Wildfire Riders

((Yva Darrows is people now, much to her delight and chagrin. There's been a lot of background RP leading up to this, and I wanted to wait to post things until I had a coherent order on events. Initially she was supposed to work with a dreadlord to try and humanize herself, but Bricu, Threnn, and Tarquin managed to convince her that NO, KILLING THE DREADLORD IS BETTER, LET'S NEGOTIATE WITH SOMETHING BIGGER AND A LITTLE LESS EVIL. So the idea was, distract the dreadlord, deal with him after working with the titans. I'm picking up with how the dreadlord was distracted. Harts.))

“Oi, Darrows, open up.”

She should have known something was awry before the incessant pounding began. Five minutes before, Dog had started clawing at the door, nearly frantic that MUMMY SOMETHING IS OUTSIDE OH MY GOSH. He ran around in circles, wagged his tail, barked loud enough to shake the very foundations of the Legerdemain, and yet she’d ignored him, thinking it just another neighbor tromping up the stairs too heavily. He was still a pup, and a rather excitable one at that, so stranger things than a canine conniption fit occurred on a daily basis.

Of course, she’d been wrong about things. Bricu Bittertongue was on her doorstep, and Dog was clearly ecstatic about this turn of events. She shoved the spastic animal out of the way and opened the door, putting on her ‘I’m so very glad to see you’ face.

It was wasted on the rabbits. All of them.

“What the bloody hell is THAT,” she asked, scampering out of the way of the tallish man wielding a rabbit cage like a weapon. He pushed forward, past the writhing dog, and into the living room. Yva shut the door behind him, staring at his 'presents', confusion telegraphed by the crevices in her brow.

“Yeh wanna outsmart the dreadlord? This is how.”

“With rabbits.”

The cage was placed on the floor. He looked at her for a minute and then rolled himself a cigarette, wasting little time lighting it up. There was a deep inhalation and a pillar of smoke blown her way. “Aye, with rabbits.”

Dog started barking, and then baying, at the cage's fuzzy components. As far as Yva could tell there were at least a dozen of the little beasties hopping around inside. “Last I checked Bittertongue, I didn’t look like that.”

He ignored the comment and positioned himself by the sliding doors of the terrace, half turned towards her, half towards the outskirts of Dalaran so he could smoke. His boot propped against a small wooden stool. "Yeh don't want the demon following yeh ta the titans."

"Of course not."

The smile he shot her was a little more than unnerving. "So here's what yer gonna do. Get a whole shiteload of yer own soulstones. That rune yeh got on yer leg? Tie it to em. Etch it on the fuckin' things if yeh have to. Then Attach em ta the rabbits, and let 'em loose everywhere."

"What would that . . . " Dawning came, fast and wonderful, and a smile spread across her face. "So he can't track me, and if he tries he'll . . . that's bloody brilliant."

"Och, I know."

They shared a wicked grin, and Yva glanced down at the rabbits. "Though if someone found them afterwards with my essence, it could be used against me."

"Aye, I suppose that's true."

She nodded. "I'll send the hounds." Her eyes skipped from Dog, who was on his back, paws in the air, twisting on the rug beside the cage, and over to the felhound by the fire. Flaadhun was snoring, his scaly tail wagging every once in a while, feet twitching. He was clearly caught up in some kind of felhound dream. She was almost curious what a demon would dream about, but that train of thought spiraled into something else all together, and she figured it was likely better she not THINK about things like that.

"Right then. I'll let yeh get to it." Bricu flicked the carcass of his cigarette off the terrace and made for the door.

"Thank you, Bittertongue. For everything."

"Don't thank me yet. We're not done."

She watched him leave, dumbfounded a little by the entire exchange, but then Dog dashed for the hallway, trying to follow his guest into the inn below. That had happened only once before, with disastrous results that ended in a very angry, slobber covered draenai patron, and she immediately lunged after him, hopping over the rabbit cage to get her fingers in his scruff.

"Dog! No!"

