#abantou

Her flight brought her to the Dranosh’ar Blockade, landing on the outskirts as large groups of people moved around, preparing for war. Meals being handed out, armor and weapons distributed. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, was Meilahn. She dismounted from her Wyrm, drawing attention from many to her as it took to the skies again, Abantou landing behind her and stepping off his disc, glancing around as he stepped up beside her, putting an arm around her, trying to be a calming influence for her.

“She’s here, you said? Seems like the rest of the Horde is here as well… where do you think we should start?”

Malourn sighed, glancing around at those as they began to move again, paying her no more mind as she began to stride into the camp. “First. The medical tents, hopefully they’ll only keep her for mending injuries…”

“We’ll find her, love.”

She nodded, slipping an arm around him in return for a moment, glancing about and starting to walk again, hoping to find her way towards the medical tents in the hopes of finding her friend, carefully making her way through the crowd. At least she had the advantage of height in order to see over most others. Abantou sticking by her side and doing his best to re-assure and comfort her as they wandered, making their way until they reached the tents, asking and walking through as healers of all kinds prepared for the inevitable flood of injured on their return, possibly even busier than the rest of the camp. But there was no sign of Mei.

Just as she was about to suggest looking elsewhere, the drums and horns sounded, everyone beginning to make their way to the ships along the shore, cries of war rising from the gathering of horde. She glanced back to Abantou as the throng of people pushed past, reaching to grab his hand before making her way along with them.

It was an hour yet before everyone was on their ship, Malourn standing at the bow of one with Abantou close, giving her an affectionate hug, sensing her tension. She removed her helmet, moving to sit against the front of the ship, the sails unfurling and setting them on their way, Abantou moving to sit with her, slipping an arm around her waist, as she put an arm around his shoulders.

“It’ll be okay, hon, from what you’ve said, she can care for herself.” He leaned over to give her a kiss on her cheek, rubbing along her exposed mane.

Malourn nodded, closing her eyes and leaning against him. The hours passed, Abantou doing his best to re-assure her, bring her peace before the fighting began. Mostly everyone was quiet as they sailed, only the sound of the wind and water, along with the rattle of weapons and armor as the boat rocked and everyone’s weight shifted.

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Eventually, everyone began to stare into the distance, putting on the armor they had removed for the sake of comfort, or readying their weapons. Malourn looking to Abantou and rousing him slightly, he had managed to find the peace to doze off against her, and as he stirred she rose, pulling him up with her, and turned to face towards their destination. The air growing cold as she saw the Shore, quietly asking for the Earthmother to keep them all safe, Abantou and Meilahn especially. Hoping that maybe, just maybe, she would be heard despite her misgivings for the deity.

She stared off the bow of the ship, the thundering fel storm above as the armada drew closer to the shore, other warriors of the Horde shouting and yelling their war cries, getting the fighting spirit pumping in everyone. But not her, her focus was on the coming fight in its own way, some giving her space for the cold she radiated, except for Abantou. He stood close by while the shadows danced along his form, giving Malourn a comforting touch. “She’ll be fine, dear. She’s likely back in Orgrimmar healing injuries. Out of the fight.”

Malourn slid her helm on, and then looked back to him. “Still fighting to protect her, and everyone else, I just pray to whoever would listen that you’re right…”

War cries, rocks landing in the water and rocking the ship, a few members of the Horde going into the water as the ship moved. And there were more coming, some covered in Fel Flames, marking them as infernals, and more than a few were lining the shore along with other monstrosities of the Legion, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

The captain of the ship drew his blade, everyone else following his lead, the boat grinding against the shore with a united cry of Lok’tar Ogar, warriors leaping from the boat and running through the shallows, swarming the beach. The cries of battle and death filling the air, Malourn followed behind, staying just ahead of her mate as they joined the charge.

The Horde proceeded to push their way through the demons, pushing them back from the beach, but not without their own losses, a Pit Lord throwing bodies around and searing many with its magic before it eventually fell to Horde blades. Malourn helping dispatch Fel Guards and other minor demons after it fell, but looked to the sky at the sound of the airship above, seeing Sylvanas’ airship going down, burning and hitting the ground hard, leaving most stunned for but a moment. The Horde rallied and pushed forward that much harder, attempting to reach the wreck and aid those still swinging their axes and aiding the cause.

