Random Dailies

This was going to be a problem.  There was no denying it.

At first, she thought she might be able to control it, but the pile of dead rats in front of her told her otherwise.  It just simply was not possible to control her Blood Hunger.

Endangering the rats of Stormwind…

Death Knights, were a real piece of work that Arthas and the Scourge threw at Azeroth.  They didn’t need to eat or sleep, so they could essentially exhaust an enemy force into submission. That also cut out the need for a supply train to feed your front lines.  They were basically machines designed with one purpose in mind: the Total Annihilation of an enemy force.  But beyond all this was the Blood Hunger.

The Blood Hunger was programmed into all Death Knights during their conditioning, and gave the Deathknights a driving need not to defeat all in their path, but instead, gave them a singular brutality to do it with.  The longer they went without causing suffering on a living creature, the more the need to do so would consume them and drive them forward.  This was Channi’s problem.

Since the Fall of Deathwing, the need for Channi’s particular talents dwindled.  Sure, there were the odd pockets of Twilight Cultists holding out hope for Deathwing’s return, but the more of these pockets that were found, the less Channi’s talents needed to be utilized.  This made for days stretching to weeks at a time that Channi wasn’t able to fulfill this basic need as a Deathknight.  She had to find other avenues to perform this function.

Occasionally, when the need grew too much for her, she would head out into Elwynn and seek out a sickly deer, or if she were lucky, an overly aggressive wolf.  She wouldn’t use weapons, that would make things too quick and easy.  No, she would go at them bare-handed.  The more of a struggle or fight they put up, the better.  A few days ago, she found a bear that didn’t take kindly to her poking around the hills outside of Northshire.  It had taken a good 30 minutes before the bear let out it’s last breath with an agonizing groan.  Channi smiled as she finally felt as if she could overcome this afterall, but then watched as two cubs came to see why their mother hadn’t come back to the den yet.  The euphoria of the Blood Hunger was replaced by the sorrow of killing these cubs’ mother.  It was more than Channi could handle.

Hence, the endangerment of the rat population of Stormwind.  If she was slow enough, and she could make them squirm and squeal just so… it could at least take the edge off to a more controllable level.  And she’d be doing the city a favor!  Or at least that was the theory she came up with anyway.  As it turned out, the more she did it, the more she NEEDED to do it.  The rats were just a tease to her system and weren’t enough to sate her Hunger.

Footsteps approaching… *OH SHITE!*  She was so busy contemplating her predicament, she didn’t even notice someone coming down the alleyway toward her.  She tried to kick the last of the rat corpses behind a trash bin as she looked up and saw it was Kalenedral, and started toward her.

“Channi?  Is that you?” the Kaldorei asked as they got closer.  ”I thought I saw someone hiding back here…”

“No, it’s just me,” Channi replied.  She turned around to look down the alleyway where she just came from to make sure no one could see any evidence of her recent activities.  *Whew! all out of sight!* She wiped at her face with a free hand and swallowed as she tried to calm her breathing to a more normal level.  It wouldn’t be good for anyone to note why she was coming out of an alley out of breath. They might go looking… “I don’t think there was anyone else back here,” she said as she turned back around and met up with her friend and lover.

Kalenedral glanced back down the alleyway behind Channi and wondered what she was doing back there.  She looked back at the girl and held out her hand.  ”Well, I’m headed to the Pig, you want to come along?”

A slight pause, and then,”Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.” She tried to wipe her hands on her pants just before taking the other woman’s hand and walked away together.

*Ohshitohshitohshitohshitohshit!  That was too close! I can’t keep this up or next time I’ll be caught for sure…*

They walked into the tavern hand in hand and greeted the heavy crowd.  There was a celebration of sorts going on.  More so than normal.  It looks like that Fells girl was back.  Channi didn’t know her well, but had seen her around often enough.  And then she didn’t.  And now she was back.  Maybe Channi will have to make it a point of getting to know her before she disappears again…?  She hoped she would have that opportunity, but if anyone found out her secret, she didn’t doubt that she wouldn’t get to know anyone else ever again.

