#dizarak

Crimson hair whipped around her face as the Illidari woman made her way down the coastal line. Slipping with ease from one rock to the next, over sea logged boards and sandblasted stones.

The Felravens, as they were apparently now called, had been assigned patrols across the island. Their leader, Perchedon, having assigned her to investigate and patrol Largo's Outlook. Waves crashed against the steep rocky shoreline, no me so high as to reach her current trail.

"Zaravala!"

Her ears perked and her fel flame eyes turned to peer above her, there at the top of the steep cliff face sat the giant rogue staring down at her.

"What are you doing here..." she asked dryly.

"Well I was hoping we could talk....though seeing your position I assume now is a bad time."

"You think?" She leaped to the next surface, gripping the stone to hoist herself up, she paused reaching out and plucking something from the rock she clung to. After inspecting it for a moment she tucked it in her hip pouch and continued her climb.

"Collecting sea shells? You know there are much better shores to look for-"

"Patrolling." She said flatly as she pulled herself up the final distance to plop down next to her brother.

"I know Perch told me." He grinned, shrugging at her.

"Talk." Settling herself of the ridge she pointed her face at the crashing waves of the sea. A subtle hint of relief in her tone when she finally added more, "good to see you survived your mission."

Dizarak lifted a hand to rub at the back of his neck, teeth already fiddling with the gemmed ring adorning his lip.

"I'm glad to hear you say that. Thought for sure you still wanted me dead."

"Never wanted you dead. You asked me to kill you. Did i?"

"N-no..."

"Didn't want to. Had the chance. Didn't take it. You know, if it weren't for your equally tall counterpart I wouldn't have been able to drag you out of there."

She turned her masked face towards him, glancing over his features. So familiar yet so altered, the years had done a number to her twin. Void aside, his features had grown more angular, his facial hair a new addition after his fall to void and one she'd always joked he should try before their world turned upside down. Loving on the same island, one might think she had taken the time to notice these changes. Truth be told she'd managed to spend as little time around him as she could.

"So you don't want me dead....not even...a little?"

"Is that what you came out here to pester me about? I can easily knock you off this cliff if you're still trying to-"

"NO NO! I'm... I'm good on that." He sighed, leaning over slightly to retrieve his cigarettes and his lighter. Tapping the carton on his palm he plucked two from its container and offered one out to her. Hesitantly she took it from him, holding it between her fingers.

He set about lighting both and shaking the match until it extinguished itself.

"I came to....I don't know...reconcile? Catch up....I..I really don't know what I expected but at least hear me out?"

She reminded silent, fel flame eyes illuminating the maw of her mask in eerie green light. Then now lit cigarette resting between her fingers was occasionally lifted to her mask, billowing smoke pouring from it as she exhaled.

"I'm listening," words spoken through a lungful of smoke, her voice deeper and muffled by the clouds.

"I'm sorry."

She lowered the vice to rest her wrist on her knee for a moment before reaching up to carefully remove her mask. Setting it down between them she returned to gazing at the water.

"I'm so sorry for the things I said and the damage I did. You didn't deserve that...even more so while you were mourning. "

The Demon Hunters form visibly flinched as if recalling, though his words were vague, she could vividly see what the Ren'dorei was apologizing for. Her back ached and a tight fist closed around her heart.

"I don't expect forgiveness in full. But I...I cant keep going on like this. Avoiding each other and acting like distant family. I need my sister...now more than ever."

"You have everything...what on Azeroth could you need me for? You have a home....a family. You have mates who clearly would do anything for you. You have a job and control over your life."

Her eyes met his mismatched ones.

"Adding me back into your life will only lead to despair. No one needs a monster around..."

A low snarl rolled from Dizarak, "if anyone is a monster it's me. For the way I treated you. I left you so damaged....that I would have rather you killed me than live with my shame."

At his words she quieted again, occasionally lifting the vice to her lips to pull from.

"Zara....I need you...she...she needs you...."

The red heads ears perked...'she'?

"I...guess what I'm here to say is...I'm asking you to...step up and be the aunt that my new daughter deserves." He stiffened, bracing for a blow up.