She started to pull ahead of the others, blade spilling demon blood, until they eventually made it, finding the band of survivors still pushing forward against the demons despite their crash landing, the bulk of the Horde forces quickly joining them despite the heavy artillery fire raining down from the Legion’s fel cannons.

She traversed the land carefully, but with speed, trying to reach the crash with the others, but was pressed to the flank, keeping the demons from coming from the sides of their forces, slicing through a few more Fel Guard and felstalkers, everyone working in tandem to bring them down. Eventually the Alliance coming into view on their own front, pushing through the demonic lines as best as they could, spilling as much fel blood as the horde, Each faction possibly glad to see the other in one of the rare times in their existence.

Eventually they split off again, the Horde taking the ridgeline as the Alliance pressed Gul’dan and his forces directly, Malourn fighting hard with Abantou protecting her as she protected him from magical threats, silencing and freezing the minds of doomguard and casters to prevent their casting. But for each demon they cut down two more emerged from their lines, portals opening everywhere and allowing more demons through each second.

She cut down another Guard, turning its own blade against them and then was sent flying, her left side erupting into agony, hearing her armor buckle as she slid against the ground, letting out a yell at the sudden pain. Trying to rise when she finally came to a stop, but her body didn’t cooperate, arm hanging semi limply against her side, her hooves scrambling as she saw what had clipped her as it landed. The infernal rising from its crater and swatting horde aside, roaring a challenge as it burned anyone staying to close. It looked around and set its eyes on Abantou, beginning to run towards him, and spurring Mal to finally get up, wielding her sword in a single hand, her rage overcoming the pain, charging into the Demon’s side, a magical shield surrounding her protecting her from its’ flame, using her weight to drive the sword through its body, taking it to the ground.

He rushed to her side, as she slowly rose, surprising a few that saw her go flying, standing with her armor crumpled, ichor dripping from her side, ice beginning to coat her, stopping the wounds from flowing. The void began to leave his form, sliding under her arm beginning to guide her from the fighting, just as the line broke, and the horn of retreat sounded. Some warriors held the line as they moved back, keeping the demons from slaughtering those with their backs turned as they made their way back to what ships were sea-worthy.

She made her way with the rest of them, only Abantou’s urging keeping her from standing and fighting with the rest to buy time for the rest. His worry and concern driving her on to remain ahead of the tide, and allowing her to keep her eye on him as they ran, keeping him from being left behind or lost in the crowd. More cries of battle and the cries of the fallen, Val’kyr grabbing those they could to return to the ships, grabbing the few generals and leaders that didn’t fight to stay with their men, or those most critically injured and in the most need.

A Val’kyr even came for her, but she sent them off, she could endure the pain, and she could still run, unlike a few others, the demons relentless in their attacks against the retreating Horde. They ran past bodies of those already fallen in their earlier push, and they could see the Alliance airship moving in towards where they last saw them fighting against Gul’dan, but they weren’t their concern. It was time to survive.

The boats came into view, the first of the Horde still running beginning to board the numerous ships. Those still sea-worthy, while Val’kyr continued to fly back and forth between the ships and the army, demons and horde still falling as they fought, a defensive line forming between the ships and the demon host, buying time for as many as possible to get on the ships. Abantou doing his best to force Malourn on board, despite her protests of holding the line with the rest, eventually getting her onto the deck and following after her, void taking his form again as he began casting his magic against the demons.

A minute, followed by a second, and then the ships began to move en masse. Shaman using the winds to fill the sails and push them away from the shores, those wielding magic protecting the ships as they gained speed, Malourn feeling useless as she could only lean against the side of the ship, clutching at her side and arm, gritting her teeth against the pain. The ships eventually pulling away far enough to be out of the reach of Fel magic, though many refused to let down their guard, though Abantou dropped by Malourn’s side, offering to help her in anyway, but she knew he couldn’t. His holy magic would only burn, and could likely do far more damage to her already damaged body. She glanced about for a Val’kyr, one who may be able to at least manage something for her, but they appeared to be gone, perhaps covering the skies for their retreat from what demons possessed wings.

