Worries of the Heart ((Open to all))

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

((While this thread is open to all, please, due to it's nature/setting, have a good reason why your char would appear.))

Darnassus.

Sentinels walked their rounds far below her, perhaps unaware she was even there, perched among the leaves of the trees that reached just over the stone wall of the entryway into the city. How long had she sat in that very same tree on sunny days like this, with circles of light playing over her feathers, and the wind ruffling them almost affectionately with each turn of her head. A very faint 'jingle' may also be heard as if from a very far away wind chime....though it came from the little bell she had tied about her left ankle.

She would sit in this tree, living in memories of what her life was like when she could freely pass to and fro over that stone wall, or under it, like anyone from the Alliance could. That was only a few weeks ago.

Fluidly her body shifted from one of smooth feathers to one of smooth light purple skin, five little toes on each foot curled around the thick branch she was sitting on. The wind welcomed her true form with a large gust, which was like a large hand slipping along the side of her head, picking it up from underneath and drawing it out behind her. She smiled into it allowing her hair to tousle naturally, the feathers in it sliced and diced on the breeze, the beads clicked together softly. She was an elf now. No longer bore the form of a troll she had to bare for years prior.

A smile split across her features, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she balanced perfectly and opened her arms wide to Darnassus before her.

She was a 5'5 naked Kaldorei sitting high up in a tree, arms open to the city seemingly glowing as radiant as any wild thing in nature, sitting exactly where it was meant to be. To anyone who knew her, it would be a somewhat normal thing to expect from her.

The filtered sunlight winked across some metal on her neck, wrists and ankles. Perhaps she wasnt entirely naked in all respects.

Canting her head to the side- her arms still outstretched she regarded the bracelets as if only seeing them for the first time. Her softly glowing eyes plucked along the smooth way the gold and silver metal twisted together, appreciating it in a way any raven would. Shiny.

Then she let her arms fall, as her face did, as her heart did. Then she was -just- a naked 5'5 Kaldorei sitting up in a tree. Her hair fell to curtain either side of her face and she took a few calming breaths.

She knew the one who had put the metal about her neck had done so in error. Against the laws she was brought up with. It was only a matter of time before they found out. If it was not already known. It was uncertain what would happen to her, to him.... Him, Her face twisted with a few emotions at the same time. He had been gone for days now with no word left to her. Perhaps that was his way... but how was she to know that. She had only known him a few days before.... before.... She touched the metal choker on her neck and sucked in her lower lip to nibble on it.

Although she was back in the Alliance, back in her true skin, she felt alone again. For the first time since returning home. A'rion would be there, waiting for her however she knew. Like he always was in Moonglade. He would have answers for her, but she was nervous to hear his words right now so she vowed to stay away as long as she could. Then at least she could pretend- and make up her own answers in her head and find some sort of solace in them even if they were but shadows of comfort.

Her thoughts strayed to the kind face of Makris, and then to the scarred face of the elf she met on Argus just a night ago...and then, finally to her Owner. Dominus. She wondered if she would see any of them again.

[Amallah Nightwalker]

Darnassus.

It had been many long months since Amallah visited a city that was as close to home as any for him. In this city, he felt free from his earthly troubles. He was free to laugh, run, swim, all without a second glance from his fellow elves. It was only in this city that he felt comfortable wandering without the need for heavy, leather-clad garments. Instead, he wore simple clothing. A loose-fitting, blue shirt that billowed out, and showed off his rather toned chest, along with long pants of similar color. Instead of boots or shoes, he went mostly barefoot except for a few long, thin leather straps that wrapped around his feet, and was designed to help him grip should he need to climb. He took in a deep breath of the cool air around him as he walked across one of the several bridges around the Temple Gardens. His time in this world was short, compared to the oldest among his kind. But he had lived through several major conflicts that have occurred throughout the world, most recently in battles across Northrend, the conflicts against Deathwing and Garrosh, and now the war against the Burning Legion.

The druid's time on Argus was stressful. He had never been to such a place that was so heavily scarred and twisted by chaotic energies. It nearly traumatized him, had he not been through similar experiences in the Outland. Still, he felt rather... apart... from nature on Argus, which concerned him. It was like there wasn't much life there to assure him his abilities would still be effective, despite his knowledge that they were in fact -very- effective in the skirmishes he took part in. Still, after fighting alongside the Alliance and Horde forces for weeks, he was sent away on a much-needed break.