Channi glanced up at Kalenedral and noted her face and the long scar that she came down her cheek.  Even with her imperfections, she couldn’t help but be amazed at Kal’s stature and poise.  The light she sees in Kal’s eyes when they are together gives her hope that she too can be whole again.  But if Kal ever found out about the rats… or the deer or wolves or even the bear…  How would she feel then?  To know that the girl she was with was a slave to her Hunger, and couldn’t get past the wholesale slaughter of innocent creatures just to pacify her urges… She let out an inaudible sigh.

*Oh… That’s me! * Channi blinked as she registered she was being asked if she wanted something to drink.  ”Uh, sure…. give me a Bourbon.” The words were out of her mouth before she could think about what she was saying. Kalenedral eyed her questioningly.  Normally, she would just have some milk, not out of any kind of need, it just seemed familiar somehow, so she didn’t question it.  But tonight was different.  She wanted something strong.  Something to make HERSELF suffer.

Their drinks came, and she downed her drink in one go.  *OOooo how it burned going down….!  Delicious….* not the taste, mind you.  She actually didn’t like the flavor much at all, but the burning sensation as it went down her throat delivered such sweet suffering!  She ordered another one, a double this time, and she sipped at it relishing the warmth as it found it’s way into her system.

She glanced up stairs at the upper level as she took a drink, and saw something furry poking it’s head out under the railing.  She almost dropped her drink and death gripped the rat to her right there, but forcibly willed herself not to with everyone else around.  She drank a bigger gulp than she intended as she tore her gaze away and noticed she was garnering looks of concern from Lorelli and Zha’ane.

She placed her empty glass on the bar, and ordered one last double.  Reese quirked an eyebrow at the girl, but served her up anyway.

By this point, her body was starting to react to the unfamiliar substance she was ingesting.  ”Whoa… this stuff is stronger than I thought…”

“Maybe we should get you to sit down,” Kal suggested.  Channi could only nod in agreement, and she immediately regretted doing even that.  *When -did- the room start spinning…?*

As they find a seat at the central table, Lorelli half turns back to Zha’ane, and then gives Kalenedral a “Look” when Channi wasn’t watching. Kal can only shrug one shoulder as she helps Channi sit down.  Zha’ane give Lorelli a quick squeeze to her waist and just watches the girl across from them at the table.

They are there for a while, and Channi is aware of converstaions happening around her.  Lore pipes up with a “Round on me!  Whatever they want!  S’honor of Fells!”  Cheers go up in the bar, and Lorelli earns a smile from Fells.

Channi’s ears perk up and she finishes off her mug. “I’ll have another… whatever thish was…”

Lore looks up at Elly and gestures to the girl and shakes her head.  Kalenedral can only watch with a concerned expression as Channi tries to get Elly’s attention each time she passes by.

Kal finally heads off to the bar and gets herself a glass of wine and another mug for Channi.  She comes back and sets it down in front of the girl and gives her a kiss on Channi’s temple. “Here ya go, love.”

Channi’s eyes light up as she grabs for the mug and goes to take a drink, and then realizes its just milk and lets out a sigh.

Kal watches and lets out a muttered sigh in Darnassian, “[Bloody Elune...]”

‘…know any druids that go rattin’ ’round ‘ere?”  Channi’s eyes go wide as she hears a nearby conversation.

“Eating rats? No, why?”

“Rheu an’ I ran across an awful lot of dead one’s in an alley the other night.  They were all tore up figure. Like somethin’ got t’em…”

Channi’s hear sank even further as she tried to hear them continue through the other loud conversations at the bar.

“Tore up..?  Might ‘ave jus’ been a dog or somethin’ then…”

“Mean, seen ‘em dead before, jus’ usually not so many.”

Channi gets up rather abruptly, “I just remembered… I think I left something smelting at the forge. The ‘Smithy gets cranky if you don’t take care of things like that…”

“How long you going to be?” Kal asked tentatively.

“I might be a while.  Can I just meet you at home?”

Kalenedral nods, trying to hide the hurt expression on her face.  ”Whatever you want, love.  I probably won’t be staying much longer anyway…” she muttered.

Channi tries to smile and wave to everyone as she rushes out the door and to the Blacksmith Forge.  She just had to get out of there before she heard anymore and brokedown. Again.  If she was going to make it through this, she’d have to find something else she could do.

