Writing a few scenes from Annabelle's perspective. May be some repetition of scenes from other posts. This will be in parts, and long. Not done yet!
Quote:Annabelle Greene has worked with the Novalight family for years. First found by Jidaeo Novalight, she worked with him against a traitor. Time passed, and while the two never grew friendly, their trust was sure. She grew in renown amongst the family and its allies, the once-enemies the Kings of Cosmos choosing her for the role of Queen, much to Jidaeo and Zariel's--his son's--chagrin and confusion. She was to guide her court as the organization watched Azeroth's events unfold, and guard the Crystal Skull relics. Time passed further still, and Annabelle no longer leads her vigilante groups, the business of the Kings calming. Five years pass, she quietly watches Zariel from afar as she promised Jidaeo, while he acts as Nova to the family. She felt herself a bit closer to Zariel for reasons she couldn't explain for a long while, but as she watched him she grew to know. Now, she keeps to herself, happy to be something akin to a normal person again. She returns to engineering, making her living thusly.
Quiet never lasts too long.
A few weeks ago, Mastus Novalight, the cousin of Zariel Novalight comes to her for aid. Jidaeo Novalight has been thought dead for two years, his funeral attacked. She agrees, her heart apparently bigger than her brain. She quietly curses to herself later.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK84iaAjI2c[/youtube]
Booty Bay, Stranglethorn Vale. A hive of scum and vil--…anyway.
In the Salty Sailor sits a freckled, dark haired young woman, going over her journal of mechanical diagrams and equations. She is quite at peace, idly listening to the conversations about her.
A dark figure approaches; hooded, cold, easily labeled as undead. A prickly feeling under her skin erupts on the back of her neck, which she rubs at. The figure stares at her a few moments.
“I’ve been looking for you.” Jidaeo states. Just states.
The woman’s violet gaze flits to his feet, then slides up to his hooded visage. It narrows, then widens in realization, a soft, sharp breath taken. For now, she suppresses whatever astonished reaction wells up in her. Not the place for it out here. She puts on a knowing smirk, lifting her chin. He directs her to a back room of the inn. She follows.
Jidaeo gestures to the bed.
"Have a seat."
As the door shuts, Annabell loses a bit of her cool.
"The -fel- have..." She stares at him as he just directs her to sit.
"Nngh." She grunts, then sits and folds her arms. She stares at him in annoyance and worry.
Jidaeo blinks looking to Annabelle.
"I still serve as the ruler of my Court. I am concerned about my son, yet he doesn't know I'm still ..." he sighs.
"Alive." he says in an odd tone.
“The house is in danger, and needs to be monitored.”
“...Yeah. The necromancers? Some conspiratorial mumbo-jumbo about old patriarchs raising key figures. Where -have- you been exactly?” Perhaps it was her human nature, but she didn’t quite have the patience for the familial traditions these elves had.
Jidaeo shakes his head.
"I looked into it. I fear this may be something bigger than an old quarrels. I will need your support. My location during this time...isn't important right now. But I will tell you when it is needed."
A dark eyebrow of hers lifts.
“...Zariel already sent a cousin of his to get me. I've sent him a few toys as well. Don't worry, despite your fit, I've ghosted him and kept an eye on him as I said I would.”
Jidaeo inclines his head.
"Thank you, Annabelle." Then lifts it, straightening again.
“Things will only become more dangerous from here on out. If you wish to stay away from my cursed family, now is the time.”
Annabelle blinks at Jidaeo. After a few moments, she starts to smile. She rolls her eyes.
"...Things usually do before they get better. You know, I'd hug you but I think you'd sulk worse than your son."
“I'd rather you never touch me, Light-wielder.”
Annabelle blinks at him again and lifts a brow.
"...Touchy." She takes this moment to study him. Her eyes narrow slightly. She rubs the back of her neck.
"...You got into something." She speaks in a softer voice. Something, some feeling, had been gnawing at the edge of her senses since he appeared.
