----

He’s trying to be present, trying to focus, to enjoy her company, to pay attention-- to at least seem like he’s paying attention. She sees right through him, though, like always, and thwacks him lightly on the ear with the hilt of her dagger.

He looks up.

She’s holding the knife by the blade, bouncing it as she eyes him, one brow raised, expression demanding an explanation.

“Sorry,” he mumbles, looking down at his lap.

He can feel her shrug through the way it jostles the mattress. The spare bedroom mattress she’s been staying on most nights of late. She’s leaned against the headboard, all relaxed confidence, lazy limbs everywhere. Any viewer would swear this were her bed, her room, her house.

He’s seated on the edge of the bed, all tight nervous fidgeting and averted eyes, prosthetics tap tapping against each other as he adjusts again, then again, chewed lips, quiet sighs.

“Don’t apologize,” she says, and he’s not looking at her but he knows she’s rolling her eyes. “Apologies mean fuck all when we both know you ain’t gonna stop. What’s wrong?”

Not ‘what’s wrong with you’-- she knows better. A pointedly gentle question instead, careful and soft only ever with him.

He sighs again, wrist taping his knee.

The door’s closed, it’s just them.

They could be any age like this, just the two of them. There was no age, no time, without each other. A constant.

‘My world revolves only ever with you in it.’ He remembers the words, the pained expression twisting her features, and he’s pretty sure he remembers the context. He’s pretty sure.

They could be anywhere in their lives when they’re like this. They could be kids, growing up side by side, in their childhood bedroom, identical twin girls except not. It could be before he hurt himself, or after. It could be while he was going to school in Dalaran, or when he left before finishing. It could be Silvermoon, before Dyrihm lived with them, or during that time, or in the aftermath. Or Pandaria. Or now. Or some future time, as the prospect of living (existing?) without moments like these with his sister is unfathomable to Dahl.

They followed each other through life, leapfrogging from one disaster to the next, and yet never doing what the other was doing. Never going through the same struggles, be they internal or external. Never the same, in any real way, he supposes now.

He never thought of it that way before.

He spent so long trying to look different-- never intentionally to not look like her, but to not look the way he had, to not look like a woman (whatever that means), which amounted to the same in the end. He tried so hard to look different. And now, he supposes, he really has succeeded.

“Wake up, frowny face,” she says, flicking him in the ear with her finger this time. “I know you’re getting laid, so this ain’t pining like it used to be. What’s wrong.”

He breathes in, deeply.

They tell him it’s unnecessary but not breathing still feels wrong, feels like panic, like dying without the big finish. All crescendo, no end.

He wants to start with ‘Did you know’, a casual opener, but it feels ridiculous. Of course she knows. Everyone knows. Every careful, casual set up feels wrong and foolish, reminds him he’s stupid--

‘--so fucking stupid--’

-- so he shakes his head and blurts out, “We look different now.”

He doesn’t look at her face, can feel her confusion from a few feet away. “Uh, yeah,” she says, like it’s obvious.

‘--so fucking stupid--’

“Wasn’t that kinda the whole point?” she adds, and she’s leaning over sideways, body angled over the edge of the bed so she can see his face, catch his eye, while he’s intently focused on his staring contest with the floor. “Nobody mistakes you for a girl anymore. That’s good, right?”

He nods.

It’s good.

That part is good.

“Then what’s the problem, bucko?” she asks, gentle-- careful and soft, only ever gentle with him.

“We don’t look like twins anymore,” he says finally, and the act of saying it stings his eyes, sharp and hot. He can feel color rising, splotchy, up his face.

She scoots closer, no longer leaning against the headboard, still tilted sideways trying to catch his gaze with her own. “Who told you that?” she asks, and he can’t tell if it’s meant to mean that someone lied to him, or that she didn’t think he’d ever notice on his own. And the worst part is that he wouldn’t have.

She knows him. Better than anyone, she knows him. She knows him inside and out better than anyone else has ever known him, himself included, and he thinks she probably knows him better than she knows anyone else as well-- herself included.

He shakes his head. “Met a few new people. They didn’t realize we were even siblings.”

That sting is back, behind his eyes.

How could their lives (existences?) have changed so much…? Dahl remembers being a child with Nae, making forts in their bedroom. She stole treats from the kitchen, and he made toys for her, and they were happy.