Or at least find a better way of hiding it…

(Things change, and so it goes with RP.  Any of you that happened to read the “Returner” story that I had posted, be advised that none of that happened.  It is not Canon for the Channi storyline, as other things came up.  I’ll leave it up as reference material, but to tell the truth, I kinda like this idea better anyway!  

I had originally used the first part of the Case Study in the WFR (Wildfire Riders) Forums, but I never came back to finish it.  I don’t think I really knew what I was doing with it at the time, but I knew I had to do something with it before I lost the idea.  But I think using it as a Prologue for Channi’s story is probably as good a use for it as any!  

Be advised that the second portion of this story gets graphic depicting bare-handed killing of rats and the self destruction of a Death Knight kept in solitary confinement.  If you are sensitive to this kind of thing, please skip the second portion of this story!

I’ll be RPing Channi’s part in all of this after my Guitar classes end in two weeks, and a lot of the struggles are really internal for her, but I’ll try to add to this regularly to keep up with how the events unfold in game.  Thank you for coming!  Enjoy!)

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EXCERPT FROM STORMWIND UNIVERSITY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT CASE FILES: A Proposed Death Knight Behavioral Study

The Human Mind (And other intelligent races as well) is made up of many different levels of consciousness:

Bodily Functions: Breathing, digestion, pumping of the heart, etc.

Awareness of Self: Sensory Input, Locomotive Functions

Instincts: Hunger, fight/flight reactions

Communicative Functions: Language and understanding

Learned Personality: Likes/dislikes, memories, morals, ego

It is this last level that is blocked, or more accurately, ‘Filtered’ by the Scourge when a Death Knight is created.

At this point, it is assumed that we are discussing one of the “3rd generation” of Death Knights.  Usually, these types of  ’Chosen Ones’ are unwilling and are killed prior to receiving ‘The Gift’. Logically speaking, this makes perfect sense as the recipient is now defenseless against any ‘programming’ that is required to become a Death Knight. The Higher levels may then be filtered or blocked to some extent, but they are still able to function as an individual entity. Albiet one that is open to control from a stronger, external ego.  Those that CHOOSE to become servants do not require this type of ‘processing’ prior to their new ‘life.’ It is the ‘Unwilling’ that are chosen that require this type of ‘processing.’ Most Death Knights today fit the ‘Unwilling’ Catagory. Those that do not, were usually found still in service to the Lich King, and destroyed.  It is essential to understand this concept when dealing with Death Knights in a social environment. Although they lack the social graces they once had, they still have the capacity to relearn them. And maybe in the process, regain some of who they once were. However, it is also important to note that once freed from the Lich King’s control, some of this filter was released as well, allowing some of the underlying personality to peek through.

The break from the controlling external ego (ie – the Lich King) has brought about a new conundrum for these poor souls: the discovery of Self Awareness, and the essence of ‘Self.’ “Who Am I?” and “Who WAS I?” are both very common questions that freed Death Knights have about themselves. And they each have their own way of trying to find answers.  Ultimately, it would be best to be able to ‘break through’ the blockage induced upon the unfortunate soul upon their change, but at this time, we are just now coming to understand ‘What’ has occured, and lack the resources to understand ‘How’ it occured. Given time, we’d like to be able to have the opportunity to run testing on various subjects in order to understand more about what exactly has been filtered in order to find a possible cause, and then a possible cure as well….

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Excerpt from SWU Death Knight Behavioral Study: Blood Hunger Subject 12

The Following Report has been classified “CONFIDENTIAL”  Do Not Release any portion of this report to unauthorized persons.  Failure to comply will result in punishments including Fines, Imprisonment, or Summary Execution.

This Report contains scenes of a Graphic Nature.  You are advised to STOP READING if you are sensitive to exposure to this type of information.
****************************
Race: Sin’dorei
Gender: Male
Age: Unknown
Hair: Light Brown (Short)
Eyes: Blue (Glowing)
Weight: Approx. 210 lbs.
Name: [REDACTED]

Subject #12 was found unconscious after a large explosion in Icecrown during the Assault on Icecrown Citadel.  The Following observations were conducted in the Violet Hold by members of the Kirin Tor and released to the University under the Wrynn Information Exchange Agreement between Stormwind and Dalaran.

Subject #12 awoke in an Isolation Cell in the Hospital Ward of Block D.   The Subject was then remotely observed for a period of 5 days.

