#meilahn

Malourn woke early, dressing and gathering what few items she needed for the day. She was going to get to visit Pandaria, visit Meilahn, and learn a little more of the Bluepaw’s history, despite her hesitations to dressing in Rhedin’s gear for the evening. She still had no idea what Jie Kie was doing asking her when Rhedin herself was going to be there, but had agreed anyway, not quite certain what he had planned for that evening. Soon she departed from the Bluff, seeking the path in the north that would take her to the Thundermoon Village, to begin her day.

She had spent the early morning of the day with Rhosin, getting the gear adjusted so it would fit her taller frame. The druid still didn’t seem the slightest comfortable around Mal, though she tried sincerely to push it aside. Malourn understood it. She was a Death Knight, she also had Blodwen’s blade with her, to use for the story telling. At least the conversation was pleasant, despite the discomfort, before they had finished, Rhedin’s gear now adjusted to Malourn. And as she looked over herself in a mirror, she couldn’t help but feel a little awkward, showing a little more fur than she’d like, and the lack of weight from all her usual plate threw her off just slightly. But soon it was time to depart, and she gathered her dress and sword before heading towards Orgrimmar, seeking the portal to Pandaria.

During her flight she couldn’t help but ponder what she was going to see, she knew of Pandaria’s beauty and of what Yao’Lin and Meilahn had described of it she was looking forward to seeing as much of it as she could. And the thought of being able to visit Meilahn for a while brought a smile to her face; she was looking forward to that most of all, seeing how her friend was doing and to hear of Kong’s adventure and well-being.  All these thoughts going through her mind, she hadn’t realized she had already arrived outside Orgrimmar, the city beginning to wake up as the heat began to kick in. She directed her wyrm to the Valley of Honor before landing near the portal to Pandaria, taking a breath, not quite certain of what to expect before she gathered her things and directed her wyrm through, then followed after him.

Upon setting hoof down in the Jade forest at the opposite side of the portal, Malourn was taken aback, seeing all the different buildings and the beauty of the land…. And at how small most things were to someone of her stature.  She stood stock still, shaking off the lingering affects the portal had but mostly just staring at everything around her upon her first visit and seeing the land her friends had spoken so fondly of, and how right they were. After a fair number of minutes of simply staring in awe at the forest and the nearby lands to Honeydew Village, she set off on her wyrm again, languidly flying through the forest as she looked for the spot Mei had asked to meet her at, and the map she had on hand as she tried to situate herself, taking a few minutes looking it over before coming across the Jade Statue that had been constructed for Yu’Lon. The destruction caused by the emergence of the Sha stunned Malourn as she looked around at the devastation, feeling a slight loss and a small spike of anger that she quickly quelled. She knew what this was and the warnings she had gotten from her friends. But this was not the time to dwell on that, she had a friend to meet.

She eventually found her way to some land outside the Arboretum, a few minutes late but that’s to be expected when she was learning a new land and distracted as she was by its beauty. Soon she found herself at Mei’s doorstep, the two of them greeting each other and hugging, catching up on things that have gone on in their lives respectively. They spent the afternoon talking over tea and cookies, thoroughly enjoying their time together again, if temporary. Recounting everything important between them, making plans, and promising to write more letters to each other between talks. Unfortunately the hour grew close to the planned meeting with the Mercantile and Tribe, and Malourn had to leave her friend, but made promises to visit again sometime soon, before heading on her way to halfhill.

There she met Jie and Rhedin, waiting for the others to arrive, asking about what her role was in the storytelling and being told she’d know when it was time. Leaving her confused, but she had no time to enquire as others began to show up, resigning herself to a spot in the doorway of the building's porch they were borrowing for the evening.

Malourn stood, recounting the day’s events while listening in on the storytelling, an arm around Abantou as she waited for whatever it was that Jie had planned for her. Enjoying the tale as she got to learn more of the Mercantile’s past and how it came to be. While at the same time she was amazed at how the tiny porch they found themselves on could hold as many people as it did, jam packed with nearly twenty tauren and pandaren combined. Soon however she found herself more focused on holding Abantou as Jie and Xing continued to share the tale of the Mercantile and how they came to the Bluff and began to make their name. Though she again refocused, as Jie had approached her talking about how he had come to Rhedin after seeing her deal with some goons shortly after Jie had met Rhosin. Holding out a badge to her and saying how he had approached Rhedin with the Job of being a Guard Captain for the Mercantile. Malourn played along, attempting to match Rhedin’s usual expression as she said “I’ll do it.” When asked if she would help protect the simple band of merchants, glad that the attention had shifted away from her and her different armor. Though something in Jie’s nod and smirk threw her off and she looked to the badge he handed her, assuming it had been a prop and soon found herself slowly breaking out into a smile when she saw that it was not a prop, but a guard badge. Her guard badge. Malourn held to the badge tight, arm around Abantou, happy as she could possibly be as she fully realized what had just happened.

