Rosefica 5:55 pm
By the afternoon, Rose's singlemindness had set her on a path merely pondered earlier that morning. Packing her things was simpler than it should have been; when one was as minimalist as Rose, it was a day's work, if that. Now a good part of them were in storage as she sat on her bench and looked up at her open window. By tomorrow, there would be no curtains, no stone cat on the windowsil, and no sign that Rosefica had ever been there at all.
It was a bit bittersweet, now that she'd taken the time to stop and think about it, but necessary. Changing wouldn't come from flinging around abyssals and falling further into her corruption, as much as she loved the feeling of power and swallowed up all the knowledge Kirenestus had left her with. Rosefica sighed, and resisted stroking the stone around her neck. Maybe he'd come to his senses, but she highly doubted it.
Lanthalis 6:06 pm
The city was familiar, yet different to Aegnas. It was little things. The bakery he remembered was a tailor's shop. People were different. He'd spent the night in his counterpart's universe, in the old family estate. It was detestible, the way Kirenestus had it stuffed full of undead. And so the rest of the day, the mage had been walking the streets of Silvermoon, arranging his move to this universe. His apartments in Silvermoon lay empty, still leased in the Goldendawn name. It was simple to teleport his things into it. Harder was establishing himself. As everyone in this universe knew, Aegnas Vileblade was a death knight.
It was late afternoon when, according to the Magistry, Aegnas and Kirenestus's father, Lanthalis Goldendawn, left the Spire and headed back through the city. They'd offered him his old position as city magister back, and he'd accepted. Now he strolled slowly, nibbling at a bit of muffin from the bakery. He spotted a familiar figure sitting on the bench and turned to head in her direction.
"Rose, good afternoon." He inclined his head respectfully.
Rosefica 6:41 pm
Rose jumped, a little guiltily, as she was caught navel gazing. "Good afternoon, Aegnas. You're looking surprisingly well today." She smiled a little bit and tucked a bit of hair behind her ear. "Whatever happened last night?"
Lanthalis 6:45 pm
Aegnas smiled at Rosefica and moved to sit next to her on the bench. He tucked his robes under him neatly as he sat. "It's Lanthalis Goldendawn." Aegnas gave a vicious grin. "And after I made sure you made it home in one piece, I made my way back to the old family estate and saw what Aegnas and Kirenestus have done with it. And Kirenestus ranting like a felblood. It won't do."
Rosefica 6:49 pm
"Lanthalis..." she tilted her head at him as if seeing if the name he wore 'fit' him. "I'm somehow not surprised Kirenestus was ranting." Rosefica frowned a bit. "But that's his problem now, not mine. So, Lanthalis, what do you intend to do with your estate, then?"
She turned on the bench slightly to face him better.
Lanthalis 6:52 pm
Aegnas's smirk widened, just a bit, before he schooled his expression into a more appropriate concerned expression. "Considering one of my sons is a death knight and also currently severely injured and my other son is practicing dangerous and highly corruptive magic, I intend to stay to take care of them and the family affairs."
Rosefica 6:56 pm
In reply, Rose made the most innocently approving face she could. "I'm so glad to see you have their well-being in mind. Ah... would you like to go up? I apologize now, it's a bit emptied out, since most of my belongings are in storage."
Lanthalis 7:04 pm
"That would be nice. As much as I enjoy being back in Silvermoon, the changes are...a bit overwhelming, really." He rose, smoothing out the wrinkles in his robe. "Your things are in storage? Are you moving?"
Rosefica 7:09 pm
"Sort of." Rose stood and beckoned him to follow her. "This morning I thought I might like it if I stepped out of the city of my own will. No rules from Regent-Lords directing me to Pandaria, no sweeping patriotism to the Horde. Just going, because I desired to go." She explained as she opened up the fading spells on the apartment door. Instead of seven locks, only one needed opening now. "So, I'm doing it under the cover of night, so to speak. You won't tell anyone, will you? I don't know when I'll be returning, exactly, and I hate to get anyone's hopes up for a quick return."
The apartment, always so spartan in its style, was even more barren-looking now. No mirrors, no living room furniture, just a pair of kitchen chairs, one apparently having use as Lanbaoshi's bed.
