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(( This is just going to be a place for me to dump random thoughts and tidbits from my little human priestess, Callandra; some vignettes, some short stories, and some journal entries. Alas, I don’t have the time I used to have for writing RP-novelettes, so this will have to do. Hope you all enjoy, regardless! ))
Jounral Entry 1:
By the Light, turtle bisque has never tasted so good! It’s been what, four months – maybe five? – since I actually ate decent food? Maybe those people who keep telling me to learn how to cook properly are right. But… It’s always so much better to just eat someone else’s cooking! Now watch, after that great meal, I’m going to burn my eggs in the morning, or something.
Food aside, I had a surprisingly nice evening. I had just returned to Stormwind this morning and had spent the day running errands, when I heard wind of an exceptional tavern back in The Park. Of course, I’ll never pass up a chance for a drink and good company, so I headed on back and wow! The place is apparently called “The Son” and, I got to say, after having my evening taken up with great food, great drinks and making new friends, I’m going to have to make a point of it to return.
Speaking of new friends, there was a dwarf there that kept me in stitches for most of the night; Aimiar Ironbrew. The two of us hit it off right away, and then ran into each other again later that evening after leaving the tavern. I still don’t know exactly how we wound up deciding on it, but we’ve teamed up – his blade and my Light. He’s still got a last few things to take care of in Outland, but once he’s done there, we’ll be returning to Northrend together. Let me tell you, it’ll be nice not having to go that place alone anymore.
Huh. I wonder if he can cook.
Last edited by Medelitha (02-26-10 16:20:24)
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Journal Entry 2:
What a whirlwind couple of days! And they were supposed to be rather laid back too. Sigh. Why is it such things never go as planned? I visited mum yesterday at Uncle Albert’s farm in Elwynn. The visit was going alright until I told her about my night at The Son. Light blind me, I was stupid enough to tell her what we wound up celebrating about there – that one of the people in attendance was getting married. This, of course, opened up the flood gates on how I was going to die a lonely old maid, living off the church, with no children and nobody caring about me if I didn’t start acting more feminine and start flirting. Thanks, mum. Love you too. Not like I don’t have more important matters on my plate right now – like, you know, the wars that are going on. Of course, if she had her way, I’d be a proper little house wife and not running all over creation giving aid where it’s needed. Light forbid. Ah, but I know she’s just wanting what she thinks is best for me. I guess she and I will just always have to disagree.
Spend the rest of the evening and most of the day today running around all over Outland with Aimiar. I got to say, that dwarf’s got a way of making you forget about such things as nagging moms. It wasn’t long before he had me in good spirits again, even if I was having to chase after his crazy arse as he went plowing head first through piles of people and creatures who thought we’d be better off dead. I guess it’s a testament of both our abilities that we came out each time relatively unscathed.
Round about lunch, he went on his way to take care of a few things and I headed back to Stormwind. Thank the Light for those portals in Shattrath – they make going home again so much easier! Took care of a few things round the Cathedral then headed off to my old favorite, the Pig & Whistle. I wasn’t there maybe half an hour before I ran in to – guess who – that girl who’s getting married. Yep, the one who I dared to mention before my mum and got washed away in the flood gates from. I think she’s mute, or maybe took a vow of silence. I’m not really sure, and it didn’t seem polite to ask. Her name’s Philomene and I got to meet another priestess she’s friends with, a kaldorei named Grace. They both seemed pretty nice (if secretive), but with the chaos of the evening that ensued, I’m can’t say for 100% sure.
Oh yes, I did say chaos. I blame Aimiar. It was shortly after he showed up that half of Stormwind decided to enter the tavern as well. It started with just one other person – a friend of Philomene’s and Graces named… Silnestria, I think. Then more and more, including a gnome who I’m not sure if she’s really haunted or just insane, some kaldorei that I didn’t get a chance to meet who was quickly shuffled off and pinned in a corner by the ladies we’d met, and a dwarf and gnome pair that seemed a bit down on their luck. I did what I could to help the pair out. I hope they’ll use it wisely and not just squander what I gave them. Oh, and those were just the people I directly noticed. Light, I haven’t seen the Pig that busy in ages!
I’m not sure what’s going to be on my plate for tomorrow, but all I know is that I don’t want it to involved mention of weddings, my mum or any more people who think an orc’s ghost is telling them to kill others.
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Journal Entry 3:
Tonight was – I don’t know how to put it. “Odd” isn’t quite right. I was in Ironforge, heading off to visit Elder Bronzebeard, when I came across this fellow standing in front of his house, whipping around a sword. Now, maybe that’s not so unusual, but he was half covered in burns and bandages and was making horrible faces at each pass of the blade. (I guess that’s men for you, always trying to push boundaries they shouldn’t.) Of course, I couldn’t just pass by without seeing if he’d let me attempt to heal him.
We got to talking after I’d made sure that, physically, he was fit as a fiddle. Well, actually, he made sure we were properly introduced before he’d allow me to take a look at his wounds. Anyway. The wounds weren’t exactly your run of the mill ordeal – a lot of them generated from inside. Curiosity got the best of me and I asked him for the tale of what happened – I mean, really, I’d never seen someone who’d appeared to have been burned from the inside out! He got me set up with a nice cup of tea and settled at the table, then explained as briefly as possible what had happened. Even just the shortened tale, though, gave me chills. Of course, I tried not to show them.
One major mental note to make from that conversation: do my best to avoid the warlock named Vissic.
So, it turns out that he was a mage, and his magic responded to his emotional state. By the time he got around to confronting Vissic, he was so furious that he wound up literally burning himself from the inside out with his fire magic. He died and had to be resurrected, but had still been recovering from the actually wounds. I try not to let myself dwell on the details of that bit. I can handle a lot of pain, and a lot of blood and gore, but that makes me a bit squeamish.
