#aeredyn

Raindrops pattered along a closed window, housing in a small group of people who had been awaiting for their news. There was small talk, a low rumble through the crowd here and there of just why the section had been called to the Blood Knight hall -- none of them were Knights, at all. Someone within those ranks had perched next to the window, the small rhythm of tapping from his plate-covered middle finger kept the pace with the natural tone of the storm above. The other hand had busied itself with slowly rolling the trinket dangling from his neck between his fingers.

“Excuse me, Sir... Sergeant Swiftfire."

The voice broke the Warrior’s idle concentration, pulling his attention from the feel of the vial to the Initiate that approached. Teal hues silently judged the crimson and ebon armour, the proud tabard of the Blood Knight in training that seemed just a bit too big for the young boy. They were recruiting fast, faster than before, that was for sure.

“You are needed.” The boy piped up, holding his head as best he could to keep himself calm.

“I am not needed anywhere...” Came the correction of a tired voice, the coals strained from a startling lack of sleep. “I am wanted somewhere.”

“R-Right.... Champion Antulien has requested to speak with you...”

“Aeredyn? About what?” Could Zaerathian care? He had just come home from war, a decision to leave the violence behind and settle down within a house had been his desire, his plans... Now they were being derailed all over again. The swell in his stomach unnerved him, it was an odd feeling, the guilt and concern that surrounded his innards yet it would never show on his stoic face.

“He said you would know...”

Pivoting on his heels, the dark armour glimmered in the dull candle lights, freshly polished as a sign he had been on his way somewhere, certainly not into the Blood Knight’s Hall, that was for sure.He knew if it was to be a waste of his time, his anger would know no bounds but there had been recent talk of a retaliation, a war unlike any other.

“So I heard you’ve been snooping around into pirate-y stuff lately, Jackalope~” came the playful tone. Aeredyn had caught Jackary at his nest, preparing for something that looked a bit too serious for his own liking on a day off. The male sat there upon a large pillow, his brilliant jade hues watched the Mage he spoke to wrap the blackened hands up before gloves were placed on, testing the restraint of the fabric.

“Mhm...” Jack replied, flexing his fingers while his own eyes stayed along the digits. ‘Yeah, was lucky enough to get a chance to meet a ton of ‘em last night due to some weird fluke and goblin blowing the hell up out of a harbor. Pirate lords, Captains, ship crews, it was intense.”

“Man that sounds like it could have been neat to see! Did you find one you liked?”

“Yeah, I did, actually. Crew’s a bit green, apparently, but there’s massive potential.” Jack admitted calmly, flexing his fingers again until he was satisfied, busying himself with the second hand. “I was accepted onto his crew, actually. Going on a job tonight.”

“Damn... I’ve heard thousands of stories from people within the ranks talking about pirates. Some as tall as the sky and crazy as any person you’ll ever meet, others so tiny that they have to sit up on their first mate’s shoulders to see!” Leaning back, arms folded behind the Paladin’s head, eyes half closed in a day-dream of the thoughts of possible fairytale pirate tales. “I even heard there’s a blind one.” Aero chortled, “I wonder how he steers the ship? Turn the ship that way!” he joked then, pointing in every which direction with a flailing arm, returning it behind his head once more afterwards.

“Not all beings need eyes to see,” Jack spoke smoothly, finally replacing one of the straps along his forearm, locking the gear back in place. “Plus, I trust him, I think he’ll be fine.”

“.... Wait.” For a long moment in a pause, Aerodyn slowly sat up to stare at Jackary’s face, studying the calm look until eyes widened, a clear indication that something clicked inside. “.... Which crew accepted you? At least tell me the ship has a badass name.’

“The Vengeance,” Jackary hardly seemed interested in the conversation even if he was fully paying attention to his curious friend.

“Okay so the Ship name pass----- Waitaminute. Jack... What did you mean by you trust him and he’ll be fine? Jack, tell me you didn’t pick the blind guy.”

Peridots snapped up from his armour to give Aerodyn a calm gaze, a single eyebrow lifted in silent question over it. The look along caused the plate-clad male’s heart to drop into his stomach, his jaw agape in complete shock of what he had just come to understand.

“You... You fucking did, didn’t you? You chose a BLIND pirate Captain?! YOU WERE SURROUNDED BY A TON OF CAPTAINS AND YOU CHOSE THE BLIND ONE?! And you’re going on a JOB tonight?!”

“To Stormwind, yeah.”

“JACKARY FUCKIN’ CHAOTI YOU ARE FOLLOWING A BLIND DUDE INTO ALLIANCE TERRITORY?!” Arms flailed when Aeredyn yelled, his own shock and disbelief forced him to fall back again, landing in the plush mound. “You’re going to die! Oh gods... Oh gods what kind of flowers do you want at your funeral?!”

