̶W̶R̶A̶T̶H̶I̶O̶N̶ (
blackscales) wrote in
westwhere2022-12-08 11:13 pm
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[ CLOSED ] Grief will have to wait.
WHO: Wrathion & fellow travellers
WHEN: Travel Arc!
WHERE: Mistress Isakanami's inn.
WHAT: A multi-prompt travel arc extravaganza! Check here for planning something custom, or he has an end of Serthica network post here or an open inbox!
WARNINGS: None at opening

Wrathion is exhausted.
So much as he is pleased to leave Serthica, so much as he is relieved to have had results there the whole experience has left him drained. The concept, then, of having some reprieve before they launch into more lengthy travel is... appealing, to a point.
It does, he assumes, mean staying somewhere else -- and based on their previous accommodation this may not necessarily be... pleasant.
Although it would be nice if it was.
The journey is long, but being flown there is at least pleasant initially. Far better than hiking, a wagon, or having to ride another creature. Then the weather begins to cool further, and Wrathion senses that they will not be relaxing in a tropical climate.
Snow. Of course.
The Merchant, at least, appear to have selected somewhere with pleasant-seeming facilities. They are, naturally, housed with the staff and expected to perform some minor tasks...
Still. If this place is devoid of any major problems, it does have potential. A hot springs in the mountains brings back fond memories, of a far flung place long ago. Of a time when he was young, before he felt the bitter sting of consequence.
It is also, so far, blessedly free of hozen.
WHEN: Travel Arc!
WHERE: Mistress Isakanami's inn.
WHAT: A multi-prompt travel arc extravaganza! Check here for planning something custom, or he has an end of Serthica network post here or an open inbox!
WARNINGS: None at opening

Wrathion is exhausted.
So much as he is pleased to leave Serthica, so much as he is relieved to have had results there the whole experience has left him drained. The concept, then, of having some reprieve before they launch into more lengthy travel is... appealing, to a point.
It does, he assumes, mean staying somewhere else -- and based on their previous accommodation this may not necessarily be... pleasant.
Although it would be nice if it was.
The journey is long, but being flown there is at least pleasant initially. Far better than hiking, a wagon, or having to ride another creature. Then the weather begins to cool further, and Wrathion senses that they will not be relaxing in a tropical climate.
Snow. Of course.
The Merchant, at least, appear to have selected somewhere with pleasant-seeming facilities. They are, naturally, housed with the staff and expected to perform some minor tasks...
Still. If this place is devoid of any major problems, it does have potential. A hot springs in the mountains brings back fond memories, of a far flung place long ago. Of a time when he was young, before he felt the bitter sting of consequence.
It is also, so far, blessedly free of hozen.
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It isn't quite time to himself, though. Wrathion is here, keeping the conversation on all the topics but relaxing ones. He glances sideways at Anduin, studying the way he leans back.
"Then perhaps there is some good to this," he offers. "If you find the hot springs here enjoyable."
You know. Minus the ghost carrying its own head, and the ghosts apparently inside the actual building. Minus all that, perhaps if the actual hot springs are enjoyable then the experience is worth it.
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"I think perhaps because it reminds me of the Tavern in the Mists," he continues, turning to glance back across over the water. "Not -- everything, of course." There had been no headless ghosts there, and this is no Pandaria, but. There are similar elements. "The hot springs," he elaborates. "The inn and its assortment of visitors passing through." Another wry smile twists itself across his features. "You. Perhaps we might make ourselves some tea and dust off your juhui set later to further complete the comparison."
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"I don't see why not," he allows. In fact, he'd like that very much -- but no need to overplay matters. Wrathion lifts a hand to rub warm water over his face and neck again, then casually drapes an arm along the back of the rock wall behind Anduin. This, he realises quickly, is likely a mistake given the gusts of cold air -- but he's committed now.
"You might hire an armed guard to stare at me while we play, if we desire to fully revitalise the mood."
He remembers that part quite well.
