Rhoelyn: Several days later finds them on the boat home. Nysse stirs restlessly in her sleep. Rhese opens his eyes and frowns as moonlight hits her face.
Araatris: The tears on her cheeks shimmer, and she mewls quietly in the back of her throat. He gathers her closer, murmuring soothing things by her ear.
Rhoelyn: She starts awake with a tiny gasp and jerk. Trembling, she curls into him. She mumbles a broken and panicked. “I don’t want to be here.”
Araatris: “I know, love,” her mate smooths his hand down her back. “It’s alright. I’m here for you. W-” He cuts off when he notices Rhoe’s bunk is empty.
Rhoelyn: Nysse peers up with watery eyes and sniffles. “What’s wrong?” Rhese kisses her forehead. “It seems that Rhoe couldn’t sleep either.”
Araatris: The huntress glances over at the berth, wiping her eyes and latching on to something else to think about. “I’ll go. I could use a walk.”
Rhoelyn: Rhese starts to sit, but Nysse presses him down. “I’ll feel better for it, but you need the rest.” She kisses his cheek and slips out of bed.
Araatris: He peers at her critically for a moment before rumbling, “Anything my lady wishes. Try not to be long, my lovely.” Nysse nods and turns to go.
Rhoelyn: The huntress leaves the room, shutting the door behind her, and heads up to the main deck. Her gaze seeks the familiar silver-headed form.
Araatris: Rhoelyn stands on the quiet command deck with her cloak wrapped around her, leaning her elbows on the railing. She has her face lifted to the moon.
Rhoelyn: The young night elf joins her, but doesn’t step up to the railing. She wraps her arms around herself and waits for Rhoelyn silently.
Araatris: At length, the little priestess lowers her gaze and turns, stepping over to Nysse. “You still aren’t sleeping well, sister?” Rhoe chafes her arms.
Rhoelyn: Nysse shakes her head. “Not really. I wish I could say otherwise.” The night elf wraps her arms around Rhoelyn. “Why aren’t you resting?”
Araatris: The priestess glances away with a small, empty little grin. “My thoughts are merely too full. I came out here to let Elune’s light clear them.”
Rhoelyn: “Did he say something that upset you? I know that you went to see him during the party.” The huntress brushes Rhoelyn’s hair back neatly.
Araatris: Her sister blinks at her with wide eyes, a blush rising in her cheeks. “You… You knew? I thought-… Well. N-No, he didn’t-… It isn’t his fault.”
Rhoelyn: The huntress chuckles. “Tsume told on you. I’m not upset, but I wouldn’t mind an explanation. I had to distract Rhese from his suspicions.”
Araatris: “I-I went to tell hi-… them that Garrosh had been deposed.” Her words ignore the sheen of tears in her eyes. “They deserved some peace of mind.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse gently wipes a tear that tries to escape. “I don’t disagree, but that is happy news for them, isn’t it? Yet, you look so very sad. Why?”
Araatris: The priestess sniffs through a watery smile and tries to wipe away more escaping tears. “I know. It’s utterly ridiculous. I shouldn’t be sad.”
Rhoelyn: The young night elf smiles tenderly. “You know you can talk to me, don’t you?” Nysse hugs her closer. “I promise that I’ll keep an open mind.”
Araatris: “I…” Rhoelyn sighs and rests her head against Nysse’s shoulder. “I… I cannot ask you to understand, sister. I barely understand it, myself.”
Rhoelyn: The huntress kisses Rhoe’s hair. “What don’t you understand, sweet sister?” Nysse tucks the cloak around both of them as a cool breeze hits.
Araatris: The priestess brushes away more tears, her laugh tremulous. “Why would I s-still wish to see him? I barely know him. Why should I think about him?”
Rhoelyn: Nysse sighs, “Perhaps because, despite everything, he had his heart in the right place. He wanted to help his people.” She pats Rhoe’s back.
Araatris: “As did Nataro, yet he does not haunt my dreams.” Her sigh mirrors Nysse’s. “They were to be released, today. Likely that is why he’s on my mind.”
Rhoelyn: Looking out over the dark seas, Nysse murmurs, “It was the right thing to do. I think… he’s a good man. What do you think of him, sister?”
Araatris: Rhoelyn lifts her head, searching Nysse’s expression. “You… don’t hate him? Truly? I would understand if you did; he was abominable at times.”
Rhoelyn: Frowning, Nysse narrows her eyes at the darkness. “If I hated him for what he did, then I’d also have to hate you. That’s not an option, Rhoe.”