Food was conjured directly into his cell, but was refused by the subject. Upon awakening, the Subject examined his cell and realized there was no way out and proceeded to stand near the Sealed doorway with his hands clasped behind his back.  He remained there for a number of hours, unmoving.

Sometime during the night, a Rat found its way into the cell and tried getting to the food that sat untouched.  All it took was a glance, and the Subject performed what has come to be known as a “Death Grip” on the rat directly into his hand.  The rat was seen to struggle to get away, but he slowly tightened his grip upon the creature.  As his grip tightened, the look on the Subject’s face was seen to grow more intense and cruel.  The rat squealed and clawed at the hand holding it, but could not get away.  As its life left its body, the look on the Subject’s face turned into one of sheer bliss.

Once dead, the Subject had no more use for the creature, and proceeded to throw it into a back corner of the room.  But like a ‘Wretched” getting a taste of his addiction, the Subject wanted more.  He proceeded to pace in his cell looking for more.  As time went by, his pacing became more agitated.

Halfway into day 2, a second Rat found its way into the cell.  This one didn’t have the ‘Luxury of Time’ that the first Rat ‘enjoyed.’  As soon as it was spotted, the Subject ‘Death Gripped’ it and killed it immediately.  It was noted that the Subject’s eyes half closed and he seemed to smile for a brief moment, and then let out a cry of what seemed to be frustration.

As soon as it was dead, the rat’s corpse was quick to join the first in the corner.

The Subject is showing much more signs of agitation.  His pacing has become more ‘active’ and he seems to be clenching and unclenching his hands.  His eyes seem to dart around the cell quickly, as if he’s searching for something that he may have missed earlier.

Day 3: There have been no further encroachments into his cell by the rats, but this may be more because of the activity in the Subject’s cell.  If it wasn’t bolted down, the Subject has strewn it across the room.  Even some items that were bolted down have been as well.

The Subject has turned into a writhing mass of energy.  He is in a near state of panic and does not seem to be able to calm down of his own volition.  He is becoming more vocal, although most of what he says is in his native Sin’dorei language.  Translations are not fit to be reproduced on paper, and are not the basis of this report.  Just be it known that his vocabulary is quite extensive in this regard.

Food has been repeatedly conjured for him, but he seems to take exception to this in particular.  The food invariably ends up on the walls and floor moments after appearing.  Please note that it has been 3 days since his incarceration, and he has not yet eaten or drank anything.  It has been rumored that Death Knights do not need to eat, and at this rate, it appears to be true.

Day 4: The Subject has had no contact, visual or physical, with anyone since his discovery.  The dead rats have been torn to pieces as well as anything he can get his hands on in his cell.  If he was vocal before, he is a constant stream of profanities in multiple languages now.  His voice has been in constant use at an elevated volume for 10-12 hours now.  As hoarse as he is, he cannot help himself and must continue to scream.

He has torn away at the walls of the cell with anything he can get his hands on.  So far, nothing has stood up well to the enchantments upon the stone, and he has even taken to clawing at it with his bare hands.

I will say that it is disturbing how well he can take the pain of his skin and nails being worn away by the stone of the cell.  He is in constant motion and in an extreme state of panic.  His need is too great for him to slow down.  It was originally hoped that being cut off “cold turkey” as it were, would help break him of his desire to cause pain, but the damage to himself that we have seen may be too much to repair, even if he can recover his sanity.

Day 5: Being cut off entirely from other creatures, has proven too much for Subject #12.  The last day proved to be more than anyone here was ready for, myself included.

His last hours were filled with self-mutilation of his arms and face, and finally came to an end with him reaching inside his own chest, and tearing out his own beating heart.  By this point, his vocal cords had been used so much, no sound could be heard beyond the heavy breathing of the physical exertion expended upon himself.

Elune, have mercy on his soul.

Findings:

1 – The Blood Hunger is too well ingrained into the subject’s behavior, to be able to break him of it by means of removal from society.  It is best to keep the Death Knights busy in battle where they can keep this behavior under control, by using it against our enemies.

Although the Subject can seem to stave off the BloodHunger with a rat, the suffering involved may be at a much lower scale to that of a more sentient being.  Or perhaps the rat just seems to be much less resilient than a larger, more intelligent creature.  Further observations in the field will be required.