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The ride back was agonizing, but Malourn remained silent through all of it, Abantou’s presence helping her deal with the pain, certainly a new experience for her, the only pain worse being the times she willingly allowed a paladin or Abantou to cauterize her wounds with the light.  

Eventually the ships limped back into the port in the Blockade, Abantou helping pull Mal to her hooves and aiding her off the ship, those with severe injuries being lead off first. Someone did come for her but she drove them away. She wasn’t dying, just hurting; she could wait for someone’s help later, though she silently hoped Sarah was close by. They made their way through the camp, staying out of the way of the others as they ran to the tents or to their loved ones, Abantou leading Malourn towards a quiet area, and setting her down in relative peace.

“Need Sarah. She can fix this, Abantou. I’m not dying on you any time soon. Just hurts, is all…” She hissed at another spike of pain as she moved, reaching with her good arm to remove the damaged plate, pinched, crumpled, and black with ichor, the extent of the damage becoming clear as she freed her arm. The bone had to have been broken, and her arm was bent awkwardly, the metal reinforcing it damaged, likely beyond repair, and many places where the armor pinched or cut her skin as it was damaged, fur Matte with the ichor. She glanced up at Abantou who was rightly concerned, worrying over her. “I’ll be fine. Sarah can fix this….” She leaned back, holding her side, chestplate still in place. “She can fix me. Just… don’t tell Meilahn, when we do see her. Leave her to her work, the others will need it.”

She smiled up at him, pulling him down for a reassuring hug, to keep him calm for her own sake, whispering to him before giving him a gentle kiss.

Malourn sighed as she filled another one of her crates with her belongings. She moved between crates, packing up the items in her tent carefully as the hours ticked by. Assortments of crates were now stacked throughout her tent, filled with multiple personal items. She had packed fully about half of everything before she decided to take a break, moving to the tree just outside her tent and sitting down to reflect, quietly growing angry again at the previous days’ events.

Two days ago was spent defending the Bluff from daring Alliance attackers, successfully driven off after they made no headway against the defenders, Mal herself turning a few away with her own blade. Only minor injuries on both sides, though she imagines she left some of the more serious ones. After ensuring the Alliance were well and truly gone, she departed the Bluff with the intent to visit her friend Sarah in the Undercity, wishing to thank her for her help recently with a personal matter. She had gathered some help that her mate had needed recently, his new magics coming to life and afflicting him with nightmares. Though with Sarah’s help, as well as Aislinne and the two elves she had collected to meet with the, Abantou had gained control, and shut out the nightmares. But unknown to her, eyes had seen her departure, and had sent word ahead to others.

She searched high and low for her friend throughout the Apothecarium, and came up short. None had seen Sarah in a while, or knew where she might have been, resigned to defeat, Mal decided to visit the Enchanting vendor nearby. She approached behind another Tauren, who was doing business, to look over some of the items being offered, quietly judging the work while considering how their individual enchantments might benefit many different people. Eventually, after concluding business, the other tauren decided to speak to her, sharing a quiet and pleasant conversation in the waning hours of the night. And then the orcs showed up.

There were three of them, and they surrounded Mal, the tauren, and the vendor, trapping them into the corner of the Apothecarium. And they were here for Malourn. They eventually let the other Tauren go, leaving him to wander about the Undercity again, though he did seem to keep watch from a distance for a while as the three orcs began to make Demands and Threats towards Malourn and the Mercantile. The same orcs that had sent an envoy to them weeks ago with talk of a deal, a trade agreement that Jaodao had turned down, and with good reason. They were demanding half of everything the Bluepaw had and produced, with no payment, until who knows when they would be done with it. Malourn had suspicions that this time would never come, and quietly had waited for when the threats would begin. The orcs approached her with a deliberate, if forced, honorable approach. Soon enough, they started making demands to know where the Bluepaw’s treasury was, and their warehouses of goods, eventually resulting to insulting Mal herself, because of her nature as a Death Knight. In previous months, she would have taken offense and started a fight with no questions asked, but she maintained a diplomatic approach to the ones in front of her, trying as it was. She maintained that their answer had already been delivered and that there would be no deal, drawing out more insults and threats against her. She refused to back down, or be cowed in any way. Then an old friend, Zin’druk, now very much different than when she last saw him, somehow found himself behind the orcs, and began throwing insults to them, distracting them until they finally left with a final warning of what might come should they not receive their way.

