As was usual for his routine in the morning, Madivh picked up his bag in his grogginess. The weight of the bag seemed heavier, but he dismissed it for just not sleeping well that night. So when he reached in to pull the first thing he could touch he froze when his knuckles brushed up paper in form of a box.

Eyes narrowed lightly, as he retreated his hand and opened the bag wide to see wrapping paper. A present. Madivh stared in disbelief for a moment, unable to believe that what he saw was of good intentions. His eyes moved over to Mey's sleeping form, wondered briefly if this was something kind of planted bomb, and then stood up, bag finding its way on his shoulder and left the room.

He headed downstairs, silent as he stepped off to the left of the stairways where he knew the boards creaked in the middle, stepped to the right on the last step where they were loose on the left edges, skipped the first step on the base floor where it was loose entirely and then rounded his way into the living room, kitchen, and out to the garden.

The cool early dawn breeze shivered him awake a little more. The thought of the present being a bomb eased into a more rational curiosity. Perhaps this was a present. Perhaps this was a present from their son in form of a crude joke.

He frowned at the image of an old engineering friend who use to pull pranks like that and then grinned as amusement filled his heart.

Madivh settled down on the brick planter that housed what looked to be long bush like plants with frills that were wilted and grey surrounding a large and old tree. He set his bag down, withdrew the present, and saw the note.

An easy breath released the tension in his body and a smile grew wide. He recongized the handwriting and all pretense of the present being dangerous was ripped away like the wrapping paper to uncover the sketch book.

For awhile, Madivh stared at the cover, his finger tracing the outer edges of the cover. The sun was faintly peeking over the edge of the mountain edges, the soft sunlight flickering into the leaves and speckling the ground. His smile never faded, not even when he opened the sketchbook, saw the empty pages, and knew exactly what he was going to fill those pages with.

His heart filled with excitement, Madivh reached into his bag to grab the one pencil he had, moved to sit at the edge of the patio by the gardens back door, and began the smooth, short lines of an outline of the rising sun, mountain peaks, and the trees and wilted plants.

@divergent-lines

Tavern Conversation (4/4)

Part 1 Family Reunion

Part 2 Truths Within

Part 3 Refugee Meetings

Part 4 Doctor’s Memories

They didn’t go far. Madivh lead the way into the city, and upon arriving at the destination, he informed the waitress it was only the two of them, and then they were lead to their seats on the balcony above; it was a dwarven tavern with dwarven food. 

Nairus kept his frown the entire way, not seeming to be able to relax. He wasn’t sure why, but he accepted it for now as a thing he could not fix at the moment. 

Upon taking their seats, Madivh took off his hat and set it on the chair beside him, giving Nairus a wide smile and giving him a chance to get a good look at Madivh’s face. There was something off about him; it wasn’t matching the face that Nairus mind had crafted. Had it been so long since he had last seen the man? 

It must be. 

“You still refuse to drink?” Madivh said as the woman left with his order. 

Nairus stiffened then reminded himself this man did in fact know him. “Yes. Perhaps–”

Madivh continued, “Do you remember why?”

Nairus blinked as he tipped his head oddly in his confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Trying to gauge how much you’ve forgotten. So, do you remember why you don’t drink?” 

Nairus shook his head. “Just something I’ve never enjoyed.”

“Or being around drunk people?”

Irritation gritted at Nairu’s throat as he said, “How long have we known each other?” 

Madivh quirked a grin. “Well enough, it's been a while. I’m actually glad to see you in better spirits.” 

Naiurs stared thoughtfully. The warmth in the man’s voice was perhaps the most genuine emotion he had seen thus far. After a moment more, Nairus leaned back into his chair and took a deep breath. But he couldn’t find any words to say, and so he sat there, letting his eyes drift and his mind wander. Wonder if this really was a good idea or not.

Madivh said nothing in that silence, and so they seemed to be at ease with each other's presence until the waitress came back with Madivh’s glass of water and a meaty sandwich. The man’s smile was wide and his eyes glowed hungrily even as he thanked the woman.

