Back onto the streets of Theramore, but this time Varik was not nearly as light hearted as he been the last time, just this morning. Now he was certain too many people were watching him, of course, he'd made a scene in front of many of them. He rarely cast in front of people who weren't in his Clan, unless he was trying to kill them. But he needed to hurry, the shops wouldn't be open long, and he wanted those books. And a change of clothing.

He heard the murmuring, imprecise voices behind him, but he ignored it. Let them talk. Let them stare. Let them point.

It was easy to fall back into his usual ground eating, world owning stride, even when an older, larger man strapped into a full harness of plate armor stepped into the street before him. There was no attempt to hide that the man was measuring him, weighing him, and Varik growled under his breath. Another damned paladin?

"Hail." The man stated, and Varik stopped a wary distance away from him, out of immediate sword range. "I am General Morris, of the Theramore Guard."

And that could be good, bad, or merely indifferent. "Make it quick." Varik stated, "I need to get something before the shops close."

"Then I will walk with you."

Which meant that the man closed that distance. Varik only shrugged, making a half wave for the man to come with him as he moved along the street. "What is it?"

"First, I wanted to give you my personal apologies as to this morning. I was not aware that Lady Proudmoore had expanded her household, or that you had a history with the draenei that could lead to violence. Now that I am aware, I will be more vigilant." At Varik's dubious stare, the man shrugged. "Lady Proudmoore has briefed me somewhat. I am assured that you are a mage?"

"I am." The man's gaze was dubious, looking Varik up and down again.

"Never seen a mage with muscles?" They were almost to the bookstore, hopefully the man would get to the point quickly because the last thing that Varik wanted to do was to be caught buying baby books by Jaina's general.

The man laughed outright, a healthy, hearty laugh. "I have, actually. Lord Rhonin, head magus of the Kirin Tor, is a very fine example of a weapon toting mage with some bulk to throw behind it. "But you need to do something around here to keep those... Varrick, is it?"

His pronunciation was off, he made it the human name so close to what it was supposed to be, and Varik only nodded slightly. Close enough, and he'd probably have to get used to it anyways...arguing the Orcish pronounciation would just invite too many questions. "Well, I'm inviting you to come spar on the lists with us when you have some free time." The man continued, "Otherwise, you'll lose your edge."

True. Varik nodded, stepping onto the stoop of the small bookstore he'd been heading towards. "Absolutely." He smiled, and the man smiled back. "That would be appreciated." While Varik was undeniably a caster first and foremost, he liked having the ability and heft to be a respectable combatant as well. And if his current position was as consort, he needed to look the part as well.

"Good, good." The man stepped back, waving Varik onward to the bookseller. "I will be seeing you, then."

Right. Varik watched him stride away, before turning to enter the shop. He was immediately hit by that wonderful smell, vellum, parchment, leather, cloth and inks. Books...

"Afternoon." The older woman at the counter greeted him, giving him a once over. "Can I help you?"

He sighed, he'd prefer to find them himself, but she'd know once he paid for them, and time was short. It was best just to get it over with. "I need a set of elementary primers, graduated." He considered lying, claiming it for a child, but instead left it at that. It was not her business, and hopefully, she'd just assume it was for a child of his. He was more than old enough to have a handful of that age.

"Ah, of course." The request didn't seem to faze her at all, she waved him to follow her into a small back room, and pointed at a group of shelves, each section holding a matched set. He stood, torn. Logic told him that he needed the cheapest set possible, these were fleeting, but he couldn't quite bring himself to even look at the sets he understood were poorly made. He'd always had expensive tastes, but now...

In spite of his better judgment, he slid the first one of a much higher quality set out. It was not a child's book, not small for small hands, but easily adult sized. The pages were heavy, embossed, intricately printed. While it definitely had the beginner's lessons he needed, it set it forward in an adult manner he found reassuring.

"Fifty silver for the set." She stated immediately, "Not a penny less." Her eyes flicked towards the windows and the setting sun, and he knew she was in no mood for haggling. And it was a fair price, amazingly so. He nodded, and she hurried to bundle the set and present it to him. He paid, hefting it over his shoulder and stepping into the growing twilight. It was a beautiful evening, and he slowed to admire it, moving towards the docks instead of back to Jaina's Citadel.

He made it as far out as the dock went, staring out over the indigo waves tossing below him. Gulls wheeled in the velvet sky above him, and he suddenly felt a comfortable peace wrap around him.

He sensed her presence behind him, the push of power cresting before her like an arcane bow wave was unmistakable. "Jaina." He greeted softly, almost sad to break the spell with his own voice.

She stepped up beside him, her hair flowing loosely in the breeze. "I didn't mean to disturb you, I just wanted to join you." She stood next to him, almost awkwardly, and he sighed, resting a hand on her shoulder. He knew that they were being greedily watched by several pairs of eyes, this was hardly the most private of surroundings. He almost expected her to pull away from him, but she rested her fingers on his hand, staring in the same direction that he had been. "I hate it when it gets like this. This quiet, this peaceful." She sighed, and he frowned slightly.

"Waiting for the next disaster?" He finally asked, and she gave him a grateful look through her lashes.

"Exactly. It's like I get reminded what I'm missing, what could be if things would just calm down."

He remained silent... things would never calm down. That was a dream he had long since stopped chasing. The only place to be was at the head of the mess, because everybody else just got swept up and trampled in its wake.

"Did you at least manage to get the books this time?"

"I did."

"Good." She gave the harbor one last dark stare, before shaking it off and giving him a half smile. "Let's go get some use out of them, I could use a distraction."

Well, distraction was his job description, so he picked up the books and fell into step behind her. She seemed a little off, and he measured her stance. Yes, something was wrong. "What is it?" He finally stepped into it, if it was Ner'zhul, he would have remained stubbornly, bitterly silent, but he'd give it a try...time to learn the limits of this relationship.

"Aegwynn is gone." She admitted. "It's as if she was waiting for you to arrive. Like that was the only thing holding her here." She sounded sad, but not angered, not confused.

"You knew it was coming?"

"Yes. She told me it was."