Sandfury Temper ((Open))

[Vilmah]

She wasn't a fan of the House of Kai.

Khiskiva K'thul had been asked, months earlier, to ressurect their leader. From what she'd heard of Zusteakai, he was a hot-headed fool who deserved to meet his end by the blade of Nojinbu the Frostbite. So why was she seeking one of them out, now?

"Ah must be a damn fool," she grumbled angrilly as she trudged through Orgrimmar.

She was a tall and lithe troll, with a pronounced roman nose and proud long tusks. Her Sandfury heritage shone through the firey-red hair she kept in braids, not to mention her sun-baked skin. The only thing that kept her from being just like those she left, was her profession; a shaman. It was the Darkspear in her, which her mother had been. It was easy enough for her to use totems and summon elemental magic for her own use. The problem was how little control she had over it.

"Oh! Zasien is a wonderful shaman!" Said the over-eager orc, Vilmah Bloodborne.

Khiskiva had met Vilmah earlier, and noted her as very friendly. It was the only reason she agreed to ressurrect Zusteakai. Now, she was reccomending yet another member of that idiot's house?

"If'n ya seh so, Vimma," Khiskiva said with a frown. "Ah'll seek 'em out en Ahgrimma."

She made her way through the streets, looking as if she'd bite the face off of the first person to cross her. It was that explosive temper that she needed help with.

[Zasein]

Zasien walked out from behind the rocks covering the waterfall in the Valley of Honor, shaking droplets from his armor. He had been meditating under its cascading flow, the water speaking to him. He felt refreshed, cleansed by the falls and the spirits that dwelt within them. A few steps later, he was on dry land, heading towards the drag. When he rounded the corner of the wall, he almost ran headfirst into another troll, but managed to sidestep around her.

His pauldron brushed against her shoulder as he sidestepped, and he turned to apologize. The look on her face said she wouldn't take it well. It being an angry glare; the look accentuated by her blazing red hair. He tried anyway, "Excuse me."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva stumbled slightly, as another troll ran into her. Bringing up her mace to beat some manners into the male, she stopped herself in mid swing and dropped her arm. "Ohh, sorreh mon.. foce o' habeet. Ahm.. achooally.. choo kno whe ah can fahns dis troll nem Zasien? Ah hurd he a good shaman from.."

Her face shifted into an irritated frown.

"House o' Kai?"

[Zasein]

He raised his arm to block the blow on his bracer, and stepped back a bit, but relaxed when she stopped the swing.

"I'm Zasien, a shaman from the House."

It wasn't often that someone sought him out... though it had been happening more often lately. He'd never seen nor heard of this troll before. From her appearance, he guessed she was one of the sandfury. He took off his helmet, his red Mohawk standing straight in a few moments.

"What were you seeking me for?" He asked

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva smiled at his hair. It brightened her perception of him, just a little. Giving him a rather unrefined bow, she spoke in the rough dialect of a desert troll.

"An ohk nemmed Vimma Bla'bahrn tol' meh ta fahn choo een cess ah needed help wit' mah shaman juju," she said sincerely, fastening her mace on her belt. "She say choo a good mon, dat be good at helpin' an' geevin' avvice. Ah been havin' prollems wit' mah elemental juju, so ah cem ta seek choo out."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin was on his way to the reagent store. Done a lot of busines with him and was about to claim an armload of discounted runes.

That was when he over heard the comment

"...prollems wit' mah elemental juju..."

He grinned. Sounded like he was about to make a new friend, after all, the reagent store can wait for another few minutes.

He turns his course to intercept with the conversation.

Great. Zassien's here. What is he after? Probably going to fill the poor girl's head with lies about the water... best go save her.

"Ey dere. I hear choo be havin a problem wit' de Juju."

[Zasein]

Zasien took a moment to puzzle her words out, he had learned not to speak with an accent long ago, and it sounded odd when other trolls spoke with accents as heavy as hers.

"I should be able to help you with that, what sort of trouble are you having?"

He felt a little awkward, with another shaman coming to ask him for help. The fact that she was a quite good-looking troll didn't help any either. It seemed that she could talk to the shaman trainers, just up the drag from here, if she needed to. But Vilmah had told her to find him. He would do what he could. He'd never trained another shaman, but he chose not to mention it. Always time to learn...

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva turned to see Sulajin approaching her and Zasien. He certainly was a new face, but so was everyone. They both asked the same question, so she shrugged.

"Problem ees mah totems dwon be lastin' long eenough. Specially dem fia ones. Alwehs explodeen befo' ah gotta chance ta use 'dem."

She gripped her hands into fists, the thought of how she'd been failing angering her further.

"Ah dwono what di prollem ees.. mehks meh wanna gwo out anni kill eberytin' ah see."

[Sulajin]

"Fia? Fia be my specialty... I don' know much about de Loa o' de spirits in general.. but I know fia."

Exploding totems? Odd.

"I t'ink choo problem is de Totem don' be strong enough ta contain de energies choo wieldin."

[Vilmah]

She certainly liked how the new person was speaking. If that was her problem, then it wasn't a "problem" at all. Khiskiva grinned at Sulajin.

"Who choo be, enneweh? Choo dwon' look lahk no shaman.."

[Zasein]

"Hello Sulajin..." Zasien said, trying to conceal the minor hostility in his voice. This was Shaman powers, not Sulajin's destructive magic, he had no business here. He was probably about to spout foolish things about how great fire was and how bad water was. "... not your sort of Juju, I'll handle it. It looked like you were buying some regents over there," Zasien points in the direction of the shop. "no need to interrupt your business."

He turned back to the Sandfury troll, and told her, "It sounds like the problem is your anger. All of the elements can be controlled in different ways; fire tends to answer loudest to anger. You should try not focusing on it when you place the totems. They may not be as potent, but without control, you can't do much."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin grins and bows low.

"I be Sulajin Bloodbreaze. An' dis hea fool don' know what he be talkin about. Fia is all about passion! Choo got ta feal it! Let it flow an' powa choo Juju. Choo take de passion an' force it ta do ya biddin. Dat be de way of t'ings.

Dat asside, who do choo be?)"

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva looked from one troll to the other. It was obvious that they knew eachother, and even more obvious that they didn't like one another. On the one hand, there was Zasien, who'd been reccomended to her by a friendlygirl who.. knew nothing of juju. He seemed hansome though, even if he spoke with a strange accent.

Then there was this Sulajin fellow. He certainly had a way with words, and she had to agree with him on the subject of fire. Perhaps this would be a test in patience, or perhaps simply a new skill to discover. Smiling mischeviously at Sulajin, she gave another unrefined bow.

"Khiskiva K'thul. But cha can call meh Khis."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin smiled to himself. This girl was allright, new to show proper respect, or at the very least not mouth off. An' attractive young thing as well... how long had it been since he stopped noticing those kinds of details? That night with Niethan must have stirred some old feelings up. No matter. May as well enjoy them.

"Khis? Pleased ta meetchoo. Now den, if choo want I be mo' den willing ta help ya wit' ya Juju. I got anotha apprentice who jus' be startin anyways. So it won' be any trouble."

Sulajin turns to face Zassien with a small smile.

"Don' worry about her, mon. I allready be havin an apprentice. One mo' won' be any trouble at all. I'm sho choo be too busy anyways."

[Zasein]

And here was Sulajin, meddling again. Zasien thought he taught that mage his lesson. The weight of the hammer on his back was painfully obvious. He felt like showing the mage just how strong the power of fire could be when wielded properly.

"I know far more than you do of totems, Sulajin, and more of fire. You would be wise to hold your piece when speaking of the way of the shaman. It is the path of wisdom. The elements conform to no ones will, it is a gift that lets we shamans control them. If she were to try to call the flame the way you call it, it wouldn't be the same magic, and she would not be able to use totems like shamans do." He said.

He noticed her mischievous smile when she spoke to Sulajin. That mage would lead her astray. He hoped she would have the wisdom to listen to him, early in her training as she was.

"As for being busy, I will always have the time to help those who need it."

((You keep posting just before I do Sul!))

[Sulajin]

Oh goodie. Another lecture by the master of all things, Zasien. How perfect.

"Fia is fia mon. I don' deal wit little t'ings like de spirit of an individual fia, but mo' in de ideals an' less concrete aspects of de flame. I know what I be talkin about. Besides, Juju be Juju. De impot'ant t'ing is ta have control, o' it will control, choo."

((Well then learn to type faster damnit!))

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva raised an eyebrow. Sulajin wore robes, not the armor befitting a shaman. And his cocky demeanor towards Zasien felt disconcerting. Even as Zasien defended his stance, she knew that this Sulajin would continue to egg him on. Was this a game with these two? If so, she could play. She put a hand on her hip, and tilted her head to one side as she looked defiantly at Sulajin.

"Choo dwon't be no shaman, anywhey.. what can ya possibleh teach meh?"

[Zasein]

"I don't think we should have to bother listening to you talk about your mage magic." Zasien said.

Sulajin could sure be annoying, he was always spread about his way of doing things, instead of letting people choose their own path.

"I think I could teach you more, Khiskiva, without such interruptions. Perhaps we should go to a spot without so many people?"

[Sulajin]

Hmf. Bastard didn't know what he was talking about. Sulajin knew that he was by far the expert on flame related matters. As far as anyone he'd met went.

"Oh no, I don' know wha I be talkin about. I jus' deal wit fia elementals on a daily basis, an' have devoted my life studyin de flame an' it's ways. I suppose I wouldn' have mo' knowledge of dis subject den a mon who be tryin ta stay tactful an balanced between all de elements."

Sulajin turns in an exaggerated huff to head back to... wherever he had been going. That wasn't the important thing... what was the important thing again? Oh, right?

He turned back to Khis.

"But if choo eva need my help, don' hesitate to ask, mon."

[Malakim]

Walking through town to restock on his supply of ammo and food for Kiwi, Malakim felt something strange in the pit of his stomach that he just couldn't shake. Bidding farewell to the gunsmith Malakim's pet bird let out a shrill shriek...

Malakim stopped to stare for a moment for he knew what that meant, one of their kind is here. Reaching down to feel the scar still remaining on him, he looked all around wondering where they could be hiding.