Jidaeo smirks, he pulls down his hood and stares at her blankly. The white hair, where once it was black as her own, drifts into his face. He brushes it away with his thumb. Some things don’t change.
"Light in...what did you -do-...?" She doesn't move, just staring at him with widened eyes.
He stares to her.
"I was following orders, I am a knight of the Ebon Blade. I went to train, to fight for my family and we were sent into battle. We were massacred, but my commanding officer saw something in me, or maybe I was the only one there that could still walk. But he sent me to the shadow realm, and told me to survive for a month.”
Annabelle turns her head slightly, eyes narrowing a bit.
"...That explains why I feel like I can sense undead again. Assuming the white hair isn't the only thing that's changed."
Jidaeo nods.
"When I died initially I was only dead for less than forty-eight hours. My body was preserved. With the new ....things I've learned, my body his decayed rapidly, due to the mass influx of shadow energy."
“...Odd, shadow usually heals the dead. I won't...ask what else happened. Or what you can do. Don't think you'd tell me anyway. I've changed a bit as well. Or...more so returned to myself.”
Jidaeo slowly pulls his hood up, it covers his dead face in a veil of shadow.
“ ...I assumed I'm not to tell Zariel you're back?”
“I'd like to tell him myself.”
Annabelle nods, then stands.
Quote:After a panicky discovery of the near-dead cousin of Zariel Nova, Annabelle Greene uses a Scroll of Recall to return him and herself to her home off of Tanaris. A tiny island, once the site of an oil rig. It was now her lab, her testing grounds, her place to be alone under the expanse of stars at night. She had tended to the elf as best she could, though much blood would need to be restored. Job finished for now, she steps outside to wait. Zariel had been contacted about the situation, and it isn’t long before he appears.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hWwMZ8yn_I[/youtube]
Zariel, rushing over (while trying to appear smooth as ever) looks to Annabelle.
"I hope this wasn't a joke?"
Annabelle looks to Zariel and blinks. She shakes her head, then motions him to follow her inside. Within, Mastus lays asleep on her simple bed. He is healed, but his skin is pale from blood loss. The young elf noble, after staring around at her odd home, shifts his gaze to his cousin.
Zariel 's eyes open wider.
"Who did this?"
Annabelle folds her arms and shrugs.
"Two orcs jumped him, he said. Outside the Bay. I found him amongst their corpses."
Zariel crosses his arms.
"Orcs?"
“He didn't elaborate. But, I'm sure he will to you. If he knows anything. He was out for two days.”
Zariel nods. He looks to Annabelle.
"Hmm. I wish I was there to help him, but I was....busy." Like he owns the place, he walks to a chair and sits down. The action is arrogant, but as if he doesn’t know any other way to act. Annabelle watches Zariel make himself at home. She looks to the ceiling a moment, then to him.
“He awoke earlier and ate, so he's on his way.”
“Good.” Zariel eyes Annabelle curiously.
"My family is having bad luck lately."
Annabelle tilts her head.
"As I recall, it's history is...complex."
Zariel shrugs and looks to the table. A gear on a metal tube.
"Hmm. I suppose. No more complex than any other family, I'd imagine." He says honestly.
“...Meaning that I'm not really surprised. Wh--...really?” She blinks at him.
Zariel looks to Annabelle flatly.
"W-what?"
Another stunned blink.
"Well...my parents were a maid and a farmer. My family goes back a few short generations in Westfall. I don't know if complex conspiracies are common in elf families, but..." She lifts a brow.
” ...No siblings either.”
Zariel nods knowingly.
"Oh well..Human lives are too short. That's all.“ He says smiling, still sitting in the chair, quite comfortable in his own world view.
Annabelle rolls her eyes.
"...You think every sin'dorei family has the trouble yours does?" Her tone still isn't harsh, just puzzled.
“...Also, you're going to suffocate from the heat with that hood on.” This fact stated, she steps over and softly tugs at the blue hood hiding the elf’s face.
Zariel crosses his arms and thinks about it.