Silence washed over the pair, as she stared at him, eye sockets wide in disbelief. A forgotten cigarette held halfway between her next pull and resting atop her knee.

"You...have a kid?" Last Zara had heard, his girlfriend was a death knight. Something didn't add up.

"She was the sole survivor of my mission...I couldn't abandon her and somehow Fhaliona convince d the council to let me keep her. And I.... she needs women to look up to..."

"And...your mates just...accepted a child?"

Dizarak's face flushed a deep purple, "well that's...the other thing...they...proposed."

Zaravala's dumbfounded expression was cause for concern, she turned to peer out at the sea again as she took in the information.

"You have a kid."

"Yes."

"And you're now engaged...to two guys? And a girl?"

"Uh....two males...Illei is my girlfriend and not shared with the others so not marrying us."

"You know mom and dad are rolling in their graves right?"

"Yeup."

"I still fail to see how you need me..."

"Zaravala....I want you back in my life....I'm tired of going without the only blood family I have left. Please...."

They say in silence once more. Each taking a turn blowing clouds of cigarette smoke to the wind. A pregnant pause filling the air as the waves crashed over the shore in a dull roar.

Eventually the demon hunter spoke, "I'm not wearing a dress."

"What?"

Her eyes met his again, face stone cold as she spoke.

"To your wedding. I'm not wearing a dress to your wedding."

"But!"

"No dress. Or I'll shove you off the cliff."

".............fine."

It felt like a large weight had been lifted from Perchedon’s shoulders. One less thing to worry and think about. Dizarak was home, his dear friend was safe. While he still had a few questions about the Kaldorei child that had come with him, that could be answered another day and time. For now, he felt a bit of peace knowing that the Void rogue was no longer in danger out on the war front.

The next day, Diz might hear a knock on the back door. While no one was there when answered, a box of fresh cookies from Ellie’s bakery. There was no note, just a fel-green symbol on the box of a treble clef and bass clef in the shape of a heart.

Void touched eyes trailed along the ceiling as the earliest of dawn's rays crested the horizon and danced across the drawn curtains. Aching bruises littered his neck and chest the worn out limbs somehow still curled tightly around each of his mates as sleepy heads weighed down his shoulders. Holding on as if the dawn would never come.

Heaven.

But at what cost?

The monk's calloused thumb rubbed gently against his bare side, comforting the Ren'dorei even in his steady slumber. The weight of his arm across Dizarak's stomach, a welcome pressure on unnerved insides. On his other side the slumbering wolf, braids spilling across Dizarak's pillow, his nose firmly pressed into the crook of the rogue's neck where he'd dozed off mere hours before. Legs tangled in a dangerous puzzle should one need to jump from the clutches of the bed.

Oh how he loathed the need to move.

He trailed the fingers resting at Azryl's back along the fiery red heads spine in slow soothing patterns as he leaned to press pierced lips to his forehead. Lingering a little longer than he might under normal circumstances. He stirred, taking a deep breath and letting it out as he settled back against Dizarak's side. 

He admired the peaceful way Az's face rested as he dozed, the beautiful way his lips barely parted, or how his hair fell around his face. The promise he'd made the smaller of his mates echoed through his thoughts, "The first sign of fatal danger you drop everything and leave." 

Shifting he set his gaze on Ashraen, the snoozing paladin with copper locks. His arm also across his torso, it gripped at Azryl's elbow, locking the dusky male in place between them. Diz smiled at the new beads woven into Ash's hair, the way his hair too fell around his face and the warmth of his breath on the void males collarbone. He sighed, pressing his lips to whatever he could reach of Ash in his buried position.

His voice came weakly, "Boys? Ash...Azzy..." he didn't want to wake them. How he'd much prefer to slip away before they'd woken, terrified of the looks on their faces as he leaves for only void knows how long. This too he'd promised, the pair demanding he allow them to see him off, or the needless worry become even more unbearable. Gently he shook the weights baring down on his form.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

They followed him around the house like lost creatures as he prepped for his departure. His bags stacked near the front door upon the completion of their packing a few days prior.