She began to take her leave of the Undercity, her breathing slow and deliberate as she tried to force herself to calm, when the approach of another gave away her twitchiness. She reached for her weapon when the tauren from earlier had found her again and approached, asking what all that business had been about. She only told him the bare necessities, to get the point of what happened across, and began to strike up a conversation again with him. As they talked about what had happened and slightly of how on edge Malourn was, it came to light that this other tauren had a very strange understanding of her thinking as a Knight. Though the evening dragged on and eventually they went their separate ways, Malourn returning to the Bluff and writing out letters for some of the others within the Mercantile, alerting them to what had happened, and some of her own suspicions about what loomed on the horizon, before she rested for the evening.

The day after, she was on a bit more of an edge than usual, keeping a closer eye on any orcs she spotted in the Bluff, watching for if they were part of that group, or gave any indication they were keeping tabs on herself or any other Mercantile member. The day dragged on, no incidents happening, Malourn remaining on her patrol diligently before returning to her tent for a quick stop and discovered, to her delight, she had a visitor. Abantou sat near the tree, looking up at her approach and offered her his hand, which she quickly took before setting herself down next to him, holding onto him before she began to share what had happened previously. Finding comfort in his embrace, she recollected the orcs, the threats, and how it might affect him or the Tribe simply because of association.

Just as she began to really settle in with Abantou, planning for at least a few hours of cuddling up on him, her radio began to go off. Genrah was calling for her, and he mentioned orcs.

She was up and off the side of the Bluff in a second, landing on her Wyrm’s back and heading towards the Spirit Rise, coming upon a scene of three more orcs, two from the previous night, surrounding and threatening one of their latest arrivals, a pandaren monk named Xiu. Malourn landed just behind the orcs, her Wyrm adding to her presence, making no other demands than that the orcs left. Immediately. Which to her surprise, they did. Though only because they were done with their threats, as well as stating they were leaving one of their Blademasters behind, so that they all might ‘get to know each other.’ Malourn was having none of it, and when they all began to walk away, whisked Xiu away to her tent on the rise, as well as Genrah and calling Xingba over the radio to gather there. To discuss what had happened and what they might be doing about it.

Malourn growled quietly to herself, her train of thought leading up to the very reason why she was doing what she was doing. Minutes passed, Abantou doing what he could to settle Xiu’s nerves after her encounter, Genrah doing the same in an attempt to calm the girl as Malourn talked with Xingba, relating the days’ events as she best understood them. Unfortunately, the orcs eventually stumbled across them, walking on the path just around the Hunter Rise, obviously stopping to look at all of them gathered. Malourn rolling her shoulders and prepared to fight before they continued to walk off, though only so far as to be just out of sight. She was not pleased in the least about them seeing them all gathered around her tent, knowing now of a place that her and the others could meet. She began to think of possibly moving her belongings, temporarily, to avoid conflict, when the appearance of a troll rogue, seen walking with the orcs earlier as they departed,  just beside her tent, sealed her decision. Malourn, Xiu, and Gen found their way to the inn, Malourn staying on watch and not leaving Xiu alone, as she was still rattled, and remained that way through the night. The morning bringing the light she needed to begin her newest self-appointed task.

Malourn woke early, dressing and gathering what few items she needed for the day. She was going to get to visit Pandaria, visit Meilahn, and learn a little more of the Bluepaw’s history, despite her hesitations to dressing in Rhedin’s gear for the evening. She still had no idea what Jie Kie was doing asking her when Rhedin herself was going to be there, but had agreed anyway, not quite certain what he had planned for that evening. Soon she departed from the Bluff, seeking the path in the north that would take her to the Thundermoon Village, to begin her day.

