Family: The Shining Sky

[Elowynne]

Dir Shiningsky could feel the bitterness burning a hole in his chest as he stared at the red haired rogue smirking before him. It was just like Ouli Shadedpath to magically appear in his rooms, taunting him with what he couldn’t have. She had many of their shared father’s traits. Her talents for manipulation and deception were natural born and she had spent the past decade honing them razor-sharp. Of course, she wouldn’t approach him like this if she didn’t have the upper hand somehow. As de-facto head of House Shadedpath, she knew exactly what he desired. Fine, Dir would play her game. It wasn’t as if he was a stranger to it anyway.

“What do you want, Ouli?” Dir attempted keeping his voice neutral, trying not to give anything away. With a snarl, the rogue turned to pierce him with her acid green gaze. “Avaryce! Ava, if you must.” Refusing to flinch, Dir met her gaze head-on. “Of course.” He acknowledged with a bow of his head. “Still, there is a reason you are here. You never have been the warm, sisterly type just dropping in to give her brother a hug.” This time it was Dir who smirked, his lips taking on a bitter twist. Ava turned away, strolling almost casually across the room. “I need you for a job.” That was when Dir saw it. Avaryce was limping.

“A…job? I have no need of gold, Ava. What makes you think I’d be interested?” Yes, there it was again. She was favoring her left side, as if the right was weak. Now Dir’s curiosity burst into flame. Ava turned, shooting Dir a look from beneath her long lashes. “I was hoping to depend upon your brotherly affections.” Her smirk belied her words. Dir let out a sharp bark of a laugh. “For you?” At that, even Ava had to laugh. “Oh no, not for me. There has never been any love lost between us. No, no. I mean Ezma. A shame what’s become of our youngest sister.” At her sly words, Dir had to frown.

“What about Ezma? Last I heard, she was training for the priesthood in Silvermoon.” Dir tried to recall her face fully but found it hard. No, Ezma had never been one to make a strong impression. Where their father’s attentions had turned Dir into a bitter bastard and Ava into a cunning bitch, Ezma had been different. She had merely withdrawn, attempting to fade away from their father’s sight. A gentle, solemn soul, the priesthood had seemed the perfect place for the youngest daughter to be.

“No. Ezma died last year.” Ava stated plainly, her diamond-hard countenance hardly changing. “I know, I witnessed it.” Dir stared at her in confused shock, guilt starting its slow crawl up his body. He had never given Ezma a second thought. Hells, he had hardly given her a first one. Ava, sensing a crack to exploit, hissed in his ear. “Of course, that’s just the beginning of it.” Dir grit his teeth. “What do you mean by that?”

Ava casually flopped into a plush armchair, to further hide her limp Dir assumed. “Leave it to Ezma to be bothersome enough to not have the good grace to stay dead. As a Blood Knight, I am sure you have had dealings with the Ebon Blade.” The knot in Dir’s stomach turned from guilt to outright nausea at Ava’s words. “She’s a Death Knight, isn’t she.” With a slow nod, Ava confirmed his words. “You would hardly recognize her, Dir. The little mouse has become quite the sight to behold. Of course, she has also become quite deadly. She attacked me. I nearly died.” Ava scowled at her admission of her own weakness.

“Your limp.” Dir smirked. Now it was Ava’s turn to grit her teeth as she glared at his observance. “Yes.” She pushed her fiery hair back from her left temple, exposing the scar running back into her hairline. “The girl has become surprisingly good with a mace. Good thing the Naaru don’t turn away those who are hurt, no matter their past sins.” Ava gave a satisfied smile. “So why should I care that Ezma is taking out the trash?” Dir enjoyed the snarl this provoked from his half-sister. Ah, little pleasures. “ Now Dir, you have many faults. You are practically a walking vice. You drink and there is no telling what you smoke. You are a whore and a liar. I doubt there is a kink you have not tried.” Ava paused to level a knowing look in his direction. “But you will not ignore this. Some remnant of misplaced honor will nag at you. You will not let the monster our sister has become walk free.”

Dir growled. Sunwell help him but Ava was right. Her glowing eyes taunted him from the dark recesses of the armchair.

“What do you want me to do?”

