A note for 'Blaze' Whiteclaw

[Blaze]

Blaze stood on the shore watching this all unfold, her hands coiled into claws. She actually regretted not having her bow on hand, or that paladin would have an arrow sticking out of the back of his skull for his trouble.

Instead she picked up a palm sized rock and threw it at Amboro's broad back as hard as she could, then stooped to find another as she yelled, "Release him ugly gorilla! Any harm befalls him you will get ten fold!"

She had not yet called for Mushal, but she would soon do so if the paladin didn't regain his senses.

[Guest Amboro]

Amboro heard the hard thunk of the rock against his armor and looked to where it came to see the still nude Blaze yelling at him. Why did she want him to stop? Wasn't this what she wanted? What did she want from him!? Did she want him gone, wanted him to stay, kill Rook let him live? Confusion wracked the Draenei's head. "Could I not cure you or your father!? You do not need this filthy Rogue! Please just let me help!" Amboro called keeping his hand where they were firmly still unsure if he would go through with killing the Rogue anymore,

[valrae]

Its difficult to laugh with two very strong hands around your neck,and so Rook only managed to make an awkward series of choking noises.

He thrashed again and managed to slip some fingers under one of Amboro's hands, enough barely to let him talk.

"Yeah," he said, still in Common. "Yer kind is real good with... Poisons, I hear. Curses, though... I bet that would give yeh a problem, wouldn't it? What about... Something that was a bit of... both? Hmm? Sound like fun? Did you... reallly.. think I'd use something that could just be wiped off?"

[Guest Amboro]

Amboro had hoped for it but the tone the Rogue took with him! He should be begging for his life. Tightening down with his left hand he removed his left hand and pulled the deadly axe from his back and held it against Rook's neck applying pressure with the blade. "How about this instead? You give her the cure and I'll male this very quick. You won't feel a thing." Amboro offered.

Oh how he just wish to have the Elf dead and be done with him. But then again there was still Blaze to try and convince afterwords.

[valrae]

((believe it or not, I'm not just pulling this out of my ass to keep Rook alive. This was planned out from the beginning, Blaze just never asked about it.))

Rook eyed the wide blade of the axe from the corner of his eye and fought the urge to flinch away from it. He mustn't act afraid. He mustn't BE afraid. Fear never solved anything. It just made more problems, and worse ones. Besides, according to the lay of the cards he'd already won. The danger was the Draenei wouldn't understand that.


"No thanks. Can't ....Let yeh kill me. See.. The interesting thing is... I don't have the antidote.... on me. I'll have ta brew it. One of the ingredients... I need is at the place we're going. Once I have it.. process takes ...about a day. When I threaten people's... lives I tend ta plan pretty... goddamn well. So. Can't let you kill me. Or Blaze's ...Father will die. Contrary to what... yeh want to think, I don't want to ...see anyone hurt. ...Except you, at the moment."

He blinked slowly. Not quite getting enough oxygen.

"It would almost be worth it... To see Blaze gut you ...fer killing her father... Almost. I don't like yeh very... much, I have to admit... But maybe if yeh... put me down we could all ...be friends again, though. Or at least ...all stay alive."

[Blaze]

((Blaze isn't naked anymore, sorry! Haha!

A good bit later Blaze was dressed in a pair of brown leather pants and a dusty white cotton vest with three copper buttons down the front.

))

Soon as the axe came out the air filled with the shrill sound of the hunters whistle. It pierced through the young night, the sound only challenged by Blaze's immediate battle cry and the resounding roar of a very upset tiger.

Blaze didn't see Rook being held by the neck, in her eyes it was her father flailing helplessly.

All she did was point, and Mushal knew exactly what must be done. He was keenly in-tune with his mistress and even from the Astral Plane had been watching and listening. The large tiger bounded into the water with enough noise to wake a sleeping orc, his lips pulled back from his teeth and ears flat against his head. He was headed for Amboro.

[Guest Amboro]

"I don not want to be your friend all I want is to see Blaze happy..." Amboro said anger still in his voice but the tone of his face seemed like he was calmly down. "I just want to be with her... But she pushes me away every time I come near..." The paladin said his voice slowly becoming a whisper as his grip on his axe and Rook lessened. Slowly he put the Rogue down and removed his hand as he looked to shore hearing a whistle and the dangerously large among of splashes and saw the tiger rushing at him. Why bother any more? Putt the axe back on his back he stood still as he waited for the tiger to come for him. His gaze drifted to Blaze, a sadness in his eyes that spoke of heart ache.