“Aero....” Jack frowned slightly at the reaction. “I wouldn’t have chosen him if I didn’t have a reason and you know it. Besides, the situation and operation will be smooth.”

“Oh don’t give me your wonky eldery dragon bullshit, Jack. WHY are you even going there?!”

“I don’t particularly think I should be discussing pirate-y topics with you until after the job, y’know?”

Aeredyn stared blankly for a moment, unable to comprehend or find the words he needed or wanted to even convey. “For fuck’s sake... Does Gentil know?”

“No. Not yet, anyway.”

“Oh for the love of... Are you even going to TELL him? How does he not know you’re doing this?! I know you’re going through some weird bullshit mid-life crisis or something but a PIRATE? And NOT telling Gentil?!”

“He’s busy at the Faire with Az and Dar anyway, he’ll be fine in not knowing until he gets back. It’s also not a mid-life crisis thing.” Pushing himself to stand, Jackary shuffled his way over to grab one of the few boxes he had sitting around, plopping down soon after to open it up and look through the multi-coloured vials.

“... You’re fucking kidding me. None of them know?”

“I just said they were busy, didn’t I? Plus, it wouldn’t particularly phase them.” There was a pause in his words and thoughts, plucking the chosen vials to strap them to his armband, allowing the equipment to spin slowly, making accessing the vials easier. “Dar seems to desire no conversation with or near me anymore for some reason, I haven’t seen Az in ages and Gentil’s doing his own thing... Everything’s changed.”

“Things change, Jack. But that doesn’t mean you can just waltz away one day and become a PIRATE!” Aero whined, wanting to drive his point home.

“Nothing is the same anymore, nor am I going to kid myself into thinking it will all go back to normal. I’m not going to pretend that any of us feel the same way anymore. I’m not going to sit around in that hell of a city looking pretty just to wait for people who don’t particularly seem to desire my presence. It’ll be a nice breath for everyone. A new start.”

“Are you even listening to yourself?” If Aeredyn’s frown could have tugged any lower than it could, it simply would have melted off his face. “Are you fucking running away or something? Do you hate yourself for something?”

“No, I’m just changing some things around in my life so I---”

“CHANGING things in your LIFE does NOT INCLUDE tying yourself to a BLIND MAN WHO HAS A SHINY BOAT NO MATTER HOW COOL THE NAME IS!”

“Oh for fuck’s sake he’s not fully blind.” Jack finally scoffed, bristling to himself, a good start that he was already well under way of serving someone new. “Well, okay he’s probably BLIND blind, but he still knows what’s going on, He still sees.”

“Fucking fel, Jackary, listen to yourself. Pirates are the BAD guys, bro. Remember that Human fairytale book about the boys who had to fight the pirates who were trying to kill them in the Twisting Nether Neverlands?”

“Okay first of all in that book, the dude named Peter who was leading the boys around would kill them when they were older and two...” Jackary glanced over, putting his hand on his chest. “Captain Rook was one of the boys that survived and was trying to kill Peter, so see? The pirates were actually good people.”

“.... Okay so that’s completely fucked up, but seriously, this is shady shit. What happens if you get hurt tonight?”

“Then I get hurt tonight and move on. I signed up for this, I want to do this. Sorry if your little boy fairytale ideas of what I’m choosing to become isn’t plunder the booty, drink the rum and sing shanties all over the place. It’s a new job, it’s serious work and it’s new people that I can meet.”

“You can’t swim, Jack...”

“Well I’ll be sure as fuck not to fall off the boat, then.”

The house had been quiet, but within the night, the lights had been aglow, lighting up the nest Gentil had created for Jackary. Within it there had been four figures sitting around, guitars in hand of two, another was toying with the piano that had made it’s way into the beautiful surroundings. 

Fireflies were swirling around, crickets chirping ever so sweetly and as the laughter of four males escaped, they all began to quiet down, lowering their voices. It was a perfect evening, warm and sweet in the scent of spring.

“Okay, okay.” Aeredyn grinned, motioning. “Let’s hear the new damn song, Jack.” he chirped.

“I’m not singing this one,” Lokitan remarked lazily, leaning back against a pillow while he continued to idly strum the guitar that was within his lap. “Especially if it’s a love song. I never signed up to be a lead singer of this weird boy band.”

“Buh... I mean what... I didn’t write a new song,” Jack huffed, cheeks puffed while he continued to tune his own guitar carelessly.

“Don’t fuck with me man, I saw the sheet music near the piano.”