Nairus had ordered nothing and was content in that. Still, the way Madivh acted as he looked over his sandwich, Nairus gave pause in the behavior before letting his gaze take in a more calculated look. 

His body was thin, muscles easy to see, and for his height and the way his clothes fit they seemed strangely looser than they should be in comparison to shoulder width and waist. 

Starvation? No. His eyes trailed to the hidden hat. Living on what is necessary. Not a lot of money. Not eating a proper diet. 

Nairus sighed. “If you want to order food to go, I can pay for it as well.” 

Madivh looked up from his sandwich that he was three bites in. Nairus could see the consideration being weighed heavily towards the acceptance of the offer.

Madivh smiled, laughed lightly, and said, “Military pay isn’t that great.” He took another bite, ate it, and added. “Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of talks I’m sure. So,” he took a drink. “What bothers you most that you felt compelled to approach me?” 

Nairus eyes drifted, then rose once more. “Savian and Neia.”

His companion's eyes narrowed slightly. “Of course,” he chuckled. “A couple of young adults,” he phrased lightly. “I don’t know much of your history after the last time I saw you, but you were watching over them.” 

Madivh took a bite of his sandwich, and, when he didn’t continue, Nairus asked. “What do you mean watching?”

Madivh shrugged. “In the realm of too much too quickly I say.” He sighed. “But what I’m really curious about is, why do you remember me, but not them?” 

Nairus blinked, then scowled. “That’s why we are talking.”

Taken aback, Madivh’s lips quirked just the lightest with an amused grin that he was keeping well in check. He raised his hands. “Easy, easy.” Madivh smiled now. “I’m actually being sincere. You should have a better connection to the twi-two than to me. And honestly, we haven’t seen each other in well over a decade.” Nairus stared at him when it was clear Madivh wanted him to speak. He refused, and for that, his companion frowned and continued. “Which is a long time for us mere humans. So, you can see why I’m curious why you remember me well enough to call forth a few things, but with Neia and Savian, you can’t even picture a face.”

“How would you know that?”

“Because you wouldn’t be getting mad at me if you could.” He sighed resting his hand on his cheek. “Am I right?” 

Nairus felt a terrible pull to not answer him. “Yes.” 

A silence crept between them, hardly an easy one, but his companion seemed to not care or notice. He stared, waiting, in a patient way that was familiar and yet, it seemed odd coming from him. He’s calm. Shouldn’t he be more..

Images flickered in his mind, quick but clear. Images of the man, but with less freckles and a sturdier form; it was the same backdrop of wooden walls, incense filled candles and lighting, beer and food around with chatter about. 

Nairus looked away, closing his eyes at the memories, and realizing only then he had leaned forward. Nairus relaxed back into the chair. “So you aren’t going to tell me anymore about these two?”

“At the moment?” He paused, clearly for dramatic effect. “No.”

Nairus began standing up, and as he did, pulled out coins from his purse.

Refugee Meetings (3/4)

Part 1 Family Reunion

Part 2 Truths Within

Part 3 Refugee Meetings

Part 4 Doctor’s Memories

Mentions: @savianblackwood​

The busy street of the city moved around Nairus like a flowing river around a boulder, and like that boulder, Nairus didn’t seem to notice. His attention was on a flier stuck to the wall. An event was taking place today detailing a donation event for the refugee’s of Darnassus. The topic, plants and herbal remedies. Vendors would be sporting new and different plants as well as some familiar ones. Workshops and lectures would be ranging from learning about potions to starting and taking care of your own garden. 

Nairus was intrigued; it was being held by his own kind, which meant there could be something new he could possibly learn. 

A few small taps of his finger against his chin gave way to his decision. 

Nairus turned and joined the flow of the city, easily becoming one with it. He eased around the many twists and turns of the capital, smoothly spending only a few minutes in each district until at least he separated from the main streets and turned towards the back fields. The merry chatting of people bubbled all around him. 

