The Serpent and The Tiger..

[Lupa]

(( The series of events as outlined in Amantes Audere, continued in Met Tet and such related threads like A Rogue's Love, Happy Again and The Mission have led to this crucible. The style is going to be different, much will be first person narrative. This is mainly due to the nature of Lupa's transformation, which depending on perspective or racial beliefs could be attributed to either troll hex, mental instability, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or substance abuse. The challenge for me will be to RP this in a believable fashion in game. So if there are some inconsistencies please forgive me, I'm not a psychologist/psychiatrist/voodoo witch doctor. Enjoy))

I AM the Serpent.

Like a shadow I slither through the underbrush with only the slightest of whispers. Below me is my prey, that little mouse. The mouse is oblivious, of me or my companion, the serpent's ally this night. The dead one is also a serpent. No she is two serpents joined together, each head facing each other, the symbol of The Immortalis. She also watches the mouse. In stealthy, deadly silence.

The mouse is doing mouse things, scurring about among the firbolgs.

I test the air with my tongue. I taste the mouse's scent, no fear there. We are undetected. I ready my fangs, deadly Thorium tipped fangs. I take aim, I strike!

The first strike hits the mouse with tremendous force, almost downing it right there. The second fang bears the serpent's sting. It sucks the life out of the mouse. As it nears death, the dead one strikes with a single vicious blow. The mouse is no more.

There were other mice earlier, some attacking Splintertree Post. These mice had more teeth, were aggressive. I was forced to retreat after downing one and the others took up the assault. Then the dead one arrived, with others. The mice took flight to Astraanar.

The dead one and I made our way in silence towards the mouse den, Astraanar. There we found a colony of mice. Delicacies for the picking.

In time the other dead one joined us, the strong, armoured dead one who called the first dead one "Mistress." He was a formidable ally to the Serpent. The serpent liked the warrior, respected his ferocity.

The mice did not like us feeding. They called in larger, stronger mice. One wore an emblem I recognized. No, not I the Serpent, but I the 'Tiger' recognized. A Field Marshall hunter. He was one of the small, tough mice. With deadly teeth and great knowledge war. He was not alone, as there was also that warrior woman mouse, a Commander. She was merciless in her defence of the other, smaller mice. The other mice rallied around those two, including the rogue mouse I had slain at Splintertree Post earlier.

We were forced back again, and again. Once we held the per hand, forcing the mice to hide inside their den until they could recuperate and reorganize. Once they did however, it was over. We could not strike again.

We conceded the night to the mice, for now.

I returned home, thanking the dead ones for helping the Serpent.

----------------------------------------

I am the Tiger.

I sit outside in the Barrens night, and I weep. I vaguely remember some of the event of earlier, and I feel dirty. Those poor young elves were oblivious of the death I rained down on them in my rampage. Yes, the attack on Splintertree Post needed to be repelled, but I remember being disappointed that I was diverted from my murderous prowling of the Ashenvale Forest.

Then Clys arrived, and seemed thrilled at the prospect of taking the fight to Astraanar. We were joined by Karkarov in time, and all seemed to go well, that is we killed elves. Until the Alliance called in their seasoned defenders.. Those fighters were formidable! That dwarf hunter was a Field Marshall no less! We onle had our one success against them when we caught them separated, but other than that we were forced out of the area.

I can't help but think that Shirvallah had his hand in this, some way of thwarting Dambala's plan and diffusing my blind rage. Sparing the dishonor more murders would have brought.

I need to rest. I need sleep and food. No, I will not touch the bourbon tonight. No matter the temptation.

Well, maybe a sip.. then I will finish that letter. There is one out there who I know will understand, even if we can't talk the same language..

[Lupa]

*** WARNING. MATURE CONTENT ***

This is one of my favorite places. Its always quiet. No interlopers or patrols, no bandits, and the naga who live nearby do not bother with anyone they see as too strong, unless provoked.

I love to climb up the steep embankment, to the rocky outcroppings that overlook the waters of the little cove far below. There I shed my clothes to bask in the warm southern sun. When the sun gets too hot, I leap off the cliff to soar into the cool waters of the cove. The sensation of freefall is wonderful.

Yes, my secret little hidaway. This evening however I have invited a guest.

I was just finished making my way back up the steep little path to the cliff top after just one such dive when a sound brought me up short. There coming up the path behind me was my guest. She looked as beautiful as I remembered her from that meeting in Duskwood.

Yes, a pretty little mouse this one is..

She smiled at me, then giggled a little. I smiled back, backed up to th edge of the rocky shelf, then with a playful wave stepped back off the edge to plunge into the water once more. I twisted and tumbled in the dive the way I was practicing. I was getting good at that. When I hit, I went deep under. So deep it took several seconds to swim back to the surface. I emerged just in time to see her lithe body splash into the water beside me. A short time later she emerged, sputtering water from her nose. I laughed and splashed her.

She liked it. I can tell. Go ahead, touch her. You know you want to..

We swam together for a time, making our way back to the shore where the path led back up to the cliffs. As we swam, she would brush up against me in the water. The touch was electric. "Is this right?" I thought to myself. No probably not. But here it was just us, and the water and setting western sun.

Yess, nobody to see. Nobody to know. You can do what you want with this mouse. She will not resist, she is tainted..