And so here he was, walking around the city that felt like home to him. The cool breeze picked up every so often as he walked, brushing his long, purple hair in and out of his face. There came a point on a bridge where his attention was drawn to one particular tree that he enjoyed climbing in his younger days. He wasn't as full of youthful energy as he was back then, so he eyed the gap between the bridge and the tree. He noted that it went as high as the wall of the entryway to the city, and knew he could more easily climb up from that position. A different idea came to mind, however; one that made a small smile spread across his lips.

The druid walked backward several steps and closed his eyes. After taking a breath and exhaling, he began his transformation. It appeared as if a light smoke swirled around him as his body changed. It grew, warped, twisted, feathered... The change happened in a span of a second, and a massive Moonkin took his place. The Sentinels looked at him oddly as they passed, but he was known in this city, so no one bothered to try to make sense of the inner workings of his mind. There was a brief pause. Then with a running start, the Moonkin launched himself off the bridge, twisted gracefully in the air, and seemed to warp the air around him to push him backward.

His movements appeared well-practiced and graceful as he twisted back around to face the tree, and before impact, he changed again. His body became slightly smaller, but still had some bulk to it as his muscular wings became massive arms connected to paws that looked as if they'd kill with a single swipe. Feathers seemed to wilt away, replaced by a soft, brown fur. An antlered head and beak turned into the face and fangs of a bear. Contact was finally made. Despite the size of the bear, the druid seemed to know the limitations of the tree, as it barely shook an inch as he landed on it. One of his massive paws clutched the side of the tree, while another held onto a branch. He dangled there with a pleased expression on his face, and there were similar markings all around the tree as if he had done this before.

It wasn't until he pulled himself up on the branch that he saw he wasn't alone. He looked across to the next branch that he saw a rather naked Kaldorei there, seeming without a care in the world. All he did was blinked, seeming rather unsurprised at finding someone in such a natural state. He waited to see if he caught her eye -- which would, admittedly, be rather difficult after seeing a giant Moonkin turn into a bear and land on their tree. Then, he'd glance downward, then look back up at her, as if to ask if she wanted him to leave.

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

The druidess had long spotted the other druid, before he made his fantastic debut into the tree. She watched him move, and change through locks of hair as she had inclined her head curiously to behold his actions. She hadn't really seen a Moonkin move like that before- having considered them quite bulky and quite heavy barely able to use their 'wings' to flutter quickly to keep from falling from high places- only to land on their little tiny legs.

She was smiling bemusedly at him by the time his was done his acrobatics. How curious he was... from a Moonkin to a bear, when a panther could have done the trick of getting up into the tree just as easily if not just on the wings of a Raven. Her freckled nose twitched as she cocked her head to the other side, still watching. He was dangling now. The strength it took to be able to do that was impressing her.

Quietly, she turned a bit to the side on her bottom, her ankles moving to cover her lower private bits, the bell on her left ankle jingling faintly, and knees her upper half, and began to clap for him her eyes dancing with merriment.

When she spoke, it was in their native tongue, as pure and untarnished as the fresh air about them. "i truly cannot say i have seen anything else as impressive as that yet today." Her tone was full of sincerity as hair danced and cut across her features and body. "i had wondered where all those other claw marks had come from, so high up, but i suppose now i am to thank you," her head inclined graciously, "for clearing up that little mystery."

A light giggling mixed in with the rustling of the leaves as the wind picked up for a moment. "You are fortunate our trees are so strong."

[Amallah Nightwalker]

Satisfied he was welcome to share the tree, the large bear pulled himself the rest of the way onto his branch, all the while changing once more to his elven form. Amallah gracefully moved to sit on the branch across from hers, dangling his legs across the side as he settled in. He seemed pleased with her praise, and offered a smile as he looked directly at her. His eyes never wandered, only kept contact with her own.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the show. Had I known I had such a captive audience, I might have performed a back-flip as well," he joked, joining her in their native tongue with his amber-colored eyes twinking in amusement. "I must say, I didn't expect to find anyone else up here. This spot is one of my favorites when I need time to sort out my thoughts. I suppose I shouldn't assume I'd be the only one," he continued with a nod in her direction.

The druid before her seemed relaxed, though the darkened bags under his eyes would reveal long, sleepless nights in his past. But this didn't seem to affect him or his speech in the slightest. "Ah, forgive my manners. My name is Amallah, it's a pleasure to meet you," the elf said with a wave.

With his wave, his sleeve fell back enough that, should she be looking, would reveal faint scarring around his wrist. The scarring would be visible around his other wrist and his dangling ankles as well. It was clear that, at some point, the druid had been heavily chained.

