Chry and Jell hang out. Log + ficcyending
[Everlook. Evening, after Jell's had a long day in Hyjal and Chry's been keeping himself appropriately busy.]
Chryseth is... rather uncharacteristically muffled against the cold, Sooty snuggled up under his chin. The hatchy chirps a greeting and nudges out for a proper hello scritch, his master hanging back with a shy smile.
Jelleneth extends a hand for a scritch and then moves the hand upwards to stroke along the mage's cheek. "Hi." She says.
Chryseth leans closer. "Hey," he murmurs. "Sooty wanted to come, I hope... that's all right, right?"
Jelleneth smiles and nods. "Nothing too dangerous out here. All the action's up near the World Tree. Though.. I hope he won't be too terribly cold and lonely if we decide to go and enjoy the hotsprings."
Chryseth shakes his head. "He'll be all right. N-nice cozy nest in my robes even if I'm not in em." He takes another step nearer for a hesitant lean.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] You wanna go skinny dipping?
Jelleneth drapes an arm around him. "Certainly not going in in my armor."
Chryseth giggles. "Noooo, course not. End up all rusty and yuck. Just didn't know if you're all soaked out, what with Ash and all?"
Jelleneth shakes her head. "Not tonight. There were still burns to treat. He may join us in a few hours. Or I might not see him all niht if I don't fly back up and drag him off to sleep for at least a few hours."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Well, you can always sit on him til he agrees to come with you?
Chryseth arches an eyebrow.
Jelleneth chuckles. "Usually not necessary. Though it is always a decent fall-back plan." Another scritch for Sooty. Poor neglected hatchling. "Ready?"
Chryseth nods. "You w-want to walk or what?" Soot chirps and, once scritchings are over, re-settles in Chry's robe.
Jelleneth shrugs. "We can. Unless you'd like to ride on Tyr. He's a bit tired, but I think he can still manage both of us."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] If he wouldn't mind? I don't wanna impose on the poor dear, not after a l-l-long day of being chased by Verity.
Jelleneth says: Followed by a long evening of getting pestered by Sooty for fire to chase?
Chryseth blushes. "Sorry. I can make Sooty behave and not be a nuisance, honest!" He's sounding more than a little pleading now, ears red and gaze dropping to the ground.
Jelleneth laughs. "Tyr will never admit it, but I think he enjoys the attention. You should see him with Argent." So saying, she begins the walk for the roosts, arm still draped around Chry's shoulder, dragging him along.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Is Ash being a g-good daddy then?
Jelleneth smiles as she offers Tyr an affectionate stroke and a nuzzle before checking the straps of his saddle. "He spoils her."
Chryseth grins. "Hope she d-doesn't end up spoiled rotten," he says cheerfully. "Might eat you both!" Sooty is so very very happy to see Tyr, big big almostphoenix HI peep peep.
Jelleneth climbs up onto the hawk's back and offers a hand to Chry, though she has to nudge Tyr's head back with her knee to prevent him greeting Sooty with his usual flame blast. "Mnm.. can just imagine how it'll be when we have a few bitties of our own."
Jelleneth says: Already know which of us is going to end up being the soft touch.
Chryseth hops on, shoving Sooty back into his robes. Gentle shove. "I dunno, he w-wasn't always a softie in the North," he says. "Or to me." Resentment? Maybe.
[Flappyflappy from Everlook to hot springs!]
Jelleneth chuckles. "Well.. adorable as you are, magelet, you aren't a bitty with a skinned knee. Or a fuzzy new playmate they really want to make a pet of."
Jelleneth says: Not that I'll have much room to refuse them that.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Or r-refuse a kiss for a hurt knee, right?
Jelleneth slips off of Tyr's back and begins shucking armor. "Course not. Can't even be mad at Rek when he gets himself burned trying to steal sweets before they're cool."
Chryseth bounces to the ground and follows suit. Or birthday suit. Sooty protests loudly at being robbed of elf-snuggles but settles down readily enough in a hastily made hatchy-bed of robe.
Jelleneth tests the water with a tentative toe. "Sure some Magister or other would be quick to tell us how soft and overindulged our bitties are likely to be. Coddling them so." Tyr noses over to nuzzle his little blazing buddy.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] You m-m-mean Torian.
Chryseth wades right in.
Jelleneth says: He is forever telling me how much harder our parents were on him and Liir. I never noticed much of a difference. Not with Mother, anyway. I think she ignored us all equally. 'Cept for Dori.
Chryseth makes a face. "W-well Dori turned out fine," he says defensively. "And so did you. C-can't speak for Torian in that." Oh look who we left out of the listing.
Jelleneth slides into the water with a sigh and tilts her head back to wet her hair. "Mnm.. well, I had my father to spoil me rotten. And Dori never seemed to mind the pressure. Or maybe he didn't even notice it. Hard to tell sometimes with Dori."
Chryseth thinks this over, fingers moving through the water making ripples for him to watch. "I think he has enough internalized pressure to perform," he says finally. "Might've g-gotten that from upbringing, might've been born that way. Least I don't think I believe that just so I don't feel obligated to try to m-m-make him do more. Fel. I'm a terrible master."
Jelleneth makes a face and splashes some water at him. "Dori hasn't complained. Not that that's really saying much. He never has unless you press him for an opinion and give him time to think on it before he answers."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] W-well I try to always give him time.
Chryseth ducks under and emerges with a great splash. Sooty scolds him from the nest -- WATER. ON SOOTY. BAD. DADDY. Doesn't daddy know water makes elves shrink?
Jelleneth strokes off a bit closer to the center of the spring to avoid future hatchling splashings. "Think you've been good for him. He's been.. brighter."