Near the reagent vendor and in the company of two elementalists he caught sight of her, one of the sand trolls, he didn't recognize her but he felt instant hatred towards her. He crept up near the party and sat watching what was going on, wondering about the presence of another sand troll meant, if anything to him.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva smiled at Sulajin. He seemed like a kindred spirit. If he truly was versed in fire juju.. maybe she should keep him in mind.

"Ah won'. 'ere," she said while reaching into her bag. She pulled out a dead scarab beetle, it's carapice shining red in the sunlight, the same color as her hair and eyes. Grabbing Sulajin's hand roughly, she put it into his palm. "Choo can use dis ta tell meh when choo not buseh wit' sho odda student. Mebbe ah'll come an' see ya sometime, hah?"

[Sulajin]

Sulajin smiled. Perfect. Another student ready to learn the true ways of the Juju. He pockets the scarab with a low bow to her.

"Big t'anks mon. I'll be sho ta keep dis in mind. I allways be ready ta teach an eaga student."

[Zasein]

So she wants to learn from Sulajin? So be it. Not that Sulajin could teach her anything as useful as he could, merely the ways of the mage. He wondered briefly who Sulajin's other student was, but decided it didn't matter. He could teach another mage whatever he wished, if they were dumb enough to listen to him. Hopefully he could show her that she didn't need to learn anything from Sulajin.

"I know a quieter spot to work with this, best to learn to control the elements where you can hear them." He suggested.

Motioning for her to follow, he walked towards the hill that lead up to the Ring of Valor.

[Sulajin]

Sulajin grins as he waves at Khis. Then turns to go do whatever it was that he'd forgotten he was going to do. Not important. Look like you know where you're going. That was the key. But what did it unlock? This would take some time.

Sulajin wanders off, contemplating this new riddle.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva followed Zasien, hands relaxed behind her head as she admired him from behind. He wasn't so bad, but there was a nagging question.

"'ey, Zasien, ah gotchoo question' 'ere," she said in her rather scratchy voice. "How come choo talk lahk dat? Ah can' undastand choo too well. Ya talk lahk an ohc o' somptin'."

[Malakim]

Staring at the group as the mage seems to wander off. Malakim screams to himself... They want to teach her? That want to share secrets of the elements with this, dirt troll? Wondering what other blows may come of this Malakim eases closer to listen more intently to the conversations.

[Vilmah]

There was a strange smell in the air. What was it? It seemed familliar. She caught a glimpse of another troll. His hair and skin were blue, but.. he had the smell of the desert on him.

Khiskiva flashed him a grin, continuing to follow Zasien.

[Zasein]

As they reached the top of the hill, he turned to the left, towards the stone walls of the hunter's compound. Instead of following the road, he headed up to the cliffs overlooking the dock and pool, where a bonfire burned.

"The shaman that took me as an apprentice when I was young was an orc, and since most of the various shamans I have learned from were either Tauren or Orcs. I suppose the way they spoke just rubbed off on me." He said in a normal tone, then dropped into a rough troll accent, "Ah' coul' talk wit' an accent if joo woul' prefer dat."

[Sulajin]

((Awww... Zasien got the sweets for the young troll girl.))

[Zasein]

((Umm... maybe a little. But he's got the sweets for a shaman named Jezaya too, to a lesser extent, but she's not around this forum much I don't think...))

[Malakim]

She had seen him... but how? He turned around and noticed Kiwi chasing around a rock, well I do suppose that pink is a rather obvious color... Ignoring the other shaman Malakim walked over to the sand troll, with a rather angry tone flat out said, "What are you doing here?"

[Zasein]

Zasien turned to look at the newcomer, another interruption. "And what are you doing here?" He said, annoyance in his voice. This was Orgrimmar, the hunter had no right to be hostile to them. A phantom voice at the back of his mind asked, Or maybe his hostility towards her is what bothers you? He ignored it. Not that he wouldn't stand up for her, but he would do the same for many other people, and not because of how they looked. That he knew.

[Malakim]

Turning to the shaman he walked by to get to the sand troll, Malakim eyed him and growled, "This does not concern you, I am here to see the intentions of this one" pointing at Khiskiva.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva smiled at Malakim. Her tusks were slightly more pronouced than usual, for a female. There were random tattoos on her arms and legs, depicting scarabs and snakes. Her red eyes sparkled with the potential for a fight. She hadn't had one of those, in a while..

"Der be a problem?" She asked, as sweetly as someone with her grating voice could say. "Ah was just gonna tahk ta dis 'ere shaman, Zasien. Whachoo want, boyo?"

[Malakim]

annoyed with her smirk Malakim stood up straight and said, "I want to know why one of your kind is here? Was taking everything of value from me not enough for all of you. Now you again must plague me with your presence, even in places I now try and call home. Must I never be free?" Standing back stretching his shoulders for whatever may come Malakim awaits her answer.

[Zasein]

Zasien looks back and forth between them for a moment, wondering what to say or do. He could likely defeat the hunter in combat, so he wasn't too worried about the possibility of a fight, but he hoped it wouldn't come to that. Their defiantly was hostility in the hunter's actions.

"It is as much her home as it is yours, for she has been accepted as a shaman and as a member of the horde." He stated. "Orgrimmar is a home to any who were or have become part of the Horde."

Although he didn't know her past, he had no doubt that Khiskiva was directly or indirectly affiliated to the Horde. This hunter was angry at her because of who she was born as, it seemed they had never met. The years of prejudice from the alliance should have taught the members of the Horde to rise above that. But some people never learn.

[Malakim]

Turning to the interfering troll Malakim sighed, "You do not know my pain, you live for your elements you talk with them and that is what makes you happy. I lived for another once, but that was taken away from me... By those of her kind. Imagine how you would feel shaman, if you could no longer talk to your precious elements if they no longer came to your call because of someone, and you find their kind in a safe haven. Tell me oh wise one, how you would feel, would you not question their actions would you not want to confront them for the pain they have put you through. Tell me would you be so willing to forgive losing everything because of them. Until, you have lost it all... everything that matters most and have to confront what has taken that away you do not have the right to speak." the hunter turns back to the sand troll and awaits her reply...

[Zasein]

"Do not say I don't know pain, foolish one. You know nothing of me. She didn't put you through your pain, even though her kind might have. If you mind her presence so much, then go somewhere else. The city is large enough to accommodate stupidity." Zasien said, almost growling. He guessed he should just let Khiskiva answer the hunter for herself, and decided to hold his piece for a bit. The hunter had gotten him angry, and he wasn't sure if he could keep quiet for long.

[Malakim]

Laughing at the shamans reply Malakim states back, "You call me the fool yet you cannot let another answer their own question. You instead question me... I know it was not her that has put me through my pain oh wise one if she had she would not still be breathing. I have come to see why she is here, the last time I saw one of her kind it was not a joyous reunion. We didn't drink ale and talk of the good times. instead, it was full of blood shed and death, so forgive me wise one for not being the model of forgiveness that you obviously emulate. I have come to have my questions answered and you will not stop me from getting them. All I ask, wise one, is that you remain out of this until I have my answers."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva's head bobbed from one person to the other, like in a tennis match. Finally, she held up her hands to stop the arguing.

"Whet whet whet.. lemme get dis streght. Ya sayin' ya mad at me caz mah kind did sumptin' ta hutcha, an' yet ya dwon't ebben 'tink about wha ah'm ebben 'ere inna di first plece? Well," she pointed a finger at Malakim. "Lemme tell joo sumptin', boyo. 'ow many shaman joo see inna di Sandfury tribe, eh? 'ow many joo 'tink dere are? Ain't a lot! An' da reason bein's 'cuz ah was exiled from mah home, mah mudder an' brodder raised lahk crezzy zombies bah some crezzy priest, an ah radda join da Harde dan go off inna di dessert an die!"

It was obvious that he was stirring anger within Khiskiva. Her body shook with hot rage, and heat seemed to radiate from her pores.

"So if'n choo got somptin' ta say ta mi 'bout choo precious girlfrien' o' wife o' whatebba de hell dey took from ya, dwon' be trowin' it ta me! Ah got notin' ta do whitcha! Ya got it??"

[Malakim]

grinning at the sand troll Malakim seemed pleased, "Indeed you don't see many shaman in the dirt troll cast, however what is to say that they weren't to use you as their means to acquire such knowledge? They may not be the most intelligent out there, but they have been known to grow a brain between the lot of them occasionally. You say you were cast out, exiled from your home of dirt huh, I have been there you don't just walk away from them..."

Looking sullenly at the ground Malakim continues "They don't let you just up and leave, even if you are lucky enough to get away from them you don't get away... unscathed. So you are saying I should just believe that one day you just said eh the dirt isn't for me and said your goodbyes and that was that. You had better have something better for my ears than that."

The hunter eases himself to a sitting position before continuing, "However, if what you say is true about some crazy priest then surely you will have a mark or two leftover from your exile all I ask is that you show me and I will be content to believe your story."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva frowned, hands folded accross her chest. "Ah don' need ta prove mahself ta choo. Ah don' ebben kno choo. Ya nuttin' ta me, boyo. But ah'll tell ya what.."

She began to undo the front of her leather armor. Udoing the straps, she managed to completely untie it within a few seconds, and opened the front to expose both her breasts, and the jagged scar running down the middle of her ribcage.

"'dat ain't from mah exile. Dat's from da docta dat saw dat ah was half Dahkspea, an' den killed mah modda. So if choo so bent on learnin' 'bout wha ah left, ah tell ya. Da priest raised mah modda's capse, an' used ah lahk a toy."

Khiskiva redid her shirt, and turned away from Malakim.

"Anni di next tahm ah hears ya call mah home "dirt", ah'll make sho choo get a face full of it."

[Malakim]

at the sight of the scar Malakim made a face of sheer pain and got to his feet reaching to his side he held tight to his chest and pulled back a hand covered in blood. Releasing the pain the hunter now smiled a true smile, "It seems as though she trusts you, I am sorry for my mistrust but somehow I think you would do the same, given the chance."

The troll then brought the bloodied hand up to his mouth and kissed it, "So I heard earlier that you were having some problems" The troll stares almost through Khiskiva as if looking at something in her, sniffs at the air and begins to talk once more, "Ah, this seems most familar I think I can help, or at least tell you what you can do to help yourself, but that is up to you. Consider it a gift to repay my earlier actions."