Unfortunately, his tale didn’t have a happy ending. There were other people involved in the confrontation, but even so, Vissic managed to escape. Anthus assured me that his friend, Rhune, would be hunting the villain down and finishing him off. However, the unhappy ending doesn’t stop there. Anthus thought that he burned out his connection to the arcane, along with literally burning himself up. I asked the obvious question – if he had gone to Dalaran yet for help – and he said they claimed his link wasn’t burnt out and couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
Now here’s where it got pretty… unusual. I was trying to help him think of ways to possibly get his link to the arcane back – I was secretly convinced it was actually a subconscious mental block due to the trauma he endured during that battle – and he attempted to demonstrate his lack of ability. Fire and ice produced no results, but when he attempted to do a small, arcane explosion, it backfired after a fashion. He had expected nothing at all to happen, but instead, arcane energy flowed to him. I thought his eyes were about to explode out of his head from how they bulged in shock – of course, I probably didn’t look too much better.
He tried it again harder after that, and managed to even pull some of my own power to himself. Needless to say, I got kinda ticked at that – I mean, he didn’t really give me any warning or anything. He started trying to apologize and reached out towards me – and, get this, the Light returned to me.
I don’t know what’s going on with him. Its way beyond anything I’ve dealt with before, but he seems to have some ideas on where to start researching possibilities. I didn’t tell him, but I after I left, I went and said several prayers to the Light for him. I don’t know if this is something the Light will aid him on – it can be a bit funny about this sort of stuff – but I hope it does. I plan to add him to my list of people to pray for until he finally gets this resolved.
On the plus side, though, he gave me some fresh baked cinnamon rolls in thanks for my help! They’re soooooo good!
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Vignette: Potatoes
The knife slid smoothly under the skin of the potato, too smoothly in fact, gouging deeply into the root’s flesh and rending a chunk out of it as the liquid starch bleed down the knife to the hand that held it. Grimacing, Callandra shot a glance up at her mother’s back and quickly turned the potato over to hide the irreparable wound as she tried again to take the skin off – and only the skin.
“So tell me about these people you met last night,” Mum said over her shoulder as she dumped some precisely chopped carrots into the pot hanging in the center of the fireplace in the small farm house. “Did you meet anyone nice?”
“Well, actually, yeah,” Callandra answered, furrowing her brow in concentration as she slowly, carefully continued to peel the potato. “In fact, I’ve found someone t’ team up with on the field.”
“Oh?” her mother perked up, turning back to watch her daughter carefully. “Is he handsome?”
Pausing in peeling the wretched potato, the priestess gave her mother an exasperated look. “S’not like that, mum. He’s a dwarf by the name of Aimiar Ironbrew. We just hit it off as good friends, and figured we’d work well together, what with him bein’ a warrior and me a natural healer.”
Mum pursed her lips and raised her nose ever so slightly before turning back to the stew pot. “Well, I suppose that having someone to make sure you don’t get in over your head is just as well.”
Fighting back a snicker, Callandra ducked her head over the potato to keep the mirth in her gaze from being spotted. If her mum knew what a daredevil and wild spirit Aimiar was, she’d have a heart attack on the spot. “Oh, yes,” she finally managed to say in a calm and level voice. “And I made a few other friends at the tavern as well.”
“Tavern?” Mum snapped, clapping the large wooden spoon hard against the side of the pot. “You’re still going to taverns? I thought you’d have out grown that by now!”
“Aw, leave off her, Margie,” Uncle Albert said, coming in the side door of the kitchen with the freshly beheaded and de-feathered chicken. “Girl was half raised in Ironforge and you think she’s gonna stop going to taverns?”
“Well it wasn’t by my choice!” Mum snapped back at her brother before taking a deep breath and regaining her “regal” calm again. “Marcus couldn’t keep watch over her while he was working the forges, so I had to take her with me when I did the runs to pick up supplies for him. Besides, I had thought that seeing more of the world would do her some good.”
“Well, she’s seeing quite a bit of it now, ain’t ya, Cally,” Uncle Albert answered with a wink to the priestess as he headed towards the butcher block.
“Dam-- Um. Yes, sir – seein’ almost all of it now, and other worlds too!” Callandra nodded, quickly trying to cover up her near slip of tongue. “I know Mum’s at least gotta be glad I ain’t in Outland anymore.”
“’Ain’t’ isn’t a word, Callandra,” Mum replied prudishly, obviously also trying to ignore that her baby girl had nearly cursed. “I suppose that I should be glad that you are at least socializing again. What did you do with these new friends last night?”
Sighing, the priestess rinsed the half-butchered, half-peeled potato in the bucket of water on the table before her and put it aside in favor of a fresh, new one. She eyed it for a moment as if it were a deadly serpent before taking up her knife once more and answering without thought, “Well, one of the girls there just got engaged, so we were celebrating.”
“Engaged?" Mum asked, bustling over to the table to snatch up the potato. She paused, turning it over to the gouged side and frowned just long enough for Callandra to notice. “See now, that is what you should be doing.”
“What I should be doin’?” Callandra asked before catching on to the meaning. Grimacing, she narrowed her eyes at the potato and pretended to be fully and totally engrossed in it.
“Yes, finding yourself a good man,” mum answered, then shook her head over the potato and dropped it into the pot. Silence engulfed them as she gave the pot another stir and returned to take a seat at the kitchen table. “You know that I’m worried about you, Cally… You’re almost twenty-seven and you don’t even have anyone interested in you.”
“Mum…” the priestess began, far more venom in her voice than she intended. Taking a deep breath, she regulated her voice and continued. “Mum, it’s not that easy. I’ve got a lot on my plate what with my priest duties and the wars and all.”
“And that’s why I think you need to step down,” Mum nodded. Callandra bit down on her tongue to keep silent. “I could teach you how to cook properly, with just a little practice. We could see about getting you some proper dresses, let your hair grow back out… You are quite lovely when you put some effort into it.”
“Mum, really, this is what I want in my life,” she protested, then cursed under her breath as she gouged the second potato. “I’m no good at the home life. My talents are on the field, fightin’ and healin’ and doin’ the Light’s work. I can’t turn my back on the Light, Mum, even you wouldn’t want that.”
“Oh, no, of course not… but you could not do so much. I mean, there are other priests, aren’t there?” Of course, mum’s potato was already done and perfect. She dunked it in the water as she continued. “All I’m saying is that you’re not getting any younger, Cally. You have to keep that in mind. You don’t want to be a lonely old maid, do you? A few more years of going like you are, and you’ll start to get grey hairs – then what man will want you? You’ll be left with no one to take care of you, never know the joys of children… You don’t want that.”
