#kennocha

With summer drawing its last breaths, the vast mountains around are lay bare with yellow grasses and pine trees. Only the distant peaks glisten with snow, though the cooling temperatures assure both natives and travelers that autumn’s on its way and winter’s on its heels. In the midst of this quiet morning, a small group of tauren gather on the outskirts of a quaint village just outside of Thunder Totem. 

“It’s so pretty!” Maliko beams, jumping around from one tree to the next. His activity rustles the birds perched above, sending them flying to a further haven. The calf simply smiles and awes in their beauty. “Woah, are those quails? I’ve never seen them so close before!” He peers back to Naira and his cousins, smiling wildly. “How about you all?” 

Hanoke -a mere year younger than Malko yet whose antlers were already growing above his head- chuckled. “All the time, yeah. It’s good to see them again though.” She holds out a hand, trying to welcome one of those wee birds, when the youngest calf stumbles into his sister. The stray bird that had been watching the Highmountain calves squawked and flew off. “Yiska!” She furrowed her brow at the two year old calf. “Careful, careful!” The wee calf smiled mischievously before trotting back to Naira and sticking his tongue out. 

Closer to the village, Winoa shook her head with a small smile. This reminded her so much of her own childhood, going on adventures with her younger siblings and the Bloomcallers. “Strange that we’re leading our own calves instead of running off, huh?” She murmurs to Kennocha. 

“Strange, but wonderful.” The druidess chuckles. She peers over to Taima and Naira’s parents, mirroring Winoa’s respectful nods towards them. “I trust your journey here went well, yes? It was a bit hectic getting everyone here, but I am so so happy that we are all here together!”

Anyone who mentions background to me for the next 2 weeks will be force fed Ma n cheese until they need stomach pumping!

Things I’ve yelled at myself while drawing this: Draw the something other than trolls you wimp! Draw the damn background! R E F E R E N C E S ! Practice practice pRACTICE!

The soundtrack behind the idea

@stonestridernerd I present to you, the plan! (and do you see who snuck in?^^)

Naira nodded cheerfully in response, her little twists of hair bouncing as she did so. Looking up at her uncle, she asked “What are they going to have?” in regards to the sort of food there may be available. Taima answered with a thoughtful pat, and pleasant expression. “Probably a little of everything. Even the pickiest of eaters won’t have much to fuss about!”

Naira laughed at the remark, and looked back to Maliko and his family. “Okay, yeah!” Taima stood upright again, and looked between the sisters and Koszmar. The warlock was holding each opposing arm, but his shoulders showed that his arms were in a state of rest, and displayed a feeling of coziness. “Actually, that’s quite right.” He spoke, replying earnestly to Winoa’s query. “To be honest, I’ve been staying on pretty simple fare. Between Tirisfal and Undercity, the options aren’t really the most appetizing, but sometimes you’ll find a lucky break with a Blood Elf if you’re fortunate. I’d love to see what is here!”

Light fluttered across her eyelids. The air was all but still, the warmth of her breath only adding to the heat. 

Beside her, a wee calf coughed. 

The druidess opened her eyes. This was still all so new, she mused to herself as she held him tighter. Kennocha wasn’t used to hearing another’s breath and feeling so...responsible for them. She’d always cared for others, yes, but this? 

This was the adventure she always wanted and she couldn’t be happier. 

Though it was midwinter -chilling winds blowing the warmth of their manes and coats as best it could- they stood by the lake, waiting. As Kennocha shivered, tightening her fur cloak around her, Maliko looked up to his aunt. He too was cold, but not nearly as much as the druidess. 

He unclasped his cloak, holding it up for her to see. “Here you go,” The child waved it before it. “You can’t be cold already!” 

“Neither can you, Mali.” The druidess argued. “Wrap yourself up again and don’t worry; I will be fine.” Seeing his pouting face, she knelt beside him and took off her bag. The large leather tote was filled to brim, making it hard to rummage through, but after some careful, time-consuming motions, another thick hide emerged. With a brief smile towards her nephew, she wrapped it around herself, ensuring enough was left on the end to drape it onto him. 

“Hey!” The giggling response came, poking his head out from underneath. “You have to save some for Mama! And Naira! And Taima...” 

With the sudden pause, Kennocha tilted her head. Before she had a chance to speak though, Maliko blurt out: “Where are they?” 

So...usually when I try to draw, I only either like the sketch or coloured version. Yet today, I got Kennocha and Rowan just about right in both!