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

At his joke she giggled and winked, "Now now, one does not need to show off for me." While he may have been trying to keep direct eye contact with her, she- on the other hand would not grant him that, instead her gaze flicked all around his face, never eye-to eye for longer then a brief second. She did not seem entirely nervous at all, the action instead seemed just natural for her. Additionally with all the hair crossing across her features one may find it hard to tell exactly where her eyes were at any given moment.

Feeling somewhat exposed however, with a male sitting so close she casually reached for what looked like a charm bracelet upon her wrist. Charms etched with various runes dangled on it. Upon touching one she was instantly clothed in a simple, sleeveless purple robe, Kaldorei in design with a deep V that started at her collar bones and reached to her navel. Dark leaf trimmings adorned the edges. "Mm, there we go. i often enjoy the free feeling that comes with lack of clothing, i hadn't expected company, so i suppose we share that assumption as well!" she winked and wet her lips listening to him speak, quietly noting how tired he looked and, having marred hands herself it was natural to look at others' so she soon noted the scars on his wrists. The kind expression did not change.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Mister Amallah," she inclined her chin a bit so she could see a bit better as she held up a hand and tapped her fingertips upon her palm in a small wave in return, "i am Shari'Adune Forestsong, Druid of the Talon and Ambassador to the Cheshire Cats. You may simply call me Shari, if you like, many do."

Pursing her lips Shari tilted her head in the other direction and regarded him contemplatively. "Ah, if you are here to order your thoughts Sir, my talking to you is not helping with that, is it? Would you prefer i leave? Or perhaps we could just sit here in silence and you could pretend i am no more than a squirrel or a nut even." She sounded fully serious.

[Amallah Nightwalker]

Amallah grinned as she giggled. The noise was pleasing to him, making his ears twitch lightly. Now that she was clothed, he took the opportunity to study her. His eyes moved more slowly however, as if he was storing every detail to memory. From the bell at her left ankle, to the choker around her neck, he studied.

There was a silence for a moment before he realized she had replied, and he cleared his throat. "Apologies, I like to commit everyone interesting that I meet to memory. Shari... A lovely name, I shall do that. I would give you my titles, but I don't quite label myself with such things or consider myself an official member of any single group."

His deep voice was quiet as he spoke, as if he didn't want to disturb the surrounding nature with loud words. He brushed long strands of purple hair from his eyes aa they settled back on her face. "Please, you may stay here with me as you wish." A small smile spread across his lips as he continued, "I enjoy talking to new people, especially those that seem like a fun sort of person. It is a good way to help clear my mind of troubling matters."

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

The female elf burst out laughing, "Oh goodness, you wish to commit ME to your memory? It is a good thing i won't take up much space then, such as i am. i imagine one such as yourself has a great many other people and things to put there," she gestures vaguely as she speaks, "where you even have to take time to order it all. Does it usually take a lot of time? Is it hard to do?"

Mirroring his body language she re-positioned and allowed her legs to dangle as well, though she would pause every so often to hold up her legs and splay out her toes to wiggle. "It's perfectly fine not to bother oneself with labels. Less for one to remember! Not part of any particular group? Do you not have a family, or perhaps you may call it a clan, or," giggles a bit, "A 'gang' as the Lady likes to call ours. It's wise of you to say you're not part of a 'sing' group though, because, i like to think everyone is part of something, because, you see, " her eyes unfocus as she looks up into the sky with a smile, "everyone is part of everyone they meet, and those people are part of something so, in the grand scheme of things, your words are very true! Truer then you may have realized! No one can -really- just be part of a -single- group."

Her head shook a bit as if her mind was like an etch-a-sketch and doing so cleared the table to allow more thoughts to take shape there. "Thank you for allowing me to stay! i would have- still don't mind- leaving if you change your mind. i too however enjoy meeting new people. Especially when things are nice and quiet as they are right now. Have you been to Argus? NOT quiet there." Makes a disdainful face as she shakes her head back and forth.

"So, Mister Amallah, what do you do hmn?" she presses a hand to her chest, "Me, i'm a Healer when i am most needed. It's my favorite mindset to be in even though it is quite very stressful and usually very under appreciated!"

[Amallah Nightwalker]

Amallah chuckled at that, "Oh, I wouldn't say you'd take up just a small part of my memory. You seem interesting, and I'd love to know more about you." His eyes would move to watch her dangling legs, smiling. "Sometimes I just need to sort out my thoughts and quiet them. I feel like I've been through so much, and need some time to come to terms with things, and work out my feelings on other things."