"And then when I return, I might buy a new residence somewhere near here. I do like my bench."
Lanthalis 7:23 pm
"Your secret is safe with me." Aegnas looked around the small apartment. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it on the road. There's quite a bit of the world worth seeing. I'm partial to Stranglethorn Vale, myself. The jungle is beautiful, especially since the Cataclysm." He smiled at her. "And my offer of lessons is still open, when you return."
Rosefica 7:28 pm
"I may take my education on the road, but I'll have my tome with me, if I have questions. Despite Kirenestus's claims, I am nothing but a fastidious student." She smiled back at him, and apologized again, scooping up the stone cat and sitting. "And I recall that teleportation spell. It may take me a try or two, but I think the other Rosefica keeps her old magical tomes about... or Rosearnica kept them for her. I can't really recall who explained what exactly." Rosefica shrugged.
"I have some dear memories of Winterspring, I may stop there first, and mind the Kaldorei on my way down Kalimdor."
Lanthalis 7:38 pm
"Ah, Winterspring. There's a few ruins out there that are interesting. There's one haunted by Quel'dorei and Sin'dorei ghosts." He took the other seat and crossed one leg over the other. "I'll have my tome, and of course I can teleport to you, if you need something. It isn't a problem. I can't imagine I'll be so busy I won't have a moment for a friend." He smiled at her. "If I may suggest, I would study teleportation first, if I were you. It's a useful skill, and not so different from the teleportation that warlocks can manage."
Rosefica 7:44 pm
"I've seen them! They were really very interesting," Rose grinned as Lanbaoshi stretched itself across her lap and most of her arm, like some giant, stone baby. "I'll be sure to; Magister Selendar is a good friend of mine, and used to bring his books back with him, so some of it will be like putting on a pair of old shoes again."
She was quiet a moment, tapping her fingers against the cat's torso until it rumbled in reply. "What will you do for Aegnas and Kirenestus. The last time that sort of thing happened, he... ah... he was nothing short of a bony monstrosity. And the last time Kirenestus went off ranting, he was... very close to his corruption limitations, I think."
Her chest still ached when she thought of Solandis's plague.
Lanthalis 7:52 pm
"There isn't much I can do with Kirenestus, other than remove the temptation of power. He will be removed from the Magistry for knowingly employing a member of the Cult of the Damned. Officially, that will be the reason. Unofficially, I've already talked with several magisters who are uncomfortable with how public and how reckless Kirenestus is with his fel magic. He'll be allowed to return to working with the Reliquary." Aegnas frowns. "As for Aegnas, I have one of the Forsaken healers looking at the death knights at the estate. She's hopeful they can be healed. Their minions, though, have already been put to death. I do not like so many undead monstrosities corrupting my home."
Rosefica 7:58 pm
Rosefica's initial shock faded into a sort of impressed awe of Aegnas (the sensation which, until now, was entirely alien to her). "I'm glad Aegnas will more or less be himself again, then. Sans creatures, which I am half tempted to kiss you over.
"Though, I did warn Kirenestus something would happen to him. What about Thalarion? And Aenleros?" She seemed particularly worried about the latter especially, the way her ears trembled just a bit.
Lanthalis 8:08 pm
"The Ebon Blade trains its own. I will be meeting with them to explain his situation and convince them to allow him to train with them. As for the criminal, Thalarion." Aegnas's disapproving frown was clear. "He's been nothing if not helpful, and his pardon from the Horde is clear. He'll be returning to Pandaria to help with the war effort."
Aegnas paused a moment and concentrated. Two glasses of juice appeared, and he handed one to Rosefica. "Aegnas and Kirenestus will be watched carefully to ensure they reform. After all, as head of the Goldendawn household, I can't let my sons do stupid things, can I?"
"Consider your future while you're gone. There are quite a few magisters who dabble in fel magic, you wouldn't be the first. And I will have a position open as my apprentice."
Rosefica 8:18 pm
"He is that, and mostly self-serving," Rosefica replied as she took the glass, keeping it just out of Lanbaoshi's curious paw-range. "Like a cat."