She had spent the early morning of the day with Rhosin, getting the gear adjusted so it would fit her taller frame. The druid still didn’t seem the slightest comfortable around Mal, though she tried sincerely to push it aside. Malourn understood it. She was a Death Knight, she also had Blodwen’s blade with her, to use for the story telling. At least the conversation was pleasant, despite the discomfort, before they had finished, Rhedin’s gear now adjusted to Malourn. And as she looked over herself in a mirror, she couldn’t help but feel a little awkward, showing a little more fur than she’d like, and the lack of weight from all her usual plate threw her off just slightly. But soon it was time to depart, and she gathered her dress and sword before heading towards Orgrimmar, seeking the portal to Pandaria.

During her flight she couldn’t help but ponder what she was going to see, she knew of Pandaria’s beauty and of what Yao’Lin and Meilahn had described of it she was looking forward to seeing as much of it as she could. And the thought of being able to visit Meilahn for a while brought a smile to her face; she was looking forward to that most of all, seeing how her friend was doing and to hear of Kong’s adventure and well-being.  All these thoughts going through her mind, she hadn’t realized she had already arrived outside Orgrimmar, the city beginning to wake up as the heat began to kick in. She directed her wyrm to the Valley of Honor before landing near the portal to Pandaria, taking a breath, not quite certain of what to expect before she gathered her things and directed her wyrm through, then followed after him.

Upon setting hoof down in the Jade forest at the opposite side of the portal, Malourn was taken aback, seeing all the different buildings and the beauty of the land…. And at how small most things were to someone of her stature.  She stood stock still, shaking off the lingering affects the portal had but mostly just staring at everything around her upon her first visit and seeing the land her friends had spoken so fondly of, and how right they were. After a fair number of minutes of simply staring in awe at the forest and the nearby lands to Honeydew Village, she set off on her wyrm again, languidly flying through the forest as she looked for the spot Mei had asked to meet her at, and the map she had on hand as she tried to situate herself, taking a few minutes looking it over before coming across the Jade Statue that had been constructed for Yu’Lon. The destruction caused by the emergence of the Sha stunned Malourn as she looked around at the devastation, feeling a slight loss and a small spike of anger that she quickly quelled. She knew what this was and the warnings she had gotten from her friends. But this was not the time to dwell on that, she had a friend to meet.

She eventually found her way to some land outside the Arboretum, a few minutes late but that’s to be expected when she was learning a new land and distracted as she was by its beauty. Soon she found herself at Mei’s doorstep, the two of them greeting each other and hugging, catching up on things that have gone on in their lives respectively. They spent the afternoon talking over tea and cookies, thoroughly enjoying their time together again, if temporary. Recounting everything important between them, making plans, and promising to write more letters to each other between talks. Unfortunately the hour grew close to the planned meeting with the Mercantile and Tribe, and Malourn had to leave her friend, but made promises to visit again sometime soon, before heading on her way to halfhill.

There she met Jie and Rhedin, waiting for the others to arrive, asking about what her role was in the storytelling and being told she’d know when it was time. Leaving her confused, but she had no time to enquire as others began to show up, resigning herself to a spot in the doorway of the building's porch they were borrowing for the evening.

Malourn stood, recounting the day’s events while listening in on the storytelling, an arm around Abantou as she waited for whatever it was that Jie had planned for her. Enjoying the tale as she got to learn more of the Mercantile’s past and how it came to be. While at the same time she was amazed at how the tiny porch they found themselves on could hold as many people as it did, jam packed with nearly twenty tauren and pandaren combined. Soon however she found herself more focused on holding Abantou as Jie and Xing continued to share the tale of the Mercantile and how they came to the Bluff and began to make their name. Though she again refocused, as Jie had approached her talking about how he had come to Rhedin after seeing her deal with some goons shortly after Jie had met Rhosin. Holding out a badge to her and saying how he had approached Rhedin with the Job of being a Guard Captain for the Mercantile. Malourn played along, attempting to match Rhedin’s usual expression as she said “I’ll do it.” When asked if she would help protect the simple band of merchants, glad that the attention had shifted away from her and her different armor. Though something in Jie’s nod and smirk threw her off and she looked to the badge he handed her, assuming it had been a prop and soon found herself slowly breaking out into a smile when she saw that it was not a prop, but a guard badge. Her guard badge. Malourn held to the badge tight, arm around Abantou, happy as she could possibly be as she fully realized what had just happened.

