magisterus | s e x Ω a u d i o

So you're this...Warden...I've been assigned to?

[FROWNING SO HARD RIGHT NOW]

Indeed.

[ You know, your face is going to get stuck like that, Kael-thas. ~~Just like your Warden's.~~ ]

Where do you wish to meet?

I do not wish to meet, though I suppose it is necessity.

The library will have to do, for the moment.

Very well.

I will meet you there shortly.

[ Spam? ]

[This was utter foolishness.

He was standing by a table, brows furrowed in thought. He wasn't certain who to expect, but he was hardly looking forward to it.]

[ He will not be waiting long before a tall, rather austere-looking man walks in. His pace is slow, as one might expect of someone of his years, and there is a folder tucked under his arm. His clothes and hat, however, distinguish him as much as his beard.

He nods once in greeting. ]

Good afternoon.

[ A rather formal greeting from a very formal-looking mage. He indicates a chair. ]

Shall we sit down?

Edited 2013-04-05 02:57 (UTC)

[Well, he certainly looks the part of a magus of some sort. Was he? Kael'thas frowns slightly.

He nods one, and sits. This human was being polite so far.]

Your name is Yen Sid?

[He's not really trying to hide the haughty tone in his voice.]

[ Respect yer elders, sonny. :V Even though he isn't literally older than Kael'thas, he still has that air about him. He'll be civil even if his Inmate is not.

He sits and lays the file to the side. ]

That is correct.

[ He considers the other for a moment. ]

Before we begin, is there anything you wish to ask?

Edited 2013-04-05 03:45 (UTC)

Ah, certainly.

I have recently been assigned to Kael'thas Sunstrider.

As he and Arthas Menethil appear to have some history, I thought it best to speak with you on this matter.

[ aka, our Inmates hate each other; let's talk. :V ]

[Elder, pah.]

I can think of nothing you might have an answer for.

[He taps a long nail against the table. He won't be overtly confrontational, but he'd really rather not be here.]

I suppose if I subject myself to your....supervision, I might be allowed to return home.

[His face is impassive as he watches him.]

Did you have anything to ask of me?

[ He understands that. Honestly, if Kael'thas had wanted to be there, Yen Sid would have been surprised.

Trust isn't something easily earned. ]

Not at this moment. Though 'supervision' isn't quite the term I would use.

[ He folds his hands in front of him and looks at the other plainly. ]

As your Warden, I am responsible for your well-being. Things you need or require, I am obligated to provide. It is also my duty to be your advocate, to prevent harm from coming to you or others -- that does not mean I will be with you at all times or watching everything you do.

[ Though he will be watching sometimes. He's old, not senile. ]

That being said, I do have certain expectations.

[Well, this one was certainly being civil enough. He can't exactly bring himself to hate him, and he nods.

It could be worse, after all.

He regard him for a moment, and quirks a long brow.]

And those would be...?

Edited 2013-04-06 14:57 (UTC)

That's certainly one way of putting it. What would you like to talk about regarding them?

I do not think it wise for them to interact with one another.

[ They were already squabbling on the Admiral's announcement; he doesn't want things to escalate. ]

Kael's file has given me a sense of what to expect from him, but it tells only his side of the story.

I am curious about Arthas.

[ If there is one thing Yen Sid is, it's calm, collected, and formal. It comes from many years of doing things "by the book", as it were, and though he can be flexible, he prefer things to be done decently and in order. ]

First of all, I expect you to hold an occupation while you are here. [ He holds up a hand to stem any protests. ] Idle hands can be a dangerous thing on this ship, and though it may not be something you enjoy, I'll not force you into something you detest, either.

[ He folds his hands again. ]

I also expect you to behave responsibly with your power. As magic is a much a part of my life as it yours, I see no reason to deprive you of it. I will return your abilities to you, with one or two exceptions, provided you agree to refrain from deliberately harming another or causing extensive damage in the name of self-defense. [ He leans forward slightly, his gaze unwavering. ] Arthas Menethil is no exception.

[ His point made, he straightens once again. ]

Lastly, I expect us to meet or check in with one another at least three times a week. Things can change very suddenly here, whether it be a flood, a port, a breach, or something else entirely.

I am also amenable to opening the CES or CTS to you at any time, should you wish for a change of pace or scenery.

[He almost missed the rest as the concept of having his magic back settled on him. Living without it had felt like someone had carved out a bit of his soul- even as a child, in Quel'thalas, he had been surrounded by magic. Here, it felt as if he was suddenly deaf to the world, without it.

But he could have that back. It was being offered, willingly.

The surprise passed from his face, and he schooled his features into a mildly bored frown. Arthas was mentioned, and he looked away.]

I see.

[The butcher.

Would he would be denied his revenge?

He narrowed his eyes slightly as he thought. He could still remember spitting words in Arthas' face the last time he encountered him.

"She hates you."

And he did, as well. It was like a cold fire within him.