"Do you think they're capable of reformation?" This time, she did find herself falling into that old nervous habit of soothing herself with her pendant. The rough cut crystal was still warm under her fingers.
"You don't have to worry about that; I'm sure I'll be considering it, with every action that presents itself. Assuming, of course, calamity doesn't catch up with me."
Lanthalis 8:36 pm
"Something tells me you'll be fine while you're gone. You don't seem like the type to succumb easily to trouble." Aegnas took a sip of the juice. "Oh! If you find yourself in Feralas, you may wish to visit the ruins there, as well. There was supposedly a Highborne library there somewhere. I haven't been there, but I'm told the Highborne lived there for some time."
"I'll be doing my best for Aegnas and Kirenestus, but I think both will require managing, more than actual reeducation, unless I intend to apply mind control to them. Like my own Kirenestus, Aegnas joined the Lich King willingly, and his mind is warped beyond repair. And Kirenestus is far too headstrong and reckless to take lessons well."
Rosefica 8:52 pm
"He'll also think he's got your number," Rose smiled. "I'm sorry that you decided to stay and do this. As they're both grown damned men."
Lanthalis 8:54 pm
"They act like children, and they have more here to lose than I have in my own world. It's a shame they don't see it."
Rosefica 9:05 pm
"Maybe it will get through to them, eventually. He was... better, when he wasn't using fel energies. I can't say the same for myself, as I've never dipped so low as that." She sipped her drink again, as Lanbaoshi leapt to the floor to entertain itself in the empty, echoing room.
"Ah, also. Aegnas has a lover... I think. Unless he was teasing. Which he very well may have been. I don't suspect she'll be much of a problem, she didn't seem to be particularly nosy." Her expression remained genial and polite enough, but there was something of distaste in her tone.
Lanthalis 9:14 pm
Aegnas's lip curled in distaste. "Aegnas isn't in any shape to talk about it yet, but I'll have a look at his tome and see who she is and whether she'll cause problems. At the very least, it makes our House look bad." He shook his head. "Just when I think it can't get any dumber."
Rosefica 9:21 pm
"She's a magistrix, if that helps any." Rosefica shrugged, and looked at him carefully. "As difficult as I am, I don't believe I would have disrespected your house by joining it. But that's neither here or there anymore."
Lanthalis 9:23 pm
Aegnas looked at her carefully. "I have no qualms about you joining our House. Unless you're undead and haven't told me, that is. The entire situation with Aegnas is disgusting and he should know better. Kirenestus, too."
Rosefica 9:24 pm
She laughed, "No, I am perfectly and wonderfully alive, and prefer to keep this state, thank you."
Lanthalis 9:28 pm
Aegnas nodded at her and smiled. "Then I have no problem with you. My problem is with the behavior of my undead counterpart, not the status or birth of his lover. Really, just contemplating it is disgusting, much less having it broadcast for the whole world to see."
Rosefica 9:35 pm
Rosefica shook her head. "From how he explained it before... this, he seemed to have realized that it was time for him to break off from his past, too. It's not like Arthas is going to appear again." Nor any King after, she prayed. "Though, I agree with you; he didn't seem much for carnality last year. I'm not sure if it's an attempt to be more lifelike, or if it's actual, wanted change.
"Just... don't be too hard on him, if it's the latter."
Lanthalis 9:42 pm
"I'll...try, if that is the case. But he needs to learn to behave himself better. We have an image to maintain."
Rosefica 9:43 pm
"What image is that, exactly?" Rose asked. 'All I've seen of your house, I've seen through them, and you say it's ought else."
*aught
Lanthalis 9:57 pm
"Maybe they've run it into the ground, but before everything, before the Scourge invaded, the Goldendawns were highly respected mages. My grandfather was a highly accomplished runeworker, as was my father. When Kirenestus and I left for Dalaran, my father was a magister of Silvermoon. Our home used to be grand. My father would throw parties for the nobility the likes of which I know that house hasn't seen since." Aegnas shook his head. "A line of mages stretching back all the way to the Highborne, before our people left the night elves to their backwards ways, and those two idiots have managed to -ruin- the family name." Aegnas sighed. "I suppose it's a blessing that neither did the things they did under the Goldendawn name."