The evening continued on, the tale over, as people mingled and joked with each other, enjoying their time. Though soon it was time to depart, but she wasn’t just ready yet to leave behind the beauty of Pandaria. Abantou offered to fly Malourn around to view the lands so that they might spend the evening together, using a vial of sands to do so. Carrying Malourn around the Valley of the four winds, over farmland and the rolling hills, Mal taking it all in in awe. Soon they were back in the Jade Forest, winding their way through the trees as they headed north, soon finding themselves in the area of Sri-La Village, resting atop one of the giant pillars of stone as they watched the Cloud Serpent grounds, and as serpents and their riders flew by, twisting and turning in the breeze.

Malourn rested against him as the night drug on, finding solace and peace in both the view and beauty of the land, and the comfort she felt in his embrace. Soon, they began to doze off, promising their love for each other while admiring the beauty of the world. Soon, Malourn found herself under his wing, literally, as it had begun to rain, Abantou providing her a shelter from it and offering a makeshift blanket as they had no camping gear. Soon they were asleep, comforted in each other’s presence, the grass providing both of them comfort, as well as knowing they loved each other greatly.

As close to a perfect day that Malourn had gotten in a long time.

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After their nights rest, they returned to Honeydew village to return to Orgrimmar and begin their trip home, Abantou having to leave for tribe business as Malourn began to make her way towards Thunder Bluff in the early morning, working off the effects of the portal, slight as they were. The trip was uneventful, light clouds keeping the sun from her eyes as her wyrm bore her back over the plains of durotar, the wastes of the Barrens, and then the grasslands of Mulgore.

Malourn was finally back in the Bluff, returning to her tent with a purpose and a smile. Pushing her way through the flap she set her Guard Badge on the crates filled with supplies for her enchanting and jewelcrafting. She looked towards her Mannequins filled with her different armor sets. Her blood armor, spiked blue armor, Hallows end, the armor she wore while she yet lived, and her newly repaired armor. The Black and Gold stood out amongst the other armors, the offsetting Cape and Tabard of the Bluepaw distinguishing it even more. She approached the mannequin, reaching and tentatively lifting the helm from the top, staring into the eye slit before setting it to the side. Looking down and carefully tracing her hand down the front of the scarred armor, the holes she had put in it when she had lost her badge mended almost seamlessly. She sighed, resigning herself to buying a new chest piece, any weakness could end a fight and not in a favorable way, despite her being a Death Knight. But that was not what she was doing at the moment. She was here to knock the dust off. And she began to re-don her armor, clamping everything into place, tying the chestpiece tight to her before she worked on her legplates, locking them into place and working her joints to see if anything had snagged.  The bracers slipped on easily enough before she slid the pauldrons into place, checking the buckles and straps for each shoulder and working her arms to make sure she had the free motion in each. Then she picked up the tabard, tracing her fingers over the Bluepaw symbol, swearing in her heart that anyone with that tabard or their allies could count her as a friend. No matter the personal differences or squabbles, she would go out of her way to help and protect all of her friends and allies. The tabard slipped over her with ease, followed by the belt, supplies strapped to it or in random pouches, a dagger waiting in a sheathe if needed, though something was still missing. She returned to the crates, picking up the Guard badge she had received recently anew, and clipped it into place, enchanting the glass to be durable to any blow. She slipped the chain for the cloak around her neck, binding it into place as she tucked Meilahn’s necklace and Abantou’s pendant under her armor, giving her chestplate a pat as both pieces of jewelry settled against her. Then she turned, eyeing her weapon rack as she slid her Axe into its place, exchanging it for the black and gold mace she had bought from Bailou so long ago, giving it a few small test swings before slipping it onto her back. She grabbed her radio, attaching it near her neck and retrieved the helm from its spot nestled on her cot, opening the back panel and sliding it onto her head, closing it around her horns and securing it into place. She stood inside her tent, reflecting on the previous day, meeting her friend, being returned to her Guard position, and spending the night with Abantou. She closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths before pushing back through the flaps on her tent, her newly donned armor clanking as she moved as she began to patrol the Bluff. Guard Deathwalker, remaining vigilant on her rounds, protecting her home, protecting her friends.