Chryseth follows with another friendly splash. "Or maybe now that he doesn't have a big secret he's k-keeping from you, you're seeing what was always there. Just obscured."
Jelleneth snorts. "Maybe it's just that I'm getting to see him at all without a wall of books around him."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Always with the telling me he had m-m-more books before. I must be neglecting him if he's without sufficient reading materials. Better take another field trip soon!
Jelleneth reaches out to try and puch Chry's head under, but gently. "Boy would spend his entire life in a library if he could. And not be able to find his way to the market if the cupboard was empty."
Chryseth grapples with her. Not very effectively, but HAY LET'S PLAY? "I keep him fed. Really I do. It's a w-wonder he doesn't complain to you about me always pushing food on him when I'm the hungry one."
Jelleneth squirms away, though not very far. She treads water, watching Chry, ears forward and alert. "Could use some feeding up." She murmurs.
Chryseth swims after her. Yay playtime! "I do my best," he says. "Still suck at taking c-care of myself though, so I'm probably even worser for him."
Jelleneth strokes to the side, leg snaking out to catch at a foot and tug downwards. "Well, hopefully he'll remember to eat something every now and then before he actually starves. Just.. watch him, alright? If he starts to get the shakes."
Chryseth draws back, ears flicking to press against his skull. "Shakes?" he asks, all playfulness gone now. "What d-do I need to know?"
Jelleneth pauses, nibbling at her lower lip a bit. "It.. was bad. With him. After the Sunwell. And for a good long while after. He still gets a bit shaky sometimes. Or he did. And weak."
Jelleneth says: And, being Dori, he'd ignore it and just keep on working until I'd end up having to carry him back to bed.
Chryseth frownyfrowns. "W-well at least I'm strong enough for that. But I haven't... fel. Maybe I just don't watch close enough. Always too excited about what we're d-d-doing."
Jelleneth shakes her head. "He's been much better. Even before I left home he'd been months without.. a bad spell. I just worry about him. In Kalimdor. With the Sunwell so far away and not so many sources to draw from. I worry about him staying.. level."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] I can always take him to Quel'danas for a f-field trip. It'd be fun! Or, or... I know other ways to g-g-get...
Chryseth's voice trails off and he slips a bit deeper into the water as he thinks.
Jelleneth scootches a bit closer. "It hasn't been an issue yet. Maybe it won't ever be. I just wanted you to be aware of it. In case."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Well I m-m-mean we are both elves. It's something that's just life for both of us. Maybe he needs a little bed and b-breakfast in the Stormspire, Ilthy c-can't be the only -- er.
Chryseth splashes her.
Jelleneth ducks below the surface and comes up grinning. "Has my brother been regaling you with his disreputable exploits?"
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] We did talk about Shadowmoon whorehouses if that's what you mean.
Jelleneth shakes her head. "Fel.. nothing would surprise me in Shadowmoon these days."
Chryseth giggles. Another splash. "I think he p-prefers the ones in Silvermoon. Less d-danger of unexpected g-glowing after."
Jelleneth says: He hasn't offered to bring you along has he?
Chryseth draws back, expression thoughtful. "I could go. Do some drawings for him. But n-no, he hasn't been trying to get me to patronize his f-favorite establishments, guess nobody's offering discounts for bringing a friend along."
Jelleneth hmmphs. "I think they may actually charge more for that. Could ask Ash.. but I'd hate for him to think I was making a suggestion for the honeymoon or something."
Chryseth giggles. "I can ask him!" he offers. "And tell him it'd be p-part of my project to make Jess happy!"
Chryseth ...totally needs a new project. Right?
Jelleneth quirks a brow. "This is an official project now? Oh dear.."
Jelleneth says: What sort of things have you been trying? Or do I want to know?
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Nothing bad. No, like, drugs. Save those for Ilthy. J-j-just thinking of things and, and, you know. Hunting for stuff to make him smile.
Jelleneth 's expression turns briefly wistful. "Can understand that. Used to do the same. Bring him all kinds of rocks and plants and critters I'd found out exploring. Not sure if that'd work for you."
Chryseth hmmmms. "It might be worth a try. Wonder what I c-could find in the Barrens. Jess likes Sooty..."
Jelleneth says: Everyone likes Sooty. How could you not? Even those crazed fire druids liked him. A bit too much.
Chryseth looks back to shore -- Sooty's safe and secure in his nest, having some sort of deep (if perhaps one-sided) conversation with Tyr. "They better never ever try to touch him again," Chry growls. "I'll f-f-f-fucking kill em and raise em and kill em again."
Jelleneth nods. "And Tyr and I would help you. At least with the killing. Raising is a bit outside my skill set." She shakes her head and moves in closer, not quite touching. "Anyhow.. I think the order may be short-lived."
Chryseth snuggles against her. "I wouldn't want you to be good at that anyway. B-better that people not fiddle with it. Specially not you." He adds, almost too soft to hear, "Or Dori."
Jelleneth tenses. "He hasn't... he doesn't.. does he?"
Chryseth shakes his head. "Doesn't seem interested, no. But I'll m-m-monitor and -- well, I don't want him not expressing interest in things he's interested in, but it's all about minimizing risk, you know?"
Jelleneth sighs and nods. "I don't.. I mean.. His reasons wouldn't be your reasons and I can't think whatever reason he had would be enough not to.." She settles back into the water to sulk and fret.
Chryseth pulls back, ears flicking with anxiety. "Sorry," he says. "I don't w-w-want to break your brother. Either of em."
Chryseth is probably not meaning Torian.
Jelleneth says: Don't think you're likely to. Like you said. He's not interested.
Chryseth shakes his head. "No, doesn't offer any s-sort of -- sort of hope for our people. Just for m-m-my people."
