I've changed my hairstyle. Something I haven't done in who know how long. I fell like a new Draenei. ~laughs~





-Tacita

Just a few pictures to introduce everyone to two more new friends...

Giving Lavender a day off so can relax, I've decided to take up an offer to buy a horse from one of the human horse and pony breeders. The one I ended up with seemed to have chosen me before I could her. She is a pretty little brown and white pinto:




She was all ready paired up with a feisty black stallion and I was loathe to separate them. I know how I'd feel if someone were to yank me a million miles from my lifemate. So, in the end, after much bargaining with the breeder, I ended up with two instead of one. Plus the cost of care, which the gentleman was more than happy to provide for a reasonable price.



They don't have names just yet, but, I'm sure they'll come to name themselves in time.


-Tacita


OOC: I took this screen-shot of Tacita with the NPC who has the same name as my five year old nephew. ~grins~ Oh, the last word in his title is: 'Dawn' by the way.

After helping to heal a nice little bird of a broken wing it seems that I've acquired another friend for life. Not that I mind, of course. I've always been partial to our feathered brothers and sisters and my new little friend is certainly one of the best looking I've ever seen of the species. And no one can say he isn't loyal what with following me all over the place and fluttering always nearby.



-Tacita



OOC: "Avis", in case anyone was interested, is Latin for "bird".

tags: avis, tacita

I would like to introduce everyone to a new friend of mine; Lavender, my new riding Elekk. She is named for her color, which is a light lavender-purple shade.



She is the docile, sweet thing. Very gentle and eager to please. She learns very fast, though sometimes odd things like a scrap of paper in the road or a little creature skittering by will frighten her.



She is a dear thing, as I mentioned, but it will take some getting used to being so high above everyone else whenever we go out riding.



I just hope that she and ayashii_1's Mischief will get along. Though, riding beasts are generally more amiable than others so I don't foresee too much of a problem.

The High Priestess Laurena has also begun instructing me in the art of Levitation:





I admit that while I understood the general philosophy behind such a feat, putting it to action was another story all together and I have the scrapped knees to prove this.

After many failed attempts, I was finally able to execute the spell correctly. These images record my success. I must practice such every day for a few hours until it becomes second nature Laurena has instructed me.







She has also told me that I should practice in areas where I might not be comfortable should I fall...to keep my priorities focused on the spell and the want to stay unscathed and dry...



I've been training over bodies of water as in the image above. This way if I lose concentration and the spell fails, I won't be hurt but the chill and damp will be suitable
enough to coax me to try harder.

I ran into someone else whose lack of concentration almost caused him to end up all wet while training one morning out near the shore of the ocean. I wouldn't go out too far due to the dangerous beasts that lurk under the surface when one goes out too far from land.

I begun to query if I may be of some assistance to him and his bird, but before I could, the bird gained it's wings once more and took the sky.



May the Light keep you all....

-Tacita

After a bit of inner debating, I've decided to change my look yet again. Hopefully, this will one of the last times in a while. I really like my new clothes, though, and think they fit my personality much better than the clothes I've recently donned. It doesn't hurt that the dark purple of the cowl I now wear makes me think of ayashii_1 as it is one of her favourite colors.




And a new icon for this journal:





-Tacita

Having decided that I needed a break from the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind and my studies there for a bit, my teacher, the High Priestess Laurena urged me to try exploring new places. She gave me word that a nice little town lies far to the south near the Arathi Highlands with pleasant people and a breathtaking ocean view.

I made the journey with no trouble, though the backs of those flying creatures can make one's backside ache if the trip is long enough. I enjoyed seeing the scenery spread out below me like a many-coloured cloak.

Laurena was correct, I did find the people of Southshore to be nice; simple, hardworking folk who seemed at first shy of me until one of the guards, Marshall Redpath, introduced himself to me and made me feel welcome. After the townsfolk saw that their protector saw me as being of no threat to them, more and more came around to welcome me to their little township.

Myself with Marshall Redpath


I thought I would find something to eat and drink in the little inn but was not prepared to see an old friend, Huraan, there. I remember dear Huraan from my time as a tot clinging to my mother's skirts. Even though we were much different in age, he was always one to lend a helping hand to my family and we became good friends when I grew to an adult.

