Autumnpaw Tribe

Home of the Autumnpaws, Xiao Chun, Vol'raka, Janaret, Venyabi and their family.

[autumnpawtribe]

Vol’raka’s father, Jocamo.  

[autumnpawtribe]

The Bowing Ceremony

The night before the Weddng ceremony. 

It was late evening, the children asleep.  Vol and Ven had taken firewood and built small fire bundles all around the sacred space of the loa garden.  They set up a few small benches around a holy circle.  Flowers were strewn around, Golden Lotus, Talandra’s Rose, Songflower, and Cinderbloom perfuming the shrine.  Strings of multicolored lights were strewn around and giving ambient light that would not come from the setting sun.  It took hours, but Vol, Ven and Aret were finally satisfied with the decoration of the Loa Garden for the night.

The night before their wedding and standing in the Loa Garden, Janaret, Venyabi, Vol’raka and Xiao Chun stood in relaxed clothing.  They wore nothing too fancy, clean kilts in differing colors for the three trolls.  Blue for Aret, Green for Vol’raka, Red for Venyabi, a white yukata with embroidered red flowers for Xiao.  Each troll had their hair loose and combed out causing it to flutter in the light evening breeze.  

Vol’raka had a small plaque with the image of Bwonsamdi, Aret with Krag’wa, Venyabi with Gonk, Xiao Chun with the August Celestials.   They placed them at differing cardinal directions.  Vol at the North, Xiao at the East.  Aret at the west and Ven at the south.  In the middle of the circle, Nielka, wearing the simple, white robes of a priestess of Torcali, adjusted the Star Moss flower crown on her pale hair.  At a chair to the Southwest sat Pahre, her sari in blue and yellow, the southeast, Kit’raka in a dark blue vest and plain brown kilt.  Jack sat at the Northwest, had settled on a purple cloth kilt with an orange stripe near the bottom, Lin, Northeast, was dressed in the dark, but slightly less formal clothing of the Shado Pan 

Vol’raka spoke first, his mates in turn after.  “Today we honor our ancestors, our lost friends, the Loa and spirits that guide us.”

Aret’s deep voice was just above a whisper as he spoke in reverence.  “In our past there was pain and weakness, fear and abuse.”

“Now we seek to have Solidarity, Love, Peace, Hope and Strength.”  Venyabi’s voice had its usual smile in it, but still light and lyrical.

“With the guidance of our Loa, our Celestials, and those we love and call family, we move forward in life with the lessons of our past and our ancestors. It is with those lessons that come blessings, and with those blessings, our happiness.” Xiao Chun spoke out in his gentle androgynous voice with happiness clear in his tone.

Nielka stepped forward and grinned at her brother, and brothers to be.  “Spirits who are served, we thank you.  We bring to you an offering of simple love, of lovers and family.  My brothers all offer love, the rest of us support for their happiness and that of the family they protect.”

“Bwonsamdi, Many sacrifices are given in your name before this day.  We thank you for the boons you have given us.”  Vol knelt to the small plaque to his loa, looking to Janaret.  

“Krag’wa.  We thank you for the strength to endure that which has been a trial for us.  Even as I leave your service to care for our children, I will pass on your wisdom and teachings.”

Venyabi spoke next, his words nearly a song.  “Gonk.  Your children are our lifeblood.  The head of our family, our flock, our tribe, the one you have named Two Heart, and those he calls mates, husbands, and Lok’dim, will protect those that are in our care.  We all thank you for the boons and gifts bestowed on our tribe.

Xiao’s gentle voice spoke out last, his eyes looking toward the night sky. “From Niuzao, we learn to have strength and fortitude to hold our Lok’dims up and support our family. From Xuen, we learn the fervor and ferocity that we so fiercely protect and fight for the ones we love, for the ones we share our life with, as well as the passion with which we love another.” He blushed a little as he said that but carried on nonetheless. “From Yu’lon, we have the wisdom and grace to overcome any challenge put before us, to remember that our love for each other is more important than anything that may come our way. From Chi-Ji, we have the patience and hope to carry on with our goals, our dreams, and our visions for the future that we will so happily all build together. From our four Celestials, we build the foundation of our relationship and our future happiness.”

Vol stood, bowing to Jack, Aret to his mother, Xiao to his father, Ven to his Aunt.  

“We honor you, our parents, those that raised us.  We are here because of you.  Our blood, our strength, through adversity and love, you raised us as best as you could.  We thank you for that service.”  

All four bowed to the middle, thus bowing to the other three parents at once.  They all spoke as one, a chorus of voices in harmony.

“We welcome you, those that are our parents now.  We hope to learn from the wisdom that you have granted our Lok’dim.”

Nielka moved to the middle over the small dish of water, hands out.  “Four spirits seek entry and to be welcomed.”

Xiao turned to the old witchdoctor.  “Who?”

Jack smiled, his eyes closed as he welcomed them to the circle.  “Mei Ling Autumnpaw, Un’lai Shadowson, Naddja and Mah’ouri of the Raptari seek to be welcomed”.  

Vol’raka looked startled, turning to his father in confusion.  The spectre of Mah'ouri smiled as she settled beside Jack and Vol’raka.  Her red-pink eyes looked upon all four as if she were their own mother.  Vol and his loves looked upon her, the ritual scars on her forehead glowing from beyond the grave, her soft blue skin translucent as she watched the proceedings.  Pink and purple hair flowed behind her as she settled down between father and son.  She wore a simple sarong and beads that covered her chest, golden studs in her ears and a gold ring in her septum, a chain connecting that piercing to her ear.  

"You have grown well, my sweet son.  I welcome my new sons.  Venyabi, your father, even in death, is depraved.  Xiao Chun, your mother is a lovely spirit."

The visage of Un’lai cackled as he stood between Venyabi and Kit’raka.  No longer showing as the older, balding male, he had a mane of yellow gold hair and Venyabi’s jovial face and smile.  “You did good, boys.  I think you will make it.  I always did think you appealing in life, Mah’ouri.  Too bad you mated my closest friend.  It is what it is.  I’m sorry we had to lie to you, kid, but we did the best we could.  I gave Jocamo the most I could to raise ya.  Glad to have called you son, so now, I guess I can call you all the same, hmm?”

Finally Mei Ling stepped forward, between Lin and Xiao. “I am so proud of you, my sweet boy. You were always so kind and gentle, I knew in my heart one day you would find love that would be worthy of the warmth of your soul. I am also proud of my husband, to see that he has finally removed his furred little ears from that rounded rump of his.” She said with a bit of side-eye at Lin, though smiling. The older Shado-Pan warrior had the decency to blush a little, offering a small smile but not speaking out of turn. Mei Ling continued, looking back to the four men to be married soon. “I now call you all my sons and watch over you all in turn. I regret that I cannot hold the beautiful children that will come and those that are already in this world, but I am so very grateful to have the privilege of seeing both them, and you, my sweet boy, grow up.”

Naddja smiled as she stood between her mother and brother.  “You chose good and honorable mates.  I have wronged you all, but I know that you raise your children with love.  Thank you for that.”

After the spirits spoke their blessings, Nielka picked up the bowl of water and walked to Janaret first.  “Brother, blessings of Krag’wa and Nuizao upon you.  May they grant you endurance to defend us.”  She moved to each in turn, speaking the blessing as her thumb ran over their brow, cheeks and noses with holy water.  

“Venyabi, blessings of Gonk and Chi’ji upon you.  May they grant you the strength to care for our family.  Xiao Chun, Blessings of Yu’lon upon you.  May the Jade Serpent Guide you to heal the hearts and hurts of our family.  Vol’raka, Blessings of Bwonsamdi and Xuen upon you.  May  they both provide you with the strength to provide and fight for our family.”

The girl smiled, hands over her heart after she placed the bowl back in the center of the circle..  “Peace be upon this, our family, ancestors.  As you four embark on the next journey, we look to you to guide our tribe along the way.  Peace be to you spirits.  We thank you for your guidance and gifts.  May all depart that are called here, in Torcali’s peace.”

[panjya]

I was inspired to draw my good friend Vol'raka and his three children, Zakin, Tarja and Willow! Aren’t they just the cutest? <3

[autumnpawtribe]

Fantastic work and happy to be a good friend to a fantastic person

[autumnpawtribe]

A stupid plan and a secret revealed.

The matriarch of the Autumnpaw tribe knocked softly on the door next to her bedroom.  Her’s was a pale grey, as she had asked.  Jack’s a soft blue, a few shades lighter than his skin.  She was memorizing things now, wanting to make memories as long as she could.  The laughter of her family, adopted and blood alike.  The way Zakin held her hand, and smiled up at her.  She knew he loved his grandmother, they all loved her.  She loved to watch Tarja babble and squeal at her, Nielka ask her questions as she was finally allowed literacy.  Her family loved her, cared for her, and she for them.  She was Muuka and Muuai, Muuge and Muuki.

Mother, Grandmother, Auntie and Sister.  

She knocked again before she heard the click of the door.  The rooms were sound proofed, only the door itself allowing sound.  Her head was lowered in respect as the tall and broad Jocamo stood in the doorway.  Usually this time of day he would be out helping his nephews with training or other things on the farm, but he’d taken the day to himself, not wanting to be out in the rain.  Vol and Venya had decided to take Xiao and the children, Nielka included, to the Shrine and the Vale of Blossoms for the day.  The house held only Pahre and Jack, eerily silent for the packed residence. 

When she looked up, her face met Jack’s with pain and anguish that she could not hide any longer.  He said nothing as he let her in and closed the door.  His hand gestured to the sofa near a window, a soft thing, but he liked to sit and read as he looked out over the fields and mountains that surrounded him.  Pahre did the same, moving to sit and stare out of the window, Jack moving a chair so he could listen, still not saying a word.  

“I want to die.”

He looked surprised, tilting his head as he looked at her.  He waited for her to speak, the woman staring out the picture window that all of the rooms had.  She reached out to touch it, knowing it was not a real window, but magic made.  Her’s was a real window.  It was glass and had a place to sit in it.  She believed the mage had called it a bay window.  It had yellow and green curtains, not very sheer, but not heavy.  Vol’raka had ordered them especially for her, as all the furnishings were what she wanted.  He’d told her to make this her home, a place for her to raise her daughter, her grandchildren, her family.  Only Jack and Nielka’s rooms were their own.  She had been ok with that.  

“Jansevet hurt me, made me bear my children.  They were the only light in the dark void for twenty three years.  I had to nurture them in secret, show them love and affection away from his gaze.  I love my children, but my soul aches.  I have tried herb and magic, prayer and begging to Torcali to ease my burdens.  Jansevet destroyed my ability to love, to be happy.  This place, it is beautiful, my sons, your nephews, they have given me all they can, freedom, love, happiness, joy, grandchildren.  Yet…”  The woman, crying, curled up as if a child, unable to contain her pain any longer.  “Nothing makes me happy, Jocamo.  Nothing I have tried.  I want the pain to stop.  I cannot even fight to see my youngest daughter given to someone as a mate.  I do not have the strength to go on.”  She looked up, tears in her eyes as he stood and sat next to her, bundling her in his arms as she cried like a babe.  He knew she needed it, and he did not say anything.  He let her cry herself to sleep as he held her, wiping her tears as he put her to bed beneath his own covers.  He waited for her to wake, thinking.  His books held little, she had apparently tried everything that they listed to help with melancholy.  He spent the hours that she rested watching her closely, thinking hard about his actions.  He did not do anything halfway, and this would be no different.  She woke when the sun was setting, confused as to why she was in bed, Jack’s bed, and he was watching her so intently.  

“I have thought on your words.”  His voice was a deep rumble, soft and comforting even as she knew the mon was careful with what he said.  “I know your wishes, and I will abide by them.  Your daughter will be of marriageable age in four years.  Sixteen summers.  I will take part of your pain, the physical hurt.  I cannot take the mental, that is something your mind and soul will never let go.  Yet I desire a favor from you.”

Pahre looked at the Loa-bound male as he strode to her, his body moving with a grace that his nephew, Vol’raka also possessed.  “First a secret, then my request.  Vol’raka is not my nephew, he is my son.  He does not know, nor does anyone except Xiao Chun, and now you.  I have no intention of telling him, I am blood bound by my mother to never be the one to tell him.  Because of this, I feel a duty to this little Tribe of Pandaren and Trolls.  I have been seeking a mate, one I will make a move on in the next few weeks, if all falls in place and the time is right. Yet, I do not believe they will want to bear me children.  I will make you a deal.  Four years, four healthy children.  You know my secrets, you know my abilities as druid and those given me by Claw Hunter.  You provide me with what I am wanting, I will speak to Vol'raka about arrangements for Nielka's marriage in four years.”

“I do not love you in the way a husband loves a wife, I cannot.  You are a close friend to me, and that is special in my heart.  That I can give you.  You can raise your children to adulthood and them I will end your suffering."

Loa, he hoped she didn't catch the wording.

"Four healthy children, four years with the pain in my body and I will see my youngest married."

"Then my Loa and I will relieve your suffering."

He let her consider for a bit, eyes looking her up and down.  She was beautiful for a woman with such sadness in her eyes.  She’d begun to eat well, and had some of the light back in her eyes.  Her hair had begun to grow back, full and dark black as her son’s.  Sapphire eyes, he wondered if they would override his own amber.  She was well built, tall, pure blooded Zandalari, and therefore, her magic was strong.  She was also intelligent.  All of these things would be good qualities in their hatchlings.  That was Claw’s take.  Jack didn’t love her, he was honest about it with her, and himself.  He had eyes for another.  She was young enough to have healthy children.  That was what mattered to them.  

“I accept.”  

Jack nodded, giving her a small smile and kiss on the cheek.  “I will come to your bed in the mornings and tend you.  You will want for nothing, in care and anything I can provide to ease the process.”  He had to be clinical about it.  “I am not forcing you to do this.  I know what was done before.  

“I have never felt gentleness in that way, Jocamo.”  She turned red, she’d never really enjoyed any pleasures of the flesh.  They had always been rough experiences with pain and no thought to her wants.  It was simply lay down and bear children.  She accepted that this would be the same cold act, and knew what she was getting into.

“I will make sure your needs are met, Muuka’dim.”

*********************************

“Vol’raka.”

Jack was one of the few allowed into the house where Xiao, Aret, and Ven lived with Vol’raka and their daughter.  He wandered in during a time where they were having a quiet breakfast, the dominant alpha of the tribe welcoming his uncle to sit.  “Pahre is..” “A few weeks along.  She is beginning to experience baby sickness.  I have ordered her teas and Hae will make some crackers to help.”

“Congratulations are in order then.”

“There is one part of my bargain I need your help on.”  Jack picked up a few berries and put them in his mouth, chewing for a little bit.  “You need to find a husband for Nielka.”

“Nope.”  that was all Vol said as he fed Tarja a few bits of eggs.  “I will NOT marry her into someone’s family that She does not love.”

Xiao nearly choked on his food at Vol’s reaction, staying quiet mostly otherwise as he grinned for a few moments before finally speaking up. “Why is there any reason to not just let her find someone she loves?” He asked as he quietly trailed off, seeming to want to say more. After some likely mental prodding from his mate, or perhaps even just anticipating it, he spoke up again. “... How long have you been bedding Pahre? I didn’t see that coming.”

“Two months.  She and I made a bargain to keep her alive.  She has Melancholy.  I believe healers call it depression.  She wanted me to end her life.  Now, she is bound to me for four healthy hatchlings and must live until her youngest is marriageable.”  He waited, hoping the little pandaren would get it, hear the specific language.  “I am not in love with her Xiao Chun.  I do not bed her for enjoyment.  I bed her to grow your little tribe with more children.  It cannot be only you four creating life.  Tribes need offspring, flocks need hatchlings.  My Nephew is the dominant male, but if I can breed children for this family, I will.  Pahre is young enough, and Obviously she brings strong children.”  Aret looked very uncomfortable.  “I am sorry, son, but this needs to be shared.  I am trying to keep your mother alive for as long as I can.”

Xiao furrowed his brow, a few things catching his attention. “First, why can us four not create life? We plan on doing just that. I am going to become a female, Janaret and Vol’raka are going to father my children once we’re married. Venyabi is in the possibilities as well.” He paused a minute before continuing. “Second, if she wants to die, why would she be willing to wait… twenty or so years?” He asked while climbing into Aret’s lap, wrapping his arms around the prelate and engulfing him with fur and cuddles to try and make him feel a bit better; having sensed his discomfort.

“Because I have only...one child and she is long dead.  She died of old age a hundred years ago.  I too want children, but the one I set my eyes on as mate I doubt will bare me any.  So I seek out a female who is able, and this time she is willing.  I think she enjoys the act a bit now.  As for why she will live twenty years, she…"

"Mama won't consider them hers, they will be motherless and Uncle's alone."  Aret looked up at the one who looked so eerily like his own mate.  "You will make her want to be a mother again."

"Yes.  Four years at least has been bought.  That buys time for me to figure out how to make her love life again.  I can take the physical pain from her, the emotional hurt, the pain in her soul, that I cannot heal."

Xiao bit his lip, looking at Jack with uncertainty. “Is it just that you want to raise babies? Or… do you wish for a connection to a child of your blood in general? Also, how does Xath feel about it? We know he is the one you’re after. Venya, Vol, and Aret told me they scented it on him, so you don’t have to be coy about who you are after.”

“I want to raise children and have a connection to them.  I have had a child ripped from me, one who died.”  He didn’t note that those children were different, not just his daughter.  “Xath…  He doesn’t want it, but the deal was made before.  I did what I had to do, Xiao Chun.  They would scent me on YOU too.  Do you have an issue with me seeking to father children again in my life?  You will not give me children because I do not wish to die.”

“Smart, because I would kill you.”  Tarja snatched a piece of mango from her father, stuffing it in her face.  “There is a reason we are going to Kun’lai until I am sure you are pregnant Xiao.  I will kill someone Raptorblood and I might consider a threat.  Namely, Jack and Jura.”

Xiao shook his head. “I don’t have an issue with it, I just… wonder if it’s the raising you want or the connection.” He paused, as if leaving the sentenced unfinished. Jack alone would hear Xiao’s voice in his head. “Jack, if you want a connection to one of your children, Vol’raka is right here…”

He cleared his throat again a little. “Does Xath’s opinion change things at all?” He decided to say to try and fill the silence as to not be suspicious.

“I CANNOT BE THE ONE TO TELL HIM.  We went over this.  I am bound by geas, Xiao Chun.”

In his mind, Xiao would hear the pain that caused him.  Jack bit it back.  “It does, but he has not accepted my offer.  He wants to, but his heart is too hurt.  Patience is a virtue I have.  The Darkspear boy also poses a problem.  And the elf, Coren.  Xath must choose me as his mate before I will put forward the prospect of bearing fully before him.  I will not force anyone to give me what I want.  You go to Vol’raka willingly and with want and love.  I taught all of my nephews and nieces that.”  He didn’t like Naddja for that reason alone.  “I will do what I need to further this family, even if it is something I must.  She is… Cover Aret’s ears…”  

Vol shook his head.  “He’s old enough, he doesn’t need his  eyes closed to this.  Family business that concerns him.”

“Fine.  She is not cold in bed and the baby is conceived.  It is done.  I don’t want to snap a friend’s neck or sic a loa on her.  IF or WHEN Xathaneal accepts, I will hope to all Loa and spirits that I, or SOMEONE has rekindled her lust for life.  Until then, she is Muuka’dim.  I will guard her life, for she carries my daughter.”

Xiao winced a bit, shaking his head before just blurting it. “Jack, if you want more children, by all means. If you want the experience of raising a child from birth, then have at it. If what you crave is just a connection to a child of your blood?” He looked to Vol now. “Vol’raka, my Lok’dim, I am sorry for not speaking up sooner. I didn’t know how, but the opportunity has presented itself. Jack is not your uncle. He is your father… Jack, if you want blood, you have blood right here” He bit his lip nervously now, staring up at Vol, letting his lover have time to react.

“Funny, Xiao.  He’s my mother’s brother.  They have the same coloring.”  Vol snorted, giving his daughter a banana and what Hae called a graham cracker.  “I look like that old cow unfortunately.”

“He’s.. He’s not joking.”  It was Venya who put down his chopsticks, looking at his, well.. Cousin it seemed.  “We… I didn’t remember until a few weeks ago.  You, Kit brought you, with Jack.”

Vol looked between Xiao and Venya, then at Jack.  He stood quietly, gave Tarja a kiss and walked to the one who had kept secrets from him his whole life.  Then he decked him with a right hook that stunned the older male and broke his nose.  With that he walked out the door as silent as he could.  Once he was outside, everyone could hear Raptorblood call out, sorrow filling his bellow and the air as he ran, his trail heading to the forests that he regularly hunted.

“Fuck.”  Ven sighed, looking at Jack and the rest.  He cringed, feeling the anger that was suddenly closed off from all of them.  “That could have gone better.”

Xiao gasped when Vol threw the punch, standing up to go after him only to see his mate go running off into the woods. He sighed and went back upstairs in silence. His gaze never left the floor, sadness overwhelming him and flowing into the link as he now silently sat on the bed and just stared at the floor with a blank look of utter sorrow and guilt.

“Xiao…”

Jack and Venya came up, Ven holding the door for Jack before closing it silently.  Jack sat in a chair far away as Ven moved to hold the pandaren in his lap.  “Talk to me?  Us.  Aret took Honor and Valor to find him.”

“He is angry at me.  Not you.”  Jack had fixed his nose, the skin still bruised.  “My son has a mean punch though.”

Xiao curled into Venya’s lap, going limp as he whimpered quietly. “I was the one who told him… he doesn’t like secrets… but look what happened when I told him.” His voice was cracked with pain and emotion, his words barely above a whisper as he couldn’t dare to look up at either of them.

“He’ll forgive you.  He’ll forgive Jack.” 

Ven curled around Xiao’s body as Jack spoke, his voice sad.  “I am no longer bound by geas.  I can talk to him, tell him things now.  You broke that.  You let me talk to him.”  Jacks head dropped and Ven turned his head up in shock.  “I can tell him..”

*”He’s crying.  Jack can cry?”*

Xiao looked up at Jack finally, nervous and sad at the same time. “So… you are glad I told him? Was breaking it good? I just… I couldn’t keep it from him anymore.” He whimpered, clinging to Venya a bit tighter now as he buried his face in that red hair, pulling it free if he had to.

Jack looked up, a smile he usually reserved for Xath on his face and relief in his eyes.  “This is a greater gift to me than you can ever fathom.  I was surprised you didn’t weeks ago.”  Jack smiled, tears still on his face.  “He is my son.  I can tell him so many things.  I can beg his forgiveness for not being able to stop my sister from trying to kill him, enduring so many things he was forced to tolerate.  I can call him my son in truth…”

“If I don’t kick your ass for it first!”  Aret was holding Vol around the middle, keeping him from running into the room in a fit of rage.  “YOU could have stopped her.  YOU could have saved me when she kicked me out at fifteen.  YOU could have told SOMEONE else.  YOU COULD HAVE NOT LIED TO ME FOR TWENTY FIVE FUCKING YEARS!”  

Jack stood in as much anger as Vol’raka, father versus son making Ven cower a little.  “MY BITCH MOTHER TOOK YOU FROM ME WHEN YOU WERE MINUTES OLD.  I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO NAME YOU!”  Jack didn’t back down either as his mind put off the aura of pain.  “I did not want to give you up, We begged her to let us at least see you grow up.”

Xiao looked a bit relieved at Jack’s words, the man’s smile seeming to make his sadness ease ever so slightly. However, when Vol came in, his eyes widened at the scene unfolding. “Ohhh Celestials…” He murmured under his breath as he sat in Venya’s lap, peering out at the situation. This was not his fight, plus he had a Venyabi to comfort since he could feel the man reeling back. He moved to sit behind Venya now and wrap his arms and legs around him, peeking out from under his arm to watch the scene unfold while he ‘protected’ his mate with his touch.