The evening continued on, the tale over, as people mingled and joked with each other, enjoying their time. Though soon it was time to depart, but she wasn’t just ready yet to leave behind the beauty of Pandaria. Abantou offered to fly Malourn around to view the lands so that they might spend the evening together, using a vial of sands to do so. Carrying Malourn around the Valley of the four winds, over farmland and the rolling hills, Mal taking it all in in awe. Soon they were back in the Jade Forest, winding their way through the trees as they headed north, soon finding themselves in the area of Sri-La Village, resting atop one of the giant pillars of stone as they watched the Cloud Serpent grounds, and as serpents and their riders flew by, twisting and turning in the breeze.

Malourn rested against him as the night drug on, finding solace and peace in both the view and beauty of the land, and the comfort she felt in his embrace. Soon, they began to doze off, promising their love for each other while admiring the beauty of the world. Soon, Malourn found herself under his wing, literally, as it had begun to rain, Abantou providing her a shelter from it and offering a makeshift blanket as they had no camping gear. Soon they were asleep, comforted in each other’s presence, the grass providing both of them comfort, as well as knowing they loved each other greatly.

As close to a perfect day that Malourn had gotten in a long time.

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After their nights rest, they returned to Honeydew village to return to Orgrimmar and begin their trip home, Abantou having to leave for tribe business as Malourn began to make her way towards Thunder Bluff in the early morning, working off the effects of the portal, slight as they were. The trip was uneventful, light clouds keeping the sun from her eyes as her wyrm bore her back over the plains of durotar, the wastes of the Barrens, and then the grasslands of Mulgore.

Malourn was finally back in the Bluff, returning to her tent with a purpose and a smile. Pushing her way through the flap she set her Guard Badge on the crates filled with supplies for her enchanting and jewelcrafting. She looked towards her Mannequins filled with her different armor sets. Her blood armor, spiked blue armor, Hallows end, the armor she wore while she yet lived, and her newly repaired armor. The Black and Gold stood out amongst the other armors, the offsetting Cape and Tabard of the Bluepaw distinguishing it even more. She approached the mannequin, reaching and tentatively lifting the helm from the top, staring into the eye slit before setting it to the side. Looking down and carefully tracing her hand down the front of the scarred armor, the holes she had put in it when she had lost her badge mended almost seamlessly. She sighed, resigning herself to buying a new chest piece, any weakness could end a fight and not in a favorable way, despite her being a Death Knight. But that was not what she was doing at the moment. She was here to knock the dust off. And she began to re-don her armor, clamping everything into place, tying the chestpiece tight to her before she worked on her legplates, locking them into place and working her joints to see if anything had snagged.  The bracers slipped on easily enough before she slid the pauldrons into place, checking the buckles and straps for each shoulder and working her arms to make sure she had the free motion in each. Then she picked up the tabard, tracing her fingers over the Bluepaw symbol, swearing in her heart that anyone with that tabard or their allies could count her as a friend. No matter the personal differences or squabbles, she would go out of her way to help and protect all of her friends and allies. The tabard slipped over her with ease, followed by the belt, supplies strapped to it or in random pouches, a dagger waiting in a sheathe if needed, though something was still missing. She returned to the crates, picking up the Guard badge she had received recently anew, and clipped it into place, enchanting the glass to be durable to any blow. She slipped the chain for the cloak around her neck, binding it into place as she tucked Meilahn’s necklace and Abantou’s pendant under her armor, giving her chestplate a pat as both pieces of jewelry settled against her. Then she turned, eyeing her weapon rack as she slid her Axe into its place, exchanging it for the black and gold mace she had bought from Bailou so long ago, giving it a few small test swings before slipping it onto her back. She grabbed her radio, attaching it near her neck and retrieved the helm from its spot nestled on her cot, opening the back panel and sliding it onto her head, closing it around her horns and securing it into place. She stood inside her tent, reflecting on the previous day, meeting her friend, being returned to her Guard position, and spending the night with Abantou. She closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths before pushing back through the flaps on her tent, her newly donned armor clanking as she moved as she began to patrol the Bluff. Guard Deathwalker, remaining vigilant on her rounds, protecting her home, protecting her friends.