"Hmm...No?" He asks. He shakes his head.
"I guess not the-" He suddenly pulls away like a child about to get groomed by his mother. The cloth is cool to the touch.
Annabelle blinks and rubs her fingers together.
"Yes, fancy enchantment." Instead, she tugs the top part lower, hiding his face completely.
"...Your family is -exceedingly- unique, Zariel." She then walks over and sits in the other chair.
"Does the Nova desire tea?"
Zariel nods, then removes his hood and shakes his hair free, very long, very auburn.
“He does. Unique? Well. I guess."
Annabelle peers flatly at him. She bites her bottom lip, trying not to giggle. She stands again, and prepares the tea. A citrusy, herbal tea of Tanaris fruits.
Zariel looks to Annabelle.
"Something funny?"
“You.”
“What about me? “ A long, stiff brow lifts
“ ...You're so...-normal-.” Annabelle blows some of the steam away, then walks over and offers him the cup.
“I'd tell you who you remind me of, but I might insult you.”
Zariel nods rubs his palms over his head, pulling his hair backwards. It shines, groomed as any noble’s hair would be. He carefully takes it and sets it down.
"Well...of course I'm normal." He says as the glass clinks.
"Who, my father?" He asks with some hopeful expectation.
Annabelle shakes her head.
"You're awkward, you blush, your ears droop when you're shy." Traits she is quite fond of, not that she would admit it under any sort of duress. She chuckles again, fondly.
"Perhaps he did that, I have no idea." She sits in the chair again.
“Well who do I remind you of?”
“Me“.
“EH?” The elf shrinks and stares at her as if he were a startled cat.
Annabelle stares at him, waiting for...yes, that reaction.
“You disagree?”
“Yes. Completely.“ The elf straightens and stares at her with an expression flat as granite.
Annabelle starts to grin. She snickers.
"I didn't say we were -exactly- alike."
Zariel stands up in a defiant huff.
"But. You're so...Polite, Naive, and awkward." He shakes his head.
"So young an- " He stops in his tracks looking to the metal wall of her home.
"Oh fel."
“...What?”
Zariel looks to her hesitantly. He just frowns at her. Stupid, annoying
right human.
Annabelle flits her gaze between the wall and the elf.
“...Something on the wall?”
Zariel shakes his head dismissing the thought, the tips of his ears swaying.
"No nothing." He promptly heads to his seat and silently drinks tea for a moment.
Annabelle narrows her eyes a bit. She grins deviously.
"You -agree-."
Zariel sets the glass down.
"Excuse me, where you saying something?"
“Was I?”
“I don't believe so. Tell me about my father...Since I know he's alive. You must know.”
“Oh, well. With those ears, I suppose I have to believe you. You...what?“ Annabelle blinks at Zariel, thrown off track at the sudden change of subject.
Zariel looks to her. He stares blankly. Annabelle stares back a moment. She sighs.
"...Yeah. He came to me and asked me about you."
Zariel raises his chin.
"I see." He resumes drinking tea, silent for a while.
Annabelle lifts a brow at the action.
"Bit late on the news about these necromancers. But...he seems to think they're not your family."
Zariel sets the cup down.
"Hmm." He stirs it with a spoon before placing it on the saucer.
“I don't have any other suspects.”
Annabelle blinks. She shrugs.
"...He had a weird key too. To some library, but he didn't elaborate."
Zariel places his hands on his head.
"I have a-" He looks directly to her.
"Where did you see him at?"
“Booty Bay. He was looking for me.”
“Ah. The business of the courts. Or was it personal?”
“To tell me to help you, nothing about the Courts.”
Zariel shakes his head.
Annabelle lifts a brow.
"What...?"
“I am already at the end of my wits trying to figure out how to protect my family... I don't know how I can protect you too.”
Annabelle tilts her head, apparently not worried at all, and quite honest with her question. Mildly taken aback.
"...Why are you worried about protecting me?" She asks softly.