“Is that why she shoved Raptorblood into my soul…”

“Your Loa is Claw’s son as you are mine.  She thought it was funny.”  

Vol stood, shaking as Aret held him back, calming down strangely quickly.  “I’ll be fine Arie.”  The Prelate believed him, letting the hunter go.  As soon as he was loose, Vol’s fist wanded right through a wall, slamming every ounce of his strength into the punch.  Aret stood in shock, Venya and Jack staring at the hole as Vol pulled back a bloody hand. 

“NOW I feel better.”

Jack watched his son walk away into the bathing room, jaw dropped as he turned to the hole in the wall.  “He inherited his temper from his mother.”

“You are going to tell me about her, you are going to tell me why you could not raise me alone.”  He moved to sit with his mates, making Aret kneel on the floor next to bed as Vol finger brushed his submissive’s hair.  “Go get your brush.”  He looked up at the elder, waiting as Aret came back, kneeling with a brush in hand.  The repeated motion would soothe them both.  

Xiao just watched in silence, biting his lip as Vol punched the wall. He moved in after his mate in the bathroom, letting him clean up and then come back out. Even still he followed, waiting for him to sit before reaching for his hand. “Let me heal it, please?” He asked quietly, wanting to feel useful in the situation he’d created.

“Her name was Mah’ouri.  Her skin had a soft, light blue tone, red-pink eyes.  I always told her they were the color of flowers.  She had ritual scarring over her forehead, hair always long and loose, a bright pink and purple color, not unlike your grandmother when she was younger.   She was a healer of some skill, tall and willowy looking even as she transformed into a tree.  She was only near twenty herself.  She was stubborn and had a temper, but steady.  If Mah’ouri knew you needed help, she would help you.  She had honor in her heart, a fire in her belly and she was an unmistakable beauty.  She was sought after by many a troll that lived in Zuldazar.  That's where I met her.  She was pure Zandalari, was who drew me to serve Gonk.  Loa, I loved her.  I fought for her love, so many chased her.  We wanted so many children.  She was SO happy when she knew she and I were going to have a son.  She felt it would be nice to name you after her father.  Volrak.  She wasn't allowed to choose, but I gave in to her.”

"She died from blood loss and they could not bring her back.  Her body was too wounded.  They tell me she gave you a kiss on the nose, and that was it."

Jack's head dropped as he sat in the chair again.  "I got to hold you for a few moments before she took you from my arms and told me that you needed a mother, I would not be allowed to keep you with me.  I begged her to let Un'lai and Dali raise you.  She would be able to feed you and Un'lai would protect you.  He was my greatest friend.  I could trust him.  I fought.  I fought her as hard as Claw and I could.  It wasn't enough and I failed you.  I still got to watch you grow, as much as I could.  I wanted to run away with you, but she sent Nazui and Kit to make sure I handed you over.  Nazui was the real watchdog.  Kit told me that she would be a second mother.  She'd keep you safe from harm as long as she could.  I owe that woman my life for protecting yours.  Venyabi, you saw me bring him, and you were not meant to see.  The tiger is out of the forest now.  You may never forgive me.  I never forgave my mother, and I still am not sure I forgive myself.  Xiao is right, I have wanted to have a connection to you, to tell you.  I wanted to be grandfather the day Tarja was named, father the day you were.  I.. I made that rattle for you.  When she killed Raptorblood for his soul, I found his body.  I let nothing of his life go to waste.  That rattle is bone of your Loa, his feathers, his hide.  The others, I have put with your mother's ashes.  The hide, makes up the ritual clothes I gave you years ago.  The beads, his bones.  Claw took care of the flesh.  It killed us, but we did what we thought was best.  I'm sorry, my son."  He covered his face, head between his knees.  "I can call you my son.. please..  don't take that from me."

Vol listened, a hand in Xiao’s lap to listen before brushing Aret’s hair.

Xiao gently clasped his love’s hand and began to heal it; mists coating the wound and slowly mending the flesh back together. By the time Jack finished talking, Vol’s hand would only have some slightly discolored flesh where the swelling and broken skin once was. He looked to Vol as Jack finished, letting his love speak first, just offering what support he could through touch.

“Cousin..”

“Brother.  You are my mate and my brother.  That won’t change.”  Vol turned to Venyabi and put his forehead on his love’s forehead.  “My first, my brother, my mate.  Same as Aret will always be my boy, and Xiao my heart and the one who I lived for.”  He turned to Jack, his face full of sadness.  “It will take me time to call you father.  To truly call you father.  It will take me time to get over the lies.  I forgive you.  Mama Azu.. fucked her family over for her own ends.  I guess we will find out more?”

“None that I know.  You are loa-bound, like father like son.  That old bitch is probably laughing her ass off.”  

Vol moved Aret to sit in front of Xiao, the prelate holding his Little Master’s leg in comfort.  The younger knelt quietly, forehead to forehead to his sire.  “You taught me to dance, to bead, to pray to my loa.  Things fath… Un’lai said he had no time for because of his loa.  He gave you those things.”

“When Handali was not looking and my mother was nowhere near.  He had compassion and gave me everything he could.”

Xiao reached down to gently rest his hands in Aret’s hair, now playing with it gently as Vol had been. He murmured to him in whispered Pandaren. “I love you, my Ba’la… we will be alright.” He soothed him as he let the others speak, moving to wrap his arms around the large prelate since Vol went to go be with Jack.

Vol inhaled softly, eyes closed.  “Then it is your right to perform the ceremony in September.”

Xiao’s eyes lit up a bit, smiling at Vol’s words. “Lok’dim…” He murmured, such pride in his voice.

“Jack can perform both ceremonies.  The ceremony of commitment and the one of marriages…“  Vol stopped, smiling  as he held his head to Jack’s.  “My father can perform our marriage.”

Xiao grinned now, actually bouncing once or twice in excitement. “I know longer feel guilty for saying anything.”

Vol stood, moving to sit next to his mates.  “No need to feel guilty, my little love.  Other than next time, tell me sooner?”  He pressed his forehead to Xiao’s, then Venya and Aret.  “I love you, all three.”  His face turned to Jack, to his father.  They both just nodded.  They didn’t need to say words.  “Aret, seems we will share a baby sister.”

Xiao blushed a little through his cheeks, nuzzling against Vol’s forehead. “I wanted to, I just… I didn’t know how. I was afraid of how you would react. I knew I needed to, I wanted to. I simply could not think of a good time until this one presented itself.”

“It happened when it needed to.”  Jack smiled.  “I have picked her name.  If she lives.  I have not told Xathaneal yet what her name will be, nor that she is a girl.”  His face went back to serious.  “I fear he will not want to raise any other children, other than his own.”  Jack sighed.  “It is done.  It keeps her alive.”

Aret smiled sadly at that, Jack kneeling down to him and putting his hand on Aret’s shoulder.  “Your mother is a good woman, sweet and caring.  Your father hurt her soul.  I want her to live, as we are friends.  Perhaps, one day, she will find love again, Maybe I can get her to understand that loving does not mean hurt and violence.”

Xiao decided to stay quiet about the Xath stuff. He didn’t know the man that well, so he decided not to speak out of turn. However, when the conversation returned to Pahre he voiced his thoughts. “Is there really nothing we can do? I thought… hoped that being with a loving family, around her grandchildren, that it would be enough.”

“Sometimes the pain is overwhelming, Little Love.”  Vol kissed Xiao’s nose.  “From experience.  Sometimes it can be helped, sometimes…  it burns too deep.”  

Ven and reet nodded as they listened.  Jack smiled, standing up.  “He and I will talk.  In time.  He shares my bed now.  I am patient.  I am going to speak to an old friend in a few days to see if she knows how to help.  Iraia knows things.”

“Take her invitation with you?”  Vol kissed Venya’s head on the temple, Aret getting antsy for kisses too.  “Ok, Arie…”  The prelate was happy once he got a kiss on the forehead.  “My little family needs a little time.  Is Tarja in her room?”  Aret nodded.  “Go get her out of baby jail.  We have things to discuss.”  

[autumnpawtribe]

Secretkeeper

After Xiao took Jura as a lover, and I was apparently outed as some loa-bound thing, my Uncle Jack decided his curiosity was piqued as well.  

***************************************

He needed something to do.

Jack had started working with the raptors.  He had an affinity too, due to his curse, or blessing.  He, at least, was one with Claw Hunter.  His aspect was old, and it kept him moderately young, sharing his body with a loa.  Someone his age, should have been dead by then.  He'd survived.  Kept his strength, speed, maybe not his looks, but he figured even with silver in his hair, he was still a looker.

His...  Nephew. He was his nephew...  Vol’raka was going to find him some work around the farm, that was not just helping him control his own aspect. Until then, he decided to just enjoy being carefree a bit. So he took time to skinny dip.  No one paid attention to the trolls that ran around in the nude.  It was often enough that no one paid attention, even if the old Mon was laid out and sunning himself with his legs wide.

Xiao had grown accustomed in his time at home to spend more afternoons at the waterfall. He'd taken off from teaching more, working much fewer hours with the lack of need for gold due to their investments. It was around this time he headed over to the waterfall wearing a simple light blue kimono with dark navy lining with little cloud designs on it. He hadn't expected to come upon Jack, already halfway pulling his kimono off and flashing the poor man a bit as Xiao was about to step into the water when he noticed him.

The poor Pandaren let out a loud squeak and quite literally jumped like a spooked cat, tugging his kimono shut and turning crimson beneath the white fur of his cheeks as he averted his gaze down toward the ground. "O-Oh Celestials, Jack, I-... I'm sorry, I did not realize you were out here." He said sheepishly, his tail nervously wrapped around one leg.

Jack turned his head at Xiao's words, opening his eyes and nodding.  "It is fine little one.  You have nothing to hide.". He closed his eyes again, face up to the sky. "You have things I have not seen, but no need to hide it.  It must be interesting to see if it keeps my nephews and Janaret happy, hmm?".  Jack went silent again, having said more than usual to the Pandaren.

Xiao was still blushing like mad, but hearing Jack talk so much was unexpected... and his words made him smile sheepishly. "W-Well... erhrm...." He cleared his throat, trying to get rid of his nervous stutter. "They tell me they like it, so...?" He bit his lip and let out a nervous little chuckle, looking around for a moment.

"I ah... I can leave you to your rest, I will come back later."

"And what is it they like?". He was quiet, but turned with curious eyes.  Every single feature was reminiscent of Vol'raka.  The face had a few more wrinkles, and their tusks were slightly different.   The rest was if an older souled version of the pandarens mate gazed at him in all of his naked glory.  "Stay.". The word had the same power and tone behind it that Vol gave, to an almost eerie degree.

Xiao shivered and immediately felt heat rush to his cheeks. That one word reminded him of the power, the command, and just how reminiscent of his love it was. He slowly turned back around.  Luckily his body wasn’t reacting yet so hopefully there'd be nothing for Jack to hear.

He bit his lip lightly. "I... think one of the more common ones is the noises I make. Apparently my inadvertent squeaks are... enticing." He was still blushing, inching closer to the water now before finally sitting down at the water's edge and bringing his knees up a bit while making sure to keep his kimono closed; thus effectively hiding any tent entirely now due to strategic leg positioning.

"Prey drive,..". He inhaled, smirking.  "And a mate in heat.  Jura didn't lie."  The old Mon stared up at the waterfall, silent for a while.  He spoke evenly as he turned his head to Xiao, almost studying him with not quite a predator's gaze, curious, but not the look both he and Vol had when they went to hunt.  For a moment he smiled, nodding. "The Pandaren who takes the wild ones.  Should take that as a title, Wildtamer, five trolls at your whim."

Xiao's eyes widened a bit as Jack inhaled and mentioned the mate in heat. "I-... sorry, I didn't think you would... be able to smell it." He blushed deeply again, biting his lower lip. "You sound like Vol, look like Vol, that... dominant tone..." He bit back a whimper, trying to contain himself.

After a few moments, something dawned on him, his gaze raising up from the waters. "Wait, five?" He looked up and away as he counted, muttering to himself as he raised a finger for each. "Vol, Venyabi, Aret, Jura..." He furrowed his brows now. "Who is the fifth?" He asked curiously.

"We have stronger noses than most.  The aspects, our Loa,  make it even more. That is why Jura, Vol'raka and I can smell it from a mile away.  And a son should occasionally look and act like their father, hmm?". 

Jack took the opportunity to slide into the water, sliding from troll to shark in a bare instant, before coming back out, wet and letting the cool of the water save him from the heat of the day as he stood.

"The fifth, well...  That would be me."

Xiao was sitting at the water's edge still, just staring at Jack as he spoke and then inched toward him. Being closer, he'd be able to smell Xiao's scent much more as he had started to leak as Jack grew closer. It took him a moment to process, simply because he was so flustered, but then it hit him.

"I... have you at my whim?" Then he blinked and went wide-eyed. "Wait, father and son?!"

Jack just grinned.  "Yes on both counts.". He trudged through the shallows standing in front of Xiao, silently looking down and studying him.  Now the obvious similarities were evident.  Height, build... other physical attributes.  Everything seemed an older version of his mate.  "Vol'raka is not my nephew as Venyabi or Jura are.  And no, we have never told him, nor can I."

"As far as at your whim...  That depends on if you are willing to satisfy an old mon's curiosity."

Xiao swallowed hard as he came closer, his eyes trailing over his form and drinking him in without any subtlety as he blushed still. "Why... don't you plan to tell him?" He asked quietly before speaking in a near whisper. "What... are you curious about?"

"What good would it do to tell him?  I am bound by magic to never tell.". 

The shifter smiled, moving to slide over Xiao's form, pressing his lips to the pandaren's hotly.  His kiss was as fierce, demanding as Vol's, his weight laid on top of Xiao's chest, hands interlacing with furred ones.  He pulled away to whisper against the monk's lips.  "I am curious about everything, from your mouth to your body."

Xiao was about to open his mouth to speak when Jack slid up over him and kissed him hotly. His breath caught and he moaned quietly, freezing beneath him as he began to leak furiously. "J-... Jack..." He whispered breathlessly, closing his eyes as he gave into temptation and pressed his lips to Jack's again before murmuring against his. "Have you talked to Vol about... this?"

"About what...?"  Jack’s hands ran down Xiao's neck, down his chest and over his hips.  His lips moved to press hard against Xiao's, his breathing speeding up as he pulled a bit away.  “Say yes.....”

Xiao's kimono fell open as Jack went exploring. He reached his arms up around Jack, pulling him down on top of him as he let his body press against Jack's bare form in response. "Celestials..." He begged, moaning again quietly. but still not answering yet.

His voice hurriedly came over to Vol through their link. "Vol... Lok'dim..." He whined, need and desperation so clear in his tone.

"He's tending Tarja, she's whiny.". 

Aret was the one who spoke up, the scent of Mon'dazi filling what senses Xiao had, the Prelate happy and humming.

"That doesn't mean I don't have time for my Pandaren beauty.  Having fun at the water....  Did Jura come visit?".  He could sense but not smell his mate, but Raptorblood growled softly in his mind.  Aret even turned his head as he heard it.  Someone hadn't asked first...

Xiao gave a whimper through the link. "Not Jura... I was going to ask, it just... happened so fast." He tried to keep the want in his voice to a minimum, but it was so clear that he was wound up incredibly tight. "Vol, I... mnh... remember... who I have been eyeing? Since the ritual?" He asked nervously now.

"You keep staring at Jack like he's food...". There was a chuckle from all three trolls, Venya apparently listening too.  "And he has stared at you like prey..  Better get off before I get there.  Means you'll be nice and relaxed.". He cut the other two off.  "Remember, my love...  That body that heart is mine.   You may have lovers, but. I own you, care for you, want to lay with you until I die.  When you get home...  I am going to make sure his scent is gone and mine comes from your very core."

Xiao merely moaned in response and gratitude, sending his love and affection to Vol when it was just the two of the min the link. "Always yours first, Lok'dim.. it's because of... how much he's like you... it's intoxicating. Like seeing my love in fifty years..." He whimpered quietly. "Do you want to watch?" He asked before giving in.

***************************

He breathed out a single word to Jack, begging, breathless, pleading as he arched his back slightly. "Yes..." 

[autumnpawtribe]

For Family, Friends and the like.  By Lowenthal

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - Understanding

Xiao paled and slowly smiled, a tear running down his cheek. “... Venya, go put those back before he wakes up and sees us with those.” He sighed lightly and looked over at him. “He is so perfect…” He stared with love in his eyes for several moments before finally reaching for the water pipe. He found a small rune on the side and smiled as he activated it; the entire glass piece fogging up as if the inside surface was coated in a thin layer of ice. As it frosted, a small magical bubbling was heard as water was conjured inside of it to the appropriate height. 

“Tal was right, this really is incredibly convenient.” He reached for the box of Tal’s herb, not wanting to see anymore spirits for a WHILE. “... I have only done this once or twice, I forgot how exactly to... “ He trailed off before finally beginning to lightly pour some of the ground herb in until it was sufficiently packed. It was really only halfway full, Xiao not tapping it down or anything, but it was enough for him either way. He bit his bottom lip, finding himself nervous for a moment before biting the bullet. He reached for the lighter and held it to the herb, slowly inhaling an incredibly small hit. He puffed to cherry the bowl, inhaling the smoke, and holding it.

The face Xiao made was quite hilarious, his eyes bulging, his hand coming up to his chest, and his nose twitching as if it tickled. He sputtered out a small puff of smoke and tried not to cough, instead wheezing lightly before doing something they’d likely never seen before. The Pandaren’s face scrunched up, his whole body tensed, and a gasping squeak escaped him as his entire body flinched with the sneeze that overtook him. He also sneezed out a little smoke in the process, coughing lightly after.

“Fa… Vol’raka just .. shotguns it to me.  I don’t get the pipe.”  Aret held Xiao close, Venya grabbing Tarja away from both.  “Oh…”

“No Tarjas around Papa’s smoke.”  The girl was cuddly and asleep, rubbing her face on Venya’s chest as he sat in a chair.  “Those were not cheap rings…”  Ven smiled as he let Tarja get deeper into sleep before taking her to her own room.  “We need to do something for him.  Not just..  What’s he call them?  Mouth presents?”

Xiao blushed a bit. “Sorry, I did not even think about Tarja. I forget about all of the restrictions.” He said sheepishly, taking another hit now that she was further away. As if taking Aret’s hint, he took a slightly bigger hit and then pressed his lips up to the prelate’s mouth and exhaling so he could share in the smoke with him. He wrapped his arms around him for support after that bigger hit making him practically go limp and elicited a small ‘Whoaa…’ as he hung onto the large Zandalari.

“Mouth presents… yes, mouth presents. I want to give him mouth presents…” He murmured, licking his lips lightly. “Sorry, this… wow…” He smiled tiredly and looked at the food now. “Venyabiii… I… uhm.. .who cooks? Who made the… things of good taste?” This was Tal’s herb, after all, so it hit Xiao like a damned freight train. It was rather adorable.

Venya was the reasonable one right then, shaking his head as Tarja sucked her thumb.  “No mouth presents today.  Are you saying you want dinner?  It sounds like you want dinner.”  Venya was hiding his smile, because this was funny.  “Or are you talking about something else?”  

Xiao made a little ‘Mmh!’ noise much like Tarja might when she wanted something. “Yes, who made… the eating things. Can I have… uhm… more? Fresh?” He bit his bottom lip. “Dumplings… I… craving dumplings…” He paused to gasp. “Ooh! Jasmine rice...  oh and rice pudding!” He wiggled a bit. “Melons…!” At least he was going to be eating now… and perhaps now his plan would become clear, that was why he wanted the herb, to help ease him into eating again.

“Xiao…  Next time you get stoned off your ass, I’m setting up that recording thing Vol has.  Entertaining.”  He stood, shaking his head and heading to the door.  “Come downstairs in a little bit.  Aret…”  

The Paladin stopped moving his hand down the front of Xiao’s shirt, looking like the kid with his hand in the cookie jar.  He blushed, pulling his hands away and putting them behind his back.  “Master Vol’raka likes it.”

“Master Vol’raka likes it and is hurt.  Master Xiao is stoned out of his gourd.  No fucking in that bed until He..”  his head nodded to Xiao.  “Eats a decent meal.  AND…”  He nodded to Vol.  “he is well enough that moving the bed won’t cause him unwanted pain.”

Xiao let out a little noise of want as Aret let his hand wander down his front, blushing as Venyabi caught them even though he wasn’t hiding. “Mmh… eat and then... “ He glanced over at Vol. “I don’t want to leave him, but…” He trailed off, biting his lower lip. “I think he will be okay for a little bit... “ He said as he slowly stood and hung onto Aret for balance. He tried to walk and stumbled, giggling a bit. “Whoa… the floor is moving. Or… I am moving. They’re both moving!” He finally said resolutely. It may be better if he was carried.

“Torcali help me, I am nursemaid to the injured, the horny and the inebriated.  Stand riiiight there until I put her to bed.  Don’t go downstairs.  Bouncy ass is great, but yer higher than a drunken pterrodax.  Arie…  DON’T let him go anywhere or Wake Vol up.  And …”  he walked out of the room still speaking.  “Hands to yourself.”

Xiao just made a quiet mewling noise and looked over with want at Vol. He knew he couldn’t have him, but he did have a gorgeous burly Zandalari holding him up. “You… are beautiful…” He murmured to Aret with a love-drunk grin. Without any restraint, he leaned in and began to nibble and toy with Aret’s exposed nipple, tonguing it playfully. Perhaps it was just something about Tal’s strains of herb in particular that made people so erotically charged, but whatever it was it had Xiao making happy little noises as he chewed on his new toy. That, or he really was just THAT hungry and didn’t want to wait to go downstairs. Given that his bites and nibbles weren’t that forceful, it was likely not the later… yet.

Venya came back out, staring at Aret now.  The prelate had a mildly chastised look on his face.  He was not going to deny that he was unlacing his pants and slowly guiding Xiao's head down.  

"Janaret..."

"He licked me first!"

"Maybe because you were trying to put your hand down his pants."  The smaller of the Darkspears moved to grab Xiao around the waist and huffed.  "Food.  If you are too weak to eat, you are too weak to fuck."

Xiao squeaked and blushed, whining in dissent as Venyabi hooked him around the waist and made him tottle off. He reached over for Aret’s hand, tugging him along with him.”I get Zandalari treats after I eat my other snacks…” He murmured in an adorably petulant manor, clinging to Venya for balance, the man practically limp against the poor Darkspear. It seemed he was on cat herding duty today. Well, Pandaren herding.

“Sex Loa…”  Venya did think it was funny, but he’d heard Vol’s order, even if Xiao hadn’t given it to the pandaren, but to his brother-mate. 

‘Make him eat.’

He placed Xiao next to the window, the chair one that they used to corral Zakin when he wanted to not be at the table anymore.  He hoped it would keep Xiao in one spot.  Aret came back down, the prelate adjusting himself as he sat next to Xiao, sitting on his hands.  “Melon?”

“Yer cute when you know you just got busted.”  

Xiao sat down as instructed, squirming a bit as he looked around and waited for food. Then Aret mentioned melons. “Melon?” He asked excitedly, then frowned. “Wait, not melon, mango. Can you bring one of uhm…” He paused, his face blanking. “Uhm......” The word drew out, his brows furrowing as he failed to think of a name. He whimpered lightly. “The sexy furry one with…” He cleared his throat, blushing as he did. “The thing that… makes certain things a lot more intimate… because of… uhm… limited movement?” He bit his bottom lip, swaying a bit where he sat. “Can you bring me one of the things he gives me?” Time to figure out if they could decipher stoner Xiao.

“If you want mango I will send Arie out to get it.  If you want Jura’s furry balls, no.”  

Aret just started laughing, getting up and giving Xiao and Venya kisses on the lips.  “I’ll get some mango.”

