Unbelievable…

Walking into your home city, as far as the ranger was concerned, should be accompanied with feelings of pride, and fondness. Never anger. But even so…

Have they even moved?

Returning from Tanaan was, for most, a time full of recovery. Opportunities to relax, build relationships, and cool down from the battle. For Zaraelyna Morningsorrow, however, it was an annoyance.

All they do is stand, and think. Stare. She'd crease her brow, and for a moment, considered approaching a group to question their actions. Thinking past her zeal a moment before it was too late, she'd chuckle quietly to herself, basking in the irony. Much as I am doing… With a crooked smile, she'd make her way to a bench, reclining against its back. Overlooking the Exchange, she'd allow herself to relax as much as she seemed able. It wouldn't appear to be much to anyone else, but for her, it was huge.

Watching the familiar constructs patrol, the conversing groups becoming recognizable the more time she spent, she'd allow her mind to drift. Back to her family. Anarian, her father. Always strong, a beacon for the Morningsorrows. His word was order, strength, wisdom. Anyanda, her mother. Kind in her own respect, but not to be mistaken for weakness. No, not in her family. Gentle when possible, but with the refined savagery of one who never truly let their guard down.

Vyndina, her younger sister… Vyn… Her look had morphed into a wistful smile, tilting her head slightly. The memories of childhood would begin to resurface, trickling in at first, before flooding her mind's eye. Clenching her fists, she'd exhale shakily. Taking a deep breath, as her parents had taught her so long ago, seemed to help steady herself. It always did. Before she could do else, she darted her eyes to her left, detecting motion through her peripherals. Watching carefully, she'd narrow her eyes. Leaning forward to peer past the fountain, she sought out its source. After a few moments, a small cat would leap forward, seemingly pursuing something… A bug? It did not matter. Her reverie was shattered, and the cold scowl would return to her lips.

Such was her life, in recent days. A hint of movement was all it took. Even in Silvermoon, a place where she used to feel so safe. Funny, she thought. How times change. How people-

"Hi!" A soft breath could be felt from over her shoulder, smelling of… Peaches?

Emitting a grunt as she shot forward, in one swift motion, she'd draw the dagger from her boot, whirling on the assailant. Eyes narrowed, lips curled into a sneer, she'd readied herself for the impending conflict.

All that came was a blink. The 'assailant' would tilt her head gently, seemingly trying to understand the reaction. Her blonde hair was tied loosely above her head, a scarf draped around her neck, covering her mouth and chin. Her 'clothes' looked to be made of leather, lined with fur and cloth, seemingly more for convenience and ease of access.

With a mental note that this was probably another civilian, Zara would scowl, raising a brow. "What do you want?" She'd keep her words quick, short, and to the point. Slowly lowering the dagger, but not entirely relaxing, she'd look over the woman as she waited for the response. When it came, it was not at all what she expected.

"You… Looked sad." That was all the newcomer said, a vaguely worried expression on her face. She'd twirl her fingers oddly at her sides, watching the woman with a slightly tilted head. One of her long, pointed ears would twitch.

Confused, but not any less wary, Zara leaned on her back leg, tilting her head to the side in much the same manner the woman did. "I… What? I don't need to explain myself to you… Leave me be."

Without skipping a beat, the leather-clad woman would raise her palms innocently, and walk around the bench. Sitting a few paces to the side of Zara, she'd pat next to her, a gentle smile growing on her face. This wouldn't do anything to placate the ranger, and she'd sneer once more, moving to the other bench. Setting herself down, she'd attempt to clear her mind, steadying her breath once more.

The newcomer would watch this curiously, head still tilted. "You know to breathe… Clears your mind." She'd watch the ranger for a few more moments, before sighing when she didn't earn a response. Simply watching, she'd remain quiet. This didn't go unnoticed by Zara. After almost a minute, she'd dart her gaze back to the previous bench, nostrils flaring.

"If you wish to help, then leave me be. I don't want company."

"I just-"

"Don't. Save it, and leave."

The woman would go to speak, before thinking better of it. With a gentle sigh, she'd push herself from the bench, getting ready to leave. Almost as an afterthought, she'd look over her shoulder."Your name?"

