Chapter Seven

Crystal Love

The Dragon Wastes, Dragonblight

7:45 AM

They had set out on their journey early the next morning. The elements were not as forgiving as Ashaldan had wanted, for a snow storm whipped at the as easily as the wind it's self. However they were dressed for the weather. Ashaldan was once again clad in the robes that Audric had first met her in. They were thick and lined with fur, so they served their purpose of being winter clothing.

Audric was in his usual thick woolen cloak, keeping the hood up and the cloak wrapped around him and Rosette along with Kamp as best he could. The snow pounded on them as they moved across the wastes, Audric had put some makeshift blinders on Leona to protect her eyes from the snow while Tula wanted desperately to fly above the snow but it would be no use with her broken wing. She wasn't used to walking along the ground like a normal horse. She was a majestic Hippogryph! She was born to soar the skies, not trot along the ground like a common transportation beast!

For hours they had traveled cross the snowy wastes until a beacon of light had shown it's self before them. A small chasm awaited them, blocking the snows from the storms. Quickly they moved to the shelter, Audric letting out a sigh of relief to be free from the wintery grasp the weather had given them. They backed against the icy chasm's walls, looking around and making it was safe to rest there. So far the area looked empty.

"Well, we have reached our half-way point." Ashaldan murmured, slowly sliding off the side of Tula and dusting the snow off her.

"Half-way point?" Audric looked at her, Rosette poking her head out from his cloak.

"This is the Crystal Vice. Down this chasm is the path to Crystalsong Forest, which you both very well know floats the city of Dalaran. If we can make it through here, we're going the home stretch." The Kaldorei replied, adjusting some things on Tula's back and checking her wing.

"Oh! We're almost there Audric!" Rosette beamed up at him, her ears perked upright while she looked up. Audric nodded at her with a smile, reaching down and patting her head. Kamp slipped out from the cloak, landing on the ground and letting his paws stretch out for some comfort. It then suddenly occurred to Audric, Ashaldan said 'If we can make it through here.'

"What do you mean, 'If we can make it.'?" He asked, glancing over to the elf. She looked at him for a while before pointing father down the path.

"Where we are at right now is pretty safe, but farther down there are Ice Giants and Jourmungers, huge ones almost as tall as this chasm. I say 'if' because of the fact that both hazards infect this place from head to toe."

"Ah, I … see." Audric simply nodded.

"Don't worry yourself, I'm sure we're more them capable to handle these things." Ashaldan smirked at him, holding Tula's reins. "We're up for a short break, then we'll start heading out."

Audric nodded with agreement and settled back against the wall to take a small breather before they would head out. Rosette remained in his lap as he sat down, cuddling back into his stomach as she hid within the warmth of his woolen cloak. He smiled down at her, running his hand down her back as he softly pet her fur. Kamp sat down next to him, letting his body lean against his to gather some of the warmth his body gave off. It was hard to believe their journey was almost over.

After a fifteen minute break they were once again on the move. However this time their steps were proceeded with caution. Ashaldan had warned them of the ice giants and worms down here before, but it was odd that as they walked, there was nothing. Their steps were slow, the sounds of hooves and claws across the snow and ice echoed off the walls of the chasm. Ashaldan's eyes narrowed as she looked around, then glanced above them at the sky. Something wasn't right.

"Where are all the giants? And the worms?" Rosette asked as she poked her head out from Audric's cloak.

"I'm not sure … normally they are swarming in here. It's like they all … vanished." Ashaldan muttered slightly as she glanced back to her. Tula cooed softly, head tilting as if listening for something in the distance. Leona gave a small snort as she dug her front hoof at the ground, causing Audric to look down at her as she began to grow tense.

"Perhaps there's something they know that we don't." Audric looked over to Ashaldan's mount as she continued to grow restless. It was then, suddenly Rosette crawled out from Audric's cape. Her fur stood on end as she leaned against Leona's neck, looking around with her ears upright.

