#winoa

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!”