Zariel opens his mouth but says nothing. His cheeks redden as he looks down to the cup. His lips move as if he said something but nothing is heard. He takes a drink, almost using the teacup to hide his red face.
Annabelle blinks once at him. She smiles and folds her arms on the table.
"...You know me. I'll be fine. And, if things get worse, I can call on the Court for a bit of backup." she watches him a few moments.
"...Thanks. And, while I don't -lead- anything anymore...I have a friend or two.” Her smile flickers into a bit of a smirk.
"Besides you."
Zariel nods finishing the tea.
"Of course." He says looking to her straight faced, he blushes. Suddenly, he looks away, his tone arrogant.
"Well I'm glad I won't have to be worrying about you then." He sets his eyes on Mastus, avoiding looking at the human.
Annabelle sets her chin in a palm, watching him, still smiling.
"Not at all."
"Good. I need some fresh air.” Zariel stands up, a tad too quick.
Annabelle shakes her head.
"...You can portal him back to Silvermoon, if it'd make you feel more comfortable. Hm? Watch out for duststorms."
“I know he's safe here. I'd rather have no one knows where he is until he can defend himself.” Zariel walks out and looks immediately to the sky. The type of vast, inky expanse a person can only see in the emptiness of Tanaris.
Annabelle watches him, blinking. She sighs and leans back in her chair, then looks to Mastus. She looks to Zariel again, stands, then goes to lean back against the entrance's side.
"...Do you get stars like this in Eversong?"
“Too many trees. It's so open here. I enjoy it.”
“...Great view on the communication tower.” She mildly hints, looking at her nails. What had been the main rig of this site was converted into a bit of a radio tower by the woman.
Zariel shakes his head.
"Hmm? Some tower isn't that interesting."
Annabelle snickers.
"I mean of the sky -from- there. And the sea."
A long pause of silence.
“I think I'm ready to die. If I have to I mean.”
"...Come again?"
Zariel answers, still looking at the sky.
"I know my family is in danger. I...I will put my life on the line for them."
Annabelle exhales quietly.
"...Zariel." She pushes herself off the wall and walks to stand beside him. She then plops down on the sand, laying her arms over her knees. Her eyes settle on the stars.
"...You just started being a Nova. A great one. Your family needs you -alive-."
“But they don't need someone who won't protect them.”
“Aren't you?”
Zariel looks down at her sharply, voice rising in volume at first.
"What if!?" He inhales, and calms slightly.
"What if those who want Mastus wanted -me-? I can fight. I'm smart... I will just have to... draw them away from everyone. I..I don't want to see any more of my family die over this…”
Annabelle blinks at him. She glances back into the one room house, then back to Zariel.
"...I thought that a lot, you know. Every time any part of Autumn, or the Council got hurt. They may have come for you, but you can't think like that. You are -their- leader, and besides that...they love you. There isn't anyone to replace you."
Zariel looks to the sand.
"I won't let them down. I swear on my blood. I will protect them or die trying."
Annabelle pushes herself up to stand. She watches Zariel a moment, then steps over and sets her hand on his arm.
"And it's Mastus' and my job to prevent the 'dieing' part. I know he wouldn't have it any other way."
Zariel nods.
"R-right." He says seeming nervous.
"...I just have to remain on the right path."
“And that's just forward.” Her hand gives his arm a squeeze, then drops to her side.
“I hope it is that easy.” The elf sighs.
“It is and isn't.“ The human looks up.
“...Just think back here, yeah?” That hand points up. "That's all your family up there, you know." She indicates the myriad stars with a twirl of her hand.
Zariel smirks, shifting his gaze to the human woman.
"Oh yeah?"
Annabelle drops the hand. She blinks at his smirk, then smirks as well.
"Yeah. Watching you. Not judging, not appraising. Just watching."
Zariel nods.
"I wonder if I pissed 'em off, standing here next to this human." He smirks wider.
“Probably. Annoying, little, naive, freckled human.”
This admission renders a chuckle from the elf.