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The mention of the guard earns Wrathion another twist of a smile. Yes, he remembers the guards as well. Their distrust of Wrathion. His own chafing against them. It's amusing now, given the distance. His freedom. He cannot remember the last time he has gone this long without at least one member of SI:7 lurking in the shadows nearby.
"Perhaps we can leave off with that part of the recreation," he replies. "As well as the part where I was recovering from a near-death. I think we could both do without either experience, this time around."
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Both of them could do without worrying about the other for a while. Wrathion lets his eyes slip closed settling himself better and letting out a slow breath.
"I was hoping the waters here might ease your aches, however. Are they helping?"
They were promised healing properties, after all. Wrathion hadn't expected a miracle, but you can never be sure. Besides which, even the smallest easing of pain is something to be celebrated.
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Are they helping? He takes a moment to pause and consider how he feels. He isn't expecting miracles himself either. If the Prophet Velen had not been able to heal him completely, then he doubts the waters of these springs will be able to. However...
Anduin flexes a hand underneath the water, gathering his fingers into a tight fist and then spreading them out wide.
"They're helping," he agrees. "I can't tell you whether they truly do have any magical effects, or if it is simply the hot water working magic of its own, but. For the moment anyway, I feel -- good." He turns to flash his companion a soft smile. "It would be nice if their effects were to linger even after we exit the pools, though. The cold air in this place can be... Biting."
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He had noticed it was cold. Wrathion opens his eyes halfway, turns to consider Anduin.
"You had told me heat helped before, so I imagine that is part of it."
Does that mean stepping back out into the cold immediately after might undo all the good the warmth has done? He hopes not.
"If the cold air does more harm than good, we can stay inside in the future."
Wrathion doesn't like the cold anyway, so there's no hardship for him. Little point, he thinks in relaxing Anduin here only to tense him up on the walk back through the cold air.
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The way he is factoring himself into caring for Anduin's well-being.
Anduin shifts ever-so-slightly, so his head is resting against the warmth of Wrathion's upper arm.
"I will admit, I do not find myself all that driven to spend my days out of doors in the snow," he agrees. "But I'm sure there are a number of other ways we can find to entertain ourselves inside."
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Books, newspapers, magazines -- anything to pass the time. They haven't tired of each other's company so far, so even if the options are dire he's hoping they can indeed still entertain themselves.
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Leaning into Wrathion's arm around him, he turns to him and offers him the tiniest curve of a smile.
"Feeling more relaxed?" he asks. He knows he's pushing, ever-so-slightly, but he's okay with that if it manages to work. He'd do just about anything to chase away the shadows in his companion's eyes and the dreams that haunt him at night.
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"The water is pleasant."
He can agree the heat is nice, even if he could do without the snow. He doesn't know, strictly, if he feels more relaxed -- but his mind was distracted from things for a few minutes. Does that count?
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If Wrathion needs him to back off, to talk about jihui and reminisce about their time together in Pandaria, then he will. Anything to help him feel more himself. Anduin really would do anything for him. It is that thought that forces him to settle back down, tucking his head into the crook of Wrathion's shoulder.
"Yes, it is," he agrees. "As is the company."
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"I do understand I haven't been the best company."
Anduin is flattering him by saying otherwise. He's not so delusional he thinks he's been a delight to be with through all this. Hopefully the worst of it is behind them, but Wrathion has no idea where the Merchant plans to take them next. It could be back to Serthica for all he knows.
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"You do not always have to be at your best," Anduin reassures him, softly. "I know that I have not been myself."
In Serthica, and before then, if he is being honest with himself. And Wrathion had stood by him through it all. Had supported him, through what Anduin can now look back and say were some frankly terrible decisions. He is not about to abandon him now, in his time of need.
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It's still difficult to apply to himself.
He turns his face into Anduin's hair, allowing himself a moment to enjoy the proximity before he draws back.
"Perhaps we should head inside," he suggests, "get ourselves some tea?"
Find themselves some privacy, so they can curl up together and continue their attempts to... relax.