[Zasein]

He was shocked a little at the sight of her breasts, he didn't make a habit of seeing half naked women. He hid it quickly though, and adverted his eyes to look at the hunter. He didn't feel like justifying his actions to the troll that presumed just because she was a sandfury she was hostile. At least the hunter apologized. Zasien decided he should have been less aggressive in the first place. Not that he could change it now. Hopefully the hunter would go on his way soon, so he could get back to the matter at hand.

He crossed his arms, trying to be patient. He didn't let his annoyance show though, keeping it bottled up in the back of his mind. She has nice boobs, a tiny voice spoke within his mind. He pushed it aside, like he did the annoyance.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva made a rude hand gesture to Malakim, and turned back to Zasien. "Choo tink ya can sweet talk meh now, choo be oudda luck boyo. Jus' stey outta mi weh."

She was fully dressed again, but it was fairly obvious that her leather armor had been undone. The buckles were loosely latched, as if she didn't care if they came open again. The jagged scar down her chest peeked beneath her collar bone. Khiskiva gave Zasien a pleasant smile, which could have been interpretated any number of ways, considering her long tusks and harsh features.

"Choo was sayin'?"

[Zasein]

"I was saying that I could use an accent if you would prefer..." Zasien said, turning to look at her.

He noticed the smile cross her features, lifting her lip a little and revealing more of her tusks. He returned it with a friendly grin.

"Why don't you show me what happens when you place a fire totem." He said, almost a question, but somewhat of a demand.

[Vilmah]

"Ah was jus' curious as ta wha ya din' use inna di fist plece, mon," Khiskiva replied, rubbing her hands together and creating a fire totem. It was a simple one, one that would shoot fireballs at enemies if they approached. The moment she set it, it exploded. Khiskiva stamped her foot impatiently, her face covered in soot.

"Ah het eet when dat happen!"

[Sulajin]

((Zasien should be a Tauren. He could still be a shaman... but he seems so very much Tauren like.))

[Vilmah]

((It makes him more interesting, that he's a troll. Imagine seeing him get pissed and going all troll-fury on someone. It'd be awesome!))

[Zasein]

He looked at the ring of soot where the totem once stood, saying: "The person that taught me before I went to the Valley of Trials was an Orc, and since most of the shamans that have taught me have been Orcs or Tauren... it rubbed off on me I guess."

So now he'd seen a searing totem explode. He never had that problem. "I think we have to start from the beginning..."

((He got pissed at Villinger once, almost killed him...))

[Sulajin]

((I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but I'm allways having to double check on his race. And that's either really good Roleplaying, if he wanted to reflect the studying time he'd done with other people, or bad RPing, if he was just too lazy to do the accent.

Actually, it may just be the lack of accent that's throwing me.))

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva scowled, rubbing the soot from her face in anger.

"Da beginnin'?? Ah dwon hab tahm fo' dat! Dis' ain' no big 'ting, jus' sumptin' ah gotta learn ta control, ja? So tell meh howta dwo dat. Canna be all dat hahd."

[Zasein]

((Could be, I tried Zasien with an accent, it just didn't feel right. He does act more like an Orc than a troll, its because he adopted their culture when he became a shaman. He didn't join the more Darkspear shamans, he went fully over to the Orcs.))

[Zasein]

"Well, the beginning usually is learning how to control the flame powers, after you have spoken with the fire spirits, of course." He said, looking up. She got angry to easily, that much was obvious.

"Your focusing on your anger, not on the spirits around you. I want you to close your eyes and feel them, hear their voices."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Her chest heaved as she tried to control her breathing, but there was a shuddering sound of struggle.

"..dis no' wokin'," she said through gritted teeth.

[Sulajin]

Sulajin wandered to the bank. His raptor hissing and snarling at a young Tauren who stood in it's path. It didn't matter. He'd had a very nice shopping trip and had gotten some real gems at the vendor. He was holding one up to peer at the sun through it, not noticing how his raptor had just trampled on the back of a Forsaken that hadn't gotten out of the way fast enough. Not that he would have cared, had he.

[Troll] "Ooh... look at this. Very nice no flaws at all. Could be useful. Hmm... what else do we have. A few flawed rubies, some saphire. Couple of sygils... what's this? Oh! This is crap. Nice looking crap. Maybe I'll keep it."

[Zasein]

"Calm your mind, think of something peaceful, a landscape, a memory, a face. It will become easier in time." He said soothingly, keeping still and waiting.

When she learned control, she could use her anger in the heat of battle to fuel her totems, but at the moment, she couldn't wield her power.

[Vilmah]

"Pecefool?" She said aloud, opening her eyes. "Um.. huh. Dat mebbe hadda den it sound.."

She tried to think of something peaceful. Anything. Her life had been a tumultuous chaotic collection of memories that all included her own people fighting amongst themselves, and the constant intruders who would take Zul'Farrak's treasures for their own.

At a loss, she sighed angrilly.

"Ah dwono anytin' lahk dat!"

[Zasein]

And there was her problem. "Try thinking of that waterfall, always constant. The water tumbling through the air in a peaceful trickle."

There HAD to be something peaceful in her thoughts and memories, she just couldn't think of it at the moment. This was going to be harder than he thought.

[Vilmah]

She shifted her attention to the waterfall. Water had always made her feel uncomfortable, as if stepping in it for a moment would result in drowning. She shied away from it slightly, and looked at Zasien sheepishly.

"..ah dwon realleh lahk wata. Meks meh fell.. vulnerable."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin was wandering by now. He'd grabbed a few things from the bank, and had some time to kill. Where to go though? He could go cause some havoc at the Rest Inn Peace. That was allways good for a laugh or two, but now wasn't the time. Better head back to the Valley of Spirits and talk to the trainers.

Then he ran into them again.

"Watafall? Zasien, what do wata falls have ta do wit workin fia Juju? No. I'm gonna tell choo. Dey have nutt'in ta do wit' fia Juju. Don' be a fool. Wata falls are Wata, mon. FIa Juju is fia. Choo see de difference?"

[Zasein]

((We're in Valley of Honor up on the cliffs above that fishing area, beside a bonfire.))

[Vilmah]

Back again?

This Sulajin fellow seemed rather intent on making Zasien's life miserable. Khiskiva chuckled inwardly. Maybe it was a friendly rivalry. Whatever the case, it was easing her anger remarkably. Her features calmed, and she winked at Sulajin.

"Choo be verreh good at paintin' out da obvious, mon," she said with a grin.

[Zasein]

He sighed. "Try thinking about the Bonfire then, the curling flames twisting around the wood, reaching into the air of the sky." He liked looking into flames sometimes, they could have a calming effect. He hoped it would be the same for her.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva nodded at Zasien.

"Daht ah can dwo."

She looked at the bonfire, and tried to relax. Her hands uncurled from their usual fists, as the flames danced in her eyes and released sparks into the air. Finally, her breathing calmed, and she stood complacently looking into the fire.

"..betta," she said quietly.

[Zasein]

"Now, feel the spirits around you, and feel their power within you." Zasien instructed, shooting Sulajin a 'buzz off' look.

Sulajin just always had to be grumbling about the water, how dangerous it was, how it had nothing to do with fire. He never shut up about it.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva took a few deep breaths, and closed her eyes. She could feel the spirits before, but Zasien's calm words, although strangeley accented, had a strange effect on her. She could feel the spirits, feel their power and influence. It was suddently clearer. Opening her eyes, the trolless extended a hand and created another totem.

It sparked with life, and stood at attention.

"Choo deed it!" Khiskiva said with elation, grinning at Zasien. "Dats sahm good teachin', right der'!"

[Zasein]

He bowed his head sheepishly, saying, "Thank you, although I don't really deserve your praise, it was you that found the power within yourself, not I."

Almost any other Shaman could have done what he did, he thought. It was an easy step in training, perhaps more difficult for some, but easy enough to teach someone nonetheless.

He looked up and smiled back at her. "If you ever need anything else, just seek me out."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva nodded, taking a step towards Zasien and planting a loud kiss on his cheek. Her tusks brushed against his skin dangerously, as if they could pierce through his flesh if they wanted.

"Dat ah'll do, boyo!" She said happily, patting his face perhaps harder than she intended, and walking off towards the Drag. She stoped, and turned to face him again. "Ah'n if'n choo need anytin' from meh," Khiskiva reached into her pocket, and pulled out another scarab. It flew to Zasien, and perched on his shoulder. "Jus' tell meh, ya?"

[Zasein]

Zasien almost recoiled from the kiss, but he took it, the normally blue-green skin of his cheeks tinting a little red as he flushed. He took the rough pat without flinching.

When she turned to look back, he looked into her red eyes for a moment before taking the Scarab off his shoulder and putting it into one of the bags at his belt. "Farewell Khiskiva."

[Sulajin]

((yeah, really great. I come back from class just in time for you lot to finish this. Oh well.))

[Vilmah]

((Khis walked away. She's not done. ;) ))

[Zasein]

((Poor Zasien. Falling in with bad company...))

[Vilmah]

((You have NO IDEA.))

[Sulajin]

((...kay.))

Sulajin smiled to himself. So? Zasiens path of inner peace was of a little use, it would seem. Not that Sulajin Bloodbreaze, chosen of flame would ever take it up himself.

"Of course dat be one way. Choo can sit an' stare inta de fia all choo want. But when some human be comin down atchoo wit a hamma bigga den ya skull dere won' be time fo' fia gazin an' self reflection.

Got ta learn ta internalize de fia, mon. Make it a part of choo spirit!"

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva cast a glance at Sulajin, her eyebrow raised curiously. He seemed hell bent on spreading some sort of message, so why not listen? Nothing to lose.

"Oh? An' how'dya prapose ah do dat?"

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva cast a glance at Sulajin, her eyebrow raised curiously. He seemed hell bent on spreading some sort of message, so why not listen? Nothing to lose.

"Oh? An' how'dya prapose ah do dat?"

[Sulajin]

Sulajin smiles. Excellent. She knew power when she saw it. And besides, a chance to second guess Zasien was amusing enough in it's own right.

"Same way I do. Choo don' have time fo' reflection on de battle field. Choo have ta make do wit de fia around. De fia in choo heart. Choo gotta feel de rage, choo gotta take ya anga an' make it somet'in real. An' choo gotta let ya opponent know dat choo anga is somet'in ta fear."