Azryl insisted on helping him rewrap the cloth that clung to his arm, more firmly than he could manage on his own normally, his eyes never leaving the red head until the task was complete.

The distress was tangible, a bitter taste resting on his tongue as he slipped leather armor over his broad shoulders and lithe frame. A task that took longer due to a certain copper male continually trying to pull him back to the bedroom. What he wouldn't give to give in a second time, to roll around in the sheets and bond with his pack instead of travel across the sea to the pit of hell.

"Zarak? Love?" came Azryl's voice, breaking his trance from the front door mere feet in front of him. Mismatched eyes locked onto lime before the other threw his arms around him tightly, he twisted his own dusky fingers into the fiery hair and held him tightly to his chest, burying his nose in that hair and breathing deeply. 

"Remember what you said, the first sign....you come home ok?"

He nodded, choking out a weak "Yes, of course." before the small braids were used to tug him in for a kiss. Squeezing his eyes shut to relish the moment.

"I love you, Dizarak."

"I love you too, Azryl."

The larger male leaning against the couch arm cleared his throat, his turn.

Sslipping his hand along a gruff jaw to press his lips to pierced ones, internally Dizarak chuckled. Never good with words, goodbyes with Ashraen were more often than not filled with physical affection and vain attempts at keeping his darker counterpart from leaving at all or at least on time. Winding his arms around the paladin's waist he pulled him closer, as if somehow it would keep time from moving.

Ash finally came up for air, his groggy eyes more awake than they had been moments before.

"Don't make me come peel you off the ground again. I will. Like it or not." he said, cupping Diz's chin in his fingers to keep golden glued to those imperfect orbs. "I will because I love you..."

"I love you too, Ashraen."

"I promise," he said looking first at Ash then back at Azryl, "to both of you. I'll make it home." He gave a unsure smile, trying his best to look unconcerned.

"Take care of each other while I'm gone ok?" the Ren'dorei stood a little taller, giving his own orders to the pair looking at him as though they might break at any moment, "I mean it."

They nodded and stood together in a group embrace.

Once outside the front door, his fingers slipped between his face and the fabric around his neck to pull it over his nose. He turned peering at the pair on the porch one last time, in some vain attempt to etch them into his memory a little more firmly. 

With that he turned on his heels and vanished through the void.

Day: 9

Injuries: 1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leather boots carried the stealthed rogue over the uneven and war marked terrain, a pace or two ahead of him the Lightforged woman carried forward. Days of nothing but recon and mapping out the area had given the pair a better idea of the scale of their task and the layout of the land around them.

The walls of their encampment trickled into view between charred and fallen trees in the distance.

For the most part the mission had been uneventful, their task of finding where hostages were being held and freeing them proving unfruitful until today.

A small makeshift camp had shifted location in the last few days. The area around it swarming with a plethora of Horde standing guard. The pair were to report back and help in capturing the camp in the next day or two.

Fhaliona stepped through the trees into the clearing with Dizarak in tow. A few feet from the gate he unstealthed, standing a little taller. A large hand lifted to massage and roll his shoulder with a grimace.

"If it is still bothering you, perhaps you should have it looked at?" The Draenei pointed out, flicking her gaze at him as he caught up to her and walked along side her.

"S'just a little tender is all, not everyday you have to single handedly catch a falling lightforged and all her armor now is it?"

Fhaliona narrowed her eyes, their little misadventure the day before had left the giant with a dislocated shoulder. The ground having crumbled beneath her hooves unexpectedly. If not for the Ren'dorei's quick thinking she could be nursing much worse.

"Hey, don't give me that look. Not my fault you are far from light on your feet." He poked fun reaching over to flick her pauldron, "S'ides I got it back in just fine and it'll stop aching. I can still use it just fine."

Weaving their way through the tents full of soldiers and footmen, the two fell silent. Their own pair of temporary quarters rest on the outskirts of the masses, a small fire pit, two tents and a table they had snuck out of the mess hall. The less they had to be around the others the better off the pair of battle buddies felt.