I had lost track of what happened to him after the crash. As far as I knew he was another section of the Exodar entirely and was seen to hours or even days before I ever woke up after the crash. He was always mentioned in my queries about lost or misplaced members of my family and friends, but no one I asked seemed certain.

Overjoyed at seeing my old friend once more, alive and seemingly doing very well as he attempted to carve out a new life for himself by helping these people, we exchanged information and then had a nice chat about the old days.



After a brief embrace, Huraan told me to try the wine, which was made from the local wild-berries of this region, while I was here.




This is Neema, the lovely little waitress of the Southshore Inn



I sat down for a spell to take in my surrounding and rest after the long flight:


Neema, the waitress, was quick to bring me a refreshing drink. A favourite of the townsfolk, she informed me as I drank it down. It was a wine that tasted slightly of elderberry and apples. Very delicious indeed. I was careful to only have the one. I didn't want to cloud my senses.



I told Neema that I would like to personally thank the person responsible for such a fine beverage and she pointed me in the direction of the basement of the inn. As I started down the rickety stairs...



In the basement of the inn there were stacks upon stacks of barrels which I assumed contained the heady wine. I found the man behind the mixture, Brewmaster Bilger and made him acquaintance respectfully.



I expressed my appreciation for his skills as a winemaker and took my leave, waving farewell from the stairwell:



Before I could say that my visit to any little town was complete, I needed to speak with the local historian. I loved to learn a town's history and knew I would receive the fact from it's historian. Afterwards, I would ask around and no doubt receive much more colourful stories from its inhabitants, especially those who had lived there the longest.

Kundric Zanden was polite and well-spoken. I enjoyed meeting him very much. He does a great service for the people both present and future.



He made sure to ask me if I knew about the Fire Festival was being celebrated all through-out the lands during this time. I admit that my mind has been so much on the focus of my studies and worrying about my lifemate, ayashii_1, and her charge, the human female, kerri_yverro, that I haven't really noticed what was going on around me.

Laughing kindly at my foolishness, he told me the story behind the midsummer celebration, that it signals a time of merriment and a chance to revel in the hottest season of the year by lighting celebratory bonfires across the land and sharing in what the elemental spirits have to offer. He made me promise to enjoy it and dance at least once at the Firepole outside Southshore:





Partaking of the holiday, I danced for myself and my lifemate, for my people, for the new people of this planet who have opened their hearts and hands to us homeless ones and for the blessing that our patron deities, The Naaru, The Goddess Elune and The Light may bestow upon our heads this year.







I ended my visit to Southshore by stopping by and paying my respects to the great Fire Festival Bonfire on the outskirts of the town. It was a beautiful sight and I wondered how far into the distance one could see it's flames blazing...



I am coming to enjoy, more and more, the celebrations and holidays of the people of Azeroth. I miss our Draenei holidays, of course, and still keep to the traditions, but I've come to realize, over time, that what our people find to celebration isn't really all that much different when it comes to the heart.

Happy Midsummer Fire Festival!

May the Naaru shed light upon us all,

-Tacita

tags: midsummer fire festival, southshore

While I try to be a good, hard-working student, I admit that my curiosity can be unhealthy at times. Mix that with a sense of fun spontaneity that my lifemate has instilled within me over the years and one can understand how I could find myself in a little hot water once in a while.

I had stumbled across the High Priestess' supply of healing elixirs and potions while cleaning out one of the storage areas in the rear of the Cathedral of Light. One bottle was unmarked and I wondered what it was. All I could make out were the words "growth" and "elixir".

My first mistake was in not bringing these half-marked bottles to my instructor straight-away. My second mistake was in feeling adventurous that day and deciding that I'd try one out myself.

As you can see from these two pictures for about twenty minutes I towered way too far above everyone! I could tell that poor Stormwind guard didn't know if he should arrest me or run and hide!




I also spoke for a brief moment to a young Night Elf named Amahrah. She was most kind and was polite enough to not mention my enlarged state:


After the potion wore off I took a little time to myself and found refreshment and ease of the senses dancing a for a while in the forest:









Lastly, I wore out my old clothes:


....and needed new:


The High Priestess has told me that my new clothes look more professional than my old. I have to say that while they are comfortable, I do miss the freedom of my older ones.

Naaru bless each and every one you!

