(Alright, this will be challenging, since I do not know this character. I have a tiny Forsaken warlock, though! I hope you don’t mind me getting him out. Please forgive any innacuracies!)
—-
Scarlet.
The very walls dripped with scarlet everywhere they ran. As if the curse of unlife was bad enough, they now tore their way through the halls of a fanatic’s paradise, clinging desperately to anything that might preserve what little hope of living they had left.
Her name was Mora. She’d likely only told him so he would stop referring to her as “Lost Eyes”. He liked Mora, but Lost Eyes was just so pretty…
A ragged shout tore through the corridoor behind them. She grabbed hold of his tattered blue robe and yanked him behind a heavy, bolted door. Down a flight of stairs they went, and quickly. They darted behind stacks of supply crates and stored weaponry, neither one of them keen to pick it up. It had their stench on it, and Tiesel himself hadn’t the strength to lift much more than a book and a knife at any given time.
It’s the Arakkoa in a Box! (tm). Great at parties! Fun prophecies! Over 50 unique things to say!
phrases include:
“Nnnnnnaaaasty biiiiiiird!”
“Trinkets! yesssss, pretty trinkets!”
and
“It’s about time”
Warning: keep the Arakkoa in a Box fed at all times and keep away from hands, feet, eyes, and any precious trinkets you may or may not have. All prophecies spoken by the Arakkoa in a Box are not to be taken seriously, nor are you supposed to be worried about a possible doomsday event that may kill everyone you know and love.
The Hesper Tradinc Company “Arakkoa in a Box”! Get yours today!
(A little story that was written to explain how the Hesper Trading Co got their ships/materials to make a shipyard)
“Radio check, everyone pull out the antenna on the hand units and speak into the receiver.”
“Oi! Is ‘his ‘hing workin’? Oi ‘hink it coul’ use a bit o’ tweakin’-“
“Gimme that thing ya big ape! This radio checks out, over.”
“Alright Ragoro and Lamna are operational. Hesperin and Hesperit?”
“We’re here, whomever made this made it tiny . . .”
“It’s a prototype, it’s not always made to be what the final version will be sister. What about your end Rasmot?”
“We’re receiving you loud and clear. Alright this place is big but mostly abandoned. But it may not be that way for long. Hesper sisters you have the floor.”
“Alright folks, it’s a simple job. We need parts and Blackhand made plenty. That means enough for company and personal needs. It’ll save on resources and time if we can salvage these Iron Horde devices. Me and Hesperit are going to see about transportation and if that doesn’t work, about opening the gates to the sea for the ships. Ragoro and Lamna, you’re going to be checking out the ships themselves and see if we can use them. Also look for fuel. Rasmot and Snow, you two are going to investigate some of the automated machines and devices. Whatever looks good, mark it. Rasmot’s Hired Guns are going to keep patrol, so keep the comms open in case we need to get out. Any questions?”
“Yea’ why do oi smell funny, eh?”
“Because we painted you brown, you gorilla! So IF we get caught you get to pretend you’re one of those Iron Horde boys you always go on and cry about being.”
“If we’re all fully done, I’d like to remind everyone we are on an unknown time limit. So let’s get to it shall we?”
Rasmot shook his head as he placed the communications phone back on the hook and hefted the large and bulky backpack onto both shoulders. He nearly instantly regretted it as the weight involuntarily forced him to walk back two steps before regaining his composure. It was going to have to be one thing that he needed to fix about the communications. Shifting the weight a little, he took a glance to Snow who was wringing her hands while glancing around anxiously. He didn’t blame her. Early on into the siege of the foundry he was hired to help a group try and penetrate into the factory of the large facility. They were stopped by Iron Horde forces with a large number of already built tanks and rifles. Shaking away the memory from his mind, Rasmot plucked the “Dogs of War” from behind his poncho and checked the shells in both of them before snapping the twin shotguns close.
“Ready to go?” Rasmot took a glance back to Snow who was still glancing around worriedly.
