#khaeris

“It seems the Archmage is unavailable. You have our deepest apologies. You can leave the parcel on the desk and I will be sure it gets to her.” After an inspection. No one said it outloud, but the alchemist heard it loud and clear. They couldn't be too careful with packages delivered by hand and not through official channels.

Khaeris huffed and set the small chest of vials down with a little less care than she probably should have. The man behind the desk jumped a little, but Khaeris’ ears twitched to catch the musical tinkling of the glass and then the chiming of her bangles as she placed both her hands on hips and loomed over the poor assistant magister stuck behind said desk. “Thank you.” It was said more sharply than she usually spoke to people, but she was frustrated and stung.

The magister watched the petite woman walk away with purpose and a kick in her steps that he was glad to be well away from. He was glad she hadn't caused more of a disturbance, really.

Once the woman was gone, he leaned forward and smelled the bouquet of wildflowers that she’d left on top of the box of alchemicals. After another moment of visible argument with himself, he lifted the lid and peeked inside. It wasn’t precisely protocol, but the package did have to be inspected. Surprise made him open it further with the furtive glance behind him toward the archmage’s office door. He wasn’t Magistrix Sunmote’s usual assistant and he didn’t know if the archmage was in the Archives today, but it wouldn’t do to get caught snooping through her deliveries. He smiled and closed the lid with a thoroughly enchanted expression, rethinking the visitor. ~~~

Later, Pyraelia would find her usual medicines delivered not in their usual plain vials but instead in a bottles of rainbow vibrant hues and soft, iridescent pastels. There was a small tin of goldthorn tea, some homemade petit fours, a bottle of a new experimental perfume, and a note that simply read, “I miss you. Tea soon?” in Khaeris’s elegant script.

@daily-writing-challenge

"If I am the moon, Tinnaire is the sun.

She enters a room, she enters a space, and radiance and warmth emanate from her. She emits an invisible force and through it, pulls everyone around her to her. Everyone loves her and it is not difficult to see why. It may be the world's duty to do such a thing when in that presence.

She is a profoundly unique woman with her ideals and her approaches to life and the world as a whole, perhaps not always capable of seeing herself, or seeing a version that others do not. Perhaps she does not realise how powerful she truly is. It is often those who do not notice their own charisma, their own pull, their own various traits about themselves that cause those to inevitably strengthen.

What an overwhelmingly, achingly beautiful woman."

—-—-—

"I wish I knew her better. More. To know if my deductions hold weight, or if they are merely projections of what and how I think her to be.

The first time I saw Khaeris, I was drawn immediately to her appearance. She stands out in a sea of us where it can be rather easy to feel insignificant. Although I still would not say I know her well, when I think of her, I think of the overflowing kindness that escapes her.

Mayhaps there is a... liberty to her. A free spirit. She certainly seems the type to embody just such a thing."

—-—-—

"I owe Braedyn quite a lot.

In her own way as some others have, and she could not know this, she helped save me. She is the catalyst, the very centre for how things have come to be as they are. For how I have come to be as I am.

She is terribly sweet. Although perhaps that ought to be expected when she has been running a bakery. Was she always like that, I wonder? Did time and circumstance help assist her evolution into the woman she is today? She is always thinking about other people. Observant. It seems she knows when we all are not feeling our best. I feel she hosts this quiet strength about herself.

I wonder if she feels anything remotely similar to the fulfilment she provides to the rest of us."

—-—-—

"Miss Baker is...

Pleasant. Too pleasant. Uncomfortably pleasant. And... that's not the most terrible thing."

Zul'Jawa: "Khaeris is quite the charmer. Charismatic, ever quick to light up a room with her presence."

May DWC Day 2 - Agony, Embrace

It had been nearly two weeks since his trip to Dalaran, two weeks since he found out important, world-changing information he needed to keep a secret for now. Compartmentalizing was a learned and well-practiced trait, but at times he couldn’t shake the deep thoughts that turned into thousand-yard stares. Things had become peaceful again so recently, and already another, much larger threat was on the horizon.

Eventually the world would find out, and they slowly were given the Radiant Song was already spreading and causing a bit of a panic in some spaces. Perhaps it could be contained prior to becoming a larger problem, but he knew better than most that it was never that easy. 

There was no use agonizing over it at the moment, this was meant to be a thrilling week for both Pollux and Khaeris building up towards Vixannya Ana’diel’s gallery opening. He had made a sizable donation allowing them VIP access, and he had also reserved a slot for her with a fashion designer he thought she would enjoy. It was going to be a perfect night and he wasn’t going to allow his stray thoughts of upcoming strife to interfere. He would embrace a night of fun and  frivolity no matter what loomed on the horizon.