I don't want a lot for Christmas There is just one thing I need I don't care about the presents Underneath the Christmas tree

Oh the exuberant joy! With one letter in her hand it was all she had needed to skip and jump, running to Malourn to exclaim her joy that really couldn’t be contained in the very least. She was going to get to see him! It didn’t matter suddenly that she had wasted a bit of time while he was away, that she had been so confused. He wanted her to go out there, to be with him, and it quieted all of the fears that she had been fighting with. Jumping into Mal’s arms rather suddenly had been the start of the best evening she had had in awhile and there was just so much more to come! She was passing out the gifts that she could, with only a few that she was going to have to actually try and find to deliver. But for Malourn she had painstakingly handwritten out a guide for Pandaren, and a dictionary to cross-reference. The idea was that Mal being in Bluepaw and surrounded by Pandaren might enjoy learning some of the language just in case someone decided to slip into the home-tongue just to be difficult. There were a lot of reasons, but mostly because it was Mal and teaching a language to her would be fun and functional. I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true oh All I want for Christmas is you

There was just so much for her to do. Getting the tent packed up and her things that she was taking with her all in the few bags that she was planning on taking with her. The easel that broke down into a carrying case was going to come along, but she wouldn’t need her case filled with pencils, ink’s and pastels because the house already had a set sitting there waiting for her. But what else to take? Packing up the furs was no easy task usually but with half of them already gone it did make things a tad better but they weren’t going to be needed-oh! “The blanket.” Carefully she took the freshly cleaned blanket from where it had been hanging in the back of the tent and took to folding the great thing of bright gold, purple and green into a smaller parcel so that she could pack it away. Aside from that it was simply going to be a matter of packing gifts and clothing. The house itself had everything she was going to need anyway, she just needed to make sure that she was delivering all of her gifts before she headed out and oh what a list she was having to make.

I don't want a lot for Christmas There is just one thing I need, and I Don't care about the presents Underneath the Christmas tree

Some of them could just be sent off through the mail, like the bracelets for Bailou and Keibai that she had had made by the talented hands of Malourn, just simple cuffs for the two of them that they would wear. For Xingba she had a rather painstaking painting, that she had gone through the trouble of having framed, of the Bellstout farm as she remembered it from the visit and the sketches that she had made. It was hard thinking of what to get that black-furred little skallywag. Quinh’s gift had already been given, a dress that had been bought in Silvermoon as well as an outfit for the holiday that was supposedly rather popular of red satin and white fake fur. For Gwei it was actually a small basket of helpful oils, soaps and salts for him to use to take care of himself and others if he so chose, with the help of Winddrift. For little Lai she had a stuffed crane, and for Rhedin herself she had a list of children’s names as well as a small neutral blanket for the child no matter the gender that happened.

There were other small gifts that she had gathered together to give to people in passing, just so that they knew that they were being thought of but the big ones has to be carefully wrapped and set aside. The happiest time of year just turned a lot happier. I don't need to hang my stocking There upon the fireplace Father Winter won't make me happy With a toy on Christmas day

Looking around the tent she kept herself as busy as she could, folding and refolding cleaned clothing to pack away into one of the two big bags she was nearly at a loss. How badly she wanted to just shove everything she could into the bags, send off mail and just run to him but she knew, she absolutely knew that she needed to hand deliver some of them. It would be rude not to. The last thing she wanted to be was rude, so instead was taking her time and making sure she could fit all she needed in the bags and cleaning as she went. Wei looked at her curiously from where he was laying by the open door, and the little serpent hatchling that was mechanical chirruped in it’s resting period on top of a shelf where it knew full well that it didn’t belong. I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true All I want for Christmas is you