-Tacita

The following is a short story, dedicated to my love, life and soul-mate, ayashii_1 and follows the series of events leading up to my formal introduction to her tamed saber-cat, Trouble...


Trouble

"No, no, no, Tacita," High Priestess Laurena shook her head at her pupil, who had come to her several months ago seeking to exchange wisdom with those whose purpose it was to guide and look after the souls of those upon the soil of this new world. Laurena had gained that tell-tale little whine just beneath the surface of her words that told Tacita the woman was nearing the end of her patience, which was a very thin rope to begin with.

"You are not listening. You must concentrate on the message when you read, that is true, but if you ignore syntax all together the words just run into each other..."

"Forgive me, Mistress, the language you speak today was difficult enough for me to learn," Tacita paused to mark her place upon the scroll with one dark finger, "But, the words of the ancient Azerothians can be, if you will once more forgive me, baffling."

"That is one of the reasons why you must learn to listen as you speak them," Priestess Laurena smiled, "Merely translating them onto a scroll and saying them in your head isn't enough."

"But, why all of this...", Tacita waved her arm, indicting the surrounding scrolls, housed within their own nooks within the walls of the Cathedral of Light, where she had been coming to study under the tutelage of the High Priestess ever since she first stepped foot through the gates of the great human city of Stormwind, the bottles of ink and quills, the many, many rolls of marked and unmarked parchment at her feet and beneath and around the alter. "I feel as if I am back in school with other youngings at my side and I am, I daresay, older than your great-grandmother."

"Part of learning about another's religion and culture, Tacita, is learning their prayers and stories. In their ancestors own words and language. We have a saying also, that you would do well to remember: 'Within the mundane there is greatness'. There will time enough to hone your magical skills, those which are your naturally and those which have been gifted you by, as your people call him, 'The Great Naaru', by and by."

"Now, repeat Thessialian 22:18 in the old tongue and mark you remember your syntax this time!"

Tacita stood to recite the words she'd been reciting, it seemed long enough to have them wedged within her memory for an eternity, when a soft, nearly transparent shadow eased around the corner of the entrance hall and came forward on four silent paws. The small 'o' of her mouth grew into a smile before it altered once more to a worried frown as she recognized her lifemate's tamed beast, Trouble. She knew that were Trouble was Ayashii was never far.

A graceful shadow stepped into the light of the flickering candles behind the ghostly spotted, very dangerous, feline, and was promptly greeted by the alter boy and Brother Kristoff. As she approached the alter and the High Priestess and her student, The Archbishop Benedictus gave her a respectful nod while a glint of good-hearted teasing flashed within his eyes. Both Tacit and Ayashii had like the Archbishop upon sight and got along well with him out of sight of Laurena.

The frown of worried Ayashii had expected. It was the same look Tacita gave every time she set eyes upon the great spirit-like saber cat, even after Ayashii had done all she could reassure her mate that he was only dangerous to their foes and those creatures she hunted for food. She knew it was just a matter of allowing Tacita to get used to the animal and that, she knew in her heart of hearts, they would really take to each other once she did.

The other reason for her frown was High Priestess Laurena, who was silently tapping one foot on the floor waiting for her student to finish her business and get back to her work. Ayashii didn't often interrupt her sessions with Laurena, but when she did, her teacher seemed to take it as an insult to her, for some unfathomable reason Tacita hadn't yet been able to figure out. She didn't, of course, want her teacher feeling so.

Ayashii knew the only reason Tacita was still timid around Trouble was that Tacita was forever locked behind these walls and hadn't had any time at all to form any sort of bound with him as Ayashii had done. She would not be able to rest or hunt properly until this was settled, she knew.

With a signal to Trouble, Ayashii strode down the center isle towards Tacita. Trouble yawned, showing all of his teeth, including his dagger-like fangs which were larger than both her forearms held side-by-side, and lay down upon the carpet near a young man who went sickly pale at the sight of that sword filled maw. Trouble did not move other than whip his tail back and forth periodically.

"My apologies, High Priestess," Ayashii said, bowing low before Laurena and once more towards Archbishop Benedictus, "But, I fear I must steal your pupil from you for a little while."

"Ayashii, I was just in the middle..."

