[ CLOSED ] Twisting, constricted

[blackscales]

WHO: Wrathion & Visitors
WHEN: April: Beastmaster's Arrival & Aftermath
WHERE: Ke-Waihu & then... the forests around Ke-Waihu. Cosy caves.
WHAT: Wrathion clocks the Beastmaster arriving and immediately Nopes Out. Plot here!
WARNINGS: Awkward cuddling huddled by a blanket ft UST in a cave.




As soon as the Beastmaster draws near to Ke-Waihu, Wrathion slinks from the village and takes flight through the forest. He can be seen, occasionally, flying over the tree-tops in the area being pursued by the Beastmaster's creatures. Those who know him well, or those good at following tracks, can find him hiding out in a cave avoiding them while he waits out the Beastmaster's powers fading.

Comments

[chosenbylight]

Anduin passes him a meat bun, flashing a smile, however watery. They both need to cool down and focus on other things, for a moment. Something safe, anything but the press of Wrathion's hands, hot on his skin, and the warmth of his body underneath--

He takes a steadying breath and plucks up a meat bun for himself, taking a bite and chewing with purpose for a long moment. Forcing himself to think of meat buns and -- food from home. Being home, and -- ah, yes, naturally thoughts of home turn back to Genn and Jaina. Now those are thoughts to cool any wild moments of affection.

They have discussed this already. What his advisors would make of this. Of them. Anduin glances across at Wrathion, frowning slightly -- in concern as much as anything.

"Do you suppose," he says, after the briefest of pauses, "that you would not be safer, if you left this place?"

[blackscales]

If he left... this place?

That's vague. If he left this cave? This whole area? This world?

"What would you have me do?" he prompts. Perhaps better to get Anduin talking, instead, to discern his meaning through further context. The cave was what they had agreed upon before, but since then he may have developed a better idea. If he has, Wrathion is open to hearing it of course. It isn't as if the cave is a comfortable location.

[chosenbylight]

What would he have Wrathion do?

Anduin sits back and raises his hands to run across his face, trying to gather himself -- gather his thoughts. It does not really work.

"The Beastmaster's creatures are after you," he explains, voicing his thoughts aloud. "You will be in danger so long as he is near, and since he has come to Ke-Waihu after the volcano, the Huntress, it only stands to reason that... The further from this place you are, the safer you would be."

Anduin glances back up to Wrathion, searching his face for any indication of how his words are being received, as he continues, "You cannot shelter in these caves forever, Wrathion. I -- certainly will not be able to maintain this distance for that long myself."

[blackscales]

Wrathion tilts his head slowly.

"Of course, but the plan was never to shelter here forever. Only until either the Beastmaster's power fades to a safe level that he can be challenged, or we find the beacon and manage to leave."

Which, hopefully, one of those two happens sooner rather than later -- and if he travels too far he'll have a long way to travel back when either of those things happens. He might miss the window.

[chosenbylight]

Anduin shuts his eyes and takes a deep and steadying breath, trying to pull himself back together. His emotions are still running high, his blood still running hot, but they've talked about this, they've been over this, they have. As much as he fears for Wrathion, he has to trust in him. He is not totally defenseless.

Even so...

"Wrathion," Anduin says, after a long moment's thought. "I know that we have been over this already, but I. Just want you to be safe. Tell me that you will be careful. I cannot lose you. Not now."

Not after -- this.