With a shrug and a sigh, he looked up at the sky. The cool breeze would pick up and toss his long hair gently in and out of his face, causing him to smile. "But no matter, speaking with you would be more fun than just... thinking," he said earnestly.

He fell silent then as he listened to her explain what she does, and at the mention of Argus, his face paled a bit. "Argus is a loud place... so many cries of pain and suffering from the world. Sometimes it is almost too much to handle. It is why I'm here. After going on many missions -- mostly on my own -- I needed time away."

His gaze lowered to the ground below him, and he lifted a foot to rest on the bark below him so he could hug his knee to his chest with one arm. "You're a healer, though? Then let me say, on behalf of myself and everyone that has been injured, and will be injured in the coming battles..." There was a pause as he looked up at her, his eyes serious and appreciative. "Thank you for all you've done and will do."

With another brush of hair from his eyes, he took a breath and exhaled. "Myself, I do whatever is needed. I'm skilled in spellcasting, and prefer the form of the Moonkin in practicing those arts. I am also skilled in protecting those who assist me, in the form of a bear. Both forms I've already demonstrated some of my prowess to you," he finished, a playful smirk brighting his solemn expression after speaking of Argus.

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

"Yes, i can understand that. i need that sort of time too. Not that i have probably as many thoughts as you do, i would never assume anything like that." She swung her legs around and in one fluid movement she was laying on her back, her long hair spread out and falling off the thick branch she was on, her hands lay on her stomach, somewhat emphasizing how small her chest actually was since the bump of her hands were almost the same as the size. Her robe slid up high on her thigh as she draped one leg off the branch the other remaining straight out along the wood aiding with balance. Her head was turned to the side, nestled on her hair watching the male.

"Our kind have usually been through much, some more than others, due to how long we generally live..." she blinked slowly her eyes touching upon his wrists briefly, "i would enjoy hearing anything you'd like to share with me about you. In return, i will tell you whatever you'd wish to hear about me. i'm a pretty open book and have a little problem.. well, sometimes it's a problem, that i can't lie. People often laugh a lot when talking to me, so i guess i must be a funny girl. i hope you will smile a little more while talking with me. Maybe eventually your thoughts will get in order enough to give you a fitful nights rest too hm?"

Listening to his opinion of Argus she squeaked and pointed over at him with a quick snap, "Yes! Oh yes, i feel the exact same way! i had never really thought about it that much to put my finger on it, but youve given words to what i feel every time i am there. It is so truly sad." her eyes shimmered as she thought more about it. "Please be sure to call on me, if you sense i am awake, if you'd like company or help... especially on Argus. Absolutely no one should go there alone. For many reasons. Would you promise me that? i know i'm still a stranger, but even baby seedlings can grow into beautiful things over time so should not be under estimated- or looked over. Right?"

She felt like she was watching a wild animal as he spoke. Just the energy she got from him, something about him felt caged up and it made her chest tight. He needed help somehow... there wasn't a way to be sure how just yet. It was now only a feeling- although how tired he looked lent credit to it.

At his heartfelt thank you she blinked slowly and offered him a truly genuine smile, reaching out with a hand through the air toward him, wiggling her fingers at him like she was close enough to touch him and she was tickling his cheek. "You're very sweet, thank you. You're the first one to ever have said something like that. It was very nice to hear."

Pulling her hand back, she rested it so that her fingertips casually played along the metal choker she wore. "i have the capability to use Moonkin magics as well, however it's pretty weak and i mostly use it as defense." she giggled musically as he spoke about his bear form and nodded, "MMmn, yes, your bear form is very impressive, though i've never seen a Guardian in a tree before dangling as you were." she winked at him then turned her head and gazed up at the dancing leaves allowing peeks of the sky between them, "i have absolutely no affinity for the feral forms. i'm afraid i disappointed all my teachers in that regard. Oh, i -can- assume them, if i really have to, but my goodness--- ive been told i look very sickly." Her expression was bone serious for a moment then she began to snort laughter through her nose until her lips parted and she looked over at him. "It's true though! So that's very sad. i'm a silly druidess. But my flight form... ah.. that is my heart on wings."

[Amallah Nightwalker]

It was Amallah's turn to mirror the opposite elf's movement, now moving to lay back along the length of the branch, but instead propped his head up with his hand. His shirt draped loosely toward the branch from this position, and he may as well have been shirtless with how much skin he showed. He didn't seem to mind, though. He idly looked her over from where he lay, smiling as she spoke. She seemed friendly to him, nice, good people. "I appreciate your offer, Shari. I truly do. I will be sure to keep you in mind, especially as I plan on returning to Argus this weekend. I'm sure we can do a lot of good there, together," he murmured quietly, the wind lifting his words along toward her.