He nodded, slowly. This...Warden was far more generous than he had expected. He felt an odd sense of conflict in himself- he hardly trusted the man- he had no reason to trust humans. But he reminded him of his former life, in Dalaran.

And he would be giving him back something precious.

He looked away, his face impassive, and tapped a long red nail on the table.]

I suppose I have little choice but to agree to your terms. Though, I doubt this...redemption...is necessary. I have only acted in kind to the cruelty that has been shown to my people by humans.

I have done little wrong. And I have nothing to repent for.

Edited 2013-04-07 02:03 (UTC)

[ He closes his eyes for a moment, thinking of what's been said. Of course, it wouldn't be that simple -- a heart as scarred and wounded as Kael's could not be assuaged with words alone. Some things must be felt in order to be learned, and a desire for vengeance is a difficult thing to release.

It will not happen overnight. But there's no rush to reach such an end, either. ]

It is neither my purpose nor my place to judge you or the actions you have taken.

[ He opens his eyes and looks at Kael. ]

I am here as your advocate, and though I cannot promise complete consistency when unusual happenings take hold of the Barge, I will endeavor to be fair in all things.

I agree there. However I'm not sure how we can keep them from interacting.

I assume Kael'thas file doesn't go into any sort of detail about the plague spreading through Lordaeron, or Arthas' own downfall because of it.

[It's a long road, but the first hesitant step has been taken.

He cannot trust this man, cannot currently think of him as anything but a jailer. And yet, he has given him back something dear, whether he knows it or not.

He does not wish to be in the human's company any longer than necessary, though some very small part of him doesn't entirely hate the man.]

Fairness.

[He laughs just once, bitterly.]

Do not speak to me of fairness, human. There was no fairness in the way your kind have treated us.

I have considered placing a block on Kael's communicator so he can neither respond nor read Arthas's messages. I also plan to tell him he is not to harass Arthas in any way.

[ How successful that may be is subject to debate, of course, but at the very least, the warning will be there. ]

It does not. It speaks only of his own experiences -- the fall of his homeland and what transpired after.

[ He knows. He may not feel it as acutely as Kael does, but he does understand, at least in part, how empty the other must feel without something so intrinsic to his kin.

He shakes his head once, solemnly. ]

I have seen many worlds in my time, Kael'thas Sunstrider. Some where magic is a prevalent as the air itself, and others where it is either forgotten or non-existent.

There was no fairness in the treatment of your homeland or people; that much is true.

However, the heart that beats within every living thing is capable of great good or great evil regardless of blood or race.

[Those words hurt, for some reason, and they stirred within him a memory of another time, of a life in Dalaran.

There, he lived with the humans. He worked with them. Believed them to be equals.

Truly, compared to many of his kind, he had been kinder, more accepting. And the payment for this was being locked in the sewers of the city he once called home. His soldiers used as mere fodder, sent on impossible missions and called traitors when they accepted aid from outside forces.

It stung to hear those words, and more because they reminded him of a time when he believed such things.

He looked away.]

Every living thing, perhaps, if you believed such things.

[He sighed, suddenly weary despite having done little, it felt.]

[ He looks at the other, and for a moment, it seems, his expression just barely softens. ]

Very much so, Kael'thas. The heart is something that defines us, whether our intentions be good or ill.

[ He lets those words sink in before pushing the folder he brought towards the other. ]

This is a copy of your file. It is yours to peruse if you wish.

[He taps a long, red-lacquered nail over the file, and nods slightly.]

I would like to see what is in here.

[And there's a pause, before politeness finally wins out.]

...thank you.

[ He nods once in turn, acknowledging the thanks. ]

I will put in the request for your abilities to be returned before the day is over.

[He says nothing, and looks away. Finally, he makes a small sounds of agreement and stands, taking the file.]

I suppose we will speak again, soon, if we must.

I'll tell Arthas to do the same, hopefully they'll listen.

[Stubborn princes.]

The short version is that… Arthas was part of the investigation into the spread of the plague of undeath in Lordaeron. Grain shipments had been infected, so it ended up spreading quickly. It was his devotion to protect and then avenge his people that drove him to extremes.

To making the choice to purge the city of Stratholme, rather than let his people be raised into undeath by the plague or by the hand of a dreadlord of the Burning Legion. To stranding his men on Northrend and lying to them after following the dreadlord there to kill him. And then picking up a cursed blade, so that he would have the power to kill the dreadlord. Frostmourne stole his soul, and made him part of the very Scourge that he wished to end.

[ Royalty can be very stubborn; it is true. ]

I see.

[ He considers that for a moment. ]

Does he still have access to this weapon, and is his soul still lost to him?

[ He nods once.

He expects Kael will be wanting some space after this, and honestly, it's understandable. ]

If something happens, I will contact you.

[ The statement is open-ended; if Kael needs something, he is also free to ask. ]

That's not the complete story about what's happened to Arthas, only his fall and being turned into a death knight of the Scourge.

Frostmourne was originally shattered during Arthas' defeat as the Lich King by myself, and has since been destroyed. Arthas' soul has been returned to him as well.

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