The days leading up to her departure were the hardest, by far, having to be patient and hand out her gifts, trying to make sure that everything was in order before she left. There was so much to do and not enough time to do it in, not really. A package arrived outside of the door the next night, a gift she knew full well was from Malourn, even if she didn’t open it. Inside of it was the music box that Malourn had been working so long on for the both of them and though she knew her friend wanted to see her reaction...she wanted to open it with Kong’huo since it was for the both of them. The music box was made of a strong and very beautiful wood, carved and sanded smooth in intricate designs around the entire outside of it. On the front, a simple handle that could be folded down into the wood, a crank of sorts. Above it an inscription in Pandaren. "Meilahn and Kong'huo. Skyflower and Shieldbear. You will always find each other, no matter the distance." If someone were to crank the handle and wait a few seconds, a song would begin to play. Slow and lovely, after a few moments of playing, the top of the box would pop open, the seam indistinguishable before it did. Inside was a carefully crafted scene of what looked like the Jade Forest, trees made of metal with leaves raining down to the ground. Very carefully handcrafted from metals and a few select flowers with Gems, a number of them Orchids. And in the middle of the beautiful scene? A finely detailed Meilahn and Kong'huo, holding onto each other and limbs moving just a little through work of an engineer. The two 'danced' with each other to the music, the love between them extremely clear through the painstaking details placed into them. Just sticking out of the side of the box looked like a hand written note. "I hope you and Kong enjoy this, Meilahn. Enjoy your time with him in the forest, and use this to always remember just how much love you two share with each other. - Mal" I won't ask for much this Christmas I won't even wish for snow, and I I just wanna keep on waiting Underneath the mistletoe I won't make a list and send it To the North Pole for Saint Nick I won't even stay awake To hear those magic reindeer click

The night of the meeting was quiet, but everything was set and with a bag of two gifts she was hopeful that the last two people on her list were going to be present. There was Xingba there at the middle of the inground amphitheater and just a very few people. Malourn, Atukraa, Jin’halo and a new face alongside the rest of the group was it, but with the holiday season so fast approaching it wasn’t completely a surprise. Sitting down in the front of the group, at least one of the people she was hoping to see was here, the other two were no- and there was Jackie coming up with the fast approaching Lai who landed on the seat right next to her. So, while Xingba introduced the new faces, and went over what was expected of the new hires to get into each role within the Mercantile, Mei dug out the present that was meant for Lai and set it into her lap. It didn’t take long after that that Lai was sniffing at it suspiciously and soon after that it was completely shredded with giggling. Soon after it was unwrapped and Lai was gleeful with her little Crane. The meeting wore on, Lai fell asleep and once all of that was handled, once the crowd was dying down and disappearing Mei approached Xingba with his own gift. There were hugs from both sides as he realized what it was, already talking about how he was going to put it in the caravan. Success! Good had been done that evening even if the turnout for the meeting had been woefully low. 'Cause I just want you here tonight Holding on to me so tight What more can I do Oh, Baby all I want for Christmas is you

With goodbyes quickly said Mei was off to the tent, Wei already patiently waiting at the side with the bags packed and ready to go. Curling the mechanical jade serpent up and putting him around her neck she set the bags carefully on either side of the newly crafted saddle that sat upon the back of the great Garn and she slid atop him. “C’mon Wei, let’s go find Mai and Kong.” The wolf beneath her didn’t seem to need much urging at that invitation, hightailing it towards the Spirit rise where the zepplin was already coming in. Sure, it moved underneath Wei’s feet but his nervousness was outweighed by the calming influence of the happy woman that was on his back and cooing encouragement the entire time. Thunderbluff was a distant blot on the sky before fading out of sight completely and her heart surged with nerves and joy all bundling together and causing her to jitter a little. Humming to herself a rather happy song that she had heard somewhere in her llife, likely from the elves themselves as they had all manner of strange music.   “Pictures of you are making me blue, make this moment warm and true, When I look inside my mind, I will never find, someone like you. Now I’m coming home for Christmas, you will hold me in your arms knowing that you will never let me down Coming home for Christmas and counting all the stars, and one of them is shining just for us~” All the lights are shining So brightly everywhere And the sound of children's Laughter fills the air

The trip over the Barrens was long, as it usually was taking this mode of transportation but Orgrimmar came in the horizon and never before had she been so happy for the sight of the rather depressing city. There were lights shining in the square central, a tree had been put up and was circled with lights and garlands, ornaments and gifts laid out underneath it as other people were bringing more to be put under the tree. It was a time of coming together and perhaps the cheeriest she had ever seen the stone city. The zeppelin creeped to a stop at the tower where it was and Wei was more than happy to charge off of the great then, skidding down the stairs as best as he could while tripping over his paws and grateful to get onto solid ground. Once his paws met the dusty ground he was off and running, at least listening to the guiding of the leather reins that attached to a makeshift halter for his head so he wasn’t charging off blindly even if she was giggling wildly with his speed. He wanted to be home just as much as she did even though he had never been there. I don't want a lot for Christmas This is all I'm asking for I just wanna see my baby Standing right outside my door

