cloakoflame - Tumblr blog

[cloakoflame]

The crease in Kael’thas’s brow never ceased to dissipate as he watched Torben from behind a table. With hands behind his back in poised fashion, the elf peered at his human acquaintance from a map of the Dragon Isles.

He pursed his lips tighter. Torben’s careless tipping of the books made him sigh, then he stood up straight. For whatever reason, the human was keeping his strategic mind away from the day’s work—and would continue so long as he remained in his presence.

Even more interesting—and just as confusing as meandering through a maze—was the man’s odd ability to maintain a smile as he mentioned the downfall of the Deadmines. Kael raised a golden eyebrow, fair features hardening slowly like water to ice on a cold winter’s night. A blue eye twitched as he, for the moment, attempted to connect dot to dot, only to be rained upon by a downpour of questions that sought to bridge the however-long gap between them.

The corner of his lips upturned ever so slightly, and Kael’thas and relaxed his shoulders. He motioned for the bottle of wine sitting nearby, filled a glass, and with a gesture of his hands, willed the glass to rest on a bookshelf near Torben. “I believe you scatter the events—like wind to parchment. Breaking into my personal vault is how we met, and we both knew how such an incident occurred,” he recalled, the echoes of whirling wards and frantic footsteps from the Royal Guard still a-fresh in his mind. “No, I believe last we saw one another, you were delivering a parcel to both Alleria Wndrunner and the Lord Admiral in an attempt to warn them of Sylvanas’s travesties.”

The name slipped through his tongue like ash. Kael never bothered to use her excuse for the title of Warchief and in the several years that passed, the Dark Lady’s absence seemed to fall away from his mind like curtains drawn on the final act of a stage performance--her antics had always seemed to amount to such anyway.

“Could you, please, not do that here?”

“We need to sweep for bugs.” Torben exclaimed with an exasperation akin to if his acquaintance had asked him what color the sky was, or if the sun was warm.

What other way was there to sweep for bugs inside a tent than to thrash about with a broom, knocking this and that about the floor of the tent with the bristles in a manner that brought into question if Torben ever had used a broom before. “Never know who is listening. You know these bugs. Always hiding where you least suspect them. All of them in the employ of SI:7.” Torben explained, casually tipping over what was an impeccably neat stack of books from a step stool, all in the pursuit of seeking out those creepy crawlies.

“Don’t worry, we do this all the time in the Deadmines. Or did.” Apparently satisfied by his work, Torben brought the broom before him as one might a walking stick, rested his hands a top it, and offered the Sun King a grin that reeked of his own amusement. “Before the place went to hell.”

Torben drummed the fingers of one hand on the other, while he took in the sight of the Sin’dorei before him. Was that crease in his brow the sign of struggled recollection? Quite possibly. Either that, or the first signs of indigestion from whatever he had eaten earlier in the night.

“When was the last time we saw each other? That unfortunate incident in your vault? The time I took care of that problem for you? The time I delivered that parcel for you to a certain someone? Jog my memory, I fail to recall.”

[cloakoflame]

&. 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬.

( this is basically just a very self indulgent list of various fluff, angst, and suggestive themed dialogue sentence starters. )