Callandra glanced towards her uncle with a pleading gaze, but he kept his back firmly to the two women as he continued to butcher the chicken. Trying not to make a face, she turned back to the damnable potato and her mother. “I’ll keep it in mind, mum.”
“Oh good,” her mother nodded with approval. “You remember the tricks I showed you, about how to do your make up, how to smile, how to walk?” Callandra nodded mutely, not daring to admit she’d forgotten half of that – it would only make things far worse. Mum continued, “Good, good… Now, darling… You really need to be more careful with these potatoes. No good man will want a wife who wastes half the food!”
Forcing down a sigh, Callandra carefully dragged her knife under the skin of the potato… and managed to at least only take a smaller gouge out of that one.
Last edited by Medelitha (02-26-10 17:24:56)
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Journal Entry 4:
Mum is going to have my head when she finds out about this. If she finds out, I should say. No... I think she will. I mean, I really like him - he's funny, honest, blunt and we just work so well together.
Alright, guess I should start at the beginning. Remember the dwarf I mentioned last week, Aimiar? Well, we've been pretty much at each others side ever since we met. It was supposed to be just teaming up to be partners out in the field, but of course, with me being how I am and him being a dwarf, we spent quite a bit of time drinking together as well.
Well, last night, we headed off to Ironforge for a few drinks when we'd had enough of fighting for the night. (Light praise portals - they make things so much easier!) I had been considering going to this date auction that was coming up, just to buy a single date and then tell my mum, "Hey look, I got a date! Get off my arse!" Of course, she wouldn't have needed to know HOW I got the date, but anyway... I'd picked out this dress to wear to it, and thought I'd get Aimiar's opinion on it.
All this past week, I'd thought he was just teasing me about my looks and what have you. Well, when I told him what I was planning, needless to say, he about fell out of his chair laughing. That I was going to "buy a man" was just the funniest thing he'd ever heard of. I told him why, and he shrugged it off saying that I'd already had lots of dates this week with him. Again, I thought he was just teasing me. Well... We got to talking more, and turns out he wasn't. He was serious. He actually likes me "in that way".
I'm still taking it slow. I mean, after that last jerk, I don't want to get myself into a bad situation again. But... Well, I really do like him.
Mum's going to kill me when she finds out I'm dating a dwarf.
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Journal Entry 5:
I've been going back and forth on this all morning. I keep imagining myself writing this down and then this silly journal getting lost and somebody reading it. Without this entry, there's really nothing but my inane drivel to read... But if I wrote about what happened last night? I don't know. She seemed paranoid - confidant, but paranoid - that her secrets not get out.
Light, I can't even bring myself to write who I'm talking about. My mind's eye keeps coming up with images of this bloody journal slipping out of my bag while I'm in flight somewhere and falling into a children story's villain's hands - you know, the kind with the slicked back hair and handle bar mustache.
I guess there are a few things I could write about it, without chancing any goof ups. I learned two secrets of a recent acquaintance last night. I don't understand them, really - I mean, I know the basics, but I don't understand the how and why. Maybe I should have asked, but I didn't think it my place to stick around past my usefulness. She always seems a bit - well, I don't know, rude isn't right, just very aloof. Unapproachable.
After I'd finished doing the healing that she had need of, we left the patient down stairs and asked to have a word with me. She offered to pay me off - not for my services, really, but to keep my mouth shut. Neither of them had done anything wrong, as far as I could tell - the whole thing was an accident. But there she stood, calm and confident as could be, telling me that she would pay me twice what anyone offered me for the information I'd learned.
it still boggles my mind. I'm a Priestess of the Holy Light. Healing people, tending to the ill and injured, is my duty. This woman has never crossed me, and even if she had, I'm just not the type to blackmail people. I wonder what kind of people it is she frequents with that she would feel the need to make such pronouncements to me.
I guess for now, though, it's best to just put this all out of my mind. I need to get to my prayers and rituals before the day gets too far away from me. Maybe someday I'll be able to write about what really happened, and what I learned. For now, I'll just seal it away.
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Journal Entry 6:
The Light is testing me. That’s the only explanation I have for this week – it must be testing my skill, my strength and my resolve. It’s one thing to go out to the field and spend an entire week performing emergency healing. It’s another thing when it is supposed to be a “restful” week – and you spend half of your time running around capitol cities, frantically healing.
Alright, maybe I’m exaggerating, but it certainly seems that way. Either way, I can’t help but wonder what it is the Light is guiding me towards, and why certain people keep crossing back into my path. I still can’t write about her problems, but as she has been a near constant all week, and completely by coincidence, is she the person who I am supposed to be helping? Sometimes I wish the Light would just drop a note in the mail to me with clear, precise directions.
Enough rambling about wondering what the Light wishes of me – it will become clear in time. I just have to be patient (not exactly one of my strong suites). On to last night.
Aimiar and I went down to The Wayward Son in Stormwind for a bit of drinking and socializing. The crowd was a bit odd, though; a nearly palpable tension in the air and that tension seemed to be centered around some stuck up noble who’d decided to take residence at one of the lower floor tables. We tried not to pay it much mind – we were there to relax, have a good meal, possibly mingle with friends, or failing that, make some new friends.
About halfway through the evening, there’s a big commotion around the noble. I still don’t know exactly what was going on, but there were threats towards a dwarf who wasn’t present (that Aimiar thought was towards him at first, as he was the only dwarf in the tavern), and the next thing I know, the noble’s up in Philomene’s face and the pair of them are surrounded by nearly the entire tavern. Needless to say, it was a bit unsettling. The situation finally got diffused and the nobleman went on his way.
Not fifteen minutes later, Aimiar and I were just settling down to resume our drinking and unwinding, when one of the patrons from earlier in the evening comes rushing in calling for a healer. Needless to say, I jumped to. The man lead me to another building in the Park and upstairs to where his friend – apparently the dwarf that had been the focal point of the arguing earlier – was barely alive. Philomene and I braided out weaves and stabilized him, but there was something off. I’ve never faced a healing that I couldn’t do on my own, and certainly not one that I couldn’t handle with easy through braided weaves – but we just couldn’t seem to get him to come around.