There, just off the path was the little waterfall I liked to stand under. It cascaded down into a little basin with a nice flat rock directly underneath it. I left the path and waded into the pool to come underneath the cool, sprinkling water. I motioned to her to follow. She did. She came to stand next to me under the spray, the water droplets dancing happily off her pale pink skin and turning her silver hair into liquid silk.

We started caressing then. Then she landed a sweet kiss on my lips. I wondered what she thought of kissing a mouth with tusks like mine. Did they bother her?

Nothing bothers this mouse, not when there is pleasure to be had. Isnt that obvious?

I became nervous. This was new, I have only been with a man once Barke, he would enjoy this.. and now this experience was also a first. If people knew, if they found out, what would I say?

Nothing, you need to say nothing. The serpent doesn't explain to the mice its actions, it just does them

I broke off the embrace, trembling with uncertainty. Coward! She gently massaged my shoulders, the feeling was exquisite. Slowly, my body resonded and we were entwined once more.

Thats it, revell in her. Take her now!

I felt myself lettiing go. My body peaked in pleasure, once, twice. Bite her, slap her, she likes it that way..

I was shocked to realize I had sunk my tusks into her upper shoulder. Two little holes started dripping red blood, staining the waters of the pool. They healed over amost immediately. Her doing of course. There was a slightly reddish welt on her left cheek. She absently rubbed it, then flashed a wicked grin at me. Then we merged again.

After a time, I'm not sure how long, but the sun was long since gone below the horizon, we dressed each other and slowly walked together to Booty Bay. Passersby stopped in their tracks and marvelled to see a troll and human walking together so comfortably. Maybe this would be an example for them, that we can coexist.

If they bother us, kill them! Strike the mice swiftly and with deadly purpose. Feed on them..

We fell to sleep together in a room of the Inn. Tempest stood guard at the door. Exhausted, I would sleep deeply.

Don't count on it..

In the morning I quietly gathered my gear together and kissed her gently on the cheek. She moaned softly in her sleep and stirred ever so slightly.

Fingering my obsidian pendant, I silently left the room, went up to the rooftop and chartered a wyvern to Grom’Gol.

[Lovely]

((Excellent writing as always, Lupa! Perfect!))

[Chum]

((Amazing open :3 I salute You Lupa!))

[Laron]

As always I am enjoying your writing.

[Lupa]

In hindsight I made a mistake. I wasn't prepared and almost suffered disaster from that, as did my companions.

I should never have gone into Zul'Gurub without bracing myself for that assault on my mind and soul.

They knew I was there, and they hungered after me. Yesss, especially Venoxis. He sensed the Serpent, and betrayed me to Soulflayer

It was just to be a secret infiltration, to prepare for a later full assault. We were to clear the river of those vile frenzies, those nasty fish that would shred a body of flesh in seconds. We three entered the cursed city under cover of darkness, stealthly avoided the berzerker patrols and entered the waters of the river that would through the compound.

Emptysoul played his warlock trickery and was able to grant us the ability to breathe under the surface, which made the task at hand so much easier.

Voorgad the priest was along for divine blessing, and his tremendous healing powers. And then there was I and Tempest, to provide the sting..

All was proceeding well, the fish were being cleared at a steady pace. Then I felt the first probing. More of a tickle at first, a shadow passing over my mind, querying my nature.

The serpent reacted. I heard the call of Venoxis, and I answered. I climbed out of the waters, avoided the crocolisks on the bank and began to make my way uphill to the ziggurat that bore the mark of Ula-Tek. Serpents, my brothers, surrounded the place. I would be safe from them.

Some part of me, the Tiger, vaguely remembered hearing the alarms being raised by my companions. Their shouts of warning and concern.

I was almost at the base of the ziggurat when a tremendous weight fell on me and I was crushed to the ground. Emptysoul's Voidwalker. All I could remember was screaming in frustration as I was immobilized. Then my mind went dark.

I found myself later outside the city, with my concerned companions surrounding me. Questions were asked that I could not bring myself to answer.

More mice asking questions....

Eventually, I needed to take my leave of them. Ayashe would take my place on the infiltration mission.

In shame I returned to Booty Bay. I went directly to the Inn and ordered strong rum. After consuming huge quantities however, I still was not settled. The alcohol simply wasn't working anymore. It wasn't strong enough to numb the voices. In frustration I smashed a clay mug against the wall. The bruisers made a move towards me, then thought better of it after one look at my face. A young night elf patron quietly but swiftly made for the door.

Hanging my head in my hands I tried to shut out the voices.

You cannot shut the serpent out. I will always be here..

Then a distant memory surfaced. Looking up, I saw a goblin standing in the corner near the bar. He always seemed to be there. I remembered talking to him once long ago. He wanted me to get something for him.

Some kind of dust.. very special dust, from some very special dragon whelps....

[Lovely]

((Hehe....You are an excellent storyteller Lupa))

[Lupa]

I lay there on the bed looking up at the wooden ceiling. Booty Bay. By the Loa’s I couldn’t believe I was still here. I keep on expecting to wake up in the jungle somewhere. I couldn’t wait to get back to Orgrimmar for the Nether Council meeting, but when I was there all I could think about was getting back here to Stranglethorn Vale.