❛ i could keep you safe. they’re all afraid of me. ❜

❛ i’m trying to fix your hair, so hold still. ❜

❛ your heart is beating so fast right now. ❜

❛ promise me you’ll still be here when i wake up. ❜

❛ you’re not as bad as everyone says you are. ❜

❛ i thought you’d like some company. ❜ 

❛ clean yourself up. you're getting blood all over the place. ❜

❛ here, give this a try and tell me what you think. ❜

❛ you can kiss me, you know. ❜

❛ come back to bed. ❜

❛ you look good like this. ❜

❛ working together again, it’s just like old times. ❜

❛ how is it you always know what i need, huh? ❜

❛ you’re lucky you got away with only a scratch. ❜ 

❛ i can’t imagine losing someone like that. i’m sorry. ❜

❛ you know you can always talk to me. ❜

❛ the only one who gets to kill you, is me. ❜

❛ so, what do i owe this pleasure? ❜

❛ may i have this dance? ❜ 

❛ it’s okay, you can touch me. i won't break. ❜

❛ enemies make the best lovers, you know. ❜

❛ hold still. this might sting a little. ❜

❛ we can't keep doing this. ❜ 

❛ just relax and let me take care of you. ❜

❛ thought you’d be lighter without all that blood. ❜

❛ i had it under control. you didn’t need to do that. ❜

❛ everything looks so beautiful from up here. ❜

❛ you treat all your ladies like this? ❜

❛ well? how do i look? ❜

❛ can’t sleep? ❜

❛ i’m scared of ending up alone. ❜

❛ i don’t think i’ve ever seen you smile. ❜

❛ how long has it been since you've slept? ❜

❛ you are losing my interest, and that’s very dangerous. ❜

❛ i’d suffer hell if you’d tell me what you’d do to me tonight. ❜

❛ you look really pretty right now. ❜

❛ i’m not wearing any underwear. thought you’d like to know. ❜

❛ just a few more stitches and you’ll be as good as new. ❜

❛ i’d say we make a pretty good team. ❜

❛ i'm here for business — not pleasure. ❜

❛ if i didn't know any better, i'd say you were jealous. ❜

❛ you'd look better down on your knees. ❜

❛ fine, keep acting like you hate me. ❜

❛ kiss me again. ❜

❛ are you asking me out on a date? ❜

❛ just sit there and look pretty and let me handle this. ❜

❛ you okay? caught you staring off into space again. ❜

❛ well, i do feel better now that you're here. ❜

❛ i'm not drunk enough for this. ❜ 

❛ why is it whenever we see each other, you’re covered in blood? ❜

❛ i was wrong about you. ❜ 

❛ the first time i met you, i had no idea you'd mean this much. ❜

❛ you gonna be a good girl / boy for me? ❜

❛ i’m not afraid of you. ❜

❛ books mean more to me than people anyway. ❜

❛ i just wanted to say thank you for protecting me. ❜

❛ how about a kiss goodnight? ❜

❛ i don’t have time for distractions right now. ❜

❛ you shouldn’t be out here by yourself. ❜ 

❛ if i have to think about one more thing today, my head will explode. ❜

[cloakoflame]

𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒  (a collection of prompts from the Pirates of The Caribbean movies, feel free to adjust phrasing and gendered terms as necessary)    

“Why fight when you can negotiate?”

“If you were waiting for the opportune moment, that was it.”

“I do that quite a lot yet people are always surprised.”

“This is either madness or brilliance.”

“The code is more what you’d call ‘guidelines’ than actual rules.”

“Crazy people don’t know they’re crazy. I know I’m crazy, therefore I’m not crazy, isn’t that crazy?”

“You lied to me by telling me the truth?”

“What a horrible way to live.”

“How did you get here?”

“Dying is the day worth living for.”

“Better mad with the rest of the world than sane alone.”

“Fortune has clearly brought us here.”

“I should have told you every day from the moment I met you. I love you.”

“[name], there is more to you than meets the eye, isn’t there? And the eye does not go wanting.”

“This is madness.”

“You’re off the edge of the map, mate. Here, there are monsters.”

“Speak up! Or do you fancy a swim with Davy Jones?”

“This is barbaric!”

“Everything you said to me, every word was a lie!”

“What’s in your head, boy?”

“You cheated!”

“Do you fear death?”

“Life is cruel. Why should the afterlife be any different?”

“That’s very kind of you.”

“Think you can outrun the world?”

“How dare you do exactly what I would do if I were you.”

“I’m disinclined to acquiesce to your request.”

“You’d best start believing in ghost stories, Missie. You’re in one!”

“The world used to be a bigger place.”

“Did everyone see that? Because I will not be doing it again.”

[cloakoflame]

Kael'thas Sunstrider, by Roman Tereza.

Artist's Artstation

Artist's Instagram

[cloakoflame]

Deuce

“Very well.” Deuce waited a moment, allowing any last minute bandage changes and for Kael to put on his shirt. Then, he turned on his heel, opening the door wide and peering out into the hall. Deuce beckoned to Kael, and then motioned to some of the guards stationed by, who ultimately fell in step behind around and behind the prince as he exited the room. They trailed down the hall, Deuce careful to not take too fast a clip, both for the sake of Kael’s injuries and so he would have more time to be outside his chambers.

They passed down the halls in relative silence, save for the clank of the guards’ armor and weapons and the padding of feet. Each wall was decked in gold and crimson draperies, the stone floors each with a similarly patterned rug. Deuce still was not sure how the blood elves had managed to come up with the resources for such a large redecorating effort, but…he certainly suspected magic was involved. For when was it not, when it came to the Sin’dorei?

As they passed by guards stationed inside the Spire, each gave their acknowledgements to Kael’thas in turn. None seemed bothered by Deuce’s presence; in fact, their lack of reaction could easily have been interpreted as familiarity.