Malourn laid in her cot, reflecting on her day, and she couldn’t help but smile. It had been a normal day like any other, talked with some friends, made a few pieces of jewelry. Abantou finally emerged from her tent, having borrowed her cot for the night, and Jin’halo decided to pay a visit. They spent a good deal of the day together, talking about the previous day, the attacks of the Alliance, the wound she had suffered. All a pleasant way to pass the day before someone mentioned food, the three of them deciding on sharing a meal for a while. Abantou making steaks for them all while Jin’halo ran off to gather some drinks for the three. They had a wonderful time, sharing jokes as Jin’halo bragged about how she used spirits liberally in her Egg Nog. All the while Malourn just downed drink after drink, not feeling affected in the least.

Soon the revelry had to end, Jin’halo returning to her hides and craft while Abantou went off to find some rest among the Thundermoon, leaving Malourn at her tent to tend to the fire pit as it burned away the day. She spent some time cleaning things up, sketching a few more designs in her book, and even started making a few. She was killing the day away as best she could, Meilahn away with Kong’huo, she couldn’t go talk with her. She hadn’t seen Quinh in a while either, though she suspected she was spending her time with Xingba. The sun dipped behind the horizon, the fire dwindled, and the night moved on. Malourn kept her eyes out for Jin’halo, who had said she would return for a bit of a friendly chat again, but she never appeared. Probably busy with her hides or another hunt. She was surprised a little, however, when Abantou showed up again, giving her a greeting and joining her by the tree near her little camp.

They spoke at length, having a friendly chat about recent events. Whatever was causing him his illness, how her shoulder was, eventually giving each other half hugs. As the night grew on, their embrace grew closer, and before long they were nuzzling and cuddling under the tree, as they had done so before. But unlike before, there was more than just friendly comforting. Trading pecks on the cheeks, they started talking of what had been slowly becoming more apparent to Malourn. She had no doubts anymore, Jin’halo had made it abundantly clear that she wanted to court Mal, but with all the time spent together, she also recognized Abantou may have wanted the same. She was torn, she liked them both and enjoyed their company, but she didn’t want to have to pick between them and possibly cause hate or animosity between any of the three of them. She didn’t want to cause pain or lose a friend.

Then Abantou asked her how she felt about him, out of the blue, catching Malourn off guard. Malourn was tripping over herself with her words, talking about what she felt of him. She enjoyed his company, and he had also helped her with gifting her special soap that didn’t require water, which had always complicated her attempts to clean herself. He was there to help her more frequently and comfort her. She told him about how she thought he was a great person, still nervously tripping over her words, ending her rambling by squeezing him in a hug.

Abantou merely listened, slowly taking Malourn’s hand and began to speak, talking about how much kindness he saw in her, about how he made her happy and made his worries vanish at her side. That she was always a comforting presence for him. That they may have been Death Knight and Priest, but that their differences didn’t matter to him when it was who she was that he cared for. Abantou gave her hand another squeeze, looking her dead in the eyes and blushing, summing up that what he was trying to say was that he loved her. Malourn could only stare in surprise, mouth opening and closing as she tried to think of a reply and coming up with nothing. So she did the only thing she could think of, what was really the only response that she had. She cupped his cheek and leaned forward suddenly, kissing him while pulling him tighter into their embrace.

After their kiss broke, he reminded her that he wanted Malourn to be happy, even if that meant he still chose someone else over him. He knew that Jin was possibly after Malourn as well, and didn’t want to damage the bond between them. She could only start to worry, she didn’t want to lose Jin as a friend, but she also didn’t want to keep Abantou distant. Abantou merely smiled, promising that no matter what happened, he would be a presence in her life, Malourn telling him she’ll hold him to that, even if she had to move mountains.

Soon though, Abantou started to grow tired, and Malourn rose, carrying him into her tent, falling into her cot with him still in her arms. A few minutes passed, the two of them enjoying each other’s company, before Abantou started to succumb to his exhaustion, beginning to nod off. Malourn curled around him, holding him in her arms and nuzzling into his neck as he slowly fell asleep. Leaving her to reflect on the events of the day and of her time months before hand, how she had never imagined something like this happening, and would have most likely hurt someone who suggested anything like this. But here she was, more than happy to stay curled around him until he woke again.