Timeframe: Transition from Tanaan as events build toward Legion. Continuation on the general storyline from Old Hungers.
Originally posted on my tumblr.
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To Anton Tavallion of the Kirin Tor
From Arcanist Aranya Ver'Sarn
Anton
I'll get right to the point. The goodwill gesture of the Kirin Tor letting me be allowed to their outposts in Northrend after hearing of my incident earlier in the year in Draenor was appreciated, but it seems there is more?
I think you and I both know that there was little for me to gain in the visits to Northrend, although given Leothras Jadewalker's recent kidnapping by the Cult of the Damned, I can't say becoming re-acquainted with how whatever's left of them operate isn't a boon. However, there was always much more for the Kirin Tor to gain from consulting me freely on their own ground, without having to go through the Sunsworn's "red tape" (as the goblins say), away from Jaina's Proudmoore's eyes and Vereesa Windrunner's bow.
Neither of us are fools, Anton. We both know what your colleagues in the Kirin Tor really want.
Archmage Khadgar's no stranger to hearing my name in passing. My exploits in Outland were sometimes the subject of tall gossip in Shattrath, where he and I both once (or twice, in my case) resided. I'm not ignorant of the fact that several names that are respected among demonkind now living in Draenor are the same demons that I was personally responsible for killing less than ten years ago in Outland. Time travel to a point in an alternate reality has that consequence, it seems.
I know the Kirin Tor want me in with them on this fight. I understand why. I even understand their niceties and their circumspect approach about it. The olive branch is still accepted.
But when I'm out there, chasing fel things, I'm re-living the hunt, Anton. It takes effort for any predator to deny theirself and not claim their prey in all the ways they really want to. The temptation to take what I want is always there in the back of my mind, like a ghost. Not overpowering, but incessantly present. Memories of that sweet burning in my veins, phantom whispers from my baser inclinations wondering why I don't just seize on it, like an animal. Do any of your colleagues besides yourself even understand this? Does Khadgar? Does Modera?
If no one else in the Kirin Tor, Anton, please be the one who understands this when I'm out there. I'm not asking because doing any of this is difficult for me, I'm asking because it's easy. Too easy.
~A