Chapter Text
The sky was steadily darkening as nightfall approached, signifying the young glaucuos-colored Sylvari to pick up the pace. The Pale Tree had summoned him, and like a good little sapling he was meant to appear before her in a timely manner.
Talval sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, defeatedly watching the edges of the sky disappear as he made his way deeper into the Grove toward the Omphalos Chamber. The Pale Tree represented so much in Sylvari culture that to most, being summoned by her was a privilege and a blessing. To the young blue sapling, she was pretentious and pious and any summons from her was a burden. She was annoying. And now she was about ten feet away from where he stood, smiling at him.
“Welcome, my child… I hope you are well?” She said with open arms.
Talval solemnly bowed his head in acknowledgement with no other movement. This room alone made him uncomfortable.
The Tree’s Avatar continued to smile. This sapling behaved differently than most, but he wasn’t difficult. It was because of his loner-like tendencies that she had chosen him on this day for a mission. He was quiet and made great efforts to isolate himself from others unseen, and through those efforts had proven just how useful he could be at reconnaissance. It would also be nice to break him from his habits of just being alone all the time. She could tell he was conflicted in his existence but it wasn’t anything like she had seen in Sylvari that had fallen to Nightmare. This sapling likely just needed a friend.
"Very good. I have seen many things, my son, and it has come to my attention that the Nightmare Court is plotting another attack. When and where, I cannot predict as of yet…” She gazed at him, surveying his physical response. “I wish to send you in to scout the area and possibly retrieve some intel as well."
It looked like he was taking what she had said thus far reasonably well, but she wasn't finished yet.
"You will not go alone. Anything could happen and I have assigned someone to assist you on your mission. He's already been to see me this morning and knows what needs to be done. He should be waiting for you just before entering Caledon Forest."
Her eyes watched the young sapling’s features, waiting for his response. As expected, he didn’t look pleased.
He felt as though he had been hit in the throat. Leave the Grove? Potentially infiltrate the Nightmare Court? Surely she was pulling his leg. After all, Talval wasn't a warrior, nor was he good with a bow or particularly versed in actual hand to hand combat. At least not with anyone who was truly trying to kill him. But this was the Pale Tree’s Avatar he was speaking to, and the proverbial mother to their kind. She wasn't one to 'pull legs'.
Talval pursed his lips and swallowed, finding it difficult to hide his disdain at the idea of the mission. Not due to laziness but rather a lack of confidence in himself and his ability to accomplish the task fully and without error. She did say something about gathering information though, which he would definitely be equipped for, being something of a nerd himself. A scholar in training. He liked to learn and he knew himself to be very observant. But if he were to fail and be confronted by the enemy, then surely-- wait, a partner? He found his escape.
"Mother, if the mission is simply recon, why not have the one you've already spoken with handle it? Surely there needs to be only one to accomplish this?"
Mother Tree closed her eyes for a brief moment as she shook her head, knowing the little necromancer would try and loophole his way out. She was strictly under the impression that his reasoning was due to that of the mentioned companion. "No, child.. More than one is needed for this task." The look in her eyes was stern. "My choice to have you and Verin working together was NOT random. It was within my vision of the future… He waits for you now. Your mission and adventure begins the moment you leave this place." She chose her words carefully so as not to give the exact location that his partner would be waiting. There was only one way out of The Grove but that didn’t mean the sapling couldn’t pass by unseen. They both knew perfectly well that if he could avoid it altogether, he would.
The Pale Tree didn't know if Talval was familiar in any way with Verin. That boisterous purple Sylvari had built quite a reputation for himself, most notably from various nights he’d been seen stumbling back to the Grove with a Charr while absolutely drunk out of his mind. They were loud, they were rowdy, and it almost always seemed to cause some kind of chain reaction of ruckus. Other like-minded folks flocked to them and at times they would drink even more. Their revelry was never in bad taste as they were just a bunch of boys trying to have a good time. It wasn’t something Mother Tree was truly fond of, but she knew past that wild youthful spirit that Verin was equipped with kindness and a heart of gold. And Talval in his own ways might have just that special trait to himself that would calm down the more rambunctious of the two. She had seen them together in the dream. This was the correct path.