**Araatris :** “I’m so sorry for what I put you through.” The priestess ducks her head. “I never… said it. But truly, you were a saint to put up with me.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse squeezes Rhoe. “Sister! I never put up with you! I was worried! There is nothing to apologize for.” She kisses her sister’s hair again.
Araatris: Rhoelyn clings to her, sniffling. “How can that be? I feel as though every kind thought I have about him betrays you. And Rhese. And my calling.”
Rhoelyn: “You’re not betraying me. You might need to give me a little time to get used to it though.” Nysse smiles. “Rhese may fuss, but why betrayed?”
Araatris: “They are enemies, remember?” The little priestess pauses to wipe at her eyes, hiccuping. “They’ve t-tried to kill each other and may again.”
Rhoelyn: She rubs the priestess’ back. “We leave him in the dark until you’re ready. And as far as your calling, you’re not exactly giving him a moonwell.”
Araatris: Rhoe’s laughter is choked, and she groans. “Goddess! He would be attacked for getting within one hundred yards of one. You see? I’m ridiculous.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse puts a finger on Rhoe’s nose. “You’re right. Should it come up, you don’t need to meet or even live in Nighthaven. You can travel to work.”
Araatris: The priestess opens her mouth for more ranting, but her sister interrupts. “Take a deep breath, sister. What’s really bothering you? What woke you?”
Rhoelyn: Rhoelyn looks away and takes a shuddering breath before sobbing again. “I dreamed he killed himself. He kept saying he deserved it!”
Araatris: “Blessed moon but it hurt, Nysse.” Her sister tries in vain to wipe away her tears before they fall. “Why would I care so much for Leothir?”
Rhoelyn: The huntress catches Rhoe’s hand. “Sometimes Elune sends someone to open our hearts when we least expect it. It’s okay to cry,” Nysse murmurs.
Araatris: The smaller elf leans her forehead against her sister’s shoulder and gives in to the tears, managing between sobs, “How do I forget him?”
Rhoelyn: “Rhoe!” Nysse softly chides, “What if I’d said that about Rhese and given in? If you feel this strongly, then give it a chance. Talk to him.”
Araatris: There’s a long time where she just cries, quiet, warm tears that wet the other woman’s tunic. She doesn’t bother to answer Nysse’s suggestion.
Rhoelyn: Cradling the smaller night elf, the huntress murmurs soothingly until the tears ease. “Do you feel better after a good cry, sister?”
Araatris: The priestess nods and sniffles, using a corner of the cloak to dry her wet cheeks. “I do, Nysse. Thank you for listening. And for your council.”
Rhoelyn: Nysse kisses Rhoe’s now dry cheek. “Please come to me any time. Do you feel up to trying to get more rest? I can stay with you if you’d like.”
Araatris: The smaller night elf smiles softly. “Perhaps I should say the same to you. I am tired out. Will you come back with me? We both need more rest.”
Rhoelyn: Blushing, Nysse nods. “I woke up from my own nightmare. If we take much longer, Rhese might try and hunt us down.” She chuckles and releases Rhoe.
Araatris: The priestess shakes her head. “He’s probably fast asleep with no-” “What are you two still doing up here?” Rhese rubs at his eyes as he approaches.
Rhoelyn: Smiling affectionately at both Rhese and Rhoelyn, Nysse shakes her head, “We were just coming down to bed where you should still be, surfal.”
Araatris: With a toothy yawn, he teasingly narrows his eyes at them both. “Who can sleep with you two scurrying about the ship? I get cold, you know…”
Rhoelyn: Nysse shares an amused look with Rhoelyn. The priestess smiles, “Then let us make sure that we’re all warm and well-rested for tomorrow.”
Araatris: The sleepy druid also smiles, an expression not so different from his twin’s. He leans down and kisses her cheek and then Nysse’s. “Please.”
Rhoelyn: They head back to the cabin and settle for rest. In the room, they settle down to sleep, but Nysse finds herself staring at the ceiling.
Araatris: “My lovely,” Rhese mutters quietly by her ear, nuzzling her. “I can hear you not sleeping. Do you need me to help you rest, again?”
Rhoelyn: Nysse smiles ruefully. “I shouldn’t make it a habit, but… could you please?” Rhese kisses her cheek. “Of course. Rest well, lovely.”
Rhoelyn: His hand brushes her cheek surrounded in a soft green glow. It suffuses Nysse and her eyes slowly close. Rhese follows them to sleep.