“Make sure you don’t bring back troll cockflesh, Xiao will try to eat it.”  He shook his head a bit, moving to grab the dumplings they kept ready in the cold box.  “Horny lil fuck.  How can you be .. Have so much sexual desire in such a little package.  How did he keep up with you before…”

Xiao giggled a little before responding. “... Both?” Did he just ask for mangos and Jura’s balls? Yes, yes he did. He blushed still, but had less shame than normal. When Venya spoke of him being horny and having so much desire, he just wiggled where he sat. “I was… ah… word for not… taking things into any of my holes. Sell… selling bait? Cel… CELIBATE!” He nearly shouted in triumph as he thought of the word. “Yes, cell-ih-bit… for most of my life. Now… I am surrounded by… mnhh… all of you… so yummy, it is like… a fantasy so extreme I could never even… begin to fantasize. Now I have you in my bed every night, all of you. I would have to have a broken dingly dangly thing  for it to not be constantly hard or leaking for one if not all of you.”

“Xiao…  do you usually get this horny when you smoke, or do you smoke so little that this is what happens?”  he shook his head, moving to fry up the potstickers.  “Did..  did you just call your...  You did.” There were words in Zandali that were too fast for Xiao to hear as Venya took to cooking.  “Mangos.  Dumplings, do you want rice or anything else..  That is not between either your mates’ or lover’s legs!”

Xiao would have had trouble understanding normal speed Zandali right then, so he definitely didn’t catch whatever Venya muttered. “I… do not know. I have smoked Tal uhm…” He immediately stopped to guffaw and giggle. “Well I have smoked Tal a lot of times, hee hee hee…” He giggled happily, swaying where he sat. “I have only smoked Tal’s herb… one other time I think. It was only one hit… I took… three? Yes, three, and one big one too!” He suddenly began to open and shut his mouth, his tongue flapping unnaturally.

“Mh… my tongue feelth weird… feels… weird.” He stuck his tongue out and grabbed it with his fingers. “Ith tho thry!” He whimpered and sucked his tongue back in, trying to wet it and only half succeeding. 

“I have only smoked… three times every- ever… maybe four. S’... Mh… not often. I thought it would help with the… chewing of the yummy things so I don’t go to sleep standing up.” He paused again, flailing his tongue in his mouth a few more times. “Mango… dumplings… jasmine rice… rice pudding…”  He gasped. “Ooh, what… Areeeeeet!” He whined for the prelate. “What were those yummy things you made for me and Vol in Zandalar? It was… deep fried? Sweet? One had meat in it too… it was so good! Oh Celestials I want the Zandalar thingies so bad…!”

“Mon’dazi?”  Aret came back in with four big mangos, confused.  “I can make mon’dazi.  Xiao, are you ok?”

“Get him water.  He’s higher than the damn pyramid.”  Ven set about getting Xiao what he wanted, their lunch interrupted before.  “I’ll peel these, make some mon’dazi after he gets water.”  

The two set about cooking as Jura and Tsal wandered in, Jura kissing Xiao on the nose before being yelled at by Venya.  “No, he’s high and horny and Vol told him to eat.  He hasn’t eaten anything real since the ritual.  “No food in your belly, no sex.  I might not be the high and mighty dominant male in this house, but You, little monk are not in a position to do anything.  Aret was giving in.  Someone has to say no..  JURA!”

The druid put his hands up.  “He’s my lover, too.”

“He’s my mate, your brother’s mate and has not had more than broth and a piece of chicken in three days.  Hands off his ass and help Arie make mon’dazi.”

Tsal just sat, laughing at one end of the table.  “I should come visit more often.”

Xiao took the water and drank the entire glass in one go, letting out a heavy gasping sigh of relief and grinning. Then Jura came in. Oh sweet sexy Jura. He licked his lips and leaned up to wrap his arms around Jura’s neck and deepen the kiss up until he squeaked in surprise at Venya’s yelling. He blushed, yet he didn’t seem to be /TOO/ put off as he tried to reach out rather blatantly for Jura’s bulge, trying to grope him through his pants before Venya scared him away. “C’mere I wanna be ‘knotty’...” He said before giggling and grinning like a fool, so proud of himself.

“Jura.  Move.”  The druid put his hands up and moved next to Tsal, the ‘blue tauren’ shaking his head.  

“This.. This is why I didn’t sleep with any of you three crazies.”  Tsal shook his head, taking a mango to help Venya peel.  “Not frowned upon, but well.  Are all pandaren this constantly in a state of heat?  Is that why Raptorblood likes him?”

“Probably, but he’s Vol’s and…”

“Master Vol let’s Xiao do a lot of things, like play with troll cock flesh!”  Ven slapped his own forehead, letting Aret talk.  “Master Xiao loves sex.  Master Xiao said in his sleep that he wanted to play with Uncle Jack!”

And apparently that was how you got Darkspears to stop talking…..

Xiao was still giggling at his knotty joke when Aret spoke of his want for Jack. He paled and his eyes widened, looking over at Aret like a deer in headlights. His cheeks slooowly turned a crimson under his white fur, but then the Pandaren grinned. 

“He looks like my Lok’dim… just a more mature, rugged version. You are lucky I have not asked Vol to turn me into an inter-generational sammich at this point!”

"Well seeing as Jack is not a lover of men.."  Tsal took a knife cutting up mango quietly.  It was Venya who turned to him, confused.

"Yes he is.  I caught him screwing Papa when we were like.. 12."

"Well everyone knew Ma'da wasn't putting out.  Blamed Vol for that."  Jura handed Xiao a dumpling.  "Eat.  Auntie Ikke died, when a man's lonely.."

"Papa joked that Vol was really Jack's since that they looked so much alike."  Venya sat down, waiting for the rice to boil.  "But Ma'da was too much of a frigid bitch for that.  I think Papa got more play from Jack."

Xiao listened as best he could, seeming intrigued but also incredibly distracted as he was handed a dumpling. His usual cute nibbling? That was out the door. He ravaged that dumpling like a rabid starving bear. It was gone incredibly fast, the Pandaren’s stomach rumbling angry. “... Mmh… more?” He asked sweetly, as if to juxtapose the roar of his stomach.

“Annnnd Xiao goes after a dumpling like he goes after cock in the morning.”  Ven handed him three more, piling mango next to it and leaving a glass of water on the table next to him.  “It’s nice to be able to make dirty jokes around these two.”  Ven pointed between his two mates as he got up and rescued the rice.  “One turns more purple, the other more red.”  He dished up bowls of rice for all five of them, leaving a bit in the bottom for Vol when he woke up.  

Aret stuffed a dumpling into his mouth to cover it up.  It didn’t work so he just focused on the mon’dazi.

As if to accentuate Venya’s point, Xiao did indeed turn red under the white fur of his cheeks, though he still smiled. When he was given more dumplings, he gasped and shoved one in his mouth whole and then chewed viciously. By the time Venya had dished up the rice, Xiao’s dumplings were gone and he was halfway through the pile of mango he had been given. He gasped again and squeaked. “Jasmine riiiiiice…!” He wiggled and began to shovel it down with a shocking amount of dexterity for someone who was using chopsticks that seemed to somehow shovel more food than a normal person could with a spoon. 

“Mnhh thoo gooh…!” He murmured with a mouthful as he plowed through his bowl and then frowned as he saw the wooden bottom. He then grinned as he saw the serving bowl with leftovers in it. “Ooh, seconds!” He squeaked as he reached over and devoured the remains of that rice before anyone could even dare to stop him. Between not eating for three days and extreme herbal munchies, the small Pandaren was putting down his weight in food at a startlingly fast pace. Who knew someone half their size could out-eat all of them.

“Loa he’s gonna eat us out of house and hut.”  He slid his own rice to the pandaren and pulled out leftovers from the feast days before.  “Not feeding you that.  Tsal…  You still eating people.” “Gave it up.  Too fatty.” Venyabi poked his nose up and glared.  “Smart ass.”  He pulled out packs of cooked meat that was wrapped in paper for storage.  He put all of them in front of Xiao and put them out like a spread.  “Raptor, yak, goat, chicken, blood troll, frog…  pick two and you will eat the WHOLE package.”

Xiao mowed down on the bowl of rice from Venya now, though his attention was lifted when he saw all the meat. He squeaked a bit and wrinkled his nose at the mentions of blood troll.

“What about my mon’dazi? Ooh and the rice pudding?” He wiggled with anticipation at the idea of the sweet treat and those delicious savory deep fried snacks as well. Yet still, his attention turned back to the things in front of him.

 “... Uhm…” He bit his lip. “I have a weird one... “ He blushed as he thought about it. “I don’t know if Vol has any… or if anyone does…”

Aret waved a spoon around, still covered in flour.  “Almost done it takes a little time!”  

Venya waved his hand to get the horny and high little pandaren’s attention.  “Pick two  I was ordered to make sure you ate.”  He took the pack of blood troll and put it in front of Jura, giving his brother, once lover a kiss on the cheek.  “Finish this.”  He turned to Xiao, confused.  “Any what?”

Xiao giggled at the floury Aret, watching him for a moment before Venya waved at him. “Hm, oh, ah…” He bit his lower lip. “Tal had me meet one of his old friends from… well, old friends. He had a certain meat I never thought I would eat. It was… so juicy and… honestly probably the best meat I had ever tasted.” He blushed before speaking it. “He had dragon meat. Non-sentient races, but… dragon meat. It was so goooooooooood.“

He whined at the memory, feeling guilty for liking the meat of something that could be sentient, not realizing the irony in the fact one of his lovers was just asked to finish the meat of a woman he killed not too long ago.

“IF Vol were here, he could figure it out.  He’s got some really…. OFF contacts.  However.  We do not have dragon, and I am not sure *I* could get you any, sweets.  You’ll have to pick from what we have.”

Oil could be heard frying something as Aret was finishing the mon’dazi and dropping the little balls of dough into the oil.  Ven came up behind him, kissed his shoulder and wandered to grab something else from the cold box.  He started looking for anything he could feed Xiao, picking up a box and inspecting it.  “Noodles from the Inn in Binan?”

”Venya…”

The small darkspear took off like a bolt, taking the stairs two at a time.  “I’m comin’.  Jura!  Make him EAT.”

Xiao nodded understandingly, biting his lower lip and squirming a bit where he sat. When Venyabi scampered off, it gave Xiao an opportunity. Aret was cooking and Jura didn’t know he was being corralled. He was out of food, but there was a sexy Amani man beside him. He went to slink out of his chair and go sit beside Jura, smiling up at him and looking to rest his head on his shoulder. “Hi…” He murmured dreamily, giggling a little as he did.

Jura smiled, putting a hand on Xiao’s.  “Lover, I would be happy to slake your unstated wants.”  He smiled, giving Xiao a kiss between the eyes.  “I promised Vol that I would tell him, before I took you to bed.”  He pulled away a little and smiled.  “I have seen that Raptor fight.  I have had a dagger at my neck.  Let’s not poke the hornet’s nest.  I am sure that your mates can feed your ardeur later.”  

Xiao whined quietly, peering over Jura’s shoulder to look at Tsaal. “... You are very yummy looking, by the way…” He murmured without a filter. “Hey Jura…? Are lap cuddles okay at least?” He asked hopefully, his interest in food waning as he was so desperately touch-starved with Vol unable to even hold him.

“I have a wife.  Unlike my brothers, I prefer women.  I also have two concubines.  Pass, little brother.”  

Jura sighed, nodding.  “No wiggles?”  

Xiao smiled at Tsal, nodding. “I know… still pretty.” He murmured happily before climbing into Jura’s lap, totally not answering his question of no wiggles. He wrapped his arms up around Jura’s neck, legs straddling his waist and wrapped around him, and his face nuzzled into his chest. He took in a deep breath, inhaling his scent, and exhaled with his whole body as he quite visibly relaxed. “Thank you…” He murmured quietly, kissing Jura’s neck ever so tenderly to show his gratitude.

Jura sighed, leaning Xiao back.  “No sweet love.  I won’t be able to stop and I am not going to awaken a predator who is sick”  He turned the pandaren around, sitting him sideways as Venya came back down, carrying the tray of food, the one left on the bed and it was empty.  

“He’s eating and awake.  I think he went back to sleep.  Someone he loves was not taking care of himself.  Did he eat his rice?”

Xiao whimpered as Jura turned him to face sideways but he was distracted from his disappointment when he saw Venya come back. When asked of the rice, he blushed. “Ah… I… that was his rice?” He asked sheepishly now.

“No, he ate what we left up there.  I mean you.”  Venya sat next to Jura and Xiao, Aret finally bringing two plates of Mon’dazi.  “I know you are wanting.  He said you could play with Jura… Later.  When you are sober.  Completely sober.”

There was something in Venya’s face right then, but it disappeared quickly.  He grabbed a mon’dazi, pulled it apart to find a hint of roast chicken and popped it in his mouth.  “Hmm thank  you Arie..”

Xiao normally would’ve caught the look, but he was still in a relaxed cloud. He climbed out of Jura’s lap and into Venyabi’s, deciding to try and sit with him in the same position he did with Jura. Legs and arms wrapped around him, face nuzzling against his chest. Then he remembered he was supposed to eat.

He turned his head, leaned down, fully nommed a Mon’dazi up off of his plate, tilted his head back, aggressive nibbled and chewed the filling treat down his gullet, and then nuzzled his face back into Venya’s neck. He would have both of the things he wanted, damnit.

Jura and Ven just grinned and shook their heads, Venyabi used to seeing and experiencing “Pandaren Leech”.  Xiao would find his arms wrapped around his back, the small darkspear pulling him in for a hug.  “He said to say he loves us all three, and he’s sorry you hurt.  He can’t make you happy right now.”  Venya smiled, poking the stoned pandaren in the nose.  “In time.  He needs to rest.”

Xiao nodded meekly. “I know he loves us. I just want him to be better. I miss the contact. It is why I am leeching… I feel touch-starved.” He murmured quietly, sounding a tad ashamed as he buried his face in Venya’s neck again.

“Well, rely on us huh?”  He let what was bothering him go for right then.  He would deal with it when his brother was well.  “Where is Jack anyway?”

Tsal nodded toward where the other house would be.  “He and Pahre know some of the same people.  A bit of an evening with her, Drash and Bron.  Nielka is there as well.  She seems like a good kid that won't annoy Drash, too much.”

Xiao was slowly starting to sober up after eating all of the food and only taking the three hits. He yawned lightly against Venya’s neck and then reached out to him and him alone on the link.

“Did I do something to upset you? You seem… subdued?” 

He asked tentatively as he peered up at his chin, looking up ‘at’ him without actually making eye-contact as he was too busy getting cuddles.

“We can talk about it later, okay?”  

Venya went back to eating, making small talk with the ones around him.  He let Xiao stay where he was as they all spoke, random matters, chewing the fat really.  It was near midnight when the other two went to the other house and Aret went up to the bedroom.  He heard Vol wake up, the prelate the closest to the stairs.  “I’ll come back for leftovers if he is hungry…”

Xiao remained mostly silent, cuddling on Venyabi and remaining in his lap for some time before migrating to Aret’s. He had several pieces of Mon’dazi before getting his fill, moving back toward Venya’s lap near the end. When they were finally alone, he looked up to the man whose lap he was warming. “Will you talk to me now?” He murmured in a quiet whisper, almost afraid to speak.

“I don’t understand.”  Ven sat looking at Xiao, not cross, but very confused.  “Vol asks that we wait, that if it’s that bad that Aret and I can show you our love later, because he can’t.  I get Jura is your lover, but…”  Ven shook his head.  “I guess to me it makes more sense to go to the one you are in a committed relationship with.  I know Jura is good.. REALLY good in bed.  But.”  He flicked a finger at the earring that sat just behind the bone of his son.  “Mates.  Loves.  Partners.  Your husbands.  I’d hope you’d want us to come to you first too.”

Xiao paled, his ears pinned back as he looked up at him sadly. “Venyabi… I was feeling playful and flirtatious, I gave into it. When I got handsy with Jura? When I was hanging all over him? That wasn’t because I wanted him to bed me. Without Vol, I am… I feel so incomplete. You and Aret mean the world to me, it would be the same if one of you were unable to be held or hold in return. I just feel so… touch-starved. This was the first time I left Vol’s bedside since the ritual to do anything more than go to the bathroom. Every single moment away… it hurt. I had to force myself not to hurt. Being in your arms, it hurts less. Jura’s arms, too. You were upstairs, Aret was cooking. I just did not want to be alone. I wanted someone from my tribe to hold me.” 

He sniffled lightly, his eyes watering a bit as he fought back emotions. “I miss how things were… everything feels like it is spiraling out of control. I just want my loves again. I just wanted comfort, Venyabi… like I do now.” He whimpered and hugging him tighter, hiding his face in the man’s chest now as he tried to remain emotionally stable.

“Xiao.”  Venya sighed, closing his eyes for a bare moment.  “We live in Pandaria.  Yes.  Established.  But you fell in love with and were chosen by trolls.  You accepted them into your life.  We are chaos.  Our family is made up of blood magic bearing witches and rituals.  Loa and beasts.  Our grandmother was performing magical experiments on her children and grandchildren.  I and two of my brothers and I sleep together on the regular.  I asked one to be with me as a mate Twice.  He turned me down the first time.  Chaos is going to happen with us around.  That is life.  I have tried the pandaren way of life, and it does not work that way for most of us.  We are not nomads, but we like to move.  People of action.  So there will be times where it is quiet and Vol meets his buyers, we train raptors, sell them for a mint, and in the afternoons we spend the heat of the day with our children and family, relaxing.  Then there are going to be days where something happens and there's a whirlwind of…  the word Chaos is not even good enough for it.  Comfort is ok, but I watch you, Xiao Chun.   When you nibble on someone’s neck, I notice that is when you end up having fun.”  He sighed, holding the pandaren close.  “I know we are busy and taking care of Vol.  And you, and Tarja.  But.  Love on us.  Come to us for what you need first.  We’re not Vol, but We’ll try and fill the gap.

Xiao whimpered lightly, shaking his head and wiggling a bit in Venya’s lap. “Hey, no… I did not nibble. I specifically made sure I did not nibble.” He leaned in and replicated the kiss, gentle, light, and tender on his neck. No teeth, not even any tongue. Just tender and grateful. “I did not wiggle, either. All I did… was kiss. I was thanking him for bringing me comfort.” He said with a hint of sadness. “I was trying to be good.”

“Maybe I am feeling as territorial as Vol.  I don’t have rights to that.”  He kissed him back, though on the cheek and stood.  “I’ll get over it.  I know my place.”

Xiao squeaked and clung to Venya as he stood, leech panda indeed. “Venyabi, damnit, wait!” He whined, trying to tug him back down. It seemed baked Xiao had a slightly lowered filter.

“You do not need to ‘know your place’. Your place is in my heart.” He forced the man to look him in the face, finally saying the words. “I love you, Venyabi. You are my Chi-ji… my beautiful Tiger’s Eye. You can feel territorial… Vol’raka may be my dominant, but so is Aret in some senses… you can be too. Aret is my submissive, but I bow to him too, I cry for him and submit to him just as much as I would for Vol. I want you to be happy… and I want to be yours. Please… don’t go quiet, don’t ‘learn your place’. This is different. I want you to tell me what you want, what you desire, not what you think is expected. Please… If not with anyone else, with me? I always want the real Venyabi… not who he thinks the world needs.”  

“I don’t know HOW to be a dominant Xiao.  Not really.  I am at the bottom.  I get that.  I am happy, but I DON’T have the strength to be a dominant even close to Jura or Vol.  What I want is to be loved, never used again, judged again for what I am.  Who I was born as.  I want to know where my place in this world is and the closest I have gotten in thirty years to finding it is up there.”  He pointed up the stairs, not sure what he was feeling, but Since the Fel taint was gone, he’d gotten more verbal about what he wanted, or at least how he felt about things.  “I’m not a dominant, not really.  And I am not submissive as Aret.  I have one foot in one thing, and one foot in another.  Sometimes, thats ok but here, in our home, where I want to be comfortable in my own skin..  I don’t know where I stand.”  He turned, leaning on the wall with a sigh that held the world.  “I am not making any sense, am I?”

Xiao stood behind Venya silently, listening as he spoke. “It makes sense, Venya, I just do not know what to do. You know you will never be judged here, that I love all of you, no matter what. Maybe I just need to do a better job of showing it. I just want you to be happy… and if I am lucky, be part of the reason for that happiness.” He paused, looking up at him solemnly.

“For what it is worth, there is no bottom.” He held up his hand at about waist height. “Here is everyone else.” He raised it slowly, listing as he went. “My students, my friends, my family, Zakin, Tarja, and finally…” He reached as he high as he could. “You three, up here. Vol may be part of my core, and there may be some unspoken hierarchy… but you will never be in the bottom when it comes to how much you mean to me.”

“People always have hierarchies.  It is how we address things.  You don’t like chaos, order well orders things, puts them where they belong.”  He thought a moment, remembering the word.  “Tushui?  Am I saying that right.  You get what I am saying.  Maybe I wandered too long.  I’m too independent to belong in one place.”  Even saying the words hurt his heart.  “I want to belong.  I think I don’t know how to.  I’ll figure it out eventually.”  He looked at the one he called mate, giving his usual goofy grin.  “Can ya just..  Put me a tiny bit ahead of Jura?”

Xiao winced slightly at hearing he thought he couldn’t belong. “You will always belong here, in our hearts, Venyabi…” He said quietly. “I wandered, too. I was… distant from Vol’raka for a few months out of fear for not being able to care for our family. You remember it, I’m sure. It was the biggest mistake I made… and it took me far too long to realize. If you wander… just remember where your heart lives. I was without mine for too long and it hurt. I don’t want to hurt like that again. You’re part of my heart, Venyabi… so please, don’t go away.” He offered a weak smile up at him after a moment. “Like I said… You, Vol, and Aret...  you are all heads and shoulders above anyone else. The only other one who even comes close is Tarja and Zakin. Jura is fun to play with, he is supportive and helpful to the family, but he is not my mate. You are… you will always be ahead of him.”

"I don't want to wander.  I ... looked for a place to settle and I know it is here.  I dunno if I accept myself, not really, so it makes me want to go.  Since your friend made everything stop hurting, I have... felt more at peace, able to sleep, but I don't know where I fit in.  I am not dominant, nor am I a submissive person.  I am both, and neither?  I don't have the strong wills, but I don't back down and get more assertive than Aret."  He sighed, looking deflated and not sure why really.  "I need a place, to find my place.  Where I stand.  Vol being hurt, I take over the care of our family, that just .. feels right to me, even if you are his first.  Is that my place, to cover for him?  What Am I here?"  He'd not practiced this talk, but he knew it needed to be had.  "And please don't say mate.  I get that I am mated, and loved and all that but Aret is the one everyone coddles and cuddles.  He guards and he guards us well.  Vol provides, he fights to make sure we are all safe, happy and healthy.  You heal hearts.  You are the heart and the one that we really kinda gravitate to.  Where do I fit in?"

Realization his Xiao’s eyes and he actually broke into a grin. “Venyabi… I have told you from our first night. You are our Chi-Ji.” He moved in to try and gently cup Venya’s cheek and press a kiss to his nose. “You are our wisdom, our voice of reason. Our support, our backbone. Vol provides, Aret guards, I heal… you support and provide a rock to anchor us in place in this chaotic world. You are our Chi-Ji. He is the Celestial of wisdom, kindness, understanding. Think, when crisis strikes, what happens? When Vol’raka went mad with territorial rage, when Aret was panicked and uncertain what to do, when I was sobbing and breaking down from guilt… what did you do? You stepped up, you kept your calm. You supported us and guided us. If we are the ship out at sea, lost in the fog, you are our lighthouse. You are our beacon… you are our rock. That is where you fit in.”

