This is set pretty early during Zaruuk's life; He's around 20 or so in draenei terms here. It's also going to be cut up into three parts, later segments being posted up once they're finished.
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Part One: Calm
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Amidst the great inter-dimensional ship Oshu'gun lay a virtual maze of corridors and pathways, abandoned due to the sheer enormity of the crystalline vessel. Sitting alone and on the floor in one of these abandoned corridors was a young, male draenei - as the group of people had begun to call themselves. His head was propped up against a wall with his eyes closed; his breathing regular and slow, almost in rhythm with the distant hum of the Naaru that powered the ship though it's dimension hopping.
Zaruuk liked the solitude of these corridors; they gave him the perfect retreat from the hustle that was everyday life within Oshu'gun. Here, he could think without having to worry about being hassled by onlookers.
Not to mention that there were no narrowed eyes glaring at him here, as if they expected the young draenei to snap and attempt to devour their very souls at any moment. He had been scrutinised this way for as long as he could remember. If it weren't for his skills as a magi and an enchanter, he probably would have been thrown into the Twisting Nether by now. And it was all because of his eyes, which were green as opposed to the silvery blue normally seen in his people. At least, as far as he could tell, that was the cause. He suspected that there was something more to the situation, but his mother had decided not to enlighten him to the true cause.
At least here, he was not scrutinised. He found himself humming along with K'ure; the Naaru's song always seemed to be able to calm him. Although one could hear the wordless singing of the light-infused being throughout the ship, it was often drowned out by the clatter and clamour of everyday life.
He was disturbed from his meditations by the sound of hooves clattering against the crystal floors, echoing endlessly and drowning out the Naaru's song. Zaruuk groaned and placed his face in his palms; he knew of only one person who would clatter though these abandoned halls at such a speed. Sure enough, when he looked up, he learned his suspicions were correct.
Charging down towards the mage, half naked and with a panicked expression, was another young man of a similar age to Zaruuk. Whereas Zaruuk was quite thin for his species and generally well groomed, this youth was far more broad and muscled, with a scruffy cast to his features. He held a large red cushion to his otherwise naked crotch.
“Zar!” The newcomer cried out as he reached the sitting mage. “You need to help me!”
“No.” Zaruuk responded, folding his arms across his chest. “I have to bail you out every single time this happens. I am placing my hoof down here.”
“Come ooooooon.” The muscled youth's voice took on a pleading tone. “Yanat is hounding for my blood, you have to help me out here!”
“Well then, perhaps you should have thought before bedding his daughter. Really Thren. This is, what, the third time you've had an angry Vindicator on your heels?”
“Fourth if you include Kyali when I stole her sword.” Threnaad grinned.
“Prophet Velen need not worry about the population of our people with you around.” Zaruuk smirked, trying not to get sucked in by his friend's jovial nature.
Threnaad had been his friend for as long as Zaruuk could remember. Hell, the two of them were practically brothers by all but blood. Threnaad had also been getting into trouble for as long as he could remember, often dragging Zaruuk along for the ride. It had only gotten worse as the warrior had grown older and had developed a certain fondness for the fairer sex; an appetite that had only been fuelled thanks to Threnaad's rugged good looks. As a result, he had earned the reputation of being a lady-killer of sorts, a reputation which he has no qualms about maintaining. Zaruuk also suspected that if it hadn't been for Threnaad's remarkable skill with a mace and his tenacity in combat, he too would have been tossed into the Twisting Nether, if only to save any women he had not yet met.
“Hah! You laugh, therefore my plight is valid and you must help me!' Threnaad grinned triumphantly. “Don't force me to remove this cushion.”
“Okay, okay.” Zaruuk finally relented. He stood up and stretched his arms behind his head. “But you owe me big.”
“I swear an oath to you, oh magic wielding one, that so long as I draw breath I shall protect you from stray cushions, fine women and strong liquor.” The warrior raised one hand to his chest in oath.
“Put that down before you loose your grip on your modesty.”
“Modesty? Pah, I have no need of your strange concept of modesty!”
Zaruuk would have retorted, if he had not heard the clatter of more hooves in the distance. “Come on then, oh immodest one. I fear your pursuers are hot on your tail.”
The two draenei clattered off in the opposite direction, their good-natured jibes echoing though the hallways.
~
“Really now, I don't know why I continue to help you Threnaad.” Phyrala said with an amused sigh, placing a pair of cotton pants in front of the warrior.
“You and me both, Mother.” Zaruuk added with a shake of his head and a smirk on his face.
“Oh hush.” Threnaad poked his tongue out. “You do it because you love me.”
“Uh-huh.” Phyrala rolled her eyes. “Go change in the other room. My love only goes so far.”
With an embellished bow and a wink, Threnaad grabbed the pants and moved off into the other room. Mother and son looked at each other as soon as he left.
“One day I'll be turning him from my door you know.” She remarked.
“And on that day, the Prophet will retire and appoint Thren in his place.” Zaruuk retorted. “I don't know if he's ever been denied anything in his life, the charismatic bastard.”
Phyrala chuckled, moving back to her needlework as she waited. “So, how have you been, Zaruuk? I don't see you often these days.”
“Well enough, I suppose.” The mage shrugged. “Laraat has me working hard, as per usual. These days he passes most of his enchanting duties onto me. I barely have enough time to tend to my arcane studies, truth be told.”
“That just shows he trusts you and your powers.” She smiled proudly.
“Hah, or that he's lazy and bored of the more mundane enchanting duties.”
“Now, it's not nice to tease your teacher.” Phyrala chuckled.
“Who said anything about teasing?”
Zaruuk's mother was about to respond to that, but was interrupted by knocking on the wall outside. She stood up to see who it was, before waving the visitor inside.
Zaruuk's heart skipped a beat as he saw who entered, his face flushing ever so slightly. She was a little younger than he, with skin of indigo and hair of molten silver. Twin curved horns sweept backwards from her head. Her form was garbed in shining steel armour, immaculately maintained and perfectly fitted. He looked away from her quickly, not wanting to appear as if he were staring.
“Where is he?” She asked, looking around.
“Other room.” Phyrala responded. “He's getting changed.”
“He'll be needing padding for his arse when I'm done with him.” The young Vindicator responded, stalking off into the room. A garbled cry of pain echoed out from the room. Threnaad and his sister soon emerged, the warrior rubbing at his bottom.
“Happy to see you too, Kyali.” Threnaad said dejectedly, moving to stand next to a wall, hoping that by placing himself close to it he would be protected form future kicks.
“Vindicator Yanat was this close to kicking me out of the order thanks you you!” Kyali spaced her thumb and index finger a centimetre apart for effect.
“Why would he do that?” Thrnaad's questioned. “You had nothing to do with this... Unless-”
“Don't finish that sentence.” Kyali snapped. “As cursed as I am to be your sister, your actions reflect on me, as if I had some sort of magic ability to control you. And you know that Yanat has never liked you. He will take any excuse to get at you, I just happen to be in the way.”
“Sis, you know I'd never attempt to get you in trouble like that.” Threnaad looked away and ran his fingers though his short-cropped silver hair. “I'll see if I can get this sorted out.”
“No need.” Kyali's face turned into a mischievous little grin. “I already sorted something out for you.”
“Oh, I am not filled with confidence about this.” Threnaad groaned as he caught sight of his sister's smile.
“You're to accompany the Vindicators on the next scouting mission.”
“What? Scouting?!” Threnaad's face fell at the news.
I can't wait for more.