He knows that’s a lie. He wasn’t happy at that age in any situation other than hiding in their shared room with Nae, eating honey cakes by candlelight when they were supposed to be asleep. She was the only thing he had worth living for, and the only reason he’d lived at all.

He spirals in her silence, feeling stupid for not noticing, stupid for caring, stupid, stupid--

‘--How can you be so smart and still so fucking stupid--’

“Well, we can probably fix that,” she says.

He blinks until his vision isn’t blurry, trying to process her words, and turning to squint at her. “What-- what do you mean?”

She shrugs, giving him her gentlest smile, which is still sharp in so many ways. “There are ways to make us look more similar again. Like what clothes we wear--” She holds up her hands in mock defence when he frowns at the suggestion. “Though I know you’d never be caught dead in my form fitting leather,” she says, snickering visibly at ‘caught dead’ before adding, “And your fabric textures are important and all that. And obviously I wouldn’t be great at my job in flashy colors.”

His frown deepens.

She shrugs, a relenting gesture that says ‘you’re right, you’re right’, and continues with, “So probably not the clothes. But there’s other ways. Like hair.” He watches as the idea takes hold in her mind, can see it on her face when she’s decided. There’d be no stopping her now if he tried. “Yeah, fuck it, I’m getting a haircut.”

“You don’t have to--” he tries anyway, guilt eating at him.

She shoves his metal shoulder gently, and his body sways. “Shut up, I’m getting a haircut. Not the same as yours, but maybe, like, just one side shaved, you know?”

He tries to picture it.

“Right or left side?” she asks, all grinning and confidence, all gentle only ever for him. She’s off the bed already, moving to the door, and she opens it before he can ask her where she’s going. “DYRIHM!” she all but screams down the hall, grinning widely at her excuse to be disruptive.

“WHAT?” Dahl hears Dyr yell back, muffled from another room-- the kitchen, maybe?

There’s a throb of nostalgia in his chest for this, for living together with the both of them. He hopes, deeply, that Frost doesn’t mind too much. He wants to keep this as long as he can, to recreate that best year that he really does remember most of.

Nae calls, “COME CUT MY HAIR!” and gives Dahl a toothy smirk over her shoulder, delighted, he suspects, in the same nostalgia he’s feeling. Of course she doesn’t process it as an aching soft warmth like he does; more likely it feels like a shot of hard liquor to her, burns all the way down and makes her brain buzz.

There is silence, and then footsteps, and then Dyr is in the doorway looking at Nae, bewildered and trying not to laugh as he wipes his hands on a towel. There are scissors in his pocket.

“Did someone die?” Dyrihm asks, lightly, and Dahl can’t blame him. He’s never known Nae to change, frankly, anything about her appearance. She’s always loved the way she looks, calls herself perfect and means it.

Instead she shrugs and says, “Nah, I just want us--” she gestures between herself and Dahl, “-- to match again. Been too long.”

Dyrihm's sass is cut abruptly short. "Oh," is all he says at first, obviously surprised, then he softens into something fond. "Hmm... I think I can manage that." 

Nae grabs the desk chair and settles herself on it backwards so she can lean on the back, facing Dahl. “Just one side,” she says.

“Left side,” Dahl blurts.

Her grin is pleased as she nods and says, “Left side it is.”

“They aren't children. Neither are you. …Maybe communicate you feel pent up an' I can find you any number of fucking things to do.”

Maul’s growl, next, and Dyrihm’s eyes flicked shut as he recalled his own snarled reply.

“Give me. Something violent to do. Alone.” His defeated sigh. “Please. Alone.”

He set his jaw, opened his eyes, and strode into the rain. Yes, Maulfalcon was right, the hunger was a part of him, now- the pull, the ache, the driving force of so many Knights just like him. But he was a good man. He had always been a good man- a good son, a good brother, a good soldier, a good friend- at least, he had tried.

He would stay the man his team knew him as. When they looked at him, he wanted them to see the good man- not the cruel, volatile, violent Knight. The good man was for his friends. The soldier was for his team. The Knight… the Knight was for him, alone, to bear.

He tried to never let it go this far. Tried to always walk the line, just enough hunting, fighting, to stay even-keeled. Every so often, though, he unbalanced, and needed to be the Knight.