"Run." Rosette blurted out, looking back at the half-elf who in return gave her a confused look.

"Er … what?"

"RUN!" Again she called out, her voice followed by the low vibration of the ground beneath them. Tula shrieked out, taking off forward without her master's word as Leona followed, jerking Audric back and causing him to scramble for her reins. The two mounts took off down the chasm, the source of the rumbling becoming clear as snow began to pile own the pathway behind them.

"An avalanche?" Audric called out, clinging to his steed while ahead of him Tula was ridden hard by Ashaldan.

"That must have been the reason the giants and worms aren't in here!" She yelled over the roar of the snow behind them.

"Great, don't have to worry about giants or worms, just dying to a pile of snow!" Rosette snapped out, clinging to Leona's mane as they ran for dear life. The rumble of the snow behind them was growing louder as it got closer, Audric placing his body over Kamp's and Rosette's as she kicked his heels into his horse's side and urged her faster. Already scared out of her mind, Leona happily obliged and dug her hooves harder into the icy surface below them. Just ahead they could see the light from the other edge of the chasm, both mounts running as fast as their legs could carry them to the exit. They were almost there! Almost out of danger!

Leona's body suddenly twisted under Audric's own, the steed flipping out from under him as the snow from the avalanche consumed them almost as quickly as they fell. He yelled out, reaching for Rosette as she flew through the air. His body vanished under the snow while his outstretched arms were covered and out of her sight. Rosette yowled out in terror as she was thrown into the air, crashing into the wave of snow just after the sight of Tula and Ashaldan being caught in it as well. The group was consumed by the avalanche, the chasm falling quiet once the snow settled in it's destination.

The silence was almost deafening, all around there was no sound. No birds to chirp of fly by, no random noise of nature around them. Just silence. Small bits of snow trailed down the remains of the avalanche until the surface burst open. Leona neighed out as she used her hooves to pull herself from the snow, swimming over it until she got footing to pull herself onto of the packed snow.

Her body shook as Kamp pulled himself from the snow as well. One by one each of them began popping out of the snow like flowers under the melting snow of spring. Audric surfaced, gasping for air while he immediately began searching for Rosette. The cat's head popped up from the snow, shaking leftover ice off her head and with that was quickly pulled from the snowy prison as Audric took her into his arms.

"Oh sure, I'm fine. I didn't just get hit by an avalanche or anything." Ashaldan spoke out loud as she pulled Tula from the snow. The Hippogryph made a small squawk of protest as her wing had a sharp sting of pain, the Kaldorei sighed, soothing her companion as she adjusted the brace on her wing.

"I'm sorry." Audric sighed out as he set Rosette on the snow, moving to help Ashaldan with what was left of needing help. "Is everyone here?"

"I think so." Rosette looked around, making sure everyone was here and accounted for.

"Rosette, how did you know that was coming?" Audric said over his shoulder before turning to face her. Rosette blinked, looking a little confused before giving her shoulder blades a shrug.

"While Rosette is human on the inside, she's still a cat on the outside. Animals can sense danger way before we can, it was probably an instinct kicking in." Ashaldan offered her say, brushing the final bit of snow off of herself.

"I guess that's right. I couldn't see it, but I could feel it coming." Rosette spoke softly, then accepted Audric's arms as he picked her up and tucked her into his woolen cloak.

The snow had pushed them to where they had wanted to go. Before them was a layout of purple and white. Crystal trees floated on shattered trunks while the ground had turned a rich purple the stores of mana within them. Even the creatures that lived within the forest were effected. Ents, nymphs, all held a shade of purple to them with the mana that pulsed through their bodies. There were even some Satyrs that simply drank in the energy that flowed through the place.

"I guess the mages of Dalaran knew what they were doing when they picked this place." Rosette sighed from inside his cloak.

