Rambling Rose

The Mulgore Market was this evening, so I stopped by to lend my support. I spoke for a while with Jarclair Richards, the Forsaken Ambassador in Thunder Bluff; it was an interesting conversation, to say the least. I have had rare opportunity to get to know Jarclair. We had a number of conversations during the course of the evening, from his adoption of a shu'halo orphan, to his origins in Stromgarde to his research on spiritual auras. He seems a brilliant man. It is my hope that he can help Artimir with his troubles.
 
While at the Market, I came across Forgemaster Aurok and Nemwani. Aurok gave me a pair of iron tongs, a gift to me in preparation of my forthcoming lessons with him. I also told him of my forthcoming duel with Baahl. He and Nemwani had absolute faith that I would prevail.
 
During the Market, I had cause to speak at length with another Sunwalker, Moa'che Eagletalon. He had overheard about me challenging Baahl to a duel and why -- he seemed soundly impressed. However, he had customers to tend to so he did not get to speak with us long. Eventually, I parted ways with Aurok and Nemwani, so that Qiao and I could join Jeff, Gangsi, and Zagosh -- along with a Nightborne elf that I cannot remember the name of. Jeff and some goblin kept going on about testicular torsion to the point that even Ambassador Jarclair got fed up with them. I almost thought the elder Forsaken was going to cast some spell on them, but he tripped and fell on the end of his robe instead. I helped him up, but after that I simply had my fill of all the chatter. I think, like Rory, I simply grow weary of *so many people all at once.*
 
I returned to Thunder Bluff, but as I arrived I heard someone shout from one of the upper rises so I went to investigate. I was surprised to come across Moa'che again, it is as if An'she is determined to put me in this Sunwalker's path. I have seen him at the past several Story Circles before this. This was truly our first opportunity to speak with neither of us being preoccupied, so I took the opportunity. I learned that he is a Grimtotem by blood, most of which is meaningless these days. There are some Grimtotem holdouts to their old ways, but many have found paths to peace with their kin beneath Jevan's leadership. He also seemed... ashamed to tell me that he was a mercenary of some type. I told him that as long as he was holding true to his Sunwalker tenets, then what did it matter? He can do just as much good within their ranks as he could on his own, if not more so. A burden shared, after all.
 
He spoke of needing more to do than his company could provide him, though. Aponi has been rallying the Sunwalkers to go into the quillboar nests not far from Camp Narache, apparently their numbers are reaching a point that they must be culled. I offered to take Moa'che with me when it is my turn to walk the patrol. Quillboar are not altogether smart nor dangerous on their own, but they are known to swarm and two Sunwalkers would be far more difficult for them to overwhelm than one. It promises to be a fun time, where I can put my strength and my ability to use. I weary of this life of skulking about, kow-towing to Elizaveta, and being hunted by my assassin. Ever the damsel that everyone must fret over and save when I asked for none of it. Now I understand well how Rory felt so long ago...
 
I wandered the city for a time, circling back to the stoop of the Wyvern's Tail, as I often do. I was not there long before the usual chaos of our social circle descended and the quiet of the night became an endless noisebox of chatter too fast for me to keep up with. I sat in relative silence, mostly only speaking when spoken to. Still, it made me miss the stillness beside Stonebull Lake with Borador, watching the fireflies dance over the water; it made me miss sitting with Hakiro on Hunter's Rise, talking about all the places we might go and see together. Quieter times where I feel as if I could connect with people, rather than simply be part of the scenery.
 
Rory joined us after a time and made mention that he should tell his stories soon -- that it was almost that time. Those around us seemed to think he meant his wanderlust, his need to roam -- but he was speaking of his death. He prepares himself for it a little more with each passing day. It breaks my heart to know it, but I do what I can to help him through it. I will not let him meet his end without having done everything possible, everything he might want, so that should he expire from events with Elizaveta then he has no regrets. If I love him enough to fight for his life -- then I should love him enough to ensure that his end is peaceful, should it come to that.
 
Not long afterward, my attention was drawn to Kheerah -- a vulpera scamp I befriended long ago when I first came to Orgrimmar. She had confided in me the other night that she was interested in seeking out a romantic entanglement for herself. However, Kheerah has much in the way of personal traumas that prevent her from truly connecting with others, particularly males. It was my suggestion that she find someone safe that she trusts among her friends and perhaps ask them to experiment with her. I told her of how I used to "experiment" with Shashona when I was a girl and that seemed to bolster her.
 
Imagine my surprise when she asked me if I would do the same with her. I declined. Kheerah is far too young and far too traumatized. Our relationship, I feel, is not near close enough to allow the breach of those boundaries. Not when there are better applicants for it among her friends with Lyreth and the others Beneath the Tree. However, I demured by telling her I was in love with Rory and that I could not, in good conscience, engage in such with another. She seemed satisfied with that, though incredulous that a shu'halo would be in love with a vulpera. I encouraged her to go find her friend, Scath, and voice these feelings to him in the same manner she had me. Up to and including asking for his help.
 
As the night drew to a close, Rory and I left -- as both of us were in great need of rest. Before we left, Tazzi hugged and kissed him. The hug I did not much mind, but the kiss violated the agreement that Rory and I had put forth, not to engage in such blatant displays of affection in front of any Others we took on. As we walked to the flight master, I voiced my concern about it, as it was not what we had agreed. Ultimately, we decided that any discussions about our relationship needed to happen with all three of us in the room, if we needed to rework the rulesets, then that would be amenable and apply to everyone, including whatever future potentials I might bring unto the fold.
 
Not that there are any, at present. There have been looks aplenty and numerous compliments, but aside from that I do not feel as if anyone is actively pursuing anything with me.