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Current number: 13
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For Jaina life had always been simple, and why wouldn't it?
She was the princess of Kul Tiras and a talented up and coming mistress of magic, unlike many other woman she was of the sort that could choose what she wanted to do in life.
And maybe not a small amount of help from her mother, Katherine Proudmoore, who already knowing her daughter's talents and personality advised her to chase her own dreams.
Especially since her elder brother would succeed their father while her younger brother would one day most likely command his own fleet.
So knowing her home would not have much prospects for her at least in proportion to her ambitions.
Despite also being a very skilled pilot and fleet commander both in the sky and the sea due to her father's teachings. (Let it not be said that Daelin Proudmoore held back on his knowledge due to gender)
Also because she was not very keen on getting into politics and schemes, she would much rather put her attention on her research.
(AN: It seemed a bit redundant having Kul Tiras only have a naval presence so they also have a powerful air force as well)
She chose to travel to Dalaran for higher end magic studies and as luck would have it she was even taken in as a apprentice by Antonidas himself who recognized her potential for the mystic arts.
In that very same trip she had even met the prince of Lordaeron, Arthas Menethil with his mentor Uther, while she was praying in a Chapel of light.
She wouldn't lie; the Menethil prince was as handsome as the rumours she had heard not to mention he had a very likable personality that she had found herself developing her first crush.
Unknown to her Arthas had felt the same which was one of the reasons why he even offered to help escort her the rest of the way to Dalaran.
That's where their friendship began and Arthas from then on began periodically visiting Dalaran to meet with her.
Then came Alastor.
Jaina wouldn't lie, she was amazed when she heard about the enigmatic second prince of Stormwind, the various "miraculous" things he had done and his almost mythical genius in the things he put his hands on.
She even expected her fellow apprentice to be some glowing demigod with equally all knowing eyes until the day she finally laid eyes on him as she was introduced by their teacher.
He was NOT what she had expected then.
He was a tall, handsome young man with a toned but muscular body easily as handsome as Arthas at the least as well as appearing kind and easy-going.
He also had a presence to him that made those around him feel at ease as well as a sense of safety.
(AN: for those not very Warhammer savvy, Primarchs have supernatural aura likely due to their warp essence as Minor Warp gods which manifests differently for each.
Like Sanguinous/Hawkboy and his Holy Aura, Horus Heresy for his charismatic Aura and our beloved Al here whose Aura normally makes the people around him feel a sense of safety and hope but in battle invigorates them)
Aside from these qualities he was nothing like she would normally expect from one in his position.
He had every right to be arrogant and lord his achievements over others, She had seen others who hadn't even done a tenth of what he had make entire legacies and legends around their achievements yet...
Who she got to know instead was a kind-hearted, honourable and humble young man who showed passion in his work.
Someone who took great pride when his creations helped others, whether it was making an invention or rediscovering ancient technology to help the commoners out.
Someone who quite literally revolutionized magical training for apprentice and journeyman mages by authoring the book Occlumency not to mention it's other applications for even high level mages.
And from what she heard of his battle against the Beastkin army. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to take on what would be considered formidable odds to protect those under his charge regardless of station.
If anything much to her amusement he seemed to not take praise, compliments and admiration well after it reaches a certain point.
Jaina didn't know when it began happening.
Maybe it was all the time they had spent together or maybe it was due to him offering her his help free of charge which accelerated her own progress in magic.
MAYBE it had to do with a certain blonde bimbo! OF A ELF WHO DIDN'T KNOW WHAT PRIVACY--!
Ahem
Yes suffice to say Jaina had unknowingly developed feelings for Alastor similar to Alleria which caused them to see the other as a "threat" and their attempts to one up the other.
Not that it did anything but confuse the poor demigod as well as unintentionally having the both of them develop a sense of genuine respect for the other.
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Jaina sighed and sat near a pond feeling the cool grass and looking at the pond's crystalline surface reflecting the beautiful star filled night sky.
Behind her a distance away was the main venue where the Winter Veil festivities amongst the High Born continued.
She thought maybe being alone and the beautiful view would have helped clear her mind but it had once again went back to the image of Alastor and Alleria on the dance floor.
"Damn it!.....damn you, you stupid buffoon!" Jaina ended up cursing out in frustration.