I am alone. Lovely was off somewhere, but she would return in time. The paladin pretty much made this place her home these days. I found that also kept me around here, for now at least. It was companionship really, with someone I knew had her own issues and would not be judge, jury and executioner over me.

Neither would Barke, you should find him you know..

I can’t be sure about that. His clan is strong and warlike. Maybe Rhowen could keep them in check, but only barely. I remember well that day in the Plaguelands and the hostile faces turned my way.

Hmm.. I will need to travel to the Swamp once more. I didn’t harvest nearly enough dream dust from those green dragon whelps and I used up quite a bit last night in our assault on Zul’Gurub. It was far better than the bourbon, which left me feeling ill and worn out. The dust didn’t fog my mind, or numb the ‘voices’ like I half expected. Oh no, they spoke to me as clear as ever. But what it did do was keep them inside my head and I could choose to listen to them or not. I was in control again when I used the dust.

Are you really? Or is the dust in control?

Doesn’t matter. What matters is that I can function again.

I will need to be more discrete though. I took a bit before the Council meeting and Soraxis saw me, as did Grisch’s young protégé, Vilmah. She seemed embarrassed to have seen me, while the Forsaken mage looked outright condescending. As if they would even have a right to judge! They who are undead, full of plague and what ever else.

I need food. That assault was tough work, but the cursed Gurubashi city is freed from some of Hakkar’s influence, with three of the Loa aspects being saved. By that I mean we slew them. It was satisfying seeing Venoxis kneel in defeat to us, before dying.

You should take his place you know..

Hah! As if…

Well, time to rise. I can’t spend all day in here, and I have things to finish. Maybe she will be back when I return and we can go swimming again.


(( OOC: Sorry, I just couldn't resist the imagery, it was way too eerily familiar. All I need is some Napalm and Im set. Maybe Ill go out after Kurzen today..))

[Lovely]

((Excellent writing, Lupa....Watched a movie last night, or I would have been around. Can't wait to see how your insanity pans out. hehe.

/hug))

[Lovely]

I've been keeping a close eye on Lupa the past few days. She and I have enjoyed each others company, and have made Booty Bay our home for relaxation. I am finally able to breathe, and enjoy life, without the worries of what others may think.

I've also been watching Lupa. She has problems similar to mine...While my problems stem from an inability to control my lusts, and my problems with selfishness, her problems seem to stem from an actual duel personality. When we are together, her mood swings from playful relaxation to violence at times. I don't mind this....I can take any amount of damage she does to me and heal it. I do not fight back when she bites me, or slaps me....Partly because I like it, and partly because I am studying her.

I want to help Lupa....I want to understand her. I will stay with her as long as she will have me, and I hope that one day I will help her conquer her demons, as I think she is helping me to conquer mine.

I miss Barke....I had hoped at first that he might come to the vale to look for me....But he hasn't. I am sure now that he doesn't love me....even though he said he did. Those were just words to placate my obsession...my out of control obsession.

With no Barke...No Rhowen....I will heal here. I will belong to Lupa, and heal with those who love me....Lupa...Clys....all of them.

I begin to drift to sleep as I watch Lupa stir under the covers....We will wake together in the morning, and be happy.

[Lupa]

Ahn' Qiraj was certainly a different world altogether. It is a wonder our ancestors survived the threat of the Qiraji at all!

Survive them we did, for many long years we survived them. We will again. I will again, just as I did this night.

I dismounted the Wyvern at Booty Bay with only thoughts if sleep. But of course that would be silly to expect.

Oh yes, we never get to sleep these days much do we? In fact, look! We have guests!

Indeed, I saw Tempest stop short on the upper floor of the Inn. I know that bearing of his; he had caught a familiar scent. I expanded my mind and senses to seek out who this might be. Although I already knew the answer.

Yes, of course. Our little mouse plaything. She is back tonight. There she is sitting at the table below, sitting and talking with.....

BARKE! With a dash I ran the rest of the way down the stairs and into the middle floor lounge area. There indeed was Lovely as I expected, but sitting across from her was Barke, looking overjoyed to see me!

Lovely rose at my entry and smiled. She nodded to Barke once, then took her leave to the lower floor of the Inn.

A new plaything! Another mouse to amuse myself with. I run foward and embrace him. I playfully nibble his ruined ear. I want to sink my tusks into him and tear at his flesh... Control.. Dust is wearing off. Need another dose. (sniff!!) Ahh. That’s better. We retreat to my room at the Inn.

A little while later, I take Barke outside for a swim in the cool waters of the bay. There sitting alone in sorrow was Lovely, looking out at the waters. My heart felt like lead. She obviously arranged this, why else would he be here? I invited her int to join us in the waters, but she seemed lost in thought.

She was still there as Barke and I finished the swim and went to return to the Inn. I summoned Tempest. The big worg was my staunch support when I needed a presence, and Lovely looked like she needed some support. I instructed him to stay and watch over the paladin. He obediently walked over and plopped himself down next to the melancholy woman.

Barke and I returned to my room for another playful romp. Not nearly playful enough. You need to let this mouse know who is in charge. You need to put him underfoot, you need to..

“ Well, this is amusing..” The words came out of the seemingly empty air of the room. Words, in a familiar voice.