He wagged his tail and then dragged his tongue across her chin, planting his fuzzy bottom on the floor.

"Oh, that's just disgusting."

Somewhere, down the hall, Bricu Bittertongue was laughing at her.

The tagged rabbits were loosed, the plans were set, and the night of the negotiations were upon them far faster than anyone was really ready for. Not that Bricu Bittertongue would ever admit it, but he was far, far more confident about the imminent Hodir discussion than the Freya one. Jak Balthasar and Yva Darrows had been good servants of the winter god, even if neither of them were aware of it. It made them better barganing chips.

Bricu's stride through the snow crusted hallways was steady and sure. Before crossing the threshold into the titan's sanctum, he dropped his cigarette onto the ground and stubbed it out with his boot. It wouldn't do to appear too casual or dismissive, even if this was the easier of the two sells. The books had Hodir as a jovial sort, some even suggested he was the first incarnation of Great Father Winter, and the notion of bargaining with a fat, bearded, gift bearer was infinitely less daunting than an angry incarnation of life.

"Me Lord!" Bricu's voice boomed across the icy cavern, ricocheting through the tall, dark recesses of the room. The giant had been sitting on the floor, an enormous book open in his lap, but at the human's entry, he put it aside, smiling in greeting. His arms extended to either side of him.

"Greetings, Human Friend. Pardons! Friends! I see you have a party with you. Pray tell, what warrants the attentions of the little people this eve?"

Bricu bowed, and the three humans behind him did the same. Threnn and Jak's armors clanked in unison, Yva's head fell forward, her face hidden by a veil of black.

"We come to ask yeh for a boon this day, Father Winter, an I'm hopin yeh got some time ta hear me friend's plight."

"We shaped the world, Youngling. My kind have nothing if not time. Please, sit with me." He extended a blue hand, motioning at the floor before him. Bricu took note of the lack of chairs, but sat all the same, brushing a dusting of snow aside. There was shuffling behind him, and he assumed his wife and colleagues had followed his lead.

"Many thanks, me lord. I know yer busy, so I'll be direct. The lass behind me - the black haired one, not the other - is thinkin' of askin' Lady Freya for a meetin'. Yva here is a great magi o' winter, as yeh probably know." Bricu took the moment to let his words sink in, a smile stretching across his lips as the gigantic blue man nodded his understanding. "But she's missin somethin o' great importance to her. Life."

"Yva you say? Come here, my girl! I would see the face of one who wields my ice and snows."

Bricu maintained the smile as Yva stepped forward, curtseying before the titan. Hodir's finger extended, bigger than her entire form, but he was painstakingly gentle as he touched her head, almost stroking her dark hair.

"You are one of mine, yes, I can see that, Child."

"Oi, not just her, Sir. Lord Balthasar is her gentleman. They've both been walkin yer path for quite some time now. Frost an ice, snow an winter."

"Ho ho! Truly!" Hodir lifted his eyes and smiled kindly at the black clad knight moving to stand beside the tiny woman. Yva instinctually moved closer to him, placing her hand upon his shoulder, and the titan tapped his finger on the floor before them, washing the marble tiles in ice. "These two ARE dutiful, aren't they!"

"Aye, an that's why I'm hopin yeh can help us with Lady Freya. Yva's worked hard t'breathe again. T' live. Her life was taken from her in a plague years ago, an' she's fought every step o'the way t'stand here t'be a free woman again. We're hopin the Green Lass will be willin ta hear her plight, ta work a bargain with her." Bricu waited for Hodir's slow nod. "But bein' that she's forsaken, an livin outside of Freya's domain, well . . . "

The words trailed and the cavern went silent save for the rustling of the winds.

The great titan's brow knit together and then smoothed as understanding dawned. "Hmmm. Yes, my great sister does not look kindly upon things touched by death. She would likely not be amenable to such a discussion."

"Right. That's why we're here. Would yeh be willin ta help? Ta ask her to listen? I think yeh could make a difference in one o' yer servant's lives."

