Persuasion
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Illudarea walked in short steps towards the courtyard, her bright green eyes scanning warily over the masses the converged in the streets, all headed in the same direction that she was. Her plated robes clinked softly against her steel toed boots, her shoulders hot and heavy from the ceremonial plate she donned for the evening. Her lustrous red hair gleamed, slick and neat in a long plait swung across her shoulder. The throng of people cleared easily in her wake, her tall, lean silhouette almost magically clearing her path. She scanned the crowd, her eyes searching for a very particular face, one she hadn't seen in quite some time.
"Don't look so sour, Darea," A deep baritone rang out, familiar and smooth. "I wouldn't lie and tell you I was going to be here if I wasn't." Illudarea turned and smirked at the object of her search, one Dessicus Lightsworn. A paladin with many an accomplishment, his broad shoulders and athletic figure merely hinted at the muscle below, his ceremonial garments heavy and pristine, their appearance bathed in the holy light, as if the man were nearly on fire. His red hair was partially held up by a simple woven band, the strands spiked and angular, strands falling and framing his very angular face. His eyes twinkled in amusement, their fel-coloring a surefire indication of his Sin'dorei heritage. Her brother. Her family. The only family she had left.
"Easy for you to say." She teased, bumping her arm into his playfully. "I don't see you sweltering in your armor. Did you have a frost mage cast a spell on it for you to keep you cool?" Dessicus laughed, his eyes filled with mirth.
"No, couldn't find one frivolous enough to waste their mana on me." He embraced her lightly, pushing lightly on her shoulders as he observed her face. "You look well rested, despite your ire. How have you been?"
Illudarea shrugged, wriggling gently out of her brother's grasp.
"I've been worse." She offered, tugging on the plated neckpiece that seemed to radiate heat. "Not enjoying the amount of people present." Dessicus nodded, making a quick glance around.
"It is quite busy indeed." He allowed, turning to gaze at several people conversing in small groups around the courtyard. "I'm curious as to what the occasion could be." Illudarea rolled her eyes at her brother, wacking him lightly in the arm. It was well known that the meeting had been planned for months before, and that all manner of blood elves had come to Silvermoon, just to hear from Lorthemar.
"I don't suppose you've seen Ginyu around." Illudarea remarked shyly, her voice dropping in pitch slightly. Dessicus raised a wary eyebrow at his sibling, her reddening cheeks a dead giveaway. Ginyu was a farstrider, a skilled one at that, who had accompanied him many a time throughout various campaigns across Azeroth, and Draenor. It was not a secret that he held interest in Illudarea, and clearly, she too was smitten with him. He chuckeld softly, turning to the east end of the courtyard, where a man clad in fine chain-mail stood, his large rustic wolf at his side.
"He's over there. Try not to make yourself too obvious. You'll feed his already large ego." Illudarea's cheeks flared, and she pouted, her eyes nearly flickering with rage. But, she turned heel and rushed to meet her love, his dark hair swishing as he heard her rushing towards him.
"Darea!" Came the nickname, the farstrider's fel-green eyes seemingly gleaming in delight. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Illudarea stopped short, her smile wide across her face, her lashes fluttering as she drank in his sight.
"I'll admit, even I wasn't sure you'd come back in time for the gathering." She teased, her posture leaning towards him ever so slightly. Ginyu smiled back, ruffling the fur on his wolfs head, the creature's tongue lolled out of its mouth happily.
"It was indeed a close call." He replied, a tone of seriousness. "Draenor had its fair share of troublesome obstacles. However, the campaign seemed to have gone smoothly enough. The commander was adamant about making it back here relatively quickly post-Tanaan. I can't blame her really. I think Hellfire Citadel set most of us on edge."
Illudarea nodded thoughtfully. She'd heard from her brother snippets of what was happening on the strange time-loop that had been created by Garrosh's interference in the past. Strange bird-like creatures that called themselves Arakoa, but were not as bent and feeble as the ones in Terrokar forest. Gronnling as tall as a mountain, and skeletons larger than even those. Ogres and machines of heavy steel and iron, crushing the vast and beautiful wildlife in Talador. The swirling snow and ice of Frostfire ridge. The fel corruption Gul'dan had spread in Tanaan. All of it in letters longer than she had ever received from her brother before, and details that painted a picture for her that she would likely never see.
"So I have heard." She said, her voice low. "When did you officially come back?" Ginyu seemed to think for a moment, before smiling at her.
"Now don't be upset," He said, mocking a face of discontent. "I officially got back a couple of days ago. But you wouldn't believe the paperwork I've had to do." Illudarea laughed, her hands on her hips.
"Oh, not the paperwork!" She chortled playfully, giggling at his expression. He feigned despair.
"The lady makes fun of my sorrows!" He complained, though his grin gave him away. Illudarea straightened out, calming herself.
"Do you know then, why Lorthemar has called us here?" She asked, her voice lowered to draw less attention. Ginyu regained his seriousness, turning to her, angling his body away from the citizens as he spoke.
"I would suspect it has something to do with the spreading word from some doomsayers around Org, saying the Legion is returning." He said quickly. Illudarea had to hold back her surprise at that news. Though Dessicus had mentioned the Fel corruption and presense of demons in Hellfire Citadel, at no point had he mentioned that the very Legion could be returning to lay waste to Azeroth yet again. She paused her thoughts as she saw Ginyu's expression. She straightened out and looked out to the platform where their leader, Lord Lorthemar stood, his gaze grim and back nearly ram-rod straight.
"Citizens of Silvermoon. Friends. Family." His voice, amplified magically, brought a heavy silence across the commons. She felt a hand on her shoulder blade and startled, looked to see Dessicus had joined her, his expression as grim as their leader's voice. Illudarea opened her mouth to question him, but Dessicus silenced her with a look, gesturing to Ginyu.
"After his speech, I need you and Ginyu to go to Orgrimmar right away." He spoke softly, but urgently, and Illudarea felt her ears twitch. "There's a war coming, despite what you may hear in the next few moments."
Sure enough, Lorthemar did not touch upon any war, merely commending the few who had travelled to Draenor, mourning those that had been lost, and celebrating those who had died in glorious battle. Illudarea could feel the tension from both Dessicus and Ginyu, their rigid stature a dead giveaway that they knew more than what was being said. Lorthemar closed with a lament about heeding warnings and listening for more information to come before disappearing into his estate, leaving behind more questions than answers. Illudarea looked away from the now empty platform and was startled by the expression upon Ginyu's face.
"We shouldn't waste time." Ginyu said, his eyes wild. "Lorthemar confirmed my suspicions moments ago. The Legion is coming. And there won't be time to prepare." He turned to Illudarea, his expression controlled. "Will you travel with me, Illudarea?" He paused, chewing on his next question. "I was waiting to ask you this but…" He glanced at Dessicus, who nodded his assent so quickly she nearly missed it. "I would like to formally court you. Our traveling together would only be natural, and, forgive my forwardness, but I feel that it is what you want as well." He clasped her hands in his own, and she felt her cheeks redden at the gentle contact. She feigned hesitation, watching his ears droop ever so slightly before chuckling, embracing the man fondly.
"Well, you never had to do much persuading with me anyway."