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He will not regret retreating indoors with Wrathion, to the privacy of their own room. It's still a novelty, to be able to be alone together, and Anduin would not pass it up for anything. They do not know where they are headed next. Nor do they know what awaits them when they return to Azeroth. He will take whatever chance he can get to simply -- be with Wrathion, and enjoy this time together.
"I think I would like that," he says, softly. "Dry off, fetch ourselves some tea. Perhaps we can break out your gameboard once we have warmed up?"
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"Well then," he offers, "we may as well enjoy the quiet while we have it."
Difficult to find a peaceful moment to play games during an emergency, after all. No doubt there is a new one around the corner, waiting to find them at their next location.
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"Thanks," he says, reaching out to take Wrathion's hand and using it to pull himself up to stand. Where he had not minded sitting close together or the small displays of affection while they had been in the water, standing exposed to the air like this is -- Uncomfortable. Not that it isn't anything Wrathion has not seen before, but he still is somewhat uncertain of his body. The scars. And supposing anyone else might be able to see...
Anduin reaches for the towels they have set aside by the edge of the pool, handing one to Wrathion.
"Here," he says. "Dry off before you freeze like that."
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He does, however, drape it over his shoulders before he begins to step out of the pool and reach for his robe. The water is beginning to quickly evaporate off his skin despite the icy weather, rising in faint clouds. He stands casually, pats a little more water off before shrugging on the robe and tying it.
"When you're ready," he says, and drags his eyes back to watch Anduin. He's doing his best not to seem in a rush, they can collect their things and return to their room at their leisure.
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He can't help but feel as though Wrathion is showing off, the way that the water evaporates against his skin. Pretending he isn't affected by the cold, when Anduin knows otherwise. He raises an eyebrow to suggest as much, quickly toweling himself off before grabbing his own robe up and wrapping himself up warm.
"Well, you might not freeze out here, but I certainly will," he says. He slides his feet into the slippers that the inn has provided, tugging the towel up to wrap around his neck like a scarf. "Let's go."
He wonders if they should stop by the kitchens first and grab some food to take with them, or simply head back to the room to warm up first. He glances aside at Wrathion, bumping his shoulder against him. "Are you hungry?"
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"No," he confirms, "not right now. Tea will suffice."
He's not quite settled enough to eat immediately, not hungry. Perhaps later, but for now some tea will help him unwind. The dragon stays in step with Anduin, reaching to push open the door and guide them back into the warmth of the building once more. Wrathion shivers as the heat hits his skin, grateful to be out of the icy weather.
"Get something if you want," he offers. Just because he isn't going to eat doesn't mean Anduin cannot.
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"I'll... See what they have available from the kitchen," he replies. "We'll need to pop down to grab the pot of tea from them anyway."
Following Wrathion inside, he crosses his arms over his chest, rubbing them to try and warm himself up.
"I can't decide whether it would be best to fetch everything and retreat to our room first, or get dressed first and then go down to the kitchens." He flashes Wrathion a smile. "I'm not all that keen on walking around like this, but I also don't feel as though I'll want to leave the room again, once I finally warm up."
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Given the nature of things, surely it is a common sight? He pauses in the hallway, tilting his head at Anduin as he waits his decision. Is it so complex?
"Would you like me to accompany you?"
Would that make it easier? Both of them heading down to the kitchen together? He's not sure fetching a teapot and a snack is a two person job, but he supposes that depends exactly how large of a snack Anduin is planning on retrieving. If he wants a whole meal then it might make things more difficult.
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No, he is not planning on getting all that much in the way of food. But, it will be easier to carry things with four hands than two. And more than that... It's easier to normalize walking around in a robe when Wrathion is doing it too.
So even if it makes him feel a bit silly for the request, he nods.
"Please," he says, softly. "I would not wish to keep you waiting on my account."
It is not technically a lie.
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"The jihui board should be with my bag. You would prefer to eat first, or as we play?"
Either suits him. He shrugs off his robe, searches among his things for a shirt to change into.
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