So excited! I have some fanart of Zami and Mythene on the way! Hee hee! Ho ho!
Zami stared ahead to the sun-bleached skeletal shark's mouth, which marked the entrance-and, in his case, exit-of Booty Bay.
"So what's the plan now that your brother hit the road?" Syrise asked, putting a hand on her hip, "Didn't you guys say he was supposed to walk you through...whatever druid stuff you're up to?"
"Dunno," Zami shrugged, "Guess we just gonna figure it out when we get out dere."
"Well, that sounds like an awful plan," Syrise shrugged, "Have fun dying, I guess!"
"Gee, thanks for da vote of confidence," Zami huffed, crossing his arms.
"Well, thank you for your hospitality," Mythene said as she extended a hand towards Jazax, "It was lovely to meet you both."
"Not so lovely as you, sweetcheeks," Jazax grinned, flashing his signature smirk.
Zami was pretty sure it was supposed to be charming. It wasn't, of course. Mythene pulled her hand back before he could kiss it, pressing her cringe into a weak grin.
"Yeah, you're not so bad for a kaldorei," Syrise said to Mythene, giving her a nod of approval.
"And likewise, you are the most tolerable sindorei I know of."
The elves exchanged a pleasant handshake, and Jazax waved a hand in disinterest.
"Bah. Women. So emotional."
He then turned to Zami and immediately his eyes began to water. He ran over and hugged Zami's leg, gripping him like he could get blown away by the wind.
"I'm gonna miss you, buddy!" He blubbered, soaking Zami's pantleg in tears and snot.
Again.
"Oh, ya gonna be fine," Zami awkwardly patted the goblin's head, half trying to comfort him and half trying to shove him away.
Jazax finally detached himself from Zami's leg, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. And then, of course, wiping his hand on Zami's pants. Which definitely earned him a scowl.
"Ugh, really…" Zami pushed Jazax away.
"Just somethin' to remember me by," Jazax said, blinking up at him innocently.
Or, at least as innocently as a goblin could attempt.
There was something nostalgic about leaving Booty Bay to wander the jungle. It really brought Zami back. It was just like the day he left. Unpleasant memories of unpleasant feelings quickly began to swarm his mind. It was so distressing that he stopped short, standing in place for just a moment.
That was enough to break him from his memories, however.
Or rather, Mythene was, when she stumbled into him.
"Hm? What's wrong? Why did you stop?" She asked, looking up, "Did you forget something?"
"No," Zami shook his head, "I just...thinkin' is all…"
"About what?" Mythene furrowed her brow.
"Nothin' really," Zami shrugged.
Mythene frowned, tilting her head to the side. She didn't say anything-she didn't have to. Her look was enough to make Zami sigh and roll his shoulders.
"I dunno, guess it just be real familiar," He said as he glanced aside, "Bringin' back bad memories. Dis just like last time…"
"...Is it?"
Zami quirked an eyebrow at her.
"What'cha mean?"
"We're here together this time, thero'shan," Mythene patted his arm, "And you're not looking to kill anyone. We're going to observe and study the tigers, remember? So you can shapeshift."
"So den Gonk'll be happy," Zami nodded, glancing aside.
He still wasn't quite sure what this whole...hunter thing was, regarding whatever Gonk had in store for him. He hadn't heard anything about it since that dream, weeks ago. He supposed nothing had really changed, in the end. Gonk told him to learn to shapeshift. So here he was. That was all he could work towards, for now.
Yet, lately, he'd found the whole situation with Gonk and the druid stuff...tame. At least, compared to everything involving his father and brother that had been happening lately. Frankly, he was pleased to go back to it. Dealing with his family was exhausting, and he'd missed the quiet solitude of the jungle.
Only, as Mythene had correctly pointed out, he wouldn't be alone this time.
