warforged | sometimes you can't make it

Entry tags:

sometimes you can't make it

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!]

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... Is that bad?

[Does Zelos have elven blood? He can't remember that ever being mentioned.]

That's...a complicated question.

[He picks up a couple sticks and throws them into the fire. The fire crackles and sparks. ]

Let's just say there's a lot of humans and elves who hate all half-elves, what we call the ones with that mix of blood. And they do terrible things because of that hatred. And in return? There's a lot of half-elves who hate all humans and elves, and they do terrible things to get back at them.

Of course, all that does it make the cycle of hate continue. And because of that? Countless people on all sides have suffered and died, a lot of them innocent.

But on the other hand, there's plenty of humans and half-elves that don't wanna feed into that cycle. [Elves can go screw themselves] Ones who just wanna live their lives or even help make things better. I know I've been saved by half-elven magic a number of times. [And his sister's one too but he's nooot gonna mention the Wilder Family Drama Hour]

So whether or not it's good or bad that Half-elves ever existed in the first place?

I...don't know.

[Wow. Talk about a loaded answer. Luke feels bad for asking, even if it clears something up.]

It sounds kind of like replicas, [he says finally, not looking directly at Zelos.] A lot of people are scared of us. Some replicas were treated as less than human.

So I guess... I understand.

It's not fair to say if it's a good or a bad thing. They exist, and they're alive, and it's up to them to decide what it means.

[It's what happens when you ask about races Luke! No non-loaded answers]

[And Replicas got that sort of treatment too huh? He only knew a bit about them, but seeing how Asch would act about Luke sometimes, or even Mithos about Tabatha who only looked like his sister...he wasn't too surprised.]

People just don't like those who are different from them, I guess. [He knew it was more complicated than that now, he did. But it was a good enough summary from what he's seen]

And yeah, you're right. They're around now, that's all that matters.

[That's basically it, in a nutshell. Anyone who can be seen as different and strange. It doesn't help that a lot of replicas showed up to their own funerals, but still. They're not the same people as their originals-- they know that, Luke knows that, and someday maybe everyone on Auldrant will know that too.]

... Another war, huh. We really do have awful luck.

[Just in time for Jade to get bored and make another science project that ruins everything ever]

...Yeah, we sure do.

[He allows his shoulders to slump, just a little. He's never been real good at showing his emotions around people. But it was hard to deny this whole situation is enough to bring him down]

What were you dragged away from?

[Luke scoots a bit closer. Even if he's no good at being a bro, he does emulate Guy in some ways, so he leans over a little and gently bumps his shoulder against Zelos'.]

I got dragged away from home. Well, actually, it was the beginning of a pretty long hike to the nearest village. Point is, I was about to see everyone again. With Asch.

[He sighs heavily, slumping a bit too.]

[Zelos meanwhile, not only has barely no conception of being an actual bro - but still has that shoulder injury from the fight. So when Luke bumps his shoulder? He winces a little and bites back a noise before looking over at Luke curiously. Was that an accident? He thought there was enough room around the fire.]

[Oh well, he'll just focus on what Luke's saying instead the shoulder]

Wow...you didn't even get a reunion. That blows.

Edited (FORGOT HE HAD A SHOULDER INJURY WHOOPS) 2014-04-14 04:08 (UTC)

Uh, sorry! [Whoops, that wasn't the reaction he intended. He feels a little bad, and makes a mental note not to bump Zelos again. He's touchy.]

They'll be waiting for us when we get back. [When, not if. He's fairly optimistic this round.] It's different than last time. I... wasn't supposed to go back at all.

... What were you up to, Kaneis?

[He gives him a wave, as if to dismiss the guilt] It's fine.

[ITS JUST A FLESH WOUND]

You weren't? Were you dead or something?

[Did they say anything about it? He can't recall. But oh. he's asking about him. He pushes back a lock of hair out of his face]

...I was still at Exsilium. I was...gonna head out to another world with someone to start a new life. [a peaceful, happy life. He gives a humorless "heh" and shakes his head] But, guess that's just not in my cards.

... Yeah. Me and Asch both.

[He doesn't say anything more on the subject, hoping it explains itself.]

It'll be fine. I'm sure you'll get the new life you wanted when this is over. [He gives Kaneis a small smile, hoping it'll catch on.]

