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Post by Archivist~Alabaster on Feb 15, 2006 18:02:27 GMT -5
Writer: Zaji, Horde, Troll Hunter Archiver: Alabaster She could hear them, closing in behind her. It hadn't taken them long to find the evidence of her betrayal. Glancing to Nre'ka, her resolve strengthened. She couldn't let them take him back, to turn him into a monster that only thought about killing for ...Him. She would never turn back, even if it cost her life to set him free. Even if she had wanted to, there was no turning back. The Soulflayer had seen into her heart, forgiveness was not a word he knew. The only option left to her was to get beyond his reach, if there could be anywhere found in the known world. She would forsake everything he granted her. Start again... Looking again at Nre'ka, she knew she would never be alone. She awoke, feeling her heart pound. Tasting that old fear, it was enough to choke her. She must have made a noise, or his sensitive ears picked up the change in her breathing. For, even before she moved, he was there. Offering comfort, companionship, and yes, even love. The sound of him, lying there beside her was a reassurance. He would always be there, defending her, trusting her, he was her heart-spirit, as his name implied. His continued presence in her life insured she never looked back to the Atal'ai preisthood. Rolling over, she threw an arm over his solid body beside her. Burying her face in his fur, she cast the memories from her thoughts. The tiger was her life, and she his. 'Still...hearing a friendly troll-voice would be welcome at times.' (( An introduction of sorts. And yes...there is no title to this....I couldn't think of one that fit. I've played on SC for ..well..a long time, but could never find a Horde character I was comfortable with, then I ...found Zaiji. I welcome RP, and can hang with ALMOST any style - aliens, self induced lactation, symbiote demonic hats do tend to send me running the other way - help me discover all that is Zaiji - once priestess of Hakkar. So this is an invitation to any to send a wave her way...she's not used to the freedoms life outside the Temple has to offer, she can't approach another, especially one of a higher rank...(troll, orc, or tauren - Zaiji is too afraid of the Undead to be comfortable with them as of yet- sorry, I hope that will change in time) - Zaiji's player *edited it because spelling is not my forte))
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Post by Archivist~Alabaster on Feb 15, 2006 18:03:06 GMT -5
Writer: Waleska, Horde, The Darkspear, Troll Priest
An oddly shaped patch of brown and green catches Waleska's usually blind eye, so she pauses. A low, menacing growl stops her from getting any closer though. 'wass dis?' she wonders, 'a young trollie?' She notices the defaced marks of Atal' Hakkari on her tatterd robes and hisses, but the look in her eye is one of suspicious curiosity.
The tiger growls again and rises into a crouch, preparing to defend his mistress.
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Post by Archivist~Alabaster on Feb 15, 2006 18:08:50 GMT -5
Hurrying along the path, Lashi was already deep in thought, planning out her day, organizing her bags, toying with a new poem, when she almost tripped over the still form of her fellow Darkspear, Waleska.
"Wha joo do...", the priestess' voice trailed off as she noticed the tension and focus of her young friend.
Lashi stepped back, far enough to ensure privacy, but prepared to back up Waleska if needed.
Writer: Zaji
Hearing the tiger growl his warning, Zaiji slowly raised her head to peer over his shoulder.
A troll was there..watching her.
Fear rose like bile in Zaiji's throat, they had found her...again.
Looking closer, she saw another, not far away. but, something was wrong, Preistesses did not go hunting lost prey. They would send warriors and hunters after her, as they did the first time.
Slowly gathering her feet beneath her, Zaiji met the gaze of the closer Preistess.
"Who be joo?"
Her grip tightened on her axe, she was too close to use her bow, but they wouldn't brand her again. Or kill her as they were supposed to. She'd die first.
Writer: Waleska
"ain' ju a bit fah from home hakkar'i?" Waleska menaces as she continues to peer through the sparse underbrush. "Dis land be undah Darkspeah patrol, an it naht safe foah followahs of da blooddemon no moah." Sensing that the girl might bolt, Waleska stands up tall and hopes to stay Zaiji with her confident posture. "Dun bothah ta run. Ju too scrawny ta make it fah. Stand an speak truth. Ju been tryin ta scrub joorself clean, but ju still stink like a demon. Ju tell meh who ju beh an wheah ju goin an why."