A high-risk bounty, Maul had handed him, WANTED scrawled across the top in blocky letters. Something productive, something good he could still do while being the Knight. A rogue Illidari, it said. Lost in fel power, seeing demons everywhere, murdering Forsaken scouts, the Illidari had retreated to a cavern along the western shore of Azsuna. Caution, the missive advised. Heavy Alliance presence in the area. Those, Dyrihm would have to avoid. He had a target.

It took the better part of the evening to reach the shore by foot in the heavy rain, but the cover of storm and nightfall gave Dyrihm exactly what he needed to skirt around the Alliance soldiers camped on the beach, obvious by their guttering fires. He crept along the ridge that rose above the sand, peering into the shadows for the cave entrance. Soaked to the bone, he finally found a deeper area of darkness in the ragged rock, and slipped inside. He hoped this was the right place.

A string of furious words echoed on the damp walls as something hurtled out of the blackness at him. Dyrihm barely got a blade up in time to block the goring point of a horn as his back met stone, and his attacker thrashed at him with razor-sharp claws, hissing something about demons and deceivers in an unsettling blend of Demonic and Thalassian.

Yes, Dyrihm thought as he tasted blood, this was the right place. He grinned, off-kilter, something distinctly unsettling in his expression. Good.

A chill wind howled, and the lingering rain lifted from Dyrihm’s armor and hair to whip through the air in a whirl around him, forged into needlelike slivers of ice. The Illidari stumbled back, and Dyrihm advanced. He could smell the fel in the air as the shards pierced flesh. He practically thrummed, sensing the pain of each slice. One runeblade flicked forward to take the point off of the Demon Hunter’s horn, and his grin grew.

He felt a deep satisfaction settle itself in his chest as his swords flashed, reflecting the blue glow of his eyes in the darkness, every swing slapping away the Illidari’s questing claws, each time, biting into skin and bone. Single-minded in his focus, in his element, a duel, Dyrihm pressed forward, forward, forward, forcing the Illidari back with every strike. The Hunter didn’t stand a chance like this- after all, he had been made to kill demons, and Dyrihm, well- Knights were made to kill everything.

The Illidari earned himself a brief respite as he unleashed a sudden burst of fel in desperation, and Dyrihm dropped back a few paces, hissing at the searing burn. The cavern lit up, bright, eerie green, as Dyrihm brought up a glowing, runed barrier, and waded back in, pushing through the gout of flames pouring from the Illidari’s empty eyes. He slammed a blade home, into its sheath, and reached out with an open hand. A tendril of shadow rushed forth, and as he closed his fist, it coiled around one batlike, demonic wing. A horrible crunch followed, and a screech of pain.

The satisfaction in his chest was becoming heady, spreading through him like something too-sweet, too-sour, too-heavy, all at once, like fire and molasses in his bones as the Illidari dropped to the stone floor.

“Please,” the Illidari choked in Thalassian. “Stop.”

The Knight stared down.

 --------------------

The rain still hadn’t abated by the time Dyrihm left the cave, but the Alliance fires that had dotted the shore had long gone out. He stood there in the darkness for many minutes, letting the downpour wash away the blood and bits of flesh that painted him from head to toe. The tilted grin, too, was scrubbed away, and he gave one quaking, full-body shudder. A calmness and a clarity took him, and a bone-deep exhaustion, not of body, but heart.

Solis has no abomination before him this time. Instead, laid out on the table are the broken bodies of at least a dozen crows. A soul vial sits beside them, black swirling mass within the same as the previous week- except for one thing. A tight coil of shadow within the depths can be felt from where Reya stands. It oozes raw power, but possesses far less finesse than his own work.

Reya walks up slowly, his bone beast leaving him some ways down the slope. Light, what was he doing...But he wouldn't just leave the letter alone. Seeing Solis, Reya pauses as he looks over the bird corpses, feeling that shadow and suppressing a shiver.

Reya Ah...right. He'll need to be extra careful. Clearing his throat, Reya wanders closer, careful to adjust his scarf to make sure it hadn't fallen from covering his face.

Solis turns as he hears Reya approaching. He smiles. "Ah! Kion, you made it! Wonderful, wonderful- I'm trying something new this week, and you were so helpful last time."

Reya shrugs a shoulder. Let's see how did Rey do this... "What's it this time?" He asks, crossing his arms as peers at the crow bodies.