[Elowynne]

Dir came to see me today. I was about to think he was going to evade me till his dying day... or mine. Whichever came first. He shifted from foot to foot, displaying an uncharacteristic nervousness. Growing up, he'd always appeared so confident to me. Sometimes, that which we view through the lens of childhood is distorted.

I wonder if he realizes how much he looks like our father. I think perhaps so. Maybe it's why he keeps his hair blonde, like his mother's hair was. A shame, really. I always envied him and Ouli their distinctive red hair when younger. Father was always handsome with his high cheekbones and strong chin but often wore a sour look upon his face. Dir smiles easily and even when he isn't, his face is relaxed and pleasant. Eadon Shadedpath would not be pleased his bastard son outshines him. I have become perverse enough that this thought pleases me.

It was a hard conversation. Still, it was nice to see him. He is family.

---------------------------

Ezma sat on the steps of the north bank of Dalaran, an open book on her lap and a small case of inks open by her feet. Dir watched her brow crease slightly as she concentrated, the quill in her hands pressing into the paper as she carefully inscribed on the vellum pages of the book. He waited for her to lift the pen to refresh the ink before he cleared his throat.

"You're going to get wrinkles worrying your forehead like that."

Ezma started, her blue gaze meeting Dir's in surprise. She perched on the step as if she was afraid to move. As if she was afraid of him. The moment stopped, suspended, as they both stared at one another trying to think of what to say. Dir felt that nagging sense of guilt again. He wished he could note all the changes undeath had brought to his baby sister but truth be told, her childhood face had all but faded from his memory. She had grown into a beautiful elven woman though the pure, translucent white of her skin was unnerving. Her lips and fingernails had a blue tint, as if she was perpetually cold. Perhaps she was. Her long, silver hair was knotted upon her head and the soft, dark velvet robe she wore made her seem even more ghostly in the morning light of Dalaran. To her brother, Ezma was a spirit that could never rest. She blinked, breaking the spell as she set the book down on the step, still open so the ink could dry and not ruin her handiwork.

"I am not sure that I can get wrinkles. It is good to see you, Dir. I feared you would never speak to me again." Ezma waved her hand, calloused from long hours of wielding weapons, towards the step next to her. "Please, have a seat."

With a polite half-bow, Dir accepted her invitation. As he sank down on the steps next to his sister, he was glad he left the bulk of his armor at home. Dir had been pretty sure he would find her here and hadn't wanted to seem threatening. He was equally glad to see Ezma wasn't armed, though that was somewhat cold comfort; as Dir was pretty sure she had the strength to punch a hole in the marble wall next to them. Ah well, it was probably best to just say it and hope the public venue would keep her from mopping the steps in his blood.

"I was supposed to "do something" about you, you know. Probably... kill you... though I have the feeling I'd be coming out on the wrong end of that situation." Dir grimaced as he leaned back against the steps, nudging a stray pebble with the toe of his boot. A soft sigh, gently expelled, seemed to be her only answer so he risked a glance. Ezma sat, head bowed and staring at her tight-laced fingers. "Obviously, I mean you no harm. Never did, really. I guess..." Dir paused to draw a breath and gather his thoughts, "Look, I know something happened with Ouli."

"I didn't mean..." with a shiver, Ezma broke off. She shook her head avoiding Dir's eyes. "She attacked me. I merely defended myself. I didn't even know it was her." Taking a long, shaky breath, Ezma steadied herself and finally raised her head to whisper "Please believe I did not mean to kill her."

Dir frowned, once more sitting up straight. "You didn't kill her. She's very much alive though injured. Ouli told me you attacked her, though knowing who it was coming from, I was skeptical." Dir watched Ezma squeeze her eyes shut, her body slumping forward as relief rushed through her. "She's not happy. For some reason she wants you "handled"."

Ezma nodded, reaching a hand up to tuck a stray lock of hair back. "She was too late and saw me die. Perhaps she feels guilty. Perhaps she feels it her job to see that I stay dead." Bitterness showed in the tight, half smile that crossed her face. "I did not ask for this."

A silence stretched between them, both of them lost in their own thoughts, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Finally, Dir sighed and looked into Ezma's eyes.

"I'm sorry."

Somehow, she knew he wasn't talking about their sister. As he once more looked back down to stare at his boots, Ezma placed her hand on his forearm. She gave a gentle squeeze of acceptance.

The chill of Ezma's hand cut through the silk of Dir's shirt.