#hatal

I started filing my ME oc's in 2022(!!!) so these have been gathering dust since then, forever WIP... there's a lot of 'em. Why not post.

A portal opened in the forge, allowing both Dicenne and Jackary to step through. The Mage flicked his middle and index finger behind him, shutting the portal before any curious bystanders could peek through from where the pair had come from. Once settled in the cozy workshop, Jack even gave a stretch of his arms above his head, groaning from the idea of needing to finish the project Dice had willingly helped him nearly complete.

Strewn across one of the work benches, the device they were crafting remained in pieces, the three crystals that pulsed in a dull glow still separated and carefully placed so as not to cause any unnecessary explosion.  The items had begun to take shape and while the last few metals still needed to be worked by Dicenne, Jack needed to focus on building the engineering parts of the project.

“You know, if we keep teasing people like that, they’ll think somethin’ is going on.” Jack mused, pulling up a chair to glance over the pieces he had left behind to take a much needed break. “They’ll come here looking for your dragon and you’ll have to explain I’m an actual dragon and it’s not a metaphor for your dick.”

Such a notion caused a bark of laughter from Dicenne who had suffered his own exhaustion, he’d been working all day with the volatile ore and lucky for the pair, he had experience with such. Plucking up his hammer, the Blacksmith grinned, flipping it in order to get back to work.

Hours ticked by on the clock, music played through the night in the Workshop as the pair worked in unison together, chatting the night away and while it could have been considered more goofing off than actual labor, the beat of the music drove a few moments of dancing, even singing along in which Dicenne learned quite quickly that night - Jack could dance and he could sing wonderfully. 

Within the early hours of the morning after, the sun had begun to lighten the sky, the soft rains pattered across the windows could finally be seen. Dice slid over the final  piece to set it on the table near Jack and flopped down, sweat-soaked and covered in the residue of ash, fingers pushed through his own hair to watch the dragon put together the last bits of their hard work.

Jack was careful in the way he placed each crystal in the built chambers, designated by its matching conduit ore that Dice had forged for him. It was the most nerve-wracking part of building such a contraption and while Dicenne held his breath to study Jackary at work, the Mage was solely focused to the point that he hadn’t even noticed he was being watching out of curiosity. When the last stone was placed and the piece Dice had passed off was brought up to be inserted into place, Jack’s mumbled ‘thank you’ was almost overridden by the soft click of the screws latched into place.

Completed, what Jackary held within his hands was the anatomical shape of a heart, his fingers smoothed around the forged metal, drawing small runes that began to etch in the wake of his magics. Soft incantations were whispered passed chapped lips and once the last symbol was etched, a gentle glow illuminated the mechanical wonder, pulsing in matching a heartbeat. Jack leaned back to admire the glow as claws moved to scratch idly at his neck where skin had begun to slightly dull in colour and loosen akin to a sunburn.

“So...” Dicenne finally spoke up, leaning forward to rest his arms on the now clean table, his vision lifted from the heart to Jack’s face. “You going to tell me who it’s for?” Asking what it was had been futile, but curiosity for who Jack was putting so much effort into something for had finally gotten the better of him. Maybe it was idle conversation to wind down before bed, maybe he was just trying to figure that much more out about the dragon.

The question had Jack push his tongue out between his lips, a motion tale as old as time that he was taking the time to pick and choose his words carefully. How badly Jack wanted to just be honest with Dicenne to finally break down and confess everything to this mortal who had taken him in. Yet something held him back, the idea of dragging Dice into a world he didn’t belong to, it had Jack finally raise his own vision up to meet the other in a thoughtful glance.

Who had the item been for?

A demon.

A friend.

“You, obvi. Duh.” The joking tone was accompanied with a twinkle in his eye, the bantered response of cheeky composition was also given with a wink. Perhaps Jack hadn’t given Dice the credit he deserved, or perhaps he had felt a twinge of fear in confessing the actual truth of it.