Talval's heart sank. The Pale Tree was very serious and he knew that no amount of complaint or loophole searching in her assignment was going to change her mind. In fact, the way she worded it made it sound kind of... permanent. He'd be leaving the safety of home and be stuck with a stranger for who knew how long.
Faces were something Talval had grown familiar with in the Grove, but since he rarely if at all spoke to anyone, he knew only a handful of names. For being so observant, he wasn’t actually all that observant… at least when it came to being social. He could only hope that this Verin was someone at least half decent to work with. Assuming Verin could even find the young blue once he left this place. He smirked mischievously in his mind.
Talval raised one arm up to his chest and half bowed to show the respect that was required to the mother of their kind, although his expression was unreadable. "I understand, Mother... I'll be on my way now."
He turned from the Pale Tree after receiving the rest of her instruction and left the Chamber to make way for the edge of The Grove. He would try to spot who Verin was without being seen and then he would take a roundabout path in avoiding him. Talval had several secret spots hidden around Caledon Forest and once he knew who to hide from, that is what he planned to do.
Chapter Text
It was nearly nightfall and the gate to the forest’s entrance still bustled with life. Guards, wardens, merchants and even a good number of youthful Sylvari showing off their colorful glows. The Tree’s Avatar had warned Verin that the boy she would be sending to meet up with him would likely try and avoid him. Knowing this, the thief cleverly chose to mingle with a merchant nearby the gate; hidden in plain sight. She had only given him a brief description of Talval’s appearance but it seemed reasonably simple enough. A very pissed off young and blue sapling. Joy.
The merchant stared at Verin, incredulous to his request. "No, not this time! I can't just give you alcohol! They called me in to see the great mother last time I served you! " The merchant cried out.
"Oh, come on. Don't be such a weed! You know I can handle my drinks… and besides, it's just one apple cider!" Verin tried to reason with the merchant simultaneously whining like a child, waving his hands all over the place. Maybe pestering this particular merchant wasn't the wisest choice, but the thief was prepared to hush him when he saw an individual of note approaching.
A bright icy blue glow radiated from the throngs of messy leafy hair as said individual exited the Grove and made an immediate left into a cluster of large leaves and overhanging mosses. Verin watched him very carefully and found himself surprised to see the other disappear down a pathway that he himself had never noticed, conveniently hidden by the flora. The Pale Mother had warned him the blue sapling would sneak away if given the chance and this one made no effort to catch anyone’s gaze. “Yup, he must be the one…” Verin whispered to himself. He was interrupted by the frustrated merchant.
"Bah, don’t you have some kind of mission to go on? You can have your drink when you get back! Now, please, go pester someone else!" The merchant pleaded.
"Fine! I'll have it when I get back... Double it, actually." Verin smirked at the merchant with the most mischievous grin. "Bye bye." He gave a little wave before casting Shadow Refuge on himself, going completely invisible. This was his chance to follow.
The merchant was startled at the purple Sylvari's disappearance, instantly guarding his alcoholic goods with his body. He remembered the last time!
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Verin's steps were quick and light, catching up to the young necromancer and then practically walking beside him. He found himself fascinated by the hidden area. The overgrowth was thick and he could tell that this pathway was definitely not one traveled by many. All this time he'd passed it and never knew it was there! And the other Sylvari's bright blue glow which softly illuminated the greenery as they walked made it seem more... Magical.
Once they were a decent distance from the main pathway, Talval finally took a seat on a stump, resting his chin on his palms which were propped up on his knees. He appeared to be watching the path… possibly for Verin? It was a good thing too, as the thief's cloak was soon to wear off. He'd rather make a sudden appearance while the other was sitting and not being stalked.
He stood just behind the other as his cloak dispersed, letting off a whoosh sound.
