Alucian
05-27-2006, 01:03 AM
It took a moment to try and sort out the minutes that had passed. Were they minutes? Were they hours? Days? Alucian had no idea.
A very long time ago (yesterday evening), the Swordwaltzers and their friends had a party. Everyone had fun, but Alucian felt something was wrong. Kurohane felt...distant, somehow. Like her attentions were elsewhere. Even the hugs and caresses they'd always shared seemed half-hearted.
Later that night, he couldn't find Kurohane anywhere, no matter how hard he scoured or inquired. Alucian wanted to talk with her, try and find out what's wrong.
The memory of her face when he confessed his past to her a few weeks beforehand was the only thing in his mind. He replayed that time over and over...was this why? Was it the time he had to spend apart from her when he was in the Moonglade, or when he was recuperating? Did she not want to be involved with a man who...who...
A long time after that (this morning), Alucian was searching to make some elixirs for Xelthan. He could only make one. Alucian had asked him about Kurohane.
"...the boat's setting sail," Alucian mumbled.
The gnome standing beside him looked up. "No it ain't, it just got here."
Alucian started, realizing he was on the docks in Menethil. He shook his head, and stepped on the boat.
Some time later, the boat came to a rest in Darkshore, on the docks at Auberdine. Alucian looked in the direction of the tower, his eyes lingering, until he snapped his attention back to the boat across the way. He ran toward it, barely getting on before it left the dock.
A few months ago (a few hours), Alucian had been sitting in the Gilded Rose, lost in his thought. He heard his name be called. He looked up.
Kurohane was standing before him.
His heart raced while his breath stopped. His face must have told what his day had been, because she asked what was wrong.
Minutes later, he was leaving the inn. He could hear her whispered apology, and felt the breeze on his tabardless chest. He didn't look back.
That was when he found himself on the docks of Menethil, and now he found himself at the docks of Darnassus. He wandered blindly until he found himself standing in the inn in Dolanaar, staring at the spot near the stairs.
Like ghosts, he saw a vision of a campfire he'd built, and he and Kurohane and a male night elf with long blue hair sitting around it. He was passing out eggs he'd just prepared, and Kurohane was smiling at him.
It's like you're our personal cook...
Alucian closed his eyes and sat on the bench. Xijovah...he hadn't thought of him in a long, long time. He remembered the day they'd gotten word he'd died...it was the first time any affections had been shown between...
Your eyes...they look like the fireflies. Maybe that's why they like you...
Alucian opened his eyes again, the tears starting anew, though he barely noticed them. He stared blankly at the floor as his mind chased down more snippets of memories.
A tall outcropping of rock in Elwynn. He'd run away from her, and she followed him resolutely. With a broken voice, he confessed most of his past to her.
I won't let you go back...I love you.
The Winter's Ball was coming. He'd waited all night to get the courage. Finally, he stood beside her and produced a rose.
Yes...I would love to be with you.
A river between the borders of Elwynn and Westfall. He'd just leaped from the top, giving her a scare. He laughed as she clambered into the water to make sure he was alright, and the laugther stopped as she passionately kissed him.
W-well...I guess we better go back...
The red cloth of the Lunar Festival was cool on his back, and her smile made all the work he'd been put through worthwhile.
My love...you've come back!
Her red cheeks as she relayed what the new guildmembers had been teasing her with.
You're coming to protect me next time.
Her darkened gaze as she stared at him from across the room.
You lied to me.
A voice startled him out of his reverie, and he looked up to see Galidon hovering over him.
"You look terrible...are you alright, my friend?"
Alucian could barely choke out the words. "We're...not together, anymore..."
Whatever Galidon said next was completely drowned out by the sudden rush of blood pounding in his ears. The scar on his chest felt like it had been lit ablaze as he doubled over in pain, gasping for air.
He heard Galidon gasp and hold him steady. "What's the matter, Alucian?"
"The...pain..." He began to see visions in his head of the tower he'd ignored hours earlier. Of his father inside. "It's...never been...this bad..."
"Is there anything I can do?" Galidon looked at him with a worried expression.
Just as the pain had begun to ebb, it hit him again full-force, like a mace had been swung into his chest. He grabbed Galidon by the collar and yanked his face down to his.
"If I go...to him...end me...please..."
Galidon looked at him with wide eyes. "No...whatever this is, fight it! I will not kill you, you need to be saved!"
