I returned the Quel'thalas with Kael to celebrate Winterveil among our people. I could tell Kael was rather put out because Jaina had opted to visit Arthas in Lordaeron instead of coming with us to Quel'thalas. I don't think my little white lie hurt him. I had told him that her father and brother were going as well to renew their affiliation with the Alliance. It slipped my mind that Kael may ask his father about this, but I certainly hoped he would not or, less likely, that King Anasterian was not up to date on every tiny bit of human politics. Imagine if my attempt to placate my best friend had sparked political turmoil and even a war! I briefly imagined going down in history as the most foolish elf ever to live…Fortunately, Kael let it go.
I was relieved that his ego would not allow him to believe that Jaina could pick Arthas rather than him. He wouldn't follow up; instead he would begin brushing up on his most impressive spells and tricks to tempt her here for the next festival. While Kael set about with his wooing techniques, I was permitted to visit my family.
My mother, Lysandra, was invited to bring us to attend a banquet for the rangers. She thought to try and turn my path in that direction, I suppose, because she introduced me to Ranger General Sylvanas. I'm really not sure to what end. I don't know if she was supposed to see a hidden talent for being dirty and shooting arrows from tree tops or if I was supposed to be struck by her beauty and court her or somehow we were meant to have a common interest to talk about and strike up a friendship, but none of that happened. I mean, certainly Sylvanas was very pretty, she had very fair blonde hair like blinding sunlight in the spring, bringing out the sky blue of her eyes, she was pale and slender like most of our kind…But I really wasn't interested on that level, neither was she. Nor did she immediately proclaim me ranger material nor did we feel compelled to get into a deep conversation about literature or music. All that happened was this exchange.
"Hello, er…Ranger General, my mother says you're…handy with…er…ranger…things…"
At this she merely raised an eyebrow and replied. "I hear you're close with Kaelthas…
"Yes…we're…ah…we're like brothers."
"I see…"
"What a…er…lovely pendant…"
"My sister gave it to me."
"How is she?"
"Gone." She looked offended at this point by my lack of tact, like she might want to throw her drink in my face at the very least. How was I to know? Wait…Windrunner…Alleria. Right. I did know that.
"I…er…think my little sister…um…needs….er…a dance…partner." I fumbled, doing what I did best and fading into the shadows. Whatever my mother's thought process, it had been egregiously incorrect.
I spent the rest of the function dancing with Phaedra. It was awkward to know she'd soon be a woman. I didn't feel very protective of her like I thought an older sibling should. I should have been staring about like one the lynxes which roamed our homeland, keeping an eye out for any drunken bastard who thought he could put his hands on my little sister. I actually sort of hoped someone would be interested, she was extremely clingy and I sort of began to think I'd have more fun allowing Kael to bounce his horrible ideas off me for the rest of the night. At least then I could have a bit of fun snarking back at him about them.
As I left the party and skulked towards Kael's home, I certainly hoped Jaina was having a better Winterveil than I was. Oh well, knowing her, she would allow me to bemoan how awful this return home had been once we were all back in Dalaran and maybe I could hear a bit from her about the finer points of human…distractions. She really was quite enjoyable to talk to. I almost felt like though I knew her for less time, she was a better friend in some ways than Kaelthas. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to help him captivate her, if she chose him, she'd come to Quel'thalas with us and I'd be able to speak to her more often. Now, before you become suspicious that I may have wanted her for myself, that couldn't be further from the truth. I didn't know what was quite wrong with me at the time, but I found myself unattracted to anyone at all. I merely enjoyed speaking with Jaina because she listened to me and spoke of many very interesting things. Besides, she was one of the people besides me who didn't really care that Kaelthas was a prince and thus didn't walk on eggshells around him and refuse to speak their mind about anything. I am not saying I'd be the first to join an association for the appreciation of orcs, but hearing Jaina disagree with Kaelthas about the treatment orcs deserved was somewhat refreshing. It was nice to see someone with a brain in their head who did something other than kiss his blue silk clad ass constantly.
"I had the most brilliant idea while you were gone, Davene." Kaelthas began. I braced myself for another horrible notion I knew Jaina would merely find more creepy than flattering. "I thought perhaps to use an old spell to visit her and seduce her in her dreams."
I was getting sick of being right. "Kael, you told me yourself that Jaina has read a ridiculous amount of old or forbidden texts in the library, she would know exactly what was happening, you'd never have another chance with her."
"Then perhaps a slight jolt of persuasion in my touch the next time I should brush by her?" He continued.
"Maybe try having a conversation where you don't talk to her like she's a twelve year old who just spelled a difficult word correctly?" His expression darkened when I suggested that. "Well, look, it's just every time you talk to her, you seem to be talking down to her, if you REALLY consider her such a talented young prodigy, you can certainly be genuine rather than acting like she's your pet and just learned to roll over. She's a woman, not a puppy." I clarified.
"I don't talk down to her." He protested, folding his arms and looking rather cross with me.
"Look, the reason she's so much more relaxed around Arthas is that he's easier to talk to. You're REALLY stuffy, like, all the time! Even when we were kids." I persisted.
"So you suggest I act like a muscle-bound apish buffoon like that human in order to impress her?" Kael looked incredulous at this suggestion, one eyebrow raised, eyes narrowed, lips set in a sneer of disgust at the idea.
"No…I'm just saying that you need to relax a little, un-wad your royal panties, your highness." I grinned, playfully shoving him.
"Davene, we are no longer children, I could have you locked up." He threatened half-heartedly.
"See, this is exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about." I shook my head, my palm pressed over my eyes.