The tiger would be on him soon ready to tear his flesh, he would defend himself but he would spill any blood of the pet's or the Rogue. Once more he had lashed out in anger like the first time The Paladin and Huntress meet with more of the same effect as the last.

All that the Draenei couldn't understand was how the woman could make love to a man that was trying to kill her father? Again and again he had offered his help and she lashed out at him to go away. And all Amboro wanted was to be with her to protect her, watch out for her, to love her. "Why?" Came a horsed call to Blaze, "Why do you hate me?"

[valrae]

Rook slipped out of Amboro's hand as it loosened, fading away as he sank into the water. He was still close enough to catch the Paladin's words however, and the look in his eyes. It was a familiar painting and a familiar tune, one that explained a few things. Yet he couldn't keep from sneering as he silently swam backwards, opening some distance between him and the Draenei.

He saw the tiger charging in, and the Paladin apparently content to sit there and take it. The problem might well resolve itself here and now. Rook's mouth twitched. That would be VERY convenient, the man had thrown a lot of sand into in the otherwise smooth operation of his plan...

But at the same time he already knew what he was going to do.

He faded back into sight, waving his arms.

"Blaze!" He shouted. "Blaze, stop, I'm fine!"

[Blaze]

Still hard to see exactly what was happening in the lighting she heard a faint, "Why do you hate me?" from the Draenei over the snarling and splashing of Mushal.

She bared her teeth and took a breath to yell back when she heard Rook calling to her.

"Blaze!" He shouted. "Blaze, stop, I'm fine!"

Hesitating only a second, her eyes darted from the paladin to the waters where she heard Rooks voice, and then to Mushal. "Mushal!"
The tiger was almost upon Amboro now, and she wasn't sure he would stop. Growling she uttered a few rushed words and the tiger was sent back to the Astral Plain, dismissed for now. The ripples from his large body pittered out to lap harmlessly against the large form of Amboro.

Snorting with anger and frustration she threw up her hands and picked up her stick with the impaled fish before stalking back up the cliff to the fire.

[valrae]

Rook swam silently back to shore, leaving the Paladin to whatever his thoughts were. He frowned as his feet touched the bottom, still unsure why he'd asked Blaze to stop. He thought he might know. He thought there might still be a way to solve the problem with words, rather than swords. He was willing to take the risk so long as the danger was to him and not Blaze. His lip curled and he clucked to himself. Of course if he were wrong, he'd be only too happy to let the blood out of the Draenei's heart himself. He rubbed his neck as he stepped on shore.

It was bruised and covered with small gashes where hinges of the plate mail had pinched him. His windpipe was sore, possibly slightly cracked. He'd have to see to that, or talking would be a chore tomorrow. But then Blaze might like that. He smirked.

He looked around for his gear and blinked when he couldn't find it, but came to the conclusion that Blaze had probably moved it. He shook his head and scratched at the back of his neck.

She had forgotten the arrow, though, and he picked it up and crouched by the water, scraping her now-dried blood off it carefully before propping it between two rocks and snapping the head off of the shaft. He picked up the metal arrowhead and turned it in his hands.

He made his way back up the narrow path and over to the fire, Smiling wanly and silently at Blaze, briefly contemplating draping his wet self over her as she sat there, before deciding against it.. She didn't appear overly pleased at the moment. Instead he went over to his pack and dug out a pair of dry pants, rolling onto his back to slip them on. That done he picked up the belts that held his scabbards and draped them around his neck and under his shoulders, the weapons hanging off him. with the Draenei around he wouldn't go anywhere unarmed for a while. As a further precaution he propped his crossbow on top of his travel bag.

Digging further in his bag he came back with a length of rough twine. He looped it and tied the ends securely to the arrowhead he'd brought from the shore. That done he sat next to Blaze and held it out to her, dangling from two fingers.

"This is for you. Tooth of the dog that bit you. It's good luck. If you wear one it'll keep the rest away."

[Blaze]

Blaze was sitting before the fire with a tight expression on her face. She had made a small spit and had the fish cooking upon it. Hearing him approach she stiffened and had her large sword in one hand in an instant pointed in his direction. Noting it was him her eyes roamed over his dripping form and lingered there a moment. It was as she had planned it to be, yet things had changed and she was doubtful anything could rekindle another round, for now.

Lowering her sword she blinked slowly at him and looked back to her fish. Mushal wasn't around, which may have seemed odd under the circumstances however she was testing the rogue on some level. Plush Mushal was always so cranky when she brought him back after being with another male.