A cry from outside the inn sounded as sentinels began to run down the road. A horde had been spotted...an orc, intent on slaying the younglings. Galidon's head turned toward the alarm, then back to his panting friend.
"Come on, Alucian," he said as he helped the weak druid to his feet. He led him up the ramp and deposited him on a bed, then left implicit instructions with the innkeeper to watch him until the hunter returned. Feeling the matter was in good hands, Galidon ran to join the sentinels and protect their world tree.
No more than fifteen minutes later, when Galidon returned...Alucian was gone.
--------
It was raining in Darkshore. Alucian had no idea how he'd gotten there. He had little memory from the time he'd slipped out of the inn, unconsciously following a call that sounded far from the mainland of Kalimdor. The rain had soaked him to the bone, his leather armor beginning to curl with the moisture, despite its protective treating. He stumbled down the road, ignoring snarling moonstalkers and great tainted bears as he fell time and again into the mud, only to get up again and continue his trek.
Where was he going, though? His feet had long-since stopped listening to the only remaining functioning part of his mind. Every so often, his chest would flare with pain again, knocking him to his knees. After a moment, he'd get up again, panting, and continue on some path that had been determined for him.
If the pain wasn't enough to cloud his senses, the memories would have done the trick. He kept seeing glimpses of him with Kurohane, kissing, hugging, swimming...it was maddening in itself.
Kurohane in her black dress, looking up at him I won't let you go b Kurohane in tattered leather armor, smiling at h It's like you're our per Kurohane in thin leathers sitti They look like firef Kurohane smiling at You come b Kurohane blu oming to prote I didn't maybe that's why they want to on't let you hurt you ve come bac what is you lied to happening ed to m TO ME?!
"She'll never take you back. No one can or will understand you. She'll hate you and what you really are."
Alucian was on the ground, in the mud, his hand grasping out in front of him. It had a handful of dark material.
"Well, well, well...looks like I was right after all."
Alucian looked up through the rain, eyes squinting, into the smug face of his father. He realized where they were...he'd managed to drag himself to the foot of his father's tower. The Master now stood over him, a staff with a slowly pulsating jewel gripped in one hand.
Alucian moaned, and looked back at his clutched hand. "N...no..."
The Master sighed down at his son, shaking his head. "I really expected it to last at least a little longer...but I see things went as I knew they would."
Alucian heard a rustle of clothing and he looked up again. The Master was holding his hand out to him, a strangely concerned look on his face.
"My son...I don't want you to be in pain anymore. There's no reason to have to endure this. Come with me...and I'll take the pain away."
Alucian's gaze fell down to his father's outstretched hand, then back up to his face. His chest spasmed again and he cried out, gripping the hem of his father's robe tighter as he doubled over.
"Alucian...my son...please...I can make you forget everything...just, take my hand...accept me," his father whispered, his voice carrying easily even over the rain. Alucian looked up again, and slowly released his father's robe. Everything in him was telling him to stop, telling him this wasn't something he should do...but he couldn't stop his hand. The pain was too intense...his hand came closer, and closer...
Suddenly, the plink of a bow string sounded to Alucian's left, and the Master cried out. Alucian's eyes went wide as he realized an arrow had been shot straight through the Master's outstretched wrist, dark blood pouring from the wound in thick spurts. The night elf staggered backward, dropping the staff, the jewel shattering on the ground and going dark. He clutched his wounded arm and glared at the person that shot the bow.
Alucian turned to see who his savior was, but all he could make out was a blur through the rain before he passed out in the mud.
A night elf stood off to the side, his bow still in his hand as he stared the Master down. "Step away from him," he called over the rain in a firm voice.
"He is MY SON! I will do with him as I please!" The Master's strong tone broke as he whimpered, pressing his arm to his chest, arrow still in the wrist.
"Taluth, watch him." The orange and black-striped cat growled in reply and stalked up to the Master, staring him down, teeth bared. The Master shied away, warily watching the cat and the hunter as he stepped forward.
Galidon knelt beside Alucian's prone form and pressed two fingers to his neck. He sighed, then turned toward the road and whistled. Within moments, his large white sabre came crashing through the underbrush, kicking up mud and rain. Galidon carefully lifted the limp druid and laid him on his sabre's back.
"Taluth...let's go." Galidon watched as his cat returned to his side. He gave the Master one final glare, then called upon the powers of the cheetah to run along with his sabre, making sure Alucian didn't slide from his back.