He fell silent for a few moments, smiling as her fingers wiggled at him. His chest rose and fell softly as he breathed calmly, seeming comfortable and at peace here. Her laughter was addictive, and he couldn't help but join in and chuckle as she spoke about herself. "I'm sure you're a fine healer, though," he said with a nod.

Silence fell again as he considered her for a few long moments, then spoke, "You mentioned earlier that we can tell each other about ourselves, whatever we wish to share. I'm willing to tell you whatever you wish about myself. How about we take it in turns, eh?" He raised an eyebrow at her. "What do you wish to know about me? I shall answer honestly, I swear it," he said, raising a large hand out to her, offering for her to go first.

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

"i hate to think of anyone going to Argus. You know, i even feel badly for the innocent little harmless creatures that have to live there. And the Prophet Velen. Some of the things he has shown me that he has endured and now Miss Alleria Windrunner has a very heavy burden to carry herself. " she sighed, "but she is wise, i just hope she doesnt end up down the same evil path as her sister- well, not the sister on Argus with her, but you know... Miss Lady Sylvanas."

Her face turned to him again to see his new position. She blinked a bit as for a brief second she couldn't help but admire his form. He must surely have many mates. What an odd thought to have right now! Screwing her face up she mentally scolded herself and gave a little tug on her choker. Voice light she smiled at him, "i think we could do a lot of good there, or anywhere together! Two heads are better than one so the saying goes right?" there was a pause, "i think there are some ogres that might disagree with that, you know, the ones that DO have two heads... i can see how having two heads on the same pair of shoulders would be uncomfortable at best!" she blinked again then sucked in her lower lip before letting it out with a pphhhbbbtt sound. "But two heads as two people, certainly a better idea. So i really do hope you contact me. i offer a lot of people my help that i get to know, and so few do i actually hear from again."

As silence slowly wrapped about them like a silken blanket she allowed her eyes to close, her breathing soft and rhythmic. His company was relaxing she found. Though it may appear as if she had fallen asleep, the toes on her dangling leg splayed open again and wiggled. "Hmn? Yes i did mention that earlier. And i mean it. But taking turns?" she laughed a bit and glanced over at him again, the large male with billowing shirt and hair that danced in the wind like her own, strong hands and a kind face. It didn't take but a second for a question to pop out of her mouth, she in fact didn't have to even consider it it seemed. "Do you have a mate, or someone special?" Soon as the question was out though she winced and faced opposite from him covering her blushing face with her hand. What a first question to ask! Her toes curled up as she mentally scolded herself for being improper.

[Amallah Nightwalker]

Amallah chuckled as she spoke of Argus, and how two heads were better than one. He seemed amused, but not in an insulting way. No, he genuinely thought she was a funny woman. "I certainly appreciate that offer, Shari. I intend to take you up on that. As for not seeing those who you offer assistance to anymore... I'm sorry to hear that," his smile disappeared briefly as his voice lowered. "I know what it's like to offer assistance, only to be turned away. I don't intend to do that to you, not when such an important war hinges on our teamwork." His head lowered to the branch briefly as he gathered his thoughts. His fingers toyed with the edge of his shirt, idly twisting the thin fabric back and forth.

He didn't notice how she stared at him and admired his large, toned body. It wasn't until she spoke again that he lifted his gaze so he could listen properly, his ears twitched to pick up her words and her laugh. His eyes wandered briefly to her dangling leg and wiggling toes, and he couldn't help but smile. Then, as she asked about if he had a mate or someone special, he blinked. He didn't expect the question so soon, but he smiled all the same, seeming confused at her embarrassment at having asked the question. It was a natural topic to him, so before he answered, he called out softly, "You can turn back around to face me... There's nothing wrong with that question, Shari."

He waited to see if she would turn to face him again so he could look at her when he answered, so she would see how comfortable he was with this topic. "I don't have a mate, or anyone special at this time. But I have been looking, admittedly. It seems everyone I meet, however, is either taken, uninterested, or taken and don't wish to share," he said with a light shrug as he shifted on the branch, so he now was sitting up with his back against the trunk. His knees raised slightly so he could rest his arms on them, "I'm of the mind that you don't have to 'belong' to only one person, and that with consent, you can mate with who you please," he finished with his gaze on the branch below him. He wasn't sure how she would take that response, but he hoped it would make sense to her, or at least not scare her away. It was quiet for a short while before he posed the question to her now, "If you don't mind my asking - how about yourself? Do you have a mate, or someone special?"

