trans_9 | In Honor... [Open - before Under Siege]

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

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.

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"Billy, my love, change is usually inevitable, especially when some people are tossed into such an extreme that they need to adapt. You should know this as it's very common in nature. To others on board, this is just another scenario to the same life, like Master Cargn, Erhart, Kerrigan and Splicer among others. Then there's people that have needed to change in order to survive and make due with their new lives. Like in nature, a species that doesn't learn to adapt in an extremely different environment goes extinct..."

She held his hands a bit tighter, squeezing comfortably. "You've been fighting hard to do your best and help others. People look up to you, people are thankful for your support and help and your friendship. I don't think you've been changing into anything wrong at all... And... I'd hate it if you went extinct... A man like you is rare indeed..."

As to press the point forward, she leaned up as best she could and pressed his lips against his own. It was a more subtle, yet needy kiss. A kiss of someone who needed them and loved them for who they are.

"That's what it's about, then. Living." And he did want to live. There was so much to live for now, one important piece of that picture sitting right in front of him.

His smile showed that he understood. With her advice, he was going to be okay. That new resolve was sealed with a kiss that removed all doubt. Smiling into it, pressing against her lips, he slid an arm around her shoulders as it went on.

Finally, he pulled back, sporting a sheepish smile and looking around the chapel. "...they don't usually do that in chapels, huh?"

"Well, they do. When..." and then she choked a bit, and blushed heavily before laughing a bit, moving one of her long bangs off her face before looking back up at him.

"Usually after a marriage in the more traditional human and elven marriage ceremonies."

Of course! Billy smacked his forehead. "Yeah, you're right. Not in a back pew like this, but...front and center, standing in the light."

He turned his head to 'front and center' and couldn't quite banish the mental image of himself and Ronnae standing there, smiling at each other, and making vows in front of a small crowd. It was appealing.

"So it was done here, in this specific chapel? Or chapels in general?"

"Well, Chapels in general yeah. This one got turned later on into a staging point for the Argent Dawn, but papa said that they still did services as such for the more bold adventurers who would venture into the Plaguelands. A few of his friends and comrades from the varying Paladin orders got married here."

She pointed to the front and smiled.

"It sounds nice," Billy whispered, already deep in thought. He could definitely see himself coming back here. With the way he blushed, was there any doubt about what was on his mind?

"I had a thought, but I think I'll have to be a bolder adventurer to qualify. After today...I can."

Ronnae looked at him curiously and smile.

"Oh? Will I get to know what that thought is today, or at a later time?" Though she could guess what it was!

"Well..." Billy looked quite flustered, but he figured he was cornered.

"I was thinking about what it would be like if we were up there. If this was our wedding."

Ronnae blinked a few times and smiled, more warmly than embarrassed.

"It would be wonderful wouldn't it?"

"Yeah," Billy said breathlessly, the possibilities rushing through his mind. He imagined the people from her world, struggling here in the midst of a battle, a small reprieve, a stolen moment. As the war got more intense, it would likely be like that in their lives too. Already they were being separated by missions more and more often...

With that in mind, he gathered his courage.

"Ronnie...before it's over, before we're all swept up in the end of this war and our futures are so uncertain?"

He paused, making sure his eyes met hers. He couldn't look away, not now when he was putting his heart on the line. Again.

"I want to marry you. Properly this time, if we're going to be lifemates."

For all the newly acquired resolve she had gathered today, her lover always found a way to leave the young, half-orc girl speechless. This was one of those times and she simply looked up at him with a very red face.

Sure she had given it much thought herself, wanting to have a simple yet fun wedding. Friends and family alike to be invited, if any of her family ever awoke on the ship. But it had always been passing dreams she had while working, or simply turning to look at him while he worked at his own desk.

Hearing it so sincerely and surely out of his mouth was like he had stolen her breath in a good way.

After a few moments, she let out a small sigh as if she had been holding a breath she didn't know and smiled timidly up at him.

"Y-yes, yes, of course! I... I'd l-love to~"

Billy was so relieved to hear that that all he could do for a moment was laugh. Laugh and hug her close, glad he hadn't been rejected out of hand. It could be a reality, they could be married!