2 – Regarding Death Knights and eating habits: For about 5 days, Subject #12 did not eat any food, nor drink any water.  This did not stop him from completely tearing apart his cell, nor himself.  Although this is a relatively short period of time, Subject #12 did not seem to slow down in the slightest due to lack of food or water.  This seems to support the notion that Death Knights do not need food for sustenance.  Further observations in the field will be required to confirm this.

3 – The Strength of the Death Knight is definitely enhanced in some way.  As well as their resistance to pain.  It is not known if this can be related in some way.  But it does show that further enhancements are made upon an individual when they are transformed into a Death Knight.

4 – Sleeping Habits: granted, this subject was kept in a state of constant agitation, but he did not appear to need sleep.  (It took teams of observers to keep up with him, and I’m sure I will not be the only one to suffer for our observations.  I do not know if it will ever be possible to forget what we have seen these past 5 days. But I digress…)  Again, due to the short period of time these observations took place, nothing is conclusive, but there were no signs of thought degradation due to lack of sleep.  This is hard to determine with his state of mind, but even a bratty child will eventually calm down and fall asleep against his own wishes at nap time.  This was not the case with Subject #12! He continued to stay active and even increased his activity levels up until the end when he took his own life.

Conclusions:
The indoctrination process of becoming a Death Knight contains Deep Rooted Conditioning that we lack the expertise to fully understand.

This study has helped corroborate already known observations regarding the strength, willpower, sleeping/eating habits, and temperament of the Death Knights.  But was inconclusive as to the full extent of the conditioning of such.  The cost was an unusable cell in Violet Hold, the life and sanity of a sentient being, and a number of sleepless nights by this team of observers.

Being a civilized culture, I for one, do not believe barbaric studies such as this one should be implemented again.  EVER.  If asked to perform in this function again, I would be forced to tender my resignation.  Every Member of my team that participated in this, have expressed their sentiments to be the same.

It is further recommended that under no circumstances should knowledge of this study be released to the Ebon Blade.

Sincerely,

~[REDACTED]
[Titles REDACTED]

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 ((Linked on the Feathermoon IC Facebook page!))

So I’m sure a lot of you are asking why the hell I’m thinking posting a story like this?  This is really to give you all some background on what struggles Channi is going through on her way into Pandaria.  With a little bit of luck, she will find help with her ‘Condition’ and be able to become that what she once was.

The next installment will get to the actual RP, so hopefully you will still be with us then!

Thank you for coming!  

~ Z/C

(See Part 1 here and Part 2 here.  Thanks and Enjoy!)

“Things in this timeline are not what they were in your own,” said Chromie. Channi had woken not long ago and was sitting in bed eating a light breakfast of fruit and water to help her regain her energy. “You will need to be careful who you interact with at first. They won’t expect you as you are now.”

“What do you mean,’As I am now…?’ Am I THAT different in this timeline?” Channi asked hesitantly.

It’s not often you see a Minor Aspect hesitate, but it was obvious that this was going to be a touchy subject, even to the dragonkin. “Well… in this timeline… you see…” Chromie took a deep breath and decided it wouldn’t help to dance around the subject for long, and just jumped right into it. “…you were turned into a Deathknight. BUT, just as in your own timeline, the Deathknights were released from the Lich King’s control and are actively helping the Horde and the Alliance. So you are still alive, so-to-speak, just a little ‘differently’ from others.”

Channi didn’t know what to say or do. She sat there with a bite of melon raised halfway to her mouth for a few seconds at this revelation, and slowly let it back down into the bowl in her lap. “I’m… a Deathknight?” Saying she had some trouble accepting this would have been an understantement.

“It’s ok though! You still have Lorelli and Zane here supporting you, and you even have someone special that loves you! Well, the version of you from this timeline does, at least. So really, you don’t have to worry about how you turned out here! It’s Lorelli you need to worry about. She was never the same after news of your death, even after your return as a Deathknight. And it will be a little touchy to get them to accept that there are two of you now…”

“Wait, what..? Back up a second…” The young human almost knocked her breakfast on the floor trying to sit up straighter in bed. “What’s wrong with Lorelli? Is she ok?” Lorelli was her adopted mother since her parents were killed as a young girl. And she was forever thankful to the nightelf, and her friend Zane, for everything they had done for her. It was them that had trained her in the Art of Stealth and Misdirection. They were skills that served her well in her work with SI:7 and the Human Military.