Jelleneth's frown deepens. "And is there? Hope seems a little.. thin. Fel, for all of us, but.. for them especially."
Chryseth bobs in the water, chin tucking to his chest. He doesn't reply.
Jelleneth sighs and strokes toward the shore. "Sorry.. touchy subject. I know."
Chryseth follows, water steaming off him. "I know the r-responsible thing to do is to abandon anyone who you know c-c-can't make it." His voice is flat. "I know what you think I ought to do, and you c-c-can shove it where Torian can shove his smugness."
Jelleneth looks up at him, feet still dangling into the water, expression thoughtful. "My definition of 'can't make it' may be differentthan you think."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] You know. Survive. Not die. B-become a good useful member of Thalassian society again. Have kids.
Jelleneth shakes her head. "There are living elves that don't fit that description. Fel.. if we'd been in the camps instead of tucked away in Jess' little safehouse after the war I'm sure I'd have been told the same about Dori."
Chryseth watches Sooty -- nice cozynest, almost time to sleep? "Yeah, w-w-well, I'm glad you weren't then."
Jelleneth clicks her tongue and Tyr obediently flutters over to coil near her. "It's not the ones who're struggling to survive that worry me Chry. It's the ones who seem to think the only way they can is to make everything else dead."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] I'm not like that. I w-wouldn't want to make anybody dead. Less they mess with Sooty.
Jelleneth says: Never meant to imply that you were. Just wish I knew where the middle ground was. A way to have a place for your people without.. well.. Southshore.
Chryseth flinches. "Jiel would never. Even if they were Alliance."
Jelleneth rises, rustling in saddle bags for clothes to pull on. "No. Jiel wouldn't. And Veltric wouldn't. And there are many, many others that wouldn't. But Sylvanas did and those that follow her will continue to do the same and worse until they've taken the world, or they've been stopped. And I'm afraid, Chry.. very afraid that when we have to end this threat a second time.. there won't be room for those that wouldn't. Just.. risk assessment. To the Torian's of the world. The ones giving orders."
Jelleneth sighs again, reaching out towards him, but not touching. Just extending the invitation. "I think.. maybe.. if we could gather the sane ones together to help deal with.. whatever Sylvanas is now. Maybe that would be enough. Probably not for Wrynn but.."
Jelleneth says: Maybe for the sane leaders?
Chryseth leans against her. "What sane leaders do we have exactly? Garrosh is a f-fucking warmonger, Sylvanas is part of the problem. Baine? Vol'jin? As if either of them have the m-m-means to move against the Forsaken anyway. Jaina?"
Jelleneth pets his hair. "And Lor'themar is stuck with only a tiny scrap of land between him and the threat and the glaring possibility that Garrosh will decide to rid the Horde of us when he stomps through to clear out the Forsaken.."
Chryseth shivers, but it's probably not from the cold. He's radiating warmth like the good little space heater he is. "I still think it'd be easier to just d-deal with Sylvanas myself. No politics that way. Just g-give me a few decades away to get bigger'n her."
Jelleneth says: Don't think we're going to have a few decades. Orcs and humans don't plan ahead that far.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] I could have a few decades. Away. Maybe. If I asked right.
Jelleneth's ears flick back in alarm. "Bad idea. Very very bad. Always a price for that sort of thing. A big one."
Chryseth shrugs and snuggles closer. "Ask em to put it on my t-t-tab. No big deal. Probably won't live long enough to pay for it."
Jelleneth nudges him gently. "If I have a bronze show up on my doorstep tomorrow looking to cash in on some promise I end up making him three centuries from now I'm going to blame you, you know?" Light tone. Just teasing. Mostly.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Send em m-m-my way, I'll deal with it. Though you know it could be worse, could be the Kirin Tor showing up to tell you that you g-got to serve whether you want to or not. Cept I guess not so much a danger for you.
Jelleneth chuckles. "Not in my chain of command. Or yours either. Whatever Aethas may have to say on the matter, their right to order elves about ended the moment they tossed our prince in the Hold to rot."
Chryseth shakes his head. "Nobody's in my chain of c-c-command," he says. "And you'd have to do it if Torian t-told you to?"
Jelleneth snorts. "Not married am I?" Her expression softens and she turns the ring on her finger. "Not yet, anyway."
Chryseth reaches out toward it too but pulls his hand back. "No, so you're still under him, and there's the m-m-matter of the Sapphire even if..."
Jelleneth shrugs. "Always proper piracy. Or working for Rev.. which may end up being very close to the same thing."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Or the Reliquary, if Jess and I d-do right?
Chryseth reaches out again, fingers brushing against her ring finger.
Jelleneth twines her fingers in his. "Does it seem to be making him happy? Having work to do that isn't.." She waves a hand vaguely.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] I dunno. I think I'm a poor r-replacement for Ilthy.
Jelleneth brushes her free hand along his cheek. "Don't have to be a replacement for anyone. Just be Chry. It's enough."
Chryseth shakes his head. "That's r-rich. Maybe it's enough for you but -- but..." He chuckles softly. "Bet he'd rather w-work with you instead."
Jelleneth sobers slightly. "No." She says softly. "I don't think he would. Not in this." She nods in the direction of Mt. Hyjal. And not with Ash at my side."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] But buckle-swashing r-r-relic hunting? I bet he'd love that. And just toss m-me out with Ash, see? Then everyone's happy.
Chryseth is not remotely serious.
Jelleneth says: I'm sure you could buckle a swash as deftly as I could if you put your mind to it. And Sooty is much more interesting than a parrot. So you're one up on most pirates already.
Chryseth shakes his head. "Naaah, I don't have your f-f-flair for... I dunno. Whatever it is he and Ash see in you."