Hodir opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it again, his face pensive. "This is a great request, Youngling, one that will cost me. Nothing is ever without its price."

"We're aware, me lord, but considerin how Yva an Jak have lived, well . . . think on this: not only will they continue on as they had been, they'll be doin it in yer name, FOR yeh. Gladly even. An that's for the rest o' their lives."

"Oh? Is this so?"

"Aye," Jak said quietly. Yva nodded her assent as well.

Hodir's head fell forward, his chin touching his chest, bushy eyebrows low. When he spoke again, it was a rumble of thunder and cold. "If I do this, I would ask one small thing. My sister's price will be high, and so mine too shall have to be. For this I would ask my own boon."

"We're listenin."

"There is a library, a keeper's library in the Storm Peaks. I do not expect one to devote their life to its keeping, but I would ask for a steward, someone to maintain it on the occasion. It is one of the last reminders of the greatness that was. I have covered it in the protective blanket of the north, but it needs a human touch. Could I rely upon my children to see to this task?"

Bricu looked to the couple to his left. Yva's eyes met his, and he nodded, just the slightest dip of his head.

"Then you will have it," Yva said, and though she was not whispering, her voice was lost in the whistling wind. It was enough for Hodir, and he lifted his face, smiling anew.

"Then we are in agreement! I shall talk with my great sister, and you shall have your meeting. Wait now beside the conservatory, and I will send word when she will see you."

Bricu stood and bowed low at the waist. "Yeh have our thanks, me lord."

"Yes, many thanks," Yva echoed, curtsying again. Threnn and Jak did the same, and the small party made their way out of the chamber. At the end of the hall, Yva stopped to exhale, her hand braced against the wall. Her eyes closed, and she drew a shaky hand through her hair with a string of humming. It was that same song, that familiar song, even if the notes were garbled.

"Yeh thought that was nerve wrackin?" Bricu asked, rolling himself another cigarette. He slid it between his lips and took a long draw, slipping his arm over Threnn's shoulders. He blew a pillar of smoke over her head and graced her temple with a gentle kiss.

"Just a bit."

Bricu's look was hard. "Then yeh got another thing comin', Lass. Shite's about to get a lot worse."

"I know."

There was a long pause before he shook his head.

"I don't think yeh do."

((Mad props to Jackie for playing Freya for us.))

Yva walks into Freya's sanctum, careful not to step on any flowers. Something large and bug-like zooms past her head and she ducks, unusually jumpy for her. She's smart enough to have left the demons behind.

Bricu walks into Freya's chamber, head held high.

Threnn follows behind, glancing around to get the lay of the land.

Freya is impossible to miss, far near the waterfall. She does not move to look at the group encroaching on her sanctum, but seems aware of them. Around her exotic animals flutter, scurry, burrow, or otherwise move about.

Jak brings up the rear, hands carefully held away from the weapons at his belt.

Bricu holds a small locked chest.

Yva eyes the chest, licking her lips. She starts to hum and stops herself, instinctively falling into step beside Jak. Her hand brushes his sleeve.

Freya takes her time in turning, green eyes scanning the approaching group for the first time. A colorful bird lands on her shoulder, chirping with a content melody.

Bricu bows respectfully.

Jak bends the knee with a -clink- of armor.

Yva bows her head forward, folding her hands together to stop the shaking.

Threnn bows in the fashion of a Knight of the Silver Hand, bending at the waist, one hand on her sword hilt.

Bricu takes one knee.

Yva clears her throat and lifts her face.

Yva: “Lady?”

Freya 's eyes turn to the group as she takes two massive steps forward. Her shadow falls over Yva, though her expression remains set in smooth stone.

Bricu: "Mistress o'life."

Freya: "Kneel, dead thing."

Yva: "I . . . of course."

Yva lifts her skirts and falls to her knees, not nearly as graceful as she usually is.

Bricu: "Mistress, we're all here fer Yva Darrows."