Dizarak slipped into his tent, undoing his leathers and slipping into a looser fitting shirt without sleeves and a pair of thin leather pants. The photo frame and his pack of cigarettes palmed before he rolled himself onto his cot.

Slowly he felt himself losing track of the days, what point was there in counting when you didn't even know how long your stay would be?

He frowned up at the ceiling, eyes welling up with heated tears, swallowing thickly as he tried to fight them off.

Home.

He wanted to be anywhere but here. The sting in his heart as he watched the Bloodelves patrolling the encampment they had found had left him uneasy.

For once he felt as though he were behind enemy lines. The Alliance may be his people's new home but his heart had chosen differently. He'd found sanctuary in a sleepy little island and within it a place and lovers to call his own. Times like these forced him to recognize the world and war around him. How forbidden others would see the bond he shared with his mates.

Pinching his eyes shut, a single bead of salted tear rolled down his temple and into his braid. Though not braided as well as if Azryl had done it, he had been content with his attempt at recreating it after his bath the night before.

Dizarak tapped the cigarette case against his palm until one slid out further than the others, tucking it between his lips before carefully lighting it. Learning over, he deposited the case next to his folded leathers and rolled back into a more comfortable position. The large male took a long drag, letting the smoke roll from his nose and linger in the small cloth covered space.

As the final pull soothed his mind, the spent butt was set atop the ashtray he brought and he slipped into a shallow slumber.

This is why I don't keep friends around...

Mask firmly in place, the Illidari stood just inside the camp. The fel flame eyes behind the covering trained diligently at the portal, awaiting the arrival of her only true "friend", if that's what she could be called.

The druid appeared, grinning at her in her usual manner, "Good you didn't back down."

The crimson haired blood elf crossed her arms over her chest and looked further down the path, refusing to look at Bess.

"You had to say something....now I'm regretting it."

"Oh come now, I give nothing but good advice."

Zara's masked face snapped to the large Tauren before her, a single brow lofted above the masks edge.

Bess chuckled heartily, "race you to the inn?"

Zara flung her leg up and over her flaming feline mount and nodded as the druid shifted to the form of a deer. The pair racing across the island at top speed, over bridges and past large spiders in an attempt to surpass the other.

Bess had always been faster, until today.

The Illidari eased off the great beasts back and grinned as once more the Tauren shifted to her full glory, a glint in her eye.

"Slowpoke." Zaravala said flatly.

As the pair entered, fel flame eyes behind the mask, scanned the room. Melisande smiled from the front bar, an oversized Pandaren stood next to Ashraen on the balcony, the back bar contained two void elves she hadn't met and Azryl, her brothers other mate. Finally her gaze rested on Perchedon who greeted her warmly.

"Evening. Perchedon this is Bess Blackhoof, not sure if you've met yet."

The pair began to chatter away, small talk and such drifting over her as the Illidari zoned out. After a moment she slipped silently away, raising a hand to shove the longest feather sticking out from Bess' pauldons out of her way playfully. A silent sign to her friend that she would be back.

The woman took the stairs slowly, hand trailing along the bannister as she approached the landing. Pushing past the rather large Pandaren woman creating music she greeted Ashraen.

"Hey."

He turned eyeing her curiously as she reached into her hip pouch and pulled out an envelope.

"Hey."

"I brought you these....figured it might be something you and Az would want. Found them tucked away the last time I....visited home." Her words hung like dead weights in the air as she held out the item to him.

Hesitantly he took it, slipping open the envelope and shuffling through the photos within. Each image, a capturing of a younger, less void stricken Dizarak. A few containing the pair of twins in their prime. She shifted awakrdly on the spot as she peered at him through the mask, watching the smile spread across his features.

"T-thank you...you should take these downstairs to Azryl. He could use the cheering up." He held it back out to her.

Reluctantly Zaravala palmed them and nodded.

"Hes going to be fine." She said dryly before turning to descend the stairs, a new task at hand.

Once downstairs, the demon hunter weaved her way between patrons. Finally arriving at the back bar and take her place in line. She watched idly as the female void elf ordered from the redheaded medic turned bartender, idly tapping the envelope against an open palm while she leaned against the balcony's support beam.