"You were just in the middle of rotting in here," Ayashii interrupted. Trouble gave a soft growling noise that startled Tacita, as if in agreement with his mistress, "I know this is important to you, and what is important to you is important to me, but, I cannot stand aside while this world passes on without you even taking one single note of it."

"All worlds will pass on, my love, as do people," Tacita said, even as she allowed her lover to lead her from the building and outside into the bright sunshine, "I learn to keep our souls from those deep, dark and very warm places that may come to certain folks after one or the other occurs."

"Well, if the world is to be no more," Ayashii argued, "What's wrong with taking in a few sights before so?"

"Come," she said, instead of awaiting an answer, she could feel Tacita giving in anyway, "You can treat me to one those local treats; ice cream. I hear they are delicious."

A few of the children playing from the orphanage nearby heard the words 'ice cream' and came to flock around them. Laughing, Tacita reached down to pick up a little girl with blond pigtails, "And what flavour do you fancy, little one?" she asked. The little girl exclaimed excitedly, "Stwaberry...Stwaberry ice cweam!" which, was, of course, taken up as a chorus by the other children as they wove their way towards the canals; "Stwaberry ice cweam! Stwaberry ice cweam!"

After the ice cream, Ayashii thought to herself, we will begin the other work. She looked at Trouble as she said this, which of course, had been following close beside Ayashii and dodging the children at the same time. One little boy reached out to stroke the cat's fur and Ayashii could feel Tacita tense, ready to spring and snatch the child away.

Trouble merely licked the little boy's head and face, smearing him in slobbery saliva before a rumbling sound began which they all recognized as the universal feline signal for pleasure: the purr. "His tongue feels like sand stuck on paper!" The little boy laughed, wiping his face on his sleeve, "What's his name?"

"Trouble," Ayashii answered, touching her cat with one hand tenderly, "And believe me, he's earned his name!"

She'd been watching Tacita from the corner of her eye and was relieved to see the tenseness had lessened a bit. Perhaps there was hope after all?

~*~*~

...To be continued

-Tacita

Even though, as a Priestess-in-training, I strive to understand and learn about and aide the spiritual side of all things, I am still a female after all and what female doesn't brighten at the prospect of a new outfit now and then?
























Until next time, may the great Naaru keep you,

-Tacita

Forgive my errors, please, I am still learning my way around the Humans' of Azeroth's language and writing it is twice as hard as trying to pronounce some of the words.

I call this "Our Story" rather than "My Story" as it belongs to my lifemate ayashii_1 as well...


The Necklace

"Mother, how do you know that I will even be compatiable with anyone there?" the young Draenei sighed, sitting on the edge of her bed with her mother, Khorah on one side. A scroll of archiac Draenei writing lay half-unrolled upon her lap and her finger marked her place, "I wish I didn't have to attend."

"Nonsense, my dove," her mother admonished, waggling a finger at her daughter, "Now, Tacita, you knew what would happen on your one hundreth summer."

Tacita nodded, laying the scroll away behind her on the bed and pulling her hooves up under the hemline of her simple gray frock. Wrapping her arms about her knees she looked at her mother, "I've known since I was sixty, Mother," she said, allowing a bit of sardonic human to leak through her voice, "I've heard the whispers passed between the young males and the looks given to certain females."

"Oh, you must pay no attention to that, Tacita," Khora laughed, the tip of her tail grazing her daughter's slightly in parental affection and reassurance, "You must go to your Rut Gathering with an open heart and a free mind, only then will your soul know who to choose."

"R-rut Gathering?" Tacita's dark featured paled slightly, "I...I've never heard it called...that...before..."

"Tacita," Khora giggled like a schoolgirl, "Don't tell me in all your years you've never heard...oh, but then you wouldn't. It's a nickname that was popular in my time and has mostly fallen out of favour."

"Good thing, too," Tacita nodded, "Or am I to believe that actual rutting goes on at these 'Rut Gatherings'?"

"No, no," Khora shook her head, "It is merely a...time and place for the oppunity of getting to know other Draenei your own age whose age of finding a lifemate grows near. Many Draenei family travel from all over Draenor to have their childen attend."

"I don't think I'm ready for a lifemate, Mother," Tacita said, her voice small and uncertain, "I'm...I'm scared..."

"Don't you know that is how every Draenei feel on the night of their own 'Mate-Finding Gathering'? You should have seen me, I was an utter mess. Your Grandmother Teerai was about to pull her horns from her head!"