Jak rests a gauntleted hand on Yva's arm for a moment, his eyes still on the ground.

Bricu: "But we also bring yeh gifts."

Freya 's expression changes, staring at Yva for a moment with mild distaste. Her face becomes neutral again when she sets her glowing eyes on Bricu.

Freya: "Offerings, little one?"

Bricu: "O'course mistress. From the world yeh nurtured. A mother should be able t'see how her children have blossomed, eh?"

Bricu holds up the chest.

Bricu: "I ask yer leave t'show yeh."

Freya lowers her hand as vines slowly creep up Bricu's arm, lifting the box higher than he can and gently setting it within the titan's grasp. She has no trouble opening the chest with her large hands.

Bricu: "Mistress, inside yeh'll find water lilies from the Temple o'Elune in far of Darnassus an a potted Painted Orchid from Stranglethorn Vale."

Bricu: "The waters are also from the Temple."

Threnn glances at Bricu at the mention of the waters.

Freya tilts her head slightly, watching the lilies and orchid. Rather suddenly the crate splits, roots growing in all directions splintering the wood and wrapping around it. She bends to place the broken box down by the water, where the plants bloom wildly anew.

Freya: "It is a beautiful offering, little one. It will be happy here."

Yva watches it and swallows hard, humming again.

Bricu: "They are small tokens mistress. But meaningful ones. The lilies are how the Kaldorei remember yeh. In concert with Elune. The Orchid though...the orchid means a lot more."

Freya watches the plants slowly dig into the soft soil and set root in the pure water. She then turns to look at Bricu again.

Bricu: "Brilliant an' beautiful things can grow from death. Even Orchids--those flowers borrow life--are still nurtured by it."

Freya: "Your offering is acceptable enough, little one, for me to forgive you bringing this Dead Thing into my sanctum. But it is also not you who should be seeking my forgiveness and good faith."

Freya looks pointedly at Yva, with glances to Jak.

Bricu: "Oh, Mistress, the blood on my hands, the lives I've taken, I too need forgiveness."

Jak grimaces, still not looking up.

Yva licks her lips again and reaches out to squeeze Jak's wrist.

Threnn stays quiet, her gaze flicking between her husband and the Titan.

Yva: "I . . . was aware my presence would offend you, Lady. I wished someone to speak for me that would not be so troubling."

Freya: "Their words do not sway me, you must speak for yourself, Dead Thing."

Freya spits the last two words as if they were a curse.

Yva winces and nods.

Bricu nods. He looks at Yva then back at the orchid. Repeatedly.

Yva: "I've come to ask life of you, Lady, as it may be your power to grant."

Yva stays on her knees, nearly clutching at Jak's arm now.

Jak also raises his head, looking up at Freya with a certain awe.

Bricu turns back to Threnn. He flashes her a smile.

Bricu then turns to the Orchid. Then to Yva.

Freya: "You stink of Fel, and bear a mark I cannot forgive, and walk as a bastardization of life. Tell me, Dead Thing, why I should grant you life, when all you know is death? When you surround yourself with- rely on things that offend the very ideals Eonar has passed to me."

Yva pales, if that's possible, and clears her throat again.

Threnn offers Bricu a tight smile. Her posture has yet to relax.

Yva: "The mark is not of my own volition, and I would not present a lie to you. It was placed upon me without my knowing, and I have since done much to try and remove His grasp upon me. As for the rest of it . . . "

Yva 's voice cracks.

Freya looks generally unsympathetic.

Yva: "My gifts are those of magic and arcane, and though you may find my methods unsavory, I have used these gifts to fight against the scourge. I do try to better the world in my fashion."

Freya: "You have slaughtered as much life as you have death, without a thought you kill. You do not even consider what you leave behind, what terror is in your wake. You have done nothing to atone for the life you have taken from this world. How would you even begin to, Dead Thing?"

Bricu: "From death, life."

Yva visibly wilts.

Yva: "I do not even know, Lady, but if there was a way to atone . . . I would hear it."