"Oh! Zaravala! What can I get for you?" Azryl asked, frowning when she simply shook her head.

"Ashraen told me to bring these to you said you might enjoy them." Sliding the envelope across the bar to him, she observed the way he smiled at them, startling slightly when he spoke to her again.

"Please, accept this, it's on me. Family of family--"

Felflame eyes widened behind the mask.

Did he just...basically tell you that you were family?

A gloved hand found the glass and she tugged it towards herself, "s'not a problem really...uh...can I have a straw?" She asked pointing from the pink fizzy beverage to her masked face.

He quickly handed one over.

Behind her, Bess called out "she can handle worse than that."

"You hush, heffer!" Zara chided back.

The pair of friends settling in to familiar banter. Something slipped from Zara and from the corner of her vision she caught Azryl's visible wilting. A pang of guilt washing over her.

I'm sorry I'm not him...hes going to be fine....he...has to be....

The large Ren'dorei glided around the kitchen, daring to be as loud as he wanted within the empty house. Somehow he'd managed to convince the loves of his life to leave and spend the day together despite their refusals unless he came with. For that he was still a wee bit shocked but grateful, even more was his shock to hear himself ask...no beg, Taoln for his help in the kitchen. The pair had limited time to pull off the planned surprise and nerves threatened to slow the progress. Pots and pans steamed, aroma's wafting from them and spilling into the living space as the pair worked harmoniously throughout the small kitchen, the last time Dizarak had allowed anyone in the kitchen while he worked his culinary magic had been with the fiery red-headed monk. 

The tips of his ears flushed as his mind wandered down memory lane, swallowing thickly as he set back to work. His ear flicked at something Taoln had said and he caught himself auto answering and pointing at something, what the smaller male had asked he had no real knowledge but thank goodness his body knew what was going on.

He slipped over to the island in the middle of the kitchen, the thick wooden cutting board aiding in a soothing sound of chopping as the bone knife sliced through vegetables with ease. 

Mismatched eyes glazed over as once more his mind trailed to the various events the year had already held for them, gaze shifting to the brilliant purple guitar perched in the corner of the living room just in view. The corner of his mouth upturning as he thought of how sneaky the pair had been in obtaining it and somehow making his hatred of his birthday harbor love instead.

"You alright there, Diz?" The silver haired male asked grinning up at the void giant, grinning as if he'd caught a child staring. 

"Hmm?" He grunted peering at the Mariner, "What? Yeah. Sorry."

Taoln offered up the plate of Spring Paw stakes ready for seasoning, "You sure? That air looks good and chopped." he pointed a finger at the empty cutting board, the wicked grin returning to his face.

Dizarak glanced down at the aforementioned board, his cheeks and ears deepening in hue at his embarrassment. He dropped the knife to the side of the board and held out his hands for the plate full of meat which Taoln placed in his hands with a soft chuckle before zipping off to the next task on the list handed to him upon his arrival. Dusting his hands off on his apron before diving in, the occasional glance over his shoulder to check on the bundle of nerves that was Diz.

With ease The large male set back into an even and careful pace, hand rubbing his secret blend of spices into the raw meat. ~~~

The Final candlestick was set in place, unlit until the proper time. Taoln clapped his hands together, beaming at their completed goal shining before them. His hands moved to tug the apron off his frame and fold it neatly, he held it out to Dizarak who was once more lost in a staring contest the the now set table.

"Dizarak?" he tried, reaching out to gently touch the larger males arm, his head tilted to the side. Mismatched eyes gazed back at the mariner, clear anxiety on his face. Quickly Taoln set the Apron on the back of one of the chairs before taking both of Diz's dusky hands in his own.

"You've no reason to worry, Diz. They are going to love this," he gestured to the set table and the slightly more dressy outfit adorning his tall lithe frame, "You three....the love here is just so strong, I know they will love this, you have to believe me."

Dizarak gave a small slow nod, he was right, he had no reason to fear. For once there were people who loved him for who he was, no expectations, no reason for him to doubt. A long deep breath followed by a sigh and a firmer nod in agreement.