Jelleneth mock pouts. "Must have a few endearing traits. I mean.. you didn't run screaming from my invitation to come swimming. Or are you just here for the hotsprings?"
Chryseth nudges closer, stealing another hug. "Nooo, but I don't see you like they do. It's different! You know it is."
Jelleneth ruffles his hair. "I know. Different for me too. Fond as I am of you. Much as I love you. S'different with Ash. Fel.. even with Jess. Though that may just be awkwardness and bittersweet nostalgia."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] You w-wish I looked at you like that? I thought you liked having someone to sleep with when you n-need uncomplicated snuggles.
Chryseth reaches for her hand again to pet the ring, expression slipping into wistful.
Jelleneth makes a face, though the expression is teasingly exaggerated and theatrical. "No, I do not want you to start looking at me that way. Maybe I'm just a bit offended at the idea that 'what the boys see in me' is only apparent to people who would prefer more complicated sleeping arrangements." More mock pouting. Possibly even a poignant sigh.
Chryseth hmphs. "Well I know you're g-good looking if somebody's into girls. And smart and f-f-funny and strong. But I dunno, I mean I can't b-begin to explain why I'm attracted to the people who catch my eye."
Jelleneth smirks. "Being attracted to Levh is hardly a mysterious thing. He's charming. Charming in a way I admit it took some getting used to for me. Genuine charm. Charm without trying. Maybe that doesn't make sense.." Her eartips pinken a bit.
Chryseth shakes his head. "It does. And he's so..." He sighs softly, wistfully, and blushes. "I'm so lucky he's kept me. I ought to do better showing him how m-much I love him, but it's hard."
Jelleneth shakes her head. "S'never the big elaborate gestures that stick. Just the little things, day to day. Fresh flower for his vest, maybe. Treat at dinner time. A chore, or more than one, done without being asked. It all counts."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] I dooooo, I promise I do. Though he does like the jaunts to Dalaran to eat out too. And flowers, I always bring him f-flowers when I go anywhere. Even here.
Tyr lifts his head from his coil around Netha and makes a soft rasping sound at wingbeats in the air. Verity calls a reply, though the dragonhawk wasn't exactly greeting him; he circles a few times and lands right by Chryseth, snow crunching under feet and hooves.
"Evenin', Netha. Evenin', kid." Ashrien's voice is deceptively tired, and before Chryseth can react with a glomp or hug or happy exclamation Ash is out of the saddle. Ash moves too quickly to avoid, and with one smooth over-hip throw he's got the boy sailing back into the hot spring.
There's an audible splash, but it's somewhat drowned out by creative cussing in old Highborne, Thalassian and Goblin. Ashrien is, it would seem, a loose-assed lackwit of a bad investment but he just laughs it off. What's harder to laugh off is the sudden foom from the nest of robes where Sooty was napping.
With a scream of pure fury, the not-so-tiny phoenix launches himself at Ashrien. Bad horrible mean elf putting daddy in the water!
"Noooo, Sooty, no, no, I'm fine!" Chry says as he pulls himself to shore and climbs back out of the spring. "No killing Ash, he w-was just funning."
The phoenix doesn't budge from his new seat atop Ashrien's chest, hissing and peeping angrily. Jelleneth's attempts to calm him down are met with anxious hair-fluffing and preening before Sooty returns his attention to the serious business of making sure Ash understands how unforgivable his offense was.
"Light, kid. You'd think I jus' tried to kill you," Ash says, laughing a little again.
Soot hisses. No laughing! Not funny! But Chry giggles a little and squishes over to stand by them, feet sinking a bit into the suddenly boggy ground, snow melted by phoenix pissed-offness.
"G-guess you're the one being held down for a change," Chry says cheerfully. He starts to dress but takes his time about it.
"Well I could fight a bit, get up before he's ready to let me, but it seems more trouble'n it's worth. Aside from the damp an' the noise this is almost comfortable. I'm of half a mind to fall asleep right here." With that, Ash yawns dramatically -- Sooty echoes it before returning to scolding.
"Can't have that, Netha'd be l-lonely and like as not end up in the stables with me and Levh. Bet she prefers your c-company, huh?" Chry pulls his robes on over his head and mostly laces them up, but he leaves the neck enticingly untied. "C'mon, Sooty, let's g-get home so the old people can get to bed before they get too cranky."
Soot huffs and leans down close to deliver a few last choice threatening trills in Ashrien's face. Then he hops off the paladin and cocks his head at Chry's robes. Yes, yes his head will just barely fit into the opening. Chry scritches him lovingly.
"Old people? Old people? Better not be callin' Netha old, she ain't much older than you." Ash rolls to his feet and moves away from the boggy earth. "You could stay the night you know. We both miss you." There's an undercurrent of longing there and Chry looks away, gaze suddenly anywhere but Ash's face.
"I know," he says. "I miss you two. But Levh's expecting me back and -- and I'd miss him awfully, almost as much as Sooty would. C'mon, either g-get your head out and don't toast my rear on the flight home or get bitty so we c-can go the easy way."
"Well. S'pose I can't keep you from your Alevh. Give him my regards, hmm? An' let him know I might be by for a visit soon f' the druids can spare me from duty."
Sooty finally shimmers in the air, shrinking in on himself until he can squirm cozily into his shirtnest. He chirps in contentment, nibbling the robe's neckline until it's arranged to his satisfaction.
"Reckon I can give you a g'night hug without him thinkin' it's another murder attempt?" Ash asks.
"He didn't think you were k-killing me, he thought you were shrinking me. That's what happens when you wash elves in hot w-water. We're delicates. Dry clean only." Chry bounces over to him for a snuggle and hug, glancing over at Netha with hope in his eyes. Nice group hug before he leaves?