“Lorelli is fine now,” the Bronze Dragon reassured her. “But she went through some tough times when you were lost and she blamed herself for it all… It was a Shock to her when you resurfaced as a Deathknight, but it’s something she has been able to come to terms with. Zane has been very beneficial to her recovery.”

“Zane..? Well it’s about time…” she smiled at that revelation. It was apparent to her in her own timeline what Lorelli meant to Zane. It was good to see them finally get together. Even if it was in a different timeline from her own. Which brings to mind, “Wait…. Chromie…. If she didn’t take my turning into a Deathknight well in THIS timeline, how is she going to take my disappearance from MY OWN timeline…?”

“As we said before, the problem seems to be centered on YOU, so we have been able to get her a message saying you are OK, but we couldn’t tell her more than that.” At this point, Chromie stopped short and looked Channi in the eyes. “I need you to do something for me,” she said. “I need you to understand that you may not be able to go back. THIS may become your home.”

“What do you mean…? Can’t we…” the young human started.

Chromie held up her hand to pause the inevitible questions.”Listen to me. This type of thing isn’t something we can just utter an incantation and fix. And portals such as these cannot stay open forever. It may be that the portal will close before we can get you home, and before you ask, it’s not as easy as opening a new portal. Quite frankly, we’ve never seen this kind of warding placed on a timeline before.” She paused to let the seriousness of the situation sink in. Chromie reached out and gave Channi’s forearm as gentle sqeeze,”I know it’s hard to accept, but bringing you to this timeline was the best we could do. After what you helped us do to save Azeroth, we are sorry that we cannot do more to help you.”

Channi was stunned. All her friends and family… Her comrades that she fought alongside… Gone. But not gone…. Here, but different and not knowing HER. Not being able to go HOME. It was a lot to take in. “Does Lore know that I’m coming…? The one here that is?”

“Not yet. We wanted to see how you reacted to the news first.”

Channi placed the bowl on the bedside table and started for her gear.

“Wait a minute…. what do you think you are doing?”

“I need to see her. Lore. Even if she doesn’t know ME, she’s still..” Tears flooded her eyes as she spoke.

“Are you sure you want to do this NOW?” Chromie knew the rogue had regained most of her strength, and was well enough to travel. But she wasn’t sure of her emotional stability just yet.

“Yes. I NEED to see her… even if it’s not the same Lore I know, I need to let her know I’m ok. even if… even if…” She broke down as she was trying to pull on her breeches.

“I know what you are going through isn’t easy.” began the Bronze Dragonflight’s caretaker. “But you also can’t just barge right out into the world and say ‘I’m Here!’ It would be best if you took some Time to watch the workings of this world before you announced your presence to those that matter.”

She waited for Channi to give her a nod in acknowledgement before she continued. “We’ve arranged for you to take part in a ‘study’ at Stormwind University. Professor Dynacog will be expecting you, and can fill you in on further details about this timeline when you arrive. I must stress that you do not travel as ‘yourself’ as your name may arouse more questions than you care to have to answer.”

Channi glanced at Chromie and gave her a quick grin, “THAT is no problem!” She cleared her eyes as she continued getting dressed. “I don’t imagine that I’d be reporting for duty with my old unit in the morning either, am I right?”

Chromie giggled slightly, “No, you probably want to consider yourself ‘unemployed’ for now. Besides, SI:7 is not exactly the ‘Honorable’ organization you once knew. It would be best if you steered clear of them for the forseeable future.”

“Really? How bad is it?”

Chromie waved off the question, “Sparxy will let you know more about things when you get there.” Chromie got down off the chair and started for the door. “Just keep your head down and try not to draw attention to yourself.”

“Wait,” said Channi as she finsihed fastening her tunic. She rushed over to the Gnome and gave her a big hug. “Thank you. For everything.”

Dragons aren’t known for blushing, but there was a definite tinge of pink to Chronormu’s cheeks. “Oh my! I…” she started but gave in and hugged the young human back. “That was… unexpected. But not unpleasant,” she quickly added with a smile.