Nairus stepped away from the dirt path, letting the druid magic of his warp his form, and he was in the air, wrapping talons along the thick branch of a nearby tree. The majority of groups made their way towards the vendors, while only a small section of the road was for those leaving with plants and bags in hand. By the entrance, a  woman was handing out pamphlets and a box with the word donation for those attending but didn’t necessarily find something to buy. 

A majority of the people were elves. He smiled at the scene. Refugees mostly, he could tell by the way they dressed and the more sun kissed skin of living outdoors instead of the cozy huts and shadows of what Darnassus was made up of. 

Druids were plentiful, naturally so, and a small portion seemed to be holding their own vending spot with papers and conversation and magic displays. Others seemed like botanists who had worked hard to grow their plants, and the rest had vials set up on display clearly meant for buying and teaching. 

The merriment and the excitement of the event warmed him, bringing back memories of a different time. He could scarcely remember it, but he wasn’t alone and he was happy and content. A feeling that he held onto as he watched all those enjoying themselves. 

This was good enough. Perhaps in a while he would go and join those below, but now, it was better to watch. 

The warmth of the sun found its way through his feather, and slowly, and without realizing it, Nairus laid his head down. 

“Hey!” The voice rose just enough to catch his attention. Half blurry eyes, Nairus rose his head from the crook of his wing. Confusion flickered on the way the world looked, but memories of taking flight and the hustle of the event reminded him. 

He had fallen asleep. A long sigh escaped him as he stood up and shook out feathers and muscles. The voice that had awoken him though came back to his mind. His eyes shifted among the crowd. Nothing was wrong, no one was running, no one was gathering. Perhaps a child getting lost or not listening. Then his eyes fell upon a stall nearby where a woman with red hair and a man with a hat were talking. 

Truths Within (2/4)

Part 1 Family Reunion

Part 2 Truths Within

Part 3 Refugee Meetings

Part 4 Doctor’s Memories

In the gentle pull of the night breeze, Nairus stared down into the shimmering water. The distant cries and constant noise of the city was gone, too far away to be heard, too far away to be felt, yet the small settlement of farms just beyond the forest’s tree never gave him a sense of isolation as he wanted.

Though the moon was only a crescent of its former glory, it was bright enough that he could see the lines of his own body being reflected back like dark shadows. The sounds of the night time critters had been quiet for sometime, leaving only a blank silence, that was welcoming and reassuring. 

It was the only time he could clearly think, too let down the walls he instinctively build up when people were around; those walls protected him from the scorn of love ones coming to view their dying family member, the pleading eyes of the dying as he lied to them about being able to help only to ease them to their death so it felt like nothing but sleep til their own bodies gave way. He needed to shun and lose all sense of who he was leaving only what was important and logical for diagnoses and understanding. He needed those walls when the trauma of the wounded would shout and curse and blame him. Trauma… Was that the reason for his memory issue? The magic’s ritual had done something to seal his memories of the time away, but now if it was no longer there as his sister had led him to believe, then what was keeping those memories from resurfacing? 

Nairus closed his eyes as he looked away from the water surface and faced the trees and their shifting leaves. 

Walls. He didn’t want to remember. Too much pain for his mind to take on its own. Maybe he should go see a doctor to help him. 

A silent breeze passed by, brushing back his robes into the rock he sat upon, exposing his feet to its cold touch. 

Even if he saw a doctor, he already knew what the process would be, he could do it on his own.

Silently the breeze returned, putting his robes back neatly in the grass so it covered his feet once more.  

If he was his own patient, he would recommend a specialist. 

But that will get me discharged. And where could I work where my father and his many friends wouldn’t be able to watch me and report back every little thing I do? 

 There was a few ticks of silence. 

I could just start my own business. But with what money? 