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

Very slowly her head shifted and she was looking at him again, her freckled nose twitching occasionally with an itch she tried ever so hard not to scratch for some time until finally after a rabbit like twitch she finally brought up a finger to scritch the side of her nostril. "It-it's just a rather , somewhat improper topic to just bring up- i think."

When he answered she looked a bit confused. How one such as he would not have anyone to share a bed - or branch with. A half smile touched her lips as she twisted her body a bit to rest her head on a hand, body still flat along the branch save for the dangling leg. "It sounds like you've met a great many to have such a detailed list of unavailable ones. There are some males i have met in my travels who would not care, and simply take what they wanted, as they wanted." She considered her words a moment as if hearing them for the first time, "Now, i don't judge such people. Such actions really are just quite...primal, and well, sometimes admirable or even sad. i've worked with some druids for example who had lost themselves or were losing themselves to their feral forms." a fond smile pulled at her lips then as her eyes unfocused, "i had a mate once, a long time ago who was barely ever in his elven state. He was a Commander in the Cenarian Circle during the Silthid wars." Her hand waved to dismiss the memory.

She watched him re-position and considered his further words. "i have... an Owner. Mister Dominus. He told me his intentions were also to have me as a mate. i'm... still unsure about many things about him. i have not known him long. He claimed me the very night i met him." her words were spoken so simply, and matter-of-factly, yet there was an undertone of veiled unease. "He has become special to me though. He seems kind, and to want what is best for me. i don't get to see him very often though."

[Amallah Nightwalker]

Amallah listened quietly as she answered him. The revelation that she was already 'claimed' didn't seem to bother him in the slightest. "I'm glad that he is kind to you, and wants to protect you. I know that feeling of wanting someone to protect, and from what I've observed about you so far, I know he is lucky to have found you," he replied softly, offering her a warm, genuine smile. He then turned his head away slightly, trying to hide an expression of loneliness that flashed briefly across his face.

One of his hands idly moved to rub around the other hand's wrist as he fell silent for a short while. "The other mate you mentioned, it sounds like you cared about him a lot. He must have been special," he observed, though this part was said more to himself than anything.

"Not many people - from my experience - meet very many people who care about them that much. It seems you've met at least two... You are very lucky indeed, and very special to have attracted them to you," he finished and looked in her direction again. The lonely vibe he had given off earlier had dissapated as he studied her once more, remembering her reactions when speaking of her former mate and current owner, which brought a small smile to his face. "Now, I think it's your turn to ask me something. Anything you'd like to know."

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

Shari sat up quickly and leaned forward a bit, feet dangling, hands pressed into the tree as she watched him carefully. The air of loneliness she picked up from him made her tilt her head and look sad for a moment. "Yes, he tells me that- that he is lucky to have found me."

She was about to flutter over to his branch until he spoke again, keeping her in her spot. "My 'other mate'... was not just another Owner... not just 'a mate' he was the first. He chose me when i was still young and i was raised specifically for him. We had a daughter together..." her voice cracked and she looked down to her burn scarred hands and swallowed thickly. For a moment she was lost in the memories before a braid slipped over her shoulder the feather poking her in the nose. "Oh-" she glanced up and back to the male with a frail smile, "There have been several who have owned me since. It is simply the way of things. They...come and go. It has never, ever been the same. Shan'do Krae'sharel was -very- special. He was... my reason for existing, next to Elune Herself."

His words seemed far away. "In my lifetime, so far, there has been only -one-." The loneliness that haunted Amallah seemed to reach cold hands over to grasp at the small female elf nearby him. For a moment she looked like a tiny, hollow statue frozen in place, save for her long hair that blew in the wind like seaweed that gently danced in the oceans currents. Then she whispered, "i hope, i hope there will be another. Having someone to watch over and protect, it helps make ones heart beat, i think."

Another silence yawned before them. She didn't move, but her words finally got carried to him by the breeze, "Do you see us getting to spend much time together?"

[Amallah Nightwalker]

Amallah listened quietly, intently, taking in every word as if nothing else was as important than conversing with her. Through the corner of his eye he saw her move as if to join him, then stayed where she was. He gestured at the spot on the branch in front of him, "You're welcome to join me over here, if you'd wish. I'd be happy to share." He offered her a small smile as he leaned back against the bark behind him, shifting his legs to dangle down on either side of the branch to give her room should she move.

