#ahordeoftrouble

THIS WAS a very new thing to try! @ahordeoftrouble (who i also can’t tag what the heck tumbo) requested a bust done in the glassy design style of their Arakkoa character. All the stuff I’ve done before was very generic so it was fun figuring out how to use that design style on an actual distinct character.

A deep, amused chuckle escaped his throat, one of his eye brows quirking as his gaze lifted.  He had been in the blacksmiths, hammering out the dings in his new-ish set of armor. “Another one? Yer askin’ if I’m gonna marry someone?” Picking up the vambrace, he lifted it up to the magically-enchanted light, blue eyes trailing along its surface.  

“Not anytime soon, sorry.  Bein’ dead, I can’t do that to someone.”  Allowing a moment for what he assumed would be a contrary squawk, he rumbled deeply. “It’s okay!  I’m at peace with it; I know I got folks who are okay with it, but long term?  I couldn’t ask them ta deal with that daily—especially with as often as we’re at war.”  Placing the vambrace back onto the workbench, he kept his eyes on Rekkis.

The Worgensimply sat in the small dwelling, eyes boring a hole into nothing inparticular.  His thoughts were a miasma,self-defeat, and loathing. All which were interrupted as Rekkis barged in,causing the Worgen to lean forward. Or attempt to, as a hundred pounds ofanguished Arakkoa thumped into him.  

On the plusside, those baleful thoughts were instantly pushed away. “Rekkis…. Easy, kiddo,easy.”  Pulling the Arakkoa in close, theWorgen’s chest gave off a soothing rumble, blue eyes watching the door warily. Ileft that out of the letter… “I ain’t making you go anywhere.  Yer doing good work with the Federation—I’dbe more upset if you quit that.”   Forthe moment, he allowed Rekkis the time he needed to get it all out, ensuringthe full, warm hug was kept.  Only oncethe nervous trembling eased up did he move back, his luminous blue eyescentering on Rekkis.

“I wouldnever give ya up, kid. They wouldn’t take you back as long as I’ve got movementleft in me. Especially back… there.” Shaking his head, his muzzle spread out. “No, yer here now.  Yer doin’ some fine work with theFederation—more than you were ever allowed to back there.  So, no, yer not goin’ back—especially withthem.”  The mutt was getting -better- athiding his anger, but for a brief moment, his lips curled upward.  Especially since….

TheWorgen’s ear perked as two slight, rapid knocks announced a presence.  Turning to the door, his eyes fell on thesoldier there. “You have a visitor, Gunnison. About your ward.” Instantly, hisears fell back, jaw tightening.  Andthen? An apology. “Oh, no no! Nothing like that. You have visitors asking afterhim.” The guard stepped forward, voice falling in volume. “A pair of Arakkoa.They’re not cursed.”  While the reliefflooded him, the Worgen’s eye brows rose, Stahl cocking his head.

“Thanks,Dunn.  I’ll head out ta meet them.”Taking off his blacksmith’s apron, he hung it by the peg as he stepped into thehallway, his thoughts racing as he entered the main lobby. Two high Arakkoaturned to him; while Stahldrauf wasn’t able to easily read their body language,it wasn’t hard to feel their distaste.  “…Is there a problem?”

The twoshared a look, before the slightly taller one stepped towards him. “We’re tounderstand you’ve taken care of Rekkis.” Stahldrauf crossed his arms, watching warily as the other spoke.  Something seemed… off. “You seem to beencouraging his flights of fancy. Gadgets, tinkering… it’s not safe forhim.” The high Arakkoa’s beak clacked in disdain.

“Well… no,but safe for ‘im has always been relative. I found ‘im in a tree, cornered by wolves.” His muzzle spread out. “Now,he’s makin’ gadgets to help people. An’ from some reports, he’s doing some goodfor the Nightborn in Suramar. They’re not idle dreams, they’re---“

“Sacrilegiousand foolish! Those same dreams are what got him cast out.” The Death Knight hadnever heard an Arakkoa hiss before. “The boy is never going to amount toanything if he continues to pursue down that path. And that’s why…We’re here totake him back.”  Both of his ears fullyperked now, a well of defensiveness forming within the Worgen’s gut.  As if anticipating the objection, one slenderhand came up, accenting the beautiful plumage of the Arakkoa’s wings.  “I assure you, we’re his parents.”

Suspicionfilled him now, the Worgen beginning to slowly stand up straight. “….Both of yaaren’t cursed.  How can you be hisparents?”  As he spoke, Stahldrauf felthis temper fraying.  He was betterthan this, though. Even the ill-tempered Paladin gave him a second chance.  Fists balling in restraint, he held them athis sides, taking one long, slow breath. These were Rekkis’ parents; and for better or for worse, he would treatthem with respect.

“He wascast out when he was younger.  Fromthere, we lost contact.  I am glad theAdherents never got him.”

…Or wouldhe.  That callous tone pierced hisrestraint; lips curling, a snarl escaped his tone. “Glad? Glad? You castout yer own son, an’ yer just ‘glad’?!” Taking a step forward, the Worgen’s stature straightened up. The furalong his neck stood on end as he sneered down.

“Listen, wecouldn’t—“

“Couldn’t what?Face your son after castin’ him out? Couldn’t help him agains’ the raiding parties you sent out? Oh,‘ow about the it’s been five years?!” His fists unballed, claws splayingout.  Stahl felt something urging him toviolence. It had been so long since he last lashed out at someone. Andthey were weak… small… and so very frail. Still, he held his ground.

“It’s notlike that. He was a pariah. The same fate would ha---“

“Shut up.Right now.” Fangs glistening in the light, the Worgen took another stepforward. “I swear, if ya so much as lay a hand on him, your bones beingripped from your body will be the very last thing you feel.”  Stahl couldn’t do that to a live body…. Buthe bet they didn’t know that. “I love Rekkis.  It’s because of that that I will pass on yer message.I’ll honor his wishes.  If you attempt toremove or limit ‘im in any way, I will be sure it.” Stepping forward, he lookeddown his snout. “Will.” Another step, fangs fully bared. “Not.” His tongue cameout, making his fangs glisten with saliva. “Happen again. Do you have anyquestions?”