With a sigh that betrayed a hint of anger, tempered only by years of disciplined training, Zara would nod. "Zaraelyna Morningsorrow." She'd stare at the woman, gaze hardened. Expecting her to leave, she'd wait a few moments. A few more. Just a few more. Almost a minute. Just a few more. Almost two minutes. Nothing was said.

The newcomer would simply be standing, unblinking. Under her scarf, her jaw had dropped, in a look of shock that couldn't be emulated, nor replicated, no matter how hard one tried. Almost seeming to strain visibly, she'd keep herself in the spot, shaking her head slightly.

Zara was the first to break the silence. "For the love of Quel'thalas… What?" She'd almost spit these words, raising her chin defiantly. This would actually seem to offend the woman, and she'd narrow her eyes, expression oddly soft. This would only serve to anger the ranger, and she'd shove herself from the bench taking a step towards the newcomer. Aggravated beyond containment at this point, she'd move till she was a foot before the woman.

"Did I stutter?" Zara would snarl.

The woman lunged forward, deceptively fast. Instead of an attack, as Zara had almost expected, the woman would wrap her arms around the ranger's stomach, pressing her palms against her back. Zara would tense, but was unable to pull from the hug without fear for hurting the smaller woman. The sudden embrace startled her, and she quickly became unsure of what to do. What the… She'd simply stand there, arms dangling at her sides,

"Zara…" The woman would say softly, almost whimpering.

"Do… I know you?" Of course you don't, idiot. All your friends are gone.

"You..?" The woman would peel her head back, tilting it once more, as was becoming her style. Curiously, it also seemed to be the ranger's style, as she emulated it. Without another word, the blonde would pull the scarf to her neck, and quickly run her fingers through her hair, letting it down to her shoulders. Shaking her head, she'd allow it to fall into a semi-presentable look.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to be seeing…" Zara would state, drawing out the end of her sentence in confusion.

"Of course you don't…" The blonde would huff in annoyance, and instinctively blow an unruly lock of hair from her left cheek, before it fell back into place. Suddenly, it clicked.

"No…" Zara would almost stumble backwards, if it weren't for the woman's arms around her. After a few seconds, she'd roughly shove her away, breaking free. "You… Died… I watched you. The scourge…" She'd clench her jaw, steeling herself from the emotions, trying to think logically.

With a shake of her head, the blonde would swallow roughly. "I ran… Didn't die… Agile and nimble." She'd stutter these words out, breath shaky and uncertain.

With what must have been a mix of contempt, shock, confusion, disbelief, and a faint tinge of fondness, Zara would swallow roughly. "You… Came back…" She'd narrow her eyes, face now turning into a pained grimace.

"But, I changed my-"

"You left us to die, Vyn. You let Mother die. The others… Probably dead, too. That was on you."

With an agonized whimper, Vyndina would shake her head, trying to speak. "It was hopeless… You know what happen-"

"That's not what matters! Honor! You do not abandon your post!" Zara would be shouting at this point, and a few of the civilians around would turn to watch the reunion. Zara would almost spit each word out, a sneer creeping across her lips.

"I was young… Zara, I was scared." She'd lower her voice, almost pleading with her older sister. Taking a step closer, she'd try and keep the conversation to themselves.

This only set Zara off more, rudely shoving her younger sister again. "We were all scared, Vyndina. Every one of us… We would have gladly died, stalling for our forces to mount a defense. It's how this thing works." She'd lower her voice, face and stature sending off almost tangible waves of pity, and resentment.

Stumbling backwards, Vyn would take a few seconds to piece together her own emotions, before trying to speak once more. "I'm safe… I'm alive… Happy. I have a lovely girlfriend, and I have a place I belong, finally…" She'd whisper these words, voice cracking at the end.

Zara would watch her younger sister with a disapproving expression for a few moments, before finally shaking her head. "That doesn't change the past, Vyn… You know that." Her voice would soften gently, but her face would remain the same. With a huff, she'd turn away from her sister, from the last of her family, leaving the younger elf with an opened jaw, tears welling in her eyes.

Deserter… Traitor… Coward…

Sister…

Sparing a look over her shoulder, before she turned, she'd look back to where she was standing.

Vyndina Morningsorrow was gone.