She nearly jumped out of her skin before replying. “No . . . I don’t like it here . . . What if we’re attacked? What if you get hurt . . . or worse? There could be soldiers anywhere-“
“It’ll be fine. I have two shotguns and my revolvers if things go south. And the Horde and Alliance forces managed to do a hell of a number on this place.” He walked over and kicked a shattered crate before looking inside to see spoiled food. “That and we have my Hired Guns combing the place top to bottom. And I know not a single one of them are outright lazy. Chatty? Perhaps, but not lazy.”
Snow still looked entirely unconvinced as she continued to wring her hands. “I still don’t like it . . . this place is just so big . . . and there’s so many machines . . . what’ll we do if we get lost?”
“We call up anyone we can and get un-lost.” Managing a soft smile Rasmot pulled out a revolver and moved to Snow holding the grip towards her. “It makes me feel better to have these, so if you want I can give you-“
Instantly she backed away and held both hands in front of her. “N-no . . . no thank you. I’ll be fine . . . just, let’s be quick. Okay?”
“That’s the plan. In, out, gone.” Rasmot nodded and put the revolver back in its holster before shifting the weight of the radio pack. “Hell, the sooner I get this thing off of my shoulders the better. Let’s get going.”
Nodding twice Snow walked alongside Rasmot and plucked out the lantern he gave her. It took a few moments before she managed to strike the match against the metal surface and light the small jet of gas in the center of the lantern. Sliding the glass cage shut and tossing the match away she held the lantern so the two of them could see in the now darkened foundry. Rasmot instantly was not fond of the shadows and dark corridors that surrounded them. The place was big enough when everything was running but now? Now it felt much bigger and far deadlier with all of the darkened halls and clinking chains. Every other second he could feel both palms pressing against the holsters of his revolver and pressing hard before pulling them both away. He took another glance to Snow, seeing that she was further on the edge as she gripped the lantern with both hands. Rasmot signaled her to stop as he pulled out a flare from behind him and struck it against the side of a Blackrock Iron beam and tossed it behind them.
“Wh-why did you do that?” Snow asked as she looked behind them.
Shifting the pack again he looked to Snow. “So we don’t get lost. Those flares last about 3 hours before going out completely. I don’t think we’ll be down here that long but . . .” He glanced at the bright red glow of the flare. “I figured you might like the sentiment.”
“. . . A little . . . Thanks.” Snow flashed a brief smile to Rasmot.
Picking up again Rasmot counted his paces before pulling out another flare. Every 1,000 steps and he would strike another one and toss it behind them. And if something horrible happened- Rasmot instantly shook away the thought and continued forwards. The thought alone brought shivers down his spine and made him glance twice to Snow. She continued to hold the lantern tight but the grip wasn’t knuckle white. That meant that it was having some effect. Rasmot adjusted his hat and kept the pace going as the radio pack continued to dig into his shoulders. He should have tested the Apexis crystal power cells before they got out here, but they really didn’t have a lot of time. So he had to do what he normally told the Hired Guns to do in this case, quit belly aching and get a move on. Striking another flare against a rock wall he tossed it behind them and glanced. They were making a good line now as they walked briskly down the corridor to one of the storage and production rooms.
Further down below was Lamna and Ragoro, taking all the time in the world as they looked around the place. The monocle over Ragoro’s right eye clicked and whirred as he looked over everything. Grunting loudly, the now great brown Orc stopped and sniffed again. Whatever they used for “paint” was really messing with Ragoro’s sense of smell so he couldn’t tell if they were close to the oil or not. The Orc looked at Lamna who was happily skipping in full plate armor. He really wanted to join her in skipping when his foot thunked against a large barrel and cause it to roll downhill. It continued to roll and drum against the ground until it hit several other barrels all stashed together. That instantly made Lamna stop and glare at the large Orc. Ragoro just grunted as he walked along. The barrel was just simply in the way, and he really didn’t see it. But a part of him was glad that it hit other barrels. Where there were barrels that meant oil. And oil was good. Approaching one of the barrels he pulled the cork from the hole and took a deep whiff before chuckling in glee. It was pure crude oil.
“Oi ‘hink we jus’ got all da oil we need yea’? Dis will make da waaaagh run bettah!”
Lamna crinkled both brows before looking at the oil barrels. “Yeah, I’ll agree it’s a good score . . . but who put all of these barrels here? And why?”