Solis gestures at all the birds. "Yes, so- many souls, one construct makes for a powerful construct. As we experienced. But! Small shipment this week, I thought, why not try- one soul, many constructs. Could be just as dangerous in a way, don't you think? Each

Solis body will be weak, but imagine if they could sense each other, communicate instantly over distances, attack as a single-minded swarm..."

[Solis]: Plus- fragmented like that, the soul should be more easily controlled.

Reya resists a low hiss and the bubbling anger in his chest. Calm. He had a part to play. And that part required...Light above. Forcing himself to raise a brow, Reya stepped closer, eyeing the crows. "If ya fracture it too much it won't have a strong tether.

Reya Considerable damage to the body will threaten its fragile connection." Struggling not to grimace, Reya gestures the crows. "They'll want ta re-connect to the whole. A soul wants to be whole and, true, it will be able to sense the other pieces."

Reya | Like for instance, Atlas.  But he won't say that.

Solis nods, rubbing his chin with his hand. "I suppose the best place to start, then, is to see how many we can raise before it becomes unstable." He picks up the soul vial, turning it around in his hand, swirling the spirit and shadow within. "Surely, though, we can get three or four at the very least out of this one- not a Scarlet like before! A prize- a Knight. Should be strong." He uncorks the vial, and the sensation of powerful, fear-laced shadow intensifies. Whoever is doing this has compensated their lack of expertise with brute force.

Reya eyes the shadow, feeling gutted and trying not to step back, soul quivering at the energy. "Who ya got workin' on ya souls up there, anyway?" He tries for an insulted tone, since, well, all that brutality was an affront to Rey's normal sensibilities. But he doesn't move to stop Solis from his experiment, watching intently as he can.

Solis smiles. "Nachtigall and his torturers- he leads a segment of the Cult that remains in Icecrown, and for providing him with bodies strong with the Shadow and Light, he extracts the souls for me. Not his area of expertise, alas, but he does well by me."

Solis begins carefully peeling away a shuddering fragment of soul from the wispy thing in the vial. For something so small and featureless, it certainly looks in pain. The shuddering stops as the piece comes free, and Solis directs it into the first bird. It blinks its dead, beady eyes, and stirs.

[Solis]: As you can see, he's been trying to apply your suggestion- though I can feel it still needs work. He is a quick study, though.

Reya blurts out the name. "Nachtigall?" What kind of bloody name was that, Reya swallows a number of other insults.  "Can't say I've 'eard of 'em." He shrugs, debating but he steps up towards that stirring bird, hi there little buddy.

Solis || Caw caw motherfuckers.

Reya wants to steal the bird.

Solis nods. "Unsurprising. Nachtigall ascended late in the King's reign, and had the good sense to lay low as armies marched on the Citadel." Solis inspects the bird, and it pecks at his fingers. He seems satisfied, and peels off another shred of soul- this time, not only does the black, wispy mass of spirit shudder, so does the crow, and it croaks as its little body spasms. "Ah, hush," Solis murmurs, with no kindness, as he tears the fragment free and the shuddering subsides. "Making you friends out of yourself!" A second bird rises, hopping over to huddle against the first.

Reya reaches out and pets the huddling birds. Hi little buddies, he's so sorry. Rey--Wraith--he doesn't want to do this... "Ascended, huh?" He repeats aloud, glancing to Solis. "Got some hot shot up there workin' with ya, huh? Gettin' quite the network." It's SUPPOSED to be a compliment. Sorta. He guesses.

Solis smiles, reaching over to check the new bird. The two seem calmer, with company, and he's able to pull at a wing and turn the new bird's head without trouble. "Promising! And yes, you could say- it is hard, these days, to extend the new King's reach, after all. It was good to find an agent who could travel as a member of the Blade, and good for me to have partners in Icecrown with better magic than I." He shreds a third piece of soul, now, this one taking a piece of shadow-stuff with it as it comes free. The two crows screech briefly in protest. "They can clearly still feel the main soul," he says, pleased. "Very promising indeed! Now- how have things been in the City? Any news?"

Reya swallows his protest, petting the crows. He's so sorry... "Can't say much, unfortunately. Tried taggin' a few but most of 'em are too keen." Light, he doesn't want to out Dyrihm. "Was gonna swing by--what's his name fuckin' priest ya told me 'bout but City's been shitty and fuckin' busy." All of which IS TRUE.