Daily Writing Challenge 2021 Day 24 - Revelry

Aerden stood up a little straighter in his dress uniform as the General pinned the gold cross-shaped medal to his chest, following up with a handshake and shockingly pleasant smile. He wasn’t sure he had ever seen General Zer’vora smile like that, but to be fair he had really only seen the man in horrible situations. Thankfully, today was meant to be a day of joy and revelry. Even if things in the world were far from perfect, sometimes you needed a moment to celebrate accomplishments and the fact that you were still alive. 

The swell of pride he felt in that moment was unmatched by anything he had ever felt before. He had come such a long way in the five years he had already spent within the military. Originally joining just to escape his mother’s husband, he didn’t think he would still be here after his first term had ended. Yet here he was, with no plans on going anywhere; it was nice to feel and to be useful for once. 

In the past he had already been rewarded with the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Combat Medical Badge, but the Distinguished Service Medal was completely unexpected and one of the highest honors that could be awarded within the military; for his ‘extraordinary heroism in combat’. He locked eyes briefly with Pollux, who was probably one of the most well-decorated soldiers present and possessed this same medal. The older man gave him a warm smile and Aerden could just tell by the look in his eyes how proud he was. His mother’s husband never looked at him like that.

A brow lifted as Pollux suddenly joined him at the front of the small audience and began pinning on a new insignia to his sleeve. A promotion had been briefly mentioned, but Aerden didn’t think he would be receiving it now. A hand was extended to shake, “Congratulations, Senior Sergeant Lo’sharri.” It probably wasn’t proper decorum, but whatever, no one was going to scold him today. Aerden brought the older man, his father, in for a warm hug. The action was easily reciprocated, combined with a soft whisper, “I’m so proud of you.”

After the other medal recipients present received their honors and the ceremony concluded, Aerden excused himself and slipped away into the bathroom. Immediately he pulled his collar loose and undid a few of the top buttons on his uniform, taking a few deep breaths as he stared at himself in the mirror. He had been doing such a good job about not thinking of his time in the Maw, but having his deeds from there recounted brought back all those memories and the emotions, especially the overwhelming dread. Leaning down, he splashed some water on his face before bracing both hands on the sides of the sink so they would stop shaking.

He wanted to scream and to break something, but mostly he wanted to go home and lock himself in his bedroom surrounded by all of his comforts. It felt good to be honored, but all of this at what cost? Is this how it felt for everyone else as well? He took one final, cleansing breath and patted his face dry before tidying up his uniform. Pollux, Khaeris, and Pyraelia were probably all waiting for him, he didn’t want to be gone for too long and make them start to wonder. Maybe it really was all about faking it till you make it. 

The morning after the Menagerie in Shattrath, there would be a special delivery to Khaeris. A white basket, lined with bright yellow satin, a yellow bow fixed to the handle, and filled with lemon cupcakes, a flower crown made with silk yellow roses, a soft hand-made yellow sweater, buttercup earrings, a fluffy yellow teddy bear, and a dozen sweet-smelling yellow roses. In the basket was also a blue envelope, and the note inside read;

Khaeris, I don’t know the actual date of your birthday, so I went ahead and put together this gift basket. Yellow roses signifies friendship, and I think yellow is an especially cheery color. I hope your birthday is wonderful, whichever day it actually is.

Sincerely,

Andivia Hopebringer

The Meeting, Part 1 Co-written by @polluxhale

Ouro halted just short of his front door; something was off, someone had been here and possibly was still here.  Being overly paranoid had its advantages, it was nearly impossible to track him down and infiltrate his life in any way unless he wanted you there.  Things didn’t end well for those who had managed it in the past.  It was one thing to find him in a public place, but to find one of his safe houses and to break into it, that would be impressive if he weren’t so annoyed.

He unholstered his pistol and crouched down, off to the left side of the door.  In one quick motion, he shoved the door open but maintained his position out of sight.  After a few moments of stillness and complete silence, he realized he was going to have to be the one to make the first move.  Gun cocked, he melded into the surrounding shadows and slipped silently inside the door.  It only took him a split second to locate his target, take aim and fire.

*BANG BANG*

The two shots rang out in near unison followed immediately by near matching metallic clangs.  Ouro suddenly found the gun being violently ripped out of his hand, promptly letting his grip go slack to minimize the harm as best as possible.  It was an action meant to cease the violence before it even began and Ouro recognized it as such.  He clutched his hand against his chest, staring at the blue glowing eyes belonging to the person sitting at his dining table.

He knew this was going to happen sooner or later, he had been expecting this. 

Even before entering he had a gut feeling.  Normally he would have turned around and walked away or taken more precautions, but there was something within telling him that whatever or whoever was behind his door was of no threat.  At least not the sort of threat he typically expected.

((For Khaeris!))

💭 “We always end up running in similar circles, and yet I’ve only had a handful of real conversations with her- and it’s been years! I feel like we should fix that, one of these days.”