We took him back to the Son and there a druidess, Xantchi and I did further joint healing on him. Now, I’d already had my fill of healing for the day before we even head to the Son that night. I’d gone to port in the Fjord to restock some supplies and gotten conscripted into taking care of some idiots who’d gotten themselves in over their heads and were paying for it. By the time the druidess – I think her name was Mae? – drew the healing to a close, I was about ready to drop where I stood.
Once I was finished, Aimiar and Xantchi did a right fine job of getting food in me and making sure I was alright. I’m kind of embarrassed about how I must have looked, over tapped as I was, but I wouldn’t have held back anyway. If they’d needed more, I’d have done it. I might have slept for the next week, but I’d have done it.
Once Aimiar and I finally took our leave, he saw me safe out of the park and I went on to the Cathedral. Oh, one other thing – Aimiar really impressed me with how he handled things. He didn’t get in the way of my work, and kept a tight guard to make sure nobody got to me or the patient. We talked for a wee bit after we left the Son, and I asked if he’d be willing to let me register with the Cathedral that he’s my chosen warrior. He agreed, even took as an honor.
And, because of that, the fact that I can’t tell him everything from this week is really grating on me – but I gave my word and I’ll not break that easily. She sent me a letter last night, requesting a meeting. I think I should take a day or two to rest up fully before hand. I need my mind to be sharp. There’s something about her that I just can’t put my finger on. Light willing, it will all go well.
Last edited by Medelitha (03-02-10 16:34:40)
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Journal Entry 7:
We proceeded a lot faster than I had thought we would. I’d figured we’d register it with the Cathedral and then let it lie for a bit before taking the formal oaths under the Light. This isn’t the sort of thing you rush, it’s too big of a commitment for that. But, somehow, it just all has been clicking into place, things coming into our path that seemingly force our hand so that proceeding was the only “logical” step.
Last night, Aimiar and I had a long talk. How could I keep the entire ordeal secret from him after what I’d asked? I still held to my word – I didn’t tell him what her secrets were, only that I had been burdened by them and my concerns about the matter. He didn’t press me for what exactly the secrets were. I’m glad he respected my decision to hold to my word, and in fact, encouraged it.
None the less, I felt that I needed to explain the situation. At first I didn’t tell him who the mystery “she” was, but it didn’t take him long to figure it out. He’s got a sharp eye and had already picked up that something was going on between her and I, moreso than most know, at least. I told him of the meeting she had requested, and of how I was growing increasingly concerned about the matter, especially after the near murder at the Park Monday night. I explained to him about how she had tried to pay me off last week, about how she thought I would sell her out for no other cause than the promise of gold.
I think that if it hadn’t been for what else has gone on this week, I wouldn’t have really thought much of the meeting she’s requested. But, I don’t know, it feels as if I’m on the very brim of a ledge, about to get dragged into things I’d really rather not be a part of. I think she’s involved in politics or something of the sort, too. That’s the only reason I can figure for her paranoia about getting “sold out”. I really hate politics. If everyone was just straight forward and honest and trying to do good… Well, I guess that’s too much to expect. Not even I am that naďve.
Anyway, after our talk, we agreed that it would be best if I didn’t go to this meeting alone. Again, not because she’s given me any specific reason to distrust her, but because of all the little things that have been surrounding her and drawing me into unknown circles. Light, and that’s only the stuff I know about. With how secretive she is, that’s probably only the tip of the iceberg. Light, I keep going off track here.
Aimiar and I headed down to the Cathedral after our talk. Now, I’ve been offered by several people to take the roll of my champion, and even asked someone else once, but it had never gone beyond the talks. Last night was the first time that I’ve actually sworn the oaths and taken the vows under the Light. I really didn’t expect much more out of it than the two of us saying the lines with our hearts in them, but as we drew the oaths to a close, the Light came down and engulfed us both for just a brief moment, sealing the oaths to us. I haven’t even heard of that happening before. I don’t know if I was just never told, or if it’s rare… But I’d like to think it means that the Light has blessed our decision to stand for one another and to join together in doing its work. Also, it makes me smile, he did the current oaths just fine, but apparently that wasn’t enough for my dwarven warrior – he had to recite the old oaths as well. Somehow, that made it feel even more true.
With the oaths sworn under the Light, now, we’ll be almost always at one another’s side. She isn’t going to like it, but that means that he’ll be accompanying me to the meeting. I wonder if she’ll just come out with the secrets to him as well, or if I’ll be forced to play a skirting game. Light, preserve me, I hate secrets.
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Journal Entry 8:
I am so incredibly tired. We’re in Northrend, now, Aimiar and I. We should be out in the field, but he’s threatened to sit on me if I don’t get some decent rest. Still, I can’t sleep. I keep thinking about earlier, in Ironforge. She called me in for assistance with healing her beloved again. This wasn’t like before, though. Last time, the “injury” was relatively minor, and while it took a bit out of me (it required doing a bit of house work in the Shadow, and I’ve never been strong in that), it really wasn’t anything that wouldn’t have healed on it’s own within a week.
Earlier was different, though. I should have known it was from the short, if polite, letter she sent. Apparently, he’d gotten a cursed arrowhead in his shoulder – and, I really should box his ears, never bothered to tell anyone about it or get it removed. She preformed the surgery to actually remove the blasted thing, and I have to admit that she has a far more steady hand than I do for such things. During the surgery, I was regulated to simple pain suppression. However, the weirdest thing happened…
I didn’t tell them about it. I didn’t even tell Aimiar. I don’t know if I was just imagining it or what, but once I was connected with her beloved through the Light and my prayers, I could almost hear some faint singing and the beat of wings. If I’d heard such when I was healing his mind the previous time, I’d have thought it a distant memory leaking through. Who knows, maybe it was something along those lines? All I know is that the sense of it was unnerving, sending spiders up my spine. As soon as she pulled the arrow head out and he passed out, though, the odd sounds faded.
Whatever curse was laid on the arrow head was having a very strange effect on his flesh, though. It was almost as if the area had been frostbitten, whereas the area right next to it was still as healthy as could be – well, not including the incision. She sang a Renewal while I preformed the actual healing. It’s kind of funny, no matter how wary I might feel when I actually stop to contemplate what is going on around her that I know about, the moment we start any healings, we fall into perfect step with one another. I wonder if that has any meaning.