The dead one! She is here, the audacity! Find her, where is she? I use my hunter’s senses, my serpents gaze, to locate the hidden Clys. There she was, near the door, with a half-smile on her fanged, undead banshee face. I leap off the bed across the room and land a firm slap across the grinning woman’s leathery face. I order her out of the room immediately. I should tear her in pieces for this affront

Control.. She is who she is. Does it matter what she saw? No. Calm yourself Lupa. Take a dose. Relax.

We dressed and made our way back to the boardwalk where I left Tempest with Lovely. There she was in talks with Clys, who grinned wickedly at our approach. The undead woman could communicate with Lovely in much better ways than I, as she seemed to remember much of the languages of her old life.

Barke took his leave. I think all these woman talking together about the Loa’s only knew made the man nervous. I don’t blame him. We are three tormented women, and bad juju for any man to get mixed up in.

Yes.. three blind mice.. is that the tale I heard once somewhere..? hahaha

Blood sisters, that is what we were. We three, with fates intertwined in bizarre fashion. I love them, each in different ways.

Yes. The dead one is wicked. And deadly. I like that immensely.

And the paladin is a kindred soul, of that I have no doubt. Our troubles so similar in ways. Sisters, yes.

With a start that thought brought an image to mind, and a cold chill through my spine. Sister! Oonagi! I had totally forgotten the Shattered Hand operative I sent deep into Alliance territory after Lovely’s sister Celuna! I had not heard from the orc since. Lovely needed to be warned, to alert her sister. And Oonagi needed to be recalled somehow.

But how to locate the rogue?

[Lovely]

-------WARNING: MATURE CONTENT---------




Lovely sat in her room...alone. This night had been a rough one, moreso than any night in past memory. She loved Barke deeply, and loved Lupa too. She wanted each of them for herself....to touch them, and hold them, and be caressed by them. She wanted to belong to them...But this could not happen.

Clys had shown up while Barke and Lupa were upstairs in the bed. Lovely didn't even hear the undead rogue sneak up on her until she felt the familiar tickle of Clys' bony fingers. The touch sent shivers up her spine, and she smiled for the first time tonight. Her mistress had arrived to console her, to help her.

Lovely knelt in front of Clys, brushing her hair aside and exposing the brand of the Immortalis on the back of her neck. She then looked up at Clys and smiled, although the tears streaming from her eyes betrayed any facade of happiness that might be wanted.

Clys, able to communicate to Lovely through the enchantments of the brand, assured her that everything would be fine. She also knew what Lovely did...that Lovely was lonely.

Lovely had kept Barke in conversation, knowing Lupa would arrive. She wanted Barke more than anything....to feel him inside her again, and to be happy....Yet to Lovely, Barke's happiness was more important than her own, and so she kept him talking, and kept drinking, until her blood-sister Lupa arrived.

Clys snuck into the inn and returned, confirming to Lovely that the two were rolling in the sheets of the very room that Lovely had spent the past week. Lovely nodded, defeated, and smiled.

After a short while, Barke and Lupa came down to the docks, and Lovely gave Lupa her blessing. The two of them seemed to have rekindled happiness, and Lovely would never stand in the way of that. Such was Lovely's love for the two of them, that she would die before destroying their happiness again.

Soon after, Clys bid Lovely goodbye, and Barke and Lupa retired to the room in the inn. Lovely was sitting on the dock, alone, and could feel the emotions building inside her. She was truly alone, with no lover to share her bed this night. She wept openly, but tried to keep it quiet so that the goblins would say nothing to her....as if they cared.

Moments later, Lovely left the town through the giant jaws of a shark, and rode to the secluded spot on the cliffs above the naga camp. Standing under the waterfall, she disrobed and let the cool water pour over her naked form.

While taking her shower, Lovely thought of what she had given up...all the pleasure she was missing. She thought of Barke, and of Lupa, and wondered what they were doing at this very moment. No doubt, they were rolling in the sheets, making love and entwined in happiness that Lovely could never know for long.

Lust began to overtake Lovely as she cried in the cool spray of water. As she bathed in the waterfall, she began to touch herself, moving her fingers over her body. She tried to imagine it was Barke, or Lupa, or maybe the two of them together. Her loins began to warm as her hands went lower, exploring the area of herself that seemed to control her the most. Her back arched and her legs quivered a bit as the sense of pleasure began to arise within her.

Then came the pain.

A seizure shot through Lovely's body unlike anything she had ever felt before. From her nether regions it sprung, sending volts of agony through her body and taking away the sensation of pleasure, replacing it with the screams of her horrible pain.

A shriek filled the air in the jungle as Lovely grasped herself and spasmed, losing her balance and falling from the cliff into the water over a hundred feet below. She crashed into the water with a burning sensation as the pain from hitting the water at the wrong angle slammed into her back.

Lovely was deep under the water at this point, flailing in agony and trying to claw her way to the surface. Instinctively, she summoned her bubble of divine energy, but it did nothing to aleive her suffering.

What seemed like an eternity passed. Lovely made it to the edge of the lagoon, and curled up in a ball, naked and afraid. It took several minutes for the pain to slow, beating slower with the pounding of her heart until finally she felt human again. She lay naked in the sand, staring at the stars and wondering what had happened.