Solis inserts the soul into crow number three.

| The crow's body simply disintegrates, but at least the piece of soul is not lost. Solis curses quietly, and reaches for another corpse.

Reya 's face turns dismayed under his scarf.  No...

[Solis]: Ah, yes- Trevarde. Not to worry- we've got some plans for his mark. Trevarde's been watching closely, and it seems the Knight's current standing with the City is... tenuous. A perfect opportunity.

Solis carefully feeds the soul into the next dead bird.

Reya mutters as he pets the birds.  "Gotta be gentle with the soul if ya want it to work.."  But his mouth snaps shut at this news.  "Oh?  Ya got somethin' going for ya there?"

Solis sighs as it, too, fails. "I expected better, but- perhaps you are right. I've never had the steadiest hands- would you like to try?"

Reya screeches internally. NO!!!!  "Sure, why not?"  He lifts a hand off the birds and holds it out to Solis.

[Solis]: And yes, yes- new orders are due in in the next day or two from the King, and I simply need to ensure Knight Ackerman is one of the Knights who receives them. Everything Trevarde has told me about him implies he'll balk at this one. And without the City to protect him? Simple to spirit him away.

Solis hands Reya the fragment of soul, and a limp crow carcass.

Reya 's internal screeching intensifies.

Reya takes the fragment and crow carefully, looking between them and TRYING not to look up at Solis. "Sounds like ya got it all planned out there?  Couple days, huh?  Damn, movin' quickly."

Reya gently feeds the soul fragment into the crow, with far more care than the small death knight's ever shown this kind of magic, not that Solis would know that.

Reya beams under his scarf as the crow starts to stir.  Refraining from crooning at it, he pets it, bringing it towards the other crows.

Solis watches intently, giving a pleased clap of the hands as the crow blinks and squirms. "Excellent! Three it is!" This time, Solis peels off a shred of soul for both himself and for Reya. "Hey, Kion, have another go. You've got the touch." He feeds his piece into what he hopes will be crow number four. "And yes- once these things get set in motion, they do move quickly, though I think the King has had this in mind for some time now."

Reya 's heart quivers--or was it his soul--at each shredding. But he takes the soul and gently lets it into another crow. "Gotta say, makes me wanna check out what goin' on up north the more I hear about it." Which was a true statement. Curiosity was such a curse.

Reya makes another dismayed face under his scarf as the crows bodies fail.  No....crow....bye maybe friend...

Reya wants to Cry. "Well, I think that's ya answer 'bout how many ya can do..."

Reya huddles the remaining crows to himself.

[Reya]: Oh I know, I can test these little guys out when I head back to the City!

Reya nods emphatically. "Get some intel with their eyes in places I can't get into."

Solis chuckles. "Yes, I think we're nearing the limit. Nevertheless, there is still more soul to use- perhaps a lead crow, instead of separating it furthe- Oh! Would you? I like to think they'd make excellent scouts. I got the idea from Trevarde, he's been using his shadow bird to watch Ackerman's home."

Reya SCREAMS INTERNALLY. Internally.  "I can certainly try 'em.  Man, I really should get talkin' with ya priest, his ideas sound splendid.  Can have a cuppa tea or somethin' and sprout a whole bunch of shit for ya."

[Reya]: And, a lead crow?

Reya wants to make sure he's understood this right so he just pets the crows.  Hi little buddies.  He's gonna take you home.

Solis nods. "One with the rest of the soul- the lion's share, so to speak. Should be far easier than the weak fragments." Solis dumps the rest of the torn-up soul into his open hand. The bulk of the shadow-seed still clings to it. Solis picks at it with a finger. "Hmm. Is it best to leave this on, do you think, or remove it? The soul should be quite pliant by this point..."

Reya peers at the shadow. He wants that a THOUSAND LEAGUES AWAY FROM HIM.  "It's hardly necessary but I can tweak it later if ya like." Make it bleed hope instead shush. "And yeah, that sounds good.  Give 'em a leader."

Solis nods, placing the soul, shadow-seed and all, into a final crow corpse. A few broken avian bodies still rest on the table, likely never to stir again, but this last one blinks a bright eye with a hoarse caw, and puffs up in size- swelling a few actual inches over its fellows, who it hops over to. "I will leave it in your capable hands, then- and by all means. Trevarde is very fond of birds and shadow both! I'm sure he'd be interested in this little project. His work will be done, after all, once I have Ackerman, so I'm sure he'll enjoy a new task."