“I’m sorry., I just had to..”

“Don’t be. It is for people like you and reactions like that, that keep us doing what we do. Thank YOU for giving me a reminder. Now be careful and I’ll see you again!” she said with a wink.

Channi smiled as she let go of the Bronze Dragonflight’s Ambassador. As the Door closed, Channi finished getting dressed and started making a list of what she would need to make the crossing back to Kalimdor and Stormwind.  She might be here a bit longer than she hoped…

(For Part 1, See THIS POST. Thanks for coming! Enjoy!)

Voices. Distant… No. Muffled. A woman’s voice, with power, and a slight accent, “…will live, but…”

Another’s voice, familiar, also female with the same accent, but with a slower cadence, “… was lucky you caught her…”

And then a male’s voice… very familiar, as if she had just spoken to him, yes. Nozdormu. What’s he saying? His low voice doesn’t carry as well…. something about the “..Infinite Dragonflight… … an interest in her….”

Her? You mean me? And then the darkness called to her again.

She had no frame of reference as to how long she was unconcious, and when in the realm of the Bronze Dragonflight, Time was sometimes irrelavent.

She awoke to find herself in an unfamiliar bed, in an unfamiliar room. There was a presence in the room with her, this she knew from instinct before she even opened her eyes. When her eyes finally focused, she could make out that the room was lit by a single candle on a table not far away. She didn’t recognize the room or furnishings, but she did see her armor and blades were on a chair by the table with the candle. That was a comfort to her.  It was a sign that she was among allies, if not friends.

In another chair on the farside of the table sat a small female gnome dressed in priest robes reading from what appeared to be a large leatherbound tome. She looked up at Channi and smiled.

“It’s good to see you again, Channi. Or is this the first time we met? It gets so confusing sometimes! I’m Chromie!” She said enthusiastically. “The others will be glad to hear you’ve woken up!”

She hopped down from the chair and stepped outside the door for a moment and spoke softly to someone before coming back to her bedside. “You gave us quite a scare there, little one.” She climbed up and sat next to the Human girl and touched the back of her hand to Channi’s Forehead and then her cheek to feel for a fever. “It’s been a couple days for you. Can I get you some water or food?” She genuinely seemed concerned for her well being.

Channi was still gathering her wits about her and realized she lacked the strength to do more than nod and grunt a weak, “Please. Water…”

The diminutive dragonkin smiled warmly at her as she scrambled back to the table and poured a small glass of water. She uttered a quiet spell and floated back to Channi’s side and raised the glass to Channi’s lips. Channi sipped from the glass and relished the coolness of the liquid in her mouth. After her first sip, she tried to drink more, faster, but ended up coughing as she rushed it.

“Whoa there! Take it easy, take it slow. You’ve been through quite a lot and need to pace yourself.” She gestured toward the table and a small towel rushed to her hand to dab at the water Channi coughed up. “There you go…. now once again… small sips this time.”

Through an effort of will, Channi managed to follow the suggestion and took a couple more small sips. The difference it made in her was measurable. “Th-thank you,” she said, humbled by being waited on by someone as high ranked as Chronormu was in the Bronze Dragonflight.

Footsteps sounded in the hallway as the familiar figures of Nozdormu and Alexstrasza came into her room. Relief shown on their faces as they saw her sipping from the glass of water.

“Don’t try to move, Channi” Nozdormu said as she tried to sit up higher. “Save your strength.” She relaxed and laid her head back on the pillow behind her head and listened.

“She just woke up, Sir!” said Chromie. “Earlier than expected, too!”

Alexstrasza nodded and stood next to the bed. She placed a cool hand on Channi’s forehead and then chanted a short spell causing it to pass a warmth into Channi that seemed to clear her mind. She lifted her hand and passed it a foot or so over Channi’s body, down to her feet, and then waved it off. As the Life-Binder’s hand passed over her, she felt herself reinvigorated. “There, that should do it,” said the Life-Binder. “You posess a strong spirit, and that will help you recuperate.”

Channi nodded her thanks. “I-I’m sorry to have put you through so much trouble… What happened anyway? I … I remember passing into the portal.. and then…”

Nozdormu replied, “We are not entirely sure, but we believe The Infinite Dragonflight was responsible. We don’t know why, yet. But your timeline has been closed to you, and it was all I could do to bring you to this one.”