The blue raptor beneath Sulajin shifts impatiently, wanting to be out of the city and off to run. It would have to wait.

"An' when choo do get dat down, choo can use it wheneva. Not jus' on de battle field. Choo can be usin it as a focus ta channel your will in times of peace. Dat be quite a trick, but it be do-able."

[Zasein]

"One does not need to be part of the fire to wield its power, Sulajin. If a hammer came at me, the human holding it would be met with the wrath of the elements in a blink of an eye." He retorted, whistling for his raptor. The black-scaled war raptor arrived moments later, and Zasien mounted.

He knew he shouldn't waste his time arguing with Sulajin, but he didn't care much. Not a whole lot he had to do at the moment, and it could be fun bouncing ideas off an impulsive oaf for a bit, not that he would listen.

"My wrath is something to fear, Sulajin, remember that."

[Sulajin]

Be part of the fire? Hmph. Zasien had clearly long since made up his mind on the nature of Sulajin's relations with the Courts and decided it best to preach them to the world.

Sulajin's own raptor snapped and growled at Zasien's black war mount.

"Be a part of de fia? Bah. No one said dat."

Sulajin turns to face Khis again.

"Listen, Khis, de Fia offa's plenty of powa fo' a price. But choo be strong, don'choo? Choo won' be a part of de fia, it gonna be a part of choo. Choo will hold it by de reins an' make it dance to ya own will. Look."

He gestures to the fire, which rears back off the log into the form of a Windserpent, it swoops high over a building to come soaring back into a dive, plummeting towards Zasien before exploding into a shower of embers and smoke.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva watched the firey serpent explode with wide-eyes. The sparks danced on the moisture of her lips, their light reflecting like tiny diamonds.

"Dat's impressive, dat be.." she said to Sulajin, putting a hand on one hip before continguing. "But weh shamans dwon do tings lahk dat. Ah wonda if mebbe de spirits be affectin' us inna differen' wey?"

[Zasein]

Zasien ignored the shower of sparks around him, the raptor did as well, it was trained to ride into hails of bullets on its master's command. He could have made Sulajin look like a fool right then and there, made the earth underneath him heave, and throw the mage to the ground. Or he could make Sulajin collapse to the ground, his muscles not responding, with a bit of lightening. It wasn't about who was more powerful though, it was about which path she would choose, it was up to her. As early in her training as she was, she could decide to take the path of a mage. Unlike Sulajin, he would not try to sway her in either direction with petty displays.

Instead, he kicked his raptor into motion, a fast walk. As he passed Khiskiva he leaned to the side in his saddle a little, and said in a half-whisper, quiet enough that Sulajin wouldn't be able to hear. "I wouldn't trust him as far as I can throw him... well actually that would be pretty far."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva chuckled at Zasien. He was obviously very kind and trustworthy, and a fellow shaman at that. Why was this Sulajin so interested in taking her from his tutilege? Perhaps it was more than just a friendly rivalry. Winking back at Zasien, she nodded in acknowledgement. She woudn't trust either one of them, until she found out which really would lead her down the right path.

But what was right, anyway?

[Sulajin]

Sulajin chuckled to himself. So Zasien wanted to play rough, huh? Take the high road... Well Sulajin had no such compulsions.

"Well, Shamans can't handle de kind of powa I use. De have some strength wit de spirits, but dey be too focused on de physical. Look at dat hamma on Zasien's back. Choo t'ink I need ta go around provin how strong I be wit' a hamma? No mon... true strengt' lies inside. An' I can teach choo how ta wield it mo' effectively den dat lump of metal."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva chuckled at Sulajin.

"Choo be fo'gettin' dat ah'm a shaman, too. De spirits talk ta me, an' it ain' no small matta ta igno' dem. Ah mebbe not as strong as Zasien, but ah carry a hamma too."

She looked Sulajin up and down, her eyes gaugeing his body as she went.

"Besies.. a lidda muscle dwon' hurt nobody. A lotta muscle.. do a lotta hurtin'. An' what betta den a lotta hurtin', hah?"

[Sulajin]

Sulajin rolls a line of fire around in his palm. It stretches out to a long serpentine shape and begins to slither across his torso.

"Muscle be great mon, don' doubt dat. An' hammas be good if choo like ta swing such heavy t'ings around. Me? I can kill choo wit'out choo gettin near me."

The firey serpent pulls out and away from his body, looming up over Khis and hissing. A large pair of obsidian fangs forming in the blazing maw.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva rose her hand to meet the serpent, fire emenating from the palm of her hand. She pet it gently, as if it were a pet. Or maybe something else..

She smiled at Sulajin. "Ah lahk heaby tings, akchooalee. Choo meh trah ta keel meh wit' dis tings, but ah can bet dat da moment ah get close enough, ah could do mo' damage den ya'd lahk."

[Zasein]

Zasien shot over his shoulder, "Thats a pack of lies, Sulajin, and you know it. I won't deny that your skill in spells may be greater than mine, but you lack versatility. You are no stronger than a warrior of your skill. Without them in the fray, you'd die in an instant." as he road off, pushing his heels firmly against the raptors flank to get it running.

He decided to go do some things, like visit the bank, check his mailbox for information on sold actions, resupply his potions. He directed the raptor toward the drag, giving Khiskiva a wave. As soon as he was out of sight, he let his hand wander up to touch his cheek, the spot where she had kissed him. He hadn't been kissed in a long time. In truth, he'd only been kissed by two women, other than his mother. Ever since he had become a shaman, he'd been so focused on his training, his role, his connection to the elements. He almost forgot what it felt like, to have someone else's lips against his cheek, to feel the heat from their face.

For a moment he let himself think how wrong he had been, that he had been so focused on his profession that he forgot to live life. Then he decided that life could wait, there was so many things to be done. So many battles to fight. But for how long?

[Sulajin]

Sulajin chuckles. This was a fun little troll he'd stumbled across. A lot of the lost and confused got exceedingly frightened of a large fire snake. This one just grinned and rose to meet it. How very interesting.

"Choo may be right mon. I only be sayin dat dere be odda ways ta get de Juju workin den Zasien's peace an' reflection method. Choo don' look much like de kind dat be willin ta jus' sit an' meditate fo' hours. Not when choo can be off havin a good time. If choo be interested in my way, let me know. Okay mon?"

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva shrugged. "Der's alotta tings ah can do. Meditetin' meh not sound lahk fun to choo, baht ah can bet dat it'd help ya ta work on chu juju, neh?"

She grined, the snake's obisian fangs reflecting her face. The trolless straightened her hair, looking into it's mouth for a mirrored image of herself. It didn't take long for her to look more like her old self; an angry hot-mouthed desert troll. Khiskiva patted the snake on the head, and winked on Sulajin.

"Notta bad ting, dis.. but ya gotsdi head all wrang. Lookit de teef. Ta tiny.. de beh much bigga, onna rell snek. Mebbe ya should do summar resach, hah?"

[Sulajin]

She had spirit. That was good. Sulajin liked those with spirit. The ones who knew how to assert themselves without being disrespectful. So confident, checking her reflection in the obsidian. Very nice. How easy it would have been to just slame the jaws shut over her face. Even if it didn't kill her there would be some serious scaring.

Instead the serpent rolled in on itself, curling up and snuffing out until only a single fang lay cooling on the ground between them. Sulajin grinned as it sprouted a pair of tiny legs to crawl up to her shoulder, and down her arm where it lengthened into an oroborus wrapping around her bicep.

"I like choo, mon. Fierce, not like all de otha weak Trolls. De Tauren softened de Darkspear... notchoo though. Gonna have ta get ta know choo. If ya want ta get a hold of me, jus use dat t'ing on choo shoulder. It'll know how ta get to me."

Sulajin released his mounts reins, allowing it to spring forward through the city and out into the sun baked plains of Durotar.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva watched Sulajin ride off with a smile. His words were complimentary, but at the moment he seemed like a heretic fire-wielding magician. She remembered his words, and admired the obsidian piece on her arm.

De Tauren softened de Darkspear... notchoo though. Gonna have ta get ta know choo.

She chuckled, and walked towards the shaman trainers. "Ah, mon.. ah ain't nwo Dahkspea."

[Zasein]

Zasien let his mind linger on the kiss a little longer. It was just a gesture of gratitude with no real meaning, but it awakened so many feelings in him. Feelings that he'd stowed in the back of his mind for so long. He pushed his earlier musings back there, taking his hand away from his cheek, and putting it back on the raptor's reigns. He'd let them out a bit recently, when he was around a troll named Jezaya, and flirted with her a little. He'd only let himself feel two emotions in five years: Loss and Anger. Thats what he was afraid of earlier, he decided, when he first met Khiskiva, those emotions escaping, letting himself lose control.

Shortly later, he'd completed his errands, and the sand fury troll was the last thing on his mind. How surprised he was when he saw her flaming red hair as he road through the Valley of Wisdom.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva stood in the Valley of Wisdom, placing totems before her. They ginited, pulsated, or simply stood stationary. They were -her- totems, however, so they didn't exactly look like the every-day totems of one trained by the Horde. Rather, they looked as if they'd been carved from stone. Some were statues, of animals, or animals merged with a troll. A large scarab's wings twitched as Khiskiva summoned him to use as a wind totem.

She stood back, hands on her hips and pleased with her work. These would be good choices, she thought. The sound of raptor footsteps approaching made her turn to face the direction they came from.

[Zasein]

Normally, Zasien would have just given her a quick hello and been on his way, but the totems caught his eye. Instead, he pulled on the reigns to halt the raptor. He'd never seen totems quite like hers. Every shaman carved them different, and hers were more different than most.

"Hello again, Khiskiva." He said in greeting, leaning out of the saddle a little to inspect the totem's animal forms.

[Vilmah]

"Ey der, Zasien," she said in her grating desert dialect. "Whachoo dween back'ere?"

Khiskiva noted that he was inspecting her totems. She smiled proudly.

"D'ya lahk 'em? Dey ent ezactly what most o' di Harde dwo wit der totems, but ah tought dat dey was a betta representation o' me. Whachoo 'tink?"