The once-wanderer smiled, a sheepish look as he glanced at Xiao.  “Never thought of it like that.”  He was smiling and silent as he took Xiao’s hand.  “I.. guess that I have been put in my place, huh?  A good place, not a bad one.”  A gentle kiss was placed on Xiao’s knuckle as he turned to the stairs.  “Thank you.”  He stood, dusted himself off a bit from crumbs on the floor and pulled the pandaren along with him gently.  “Let’s go see if he is awake.”

Xiao grinned now, happy to see that smile on Venyabi’s face. “I will be glad to remind you how important you are to this family and me anytime you want.” He leaned in to nuzzle Venya’s cheek as he leaned in for the hand kiss. 

***********************************

“Just water, Aret.  All I really want right now.”  The prelate was doting, worried eyes on his Master and lover as he moved to go get water from the pitcher they kept because Venya drank a lot of it during the night.  Vol’s color had perked up, getting closer to his natural blue. 

When Xiao saw Vol in the bed, awake and not looking as deathly, his smile widened. 

“Hey… how are you feeling?” He asked quietly, nervous and trying not to get his hopes up as he walked to his mate’s bedside and tugged along his lovely Tiger’s Eye along with him.

The big troll stretched a little, before laying back down.  “Weak as fuck, but food helps.  And water.  I need a loa damned shower.”  He looked at Venya as he nodded to Xiao.  “Did he eat too?”  

“Like a starving raptor.  Mangos, rice, dumplings, anything we put in front of him, except troll of course.”  Venya shook his head.  “He needed a little help.  Apparently your Tal’s herb is enough to make him WANT to eat and get very cuddly.”  He rubbed Xiao’s back as he went to sit in the chair.  He didn’t want to jostle the bed.  “Good conversation.  Tsal apparently took two concubines.  Must have bought them somewhere.  He’s got friends in the Gurubashi and Shatterspear.  Would not surprise me.”

Aret came back, a fresh pitcher and glass in hand.  “Do we need to make more food, Soup?  I can make leftover soup.  There is Mon’dazi too…”

“I’m full and fine for now Aret.  I hurt a bit less too.  I would take some of Tal’s…”  He stopped, remembering what was up there and sighing.  He perked up, hope on his face and saying nothing about the rings he’d hidden with the ice magicked pipe.  “But I am in no condition to service anyone right now.”

Xiao blushed a bit at the mention of the herb and how he got cuddly and ate so much. “I thought… after essentially not eating for three days, that would help my appetite return without the nausea.” He shifted his weight slightly as he peered down at Vol, smiling at him with a mixture of love, concern, and longing. 

“We know you are in pain, Lok’dim. You need to recover, we know that.” He bit his lip again before speaking. “Nothing happened with Jura, just… so you know. Nothing was going to. I just… wanted to be held.” He said with a small sheepish smile. “You said you want to shower? Are you able to clean? I would offer to bathe you here, bring in sponges, towels, buckets. The bed can be cleaned after so getting it wet isn’t an issue. I just worry about you being in pain. Will the water on your skin hurt still?”

There wasn’t an ulterior motive there, despite how it might seem. While he would be ecstatic if Vol could do anything like that, his main concern was his mate’s comfort and well-being above all else.

“What happened with Jura?”

He moved, shifting to sit up, Venya moving to help him as he swung his legs off the bed.  He made a noise that did not hide his pain as he held still for a bit, obviously dizzy.  “No, I want an actual shower.  Hair and everything  I still smell like ritual smoke and blood..”  He let Venya hold him up, swaying a moment as he found his balance.  “All I want is a shower.. And yes Aret.”  He smiled, looking up at his youngest love.  “Food.  Now I’m hungry again.”  

That made Aret trot downstairs, leaving Venya holding Vol up with arms around each others back and shoulders.

Xiao scooted a bit closer, wanting to help but unsure how he could. “Ah, I was… wanting to be held. I… had not left your side, even while you were sleeping, except to go to the bathroom. It was the first time I really left this room for more than twenty minutes since the ritual. Venyabi saw me hanging all over Jura and thought I wanted more than just comfort. He said that you said I could play with Jura if I wanted to, once I was sober. I just… wanted to let you know nothing happened. That’s not what I want right now, or wanted then… at least not with him, not yet.”

“You can play with Jura.  I can hear Venya in my head too, Xiao.”  His collar was still on, but was crusty with sweat and a little blood.  “I don’t blame him for wanting attention first.  Even busy, They would comfort you.”  He leaned more on Venya than before, his brother able to hold him up.  “I can’t stand much longer.  Shower.  Can you take this off and clean it for me?”  He touched his collar, leaning over a little for Xiao to take it off.  

“I love you, little love.  You mean everything to me.  You need comfort, I know, and Jura will give it.  Trust in them too.  It hurts, hurts less as I go along, and I want to hold you too.  I miss your touch, your fur on my skin.  Soon enough we’ll be able to cuddle and rest together again.”

Xiao frowned and actually huffed a bit. He didn’t put up a fuss, letting Vol lean down and waiting for him to finish speaking through the link before carefully taking the collar off; trying not to hurt him.

“Vol’raka… I do not want to play with Jura. He is lovely… and he held me, and he is good to the family. I would rather be in Venya or Aret or your arms. Venyabi was upstairs helping you. Aret was cooking. I was not going to… to detract from everything else just because I was trying to hold it together and wanted to cling to someone for some comfort. I have felt… so incredibly useless since the ritual and Venyabi and Aret have already talked to me about it. I am just… struggling to be helpful, useful… something, anything to make my mate happy and healthy again so we can go back to being happy together. So when the opportunity to cling to Jura was given rather than being alone while Aret and Venya did things they needed to do, I took it. I don’t want to play with him, I want to be with you, Aret, Venya… my family. Whether that is play or just sitting in the same room only able to hold hands. I just want to be with you, Vol’raka… it just hurt so much to miss you.”

He tried to keep his voice even, struggling to not get emotional again. He was fighting like Aret and Venya told him too, but it was still hard. Everything was so chaotic and he felt lost. The thing he would turn to for comfort was a mess. His family was busy and there were more important things to do than coddle him with affection just so he felt less lost. He knew that. He just wanted to make it through to the other side of this mess.

“Hearthealer, love of my life.”  Vol smiled, looking down at him.  “Can you help me shower, Venya, can you clean my collar, lover?  Not that I don’t want you to help me, but I need to talk to Xiao.” The smaller Darkspear smiled, nodding.  He leaned up for a kiss, gentle, even if he wanted affection and touch too.  “Sure.  Aret is making savory mon’dazi.  I can smell the chicken.”  He actually moved to let Xiao closer, snatching the collar.  “You heard our husband…  help him get clean”

Xiao blushed a little, nodding as he stepped closer to swap places with Venyabi and help support the large Darkspear who nearly doubled his height. Luckily, he was considerably strong despite his size; so unless Vol went completely dead weight, he should have this covered.

“Save me some mon’dazi? That stuff is like a drug.”

He smiled over at Venya as he asked, though he made sure to keep Vol support as he started to orient him toward the shower so they could start moving slowly.

“I’ll make sure he makes plenty.  We can have a picnic on the bed.”  Ven wandered out as Vol and Xiao went to the bathing room.  He turned around a bit, limping and holding on to the wall and Xiao as they headed to the large shower.  “Can you pull my braid out?  I won't be able to stand long.”  He looked exhausted as it was, and his body, though not as bad as a few days ago, felt on fire.

Xiao guided him in and nodded. “Actually, here hold on.”  He paused and reached out through the link.

“Venyabi, could you bring us up a chair? Preferably a metal one, if we have it. It will take less damage from water than a wooden one.”

Xiao nodded after a moment. “Alright, that will be here in a moment. Let me work on your braid.” He said as he rather suddenly floated a few feet higher to be the same height as Vol, looking face to face. An inconspicuous Chi cloud formed beneath him, aiding in lifting him so he could remove the braiding without having to have Vol’raka bend or crouch in his already weakened state. “I will try and be gentle…” He murmured as he started undoing the bindings. “What is your pain level at, from a one to ten?”

“Pain level is fuck this, drug me.  Tal’s smoke sounds good.”  

Ven silently acknowledged Xiao, silent for a bit.  “No dice.  Only one we know of is in the barn and probably covered in Raptor shit.  We can replace a chair.” “It’s fine, Xiao.  If you can get me up, the floor looks good right now.”

Xiao bit his bottom lip as he pondered. “I think I can. It will be hard, but I should be able to. I was going to have Venyabi bring up a chair. Are you sure you do not want to do that instead?”

He wasn’t opposed to him lying down, he just wanted Vol to be as comfortable and pain free as he could manage. All the while he was still removing braids, tossing the ties and decorations to the side carelessly, knowing they were likely too dirty and matted to be saved.

Moving to the wall, he moved down to plop his Darkspear ass on the ground.  “Hot water..  More than warm… please.”  He looked defeated, but looked up at the spout above him.  “I’m gonna scrub myself raw.”  He picked at his ear, dried blood making him make a face.  “Everywhere.”  The usually gentle giant turned his head to see Ven bring a pile of towels into the room, setting them to the side.  “I’m bringing Tarja into the bedroom for the night, Kin wanted to go stay with his grandmother.”  He grinned, looking around.  “Need anything while I move her crib?”

“Water..”  Vol let Xiao unbraid and take the feathers and debris from the ground that stuck in his hair.  “And ice.  I think Im just too damn dehydrated.  Cloudy..”

Xiao luckily finished unbraiding shortly after Vol sat down. “I will do that for you, of course.” He murmured as he hurried over to the knobs and turned it up to nearly as high as it went. He’d seen Vol’raka need to scrub himself raw at least once or twice before for one reason or another, though he could not recall this very moment; but he did remember what temperature was hot enough to sate his need but not too hot to cause actual damage. He made his way back toward the water, though not going in yet as he was still clothed. 

“Should I wash your hair while you… make yourself raw?” He asked with uncertainty, not seeming to like the idea but understand Vol’s need. Either way, he began to disrobe, setting his clothes aside so he could make his way under the water with Vol.

He winced a bit from the heat, but he could handle it. He would bear just about anything to be around Vol right then, so hot water wasn’t too big of a sacrifice.

“I just want to be clean.  Not stink.  How the fuck have you three been in the bed with me like this?”  His hand reached up for the bottle of soap that smelled of nothing, but he gave  up, exhausted by the simple act.  “You can wash my hair.  Can you grab that brush and the soap.  I can’t do it by myself.”  He sat back in exhaustion, closing his eyes as he let the water just wash over him.  “Heaven.  Hot water is heaven.”

“Xiao!”  Aret poked his head in and smiled.  “Can we bring melon juice into the bedroom?”

Xiao nodded to Aret. “I don’t see why not. If you spill, it will just get washed down by the water anyway.”

He reached for the requested items, giving Vol the soap he had failed to reach and then moving to slowly brush out Vol’s hair and go about detangling it. He wanted to get rid of the bulk of the grime first, then he would move onto using actual cleaning products in it.

“Thank you…”  Vol looked up, sighing as he scrubbed himself from face down, the rough sponge he used making his skin violet as he went over every inch he could manage to reach.  He grabbed for an easier to reach cloth for more delicate areas, trying to get the blood from his ears and neck.  “Did Jack say shift earlier or was I delirious?”  He was picking at his claws and making sure he was completely clean.  “I am hoping to fuck I was hearing shit.”

Xiao finished rinsing out Vol’s hair, reaching over for his special cleaning recipe now. If anyone’s hair or fur could use the Autumnpaw family secret right now, it was Vol. He began the process, hoping to return the beautiful mane to its former glory with the intricate deep clean. “You… are not delirious, actually. I think he wants you to start training as a Druid. I suppose our monk teaching will have to go on hold for a while.”

He did not seem upset, simply making small conversation as he cleaned his mate’s hair with love and care.

“I don’t have that kind of fuckin’ patience.”  He grunted as he felt Xiao’s hands in his hair.  It hurt, but not near as much as he thought.  “Never did.  As much as that cunt wanted me to train, I despised it.  Rather skulk around in my own skin, not a cat.  I mean I like fuzz and fluff, but rather it be YOU with the fluff, lover.   Ow…”  One pull too hard made him give the soft exclamation.  “Not doing any shifting shit.  There are enough damn raptors around here.”

Xiao winced a bit at the ‘ow’, murmuring quietly in response. “Sorry, sorry… I will go slower.” He began to lather the messy locks with his magical family shampoo, being careful not to hurt Vol any further. “He said it will help things remain in control more, help you become Raptorblood at times rather than be at odds with him, if I understood right.”

“Not sure I want to become an obstinate asshole of a raptor who …  well ok.  I am not on the fence about him thinking he owns you, claims you.  That is bothering me enough.  I worry something will happen to you, the other two, Kin, Tarja..  Hell, the rest of the family.  And I won’t be able to do anything.  You and I both know how much I so enjoy being helpless.”

Xiao shook his head. “That will not happen if you two work together. We almost did have to go on with you able to do nothing because… you would be dead.” He murmured sadly, trying not to let his pain come back again. 

He finally finished lathering up his mate’s hair and began to guide the water to rinse off his head carefully to go about the cleaning process further.

“So you think I should go through with this?”  Vol tilted his head, grunting at the effort.  “You were in there, you saw what happened first hand.  You probably know it better than me.”

Xiao shook his head again. “I still am unsure, to be honest. There was so much going on. It was all so chaotic…” He rinsed out Vol’s hair and then nuzzled the long clean locks now. “Jack has control of his, and it is Raptorblood’s father. If anyone would know, I hope he would. I say listen to him, he is your best bet. I… do not have much trust for Kit’raka right now, hopefully Jack can help in her place.”

“Kit’s gonna get ripped a new ass.  She was a better mother to me than mine, but I don’t want her playing with blood magic like that.  I know SOME blood magic is a thing but..”  He sighed, feeling more weak than before.  “I gotta get our family back on track.  Ven is going to have to take over running the day to day of the house..  I hate being so useless.”  Amber eyes closed as he turned his head to Xiao silently.  “You three .. I don’t want you having to deal with my burdens.  I don’t have a damn choice do I?”

“Nope!”  Aret smiled as he and Venya both stood in the doorway, a babbling Tarja on the other side.  “No choice!  Master Vol’raka is going to be resting until He’s all better.”

“I will concur with my mate.  He is going to listen to his big brother.”

“I am bigger than you, Venyabi.”

“Ok  He will enjoy the wisdom of his older brother and mate.  Rest.  Enjoy a little time where we take care of you.  It’s going to drive you BATSHIT, but it’s gonna happen.  Agreed, Xiao?”

Xiao shook his head. “You do so much for us, Vol… you can have some time off where we wait on you and take care of you.”

When Aret and Venyabi came in to say similar things, he smiled and nodded at Venyabi specifically. “Agreed.” He then leaned in for a hug, about to make contact when he froze dead still and then slowly backed up. “Sorry…” He murmured meekly. 

“Your hair is done, what about other parts? Do you need help washing anything else?”

“Don’t want time off.  I want to be back to normal.  And I got everything else.”  He winced, but not as bad as he thought. Venya shook his head.  “Normal is gonna be a new normal Vol.  Deal with it.  You have a beast, a minor loa, living in you.  This is your normal now.  If you are clean, this room is steamy, and you are really hard to see.  Even hurt, I think all of us like your body.  So.  Up ya go.”  He turned off the water fully and moved in to help lift him up.  He was in a soft cotton kilt, not caring if he got a little wet.  “You smell like Xiao.”

Xiao smiled at the mention of him smelling like him. “I had him use my special blend, his hair is as good as new now. I wonder which will hurt less, to use a towel to dry off or let the drying vent do it… or just lay in bed wet and dry over time?”

“Laying in bed wet sucks unless fun times came with it.”  Venya grabbed a towel, handing it to Xiao as did Aret.  “You get the bottom half, I get the hair, Aret.. top half.  Gentle boys, wobbly alpha…”

“You’re an ass…”  

“And four days ago you were enjoying that ass.”  Venya gave a rather sly grin and went to work gently drying the long green and gold hair.  “Heal up, I have gone a while without, but I am sure that these two can’t go that long without.”

Xiao took the towel and ever so gently began to pat Vol’raka dry, making sure to not rub dry as one normally would, instead blotting the water off to try and avoid the sensation of scraping on raw flesh.

“We love you, Lok’dim… sometimes you have to let us take care of you.” He said with a gentle smile as he worked up Vol’s legs and then got to his dangly bits. He licked his lips. He was a professional healer, he could do this, he could be a good nurse and not let his desires dictate him. He took a slow inhale and steadied himself as he carefully began to lift up Vol’s sack, drying all of the skin as best he could, and then gently patting dry his manhood itself. He bit his bottom lip. “Should I let you… pull it back yourself to dry that part off yourself? I do not want to hurt you.”

"Xiao, you turn me on, but I don't think I'm getting it up tonight so dry whatever.  I'm just too tired and …". Aret moved to hold Vol up, an arm under his and holding him behind the shoulder.  

"Master..". 

"I'm fine sweetheart.  Bed, bed… sounds good.". 

Xiao shook his head. “I know you are not going to, I do not expect you to or want you to if you want. I just wasn’t sure if drying it yourself would hurt less.” With that, he went about very gently drying the rest of Vol’s dangly bits and then moving around to dry his rear and make sure he was fully dried now. “We should get him to bed, get him some food, and get him some of Tal’s smoke. His is going to be a lot better than Kit’s right now.”

"Dry balls  and food.  A typical Wednesday".  He leaned on Aret as he got back in bed.  "No smoke.". He smiled at Xiao and closed his eyes.   "I feel better.  Just hungry.  Food. A bit more rest and I want to try to hold my family.". He gave a smile to Tarja who was babbling.  "My ancestors fucked me over, my own family will make it better.*

Xiao smiled lightly at him. “Take care of him, you two. I will dry off while he eats. Just give me a few minutes to dry off over the air vent.” He then made his way over to the grate, standing over the magical heated airflow to dry his wet fur off while Aret and Venya helped get Vol situated and get him some food.

After a few minutes, he came back without any clothes, not really having a need yet until he made it into their bedroom and pulled out a simple pair of cloth pants to lounge in.

“Are you sure you do not want any smoke? It might help you.”

“Xiao..  smoke no.  Chocolate?”  That interested him more, and didn’t usually incite his lusts for his mates as much.  “I could use that.  Not Kit’s  Until she and I have a sit down, She's on my shit list.”  

It pained him to say it and his brother matched his mood.  “Right now..”  He picked up Tarja and crawled on the bed, pulling apart a peice of Mon’dazi and happily chewing.  Tarja sat in his lap, flapping her arms and squealing.  “How did you get so loud kid?”

Xiao nodded. “Is your chocolate in your office, too? I can go get you some.”

He reached for a piece of Mon’dazi, taking one to nibble on it lightly as he watched his family trying to regain some sense of normality.

"Aret's cookie jar.". He smiled.  "I've been stashing.  And besides. No smoking around Squeally over there.". Tarja was trying to eat Venyabi's food, the older male holding it away.  "I figured this out the other day.  Four fathers is better than one.  More arms to keep food not for Tarjas out of her hands."

Xiao smiled a bit in understanding. “I will be right back.” He hurried off to go get some of the chocolate for his mate, coming back with the entire jar because honestly he had no idea how much Vol would want to dose himself.. 

“I wasn’t sure how much to get so I just brought the entire thing.” He said with a small guilty smile as he set the jar down beside Vol so he could get what he wanted. “Is there anything else you need? Anything else we can do?”

"Love and family time.  I have a few days to rest before I follow my mates’ advice and their wisdom.". He smiled at Xiao then Ven, willing and wanting to take their hand.  "I'll confront the thing in my head."

Xiao sat down beside Vol, taking his mate’s hand gently, afraid to hurt him but so cherishing the contact. “Anything to make you better…” He murmured, leaning down and pressing his lips in a feather-light kiss on the back of Vol’s hand to try and not cause him any undue pain.

****************************

"Do it one more time."

"We're tired."

"I do not care, Vol'raka.  Once more."

The naked troll and his uncle were in a far paddock, one that afforded them a little privacy.  they had been working every morning for a week to get the control Vol needed over the beast who shared his skin.  He wasn't exactly liking it, but they had come to an understanding now.  Most of it over Xiao and his mates, what Raptorblood could understand about them.  He still considered the small pandaren his own mate, independent of Vol's mating.  The hunter had to learn to let it go.  His mating with the ones that he called his own, that was his.  He was working toward finding out what was the traits of Raptorblood, and what was Vol'raka alone.  That was more difficult.

"I can't"  Vol sat, exhausted against a fence post and drinking water to try and get some sort of energy back.  "He doesn't like coming back to being me."  

Jack squatted down in front of his nephew and poked him between the eyes.  "Don't matter what HE wants.  Do you want him to control you, or you to control him.  I think your mates will be happier if you two got along. I hear Aret has been nervous and Ven irritable.  Something about a link?"  His finger flopped the chain on Vol's neck.  "Those things encourage empathy, share emotions if I read that right.  Your choice to not establish your dominance over an animal, even if it hurts your body a little to find your partnership.  He's been in your head, awake for about a year.  you and he were not at odds until Jura and Xiao became lovers.  You understand Xiao has needs and wants and will share him if it makes him happy.  Raptorblood does not understand that yet.  He understands only that another male might have a chance on fathering on what is his.  He'll get it eventually and I hear you've done much better curbing his aggression?"

"Someone telling you what's going on in our bedroom?"  He grinned, taking another gulp of water.  "not like I care if you know."

"No one but Aret and Xiao limping less.  You don't attack Ven, because he is more delicate than he lets on to anyone but you three. You aren't as aggressive with him."

Vol nodded.  "Shinza and her demons...  I can understand why he fears my friend Tal.  Fel blood.  Demon Hunter.  I'll hurt him.  Least now I can't unknowingly and accidentally knock him up."

Jack nodded. He remembered the day he'd seen Ven after he was freed.  "Kid gloves with your brother, nephew.  Right now.  One more time.  Then food and the afternoon off."

Vol sighed, getting up and stretching.  In his mind, he reached out, this time willingly, to the raptor who lazed in the sun that was his mind.  "C'mon you.  One more time...Today."

Venya and Tarja trotted up, Honor being a mount today because he was Tarja's favorite, the little girl held in a basket on her De'de's back as they approached, bareback and bridleless.  Vol trusted this raptor over all, so he had nothing to worry about.  

"Look Tarja."  They slid down off the blue raptors back just as Jack and Vol had slipped into the form of a raptor.  Jack's scaled gleamed in the light, the dark colors a stark contrast to Vol's blues, greens and gold.  "Papa is playing as a raptor today."  

The tiny troll squealed so loudly the Valley of Eternal blossoms at the bottom of the mountain probably heard her.  The raptors definitely did, Vol racing over to greet his brother-mate and daughter.  Tarja laughed loudly, grabbed her father's snout and popped him in it.  "Papa boop!”

"Violent, kiddo."  He smirked as he saw Tarja stick a finger in her giant of a father's nose and made him huff.  "You encourage her to do it to me, shes gonna learn to do it to you." 

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - Explanation

“Care to tell me what was going on? What in the hell did the old bat do?”

Vol was sitting up in bed, still not feeling up to much even after the fourth day, but apparently being minutes from no longer existing was tiring.  Thankfully Tsal and Jura had stayed to help take care of the animals for a while until he felt 100%.  Pahre came up every few hours to tend him, a slight bit of healing, food, water, other necessities of life that he needed.  He was thankful for her, finding out how lucky they were that they had a true doting mother to take care of all of them.  

Drashnar and Bronthro had stayed to clean up the mess of the ritual grounds and enjoy the time in Pandaria for a while.  No one minded them taking up a guest room in Pahre’s house.  Kit and Hari had gone home.  Vol promised to come talk to Kit.  It might not be a pleasant talk, but it would be a talk.  

His mates had been allowed back in bed after the second day, mostly because he could not really sleep alone at this point.  The pain was nowhere near as bad, so it didn’t bother him to have them lay in the bed, touching was still not welcome.   Not a lot at least.  They waited until he reached out for them first, Usually even if it was just hand holding, it helped.  Traja and the kittens were allowed to play on the bed, but had to be gentle when she played with Papa.  She didn’t understand, but did still get to nap on his chest.  Even though it hurt him a great deal, he still needed his family.  

