How long had it been since Alkaphrah had actually enjoyed the company of someone during the winter festivities? Far longer than she cared to think, and as she sat at the bar in a Silvermoon tavern, waving at the bartender to add another pint to her tab, she sighed, a melancholy expression crossing her features. She was lonelier than she'd care to admit, but it was something the orc had grown accustomed to. No one wanted to spend such a warm and joy-filled holiday with a dead warrior filled with heartache.
Sighing as the tankard was placed before her, she threw a couple of gold pieces upon the bar, taking the drink in her hand. It was a strong drink, it's alcoholic flavor prominent upon her tongue, but it would take more ale than all of Silvermoon had to offer to even get her the slightest feeling of intoxication.
Then again, why was she here? Silvermoon held nothing of any value to her, save for a friend she had made with Remiel Dawnmist, and more often than naught, snide remarks would follow her throughout the city. It was a shame; Alkaphrah thought the Sin'dorei capital to be a beautiful place, but the inhabitants and their nasty comments took away from the beauty, lessening it to almost nothing.
A commotion behind her caused her ears to twitch, and raising her brows, she looked over her shoulder, a small frown tugging her lips as she caught the sight of a blind elf pushing his way through the drunken crowd. She heard his voice, mumbling to himself as he tried to keep from drawing attention to himself. But it was all in vain, for he had bumped into a man, rather large and bulky for a Sin'dorei, who immediately rose to his feet, an imposing figure above Remiel, who at that moment, had reached his hands out, feeling the man who seemed to fume in anger.
Sensing the worst to come, Alkaphrah downed her drink before rising to her feet, glowing, icy hues fixed upon the Sin'dorei at hand, who had grabbed Remi but the scruff of his shirt, his lips bared in a snarl.
"Listen here, you jackass," he hissed through his teeth, but that was all that was allowed to slip his mouth before something heavy thudded against his head. Features twisted in fury as the bar suddenly went silent, Alkaphrah wiped off her hands, having thrown a half-full tankard of ale at the man.
"Don't speak to him like that," she growled, eyes flashing dangerously. The elf didn't seem perturbed by her words, and turned back to Remiel, who seemed to cower before him, though hope crossed his expression as he had heard Alkaphrah's voice. Several snide remarks were hissed again at the blind priest, and before anyone could think twice about going to his aid, Alkaphrah had crossed the bar in three, long strides, her fist sinking into the elf's cheek. He stumbled backward onto the ground, and she slammed her plate-covered boot onto his chest, her axe in her hand as she pressed the blade to his throat.
"I told you not to speak to him like that," she hissed, features contorted in rage. "That elf is mine, and if anyone is going to be mean to him, it's going to be me. So shove off, asshole." After a moment, Alkaphrah drew her weapon back and released him, tossing a few more coins upon the bar, mumbling, "Sorry about that."
Turning to Remiel, her expression had softened ten-fold, and with a touch so gentle that he would have thought it anyone else, Alka helped him steadily to his feet, leading him away. "Shouldn't be in here, Remi," she murmured as they left the bar. "What were you doing here, anyway? Don't you have someone to spend Winter Veil with?"
He shook his head sadly, lips curved into a frown. "I'm afraid not, Alka," he replied, his hand brushing up against her arm as he steadied himself. "I'm all alone, and I figured, why not go to the bar and drown that loneliness with come alcohol? Seems like you and I had the same idea." He chuckled softly, his lips lifted into a half smile. "Honestly, I half expected you to be there anyway; I knew you'd be in Silvermoon this week, and that happens to be your favorite bar here."
Alkaphrah grunted, running a hand over her shaved head. She had been leading him in the direction of his home, making sure he got safely there, before she decided to disappear. However, as they came to a halt outside of his door, she found herself stopping, leaning against the door frame as she watched Remi, pursing her lips. She realized she didn't want to leave him, rather, she'd prefer to stay and spend the night with someone she considered a friend. Someone she was a little more fond of than she'd be willing to admit. Though it seemed that Remiel had the same idea as she did, because he too leaned against the frame, reaching out his hands to feel her face.