...wait. They were going to be married. That meant they were engaged. And he'd done the procedure entirely the wrong way, if not foregone all of it.

"My world has an entire custom for starting an engagement that I've just skipped over, but how about one of our own?"

He stood, offering her his hand.

Ronnae was very relieved at seeing have a nice laugh. So jovial, so free, so happy. It was contagious and she soon found herself nuzzling and laughing against him.

At the question, she raised an eyebrow and grinned playfully.

"What? You're saying you want to get in a ring and best me? Or hunt the finest beast you can find and expect my approval? Or how about conjuring a magical creature as my pet? Some of the ones from home are very different and I find them amusing." she said with a little giggle.

"Like mama making papa run all over the world and telling him if he could catch her, she'd give him a chance. Mind you, she is one of the best assassins the Horde has, so tracking and catching her was no easy feat!"

Billy wasn't quite sure about those things, but...if it was what needed to be done, he would do it. "If it's within the realm of possibility for me, whatever it is, I'll do it. I'll prove that I'm worthy of you."

He was already mentally preparing a training checklist. "But while you prepare that challenge....I was thinking of the other traditions. I don't have rings, but I can have one made."

"I was jus' teasin' you hun. I wouldn't want you risking yourself like that, especially when we have so much work to do. You've been with me for how long now? I am sure that by now I can make that decision clearly love~" she added with a happy embrace.

"But I'm not going to refuse the tradition. A ring is more than enough if it would so please you sweetheart~"

"Oh---oh, right," Billy laughed, embarrassed. "But you know I'd still do anything for you, right?"

He bumped their noses together softly. "Then it shall be done," he whispered. "And we can start planning other things. A small ceremony here is good, right? What were the other weddings in this chapel like---who married them, what did they wear, were there any certain rituals?"

"Whatever we do, I'd be happy to keep it small," he added.

Ronnae giggled at him enthusiasm and smiled big. Just seeing him this excited made her feel really happy.

"Yes, I'd prefer small actually... you know how I am in big groups." Unless it's in combat.

"But as far as how most the ceremonies here occurred, it was mainly in full armor since we were at war. So comrades, teammates and family members who could make the dangerous trek would come and one of the high officials of the Argent Dawn would do the service and they'd have a party afterwards."

"Huh," Billy thought it over. "Well we're at war now, even if it's not in the active phase all the time. If you'd like that more than suits and dresses, I'll marry you in morph."

It was a funny mental picture, but he liked it. Even if he liked the formal wear too.

'We're at war.' That was part of his motivation. There was no knowing what would come next, when they might be separated. They had a chance and he wanted to take it.

She smiled and raised a brow at him. "That'd be actually fun. I'd like it."

Pausing for a moment, she looked down with a bit of a bittersweet smile. "Wish the family was here to see it."

Billy could relate. He bowed his head, wishing that his friends were here at his side. On Earth, Jason would've been his best man, no doubt about it. But here he'd be asking Jamie.

"I wish my family and friends from home were too. Kimberly's been taken, I'm alone again. But you'll have Nokosi with you, right?"

He looked up thoughtfully. "I still have a family to attend, but we don't share blood. And...well, you're going to be my family, right?"

"Y-yeah," she said a bit gloomily at first, but soon smiled back up at him and laughed a bit.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. We'll be fine right?" it almost sounded like plea of good things to come, hopefully.

Billy agreed, gesturing for her to walk to the front of the chapel with him. "I know it's not ideal, but if they show up, we'll explain it all. I just want to do this while we can," he explained.

That raised a few more questions in his head. "We're telling Kaya and Nokosi first, then?"

Ronnae nodded in agreement and followed. "Yeah, I feel the same way hun."

Once there and the second question was asked, she giggled a bit.

"I'm sure they'd never forgive us if we didn't."

Billy laughed, wrapping an arm around Ronnae's waist and bringing her against his side. "I'm better at handling him now, but...what are the odds that Nokosi is going to kill me? Give me your best estimate."

Ronnae laughed in turn and relaxed against him. "At this point? None. Maaaaaybe he would have tried if it had been right off the bat. But he's taken a liking and befriended you. That's sign enough that he trusts you~"

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