“Just because you prefer drums doesn’t mean we haven’t heard you sing before, idiot.” Zaer replied smoothly, sitting at the bench of the piano. For such a threatening Warrior, to see him at an elegant instrument almost seemed quite off.

“Seriously, bro,” Aero coaxed again, grinning while he slouched further. “Come on, you should do it. Just once. Sing one song, I want to hear.”

“But I---” Jack stammered, cheeks reddening.

“Aero hasn’t heard you sing, hn?” Loki questioned, lofting his pierced eyebrow at the others, strumming a single chord to assure the guitar was set before it was returned to it’s rightful owner. Even as Aeredyn took it, the Paladin shook his head in confirmation towards the Rogue.

Jackary puffed his cheeks and glanced down at the guitar in his own hands, idly strumming a few chords ever so gracefully. The blush formed over his face, but he wet his lips, swallowing hard. With a slow inhale, Jack’s eyes closed to calm himself, the voice that escaped seemed to almost echo sweetly.

“Heart beats fast, colors and promises...”

Falling quiet, Loki, Aero and Zaer watched in disbelief and for as long as Zaer and Loki had known Jackary, even they seemed breathless, speechless from the tune. They watched the Mage sway in the beat he was strumming, the song carried out and into the house.

He was unaware if his full blown voice and volume could have been heard from the windows so close to his nest and the tree he often climbed into, if only to wave to Gentil once in a great while. He had been quite passionate about music and when singing, Jack always lost himself to the rhythm. It was enough to raise the hairs along the occupant’s skin, for it had become obvious just who it was written for.

Sunlight glimmered through the pines, casting the rays within the morning beauty of the world. The storm from the previous evening was long since gone and the birds chirped, welcoming the dew droplets that fell from the leaves and blades of grass. The warmth of the sun glistened over Jackary's face, fluttering lashes to finally respond from the deadened slumber he had fallen into. When those optics opened, peridot stared up at the clouds above, hazy as to where he was and how he had come to be.

"Looks like the little champ's awake," came a voice, laced with a chuckle.

"Funny, I assure you. At least he's not dead, the boss would have our head." came the second voice, followed by the ruffling noise of approaching figures.

When Jackary winced from the silhouettes of two elvish creatures looking over him, he warily began to register just who it could have been. A hand attempted to lift itself, but the Mage's gaze was drawn to the bandage wrapped along the knuckles.

"Damn, look at him, dude. He's all sorts of fucked up! Heeeeeey Jackalope, ya dead, bro?" one called out again, grinning when the Emerald seemed to finally come around.

"Give him some damned space, idiot." the second voice replied again, however the figures finally came into view from the angle both males stood in over the groggy Mage.

"Come on, Zaer. You're thankful he's alive. Jaaaaaaaaaaack! Welcome back to the world of the living."

"Thankful because now Lokitan won't have our heads for not being able to find him, Aeredyn."

Pushing himself slowly to sit up, Jackary winced, gripping towards his side with a faint noise of displeasure. "Zaerathian..? Aeredyn? The hell you two doing here..?" He grumbled, slouching to ease the tension along his frame.

"Saving your sorry ass, it seems." Zaer remarked smoothly, well sculpted arms folded in the process, taking on his ever cold demeanor.

"Loki told us to come find you, must have been something serious if he made both of us look, dude." Aero grinned, resting a hand on his plated hip. "Found ya out here by your lonesome, all conked out and everything. We weren't sure if you were dead or not from all that blood, honestly."

Jackary gazed himself over carefully, each wound cleaned to the best of a Paladin and a Warrior's abilities, especially considering the Light user was fairly shoddy at using any type of healing spell whatsoever. Each cut was sewn shut, his leg wrapped with fresh bandages and upon his face came to rest the stitched cut against his cheek.

"Sorry about your face, man. We tried our hardest to make sure all the wounds were closed." Aero admitted, rubbing his hand along the back of his neck.

"Indeed," Zaerathian interjected, showing no hint of emotion or sign of wonder. "You should be alright now, though. At least you're awake."

"Right?" Jack murmured, barely brushing his fingertips over the stitched cheek in a curious way. "Saved my scaly ass... Thanks guys."

"No problem!"

Once more, Lokitan stood heavily over his war table, snarling in irritation, but it wasn't a map of Draenor that he was looking at. "WHY are the scouts not back yet?!" He called out, slamming a fist down to jar the items that marked the new maps. Azeroth and Outlands were at his fingertips and already chunks were crossed out.

"We're trying, General... This is a lot more area to cover than just Draenor." Vivianne spoke, lowering her gaze in shame that their leader was writhing in anger. "It's a new world for some of your scout and--"

"Since when did MY scout teams need excuses to perform?!" The small Rogue roared and whipped around, pivoting on his heel to face the Forsaken woman. His eye was blazing, the crimson colour ignited in fury -- t even caused those that were still within the War Room to flinch and cower.