The answer had originally caused a smile to form on Dice’s face, the half-grin fell into a confused gaze and the more he thought about it, the more Dicenne could easily tell Jack was keeping secrets. That eyebrow raised in a simple look that he often gave the dragon, calling him out when it was Jack who was coiling away. That smile faded ever so slightly.

Sucking in his lower lip, the dragon realized rather quickly he was being called out, if by a look alone. Cheeks heated, frustrated that someone, let alone an elf could read him like an open book. Only one other person managed that completely and for a moment, he half wondered if Darnath and Dicenne had been in league at one point or another. Perhaps in a previous life.

“I h-have a friend who is in need of a new heart. As a walking specimen of mechanical body parts... Who better to craft it?” Closer to the truth but in his flustered state, it was difficult to even put words together.

Dice reached up and over the table to snag Jack’s cheek, pinching the red skin lightly to wiggle the scarred flesh, a habit he’d picked up every time the beast was flustered. It was cute, he couldn’t deny it, even when it rendered a whining ‘Caaaaaaaap’ from Jackary in mild protest.

Freeing his cheek with a small tilt of his head, Jack reached up to snag the hand lightly that had been on his face, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for helping me with it, chalk it up to my tab in owing you one.”

Jack was unsure as to why he felt the need to return to where it all began and where it all ended in the same breath. He could barely focus on the idea that perhaps something was wrong with him or that She had returned to finally catch up to the dragon who had run away. Whatever the reason, he was still unnerved by all of it.

There he stood within Silvermoon itself, eyes glossed over from the view he’d long since forgotten. Staring blankly, Jack hadn’t even realized he had a visitor approaching, one who had also crossed his mind time and time again.

“Jack.”

The Mage flicked his prosthetic ear slowly upon hearing his name, letting his head shift just enough to glance and see where the voice came from. Pivoting slowly once he caught the view of the male with arms crossed along his chest and a stern vision, Jack’s fingers pushed the goggles that had rested along his face up and onto his head to reveal his darkened hues. “Hyjal?”

Hatal smiled. “More than less... Never thought I’d see you again in the City, though I can’t help but to wonder about the timing.”

Jack’s ear lowered at the comment. “Mm... Timing?”

The smile went back to a stern expression. “Okay, I know that you know what I’m talking about.” Hatal nearly ripped his tabard in the effort to move it out of the way, exposing the faded arcanic mark. “When it ended last time, this evaporated. It’s slowly coming back, Jack. And if you’re here, it means you know something about it, as well.”

Viewing the familiar mark, Jack glanced away to slowly lick his lips, furrowing his brow in a displeased manner afterwards. “I’ve....” the Mage paused a moment, collecting his thoughts. “... heard them again.”

The Cambion nodded once. “Yeah, the nightmares have started up again for me. Well, they start as nightmares anyway. Don’t end like one, but that’s the strange part. It’s like someone or something else is involved.”

“What do you mean?” Jack coerced and took a careful step forward to look over his friend slowly.

Hatal readjusted his tabard, frowning slightly. “Some kind of chorus or somesuch. Promisin’ paradise, tellin’ me that I more than earned what I had strived for. It was eerily pleasant. Take that bit knowing well what I am.”

Jack nodded, shoving his gloved fingers into his back pockets to keep them to himself. The reluctant stance he took was odd compared to how he used to be when much more relaxed. “Mm... Concerning... Playing praise to the ego.”

“And worse, promising to make a dream of mine come to fruition.” Hatal nodded once. “It never once sounded like the false and hollow promises of the mad. At best as I can tell... They can deliver.”

Jackary furrowed a brow and frowned hard, turning his irritated gaze to the Rogue’s tabard. “Can they...?”

The Cambion gave a shrug. “Who the hell knows? I’m not one easy to fool, but even I am left to wonder when the Old and Faceless are involved. This new collective, this choir... it’s hard as hell to gauge, but if they’re playing off of the Old Ones connections, they’ve got to have some serious power.”

Darkened lashes fell over the dragon’s tired eyes as if the light surrounding them offended and bothered the thin slits of his pupils. “I should just hit you right now if you’re thinking about following them...” he grumbled, drawing another few steps forward until Jack finally leaned forward in exhaustion. His forehead came to rest along Hatal’s chest, shielding his eyes and giving a harmless sign of affection.

