I love Zalu T^T 'Nuff said... But Caldur's such a stud XD
Anyway, sorry if there are any mistakes, I typed this up with a time limit ^^' Please enjoy~~~
(sorry there were a couple of mistakes that really bothered me...but all is good now) :P
*Disclaimer is same
The Draenei nodded, seemingly satisfied with my name. When he moved to readjust my bandages, I took the opportunity to study him. It was odd, really, he was obviously a Draenei, but he looked so much like a Night Elf…a Night Elf with horns, tendrils, hooves, and gray-blue skin. His build was much slimmer as well, giving him that graceful air that most associated with Elves. Perhaps he's underdeveloped…or maybe he's a half breed. My eyes widened. A half breed…now that's interesting. Letting curiosity get the better of me, I licked my lips and lifted my head a bit.
"You look different from the others."
Glowing, azure eyes flickered to my face. His expression remained unreadable, but the stiffness with which he suddenly moved told me that maybe I had intruded upon a personal subject. Nonetheless, he straightened and glanced up into the branches of one of the nearby trees; I figured he was checking on his Pet. When he had his head tilted like that…he really was quite…No. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment to fend away the persistent thought. Now is not the time to act like a love-struck maiden. I mean, Caldur's good-looking too, right? I soon found myself blushing despite myself. I'm getting off-topic again.
"I am different."
I jolted, startled. That voice! My eyes darted to gaze at the Draenei, who of which had returned his attention to me. The smallest of smiles graced his face in response to my evident surprise. Alarmed, I blinked. Then I pointed at him shakily.
"W-wait a second… You're talking in my head?"
He inclined his head in a subtle nod.
"In a sense. It's called telepathy."
I pinched my arm quickly to make sure…Yeah, this is real. Bewildered, I propped myself up on my elbows and furrowed my brow. Now that I think about it, that voice from earlier that told me to run… I gave him an inquiring look.
"Earlier, in the clearing…that was you?"
This time he looked uncertain; however, once he had opened his mouth to reply I was already moving on to the next question.
"If you could speak to me like this then why did you talk out loud earlier?"
He reached up to finger one of his horns, an action I guessed was out of habit.
"I didn't wish to frighten you."
I glowered.
"And shooting me in the leg was better?"
He grimaced slightly.
"That was unintended. I mistook you for a Blood Elf."
Somewhat offended, I glared.
"I look nothing like a Blood Elf!"
The Draenei bowed his head.
"Sorry…"
I continued to glare at him for about another minute or so. Then I sighed and relaxed. Well, he didn't mean any harm; and at least he didn't shoot me because he knew who I was. I wonder if he would kill me if he knew that Dentaria was after Caldur and I. Probably. Just about everyone in the Alliance kneeled before her to kiss the holy ground at her feet. There's no telling what she'd do to someone who disobeyed her, and that only makes me worry about Nar all the more. I bit my lip in aggravation, not noticing that the Draenei, Zalu as he had called himself, had edged a little closer.
"You are far from home?"
I gave him a cautious look, still unsure as to how much I should reveal about myself. He could possibly be my future murderer after all.
"Just a Hippogryph ride away."
Suddenly, his eyes sparked with life. I could practically see the electricity vibrating from his person.
"Not from Bloodmyst?"
My brow furrowed.
"No, I'm from Lor'danel."
"Is it big?"
"Um, it's about average, I guess. There are lots of people, mostly Night Elves."
"Is it fun?"
"…Fun?"
I hadn't taken into consideration that the Draenei hadn't traveled from this island before. If he wanted to explore then it's only natural that he'd be so curious about where I was from. What an odd fellow, though. I doubt anyone else like him exists; it's not every day you meet an eye-catching Draenei with the ability to use telepathy. I wonder why I've never heard of such a thing before…
"Do you have many friends?" I know it was a long shot, but…
His expression darkened a bit.
"No."
