Writing.

[alliancesjr]

The bonfires were lit in Orgrimmar. Throughout the mighty city, warriors and civilians alike were celebrating the eradication of a threat to all of Azeroth. Alcohol flowed freely, from barrels to mugs to mouths - sometimes removing the middle stop altogether. Goblins had come to light up the night sky with fireworks of all colors.

It was a time of celebration.

In the center of it all was a group of valiant heroes, courageous and strong. In the largest open area of the Valley of Honor, crowds pushed in towards them, hoping to shake a hand, or pat a back, or perhaps even steal a kiss. Everyone was drinking to their honor.

Well, almost everyone.

On the other side of the pond, a grey wolf sidled up to a young troll who was kneeling in thought. She rubbed her nose in his side, in hopes of a quick pat or scratch behind the ears. Absently, he brought his hand back to rest behind her head, giving a couple slow scratches.

"It's all right, girl," he said softly.

The wolf, content with the attention her master was giving her, closed her eyes in happiness.

The troll kept his attention on the partying on the other side of the water. He made no motion of being aware of the sudden shift in the shadows behind him. He seemed not to notice the shadows creeping slowly towards his unprotected back.

"Hi, Meda."

The shadows stopped. "I really hate it when you do that, you know," came a feminine voice from inside. The shadows coalesced into a horned feline shape, which disappeared into a cloud of mystical smoke. The smoke cleared rapidly, revealing a lean tauren shape.

"I know," the troll replied. "Admit it, you're not going to be able to sneak up on me."

Meda snorted in amusement. "An absolute is just a challenge wrapped up in apathy. I expected better from you, Krajin."

Krajin finally turned away from the celebration before him. "Poetic."

"Thank you."

Krajin smiled. "Was there a specific reason you're back here, instead of living it up with the rest of them?"

"You know me," Meda said, flippantly, "never one for gatherings. I mean, yes, people would love me to be there, but I can't hold their attention forever." She paused. "Well, I could, but it would detract from the original cause of celebration."

"You're so noble."

"Aren't I?" The druid uncrossed her arms and sat down beside Krajin and his wolf. "Scootch, fleabag."

Krajin raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Kaie's not even in your way."

"I wasn't referring to Kaie." Meda's eyes glinted mischievously. "Now come on, tell me why you're not over there, making a fool of yourself. Our friends killed Hakkar, isn't that a good reason to be happy?"

Krajin's face smoothed into an expressionless mask. "I am happy," he said.

"Really."

"Really. I am." The troll kept his eyes on the party. "I mean, sure, I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to go with them, but that's my fault, not theirs. I'm not skilled enough. I'd just be a liability."

"You'd get yourself killed."

"And the rest of them, too. I need to start working harder again, so I can prove my worth."

Meda snorted again, this time out of disbelief. "Sweet Earthmother, Krajin, stop being such a baby. You can't expect to jump right into the heavy stuff. Work your way up; there will be plenty of other apocalypses that you can help the guild stop when you're ready for it." She reached over and gave Krajin's crimson hair a light ruffle, knocking it loose from its customary braid. "I didn't go with them either, and I'm not moping about."

"I am not mop--is that what I think that is?"

Meda squinted as she looked over the water to the celebration. "What, the drunken imp trying to light its own farts, or the two naked dancing Moonkin?"

Krajin snickered. "I think Brasson and Oxnard drank a bit too much."

"Pfsh," Meda said, waving her hand in dismissal. "They're lightweights. They can't handle their liquor."

"Gonna go show them how it's done?"

"You know it." Meda stood up and dusted herself off. "You coming?"

"Nah," Krajin replied, "I think I'm going to stay here for a bit longer."

"What did I tell you about moping?" Meda warned, glaring at her friend.

"I'm not moping. I'm making sure that you guys don't kill yourselves from alcohol poisoning."

"Pff, 'alcohol poisoning'. That's a myth." Meda groaned, but her eyes sparkled in amusement. "You know where to find us when you get bored."

"I'll follow the farting imp."

Meda chuckled. "I wouldn't try it. You'll get burned alive."

With another puff of mystical smoke, she shifted back into her cat form and dashed over to the party, leaving Krajin to his thoughts.

One day, he'd join them. One day, he'd be a part of something great. That day was far in the distance, and it was hard to see.

Krajin smiled again. He was a hunter. He'd track that day down easily, and make it his own.

One day.

Comments

[alliancesjr.livejournal.com]

Certainly.

And yes, I do tend to do that. It works really well, but I need to be careful how often I use that trick.