[Closed] Anduin and Wrathion

[thewhitepawn]

Date & Time: February 8th, around evening time
Location: Outside of Anduin's apartment
Characters: Anduin Wrynn and Wrathion
Summary: Two Princes meet
Warnings: There's a high potential for polite and semi-polite snark!



[Admittedly, Anduin had done his best to keep rather close to his apartment ever since he and Jaina had moved in with Varian. It was a strangely comfortable place and after all he had seen and been a part of in Pandaria, a small part of him enjoyed the relative peace. It was nice to see Jaina as she was and not ...how she had become. They helped to keep the prince from brooding overmuch about what he had left behind when transported here, and if he was ever sent home just what awaited him. Anduin's thoughts had taken him down that particular path one to many times recently, just wondering about that bell, and Garrosh's madness. He had spared his father and Jaina as much as he could, partially for their own frame of mind and partially on the faint (and utterly useless) hope that somehow this really was just some sort of Bronze Dragon-involved catastrophe.

For such small quarters, the apartments were nice, but lately they were growing more and more stuffy to Anduin. He was amazed by the leaps and bounds of technology, and how it different from the workings of Azeroth, but today they held little interest. Even an hour or so of air would help, and so he decided that a walk was infinitely necessary. Here there were no royal guards to follow him - though likely his father would have if given half a chance. Anduin didn't offer, leaving him to his own tasks as he slipped outside, pausing for a moment to let his eyes adjust to the exterior. Evening then - he wouldn't go too far, just a quick walk around the building should be enough.]

Comments

[indirection]

[Unfortunately, Wrathion does not have unlimited energy, and after spending the entire day exploring the city and engaging with as many people as possible, he's a little tired. He finally decides that it's time to investigate his housing arrangements--see what the room is like, perhaps meet his roommates. It doesn't take long for him to find his way over to the appropriate building, and he's just about in front of the doors when they suddenly open before him.]

Ah--

[Wrathion steps back, quickly, not wanting to rudely collide with anyone. But then he sees who it is.]

Prince Anduin. So you're here as well, eh? [SHARK-MOUTHED GRIN.] Isn't that fortuitous.

[thewhitepawn]

Oh! My apologies, I-

[He paused mid-sentence, Wrathion already in the midst of speaking. Blue eyes met red and for a moment he simply studied the other prince curiously. There was no immediate spark of recognition, though he had an idea as to whom the other might be, but that would mean...]

One moment, please.

[He eased out of the way of the door, to spare any passersby the nuisance of trying to navigate around him before returning his full attention to Wrathion once more. His smile is a polite one, hands folded behind his back in military fashion. There are few people here who know of his status and could recognize him on site, and that means that he's form Azeroth. Judging by his red eyes and that sharp smile...]

Prince ...Wrathion, what a chance meeting. Did you arrive with the newest group, then?

[Who else could it be, really? Anduin had heard tell of him now and then in his travels through Pandaria, but this was his first meeting with the other.]

[indirection]

[Although they had not met in person before, Wrathion's extensive network of informants had kept him apprised of Anduin's movements within Pandaria. The boy was an important figure--son of Varian Wrynn, heir to Stormwind and thus to the Alliance as a whole. He required observation.

And Wrathion had, of course, heard about the incident with the Divine Bell.]

That I did. But ... how interesting that I am not their sole conscript from Azeroth. [a small laugh.] I don't know yet whether to find that comforting or distressing, honestly.

[thewhitepawn]

There are a number of us here, actually. Many more who are not.

[How many, he couldn't say - he had admittedly kept close to his father recently, especially after the ordeal of being 10 years old once more. Still, he knew that they were there, and no doubt at least a few of them would make their presence known to Wrathion eventually.

Bemused, Anduin had to wonder just how his father would react to this meeting right now, but pushed the idea towards the back of his mind almost as soon as it was dreamed up. This could be an interesting opportunity to learn more about the other beyond the myriad of rumors that had surrounded him.]

I wasn't keeping you from anything, was I?

[indirection]

[Interesting, interesting. He would find them, somehow. Perhaps more formal introductions were in order at some point, over that device the Initiative gave him--but, ah, that could come later.

First, the matter at hand.]

Not at all. I've only just been exploring, and I thought I might have a look into our rooms. Tell me, are they decent?

[thewhitepawn]

They are. I'm not really certain how to describe some of the technology here beyond saying it needs to be seen firsthand.

[And there is a faint hint of a smile ghosting over his lips. One that lacks the polished politeness he normally keeps and is a touch more genuine. Compared to Azeroth, the technology is just fascinating.]