After a few moments she joins them and they stay like that, drawn close in the cold but warmed by mage and phoenix in the lengthening shadows.
Chryseth is... rather uncharacteristically muffled against the cold, Sooty snuggled up under his chin. The hatchy chirps a greeting and nudges out for a proper hello scritch, his master hanging back with a shy smile.
Jelleneth extends a hand for a scritch and then moves the hand upwards to stroke along the mage's cheek. "Hi." She says.
Chryseth leans closer. "Hey," he murmurs. "Sooty wanted to come, I hope... that's all right, right?"
Jelleneth smiles and nods. "Nothing too dangerous out here. All the action's up near the World Tree. Though.. I hope he won't be too terribly cold and lonely if we decide to go and enjoy the hotsprings."
Chryseth shakes his head. "He'll be all right. N-nice cozy nest in my robes even if I'm not in em." He takes another step nearer for a hesitant lean.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] You wanna go skinny dipping?
Jelleneth drapes an arm around him. "Certainly not going in in my armor."
Chryseth giggles. "Noooo, course not. End up all rusty and yuck. Just didn't know if you're all soaked out, what with Ash and all?"
Jelleneth shakes her head. "Not tonight. There were still burns to treat. He may join us in a few hours. Or I might not see him all niht if I don't fly back up and drag him off to sleep for at least a few hours."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Well, you can always sit on him til he agrees to come with you?
Chryseth arches an eyebrow.
Jelleneth chuckles. "Usually not necessary. Though it is always a decent fall-back plan." Another scritch for Sooty. Poor neglected hatchling. "Ready?"
Chryseth nods. "You w-want to walk or what?" Soot chirps and, once scritchings are over, re-settles in Chry's robe.
Jelleneth shrugs. "We can. Unless you'd like to ride on Tyr. He's a bit tired, but I think he can still manage both of us."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] If he wouldn't mind? I don't wanna impose on the poor dear, not after a l-l-long day of being chased by Verity.
Jelleneth says: Followed by a long evening of getting pestered by Sooty for fire to chase?
Chryseth blushes. "Sorry. I can make Sooty behave and not be a nuisance, honest!" He's sounding more than a little pleading now, ears red and gaze dropping to the ground.
Jelleneth laughs. "Tyr will never admit it, but I think he enjoys the attention. You should see him with Argent." So saying, she begins the walk for the roosts, arm still draped around Chry's shoulder, dragging him along.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Is Ash being a g-good daddy then?
Jelleneth smiles as she offers Tyr an affectionate stroke and a nuzzle before checking the straps of his saddle. "He spoils her."
Chryseth grins. "Hope she d-doesn't end up spoiled rotten," he says cheerfully. "Might eat you both!" Sooty is so very very happy to see Tyr, big big almostphoenix HI peep peep.
Jelleneth climbs up onto the hawk's back and offers a hand to Chry, though she has to nudge Tyr's head back with her knee to prevent him greeting Sooty with his usual flame blast. "Mnm.. can just imagine how it'll be when we have a few bitties of our own."
Jelleneth says: Already know which of us is going to end up being the soft touch.
Chryseth hops on, shoving Sooty back into his robes. Gentle shove. "I dunno, he w-wasn't always a softie in the North," he says. "Or to me." Resentment? Maybe.
[Flappyflappy from Everlook to hot springs!]
Jelleneth chuckles. "Well.. adorable as you are, magelet, you aren't a bitty with a skinned knee. Or a fuzzy new playmate they really want to make a pet of."
Jelleneth says: Not that I'll have much room to refuse them that.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Or r-refuse a kiss for a hurt knee, right?
Jelleneth slips off of Tyr's back and begins shucking armor. "Course not. Can't even be mad at Rek when he gets himself burned trying to steal sweets before they're cool."
Chryseth bounces to the ground and follows suit. Or birthday suit. Sooty protests loudly at being robbed of elf-snuggles but settles down readily enough in a hastily made hatchy-bed of robe.
Jelleneth tests the water with a tentative toe. "Sure some Magister or other would be quick to tell us how soft and overindulged our bitties are likely to be. Coddling them so." Tyr noses over to nuzzle his little blazing buddy.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] You m-m-mean Torian.
Chryseth wades right in.
Jelleneth says: He is forever telling me how much harder our parents were on him and Liir. I never noticed much of a difference. Not with Mother, anyway. I think she ignored us all equally. 'Cept for Dori.
Chryseth makes a face. "W-well Dori turned out fine," he says defensively. "And so did you. C-can't speak for Torian in that." Oh look who we left out of the listing.
Jelleneth slides into the water with a sigh and tilts her head back to wet her hair. "Mnm.. well, I had my father to spoil me rotten. And Dori never seemed to mind the pressure. Or maybe he didn't even notice it. Hard to tell sometimes with Dori."
Chryseth thinks this over, fingers moving through the water making ripples for him to watch. "I think he has enough internalized pressure to perform," he says finally. "Might've g-gotten that from upbringing, might've been born that way. Least I don't think I believe that just so I don't feel obligated to try to m-m-make him do more. Fel. I'm a terrible master."
Jelleneth makes a face and splashes some water at him. "Dori hasn't complained. Not that that's really saying much. He never has unless you press him for an opinion and give him time to think on it before he answers."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] W-well I try to always give him time.
Chryseth ducks under and emerges with a great splash. Sooty scolds him from the nest -- WATER. ON SOOTY. BAD. DADDY. Doesn't daddy know water makes elves shrink?
Jelleneth strokes off a bit closer to the center of the spring to avoid future hatchling splashings. "Think you've been good for him. He's been.. brighter."
Chryseth follows with another friendly splash. "Or maybe now that he doesn't have a big secret he's k-keeping from you, you're seeing what was always there. Just obscured."