Reya tries not to coo at the birds. He pets them all equally but he gives the leader a scritch. Internally screaming. Dyrihm!!!!! "Sounds like a plan." He flashes a smile under his scarf at Solis. "I'll stop by his place--" To kill him maybe. "--once I get the chance then."

Solis helps the lead bird up onto Reya's shoulder. "Well. You can call this fellow- these fellows? Whatever you like. Based on the timing, though, I believe this is Knight Tanavar. Elven. Who knows how much of that he remembers, though." Solis shrugs, voice uncaring.

Reya wants to Cry again but he nods, reaching up to pet the lead bird.  Hi little buddy.  The others he smiles down at them and gives them arms to perch on.

Solis | The rest of the crows clamber tentatively onto Reya's arms. Solis smiles. "Well! I would call this a success. I will have to try again sometime- birds again? Hm. Rodents? Cats? Perhaps a pack of hounds!" He begins muttering to himself, breaking off to blink. "Oh! Kion, thank you- I must clean the rest of these up, and I'm sure you don't want to be standing around here like a perch all evening."

Reya snorts despite himself. "Send ya animals my way if ya do. For testin', ya know." No....for saving them.... "I'll be off then." He would wave but BIRDS. Instead he just..CAREFULLY walks away.

|| Once again, Reya makes haste back to the Undercity, through the tunnels, to Dyrihm’s door with terrible news.

Dyrihm 's door has... a new padlock on it. It looks like the old lock was broken off.

Reya eyes that, covered in birds as he is.  He's still cooing to them, giving them all pets and scritches.  He loves Tana.  In all the little pieces.  But the reminder of the birds has Reya looking about for CERTAIN BIRD SPIES as he knocks on Dyr's door.

Dyrihm pushes his door open. "Rey? Reya! Reya, how are you, are you all right?" Dyrihm actually pulls Reya in for a one-armed hug, holding the door open with the other. Last time he saw you guys you guys were DEAD, man.

Reya | The crows caw and flutter, and switch to standing on Reya's head and unsquished arm. "Hi, Dyrihm." He greets, a flash of happiness melting the remaining anger there from SOLIS.

Dyrihm pulls back. "What's- uh- what's with the birds?"

Reya looks at Dyrihm, looks at the birds.  And a bit of tears well up in his eyes.  But first--paranoia.  "Inside, inside, inside." He casts another look, well a GLARE, around the courtyard.

Dyrihm walks backwards, into his house. "Al- all right." He leads Reya inside, down the hall and into the kitchen, where he puts on a kettle of water. Don't think he didn't see those tears.

Reya finds that table and slips into a char, carefully depositing each bird onto the wood. There you guys go.  The leader stays on his shoulder and he gives the birb a pet.  "Birds--Tana--meet Dyrihm."  

Dyrihm walks back over to the table, leaning on it as he looks at the clearly undead birds. "Hi, birds," he says. "Tana?" He glances at Reya to confirm. "Do they- eat?"

[Reya]: ..I dunno? Yes?  Wait no, they were dead birds before but--yes?  Maybe?

Reya has a bunch of undead crows and his life is Complete.

Dyrihm scratches his chin. "So... maybe don't need to, but meat if they do."

[Reya]: Yeah, that sounds 'bout right.

Reya scritches Birb but a frown comes over his face. "Trevarde's got his pretty birdy lookin' after ya."

Dyrihm rummages around in a cupboard, and returns with a frozen fish. He starts gently drawing the ice out of it. "Think they'll go for this?" He looks thoughtful as Reya speaks. "Yeah, that'll be Ash. I- didn't know he still had the little guy. Nob told me about him just about an hour ago- guess it makes sense." Dyr looks... resigned.

Reya puts the lead bird down so he can lean forward towards Dyrihm, worry plain on his face. "D-Dyrihm, they're gonna try to take ya!  Solis has some type of plan to get ya!"

Reya 's so W O R R I E D.

Dyrihm sits at the table, setting the now-thawed fish out for Tanavar. "He- wait, he's got a plan, now? Trevarde seemed to think it was- a done deal, but he didn't say anything about a plan." He leans forward. "Hey, it's gonna be okay. We'll figure it out. You're gonna come get me, remember?"

