Araatris: Rhese sits on the half-crumbled wall, staring out over the charred ruins of what was the Stormwind park. He turns a note over in his hands.
Rhoelyn: A bird lands next him before shifting. “Min’da be here soon.” Yami hugs his arm. A few minutes later the door opens from the nearby tower.
Araatris: Smiling down at the boy, the druid says, “That’s a new form, dalah’alei. Where did you learn about the kaliri?” Yami grins. “An’nu Val see’d.”
Rhoelyn: “Saw,” Rhese corrects. “You did well.” Nysse climbs over some rubble and joins them. She leans down to kiss Rhese’s cheek. “Hello, dalah’surfal.”
Araatris: “Hello, lovely.” As she settles beside him, Rhese returns the favor. The child clambers over him to settle in Nysse’s lap. “How was the meeting?”
Rhoelyn: Nysse snorts, “A meeting would be putting it gently. I got a tongue-lashing for every foolish thing I put in my report while Val watched over Yami.”
Araatris: The druid chuckles. “Morthis is still holding a grudge about our disappearance in Feralas. He’ll be extra surly for a bit longer, I think.”
Rhoelyn: She leans against his shoulder. “We’re to go to Nighthaven and behave ourselves under Verune’s watchful gaze until our next mission.”
Araatris: Wrapping his arm around her, he looks back out over the park. “I can’t imagine we’ll have long with the state of things.” He clenches the note.
Rhoelyn: “Likely not. Val and Wrune are going with us.” She notes the paper. “Is that a letter from Rhoelyn?” Nysse smiles as Yami squirms curiously.
Araatris: Rhese nods, and though he smiles warmly, there is a certain strained element to the expression. He offers it to Nysse. “The pups are healthy.”
Rhoelyn: She takes the letter, but doesn’t read it. Instead she sets Yami free and turns to Rhese, cupping his cheek. “Yet, something bothers you.”
Araatris: “Rhoe is leaving Nighthaven. She intends to go out in the field.” He frowns, worry creasing his brow. “She’s made arrangements for the wolves, but…”
Rhoelyn: Nysse regards him fondly. “But you are worried about her without you at her side. Do you wish to go? I’m sure Morthis would not deny you that.”
**Araatris:* He smirks. “I don’t know. He was pretty annoyed.” Sobering, he slips his hand into hers. “If he gives me permission, do you want to come?”
Rhoelyn: “Of course I will, but I do want to check on the pups first.” She smiles and gestures to Yami. “I think he’ll enjoy that. When is she leaving?”
Araatris: “Within the week. She didn’t specify where.” He looks at Yami thoughtfully. “What do we do with our newest little pack member, Nysse?”
Rhoelyn: She hums slightly to herself. “Do you think Verune would be willing to watch over him? He may be best to safely help him explore his forms.”
Araatris: Rhese nods, reaching out to ruffle the boy’s hair. “I can think of no one better. If he’s willing. I’ll write him.” Yami giggles and grabs his hand.
Rhoelyn: Nysse reaches out and tweaks a few hairs from the child’s face. “You’ll like Verune, Yami. It’s a shame that he won’t get to meet Rhoelyn.”
Araatris: The druid winces. “She’ll be disappointed. We’ll have to tell her… uh… gently.” Nysse laughs. “She only has to be patient. How upset can she get?”
Rhoelyn: He gives her a rueful grin, “I don’t think she’s expecting us to come home with a child, love.” Nysse blinks owlishly and blushes. “Oh.”
Araatris: With a mischievous grin, he leans close by her ear. What he whispers has her blushing much brighter as she glances at Yami and chokes.
Rhoelyn: “There’s no way she could think that, right?” She looks back at him hopefully. “Right?” Rhese doubles over, his shoulders shaking. “Rhese!”
Araatris: “It looks like you three are having fun.” Wrune draws his steed up beside the wall, smiling. “Should I ask about the joke, or would I blush, too?”
Rhoelyn: As Yami climbs down the rubble, she groans, “Please don’t ask.” Nysse smacks Rhese’s shoulder as he snorts. “I hope you weren’t looking for us.”
Araatris: The paladin looks at Nysse. “Not exactly, but I’m glad I ran into you, regardless. I was able to track down a little bit of intel about Auberdine.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse stands as Yami stares at the horse and makes her way down to the ground, “That’s the last place I heard Papa was. What’d you find out?”
Araatris: “I don’t know anything about your father in particular,” he qualifies carefully, “but Auberdine is… Nysse, it was largely destroyed.”
**Rhoelyn: She closes her eyes at the bottom. “Elune…” Taking a deep breath, she picks up Yami and hands him to Wrune. “If we don’t know, then I can hope.”
Araatris: The human settles the boy in front of him on the saddle. “Light knows, we all share your hope that he’s well. You’ll know the moment I hear more.”
Rhoelyn: The huntress summons a smile. “Thank you.” She brushes Yami’s hair back. “Yami, ask Uncle Wrune if he’ll take you back to the inn on his horse.”
Araatris: The voidling looks up at the Paladin with a big grin. “An’nu takes?” Aron gives his ear a playful tug. “Let’s see how fast this warhorse can go.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse steps back as Yami nods excitedly. “Go! Go!” She laughs as Aron nods and kicks his stallion into motion. They ride off around the corner.
Araatris: Rhese rests a hand on her shoulder. “Are you alright, lovely?” he asks gently, looking down at her. “We could try to stop by before we go back.”
Rhoelyn: “No. I’m worried, but there’s nothing I can do. We’d be searching blind. He’s in Elune’s hands.” She turns and rests her forehead on his chest.
Araatris: “I’m sure the man who taught you is more than capable of handling anything thrown at him.” He wraps his arms around her. “We’ll hear from him soon.”
Rhoelyn: She nods. “I hope so.” The huntress rests her hands on his chest and smiles. “I appreciate the thought, beloved. Shall we join them at the inn?”
Araatris: “Yes.” He leans down to give her a quick kiss. “But it’s a lovely evening for a walk. Let’s take the long way back.” Rhese claims her hand.
Rhoelyn: Nysse chuckles, “I would like that.” She tucks herself against his side as they walk. “It’s moments like this that I wish would never end…”