Threnn touches Bricu's arm.

Freya shoots a glance at Bricu, but quickly returns to Yva.

Freya: "Tell me, Dead Thing, had you life, what would you do with it?"

Yva takes a long moment to think. She glances at Jak, her eyes watering.

Bricu stares at Yva, then at the Orchid.

Yva: "I'd relearn what it was like to be human. I'd grow, and age, and know their fears. Perhaps then I could better . . . appreciate my callousness. As my friend has stated, from death, life. Embracing it and experiencing it."

Yva glances at Bricu and forces a smile.

Bricu grins. He then nods his head, rolls his eyes and nods more.

Freya 's expression is unmoving. She turns to let her gaze sweep over Jak, then back to Yva.

Bricu whispers.

Yva whispers. "Children if I were capable of it."

Yva lifts her gaze to the Avatar.

Freya: "You wish to have children, but would they grow to be as malicious and death-bringing as their parents? You would only create more destruction in your wake. If from death comes life, from some life comes more death. You may want to think you are truly eager to atone, but is he?"

Freya 's voice rises, tone harsh, turning to peer down at Jak judgingly.

Jak raises his eyes, his voice soft and level.

Jak: "Lady of the Green."

Jak: "My people long honored you, high among your brothers and sisters. Even now, we who survived still celebrate spring in your name."

Bricu nods with Jak.

Jak: "None of us asked for the fate that came on us when the crows feasted on the North. None of us asked for what befell Yva, or myself."

Jak: "But all things yearn towards life. All things honor you."

Jak: "Even we, the unquiet dead."

Jak: "I've taken lives. We all have - for myself, I am a soldier."

Freya considers Jak's answer slowly, a few more birds coming to join the already colorful flock in her hair. Flowers continually bloom near her feet.

Jak: "I know the cost of war, and I would pay it again and thrice for the misery it might forestall. To honor your brother, to defend those I love, and because war is the way of life among mortals."

Freya: "Would you atone, if asked? Would you pay the same price as your paramour if you were judged alongside her?"

Jak: "Yes."

Jak doesn't hesitate.

Freya turns back to Yva, either satisfied by Jak's answers or ignoring him.

Freya: "Do you remember, Dead Thing, what it is like to wither and age? Do you recall what sickness feels like, or have you been drunk on power too long to understand exactly what terrible things come with what you ask?"

Yva begins to nod, opens her mouth to speak, but then closes it, hanging her head.

Bricu looks at Freya

Bricu: "How could one whose life was stolen so early remember what it feels like t'age?"

Freya: "Even a child knows what it is like to age, as they outlive shorter lifespan creatures around them, Little One."

Bricu: “A child knows what it’s like t'grow up. Not wither. These two who stand before had their life stolen. They fought t'get this much..."

Bricu stops when Yva begins to speak.

Yva: My death robbed me of many memories, Lady, but the last days, I recall fevers and coughs. I remember illness but it's like I'm experiencing it through a fog. I remember burying my mother and collapsing from the weakness of plague. Beyond that . . . no. I cannot honestly say I remember aging."

Threnn tightens her grip on Bricu's arm and murmurs to him.

Freya moves, standing over Yva now. She shrouds her completely in her shadow, the light of the sanctum seeming to bend to allow this. Her form seems silhouetted, green eyes ablaze against the dark.

Freya: "Would you pay every price asked of you, for this wish, Dead Thing? Would you give up things you hold so dear to, to feel your heartbeat? Would you face the lives you have taken, the taint you have spread, the sins you have committed, in full?"

Yva stares up at her, eyes huge.

Yva: " . . . I would give you near anything, but I would rather be this wretched Dead Thing than hurt the ones I love."

Yva 's fingers dig into Jak's gauntlets, and there's a snap as her fingernails break off from the pressure.

Freya looms, leaning over, to speak more directly to the kneeling woman.

Bricu holds onto Threnn's arm.