*as she speaks, she clinically assesses the girl's condition- malnourished, scarred, possibly still injured, extremely wary... what is it she runs from?*
Writer: Zaji
Slowly Zaiji stood. It was true, she was so tired, she couldn't run anymore. But she wouldn't let this troll take her back to Zul'Gurub.
"Ah ain' got no home, dey not mah tribe. Kill me if ya gonna do it. But Nre'ka an Ah not gunna go back dere."
Zaiji flicked her pale hair off her face with a twitch of her head. A newly burned scar on her cheek was in the shape of a star, the angry red color stood out against her skin.
"Ah dun tol' dem dat Ah's not goin back dere."
*It had been days since her brother had found her in the Gurubashi Arena. And the scar still burned and itched where he had branded her a traitor to her people.*
Writer: Lashi
Standing behind the dark-haired priestess, Lashi saw enough to make her flinch at the sight of the raw burn. Without even thinking, she drew upon the healing powers of her god, trying to ease the girl's obvious pain.
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Post by Archivist~Alabaster on Feb 15, 2006 18:09:27 GMT -5
Writer: Waleska
“Why ju forsakin joor tribe?...Ju know dey gonna hunt ju. Dey gonna find ju if ju stay heah. Dey might find ju wheahevah ju go. Joor spirit, strong as it mah be, ain gonna be enough ta keep ju free."
*Waleska softens her tone a little*
"Ju gonna hide in da bushes foahevah, or ju got a place ta go?” The young priestess looks back at her tribal sister questioningly. "Ju gotta reason why ah should help ju? Leavin da temple on joor own shows a strength enough foah meh naht ta kill ju wit'out bettah reason... but it ain' reason enough foah meh ta trust ju."
Writer: Zaiji
Zaiji glanced at the troll that healed her cheek, she wanted to thank her, but she sensed that any movement on her part would cause the dark-haired one in front of her to hurt her.
"Ah lef' dere cuz dey be wantin ta do bad tings ta Nre'ka. Ah rais' him from a cub. Wh'n Ah tell Mar'li no, she say ta kill me too. Make me like dem Os'ka, de bad spirits." A hard shiver runs through Zaiji's body.
"Dey alreah ben huntin me. Dey dun foun' me once. But Nre'ka he too good a fighta."
As she speaks of being found once, Zaiji's hand slowly raises to her cheek. The tiger, upon hearing his name stretches and yawns.
"Ah not gunna stay in dis place. Ah's gunna go ta Sen'jin, tell him Ah be sorrah. Tell him me and Nre'ka fight fo' him."
Zaiji straightens and stands her full height, which given her young age isn't very impressive. But she tries to give the impression that she would be a good fighter for the exiled troll tribe.
"Joo ain got no reason ta trust me. Joo ain' gots no reason ta trust any troll in dis jungle. But Ah ain' got no mo' powah, da Blood God he dun take it.
Dere be lots a Va'Os here. Ah gots ta tell Sen'jin. Tell him dat de Atal'ai be spreadin."
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Post by Archivist~Alabaster on Feb 15, 2006 18:11:21 GMT -5
Writer: Waleska
Satisfied, but still cautious, Waleska relaxes her stance and steps back towards Lashi, beckoning to the exile, inviting her to step out of her bower.
"Since ju have impohtant info'mashun an wish ta present joorself in Sen'jin, we will grant ju safe passage, if ju accept."
Waleska turns her luminous face to Lashi. While they both affect the same braids and profession, there are dramatic differences between the two. Lashi's almost amber mane shines with clean health and finely polished beadwork. Experience and reason have shaped her expression to one of disciplined care. Beside her, Waleska's rich black locks are tangled and adorned with chewed bone and feathers. Her face shifts constantly from the sternness of duty, suspicion, desire to heal the wounded, excitement of adventure, compassion for a fellow runaway and the curiosity to know more. But, underlying everything in both is an intense burning love for their tribe. Their tabbards bear the ancient sigil of the jungle frog- the standard under which Sen'jin sailed to Kalimdor so many years ago. It is both a symbol and an ideal to which they have dedicated every ounce of their living energy.