The Rogue smirked as his left eye turned entirely black. “There, there Jacky-boy. Now the Old shits might start leanin’ on me an’ your Hyjal for a bit, but I learned my lesson. I got played and I ain’t none too happy ‘bout it.” 

Hatal cleared his throat once the eye began to return to normal. “Sorry about that, he’s... He and I came to an understanding once he recovered from the power high.”

Jack closed his eyes tightly once he heard the shift in the voice, flinching without even meaning to. The Mage couldn’t help but finally nuzzle the tabard in appreciation, the animalistic behaviour a sign that he’d begun to lose his interest in staying in the form the dragon had chosen as his illusion. “Don’t make me fight you again... Please don’t...”

Hatal allowed a hand to rest on the back of Jackary’s head. “Jack... Iratak and I have a plan. There will be a time when it will look like things are hopeless. that it’s all about to end, I need you to know that this will not be the case. Keep it in mind, it all falls upon a choice. They can whisper all they want, tell you the truth and lies until you can’t stand it anymore. But if still falls upon a choice. They cannot force you to join them, you have to consent. Or, someone has to consent for you.”

Jack swallowed hard, slouching his shoulders which revealed part of the scarring  along his back through the open collar of his shirt. The old markings that Hatal and Jackary had played this game before, they’d both suffered at the hands of one another, for one another. “She haunts me, Hatal.... I still see her.”

“Who?” Hatal raised a brow as he asked. Visibly, he remained unmoved, though his vision lingered along the scars caused by his own hands.

Jack himself dared not move, for he had found a strange comfort in the position he claimed against Hatal’s chest. “The Avatar... I still see her.”

The Rogue closed his eyes, sighing deeply. He moved his hands to Jack’s shoulders. “Listen, she’s gone. More than gone, she was destroyed. The Old Ones put all their eggs into that one basket case and it cost them more than it did them.”

A blond brow furrowed slowly at the comments. “And yet the whispers return.” Jack’s hands reached up to lightly clutch onto the tabard to assure the other wasn’t going to leave for the moment. “You sound so sure.”

Hatal nodded slightly. “Been told twice now by two different Seers that the past will echo the future. Ghosts words haunting and foreshadowing things to come. They hold no real power except what we give them.”

Jack pursed his lips firmly and gave a faint nod, drawing in the words. “I’m sorry I never came back after that night like I said I would.”

The Cambion gave a short, genuine laugh. “Please, I never worried about it. It was a hell of a thing we went through. Hell, I ever disappeared for a while myself. Got myself intentionally lost in Pandemonium far from the Old Ones’ influence.”

Smiling to himself at the information, Jack shook his head and finally pulled himself up just enough to study Hatal’s face. Tired eyes struggled to focus but they lingered upon the man’s face; a hand followed shortly after to ghost a thumb under one of Hatal’s optics. “Look me in the eye and tell me you won’t let them take you away again.”

Hatal’s eyes closed while he let out a long and weary sigh. “I wish I could. All I can say with any certainty is that, no matter what happens, I will be making my own decisions. They were pretty happy with the work they had me do before. I’m concerned that they want even more this time around and it may cost me everything I am to prevent it.”

Jack frowned at the reply and shook his head. “You’re still mine and they don’t get you again. They took two precious things from me the first time, they won’t do it again.”

The words caused Hatal to smile. “Then trust in me. You saw how cunning Iratak was and you’ve seen firsthand how formidable I can be... And on this issue of the Old Ones, we are united. It’s gong to take everything they can muster to stop us.”

A saddened smile tugged at the dragon’s chapped lips. “Just stop me if they get me in this time... You’re not allowed to hand me over as your sacrifice, alright?”

Hatal frowned suddenly, “Don’t take this the wrong way but you’re my prey. There is none allowed to end you, not even Death itself.”

Jackary squinted at the comment, finally cracking a faint grin at the corner of his lips. “Still on the kick that nothing else gets to kill me because I am to die by your hand alone?”