Jelleneth snorts. "Maybe it's just that I'm getting to see him at all without a wall of books around him."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Always with the telling me he had m-m-more books before. I must be neglecting him if he's without sufficient reading materials. Better take another field trip soon!
Jelleneth reaches out to try and puch Chry's head under, but gently. "Boy would spend his entire life in a library if he could. And not be able to find his way to the market if the cupboard was empty."
Chryseth grapples with her. Not very effectively, but HAY LET'S PLAY? "I keep him fed. Really I do. It's a w-wonder he doesn't complain to you about me always pushing food on him when I'm the hungry one."
Jelleneth squirms away, though not very far. She treads water, watching Chry, ears forward and alert. "Could use some feeding up." She murmurs.
Chryseth swims after her. Yay playtime! "I do my best," he says. "Still suck at taking c-care of myself though, so I'm probably even worser for him."
Jelleneth strokes to the side, leg snaking out to catch at a foot and tug downwards. "Well, hopefully he'll remember to eat something every now and then before he actually starves. Just.. watch him, alright? If he starts to get the shakes."
Chryseth draws back, ears flicking to press against his skull. "Shakes?" he asks, all playfulness gone now. "What d-do I need to know?"
Jelleneth pauses, nibbling at her lower lip a bit. "It.. was bad. With him. After the Sunwell. And for a good long while after. He still gets a bit shaky sometimes. Or he did. And weak."
Jelleneth says: And, being Dori, he'd ignore it and just keep on working until I'd end up having to carry him back to bed.
Chryseth frownyfrowns. "W-well at least I'm strong enough for that. But I haven't... fel. Maybe I just don't watch close enough. Always too excited about what we're d-d-doing."
Jelleneth shakes her head. "He's been much better. Even before I left home he'd been months without.. a bad spell. I just worry about him. In Kalimdor. With the Sunwell so far away and not so many sources to draw from. I worry about him staying.. level."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] I can always take him to Quel'danas for a f-field trip. It'd be fun! Or, or... I know other ways to g-g-get...
Chryseth's voice trails off and he slips a bit deeper into the water as he thinks.
Jelleneth scootches a bit closer. "It hasn't been an issue yet. Maybe it won't ever be. I just wanted you to be aware of it. In case."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Well I m-m-mean we are both elves. It's something that's just life for both of us. Maybe he needs a little bed and b-breakfast in the Stormspire, Ilthy c-can't be the only -- er.
Chryseth splashes her.
Jelleneth ducks below the surface and comes up grinning. "Has my brother been regaling you with his disreputable exploits?"
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] We did talk about Shadowmoon whorehouses if that's what you mean.
Jelleneth shakes her head. "Fel.. nothing would surprise me in Shadowmoon these days."
Chryseth giggles. Another splash. "I think he p-prefers the ones in Silvermoon. Less d-danger of unexpected g-glowing after."
Jelleneth says: He hasn't offered to bring you along has he?
Chryseth draws back, expression thoughtful. "I could go. Do some drawings for him. But n-no, he hasn't been trying to get me to patronize his f-favorite establishments, guess nobody's offering discounts for bringing a friend along."
Jelleneth hmmphs. "I think they may actually charge more for that. Could ask Ash.. but I'd hate for him to think I was making a suggestion for the honeymoon or something."
Chryseth giggles. "I can ask him!" he offers. "And tell him it'd be p-part of my project to make Jess happy!"
Chryseth ...totally needs a new project. Right?
Jelleneth quirks a brow. "This is an official project now? Oh dear.."
Jelleneth says: What sort of things have you been trying? Or do I want to know?
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Nothing bad. No, like, drugs. Save those for Ilthy. J-j-just thinking of things and, and, you know. Hunting for stuff to make him smile.
Jelleneth 's expression turns briefly wistful. "Can understand that. Used to do the same. Bring him all kinds of rocks and plants and critters I'd found out exploring. Not sure if that'd work for you."
Chryseth hmmmms. "It might be worth a try. Wonder what I c-could find in the Barrens. Jess likes Sooty..."
Jelleneth says: Everyone likes Sooty. How could you not? Even those crazed fire druids liked him. A bit too much.
Chryseth looks back to shore -- Sooty's safe and secure in his nest, having some sort of deep (if perhaps one-sided) conversation with Tyr. "They better never ever try to touch him again," Chry growls. "I'll f-f-f-fucking kill em and raise em and kill em again."
Jelleneth nods. "And Tyr and I would help you. At least with the killing. Raising is a bit outside my skill set." She shakes her head and moves in closer, not quite touching. "Anyhow.. I think the order may be short-lived."
Chryseth snuggles against her. "I wouldn't want you to be good at that anyway. B-better that people not fiddle with it. Specially not you." He adds, almost too soft to hear, "Or Dori."
Jelleneth tenses. "He hasn't... he doesn't.. does he?"
Chryseth shakes his head. "Doesn't seem interested, no. But I'll m-m-monitor and -- well, I don't want him not expressing interest in things he's interested in, but it's all about minimizing risk, you know?"
Jelleneth sighs and nods. "I don't.. I mean.. His reasons wouldn't be your reasons and I can't think whatever reason he had would be enough not to.." She settles back into the water to sulk and fret.
Chryseth pulls back, ears flicking with anxiety. "Sorry," he says. "I don't w-w-want to break your brother. Either of em."
Chryseth is probably not meaning Torian.
Jelleneth says: Don't think you're likely to. Like you said. He's not interested.
Chryseth shakes his head. "No, doesn't offer any s-sort of -- sort of hope for our people. Just for m-m-my people."
Jelleneth's frown deepens. "And is there? Hope seems a little.. thin. Fel, for all of us, but.. for them especially."