"The whole forest isn't like this. I'm not really sure what happened here, I suppose I need to brush up on my history." Audric said with a goofy smile. The cat looked up at him, smiling softly back at him. She didn't care if he knew what happened, just his smile was enough to set her little heart racing. While Ashaldan took over the history lesson and began to explain what had happened, Rosette's interest was in the crystal trees that seemed to float with the power of the magic that filled the ground below them. The looked so fragile, like one touch would send one crumbling to ruin.

She began to wonder as the mounts were starting to approach more normal looking land. A leaf, or maybe a few, would make a great gift. Perhaps she could some how fashion one into a clip for his cloak, or a necklace. She was sure one of the jewelcrafters in Dalaran could do something with them. All she would have to do would be climbing to the top of a tree, she was a cat anyway, that's what they did!

"Um … can we take a break? I need a small rest after outrunning an avalanche." Rosette began, Ashaldan looking back with a small roll of her eyes.

"We're almost there, can't you wait?" She muttered out. It was plain to see that the elf was running on low patience now that they were so close to their destination.

"No it can't really because … I have to pee." She looked off to the side. Embarrassing as it was, she needed to say something a little believable.

"Alright." Audric nodded, pulling her from his cloak and leaning off his horse to set her down. "Don't be too long. Remember what happened last time?"

"Right right, kidnapping and almost eaten. I remember." Rosette called out, running across the lush purple grasses for one of the crystal trees.

With the two of them out of sight while she 'did her business', Rosette was free to try and scale one for it's shimmering leaves. She stared up at the shattered base of the tree and leaned her body to the ground. With rump up in the air, she wiggled a little before making a jump to one of the shattered pieces. The crystalline bark wobbled with her weight, she trying to maintain balance before hopping up to another. Once she managed to clear the obstacle course, it was time to climb the trunk.

The tree was hard to dig her claws into, the trunk was much like the rest of it, crystallized. Rosette ended up having to find footholds when her claws couldn't scratch the surface. Step by step she climbed up the tree, her eyes lighting up at the sight of soon approaching branches. Once she reached on she pulled herself onto it, looking around her as the leaves of the tree shimmered in the sun. It was like she had stepped into a icy wonderland that would never melt.

Carefully she began to pull herself across the branch, paws reaching out for the treasure she so desired. Rosette began to gently pluck the leaves from the tree, they easily snapping off from their thin stems. The glow they held faded once they were taken from their host, but she was fine with the diamond gleam that had taken it's place. She took two, one for Audric and one for herself before slowly turning herself to face the trunk of the tree again. For a moment she simply stared at the tree, then looked down from where she sat on the branch.

"Shit..."

What was the one thing cats always got in trouble with? They could climb trees but had a difficult time getting down. Rosette would have slapped her paw over her face if she wasn't holding the leaves in her mouth. Instead she settled for her eyes, covering them with her arm in a facepalm. Her ears folded back as she glanced around for an alternate route.

Nothing was given, the only other way was strait down from where she was in a long, long fall. Her head hung low in defeat as she sat there on the branch, her eyes closed. How was she going to get down without killing herself? She was prepared to dwell on it longer when her train of thought was suddenly interrupted with the sound of large wings flapping close by. Rosette's eyes shot open to the sight of a large blue dragon flying towards the tree.

That was what she needed! She was a small cat, perhaps she could catch a ride on the dragon's back without him noticing? It was the only choice she had at the moment, it was either that or stay up in the tree until Audric found out she was up there. As the dragon began to fly past Rosette made her jump, falling through the air before landing on the large beast's back. The dragon stopped, glancing around for the source of the thump on his back. He growled low before flying again once he shrugged it off as a falling branch from the crystal trees.

Now that she was riding on the back of the dragon, she wasn't sure how she was going to reach her destination. It wasn't like she could guide her ride to where she wanted. She'd have to look for opportune times to jump off. It was like the Light had answered her prayers as the dragon began flying over the floating city of Dalaran. Of course he wouldn't fly close to the city, but she could drop off at a high point and work her way down. The Purple Parlor would be a good place to start, and her luck once again, the dragon was starting to fly over it.