"But ju can'na speak ta Sen'jin. He fell in battle against da Sea Witch durin passage ovahsea. It will be ta Mastah Gadrin dat ju can delivah joor news."
"Ju got othah wounds dat needin tendin? Ju should'na go sick. We can be healin dem. Also, ju got da marks a da blooddemon on ju."
Her eyes flick from the no longer livid brand to hollow eyes down to tattered clothes and across to the healthy tiger at her feet.
"Mebbe a meal an a clean robe will help somma dat. Ju wan?"
Writer: Lashi
Smiling warmly as she fumbled through her bags, Lashi pulled out a Festival dumpling and held it out to the girl.
"Here have dis ta start, til I can be cookin joo up a proper meal, ya?"
Writer: Zaiji
Zaiji smiles tentitively. Slowly stepping forward, she sketches a odd sort of half bow.
As she moves, it becomes apparent that the star brand on her cheek was not the only ritual scarification Zaiji had undergone. Her forehead bears a circle, and her arms hold a few vertical lines.
"Ah's not hurt nowhere else. Da one dat caught me, he dinna wanna hurt me. But he had ta make me scream so de othah huntahs dey beleive him when he say he hurt an killed me."
Her hand rests softly on the tiger's head.
"Nre'ka, he not like dat. Dat one go back wit more scars too." Laughter comes bubbling out of her before she can stop it.
Cautiously she accepts the food offered by the other. Sniffing it, she takes a small nibble and breaks off a piece for the tiger, offering it from her hand. The tiger gently took it from her hand and gave her a lick.
"Ah'd like dat. Joo be righ' dis cloth be stinkin, an not only from da demons. Ah try ta wash it, but de raptahs an de snake peoples dey scared me.
Ah be Zaiji, and dis lovah he be Nre'ka."
Writer: Waleska
*nods briefly at Zaiji*
"Ah be Waleska, Seer of da Darkspeah."
She patiently watches as Zaiji eats and feeds Nre'ka, then dips into her pack and pulls out a fresh linen outfit. "Dis naht be so much, but it whole," she offers. "Den ju dun look so much like a runnah."
Writer: Lashi
The amber-haired priestess busied herself setting a fire and pulling ingredients out of her pack.
"An I be Lashi, Lorekeeper of da Darkspear. A pleasure ta be meetin joo. I hope fish be alright?"
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Post by Archivist~Alabaster on Feb 15, 2006 18:12:22 GMT -5
Writer: Ajashali, Horde, Voodoo Rebirth, Troll Hunter
*silently drops out of a tree behind Waleska, landing without a sound and peeking around her waist curiously*
Allo dere luv. Who dis womon heah?
*instead of waiting for an answer, he wanders over to the tiger and growls at it*
Joo tigah hungrah. I feeds.
*crouches down and feeds the cat some meat while exchanging growls, purrs, and meows with it*
I Ajashali, I a huntah. Joo smell skeered an.. *sniffs her* Joo smell like 'scalp. But Waleska no hurts joo sos I no hurts joo.
Writer: Zaiji
Zaiji had been about to accept the generous offer when another troll leaped out of the trees and landed behind Waleska. Letting out a small startled sound, Zaiji quickly retreated behind Nre'ka.
Quickly looking at the two women she noted that they showed no concern over the new-commer's appearance.
Addressing the male, she tried to clarify somethings he said. "Nre'ka ain' mah tigah. Ah his trollie. He dun claim me long a'fore Ah tink ta claim him." She lets out a small laugh.
"Bu' Ah ain' no 'scalp. Ah ain' nobody nomore. Ah's jus' Zaiji."
Looking towards Waleska, who still held the bundle, she smiled shyly. "Joo min' iff'n Ah step a'hind dat tree? Ah's tink we all feel bettah iff'n Ah not be wearin dis no more."
Writer: Ajashali
Blinks quietly at the other troll and then shrugs. "Joo be joo an I be me." With that he jumps about ten feet into the air and latches onto the tree. Without a sound he vanishes.