"So....did I come at the wrong time?"
Now her eyes widened as she quickly turned her head to see said buffoon standing a few feet behind her with a awkward smile.
"You seem a bit angry?"
"Excellent deduction" Jaina gave him a blank stare at what he said.
"Uh yeah....the grass looks green"
For a moment it felt like even the crickets paused chirping incredulously.
".....I meant to say comfortable, the grass looks comfortable to sit on" and that broke the camel's back as Jaina started to guffaw.
"HAHHAAHA OH LIGHT, THAT WAS SO BAD HAHAHAHA"
Alastor instead smiled seeing her laugh and came to sit beside her.
After a few more moments her laugh turned into giggles before even they stopped as the two sat together in companionable silence.
"Better?"
"Much better, thank you"
"No problem, you did look like you needed a cheer, so mind telling me why you're out here instead of back there with the rest? I remember you were looking forward to the Winter Veil?"
"It's.....a bit complicated for me to explain what about you weren't you with Alleria?"
"Was, the thing is she's doing something long overdue in regards to her mother, it's a family thing so it's best to give them privacy for the time being."
Jaina nodded as she looked back at the night sky along with Alastor.
"You never can get tired of seeing it"
"Sorry?" Jaina asked confused as she glanced at him.
"Up there. the night sky" Alastor pointed at star filled sky, the twin moons of Azeroth and the massive World Ring that surrounded the planet.
"Why?"
"I came from there"
"What?"
Alastor nodded at he explained. "I was never someone who was born in Azeroth, everyone knows that I was adopted by my parents when I was a infant but what no one knows aside from a few is that I came from up there."
Jaina felt a warm feeling knowing that the fact Alastor was telling her this meant he trusted her a great deal.
"Since I knew, I developed this habit of just star gazing especially when I'm stressed or down in any way"
"Since it reminds you of your home?"
"Haha oh no! I can assure you that Azeroth is the only place I will ever consider my home, no I guess the reason I always look is cause it reminds me of...possibility"
"Of what exactly" Now Jaina also quizzically looked at the night sky but aside from Astronomers or mages that specialized in Celestial arts she didn't find how else is could mean possibility.
"Our race built that" Alastor smiled as he pointed to the World Ring. "In fact you heard the ancient stories, how once our race among others had travelled across the sea of stars and beyond"
"One day I just know we will be free to explore the skies beyond our world and make our own destiny in the vast void just like out distant ancestors did"
Jaina also smiled, but hers was a bit melancholic.
"It's a great dream Alastor but I don't know how it will be feasible. For thousands of years there had been attempts to enter the World Ring to disable it's shields yet all those that went inside the Ring never returned"
"Even if we find someway to bypass the shield there's the twin moon's gravity wells as well"
Azeroth might be all they know in their lifetime was what she was indirectly saying.
"I'll find a way in fact I'm the biggest proof that it's possible since I came from outside the planet"
"Just consider it another miracle by me, If push comes to shove I'll allow our people to travel beyond our planet once more"
Left unsaid was how if such a situation truly came then he might have to leave.
Hopefully before the Emperor finds him so that way even if he was found then he would try his hardest to keep Azeroth out of his and the others sight.
Let the golden man, Gods and all other "monsters" that inhabit this Galaxy tear each other apart as much as they want, his home will NOT suffer through their folly.
Jaina looked at him fondly, not even surprised he would say something like that and mean it.
Always the one thinking of the people.
"I trust you"
"Thanks...Oh! I almost forgot I have something for you"
Jaina curiously looked at him as she stood up along with him only to gasp as she beheld what he held in his hand.
It was a exquisitely crafted necklace with a droplet shaped gem made from water and ice elements.
"Sorry I had made one for Princess Calia as a gift but left you and the others out, this one's for you. I thought the droplet would be to your liking considering your House speciality and well since I didn't know what symbol to use to show wind---"
"I love it Alastor" She interrupted his ramblings with a tender smile that caused the young prince to feel his heart skip a beat.
Jaina turned her back to him as she moved her hair out of the way showing her neck.
"Can you put on?"
"A--are you sure?" Alastor asked a bit hesitantly knowing by practice a women only allows a loved one to put a necklace on her.