“Wut’s it matter eh? Is oil! Da good stuff!” Ragoro picked up a barrel, firmly placing it on his shoulder. “We be foightin’ da good waaagh wit dis!”
Rolling her eyes, Lamna pried the hand radio from Ragoro’s belt. “Let’s tell ‘em we found it then before we get hastey, Donkey Kong.”
“. . . Oi’m a donk’y now?”
Lamna glared at the Orc. “Shush and let me call the others.” She pulled the Antenna to its full length before pressing the receiver to her ear. “We struck it rich, the giant gorilla confirmed that there’s oil. Lots of oil down here just needs a place to put it.”
“We got you Lamna, we’re looking over the dock and it looks like there are a few ships. Check if they’re ready before grabbing the oil.” Hesperin flashed a light twice from the overhead dock observatory. “And please try not to break anything.”
There was a slight laugh from Lamna before she shook her head. “Don’t worry we’ll-“ She looked at Ragoro and smacked him in the mouth. “Hey! Get that out of your mouth! You don’t know where it’s been.” Grunting, Lamna returned to the radio. “As I said we’ll be fine as so long as the ape doesn’t do anything stupid.”
“Roger, over and out.”
Lamna slammed the antenna back into the radio and snapped at Ragoro and pointed towards the docks. He glared at Lamna for two minutes before grunting and stomping towards it and the ships with the barrel on his shoulder still. Ragoro took a deep breath from his nose, which to everyone around him sounded like a loud “skronk”, before setting down the barrel and walking up to the hull of the ship itself. One balled up fist smacked against the hull twice with a loud “thunk” before he looked at Lamna with a huge smile on his face. Lamna just shook her head and held it in both hands before groaning loudly, telling the Orc that was obviously not what she wanted. He let out another “skronk” as he walked about the ship that was closest and looked for something to get aboard the vessel. Finally he found a tow line and a tow line launcher. Gleefully the Orc attached the end of the line to his belt and smacked the ignition button. The tow line launcher roared into life with a loud roaring thump as it sent the Orc sailing onto the deck of the Iron Horde dreadnaught face first.
“Did he just . . .” Lamna shook her head and put both hands to her mouth cupping them around the edges. “Hey! You big Buffoon! Are you alive?”
There were several moments of silence and before Lamna could cheerful the Orc groaned out after tearing his face off of the deck. “Oi’m okay! Oi wanta do ‘hat again!!”
“Fuck me with Blackhand’s hammer.” Groaning loudly, Lamna stepped to the hull of the ship waiting for the rappel line. “We get out of this? I am NEVER getting paired with you again.”
After reaching their destination, Rasmot pried the radio pack from his back and set it on the floor to huff in exhaustion. Alone? The backpack probably weighed 50 pounds from all of the parts and metal. But with the battery pack added? That was almost another 30 pounds ontop of the heavy mail armor he was already wearing. He looked over to Snow who was still standing really close to him and clutching the lantern in both hands. Snatching another flare from his belt he smacked the bottom of the flare against the metal casing of the radio, the red light of the flare burst to life as he flung it forwards into the room. The light from the flare illuminated most of the room in a red wash and cast shadows from all the equipment onto the walls. Snow was still clutching the lantern but nodded to Rasmot as he caught his breath and gestured for her to walk alongside him. The two walked through rows of tools and parts all meant for either bigger machines or to make bigger machines. He stopped once or twice to examine a tool here or there with some satisfaction before making a gesture to continue after marking it with the paint he was given. Each dab of the paint was luminescent and glew long after they walked away with the lantern.
The two continued to make steady progress until they heard a sharp noise and instantly they both froze. Rasmot had his hand on one of the shotguns while Snow was trembling, the lantern clutched tight in both hands. Slowly, Rasmot pried the shotgun from its holster and motioned for Snow to follow him as he stealthily walked towards the sound. He winced a few times as Snow would accidentally collide with a bin or something else that was in their way as they crossed over. Stopping them both, Rasmot pressed his back flat against a wall before rolling out in a low crouch with both hands on the Shotgun grip. There was nothing but silence. Snow continued to stand nearby as she slowly swung the lantern to where Rasmot had the shotgun leveled only to show a cart of some kind along with a shaft. They both sighed in relief as Rasmot pushed the Shotgun back into its holster and investigated the shaft while Snow leaned her back against one of the machines to try and relax.