We pulled off the healing just fine, of course, even if it left both of us barely able to stand. Then he wakes up and pops off wondering why we’re so exhausted. Let me tell you, that made it hard not to box his ears. The only thing that kept me from it was the fact that I’d just finished healing him and, frankly, he really was very nice. Perhaps I can meet him another time when he’s not in need of immediate healing. We even joked about that before the operation began.
Hmm, guess I sort of jumped right into the healing matters and skipped over the rest of it. I’ll blame it on my being so tired. The meeting didn’t happen. This took precedence, and all involved were too tired afterwards, but there was a bit of confrontation beforehand. I’m glad for it, to be honest – Aimiar now knows her secrets as well. That alone feels like a weight off of my shoulders. My Lightsworn’s also not shy about demanding answers to the questions I’ve been silently wondering. The fact that I told him I was wondering these things might have helped that, too, but I doubt much of anything could have stopped him from asking just for his own curiosity.
Also, I don’t think he’s liking her too much right now. I suppose I can’t blame him. I was a bit distressed over the whole ordeal – the secrets, the not knowing, the meeting – when I’d first brought it up to him. He’s just looking out for me. I hope she understands that.
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Journal Entry 9:
He sat on me! I can’t believe it. He actually sat on me! And let me tell you, a dwarf in full plate armor is HEAVY. Ooooh, just wait until he gets sick or injured or something. I’ll levitate him all over the bloody place so he doesn’t “over exert” himself!
Okay, okay, I know he’s just looking after me like he’s supposed to, but… I didn’t think he’d actually sit on me to keep me from bustling around like I do. I mean, it’s just what I do, you know? I think I’ve found the downside of having found a warrior to be my Lightsworn who’s just as hard-headed as I am.
Not that I’d trade him, of course.
Last edited by Medelitha (03-05-10 17:17:42)
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Journal Entry 10:
Crimony, have I really gone a week without updating this thing? Shame on me. It’s not like I haven’t had time. I suppose I’ve just been a bit distracted.
Alright, so where to start… Well, I had the meeting with Her last Wednesday, and now I finally feel comfortable with writing who and what it’s all about. Once the details came out, at least on one of the “secrets”, it was even sillier than I’d first thought. Mena was never mute. She had taken a vow of silence, first to the Cathedral, and then to her commanding officer for some debt or some such. What I still can’t comprehend is why she feels it necessary to be deceitful about the ordeal, because frankly, that’s what it is. I’ve known others who took vows of silence, and they carried around a card explaining as much. That is respectable, even worthy of honor in many cases. Misleading people, though? What’s the point?
The other thing, though… It’s… Well, I know now why our paths kept crossing. I’m certain the Light wishes me to somehow help her on this, but I don’t know if she’s ready to accept any such help, despite my offers. She can no longer touch the Light, nor hear its song. She’s done something, or some things, that has caused her to lose her connection to it. I’ve no doubt that she will get this back in time, so long as she strives for it, but I have to wonder what horrid thing she participated in that drove away the connection? Apparently she’s been like this for a couple of months, at least. When I offered to help, she very much so put for the “I don’t need help and can do this on my own” mentality. At least she still has the desire to reconnect.
In other news, we had our first little get together of the Blades this past week as well. It went well, even if only a few of us could show up. I think this coming week will show a better turn out. It was good to see Littlebear again. I really should go pay a visit to her folks. I haven’t seen them in forever, and I’m sure they’ll have some sort of worry to convey about making sure their little girl doesn’t get in over her head. I’m taking it a bit as a personal quest to make sure she doesn’t. Besides, I’d hate to see anything happen to her. She’s such a sweet little thing.
What else, what else… Oh yes, of course. After Aimiar sat on me, I was good and took some time to regain my center and strength. I spent quite a bit of time catching up on some reading and reviewing old studies. I don’t normally have the time for that and it was a good use for the resting period.
Speaking of Aimiar, things are working out very nicely in our working relationship and friendship both. I’m starting to get confused, though. I’d thought we’d made it pretty clear that we were both interested in possibly more, but he’s not made a single move in that direction. I’m not sure if he’s lost interest, or if the fact that he’s now my Lightsworn has changed his view on the matter, or what. He wants to take me out to Thelsemar sometime soon, show me around an all (that’s where he’s from). Maybe I’ll broach the subject then.
Oh, and that also reminds me: Mena thinks he’s a bit more protective of me than a normal Lightsworn should be. She hinted at there being something else between us, but as I still don’t know myself, I told her there wasn’t. I mean, let’s face it – right this moment, there’s not. An amusing side note, as well; she asked me some relationship advice. How is it that I always manage to give such good advice to people, but I’ve got SIX exes in my closet, and I’m no longer friends with ANY of them. Well, at least I’m confident that if nothing else, Aimiar and I will always be friends. Then again, that may be all we ever are.
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Journal Entry 11:
Yeah, okay, so… The last line of my previous entry? That can be scratched out now. I wound up bringing the matter up last night when we met to discuss some other stuff, and his answer was to turn around and kiss me. I was smiling and blushing like a school girl for the rest of the evening and could hardly get my sentences together for a good five minutes after.
Unfortunately, it looks like we won’t be seeing as much of each other for the next couple of weeks. Figures, just as things get all clear, I’m called off. The Cathedral called me in yesterday afternoon and they want me to go take up my old post again. Ugh. Darnassus is beautiful, but I hate having to spend long stretches of time there. Nothing against the kaldorei, mind, I just really don’t mesh all that great with the culture. You know, considering that, I don’t know why the Cathedral keeps insisting on sending me there when they need something. Maybe it’s because they aren’t worried about me taking up a mantel of Elune. I’ve heard that’s happened with some other Cathedral priests that spent a goodly time there.
Also, I don’t really know what more they expect me to find on this matter. I really don’t think that they kaldorei priestesses are holding any information back – not on something like this, anyway. Of course, I’m expected to get results. Whatever those “results” are supposed to be. I just hope that I can get them quickly and get back on with things that are, at least in my opinion, more important.
On the plus side, Aimiar’s promised to drop in for visits and bring me some ale. That tree is as dry as… well, a tree.