[Zasein]

"Just passing through, on my way to the battle masters..." He explained, dismounting, giving the raptor a pat on the neck to tell it to stay put.

"They're very unique, just like you..." He said, reaching toward the earth totem. "May I?" He asked.

[Vilmah]

She nodded, shrugging.

"Go'head."

The earth totem was shaped like a male troll, with the head of a basalisk. He stood with his arms at his sides, looking firece. It was carved from black stone, key places painted in gold.

[Zasein]

Zasien picked up the totem, the green manifestation of the earth spirits that was swirling around it dissipated. He handled it gently. Even though the stone wasn't fragile, the metal of his gauntlet was probably harder. He was also careful not to scrape away the golden paint on the details.

"Its well carved, though most shamans prefer wood to stone, less time consuming to make..." He said, rolling the statuette over, "... can't say I could have done better myself. They are more similar to you that the wooden variety, more rugged," He then added as an afterthought," ...and beautifully detailed."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva giggled, but it sounded more like a rough cackle. Putting a shy hand over her mouth, she waved her other hand dismissively.

"Aw now choo jaj bein' nace.. tanks, mon. Ah do trah. Ah used di stone cas der ent no trees wher ah com fram. We gots lots o' rock, an lenty o' sand, but nah trees."

Tucking a stray strand of red hair behind her ear, she looked at Zasien from the corner of her eye and asked, "Whachoo totems bi made of, ennywhe? Wood, righ'?"

[Zasein]

Zasien placed the totem on the ground once again, returning the flow of the spirits to it. "Hurm? Oh, yes, they're made of wood. I prefer the kind that comes from the trees in the barrens." He said, reaching into a bag on his belt, and withdrawing a carved wooden totem. He lifted it so that Khiskiva could see it.

It was a fire totem, and the wood was blackened from use. From the bottom, it would appear as simple as the wooden cylinder it was carved from. From the side, designs of flame could be seen, writhing and twisting, culminating in a split at the top where the wood curled to the sides, looking like horns made from fire. "This is the fire totem that I use the most, its designed to resemble the element I call with it. Makes it easier for me to focus the energy too..." He explained.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva looked at Zasien's fire totem with scrutinizing eyes. She cocked her head sideways as she examined it. "Look kana lahk da ones dat dem tauren an ohks beh usin', neh?"

She picked up her own fire totem; it was an obelisk, with a strange carved language on each of its four sides.

"Dis one beh mahn. Weh usta use dis tings ta tell tings from de sun, an de sun is fia, so dats what ah tought'd beh best."

[Zasein]

"A little, it also looks like the sort many orcs use, except for the horns..." He told her, returning his totem to the bag.

He looked over her totem, definitely not what most shamans used. "What were you trying to tell from the sun?" He asked.

[Vilmah]

She shrugged.

"Oh, plenty o' tings. What tahm it was inna dey, inna yea, tings lahk dat. Nuttin' too dangerous," she said while wiggling her eyebrows. "Lotto tings inna di Sandfureh cultcha dat not alotto mons trust inna di Harde. Whaddabouchoo? Choo dwon seem ta be hetin' on meh at all. Whea choo come from? Choo a Dahkspeah, ya?"

[Zasein]

"Yes, time of day, year, you use these as sundials? I've seen a few in my travels." He said, almost deciding not to answer the second question.

"I'm a Darkspear, yes. A little bit of forest troll far back in my line... maybe some Dire troll blood." He continued, having a slight bit of trouble understanding her rough Sandfury accent. What was that, hitting? Hating? But I don't think even a Sandfury would say "Hating on me." He wondered.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva giggled. Cackled, really.

"Ah lwove eet when a mon say he be part dar troll.. eef ah had a coppa far eberehtahm a mon sed dat, ah'd be richa den one o' dem goblin tings!" She waved her hand dismissively. "Dwon hafta trah ta impress meh none, boyo. Choo be a good lookin' ting alreddeh."

[Zasein]

He looked at her oddly, raising his eyebrows. It was true. His great great grandfather WAS a dire troll, the only question was if he himself was related to him. His great great grandmother wasn't know for her loyalty. It had nothing to do with impressing her. She had asked a question, and she got an honest answer. He was more muscular than a lot of other trolls, even as much as some warriors who had trained solely in combat. And not as agile, so he suspected dire troll relations...

She was infuriating, it seemed almost as though she presumed any male who saw her wanted to mate with her. He didn't bother defending himself, she wouldn't have listened. "I'd better get going. Good luck with your training." He said, moving toward his raptor.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva smiled and waved, seemingly unaware that she'd somehow insulted him.

"Choo beh caefool at der, Zasien. Mebbe weh could go gettadrink tagedda, one o' dese tahms when choo not biseh?"

[Zasein]

Okay, it was definitely as though she presumed any male troll who saw her wanted to have sex with her. He surprised himself by saying, "Maybe." as he mounted.

Why the hell did I say that? He asked himself as he road into the drag. He'd always had amazing self-control. This was the first time in a while that he said something that wasn't exactly what he meant to say. What would be so wrong with getting a drink with her? He asked himself. Nothing. Maybe he would.

[Vilmah]

She watched him ride away, and surprised herself by not looking away once he was out of sight. He was quite the looker, for a Darkspear. Khiskiva wondered if he already had some partners.

Of course he does! She thought to herself. Someone that highly ranked isn't about to go to bed alone, after all. I'll have to meet them, maybe they'd be willing to share? Hah, like it matters if they're willing..

Getting back to work, she started on a new totem. This one was made of jade, and she chipped away at the surface slowly, smiling complacently as it became something recognizable.

[Zasein]

Zasien let the raptor carry him to the battle masters, dismounting in front of the building. He made his way inside, grabbing his Skyfury helm from his saddlebag and putting it on his head. It fit comfortably, just enough room for his long Mohawk, and molded to his forehead perfectly. He signed up for Arathi basin absentmindedly, thinking about what had happened on his last date.

"Your so uptight," she said, shoving a drink across the table toward me.

"Ah am not uptight, its jus dat I don' want to go ta Merad tomorrow wit' a hangova." I retorted, taking the drink from her green skinned hand anyway.

"You should have been a mage, they aren't so uptight about these things." She said, taking a sip from her tankard. "Or at least we warlocks aren't." She continued, smiling, her pretty orc face taking on a carefree look.

I was reminded painfully of how she had chosen to become a warlock, despite my distrust of the magics they practiced. I loved her anyway, it didn't really matter to me if she was a warlock or a shaman. "Ah wouldn' be so sure 'bout dat. Dey say dat castin' some spells wrong could kill joo." I said, looking into her brown eyes as I took a mouthful of the rum in my cup.

She laughed, saying. "But thats why you don't cast complicated spells when your drunk, silly."

That was five years ago.

He was torn from his musings when he felt the tug of a warlocks summon. He let them pull him through the Nether to the basin. The battle was raging outside the Defilers den, and he entered the fray, cutting down the alliance with blows from his hammer and the force of his spells. During periods of respite, he would think about what had happened.

It was on that date that the Burning Blade insignia had slipped from the pocket of her robes. She had begged him not to tell someone, that it was a mission her master had given her. He told her to come with him to the old orc shaman that was training him, Merad, in the morning. He trusted that his master would know what to do.

A stalemate was soon reached, and he was called off the front to rest. The warlocks returned him to Orgrimmar. By now the evening was late, and he had no other duties. He decided to seek out Khiskiva. A few moments later he found himself in the Valley of Wisdom, a red haired troll who he though was Khiskiva just around the corner, fear biting at his thoughts. Here he was, afraid of talking to a girl who had asked him for a date. He'd fought the trolls of Zul'gurub, the Elementals of Molten Core, and too many alliance to count. She's not her. He decided, she is just another shaman. and stepped forth, the fear gone.

[Vilmah]

She sat in front of the fire, in the Valley of Wisdom. The flames danced in her eyes. She heard footsteps, and turned to see Zasien. Khiskiva smiled genuinely.

"Allo der, handsome," she said with a wink.

((And I'll be back on Sunday night!))

[Vilmah]

She sat in front of the fire, in the Valley of Wisdom. The flames danced in her eyes. She heard footsteps, and turned to see Zasien. Khiskiva smiled genuinely.

"Allo der, handsome," she said with a wink.

((And I'll be back on Sunday night!))

[Zasein]

It was her, good. "How about that drink." He said, winking, and returning her smile. He called his raptor with a sharp whistle.

When it arrived he mounted, then offered his hand to help Khiskiva on. There was just enough room in the saddle for two trolls.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva lept behind Zasien, and put her hands on his hips to keep from sliding off. She'd honestly never ridden a raptor before, but she didn't want to let him know. Holding on tightly, the Sandfury smiled.

I think he likes me.. She thought.

[Zasein]

Seeing that she was firmly seated, he coaxed the raptor into a lighter trot, rather than going at normal running speed. She might have ridden one of the slower raptors before, but definitely not a war raptor. He felt the pressure of her hands through his mail armor. I probably should have taken that off. He thought, rounding a bend.

Soon they were in front of the Orgrimmar inn. He pulled away from her grip, and dismounted. Once he was down, he offered her his hand to help her off.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva took Zasien's hand, and slid off of his raptor. She landed with a thud on the ground, and smiled at the raptor.

"Dassa nahce rahd ya got der, Zasien," she said sincerely. "So whachoo hab? Ah'll getcha, fo' 'elpin' meh wit' mah totems."

[Zasein]

He listened to her words, rolling them through his thoughts. He made out the first and third sentence clearly enough, but it didn't make any sense. "Excuse me, I didn't quite understand that last bit." He said, leading her inside. He took one of the tables, squatting down because of the absence of chairs, and motioning for her to sit. He ordered a few lighter drinks from the barkeeper.

((No, seriously, my translation goes thus: Thats a nice ride you've got there Zasien. So what you have? I'll get you, for helping me with my totems.))

[Vilmah]

((lol you got it right..))

Khiskiva stifled another cackle, and sat down. "Jus' askin' whatcha be drinkin', mon. Guess dat don' matta now, ne?" She shook her head. "Is me Sandfureh dahlect ta hard ta undastan? Ah betta wok onnit, 'fo somebodeh 'ears meh da wron weh."

[Zasein]

((Humph, so she was saying I'll buy you your drink? Meh.))

