IC:Taseli's Journal: Learning the ways of the Talon, Part 1

I spoke with one of the druid trainers in Stormwind today. He told me that I possessed the knowledge and the skills to become a druid of the talon. He told me to seek out a druid by the name of Morthis Whisperwing in Zangarmarsh. Ahhh... To return to the marsh... I do find the area to be beautiful, though the smell would keep me from taking up a residence there... Ohh... Where was I..

Ah yes, Morthis. He told me that to learn the ways of the talon I would have to perform a ritual. To do that I would need to gather some herbs to make a potion. Ten bogblossom, ten dreaming glory and ten ancient lichen, to be exact. Not that difficult really... I already had a good amount of dreaming glory and was able to purchase the ancient lichen rather inexpensively in Stormwind. The bogblossom was another story. It only grows on the top of the giant mushrooms that grow in the area... So I had to take a flight.

I returned to him, later in the evening with the herbs... The uptight jerk complained when a bit of pollen hit him, causing him to sneeze... Well.. I guess we will see where I have to go from here.

IC: Taseli: A Meeting at Beggar's Haunt: Part 3

Taseli slumped down by the pool, hugging her knees to her chest. Tears rolled down her cheek as she stared into the still water. It was done. He was out of her life for good.

Minutes passed, though they felt like hours. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze as clouds formed on the horizon. Taseli looked up. It would rain soon. The air began to feel thick. It stuck to her as she slowly rose to her feet. She looked back at the pool one last time before turning towards the path. Before turning towards home.

The first few drops hit as Taseli neared the bottom of the hill. It was a warm rain and felt comforting. Like Elune knew how she felt and was crying with her. Myst stood waiting for her where she left him. The large sabres eyes looked at her, sympathetically. She approached the cat and huged him around the neck, running her hands through his soft fur.

"It'll be alright." She smiled weakly at him. Sighing, Taseli climbed on his back. "Come, lets go home."

She sat in the saddle, slumped as Myst came to a stop before the flight master in Darkshire. Taseli looked up and handed the man a few coins, mumbling the words "Ironforge, please." as she slid of Myst's back and made her way to one of the waiting gryphons.

It was a flight she had made before. This one took longer, or seemed to in her mind. It was done, he was out of her life yet she couldn't get him out of her mind.

The gryphon landed in Ironforge, though Taseli didn't seem to notice, remaining astride the beast, head resting on the back of its neck.

"Come on, Lassie... thi' ol' bird is needed for anotha flight." Came the voice of the Flight Master. Taseli merely nodded in responce and slid off, walking towards her apartment more out of habit than anything.

Next thing Taseli new she was in her bedroom. She didn't remember getting there, but her mind was in a fog. Glancing at the bed she saw Kit, sprawled across it, barely leaving any room for her. The sight brought a small smile to her face. This was why she did it... This was why she couldn't go back.

IC: Taseli: A Meeting at Beggar's Haunt: Part 2

Taseli looked at him. His chisled face was as she remembered it. His eyes peirced her. She could see the hurt in them. He remembered. She approached him slowly, each step measured. Why am I doing this. This will only end up hurting us both.

"Do you mean to hurt me more?" He asked, voice sounding hurt.

"No... Ursa... It can't be now... When you were gone, I... I moved on..." Taseli looked at the ground, her eyes focusing on her own feet.

Ursamal placed his hand on her shoulder. "I can understand, but... please... give."

"Don't... It can't happen." Taseli cut in, looking up into his eyes. His features seemed softer for that one moment. It hurt him... She could tell he knew what was coming but she had to say it. She had to end it now so she could fully move on. So that she could watch Sarra grow up and be happy to be her mother. Dwelling on Ursamal and how she left him had haunted her for months. It needed to be done.

"Why not? Why can't we rebuild what we had? Why can't you come back to Leo and I?" Ursamal gazed at her. His look was that of pure longing.

"You left. You didn't say you were leaving or where you were going. I... " Taseli stopped and looked away, discreetly wiping a tear from her eye. This shouldn't be happening. I shouldn't be sad. I haven't spoken to him or seen him in over a year.

"I wanted to tell you... You have to believe that. But I couldn't... I couldn't tell you I was going to what was likely my doom. I did what I had to."

"And I did what I had to... To be happy."

Ursamal looked away, tensing slightly. Taseli looked at him. "What is it?"

"I don't know... Thought I heard something. Perhaps we should finish this some other time."