“This way boy, this way. Just one more elevator.” He didn’t like the wood and she couldn’t really blame him, not at all as he stood on the wooden platform that was guiding them down to the main level of Orgrimmar, into the winding streets of the circular stronghold that it was. Everywhere there were lights and wreaths in the night that had settled in, the whole city falling asleep and yet waking up in cheery fashion all at the same time. Once more the platform found its bottom most limit and Wei was off charging, around the lakeside with the gentle guidance of Mei, bells ringing into the air as he did so she almost sounded like the reindeer that were used for the season. The bells that rest on the collar of Wei jangling merrily into the night air as he wove through people that were walking around, groups and elsewise that were getting into his way as Mei told him where they were going. “Left Wei, down the tunnel, it has tight turns!” A squeal came out of her as he barreled down the pathway, knocking into a few people and others darting out of the great wolf’s way. He enjoyed the saddle far too much, or maybe it was just because instead of the heavier chainmail armor wasn’t being worn and clinking as he ran and jarring him. Instead Mei was a vision of green satin as a shirt and short set that actually matched what Quinh had for herself, ribbons in her hair streaking behind her as the great Garn ran at his full speed. I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true Baby all I want for Christmas is you

Mei/Mal - 3, 14, 19, 21, 24, 25    Yao'lin/Xiaophan - 39, 42, 49 Mal/Sarah - 16  any pairing of your choice - 50 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meilahn and Malourn ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. “Please don’t leave.”  Mei would look to Malourn as the words left her friends mouth and she furrowed her brows. Crossing the distance between the two as they had been sitting at the edge of the bluff and watching the night sky and she placed a hand on her tall friends chilled shoulder. A warm smile came across her face as she gave the shoulder a squeeze.  “Oh Mal. You...you know I’m not going anywhere.” 14. “Hey, I’m with you, okay? Always.” With her eyes misting over Mei’s smile could only grow, even as she rubbed hand slowly over the baggy shirt that she wore that was quite obviously too big for herself.  “I...I know you are. I just...I worry...” 19. “The paint’s supposed to go where?” Giggling in the sunlight Mei looked over her shoulder to Malourn who looked so absolutely perplexed. Motioning to the canvas that was in front of her once more, the two easels that had been carefully set up she dipped her fingers into the paint.  “On your fingers, silly. That is why it’s called fingerpainting!” 21. “We’re in the middle of a thunderstorm and you wanna stop and feel the rain?” Mei wrinkled her nose at her friend that was standing underneath the awning, thunder booming through the sky and echoing off the mountains of Mulgore, even reverberating off of the Bluff’s themselves. A great crack of lightning lit up the night sky and she seemed to be revelling in the cacophony, twisting and dancing in the rain.  “You have to stop sometimes and smell the flowers, feel the rain on your skin. It brings new life with it, it is a true conveyance of hope. Of course I want to feel it.” 24. “You’re the only one I trust to do this.”  Tilting her head curiously she looked over the shoulder of the tall Tauren woman, her fingers still nestled inside of Malourn hair. With the hair carefully brushed out she had easy access to rubbing the pads of her fingers against the womans head to try and relax her.  “W-well...thank you, Mal. I am glad you trust me like this...” 25. “I can’t believe you talked me into this.” Mei just smiled brightly to Malourn, motioning around the dress Shoppe with all sorts of dresses around them both in the sparkling city of Silvermoon. With a careful eye she picked out an almost icy blue dress that was rather simple but had a bit of lace edging around the low curve of the collar with a skirt that flared and would likely bell out wonderfully if spun.  “It is always nice to have at least one really nice dress, and I bet you will look beautiful.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Xiaophan and Yaolin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 39. “Hey! I was gonna eat that!” Xiao looked up, her mouth full of the dumpling that she had taken from the plate on the table and a grin spread across her maw. Slowly she chewed it in an exaggerated fashion, groaning happily as she did so before taking a panted breath that was not needed. “I can see why! They are heavenly.” 42. “I swear it was an accident.” Grumbling the auburn pandaren stared at Yaolin, incredulous while looking down at the broken little toy with an exasperated sigh. Shaking her head as it hung she knelt down to pick up the pieces before wrinkling her nose with a squinted stare that seemed to bear malice though her words were lighthearted and clearly joking. ”Well you are just going to have to help me fix it!” 49. “Well this is awkward…” Looking across to Yaolin she just shook her head before diving into the icy cold waters of the Bloodhoof lake, taking a long moment before popping up to the surface.  “Ink and grease was spilled, the shirts are ruined and I don’t think either of us want permanent stains in our fur so...get in. Ain’t like I haven’t seen a naked woman before. Gots plenty a mirrors I seen.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Malourn and Sarah ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 16. “It could be worse.” “C...Could be worse? You almost bent the rods in your very bones you silly cow! Could be worse...all that work and you almost broke them because you were beating on those dummies for no reason!” Throwing her hands up into the air the frustrated Forsaken who looked like the sunset had wrapped around her and was acting like clothing twisted around to dive her hands straight into the womans body, the fur and skin parting like water.  “Now I have to take them out and get them straightened....what am I going to do with you?”