[indirection]

[The advanced nature of well--everything--here had not escaped him, starting right with the funny little tablet the greeter had furnished him with upon his arrival.]

I look forward to seeing as much of it as possible.

[He takes out his tablet and taps the surface; its reaction to this clearly delights him.]

I already have this little treasure mostly figured out, I think.

[thewhitepawn]

You would.

[That smile grows a bit - bemused at Wrathion's excitement over the little tablet. Anduin had (and still was) nearly the same way with his own, though. In fact, all of the new forms of technology he had been exposed to were things to study and marvel over.]

I think you'll definitely like some aspects of the apartments, then.

[Showers and ovens. Showers.]

[indirection]

Yes; no doubt. [and, to be fair, he is sincerely interested. But there's a few other things at hand here, and he'd like to address them first.]

Tell me, Prince Anduin--where were you, just prior to your arrival here? Were you in Pandaria?

[WERE YOU APPROACHING A HUGE BELL?]

[thewhitepawn]

Just prior?

[Despite his attempts at calm, for a split-second, his expression says everything. There is a haunted look that is quickly smoothed away as he nods, meeting Wrathion's gaze intently.]

I was in Pandaria, yes.

[FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION A BELL, SIR]

[indirection]

[Wrathion ain't one to miss a trick, and he catches that look as though Anduin had thrown it at him.]

Forgive me if I'm being forward, but you look rather in better health than when I last saw you.

[thewhitepawn]

[So, he had survived. Wrathion would be privy to the relief on Anduin's face after a moment before his expression returned to that mostly calm exterior.]

May I ask about what has happened?

[indirection]

[The relief certainly suggests that Anduin knew he had been walking into danger, which means Wrathion doesn't feel the need to be terribly explicit about who and what was involved here. It's obvious that Anduin already knows.]

You attempted to reason with the unreasonable, and paid the price. Fortunately, that price was not your life, in the end.

[thewhitepawn]

[That calm look was instantly replaced with a rather cool, annoyed expression. He was careful in how he chose his words, studying Wrathion intently now.]

It needed to be done, regardless. I had to try.

[indirection]

[Wrathion just smiles indulgently at Anduin's change in tone.]

And just look where it got you, hm? Garrosh Hellscream will never be moved by words. He only understands action--the more violent, the better. But I suppose you've learned that now, haven't you?

[thewhitepawn]

My point was made, regardless. The bell was destroyed and with it, some of his power - he was changing his own companions, Wrathion.

[He would never forget just how mad Garrosh had looked.]

Either way, I had to try.

[indirection]

Yes. He's willing to go to any lengths to win this war.

[IS THAT A NOTE OF ADMIRATION? Maybe a little bit. Wrathion shrugs, trying to suggest nonchalance.]

Certainly no one can deny that you made a strong point, Prince Anduin. I doubt there's a consensus on just what that point was, though ...

[thewhitepawn]

He is, and I feel that will prove to be his downfall. Please, do you know if he is aware that I am ...alive?

[Talk of timeways was always a touch unsettling, and this was certainly no exception. Still, have a small smile.]

[indirection]

[Wrathion's not sure who to vote for yet in the Horde v. Alliance situation. Anduin will most likely be among the first to know once he reaches a decision, though.]

As far as I know, he thinks you're dead. The Tavern in the Mists never lacks for visitors, though, so I don't imagine he'll have that illusion for long.

[thewhitepawn]

That may well prove an advantage, then. If my father knows that I am safe, he may not prove to act as reckless as I am sure Garrosh imagines he will.

[Inwardly hoping his father doesn't give in to his anger.]

So that's where we've met then? Your Tavern in the Mists?

[indirection]

[truth be told, Wrathion does have significant respect for Varian Wrynn, and that comes through in his reply.]

I have all faith in your father.

[this is followed by a slight nod.]

And yes, you're correct. You've come there to convalesce.

[thewhitepawn]

Thank you.

[Surprised as he is by the response, it pleases him.]

As for the latter ...I suppose I can only say that I'm glad to have a chance to recover.

[Even if he had been prepared to die to stop Garrosh for a time, he was grateful to have survived.]

Tell me, has their been any news since then?

[indirection]

[He shakes his head, 'no'.]

I was brought here not long after you arrived.

[He leans forward, grinning.]

We barely had a chance to talk.

[thewhitepawn]

Well that is something that I am sure we will remedy here.

[His smile was a brief one, but it was genuine enough as he gazed at the Dragon. After all, he was a potential ally, a and therefor someone to keep close. He couldn't bring himself to trust him, not yet but perhaps with time.]

How are you finding this place compared to Pandaria so far?