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This page of the journal is covered in quickly scribbled notes, some nearly unreadable.
Thelsamar – Ironforge – Stormwind
Check other places? Maybe between three?
Aimiar map. Spine – 2. Astranaar
Follow ups with Farons? Maikel, A…(the rest of the names are illegible)
Description of druid? Try to find.
More links before report to Cath.
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Journal Entry 12:
I’m worried about Aimiar. We met up with Mena and her Marshal last night. It was really just an excuse for me to get away from the tree for a bit, but the quick pop in we’d planned to see how he was doing turned into staying for dinner. We got to talking with them about what I have on my plate right now, and… I can’t recall exactly how the conversation came around to it, but it turns out there’s been earthquakes in the Eastern Kingdoms. Stormwind, a few months back, but at least there wasn’t any damage. I’m sure both of us paled at the news of one in Ironforge more recently. Light, I could just envision the mountain coming down on everyone.
But it turns out there was one in Thelsamar recently as well. Aimiar didn’t really say anything at the time – it’s just not his way – but I could tell by his manner. I mean, that’s his home town. He may not have any family left, but he’s still got old friends that date back to his childhood. I offered to go out there with him, but he wouldn’t have it. Said he wants our first trip out there together to be pleasant. Light, he’s so hard headed at times. But… I left him to it. He promised to come to Darnassus once he’s done. If I haven’t heard from him by tonight, I’ll check in on him again. For now, I’ve some praying to do.
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Journal Entry 13:
Will write more later, but wanted to get this down before the moment and emotions fully pass to memory. Aimiar came to visit me in Darnassus Saturday evening, as he’d promised, and surprised me with some beautiful roses. We stayed there for a bit, talking, catching up, then headed down to Feralas. The boat that runs to Feathermoon sells cherry grog. I should have known better. That’s the one drink that always goes straight to my head, but I always think that the next time it won’t. We drank a lot on the boat, just riding it in circles between the island and mainland. I was already well on my way to four sheets to the wind when we decided to get off the boat and go exploring a bit. Of course, we took more drink with us.
We wound up atop the Twins. I was so drunk at that point, it’s a miracle I can remember half the conversation we had there. But I remember the rest very clearly. For that, I really am grateful. I’d hate to forget what… When I woke up yesterday, I’ll admit, I was a bit mortified and rather frightened over what happened. But, he was still there. He didn’t run off like I always hear of men doing. We spent the morning together, then went our separate ways to take care of things that needed doing. In the evening, we met up again and he took me around the Loch. It was one of the best evenings I’ve had in a long, long while. Laughing, talking, hearing stories about his childhood and growing up. And through it all, those fears and doubts were rubbed out by his determination to show me more of who he was, who he is, and that the promises he made me the night before weren’t empty.
I’m not going to play the regret game. That’s just stupid. What happened, happened, and we’re both glad for it even if we weren’t prepared for it when it came.
I’ll write more later. The Cathedral wants some clarifications on the report I submitted yesterday, and I want this done with sooner than later. I’m more than ready to return to his side on the field.
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Vignette: Not So Secret
Soft, golden-green light spread out over the grounds of the orchard. Spring was well in effect in Elwynn Forest and the first few apple blossoms filled the air with their sweet scent. Birds chirped, flitting from branch to branch over head and squirrels chattered at the audacity of the human who dared to encroach upon their “grove” of trees – no matter that the grove was in perfectly straight rows and tended regularly by her kin.
None the less, no smile graced Callandra’s face on this otherwise cheerful afternoon. Instead, her stomach was flip-flopping like a fresh caught fish on the shore. She took steady, regular breaths, pacing them to her steps. It was a futile effort to achieve an inner calm. At least she could still present an outward one.
At the edge of the patch of apple trees, she paused and closed her eyes. In her mind, she recited what she’d decided to say once more. There was no way to break the news so that it would be received with cheers, but perhaps, if she could say things as she’d thought of them, she could at least find some—
“Callandra Colleen Cooper,” her mother’s voice broke her from her thoughts, the reprimand of her full name suddenly making her feel as if she was five years old again. “I’d recognize that posture anywhere. What have you done now?”
Deflating for just a moment, the priestess sighed. So much for coming into this gently. Her mother stood before her, a very short woman who’s once red hair had now faded to streaks of grey and strawberry blond – all neatly tied up at the nape of her neck in a bun. Callandra met her mother’s gaze evenly from an inch shorter. Light that still galled her. She’d always wanted to be taller – even by an inch – but the Light had seen fit to let her mother always be able to loom.
Then again, her mother loomed over everyone just by her sheer presence.
“Wanna go inside, mum? We can have a cup’a.”
Her mother eyed her for a moment before finally nodding. “Alright, Cally, alright. I’ll get the kettle going while you get out the cups and tea.”
A short time later found the two women seat across from one another at the kitchen table, steaming, white cups set out before them putting off a tempting sent of strawberries and rose. Callandra kept her eyes to the tea as the silence dragged on between the two of them. This wasn’t going to go well. Her mother was already in a mood, if her greeting had been any indication. Not that the priestess would back down or be cowed, of course, but…
“Cally,” Mum said gently, ducking her head to peak under the girl’s bangs. “You’re a grown woman. Obviously you aren’t in any serious trouble, as there’s no guards here after you, so just come out with it. It’s not as if I can ground you any longer.”
The hint of a teasing tone in the elder’s voice finally drew Callandra’s head up, and she took a deep breath. “Well… Ya remember Aimiar, ‘course.” Shortly after she and Aimiar had sworn the oaths making him his Lightsworn, they’d dropped in on her family for a visit. She’d been glad to see the dwarf and her mother getting along so smashingly. She just hoped, as her mother nodded now, that wasn’t the last time Aimiar would be welcomed with open arms at the kitchen table. “Well… We’re seein’ each other.” She hesitated, waiting for her mother to explode. When nothing happened, she added, “Romantically.”
“Yes, Cally, I realize you meant romantically,” Mum said, a hint of amusement in her tone though her gaze remained as unreadable as a door handle.
Callandra shifted uncomfortably in her seat. This was not the reaction she’d expected. It wasn’t even the reaction she’d so wistfully dreamed for, knowing it wouldn’t happen. In fact, this wasn’t really much of a reaction at all. “So, um… Yeah,” she stammered. “We’re… well… I really like him, mum.”