The nearby naga watched her curiously, until one of them decided she looked less of a threat than usual, and threw itself at her. Lovely rolled out of the way of the trident, grabbed the shaft of the weapon, and kicked the naga square in the chest as she vaulted from the ground. She then summoned the energy of the light, stretching forth her hand and slaying the creature with one quick blast.

Dropping the trident to the ground, Lovely looked upon the rest of the naga and stared them down. They made no effort to come near her, and a few of them seemed to wander further away.

Still weak from the pain, Lovely healed herself and slowly walked to the waterfall again. She checked herself thoroughly, unable to find the cause of the pain. What had happened, she pondered in a panic....

Perhaps a test would work, she thought. Her thoughts turned to Lupa and Barke once again, and she attempted to bring herself joy with her fingers, and it quickly hit her again. The pain....

Lovely wept loudly. Had the light cursed her? Had she taken her lust too far, and was now being punished? Crying out in anguish, Lovely cursed the day she had been born....This was no way to live.....

She thought of Lupa.....Of the joy she experienced with Barke at this very moment. She then collapsed near the waterfall, the stress of it all too much to bear......

[clys]

A page from Clys' Journal:

I went to Booty Bay tonight, seeking a meeting with Lovely. I had heard reports that she was sighted there. When I arrived I found her sitting alone on the docks, looking sadder than usual. I recognized Lupa's pet wolf, Tempest, nearby. I came up behind Lovely quietly, and tickled her ribs.

She turned and smiled, and she told me that Lupa and Barke were in the Inn. Well, I just had to see this for myself, so I slipped up the stairs and found them naked in the bed. I had to laugh, which gave me away, and Lupa was not pleased with my voyeurism. Tough. I enjoyed it. Besides, she knows that I, of all people, make no judgements against her.

I returned to Lovely and absorbed her emotions for a moment. She is such a unique individual, so worthy of someone's love and faith, and yet she has never found what she really seeks -- a true love and life mate.

In fact, I am quite sure that no one loves her for herself but me. Everyone else either wants something from her, or wants to change her. I, and I alone, accept her as she is.

As odd as our original meeting was, and despite everything that's occured since then, she remains just as she was. She may think she has changed, but she hasn't. She has only managed to understand a bit more about herself along the way.

I know one thing for certain. She will be one of those who still stand with me in the end, when my goal is finally reached, and the rest of the world begs for what I will not give them. Her heart is ever true, unchangeable, not because she worships me particularly, but because she was born to be part of the future.

I comforted her as best I could. She was very sad, trying to be self-sacrificing as always, and allow Lupa and Barke to be happy. I told her that someday her true One would appear, and that I would always be her friend and confidante.

We talked a bit about the pleasure of the flesh, which she craves so often. I made her understand that the reason the pleasure does not last, is because she has not found that true love yet. When she does, then her craving will finally be done with, replaced by the real thing.

I also told her that, in the meantime, the pleasure would have to do! She smiled and agreed, and seemed ready to face the future a bit more bravely.

At least no one can take that one pleasure from her. In her world of agony, it is the only thing she has to keep her sane.

[Lupa]

I read the letter from Lovely over and over again. It was waiting for me at the Booty Bay Inn.

Each time I read it my blood got hotter and hotter. The contents were shocking. My blood sister suspected herself of being poisoned! A toxin with a vile and insidious effect, which had in effect stolen the only thing the tainted paladin had to keep her sanity, her physical pleasure. It was a brutal and cruel plot, if indeed true.

Also, it was a grave error on whoever did this. They probably did not know about the relationship between myself and Lovely. Why would they? A more improbable relationship it could not be.

As I wrote my letter in response, I let myself go and the serpent took charge of my quill.

Find these mice! Find them .. then find me..

I will not stop, will not relent, will not sleep. If someone has dared such a thing as to poison your body, to corrupt it somehow, then they have done as much to me.

Remember what I told you about blood sisters? About our troll culture and the mingling of blood? You carry my blood Lovely. That makes you a carrier of a part of me. This indignity, if it indeed has happened, was an insult to my blood.

Call me, use Mistress Clys if you have to, but tell me what you want me to do, when you need my arrows to skewer a mouse!

I grabbed a goblin at the Inn and told him, "see that this gets to Stormwind, to the paladin, Lovely. Also leave a copy here should she return."

With that I went to gather my gear. I paused as I took up the small skin bag containing my dream dust. I was about to take a dose to regain some control of my mind.

No, not this time. For now, I will be the serpent, cold and unmerciful.

I put the little pack away in my belongings, unopened.

[Lovely]

A letter arrived for Lupa this morning, delivered by the same Goblin Lovely and she always used.:

Dearest Lupa,

I have gone away from Booty Bay, after giving Barke a sample of my blood yesterday afternoon, as well as the notes Imogenn used when studying the alleged poison. I cannot be around people right now, lest the pain overtake me, and so at Barke's direction I am going to Felwood.

Please inform Mistress Clys of what has happened, and pray that I am able to be cured of this horrible affliction. I love you, Blood-kin, and I hope to be able to return soon.

Please take care of Barke, and if a cure for me cannot be found, remember me as I was....