“And I’m the one quick to anger?” She muttered, shouldering her way past Rhedin. Doing everything in her power to avoid a fight, Malourn began to work her way back to her tent on the Hunter’s Rise. A path of frost starting to trail behind her where her hooves touched the ground.

“She has the gall to blame my anger? I ended a threat, happy to do so. And I was happy again, after everything. After Chou, after all the stress, I was finally calmed. Yet weeks later, she does this? Only now, months after my actions does she dare take away everything I have earned. Despite all my efforts to help between then and now?!?”

She entered the Inn on the main rise, moving quickly through the building, shoving her way past the monk Yao’lin as she exited, quickly beginning to cross the bridge. She called out to Malourn, asking what had happened, but Malourn ignored her, crossing the bridge as her radio squawked with Lin’s voice, asking about everyone’s evening. So of course Yao begins to mention something, and so Malourn yanked the radio from her clip, thumbing it on. “I’m fine!” Before she smothered it in her palm, ignoring anything further.

Finally arriving at her tent, she shoved aside the heavy flap, entering her makeshift home, and beginning to remove what little armor she had donned for the evening and throwing it at her mannequin holding her Guard armor. The room began to freeze over as her anger continued to build, her jeweler’s kit, her enchanting supplies, her armors, only one resisted the cold. She stared into the eye slits of her blue and spiked armor, the cold air making the furs on the back wave in the wind.

“She accuses me of shortsightedness, acting on impulse, and being a monster? I’ll show her a fucking monster.”

She took the helmet off its stand, beginning to don the armor she wore so many months ago once again, all the while the tent continued to freeze, the ice building up more and more. Until finally all that was left was her helm, which she put on slowly, with deference, a snarl building up in her throat. She looked then to her guard’s armor, glaring at the symbol of the Bluepaw on the tabard. Everything she’s done for that symbol, what she’s given to keep all those wearing it safe, now for nothing. With a yell she took her mace and stabbed at the tabard, the spikes piercing it as well as the armor it was draped over, bending it out of shape and compromising its protection. Wrenching her mace free, the mannequin and armor fell with a clash, pauldrons and helm bouncing and sliding away on the ice built up on the ground as she turned and left the tent, the flaps stiff with ice, as she leveled her gaze on the practice dummies.

Her stride not hesitating, she approached the targets, growl still building in her throat as her radio once again sounded to life, despite all the ice covering its surface. Yao’lin once again trying to talk to her. “Malourn? Where are you? What’s wrong?”

Malourn ripped the radio from her belt again, cracking the ice in her grip as she turned it back on.

“LEAVE! ME! ALONE!!!”

And then she squeezed, crushing the radio into nothing, dropping the shattered remains onto the ground as she let out another guttural cry, ripping into the practice dummies. Destroying one completely in one hit as another exploded into splinters as ice exploded out of it. She destroyed fully four dummies in as many seconds, using her ice and her armor just as often as her mace, releasing all her rage, letting out the monster inside for a third time, holding nothing back.

She didn’t even hear her approach, losing herself to her rage she didn’t hear the meek voice behind her. “M-Mal? Sister?” accompanied by the low growl of a garn, now standing in front of the voice protectively. Malourn simply smashed her mace into the head of the dummy, the mace burying itself all the way into its chest. She stared at it a few moments before grabbing the haft and yanking it sideways, ripping the target in half, lining up on the next target, before Meilahn moved in front of her, saving the dummy’s existence. “M-mal? What… what’s going on? What… what’s wrong?”

Malourn stared down at Meilahn, her anger still apparent, everything near her covered in frost and freezing over. She moved down the line to the next dummy, looking like she had half a mind to just grab it in her hands and rip it apart. “All my work. All my effort to keep you and the others safe. Gone.”

“Mal, my sister, my friend… you have kept me safe. You have. I… I’m not in danger… am I?” Meilahn, her dearest friend was shaking, and Malourn could sense her heart rate accelerating. She was afraid, of her.