It was something that Alkaphrah had become used to, but it still startled her whenever Remi decided to place his hands upon her. Though she wouldn't admit it to anyone, even herself, she did enjoy his touch; it made her feel important, like she was wanted, and as his fingers felt the expression upon her eyes and lips, his own features mimicked it.
"You're always so sad, Alka," he murmured, resting his hands upon her cheeks, feeling the warmth arise in them. "It's Winter Veil, you should be happy!" Though he attempted to lift her spirits, it was clear to the orc that he was likewise unhappy, and that brought a sad chuckle to her lips.
"So are you, Remiel," she murmured in response, lifting her hands to his, her cool skin resting upon his warm hands. "Yes, it's Winter Veil, and yes, I should be happy, but I'm not. And so long as nobody wants to spend this holiday with me, it's going to stay the same." She let his hands fall to his side, and she began to back away, to spend the rest of the evening alone, but before she could make it a step, Remiel's hand had locked around her wrist, pulling her back to him.
"I want to spend Winter Veil with you," he murmured, the tips of his ears turning a rosy pink. Eyes widening, Alkaphrah shook her head, chuckling sadly.
"You're crazy, Remi," she replied. "I'm the opposite of what you, as a Priest, believe in. I should be the last person you want to spend the holiday with." At her words, he shook his head, clicking his tongue.
"Alka, I'm sorry, but you're an idiot." His words caused her to blink in surprise, but she remained silent as he continued. "Maybe I should be a bit more open about my feelings than I am, as well. Yeah, you're a Death Knight. Yeah, you should be dead. And yeah, you're the opposite of the Light. But that's not your fault." He paused, reaching his hands up to her face once more, and she closed her eyes as they rested upon her cheeks, sighing softly.
"Sure, your skin's a bit colder than the rest of us, but here, I feel two eyes and ears, a strong nose, a pair of sharp tusks, and surprisingly soft lips. But it all makes a face of a strong woman who lets no one beat her down without a good beating first." His lips curved into a brighter smile as his hands traced her jaw and neck, finally allowing them to rest over her slowly beating heart.
"And if I do say so, myself," he continued, feeling the beat of her heart elevate slightly as his fingers tickled at her skin, "This woman is a woman I admire. Everything about her screams goddess, if you ask me." Her heartbeat quickened once again, and Alkaphrah felt a burning sensation not only on her face, but in the pit of her stomach as he spoke.
"I'd blame your words on the alcohol," she mused, resting her hands upon his, "but you didn't drink a damn thing in that bar before I dragged you out." Her remark earned her a laugh, and a shake of his head.
"I'm telling you, Alka, this is how I feel about you. Trust me, I didn't think that a broken jaw would result in feeling my stomach churn in delight when I'm around you, but heck, it did!" His hand slipped out of hers, reaching up to brush against her chin. "You're a strong and amazing woman, who could probably crush me like a twig between your fingers, but it'd be an honor to have you join me for the rest of Winter Veil." Waggling his eyebrows at her, a goofy grin upon his lips, Alkaphrah couldn't help but to laugh, shaking her head in mirth.
"Fine, fine," she mused, snorting slightly. "Lead the way in, Remi, we'll have a drink to this Winter Veil!"
"By all means, my goddess," he purred with a sly grin. "But first, you should look up." Raising her brows, she looked up, her icy eyes widening in surprise as a sprig of mistletoe hung above them, and glancing back down at him, she was stunned to see a knowing smirk upon his lips.
"You ass," she mused, punching him on the shoulder playfully. "You did that on purpose." He shrugged nonchalantly, though the smirk was still plastered across his lips, and he quirked a brow at her knowingly.
"Guilty as charged," he purred, raising his hands to rest upon her jaw. "But don't pretend that you don't like it, Alka. You may be rough with me, but it's always in the most caring of ways~" She chuckled, her hands grabbing at the front of his robes, tightly in her fist.
"Alright, you're right about that..." And without another word, Alkaphrah tugged Remiel against her, their lips meeting for the first time as his arms wrapped around her waist, his hands grabbing hungrily at her back. Deepening the kiss, he sighed happily into it as her arms wrapped around his shoulders, fingers entangling into his long, blonde hair.
And for the first time in forever, both Alkaphrah and Remiel felt at ease and content during Winter Veil.