"I miss Grandmother Teerai," Tacita said, almost to herself, "It is difficult to realize that she is gone. It doesn't seem real...does it?"

Khora's lips pressed together tightly and her tail lashed once...twice...before becoming still once more, "When she walked into that cave, my mother made her choice...as do we all. Something you will learn in time, my daughter, if you haven't all ready."

"I wonder why she had to, though," Tacita went on, her eyes taking on a far-away expression in her attempt to answer an unanswerable question about the past, "I wonder how she could have thought that entering an enemy dwelling could have been for the best..."

"Let us not talk of that, Tacita," Khora implored, "Please..." She knew her mother, Tacita's grandmother, had not been well for more than a few turnings of the seasons and that there had been a growing darkness that had been festering within the older Draenei woman's heart for far longer than the day on which she'd ended her life.

But, these were things to be discussed on another time, in another place and were still too raw to be shared openly with anyone, even her beloved child. Although, the memory of Teerai did remind her of something...something she had been meaning to give to Tacita on her one hundreth day of birth celebration, but the eve of her 'Mate-Finding Gathering' seemed apt enough.

"I have something for you, my daughter," Khora said, reaching into the neckline of her unbleached wool shirt, "Your Grandmother gave this to me..." She revealed a necklace strung with eight small green stones that seemed to catch the light of the small lamp burning in the corner of the room and sparkle dimly.

In the center of the small stones rested a large piece of light green jade that had been carved into the likeness of a doe's profile. Tacita was shocked at her mother's words. She was giving her the beautiful necklace which meant so much to her? The one bit of prettiness she allowed herself which she never, ever removed?

"...On the day of my own 'Mate-Finding Gathering'. It will aide you in your search."

Tacita raised her hands to ward her mother off and shook her head, "I...I can't take your necklace, Mother," she gasped, "It has been with you for...for...for I don't know how long! I couldn't accept it! I just couldn't!"

"You will take it, Tacita," Khora said sternly, grabbing her daughter's hands and forcing them into her lap while with the other she slipped the necklace, which had been strung using a length of thick leather rather than a metal chain, over Tacita's head and horns and around her neck. "Now, be silent, child and allow me explain how it will work..."

***


Tacita had listened to her mother's words but their meaning had been lost on her. She stood in the ancient copse, trees and brush years and years old, even older than the oldest Draenei, and at one hundred years she was young for a Draenei, grew up all around the edges of the grove.

The lowermost branches of trees had been strung with flickering lamps and fireflies, moths and other night insects buzzed, leaped and spun in mid-air around and about the decorations. There were round tables filled with treats of all flavour, colour and kind and musicians wandered to and fro playing everything from the soft and slow to the rollicking.

Draenei were everywhere. Tacita was amazed at how many showed up. Though, the older ones, she noticed, the parents and gaurdians, stood off to the side eyeing each other and sizing each other up silently. Thier children were, like Tacita herself, being slowly forced into the center of the copse, into mingling distace. Though Tacita had, for the most part, succeded in staying far into the background.

"All I want is to go home," she said to herself, "And finish translating those old scrolls..."

"Excuse me," a voice caught her attention as she leaned agianst the trunk of a tree, "Are you in the habit of talking to yourself?"

"Um, no..." Tacita turned to see a young male, about her age, with dark green-brown hair and a smile that could almost be called sly. Before she could turn from him again, he went on, "I myself never engage in anything so diplorable."

Well, good for you, she wanted to say, but kept her mouth closed. She was taking an instant dislike to the boy and crossed her arms over her small chest, lowering her horns dangerously to allow her feelings through. The boy didn't seem to notice.

"Why don't we get away from here," he said, grasping Tacita's upper arm and pulling her close, "You're reeking of pheromones, you know...I can smell your heat..."

The necklace resting against her collarbone under the neckline of the dark green and black dress she'd decided to wear remained still and unchanged. Whatever it was meant to do to help her find her lifemate wasn't happening now.

"Let me go!" Tacita jerked her arm away, "Leave me be, please." For the first time she regretted staying away from the center of the grove where everyone was, by now, dancing and talking loudly and excitedly as the music intermixed and grew louder.