As Rook dressed himself she watched out of the corner of her eye. The Draenei must still be near. She nodded faintly her ears perked to listen for his hoofed feet. No doubt he'd be up to visit them, hopefully the water had cooled his temper.

When he pulled out the twine she raised a brow and watched him full on. As the arrow head dangled before her she raised both brows and sat back a bit tilting her head in consideration.

"This is for you. Tooth of the dog that bit you. It's good luck. If you wear one it'll keep the rest away."

Oh really? Perhaps she should go rip a tooth out of the Draenei- and the elf for good measure. She would start a collection! What a novel idea! She smiled to herself then realized she was and stopped taking the necklace with a swipe of her hand. She stared at it in her palm a moment eyes hooded with thought before she glanced at him and slipped it about her neck.

Without a word she picked up the stick with the fish on it and swung it his way almost poking him in the nose. She nodded for him to take one.

Idly, she looked to his neck, the same one she had been licking and kissing not that long ago. She snorted and drove the foolish memories from her head. "He hurt you." She said with a low growl.

[valrae]

"He surprised me," Rook said, with an embarassed, sour look on his face. "I was careless. It will not happen again." He pulled the fish off the stick gratefully, suddenly aware of the fact that he was starving. He smiled at Blaze as he held the hot fish by the tip of the tail to keep from burning himself.

"Thank you, starshine. You're generous, as well as quite a few other things."

Arineva Prrrrowwwlle'd from where she lay in the grass a few yards away. The big cat licked her chops, smelling the cooked fish, and shook her harness. Rook grunted and stood, holding the fish in his teeth as he undid the big cat's riding tack. "This isn't yours," he said, poking her nose when she nipped at the fish dangling in his teeth. "Go get your own food." When Neva was clear of the saddle he swatted her hindquarters and sent her running eagerly off into the darkness to hunt her own dinner.

Sighing, he took his seat next to Blaze again. He bowed his head to look at the necklace she now wore, and smiled.

"Good." He nudged her shoulder with his. "We need to keep you safe. Or who else is going to keep saving me?"

He looked into the fire, the heat of the small flames drying what water remained on his bare chest.

[Blaze]

Yes, a charging Draenei on a warhorse into a lake would take anyone by suprise... Right. "Your mind was on other things." She said simply.

She scowled at the new nick name as she laid down the stick and pulled off a fish for herself. When he got up she watched him through her lashes her lips pressed together tightly.

When he nudged her she coughed and took a large bite of fish, trying to keep her attention in the dancing flames. She wondered how long memories of what they did would plague her. Usually she would forget about such things. Perhaps once her father was safe the rogue would vanish from her mind.

At his words she looked at him with a smirk then turned her head to spit out a bone. His nearness was getting to her, his scent, his body heat. She inched away from him a bit and concentrated on chewing her fish glowering into the fire.

[Blaze]

"That creature will return. He has plauged me since Elwynn Forest."




((Sorry, forgot this part.))

[valrae]

He noticed the scowl, and her inching away from him. He smiled and shrugged, making a soft 'hmh' sound in his throat. He scooted away an inch in conciliation. He could think of two reasons for her pulling away, and he wondered which it was as he chewed on his fish.

"That creature will return. He has plauged me since Elwynn Forest."

He made a 'tch' sound and curled a lip. "I'd ask for the details, but I imagine it may not be a story you'd enjoy telling. I can see he's not one of your favorite people, and I think I see why."

He finished one side of the fish and moved to the other, turning it around rather than flipping it over to get at the other side. A sailor's superstition that was hard to break, even far from the sea.

"I'll let you deal with him as you see fit, next time. Hell, I'll help you, I'd be glad to. I shouldn't have gotten in your way last time. I just didn't want..." He trailed off, momentarily at a loss for speech. He came back with a sigh and a sad smile.

"...I Just have enough to answer for already." He shrugged.

"You know, I'm falling into your debt rather rapidly. As I've said I intend to make all this-" he waved a hand around. "-right once I can. But. Is there any other way I could repay you? Preferably one that doesn't involve you killing me, which would make this whole trip rather moot, from my perspective."

He smiled and looked at her inquisitively, casting the bare skeleton of the fish into the fire.

[Blaze]

"Mate with me again."

The words cut through the night rather loudly though she had only spoken them plainly and she stiffened sucking in a startled gasp of air. She hadn't meant for them to be said allowed, and why had she been thinking them so readily anyway?