“How much longer are we going to be here . . . It’s creepy and I don’t like the shadows here . . .” Snow curled her lips into a frown as Rasmot returned from the shaft.
Putting both hands on his hips he glanced around before shaking his head. “Most of what they piled up around here is junk. I’ll mark what I can. Just stay there.”
“O-okay . . .” She looked down at her feet while gripping the lantern tight. “. . . Please be quick.”
He was about to walk off but instead he walked back to her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, it’ll be just fine. There’s not a whole lot here. Maybe a few laser cutters and some boxes of gear parts and what have you. This place was meant to feed parts down to the dock below.” Rasmot managed a smile to her as her head tilted up to his. “And if someone does come this way, you just call my name, and I’ll rush here. That’s a promise.”
“. . . Promise? Promise you’ll be quick?” Her hands continued to hold and wring the handle of the lantern.
Rasmot gently massaged the shoulder he was holding with a warm smile. “I promise. I’ll work as fast as I can and be back to you in no time and we’ll get the hell out of here. We might even get to have an exciting ride.”
Snow managed to stifle a small laugh and nodded to Rasmot encouragingly. She was still terrified out of her mind but she stayed put for the time being as Rasmot quickly went to investigate the rest of the shelves and boxes. As she stood there, she glanced back to the radio pack that Rasmot left at the entrance and decided to tell him about it later. Maybe he just forgot about it or just didn’t think they’d need to talk much at all to the others. She was about to put it off until she heard the radio make a ringing sound. As soon as she called out Rasmot’s name he was already at her side and dragging the radio to her before answering. He nodded and made a few remarks over the radio before he hung it up and smiled encouragingly to Snow. She knew that he hardly liked it here anyways, but she never asked why he didn’t. There were rumors at the fort that Rasmot tried to suggest multiple other places to get the parts and materials they needed. Snow shook her head and smiled as Rasmot came back around to check on her before going back to look for more parts and tools they needed. She knew that for the moment she only felt a little safer with him around, and that’s what counted.
Rasmot was about to head back as the radio rung, groaning he continued to walk towards the pack until a low whine and the crackle of electricity set his nerves on end. Lights started to wink on in the room and machines started to whirr and click. His pace increased until he heard a sharp yelp from Snow. Rasmot broke into a full out sprint to see her being dragged by the end of her hair towards a series of complex gears, cogs, and chains that would surely crush her head. Rushing to her side he saw where her hair was stuck in the chains and tried to pull it free. Snow cried out in pain as the chain tugged more of her hair in towards the mass of gears and cogs. Looking around quickly, Rasmot rammed a pipe into the gears to stop them before going back to Snow. The machinery started to whine and groan under the stress, trying to push the pipe free. Snow looked fearfully to Rasmot as he continued to try and dislodge her long hair from the chains. A fearful glance to the machinery told him all that he needed to know. He was running out of time.
“Snow . . . Snow listen I need you to trust me.”
She continued to glance from him to the machine. “P-please! Get me out of this!”
“I will, I just need to cut your hair to do so.” Rasmot replied with a visible wince.
“Wh-what!? No! There has got to be another way!” Her entire facial expression was stricken with fear.
He held up both hands in front of him. “Snow, there’s no way to get you out. I have to cut, or I’d have to yank. Too much is caught up in the machine-“
“Y-you can’t! I like my hair! I like it this long!!” Her eyes darted to his gun belt before she looked back to him. “Don’t you have a gun that can shoot off the chain!? Anything would work!”
Rasmot took a long look to her before he pulled out a bottle from the back of his belt. “Okay . . . I’m going to try something but I need to protect your face from it alright?”
“Wh-what is that?”
“It’s a strong acid, I have never tried it on this type of metal but it’s worth a shot.” He gently put one hand behind her head while frowning. “However it’s really potent so you need to hold your breath and close your eyes alright?”
“. . . And if it doesn’t work . . .” Snow squeezed her eyes tight. “I hope it’s super strong.”
Rasmot nodded as he held her head against his chest to guard her head with his poncho and body. “You and me both.”
