Story time is the best time. [open]

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

 The last few days (or was it weeks? He hadn't bothered distinguishing one day from the next.) seemed to go by in a flurry of new sights, textures, and plenty of delectable sounds. The number of things that still remained to be examined by a curious touch, or heard by a wobbly ear firmly pressed against it, seemed limitless. And so, his wanderlust was in full force.

With all the running around, he only barely made enough time to eat. And sleep? Well, sleep happened when he was just conscious enough to drag himself back to the living quarters; though a nook or cranny in a relatively deserted locale served him just as well. Despite his eagerness to get into anything and everything (even if that sometimes meant trouble), he still couldn't ignore the melancholy look his companion seemed to have about him, lately. 

There was no feigned arrogance or annoyance when Fontaine referred to him as 'kid', 'side-kick', or 'elf', nor had the spirit beast made any innuendo-laced comments when referring to anyone and everyone they had met. His jokes seemed half-hearted and he hadn't even complained more than once about the elf's confrontation and following avoidance of Fontaine's so-called 'soul-mate'.  It was all thoroughly depressing seeing his comrade in such a state, though he had just the plan that would cheer him up. 

That had been more than an hour ago and what had brought him into the sensorium in the first place. Usually he just walked through, observing things the others tended to do, or did inane things, such as enjoying his daily ooze-like meals in new, exciting ways; seafood stew with equal parts Makrura, Whale Shark, and Kraken was surprisingly tasty. This time, though, the gentle hills and thick, twisted forests of Ashenvale surrounded them. Darkness would consume the entirety of the area if it weren't for the large, brilliant campfire in the middle of the clearing where they sat.

A variety of large beasts and creatures sat about; a crab, what appeared to be dinosaurs, spiders,  a wasp, foxes and Fontaine. They all appeared to be clacking or screeching in low conversation, though most huddled near the edge of the clearing where a gargantuan wolf stood; his coat was white, tipped with silver streaks and his eyes shone brighter than the campfire did. He seemed to be telling a story about demons, a magical well and a group of 'Ancients' who fought them off long ago.

Nokosi was situated next to the fire,  his long arms draped over lanky legs. His body was propped against the huge stump of a tree and a seagull was perched atop his head. As excited as the other creatures were to be in the presence of the great white wolf and hear his words, the elf seemed to only be half-listening. By the way his head was lolling to the side, only to have the seagull peck him in indignation, it was clear he was barely staying awake.

Comments

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnie was surprised when she went into the sensoriums after agreeing to the summons by her friend. She had expected some multi colored room with rings and bells and doodads everywhere. But the sight itself made her very happy. A familiar locale with familiar faces.

She took a moment to take it all in before spotting her friend. With a polite bow to the great wolf spirit, she patted and hugged Fontaine on the way to Nokosi.

"This is amazing Kosi... And it's very relieving." She sat by next to him and listened to the story thoughtfully. The young half orcess hugged her knees to her and rested her head on top of them.

Jumpin' in with permission

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"What the hell? It's like a zoo in here!"

Take that, peace and quiet! Barging into the middle of this tranquil scene came a vapid if cheerful-looking girl, who wasn't the one talking with Crispin Freeman's a badass voice. That particular honor was reserved for the book the girl was carrying -- a large tome with a face that looked at the various animals with healthy skepticism. "Why is a spider even that big?" it demanded of the two actual real people sitting there, as if this was somehow a socially acceptable way to get information.

Re: Jumpin' in with permission

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

His gaze slowly shifted to the girl next to him, his mouth gaping like a fish a few times before he yawned loudly.

"Oh. Hey. You. And..." he straightened up, a curious look crossing his eyes as they rested on the...talking book? Oh, those crazy wizards and cultists. What won't they shoot magic into?

"They just are, I guess. Almost all the animals in Azeroth are big. For whatever reason."

Re: Jumpin' in with permission

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae smiled at Kosi and then turned towards the book with a quirked brow.