Right then, Tarja napped curled up with the kittens, Aret sitting next to her.  Venya sat closer to the head board, Xiao in his lap.  The smaller Darkspear was in need of comfort in the last few days and sought it by holding members of his family.  Usually the most independent, almost losing a member of his family affected him more than he thought it did.

“Old bat is not far from the truth, boy.”  Jack was sitting in a chair facing the younger male.  Xiao would see now how close in features they were.  The old male had a gold cap on his right tusk, preventing a further break.  His lines told his age, his body still as strong and fit as his nephew’s.  There were scars and such from scuffles, but this was what Vol would look like in 50 years.  Right then, the mirror image of their wounded mate was leaned over with his elbows on his knees.  “I admit I knew of the blood magic.  It is old, passed down.  Usually meant to trap a spirit.  My mother was a bit eccentric, I will not deny that.  She believed a spirit spoke in her mind to guide her.  She figured out with your mother and I how to trap Loa.  Very minor spirits, but Loa.  With her children, she chose spirits that were easier.  Your mother, Hyena, Myself, raptor.  You saw Wolf, bat, snake.  Her Eldest was Gorilla, Drash is a wind serpent.  You know what happened to Jabou.  Drash’s loa has not caught up with him.  He houses a spirit that does not agree with him.  He is not alright with that, as he has witnessed what it does to people.  Chaos versus Order.  Mama did not care.  Her mates knew what she was doing to her children.  Fendolf and my father both knew.  I don’t think Fen agreed to it, but she was the dominant personality and got her way.  When her grandchildren came, especially Dali’s children, they did it still.  Unlai believed it only a blessing of blood.  That was until your sister began having a fit.  She collapsed and screamed about a bear in her head.  It was too late to stop for their children.  You we’re about.. Three I think.  Kit didn’t allow her sons the same.  She had it easy.  Wolf’s Cry mothered her, they did not have dominance battles.  She saw what Hari had to deal with.  Your sister was down for months.”

“I remember that.  I already knew mine, I.. thought he was an imaginary friend.”  Venya sighed, holding Xiao closer as the rest spoke.  

“Hari finally won.  Bear’s Mother was young, and not strong.  They found their partnership, growing into it far better once she had Ki’la.  Claw Hunter and I, we were younger.  Hunting partners since before I was ten summers.  He graced me with his shape once we were strong enough.  Jura and Thorn, they were the same.  It’s the predators.  They become violent and fight most.  Tsal and Zulana both are dormant.  Lion and shark.  Alashzhu.  Lynx came to him and actually rejected him.  They are still one, but your brother will never accept Lynx and fights him with magic daily.  He will struggle until he dies.”

Jack inhaled, sighing as he continued.  “Raptorblood…  we thought he was dormant too.  He was strong when Mama captured him.  She had to force him on you, and put him to sleep.  I thought, if he had not shown up when you were young that he was not coming.  When I got the letter from Venyabi, I knew.  I knew he woke up and you didn’t know it.  I want to say that the things you endured with the human and the elf made him stay asleep.”

“He couldn’t come out until I was happy.”  Vol closed his eyes, remembering the ordeal a few days before.  “We cannot be alone.  I remember him saying that.”

“That is true.  She stole Raptorblood from his family.  His mate and flock.  Why should he wake up.  A gay troll, who fears children.  Why should he bother.  For him it would be better to die.  When you met Xiao, I think you became dominant, broke from what you had beaten into you.  How long was it before children, a child, even adoption, was mentioned?”

“A few days.”  Vol reached out, taking Xiao’s hand.  It hurt still, but he needed the comfort of touch right then.  

“He saw an opportunity then.  Once you two began really speaking on having a family, he began making moves.  Aggressive sex, biting to hold him still.  Typical of raptors.  Claw did the same with my mates, he did not consider them his mates, just mine.  He grieved when my Ikke and Hoa died.  Raptorblood, he thinks Xiao is his mate.  He accepts Ven and Aret here.  He considers them his too.  Raptors have mates and others they breed with, but think of him considering him consort.  Main, primary, the one who he will try to mount and breed first.”  He looked to Xiao, his face calm.  “Don’t try and change the beast’s mind.  So long as he considers you his consort-mate, it actually helps Vol control him.  That is why he listened to you.  You are Vol’s but he will also consider you his.  After what Venyabi told us all the other day, He worries that what is his flock, the one he will help create, will be taken from him again.  

“I know you two are planning a family.  Vol will need to gain more control over him.  I will be staying until then.  Even though they fought, Claw and Raptor are actually …”  The old druid smiled.  “Claw and Raptor are father and son.  Claw is far, far older and more dominant.  He’ll help us with what Vol will have to learn to control.  If you have patience…”  Jack smirked, “You’ll be able to do what I can do with Claw.”

“Do?”  Aret spoke, his kitten pouncing around as he sat up.  It moved to sit on Xiao’s lap, purring happily.

“Shift.  With practice, he can become Raptorblood.”

Xiao listened in silence to all of this, cuddling into Venya and holding Vol’s hand. He nodded slightly when they spoke of family and raptoblood not wanting to lose his flock.

“I told him he will not lose his flock. I told him he does not have to worry about losing me, about Vol losing me. I told him… Vol completes parts of me I never knew I needed completing. Without him…” He shook his head. “He made me into who I am today. My life would be unrecognizable compared to what it is now if I lost him.” He knew he couldn’t really touch on Vol without hurting him, so he just held onto his hand gently.

He blushed a bit now. “Raptorblood knows he is… valued as well.” He gave Vol a sideways look. “You know I love you for you, Vol’raka, but Raptorblood is special too. He brings things out in you that I am drawn to. Jack even pointed them out. The breeding, the biting…” His blush deepened. “He feels like I am his mate because… well, I respond like I am. I am Vol’raka’s mate, to be bred and loved and…” He just kept blushing, unsure where he was going. “The point is, Raptorblood shouldn’t feel so...  whatever is going on. I don’t know how to calm him anymore than I already have. Vol’raka will never be alone, he will always have me, our new tribe. Raptorblood and Vol will always be one… which means Raptorblood has me by his side for as long as I breathe as well.”

“And if that works for you three, That’s fine.  So long as they have a partnership.  Encourage it.”  He gave a smile, Pahre coming in with the food she brought to her son-in-law every few hours.  She sat it down, there being enough for all four men and a bottle and mashed banana for Tarja.  

“Will you need me to not take care of you this afternoon?  I see you four are together.  I assume you will want alone time?”  

Xiao would see Pahre’s clothing was tighter, but she looked less sullen and tired as she had when she came to them.  She’d filled out in face and her dark hair was growing in thick, full and strong as that of her son who shared her coloring.  She looked more her late forties than nearer Jack’s age.

Since Vol had been hurt, Xiao had not left his side for anything save for going to the bathroom to tidy up or use the facilities. Even to eat and sleep, he didn’t move away. He was going to be at Vol’s side night and day. So when Pahre came in, he nodded with a small smile. “I can take care of him if you would like, Pahre… you know I cannot get myself to move from his side right now.”

He wanted so badly to lean on Vol, to hug him, have more contact, but he would settle for his hand. “I just want him to be okay…” He murmured quietly, smiling sadly at his mate.

“He’ll be fine.  Just make sure you don’t force the healing.  He’s in a delicate condition.”  Vol make a face at his uncle, who for the first time, Xiao heard laugh.  The deep rich sound filled the room.  “I tease, but you should be fine.  Few more days of rest.  Then, I make you work.”  With that, he and Pahre left, leaving the four alone.  Ven put Xiao down next to Vol, the latter grunting as the bed moved.  There was plenty of food, cold, but meant to be eaten as such.  

“Oooh  yak.”  

Xiao offered a weary smile as they left, just staring down at Vol as he groaned. Depending on how out of it Vol had been, he may not have noticed something unusual. Whenever food was brought in, Xiao was eating very little of it, if any. The yak was no different. He just remained sitting nearby Vol, holding his hand gently and remaining on the silent side even more than usual. Unless prompted, he sat in silence at Vol’s side.

“Xiao… eat.”  He was able to give Tarja a bottle, the little girl laying down between her Ba and Papa, holding it up with her feet.  “You haven’t been eating..”  Aret handed Vol some soup, a bone broth, smelling of chicken with some spring onions in it.  He smiled, holding it up as best he could to his mouth to take some sustenance in, try and get energy back that was not from a healer of some sort.  “Aret, give him that bread and’ strawberries.”  There was no power in the command, Aret cutting the bread and putting it on a plate, covered in an amount of macerated strawberries.  

“Those are mine, from the garden?”  Aret looked very proud of them, trying to be the happy distraction.  He felt someone had to remain positive, be the happy one.  “Smells like the ones I grew under the lavender.”

Xiao slowly lifted his head as Vol told him to eat, looking over at Vol with sad and tired eyes.

“Mhh?” He reacted quietly before shaking his head. “I ate earlier, I am fine… you just enjoy.” His voice was nearly a whisper, just staring down at Tarja as she ate, not really focusing so much as staring through her.

“Don’t lie in my house.”  That came with power and a glare.  “I can smell you have not eaten.  I don’t care if you don’t want to.  Eat.”  There was a gentle growl that came with the command, the beast beneath the surface staring at the pandaren and not liking his smell.  “You’ll lose too much weight.  You need to be strong.  Eat”  The smell was hunger.  That is what he smelled.  

Xiao looked over at him, shaking his head. “I am not hungry…” He wasn’t lying, Vol could hear it in his voice. While he hadn’t eaten, he wasn’t remotely hungry. “Just worry about getting better, I am fine…” His voice lacked its usual luster, even more subdued than normal. It could be a toll from not eating or just a combination of everything that had gone on; it’d be too hard to pin down.

“I don’t fucking care.”  Vol put his own bowl in front of the pandaren, waiting.  “You eat, or I don’t.  Choose.”  Aret and Ven stopped chewing, the fatty bacon Ven loved (real bacon, not blood troll), forgotten as he set it down.  Janaret got the idea and put down his chicken, only Tarja still eating.  She did promptly drop her bottle and make faces up at the stars on the bed’s canopy.

Xiao furrowed his brows lightly, looking defeated as he let out a sigh and picked up a single piece of chicken and began to nibble on it with little interest, hoping it might be enough to get the attention off of him.

The other two got quiet, very quiet.  They saw the change in Vol’s eyes.  Only Tarja made babbling baby noises as Vol’s voice went quiet.  “If you die to starvation, I will not be happy.”  The voice was Raptorblood before Vol choked it back.  The exertion of fighting, even for that moment seemed exhausting for one who seemed to have fairly boundless energy.  He hung his head as far as his tusks would allow, biting back tears.  Here were his mates, his daughter.  He could let go and let his guard down.  “Please eat.  I don’t have the energy to fight.  Please.”  Aret went to hold him tight, and pulled away as the whining groan of pain filled the room.  Apology was on his face, Vol reaching out to hold his hand.  That didn’t hurt as bad as he leaned against the headboard.  “Please Xiao.”

Xiao let out a quiet whimper and nodded, looking defeated as he glanced down at the bed and put down the chicken and actually opted for something he could stomach more. After all, he hadn’t eaten much over the past three days, so anything heavy would make him sick. He started with some rice, taking incredibly small bites, but at least finally eating.

The other two went back to eating, Vol laying back with his eyes closed.  He was getting strength back, but he was still nowhere near close to ok when it came to “better”.  He dozed for a bit, his mind quiet before Venya looked at Xiao.  

“You need to stop,  He’s spending energy still being dominant and making sure you are healthy and we are still keeping life going around him.  This not eating and pining is wearing on all of us.”  Aret kept quiet as Ven waved his bacon toward Vol.  “He..”  He pointed to Xiao.. “You.. Aret.  If you are not taking care of yourself, *I* can tell.  You can tell.  You are not taking care of yourself, so its making him worry and try to keep you and the two of us going.”  He didn’t feel like he was making sense so he took a moment to get his thoughts together.  “If he has to concentrate on you not taking care of yourself, then he can’t concentrate on healing.  So tell us why you are not taking care of you so we can balance this out, huh?”

Xiao forced himself to eat, but the moment Vol finally dozed off, he set the bowl back down and went back to blankly staring at the wall until Venya finally called him out. He slowly lifted his head to look at him, looking so weary and wracked with sadness.

“I just… do not have the urge. Food is bland, tasteless… everything tastes like nothing. I don’t hunger, I don’t… thirst… I just cry and have this sadness in my chest that feels like someone took a blade of frost and… left it impaled where my heart should be.” He whispered the words, feeling guilty as he said them.

“I do not know why… I just am…”

“So you’re gonna starve and wither.  You FOUGHT for him and he fought to live because of you ... us.  He fought for our family.  He fought so Tarja didn’t have to watch his last breath.  He fought so YOU didn’t lose him.  And you are gonna wallow in pity and sadness.  I want to know what you are sad about.”  Venya pointed at his snoring bother, but stared at Xiao.  “Sounds like you need to fight.  We nearly watched someone we all love die.  I get it.  It was sad.  But we are the only thing keeping him alive.  We’re trying to be positive, to give him the strength to see a happily still together family.  Trying to not let the negativity get to Tarja.  Yer being a real anchor in our not so buoyant ship here.”

“Do you have fight left too Xiao?”  Aret looked up, his face as serious as it once was when he feared the father that Xiao had killed to save him.  “He’d want you safe.  Not eating is not safe.  You’d yell at us if we stopped eating and got sick.”  

“BA!”  

“Yes, Thank you Tarja.”  Ven smiled at the girl who was happy, even in the room where not many were at that time.  “She says you should be good and listen to her papa.”

“BAbabababa!

Xiao whimpered and stared down at the bed where Vol was sleeping, emotions welling in his mind before he tightened the link slightly to try and get a better grip on keeping it to himself. Finally, he spoke, his voice a hoarse whisper. “I know he almost died, Venyabi… and it was because of me.” He couldn’t bear to look up at them, staring with hollow and sorrow-filled eyes at the bedding. “I… was a fool, I was so out of my element. I had no idea what to do, what to say. I summoned the Loa of Graves… to the side of my dying mate. I called the death Loa to a place where someone was dying. I may as well have called a hungry wolf to the site of where a fawn fell and broke all of its legs.” He quaked slightly, his shoulders tensing as he tried to hold in his emotions.

“I did not listen, I intervened, I made things worse. He was on his deathbed… moments from death… because of me… because I am so… out of my element in his culture, so ignorant, so utterly stupid that I did every single thing wrong I could have. If I was not there… if I had not made so many mistakes… he would probably be better by now.” He let out a shuddered sigh, the pain palpable in the air around him. “Jack even said… I am the one that awoke it… the one who started all of this and now it almost killed him… so if I feel like I do not deserve to eat, do not deserve to feel happy, do not deserve the love of the man I almost killed… then I will.” 

His shoulders finally dropped them, a single sob wracking his body as tears ran down his cheeks. Finally what he’d been holding in came to light, the mass of it weighing down on his soul in ways that shook him to his core.

"We're not exactly privy to everything that can happen with a chaotic entity either ya know.  Bwonsamdi, Raptorblood..  any Loa.  They are WILD gods for a reason.  Yeah, you don't know the culture.  We share it with you, but you probably never asked.  I know Vol goes to the grove, where we keep the shrines, and he prays.  He prays a lot more than he used to, to several loa.  Yeah so your desire for children woke up a horny, lonely raptor spirit.  He was in on that too..  He wants kids.  He'd still want to BE with you even if he didn't have the beast in his head.  He'd still want children with you.  You know that.  And he was not trying hard enough until you got involved.  Aret..."  The prelate had moved to hold Xiao, holding him to his chest.  "How many times did that big idiot say he couldn't do it?  I can't .. I can't.."

"At least ten.  Maybe more?"

"He finally figured out how to fight, how to get that big shit to listen to him.  from what he told me last night  He got on it's back WITH you to control it.  He needs you.  I'm not stupid.  He LOVES all of us, but his heart chose you first.  And having to use every bit of energy he can, in his sick bed, to still take care of YOU is pissing me off.  You have GOT to take care of yourself and not make him keep worrying.  It tastes like nothing.  Eat it anyway.  Tarja is crying.  Hold her in his presence.  Let him know that he doesn't have to hold us all up.  Show him we can hold him up too.  You have the balls to hold your Lok'dim up when he is in need?"  

Xiao practically collapsed into Aret as he was hugged, whimpering as he weakly wrapped his arms around him. Aret would be able to feel how weak Xiao really was, his grip loose, his touch lightly shaking from fatigue. He wasn’t in good shape. 

“I want to… I cannot live without him.” He whispered before pausing, his voice cracking as he spoke the following words. “I have just never felt like such a complete failure. It feels like I failed him every way. The screams… the pain he was in… it correlated so much when I interacted. I thought I helped and… the scream he made, Venyabi... “ He shook in Aret’s arms, silently sobbing into the smooth Zandalari musculature. “It still haunts me… I go to sleep, I hear him scream, I wake up, terrified I did something wrong, terrified I killed him…”

"We heard them all.  We watched his body just give up.  And now you are doing to yourself. Giving up.  You saw what was happening and not one of us knew what to do.  It could have been me, Aret.  Stop blaming yourself.  You did what you could as you knew to.  We don't have the innate knowledge or train to deal with the chaos.  Give up the pity party Xiao."

Xiao whimpered again lightly, hiding his face against Aret’s chest. “I just.. I find myself questioning everything. If I am making the right choice. I just… want to do right by him, by you… by our family…” He slowly lifted his head to let Venyabi see his tear-stained cheeks. He reached out a hand to him weakly, silently asking for the comfort from his other mate that he so desperately needed in that moment.

“Then stand up and help your family.  Three of us holding it up is better than two and four is better than three, yeah?”  He moved to sit next to the pandaren, kissing his nose softly.  “You just took me, have only known me a few months.  You’ve seen my broken, my difference.  And yet you held me up when I needed it.  When Vol couldn’t be there with your Fel friend, you were, Aret was.  We are meant to help each other.  You are the one who heals us.  Child of Yu’lon, the comfort of our family.  When you need us, we comfort you.  But you will be easy to get back healthy than he will be.  All you need to do is remember to eat, drink.  You can’t touch him more than his hand.  Neither can we.  He’s not held his mates, which he is used to being under a pile of men nightly.  He has not held Tarja in days.  Usual routine, dancing in the kitchen before breakfast.  She’s missed out on it.  She’s also missing out on her Ba holding her and telling her stories.  We all are hurt, but Xiao, he at least is eating, resting.  You’re mourning something that you should celebrate.  Mourning he almost died when you should be celebrating that you helped save him.  Yeah, screw ups happened, but You two won.  That chicken isn’t happy, but he’ll settle down, ya know.  In time and all that.”

Xiao leaned into Venyabi now, whining quietly before closing his eyes and going limp against them. All of that weight, the worry, the pain, he gave in and let them hold him, support him. He would stay there, sobbing silently in their arms for just a few more minutes before finally letting out a deep and heavy sigh. He looked up at Venyabi and Aret, smiling wearily before speaking in a hoarse whisper. “Could… could you go get some of the raw herb we have from Tal along with one of Vol’s waterpipes? I know Tal has to have given him one by now if he did not have one before.” A rather shocking ask from the Pandaren, but hey there was a first time for everything.

“Where is it?”  Venya stood up, making a noise as he showed off his ‘dad reflexes’, Tarja rolling to the edge of the bed.  “No you don’t baby girl.  Stay with Papa.  You are the cute around here.  He needs more of that.”  She wiggled, practicing her getting up on all fours already.  “One day, she's going to learn to walk and run.  Then we are ALL fucked.”

Xiao thought for a moment before responding a bit sheepishly. “Honestly, I...do not know. I do not partake in it usually, he tends to keep it more for himself and Aret.” He looked to the prelate he was still leaning on. “Do you know?” He asked quietly, hopeful he knew.  

Aret pointed to the cabinet Vol kept most of his work clothes in.  “In there I think.  I am usually not awake when he puts it back and he’s smoking when we do…”  He turned lavender, nuzzling Xiao even if he was weak.

“Uh what’s that..  Wait.. yeah  I get it.  Vol gets horny when he smokes and apparently he likes fuckin’ you when he is, yeah?”  Ven smirked, walking to the cabinet and looking around.  When he finally found it, he was jumping up to the top to find it.  “Fucking… Over… grown… Darkspear…”  he finally got a hand on it and pulled it out, bringing a box out with it.  “Very funny you tall fuck.”

Xiao blushed and actually mustered a smile. “Yes, it… emboldens his wants.” When Venya had to jump to reach for it, Xiao’s smile widened slightly, his curiosity being piqued as he saw the box. “What else came with it? Is that where he keeps his raw herb as well?”

The box was put on the bed, far enough from Tarja who had decided to go and roll against her father’s knee and hug it.  He didn’t seem to know.  “Raw herb…”  He sniffed, “Kit’s….  This other must be Tal’s…”  He grabbed another box, opening it up and just staring at it.  “Um.. I don’t think I was supposed to.. None of us are supposed to.”

Xiao furrowed his brows, reaching over to take the box and look inside. He wanted to know too. He was, after all, a curious Panda… and it served as a distraction from the weight in his heart still.

Venya turned the box around.  It was long, wooden and plain.  When he opened the box, four rings were lined up.  The bands were thick for the fingers of trolls, and a bit finer for the pandaren.  Four stones were set as a square.  Sapphire, jade, amber and a shining tigers eye were all inlaid in the bands, not in a setting above them.  Ribbons were attached with each of their names, all the same size, but a peice of paper was inside.  "they should all fit magically depending on who you put it on.  Tarja's necklace is going to take a bit more time.  Should have it in a few weeks.  I enchanted them to never lose the stones.  Should be fine to wear with no nicks or wear to the ring."

"I think I found our wedding bands."

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - Together

Xiao could see that Vol was losing, that he was losing his mate. Tears fell down his face and he let out a cry of rage that would chill the blood of even Bwonsamdi himself. This cry likely echoed through to his dream self, perhaps even to his real self in the physical world. 

Without any warning, Xiao leapt up and onto the back of Raptorblood. His arms tightened around the creature’s neck and he pressed fingers against the kill spot on his neck where if he pressed even an inch of pressure harder, he’d halt his flow of Chi forever.

“I AM NOT GOING TO LOSE MY FLOCK!” The words came out as a primal scream, the Pandaren’s very soul screaming in agony as he watched the life slowly draining from his mate.

“Vol’raka is my everything and if you let him die, there will BE NO FLOCK! If he dies, *I* die, do you understand me? I cannot live without him. If that means YOU have to die for him to live, I WILL NOT HESITATE.” He roared right in the raptor’s ear.

“You were there for Arhys, you were there for Jansevet, Aket, and Boga. I will send your animal soul screeching to the Loa of Graves who *I* serve, waiting right outside. He lives either way. If I kill you, he will come back. He will be different, but he will come back. I am NOT LOSING MY LOK’DIM FOR YOUR PRIDE!” He pressed harder, likely making the raptor lose all feeling and go limp underneath him as blackness started to encroach. Xiao didn’t make the kill, but he weakened him, left him right on the cusp, the threat clear. 

“You can make your choice. Bow to him. Make peace. Save my Lok’dim… or I will save him myself. Bow to him. Bow to ME. Or go to Bwonsamdi. If anyone dies today, it will be you. Not him. Now decide before I decide for you.”

Tears were streaming down Xiao’s face and it took all of his self control to not shake, but he was in such a heightened state of adrenaline, nothing else mattered but doing this and nothing could stop him now.

************************

Tarja sat next to her father smacking him in the face like she did often.  The tiny girl, still so little compared to her father was confused.  When she booped papa, papa said boop and laughed.  So she did it again.  Now she was becoming upset  She looked up at Aret and Venya, making very disgruntled baby noises.  Papa didn’t laugh with her and Ba didn’t hold her for snuggles.  