"M... My apologies, General..." The Forsaken hissed, drawing a step back. "I will take The Dark Ranger and the Paladin with me back to Eastern Plaguelands to search again."

"No need," came a third voice which drew the attention of all occupants in the room to the male who made himself known. Hands smoothed down the fiery black and red armour that decorated his form, the fel-infused eyes lifted in a serious gaze, a true sign of any proud Sin'dorei. "I bring news."

The tiny terror of a Rogue raised an eyebrow slowly, in no desire to waste his time any further than it had been. Several days had gone by and there was no sign of his cousin; his family was dying and all he could do was helplessly watch. "You had better start explaining your news as of ten seconds ago, Antulien."

"Sir," Aeredyn commented in respect to his team leader, yet he didn't bother to bow or show any sort of allegiance, only as if one friend were to speak to another. "I traveled the roads of Western Plaguelands after I found Jackary's belongings in the Eastern. No signs of him other than his satchel and scythe. I was told a group of people were searching for him, as well."

Lokitan's demeanor went from the ball of rage to a shrunken state, claws gripped firmly on the table behind him to steady himself. "... His Scythe?"

"Affirmative, sir. I met up with the team that was looking for him. They were lead by that Gentil Webb, your cousin's consort. Traveling with him were three elves and an Orc, if I recall."

"IF you RECALL?" Lokitan barked out again, bristled into a state of easy aggravation.

"Apologies, Sir, it's been a long past few days and I have yet to sleep." Aeredyn frowned, however his confident stance never wavered, not even when the short, raven-haired male approached him.

"Where are his belongings?"

"I gave them to Gentil Webb, Sir." Aeredyn gulped at the odd decision to do so and slowly exhaled, having expected some sort of repercussion for doing such.

"Is that all you found? His belongings?" Loki hissed. "You best not me sparing me details, Aeredyn."

"I found the items half buried in the ground, the surrounding area was covered in blood. There was an apparent struggle." Aeredyn dropped the information like a bomb, quick and to the point, knowing he had to swallow and bite the bullet of what was to happen next.

The Rogue's breath hitched and held itself, that single optic stared deeply into the Paladin's, almost as if he were looking through Aero, even judging his soul deep within. "... Continue" was all he could force from his masked lips.

"A Magic user, a friend of Gentil's, put some type of spell on an object that Jack gave to the Priest." Aeredyn continued on in a careful tone. "It acted as some sort of beacon which took us to Outlands. We searched there, the tracking device brought us to the edge of Netherstorm where Gentil and his crew would go no further. That Knight, Darnath met up with us there. The Orc and I went ahead and followed the tracker the rest of the way. It lead us to something peculiar that I wanted to speak with you about."

With a sigh at the news that it wasn't  Jackary they had found, Loki lifted a set of wicked claws to rub at the bridge of his nose carefully. "What did you find?"

"A box....A box filled with blue fire. The beam lead us straight to it, as if it were part of Jack."

"That's impossible," Lokitan was quick to cut him off; arms came to fold across his chest in which his claws dug heavily into his covered biceps.

"What is, sir? I'm telling you what we found... It was a pulsing blue orb of fire." Aero frowned further, shrugging his shoulders. "It felt strained, like it wanted to be kept hidden."

"Blue fire is what his species gives to their Soulsworns. Half of his living soul, the other half is still clearly inside of Jackary, meaning..." Lokitan paused and blinked, his blue-tipped ears soon lowered.

"Kaarasu planted it in an Eco-Dome in a place Jack hadn't been to in years?" Aero suggested the blunt truth. exhaling out a sigh. "If you're sure that it really is the item we found..."

"It means that the asshole knew he was leaving, so instead of giving it back, he hid it." Loki hissed, having not given the benefit of the doubt that maybe Kaarasu had been trying to keep it safe. It was infuriating and hurtful to think that Jackary had given something so precious and it was found in a damned box in the dirt. "Where is it now?"

"Gentil has it, Sir." Aeredyn was quick to reply, his head lowered in slight submission. "The team figured since it seemed to belong to Jackary, he was entitled to keep it safe."

"Fine.... As long as that fire still burns, we know that he is alive, at least."

It was their light in the dark, however it was then that Aeredyn had to pass the news along. He'd recorded the conversation using the comm that Darnath had loaned him and with ease, the recording was sent to the Death Knight's receiver. However, as relieved as he was for a sign that Jackary was still alive, he had begun to worry... With the way the Priest Jack was attached to had been acting, he was uncertain if it was safe or not to trust the remaining fraction of his family member's soul to an unstable male.