#solarn

[paragons-saga]

Just a little treat for you guys.

Solarn Helios, one of Paragon's major antagonists, as a teru-teru-bozu doll.

Did this a while ago for a thing and found it in my files. Ain't he cute?

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[ox-and-raven]

One Point For Me

Solarn made his way past the other bunks toward his own. The small crane scurried along behind him, its feet pattering along the deck. Seeing Ashendawn, the death knight hesitated then offered his customary greeting, "Salutations."

Ashendawn lifted his arm slightly, enough to squint at the death knight past the light. "Oh, it's you," he says, warily. He pushes himself somewhat upright, lest he be accused of malfunctioning. "I don't suppose dead people drink," he adds, lifting his cup to take another sip.

"I have attempted alcohol consumption as a leisure activity. It seems to have no effect upon me," Solarn replies.

Ashendawn flashes a tight, humorless grin. "One point for me, then."

"A point for you? I do not understand," Solarn says, cocking his head to one side and giving Ashendawn a quizzical look.

The priest sighs. "I suppose you wouldn't," he says, then blinks. "I suppose that's another point for me."

"Would you be so kind as to elucidate?" Solarn asks, giving Ashendawn a hopeful look.

"Certainly." Ashendawn lifts his cup, and points with one of the fingers holding it. "On your side, roses and cranes and reading. On mine, drinking and...and..." Well, whatever it was, he was no longer so certain it was really much of a point in favor of him. "I am now almost as interesting as a dead man."

Solarn gives Ashendawn a confused look. "Are you comparing yourself to me?" he asks on a faintly incredulous note.

Ashendawn takes another sip, gazing at the death knight steadily over the rim of the cup. "I suppose I am," he finally says.

"Why?" It was a simple question, almost childlike in its askance.

Ashendawn swallows back the answer that immediately comes to mind, and grunts softly. "No particular reason."

"Do you remember your childhood? Your family? What you did before the Lich King came?"

"My childhood was a very long time ago," the priest replies. "But yes."

"Then you have the advantage of me. I do not possess such memories."

"I suppose that's something," Ashendawn says, though his expression turns slightly bitter as he takes another sip. "Point for me."

"While I have certain advantages, I believe I have a number of handicaps which I am attempting to overcome."

"Is that so?" Ashendawn goes for another sip, and finds the cup empty. "What sort of handicaps?"

"I have no memories of my life before the Lich King raised me to serve him. I have difficulty understanding humor. I cannot enjoy some leisure activities such as alcohol and drugs." Solarn trails off with a shrug.

The preist snorts softly. "So, you're never going to be the life of the party. Hardly the worst that a person could have happen. I've seen worse." His expression sharpens. "None so bad as in Northrend, however."

Solarn nods solemnly. "Northrend was... tragic."

Ashendawn watches the death knight quietly for a long moment. "I wonder which side you think it was tragic for," he asks sourly.

"The living," Solarn is quick to answer.

"Well that's something, at least." Ashendawn sighs. "We lost too many, there. Would at least have been nice to bring them home."

Solarn nods. "But many did survive. You are one such."

Ashendawn grunts, and turns to swing his legs into his bunk. No more drink means no more need to sit up. "That campaign took more from me than all the others combined. If I survived, it's only because of sheer luck."

"Serendipity," Solarn says, watching Ashendawn with those glowing lichfire eyes. "I think I am lucky to have been freed from the Lich King's control. Most of the Scourge remained enslaved to him."

"Maybe dead men have luck too."

"Maybe," Solarn agreed. "Do you require sleep now?"

Ashendawn nods. Whatever it was that he'd drunk, a full glass had been more than enough. "Yes," he agrees, squinting at the light irritably. "Point for me, I guess."

Solarn reaches up to adjust the light to a dim glow. "Sleep well," he says before climbing into his own bunk over Ashendawn's. The soft sounds of pages turning can be heard in short order as the death knight immerses himself in a book.