Reya 's lip wobbles and he sniffs, body flickering very oddly like a mirage for just a split second. "O-Orders, he said. Gonna come down from the new King and he's gonna try and get ya ta receive them for the Blade." He bites the inside of his cheek, reaching out for Dyrihm. "Said it gonna be a call ya can't make and he'll whisk ya a-away then."

Dyrihm reaches out, too, placing his hands over Reya's. "That's- not good. I can't exactly say no if I get the orders, but- maybe I can just keep my head down." He peers at Reya. "Are you okay? You- uh- flickered out a little, there."

Reya twists his hands to clutch onto Dyrihm's.  Ah...contact. He breathes out, centering himself. "I'm...gettin' there." He mumbles.

Dyrihm squeezes. "I'm glad. Really had us scared for a bit, there." The Knight smiles. "It's gonna be all right, Reya. I promise. We'll figure this out- what's it Varun always says? 'I will endure.'"

Reya nods, lip wobbling. "Yeah...gonna have ta endure.  S-Sorry about touchin' the Torch....got ya in trouble and everyone's gotta keep...treason... a secret."

Reya can't help the flicker again as much as he tries.  Stupid Emotions making this so much more difficult.

Dyrihm actually chuckles. It's a warm sound. He holds on tight. "It's okay, Reya. Someone had to pick it up- and someone had to break it. I don't regret it for a second, though... I do feel bad that everyone got put in such a shitty position because of it. I would have just taken the fall."

Reya frowns and HOLDS Dyrihm's hands.  "Not gonna let the City take ya."  He hisses out quietly.

Dyrihm smiles. "I know. It's- I'm getting used to knowing that."

Reya huffs, and he slips a hand free so he can Poke Dyr in the cheek.  "Stupid.." He mumbles.

Dyrihm | Maybe it's that lingering, gentle shadow seed, but Dyrihm is... oddly at peace, for everything going on. Resigned, yes, but... much less afraid than previous weeks. He laughs, and ruffles Reya's hair. "So, what's the story with these birds? You didn't say. This one is Tana?" He points at the Big one.

Reya shakes his head, poking the Big Birb.  Hi, buddy. "They're all Tana." He says and reaches to pet the others.

[Reya]: Solis wanted to try experimentin' again.  Split this Knight's soul into each bird.

Reya sounds so....sad....

Dyrihm peers at them. "Oh." He reaches out a hand to gently scratch one of Tana's necks. "Light." He shudders a little. "I- I don't recognize the name. I could... try and find something out about him, if you like?"

[Reya]: ...Please...full name was Tanavar.  An elf, he said.

Reya wants to hug all the birds.  So he does. He scoops them all up and cuddles them.

Dyrihm || The lead crow warbles softly at the name.

Reya wants to Cry. Tears bud up in his eyes and he pets the lead bird.  "Am so sorry..."

Dyrihm smiles, sadly. "I'm sure you made it better, being there," he says, softly. "And now he's with you. I'm sure I'll have to go in for these new orders, so- I'll see what I can find."

[Dyrihm]: Solis would have done this to him anyway, Reya, surely.

Reya sighs but he nods. "I know..just...sucks.  Could feel it...souls and shit, I don't like it." He frowns, looking down.  "Please be careful, Dyrihm.."

Dyrihm nods. "I will be." He taps his chest. "And I've got you with me. I'll be all right. I can hold out, if it comes to that."

Reya 's gaze slips down. Oh right. He reaches out quietly, and sets his hand over where Dyrihm tapped. Personal Space Reya, have you heard of it? But quietly, he reinforces the barrier, spilling a bit of something just Reya into the protection. "You have us. And we'll come find ya."

Dyrihm smiles, feeling the addition to that protection. "I know." He chuckles, and Reya can feel the rumble in his chest. "You know, Hael told me the same thing this afternoon. You guys've really got my back, and I know it. I'd hate to be Solis and Trevarde once they're between me and all of you."

Reya 's face darkens for just a second. "They won't know what hit them." He mutters but he gently pats Dyrihm's chest.  He is Safe right now.  Pulling back his hand, he grins.  "Ya certainly do got us.  Am glad Haelstein got to talk to ya."

Dyrihm nods. "I am too. I've been worried about you guys, honestly."

Reya sways contently in his seat, tucking his feet under him.  "Worry about ya self too, Dyrrrr."