Within a few minutes, they had emerged out a side entrance into the Court of the Sun. Here the cobblestone streets were well maintained, clean and bright in the afternoon sun. A massive tiered fountain in the center of the Court could be seen from here, with sculptures of graceful elves and giant fish cast in gold and silver that spouted water that splashed into the pools below. The smell of baking bread wafted in the air and here and there elves milled about, window shopping in some of the higher end stories around the edges of the square, or sitting on the benches or gathering for discussion.

With the arrival of Kael and his cadre of guards, some wary eyes settled on the crown prince. None approached, not yet, only giving Kael’thas their cautious respects and then going back to their own business or skittering away.

The guards spread out a little, allowing Kael’thas some space to meander, but not much. Certainly, Deuce would be directly at his side whether the crown prince liked it or not.

But within about thirty seconds of their arrival, a small group of women had sidled up to the group as close as they could manage without being warded away by the guards. There were giggles and Deuce turned his head and stopped to regard the small crowd, who gasped and whispered amongst themselves when he looked. The Nightingale swept his cape back and gave a theatrical bow, which sparked titters and sighs and more whispering between the women. With a two-fingered salute, Deuce moved back to Kael’s side as they continued their walk of the perimeter of the Court.

Kael’thas grit his teeth. Jaw set in veiled disapproval of the one who made his intentions remarkably transparent. When this Nightingale escorted him out into the courtyard, Kael shifted to the side somewhat, insisting that he walk a few inches away from his makeshift bodyguard, whom he could not dare underestimate. The light of the sun gleamed upon the odd, phoenix head-shaped mask, running down the sheath of a weapon—a dagger or sword by the size of it—attached at the hip. If the prince had run, fugitive and captive as he still was, the man could certainly force him back to the infirmary.

Kael’thas was sick of the infirmary.

He was also sick of the way people looked at him. Caution and fear blazed in the eyes of every guard, every citizen, as if they lay in wake like scared children for their prince to turn on them once more. At this, he sighed. How could he blame them? Kael’thas had ample enough time in isolation whilst in the care of physicians and healers pricking him with just about every tool available to rid the disease of which he had allowed to plague Silvermoon.

He squinted. The women who had teeter-tottered up to them had sizzled away like the burning ashes of embers and left them in the good graces of Deuce. Then the blood elf narrowed his eyes, seeing how easy it was to be approachable. As he had once been. Had the man committed any crimes of his own? Why did he feel the need to dress in such a conspicuous, anonymous manner? As if Deuce had something to hide.

Kael’thas snapped out of it, realizing he would only get a few minutes of the outside pavilion to himself. He took a deep breath and tried to appreciate the intermingling of leaves running down the ivory branches of autumnal trees. To think it all would have succumbed to the fires of the Legion, sealed with empty promises in a demon’s breath. His kingdom had gone all but extinct in the wake of his shame and sin. He squinted, undeserving hand blocking out the radiance of sun. He couldn’t figure out why he was still here.

Circling around them, fish leapt in and out of the fountain, accepting bite-sized flakes from passers-by. Further out, the guards maintained their silent vigil, just as they had done in his stead. As this man would, too, out of such obligation.

“You are quite the escort,” Kael’thas said, refusing to let down his own guard. “Your capability of babysitting criminals precedes you.”

[cloakoflame]

[Text] "Can you bring snacks on your way over?" Verath texted, he was just about ready for their DnD campaign night.

Kael'thas smirked at the text, replied with a "yes," and asked if the older elf had any preferences. As he waited for a text back, he put on his coat and grabbed a messenger bag on the way out the door.

A wizard with an affinity for fire spells. Kael would dare say he perceived his character as a way to channel his inner power and work out his own anger issues. Personal as it was to him, he did not admit this sort of spiritual work to anyone. All they knew was that he had a penchant for strategy--and surprises.

He parked his car in front of his local grocery store, went in to purchase the snacks Verath requested, and started the 20-minute drive to Tranquillien where the campaign was being held at Windrunner's home.

He parked the car in the driveway next to two other vehicles. At the door with bags in hand, Kael knocked and caught a glimpse of the peephole in the door, trying to gauge if anyone was, indeed, home.

[cloakoflame]

What is Your Soulmate Like?