Yours,

Lovely

[Barke]

Barke entered Felwood after the long trip. He made his way directly to the graves of his two brothers. There he waited. He knew they would show up. They always knew when someone was on the land. Hours passed as Barke stood there. He thought past to the night before. All the drinking and laughs he shared with his friends. To the night he saw Lupa again. He was content.

He leaned agaisnt the tree and closed his eyes.

He opened his eyes. He was in a clearing. Looked to be in Stranglethorn Vale. This was odd. How did he get here? A panther stalked up to him. Barke made no move as he realized he did not have any weapons on him. The panther watched him. Barke shifted a bit looking for a way out when the panther was on top of him. The beast pinned him to the ground under its wait and looked into his eyes. It moved its head closer and whispered something in his ear.

He woke up. I had been a dream. It took him a moment to get back to his senses. He realized he was surrouned. Elves and Tauren alike were watching him. He slowly stood up showing no sign of hostile intent.

"I need a favor...and in return....I will offer something you cannot refuse."

[Shadowspeak]

I will offer something you cannot refuse."

((quoting the Godfather are we? eh heh.))

[Lupa]

The trail was cold. I thought I had his spoor for a time through the Ashenvale woods, but upon entering Felwood his path became twisted and obscured. There was some force at work here, covering his tracks and ensuring nobody could follow, not even a tiger on the hunt.

I paused to ponder my next action. Hopefully Clys would have better success on her end. Assuming the letter I wrote before leaving Booty Bay had reached her;

"Dearest Clys;

I hope your face isn't smarting too much! Nothing personal, but you deserved that. Indeed, you might have even enjoyed that! I hope you got a good look, and that what you saw between Barke and I amused you.

Ha! No worries..

It is of Lovely that I write to you now. I have received distressing news from her. She has been poisoned! She did not name her assailant to me, but I suspect she knows, or has an idea of the identity. The poison seems to be very specific. Its effect is such that she cannot experience pleasure without intense, agonizing pain. A more cruel assault on Lovely I cannot imagine. I fear if left untreated this will destroy her in time.

Barke, my love, has received a sample of Lovely's blood along with some prior research from someone called "Imogenn"? What she has instructed him to do with these I do not know. Perhaps she asked him to seek someone to look for a cure. I pray he succeeds. But I will not let that rest.

Clys, I know you to be the most ingenius alchemist. I will try to locate Barke to get a portion of Lovely's blood sample. I wish you to also analyze it, see what you can determine. Maybe you as well can try to locate him through your own contacts. Lovely has said she is in seclusion in Felwood. Where Barke is I do not know.

I will be swift to inform you of anything I learn. I go now into the field to try to track down Barke. Should you manage to learn anything please leave word for me here in Booty Bay, or at Orgrimmar.

I will tear the flesh off whomever has done this to my blood sister, and feed that flesh to Tempest.

I await your news...

Lupa "

As I thought back to the letter, I found myself absently rubbing my obsidian leaf pendant, the family heirloom given to me by Barke. Felwood. Lovely was here somewhere, and by the path I followed this far I could see Barke was probably here somewhere as well.

Time for patience. Yes, lie in wait like a coiled serpent. Wait for the mice to wander close to you, unawares. Wait, then strike!

Oh yes, someone will feel my bite before this is done...

[Lovely]

Lovely was surrounded by the elves in the decimated lands of Felwood, and she was miserable. They looked at her with curiosity and some of them with anger, it seemed. The ones who did try to talk with her assured her that she was safe, although some of them seemed to think her possessed. Why else would a woman cry out in pain from time to time for no apparent reason whatsoever.

Lovely didn't know what Barke had told them...How much he had told them, or if he had even talked to them at all....But they seemed to genuinely want to help the damaged paladin.

This made things worse...For those who tried to comfort her, Lovely threw screams of anguish at them. She tore at her armor, pulled at her hair....anything to make the pain subside.

It had grown worse.

Conidivh, if he in fact was the one who had done this, had severely underestimated Lovely's drive for bodily pleasure. Inside her was a demon of lust, one which had to be satisfied much of the time...And it had been 3 days. The lust which controlled her was now destroying her, and was driving her past the brink of utter despair and madness.

Lovely tried to think of Lupa, and Barke...And Clys. She tried to think of them saving her, helping her out of this terror, but even the images of their faces began to blur in her panic.

The elves of the village tried to restrain Lovely as she grew more violent, but this was proving harder than they assumed. The tainted paladin was strong, able to break through many restraints. Finally, she had torn away most of her armor, and to stop her writhing, they had rooted her to the ground with a multitude of vines which held her fast. The touch of the vines only excited her lust more, and brought the pain further into her body.

She began to cry for the elves to kill her, to end her suffering....She knew they could not understand what she was going through...She tried to will herself to die...Still, no relief.

Agasin, she screamed Lupa's name, and Barke's, and Clys'. At the mention of Barke's name, the people seemed to show emotion, and through the haze of Lovely's mind, it seemed to look like anger. She didn't care. She screamed it to the wind as the final ropes of her sanity unraveled and she was lost in madness....

[clys]

Clys' face twisted with anger as she read the letter from Lupa. Someone, and she was quite sure who it had to be now, would pay for this, and dearly.

"Conidivh," she whispered.