About five minutes later a small white bear comes barreling through the camp, being hotly pursued by a very angry mother boar and her brood. A laugh echos from the trees as the lanky troll swings along behind the animals. He drops back into the camp and rolls over to rest next to Waleska's feet. "Mojo tinks da lil pig be lunch an dat pig's mam dissagreed." He laughs and watches the brush as though he can still see the chase. "Uh ohs, she caught Mojo." he says as he leaps into the bush and runs off.
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Post by Archivist~Alabaster on Feb 15, 2006 18:13:35 GMT -5
Writer: Zaiji
Zaiji giggles and laughs as the bear tramples through the camp, bawling at the top of his lungs like a young cub.
When Ajashali appears in the same manner as before, she's less frightened, but it still startles her a bit.
He's so free and at home here. I wish I could learn to be like that.
Nre'ka lifted his head as the hunter ran off after the bear, giving a small growl he rolls onto his side at Zaiji's feet. Wantinghis tummy scratched.
Cu'fri, you will learn that game. Az-iri'le, teach you about hunting from the big az'me. Iri'le leave this Os'va, you learn.
Zaiji smiled down at the tiger. His words giving her hope and strength. She could never hear another this way, maybe Thekal had been right when he told Zaiji about this tiger. Maybe he really was touched by Tezcatli.
Writer: Waleska
Waleska pauses for a moment, but doesn't flinch, when Ajashali drops unexpectedly from the sky. She smiles down at his crouching form and caresses the nape of his neck during the brief moment his is by her side.
"Aja, dis be Zaiji"
After the Hunter scampers off, Waleska gestures again with the robe.
"Dun mind mah Aja, he allus hoppin like a flea on a hot skillet...cept when he wans ta be still."
The banter of the three trolls continues for a few minutes longer, until it is cut short by a growling squealing parade of boars and bears. The cacophony subsides as quicly as it rose, leaving the trolls momentarily stunned.
"If ju got private t'ings ta do, do em now, he bound ta be back soon, ja?"
Writer: Lashi
Lashi chuckled at the antics of Aja and Mojo as she cooked. The hunter was always...entertaining to be around. Just when the priestess thought she understood him, he managed to catch her by surprise again. She wasn't sure if she envied Waleska for her relationship with the wild one.
Shaking her head, "Nuff talkin. Les get ta eatin, ya?"
Writer: Zaiji
Zaiji quickly disappeared behind a tree, a squeal of delight echoing through the jungle.
"It be red! Ah nevah had a red dress a'fore! Ah look like de flowahs!"
She pulled the top and sides of her hair back, binding it with small flowered vines and a piece of polished bone.
"Dere, now Ah's fit ta eat an' go sees de impo'tan' peoples."
Writer: Waleska
Waleska bursts into laughter, mirroring Zaiji's delight. Zaiji's melting anxiety, the smells of Lashi's campfire and promised meal and Ajashali's lightening fast visits had done much to ease her own suspicions.
"Ju like it? Ah so glad. Is all ah have in mah pack. Red be a lousah colah foah hidin in, but it be pahfect foah lookin prettah." Waleska admires Zaiji's jungle make-over. "Da colah be showin off joor fair skin."
With the fear gone from her eyes and her hair pulled back, the brands and scarification began to look more exotic than threatening. Waleska motions to these marks, tracing a circle on her forehead and hash-marks down her arm.
"Ah dunno if ju reddah ta speak on dis while we eat, but what dey meanin?"
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Post by Archivist~Alabaster on Feb 15, 2006 18:14:34 GMT -5
Writer: Zaiji
Looking down at her hands, Zaiji mumbles, "Dey be fo' tings Ah was a'fore Ah run." Glancing up at Waleska and Lashi, fear shines in her eyes again.
"Ah dun wan' joos to hate me. Ah tell joo 'bout de othahs Ah got. Dey be for Zaiji," she pats her chest over her heart, "not fo' what Ah do."
Gently she slides the neck of the gown to the left, another scar can be seen over her heart.
