In Honor... [Open - before Under Siege]

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae had been fairly silent the past few weeks. She didn't do anything out of the ordinary; went to work every day, did her time, came back home, spent some time with loved ones and made dinner before bedtime. If anything, it all felt like it was going too well recently, which meant it was high time for her thoughts to drift into more unpleasant memories.

There was a lot that had been nagging at her head, the missions, their 'sponsors', the ship, the enemy... It all felt as if more and more weight was being put on everyone's shoulders and she wondered when she too would succumb to the overbearing feeling that it was to be a member of this crew.

This is why during one of the days that she had off, she packed her bag, grabbed her massive weapons and set off towards Religion Row. She had never been one to pray, or hope, or rely on the gods of yore. But she needed something familiar, something that held a very important place in her life... And when she had scanned the files on the City a long time ago, she had made a mental note of the location of a place that struck true and sounded very familiar.

Light's Hope Chapel.

Even as she neared the location, she could see the singular bell tower that made up the front of the Chapel and instantly recognized it. It really was it wasn't it? Her steps took on a hurried pace of urgency, as if she expected to see familiar places in the location. but she knew better... Even as her heart raced, her steps slowed down once the place came into view. The old and war torn building still bruised and battered, just as she remembered during the wars she took part of.  Even now, in this close proximity, Shadowmourne hummed violently as if warning her to not go there. And she couldn't blame the runeblade... Light's Hope Chapel had once held the most holy of grounds in Azeroth. Even the Lich King failed to take it down with almighty Frostmourne, so it was no surprise that Shadowmourne felt the same way about entering.

But this was both hers, and its destination, whether on the ship, or back in Azeroth. It was here that she had intended the final resting place for the Runeblade to be at... She made her way slowly towards the Chapel, each step causing the Runeblade to curse at her in her thoughts, to hum violently and begin to glow in that eerie purple aura from the thousands of damned souls inside the blade and yet, the counter balance that had been gifted to her aboard the ship by Daja and Aibghalien seemed to be working to keep it from becoming too overwhelming. While the legendary Runeblade was vastly more powerful, the opposing forces and elements canceled each other out a great deal, enough to make it easy for Ronnae to continue on even against the powerful influence of the blade. Ironic that she had named her new weapon Light's Hope, in honor of the place she was just visiting.

Tattered Argent Dawn banners still decorated the Chapel and the stained windows seemed to be intact. Images of the heroic acts of the great heroes of the Light depicted on them. Images of stories that she grew up on. Stories told by her father, an elven Paladin of the Silver Hand and devoted follower to the Argen Dawn. This was a place of peace for her, and it was exactly what she needed.

The young, half-orc girl knelt in front of the altar and placed her Runeblade in front, much to it's dismay and hatred. It almost seemed as if the blade was burning just from being in the hallowed place. It was here that Ronnae closed her eyes and placed her hand upon the cold burn of the angry Shadowmourne, wincing a little as the pain from the freezing burn began to leave it's mark on her hand, but it mattered not, she knew of the pain, and she had carried the burden for long enough, it would heal over soon enough... After a deep breath, she began her prayer;

"I come here to honor those who have fallen, and for those who will still fall during this war. Allies and enemies alike. I bear the burden of thousands of lives and if fate deems it, there will be countless more until I fall... It's the way of my trade, of my people, the ways of a world where war is never ending and it seems as if those ways will follow me wherever I go. As such, I pledge my blade once more to keep those I care for safe, those that are unable to fend for themselves, those that are caught in between the warring sides even as I do my duty for my own.

I see my foes as equals. Souls intertwined in this on-going war, same coin, different sides. They deserve as much honor as those who fight beside me for it is them who my blade is meant to cut down just as it is theirs that is meant to end my journey.

I see my allies as my wards, meant to be protected and defended against those that mean to harm them. They deserve my protection no matter how different we my be for it is them who are at my side and my back, protecting me just as well.

I see my friends and loved ones as my strength. They deserve my everything for without them I'd be lost, alone, and caught in the void that is inside. They are the ones who I fear for the most, they are my life line, they are my driving force and I'll do anything for them.

It is for all of them that I will continue to carry on the burden bestowed upon me when I pledged my life to this until I fall and cannot get up no more.

Today I reinforce my pledge, my promise, my dedication, my word given when I first became a warrior. In honor of the fallen the past, and the future."

With that, she gripped the cold, burning Shadowmourne once more and strapped the massive axe to her back once more before standing up and staring at the large stained glass image of the bearer of the Ashbringer. One of the many heroes she admired.

Comments

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"I... supposed. Usually when I refer to an untimely death, it meant that they died before accomplishing their goal. But I can see what you meant."

"The Argent Crusade was the union of what was left of the Silver Hand and the Argent Dawn. It happened after the Battle for Light's Hope, this very place, and it was meant to be the driving force that would lead the Northrend Campaign against the Lich King."

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

Jinx raised an eyebrow and smirked, "I appreciate you trying dear, but I don't know what any of those things are so the story doesn't carry alot of the impact." She winked, "But I get the point."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae blushed and looked down a bit embarrassed.

"I... I apologize. I sometimes forget where I am.... Specially here... felt like I was back home again."

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

"That's odd." Jinx responded thoughtfully as she casually strolled away letting her eyes wander over the very old decorations that had survived the trip onto Stacy. "From what you told me before you weren't particularly happy with your life back home. Our talking about it left you well...you know." The unspoken words were along the lines of "Submissive, hallow, depressed.