She slid down it's body till she met the claws of his foot. The dragon was startled by the tickle and whipped around, causing Rosette to flip off the back of his foot and down to the city below. Even as she fell she clung to those two leaves, holding onto them like they were the symbols of the blossoming love she had for her escort. She fell for what seemed like forever until she was met with the smack of cold water. Creating a large splash, Rosette had landed in the washing pail up on on of the shop's balcony.

With a few coughs her head popped up, a pair of women panties covered her head, her ears sticking out from the leg holes. She pulled the undergarment off her head, muttering something while she looked through the soapy water for her leaves. Once she had found them she climb out from the tub, looking much like a drowned rat. There was no way she was going to walk around the city like this.

Crystalsong Forest

12:28 PM

"It doesn't take someone this long to pee." Ashaldan said as she leaned against Tula's good side, looking at the dirt that had built up under her nails. Using her other fingernails she began to try and dig them out. Well not all Kaldorei could be so well mannered Audric thought with a sigh.

"Knowing my luck she's gotten in trouble again." He smirked a little as he spoke, then looked to Kamp as he pat him on the head. "You have a nose better then anyone here. Think you could sniff her out?"

Kamp's ears perked at the sound of his name, listening to the instructions given to him before taking to the ground, sniffing Rosette's scent as he went off to find her.

Dalaran City

1:55 PM

Now that she was dried off perhaps she could get to what she had come here for. While her main objective was to return to normal, she still wanted to get these leaves turned into something Audric would treasure the rest of his life. She strolled down the street, leaves in her mouth as she moved for the Jewelcrafting shop. Rosette was sure to be as delicate as she could with them, moving to avoid people as they walked. She was starting to get a few stares from the inhabitants of the city.

She moved up the stairs, turning the corner to head into the shop when she slammed into someone's legs. She yelped out, dropping the leaves at her feet to look up with wide eyes. Sedisa stared down at her, giving a light frown as she leaned down to pet her on the head with her soft hand.

"Sorry little kitty, watch where you're going, okay?" She smiled softly, then glanced down at the crystal leaves that had dropped from Rosette's mouth.

She doesn't remember who I am! Rosette thought out loud to herself. Her eyes narrowed once Sedisa picked up the leaves, looking them over.

"Oh my these are gorgeous, where did you find these?" She spoke as if she expected the cat to answer, she wasn't prepared when she actually did.

"They're mine!" Rosette blurted out, trying to jump and take them. Sedisa gave a bewildered stare as the cat continued to try and jump for her leaves, then narrowed her eyes once she realized who it was.

"Wait … I can't believe it! How did you get back here?" The high elf roared out, swiping Rosette up from the ground. The cat yowled, swiping her paws at the air as she was held by the scruff of her neck.

"It doesn't matter! Give those back!" Rosette hissed at her, swiping at her other hand.

"I threw you across Azeroth and yet you still managed to find your way back. I guess I can at least say I'm impressed." She muttered, dropping the cat to the ground and pocketing the leaves. "I'll tell you what, since you made the journey to get back here, the least I can do is … turn you most of the way back."

"Wait what?" Rosette blinked, not having much time to answer as her body was suddenly surround in purple mist once Sedisa snapped her fingers. Her body began to shift, change form as her human like qualities returned to her. The mist cleared and Rosette stood there, her normal human self. Two things weren't normal however. On top of her head stood two black cat ears, the bases hidden among her hair of a similar shade and behind her swayed a long black cat tail.

"WHAT IS THIS!" Rosette reached up, completely forgetting she was naked and tugged at the ears on her head.

"Well, let's see. I still don't like you, but you are commended for coming all the way back here just to return to yourself. So I left you with a small parting gift. Don't worry, I'm sure no one will notice how much of a freak you are." Sedisa laughed as she placed her hands on her hips. Rosette growled, glaring over at her before her hand balled into a fist. She swung at Sedisa, the nimble high elf only leaping back and off the edge of the small stair case.