Of course not. He's a freak, isn't he? Every time he tries to speak, every time someone looks at him and sees something other than a Draenei, people get scared. How despicable. How unfair. It's just like Nar and I—when others see us they become disgusted and try in every way possible to avoid our presence. It's all because we're different. And yet…there's nothing wrong at all with being different, is there? Feeling reassured, I reached forward and patted his arm consolingly.
"It's okay, me neither."
Zalu looked at me, first in surprise, then in gratitude. His gaze softened.
"Will you be my first?"
My heart stuttered. Why did he have to ask in such a suggestive voice? Feeling heat rise to my cheeks once again, I averted my gaze to hide my embarrassment.
"Sure," I mumbled.
His hand hovered before my face. I blinked.
"Truly?"
His earnest expression sort of caught me off guard. Still, I couldn't help but smile as I reached up and wrapped my fingers around his.
"Truly."
A smile of his own crossed his handsome features, and, before I knew what was going on, I was being lifted off of the ground. Startled by the sudden movement, I let out a yelp and clung to the front of his leather armor for support.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
"Taking you to a healer."
Wait a second! If he took me to a local healer then it was very likely that I was to be recognized. Slightly panicked, I began to struggle.
"H-hold on! I'd rather just find my companion!"
Zalu paused. He lowered his chin to regard me.
"Companion?"
I jumped at the new opening. Nice one, Al!
"Yeah. His name's Caldur, and he's a Druid. He can heal me."
Sapphire orbs blinked.
"He is a friend?"
"Yeah."
The Draenei seemed to consider this for a moment or two. Then he bobbed his head and turned in the opposite direction.
"We should find him then."
Relieved, I slowly let out the breath I had been holding and relaxed in the Hunter's arms. This guy…he's strangely naïve; of course, I don't have a problem with that, but it does make me just a little concerned. It's no wonder he doesn't have many friends. I'd be willing to bet he gets picked on a lot. What a pity. He's such a nice guy.
I decided to take in my new surroundings as Zalu trudged on. His steady pace lulled my mind into a state of semi-consciousness, making it easier for my thoughts to drift and sway. This place really had an eerie sense of beauty about it. Sure, the constant blue kind of burned at the eyes, but after a while one learns to appreciate it. Another intriguing landmark would be the occasional crystal. The splendid, pink gems were definitely a marvel to behold. I'd never seen anything like them before in my life. I hadn't seen many beasts either and that notion in itself triggered a bit of curiosity within me. Just what sorts of creatures do the Draenei familiarize themselves with? What is dangerous, and what is not? The soft sound of flapping wings drummed against my sensitive ears, and I found myself looking up to watch as Zalu's Owl glided smoothly between the interwoven branches over our heads. It sang pleasantly, an enchanting sound that forced a small smile upon my face.
"That's a pretty bird."
Zalu averted his attention just long enough to acknowledge his Pet before returning it to the path ahead.
"Her name is Naaru."
The Owl warbled again, ducking just a little lower to fly closer to her master's shoulder. The Draenei smiled.
"She likes you."
Warmth blossomed within me.
"Can you speak with beasts as well?"
He shook his head lightly.
"No."
Feeling somewhat disappointed by the answer, I nodded and allowed my mind to wander again. Unconsciously, my eyes drifted to the Hunter's face. For a Draenei, he certainly had much softer features. Weren't males supposed to have those large forehead plates? I mean, he's got a few, small diamond-shaped plates just above his brow…but they're not quite the same. Also, he had the type of curved horns that most of the females had. Honestly, Zalu just seems stranger and stranger the more I consider him. I opened my mouth for a split second, fully prepared to question him; however, I just as quickly closed it, turning down the idea. He probably wouldn't have appreciated me asking why he looked so odd in comparison to others of his race…
"My father was a Night Elf."
Oh? Well that just about sums it all up. Still, I was a bit shocked.
"You're a half breed, then?"
He narrowed his eyes in contemplation.