“So how do you know Mastus?” He asks after.
Annabelle looks around. She sits on the sand again, and pulls him down to sit next to her.
"He found me for aid. That's all. Met him the day you showed up in that white cloak."
“Oh. I see.” His free arm lifts slightly to keep balance as he falls down to sit by her.
“...I wasn't surprised. How long have you known each other?” Annabelle sits with her hands on either side of her, legs crossed.
“My whole life.”
“Do noble elven children chase each other around and rough house?”
“Yes. It's just monitored most of the time.”
“Who usually won?”
“Well...Mastus is older than me.
“...Aw.”
The elf shifts his gaze down.
Annabelle looks over to him, smiling.
"What?"
“Nothing."
She gently presses his head to tilt his gaze back to her.
"Don't say that. What?"
Zariel looks to her, then back to the sand. He exhales and shuts his eyes, the green glow muted. His eyes open as his gaze is forced towards her. His angular cheeks turn bright red.
Annabelle chuckles softly and lets him go, hand returning to rest in the sand.
“I'm--I knowyou'reprobably thinking I'mweakorsomething, I'mnot. I. I'm capable. Ofeverything.” He rambles, still staring at her, cheeks still red as his hair.
Annabelle blinks a bit, almost stunned at the speed. She lifts a brow.
"Did I say that?"
“Well. You might have thought it. A lot of people think that.”
“Yeah, well. A lot of people think I'm weak. Remember our duels?”
Zariel nods.
"Yeah."
"I used to get in fights in the Church. The city girls made fun of my freckles. Anyway, didn't you beat me? And don't say 'But you're a human'."
"Heh, I don't recall. I am aware of your feats. Years ago when I tracked you my orders were not to intervene."
“Oh?”
“Mhm. I didn't listen and I could've died if you hadn't let me go.” Zariel closes his eyes, the glow again muted.
"My mind was in a dark place then."
“...I could tell you weren't yourself.”
“Revenge consumes you." His eyes open.
Annabelle nods.
"It does." Her gaze flits down, then back to him.
Zariel sets his gaze on hers.
"I appreciate you...listening and all. It's rare I can speak freely anymore."
She smiles a bit and nods.
"...Feel free to come here whenever."
He shakes his head.
"I appreciate the offer but..." Her head tilts as she waits for him to continue.
“I shouldn't make it a habit to depend on someone like that.”
Annabelle shakes her head.
"...I thought that too. I felt so alone trying to take care of everyone. Helping everyone, but no one was allowed to help me. That's wrong.
“Wrong or right, I suppose it's the way it is.”
“Only if you make it. Be responsible, but don't drown in it. You don't even need to talk to me if you come here.”
Zariel looks to Annabelle, silent. She blinks at him. Zariel eyes her up and down, not understanding the proposition.
"Hmm?"
“..Just -be-. That's all. Look at the stars, remember who you are, then go back.”
Zariel looks to the sky. She watches him do so.
“I may do that.”
“I have a few Scrolls of Recall around. And I can make more.”
"That would be useful."
Annabelle pulls up her knees and lays her arms across them.
"...What do you do for fun?"
“I don't know. I don't really have too much fun anymore. I like writing." Zariel shrugs.
“What do you write?”
Zariel scratches his neck.
"I don't know, nothing interesting. Just my thoughts and...stories sometimes." He looks to the sand, digging a design in it with his finger.
Here, the two friends’ conversation was cut short by the appearance of a minion of Seregon. The battle was quick and brutal, the warlock focusing his attacks upon Annabelle in nothing more than a show of power to frighten Zariel. To cause him to lose hope. Beaten badly by the warlock’s felguard, she was taken to Zangarmarsh and kept there for information. In a panic, bloodied himself, Zariel froze and gathered Anna’s blood left on the sand, her mechanical staff, and rushed in to wake Mastus. The two left for Dalaran. Mastus checked on the Novalight family, Zariel scried Anna’s location with the frozen blood.