"Talval?" He said in a deep voice. He appeared rather menacing with his hood up and a radiating red glow. The main feature of his which showed softness were his golden yellow eyes.
Talval jumped from the stump, clearly startled and turned to face the voice which spoke his name. His soft rosy red eyes were wide with a level of fear and he curled his fingers over the hilt of an axe at his hip. Verin, noticing this, took a guarded stance as well but what he didn’t expect was for the necromancer to turn on his heel and take off through the trees.
“H-hey– wait!!” Verin called out as he dashed after him.
Why did the necromancer react to him in such fear? It surprised Verin, having had the impression that necromancers just kind of had fear sapped right out of them from the start. The profession could be morbid and downright scary. Guess he was wrong.
Talval was fast! Verin did his best to keep pace, trying to think of any way to calm the other down but with the way he was running, saying ‘STOP’ likely wasn’t going to cut it. One idea that kept on popping up into mind was to capture the boy in a trap and let him wear himself out till he was calm again so they could talk. He needed to try and get closer for his idea to work, but BOY did this necro have speed! There were so many trees and he could see the blue glow flickering between the bark, until… gone. Verin ran for another few meters or so until he stopped, trying to calm his heavy breathing. He listened while keeping still, eyes scanning every crevice around him for movement. Nothing. Surely Talval hadn’t passed him… he must be hiding in one of these trees! Verin felt like a predator, watching and listening for his prey… He cloaked himself once again using Shadow Refuge and got straight to work. He placed his traps leading toward where they had come from, hoping that if he were able to flush Talval out that he would head in that direction. If not, he would have to try and make him go that way. While prepping, the thief kept on looking around, hoping to see a little blue head poking out, looking for him. He hid behind a tree as his cloak wore off, a small smirk spreading across his lips when he reappeared. Now, to make the necro fall into his trap. Hopefully.
"Taaaaaalvaaaaaal? Talvie Talvie Taaaalvaaaal, come on out…!" He called out as he casually walked further on, hoping he had passed the young Sylvari by now. If he did, the necro was most likely to turn back and run the other way. Damn... Verin lightly gripped his throat when he heard his own voice bounce back to him. It sounded… maybe a bit more predatorial than he had meant.
Chapter Text
Talval had gotten surprisingly good at calming his own breathing. He was definitely a master in training of the morbid arts and he’d learned a thing or two about keeping calm. This, however… had caught him off guard. He felt less threatened having lost his pursuer, but now it felt almost like a matter of pride to remain unseen. Not that he really even had any. Talval waited only a moment longer, eyes flickering across every shrub before he stepped from behind his tree cautiously. Nothing appeared amiss. If the pursuer had somehow gone past him, then he could safely change his course and slip away.
Talval's fingers brushed lightly over the hilt of his axe and he took several small steps from his hiding place. He froze. A voice echoed everywhere around him, coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It called his name. The necro whirled, searching, until his gaze locked onto a figure that had only just appeared not too far off from where he stood. He wasn’t facing him. Silently he cursed and took off once more. This time, back from where he came, toward the Grove.
Perhaps 50 meters from where he had been hiding, the necromancer found himself slammed head first into the ground as his left leg was essentially ripped out from underneath him by a trap he had sprung by running over it. He had heard the snap and saw the sudden pull of rope but it was too late. The noise that came from his throat was one like a grunt mixed with a yelp when he hit the ground, barely shielding his face with his hand when he hit. Whirls of black, blue, red and green, all darkened by the night flashed before his eyes and he found himself dangling upside down by one leg. Talval gasped in shock with eyes wide, steadily regaining his equilibrium. At first he hung still while trying to look around… then he flailed, uselessly. The sapling hung for several long seconds trying to find the strength and with one deep breath attempted to “climb” himself, reaching for the snag which held his ankle hostage. It was no use. The rope was sturdy and secure and his axe had slipped loose from his hip and fallen to the ground with a heavy thud. Cutting himself loose wouldn't be an option and he could only hope that he wasn't heard. Talval gasped again, this time his eyes being met with a bright pair of golden ones stood almost directly beneath him. How had he gotten there without being noticed?!