"I'm sorry if I brought up painful memories for you. I truly am," he murmured softly as his gaze dropped to the branch below him. "But I'm glad you've felt such love and experienced such kindness in this world."

His hand raised to brush the hair from his eyes again, raising his face to enjoy the breeze that tossed leaves and stray flowers throughout the air around them. He smiled widely at her last question. "Of course we'll be spending a lot of time together. I'll make sure of it," he said softly, giving the other elf a playful wink.

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

She tilted up her chin to peer through tendrils of hair to look over at him, consideration passing through her eyes, and touching her lips with a grateful smile. Kicking her legs gently she crossed her ankles- the little bell jingling for a few moments until it was silenced. "It is a tempting offer, Sir, but i th-think i should remain here, at least for now."

Nodding she plucked at the tree bark a bit with her short nails, flaking off tiny pieces to flutter away in the wind, "No, it is ok Sir. Painful though they may be, they are still precious to me. The good and the bad. i think, painful memories are tests of the soul. If they were too painful to bare we would lock them away and forget. But the stronger we become the more we may face, and grow as a person each time we confront them. So, i think i should thank you, since you just helped me grow a bit- in a way that is." she giggled a bit the corners of her eyes crinkling again as she smiled. "And you know what else. That kind of love is truly a gift from the Goddess herself. i think when one becomes truly worthy of it, it is given to you."

Her face brightened at his words, "i think i would enjoy that Sir. If it comes to pass, and if you're not busy helping someone else. i would expect one such as yourself would be quite busy, quite often. But, let's try to make sure if you do require my help at least, you'll let me know? Wait- that doesnt count as a -real- question! Besides. It's your turn now, right?"

[Amallah Nightwalker]

"Whatever makes you comfortable, Shari," he said sincerely. His dangling legs kicked lightly in the air from time to time, as if he couldn't help but keep moving. "I wouldn't force you to do anything that you didn't want to do," he added after a moment. After a while, he turned so he could face her. "I'd like to... delay my next question for a bit, if that's all right with you." His eyes lowered to the ground below them and he sat silently for a few long moments, before he spoke again. "I understand what you mean about facing painful memories," he murmured. "Long ago, maybe... 50 years ago or so. I had a mate like you did. Sivat, was her name. We were going to have a child together. I thought she was the most precious thing in this world, and I thought I would be with her and only her. But... There was something wrong. As she progressed in her pregnancy, her mind seemed to... change. It seemed addled, unable to keep coherent thoughts together. She would run off for days on end, only to return without a word or explanation as to where she had gone. Then one day, I found her in a tavern in Stormwind, alone save for a distraught healer. Sivat was... She was drunk, and her belly... There was so much blood."

Amallah seemed to choke up briefly, and he shook his head as if to remove the painful thoughts. "But they were gone. For years afterward, I was inconsolable. I traveled the world without really seeing it, and for a while all was lost for me. I had nothing." His knees rose so he could hug them to his chest, and one of his hands moved to rub around his wrist once more. "Do you want to know how I got these scars?" He asked softly. "I was captured during that time. It happened when I was camped out in the Un'goro Crater one night. I had been careless, sleeping out in the open when there were vicious creatures around. They came in the night, these great ogres who were scouring the land for slaves. They chained me before I could wake."

His hand reached up to brush the hair from his amber eyes, which were glowing dimly now. "They marched me to their encampment in Feralas, where I had no choice but to work. I had no way of breaking these chains. No way of using Elune's gift to transform, as they had these totems that silenced my abilities." He avoided her gaze as he continued, "I tell you all of this for a reason. Ten years. That is how long I was enslaved, performing hard labor for them. Moving and breaking rocks, building their stone huts. One night, though... One night, they tried to do something they couldn't get away with."

His hand balled into a fist as he gripped his wrist tightly. "They brought a human to the camp. A girl, about twenty or so. She had lived in Tanaris, but was foolishly gathering fruit from the Crater on her own. They captured her, and in their vile tongue, they spoke about what they wanted to do. I learned a few words in the decade I worked for them, and I couldn't let them do what they planned... And so. I broke the chains." His gaze was intense as he stared at the ground, but his mind was clearly elsewhere. "I broke them. Snapped the metal clean apart. Working for them made me strong. They didn't expect it. I swung the chains, breaking the totems' silencing magic on me, and the ogres were no more. The woman thanked me, suspecting what the ogres wanted."