A very long time ago (yesterday evening), the Swordwaltzers and their friends had a party. Everyone had fun, but Alucian felt something was wrong. Kurohane felt...distant, somehow. Like her attentions were elsewhere. Even the hugs and caresses they'd always shared seemed half-hearted.
Later that night, he couldn't find Kurohane anywhere, no matter how hard he scoured or inquired. Alucian wanted to talk with her, try and find out what's wrong.
The memory of her face when he confessed his past to her a few weeks beforehand was the only thing in his mind. He replayed that time over and over...was this why? Was it the time he had to spend apart from her when he was in the Moonglade, or when he was recuperating? Did she not want to be involved with a man who...who...
A long time after that (this morning), Alucian was searching to make some elixirs for Xelthan. He could only make one. Alucian had asked him about Kurohane.
"...the boat's setting sail," Alucian mumbled.
The gnome standing beside him looked up. "No it ain't, it just got here."
Alucian started, realizing he was on the docks in Menethil. He shook his head, and stepped on the boat.
Some time later, the boat came to a rest in Darkshore, on the docks at Auberdine. Alucian looked in the direction of the tower, his eyes lingering, until he snapped his attention back to the boat across the way. He ran toward it, barely getting on before it left the dock.
A few months ago (a few hours), Alucian had been sitting in the Gilded Rose, lost in his thought. He heard his name be called. He looked up.
Kurohane was standing before him.
His heart raced while his breath stopped. His face must have told what his day had been, because she asked what was wrong.
Minutes later, he was leaving the inn. He could hear her whispered apology, and felt the breeze on his tabardless chest. He didn't look back.
That was when he found himself on the docks of Menethil, and now he found himself at the docks of Darnassus. He wandered blindly until he found himself standing in the inn in Dolanaar, staring at the spot near the stairs.
Like ghosts, he saw a vision of a campfire he'd built, and he and Kurohane and a male night elf with long blue hair sitting around it. He was passing out eggs he'd just prepared, and Kurohane was smiling at him.
It's like you're our personal cook...
Alucian closed his eyes and sat on the bench. Xijovah...he hadn't thought of him in a long, long time. He remembered the day they'd gotten word he'd died...it was the first time any affections had been shown between...
Your eyes...they look like the fireflies. Maybe that's why they like you...
Alucian opened his eyes again, the tears starting anew, though he barely noticed them. He stared blankly at the floor as his mind chased down more snippets of memories.
A tall outcropping of rock in Elwynn. He'd run away from her, and she followed him resolutely. With a broken voice, he confessed most of his past to her.
I won't let you go back...I love you.
The Winter's Ball was coming. He'd waited all night to get the courage. Finally, he stood beside her and produced a rose.
Yes...I would love to be with you.
A river between the borders of Elwynn and Westfall. He'd just leaped from the top, giving her a scare. He laughed as she clambered into the water to make sure he was alright, and the laugther stopped as she passionately kissed him.
W-well...I guess we better go back...
The red cloth of the Lunar Festival was cool on his back, and her smile made all the work he'd been put through worthwhile.
My love...you've come back!
Her red cheeks as she relayed what the new guildmembers had been teasing her with.
You're coming to protect me next time.
Her darkened gaze as she stared at him from across the room.
You lied to me.
A voice startled him out of his reverie, and he looked up to see Galidon hovering over him.
"You look terrible...are you alright, my friend?"
Alucian could barely choke out the words. "We're...not together, anymore..."
Whatever Galidon said next was completely drowned out by the sudden rush of blood pounding in his ears. The scar on his chest felt like it had been lit ablaze as he doubled over in pain, gasping for air.
He heard Galidon gasp and hold him steady. "What's the matter, Alucian?"
"The...pain..." He began to see visions in his head of the tower he'd ignored hours earlier. Of his father inside. "It's...never been...this bad..."
"Is there anything I can do?" Galidon looked at him with a worried expression.
Just as the pain had begun to ebb, it hit him again full-force, like a mace had been swung into his chest. He grabbed Galidon by the collar and yanked his face down to his.
"If I go...to him...end me...please..."
Galidon looked at him with wide eyes. "No...whatever this is, fight it! I will not kill you, you need to be saved!"