She saw his face through Lovely's eyes, the mental picture coming across the distance. She remembered his previous arrogant words. The way he had treated Kittsu, all his smooth talk disguising the rotting evil within him. He was a blight on the earth that must be removed.

But he was also a coward, with no spine whatsoever. He never emerged from the safe areas of the Alliance lands, never put himself into the slightest danger of attack. He worked only through lies and subterfuge, unable to back up his words with his blades.

He was scum, afraid to face a single foe in true combat.

They would have to find a way to draw the little worm out of his safety. She would talk to Lupa about it, right away.

Clys furrowed her brow, concentrating, zeroing in on Lovely. The connection between them had grown stronger the longer Lovely wore Clys' mark on her neck. It had come to the point where they could actually speak across the distance, see each others thoughts or visions, at times.

"Lovely," Clys sent the words out. "You are not alone. This will not destroy you. You will harness this and turn it into power. I will help. I am here."

[Barke]

He had not left Felwood. He watched the paladin come in and meet his "family". He was staying out of her line of sight the whole time. He did not wish for her to know he had not left. He leaned back against a tree and waited. There was only one person communicating with him. A tauren. Barke did not care enough to learn the tauren's name or anything about him. Barke did him a favor and spoke to him in Taurahe. He closed his eyes for the second time since he got in the cursed place.

His eyes open. There was that panther again. Sitting between the images of his brothers. Barke sighed. He made his way closer to the panther this time. The brothers did not move. The panther came at him. It sat in front of him and Barke kneeled before it. He moved his hand towards it and held it there not sure what he should do. Giving it a quick pat on the head the panther spoke. Barke in a state of shock over the whole thing didn't really register what the panther had said. He stared blankly at the panther until the panther came forward to him. It walked into him and slowly the image of the panther faded away.

He awoke. These dreams did not settle well with him. He shook the thoughts from his head and took a quick glance around. He had some time before the tauren got back it seemed.

----------------------

Stormwind was as busy as ever. He did not pay any attention to anyone. He had split the blood into two vials and made copies of his own notes and Imogenn's. He had not learned much of anything. He was almost certain Lupa would look for him.

He turned to his right almost bumping into Rhowen. He stared at her. Something did not seem right. She told him what had been happening over the past week. While he had guessed everything it did not make anything better. There was a long discussion between the two. Barke was really stalling her. He had nothing going on his side of the conversation. He even agreed with what she was saying but the things she said hurt. Finally she took her leave. He heard where she was going but did not try and follow. He let out another sigh and turned back to try and finish what he came here to do. Then he would be able to leave this damned city.

------------

He made a sloppy trail leading to the graves of his brothers. This would be where he waited. The tauren was already there waiting for him.

"I have one more favor to ask you...and I know that it will take more to get you to do it. This time it is your choice." He nodded once and just hoped they would not kill him. He set a bag down and moved to a tree near the tauren.

"What is it this time?" The tauren replied calmly. He knew already what it would take this time.

"I know you know who Rhowen is. I know you watched when she dragged me out of here the last time." Barke flinched a bit. "I need you to find her. I assume she is in elven lands so you should check everywhere. Here, Feralas, Ashenvale, Darkshore, the tree, and event he druid lands and Winterspring. If you cannot find her expand into other area's." He stopped. He was asking a lot from these people.

The tauren nodded, "We will....and you know what must happen."

Barke nodded once slowly. The tauren turned and said something to a nearby tree. A moment later a night elf was running. The tauren turned back to him and nodded. Barke let out another sigh and straightened himself against the tree. He grimaced as thorned roots came up around him. The thorns bit into his flesh as the roots tightened around him and held him fast to the tree.

"You know I will not enjoy doing this." The tauren said with a hint of pity in his voice.

"We do what we must for those we care about, eh?" And with that being said his part of the trade got started. He tried his best not to yell out.

[Lovely]

((Whoa!!!! Barke!!!

Excellent, and caught me by surprise....))

[Lupa]

8O :!: :!: :!:

[Lupa]

I regained his trail in northern Felwood. This time there was no doubt, the tracks he left were obvious, even to those with much less woodcraft then myself. Where was Barke heading? This path made no sense.

When I arrived at the destination all became clear. There was the full story for all with enough skill to read. His path stopped at a tree, with two graves nearby. At the base of the tree was a leather satchel.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/toxctii/felwood.jpg

Gingerly I opened the bag to discover a bundle of documents written in two different hands. One was in Barke's bold script, the other written by someone I didn't know. Most of it was totally beyond my comprehension, but I understood enough to make out the name "Lovely" and "poison."

These must the the research papers Lovely had spoken about! Indeed, there at the bottom of the satchel was a tightly bound and padded package. Opening it I found two vials containing blood. Red, human blood. But why would Barke simply leave them here? Unless he knew I would be following. Yes, that would make sense based on the clear trail he left leading from the little outpost into these woods.

But there was more to see. There was elf blood splattered everywhere, staining the ground at the base of the tree and on the trunk itself. In fact, the pattern of the splatters showed that it came from someone bound to the tree itself. I felt my heartbeat increase and my blood pressure mount as I realized it was Barke's blood. No! If he was been harmed I will scream!