He took a deep breath, "I tell you this to be open with you. I see that woman on rare occasions. She is no mate, she is no 'special someone' that I am devoted to, or in love with. I have neither of those. She does not consider me a mate, or even a lover. Only someone to fulfill her urges that her partner cannot, with his consent." His gaze slowly raised to hers after a few moments. "I tell you this so you know who you are spending time with, and... so you can back out, if you don't wish to spend time with me after knowing this."

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

The sun was beginning to slowly dip behind the tallest of the trees now, taking away the suns dappling warm light, turning the sky to beautiful hues of pinks, oranges and purples...much like the very leaves of Darnassian trees themselves. It would soon be time for prayers. Shari's light purple skin began to almost hum with the colors about her, Ama's as well as Elune's children were painted right into their landscape. Far below crickets began to begin their timid choruses, challenged by frogs and other random tiny life.

Shari turned her face toward the sun, her eyes closed appreciating the last of the warmth as her new friend began his story.

When her eyes opened again around when he was speaking of the miscarriage they were shimmering with sincere tears, one building and ebbing enough to swell and slide down her left cheek in a quivering silver trail than collected at her chin and soon fell away. She twitched her nose and sniffled, her heart mirroring the male's pain as if it were her own. Her eyes glanced at his wrists, and then his ankles again and nodded quietly, now understanding where they came from.

The rest of his story fell on attentive ears as she watched him carefully, wishing almost now she had indeed gone over to his branch to console him. He seemed the sort that would allow consoling.

"It was a good thing what you did, Elune granted you Her strength that night," she whispered.

She was nodding in understanding when he mentioned he still saw the woman on rare occasions, thinking how nice it was that he would still check up on the young human so long after things happened. It was when he brought up the part about 'someone to fulfill her urges that her partner cannot' that Shari outright blinked and stared at him looking him over again as if for the first time seeing him in her life.

The druidess wasn't sure what to say for some time. Her eyes slid around the lights glowing softly within the city, the Sentinels changing up their rounds, she even caught sight of one of the first fire flies calling out for a mate. A sad smile touched her lips, feeling for that fire fly.

Finally she brought her attention back to Amallah, her voice and tone kind. She did not look at his face, instead just stared somewhat blankly at his knees. "You know, it is not your fault the woman decides to be false to her mate and chooses to use you. That is her poor character," she shook her head thinking how horribly improper such actions were, "You are just so kind it seems to allow her to use you." She was thoughtful again. "Or perhaps... maybe y-you are kind indeed- but are not being -used-. There used to be a Kaldorei in the family named Shinsay. He was so very handsome, every female who saw him fell at his feet offering themselves to him. He was more than happy to accommodate them. Save for me, i believe he had slept with every female in the gang, i would have none of it, it was improper and i found him hollow inside. He was very kind, he treated everyone like he thought they were the most special creature in the world. But... i still felt that deep inside he was very alone, and did not care about himself in the slightest to do what he did. i never got to know him as well as i should have, he had become a Shadow Knight- a Guardian in the Officer ranks of the gang... and was always there if someone called for help. But i think the one who needed help most, was him"

[Amallah Nightwalker]

Amallah listened quietly to Shari as the sun descended, closing his eyes as the warmth began to depart. After he finished, his gaze shifted to his wrists, unable to look at her. "I suppose... in some ways, Shinsay and I are somewhat similar. Only, I've only slept with one woman since Sivat. That human I told you about... No one else, and after the last time, I've decided to cut ties with her." He shifted in the tree so his back pressed against the bark of the trunk again and raised his knees to his chest, hugging them. "I won't say those things were not enjoyable, but you are right in that I felt... used. And that, like Shinsay, made me feel so hollow and alone. That was why I ended things, and seek to atone for.. that behavior, so I can find a true mate."

His head lowered, eyes still dim from the emotions running through his mind. Sadness, disappointment, pain. He laid his soul and secrets to bare, hoping that she would understand. A tear trickled down his cheek, which he quickly wiped away, hoping she didn't see it. It was clear he had tears long left unshed as he took a shuddering breath, "I'm sorry. I spoke more than I thought I would, but I felt I needed to say all of that to... well, I guess to make sure you knew me. I have no secrets now."

Darkness was slowly engulfing them as the sun departed, slipping below the rim of Teldrassil. His body shifted restlessly now, and he finally looked over at her. The pain was clear in his eyes for a moment, until he slipped a mask of calm in them as he didn't want to concern her further. "It's getting late. Will we- would you like to meet up again sometime, Shari?" He asked quietly. He sounded uncertain, but hopeful, and after a deep breath he seemed more confident as he continued, "I plan on going to Argus tomorrow. I would feel more comfortable with an experienced hand at healing by my side. What do you say?"