"No female has ever refused me," he said, "But, perhaps we got off on the wrong hoof. Allow me to introduce myself. Aly'Qul Jeroi-Xxan'Zah," he said, bowing formally, adding, "Kondokry Kry'stal!" a Draenei blessing/greeting which meant roughly, "May your hooves never crack!"

Tacita didn't say anything. She wouldn't give the idiot the time of day. She turned away from him. "Do not ignore me!" he cried, sounding like a child about to have a tantrum, "Don't you ever turn your back to me unless you are ready to bare it for me!"

"How dare you!" Tacita cried, having never been spoken to in such a manner, much less from someone she'd never even met before. Was this what a 'Mate-Finding Gathering' was all about? She wondered, trying not to cry, being abused and humilated by boys like this? "Just go away and leave me be!"

"Not until you tell me your name," Aly'Qul sneered, lowering his own horns at her, an unspeakable sign of violence, a warning for her to do as she was told...or else. Tacita trembled slightly, taking a involuntary step backwards. For a male to harm a female in any way other than in the passion of a consenual mating was more than taboo among their people. "And I will decide if I still wish to...be with you."

Before she could do anything, he reached out and had his hand wrapped about her upper right arm once more, squeezing hard enough to hurt, "Your name?"

"Please...let me...be..." Tacita tried again, knowing she would have marks on her skin in the morning.

"Hey!" Both Tacita and Aly'Qul turned thier heads at the sound of the new voice, "Are your ears merely decorations on the sides of your ugly head or didn't you hear the young woman?"

"Mind your own business," Aly'Qul snapped at the newcomer, another female, this one a few inches taller than Tacita and built like she meant business. She wore thick leather armor which looked to have been crafted by a rather skilled Draenei leatherworker and carried a bow and quiver of arrows.

Her pale hair, the same wheat-colour as Tacita's own was pulled from her face by a thick band. Her tail swished back and forth behind her as she narrowed her eyes at Aly'Qul, "Let her go...now. Or I will be forced to make you let go."

The boy had two choices. He could either let Tacita go and be on his way or he could do something stupid. Guess which one he picked? Throwing back his head, Aly'Qul laughed mockingly, "This one is mine," he said, "Go find your own, Ph'eet'Hwher."

The silence that came between the three after the last word was spoken was epic and worthy of a whole story all on it's own. Tacita had never heard anyone openly call another by that...that insult. She could tell her rescurer wasn't sure, at first, it was evern directed at her. But, when she did, the silence was over.

It happened almost too quickly to follow. One moment the male was still holding onto Tacita's arm, the next he was sprawled head of tail in a thick sticker bush yowling like a cat whose paw had just been trampled on. The other female was rubbing one fist and wincing, "Why do they always have such hard heads?"

Tacita felt a warmth against her chest where the jade lay and looked down to see a faint green light glowing from under her clothing in the shape of a doe's profile. She looked up again and caught the other's eyes. "Is it supposed to do that?" she asked, pointing towards Tacita's chest, "Your...necklace I mean? It's glowing..."

"I think so," Tacita said, smiling for the first time since she'd arrived, several hours ago, "My name is Tacita Teerai-Khora," she said, bowing deeply, introducing herself in the formal way, which was her given name followed by the names of her mother and her mother's mother.

"Ayashii," the other female bowed as well, reciting her own family names softly, before stepping close, "He didn't hurt you, did he?" she asked, running a light finger over Tacita's upper arm, "I've delt with his kind before. They are always the same."

"I will be all right," Tacita said, holding her hand over Ayashii's, allowing a bit of healing power to flow though her fingers and wash over Ayashii's hand and into the skin and muscle of her arm, relieving the ache and the possiblity of any bruising by the next day, "Thanks to you,"

"Your necklace..." Ayashii said, instead of answering Tacita's gratefulness, "May I see it?"

"Of course," Tacita said, bringing it out from under her gown, "My mother gave it to me...she said it would help me...help me find a...a...lifemate..." she grew suddenly shy as her sentence came to an end, realising what the glowing and the warmth of the jade peice against her skin had meant.

Ayashii nodded, and lifted her left arm, pulling back the sleeve. She uncovered a bracelet that was different from Tacita's necklace in all ways but one.

"A piece of jade," Tacita said, "It's shaped like a..."

"My mother told me if was called a 'quill'," Ayashii said, "It is something the scholars use...to write with."