"Yup, pretty much. I even heard there where some armor wearin' marmots and bunnies in Mulgore. But the guy was drunk as they come so I figured it was all in his head. Tho, it's true the animals tend to be larger for whatever reason." The half orcess kept her attention on the great wolf spirit tho every now and then would shoot a curious look at the book.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"..if you two were demons I'd be sure that place was a Netherworld," the book said after a moment. "Damn. I thought I sensed a decent mana power in here, but all you guys are doing is chatting with the wildlife? I figured I'd get to see a decent battle."

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

He lazily pointed a finger towards the gigantic white wolf near the end of the clearing, "If you want to see a battle, you can watch Goldrinn re-enact his part in the-" a yawn interrupted his words and the seagull on his head squawked in annoyance.

"War of the Ancients. Where we come from is full of demons. Or was. Whatever we're going by, now."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae frowned and let out a frustrated sigh...

"Yeah... they were pretty much the thing that was meant to end us eventually before this whole Ohm stuff. They where pretty bad news. Relentless, immortal, and infinite pretty much...." She looked to the distance in thought.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

The book broke out into a broad grin. "Hyaaa ha ha ha! Finally, someone who gives us the respect we deserve! I like you two! You have some SENSE."

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

"Us?" Nokosi asked, slowly, balling his hands into fists and raising his arms to stretch.

"Oh, demons? We slaughtered them by the thousands on our world," he shrugged. "I do have to say they've got dedication to be trying to destroy the same world for...thousands? Of years."

[dearest-nehaa.livejournal.com]

It wasn't hard to track Nokosi. Instead of depending on her unnatural ability to attract him, she just asked Stacy for his location. She even kind of expected him to be in some woodsy location. Ashenvale was not her favorite location. It seemed like the woods watched you with hundreds of eyes, and seemed to breathe around the unlucky traveler.

She needed to talk with her friend. It was both because she'd treated him dishonorably, and because he was the only living person on the entire ship she had a personal connection to. She knew her friend-plus-battlebuddy. She'd fought to keep him from being smushed like a grape, and he kept distracting the enemies when they were swarmed.

She sat down beside him quietly and just waited. Eventually, one of them would talk, or the animals would jump upon her and tear her to pieces.

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

The seagull that was relaxing on the elf's head stared at the newcomer for a few lingering moments, then flew off to land in the woman's lap. Its head flitted up and down, taking in the woman's form before it squawked in disapproval and pecked her, quite harmlessly, in the abdomen.

"Stop being a jerk, Barnaby," Nokosi warned, letting his arm flop to the ground between them. The bird turned its beak up in disdain before hopping off the Draenei's lap and up the hunter's arm, back to its perch on his head.

"Hi Neeeee-haaaaa," he sang, stretching her name out. "I could smell you when you came in. Did you come to see Goldrinn? He's Fontaine's hero."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae eyed the newcomer warily but made no notion towards her. She was sure Nokosi and her would figure things out, he never was one to hold a grudge. So she sat, head still resting on her knees, every now and then taking a look in their direction, or laughing and shooing away the squirrels that tried to play with her long twin ponytails.

[dearest-nehaa.livejournal.com]

Nehaalista however, had not noticed Ronnae. Or perhaps she had, but the half-breed wasn't of importance to her. She kept her fingers movements minimal to get the translation of her necklace quiet and intimate. [Actually, I came to speak to you. Privately.]

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

He regarded the woman with a sidelong glance, his hand slowly rising to his head to remove the bird, there. He cradled the bird in his hands and brought it down to his eye level. "Sorry, Barnaby. You need to go join the others."

The seagull pecked his nose in protest before belting out an annoyed warble.

"Oh, they will not."

The bird flapped its wings once and squawked.

"You're exaggerating, now," he sighed as he eyed the bird. A smile quickly jumped up to replace the look of skepticism, "Because I just know, you liar. Go on."