Dyrihm laughs, getting up to get the suddenly whistling kettle. "You sound a little like Frost," he teases, bringing the water back to the table with a pair of mugs. Instead of tea, which Reya is fairly certain he's never seen Dyr drink, the Knight pulls a few packets of cocoa powder from a belt pouch. "I have all of you for that!"

Reya huffs. "I'll have ya know even Rey's worried.  Well. He would be." Get called out Rey. "Ooooh is that cocoa?"

Dyrihm grins. "It sure is." He offers Reya one of the packets. It's... surprisingly fine. A treat Dyr must have picked up from Dalaran. "Hey, listen. Thank you for keeping tabs on Solis for me. I know it hasn't been easy- especially tonight, for you, clearly. I just- I really appreciate it."

Reya all but snatches the packet out of Dyr's hands.  "Light, I haven't had this in forever." Glancing up, he beams. "We're really happy to help, ya know.  Besides. Needed fresh air anyway!"

Dyrihm chuckles, pouring the contents of his packet into his mug. "I know the feeling- my mother used to make it with milk, but- I don't actually have any. Water'll have to be good enough." He takes a sip, and sighs happily. "I tell you, though, the real secret to cocoa- add a teaspoon of vanilla while you're heating it."

[Reya]: Ooooh, I've never done that!  

Reya brightly pours his packet into his own mug. "Always used honey to make things sweeter back--well back before everythin'."

Reya slowly takes a sip and his entire face lights up.

Dyrihm grins. "Honey is fucking fantastic. You know what you'd never guess is amazing? Honey, lemon, and lavender for salmon. One of my favorite meals my family used to make." Dyrihm seems to just be basking in making Reya happy, just about puffing up with pride in this fact.

[Dyrihm]: Melt some butter in a bowl, add the honey, and just dredge the fish in it. Sprinkle on some crushed lavender, few slices of lemon, and bake 'em. Incredible.

Reya could swear his stomach grumbles at the thought.  "Lavender with it?  Light, never would'a thought 'bout that.  That sounds so good..." He hums around another sip of cocoa.

[Reya]: Stayin' up in the hill-lands didn't bring much fish.  Got some good things 'bout like..maybe sheep?

[Reya]: Use ta roast them all day--or was that one pig. Always liked it a bit sweeter, one time we put cinnamon in the marinade.  That was fun.

Reya sways in his seat, humming and drinking cocoa.  Happy!

Dyrihm smiles around the rim of his mug. "We didn't raise much livestock for meat on my family farm, but I did a good share of hunting a fishing for us- venison, boar. Never thought to try cinnamon, that could be really good. Used to do maple and brown sugar with the pork."

Reya giggles. "Mhmmm, maple glaze.  Aw, we had these cookies and I'd get Rey to dump so much honey on 'em."

[Reya]: Maple and honey? Sweet as the Light and it was soooo good.

Dyrihm 's face is lit up in a way Reya hasn't quite seen before, the Knight warming to the topic of sweet, fluffy things that an exemplary Knight OR Forsaken probably shouldn't coo over. "I have a terrible sweet tooth," he admits, and pats his stomach. "Still a little soft, even with all the work I did every day on the farm. Never really lost it. No regrets !" Dyrihm laughs. "My biggest weakness was chocolate and strawberry, probably."

[Reya]: Ooooh but those are so good!!!

Reya grins, humming under his breath.  "Maybe we should make some next time.  Ya got a kitchen and everythin'."

Dyrihm rubs his hands together, setting down his empty mug. "I'll have to pick up ingredients, but- I'd love to. It's been so long since I really baked anything."

Reya CHUGS the rest of his cocoa.  "Am not great at cookin' but I can help cut things!  Like strawberries!" And people!  "I'd love to help."

Dyrihm laughs. "All right!" He slams his empty mug down with conviction. "We'll have a dinner date! Varun and Nob can come too, even though- Nob can't eat, and Varun hates fun. But they're INVITED, is the point."

Reya SNORTS out a fit of giggles. "Sounds like fun~" He singsongs and stands, scooting the crows from the fish bones they've been picking at.  Up on him you little buddies. "Well, I'll get out of ya hair.  Don't want it more ruffled than it already is."

Dyrihm stands, and nods. "Get your birds home. Make em some nice nests, I'll see you soon. You take care of yourselves, all right? Both of you."