“Only from me, apparently I am no longer fit to be a guard. Killing an elf slowly, very much deserved, is more atrocious an act than is allowed, despite doing it in the defense of my friends. Despite doing it to protect everyone.” She squinted at the target dummy, staring at the straw stuffed head.

“That… that isn’t true. He… he was going to kill Quinh, he was going to kill others…. He…. He killed my Lau…” She was still afraid, and now her voice resonated sadness, the memory of her loss still heavy.

Malourn’s staring continued, before the straw head exploded with shards of ice coming out from the inside of it’s head. “And I killed him. I defended my friends. But now it means nothing, because Its all fucking gone. Fooled myself into thinking I could get to redeem myself…. Just another fucking monster like every other Death Knight.” She turned away then, looking at a pile of dummies nearby, before she sensed something in Meilahn change.

“NO! You stop! You stop right now!” Meilahn reached a hand out, lightly grabbing at Malourn’s arm. “I… I know I may not seem like it much. I… I know you may not think the same. I… I know we are different but…” She looked up at Malourn, her face full of sorrow and pain, and Malourn returned her gaze, the target dummies forgotten for now. “You are kin to me…. You… are not a monster.” Malourn continued to stare at Meilahn, her rage still present.

“Even doing the right thing makes me monstrous. They’ve never looked past my rage, what I am. They see a monster. I know that inside, buried away, it is my true nature. My very being is monstrous. To kill anyone or anything that lives. I’ve shown that side of me twice. It’s still there, always lurking, and no matter how deeply I bury it, they won’t trust me.”

Meilahn’s sorrow was still apparent, her eyes beginning to glisten with tears. “You have never hurt me, you have never hurt us… Mal… you have control or someone would have been hurt by now. By your own hand…. And…. As far as I know that hasn’t happened. You are torn by the forces that made you…. That brought you back to life and… the soul that is inside. I… I know you are more than just… a killing machine….” She began to shiver, overcoming the fear upon seeing her friend in such a state of rage, the cold beginning to affect her, as Wei, her garn, stared at Mal with a tipped head.

“Prove it to me. How am I not a killing machine? I’ve slain hundreds of the living in Northrend, I killed dozens of Alliance looters in Taurajo. I’ve destroyed the caves of gnolls and the small camps of Grimtotem that dare set up in Mulgore with the intent for war. My soul is drowning in a sea of blood.”

 “You create beautiful things, fine, intricate, delicate things. I’ve seen them… I have seen you take pity upon a woman grieving early the loss of a loved one. You created something beautiful and wondrous for them without hesitation. A woman who did her utmost to comfort a grieving friend after she received devastating news, who has offered to talk to her friend until she falls asleep as she is afraid to be alone… I have seen your heart, my dear friend. It brings me sorrow that others cannot…. Will not… refuse to…”

Malourn turned back completely to look at Meilahn, staring down at her, her rage beginning to subside. “Because they are my heart. My family.”

“And monsters do not keep their family safe… they do not do these wonderful and… caring things.” Meilahn’s eyes continued to mist. “Only because those monsters weren’t given the chance to become more.” Meilahn’s eyes twinkled, smiling. “And you have. Pl…please… please Mal. Don’t…. don’t talk about yourself like that.”

Malourn looked down in silence. “They took away my chance.” Meilahn looked up questioningly. “…Who? Who did?” Malourn shook her head, the anger building again. “The elves. Rhedin. Anyone who knows the full story of what I did. That elf forced my hand, yet everyone refuses to forget that what I did was monstrous.”

“You did what you did to protect us… you… having anger… I don’t… I don’t think anyone would have handled it cooly. Anyone. Kong would have been seeing red… Xingba… I don’t think he would have kept his temper even… Lu wouldn’t either…”

Malourn growled in her throat as she spoke. “And I’m the one with anger problems, they say. Well they’re fucking right. I fight hard. I will myself to stay calm. But others only see me making decisions angry. After they threatened my family. My friends. Threatening them when they’ve done nothing wrong.” Malourn stared at Meilahn, the cold growing again. “You better believe I’ll fucking get angry.”

“I doubt you are the only one. Everyone… everyone makes mistakes… and anger enhances them. I am sure you’ve seen everyone make bad decisions when angry… when altered…. No. You are on the same standard… at… at least to me.”