Chryseth bobs in the water, chin tucking to his chest. He doesn't reply.
Jelleneth sighs and strokes toward the shore. "Sorry.. touchy subject. I know."
Chryseth follows, water steaming off him. "I know the r-responsible thing to do is to abandon anyone who you know c-c-can't make it." His voice is flat. "I know what you think I ought to do, and you c-c-can shove it where Torian can shove his smugness."
Jelleneth looks up at him, feet still dangling into the water, expression thoughtful. "My definition of 'can't make it' may be differentthan you think."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] You know. Survive. Not die. B-become a good useful member of Thalassian society again. Have kids.
Jelleneth shakes her head. "There are living elves that don't fit that description. Fel.. if we'd been in the camps instead of tucked away in Jess' little safehouse after the war I'm sure I'd have been told the same about Dori."
Chryseth watches Sooty -- nice cozynest, almost time to sleep? "Yeah, w-w-well, I'm glad you weren't then."
Jelleneth clicks her tongue and Tyr obediently flutters over to coil near her. "It's not the ones who're struggling to survive that worry me Chry. It's the ones who seem to think the only way they can is to make everything else dead."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] I'm not like that. I w-wouldn't want to make anybody dead. Less they mess with Sooty.
Jelleneth says: Never meant to imply that you were. Just wish I knew where the middle ground was. A way to have a place for your people without.. well.. Southshore.
Chryseth flinches. "Jiel would never. Even if they were Alliance."
Jelleneth rises, rustling in saddle bags for clothes to pull on. "No. Jiel wouldn't. And Veltric wouldn't. And there are many, many others that wouldn't. But Sylvanas did and those that follow her will continue to do the same and worse until they've taken the world, or they've been stopped. And I'm afraid, Chry.. very afraid that when we have to end this threat a second time.. there won't be room for those that wouldn't. Just.. risk assessment. To the Torian's of the world. The ones giving orders."
Jelleneth sighs again, reaching out towards him, but not touching. Just extending the invitation. "I think.. maybe.. if we could gather the sane ones together to help deal with.. whatever Sylvanas is now. Maybe that would be enough. Probably not for Wrynn but.."
Jelleneth says: Maybe for the sane leaders?
Chryseth leans against her. "What sane leaders do we have exactly? Garrosh is a f-fucking warmonger, Sylvanas is part of the problem. Baine? Vol'jin? As if either of them have the m-m-means to move against the Forsaken anyway. Jaina?"
Jelleneth pets his hair. "And Lor'themar is stuck with only a tiny scrap of land between him and the threat and the glaring possibility that Garrosh will decide to rid the Horde of us when he stomps through to clear out the Forsaken.."
Chryseth shivers, but it's probably not from the cold. He's radiating warmth like the good little space heater he is. "I still think it'd be easier to just d-deal with Sylvanas myself. No politics that way. Just g-give me a few decades away to get bigger'n her."
Jelleneth says: Don't think we're going to have a few decades. Orcs and humans don't plan ahead that far.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] I could have a few decades. Away. Maybe. If I asked right.
Jelleneth's ears flick back in alarm. "Bad idea. Very very bad. Always a price for that sort of thing. A big one."
Chryseth shrugs and snuggles closer. "Ask em to put it on my t-t-tab. No big deal. Probably won't live long enough to pay for it."
Jelleneth nudges him gently. "If I have a bronze show up on my doorstep tomorrow looking to cash in on some promise I end up making him three centuries from now I'm going to blame you, you know?" Light tone. Just teasing. Mostly.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Send em m-m-my way, I'll deal with it. Though you know it could be worse, could be the Kirin Tor showing up to tell you that you g-got to serve whether you want to or not. Cept I guess not so much a danger for you.
Jelleneth chuckles. "Not in my chain of command. Or yours either. Whatever Aethas may have to say on the matter, their right to order elves about ended the moment they tossed our prince in the Hold to rot."
Chryseth shakes his head. "Nobody's in my chain of c-c-command," he says. "And you'd have to do it if Torian t-told you to?"
Jelleneth snorts. "Not married am I?" Her expression softens and she turns the ring on her finger. "Not yet, anyway."
Chryseth reaches out toward it too but pulls his hand back. "No, so you're still under him, and there's the m-m-matter of the Sapphire even if..."
Jelleneth shrugs. "Always proper piracy. Or working for Rev.. which may end up being very close to the same thing."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] Or the Reliquary, if Jess and I d-do right?
Chryseth reaches out again, fingers brushing against her ring finger.
Jelleneth twines her fingers in his. "Does it seem to be making him happy? Having work to do that isn't.." She waves a hand vaguely.
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] I dunno. I think I'm a poor r-replacement for Ilthy.
Jelleneth brushes her free hand along his cheek. "Don't have to be a replacement for anyone. Just be Chry. It's enough."
Chryseth shakes his head. "That's r-rich. Maybe it's enough for you but -- but..." He chuckles softly. "Bet he'd rather w-work with you instead."
Jelleneth sobers slightly. "No." She says softly. "I don't think he would. Not in this." She nods in the direction of Mt. Hyjal. And not with Ash at my side."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] But buckle-swashing r-r-relic hunting? I bet he'd love that. And just toss m-me out with Ash, see? Then everyone's happy.
Chryseth is not remotely serious.
Jelleneth says: I'm sure you could buckle a swash as deftly as I could if you put your mind to it. And Sooty is much more interesting than a parrot. So you're one up on most pirates already.
Chryseth shakes his head. "Naaah, I don't have your f-f-flair for... I dunno. Whatever it is he and Ash see in you."
Jelleneth mock pouts. "Must have a few endearing traits. I mean.. you didn't run screaming from my invitation to come swimming. Or are you just here for the hotsprings?"