"Yes, I know," Tacita said, excitedly, "I have one at home..."

"Tacita," Ayashii said, "Mine feels warm..."

"It's glowing!" Tacita blinked at Ayashii's bracelet, at the glowing peice of quill-shaped jade, "As mine!"

"I think..." Ayashii began, knowing that they would be finishing the sentence together before the thought was even fully formed in both thier minds, "You are my lifemate."

The End.

***

((OOC: I got a bit carried away so the next story of Ayashii and Tacita will be a round-robin between dragons_f_wolf and I. I hope she doesn't mind me going solo on this one, though, my muse was out in force this morning.))

This evening my lifemate, ayashii_1, who wore her gorgeous new gown that brought out the lovliness of her complexion and made her resemble a rose-like flower of Draenor that I've not seen anywhere among the flora of Azeroth, came with me around Stormwind and I showed her my favourite spots within the city walls.

I introduced her to several people who have made an impact on my life in the short amount of time I've spent there and I was so proud to stand beside her. Not that I would have cared if anyone disliked her. They can all go to you-know-where if that were the case.

My lifemate comes first in all things other than serving The Naaru. But, she knows and understands that my work as a Priestess may come between us, as do her trips to the wooded areas as a huntress, for a little while off and on but that we can rest assured that we will always come together again. Always.

First, I took her to meet the children of the Stormwind Orphanage. We spoke with one little boy who told me, shyly, earlier, that his name was Stephen even though they don't show it on his name-tag. He stood off to one side and didn't seem interested in playing with the other children.

Ayashii seemed to take to him especially and I noticed that he approached her with little of the bashfulness he'd shown to me when I first met him. Then, again, little ones always seem to feel comfortable around my love. I believe it's her goodness shining through. Not to mention that human children are so tiny compared to Draenei offspring and the little one could probably feel Ayashii's strength and protectivess.

We asked one of the children, a little girl whose name I didn't understand as it was one of those hard to say Human ones that refuse to roll easily off the tongue, hold the camera I had brought with me to this planet from Draenor, which miracle of miracles wasn't damaged in the crash, and snap a few pictures:




The children seemed to get a kick out of watching us show them one of the traditional Draenei dances. A few even tried to learn a few of the steps before the dance was through.




After I gave the children some sweets as I had promised I would upon my last visit, Ayashii and I bid farewell to the Matrons Shellene and Nighingale and I decided to show Ayashii the beauty of the Cathedral of Light. As always, it took my breath away. I am sure Ayashii had a similar reaction. How could anyone not?

We paused upon the steps to admire the structure. Ayashii's steadfast companion, Trouble, at her side as always. I don't fear for my love's life as often I did before that cat came along. He keeps my beloved safe and is therefor forever in my debt.




I introduced her to everyone there, including little Thomas the alter boy, who has more spunk and energy than most children I have seen and does a good bit of running to and fro for his elders.

We say hello to Archbishop Benedictus and speak with him for a few moments. He is a kindly man and I've learned much from him. I was happy that Ayashii and him seemed to get along rather well.



The High Priestess Laurena greeted us warmly, as her personality dictates and I introduced her to Ayashii with no small bit of pride leaking through. On my last visit I told her about Ayashii and she was most excited to meet her.

I told Ayashii that Laurena has taught me much, but I don't think I mentioned that she shall become my instructor in the ways of the Priesthood officially. I shall be spending more time at the Cathedral for my studies. I wish to learn as much as I can and return to my people gifted in ways that will benefit them the most.

Just as Ayashii, as a huntress, provides meat to fill the bellies of our hungry people, so I wish to use the light of the Naaru to fed the starving souls of the Draenei.



The last place we visited was the Stormwind Keep where the king's young son was holding reign until the return of his father. We both agreed that the boy was so young for such a large responsibility.



No doubt his elders in the court delt with much of the decision-making process and that he was mostly a figurehead to give hope and strength to the people in this time of war and uncertaintly.

Soon our time together came to an end and I had to return to my studies. With tears in our eyes we bid each other farewell, each of us knowing that we'd met again soon as Naaru willed. I left her with an embrace and a kiss and a whispered prayer into her ear for her safety and well-being until we can be together again...