Mum raised an eyebrow, as if waiting for Callandra to continue, but the priestess fell silent. There was no way in the nether she was going to tell her mother about what happened the other night. There was no way her mother could know. Was there? She shifted again, her cheeks coloring as she found herself wishing for the chill of Northrend around her again.
Finally, Mum lifted her tea cup and took a dainty sip. “Well, Cally, all I can say is that it’s about time you told me.” Callandra blinked back at her mother, trying to wrap her head around what the woman had just said. A smile pulled at the corner of her mother’s lips as she continued. “It was really rather obvious you two were heading that way when you brought him by. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you when you weren’t looking, and you couldn’t keep yours off of him while he wasn’t looking. Now…” She set the tea cup down and leaned back in her chair. “I’ve had some time to get used to the idea of my only daughter dating a dwarf. It would not be my first pick, but, if he makes you happy, who am I to tell you not to pursue this?”
Callandra could only continue to stare at her mother in shock. She wasn’t flipping out. She wasn’t demanding that her daughter never see the dwarf again. She was… accepting.
Mum’s finally cracked into a full smile at her daughters dumbfounded expression. “I do want you to be happy, Callandra. If Aimiar makes you happy, then I am happy for it. Besides, he does know his manners and seems to be a very upstanding sort.”
A laugh broke from between the priestesses lips and she nearly knocked her tea cup over getting up to give her mother a huge hug. Mum chuckled in return and returned the embrace.
“Thanks, mum,” Callandra whispered, holding tight to her mother like she hadn’t done in years.
“For you, Cally?” her mother answered, “Anything.”
Last edited by Medelitha (03-23-10 17:57:51)
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The morning light was just starting to pour in through the window that overlooked The Park, it's soft glow nearly overshadowed by the candle burning on the small table that served as a makeshift desk. Callandra turned the page in her journal, her gaze flickering over the scrawl that haphazardly covered the last three pages. Notes upon notes on their findings. It was likely that not a soul save herself could make out the chicken-scratch, but it wasn't meant for anyone else. Not yet, at least. Not until they learned more, not until they managed to piece things together and she could write up a proper report on the matter.
With a sigh, she leaned back in the rickety chair and rubbed her eyes. Light but she was exhausted, and still, she had woken up before the dawn despite how inviting the warm bed Aimiar still slept in was. A tender smile graced her lips as she looked back over her shoulder at her sleeping lover and Lightsworn. His brow furrowed in his sleep as his arm stretched towards her side of the bed and found it empty. Silently, she rose from her chair, slipped her pillow under his arm and suppressed a chuckle as the dwarf snuggled up against it.
Returning to her seat, Callandra picked up her pen and eyed the blank page before her. Where should she even start? There was so much that had happened over the past several days, yet she couldn't seem to get her mind to work properly to order it down in a proper entry. Finally, she shook her head to herself and begin scrawling her hand across the page.
Too tired for proper entry. Notes instead.
Took on a student, druidess named Mae. Very nice, honest girl, was surprised to find one as her in Servitors. Potential - she will do well.
Went to Aimiar's mother's grave intending to just place some flowers and say I'd look after her son. Wound up babbling, admitting to a grave that I'd fallen for him, and of course as fate would have it, didn't realize he'd dropped by for a visit as well and was standing behind me, hearing all of that. Was for the best, though. We feel the same and Light, I couldn't be happier for it. Glad it's not weighing on me with worry anymore.
Stopped by the Wyrmhearth with Aimiar and ran into Anthus there. Met up with him the next day to catch up and take care of a virus he'd gotten, though he didn't realize it till I pointed it out. Think he and I could definently become good friends, if time ever permits.
Aimiar got more information from the league. See notes on previous pages. Went to Blackrock, thinking it was to do with Dark Irons. Didn't find anything of definite proof. I got targeted out towards the end of our venture - they figured out what my role in things was and cracked me over the head in our final push. Light bless him, Aimiar got me out of there in one piece. Took some notes we recovered back to Stormwind and found a mage - funny enough, the Rhune fellow Anthus had told me of before - and he's going to see what he can figure out on them. Note: Follow up with him if haven't heard anything back in one week.
Callandra stared blankly at the page for a long moment. There was more that had happened. She was certain of it, but her mind just didn't want to work right then. Cracking a yawn, she glanced to the half-eaten chocolate cake on the other side of the table, a rather cute gesture from the night before on Aimiar's part. As tempting as the gooey chocolate was, though, she closed the journal and stood, stretching.
"Ye dinnae really think a pillow'd replace ye, did ye, lass?" a half muffled voice came from the pile of sheets on the bed. "Get back o'er here. Ye need yer rest after thae last few days."
Callandra chuckled softly, turning back to the bed. "I guess not," she said slipping back under the covers. "But I'm awake now - dunno if I can sleep more."
"Mmmhmm, jus' hush up an' try," Aimiar answered, amusement lacing his voice.
With his arms around her again, she snuggled down and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, the sun was high in the sky.
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Journal Entry #15
Light, I haven’t been very good about keeping up with this of late, have I? Of course, quite a bit has happened since last I wrote here. Too much for me to care to go into presently. After all, in the face of what’s just happened, what does the rest matter? No, that’s not right. It all matters. Possessions, intrigue, attempted murders, new friends, new information, more earthquakes… Those are all very important things, and yet they pale to distant shadows under the light of last night and this morning.
He didn’t plan it. It was completely spur of the moment and, somehow, that makes it all the more endearing and joyful. Aimiar and I were just sitting in the Cathedral Square talking and watching our kittens romp. I started going on about how much I love the Grizzly Hills and, if ever I were to retire, I’d want to do so there. Of course, Aimiar being Aimiar, he joked that my plan was perfect save for my lack of mentioning him there with me. I assured him I’d want him there and we started talking about what we’d do up there when all of a sudden he made some comment along the lines of “Well, if we’re talking about the future, no time like the present.”
I must have looked like a fish out of water, my eyes wide and mouth working soundlessly as he went to his knee before me and asked me to be his wife. When finally my mouth remembered how to work properly, I accepted and we just stood there for the longest time holding each other and speaking quietly. He said the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard in all my life about his love for me. Things I thought only story book princes would say to their rescued princess.
