Raura found herself performing the motions of her practice almost without thinking. She had started practicing with a polearm with the approaching threat of the Legion, knowing that simply using her bow and arrows wouldn’t be enough in such a war. Demons were vicious, and many of them came in close, if only for the sick pleasure of killing their victims with their own hands. The Broken Shore had been... Difficult. No one came back from the shore without scars, and she had lost a faithful companion. The tigress she’d met in Pandaria, whom she’d called Kunga, leapt so easily in front of a blade meant for Raura... Damn anyone who said they were just beasts.
So much was different, now: she lived on her own in Elwynn, not too far from her Aunt’s home. Plenty of space for her animals to roam and graze and hunt, and to be free while also being nearby so Raura didn’t worry. And she had learned to use her polearm expertly, from the kindly old Pandaren who’d healed her adoptive father after he had washed up on Pandaria’s shores.
Raura completed her latest set, and felt the bamboo staff of that Pandaren tap her left hoof, nudging it slightly. “Your footwork is uncharacteristically off, Raura - an unfocused mind is as dangerous as an untrained body. What troubles you so?”
Raura relaxed, looking over her shoulder at Master Xun Reiko, dressed simply as ever, face shaded by a large hat typical of his people. Only his long, grey beard left the hat’s shade, but his eyes glinted enough that Raura could see he was focused on her. The Draenei girl sighed, going to sit on a rock, resting her head in her hands, and her elbows on her knees. “I’ve just... Been thinking a lot lately. About my brother, my father... My whole family. Everyone is... Different. Father is always wandering off, and won’t talk to me about what’s bothering him. Garver’s not much better, always keeping to his cabin and not talking to anyone he doesn’t have to. Aunt Odessii’s the only one who’s mostly the same, but I’ve seen how people can act towards her. Being in charge of House Dragonblade makes it hard for her to act on her own, even if she still does, and some people assume the worst of her because of a word in front of her name. Nothing is like it used to be, and I... I just miss how we were before the Legion invaded...”
The words spilled out - Raura had never been one to hide her feelings, even if she wanted to. She was, at most times, an optimist - but lately it seemed like she, and Ode to an extent, were the only ones. Xun stepped easily over to the girl, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Child, nothing in life is without change - and why should it be? Without change, flowers would never bloom. Children would never grow. Life would stop, and be stagnant... Change can be difficult, I understand. But it is the difficulties which make us stronger - you are not the same girl you were when I first came here, hm? If you had never changed, you would have never learned to use your bow. Never met any of your fine friends...”
Her steadfast fox, Spectre, yipped in acknowledgement, sitting politely as Raura furrowed her brows, knowing that Xun was right, but still worrying that things might never get to a better place. There were things she couldn’t fix - that nobody could fix. What was she supposed to do?
Odessii’s voice was strong, but not aggressive. She was here to tell Raura something important. Raura sat up straight, looking up to Odessii as she approached. “What’s the matter? Did something happen?”
Ode shook her head. “No, nothing happened... But something’s going to. I’ve been thinking, and... We need to talk. All of us. It’s been too long since we were all really together, and that’s going to change, sooner rather than later. I need you to talk to Garver, get him to come.”
Raura stood, nodding. This had to be some sort of sign - or maybe she and her Aunt just felt the same about these things, given all that had happened. “Right! I can find dad, too, wherever he’s-”
“No.” Odessii said, crossing her arms and looking between Xun and Raura. “You just talk to Garver... I’m going to speak to Adisor myself.”
Raura nodded - she wanted to help her adoptive father, but understood that Odessii needed to speak with him alone. The Paladin suddenly had a hand on Raura’s shoulder, smiling at the girl, as warmly as always. When Odessii spoke, it was gentle, but with just enough concern that Raura could tell the woman was concerned at all. “Raura, you’re a strong girl. I just hope you haven’t taken to following my instructions too much... I need you to do this, but I want you to have a life for yourself, too."
Raura tilted her head, peering down at Spectre, who tilted his own head, perhaps more to mimic Raura’s confusion than to emulate it. Raura looked back to Odessii, smiling for a moment. “I do have a life of my own... I scavenge, I run, I hunt... I help people, like Dragonblades are supposed to. But... You’re my family. I choose to spend as much time as I do with you.”
Odessii couldn’t help the smile that spread over her face, as she brought her free hand to Raura’s other shoulder and pulled the taller girl into a warm embrace. Never had she thought “family” would mean a woman quite like this, from another world, another people entirely. But here they were... And it felt right. “Good... I’m glad you care enough to stick around.”
She pulled back, smirking a bit at her niece before patting her on the shoulder. “Alright. I wish I could stay, but... You need to find Garver. And if I’m right about where Adi’s at... Well, I’ll be flying a while.”
Raura nodded, looking to Xun as the old Master cleared his throat. “I suppose it would be prudent to say our training for the day is concluded?”
Raura frowned. “Master Xun, I didn’t mean-”
He held up a hand, smiling warmly. “Do not apologize, my student. Clear your mind, and I am sure what troubles surfaced today will be but a memory...”
Raura nodded, looking once more to her Aunt, who nodded in return. Without another word, the pair split up, each going in different directions. Raura started to move towards the docks in the city, while Odessii climbed atop her stormdrake, lifting into the air... And turning due North.