Rosefica 9:58 pm
"It's a bit hard to imag--" she paused. "Does that make your House as old as the Lightrends?" Boy, wouldn't that kick Traejan in the teeth.
Lanthalis 9:59 pm
"Probably. I lost track of the family history around the time of the Sundering. A lot of records were lost, then."
Rosefica 10:02 pm
"Well, if you feel like prickling Traejan's skin - either of them but especially this side's - mention that." Rosefica grinned at him. "I imagine he'd probably have a noble connipition fit."
Lanthalis 10:07 pm
Aegnas laughed. "I'll let him get used to the fact that I'm staying, first. He might already have a fit that there will be two of me here."
Rosefica 10:14 pm
"Perhaps! He is a fairly good person, for all that you and he get along like oil and vinegar. Truth be told, I'd probably be ghoul food, if it weren't for his help the last time things violently got out of hand."
Lanthalis 10:23 pm
"Then I'll try to get along with him. I think it might be easier, with this version of Traejan. Warlocks and I don't get along." Aegnas shrugged. "Combined difference of opinion and detestable abuse of power."
Rosefica 10:26 pm
"I'll have you know I've never abused my abilities. I happen to be too vain to allow myself the sunken cheeks and multi-hued skin." Rosefica wagged a finger at him.
Lanthalis 10:27 pm
Aegnas laughed. "It's easy to forget you're a warlock."
Rosefica 10:28 pm
"It's a talent. No one would by medicine from someone who looked like she needed copious amounts of it," she smiled at him brightly.
Lanthalis 10:40 pm
"That is very true. If I didn't know better, I'd completely forget. Which is how it should be." Aegnas smiled.
Rosefica 10:48 pm
She appeared overly amused for a moment. "Funny, someone else once said something very similar."
Lanthalis 10:54 pm
"Did they, now?" Aegnas smiled. "What made you choose to learn demonic magic?"
Rosefica 10:55 pm
"It was more cost effective, at the time." Rose shrugged.
Lanthalis 11:01 pm
"A proper education can be expensive. I imagine there were many unscrupulous individuals around, especially before the Sunwell was restored. I know we had to clean quite a few off the street in my universe, after we regained the Sunwell."
Rosefica 11:09 pm
"Too expensive for a starving widow, unfortunately, though apparently the other Rosefica was a Magistrix with her husband, before she was killed in action." Rosefica turn the glass in her hand.
Lanthalis 11:18 pm
"I seem to remember something about that. A tragic loss made doubly tragic by her return." Aegnas paused. "It's -unnerving- to see oneself as one of the undead."
Rosefica 11:28 pm
"She's a bit like a... a puppet, than a person. But yes, it is. Nice to see that I'm not the only one that doesn't find it interesting and not... horrifying."
Lanthalis 11:38 pm
"I was in Silvermoon during the invasion." Aegnas gave a soft, bitter laugh. "Trying to evacuate people to safety. That's actually why I took up fire, instead of frost. Frost wasn't that useful against them. They froze, but it didn't kill them. Fire did." Aegnas frowned. "To see myself as one of those things...revering the Lich King, at that..." Aegnas shook his head. "I thought seeing Kirenestus in chains in an Argent Crusade camp was bad."
Rosefica 11:49 pm
She shook her head, "He wasn't... he wasn't always that way, was he?"
Lanthalis 12:00 am
"Who? Kirenestus? He's always been reckless. Always leaped before he looked. There were a couple run-ins with the law that he managed to talk his way out of. After his death, he became sadistic. I had to keep a sharp eye on him to keep him from killing for the perverse thrill of it." Aegnas shrugged. "Your world's Kirenestus has nearly killed him. I need to decide whether to have him healed or leave him too weak to get into trouble."
Rosefica 12:21 am
Rosefica pursed her lips in thought, the tips of her ears lowered slowly. "Leave him as he is. If he's not up and about, it's one less death knight to keep track of, isn't it?"
Lanthalis 12:23 am
"Very true, though I hadn't intended for him to stay here."