-Tacita

((OOC: I have begun writing the story of how Ayashii and Tacita met and came to know each other. You will be able to read it here very soon. I am currently working on the first part. I wish to share the writing with dragons_f_wolf, ayashii_1's player so maybe she can write the second half and then I'll write the next and so on. We've done something similar before and our writing always flows very well together so I have no qualms about working with her again.))

Just to cease any confusion before it begins, the way to say my name correctly is not tack-ita but rather Tas-uh-tuh.

It translates roughly into "silent" or "silence". I suppose my parents wanted a quiet child.

-Tacita

P.S. The Luner Festival on Azeroth is in full-swing. I traveled via teleport to Moonglade and partook in the festivies a little bit. Though, it felt lonly without my lifemate.

I did happen to catch a glance at the mysterious, said-to-be-fabled beast Omen which, sadly, ended in a sprained ankle as I was fleeing away. Having the power to heal as all my people, a gift given to us from the Naaru, I was feeling better very soon. My left hoof is still a bit tender, though, so I've been limiting my time walking.

Thank goodness for the flying beasts, trains and ships of this planet!

-Tacita

I know I haven't written anything in this journal for awhile. I have no excuse other than that learning my way about this strange new world amongst all these varied creatures and learning the ways their culture differs from my own Draenei one have taken up more than just a small share of my time.

Not that I mind in the least. What would this universe be without the different species and races to inhabit it. The almighty Naaru watches over us all. On last trip to the Human city of Stormwind I heard about a beautiful cathedral and promised myself that if ever I returned I'd pay it a visit.

But, first I made sure to stop by the orphanage and spend some time with the children. Naaru blesses and keeps all children close, whether they be Human, Draenei, Orc, Troll or Tauren.
The little ones were full of life as always and were extremely difficult to calm, but eventually they allowed me to tell them a story.



I brought treats to share and told them one of the tales my mother used to tell me during the years of my milk-time.



All too soon my visit was at an end. The only thing that worried me was Matron Shellene. I noticed she carried what appeared to be a large paddle.

I tried to speak with her about it and voice my concerns, but she seemed gifted at eluding my queries.



I voiced my concerns with Matron Shellene with Matron Nightingale outside...





...and she assured me that the children were well looked after and that punishment, when nessessary, was delt out with love as a well as with a firm hand. The children seem happy and content so I decided I would keep an eye on things and resolved to go to a higher authority if I suspected anything amiss.

After my visit with the orphans I went to the cathedral of light to say a prayer for the little ones.

My first glimpse of the massive structure was one filled with awe. It was hard to imagine the time and effort that went into creating such a beautiful house of God.



The inside was no less breathtaking.



I paid my respects to the archbisoph, knowing that we follow similar paths.



Before I left I spoke with the high priestess. We had much to discuss and all was interesting. I learned a few things from her as well that I will always be grateful for.



I thanked her for sharing her time with me and she sent me off with a smile and a blessing for good health and happiness. I wished her the same.

I promised her that I would return with my mate, ayashii_1 on another day in the near future and she said that would be lovely. Soon it was time for me to depart.

As was the case before, I had a wonderful day in the lovely city and look forward to my return.

-Tacita

Since it turns out that we shall be staying on this planet for some time, (not that I mind, as long as I am with my beloved, of course, I can live anywhere!), I decided that a little sight-seeing would be in order.

Ever since arriving, I've been hearing about the humans' great city of Stormwind. Upon my arrival I managed to cajole a fellow passerby into snapping my photo standing at the gates with the mid-afternoon sun blazing down.




I must say, I am greatly impressed with the humans' architecture!

Not that we didn't have great statues and structures on Draenor, but there is just something so...vital...so alive...and spirited about the architecture around Stormwind. It fairly breathes with promise and pride.

I must show ayashii_1 the wonders of that beautiful city some time in the near future.

I've also heard that the Cathedral of Lights in Stormwind is beyond breathtaking; that the many spires are wondrous-looking, especially in the glow of a full moon. I was unable to see everything on my agenda regarding that city and being a Priestess, the Cathedral holds a special appeal for me and it is next on my list.

-Tacita

My the Naaru bless you!

My name is Tacita and I come from a far-away planet called "Draenor". Perhaps I'll tell you more, perhaps not. My life-mate is ayashii_1. She walks with my soul.

-Tacita