"So this place must have some wonderful inspiring memories about it. Or there was more to your life back then then you've told me.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae's eyes narrowed, but mostly as she focused.

"There was. I had many great and wonderful things back home, especially when I was growing up... It was.... later on, during my school years and part of my time in military service that... well, I'd rather not get back into that talk." she added finally before turning to the decoration.

"But yes, this place holds great meaning to me."

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

"Tell me more." Jinx encouraged as she admired the architecture plotting to sketch out some of it's more intricate points. If nothing else Ronnae's life was proving to be an interesting story to keep her occupied during these long stretches of time where nothing was happening.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae looked at her curiously.

"Tell you more of what exactly? I don't like just rantin' 'bout my life now."

That was something some of her sister might be more inclined to do.

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

Jinx turned and a coy smile curled on her lips, her eyes almost glowing in the dark light.

"What inspires you?" She probed with a playful lilt in her voice, "What keeps the darkness in your heart at bay? Life even here on Stacy can be so hard."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"Lots did... and does... and is possibly the only reason I'm still alive. My family, what little friends I had... And even on this ship, I ended up with one of my only friends with me, and met some new friends as well as my mate."

She paused and smiled back at her. "Those are the things that keep the darkness at bay." Even if at times it feels like it's a losing battle.

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

"I suppose it's a good thing giving up is sometimes harder then struggling on against the oppression of fate." She turned gracefully on her heel and tucked her hands behind her back.

"Oooo~ A mate? What's he like?" She purred teasingly.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae blinked a few times as her cheeks tinged a bit pinkish, but after a brief pause her lips turned up into a small smile.

"He's sweet and caring, brave and incredibly smart. He has this non-stop drive to want to better himself and protect others that I find admirable even if he's sometimes very hard on himself and can overwork himself." Don't we all?

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

Jinx chuckled as if she found Ronnae's little romance charming at best "Sounds like a real hero. Someone to save you from yourself?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"A-ah yeah, well, he did contribute immensely to my sanity being at an acceptable level as it is now. I can't say I would still be here after my first encounter with this place when I arrived..."

It had been a close call too... She had been ready to give it all up when the fumbled encounter occurred.

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

"Ooo sounds interesting." Jinx had somehow in a matter of moments scaled one of the walls and was sitting on a higher perch. "What happened?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae raised an eyebrow and smirked, shaking her head a little.

"Quite the inquisitive one aren't ya? It was actually kinda embarrassing. I was testing one of my first projects that I was assigned at Engineering and he just happened to come on in and offer to be the test subject... Let's jus' say a series of fumbles made us end up closer than intended in a very awkward manner. After that, we became close friends and... well... One thing led to another and here we are."

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

"Comes with the territory." She slid from the rafters and fell a dangerous amount of distance to the ground, but landed as light as a feather.

"It sounds like destiny. Maybe if you're lucky you can go back to his planet when this is all said and done hmm?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"From what I heard and read, his planet doesn't seem like it would be too accepting of me, not that my own would be completely accepting of him either. We'll have to see when the time comes to make that decision, but it's been something we've talked about." And she had been thinking of ways to see him after this was all said and done.

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

"How boring." Jinx dismissed his word, "Is it because of your looks? Or your manners?" She slid up to Ronnae again and flicked her eartip playfully. "Because I still think they're charming even if you still need some work."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

She tilted her head curiously, not really getting the point, but her pseudo-compliment made her blush slightly.

"It's mainly inhabited by humans as far as sentient beings go. And..." I know I'm not great, not at all... Or at least that's what she wanted to say amongst many other self-defeating things. But she managed to shake it off, if at least to put it in the back of her mind for now.

"I yeah, I guess..."

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

"Well that shouldn't be a problem." Jinx chuckled and slid behind Ronnae in her teasing voice. "After all we've got some of the most advanced Alien technology at our hands. Why not create some kind of illusion producing ring or something to help you blend in?" She appeared again on the other side apparently looking her over like a model. "Or is it a pride issue?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Well damn... Jinx had been one of the very few who had nailed it right on the head. For as much as she was self-conscious, and fearful of what she was; the pride of two very much proud people ran deep in her veins. As much as she believed those vile nobles and their spiel about how half-breeds were trash, she was still proud of who she was and wouldn't want to be anyone else. She'd carry the pain and burden of being what she was, no matter how painful.

Her face turned a darker shade of red and looked as if one of her secrets had been found out but remained silent.

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

"Mmmhmm. I thought so." Jinx tut tutted, "Proud warrior race types always have that sort of "Bare it on your sleeve" mentality. Great for moral, lousy for subterfuge." She lectured thinking back to her xenosociology classes.

It's a long way away after all so you don't reeeally have to think about it if you don't want to." But the tone of voice indicated Jinx believed otherwise. "And lemme just shoot blindly in the dark here. Your man is just so sweet and kind and understanding, that he would never ask you to hide who you are even if it would make things easier on you both." She looked to Ronnae's eyes again to see if her guess had landed true.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Again, that was also true, or at least Ronnae truly believed. Billy had been nothing but understanding and accepting of who she was and he seemed more than happy being with her regardless of anything involving her race or where she came from. Which really made it that much easier for her to feel comfortable.

Ronnae simply nodded once as if confirming Jinx's thoughts.

[badluckbabe.livejournal.com]

"Thought so." She sighed shaking her head, "Just what is so satisfying about living like that? I mean don't get me wrong I'm a proud girl, but everything has it's limits."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"It's jus' the way I am." she replied almost instantly. But the response was surely firm and precise, she really did mean it. For as much as the girl suffered, she was still fine accepting her reality.