A Sweet Lullaby

my sister and i used to make up nonsensical lullabies for my younger brother when he was little so he’d go to sleep and the laughter that engulfed the room at the time is what your soulmate would be like. no matter how weird the rhyme, it would always end with an “i love you” and a boop on the nose, and somehow, even if the lullaby was more befitting of a sea shanty, my brother would fall asleep. i wish you sleepful nights with sweet dreams, next to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Tagged by: @lady-proudmoore

Tagging: @astralfox0893 @rosawept @paragonrising @rangergeneralsylvanas and anyone else I missed or are interested.

[cloakoflame]

Which Animal Would Be Your Witch Familiar?

Raven

Ravens are true romantics. They love stories about brave yet doomed knights and noble ladies. In keeping with chivalric custom, they are dedicated and loyal friends. Ravens are supportive, emotionally and intellectually. Famed for their intelligence, ravens are the best kinds of scholars: they are open-minded and imaginative. For example, a raven would help you decipher cryptic messages in ancient texts to discover new incantations you test and improve together. A raven would have bonded with you in large part because you're scholarly, enjoying learning for the sake of learning. You challenge yourself intellectually. You also have an appreciation for beauty. Not only is your magic effective, but it's beautiful too. People are amazed by your work and abilities everywhere you go. You and your familiar are most interested in astronomy, attempting to make sense of the past, present, and future through the movements of the cosmos.

Tagged by: @lady-proudmoore

Tagging: @astralfox0893 @rangergeneralsylvanas @paragonrising @halforc-mercenary @rosawept and anyone I missed or are interested.

[cloakoflame]

What Color Are You?

Red

you are angry, aren't you. how apt. you laugh and show your teeth when you smile and never ever let your audience forget that you are dangerous, and then when your theatre clears you do not stop performing. you have not stopped in a very long time, because when you do someone is going to see you as a person instead of a pedestal, and that is not an option. when you are vulnerable again, you will be held.

Tagged by: @lady-proudmoore​ (ty!)

Tagging: @astralfox0893​ @rangergeneralsylvanas @paragonrising @rosawept​ and anyone else I missed or are interested.

[cloakoflame]

Let Me Assign You a Love Language

A Knife Called Grief

You have left your house, you have left those people behind, but what are you going to do about the memories which have taken root in you? You can run but not without them. You want someone to sit with you on this cool marble floor while the sun burns everything.You want them to cut your rotten heart and theirs too. You want to sit with it in front of you, let them see you with all your flaws, which haven’t been your fault but you have been made to believe so, and you want them to love you anyways. Because you know you’d do that for them.

Tagged by: @lady-proudmoore (ty!)

Tagging: @astralfox0893​ @rangergeneralsylvanas @rosawept​ @paragonrising and anyone else I missed or are interested.

[cloakoflame]

What Kind of Crime Are You?

Arson

"the willful and malicious burning of property." so you just wanna watch the world burn, huh? maybe you were that kid who had a fascination with matches, or a weird obsession with pyrotechnics. you're probably one of the coolest criminals out there, and have a flair for the dramatic. maybe you're a firefighter in disguise! either way, sick burn, bro!

Tagged by: @lady-proudmoore​ (ty! <3)

Tagging: @astralfox0893​ @rangergeneralsylvanas​ @paragonrising​ @halforc-mercenary​ @rosawept​ and anyone else I missed or are interested.

[cloakoflame]

𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒

found that there was a lack of text memes i personally liked, so i figured i’d just make one myself!! feel free to alter whatever you need to make it fit your muses better <3

[ sms ]: i know you don’t know me that well, but i wanted to check in after last night.

[ sms ]: oh, i’ve heard of you! [name] has told me so much about you!

[ sms ]: hi there! we’re number neighbors, what’s your name?

[ sms ]: i swear i’m not ignoring you, i just forget people exist sometimes

[ sms ]: i’m not really a big phone call kind of person,

[ sms ]: this is [receiver’s name], right? it’s [sender’s name] from yesterday!!

[ sms ]: sorry i left in a hurry, something came up…

[ sms ]: good morning! i’ve had three hours of sleep and i’m about to make it everyone else’s problem.

[ sms ]: what do you mean you “fell asleep”, i sent that days ago??

[ sms ]: if you’re not busy, could we hang out today?

[ sms ]: i miss talking to you

[ sms ]: be ready to call 911, i have a stupid idea

[ sms ]: speaking of pretty people, let’s talk about me!!

[ sms ]: today doesn’t feel right without you

[ sms ]: if you don’t reply asap, i’m sending you the bee movie script. all of it.

[ sms ]: it’s 3 am, why are you awake?

[ sms ]: is that a threat or are you flirting with me?

[ sms ]: i want to have breakfast with you for the rest of my life.