“It’ll be ok Arie…  It will.”

Venya hoped to all the loa he was not lying.  Jack had finally let Kit into the circle.  He was pacing as but Pahre and Kit were working as best they could to keep him with the thread of being alive.  

“He’s not breathing, Jack.”

********************

Vol just felt the dark, but he could still hear.  He could hear Xiao.  He could hear Aret and Venya somewhere, but they were far away.  Xiao was close.  “Xiao Chun?  OW!”  

The hunter held his nose, having bumped into a fuzzy foot.  Wait that wasn’t a foot.  He put his hand up to feel what he could, a familiar fluffy body and scaled back.  There was a saddle on the beast now, and he was not sure where that came from.  “Xiao?  I can’t see…”

He felt the scaled body move as if the big beast was sitting down.  Then he felt the scaled nose push on his back.  “We will not abandon our flock.  He leads our flock.  We are one.  We must be one for him.”

***************************

“Papa boop!  Papa BOOP!”  Tarja looked at her Zazi and De’de.  Why was everyone crying..?

****************************

Xiao righted himself in the saddle gently, placing a gentle caress along Raptorblood’s feathered head, a silent ‘thank you’ for not taking his love from him. “Come on, Vol’raka, my Lok’dim… it is time to wake up, you have a daughter waiting for you… and me waiting for you.” He tried to summon some of his Chi, looking to let it flow into his love and let it reinvigorate him, healing him from within, hoping to allow him to at least see again… wanting so badly for this all to work out.

*******************************

The dark black raptor was on the ground, shaking itself off.  Once Raptorblood obeyed, The fight was easier.  It was fought with troll on raptorback, with a little red pandaren in the saddle as well.  The other loa all stayed silent as Bwonsamdi chuckled.  

“Little killah, ja give me kills, but ja gonna kill loa ta keep dat one from me.  Et not ja time yet, Raptahblood.  Ja got a few yeahs before ah take ja….  So long as ja keep up ja work, hmm?”

********************************

“PAPA BOOP!”  The little girl, destined to be a shadowhunter smacked her father hard, for a baby.  Aret reached down to pick her up as she tried to shove a rock in the area between lip and tusk.

“...ow..”

*********************************

Xiao clung to Vol on the back of Raptorblood as the fight was won, looking over to Bwonsamdi now, he nodded. “I would do anything for my Lok’dim, you know my dedication to him. We will give you the foul ones, we promise… and sorry for bothering you. I will pay you back in time.” He hugged on Vol gently and whispered to him now. “How do we wake up…? I think I can hear Tarja trying to ‘boop’ you…”

*************************************

Vol was the one to wake up last.  He listened to anything he could that was his family.  Even if it was his psychotic Aunt and her ethereal, out of body voice.  

“Papa boop!”  That girl was violent for her age.  It worked.  He couldn’t move, he was cold and Loa his head hurt.  He couldn’t open his eyes, and everything was heavy but he could hear her.  

“Boop.”  That took all of his energy alone.  

“Nazui.  Send the loa back!”   Kit hollered over her shoulder, happy that the tallest of her nephews was breathing. 

The warlock nodded, being cooperative as she wrote the runes in the air with blood.  Venya kept a close eye on her as she did, turning to see the Pandaren look much less like stone.  He rushed forward and grabbed his lover by the middle and curled him up in his lap.  

Xiao gave a groggy little squeak as Venya wrapped around him, groaning as he felt like he woke up from a nap encased in stone, every joint aching as he felt utterly exhausted from having used so much Chi. He whimpered and wrapped his arms weakly around Venyabi, clinging to him as best he could. 

“Vol...  Vol’raka… can we…” He cleared his throat quietly, whispering to Venya still. “Can we go see him? All cuddle together? I want my mates.. I need… my family…”

There were still tears in his voice as he clung to his newest mate, though his grasp was weak due to exhaustion.

“No, not yet.”  Jack stood talk, looking to Jura and Tsal, speaking to them in languages that druids speak the two running to the house as fast as raptor form and stag could carry them.  The old man leaned down to pick his nephew up and silently take him inside.  Venya took the silent command of the old druid as he followed, Aret taking Tarja.  The little girl was very upset that no one would play with her.  

Jack put Vol in the bed himself, coming back down clothed in a kilt that was Vol’s.  The old male looked at Xiao still in Venya’s arms.  All he did was stare at him, with eyes that mimicked the young sleeping troll.  

“You called a Loa.  A powerful one.  Tell me what you saw, small one.”

When Xiao saw Vol get carted off, he let out a huff and rolled over to look at them all as they came up to him. Strangely, he took on a slightly edged tone. Not quite angry, but perhaps a little agitated.

“I did not know what else to do. Kit told me to sit in that spot because I can run fast in case something goes wrong or something. Then I ended up somehow watching an entire meeting of Loa? My Lok’dim almost died…! No one told me what to do, I could not speak to any of you, I was by myself… why would no one warn me of what was going to happen…” He clung to Venya, shaking partially in sadness and partially in anger, gritting his teeth as he fought back tears, not wanting to cry anymore.

“Kit…”

“Hey…  It got him where it needed to be?”  Kit smiled and shrugged.  “Xiao in right spot Loa in right spot, Raptorblood in Right spot.  End justifies the means.  They aren’t dead.”

“Sometimes you are as bad as Mama Azu, Kit.”  Ven held his mate close, hands and arms wrapped around him to keep him warm and a little worried about his safety.  “Vol’s mostly dead…  you could have told him what.”

“Silence, Venyabi.”  Jack looked at Xiao, studying him with eyes that glared into a person’s soul.  The old male nodded, sitting back on his haunches.  “None are left that were a part of my mother’s little experiments with trapping Loa.  Ki’la did not have the blood ceremony, there was not time.  Your Tarja…  She does not belong to our Loa.”  The old male stood, looking at Kit and pointing at her, everyone staring as if he grew a third head.  

“You knew.  You knew he was too old for this.  You raised him and did not awaken him when he was a child.  When he would have been strong enough.  Our sister had her flaws, but you knew better, Wolf.”

Xiao gave Kit’raka a look he never thought he would direct her way. It was a look of utter outrage, his eyes smouldering lightly with rage. “I had hoped maybe you didn’t know what was going to happen, that you weren’t expecting me to go into that dream trance nonsense. Not only did you know… you purposely hid it from me.” He took a deep breath. “You put more than me or Vol at risk, Kit’raka. If that had gone worse, I could have died along with Vol. You put our entire family at risk…” He shook his head, looking up at Venyabi. “I am almost finding myself wanting to use the words I heard Pahre use…” He whispered with such pain in his voice. He buried his face against Venyabi’s stomach and whimpered. “I don’t have the energy for this. I used every last drop of Chi I had… Venyabi… tell them what I saw.” With that, the link opened up as Xiao shared his memories with his love. He played them back in realtime, thinking back on the events and reliving them while letting Venyabi see what had happened through his eyes. That way he could tell them word for word what happened without Xiao having to exhaust himself.

Venya didn’t particularly WANT to tell them, but he relayed back everything,up to and including the raptor fight in Vol’s head.  “Did he seriously … both of you.  HE KICKED A LOA IN THE HEAD?”

Xiao actually let out a small chuckle then. “I jumped on his back and nearly killed him. Apparently me screaming in his ear and demanding either he give in or die... “ He trailed off, coughing lightly in his weakness. “Someone get me a drink? Please? I think that scream carried to real life, my throat hurts.”

Aret skittered off to do so, Venya holding Xiao close.  Kit moved to stand in front of her nephews and speak in perfectly clear Zandali.  Her tone was calm, her voice deep and soft.

“I knew what I had to do.  I know I should have tried to awaken Raptorblood when he was young.  I thought his mother trying to murder him would wake him.  It didn’t.  I thought Raptorblood was a dormant Loa.  He would pass and Vol would not receive his gifts.  I will admit I was wrong.   I also know if he could not get control, He’d kick it.  I love my nephew as if my son, but he cannot be alone.  He needs the strength of others to be strong.  He was going to need you.  Each awakening is different.  I met Wolf’s Cry as an old friend.  I did not know it would go that far.”

Xiao took the water as it was brought back by Aret, smiling at him weakly as he drank it and let out a groan of relief. He slowly sat up, clinging to Venya to keep himself stable as he was still quite dizzy. “You are lucky I consider you so close in our family, Kit… You know I do not take endangering of my family lightly. Right now… all I care about is seeing Vol. Someone carry me to him, please. Venya?” He asked, glancing up at him wearily.

Jack shook his head and spoke.  “No.  You can wait five more minutes.”  He turned to Jura and Tsal.  “You two.  He can show you where food is.  Make food.  Kit’raka.  Stay down here.”  He reached out to take the baby from Pahre, and nodded.  “Mates, children.  Me.”  With that he wandered up the stairs,  Tarja laughing and smacking him in the face.  

“Papa boop!”

Xiao wasn’t one to disrupt things so openly, but he wasn’t going to take no for an answer right now. He reached down for something he always kept on him, glad for it now as he pulled a small sealed jug to his lips that glowed a bright teal as it went down his gullet. His eyes practically flashed with Chi, reinvigorated enough to hop out of Venya’s lap, summon a Chi cloud beneath himself, and zoom off through the air to chase after Vol. He wanted to see his mate and no one was going to stop him.

“That little thing is going to kill him.”

Jack brought Tarja up and peeked in after Xiao.  Vol was unconscious, with dried blood still in his ears.   He breathed.  That was good enough for Jack right then.  

“You wanna sit with your Papa, child?”  Tarja was already making grabby hands at the troll in the bed.  The old druid put her down, sitting quietly.  He waited for Ven and Aret to come up first, speaking softly.  “You are a healer.  Do not force healing on this.  Only a bit at a time.”

Xiao landed beside the bed, moving to stare at his unconscious mate. He whimpered and climbed into the bed with him, being gentle as if he were as fragile as a newborn. He gently draped an arm over Vol’s waist, using his bones for support rather than resting on anything soft that might need room to breathe. He rested his head on Vol’s shoulder, crying silently now as he clung to him as best he could without putting any pressure on him. While he wasn’t going to heal him much, as Jack instructed, he wasn’t going to leave him like this. 

As he kept his arms draped across his love, Chi slowly started to flow out of him and mending its way into Vol’raka’s body. It may not heal much of the damage, but the goal was to revitalize, give him energy, just enough to wake up. All Xiao wanted was for him to wake up.

Tarja clapped for her Ba’s pretty lights.  She liked when she saw them usually.  She was not quite at the point she could crawl, but she could roll.  She made a noise as she rolled into Ba and giggled.  

“Slow down, he’s still shocky.”  Jack put his hand on Vol’s blanket covered leg as the other two came in.  He smiled at the little girl, patting the pandaren on the shoulder.  “Little girl, has your Loa come to teach you a little?”  Tarja put her hand in her mouth and proceeded to beat on her father’s side.  “Seems one has..  A little more, Xiao Chun”

Upon hearing Jack’s instruction, he reached down to drink another Chi potion, the last one he had on him. His eyes flashed again and he poured his energy over Vol, slowly but surely letting the energy quite literally transfer from himself into his mate, using his own Chi to recharge his love’s after he was so thoroughly depleted.

By the time he finished, he was laying a bit more limply on Vol, eyes closed as he waited to feel his mate move beneath him, too tired to keep them open until then.

“I love.. You.. but the last thing I want is any… one touching me.  Everything… “  He didn’t have the energy for much beyond that, but he was awake.  Tarja was ALSO awake and pounding away with her fist on her papa’s middle.  “Loa.. stop..”

Aret promptly picked her up and held her in his lap, sitting on the floor next to the bed.  Ven stood back a little, watching his uncle who let a little energy flow from an old druidic hand.  

“You nearly died, all three of you.”

Xiao whimpered a bit but pulled himself off of Vol, laying beside him but no longer touching him. “I am just… glad you are alive. I almost lost you, Ba’la…” He murmured quietly, wanting to cuddle him but giving him space.

“I was so afraid I was going to lose you because I didn’t know what I was doing… I’m sorry you got so hurt.”

“Apparently… I’m not that hard to kill.  Got close.”  He didn’t sit up, open his eyes, do anything.  His breathing was shallow, but it was getting better as the druidic magic and chi eased into his body.  “That fucker was just a.. Jealous… bitch..

Xiao let out a quiet sigh. “Whatever I did, it worked. I guess threatening him, getting so close to losing it all, it made him realize what was important? Unless you have more insights? It all happened so fast and I am… so tired.” He said not sounding tired from lack of sleep but sounding as if he had an anchor weighing him down to his very core.

“He’s not done.”  Jack turned his head to Vol, no disobedience allowed as he spoke, the aura of it hitting everyone in the room.  “You will rest.  In a week you will learn how to work with Raptorblood.  Your loa, the beast, whatever you wish to call it, You make it a partner.  It can still kill you.”  He looked to Venya who looked away.  “Yours was too happy to listen to you, Venyabi.  Some do not take kindly.  This just got out of control.  I would suggest that you make a bed for me, I will be here long enough.”  The old druid stood, quiet again as he walked out, only stopping for a last order.  “Do not leave that bed for the next three days for anything but taking a leak, Vol’raka.  That includes no sex.  This room reeks.”

Xiao nodded as Jack walked away, not even pausing at the mentions of sex. He just wanted his love to be alright. “Are you still in such pain that… even touch hurts?” He asked quietly, trying to keep his voice steady as to not show how emotionally rattled he was.

“Ever have .. something feel like you burned it..?”  Vol’s eyes closed, sighing at the lack of light.  “Who lit my bones on fire.  My Lungs hurt.. Head.”

Aret spoke up, trying to be quiet as he played with Tarja.  “Your ears were bleeding.  You.. stopped breathing.”

“You were about five seconds from going to your Loa.”  Venya leaned against the poster on the bed, slipping the ornate dancing collar off and onto a chair.  “I have never had ill feelings to Kit.. until now.”

Xiao nodded slightly in response to Venya’s remark about Kit. “I feel so betrayed… but we can deal with it later.” He looked to Vol. “I will be gentle, I… I just… have to do one thing.”

He carefully levitated himself on a small Chi-cloud, moving to float above Vol. He moved and oriented the cloud beneath him so he was laying on his stomach on the cloud, face hanging off the edge. He lowered himself down just enough to press his lips ever so gently against Vol’s. 

“I am so sorry for all of the pain you are in… and how much of it I caused. I love you… please know that… it means everything to me that you came back.” He couldn’t hold back the tears now as they silently trailed down his cheeks, Xiao’s eyes closing as he pulled away as to not hurt Vol anymore.

“Got a daughter to raise, husbands to love..  A stubborn older brother who shares our bed.  Not looking forward to whatever .. “  He coughed roughly, shivering as he stopped talking.  He couldn't even find the energy to work the link between them.  

Xiao whimpered and brushed a stray piece of hair away from Vol’s face after his coughing fit. He placed the gentlest of kisses on top of Vol’s head in his hair, that way Vol would be able to feel the sensation of his hair shifting slightly without Xiao actually making physical contact. “I love you…” He whispered before gasping in surprise.

His magic began to falter, his Chi finally running out as exhaustion caught up to him. “Nnnnonononono not yet.” He murmured hurriedly as he hovered himself off to the side of the bed just as the cloud dissipated into nothingness.

Xiao landed with a small groan, laying on the floor with a small weary smile. 

“Worth it… I got to kiss my Lok’dim…” He whispered before closing his eyes and giving in to just laying on the floor.

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - Death

It was Raptorblood who stood, the little creatures he took care of all running toward the illusion of Xiao not far from him.  Well, all but the little Sunfire who was curled up on the place where the big raptor WAS, Vol’s lap.  

“Am I dying?”  Vol looked up, staring at Xiao, hoping that this wasn’t the last time he’d see that perfect face.  “This fuck doesn’t listen.”  

The beast that lived in the mind of the hunter moved forward, looking with amber eyes at the pandaren.  “The human hurt him…  the elf hurt him.  You didn’t hurt him.”  The animal towered over Xiao, looking down and dropping his head to headbutt Xiao softly.  “I had to hide, I could not save him from them.  His wants were not my wants then.  He saw you.  You wanted what I wanted.  I could come out then, when he was happy.”  Raptorblood turned his head to look at the troll as he sat, patting the little creature in his lap.  “The witch… Zufli..  She bound all of her descendants.  All the ones she could to a Loa.  Forced us to live with them, guard them.  This one, Bear, Stag, Claw and Wolf.  We were strong enough to stay, bound by the magic.  Where is the one who bore his hatchling?  I thought she would help him, not Claw.”

Xiao smiled ever so slightly, leaning up to nuzzle his head against Raptor’s massive scaled features. “Making him happy is all I ever want…” He said quietly before going silent to listen. When asked of Naddja, he looked down.

“She is… Fon. You know what that means. She is dead, that is all that can be said.”

He gave Raptorblood a gentle look, wanting to say more but knowing if ANYONE held such beliefs close, it would be the Loa themselves. 

********************

“Master.. Please don’t die…”  Aret had taken Jack’s place holding Vol’s head.  He was cold now, the fight too long in the waking world.  Jack had taken to healing Vol’s body trying to keep him alive.  He ordered his sister to stay up where she was and told Pahre if she offered again he’d have her son take her to her house.  Aret refused to leave his lover’s side.  Venya stood by, helpless as Jack and Jura discussed what to do if this went much longer.

“We can make the pyre easily  Make sure you keep Xiao off the fire.”  Jura looked to the still and blind Pandaren.  “I don’t know if he’ll crawl up there with him.”

“Xiao will..  Want his braid.  He will stay safe for the baby…  I hope.”

*******************

“Ok Seriously, you dumb fucking chicken.  I’m done with this.  My daughter needs her papa and it’s about time for dinner.”  Vol stood up, bringing the little sunfur to where Xiao stood.  “Here.  Love take this.  Keep it safe huh?”

One good kick to the face made the raptor roar…

Xiao took the little sunfur and then squeaked in surprise as Vol kicked Raptorblood. He took a step back and whimpered. “Vol, please… I… I don’t know what to do. I need you. What can I do?!” He asked desperately as he clung to the little furred creature, protecting it and equally clinging to it as if to protect his heart from breaking.

“Tell Bwonsamdi He’s not getting me today and Tell Jack to NOT cut off my braid.  I think you might kill him!”  

The raptor was still reeling from the kick as Vol got the hint himself.  He was a raptor tamer.  That is how he fed his family, kept them safe and happy.  And he was not going to let some dumb bird win.  Four hundred pounds of troll grabbed the obstinate raptor loa and shoved him to the ground and held him down.  He had tried the easy way, gentling didn’t work.  It was time to push a little harder.

“Now, We are gonna get an understanding.  You are a giant fuck, and I am in charge.  Got it?  Yammer at me all you fuckin’ want…”  The Raptor was screeching at him, fighting to get up.  “Bitch and moan.  When you fuckin’ listen and obey, I’ll let you up.  Now.  if you figure out if you don’t listen to my scrawny ass WE DIE.. not just me.. You.  The bitch stuck you in here with me.  So figure it out!”

********************************************

In the realm of loa, Bwonsamdi giggled, actually well and truly giggled as he was watching the two raptors stop fighting and the big blue animal fall to its side and kick like it was stuck in a trap.  “Fa’da not winnin’ no more…”

****************************************

Xiao let the link falter just enough to see what was going on before him, hearing Bwonsamdi giggle. “Loa, I hate to disappoint, but you are not getting my love today. He is not done yet…” With that, he went back into the link, focusing as he moved over to the two fighting, staring down at Raptorblood. “If you two do not get it together, you will both die and there will be nothing that can be done. Bwonsamdi is literally here, I will have to steal the souls out from under him to put you back together and I do /not/ see that happening. So either speak out what is going on or you both die! Talk to me, Raptorblood. If I made him happy, if I made it so you could finally come out, if I did all of that for you, do this for me! How do we fix this? Why are you so upset?”

He wasn’t quite demanding, but he was firm in his tone, hoping the raptor Loa would finally listen and communicate with them since it was now or never.

“WE cannot be alone!”  

It was all that the beast would speak as he and Vol finally were going at it.  Vol let it up, the big raptor snapping at its host.  The hunter was not playing as he sucker punched the animal to knock it back.  Gentling hadn’t worked, now it was on to the more difficult ways.  

Vol’s deep voice bellowed, carrying through the ‘peaceful’ landscape.  “My mate not yours!”  

Xiao huffed between them. “Are you jealous? Is that what this is about?!” He asked finally, letting out an exasperated sigh. “Raptorblood, you are part of him. I love ALL of him. That includes you. I do not love him /because/ of you, but I love every facet of him, even the ones that can cause so much trouble they nearly kill him in a fit of jealousy. Nothing in this world will EVER part me from my Lok’dim. I will go from this world to the next screaming his name until I find him if I have to. You and he are one. I will NEVER let Vol’raka be alone, I will always be by his side until the end of days. That means your side too. If you both do not stop it, there will not be a side for me to stand by and that is a world I do not want to live in!” He tried not to cry as he spoke the last sentence, clearly pained even at the thought.

The animal turned and roared, aimed at Xiao for once.  “ALL LEAVE!”  Raptorblood was in pain, blinded by it.  He was not much more than an animal in fear was dangerous but distracted.  He was convinced that would happen, it was evident in the sound, the reactions.  “MY FLOCK WILL LEAVE!”

Vol was tired, his mind was feeling cloudy now, his body was cold and his head hurt even as he fought against the loa he’d been burdened with.  “Xiao…?”

**********************

“Go get Tarja so she can say goodbye, Venyabi.”

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - Failing

In Vol’s mind, the war was being waged, but in a strange way.  

The raptor lay at his feet, the two in serene peace.  Honor, Valor and Raptorblood’s little collection of what it considered it’s flock to protect all laid out in the pasture, just a few yards away from the waterfall.  The big raptor laid with its head in Vol’s lap and talking to the hunter, the troll exasperated with it.  

“Why won't you do what you are told…”  The troll’s heard raced, even in the serenity that they were surrounded by, that he was trying to keep in place.  It hurt his head, he didn’t know why his head hurt so badly.  He knew that Raptorblood was fighting his Uncle’s beast and losing.  Badly.

“I know how to fight another raptor.” 

“Well obviously It’s not fuckin’ working is it.”  Vol actually snarled as the tiny raptor hopped around giving tiny, loud roars.  It had apparently learned it from the little sunfire panda that was running around and fighting every shadow it could, also squeaking in anger.  

“He’s old.  I can take him.”  

The scene was odd, the two seemingly at peace with each other and at odds at the same time.  He still didn’t understand why his head hurt so bad.

**********************************

“He will come ta tha otha side soon enough…”  

Xiao’s eyes widened at Bwonsamdi’s words, speaking out brashly without even thinking. “No! No, Celestials no, not that. I have served you… given you several strong offerings now. I have asked for nothing in return. I am asking now. I want you to… stop this. Do something. You are stronger than both of these two by a long shot. They are minor Loa, you are… well, you. Please… I beg of you, my Loa. Save my mate.”

Bwonsamdi shook his head.  “Ya didn’t listen.  Wolf girl up there told ya not to fight back.”  The Loa watched with an expressionless mask, not just because he really didn't have a face.  “He gotta figure out fer himself.  I think da old man’s idea woulda helped.”  

****************

“Would you…  that didn’t work either.  Toss him against the wall, ya fuck!”

“I got it…”  

“Against the wall!”  

“This is my fight!”

“Listen to me or we die you stupid fuck, then who is taking care of our family when we are dead?”

***************************

Xiao let out a pained exhaled, looking lost as he just watched now. “What… what do I do…” He murmured, so uncertain. His magic began to falter and he let the ring of peace fall away, no longer levitating as he took a few steps back and just stared in fearful horror. Finally he spoke out again.