“The best have tried and so far none have gotten it right,” Hatal spoke through a broad smile.

Blinking at the comment, Jack laughed softly as arms finally pulled Hatal into a tight hug. “You couldn’t get it right either, but you left the most scarring.”

Hatal stiffened for a moment before he gave a very short huff of a laugh. “Well, good to know your sense of humour is intact. Good to see you back, even if the circumstances are terrible.”

The dragon leaned in to headbutt the Rogue lightly, murmuring under his breath. “Missed ya, Hyj. Really did.”

The Cambion smirked, finally taking half a step backwards. “Okay, I’ve got business to attend to, a debt that I gotta pay off. However, make yourself at home again, if the dreams persist, seek out a Druid named Lak’jin at the Hospice. He knows what’s going on and can help.”

Jack nodded, slowly pulling back to release the male from his grip. “I have work to do back in Tanaan, but if it gets worse, I’ll seek out help. Ah, ‘fore you go. I got somethin’ for you.”

Hatal blinked a few times. “Something for me? And here I got nothin’ in turn.”

The Mage rubbed his own hands together a moment before a small amount of Arcane sparked, forming a cupcake and an illuminated emerald-tinted crystal. “If they get me or I am pulled into the Nightmare... Well, even if you just need to find me... This will get you there, don’t break it aye?”

Taking the items, Hatal lifted his gaze to Jack once more. “... Stay away from here.. The further away you are  from Azeroth, the better chance you’ll have at fighting them. Keep that in mind.”

Jack shook his head slowly at the sudden change of tune. “I have to make sure you and Dar stay safe again, Hyj.” Leaning over, a kiss was pressed to the Rogue’s cheek, followed by a hand that smacked the scar on Hatal’s chest. “Can’t have any more of these, you already got eight on me.”

Hatal sighed but still a small smile played out on his face. “A’ight, a’ight. Still, do what you do best and survive this, yeah? I know you can, just need you to know it as well, yeah?”

The Mage’s hands finally slipped away and delved back into his own pockets, his stance much more relaxed than it had been before. “I’ll be fine, promise. They couldn’t get me last time, even with you and Dar constantly on my heels. Remember, I only get to die by your hands, so... They’re out of luck, right?”

A wide grin tugged on Hatal’s lips. “Exactly. I’m sure I’ll see you around, Jack.” he remained standing for a moment before he turned to finally leave.

Jackary nodded again, stepping backwards to allow a rune of teleportation to appear under his foot. He gave a faint wave to the Rogue’s back, letting his words echo once he vanished.

Until paths cross.

[ Srs...? SRS? SERIOUS? I was tagged 2 more times. Oh god. Okay here we go...]

1.) Jack manscapes. Think of it like a cat that obsessively grooms itself each morning. He exfoliates, shaves, trims and polishes every day. Yes, this mean he’s cleaned shaved and smooth, for he is a massive personal hygiene person. Sure he LOVES to get dirty, but he’ll be damned if not clean in all the right places. To save Flynn’s water bill, he’ll actually go to the ocean in the mornings to do so there.

2.) Jack does NOT like or trust demons. At all. He actually hisses at them if in a bad mood. How he has chosen a demon for his Dragonsworn and keeps close company of another demon so willing is beyond anyone’s understanding. You’d never know it by the way he admires Hatal and Darnath, especially how well he treats both of them and trusts them with his life... It’s a huge honour that they’ll likely never know about.

3.) Jack is allergic to Fel energy, a small amount makes him queasy and even more makes him vomit for hours. Too much exposure and it will kill him, which is amusing considering his best friend is a Warlock and one of his chosen is also a Warlock.

4.) The Mage was one of the Battle Mages to be there for the Dark Portal, he was one of the head Magisters to help create a portal through the rift of time from the parallel dimensions. You likely saw him briefly in your Garrison if you stayed around to watch the connection come through with Khadgar on one end.