"Dis be de tigah, it mean Ah be a fightah. It also be fo' de Tigah Spirit. Ah serve'd him in de temple."
Pointing to her right shoulderblade, she says "Ah got one here dat be a buttahfly, it mean dat mah spirit be free. Ah gets dat one when Ah be little."
Pulling up the hem of the dress, she points to another on her left ankle. "Dis one, Ah dun like but it be part a'me. It be a spidah, fo' mah Maman bu' it mean dat Ah be cre'tiv."
"Ah was ta gets one mo'. A'fore Ah run. But Mar'li she say No, she say Ah dun deserve it. It was ta be here," She points to her stomach. "It was ta be fo' my babies. Dey was ta be full o' courage. So Ah get de cougah. Mar'li she say Ah nevah be a wife."
Pointing to her cheek, "Dis one Ah not proud of, but it be sayin Ah be free. It mean Ah be outcas'."
Writer: Lashi
Smiling warmly and handing over a leaf containing delicious smelling cooked Sagefish, Lashi pondered," It soundin like das da one scar joo should be mos proud of, ya? It da one joo gettin cause of joor actions. Freedom be a big-time hard ting. Now joo gots ta make joor own choices, walk joor own path."
The priestess sat and started nibbling on her own fish," It soundin like now it up ta joo iffn joo fulfill dose other marks."
Writer: Ajashali
Like a long blue accordian Aja unfolds upside-down from a tree limb above the camp and regards the various occupants from this unique position. Next to his legs a bear's head joins in the examination. Moments later a massive black panther pads into the camp as plain as day.
In a nearby tree a large grey owl hoots and Aja smiles. "Yah, dis view be nice. Waleska wearin dat revealin dress." Seems distracted. "Sos Lashi." he laughs. Dropping like a blue missile he flips and lands in a crouch a few inches from the fire. "Allo, I backs." he waves, knuckles over to Waleska, and knocks her over then crawls into her lap. With a kiss he settles into complete stillness on her and begins seemingly to talk to the Panther who is currently staring down the nearby tiger.
Writer: Zaiji
Zaiji looks at the panther. Placing her hand on Nre'ka's head, his ears swivel towards her.
"Nre'ka, Ajashali cu'nre O'ptom-az." Turning towards the panther, she again speaks.
"O'ptom-az, Zaiji cu'nre, Nre'ka cu'nre."
"Dat panthah not talk like Nre'ka. Ah tells him we be cu'nre, friends, anyways."
Looking at Lashi she smiles, "Joo be righ', Ah not tink like dat. Da stah be meanin' Ah did sumtin' bad ta mah tribe. Ah gots it fo' runnin' and takin Nre'ka. Ah be raised ta tink dat de stah be bad, it take time a'fore dat go away.
Ah like ta try ta be like mah animals. Joo tink dey like me in Sen'jin? Dey let me learn ta fight like Nre'ka fo' da tribe?"
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Post by Archivist~Alabaster on Feb 15, 2006 18:15:54 GMT -5
Writer: Waleska
Waleska yelps as she is rather ungracefully bowled over by her energetic lover. To preserve the perceived gravity of this encounter- you don't meet a Hakkari out-caste everyday- she tries to reassemble herself with dignity. In other circumstances she would laugh, but today her expression is a wide-eyed, blushing grimace. Luckily, attention is focused on Zaiji and Nre'ka, so Waleska accepts Lashi's proffered lunch and settles down. Sitting and listening to Lashi and Zaiji, she pulls small bits of the baked fish with her fingers, absently feeding herself and Ajashali and nodding in agreement to Lashi's assessment of the ritual scars.
Zaiji's willingness to present herself in Sen'jin, to her former enemies, and ask for sanctuary and the chance to prove herself was certainly laudable.
"Tja, ah dun see why naht. Da Eldurs make dey own decisions, but dey took meh even t'ough ah be runnin from Westfall. Dey got ways ta look inta joor heart an ta see da truth of joor soul. If joor naht a agent of da blooddemon, den..."
She shrugs, her smile non-committal.