A cry from outside the inn sounded as sentinels began to run down the road. A horde had been spotted...an orc, intent on slaying the younglings. Galidon's head turned toward the alarm, then back to his panting friend.
"Come on, Alucian," he said as he helped the weak druid to his feet. He led him up the ramp and deposited him on a bed, then left implicit instructions with the innkeeper to watch him until the hunter returned. Feeling the matter was in good hands, Galidon ran to join the sentinels and protect their world tree.
No more than fifteen minutes later, when Galidon returned...Alucian was gone.
--------
It was raining in Darkshore. Alucian had no idea how he'd gotten there. He had little memory from the time he'd slipped out of the inn, unconsciously following a call that sounded far from the mainland of Kalimdor. The rain had soaked him to the bone, his leather armor beginning to curl with the moisture, despite its protective treating. He stumbled down the road, ignoring snarling moonstalkers and great tainted bears as he fell time and again into the mud, only to get up again and continue his trek.
Where was he going, though? His feet had long-since stopped listening to the only remaining functioning part of his mind. Every so often, his chest would flare with pain again, knocking him to his knees. After a moment, he'd get up again, panting, and continue on some path that had been determined for him.
If the pain wasn't enough to cloud his senses, the memories would have done the trick. He kept seeing glimpses of him with Kurohane, kissing, hugging, swimming...it was maddening in itself.
Kurohane in her black dress, looking up at him I won't let you go b Kurohane in tattered leather armor, smiling at h It's like you're our per Kurohane in thin leathers sitti They look like firef Kurohane smiling at You come b Kurohane blu oming to prote I didn't maybe that's why they want to on't let you hurt you ve come bac what is you lied to happening ed to m TO ME?!
"She'll never take you back. No one can or will understand you. She'll hate you and what you really are."
Alucian was on the ground, in the mud, his hand grasping out in front of him. It had a handful of dark material.
"Well, well, well...looks like I was right after all."
Alucian looked up through the rain, eyes squinting, into the smug face of his father. He realized where they were...he'd managed to drag himself to the foot of his father's tower. The Master now stood over him, a staff with a slowly pulsating jewel gripped in one hand.
Alucian moaned, and looked back at his clutched hand. "N...no..."
The Master sighed down at his son, shaking his head. "I really expected it to last at least a little longer...but I see things went as I knew they would."
Alucian heard a rustle of clothing and he looked up again. The Master was holding his hand out to him, a strangely concerned look on his face.
"My son...I don't want you to be in pain anymore. There's no reason to have to endure this. Come with me...and I'll take the pain away."
Alucian's gaze fell down to his father's outstretched hand, then back up to his face. His chest spasmed again and he cried out, gripping the hem of his father's robe tighter as he doubled over.
"Alucian...my son...please...I can make you forget everything...just, take my hand...accept me," his father whispered, his voice carrying easily even over the rain. Alucian looked up again, and slowly released his father's robe. Everything in him was telling him to stop, telling him this wasn't something he should do...but he couldn't stop his hand. The pain was too intense...his hand came closer, and closer...
Suddenly, the plink of a bow string sounded to Alucian's left, and the Master cried out. Alucian's eyes went wide as he realized an arrow had been shot straight through the Master's outstretched wrist, dark blood pouring from the wound in thick spurts. The night elf staggered backward, dropping the staff, the jewel shattering on the ground and going dark. He clutched his wounded arm and glared at the person that shot the bow.
Alucian turned to see who his savior was, but all he could make out was a blur through the rain before he passed out in the mud.
A night elf stood off to the side, his bow still in his hand as he stared the Master down. "Step away from him," he called over the rain in a firm voice.
"He is MY SON! I will do with him as I please!" The Master's strong tone broke as he whimpered, pressing his arm to his chest, arrow still in the wrist.
"Taluth, watch him." The orange and black-striped cat growled in reply and stalked up to the Master, staring him down, teeth bared. The Master shied away, warily watching the cat and the hunter as he stepped forward.
Galidon knelt beside Alucian's prone form and pressed two fingers to his neck. He sighed, then turned toward the road and whistled. Within moments, his large white sabre came crashing through the underbrush, kicking up mud and rain. Galidon carefully lifted the limp druid and laid him on his sabre's back.
"Taluth...let's go." Galidon watched as his cat returned to his side. He gave the Master one final glare, then called upon the powers of the cheetah to run along with his sabre, making sure Alucian didn't slide from his back.