There was another thing Zami remembered very clearly, and that was the overall hunting grounds of the various creatures of Stranglethorn. The tigers, panthers, crocolisks, basilisks, and raptors all kept to their own. Between all of the tribes of trolls, namely the Skullsplitter and Bloodscalp. Fortunately, those two were often too busy fighting each other to have bothered with him much in the past. Both tribes did hate the Darkspear, but Zami had proven himself more trouble than it was worth.
But, again, he wasn't alone this time.
Zami glanced over at Mythene, who was busy patting Zeni from her vest pocket as she walked beside him. He knew the Skullsplitter and Bloodscalp probably wouldn't bother him, alone, but a little elf would surely make an inviting target.
Of course, telling her directly would be tricky. After all, he'd spent so long convincing her that he wasn't some savage troll...and now had to warn her about the savage trolls. It wasn't exactly easy to explain the differences between him and some random Bloodscalp. Troll politics were a bit complicated to explain, especially to an outsider.
"Uhh, Mi'ten," Zami cleared his throat awkwardly, "Y'know, you prolly shouldn't...go off on ya own anywhere, when we here. Might...get lost."
"Oh, I never get lost," Mythene shook her head, "I am quite attuned with the essence of nature. I can always find my way easily."
Zami furrowed his brow. Why did she always have to be so independent and capable? It was endearing yet frustrating at the same time.
"Well, you ain't never been here before," Zami shrugged, "I just think you should, y'know, stick close. Dere be a lotta danger in dis place."
Mythene perked an eyebrow, glancing up at him. After a moment, she nodded her head.
"Ahh, I see," She continued to nod, "I see what this is."
"Huh?" Zami furrowed his brow, "See what…?"
"You're afraid," Mythene shrugged.
"What?" Zami looked at her flatly, "No I ain't."
"You're afraid of something like that happening again," She said as she gestured towards his eyepatch, "That's why you want me to stay with you. To heal you in case it happens again."
Zami instinctively brought his hand up to his eyepatch, and scowled. She couldn't be more wrong if she tried.
"I ain't scared of nothin' but flyin' anymore. I just be tryin' to look out for you," He grumbled, glancing aside, "Don't be actin' like you know what ya doin' out here. We a long way from da forest.
Mythene stopped, crossing her arms. She perked a long white eyebrow at him before knitting them both into a scowl.
"I spent over a century within the Un'goro Crater, studying the flora and fauna of such a peculiar environment. I am more than knowledgeable about the surviving within the jungle, thank you very much."
Mythene uncrossed her arms and walked past him. Zami began to follow her before she got too far. He supposed if she was going to be so difficult about it, then he'd just have to be the one to stick with her.
"I suppose you believe I, what, spent the last three centuries never having left Teldrassil? Is that it?" She glanced back at him.
"I dunno," Zami shrugged, "Prolly Moonglade and Ashenvale too, maybe Darkshore."
"I began my tenure as an herbalist studying the Oasis of the Barrens," Mythene scoffed as she turned back forwards him, "And I've traveled to Stormwind more times than I can recall."
"Dat ain't gonna help you here," Zami pointed out, earning a dismissive shrug.
"Perhaps not, but I assure you, I can handle myself within the wilderness. Be it the muddy Swamp of Sorrows or the frosty peaks of Winterspring, I've fared the wilderness many places."
"Not in da Eastern Kingdoms, it seem," Zami mumbled, earning him a glance.
"There is no feature so unique of the Eastern Kingdoms that Kalimdor lacks."
Zami nodded. He supposed that was, in a way, true. Although the Eastern Kingdoms, in his opinion had the far superior jungle. Un'goro was too enclosed. It almost felt artificial, in a way. The jungle just didn't feel quite right, to him, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly why. It was just as hot and humid, full of dangerous beasts, and its raptors were notorious for their ferocity. In theory, Stranglethorn and Un'goro were more-or-less the same. Yet something about Un'goro just seemed...odd.
"Guess ya got a point," Zami shrugged, "But even so...would you just-"
Zami stopped short as he heard a familiar sound. His long blue ears twitched and he looked over his shoulder. It was unmistakable. A growl.