He held his own breath and smashed the top off on a nearby beam and looked away as he poured the hydrochloric acid on the metal chain of the machine. Instantly the clear acid started to hiss and sizzle as it worked. As soon as he heard the sound, Rasmot instantly chucked the bottle away and continued to hold Snow still with her face completely guarded. Even breathing in the acid would do irreparable harm to either one of them; it was strong enough to melt through flesh and bone. So surely whatever the Iron Horde decided to use would be no match for something of Forsaken caliber right? Rasmot continued to hope beyond hope and after several seconds he pulled away from Snow and tried to keep the pipe in place as he checked the chain. There were burn marks and several scores of small holes where the acid had eaten at the metal but even a good whack wasn’t enough to break the chain. If anything it looked like he had just cleaned the spot. Snow looked incredibly more frightened by the chain link before the machine shifted quickly. The pipe slipped from its spot and yanked Snow hard with her hair now entangled in the chain. Rasmot managed to grab her before she fell too far in.
Tears dotted her eyes as she continued to glance back and forth quickly between Rasmot and the machinery as he held her. “. . . I thought . . . I thought it would-“
“I know, I did too.” Rasmot shook his head as he slammed his boot heel into the gears to stop it for the moment. “Serves . . . me right for thinking the Iron Horde . . . uses cheap parts.”
Alarm struck her face as she realized what he was doing. “No! Don’t! It’ll crush your foot!”
“At best guess . . . with these boots?” His facial expression grimaced as he looked at the gears and cogs. “My foot’s got about a minute or two before it’s firmly crushed.”
Snow looked at him in concern before looking away. “C-cut it . . . just . . . not too short.”
“Snow . . . are you sure-“
“Y-yes . . . yes I’m sure, just please . . . keep your promise and get us out of here.” She locked her gaze with his in sheer panic and fear.
Rasmot nodded and pulled out a knife with his other hand from the boot-strap. “When we get out of here, I am going to make up to this. Come hell or high water.” He held her head close to his chest while he angled the knife for a quick cut. “And that’s another promise I’m going to keep.”
Shutting her eyes tightly, she awaited the shooting pain of the knife yanking through her hair. Instead there was just a quick and nearly silent “shick” as Rasmot cut her free from the chain, the machine groaning loudly as he wrenched his boot free from the grinding and clanking wheels. Instantly pulling her away, Rasmot held her in both arms as she gripped his poncho tight. He cut her hair where the nape of her neck was, keeping it barely shoulder length having to cut upwards. The hair poofed out slightly from where it was cut, the once long blond lengths now shortened considerably to save her head from literally getting crushed. Tears streaked her face as she looked up to Rasmot. He didn’t say anything, and just gently placed her head back on his chest and let her cry it out. Sobs and soft fists hit his chest as he held her there and let her unleash all of the fear, pain, and grief from her chest and into his. When she was ready, he placed her in a cart as he loaded another with all of the marked tools and supplies before kicking it down the track and boarding the same cart as Snow with the radio pack. She didn’t say anything and just curled into a ball, huddling close to Ras for safety.
Lamna kept watch over Ragoro’s work and quickly turned to the observation booth as the lights and whine of electricity came into play. Both of the sisters were quickly scrambling to get the radio working and one of them pointed behind Lamna. She spun around just as several pounds of Orc landed on the deck feet first with a really pissed off look on its face. Two more Orcs slammed into the deck as Lamna tore both weapons from their sheaths to get ready for a fight. Two aimed large rifles bristling with Fel green energy at her head while the other lifted and slammed the grip of a large hammer into one hand. She was about to call out to Ragoro when the Orc with the hammer grabbed her neck and lifted the Blood Elf off of the deck. She struggled against the grip, taking in sharp lungful gasp of air just as Ragoro walked out with the welding mask on his forehead. Instantly the two with the rifles turned on him and the third continued to hold the Blood Elf at arm’s length. The two Orcs stripped Ragoro of any weapons and kept their rifles trained on the Orc that almost looked like them.
“What’re you doing here? Report!”
Ragoro blinked. “Uh . . . oi was fixin’ tha ship yea’? need’d a bit o’ weldin’ ‘ere and dere.” He skronked loudly which made all three Orcs furrow their brows instantly.
