindiel over her spaulder.
R: Thank you for teaching me.
The faintest smile forms on Rei'ann's lips. Narindiel stares at her. Before she can react, Rei'ann disappears in a rapid teleport.
And then, before she can speak, Rei'ann reaches her via Divination.
R: I love you, Narindiel. I always have.
Rei'ann's barrier goes up, and she is impenetrable once more, leaving Narindiel standing in a state of confusion, followed by resignation. She holds her head in her hands, then breaks down.