“Vol… please, I know you can hear me… Raptorblood can hear me, so can you. I love you, Vol’raka. You need to fight, to win, please. We need you, our family needs you… *I* need you. Please do not leave me, Lok’dim… please…”

******************

“He loves you more than me.”  The Raptor sighed, but kept up his fight in the dream, still failing to win.  They both had heard Xiao calling for the troll

“He’s supposed to love me more, He’s mine.  I’m his.”

Vol felt the beast sigh, the two still fighting against each other, one not listening to the other.  He was getting fed up, and in his flock he was the dominant predator…

“Wait. Are you fucking Jealous?  Is that was all this fuckin Tauren shit is about?  Is that why you won’t listen to me?”

*****************

“I don’t have enough left in me for this Jack..”  Jura was too tired, Tsal starting to take over.  The troll with bright gold hair was humming, healing as he had learned from Tauren instead of troll.  “It’s been three hours.”

Vol looked a hell of a lot worse for wear, and Jack, for his age was still winning.  “I can’t throw the fight, Jura.” 

******************

Xiao whimpered, a tear streaking down his face now. “Vol’raka… I know you can hear me… fight, please. I will have nothing without you… I need you to fight for me, for our daughter… for the children we are going to have once we are married. I want to see your face in the faces of our children every day, wake up next to you every day, spend the rest of my life with you. I cannot do that if you do not fight… if you don’t *win*... please…” He hoped his pleas weren’t falling on deaf ears, it being the last thing he could think of and hoping that Vol’s heart would overpower the Raptor’s dominance.

Then something else hit him… the collars. Usually he could just reach out and feel, but this was different. He reached a hand up to the collar around his neck, closing his eyes and focusing now as he tried to force his way into his mate’s head through the link.

“Vol’raka, please. Raptorblood, one of you… both of you… whatever this is, fix it, please. I cannot lose what makes me whole… or at least TALK to me. I cannot let you die!”

**********************

“Ohhhhohoho  Seems the little fuzzy mon figured something out.  Well, dis gonna be a lil different, hmm?”

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - Graves

Xiao let out a strained noise that was a mixture of annoyance, frustration, and uncertainty. Finally decided enough was enough. He flew back down and found a spot near the edge of the circle. He contemplated what to do, hearing how his Loa was somehow blocked, but truly what /was/ his Loa. A Celestial, perhaps his new personal Loa he had come to serve… which should he call on, if either, and how? That’s when he shook his head and realized what needed to be done. His family, his new tribe, they would be a hybrid, calling upon both of the old ways, of each of their people. He may not be a Troll, but he has been accepted by them, and now work for one of their strongest Loa. Perhaps that was enough, but he would have to try. 

He closed his eyes and Chi began to form around him at a dangerously fast pace. His very form began to ripple as if threatening to split as his Chi began to spark and split off into two different colors. After a moment, a third color appeared, his Chi arcing in three separate directions before suddenly ripping off entirely so that there were three clones of Xiao; one of each element aside from his main. One the color of Xuen, one the color of Chi-Ji, and one the color of Niuzao. Xiao himself was glowing brightly with the infused greenish teal of the Jade Serpent. His Chi-selves formed a circle, spacing out like the four directions of a compass. He spoke out in a low whisper, knowing what he had to do. He had to intervene, and even if he didn’t… maybe someone more powerful would and he just needed to buy enough time.

“Bwonsamdi… my great Loa of Graves. Your humble servant calls upon you. Quell this squabble, show them the power that the Autumnpaws serve. I beseech thee.” He spoke all of this in Zandalari, hoping his Loa would respond. 

That was one half, now for his Loa of Pandaria. They would make no appearance, at least not that he actively called upon. No, he would be their avatar, channeling their strength through the affinity of Chi that runs in his very blood. In one swift movement, him and his three Chi-selves leapt forward into the midst of the fray. As all four selves collided, looking to meet directly between the warring spirits, Xiao’s true energy showed itself. His selves reformed and the blast of Chi that followed was enormous, pulling from his very core and using every ounce of strength he had. Much like when Aret and Venyabi walked in on him in deep meditation, he now delve into powers of a similar caliber. He was an avatar of peace, tranquility, forced pacifism, even if only for a moment. A ring of peace that none could deny and would launch any fighting creatures to opposite sides of the ring, hopefully not even minor Loa being immune  as the eruption of Chi levitated his form and put him into a meditative stance that emanated raw energy from him like a font of natural Celestial power.

The old ways of the Loa and the new ways of his Celestials. This would be the way the Autumnpaw tribe would be, a perfect harmony of two ways of life. If anything would be enough to hold his family together, it would be by upholding that very tenet to his core as he brought the two together with his own outpouring of Celestial energy and his beseechment of the Loa of Graves. He could only hope it would work.

While this was all going on in the spirit realm or whatever sort of trance Xiao was in, with such an outpouring of Chi, it would be almost impossible for him to not be in the same meditating floating stance in reality along with the moving Trolls.

"The sssssmall one callsss on Loa."  The Viper was rather interested now, moving to get closer to the group of animal spirits, none saying anything, all watching the fight between Claw and Raptor.  "And the Loa do not come."

"Shut ya face ya slitherin' noodle.  Ah like this little killah of mine.  Weelllll ef et ain't mah little sacrificial pandaren.  Why ya tryin' ta kill ya mate.  Thought ya two like each othah!"  Bwonsamdi stood back, hovering above where Vol was in the waking world.  "Ah mean, ef ya wanna give me mah huntah, ah sure ya find anothah."    

"We warned him, He did not listen."  Eagle looked sadly at the ring of peace that stopped the fight.... and made a heartbreaking scream come from the waking world.  "He is in pain.."  

Bwonsamdi nodded, waiting quietly.  "He didn't win."  

*******************

In the waking world Jura was getting tired, Jack holding still with his mind fighting just as hard against his nephew.  “If this is your place, your territory, control the predator, nephew.”

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - Fight

Xiao seemed relieved that they all seemed to react peacefully enough, some even approving of him. It was when he saw Raptor Blood squaring up that he panicked. He went wide-eyed and dove back in a hurry, leaping out of the way and putting some distance between himself and the fight. “Celestials… what do I do now…” He muttered to himself, uncertain if he should intervene; or if he even COULD intervene. He had no idea. 

The two raptor loa fought, dancing around each other as they attacked.  A few feathers flew as they rounded each other mostly snapping and trying for bites at that point.  The drums that had been keeping a beat stopped, the only thing heard was an old deep voice and the young rumble that had what seemed a few moments ago told Xiao he loved him.  

The Dark raptor spun around the blue beast, roaring at him as Jack's voice came from somewhere Xiao could not pinpoint.  

"Control him, Vol'raka..."

"He won't listen!"  

The big raptor lunged for the dark scaled beast, sinking his teeth into the soft side of smaller raptor's belly.  Vol's voice was panicking as the two animals fought.  

"How?"  

"Fight back, Vol'raka."  Jack's voice was calm, soothing even in the rage of the loa that shared his form.  "Clear your mind.  Make him listen and work with you.”  

The black raptor turned its head, glancing at the monk, even as Raptorblood had its mouth around a good chunk of thigh.

“Do not fight back, Yu’lon’s child…”  It was Wolf’s cry was half the familiar voice of Vol’s Aunt and the wolf combined, addressing Xiao.  “Accept what will happen.  Raptorblood will die before you are harmed.”

Xiao watched in horror, and finally when Wolf’s Call spoke of Raptorblood dying, he decided enough was enough. The Pandaren stood at his full height, tapping into something he rarely even remembered he had. This was the commanding tone of the War Veteran, not the pacifist monk. It was resonating and roared over the sounds of combat as he spoke out the order.

“CEASE THIS, NOW!” The words came out in booming Zandalari, Xiao staring down Raptorblood. If this creature had such a connection to him, he would listen. He had to… or so Xiao hoped.

Xiao's command made the big raptor stop attacking, thinking his mate was in trouble and needed help.  The roar of pain that came when huge black jaws found that blue neck was agonizing in that it was not just the scream of a raptor, but a wail of pain from Vol.  When the blue animal was tossed against a fence, he quickly got up and turned around looking for Xiao.  

It was Jack who came from the other side.  

"You cannot help him, Xiao.  He needs his own control".  Jack's voice was quiet, but meant business.  Vol had used that same power, the press of an incredibly dominant aura aiming to hold the two back.  "Let him learn."

Xiao winced, sitting back down and looking a tad defeated as well as incredibly worried. All he could now was to watch, not wanting to make things any worse than they already were.

"Patience, Small one.  Remember, that though you love him, you must let him fall."  

It was Thornhoof who spoke, all of the loa watching quietly, the trolls he could see still suspended in time.  Vol was screaming again, in pain and fear from where Raptorblood stood.  The rage that came from Vol alone spoke to the pain his body felt.  His mind was not clear with this pain, but it seemed he was figuring it out.  The black raptor was aiming for Xiao, looking to attack, eyes locked as if on prey.

"Control him or Xiao will not make it.  Control him."  

Xiao’s eyes widened again, this time in shock and panic as he saw the large creature squaring up at him. Without even thinking, he leapt into the air and summoned a Chi cloud, looking to fly hopefully above the creature’s reach, hopefully not disrupting the circle in the process.

“I am sorry small one…  Jura won’t forgive me.”  Thornhoof spoke, but lay down, unable to do anything but watch the battle.

"The pandaren saves himself, but not his mate.  This is interesting."  Night's Call flapped softly, moving up to the pandaren and staying along side.  "The other ones tell you to listen, or your mate suffers, and yet..."  If a smile could be felt as a thing, tangible and rubbing on someone's fur, the bat had that ability down.  "You are not what they fight over.  They..."  The winged creature turned its head toward the raptors who still were going at each other.  "are fighting for control.  This one who uses my voice, she had blocked your loa from this circle.  You alone cannot control them, or me, or any other loa here.  Or maybe you can..."  

***************

Differing from what Xiao could see and hear, Kit stared down at her nephew, curled up in a fetal position.  While Xiao saw the trolls in his family sightless and still, they were actually very animated and it was Xiao who was still and staring forward.  Aret, Venya and Tsal were staring as Jack held his nephew's head in his lap as he shivered in pain and fear.  Jura kept healing on him, the blood oozing from Vol's ears.  

"You have to control him, you have to win." 

"... can't.  ..."

"Fight back, control him, or he will control you and what is you will die."

"Cmon, kid.  You have too much to fight for..  fight back..."  Kit's whisper was barely audible, but Hari looked at her aunt as her brother was fighting.  She remembered her fight, back when she was young and bear was not as strong.

"He's too old for this, Kit"

“I should have tried to wake that damn thing when he was younger.”

*****************

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - Teeth

Xiao’s eyes widened when the two massive creatures were summoned, his breath nearly stopping when he finally saw Raptor Blood. When time seemingly froze, his heart began to race as he looked around at them and realized that only he was moving. He looked for the source of the voice, trying to see if there was someone else who was moving or if it was truly just him. Surely he couldn’t be ‘old one’... he was only in his 30s, after all.

"You are to obey and protect.  That is the magic that the witch bound us with..."  The stag, Thornhoof, looked at the predator, calm and wisdom in his voice.  "You cannot decide to take over your vessel to kill."

"Then control the lusts of your own body, Stag.  It is you and yours that came after what is mine."  There was a grumble from the raptor, more eyeing the other raptor than the stag who stood proud over the one it held as its host.  Raptorblood saw this Claw Hunter as a threat, and he did not like it.  

"You cannot go killing for a mate.  There are many to breed with.  Small things do not bring good pups."  Wolf's Call spoke practically, keeping her eyes on those below.  "Your host has taken a son of Akil’zon.  Eagle’s Wing is his own brother.  That one will produce strong pups."

"He will not allow us to bear him hatchlings until the pandaren is heavy with his own."  The eagle was weak to see, merely a spirit, but his voice was clear as it spoke.  "He shares with the servant of Krag’wa.  Too bad he is not given frogs blood, I think the witch would have liked him."  

"The magic is only strong when they are cubs."  Bear’s Mother spoke, not looking at her host, the pregnant woman staring at the sky with sightless eyes.  "And you, Raptorblood, would not let your cub have the blood of anything but the pandaren.”  The bear  nodded to Xiao Chun, all the spirits looking at him with the same colored eyes of their hosts, shades of amber from pumpkin to dark tigers eye.  "Because of him, Xuen and the Loa of Pandaria claim her.  Your host has as much loyalty to the one they call Xuen as to the Loa of Graves."  

Xiao was listened in stunned silence, his eyes widening and the color running from his face when they all pointed at him and spoke of Tarja being claimed by his Loa of Pandaria. He looked panicked back and forth, uncertain if he could even speak… but he was going to try. 

“I-... request to be heard? I do not know how this works.. .if you can even hear me…”

He paused, waiting to see if they recognized his voice, if he could even speak.

"You are heard, small one."  It was Claw Hunter who spoke, but the dark colored male was still staring down the bigger male.  "You and This one have taken from the Loa of Trolls and given to your own."

"Wolf helped!"  Eagle was turning his beak up to where Kit and the Wolf stood.  "They knew of the magic."

"Sssheee knew... asssss did Claw...."  The snake unfurled itself, a wide hood showing now as it spoke.  "The older onesss knew... Claw and Wolf, Bear and Eagle, Stag.  You are all complicit in this.  The Ssssshadowhunter belongss to Pandaria and the Darkspear one.  All becaussse you never told the vesssssel".

Xiao nodded nervously as they acknowledged him. “Forgive me if I speak out of turn, but… Raptor Blood, you know I am strongly willed, even if I am submissive to my Lok’dim. Thornhoof does not need to control anything, I am a grown man and he and his own body did not pick me up and put me in their lap, I did it myself. My Lok’dim, the one who I bow to, he and I have an agreement. It is not an agreement that anyone will encroach on regardless of what claims are thought to be made.” He paused, trying to keep his nerve as he looked to Wolf’s Call. “While some may be small in comparison to nine foot tall Trolls, that does not mean my pups will be inferior by any means. I… may be incredibly pressing my luck, but I will be bold in saying that whether it is Raptor Blood, Eagles Wing, or even Thornhoof… I am no small, breakable thing. Even through your hosts, I can outlast each one. It is why Tarja belongs to my people, my Celestials, my Loas. I may be submissive to them, but in a battle of wills, of tenacity, the fire of a Pandaren burns bright. The blood of the Shado-Pan, the blessings of the Celestials, the natural affinity to use my Loa’s magic flows in my very blood. That is the gift Tarja is given. I have been told I am the heart of this Autumnpaw tribe that has formed around us. I am going to take that role and bear it proudly. I bow to Vol’raka Autumnpaw, Janaret Autumnpaw, and my lovely Venyabi. Yet their hearts bow to mine. My body, my tribe, and my cubs, brood, offspring, whatever you wish to call them… will be as strong as their Ba, their Mama Mei, and the Celestials that will one day empower them.” He paused, assuming he wasn’t ran over by angry Raptor Blood or something at this point.

“That does not mean my love’s Loas are forgotten. He is not the only child of Bwonsamdi anymore. I serve the Loa of Graves when the need arises. Your Loa are still honored… but it is time for a new generation, a new tribe… and new children of Loa. Raised in both cultures, honoring both. They will coexist, one way or another. It is up to you whether you do that with honor and grace… or by struggling every step of the way.”

He remained poised, taking slow steady breaths, but internally he may have been having a minor panic attack since he kind of just stood up to a small pantheon of minor Loa.

"I like this one, he is fuzzy and speaks his mind.  Are we not sure he does not a bit of us in him?"  Bear's mother looked down at the pandaren, a smile in her tone.  "I think they will be fine."

Eagle just flapped its wings.  "Mine belongs to Raptor Blood.  Mine will not give children to the child of Xuen, but he has called mine to the Red crane.  I think I can sit next to the crane and be happy with the ones my vessel has chosen"

Most nodded their agreements, content with the words of the small monk to keep the traditions of both.  Even Bat and Snake agreed.  It was Raptor and Claw that were silent and glaring at each other.  If Xiao had ever spent time with the raptors in the fields he'd notice something bad coming down.  

"This is my place....  my land.  My flock.  Do not interfere, old one."  

The attack was fast, hard and meant to kill.  Animal spirits moved to the sides as Raptor Blood raised up to attack with his razor sharp claws and teeth.  The whistling was shrill as the spirit of uncle attacked nephew.  "You will not disobey your vessel.  And this place will be mine!" 

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - The Call

Xiao listened attentively, looking over his spot only to find his attention taken over by the INCREDIBLY scantily clad nature of his mates’ clothing. He smiled a bit and let out a bemused chuckle, trying to remain chaste and not ogle his loves too much. When Vol leaned down to kiss him, he met him with a tender one in return, nuzzling his forehead against him. 

“Of course, I will be right back.” With that, he held Tarja in one arm and offered his other hand to Zakin so he could lead them away to be watched by Nielka. Once he had the children situated, he came back and took the seat Kit had pointed out to him. He was still mostly quiet, a watchful eye observing everything before him as he also kept a slight guard. After all, Kit mentioned being able to run fast, so he had no idea what to expect at that point.

Jack had come out, in near the same clothing as Vol, the two younger males standing next to their uncle.  Vol was only half a head taller, and the tusks were off, but not by much.  If those watching didn't know any better, on would thing the older male Vol's natural father.  Tsal and Jura sat to the side, still clothed Aret sitting on the ground next to them.  They were all within the "fence" that looked suspiciously like a corral.  Kit and Hari were on the outside however, but high enough up that they could participate, but out of the way.  Both were armed. Tavisi stood with Nazui, the woman without her high collar, but clad in kilt and a top that covered their chests.  Hari, Kit and Tavisi were clad the same.  There was a bowl of blood, thick black and sticky, Nazui's wrist slashed but healing.   

Jack put his forehead to Vol's, smiling as he clapped him on the shoulder.  "Better to meet it head on.  You didn't kill him.  He forgives you.  Just take it as it comes."  

Xiao was a mixture of nervous, intrigued, and slightly aroused by all of these gorgeous and nearly naked men. He bit his bottom lip and just watched, ready for anything.

When the drums began, Jura and Tsal kept them soft.  It was not a heavy beat, but it was apparently known to Pahre and Janaret both.  There was a soft almost nonsensical song to it, mostly sounds, no true words from any language.  Nazui stood, her mouth not moving but her voice ringing out loud and strong from nowhere.

"I call to you, Loa bound.  Those given gifts by our mother, her mother, and her mother's mother.  Descendants of the dark, children in service to Bwonsamdi.  You who were born to serve death, but given blood of a Loa's child to serve.  You have strayed but now it is time to control one of your own."

When she started to speak, Venya, Vol and Jack began a dance that began with their feet and moved up slowly They almost swayed at first,  eyes closed as they moved around a fire pit that had no fire.  Kit raised her hand, a fire coming to rest in the twigs and branches.  The three kept moving around, the dance slow and rhythmic. The dark haired Nazui held her hand in the air, writing runes in blood that seemed to hang where they were.  She and Tavi called out, Tavi's voice actually coming from her throat.  They called out no names Xiao knew but a spirit came over heads as they were called.

To Kit, a wolf spirit circled round once called, Nazui's tonal "voice singing" as she called in turn with Tavisi.  "Come Sister, Wolf's Call..."  A large Warsong wolf circled nearby, near as corporeal as She was.  Kit became still and unseeing as the spirit manifested.

"Come Bear's Mother!"  Hari's closed her eyes as a bear stood next to her, her hand on the spirit's head before she was also fixed in place, eyes unseeing.  This spirit was stronger, almost as though a true bear, black furred and significantly large sat at Vahari's side.  

"Come Night's Call."  A Bat flapped behind Nazui quietly, the daylight becoming darker in its presence.   It was strong and solid, staring forward with blind eyes from a blood red stained face.

"Come to us, Viper's Bite."  A large Viper, pale scaled and slow came over Tavi's shoulder.  The spirit was weaker, but easily seen.

"Come, Thornhoof.."  A Stag, tall as Jura and dark furred stood its ground next to its host.  This one was near solid, watching and wary.

"Come Eagle’s Wing"  The cry of an Eagle was heard as it perched on the fence and watched.  This one was only spirit.  No real strength came from it, only that it came when called.  Venyabi was as still and unseeing as the rest once the spirit that came perched above him.

"Come Claw Hunter..."  

Xiao watched in silence, any sort of distraction long gone now as he watched Kit draw blood runes in mid-air. He took a slow breath, remaining calm as he pieced together the ritual, seeing each spirit animal making an appearance. When Claw Hunter was called, he looked to Vol and Jack, waiting to see which of them would react and in what way. He stayed on the ready for whatever might happen, having no real idea what to expect.

When Claw Hunter came forth, It was not a smaller version of a raptor.  This one was at least a few feet taller than Honor and built solid.  This was a true animal, a loa, even if minor.  It had dark blue, black, and violet feathers gracing head, neck and tail.  His scales were dark, with a shimmer as the light hit him.  The coloring not matching his host as he stood, Jack no longer dancing.  

"Come Raptor Blood."

Xiao would get a glimpse of the beast that shared the form that was his mate.  Big, bigger than the other by a few feet, the animal also had at least a few hundred pounds on the older male's form.  His scales shone in the darkened daylight, the same tone as Vol's.  Green and gold feathers on head, neck and tail were strangely accented by the off colored yellow scales on his shoulder.  Xiao would barely be able to see the markings that graced the animal spirit's chest, but only due to angle.  Amber eyes met matching ones from Claw Hunter as the beast, fully corporeal and making large indents in the grass, strode around.  

 The drum beat and singing was still happening, but only Xiao seemingly the one breathing.  All the rest stopped even the ones who did not call a beast to their side.  The animal spirits the only ones moving or speaking.  

"You are in my territory, not your own, old one...."  

Xiao would see Vol stopped mid dance now, same as the rest, his eyes white and unseeing.

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - Family Reunion

It was a small family reunion.  

Once Jack got his letter, he was there within three days.  He brought Kit with him.  Somehow Hari came, not bringing Ki'la nor her ward En'ca, nor her mate.  The next day two women that few had seen in years also came, followed by an orcish looking man, as thin as a troll, but a green orc in all other looks.  He held hands with a pandaren, hands grasping as the two older males followed the two obvious sisters.  Jura came with a male troll with bright yellow hair.  Pahre welcomed them all to stay with her as Aret, Vol and Venya set up as much as they could as all of them showed within hours of each other.  Venya made sure to send everyone on a two day vacation, full pay.  

"Don't need anyone going fuckin' missing..." 

Vol was feeding Tarja as breakfast was being made out in the open air.  

As Xiao watched everyone arriving, he made sure to keep close to his mates, murmuring to either Vol’raka or Venyabi, depending on which one wasn’t occupied and how good Vol was feeling.

“Who are all of these people? You only sent three letters…”

He didn’t seem surprised, more so just looking for clarification on who each person was.

“Old guy, same coloring as Vol, That’s Jack.  Seems he might talk while he’s here.  You know Kit.”  Venya was making copious amounts of eggs, those from chickens, as Aret worked on what looked like bacon.  It was not bacon.  “And Hari.  I told you she was pregnant and huge.  The red haired woman.. The one in leather.  That is Tavisi.  You won't hear a peep from her.  The Dark haired woman, the one missing an eye.  That’s Nazui.  Remember what I told you about her?  Drash is the orcish one with his husband Bronthro.   They rarely come out of Dalaran.  Drash is a teacher.  I hope to Gonk you know Jura, and the gold haired guy, that is Tsal.  Blue Tauren, pacifist.” “I remember Tsal from the naming.  He’s nice.”  Vol had really knocked down Aret’s dosage, the youngest of the four not as silly the last few days.  “Are your other brother and sister coming?”   “You won't see those two ten miles from Vol or any of you.  They don’t like mons who like mons…  bigoted fucks.”  Hari had waddled over, taking a peice of ‘bacon’.  “Oh I love you Aret.  You made Dwarf.  Wait no…”  She sniffed it. “AUNTIE NAZUI!  BLOOD TROLL!  Which one of you bagged a blood troll?!” Vol pointed his spoon at Xiao.  “All him.  I was fucking Aret.”  He scrapped out a little more pureed something orange, most likely mango.  “Bwonsamdi seems to like him a lot.”  He proceeded then to have a tiny fight with his daughter who did not want to do anything with mango apparently.  “C’mon Tarja.  You ate most of it..”  