“There something wrong with his nose?” One of the riflemen asked looking at the Orc with the Blood Elf.
The Orc walked in closer and looked closely at Ragoro. “Hmmmm . . . there’s something wrong . . .” Lifting a thumb he rubbed it hard into Ragoro’s cheek sliding away the brown substance from his skin. “What . . . Douse him! Now!”
One Orc grabbed a bucket of water and splashed the entire contents into Ragoro’s face, whatever was used to camoflauge the Orc was now rolling off. “There he’s no longer-“
“-BOW! NOW!!” The lead Orc roared out and all three bowed down to Ragoro, the lead Orc slamming Lamna’s back into the deck. “We’re sorry sir; we didn’t know that Gul’Dan had sent one of his agents ahead of schedule!”
Cursing loudly, one of the riflemen shook his head. “We’re in some serious shit now if Gul’Dan finds out . . .”
“Shut up!” Keeping his head bowed the lead Orc yelled at the rifleman. “Sir, forgive the ignorance of my companions they-“
A fire blazed in Ragoro’s free eye as a wicked grin spread across his face. “Kill ‘em”
“S-sir?” Raising his head slowly, the lead Orc looked at Ragoro in shock.
The grin turned into a scowl as Ragoro took another deep skronk. “Did ya not lis’en tah me!? OI SAID KILL ‘EM BOTH! NOW!!”
Letting go of Lamna the Orc stood back up and lifted his mighty hammer over the head of one bowed Rifleman. With a sickening “shplak” the hammer slammed down into the Orc’s skull, sending blood and bone everywhere. The other Rifleman was quickly retreating away, both hands raised in a pleading manner as the lead Orc approached. One heavy boot slammed into the chest of the retreating Orc as the leader raised the hammer again and slammed it back down with a devastating crunch. Blood and gore littered the deck of the ship now and the Orc quickly turned lowering back down into a bow with the hammer on the deck of the ship. Ragoro slowly stomped to the Orc, the grin coming back into play as he patted the large brown Orc’s head before picking up the hammer. The leader looked up with a smile before it turned into a look of outright fear as he saw Ragoro’s scowl. A piercing roar wailed out from Ragoro’s mouth as he brought the hammer down on the Orc’s skull, and he continued to roar as he slammed the hammer down time after time again into the dead Orc until there was nothing but bloody pulp everywhere. He tossed the hammer away with a Skronk and walked over, helping Lamna up.
“Oi, ‘his is not tha time for restin’ yea? Ya need tah be on ya feet.” Ragoro still pulled Lamna up only to receive a punch in the shoulder.
Lamna coughed but was grinning wickedly. “Geez, I didn’t know you had it in ya, ya ape! Thought your brain was the size of a cashew.”
“. . . wut’s a keshew?”
She rolled her eyes. “Nevermind let’s just get this ship ready while I call the sisters.” Ragoro nodded and lumbered away as Lamna pulled out the Radio. “Hey you two okay up there.”
“. . . Did he just . . . I mean . . . that was the same dumb old Ragoro right . . . who just-“
Hesperin interrupted. “Sister, please, we need to get this thing working.”
“Oh! Uh . . . right. Yes we’re okay. We called back everyone; they should be on the way to the ships.”
Lamna nodded. “We should have them ready in no time . . . where’s Rasmot and Snow?”
Hesperit shrugged behind the observation glass just as the chugging and screeching sound of wheels was audible overhead. Lamna looked up to see a minecart slam into several crates up above of stored parts and items. And screeching right along behind it was a minecart with Rasmot tugging the brake back at the front. When it came to a stop, both he and Snow climbed out of the cart and waved below. Lamna waved back and slapped Ragoro. He looked up and waved back as well with a happy docile smile before going back to work. The rest of the Hired guns and the Hesper sisters all pooled into the subterranean docks while Rasmot and Lamna lowered the crates and minecart onto the ships. Inside was a lot of prepared parts and items and some food that the ships would need for any length of time. The Hired guns held position until everything was loaded and split up amongst the three ships as each team took their own ship out. Ragoro and Lamna were on one, Hesperit and Hesperin on the other and the last to shove off was Rasmot and Snow. Rasmot knew enough about sailing to be the more experienced driver and got the ship out of the dock relatively easy. He finally gave the controls to one of the Hired Guns before heading off to find Snow leaning on the railing of the deck.