Seeing her nod, he got behind her and gently put the necklace on as she looked and caressed the light blue gem.
"Escort me back" Jaina suddenly said.
"Uh Okay?" Alastor was a bit confused but he obliged as she linked her arms with him and they made their way to the venue.
'Well at least she doesn't seem upset anymore so I guess all's well that end's well'
And indeed for Jaina had the happiest smile on her face as they walked back.
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Arthas was just done entertaining another prominent guest as he sighed annoyed.
This Winter Veil was suppose to be a significant time for him especially when it came to him and Jaina.
Yet events keep happening that only end up dampening his already not so happy mood.
Worse they all were connected to Alastor!
When he went to give him and Rhonin a tour around Lordaeron city and stopped at the Chapel, Alastor was formally recognized as a Saint of the Light and had gotten the approval of both his mentor Uther and Archbishop Faol.
Then a harmless joke might have ended up with him inadvertently causing his elder sister to become smitten with Alastor after he quite literally made a mythical flower for her.
But it did not end there.
At the Venue, multiple prominent factions had gathered around the Wrynns most prominently, The Bronzebeard brothers, the Proudmoores and even the Windrunner family!?
And there were factions that were with them at the start and soon others had also gravitated towards them like Prince Kael'thas, King Thoras, High Thane Kurdan, Antonidas along with multiple smaller but still prominent faction leaders.
Something that had not made his father happy since at the surface while this celebration was a event meant to foster friendship and peace in actuality it was a show of Lordaeron wealth and influence.
Terenas also intended to use the gathering to get a measure of all the factions and see how many of them could be brought under the umbrella of Lordaeron.
That did not happen instead a significant amount of leaders had flocked to the Wrynns after their arrival but in actuality a majority had one common reason to approach them.
Alastor.
By this point any leader worth their salt had understood that Stormwind was on a path of prosperity and progress considering how Alastor was firmly bound with the kingdom.
Whether it was in terms of administration, technology, magic, Military etc.
They all understood a new age was coming to the southern most area of the continent due to one man and were quick to align themselves with the kingdom he was part off.
Not to mention many of these leaders much preferred Llane as a potential faction head instead of Terenas who was already known as a cunning and ambitious King despite already being in charge of the Largest and one of the most prosperous human Domains.
Terenas was frustrated at the development but quickly hid it as he depicted a friendly stance at Llane understanding that for a moment it wouldn't be wise to get confrontational with this nascent Coalition.
But Arthas was also mainly frustrated over the sudden difficulties he found with Jaina since the venue's start.
He tried to have a dance with her only to be refused, He tried to chat with her as they normally did only to feel that Jaina was no longer as enthused by them as she once was.
He tried to tell of some of his own adventures in recent times as he offered her some of the banquets snacks only for her to listen to him absentmindedly as if her attention was on something else or rather someon-!
Arthas quickly shook his head at where his thoughts were heading as he banished them or at least tried to.
"Arthas are you alright?" Arthas looked and saw his mother Lianne giving him a worried look.
"I'm fine mother" He gave her a smile in reassurance.
"Are you sure my child? you seem stressed, if you want you can retire to your chambers, I can understand if your father is becoming a bit much once again"
"I...I...maybe you're right mother, and some rest would do me good"
Arthas turned but then froze at what he saw in the dance floor.
Lianne followed his line of sight and almost cringed at what she saw. 'Oh dear'
Gliding across the dance floor were Jaina and Alastor, both looking completely at ease as they enjoyed their waltz and seemed to be whispering things to eachother if the occasional chuckles were to be taken into context.
But it was the gaze Jaina was giving Alastor that Lianne found most damning.
That familiar tender yet fond look a woman gives to that special man in her life as if he was the most special in her eyes.
Lianne recognized Jaina, the princess of Kul Tiras most specifically the same woman that her son had told her about wanting to court and hopefully introduce her before the Celebration's end.
The same woman who was now giving that "look" to another man.
Lianne quickly turned to Arthas to offer any sort of comfort only to see him already walking away with his back to her but she still caught the sight of his clenched fists as he walked away.
The Queen sighed and offered a quick prayer to the Light for her son as she looked at the two partners gliding away at the dance floor without a care in the world.
"Fate is such a fickle mistress....."
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