sometimes you can't make it

[modforged]

Who: Alexstrasza, Krasus/Korialstrasz, and the Redsworn
What: Successful retreat into the Ruby Sanctum
Where: Ruby Sanctum
When: After a long, grueling battle near the borders of Suramar
Warnings: Please PM the mods if any warnings are needed

[The Ruby Sanctum is a flurry of activity. This becomes clear within two seconds of stepping through the portal. The wounded are guided over to a grassy clearing surrounded by saplings and adolescent trees, bade to lay down and receive healing from other dragonkin. Some of the trees are years old, while a few look to have shot up recently. If you watch, vines engulf one fallen warrior; the body sinks into the ground, and a tiny sapling appears in its place.

Despite the war going on outside, the sanctum is less of a cavern and more like a self-contained dimension. Ample sunlight drifts down through scarlet leaves, which are occasionally home to the crimson scales of a whelpling. There is life everywhere: insects on twigs, birds chirping overhead, flowers at your feet. Dragon eggs lay nestled in the nooks and crannies offered by the tranquil forest. There is a decently-sized spring filled with fresh, pure water, as well as some small rocky outcroppings to sleep in. It's warm and comfortable enough to rest out in the open, too.

The cloaked and ever-mysterious Krasus stands watching the dispersing redsworn, his back against the massive oak in the center of the sanctum.

Occasionally, one may glimpse a beautiful red-haired woman with copper skin winding through the copse.]

[ooc: Mingle log for redsworn!]

Comments

[wilder]

A serious fall huh? [he considers that, before shrugging] Could be either. I know I'm dead, so who knows.

[So blunt]

Moonrises can be cool! I was in a place for a year where it did nothing but rain all the time - ugh. After that? I'm glad for any sky. [And low humidity. His poor hair suffered so much in that year]

Sounded like it. They were busy treating their wounded, so I didn't pry too much.

[guerriera]

[ wait. what.]

Dead. You?

[ Magic and dragons is one thing, but that nugget of information might be pushing this entire affair a bit too far for Carolina to comfortably swallow. Much like the bear meat, actually. ]

[wilder]

[Sorry Carolina, saying overly blunt and awful things like they're no big deal is just how Zelos rolls]

Yep. Didn't stutter, did I?

[He picks up a stick and pokes at the fire more, talking in a way that sounds like he's talking about the weather]

Then again, it was another group that brought me back. So it's just as likely these guys don't have that kind of power.

[guerriera]

[ He's almost too casual about it, that's the rub. People don't just come back from the dead. That's absurd. No world works that way.

It's an exceptionally wary squint that Carolina gives Zelos, and someone might have lost some starting ground in the reputation stakes. ]

How'd you die? [Head cants to one side.] That United Earth you mentioned earlier responsible?

[wilder]

Nah, not them. [He isn't looking at her, but he does his best to keep his face neutral] It was a fight. Nothing special.

[guerriera]

['Nothing special'. Somehow, she doesn't believe you. Carolina doesn't know Kaneis well enough (yet) to call him on that in full confidence, but she can still make a point.]

Perils of mercenary life, I suppose.

Must have been special enough for someone to go to the efforts of reviving you.

[wilder]

...Heh. Actually? I don't know why I was picked.

[It's the truth. He could name a dozen different people that would've made more worthwhile candidates to be chosen. He had nothing good to offer]

[But he'll go back to his casual tone]

But, the ones who brought me back are gone- so I guess I shouldn't fret so much about finding out why!

[guerriera]

[squiiiiint.]

Hmm. If you say so.

[ Once she might have agreed, to a point. But not so much now. Carolina looks away then, letting her eyes focus on the way the flames leapt. She wasn't in a position to demand truth from him, and she certainly had enough to think on for a bit. ]

I have a feeling we'll have plenty of other questions occupying our time soon.

[wilder]

[It's for the best, really. The chances of Zelos sharing any actual details or feelings about it are pretty close to Sister becoming a nun.]

Yeah...no kidding. I can already tell this is gonna weird.

[guerriera]

That's putting it mildly.

[ a low mutter. followed by gloved fingers pinching the bridge of her nose, a minor effort to reduce the returning throb of silence in her head.

Or maybe bear just doesn't agree with her. ]