He slowly approached her and stopped to see her eyes cast downward and ears drooped. The wind whipped the shortened hair around her shoulders as she continued to stare at the sea. Taking a deep breath, Rasmot slowly walked around to her side and looked down to the sea himself. Neither one of them said anything as they stood there watching the waves roll by. He occasionally glanced her way to see the tears dotted in her eyes. Adjusting his hat slightly, Rasmot lifted the poncho from his upper body and draped Snow with it, not caring if she saw the wings at his back or not at this point. She was about to object but her face instantly buried into the fabric of the Poncho as she gripped the rails. Ice cold wind started to blow along the seas as they were getting closer to Frostfire. Rasmot was about to turn away when Snow raised her head towards him.
“Thank you . . . for saving my life.” Her eyes scanned his as she gripped the rail. “I know it’s silly . . . to be sad after that but-“
“But it could have been worse and I removed the one thing that was a comfort to you.” Rasmot leaned his back against the railing. “You don’t think I can’t notice your facial expression when the wind blows your hair around?”
There was a frown on her face. “. . . I guess you can.” Her head turned away as both eyes closed shut. “But . . . even if you had saved my hair . . . it would probably be messed up anyway.” A shudder crossed through her petite form. “All of that oil and grease . . . it’s nasty.”
“I wish I had saved it too you know . . . your hair.” Rasmot frowned as he looked towards her.
Snow covered her face in both hands. “I look horrible!! Nothing’s right! It was all so fluffy and full and now it’s . . . it’s just gone!! And I feel so empty without it and-“
She had instantly stopped speaking as she felt his arms wrap around her. They didn’t say anything and just stood there with his nose pressed into her hair. Slowly her hands lowered from her face and she turned to look at him.
“You don’t look horrible. Not to me.” A very small smile was on his lips as he held her close. “Yes . . . sure your hair is not what it’s supposed to be . . . but it’ll come back. But you’re still the beautiful Snow Evenlight.”
Both of her small hands gripped at his vest as she looked down at his chest. “You’re just saying that . . . to make me feel better.”
“Actually, I want to show you something.” Rasmot replied which made her head instantly lift up to look at him. “Something I’ve been keeping for a while. Something I always look to when I need guidance.”
Snow looked up curiously to him before she slowly spoke. “What is it?”
“At first.” He reached into one of his pockets. “I was going to make a compass . . . but direction is never something I always needed to keep track of. It’s time.” Rasmot pulled out a golden pocket watch with an indentation for a gemstone on the cover lid. “Made it myself . . . here, Open it.”
She held the pocket watch in both hands and let one thumb press into the winder. The lid flipped open in an instant as a soft chime played from the pocket watch. Right inside the lid was a picture, something that slowly put a smile on her lips. The picture was of her, having just turned at the right moment for a camera to go off. It must have been when Rasmot was first testing the S.E.L.F.I.E camera. She looked up at Rasmot with a small soft smile as she gave the pocket watch back.
“That’s something I look at . . . at least ten times a day.” Rasmot smiled as he took the pocket watch and placed it back in his vest. “I know . . . Bounty Hunter with a heart of gold. There is no such thing.” He paused before shrugging. “Stranger things could happen.”
She nodded softly before looking down. “You really . . . think I’m beautiful?”
“If there was a star that could compare to you, I would say that you are far more beautiful than that star.” Rasmot smiled and rubbed one thumb under both of her eyelids. “But . . . make you a deal. When we get back, you can cut my hair if you’re still really sore. Deal?”
There was a soft giggle before she nodded. “Deal.”
The two stayed on the deck for a while before they headed back in, Snow handing Rasmot his poncho back before planting a soft kiss on his cheek. A smile lit his face as they went back in and approached Fort Hesper from the sea. Big things were going to be underway. And he finally had the means to make his theory a reality. Assuming he could convince Hesperin to give him one of the ships. But for now he was content with the small kiss. One of the few things to come out of the nearly botched operation.
