//------------------------------// // 19. The Thin Line // Story: Sunset in Azeroth // by RIPoste //------------------------------// “Stupid old man!” Sunset growled out as she slammed the door behind her. The walk back to her room had felt like eons to her, and it was not exactly a pleasant stroll either. It was a good thing that nobody stopped to talk to her, she doubted that she have the ability to keep herself calm before she blew a fuse and actually blow somebody up, which would definitely not look good for her considering that she was now on Antonidas’ watchlist and essentially his agent in Kel’Thuzad’s circle. Only for the time being, however. Not like there was much of a choice in her in that regard. While she extremely disliked having to go behind her master’s back, being expelled and effectively banished from the Kirin Tor was pretty much a death sentence for her. Or as close to one that was, in her opinion.  That, and the bait that Antonidas’ left out for her was much too sensitive to refuse. In fact, now that Antonidas knew that she was from another world, all that was keeping her safe was his protection. Even Sunset have no doubts that Kel’Thuzad would be eager to use her as a study specimen should he know that she was from Equestria. It was not the most ideal position, but she had to take it, especially when she did not really have a choice in the matter. It still leaves a bad taste in her mouth, nonetheless… Sighing, Sunset closed her eyes and cleared her mind. Yes, she had just suffered a huge… hindrance -- yes, that word should be accurate -- to her plans, but that was no reason to worry about it now. In fact, the more immediate question would be: How in the world was she going to solve this? From what she had gathered, pretty much all of her movements, even her fate, was in Grand Magus Antonidas’ hands. Indeed, as much as he likes to profess to only be satisfied with her loyalty, he had her completely at his mercy now. Not to mention the fact that even if she somehow took him out of the equation, there were quite a few other magi that knows of her secret. It was pretty much a not-so-subtle attempt to inform her that the Archmage expects Sunset to dance to his tune or risk facing the consequences. Still… Sunset narrowed her eyes even as she pulled out a crystal that would allow her direct movement into her master’s office. No one said that I couldn’t stand on both sides of the equation. It was a thin line that she was treading on, but it definitely contains the best of both worlds. Not to mention that as much as the Kirin Tor had drilled into her a sense of caution, Sunset herself was still inherently a risk-taker. Not to mention, it all comes down to how valuable she could make herself. It was a fact of life that Sunset did not know during her time in Equestria, and as such, Sunset had found herself so easily cast aside by the Princess she had so adored.  The lesson had been learned, and Sunset will not make the same mistake again. So now all that left was to make the goal true, to make herself invaluable to not only her own master, but also to Archmage Antonidas… No, to the entirety of the Kirin Tor… Her master was easy to please. Just put in the effort, and show enough ambition, but not so much that it smothers their ego. It was the same with many of the professors that Sunset had to kiss up to back in Equestria. She just needs to contribute enough to her master Kel’Thuzad, and Sunset would be rated very highly among his apprentice, not that she planned on staying as one in the long run.  Then there was Archmage Antonidas… What does he want? Sunset took a seat on her bed and closed her eyes as she thought back on all her meetings with the Grand Magus, especially the most recent one. It was obvious that Antonidas was a much more capable politician than many of his peers, seeing how easily he was able to manipulate Sunset into a position with only one correct choice set out for her. But… he also doesn’t strike her as a person who was out solely for personal gain. If he was, he would have immediately outed her as an external being and took the lead in the following experiments on her. In fact, as much as she would not like to admit it, that was something that her master, Kel’Thuzad was more likely to do than the Grand Magus if word gone out that she was from Equestria. No, Antonidas was not out for personal gain… In fact, the deal seems to benefit the Kirin Tor more than it would him… Almost as though a fog was lifted from her eyes, Sunset stood up, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. Of course, how could she have not seen it? There was one other in her life, long ago, who resembled Grand Magus Antonidas. Princess Celestia. She could see it now. Antonidas was a person who was extremely invested in the Kirin Tor, just as the princess was