Writer: Ajashali
Quietly eats what his mate feeds him and all of the sudden desides that Waleska's lap isn't his current preferred perch. He crawls over near the fire and curls up in a giant ball. The huge panther walks over and flops on top of him. Out of a bush comes four small kittens that join their mother on top of the sleepy hunter.
A few minutes later Mojo joins the party and starts trying to beg food from Waleska.
Writer: Waleska
"Ju seem ta have da right spirit ta meh."
Waleska pulls the last of the filet from her fish, then gives the remainder to Mojo, being sure to keep her hands away from his hungry mouth.
"Why dun we travel dere an find out. Ju evah been ta Booty Bay, or sail on a ship?"
Writer: Lashi
Lashi quickly extinguished the fire and cleaned up a bit. "I happy ta go wit joo too. Ma sistah nah expectin me for a while yet, so I free righ now, ya?"
Writer: Zaiji
"Ah seen Booty Bay, but den dis 'uman come up. De goblins dey beats him wit' sticks. Ah dinna wan' ta get beat wit de sticks sos Ah stay away."
Zaiji smiles brightly, "Ah be readah ta leave de jungle, iff'n j'all be. Joo bot' reallah go wit' me?"
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Post by Archivist~Alabaster on Feb 15, 2006 18:18:02 GMT -5
Writer: Ajashali
He wakes up with a massive yawn as the fire goes out. Silently he dumps various animals off him and wanders over to Waleska.
"We goes now?" he askes as he stands up and kisses her. "Ifin joo wanna be alones I go hunts da Scalp mons trackin her."
Crouching and feeding Mojo, he waits for an answer.
Writer: Waleska
"Ju welcome ta come if ju like an help make shuah we get dere safe an all..."
Waleska pulls him close in a hug, burying her face into his chest and inhaling deeply of his scent- strength and rest and leather. She then looks from Ajashali to Zaiji, then speaks to Aja in a lower tone, "ah t'ink she say dat onna dem be her blood kin- her brothah. Ah naht shuah how she feelin bout ju huntin dem. Mebbe it best ta let Zaiji decide on dis... It might be impohtant foah her ta stand up ta him herself when she reddah."
Writer: Zaiji
"Ah tank ya fo' wantin' ta do dat, Ajashali. Bu' dey tink Ah's dead. Dats wha' de message be dey take back ta Mar'li. Iff'n she fin' out Ah's no' dead, she sen' out da spidahs." A hard shudder races through Zaiji's body at the thought of the spiders.
"Joo wanna come wit'? Ah like ta hear how all des," she gestures at the animals, "fin' joo an' make joo dey's. Ah nevah seen any like des two." Zaiji points at the owl and the bear.
Writer: Waleska
Waleska grins, "den we all go ta'gethah, ja?" She skips merrily down the trail, then pauses, looking back and waiting for her friends, new and old.
Writer: Ajashali
Bundles off in a swarm of animals chasing his mate playfully.
"I tells joo all about animals whiles we walks. Comons!" he says and runs off with a kitten clinging to his back and a very disgruntled owl trying to stay on his shoulder.
Writer: Zaiji
Zaiji laughs in pure delight at the two lovers. So similar and yet, so different.
"Ah be commin'."
Grabbing up her one lone pack, and her small bow, she runs off after the others, Nre'ka trailing behind ever watchful of his heart-spirit, Zaiji.
Writer: Lashi
Lashi quietly followed her companions. She channeled the power of the Sea God and sent his fortifying power to strengthen the young hunter.
"Agwe, help dis los child, ya? Help keep her from da eye of da Evil One an dose dat serve Him."
Digging into her pockets, the priestess pulled out some Blindweed and some Stranglekelp. She popped the Stranglekelp into her mouth and bit into it, savoring the salty tang of it. The Blindweed she sprinkled over the path behind her, to obscure the group's passage.
"Wait fo me!"
Writer: Waleska
While she waits for her companions, a soft whisper stirs her tousled locks- the briny scent of Shadowprey wakes a memory from her earliest days. Waleska brings a finger to her teeth and nips its tip. Looking up to the sky, she flicks a spray of blood to the wind, then marks her right cheek. "Ik'uh, ah heah. Ik'uh, ah remembah."
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