"Are you done running now, Talval?... It IS Talval, right?"
The stranger looked at him so triumphantly with the hint of a smirk on his lips. Somehow, he looked drastically different than Talval remembered from only moments ago. Talval crossed his arms over his chest which uncomfortably took some effort and he pouted his lower lip. He looked anywhere but at the stranger while he spoke, not trusting what he might see.
"Maybe."
Verin couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at Talval's remark, watching him dangle there before him.
"Mother Tree warned me about you attempting to run from me. AH! But where are my manners?! The name's Verin, I’ll be your partner for this evening." The thief bowed his head to his fellow Sylvari, leaving Talval hanging still.
Talval's eyes widened and he clenched his jaw. The Mother Tree? Of course, who else would know his name? But then again, this guy also called him Talvie as if they were on some kind of close personal speaking terms. Talval hesitated and looked Verin up and down uneasily. It wasn't a perspective appropriate to really take in who he was speaking to and he found it more and more difficult to focus anyway, as the blood slowly ran to his head. Manners, was it?
"Well, Verin, that's all fine and well. But could you let..." It felt like all the muscles in his head were expanding on each other, threatening to explode like a balloon. His arms defeatedly uncrossed and fell to the sides of his head, no longer guarding his chest. "...me down? I think I might…" His eyelids started to flutter as he fought for consciousness. “I’m–”
"Woah! Hold on, I've got ya!" Verin positioned himself right under Talval and grabbed hold of a limp arm. Using his other hand, the thief threw a dagger at the main point, allowing the necro to fall down onto him. The last thing Verin wanted was for the sapling to hit his head on the ground again.
He quickly caught Talval as he dropped, stumbling over and falling onto one knee as he fell down upon him like a dead body. Thankfully the necromancer wasn’t very heavy. Verin looked down at the semi-unconscious sapling in his arms, feeling a little concerned.
"Hey... you OK?" He brushed Talval's cheek with the back of his finger, hoping he would come to quicker by a simple and small touch. He moved his finger away once he saw the other’s rosey eyes fluttering open, locking onto his golden ones. "Morning... Hehe." Verin said with a cheeky chuckle. Their faces were so close.
If there were a shade of red to describe the color that spread across the young necromancer's blue cheeks, that's what color they were as he quickly and nervously tried to remove himself from the arms of Verin. The purple Sylvari simply opened his arms as the necro tried to scramble out of them. Talval was so embarrassed, that he didn't know how else to react. "Th-thanks… I’m so sorry!"
He stumbled, the blood still not quite back in his legs, but Talval finally stood up once he could, with his shoulders raised tensely and his eyes pinned hard to a fallen leaf on the ground. There would be no point anymore in trying to run away, although that was exactly what he wanted to do; run away and hide to bask in his own embarrassment and shame. Stupid Mother Tree and her stupid missions... Talval chanced a look up at his partner, afraid of the disgust he was surely about to see.
The thief could see how embarrassed the young sapling was, simply by the way he wouldn't make eye contact and how he was shuffling about in front of him, but he didn’t understand why. When Talval finally looked up at him, the purple Sylvari was leaning a little, as if he was trying to get a better look at him. "That's okay." Verin said in a calm voice, giving the necro a reassuring smile. "How's the head? Looked like you hit it pretty bad…"
The young necro swallowed and watched the Sylvari before him. The expression on his face didn't show any of the things Talval had anticipated and it made him... relax. He exhaled and found himself suddenly calm, feeling the rigidness in his shoulders steadily dissipating. What was he so worked up for anyway?
The Pale Tree had given him information and it seemed that... well, it seemed that this was Verin after all. Now that he was able to get a decently proper look at the other Sylvari's face, he didn't seem near as frightening, if frightening at all.
Talval rubbed the back of his neck feeling the corners of his lips curl into a bashful smile. He was sore, but somehow able to ignore the throbbing pain. There was something about the other’s presence… “I’m doing just fine. Thank you.”