"It can be a little hard at times, although largely completely understandible but I'm a troll, for an orc, it might be very difficult." He explained, then said in the troll language, which she would probably have a sort of accent in too, but hopefully not a severe, "How about we just talk in troll."

He sipped the drink in the mug that the bartender brought him from the more interior parts of the inn that were hollowed out into the cliff side. The tender plunked a standard beer down in front of Khiskiva too. He actually was glad that they were speaking in troll, the inn was full of drunk and or drinking orcs, and he would prefer that they didn't intrude. "I hope you don't mind, I just ordered you a beer."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva grinned and shook her head, speaking in Troll. "I don't mind at all, in fact I greatly appreciate your taste. Grain alcohol is a favorite of mine, of which I've yet to sample in these parts."

She picked up the stein, and sipped from it demurely; like a lady in high society, with really big hands and tusks.

"It isn't terrible! I must say, I am surprised."

[Zasein]

He nodded, smiling, and taking another sip from his stein. To tell the truth, he didn't have much taste in the variety of alcohol, he tended to stay away from the stronger sorts like Darkmoon Reserve, and when he did drink he didn't drink a lot. He hadn't been drunk in a long time now. He hated losing control.

"I know your from the Sandfury tribe, and you were exiled, but what have you been up to since then?" He asked, hoping he wouldn't remind her of any bad memories.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva shrugged.

"Oh, I've been doing some soul-searching. Trying to find my way within the Horde. What shall I do with myself, I wonder?" She shook her head. "Honestly, I've no idea. I don't know my purpose. All I can do is listen to the spirits, and perhaps try to remove this restlessness."

Taking another sip from her drink, the trolless ran a hand over her hair and smoothed out the frizzy stray hairs from her thick braid.

"And you, master Zasien? What is your purpose?"

[Zasein]

He looked at the beer in his cup for a moment, looking at his faint reflection on the surface of the liquid in thought. "I guess I want peace with the alliance, but I'll kill them without mercy if I have to, or if they harm other members of the horde needlessly. I did also do some work on finding a cure for undeath with the other shamans of the earthen ring. I suppose I just try to be the best shaman I can, to help those who need it, to fight the battles that need to be fought."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva cocked her head to one side. "I sense some melancholy within you."

She leaned back in her seat and kicked one leg over the other.

"Is there something leaving you unfulfilled, perhaps?"

[Zasein]

He didn't know what to say to that. He did feel as though there was something missing, ever since he'd begun ignoring his feelings for women. They made him lose control. He hated losing control. Now he was beginning to feel like something was missing in his life. It couldn't be all battles, all fighting, all meditating. He did take time to speak to friends. He frequented the Rest Inn Peace, though there was more conflict there than he would have liked. He'd even been spending more time with a beautiful troll he knew, Jezaya, though that was mostly on the battlegrounds. He wanted to be closer to someone than that.

But he said instead: "Unfulfilled, not really, I don't think. I suppose it depends on what you mean..."

[Vilmah]

She shrugged, and looked at him skeptically. He looked like he was trying not to let her know what he was thinking. "..what do you think I meant?"

[Zasein]

"Well... I don't know. Thats why I asked." He explained, noticing her skeptical look. He looked up at her face, she wasn't the prettiest of trolls, but she wasn't ugly either. He could imagine her features being made by the wind, swept from sand into their shape. Her eyes were nice, mirroring her red hair. "But I suppose I might be missing something..." And there, he spoke his thoughts, rather than what he meant to say. He pushed his feelings to the back of his mind again.

[Vilmah]

"Oh?"

Khiskiva absentmindedly ran a fingertip allong one of her tusks. One could note that they were clean, and free of imperfections, however lined with fractures that had healed themselves. She thought about how he was talking. He definately wasn't like the other trolls she'd met.. he didn't seem to want to indimidate her, nor did he proposition her. Wait. Was there something wrong with her? Did he find her unattractive??

"..what do you think you're missing, then? Do you have any hobbies?"

She froze. Hobbies??

[Zasein]

"I do alchemy... I suppose thats a sort of hobby." He said, his eyes following his finger to her tusk. They were nicely curved, pretty despite the signs of fractures. He took another sip from his stein, his mind becoming a little more cloudy. "They're nice, your tusks." He said, a bungled compliment.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva's finger twitched. Was that a compliment? From a male??

"Oh.. thank you?"

She looked at him strangely. What was he getting at? This was gettin more and more confusing. He was young, well muscled, bigger than average, and highly ranked. Why compliment her?

"..yours are lovely, too. Such large curves about them," she said, admiring his long tusks. They weren't as beat as hers, she noticed, but that was the sign of a good fighter. One who didn't take as much damage than usual. Her gaze settled in their ivory color.

[Zasein]

Zasien noticed her confusion. He smiled at her compliment, and thanked her, trying to figure out why he couldn't just relax, and what she was confused about. He'd taken her to get a drink, hadn't he, why was she surprised that he complimented her? Now he was confused too.

He felt tense, and self conscious. He kept himself well groomed, but he never really worried about how good he looked. He'd been flirted with before, most of the time he ignored it though. He decided that it might help if he took of his armor. His helmet was already in his pack, but the armor on his shoulders was beginning to chafe. He unstrapped them, laying his small pack on the floor, and setting them on top of it, revealing the sleeves of a casual red shirt, tight against his strong shoulders.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva gave a shudder, to which she responded with a pinch on her knee. She'd seen plenty of men without their armor, Zasien was no different. Except.. he was polite. And kind. And didn't seem to want to rip off her clothes and rape every one of her orifices. Interesting..

"Well, as long as you're doing it," she said with a smirk, taking off her shoulder pieces and leather cloves, but keeping the chest piece she wore. There was nothing underneath.

[Zasein]

As Zasien set his gauntlets by his shoulder armor, and removed his heavy hammer from his back, leaning it against the table, he was reminded of the fact that she was wearing nothing underneath her leather chest peice, and what it looked like underneath. He felt himself flush slightly. He turned back to her, hoping she didn't notice.

"So, would you like something to eat?" He asked.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva caught Zasien's skin turn a darker color. She wondered why he would do that. Maybe he was hot? She raised a hand to the bartender and said with a smile,

"Nodda bea fo' dis mon 'ere, ne?"

Another drink was slammed in front of Zasien before he had a chance to object, and Khiskiva finished hers. She then looked up at him and shrugged, once again speaking in troll.

"I could eat. What about you?"

[Zasein]

"I could eat a bit too... do you like fish? I'll see if I can get that, but usually they serve boar." He said, looking at the second stein. He'd emptied the first one almost without realizing it. He decided not to start on it yet, as he motioned the bartender over.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva laughed. "Fish? Neva had it.. ah'm from di dessat, rememba? Only tings we eat is basalisk an bug.. mebbe some birds swomtahms. Whateva ya get, ah'll trah."

[Zasein]

"Oh, right." He said, then turned to the bartender, and said in orcish. "Could you get us two orders of trout?"

The bartender nodded before heading into the back room, and coming out with two plates with fried fillets of fish on them, sprinkled thinly with spices. He set a plate in front of each of them, and returned to the bar.

"Have a taste." He requested, in troll again.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva looked at the fish skeptically. She'd seen people eat with forks before, but hadn't mastered the art. Timidly poking at the fork with one of her hands, she frowned to herself and grabbed it like a stabbing utensil. Then, she cautiously dug into the fish, looking for something red.

"..is ahl whate," she said, confusion etched into her face. "Is dis meat 'ere?"

[Zasein]

Zasien stifled a laugh, saying, "Fish have white meat, just give it a try."

He took his fork and some off meat from his piece, then ate it, watching for her reaction when she tried some.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva shrugged, and put a forkful in her mouth. She chewed slowly, her eyes looking about as she tried to decipher what exactly she was supposed to be tasting. Finally, she swallowed.

"..no verre bloodeh, neh?" She said. Her face was neither pleased nor displeased.

[Zasein]

"I suppose not." Zasien said, eating another piece of his fish.

It looked to him like she didn't like it very much, but didn't necessarily dislike it either. He decided to wait and see if she would take another piece, or continue the conversation. Or maybe talk with her mouth full... not that he minded really, just so long as she was understandable.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva took another piece of fish, and ate it. She decided that it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't very "fun" tasting either. No blood.. no chewy tendons.. but not terrible. She smiled at Zasien after swallowing.

"Dwono 'ow choo can git usta tings lahk dis.. wit' nah blood. Is no bad, relleh, but di fun is inni di kill, an dwon look lahk dis tings'd put up much o'a faght."

[Zasein]

"Probably not. Fishing is mostly sitting around waiting for the fish to bite. I suppose I just don't find killing fun. We eat other things because that is the way we are. Not because, here in Orgrimmar, we need to. There are many plants to eat here." Zasien told her, hoping that he didn't offend her. In her desert home, she probably had to scrape a living out of the land around her, often going hungry.

[Vilmah]

She nodded understandingly.

"Dwon fahn killin' fun, neh? Choo verreh differen' troll, Zasien," Khiskiva mused, putting her chin in the palm of her hand, elbow resting on the table.

[Zasein]

He shrugged, taking a mouthful of the beer, and swallowing. He was beginning to notice a slight loss in co-ordination, along with a slightly unresponsive brain. "Yes, I suppose I'm different. Sometimes I feel like more of a shaman than a troll."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva giggled. "Ye'are bot, ya silly ting! 'sides, choo look lahk a fahn troll ta meh."

[Zasein]

He laughed, "Do I really?" He found himself saying.

"You look nice too." He said, can't have all the compliments going one way.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva grinned. "Tanks! Ah didn' tink ya tought swo," she said before taking another sip from her drink. It was still a quarter full, and she wasn't feeling any ill effects yet. She shrugged it off as a difference in alcohol between her home and this place.

[Zasein]

((I'm thinking orcs would be the sort to serve 24 oz beers... :D))

Zasien ate another piece of fish, then washed it down with a bit more beer. He knew he was getting drunk, but he didn't really care anymore. It didn't matter. She isn't her. He could lose a bit of control.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva watched as Zasien became increasingly inebriated. Unfortunately, he wasn't exactly looking like the happy type.

"Ey Zasien," she said, feeling a bit light headed. "Choo gotta coupl'a girls fo' yoself der?"