[ sms ]: good morning, my [ridiculous and/or sappy pet name]!!

[ sms ]: this date is going horribly, can you call me so i can leave?

[ sms ]: do you want to go with me to the movies tonight?

[ sms ]: my friends don’t like you, but i do.

[ sms ]: you’re lucky you’re cute >:(

[ sms ]: i want you to meet my family, is that alright?

[ sms ]: my parents are already asking when we’re getting married…

[ sms ]: i’m starting to think you’re only dating me for my [pet] :/

[ sms ]: so, how are things with that person you were crushing on?

[ sms ]: you don’t look so good. do you want to get out of here?

[ sms ]: do you need me to come pick you up?

[ sms ]: call me if anything goes wrong, okay?

[ sms ]: [receiver’s name]? i heard what happened, are you alright?

[ sms ]: please call me as soon as possible.

[ sms ]: are you sure that’s for the best?

[ sms ]: putting “lmao” behind a message like that doesn’t make it any less serious,

[ sms ]: i think you need to talk to a therapist.

[ sms ]: will you please tell me what i did wrong?

[ sms ]: can you just pick up the phone?

[ sms ]: stop calling me.

[ sms ]: block my number.

[ sms ]: so are you leaving me on read to be petty, or…

[ sms ]: this isn’t really a conversation to have over text.

[ sms ]: can’t you take a hint? i’m not interested.

[cloakoflame]

DEEPER CONVERSATION PROMPTS ft. some inspo from random shit i’ve written

“ even morsels of affection are like feasts to a starved soul.  ”

“  you ever feel like…you’re a box of matches everyone keeps passing around to keep themselves warm?  and some days you just wanna set fire to a forest just to watch something else burn for once.  ”

“  seems like when my life was created by—  shit if i know.  the universe or god.  whoever was building it had the blueprint upside down.  something’s just wrong.  ”

“  the world feels too big for me to be noticed,  yet too small to hide.  ”

“  it hurts.  when you want to live.  when you start caring about having a future again.  it makes all the things you’d numbed yourself too ache again.  it can be just as suffocating to want to stay on this earth as it is to want to escape it.  ”

“  only clinging to positive emotions,  pushing all the bad shit down,  that’s not balance.  it’s not any healthier than the people who hold on to their bitterness and anger.  ”

“  truth is i don’t care— i should but.  i don’t care if becoming one of the monsters is what it to takes to protect myself.  i’d rather be something that makes people afraid than be the one terrified anymore.  ”

“  i think the real monsters in the world,  the real villains,  are the ones who create them.  ”

“  no one blames a beat dog for learning how to bite the hands that strike it.  yet when humans learn how to bear their teeth we avert our gaze,  criticize how they learn to survive.  ”

“  i’m starting to think finding your place in the world is about making it.  carving out a piece and making it yours.  ”

“  i’m not afraid to love.  loving is the easy part.  it’s the after that always scares me.  the idea of being left with all that love and nowhere to put it.  ”  

“  i feel hungry.  like in my soul.  but i don’t know what i’m starving for.  how am i supposed to know what i need when i’ve never had it?  it’s just hollow.  ” 

“  it took me a while to realize happiness wasn’t this long,  consistent thing.  it’s just learning to live in the small moments.  appreciating the joys you find,  tucking them away for later so when it’s dark again you remember what the light felt like.  ”

“  i think it’s okay to be lonely sometimes.  i think that’s when you learn the most about who and what you are.  and who you want to be.  ”

“  i knew something had to change when nightmares no longer scared me.  they almost felt safer than what was there when i was awake.  ”

“  i’ve never really learned to identify one emotion from another.  i never got that?  how some people just know what they’re feeling.  it’s all just one mess inside me.  i just feel.  i don’t think about it.  i just feel things—so strongly it’s like it takes over my entire body and soul.  ”  

“  to really know yourself…i think that will always be more important than whether not anyone else knows you.  ‘cause there’s always going to be pieces of yourself you keep from the world.  and only you can understand them.  ”

“  when you fight with someone you actually,  truly love.  that selfless,  committed kind of love?  every argument might as well be like punching your own reflection.  that’s how you know it’s real.  when hurting them wounds you too.  ”

[cloakoflame]

Ahlayn

“Indeed,” Ahlayn intoned, watching Kael’s gaze wander to the tent flap. “We both do, of course. But I insist…you seem in need of some…” he lowered his voice. “Moral support.” Without another word, Ahlayn pushed himself up from his chair, and somehow managed to stand, balancing gracefully on one foot. While he could have helped himself with a hint of magic, now was not the time to expend his power unless necessary. Especially not here, where the air teemed with arcane.