"Oh dear, perhaps I should have left you a cat. At least that way you couldn't hurt me. Oh and do be decent and find some clothes." Sedisa snickered, backing away before bumping into someone's chest. She turned, her face twisting into a look of disgust as she saw Audric, Ashaldan standing near him.

"That's enough Sedisa." Audric began before he was jabbed in the stomach with the butt of her staff.

"Don't even speak to me you filthy half-breed." She snarled, taking several steps away from him. Rosette watched, then remembered she was naked and tried using her hands to cover herself. Ashaldan pulled Audric's cloak off from his shoulders, brushing past Sedisa and to Rosette as she gently brought the covering around her, hiding her nudity from the public eye.

"You've had your fun with her, not quit toying around and return her to normal." Audric wheezed out. Sedisa huffed, crossing her arms as she held her staff within them.

"She IS normal, don't you see? You're a man, a filthy one, but a man none-the-less. I'm sure you noticed right away that she is most certainly human."

"She still has animal features."

"Oh, she does? That's too bad. Looks like I'm losing my touch with dispelling." Sedisa grinned, moving to step away quickly before her body seemed to vanish within the air. Rosette stood there, frowning as she stared in disbelief at Audric. He returned the glance, offering her a smile as she stepped up to her.

"Rose, don't let this get you down. Look, you're already almost normal." He smiled, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Almost … not all..." She sighed as she looked down between them. Audric narrowed his eyes, moving his hand to lift her chin and force her to look at him.

"I don't care if you're not normal, I'm not normal. We can be messed up together, alright Rosette?" He spoke to her with a stern tone. Rosette's eyes were glazed over with tears, threatening to release with the next mushy line he would spout at her.

"Audric … I ..." She began to speak as her feline ears began to fold back on her head, but was stopped as he mouth was covered.

Audric pushed his mouth over hers, closing his eyes as he kissed her deeply and with such passion. She wasn't prepared for the feeling of his lips over hers, but Rosette took to it quite well, her eyes closing with his as her head tilted. This was the moment she had waited days for, the day when she was returned to normal and could finally express this feeling she had for him. It seemed however that he had beat her to that. It was like all at once her dreams had turned to reality.

After a few moments Audric pulled his lips away, keeping his hand cupping her chin between his thumb and index finger. He simply stood there, taking in her frame even as she was covered in his cloak. She was beautiful, just like he had seen her at the Cathedral. He moved his thumb from her chin to her cheek, letting it brush over her skin. Their staring contest was interrupted once Ashaldan cleared her throat from the side.

"As much as I enjoy happy endings, I don't think we're done just yet." She said with a sigh afterwords. "I'm sure your new girlfriend doesn't want to stay a cat girl forever. We should start looking for miss huff and puff after we get Rosette some decent clothes."

"You're right." Audric responded almost breathlessly. He turned his eyes away from Rosette, walking off on his own as he went to buy some clothing for her. Ashaldan watched before making her way to Rosette, holding out the two crystal leaves to her.

"M-My leaves!" Rosette called out, reaching through the cloak to take them. "How did you get them back?"

"Picked them from Sedisa's pocket when I walked past." She smiled kindly. "I figured they belonged to you since we just came from the place these grow."

"Thank you Ashaldan." She smiled, wrapping her arms around her and pulling her into a hug.

Instantly the Kaldorei grimaced, pushing her away by her shoulders. "Whoa there, you're still naked, hugs are forbidden."

"R-Right, sorry..." Rosette blushed softly, looking down to the ground in her embarrassment. She wrapped the cloak around her tighter, looking down at the leaves in her hand from the single hand she kept outside the cloak. She may look like a freak now, but there was still something she had to do. With a deep breath she moved slowly from her spot to the stairs leading up to the jewelcrafting shop. She headed inside with the intent on turning these crystal leaves into something to symbol her love for Audric.