"No, I need to do this now... I need to explain my decision..." Taseli spoke quietly. "I owe you at least that much."

Ursamal sighed and looked at Taseli. "Will I at least get to see my daughter?"

"I can't say... I... Ursa... You didn't even remember Leo, myself or any of your children when you did return." Taseli stepped back a bit as she said this. "That is what hurt the most. Until that, I was willing to try and make it work again... But... I can't now. I think it is best for Sarra that she doesn't know her father."

Ursamal glared at her angrily, his eyes cutting deep into her. "So you will deny me access to that which is equally mine?"

"What is yours?" Taseli spat back. "You weren't there for her, ever. You didn't have to explain to her why she can't talk or make any other sound like a normal person. You didn't have to wake up in the middle of the night to check on her to make sure she didn't need anything since she couldn't cry. She is not yours at all. You may be her father... But you never held up your end."

Ursamal sank back into the ground, tears in his eyes. "I know I should have done better as a father... I will respect your decision... But know I will always be willing to be a part of her life should you have a change of heart." He stood and turned, starting to walk away. "Goodbye, Taseli."

Taseli watched him leave. She wanted to get up and bring him back, but knew she had to let go. She wanted to be happy with the new life she chose, and this is what needed to be for that to happen.

IC: Taseli: A meeting at Beggar's Haunt

The path was steep. The gnarled trees hung overhead. Foreboding as they were, Taseli continued her ascent. This wasn't the first time she had made this climb. She had made it many times before to be alone with Kit. But this time was different. This time it wouldn't be Kit who was waiting for her by the pool.

An owl screeched. Looking in the direction of the sound, Taseli smiled to herself. She was comfortable in the night air. The darkness allowed her to move unseen. An advantage she wanted this night.

Taseli moved quickly and silently as the path leveled out. She was nearing Beggar's Haunt. The derelict gate to the abandoned burial site stood in the distance. Slowing her pace, Taseli moved off the path into the underbrush. She froze as the sound of a twig snapping under her feet rang into the quiet night air.

I don't know if I can do this. She thought, standing still hoping the man she was going to meet didn't hear the sound. He heard me... He knows I'm here... No backing out now.

Seconds passed, though they felt like minutes. The air stood silent as Taseli started to creep forward, this time being more careful about her steps. The pool grew nearer. She could see the moonlight reflecting off the water through the branches. Taseli stopped at the edge of the clearing, hiding herself in the shadows.

He was there, sitting by the pool. He was as she remembered him. His lean and toned cat like body and long green hair were mirrored almost perfectly in the still water. A light breeze swept through, rippling the image and rustling the leaves overhead. The man looked in Taseli's direction, his eyes seemingly piercing her and then looked back to the water. He didn't see me. A look of relief crossed Taseli's face.

He had been her mate, the father of her daughter. Before things had changed. Before he forgot her, before she fell in love with Kit. Taseli stood there, watching him and trying to find the courage to approach him. What do I say to him? Does he even remember me now?

Taking a deep breath, Taseli stepped into the clearing. The moonlight illumintated her face as she spoke in a hushed tone, "Ursamal?"

Anna's Friday Five

Over on Too Many Annas, she does a segment called Friday Five where she asks five questions. Today's five are focused on RP in WoW. She asked these five questions.

1. What is your character’s name?
2. Why did he/she pick his/her class?
3. What’s the worst trouble he/she ever got into as a child?
4. What is his/her favorite thing to eat?
5. What does he/she have in his/her pockets?

I will answer these questions from the point of view of my druid, Taseli

1. My name is Taseli Evensong, a druid of the Kel'dorei.
2. I guess it was my love of the outdoors and my faith in Elune that led me down this path. I want nothing more than to protect those I care for and the land we live on.
3. Worst trouble eh?? Well... Let me think for a few moments. I think it would have to be the time I taught my sister, Ganeida, to climb trees but didn't teach her how to get back down. So she got up into the tree and got stuck. Being young at the time I thought it was quite comical and held out on telling her the trick to getting down safely. After a few minutes she started to cry and I gave in to her and helped her down. Of course, when we got home she went straight to mother... I don't think I was aloud out of the house for a week.
4. I'm a vegetarian... I know, odd for a druid who likes to spend a good portion of her time in the form of a cat. I would have to say my favorite food though are the apple pies that Vasilka makes. They are wonderful.
5. I like to keep a handful of dried berries to snack on in my pockets. And a few trinkets to remember my friends and family.