[Zasein]

"What?" He asked, surprised. Did she say 'You've got a couple girls for yourself there?' yes, thats what she said. What was that supposed to mean. Did she expect him to be spending many evenings drinking with women. "What do you mean?"

[Vilmah]

"Uhm.." She tried to formulate her question in a different way. "Ah means, 'ow many girls choo take ta bed? Two o' tree? Ah'd be saprahsed iffit was less dan dat."

[Zasein]

He stared at her hard, making sure he had heard her right. 'How many girls to do you take to bed, two or three?' Yes, he had heard right.

It was such a completely ridiculous idea that he said, confused, "Girls, to bed?..."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva laughed. Was he kidding? He had to be.. ... Wasn't he??

"Well, choo a big an strong lookin' ting, wit' hagh rankin' an' powaful shaman juju. Ah figahd ya'd have at least a few regula pahtnas, mebbe a girlfriend a two."

[Zasein]

Now it what she said made a little more sense, but still a ridiculous idea. Regular partners? It was almost as though he had stepped into another world.

"Umm... no." He said.

[Vilmah]

Her smile faltered. No? He had to have been kidding. ... Was there something wrong with him? Perhaps there was somesort of physical problem. She thought it best not to pry. He might have been very offended.

"Oh, sorreh," she said quickly. "Ah din' mean ta bring ap anytin'.. uncomfo'table. Less jus' drink, ya?"

She signalled the bartender over, and got another beer for herself. Then, she finished her first one, and tried to forget about her mistake.

[Zasein]

Zasien noticed her confusion and decided that it wouldn't hurt to enlighten her. "Its not really uncomfortable, I am perhaps a little flattered that you would think that I would have, 'partners'... but I just don't really think about that sort of thing. I suppose I've just been trying to cover up bad memories. And not being very successful." He explained.

This was turning out to be a very interesting evening.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva shook her head, to knock some sense back into herself.

"Dwon.. tink about it? Huh."

She giggled and leaned her elbows lower to the table.

"Dats new. Sorreh ya ain't been successfoo. If it mehk ya feel betta, di mon dat ah tought ah was in loves wit usta raise zombies an 'ave 'is fun wit' dem." She shuddered. "Eh.. not too nahce, if ya ask meh."

[Zasein]

He didn't mean that he hadn't been successful getting girlfriends, more that he hadn't been successful covering up old memories. But both were true enough, though he hadn't been pursuing anyone at all.

"Not very nice at all... why did you think you were in love with him?" He said, curious.

[Vilmah]

She shrugged.

"Well, 'e was smarht. Anni di bes pries' we eva know en Zul'Farrak. 'e 'elp meh out swomeahms, tah," she said before taking another sip, and continued. "Eh was di wan dat tol meh ah was 'alf Dahkspea. ... Afta 'e raise an rape mi mama's capse."

[Zasein]

Zasien shuddered slightly at the idea of it. Sometimes people could become no more than lusting animals.

"I'm sorry, for bringing up such a memory." He said truthfully, drinking a little more of his beer. "I guess I haven't had much better success with my love life. The only person I've ever truly been in love with turned out to be part of the burning blade."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva's eyebrows rose. "Burnin' bled? Ah kno 'bout dem.. ah rememba Trall tellin' meh bout dem back when ah was jus' gettin' hea. Dats swom sahd news, mon."

Sad news? It was odd. Apparently in the Horde, men actually valued a loving relationship above lust. Strange. Interesting. She never considered the possibility of a man returning love, before.

"Well, dwon worreh 'bout it. Cha hea wit' Khis! We drinkin' an 'avin' a good tahm, righ?"

[Zasein]

"Yeah, I suppose we are." He said, drinking some more of his beer, smiling. What happened five years ago didn't matter now.

"Lets talk about more cheerful things."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva leaned foreward and smiled.

"Ghud adea! Whachoo wanna talk abou'? Ah'm all eeyas."

[Zasein]

"Umm... well... I dunno." He said, finding his face only a about a foot and a half away from hers as he leaned his head on his hands and his elbows on the table. For a moment, he had the urge to kiss her, which he suppressed quickly, despite being a little lightheaded.

[Vilmah]

She wasn't feeling herself. Maybe orc drinks weren't so light, after all.. "Dey so what... dwon got no cracks o' nuttin'," she said quietly, taking a finger and running it down one of Zasien's tusks.

[Zasein]

Zasien grinned, "That comes from asking the spirits to heal them when they get cracked. It seems they've been kind." As he said it, he moved his hand near her face, a bit of green light at his fingertips, and touched her tusks lightly. A few of the fractures faded.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva felt the familliar rush of the spirit healing power she used before, this time concentrated on her mouth. She used her tongue to stroke one, and smiled delightedly at Zasien.

"Dat's pefect mon!"

[Zasein]

"Your welcome."

Zasien returned his hand to the table, reaching for his stein again, only about a quarter full now. He'd finished his fish, and the empty plate was pushed to the side. Now he was looking into her eyes again, not knowing what else to say. Maybe it was the beer doing his thinking, but they were some of the nicest eyes he'd ever seen, their fiery color entranced him.

[Vilmah]

If she'd been sober, Khiskiva might have been slightly weirded out by Zasien's gazing. However, in her inebriated state, she found it charming. She also found him physically irrisistable. Without thinking, she reached over with one of her hands and ran a finger through his mohawk.

"Choo hair lahk.. kanda lahk.. tomatoes.." She said.

[Zasein]

Zasien felt her finger pass through his hair. If he wasn't somewhat intoxicated, he probably would have pulled away. Instead, the urge to kiss her was coming back. Almost without thinking, he said, "Your eyes are beautiful, Khis." and leaned a little bit farther forward.

[Vilmah]

"Ah dey?" She asked dreamilly. Her fingers wandered down to Zasien's mouth, where they traced his lips. Khiskiv noticed that he was gettig closer, but she didn't move back. She leaned in foreward, her hair falling from her back to over her shoulders.

[Zasein]

Zasien didn't answer, instead he reached up to her face with his hand, brushing against her cheek before settling on the back of her neck. He pulled her forward a little as he leaned in, tilting his head so that they didn't jab each other with their tusks. They were now barely inches apart. Giving in to his desires, he kissed her, touching his lips to hers passionately.

[Vilmah]

If this had been any other time, she probably would have grabbed the intruding male by his hair and dragged him to an empty bedroom. Or to the floor. Zasien, however, didn't seem like the type to enjoy typical Sandfury coupling traditions. Khiskiva instead put a hand to the back of Zasien's head, her fingers becoming entwined in his long stiff mohawk as she returned his kiss as gently as she could.

[Zasein]

Zasien pulled back, startled, when he heard an orc at the table beside them yell. "Ey! Why donsh you two twolls getsh a room!"

The innkeeper, leaping at the opportunity to make some money, was at their table a moment later, holding up a key and saying, "Fifty silver for the night, I'll keep an eye on you things if you'd like."

Zasien mumbled out, "Maybe..." against his better judgment.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva raised an eyebrow at Zasien. Maybe he was more ambitious than it seemed. She smiled and patted his cheek with her palm.

"Whateva choo lahk, mon. Ah'm all yo's if ya wantsit."

[Zasein]

Zasien knew that he wanted her. So many feelings that had lay dormant for many years were reawoken with the kiss, and now they ached with desire for her. It doesn't matter. He decided. He could give into his want. 'Ah'm all yo's if ya wantsit.'

He nodded, saying, "Alright."

The innkeeper handed him the key, and Zasien gave the silver he owed. "Shall we." He said to Khiskiva, grinning wickedly.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva stifled a giggle and grabbed Zasien's hand. She practically dragged him upstairs.

[Zasein]

Zasien smiled, letting himself be pulled up the stairs and into the room. It gave him an uncanny reminder of that night five years ago.

She had taken him upstairs, into a room, then bid him goodnight. A few minutes later, she had appeared beside him in bed, naked. He shook off the feeling, reminding himself that Khiskiva was another shaman, it didn't matter, he could lose control for a night.

He wondered how trolls did things for a moment. She'd show him.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva closed the door to their room, and it didn't take long for her to push Zasien fiercly on to the bed, causing it to creak and moan from the weight. She immidiately dove on to him, and worked through his clothes until she had enough material to work with. Then, using her mouth, hands, and to a lesser degree, her throat, go to work she did.

[Zasein]

Zasien threw aside what remained of his armor, his boots. Khiskiva had already taken off his chest piece and greaves. He felt his breathing quicken as he felt her mouth against him, she was moving it along awfully fast. She hadn't even taken off her clothes. He managed to untie her chest piece before there was no room to do it.

This was when he had pushed her aside, realizing what she wanted. The warlock had just wanted her insignia back, so their would be no evidence against her. He'd put it around his neck to keep it safe. She had moved too soon, before she had lost him in pleasure, and he felt her hands loosen the chain that held it. But Khiskiva wasn't her, so he let his desires take him, wherever they wanted to go.

[Vilmah]

Seeing how cooperative he was being, Khiskiva removed the rest of her clothes quicker than she'd ever managed to do it before. The alcohol was beginning to make her sightly forgetful in nature, and as soon as she'd removed everything, she forgot why she wanted to in the first place.

Then she saw Zasien's large muscular troll physique, primed and ready.

Khiskiva gave herself to him. Downstairs, the sound of loud banging of the wooden bed's legs against the floor could be heard.

[Zasein]

((Zasien's being a bad twoll!))

It was over all to quickly. It was wonderful though, and he didn't know what to think. That was the first time he'd ever felt it. Now he was just lying in bed with her, waiting for sleep to take him. It was exhausting, and soon his eyes closed.

[Vilmah]

((lol.. just you wait.))

Khiskiva was a bit surprised as to how quickly it ended. She'd enjoyed herself.. but the men she knew would have kept her up all night. Fortunately, she didn't mind. Drinking had taken it's toll, and she found herself rather groggy after their coupling. Falling asleep beside him, she wondered for a moment if he'd mind her staying by him for the night. She shook the thought away. Even if he did, she wasn't one to take orders from any man.

She gave Zasien an affectionate peck on the forehead before falling asleep.