If it's not... well, there's room in the manor. You can start a new life on Auldrant like everyone else.

...Oh. Sorry, I didn't know.

[Yeah, he won't be asking for more details. If it's anything like his death, it's a touchy subject he doesn't want to get in depth about]

[And he looks over at Luke. He doesn't quite smile back, but there is a look of surprise consideration. Offering his home so readily? It's...]

I dunno...wouldn't your parents question you bringing home a tall, dark and handsome stranger home?

Don't be. I thought it was better if no one knew.

[They really are similar in some respects. Luke pulls his feet a little closer, sitting crosslegged rather than just sprawling his legs out.]

Maybe, maybe not. They're going to have to deal with having two sons, so I might as well throw in a cousin while I'm at it.

You didn't tell anyone?

[That seems... a little sad. Sure, the Initiative had made good on their promise to let them live (or rather, there weren't enough members to do anything else about it), but what if they hadn't? Would everyone who had known Luke be completely unaware to his fate?]

[Then again, he didn't tell several people about his death. So maybe he shouldn't judge]

A cousin, huh... [So quick to just say he could be family- it's almost touching, he barely knows what to make of it.]

[He's still pessimistic. And he knows that he needs to find his Sheena if he does manage to live through this. But...for right now, he'll at least entertain the thought to get his mind off things right now]

Heh, it would be nice to sleep in an actually proper bed again. [Not the shitty ones the Initiative gave them, or the ground like they're gonna do here]

[Yeah, you're not one to judge, Mr. Bad End...

Luke doesn't seem to notice it's kind of a huge thing to inflict on someone, even casually. At least, not until a couple seconds after he's said it. The gears turn in his head, and then he begins to turn pink.]

S-- Sorry, I should've asked if you had other ideas first! Family is kind of a big deal, and of course I'd have to ask Asch, too... I didn't mean to imply anything--

[Luke. Luke, SHUT UP.]

[And there's the catch. Asch would probably say no, same with whoever made up the Fon Fabre family. Even if he does look older, Luke is still just a kid it seems.]

[So Zelos does what Zelos does best, brush off emotions like they are nothing and detaching]

Ahaha, don't worry about it, Luke. [he gives a wave of his hand] I know you were just throwing out ideas.

There's I got someone I gotta find anyway after all this. I'm gonna be in hot water enough as it is for disappearing for this on her. Better not make it worse.

[Luke can't help but feel like he said the wrong thing. He frowns, a tiny bit petulant, and pulls his knees up to his chest.] ... It would be kind of neat if we were related, though.

[Anyway.]

Someone you have to find? [A pause.] Did you make a promise to come home, too?

Ha... [His grin is a bit more forced] I dunno, you might find me to be a pain like most of my relatives do.

[Understatement of the year. Even Seles, in the end he did nothing but make everything much worse for her. Just thinking about it makes his gut twist painfully.]

Nah...nothing like that. Just made a promise I wouldn't leave. Then I did leave, two days later. [He tilts his head and scratches his head] See why I'm in a bit of a bind?

All you've ever done is help me. I bet I'm more of a pain than you are.

[Especially considering his past. But he doesn't go into it right now.]

-- Oh. Yeah, I can see that. Maybe if you explain what happened...

You? [He snorts] Please. You're like a little puppy.

[HOW CAN YOU BE MAD AT A PUPPY???]

That I got kidnapped by dragons to fight against demons in a magical world? Yeah, that'll be believable.

It's about as believable as time traveling to fight a war against a crazy brainwashing--

[He's never been called a puppy before, and he halts mid-sentence as he begins to turn pink.]

I-I'm not a puppy! What the hell?!

[He laughs and reaches over to ruffle Luke's hair.]

Aw, of course! You're totally the biggest and fiercest swordsmen around! Yes you are!

[Luke sputters and flails, trying to shove the offending hand away. Not too hard. He's just... embarrassed. Having his hair ruffled reminds him of Guy, and of home, but mostly it just makes him really fucking flustered.]

S-shut up!!

[He'll pull his hand away and be snickering!]

Your face matches your hair now.

[It really does.]

Ha ha. If I give you a black eye, I bet it'll match your clothes.

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