Jak winces and puts his other hand over the back of Yva's, tiny in his mailed grip.

Freya: "If you question my judgment, you are free to turn and walk away right now. My guardians will not stop you. If you wish life so badly, then accept that my price shall be just and fair. For you and your Paramour."

Yva turns to peer at Jak.

Yva whispers.

Yva nods and closes her eyes.

Yva: "What will you have of me, Lady?"

Freya does not hesitate, suddenly stepping forward and giving Yva a firm push with the flat of her palm, forcing her back. Vines curl and snake up from the ground, binding her back across her torso, arms, and throat.

Freya: "Silence, Dead Thing, as I deliver onto you your creed and price, for the life you shall live."

Jak tenses, locking his gauntlets together in front of him, his lips drawn back from his teeth.

Yva goes slack and just stares up at the titan.

Threnn turns a bit, ready to move if Jak springs.

Freya leans over, her hand ushering Jak close enough to make it clear she is speaking to both of them. However her eyes remain locked on Yva as the vines move about. The ends of the vines sprout white flowers.

Freya: "Dead Thing, you shall never again take life without regard. Without balance. You will live your life in my image, as I would wish you to live it, as you will be mine."

Freya stresses the last word, the birds have all fled from her shoulders and hair.

Yva licks her bottom lip again, eyes leaking.

Freya: "You will bleed, you will age, you will get sick. You will feel cold, and heat, and be affected by them, as living things are. You will wilt with age, become ugly and wrinkled as all things do."

Freya lowers in close, far closer than she had been before, voice lowering to what would be a whisper.

Yva seems to try to shrivel into the ground beneath her.

Freya: "And you will create. You will create life in my name. You will birth anew, and never allow your offspring to become as vile and disgusting as you. You will preserve life above all else. If life must end, new must be sprung. Let a flower grow, nurture a tree, safeguard growing and living things."

Freya: "If you fail this, fail -me-, you will feel it within you. You... both will."

Yva relaxes and suddenly looks - amazed -.

Freya turns to stare at Jak for a moment, then goes back to looming angrily over Yva. Her green hair falls past her shoulders, surrounding the tiny woman in a curtain of ivy and flowers.

Jak looks up briefly, meeting Freya's gaze and then lowering his face immediately, no more relaxed than he was.

Freya: "And you shall never, ever again, work dark, life stealing magics without feeling the terrible consequences they bring."

Yva looks distinctly less amazed. She now looks terrified. She tries to recover herself and nods as best she can given the current vine predicament.

Freya leans back, the vines now twisting to cover Yva completely. Flowers sprout around her, multicolored petals quickly hiding the woman in a cocoon.

Freya closes her eyes, seemingly for the first time since the encounter. She lifts her hand, the vines suddenly tightening around Yva, digging into her skin, tearing away and spreading open to reveal her. Fresh cuts lay across her chest, arms, and stomach. She bleeds heavily.

Yva gasps, her eyes going enormous. She lets out a raspy shriek.

Freya: "The taint must leave you, try to move now, and you will perish."

Yva forces herself to stop moving, though she begins to hum once again. .

Bricu looks at a different set of flowers blooming by Freya's feet.

Yva 's eyes flicker to Jak.

Freya watches, still as a statue. The blood pouring out of Yva is a terrible dark color, a mixture of greens and browns like a mold. The vines that once held Yva catch the disgusting blood, then wither away.

Jak pulls off his gauntlets and rises to stand behind Yva, cupping his scarred hands around her chin.

Threnn watches, expression neutral, her hands folded tightly in front of her.

Yva whimpers slightly but remains still, her hands balled into fists.

Freya steps forward, hand clasping something unseen. A light shines green from within as she lowers her hand to Yva's stomach. The bleeding becomes lighter in color until it is a bright red.

Bricu looks back at Threnn

Freya: "You will never again bleed death. You will never again be able to avoid death... consequences... consequences is a word you shall become very familiar with, Yva Darrows."

