Over the hills and far away. . .

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

So far, Ter'thelas had been avoiding the Sensoriums. What he'd heard of them had been mildly disturbing. A room of illusions. It all sounded too much like that human's tower, Karazhan. Still, he decided he ought to at least investigate them once. So he had entered the Sensorium with a package from the planet they'd left under his arm, summoned up an image long gone by now. A wonderous cityscape in whites, gold and reds, fine brick and mortar, curving architecture stretching towards the sky, open spaces and grand arches. The city of Silvermoon. He'd even included a few of the magical brooms that wandered the city, sweeping it clean.

Almost reverently, he unwrapped what he'd brought. An expertly wrought viola in a cherry-red wood. He lifted it, tuned it by his ear, and then, began to play. A sad, almost mournful melody filled the simulated city, as Ter'thelas, eyes closed tightly, played a dirge for his people for the second time in his life.

Comments

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Well, the Sensoriums got a lot of play, but this was a new one on Zouichi. He stepped out of the way of a magical broom, finding his way to where Ter'thelas was playing. He recognized the instrument as an Earth viola, although its player obviously wasn't from any version of Earth he knew of.

"It's very beautiful," he said, quietly, so as not to startle Ter'thelas.

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

"Ah." Ter'thelas turned to regard the new arrival, his hands dropping to his sides.

"Thank you. My skill is rather mediocre, though. At best." He smiled slightly, self-depreciating.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"I'm afraid I'm not an expert on string instruments, so I can't really judge -- but if your aim was to portray sorrow, then I'd say you succeeded."

He looked around at the unfamiliar city; though it was beautiful, the red-and-gold colors prominent seemed to suggest... autumn? Was that the right word? A feeling of the coming of winter. But maybe it was just the lingering melody from Ter'thelas's instrument. "Where is this?"

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

"It was, I admit. Thank you for the compliment," he replied, turning to take in the cityscape with Zouichi. He reached out to touch fingers to warm brick that he knew wasn't really there.

"Silvermoon. My home."

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

He had a hunch about Ter'thelas, and decided to ask about it. "In Azeroth? It's lovely."

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

"Yes, in Azeroth. How did you know?" He cocked his head, looking at Zouichi curiously.

"I assume you've run into some other Azerothians."

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"I didn't. But I have met Alastirra, another Azerothian. You don't look terribly alike, but I don't think I've run into anyone else with glowing eyes on the ship." He brought his hands up to mimic the smooth curve of her backswept horns.

There was something else, but he wasn't quite sure what. "She mentioned there were quite a few sentient species there, not like on Earth."

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

"A Draenei, then." He shrugged. No skin off his nose if she was. Not like the war particularly mattered here, anyway.

"Oh yes. Several native species and at least two who had migrated there. Quite fascinating how our little speck was a magnet for people."

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

"Draenei?" The word sounded unfamiliar to him. Gnomes, at least, were part of old Earth folklore. "May I ask what your species is called?"

"And those non-native species, they migrated there? From other worlds? I was under the impression that Azeroth was pre-spaceflight." Or did they traverse there magically?

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

"Draenei, fugitives from the Burning Legion who crash landed on our planet in the Exodar, hounded by some of my people who had been corrupted to serve their enemies. It's a long story." He bowed his head.

"I am a Sin'dorei, or a Blood Elf in the human nomenclature. And yes. The Orcs are the other non-natives, and they did come here via magical means, the Dark Portal, from their home planet of Draenor. Also a long story."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae knew this tune all too well. It had been used as a lullaby when she was young by her father, and later explained to her when she was older. It held a very special place in her heart and she listened intently, not wanting to interrupt. She closed her eyes focusing on the tune alone, a smile across her lips.

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

He ended the song, holding the last note for a moment before he lowered his instrument, half-turned as he felt the presence of another.

"Ah. Ronnae. I suppose you know the Lament as well as I do?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae nodded cheerily, "Yup, very well. Father used to sing it to me when I was younger. Later teaching me its meaning so... well it holds a special place in my heart. You play it very well."

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

"A rather grim song for children, but it works, I suppose." He let his instrument dangle in his fingers, looking back at Ronnae.

"It should hold a meaning for all of us that are left. It reminds us of what we have lost, something we shouldn't be quick to forget."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

She nodded and looked around the city she had many bittersweet memories of, and still, it was her city, and the city of her father, and her friends, few as they might have been.

"I'm looking forward to it's expansion once the dead scar is finally cleansed."

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

"Yes. Yes, so am I." His voice is quiet, almost wistful. He swallowed, glanced away at the skyline.

"If it's there when we get back. And if Deathwing hasn't blown it to hell. If, if, if," there's a pause, a melancholy, almost silent sigh, "I wish that things were as they had been. Before Arthas. Before all of this."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"It will." She stated, offering a comforting smile. "If there's anything that the Sin'dorei are known for, is their perseverance. Time and time again they've shown that they can get back up from anything, and better than before. A proud and ever present race."

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

"We are at that. It just seems that it shall be a bit difficult, what with Azeroth being destroyed and all." He smiled, his voice tinging on the sarcastic.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"I ah... w-well we're fighting to get it back right? Even if it's back to the same deal of having to survive daily, it'll be our war, just like it's always been." She paused for a moment as she realized what she was thinking... She didn't consider this whole mess their war... She felt they had been unjustly tugged from their already hectic life and tossed into someone elses mess and expected to behave and take in stride. Forced to help one way or another. There was no diplomacy, no choice, it was either help us for a chance to get your world back, or become baggage... She felt the pressure of guilt rising in her chest and decided to look away into the city to try and not think about it.