"Yes. My mother was a Draenei. That makes me half and half," he smiled at me, "I just had a feeling you might have wanted to know."
Feeling a bit guilty, I looked away, cheeks aflame. Damn…is he a mind-reader too?
"This friend of yours…"
"Caldur," I supplied.
"Caldur. Is he like you?"
I chewed at my lip uncertainly.
"What do you mean?"
Zalu readjusted his grip around my shoulders and legs.
"Does he have a similar brain wavelength? It will be easier to locate him if I am familiar with his thoughts."
I scoffed.
"How should I know? I can't dig around in his head. And even if I could, I wouldn't want to. He's a bit strange."
The Draenei tilted his head in that inquiring way that I have begun to characterize him with.
"Strange? How so?"
I sighed.
"I don't know. I mean, sometimes he's kind and funny and other times he's impatient and so…just so distant. Don't laugh, but…it's almost like he's not even a part of this world sometimes."
Zalu grunted, in understanding or befuddlement, I couldn't be sure. Nevertheless, he graced me with a response.
"He sounds interesting."
I laughed.
"Yeah…he's something."
We fell into a comfortable silence after that. All that could be heard was the rhythmic thumping of his hooves against the soft earth, mingled with the gentle flapping of the faithful Owl not far behind. Every now and again some foreign noise would make itself known in the distance, making me wonder yet again what else was out there in the trees beyond. If I strained my ears I could hear the pushing and pulling of water against a shore. The sea wasn't too far away. For some reason, that fact comforted me. Perhaps it was because I knew that home wasn't quite out of reach just yet. I hope they have Hippogryphs here—or a boat at least. Actually, that would be kind of cool. I'd never ridden on a boat before. I'm always open to new experiences. I tried to imagine it, the steady rocking, the cool spray of salt water against my burning skin, and the welcoming caress of a wind just strong enough to guide a vessel to its destination. Maybe that's what I should do. When all of this is over and everything is resolved, I should be a captain of a ship. I'd even be fine with just being a crew member or a frequent passenger. I'm sure I'd get to meet all kinds of interesting people if I did that. Even more so, I'd heard word that there were actually a couple of ports that carried both Horde and Alliance. Now that would be cool.
"Allacaya?"
I glanced up sharply. That was the first time that he'd used my name.
"You can call me Al," I corrected, a bit unnerved.
He hesitated.
"Al… Is your Caldur friend short-tempered?"
I furrowed my brow at the odd question.
"Uh, I guess he can be at times. Why?"
The Draenei stopped. His arms tightened around me.
"I have a feeling that…"
I gave him an incredulous look. Before I could ask him what he was on about, though, the foliage, not twenty feet away from us, was torn apart by the frantic entry of a familiar Night Elf. Golden eyes rose to lock with mine. The whole world seemed to stop turning at that point.
"…he's here."
"Ah…" I intelligently replied.
Caldur gave my new friend and me a quick onceover. He glared at the Draenei for a beat and then returned his feral eyes to me. I swallowed nervously. For some reason, it only appeared to take him a few steps to reach us, and, before I knew what was happening, I'd been transferred from one pair of arms to another. I found myself pressed against a ragged waistcoat, a warm chest. I tilted my head back to study him tentatively. He stared right back. Again, I swallowed down the uncomfortable lump that had begun to form in my throat.
"Allaberry Dawnweaver," I winced at the careful, monotone voice he addressed me with, "you are not allowed to leave my side until I find my brother."
I lowered my head, sulking a bit. The Druid, however, soon looked up to acknowledge the presence of the half breed standing uncertainly a few feet away. Zalu shifted from one foot to the other. His eyes swam with an array of jumbled emotions as he observed the Night Elf. Caldur growled.
"As for you, don't touch her so casually. She's my responsibility."
Without another word, the Druid whirled around and strode back the way he had come. I had just enough time to glance over my companion's shoulder to see a torn Zalu gazing after us. Then I blinked, and I could see him no more.