Chryseth nudges closer, stealing another hug. "Nooo, but I don't see you like they do. It's different! You know it is."
Jelleneth ruffles his hair. "I know. Different for me too. Fond as I am of you. Much as I love you. S'different with Ash. Fel.. even with Jess. Though that may just be awkwardness and bittersweet nostalgia."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] You w-wish I looked at you like that? I thought you liked having someone to sleep with when you n-need uncomplicated snuggles.
Chryseth reaches for her hand again to pet the ring, expression slipping into wistful.
Jelleneth makes a face, though the expression is teasingly exaggerated and theatrical. "No, I do not want you to start looking at me that way. Maybe I'm just a bit offended at the idea that 'what the boys see in me' is only apparent to people who would prefer more complicated sleeping arrangements." More mock pouting. Possibly even a poignant sigh.
Chryseth hmphs. "Well I know you're g-good looking if somebody's into girls. And smart and f-f-funny and strong. But I dunno, I mean I can't b-begin to explain why I'm attracted to the people who catch my eye."
Jelleneth smirks. "Being attracted to Levh is hardly a mysterious thing. He's charming. Charming in a way I admit it took some getting used to for me. Genuine charm. Charm without trying. Maybe that doesn't make sense.." Her eartips pinken a bit.
Chryseth shakes his head. "It does. And he's so..." He sighs softly, wistfully, and blushes. "I'm so lucky he's kept me. I ought to do better showing him how m-much I love him, but it's hard."
Jelleneth shakes her head. "S'never the big elaborate gestures that stick. Just the little things, day to day. Fresh flower for his vest, maybe. Treat at dinner time. A chore, or more than one, done without being asked. It all counts."
Chryseth says: [Thalassian] I dooooo, I promise I do. Though he does like the jaunts to Dalaran to eat out too. And flowers, I always bring him f-flowers when I go anywhere. Even here.
Tyr lifts his head from his coil around Netha and makes a soft rasping sound at wingbeats in the air. Verity calls a reply, though the dragonhawk wasn't exactly greeting him; he circles a few times and lands right by Chryseth, snow crunching under feet and hooves.
"Evenin', Netha. Evenin', kid." Ashrien's voice is deceptively tired, and before Chryseth can react with a glomp or hug or happy exclamation Ash is out of the saddle. Ash moves too quickly to avoid, and with one smooth over-hip throw he's got the boy sailing back into the hot spring.
There's an audible splash, but it's somewhat drowned out by creative cussing in old Highborne, Thalassian and Goblin. Ashrien is, it would seem, a loose-assed lackwit of a bad investment but he just laughs it off. What's harder to laugh off is the sudden foom from the nest of robes where Sooty was napping.
With a scream of pure fury, the not-so-tiny phoenix launches himself at Ashrien. Bad horrible mean elf putting daddy in the water!
"Noooo, Sooty, no, no, I'm fine!" Chry says as he pulls himself to shore and climbs back out of the spring. "No killing Ash, he w-was just funning."
The phoenix doesn't budge from his new seat atop Ashrien's chest, hissing and peeping angrily. Jelleneth's attempts to calm him down are met with anxious hair-fluffing and preening before Sooty returns his attention to the serious business of making sure Ash understands how unforgivable his offense was.
"Light, kid. You'd think I jus' tried to kill you," Ash says, laughing a little again.
Soot hisses. No laughing! Not funny! But Chry giggles a little and squishes over to stand by them, feet sinking a bit into the suddenly boggy ground, snow melted by phoenix pissed-offness.
"G-guess you're the one being held down for a change," Chry says cheerfully. He starts to dress but takes his time about it.
"Well I could fight a bit, get up before he's ready to let me, but it seems more trouble'n it's worth. Aside from the damp an' the noise this is almost comfortable. I'm of half a mind to fall asleep right here." With that, Ash yawns dramatically -- Sooty echoes it before returning to scolding.
"Can't have that, Netha'd be l-lonely and like as not end up in the stables with me and Levh. Bet she prefers your c-company, huh?" Chry pulls his robes on over his head and mostly laces them up, but he leaves the neck enticingly untied. "C'mon, Sooty, let's g-get home so the old people can get to bed before they get too cranky."
Soot huffs and leans down close to deliver a few last choice threatening trills in Ashrien's face. Then he hops off the paladin and cocks his head at Chry's robes. Yes, yes his head will just barely fit into the opening. Chry scritches him lovingly.
"Old people? Old people? Better not be callin' Netha old, she ain't much older than you." Ash rolls to his feet and moves away from the boggy earth. "You could stay the night you know. We both miss you." There's an undercurrent of longing there and Chry looks away, gaze suddenly anywhere but Ash's face.
"I know," he says. "I miss you two. But Levh's expecting me back and -- and I'd miss him awfully, almost as much as Sooty would. C'mon, either g-get your head out and don't toast my rear on the flight home or get bitty so we c-can go the easy way."
"Well. S'pose I can't keep you from your Alevh. Give him my regards, hmm? An' let him know I might be by for a visit soon f' the druids can spare me from duty."
Sooty finally shimmers in the air, shrinking in on himself until he can squirm cozily into his shirtnest. He chirps in contentment, nibbling the robe's neckline until it's arranged to his satisfaction.
"Reckon I can give you a g'night hug without him thinkin' it's another murder attempt?" Ash asks.
"He didn't think you were k-killing me, he thought you were shrinking me. That's what happens when you wash elves in hot w-water. We're delicates. Dry clean only." Chry bounces over to him for a snuggle and hug, glancing over at Netha with hope in his eyes. Nice group hug before he leaves?
After a few moments she joins them and they stay like that, drawn close in the cold but warmed by mage and phoenix in the lengthening shadows.