A fish bone went sideways in her throat and she began to cough lurching forward a bit. She thumped at her chest with a closed fist. Tears came to her eyes and finally the bone was dislodged. Spitting it into the fire she looked at him balefully.

[valrae]

e tried, and almost suceeded, to take her sudden words gracefully. It was quite an effort not to burst out in astonished laughter at both the guilelessness of it, and the look on her face. However he managed to stifle it to a sudden cough, though one eyebrow went way up and his eyes twinkled in amusement.

He realized she was choking a moment later and slid next to her, arm extended to pound on her back if needed. But by then she had it cleared and he merely rubbed her back with the heel of his hand instead.

"Careful, careful," he said, ignoring the look. "Even you would look a little silly if you had to wear a fishbone necklace." He reached across to her shoulder and pulled her to him, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek before releasing her.

"...And I'm not sure you're quite clear on the concept of this whole favor business. I think you're supossed to ask me for something I don't already want to do..."

He smiled, but then continued on before she had a chance to interject. "But in any case I accept, and gladly. However..." His smile faded, somewhat. "I'm not sure it can be now, if that's what you wanted. Not with-" He inclined his head towards the lake. "I think that would be a poor idea."

He vented a small sigh of frustration, bemused at how suddenly his sense of anticipation had been piqued now that he had permission but no time... He thought of the day ahead, trying to plan. It didn't seem possible...

"We should probably set watches, in fact."

Another drawback. He'd been hoping both of them could get a good night's sleep, which they would need. This far inside dwarven territory, it was supposed to be safe. ...And somewhere in the back of his mind he had envisioned them cuddled together, sleeping under the stars. He smiled to himself. An odd thought, considering the events of the day, but still an appealing one.

[Blaze]

Her cheeks burned at his reaction. When he slid closer she snarled and kept glowering into the fire, even as the heel of his hand rubbed her back. She didn't laugh at his fish-bone joke, and squirmed against his grasp, swiping at the kiss with the back of her hand when he released her. What did he think he was doing!? Treating her like a pet!

"...And I'm not sure you're quite clear on the concept of this whole favor business. I think you're supposed to ask me for something I don't already want to do..." he had said. She ignored his smile and threw the remaining bit of fish she had in her hand into the fire. Gritting her teeth she glared at him and suddenly wanted to bite him... But not in a friendly manner.

"We should probably set watches, in fact." That she could agree with. She cast a look toward the path that lead down to the lake expecting to see the large form of the Draenei anytime now. There was one fish left. She could throw it at him.

Blaze turned her attention back to Rook and found him lost in some sort of reflection. She would wake him from it. Placing her fingers to her lips she let loose the shrill high pitched whistle summoning Mushal from his Plane. The large tiger faded into view beside her casting a diminutive eye on the rogue before bunting his head against his mistress' shoulder. The tiger sniffed curiously at the last fish remaining on the stick then sneezed and snorted and licked at his nose turning to look into Blaze's eyes. Still ignoring Rook, she reached into her sack and pulled out a large cooked quail and tossed it to the tiger which he devoured in a few snapping bites.

She ruffled his ears and pressed her forehead to his before speaking softly to him, only murmurs that Rook could hear, nothing discernible. Moments later the tiger bounded off and seemingly disappeared into the brush surrounding them.

"Mushal keep watch."

[valrae]

He sighed and slid back, stung by her reaction. Well, at least he understood her a little better now.

He rose and stretched, sheathed blades clanking against each other.

"Thanks for the fish. Let me know when you want me."

He turned and went about his business, Mixing a little salve to put on his neck, reorganizning and repacking his gear, drawing his blades and examining them minutely for pitting, an unfortunate side effect of some of the poisons he used.

Arineva returned, apparently having fed, judging by her contented look and the chicken feathers poking out of the side of her mouth. Rook decided it may be wise to keep a bit away from Thelsamar when they rode out tomorrow. He rubbed the cat down and brushed out her coat, humming a tune to himself and her as she stretched out her claws happily.

When all was done he looked around for more. But without anything else to occupy him he was forced to roll out his bedding and lay down.

"Daybreak." He said, then rolled over and closed his eyes, waiting for sleep.

[Guest Amboro]

((Sorry for the OOC real quick but I was just wondering if you guys could slow down and wait up a bit more for tonight, I've been very busy all weekend and I will post, after my concert tonight. So please bare with me for just a bit longer.))