Rosefica 12:26 am
"By all means take him back," Rosefica said quickly. "It's difficult to look at him."
Lanthalis 12:32 am
"I will. Unhealed, I think. It'll keep him out of trouble for a while, at least." Aegnas shrugged. "Not forever, unless he does something stupid. Which he's prone to do."
Rosefica 12:39 am
"Won't he just... find a necromancer, somehow?"
Lanthalis 12:41 am
"He won't need one. He can heal himself, given time." Aegnas shrugged. "I'm told my counterpart is different. Completely useless at fixing his own injuries."
Rosefica 12:45 am
"It's... a bit embarrassing for him, yes. But more terrifying for me, so if he's a collection of bones in armor again... I'll be glad to be on my trip."
Lanthalis 12:46 am
"He's a collection of bones that can barely move, actually. He likely won't even be writing in the tome until the Forsaken woman fixes him."
Rosefica 12:48 am
She shuddered at that thought. "I suppose I'll be on the road when he's well, so please send him my regards."
Lanthalis 12:49 am
Aegnas smiled. "Truly?"
Rosefica 12:49 am
"It's not like I hate him, you know. And that was... uncalled for."
"The draining, I mean."
Lanthalis 12:51 am
Aegnas nodded. "I'll let him know. It may be a little while before he's up and around. A necromancer could heal him quicker, but I'll not have that filth in the house."
Rosefica 12:53 am
"That's fine, just put a note in the tome. Ah, the back pages, preferably." She smiled, "I'd rather not mention where I am, should someone decide I need finding right that moment."
Lanthalis 12:56 am
"Ah, yes, that reminds me. Be careful of Anthalan Duskweaver and Solandis Dawnstrike. The Cultist ran off with Solandis while I was dealing with Aegnas and Solandis last night. I didn't realize what he was until later. They both have warrants out for their arrest."
Rosefica 12:59 am
She looked around her empty house. "Well, that's unsettling. They probably fled to the plaguelands, but he's mentioned a contact in Undercity before. Anyway, Anthalan and I have little love lost between us as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully, we don't cross paths."
Lanthalis 1:07 am
"If you see them, let me know immediately. Some of the things I've found in that house will earn them a death sentence. Several varieties of plague. If the plans I found written up in Solandis's lab were any indication, it wasn't just for research, either."
Rosefica 1:20 am
"I'll be sure to," she promised gravely. "The idea of them... just showing up, or causing more harm sickens me beyond description."
Lanthalis 1:29 am
"They could have caused a lot of it. A few of those plagues were designed to be hidden in food or water."
Rosefica 1:30 am
Rosefica paled, and put her glass down gently beside her. "...How terrible."
Rosefica 1:31 am
"I assume there's no sign of a cure, either? For such things?"
Lanthalis 1:33 am
"I set fire to the whole lab personally. Unless they managed to save any notes before they left, they lost all their work."
Rosefica 1:34 am
Very carefully, Rose plucked the glass out of Aegnas's hands, put it down beside them and threw her arms around him with such force that the chair protested with a noisy scrape across the floor.
Lanthalis 1:38 am
Aegnas gave a surprised "Oof" at the hug, and tentatively returned it. He rubbed her back softly. "Are you okay?"
Rosefica 1:40 am
"Very much so," she said after a moment. "It is the very least someone who has survived the Fall can do when they hear someone destroyed those kinds of plagues."
Lanthalis 1:45 am
"They won't be hurting anyone in Silvermoon, that I can guarantee. They won't be able to set foot in Horde territory again."
Rosefica 1:51 am
"And for that, I thank you," she finally pulled away and beamed at him. "But, I suppose it's up to the people looking to find him."
Lanthalis 1:52 am
"They can't hide forever." Aegnas smiled at her. "It won't be long, and we'll have them both in custody."
Rosefica 2:03 am
"ThenI'll hope you are successful."
Lanthalis 2:08 am
Aegnas rose and smoothed out the wrinkles in his robes. "I hope you have fun on your journey. Keep in touch, hmm?" He waved a hand, and both glasses vanished. "I need to get going, I have more to do before I return to the estate for the night."
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