“Come. Let us find a place where we can converse in relative peace. And no, I am not letting you out of my sight until I am through with you.”

@cloakoflame

Kael jerked up, the sight of his friend on one foot not sitting right with him. “No, Ahlayn. You needn’t trouble yourself with unduly exertion and effort for me. I will survive, and so will you.”

The redhead, however, did not seem to want to budge from his decision. Of course. Ahlayn Bloodwing was little more than a stubborn mule in regards to matters of personal care. Leader or no, Kael was going to futilely fight a man who would disobey him time and again if it was for good intentions.

And Kael needed good intentions.

“Very well, then,” Kael sighed after some consideration. “Wait here.” He stepped out to inform the healers of his decision then returned. “My tent is not far from here if you can walk the distance. If the pain gets any worse, we will have to bring you back.” He stood beside Ahlayn and placed his arm over the elf’s shoulders. Once the elf would grab his wrist for support, Kael moved them slowly onward into his tent.

The space was fairly medium-sized for a temporary abode, housing a bed, a sleeping bag, a desk and chair, and various other items. His personal sword, the Quickening Blade, glowed with fire as it twitched against the post nearest the headboard of his bed. Upon seeing the sword, Ahlayn might have recalled their battles and noted the sword’s tendency to spring to life, hovering without hesitation into its master’s hands with ease and determination.

Judging by its position, Ahlayn might also wonder if Kael truly was so stressed as to keep his weapon so close by as he slept. Such methods were required out here in the perilous lands of a world literally falling apart by the very throes of magic. Kael could sense it every day, wracking his brain and feeding on his addiction. He had no way of knowing whether it was his strong resolve to go next.

Kael placed the man down steadily where he wanted, then adjusted the bandages on his leg. Once settled, he eased himself onto the bed and conjured two glasses of water, handing one to Ahlayn. “It’s not ideal, but it will tide us over until my scouts can locate a new reservoir.” He drank from the cup, then glanced at his friend. “You wished to speak with me in private. What is it?”

@astralfox0893

[cloakoflame]

Verath

Verath smiled and even laughed a little when thinking of his strong willed family. “Oh yes, they do excel at what they do and I’m proud.”

He looks at his book again then back at the prince, “That’s wonderful, I enjoy the ones with a twist. As for poetry, I have been meaning to read more than just my son’s writings.”

“I cannot say I blame you for reading much more than that. Young Lirath is talented, though much more can be said about the hectic nature of our responsibilities,” Kael said. He moved over to the bookshelf nearby and scanned the various titles--some he had read before, others unfamiliar--until he placed his finger on one such book entitled Kindly Suggestions Regarding Power.

“Our libraries see a weekly circulation of books, both old and new. I dare say you shall never grow tired, as you are bound to find at least a title or two that suits your taste. He picked out the book and glanced it over. “This one seems to have been published fairly recently.”

He placed the book down on the table near a seat across from Verath and helped himself to a glass of water by a serving tray. He placed it beside his book, then fixed the lights on the chandelier so that they shone equally on the table below.

@rangergeneralsylvanas​

[cloakoflame]

Lirath sounds excited in this missive, "my father and mother said I could visit Dalaran. I wanted to inform you."

Kael was in his living quarters at Dalaran, organizing the tomes on his bookshelves, when he received the missive from a courier. He beamed at the contents, then gestured in the direction of his desk. A red-feathered quill came to life, dabbled itself in a bottle of ink that opened all at once, and took to writing a reply on a piece of parchment that flew in like a leaf on the surface of his desk.

"Excellent," Kael mentally wrote as he continued to work, "I shall relay the news to the grand magus so that he may approve your visit and arrange proper accommodations. I hope you are practicing well, my friend. Warmest regards to your family."

[cloakoflame]

[ text ] are you drunk?

Between the opened bottle of Brennadam Apple Brandy and the wine glass he was working on, Kael'thas was sure Jaina would blow his cover, and rightfully so had she been here. He focused on a text that would obfuscate the truth.

"Of course not. I am only staring at this bottle of brandy and thinking of you. Rather, thinking of how it might tickle your fancy--were you here."

As he sent the text, a small voice--his inner critic--rang in the back of his head. She'd never say yes, and yet the well-kept, luxurious condo in which he inhabited felt darker than ever. He took one last swig of his brandy to dull the loneliness, then poured the contents down the kitchen sink.