Some time passed, and Nairus found himself staring back at the water's reflection. During those bits of silence, he found himself wandering back to the red-headed man. What had he called himself? Madivh? His eyes closed at the name, feeling that familiar pull, but where curtains should have pulled back slowly, he could easily picture a face to that name. A different face, yet the eyes and hair were the same. His mind stuttered with sudden realization. A memory so faded that he could not bring anything to mind except the two names his sister had mentioned. Neia and Savian.

That man was connected to those two people, he knew it deep down inside, like he had known Mey was not lying about the boy, Synric, who he had been taking care of until he had been stabbed. 

Nairus’s hand drifted to his stomach. Even though months had passed since then, he could still feel the slide of metal cutting through him as easily a knife through butter, and the man’s maniacal grin; it sent a cold shiver through his spine, and the forest seemed to retreat from him and the wind began to settle leaving the air heavy and cold.

Be silent. He thought towards himself and forced a deep long breath. Slowly, he began to unclench his tight fingers and let his arms lay back in his lap. 

A sigh long and heavy escaped him.

Faint tweeting from small birds began to pierce the night air, and as Nairus raised his gaze to the sky, he could see the touch of deep purple. Again, he took in a deep breath and began lifting those walls he had carefully pulled down beforehand in his solitude. He didn’t need them all up yet, but he needed just a  few to get him moving enough. As the chirping began to increase all around him, Nairus finally pushed himself up and began moving towards the treeline fading into the shadows of the trees and allowing them to consume him. 

Family Reunion (1/4)

Part 1 Family Reunion

Part 2 Truths Within

Part 3 Refugee Meetings

Part 4 Doctor’s Memories

Nairus stood staring at the bodies of the dead. A total of twenty-five. They were wrapped in body bags, laying on the grass, with identification tags on the zippers. All men and women fought and died in a skirmish against a band of mercenaries that had ambushed them while on patrol. 

Nairus identified them all. Easy enough with simple wounds compared to the grotesque destroyed bodies from Shadowlands and Kul’tiras bodies. He shivered at the thought, and then finally turned from the sight to head back into the medical building the army had secured by the harbor.     

When he turned though, he stilled as he noticed a human male walking towards him. Focused on him. The man eyed Nairus up and down. “Nairus Amberleaf?”

Nairus nodded. 

“Faevanna Amberleaf is here to see you, she’s waiting for you at the front gates.” 

Nairus' eyes narrowed lightly. “Did she say why she was here?” 

The man casually threw one hand in the air dismissing the notation. “No, only that it is obvious why since you two share the same last name.” 

A taste of a smile tipped Nairus lips upwards. He could see Fae’ lecturing the man about the important role she was in, who her father was, and who he was keeping her from seeing. “Was there anyone else with her?”

The man shook his head. “Are you going to see her or not?”

Nairus gave a short nod. 

Relief clearly found the man’s shoulders as he turned and allowed Nairus to lead the way. Nairus had no objections. 

The military base that had sprung up after the Kul’tiras war set right near the harbor; it was small and only allowed a a few buildings, one being meant for medical purposes, the other for storage, and the third for magic transportation of goods and people, which was to say, that a battle mage was stationed in the building at all times in case of emergencies. Thus the building had been turned into a mix of temporary residential rooms, a holding cell, and a lobby for other military personnel to hang around in while they waited for their day to start or for orders. That building was the building closest to the gate, and they had to walk around it before they could see the fence line and its magically enhanced traps. 

Fae’ was waiting for him. Her long drudic robes covering her appropriately, her deep green hair tied into a bun while loose braids hung at the edges, and her arms were crossed with thin lips to emphasize her displeasure. They had only taken a few more steps out of the building's shadow before she noticed them. Her light silver eyes grew wide, her arms unwinded, and her fingers clasped into each other hiding her lips from view. She looked like she might be praying, but those eyes gave her away. She was holding herself back from breaking into tears and rushing over too hug him. l

As they came to stop at the gate, Fae’ said nothing, remembering some sort of measure in her title. The guard stuck his hand out, a thin line of magic eased through the gates and the magic traps; both opened and went quiet.