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[massrez]

☙INBOX text ♔ audio ♙ video ♔ action Kindly leave your missives and they will be responded to with utmost haste. May you walk in the Light.

Done this day by my hand, King Anduin Llane Wrynn

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[massrez]

Fortunately, I have both.

[ Two bottles are collected from the fridge in short order and a soft clinking sound, before he makes his way back over, offering one to Tim with that same wry look.

Then he settles onto the couch, observing his own bottle for a moment or two, thumb tapping gently against the neck. ]

Did I tell you about the first time I was named king? I can't recall.

[alwayskayaking]

[Taking the offered bottle Tim gives a soft thanks. Taking a spot on the couch with his friend while trying to give him a little bit of space.]

You mentioned that it was because of the loss of your father.

[massrez]

Both times, yes. Though not in the same fashion.

[ One, after all, had been far more permanent. ]

When I first became king, it was because my father had gone missing. I was ten, at the time.

[alwayskayaking]

[Oh... Tim leans forward, resting his arms on his knees as he listens.] How long was he missing for? I take it he eventually returned?

[massrez]

Eventually, yes. Though we didn't know it at the time, his abduction was orchestrated by someone in our midst. A figure who'd stood as advisor to Stormwind's king for years, sowing discord and chaos.

[ He finally takes a measured drink from the bottle. ]

A black dragon, disguised as a human.

[alwayskayaking]

A black dragon? Like the one who kidnapped you?

[massrez]

[ He nods. ]

Eventually my father returned and retook the throne, which we were all more than glad for, but he was a different man. He only seemed interested in whatever she had to say, ignoring the suffering of our people and our allies in favor of whatever indulgence she'd talked him into next.

It wasn't like him. Even then, I knew something was wrong...and I knew she was involved, though I could prove nothing.

[alwayskayaking]

I am not surprised that even so young you were wise even then. [Tim nods in encouragement for his friend to continue. Although he doesn't like where this is going to end.]

[massrez]

I like to think I'm a reasonable judge of character.

[ His lips quirk upwards slightly as he takes another sip. ]

I did finally manage to convince enough people to investigate, and her plot was discovered. When cornered, she sought to lure my father and others to their deaths in the depths of her lair. So she revealed herself in her true form, and took the one thing she knew they would pursue without hesitation or question.

[alwayskayaking]

[Tim swirls the drink in his bottle.] My best guess? That was you?

[massrez]

A good guess.

Perhaps you could also make a guess at what her lair happened to be.

[alwayskayaking]

[He takes a long sip of his beer.] I suppose a bit of what a I saw yesterday?

[massrez]

[ He nods again, brow furrowing slightly. ]

It wasn't...quite the same. Onyxia's lair was sweltering, lava and molten rock and smelling of sulphur and flame.

Eventually I'd gotten loose and tucked myself into a crevasse with a sharp rock to defend myself. The cavern was full of her whelps, and she'd given them free reign to eat me if they could catch me. So one after another their little snouts would shove into the crack, furiously snapping away.

All I could think was, if I killed enough of them, if I could hold out until my father arrived...everything would be alright.

[alwayskayaking]

You were very brave. I doubt I would have been that resolved if I had found myself in such a situation when I was that young.

[massrez]

[ He shakes his head, the corner of his mouth tugging upwards once more. ]

I think it was spite, more than bravery, to be honest.

[alwayskayaking]

It appears that your spite kept you alive that day.

[massrez]

Hardly the first time. [ He huffs, almost a laugh. But the expression grows solemn after a moment. ]

...I had nightmares of that cave for years after. The thought of ever being that close to a black dragon again was terrifying.

[alwayskayaking]

I shouldn't have left you there. I should have come back with more help. Made the cops believe me or something.

[massrez]

Tim, that's not...

[ Another sigh escapes him, this time more frustrated, one hand lifting to pinch at the bridge of his nose.

Maybe this was a mistake. ]

[alwayskayaking]

You shouldn't have had to go through that a second time. I'm sorry that it happened. [Yeaaaahhhhh, Tim is taking away the wrong lesson from this. Thinking that the only reason Anduin acted like he and that dragon were friends was to protect him. What a noble friend. Putting himself through such a horrible situation and memory just to keep Tim safe. That is the message Tim is taking away from this.]

[massrez]

I told you, he wasn't going to hurt me.

[alwayskayaking]

How can you be so sure? The last one wanted to kill you.

[massrez]

Yes, she did.

As I said, the memories of what happened clung to me for years. I was afraid of them. I certainly didn't trust them. I had good reason not to.

[ All this to lend weight to the next statement: ]

I trust Wrathion.

[alwayskayaking]

[Tim can only think of one question to follow that bold a statement.] Why?

[massrez]

Because as long as I've known him he has tried, with everything that he is, to be better than that.

Not for the sake of my approval. Light knows he's never needed it before.