5.) Jack’s speech patterns change with his mood. If he’s happy, carefree he’ll go into a valley-girl accent using “like” and “totes” a lot, but when he’s in a serious mood, his words will be enunciated quite clearly. Those that are extremely close to him will hear him slur and become much more lax.

"Hatal..?" Blinking at the statement, Jack smiled and even dared to laugh a bit, rubbing the back of his neck a moment. "Oh wow little unknown person! That’s quite a request! I’d like to think that he and I are friends but there are a LOT of reasons why us ‘getting together’ couldn’t work!"

Pressing an index finger to the opposite, he glanced up. “One… I’m preeeeetty sure Hyj doesn’t feel that way about me.. Two…” he motioned, pointing to his middle finger. “I’m not particularly looking for a relationship… Three! He’s always busy and I’m often away or running around with my own  things to do… Four! I don’t know if he goes that way? And five…. This is the super important one.”

Fingers dropped and dipped into his pockets, the smile softened into a knowing look. “Dragons have an unspoken rule. We don’t get involved with other’s Dragonsworn because it becomes a conflict of interest. What would happen if those two dragons went to war with each other? It’s simply not fair to the Sworn, right? Seeing as how Hatal is a Dragonsworn to Broder, that instantly puts him quite out of reach. I really do care about him! I think I’ve proved to what lengths I’ll go through for him and I have scars to prove it… But no matter what emotion would ever be there, I do have to obey the rules. Sometimes we just work different than mortals. Thanks for uh… thinking…? of us?”

Jack wasn't sure where he was, all he knew is that whatever noise was chirping outside the window needed to stop as of fifteen minutes ago. He groaned to himself until legs flexed a bit, having been draped or caught over something... However he was unsure as to what happened or how he got there.

Somehow, within the middle of the party, Jack had not only managed to strip himself to nothing but pants, but was covered in glitter, strings, confetti, alcohol and... he wasn't sure why his stomach was so sticky. Rolling a bit more,he realized that not only was he in a hard, confined space, he had two people on either side of him, as well.

Blurred eyes glanced over, one having been his little cousin while the other was.... A Pandaren? Both females still seemed curled up and asleep while Jack struggled to even remember the prior evening. He was uncomfortable, and not because he woke up half naked between two females, but his spine was arched and legs were draped over something....

.... Was he in a bathtub?

All three had their legs draped over the edge, the rest of the party had crashed out elsewhere, on the floor, still back at the location or had been smart and headed home, but ooooh no... Not Jackary. Hands gripped fruitlessly at the slick edge until he managed to pull himself to sit up, groaning again from the pounding sensation in his head.

What the hell had happened last night?

A hand rubbed at his forehead firmly in attempt to recall any of the day yesterday, yet nothing came to him except blinding lights, loud music and a ton of faces he didn't know.

'Well if you didn't want to remember something yesterday Jack, you sure as fuck did a fine job...' 

He huffed under his breath and moved to get up, although there was a faint tug around his neck as he did so. Glancing down, fingers plucked up a loose tie around his neck and stared for a long moment blankly, eyes threatened to close again. "... The fuck. Seriously..."

It was all within a flash of light that the entire night replayed in his head, eyes widened with each passing second. His instincts started to kick in and he soon glanced down at himself.

Pants still on? Check.

BELT still on? Check.

Any bites or unexplained bruises? No? Check.

Tie? ... What the hell, check.

"Oh man...." he barely spoke, hauling his sorry ass up and out of the tub as best he could until he found the cool tile floor to be far too comforting. He felt as if he could vomit. Fingers toyed with the tie while he tried to pull his mind together.

There had been a dance... and a fight... He remembered that much... He also remembered stealing the tie from Hatal after pulling him close with it... And then it began to blur together until he blacked out.

What the hell had caused him to get that hammered?

People kept pouring him drinks. People kept hitting on him, the question was asked several times if he was single, he kept making new friends and seeing old... He did shots with both Alliance and Horde, he lead the Time Warp... He even promoted safe sex several times. Someone had told him they loved him. But who?

What had his reason been? 

He only hoped his shirt was still at the club's location.