Xiao listened and nodded, smiling at the mentions of Jura, eyeing him warmly as he thought back on some memories. He shook himself of it when Hari came over, Xiao trying not to tense up. When she mentioned making dwarf and then so cheerfully shouted about the blood trol linstead, the poor Pandaren paled and his ears pinned back. It was when Vol pointed at him with his spoon that he offered a meek smile and an almost guilty wave over at the cannibalistic woman. 

“She… was causing problems. I offered her to Bwonsamdi. I was not expecting him to make an appearance again.”

Well the cat was out of the bag on that one, his usage of ‘again’ giving away that this wasn’t a one-time occurrence. 

“Again?”  Kit came up, smiling as she came with her sisters.  “Ja have seen our Loa more den once?”  The Farseer smiled, looking very proud.  “A good kill then, nephew.  Since ja mates not introduced em ta Ja and ja lovely Janaret…  Dis be Tavisi.”  The red head nodded.  “And Nazui.”  She switched to Zandali for a bit.   He’s not dinner, Nazzie.  He’s your nephew soon.”  

Nazui just nodded, still appraising the pandaren as dinner before Jack came to sit next to Xiao.  If Xiao looked up at him he would see his lover, if he was fifty years older.  

“No, Nazui.”  The woman fumed, huffed and stomped back to sit with Jura, Drash and Tsal.  She actually seemed to pout.

“Never alone with Nazui.”

“I like Auntie Nazzie.”  Hari stole another piece of troll before speaking again.  “But she taught me all I know.  Breakfast ready soon?”

Vol nodded, looking at a pot with noodles and vegetables.  “I don’t think Xiao and Bron are partaking in the troll, so as soon as the noodles and stir fry are done, yeah.  Xiao love, can you start that.  I’m not making you eat it.”

Xiao blushed a little at Kit’s praise, offering her a smile, the woman always a comforting presence to him. When Jack came to sit down, Xiao couldn’t help but stare, his gaze something between curious, surprised, and perhaps even a little lustful. A mature daddy version of Vol? He would have to remember to keep himself in check as he cleared his throat and forced himself to tear his gaze away. It was when Vol asked him to go cook that he nodded and stood up.

“Of course, Lok’dim.” He murmured with love as he leaned in to kiss the Darkspear gently on the cheek and nuzzled his forehead against his. “Love you.” He whispered before heading over to go about preparing the requested food for those who didn’t eat other people.

Vol put a hand out, grabbing him gently by the wrist.  He pressed a kiss back to Xiao’s with a smile.  “Love you too.”  He let go when Tarja made a noise, loud and waving her arms loudly.  

“BA! BA!  BA!!!!”  She made grabby hands as Vol, Aret and Venya stared at their daughter.   “BA!”

“Whelp..  First word at a family gathering to find out about blood magic… Congratulations Xiao.”  Venya laughed loudly as he kept cracking eggs, Jack starting to help.  

The  Pandaren farseer kept watching over at them, smiling.  Drash turned and looked to, grinning at his nephews and the very happy yammering baby.

Xiao froze in his tracks as Tarja called out, at first thinking it was in the link until he realized it was quite clearly loud yelling little girl right behind him. He spun around and reached down to scoop her up, grinning and nuzzling his furry little face against her.

“Hello my little darling, your Ba is right here…” He murmured so happily down at her, kissing her forehead gently as he swayed back and forth.

“Tarja’s rule, I am off food duty. Someone else will have to do it.” He said with a playful grin as he cradled their adorably clingy daughter.

“If you will permit me, Xiao Chun, I believe I am well versed in our cuisine.  May we speak?”  The older pandaren came forward, his leather clothing modest as pandaren tended to be, a stark contrast to the amount of clothing that the trolls wore.  He gave a small bow, a little stiff, but his hands were knotted with arthritis and it seemed it pained him to walk.  “I may seem old, but I can whip up a simple stir fry.  Drash’nar says that my cooking is still very good.”  He picked up the pot and pan for their breakfast, gave a smile to his own orcish mate and walked to where another little fire pit was a few paces away.

“I do ask your forgiveness, it has been a long while since I have been home.  I have been with my husband in Dalaran for a very long time.  It was a blessing to hear that there was a family gathering that would allow me to return home even for a time.”  The shaman set down the things he carried, sat on his bottom and started a fire with a flick of his wrist.  “It is also nice to speak Pandaren.  I do love my Drash, but Orcish tongues do not agree with pandaren words and he trips a bit in his pronunciation.”  He gave a smile to Tarja who was tugging on Xiao’s beard.  “A beautiful girl.  May the celestials bless you with many more, I am sure that the Jade Serpent will guide you well.”  He teased the fire so that the image of the four celestials danced for a bare moment.  “Now, before the family festivities begin, I heard this is about blood magic.  This is true?”

Xiao smiled and nodded as he listened and followed behind the older Pandaren. 

“I did not know Vol’raka had any Pandaren in his family. I knew he had a touch of Orc, but I was utterly unaware of you and Drash’nar. It is nice to know I have another of my own to turn to if I have questions about all of the rituals.” 

He chuckled a little as he watched the fire play out the images of the celestials ever so briefly. When he asked about the blood magic, his expression faltered a bit and he nodded more subtly. 

“Unfortunately, yes. We discovered a little family revelation recently regarding one of the original matriarchs of the family. I am still a tad foggy on it all, but hopefully today will clear it up.”

Being able to speak in his native tongue was nice, it allowed him to be more eloquent, though his Zandalari was starting to get up there slowly but surely.

"I believe Kit'raka and Nazui will know most.  Perhaps Jocamo.  And I am not surprised that you do not know of me.  My Drash'nar and I are not much for the company of the family.  We tend to keep to ourselves in our old age.  When he heard from his sister that Vol'raka was exhibiting the same, shall we say symptoms, he insisted we come to the discussions.  Azu's experiments were not unknown to me."

Xiao’s brows rose a bit in surprise. “So you know it was his grandmother. This is all new to me, all I know is that... “ He paused, shaking his head. “None of it seems to bode well. Anything that makes him this sick cannot be good.” He stopped to smile lightly as Tarja began to babble and tug on Xiao’s beard, cuddling up on it and demanding affection from her fuzzy Ba even if he was talking.

"I believe it is sickness, not due to the fact that the beast lives in him.  It is more the shock and fight.  Drash took a few years to gain full control, but his beast is not compatible with his personality.  My love is a gentle soul and he was, forgive the term, blessed or cursed with the life of a wind serpent.  Chaos in the face of one who is very orderly, enjoys sorting, fastidious in his daily routine, is very difficult.  He was ill for a long time.   I am a healer among our people.  I tried many things, believed he was dying.   One day he was delirious, not eaten in days.  It was then he told me of the wind serpent, his is named Stormwing.  I have found that they all take their own names.  I believe Jocamo also has control of his raptor.  I do not remember his name, however."

Xiao nodded as he listened. “Vol’s is Raptorblood. A raptari was able to-... oh right you are not a troll!” He sounded rather excited at the prospect. “You do not have to observe the whole… ‘no speaking of the dead’ thing even if she is not dead. I… do not know how much you know of Naddja, but she was a raptari who lived with us. Some things happened, I will spare you the messy details, but she was the one who figured out what was going on with Vol, at least to a degree. I just… want him to be okay. Venya said his uncle Jack might have some information since he has a raptor too. I am hoping someone will be able to help at least.”

"I have not met any raptari, that I have known of.". He set to cooking as the trolls were gathering round the fire.  "We do not want to miss what is said.  It will also be privilege of ours to hear Jocamo speak. He has not uttered a word in thirty years, save for ritual magic.". Bronthro smiled, his gnarled hands still able to move the wok and pot quick enough.  "When Jack speaks, best to listen to the old one."

Xiao rose his brows in surprise now. “He talks that little…?” He asked curiously. “So… does he not communicate with the family or anyone? Is it non-verbal or does he keep to himself. I was hoping to talk to him maybe…” He trailed off, probably not doing a good job of hiding his thirsty Panda ass as he thought back to sexy daddy Vol in the form of Jack.

“Very little.  He is a calm man, subtle in his ways.  A decently powerful witchdoctor if my memory is still correct.  He is a man of few words since his mate died.  Far before my time, but my love has told me of it when I first met him.  Where Kit is his favorite Aunt, Jack was closest as Uncle.  I know the family secrets, as you do, seeing as you are tied to more than one brother.  Jocamo is a rare troll.  If you can get more than a few words, I would consider that a high honor.” 

“Xiao!  Ya two comin’ or not?”  

Venya was carrying a tray of Blood troll bacon, followed by Zakin and Pahre.  Vol and the others were already seating around the pinci tables they kept between the houses.  “Family meal time.”

Xiao listened, his eyes wandering over to Jack now as he tried his best not to stare. It was only Venya’s voice that really broke him of his staring as he blushed and nodding. “Of course, our food is just about done… I think?” He said the last two words quietly so only Bronthro could hear. “It smells delicious at least.”

Bron smiled.  "Almost.  You take your daughter and find a seat.". The orcish mage came close, nodding.  "I believe my assistance has arrived.". 

When and If Xiao moved, Vol would have a seat next to him, with Jack then Aret. Bron and Drash'nar handed over a large bowl of noodles, meat and Veg, Tarja going to sit in her Papa's lap.  Vol let her have a taste of the bacon, the girl making a face and reaching for her Ba's noodles.  After being told she was too little for noodles, she was given bananas to keep her quiet.  Everyone sat, ate quietly, small talk and catching up.  

Xiao's trolls helped clean up, leaving Xiao with Zakin and Tarja as magic from Drash'nar and grunt work from Jack, a stone circle was being created for the proper conversation.  

"Have you seen a ritual of this family, save for your child's naming, Xiao Chun?"

Xiao nodded at him. “Well thank you for making it, Tarja here seems too enamoured today to let me cook.” He chuckled lightly and moved to take Tarja over to sit with his mates… and that sexy mature version of Vol. The Celestials were not being kind to him today, teasing him with someone he just couldn’t keep from eyeballing constantly. He focused as best he could on lunch as he ate his meal, though he did cringe when they fed Tarja the blood troll meat, but he kept his mouth shut out respect for their culture. He seemed relieved when she didn’t like the taste, happy to give her a banana in place of it so he could go back to eating his own noodles.

When they finished, Xiao was happy to keep the children occupied, having Zakin actually sit in his lap while he cradled Tarja in his other arm. He’d found that apparently all Troll children liked the fuzziness of his fur, so he had become used to be cuddled by at least one at any given time when they had the opportunity. He was silently watching as the circle was being made, pulled from another daydream of sorts as he had unfocused his eyes after gazing off at Jack again for a small while before Bron called out to speak to him.

“Hm? Ah, no, I have not. The naming ceremony was my first glance into the culture, at least up close. I have not spent much time outside of Pandaria and most of it was spent in the Elven lands. Considering what I have learned of some of them, I am not sure whether to be grateful for the lack of experience or not.”

"It can be intimidating, even if you were raised with it.". Drash'nar came forward, a look of apprehension on his face.  "Bad things happen with Blood magic.  I do not know what will happen, but I agree with my father's people that it is a dark place.  My mother's….."

"Drashie, ja come help.". Kit wandered to her brother, smiling.  He shook his head making her slip into Zandalari.  "You are still bitter.  Let it go."

"None of us asked for this.". The orcish man was rattled, hand out to the circle and Nazui with a bag of blood being poured in a bowl.  "And mother's bullshit has almost killed people"

Bronthro lead the mage away, his face red as he began to get angry.  Kit shook her head, looking at Xiao.  Et best da lil ones not ere.  Ah talk ta da Pahre.  Da lil girl gonna watch h da children.   Not need da magic goin more wild den et be already." 

Xiao listened silently, nodding occasionally as he listened. He did not appear anymore at ease now that Drash had let his disapproval spill outward. He looked to Kit now, sighing lightly.

“Is there anything I can do to help? I cannot help but feel out of place, I am not sure what to do.”

“Ja, .. wait  ja speak Zandali now ja?”

 Xiao nodded in response, speaking her language now. “I speak it well enough. There are some more… ah…” He switched back to Orcish. “Niche…” then back to Zandalari. “Phrases that I don’t know, but for the most part I am fluent.”

“Good.”  She smiled, pointing to a log Jack and Tsal were setting up, Jura setting a fire, in the middle.  The one introduced as Tavisi sharpening a very sharp looking already, and  thin Dagger.  It was not worn, nor old but it had an ancientness to it.  “That is your chair.  You will have to stay put.  The children won't be here, I and hari can’t perform this one.  Too dangerous for anyone who can’t move fast.  I won't have to worry about you, and if Arie and Ven can’t move their ass, what kind of trolls are they, ya know.”  She thumbed at Nazui, her sister waving from right behind her.  If she did not look at Xiao like food, she would look almost childish as she moved.  Xiao would notice her collar having a high neckline, and a strange weezing.  

“I’m sure it will be fine.  VAHARI!”  

The pregnant warrior came in, chewing on left over not-really-bacon.  “If you are looking for the book, Jura took it.”  She indicated with her snack and pointed to the three druids making a sort of …. Fence? It looked like a tall fence at least.  It was at least as tall as Xiao, an opening, and had hard woods as posts and slats.  

Kit nodded turning back to Nazui.  "No Fel magic.  Only Mama's magic.  Got it?  No sacrificing any trolls or pandaren..."  Nazui made a sighing motion but nodded.  She skipped off, heading back to pick up the book while Kit turned her head back.  "Like dancing, Xiao?"  Kit nodded her head to the house where Vol was coming out in clothes he must have been hiding.  Venya was in near the same, Aret in his normal clothing.  Vol's was a wide collar with intricate beading in golds, greens and deep blues.  His kilt was leather and didn't do much but cover his bits.  Pahre was helping him adjust it, Venya's already around his neck, in the same clothing that his brother was but in colors that suited him more.  Jack nodded as he wandered past into the other house, Vol leaning down to kiss Xiao, Tarja ans Zakin on the head.  

"Take the little ones to Nielka.  They don't need to see their parents dancing naked."

[autumnpawtribe]

Loa Bound - Guilt

Venya took Zakin upstairs, setting him to be with his new Papa, the Darkspear weak and feeling like crap, but he could manage to rest next to one he now had to care for in truth.  When he came back down, he had a pad and pen in one hand and grabbed Xiao by the hand and taking him to the stables as fast as he could.

When he arrived, He sat Xiao down in Vol’s chair and pulled up another to sit across from him.  He began scribbling, knowing he could not utter the words and he did not want to upset Vol or Aret.  The latter he sensed would be back by morning.  The Zandalari were good about time for funerals.

**I can’t utter the words, but you can.  She cannot come back here, ever.  She knows that.  If Zakin asks, she died to poison.  She didn’t tell me about Sirak, but she did about Venko.   She’s probably going off to stay with Harlo.  We are bound to stay away, on fear of Pahre’s cursing her.  I am not near as superstitious as my brothers, but I am not taking a chance.  We will mourn her, but we won't be able to speak about her.  Only her death.   It is a little different than the normal death rites.  Vol’s going to need help.  Her bargain may have shot her in the foot, but she gave us something.  What did she tell you?**

He pushed the note toward Xiao, a strained look on his face as he looked to the one who he had quickly grown to call friend as well as love and lover.

Xiao was just standing there in silence, staring at the floor with sadness etched in his features. When Venya dragged him off, he followed, but his movements were weak, like he was defeated. When he was shown the letter, he read it and closed his eyes, looking down. 

“Venyabi, I… I’m so sorry…” 

He whispered, his voice cracking with a whimper. After a moment, he cleared his throat and continued.

“She ah… she said a druid can help, but a Raptari will speak to Raptorblood. She also said Harlo lives in the Jade Forest near Greenstone…” 

He licked his lips slowly and looked back down at the ground, a hand coming up to cover his mouth and rub his chin in an anxious little guilty movement. He closed his eyes and looked down at the floor of the stable again, shaking his head as he whispered again.

“I am so sorry…”

**Xiao, you didn’t do anything but tell the truth.  The problem is Naddja didn’t.  She told me she loved Sirak, not that she tricked him too.  Apparently Pahre knew the truth.  Pahre is a good woman, but she has a temper.  I have only seen it once before.  Naddja lied then to, come to think of it.  Look.  You did not start this, or finish it, ok?  We witnessed it.  I lost a mate, that is ok though.  What would she have lied about next.  My child?  You were right to tell her that she could not have that title.  She didn’t deserve it.  This does mean now that WE, the four of us, have a son.  And in a few months, another daughter.  Along with the ones you three will have.  We also have Pahre and Nielka.  And I hope I am wrong about Pahre’s condition right now.** Venay sighed and kept writing before laying the paper back down to give to Xiao again.  **I’m gonna try and find Jack.  He is raptari.  He would know what is going on the best.  No sense in looking for Alashzu.  He works blood magic.  This also means none of the children should have the blood part of the ceremony.  EVER again.**

Xiao read the note and furrowed his brows, finally asking something he’d been wondering.

“Who is Sirak again? There are so many names to remember. All I know is… there was the one she was in, the frostmane I think, who fathered Zakin? I did not know there were others.”

He didn’t seem to piece together that Sirak likely WAS the frost troll Xiao was thinking of.

“Jack is… an uncle? It sounded like he was one of Azu’s children. Will he be okay to, since he has the same raptorblood Vol does? Also… what is wrong with Pahre? What condition do you think she is in?”

He had so many questions and he felt guilt even still. So much had happened at once.

**Sirak was Kin’s father.  Well, that was what she told us.  Too many lies.  Jack is our uncle, yes.  My mother’s twin.  He lives somewhere in Zandalar, and he is feral.  He doesn’t speak much either.  You remember the tiger at Tarja’s naming?  That is him.**  

He paused, sliding the paper to Xiao and speaking.  The words had nothing to do really with Naddja.  “If I write three letters, can you take them to the mailbox so the postmaster can get them to the people who can help?  This is going to wear on Vol, a lot.  I love you, and I know how when he is off, all four of us are.  This link of ours screws with emotions too sometimes.  We also fight a lot less than… my last mate did.  Empathy, seeing in our heads together, ya know?”

Xiao’s expression shifted to blank disbelief. “Wait she… wow so she lied about her first love, too.” 

He shook his head, a lot of the guilt seeming to vanish upon having that lie shattered. After a moment, he shook his head and sighed. “If Jack is feral, are you sure he can help?” He asked quietly before leaning over to gently rest his head on Venyabi’s shoulder. “I really am sorry, Venya… You and Zakin are the most affected by this.” 

He paused for a moment, looking up at Venya again. “You did not answer about Pahre. What condition?”

“Jack acts feral, but if he needs to, he’ll come.  He doesn't like most of his siblings, but most of them are crazy.  I can get in touch with Kit easy.  There is one I think knows things, but shes gonna take bribery.  Do we still have some of that blood troll in the cold storage?”  

Venya sighed, sitting back, slumped down with his arms on the arms of the chair.  “Jura is your lover.  You know he has many lovers right?”  

He waited for Xiao to respond, writing the letters he needed, getting up to get a seal Vol kept in his desk along with a few envelopes.  “That Knot does feel damn good…  Just saying, sweets.”

Xiao knew immediately who needed bribing considering what he asked.

“You are going to bring Vahari into this? That woman… truly makes me nervous.”

He blushed a bit at Venya’s remark of Jura, nodding a bit sheepishly as he blushed. “I know I am one of many, yes. We just enjoy each other… why?” He asked quietly, still a bit nervous as to why Venya hadn’t answered his query about Pahre.

“No, Hari’s got twins coming and is as big as a house.  I’m not making her travel anywhere away from her little loa garden.  Also don’t need her hunting in our backyard.  That’s just a bad idea for the pandaren population.  I am going to write to Tavisi.  Kit’s younger sister.  She’s half orc as well and serves no one but herself.  I want to know if she knows where the fuck Nazzie is.”  He sealed a note, stamping it with some soft wax and writing “Jocamo Clawhunter, son of the Amani” on the outside.

“And if Hari’s husband finds out anything about blood magic, he’ll have a fit.  His first wife killed and ate his son after she turned to G’huun.  So…  yeah.  No.  And I think Jura’s been fucking Pahre.  And her clothes are getting tighter.  She’s young enough still.  Wouldn’t surprise me.  I don’t THINK Jura knows yet, since he’s not been here since all the shit went down.  Yes Jura would have knocked up Pahre before he had you.”  He wrote his second letter, addressing it “Tavisi, daughter of the Redwalker”.    

“I can’t decide if I should call Nazzie on her own, or just wait for Tavi.  Fuck it, crazy bitch may well fel burn it for all I know.”  He scribbled the third one with a few words, far less than the others.  “Did Mama Azu play with blood?  Simple and to the point enough to get her attention.”  He wrote the one it was to be delivered to, making sure he had enough. “Nazui Feltusk of the Black Harvest, daughter of the Redwalker.”

Xiao paled a bit, blinking and staring. “Pahre is pregnant?” That seemed to be his big takeaway from that. “I… suppose it is good she has moved on from Jansevet?” Perhaps the poor Pandaren didn’t want to think of sharing the same manhood the mother of his future husband also had been filled with. He shook his head lightly and cleared his throat.

“What can I do, Venya? I feel so…” He trailed off for a moment. “Helpless…? I cannot even find the right word for it.”

“She never wanted to be with Jansevet.  You learn a lot from people spilling their guts late in the night.  That is why she hated...  You know lying about forcing Vol.  Jansevet did that to her.  That is how they had three children.  You can take these to Halfhill and have them sent.  I don’t think Tavi will do anything except respond.  I do think we need to set up space for Jack.  We’ll set up in the house, but he might be happier in the mango grove.  Ok.. now.. If Nazzie shows up.  If our Aunt Nazui shows up don’t be alone with her.  Always have one of us between you or next to you.  Nazui does work blood magic.  She is a felsummoner, and devout member of the Black Harvest.  Almost a zealot.  Hopefully she leaves her blasted pets on Argus.  I think that is where she went last.”

Xiao nodded sheepishly, reaching out for the letters. “Alright…” He was still quite subdued, but he was trying to maintain a strong front. “I will hurry back… and… I really am sorry…” He murmured the words one last time, looking ashamed and as if he wanted to cling and hug himself to Venyabi but deciding to give the man his space instead.

“No more sorries, huh?”  He leaned down, grabbing Xiao around the shoulders and hugging him tightly.  “Not your fault.  You are my life now.  No sharing with someone else that does not share our bed already, yeah?  It’ll be ok.  It means I’ll move stuff into your place and you’ll have four to snuggle with.  Cuddle puddles nightly, instead of three times a week?”  He gave the Pandaren a kiss on the nose as Vol did and squeezed his ass.  “It’ll be ok.  I am more concerned about fixing my brother than anything else.”

Xiao melted into the hug, not realizing how much he needed it. He wrapped his arms back around Venyabi and squeezed him gently, turning his head up to catch Venya’s lips and lightly kiss him. 

“I will spend every night in your arms if I have a say… all of yours. Now we just need to get Vol better.”

With that, he took the letter and gave Venya one last look before leaning up to kiss him again. This time, the kiss was anything but gentle. He gave a little moan, not of sexual origin, but of need and desperation. He clung to the Darkspear and poured his deep emotions, how much he cared for him, how happy he made him, and how sorry he was. It would be his last apology, at least to Venyabi… but it was also to calm his soul, because he really needed that love right then, even for a moment.

“I will hurry back.” He said before turning to leave. “Better be.  We’ll make dinner.  I love you..”