The bird flew off without another word, landing on the head of a particularly bored looking Devilsaur.

With that done, he turned to face the orc, poking her on the shoulder to get her attention. "Can you do me a favor and go sit with Fontaine? You know how much he enjoys a woman's company. It would be the last thing that would make him the happiest, today."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae shrugged and walking away without a word. Wouldn't expect anything less.

She made her way to Fontaine, rising her hoodie to cover her head, her long twin ponytails now sticking forward along her chest. She sits down next to the large spirit wolf before laying on his soft mass, listening to the continuing story being told by the Great Wolf Spirit.

[dearest-nehaa.livejournal.com]

Well, great, now that they were private, she didn't know exactly how to brook the subject. Nehaalista sat there stiffly, and after a while, dug into her side bag and handed him a little carved bell from some sort of hard, shiny, blue-green material.

[I had wanted to say I was sorry for the way I acted earlier.]

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

His eyes lingered on her fingers as they moved, then immediately fixated themselves on the small bell she had given him. A gift.

He pressed his lips together as he eyed the little trinket in his hand. "You didn't have to apologize. Not when you think I deserved it."

That was the gist of what she'd told him, anyways and he didn't have any reason to believe otherwise.

[tricks-of-trade.livejournal.com]

Choline had crept in upon hearing the commotion, stealthed from view due to the low light. She'd been listening to the story with a crooked smile on her face.

This must have been the one that Nehaa was talking about.

"I take it that the War of the Ancients isn't of interest to you."

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

His eyes lazily shifted to the person speaking and he raised a balled fist to rub one of them. The bird seemed to pay her no mind, still squatting amidst a 'nest' of violet braids and wayward locks.

"An elf," he said simply, before shaking his head slightly. "No...I wanted to hear about the War of the Sands, but Fontaine complained too much since his 'hero' wasn't a part of that."

[tricks-of-trade.livejournal.com]

"The Ancients is a much better story. More explosions and less Fandral Staghelm."

Her eyebrows furrowed and she made a face that was probably one part amusement to two parts don't remind me. "And yes. I am. Surprise."

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

"But I actually like that part. Mostly because I remember how Night Elf society is compared to a Human's. And I laugh every time I think of Fandral wearing an apron and cooking breakfast for his son. While singing."

He stretched his limbs out, a smile curling on his lips. "And everyone talks about demons all the time. I'd rather hear about another threat that almost destroyed Azeroth. Again."

[tricks-of-trade.livejournal.com]

"I'm going to guess that part's not based on historical accuracy." She smirked, leaning casually against the tree. "I can tell you a story about a threat that almost literally destroyed Azeroth."

Why yes, she was still proud of her having beaten a Titan observer.

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

"No. Not really. I just imagine his days were like that (you know, before they killed his son and all), and suddenly Fandral doesn't seem as bad as everyone says he is."

He curled his legs over each other in a pretzel shape then draped his arms over them. The seagull re-adjusted itself in his hair as he leaned forward towards the woman, slightly turning an ear in her direction.

"I'd like that. As long as it doesn't include the Scourge. I don't want to have to smell those again."

[tricks-of-trade.livejournal.com]

"Nah." Choline plopped down gracefully beside him. "The Scourge didn't come anywhere near Ulduar. I suppose they had good reason to - it was the prison of an old god.

"And there was this dwarf - a Bronzebeard, with a snappy hat - and for whatever reason he had an innate interest in what the Titans were up to. So we fight our way through these creations; iron giants and the like. Then we find a set of weird metal discs."

She paused here, mostly for effect.

[nokosi.livejournal.com]

"Brann Bronzebeard? He's everywhere...I wanted to go on adventures with him. He told me no," he sighed dejectedly. "But my hat was snazzier than his. It's probably why he refused. Anyways," he waved a hand towards her.

"Okay, continue. Old god, right? They always force people to do the craziest things."