This morning we went and picked out the engagement ring together before he had to head back out. Light, I’m on such a high cloud I think number nine must be somewhere half way back down to the ground! I still need to go tell my mother, and I’ve got Mae’s lesson and the introduction of her new teacher this afternoon, but all I can seem to do is sit around with a silly smile plastered on my face and day dream about the future.
Ha! Guess mum won’t have to worry none about me being an old, gray maid anymore.
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Journal Entry #16
I can’t believe this. I went to Uncle Albert’s last night to tell mum about our engagement and she flipped her bloody lid. Apparently, she didn’t think that anything would ever really come of Aimiar and I, what with “how you go through men like broken toys”. Light! I never did any such thing! Uncle Albert tried to intervene on my behalf, and of course, that just made the pot boil right over the top. She started railing on and on about how he was going to leave me as soon as I started to go grey, and how then I’d be stuck with half-breed children to raise on my own. (I like how she assumed that we’re going to immediately start popping out kids.)
She won’t hear a word on how we really are in love and how I know for certain he’s the right man for me – oh no, because she had it all set in her head already how this was going to go down. She would play the loving mother and let me have my little fling, and then when he decided to move on, she’d be there to soothe me and prime me for setting up with some local farmer so that I could finally be the proper little house wife she always wanted me to be.
Well, that’s not going to happen. If I have to go forth in this wedding without her blessing or help, so be it. I love my mum, I really do, but if I have to chose between her or Aimiar, there really isn’t a choice.
And poor Aimiar… He doesn’t know about any of this yet. The entire ordeal drained me and I fell asleep almost as soon as I got back to our room while he was still out taking care of some matters in Ironforge. I have to say, though, there was something very comforting and reassuring about not only waking up in his arms, but looking over and seeing his plate armor stacked neatly below the chair my robes were draped over. I think that imagery might stick well in my mind and give me some new form of strength the next time I try confronting mum about this again.
Light, I hope she doesn’t try anything stupid, like trying to sabotage us.
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Journal Entry #17
It’s been a busy few days. Aimiar and I applied to and were accepted into the Retribution. I had thought it would be much of the same old same old for us, but it looks like there may be a storm on the horizon, so to speak. But I’ll get to that in a moment.
I told Aimiar about mum’s reaction. He seems to think she’s just having a panic attack because I’m her baby girl and actually get married. Something along the lines of there being a huge difference between pushing for your child to wed in theory, and it actually happening. I know that him being a dwarf doesn’t help the matter, though. I just hope she comes around soon.
The Son was packed to the gills Monday night, but I still was able to spend some time with Mae and Coe – even if we had to all but shout over the ambient noise levels. They’ve found a fixer-upper of a place. I can’t wait to see it. Apparently it’s a boat that’s no longer sea worthy, but can still be used to transform into a home. That is so fitting of them.
For the most part, Monday was a very calm day, though. Tuesday started out much the same until the end of the evening. I went by the Son again and it was all but empty – I think there were maybe two people aside from myself and Aeka, who was tending the bar. (By the by, her baby is SO cute!) As the evening passed, things started to pick up. Aimiar joined us for a bit, and for a little while, our table was not only full but had people standing around it. Aaah, I do love it when the tavern has that sort of atmosphere and population. Not too crowded like the night before, but still plenty of people to have a good time with.
There was a bit of a disturbance at one point with a draenai – Demera – and a couple of humans. They took it outside, but when she came back, she was really shaken. I went over and talked with her for a while, and we discussed the problem at some length. I’ve offered to help her, of course, and just hope I’m able to find a loop hole to get her out of this. She seems like a nice girl, if a bit addled. I think that getting out of the situation she’s in will probably help some with that, though.
However, this was the point where things turned a bit… I don’t know the right word for it. Odd? Mildly distressful? Well, the situation that came up raised my hackles and left me very wary. As Demera and I were sitting there talking, after Aimiar had already head back out, a bit of a fuss came up at the other table. It seemed to be just an argument of sorts – no weapons drawn or the like – so I paid it no mind, save to keep a half eye on it as I noticed a Retribution tabard in the mix. It calmed down and a few minutes later, the apparent antagonist of the argument (and I say he was the antagonist primarily because he was opposed to someone within my guild) came over to make introductions at our table.
He introduced himself as Cerk Evermoore, apparently a member of a defunct guild by the name of Wyvern’s Tail. When he inquired as to our names and with whom we belonged, and I mentioned the Retribution, he went on to inform me that his now-dead order was an old enemy of my new posting. He further went on to drop Rhune’s name, and to mention another organization that apparently Rhune would recall, Syndicate of the Bones.
Now, I have to ask: If you are trying to make friendly and let by gones be by gones, why in the name of the Light would you tell this sort of thing to someone you just met? It is all but guaranteed to put them on edge and make their view of you colored. If he really is trying to turn over a new leaf or some such, then why do that? Perhaps he was trying to be upfront so as not to have it bite him in the arse later? Somehow, though, that’s not the feel I got from the ordeal. More likely, he was testing the waters to see if this new member of the Retribution was entirely loyal or some other such thing. I just really did not get a “trust me” vibe off of him, no matter how hard he tried to push it.
It so happened that his mention of Rhune, however, reminded me that I was past due in checking in with the mage on the matter Aimiar and I had brought to him. I excused myself and went out to compose the note, and tacked on an inquiry about the fellow I’d just met as well.
By the time I returned (after having run into people outside), everyone was out of their seats and obviously in confrontation mode. Apparently Cerk had mentioned a name that set off another member of the Retribution that was present – one Vanixil. The situation was quickly diffused, and I said my farewells to Demera before heading out. Those of the Retribution that were present at the tavern were gathered outside and we paused to discuss what had just happened. Doderic and I agreed that further conversation of the matter should be put on hold until we had filled in the Chancellor on what had transpired.
I’ve since sent off my letter, informing her, and we’ll see where it goes from there. In the meantime, I’m awaiting word back from Rhune on both the matter we had previously asked him to look into, and further information on this Cerk person.
As I said, storms on the horizon.
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