Yva pulls in a ragged breath.

Bricu nods

Freya pointedly does not call her Dead Thing, placing her hand on Yva's stomach. The open cuts close, leaving behind scars. Along her lower stomach, a strange knot work vine pattern fades into view. It is clearly unlike a tattoo and far more as if her skin itself changed color.

Freya steps back, staring down at Yva.

Freya: "Now breathe, child. Inhale air and let it fill your lungs, let life fill your core."

Yva breathes as she's told, but it's . . . to actually breathe, not out of some old habit from long before. She - needs - to. Her eyes widen.

Yva stares up at her, mouth slightly agape.

Yva seems completely stunned.

Freya turns back towards the waterfall.

Freya: "You know your price. I have much to return to. I do not normally do such... favors, for mortals. Do not take my gift lightly."

Jak moves his hands down to Yva's shoulders, gripping painfully tight as he looks down at her.

Bricu: “Thank yeh, Lady Freya."

Yva moves her gaze up to him and smiles brilliantly.

Yva: "Hello, my lord."

Jak leans down for an experimental (not to mention awkward and upside-down) kiss.

Bricu gets up from his knee.

Bricu: "Well now. That went well."

Yva 's mouth is warm and human. There is no lingering cold upon her lips.

Jak pulls away, smiling kinda goofily.

Yva tries to sit up. She winces slightly, achy, but manages to get herself upright. She looks around, at Jak, at the Bittertongues, at Freya's back.

Yva: "Thank you, all of you."

Freya says nothing.

Jak unbuckles his cape and wraps it around Yva.

Jak: "Aye, I don't...we can never thank you enough."

Threnn nods, still in soldier-mode.

Bricu: “Well, the hard part is done. Let the rabbits play fer a wee bit. Take some time t'figure out how t'yeh know, eat an' breathe again."

Yva puts her hands up in front of her face. She's flexing her fingers and then rubbing her palms together.

Yva: "Oh, I know how to eat. I never quite stopped that."

Yva smiles and then yawns. HUGE. She looks confused and a little embarrassed, and covers her mouth with her hand.

Jak: "Sleeping, on the other hand. It's no longer a hobby, dear."

Yva: "Oh? I . . . oh. OH! Well . . . yes, of course. I knew that."

Yva doesn't quite look like she'd thought of that, but she's pretending like she did. She uses Jak's shoulder for leverage and stands up. Her toes crinkle in the grass beneath her and she starts to giggle.

Bricu puts his arm out for Threnn. "Missus"

Threnn puts her arm through Bricu's.

Yva turns to look at Threnn and Bricu.

Jak 's face lapses into an expression of wonder as he looks at Yva.

Yva -flies- at them, hugging them both hard. There's a muffled "Thank you" into Threnn's armor.

Bricu: "Yer welcome Yva."

Threnn puts her free arm a bit awkwardly around Yva's shoulders. "See? A better way."

Yva nods and pulls back to grin up at them. She turns around, and it's Jak's turn to be mauled. She's laughing and wraps her arms around his neck, kissing along his chin.

Bricu whispers to Threnn

Jak puts his arms around Yva's waist and lifts her off her feet, chuckling.

Jak: "It doesn't seem real."

Yva kicks her feet beneath her, squirming more than a little bit. She seems delighted by everything right now. She smiles again, stifling another yawn. She still looks surprised by it, and blinks repeatedly.

Yva: "I think I might be tired."

Jak: "We ought to leave this place. It won't remain safe forever."

Bricu: "Aye. T'the reserve line then?"

Yva nods and pulls out a portal rune from her packs. She stares at it a moment like it might bite her. There's a bit of a flinch as she cracks it open. Dalaran appears before them and . . . Yva doesn't explode. This is a good sign.

Yva bows low to Freya once more before stepping back towards the city.

Jak: "Right behind you, dear."

Bricu walks through the portal, after one final bow to Freya

Threnn offers another pitch-perfect Silver Hand bow to the Titan, and follows.