I took a dose of dust to steady my mind. I needed control at the moment, to study the scene further. Around the tree were the unmistakable hoofprints of a tauren. The signs were this tauren was the source if the damage inflicted on Barke. Tauren prints, that seemed to end abruptly. No, they didn’t end, they changed! There leading away from the scene were the prints of a large cat. A druid!

So, the Cenarions are to blame. They think they are so untouchable, so justified as to be able to do anything with impunity. They will pay in time for this.

There were the footprints of another leading from the tree, elf prints not belonging to Barke. So a third was here.

As I rose to take in the whole story, to try to make sense of it all my attention was drawn to Tempest. The worg had taken up an alert posture and peered into the woods back the way we came. I knew that reaction, he had smelled something. Something familiar.

Then I caught it myself. A wisp of a scent on the air, followed by a distant clamour in the woods. The sound of galloping hoofs. The scent was unmistakable, one I had filling my nostrils in the peak of passion not long ago. Lovely!

Quickly I gathered up the satchel and made for my raptor. I rode hard back to the main road that wound north to south through Felwood. There I saw the very recent sign of a heavy warhorse being ridden hard and swift southwards towards Ashenvale.

To follow the woman, or find Barke? Which way?

That Barke had suffered some injury or torture at the hands of the Cenarions was plain, but there was no body. No indication they had slain my Barke. Also, the satchel proved that in some way this was planned. He would have to wait. Lovely needed to be found, and this satchel needed to be sent to Clys immediately!

Making the decision, I rode off in pursuit of Lovely. She was not hard to follow, as she rode with abandon. Indeed, she was leaving a wake of destruction behind her.

Yes, beautiful isn’t it?

All the way to Ratchet the path led. And along the way, death was her calling card. I paused long enough to deliver the satchel to the goblin courier services with a hefty fee and instructions to deliver it with all dispatch. Then I waited for the next ship for Booty Bay. Lovely needed me.

But to stop her, or join her frenzied rampage I could not say..

[Barke]

Stormwind was again busy. Everywhere he turned he found people. They all seemed to know him and want to talk to him. He played along for a while but he was tired. The morning had been long.

The tauren was respectful of the rogue at least. He did him a favor. Any of the torture that might leave a scar was done on parts of his body that his armor would cover. The few hours he spent tied to that tree felt like days. The pain was unbearable at points. Some of the roots had a poison or something close that set his skin and blood on fire. When the tauren had finished the roots let him go. He fell heavily to the ground. He had no strength in his body and just lay there on the ground. The tauren sat him up and immediatly started tending to the wounds his own hands inflicted.

The wounds were healed. The memory remained. He still found it hard to move. The tauren left a while ago. Turned into a beast and took off. Barke thought about it and realized that he and tht tauren were a lot like eachother. Something snapped Barke from his thoughts. Someone was coming. He found his strength and forced himself to his feet. He quickly moved to the other side of the graves and behind another tree. The noise came to a stop. He heard the bag he left being moved. He peered around the side of the tree. He almost passed out the moment he saw his love. Lupa had followed his trail like he had hoped. He had also hoped he would have been gone from the area before she showed up. He hoped that the scene and the bag would hold her attention until she left. He did not want her to see him. Not as he was.

Another noise caught his attention. The hoofbeats of a horse. Moving quickly south. He peered around the tree again. Lupa saw the same thing. She gathered her things and left in haste. He worried for Lupa. She did not seem right. He shook the thoughts from his head. Lupa had gone after the horse in a hurry. He turned only to come face to face with the tauren again.

"Your friend left." The tauren was calm.

Thats when it hit Barke. The horse. It was Lovely's horse. Thats why Lupa left in such a hurry. He let out a sigh and nodded to the tauren. There was nothing he could do. He would have liked to see his love again but it seems events were going to continue to keep them apart. He nodded again to the tauren.

"I will take my leave then...when you find the lady warrior..." Barke trailed off. He was running low on friends. The one person he found he had the most in common with had left. It was after the long talk they had. He did not want to see her go but she left anyway. He understood why but it did not make anything better for him.

The tauren nodded, "We will contact you. In the way we agreed."

"Good..." With that Barke left to find his sabre which was waiting for him at his ruinned home. He climbed atop the sabre and they headed south.

-----------------

He hated this city these days. Too many people. Everyone always wanting something. It felt like there was a never ending line of people wanting to talk to him. Half the people he did not even know. He grew less friendly with each person. Eventually he was blowing people off all together. He was tired. All he really wanted was some time to himself. The pain from the morning still lingered.

He had seen Celuna after he returned to the city. She asked him about her sister and Barke told her she was safe. He took her to the Blue Recluse to talk to her and make sure she knew what was going on. He had not seen her since that night in Goldshire. They talked. One thing almost led to another but they stopped. They could not be doing that. They decided it best to part ways and they left.

The night ended at a small gathering he had been invited to. He did not want to spend time around people but he would not pass the chance to spend time drinking with friends. He found his thoughts wandering most the night. He did not really pay attention to any conversation unless he heard key words like his name. The night passed slowly until finally he decided it was probably best for him to leave.

The night ended in Booty Bay. He finally had his rest. It was the first time he slept in a bed since he last saw Lupa.

[Rhowen-Prea]

(( You make me late to work, but I must whimper...

...all the things everyone is going through for dumb, selfish old Rho. ;_; ))