Iylldrraen was a dedicated and disciplined druid, but no amount of training could really discourage the open invitation of Aelena’s exposed cleavage. The shaman had truly blossomed through the years. She was a prime sample of her kind, full-figured and perfectly proportioned. Rivern continued to talk idly, likely beyond such temptations, as old as he was he probably lacked the instinctive interest. He probably also had had his fill to last him to his last days. Iylldrraen, however, gazed upon Aelena with fondness, and with hunger. He had admitted to himself that he wanted her to play a greater part in his life than just a friend, and now his body was making the effort to consummate such resolve. The druid would glance up to Alena and smile. It wasn’t a lewd smile, but more of a playful, mischievous smile, diverting his attention right when Rivern was excusing them.<br/><br/>“Return here a few hours before sunset, and together we will journey north to the Blue Flight.” With that said, the ancient Trainer rose and embraced both of them, prolonging his embrace with Iylldrraen, pausing to give him a quizzical look. Did he know the thoughts of the druid? Rivern smirked and shook his head. “Watch this one, Aelena; he reeks of Fel Demons. Please try to keep him from exhausting himself before our mission tonight.” With that Rivern bade them farewell.<br/><br/>The shaman and druid walked side by side away from Saber Rock, and should Aelena be attentive enough, she would notice that druid’s eyes continually drifting over to her, giving her long, almost appreciative side-long gazes. Something seemed different about Iylldrraen. He was closer to her, smiled, and had a light briskness to his step. Perhaps he was just excited about tonight’s mission and the opportunity to strike back at the vile fiends that took his friend from him.<br/><br/>The duo soon approached Starbreeze Village, and Iylldrraen was far more boyish than when they had exited Rivern’s cave. Seeing the same home they had once shared so many years ago when operating in Winterspring, Iylldrraen suddenly stopped, taking Aelena’s hands in his. As that house came into view, he realized how many years he’d missed with Aelena, how many years of joy he’d passed up on, and how many he could continue to lose if he continued to be who he was, especially with the high stakes of tonight’s mission.<br/><br/>“Aelena, do you remember that house?” He didn’t even look at the house that was now behind him, but at her. Right at her. “Do you remember all of those quests, those missions, where we stayed under the same roof, where you were so tolerant of me and my distancing myself from you?” At this point Iylldrraen drew Aelena closer. “I don’t know what’s going to happen tonight, but I know that I don’t want to be the same druid tomorrow, that I don’t want to just be your friend tomorrow.” Here his eyes began to falter, and he began to look around at the land that surrounded them for support. “I love you, Aelena. I always have loved you, deep, deep inside, but I was afraid to tell you, afraid that, if anything happened to me, there would be more than my death that would hurt you. I’m sorry I waited so long to tell you. Can you forgive me?”<br/><br/>In the druid’s mind it was the oddest way to proclaim love to another, but it was how he felt, and he truly could not think of any better way to convey how he felt. He wasn’t sure if she felt the same, which was something he was mentally kicking himself for now. All he could hope for was her continued tolerance of him and his typical primal and instinctual behavior.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>