#devilclaw outlaws

She ducked, dropping the flowers, and darted around the corner of the house, melding into the shadows just in time to see Rose open her door.

Rose looked around the pathway leading up to her house and furrowed her brow. She scooped up the flowers, smiling, and flipped over the tag – and her smile faded immediately. The door slammed shut.

Elv peeked into the window just in time to see Rose drop the flowers into the trash bin and disappear into her room.

It was Ruudra's favored place to meditate, tucked away from the depressed little human town and their insistent whining.

Knees pressed beneath the surface and sinking into the muck, he rested calm and less than content. The silence of night trickled as thoroughly as life's blood over his hooves, bringing with it a muted voice. A voice only heard by those who listened, fickle and giggling, patient and old. It was one he had sought out, innumerable times before as he was now.

--- Life's blood. You want. No. Yes. It beats. It thrums. It flows. There is nothing to want. You lie. Do not lie to life. Why would I want? You live. ---

Water answered his call on its own time, ebbing against his ears and calves. It was not the answer he wanted. Eyes lightly closed clenched a little harder, scarred lips turning resolutely down. Displeasure drew a harsh breath through flared nostrils, lending a few long moments before he thought to respond.

--- It is not my place to want. You live. It is your place. Want is for others. You want. You cannot deny. I can deny. I have. I will. You have. You will not. This is different. ---

The draenei bowed his head, hands curling into fists against his thighs. He had expected to be told to wait. Water always, without fail, told him to wait for what was inevitable. His direction was concise, guided by logic and the unshakable faith that it would lead unerringly to an end bathed in blood. His or otherwise, it didn't matter. His was an existence set in stone. Nothing could change that.

Nothing... was supposed to change that.

--- How is this different? Feel. You know. It should be the same. It is not. You do not want it to be. Yes. I do. The same is simple. Currents change. You have waited long enough. ---

Ruudra paused. Every muscle stiffened, startled into absolute stillness, single eye opening to stare at himself reflected upon water's surface. Water stilled with him, showed him the shock shimmering just beneath the skin. His scarred face, broken and cracked, sharpened around the edges. Centuries of warfare, so much time spent battling and surviving. Marching ever forward, down the path set before him.

Water shifted, blurring what he sees every morning, a soft spiral of softer intent. As it settled, the stoic brawler saw himself... smiling. Disbelieving fingers lift up to touch the corner of his mouth, finding that the mirage was in fact a mirror, copying the relief that was beginning to creep into a body so tired of waiting.

--- You have found purpose. You want it. You want to fight for them. You want her. Happy. Safe. Do not deny any longer. Now is different. Your patience is being rewarded. ---

Bubbling words, felt instead of heard, roared in his ears. Ruudra tipped his head back, pointing his rare smile to the heavens, feeling the cool rush of water flowing against his legs. The answer he hadn't wanted, had been the one he needed. As water always knew. He closed his eye and remained there, still and at peace, until the night wore old and the birds began to wake.