to Equestria. Instead of trying to out her as an external being, he was using her to spy on Kel’Thuzad, who may or may not be experimenting on magic that was written off as forbidden in the laws of Kirin Tor. At the same time, Antonidas had sought to appease her by offering her something inherently valuable to her in the long run. So that left her goal clear, Sunset must ensure that she was invaluable to the Kirin Tor in order to appease its leader. Of course, there was a slight chance that she was merely being overly optimistic and that she was doomed... A sharp knocking at her door drew her from her thoughts, and Sunset set aside her thoughts for the time being. There will be plenty of time to mull this over later, Sunset mused as she walked over to the door, though the person on the other side of this plank of wood had better had a good re-  “Oh,” Sunset stopped herself short, “Hi… uh… Good Evening, Jaina.” The blond girl standing on the other side of the archway smiled sheepishly at her. “Hi Sunset. May I come in?” At the other girl’s invitation, Jaina stepped into the rather spartan room. It had been months since she was last here, the Proudmoore reflected. Though in the later dates, it was mostly due to… other issues… “So,” Sunset asked as she closed the door a little too loudly, not that Jaina could blame her. She had been neglecting the girl that she had been treating like a little sister for the past few months, though in her own defense, it was not like Sunset had been extremely amicable about the whole situation either. “What brings you here?” Sunset asked. “Well,” Jaina was not exactly sure how to go about this, seeing how vehemently opposed Sunset was to the relationship between Arthas and her. Still, it might be one of the few ways for her to help reconcile herself with the other girl. While not family by blood, Sunset had been like a sister to her… “Well,” Jaina sighed, taking a deep breath to steel her nerves. “Arthas invited me to help celebrate Winter Veil at Capital City, I was wondering if you would like to join me.” “Sure.” “I know that you do not like Arthas but -” Jaina suddenly blinked owlishly at Sunset. “Wait, ‘sure’?” Did Sunset just say that? “Yeah,” Sunset replied disinterestedly as she began rummaging in one of the bags hanging from the walls, procuring a couple of cups and a jug of water which she promptly began to fill the cups with. “I mean, it’s not like I can talk you out of it, right?” “Out of what?” Jaina replied. “You and Arthas.” Sunset replied. Jaina bit back a retort, but apparently she had not been that good at masking her face because Sunset merely snorted. “Yeah, thought so.” “Don’t get me wrong about this, Jaina.” Sunset continued, her eyes meeting with Jaina’s as she did so, “I have nothing against Arthas. He’s a… great guy.” Jaina had to suppress her amusement as she saw the other girl almost retched at the compliment. “And he’s… not… that bad looking either. I think… you will be a perfect match for each other.” Jaina was sure that she was openly smirking at this point. How could she not? Sunset had flown through almost ten different expressions as she made her statements. If only the circumstances were different. Jaina suppressed a sigh as she wonders if she would ever go back to those days when she was in charge of looking after the then very naive Sunset. “Still, I just want to ask you a question.” Said Sunset, “Are you sure you want to throw away all of this?” The flame haired girl gestured widely around her room, and to the whole of Dalaran by extension, “And have Arthas throw away his Silver Hand training for what you have?” Jaina closed her eyes, before looking at Sunset with what she hope was determination in her eyes. “If he is willing, I am willing.” “Okay…” Sunset nodded, almost in resignation, before looking up. “Then you have my blessing, I guess… not that you would need i-” Jaina did not let her finish her statement before rushing forward and enveloping the redhead in tight hug. Not that she could help it, those words, it almost felt like a wall between the two of them was broken down because of what she said, and Jaina was glad for it.  “Ah…” She heard Sunset fumbled through her words,” I guess… we’re still…” “Yes,” Jaina smiled as she broke away, “yes we are.” Sunset smiled sheepishly in response to that. “So… about Winter’s Veil?” “Uhhh, I will have to ask my master about that.” Sunset mumbled in response. “You know how he goes on about this kind of thing…” “Yeah, I do.” Jaina sighed. She doubt that she would be able to ask Archmage Antonidas to help either, considering how divided her attention was between her studies and her relationship. Still, even if Sunset could not make it for Winter’s Veil, at least the bond that Jaina shared with her was not a complete shipwreck! “I’ll ask him later,” Sunset nodded. “I have a meeting with him later in the night.” “Oh, then you better get some rest.” Jaina replied. As a senior apprentice, she had been through her fair share of late night lessons, and oftentimes they would drag out until the following morning. As such, she had learned the importance of having ample rest before such sessions. Mostly to make up for the lack of sleep throughout the night, after all, potions can only help a mage stave off fatigue for so long. “RIght, I’ll see you around then?” “Yeah.” Jaina nodded as she took her leave from the room, closing the door behind her. Except that she was not alone in the corridor. “So,” a voice whispered to her as she closed the door, “glad to see that it went well?” “Arthas!” Jaina yelped in surprise, only to lower her voice. “You were eavesdropping?” “Not really,” The blond prince let out a sheepish smile as Jaina glared at him. “Okay, maybe a little bit. I mean, I can’t seem to make out if you were having an argument or if you needed my help…” “Sunset would never do that!” “Yeah, I know that now.” Arthas nodded towards the door. “But still, I never took her to be such a thinker. She almost sounds older than she looks.” “Only sometimes,” Jaina sighed fondly as she began to lead the prince away from Sunset’s room. “Still, I’m glad that she was understanding.” “You and me both, my Lady.” Arthas chuckled, before he grimaced. “Still, do you think that she has a point?” “Mmmh? About what?” “About...  you know what? Never mind.” Arthas waved his hand dismissively before reverting back to his bright, cheerful self. “It can wait. Besides,” He said as he looked at Jaina. “We have to get back to planning for the festival. Did she say that she can make it?” “For winter’s veil?” Jaina replied, “I don’t know. It really depends on what her master Kel’Thuzad says, but I doubt he would easily agree.” “Even if she was invited by a royal?” “Even if she was, yes.” “Wow,” Arthas replied, almost amazed. “Sounds like a jerk.” “Well, Sunset admires him. Still, I really hope that he would let her come…” “Absolutely not!” Sunset resisted the urge to throw up an arcane shield in reaction to her master’s outburst. For his part, Archmage Kel’Thuzad was glaring at Sunset as though she had just asked for something completely outrageous. Which, depending on your own perspective, might actually be rather outrageous if you think about it. “I know that you and that Jaina Proudmoore are allies, but I’ll sooner be kicked out of the Kirin Tor than let you go off on some merry dalliance instead of focusing on your studies or building some actual connections!” Sunset bit her tongue in response to that, moreso to quell her remark that she could easily build some connections with the nobles in Capital City just by accompanying Jaina on her trip. Based on her experience, Kel’Thuzad had a tendency to react to such quips rather explosively. Literally. “No, my apprentice, for the majority of Winter’s Veil, you will be helping me with my experiments.” Sunset suppressed a grimace as she was reminded of her deal with Archmagus Antonidas, was this a piece of information that she should tell him about? After all, she was treading a very thin line here. Having to balance herself between not outright betraying either parties involved. Or at least not in a manner that they would notice. Preferably at all. “Under my orders, Ras had procured a number of warehouses under my name. We will begin the work of turning these places to functioning laboratories where we will conduct our experiments under differing conditions.” Sunset nodded, her mind already going into overdrive. Perhaps once she found out enough about these laboratories, she should be able to figure out which one would not only be expendable, but also be incapable of incriminating her master. Those she would give to the Grand Magus, and at the same time, she would not be directly impeaching her master. Perhaps down the road, she could also convince her master subtly that he was under surveillance and tell him to set up a few decoy warehouses to throw off his scent? That might work. It was a foolproof plan, or at the very least, she hoped it was. “However!” Kel’Thuzad suddenly proclaimed, snapping Sunset out of her thoughts. “This is only the tip of the iceberg. For come spring, you will have a very important duty to do.” Sunset watched intently as the elder mage retrieved a letter from within his robes. “This,” Kel’Thuzad waved the letter, “is the reason why you will not be leaving for Capital City with that Proudmoore apprentice.” Another wave. “This here, will mark one of the most important events of your life.” “Sunset Shimmer, my apprentice.” Kel’Thuzad’s glassy eyes bored into her, almost as if they sought to pierce her to the soul. “You have been chosen as part of the emissary group to head over the Quel’Thalas.”