"Thank you, Taoln. I couldn't have pulled this off without you." He tugged the man into a tight hug. "It's no trouble at all," he playfully squeezed the taller male before pulling away and snagging the apron again, "I should get going, they should be here any minute right?" Another nod. A moment later he was gone.

~~~

Before long the voices of his mates could be heard outside the door, Diz stood next to the table, his guitar slung over his shoulder and held in place. The handle moved, door swinging open and he broke into song, deft fingers strumming the guitar.

I'm desperate for changing Starving for truth I'm Closer to where I Started Chasing after you

I'm falling even more in love with you Letting go of all I've held onto I'm standing here until you make me move I'm hanging by a moment here with you

Forgetting all I'm lacking Completely incomplete I'll take your invitation You take all of me...

(Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4_woZ-LUvM ) Mentions: @hinahinagray (Taoln) , @ashraenv @azadzior

The smaller of the sketchbooks he frequently used rested in his lap. Beside him a loosely closed box of macaroons, one of which he held pinched between two of his fingers as he tapped the end of his pencil against the empty page with his other hand.

The day has been fairly uneventful, breakfast with Fhaliona, debriefing, a strategic planning meeting, lunch, sparring and now relaxing.

What better way than to sketch? Or so he'd thought. No matter what he tried no art seemed to flow forth. Perhaps it was from being out in the open. He let his head flop back as he chewed a mouthful of the sweets Taoln had sent him with. Too much effort in moving himself to him the safe confines of his tent.

Dropping the pencil onto the open book, he leaned to the left and tugged free a cigarette, a match and the little photo frame. Once the vice was lit he tossed the spent match into the campfire, his hands returning to pry open the little frame, laying it out across the pages to peer at again.

"What have you got there?" The tone and accent in her voice causing Dizarak's head to swivel and peer at her with wide eyes, he relaxed slightly when his orbs met the Lightforged and not his Little Lapis.

"What was that look for?" She questioned lowering herself onto the log next to him "you look as though you are disappointed it is me."

Flicking him a knowing look full of tease.

A twist of the wrist and he pointed the remaining bite of the macaroon in his hand at her, "that's not nice, you do that on purpose don't you?"

Fhaliona laughed aloud, "Perhaps I am testing your worthiness by judging your reactions." She said with a shrug.

"Macroon?"

A sweet treat was held up to her in offering, she plucked it from his fingers and took a sniff before nibbling on it, her nose scrunching as she placed it atop her knee to remain.

"This is not what I was asking about and you know it," her fingers pointed toward the photo frame on his lap as she leaned over to peer down at him.

Mismatched eyes glanced back at the image, taking a drag of his cigarette before speaking, smoke rolling from his lips, "s'a Valentine's gift from my boys. You've seen Ashraen," he pointed to the firey red head's picture, his ear tips deepening in tone and a smile breaking across his face "this is Azryl, he's a medic. Kept me alive after the last time you saw me."

He spoke almost sheepishly, the weight of their last fight together lingering on his words.

"There is no image of Illei. Why? Do you not love her just as much?" She poked fun "I will gladly take her if you are not so attacthed."

A lofted brow above his void eye was all he gave before leaning to tug the cloth sleeve up over his shoulder to reveal the crystalline tattoo that represented his icy love.

Gold flecked lavender eyes widened in shock, "quite serious then, to have marked yourself for her is quite the show of devotion."

Crossing her ankles in front of her she leaned back to tug her own laced cigarette from her stash. She leaned forward touching the tip of her vice to Dizarak's to light it before leaning back to enjoy it.

"I guess I cannot let you die then, wouldn't want to upset her. Of course if I do then I can have her to myself."

"Real nice there Fha... what do you want me to do break up with her so you can have a go?" He snorted.

"No because then I would have to kill you and then where would I get these?" She held up her cigarette with a broad grin.

"Oh I see....that's all I'm good for then huh?" He snapped the photo frame shut and tucked it back in his pocket.

"You are good for many things, your height is a great for reaching tall places. You are mildly funny. I guess you make some people happy."

"I get it, I get it." He scowled in mock pain.

They laughed in unison. Relaxed until mission begins.