“My… Timeline..? What do you mean, I can’t go back? Can it be reop..”

The Aspect of Time raised his hand gently to interrupt the confused Rogue. “Things are still being investigated, and we will let you know as we learn more. But at this point, you should be safe. They do not know that you survived, so should not be looking for you in this timeline.”

Alexstrasza joined in, “I’m sure you have more questions. Chromie will tell you more about where, or rather ‘when’ you are in the morning. But for now, you should rest some more.”

“But what about…?” Channi started.

“Nuh uh uh! You heard the Lady!” Chromie interrupted. “Rest now! I’ll see you in the morning!” she said with a wink. With that, Chomie took the glass and set it on the bedside table, within easy reach and tucked the young human back into bed.

“You are in good hands, Miss Woods,” the Life-Binder said. “But we must be going.”

Nozdormu nodded, “We had to make sure you survived, but there are still other matters to attend to.” He gave her a reassuring smile and gently squeezed her foot through the blankets before turning to leave.

Chromie grabbed her book looked back to the girl. “If there is anything else you need, I’ll be right outside the door.”

“I… I’ll be ok,” Channi said as she smiled a thank you.

Chromie blew out the candle before heading to the room beyond and closing the door to just a crack.

Thoughts and questions swirled in Channi’s head in the dark. Chief among them was being thankful for all the Aspects have done for her. It was very humbling to have the Aspects take such an interest in just a lone human girl. And questions of what exactly happened, and why? And what about her Family? Would she ever see Loreli and Zane again? Everyone she knew…

Eventually sleep overcame her and brought with it the bliss of a dreamless oblivion.

Yesterday, I mentioned that I wanted to bring my Rogue back to RP, but her timeline has already been taken over by the Deathknight. This is my attempt to work around that technicality.

I can probably get more detailed, but this is only a blog! It’s not like this is for NANOWRIMO or anything!

Anyway, let me know what you think! Thanks!
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Channi was exausted. It was a well earned exhaustion, and she still had a bit of a high from all the adrenaline, but she was coming down fast.

It started as a call to the Caverns of Time by Thrall, and ended up being the fight of a lifetime against Deathwing, the World Destroyer Himself! But he was dead finally, a threat to the world no longer, and as the Aspects put it, the Dawning of the Age of Mortals.

She had done her part, and for that, she had been able to collect a Fragement of His Jaw for her own reasons. But now it was done. Time to head home.

As a Rogue, she took it upon herself to scout the vicinity where ever she went. And as part of a Group such as this, she would reach the portal first, but wait until last to keep an eye on her group’s surroundings in case there was a threat that was missed and wanted to exact some sort of revenge. Finally, all others were through the portal and Nozdormu called to her to finally leave this place.

“Channi? It is time.”

She stopped in front of the Tall Elven Aspect in front of her, and curtsied as best she could. “Thank you, sir. It was an Honor to assist you and the other Aspects.”

He smiled at her, “The honor was ours for having you here. Without you and your fellow Champions, there would not have been any hope for our world. Thank YOU, young human.” He smiled warmly at the young girl as she blushed at his words. After all she’s been through and done, to still be humble like this… It’s good to see that in person, especially at so young an age.

She dutifully saluted, then turned and stepped into the Portal that was waiting to take her home.

Travel by portals is not something easily accustomed to. The Lights… The Sounds… The twisting and pulling of body and mind through the Nether between what is and what was… It was something she was willing to endure as needed, but she felt much more comfortable on the back of a Gryphon or on her mare, Jezzebel.

There. That should be her destination now…. It’s not really something she can see, but more FEEL deep in her being as the place she was drawn towards, where she belonged. But wait… something wasn’t right. There is a Dark Edge to the portal exit… something she had never experienced before… And Cold… so Very Cold…

“Wait… NO…!!!” her mind screamed as pain from her most inner core blinded her as her very Being was torn away from her. She could feel herself being scattered throughout the Nether…

Then as quickly as it had started, it stopped. There was a soft warmth that reached out to her. Then the Blackness took her.
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Part 2 to come later in the week! Thanks for reading!

~ Z/C