[Zasein]

Zasien cracked his eyes open. He could see dawns light through the window. His head throbbed, like he had been drinking last night. The bed was oddly warm, almost as though there was someone in it with him. He rolled over, his eyes opening wide in shock when he realized he was face to face with a female troll, and naked to boot. The events of last night washed over him, I did NOT sleep with this woman. he tried to tell himself, but the evidence was far to incriminating.

You see, stupid, that is why you try not to get drunk. He told himself.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva yawned at the feeling of movement. She smiled at Zasien and tickled his chin with a fingertip, her other hand stroking his naked thigh while purring,

"Mo'nin', hansahm."

[Zasein]

Her hand... was on his thigh. Zasien rolled onto his back rapidly, trying to speak, but no words came. He wanted to blame her for seducing him, but he knew what he had done was his choice. But why? He wondered. Why did I choose this? It wasn't solely because he had been drinking, though that had helped.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva frowned and stood.

"Alrigh alrigh, ah'll gwo," she said, getting out of bed and wandering about the room to look for her clothes. "Choo men swo moody."

[Zasein]

It wasn't what he had asked for, but it was a welcome relief. He let her go, lost in his thoughts. Last night was just lust and desire, it wasn't what he really wanted, merely a shadow of the past.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva was angry. She was usually angry.. but she was angry more than usual. Zasien wasn't different, he was just like all of the other men from Zul'Farrak. Why did that matter? It probably didn't. Maybe it was just the principal of the thing. Slamming a hand on the door to the room they'd shared, she ignited the wood before turning and walking away. She stormed out of the tavern and down to the Valley of Honor. She kicked a cat on the way, and sent it sailing into one of the Orgrimmar grunts' face.

"Stwooped mehl," she grumbled.

[Zasein]

((Aww, poor Khiskiva.))

He noticed the burning wood as he got up and dressed, extinguishing it with a bit of frost. What had he done to make her angry, he'd given her what she wanted, hadn't he? Maybe she expected more. He felt angry too, angry at himself. He'd done something because he wanted something he didn't have. He wanted it to be her, the orc he had known five years ago. Tears leaped unbidden to his eyes. His shirt and pants on, he slumped back onto the bed, why did she have to leave.

Why was he dwelling on it? Why couldn't he just put it behind him, like the rest of the past. Maybe because you never did get over it, maybe you just tried to forget, to forget what love was like. He asked himself, and he knew it was the truth. He got back up and started putting on his armor, retrieving the bits that he had left downstairs from the innkeeper.

He would live life again.

Zasien left the inn, his eyes dry. He knew he could love again.

[Sulajin]

Sulajin sprinted through the city of Orgrimmar again. His raptor lashing out at any who got in their way.

"Who would have t'ought dat dose... bear mons... would be droppin so much cloth? Dey don' exactly wear a lot, so why do dey keep it on dem? An' de otha bear mons want ta see dem dead, so I guess I be gettin in good wit' dem. Which is nice, a few friends be a wondaful t'ing ta have. An' now I get to go practice my sewin! Been too long since I did anyt'in like dat..."

The raptor didn't care. He was happy to be running again.

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva continued walking, her rage apparent by the fact that her hands were on fire. A raptor ran past her, and at the same time she waved a hand to get a fly out of her face. The fire from her hand lept away, igniting the cloth in Sulajin's posession.

[Sulajin]

Still no matter how silly the Furbolg got it all worked as a profi- Fire? This was not normal. When was the last time that something had burned that he hadn't been the cause of? In his presence anyways... but more importantly his cloth was burning!

The raptor slides to a stop, darting back to hiss in Khis' face. Sulajin leans over it's snout angrily.

"Ello mon. I see choo t'ink I don' need any cloth taday... any particula reason?"

But despite his angry words, and the hissing raptor sending flicks of spit in Khis' direction, Sulajin was grinning.

He liked this one.

[Vilmah]

"Oh!" Khiskiva saw the blaze, and pulled out her water totem. The crocolisk-headed jade troll's eyes glowed as she used him to douse the flames.

"Sorreh 'bout dat, mon. 'avin' a bad marnin'."

She smirked at the raptor, and wiped away his drool with a finger.

[Sulajin]

Sulajin made an odd face as she wiped away the drool, then scowled and smacked his raptor on the nose.

"Don' get de lady wet, mon."

It hisses back at him and waits with bairly concealed imaptience as Sulajin turns back to more socializing.

"A bad day allready? Wha' be de problem wit' it? Here, we walk an' talk. Time be precious."

Oh wonderful thought the raptor, A nice leasurely stroll...

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva walked beside Sulajin.

"Choo kno, dat Zasien mon meh lwook lahk a differn' troll, but ah jus' slep wit' 'em, an 'e give mi a look lahk ah did somptin' wran! Swo ah set fia ta 'is dar and left. Hmph," She frowned, and folded her arms over her chest and muttered. "Ah 'tink 'e just angreh 'cuz 'e wen't swo fast..."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin burst out laughing in that wicked Trollish way.

"Of course choo gonna get a poor reaction from Zasien! He don' undastand how ta deal wit' women. Jus' de spirits an' fight. An' he went too fast? Dat's perfect! I gonna have fun wit' dis bit of knowledge..."

[Vilmah]

She shrugged. "Ah'm saprahsed 'e did as well 'as 'e did! 'e was drinkin' wit' meh, an' wasn' real respansev.." Khiskiva thought for a moment. "Not dat t'wasn't good.. relleh good. Relleh relleh good. Twoo bad 'e's swo moodeh.. or ah'd try again."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin chuckles.

"Lots a mons do plenty well, dat don' necessarily be de issue. A lot of times it be how long choo can do it. An' Zasien really don' be wort' persuin fo' de most part. Like choo said, he be really moody."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva frowned. "Dassa shem.. 'e look lahk a nahce'n. Choo kno', poli'e. Dwon relleh see ta maneh trolls lahk dat."

She shrugged and sighed.

"Ah well.. mebbeh when 'e remembahs everytin' betta, 'ell 'ave a change o' haht. If nah.. plenty o' odda tings ta keep meh occupahd."

[Sulajin]

Nice? Zasien? He was a pompous blowhard, out to force his heathen ways on Sulajin! That bastard had the temerity to question his judgement? His rituals?

"Polite? He be polite fo' an Orc o' a Taur'n. He likes ta spend his time tellin me how I should be doin my Juju.

I like ta work it de way I was tought, not accordin ta de whims of some plains mon."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva smiled. "Wha wouldn't'cha? Ah dwono what tahp o' juju choo beh wo'kin', baht di San'fureh canneh compah ta dis powa dat di Horde bi tryin' ta teach meh. Fo' tousands o' years, it sustain us. Kep us powafo'. Iffi di priest dat zomehfahd me maddah had na fo'ced meh ta take 'em out, ah'd still beh dere, leanin' di old weys. Di raght weys."

[Sulajin]

Now this was a troll with her head on straight.

"My Juju be a bit different den de spirit workins choo deal wit'. Mo' ritual an' t'ings like dat. I don' need Totems ta bring my Juju inta de world. I jus need ta be who I am. Mos'ly I work wit' de Fia. Some dealins wit de Fia Courts, but I be a little worried about de way some of dose dealin's be goin' right now.

All I be knowin is dat de ways I be tought have helped us survive fo' t'ousands of yeas, even helped us ta conqua de world in de past. I don' see any reason ta give dose up."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva shrugged. "Di totems be an extension o' mesef.. anni di spirits ain't nuttin' ta taek laghtleh. As fo' conquerin' di worl' inni di pas.. o' carse weh did. If mebeh weh wasn' so worrehd 'bout killin' eachodda, mebbe weh still'd own dis worl.."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin chuckles.

"Dat may be, who knows what would be happenin now? It din' happen dough. An' I don' really worry about conquerin de world, only workin on my Juju."

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva grinned.

"Cho gotta wan track mahnd, mon. Not dat dats bad.. dassa good sagn. Mebbe dis Harde won' beh so weak if weh still gots owa ol' weys."

[Sulajin]

The Horde? Such a grouping, very peculiar.

"De Horde is interestin. It be weak, but strong at de same time. Choo leave it alone an' it quickly gonna fall apart ta infightin an' de tensions between all kinds of factions.

On de otha hand, put a common foe in front of it an' everyt'in falls back inta place an' dey be unstoppable. I don' pretend ta understand it. I jus know my place in it."

[Vilmah]

She rose an eyebrow. "Oh?" She said questioningly.

"An' what be choo plece? Ah dwon eben kno' mahn, yet."

[Zasein]

Zasien went to the waterfall in Orgrimmar again, above it, by the fire, looking down. It was his favorite spot in the city. He could feel all the elements at their strongest, bathed in the light of the rising sun.

He'd made a mistake, that night. He didn't blame Khiskiva for it though, it was his own choice. But he knew it wasn't what he really wanted. He wanted to find someone to spend his life with, like he had wanted five years ago. In a way, he was grateful to her, for showing him his feelings. He didn't really hold any love for her, like he had thought he did while he was drunk. It wasn't the sort of relationship he wanted to have.

The night he spent with her would fade into the past, yet he would always remember it, and realize truth about himself from it.

And so, with the elements beside him, he would face the world, finding himself in it. She had taught him how to love again, through her passion. He would never forget again.

[Sulajin]

"My place in de Horde be whateva I choose ta make of it. I be willin ta guide younga mons when dey start de Juju, an' I be willin ta use it ta defend de Horde. Mostly I jus' want ta work it. Ta feel de energy an' powa dat I can be controllin."

Sulajin shrugs.

"It be de way of my Juju. But what way choo gonna be takin?"

[Vilmah]

Khiskiva folded her arms over her chest. "Ah.. dwono."

[Sulajin]

A lost soul? Well, they were plentiful. If she was lucky she'd find a path, soon enough.

"Sho choo don' know now," Sulajin says while turning into the Cloth Goods store, "But I be certain dat a strong young Shaman be findin her way soon enough. Jus' don' fall inta de trap of pinin fo' relationships, like so many oddas do."

[Vilmah]

"Heh. No' bloodeh lahkleh," she said, shaking her head.

[Sulajin]

Sulajin laughs as he claps her on the back.

"Dat's perfect! Too much of it goin aroun' be very tirin'. An' dere allready be too much of it."

He indicates a few lengths of thread and thrusts some cash into the surly vendor's hand.