The cold began to recede, quite rapidly ebbing away. “I don’t understand. What did I truly do. To deserve you.” In response, Meilahn shivered, a tear beginning to roll down her cheek. “You are my dearest friend. Doing… that… with all you’ve done for me… you… you don’t have to understand.” Malourn reached forward gently, wiping at the tears on Meilahn’s cheek, before she knelt, wrapping Meilahn into a gentle, though still fairly cold, hug. Holding onto her tightly as Meilahn returned her embrace, resting her own cheek on top of Mal’s head. “It’s okay… I’m here….” Malourn shuddered then, clinging to Meilahn as she began to mutter. “I can’t…. I… I can’t lose everything… I just want to protect…”

“You won’t…. I won’t go anywhere…. I’m not going anywhere…” Meilahn, embracing and comforting her friend for long moments, as Malourn’s cold and rage faded, before Malourn finally loosened her grip. “Thank you… for everything… thank you, Meilahn…” Meilahn continued to stay quiet for a while further, stroking at the hair in the helmet on Malourn’s head. “And thank you, Mal. For all you do… have done… will do…”

Malourn leaned back, looking Mei in her eyes, the frost under her own still fading slowly. “I’m sorry you saw me like this… and for having to deal with me when I’m at my worst…” Meilahn shook her head, offering a shaky smile. “You… have seen my darkest times… have seen my flashing anger… it… it is okay.” To which Malourn began to rub at Mei’s arms, head shaking. “No it isn’t… I can see it, I can sense it… you were afraid… and it’s my fault.”

“But… I still stood here… I still… I stepped in. You… you needed me.” Meilahn shuddered, whether from the remaining cold or from the release of fear, Malourn didn’t know. “I did… but I still terrified you… and that’s not okay…” Meilahn patted her friend’s head once more. “I… you know I am fearful anyway. Timid…” she chuckled. “Scaring me is… not hard sometimes.”

“It’s still not something I should do… not to you… not for everything you’ve done for me… you’ve helped me so much, Meilahn… I will never be able to repay you, for all you’ve done.”

Leaning against the supports of the tent, in her little spot just outside of the tent where she could usually be found painting, Meilahn pushed up her glasses and looked down to the letter in her hands. While the paper was fresh it still must have been read a dozen times over, the creases where it had been folded soft from use and rubbing and it was obvious with the way her eyes were lined with red that she was tired...among other things. With a careful and steady hand though she looked to the letter as she set it very gingerly underneath her notebook and took up her pen, looking to the sky. My Heart, I could fill pages upon pages of how I feel about you, how the littlest words that you send me bring me such great joy. I could also continue to fill them with all that I have been feeling the past few days and yet I know that it is better I do not. You need your focus there upon the self-imposed trials you are yet to put yourself through. The sun is just barely cresting over the horizon here, the world just starting to wake up and yet I know in my heart that there, at home, it is a much different story. Right now the crickets would be chirping sleepily of how the night was getting deeper and the sounds of soft snoring would be able to be heard by careful ears as the hatchlings are going to sleep in the small valley below. The wind is moving through the trees there with it’s soft murmurs of encouragements and ancient lullabies travel on the wind to reach the ears of new minds just waiting for their stories. The scent of rain I am sure is in the air as the shifting of seasons is heading towards that of the wet of winter, the chill off of the nearby ocean more than enough to encourage a fire or cuddling underneath warm blankets.  Here on the Bluffs is a different story, the night has passed without event, the steady pacing of Watcher’s pacing by the tent, the prairie dogs are waking up and bustling about the Bluff as the first sign of life beyond guards. I hope that in these trials that you learn what it is we see within you, the man that we know somehow coming forward and being the man that you see in the mirror. Hopefully you will start to see the face that we know and the man who is underneath the fur and temper. You are a good man, love, strong and brave and yet so very gentle. All traits that I hope that you keep in your travels. So I give you this, this letter, my love and my heart and a refrain. Always keep a little prayer in your pocket And you’re sure to see the light Soon, there'll be joy and happiness And your little world will be bright. Have faith little one 'til your hopes and your wishes come true You must try to be brave little one Someone's waiting to love you

You are forever in my heart, Tallfoot. I am waiting for you. -Meilahn.

Shutting the notebook she let out a heavy sigh, her head tipping back and resting heavily on the side of the tent as she tried to compose herself. At least with the book shut a random and stray tear couldn’t come down to mar the paper, she’d learned that lesson so very long ago.  Her voice shook as she stroked her hand over the leather bound book, even so much that her hand was shaking. “Always keep a little prayer in your pocket And you're sure to see the light Soon, there'll be joy and happiness And your little world will be bright Have faith little one 'til your hopes and your wishes come true You must try to be brave little one Someone's waiting to love you…”