“Focus
on the flower. Listen to what it has to tell you. Listen to its essence.”
“You
realize this is stupid, right?”
“It’s
only ‘stupid’ because you’re not willing to open your mind to it. Just try it.”
The Pandaren woman’s voice was softening as she stared at the flower in front
of the red-haired elf. “Just focus.” The elf stared at the flower and sighed.
“What is it saying?”
“It’s
saying nothing because it’s a bloody plant,” he responded with a sigh. He
leaned back and hung his head backward. “What is the purpose of this anyway?”
“This,”
Xuelan gestured to the flower, “is the beginning. Focusing and listening to the
way nature communicates allows for the release of the negative feelings and
forces you to be more aware of your surroundings.”
“It’s
a flower. That’s all there is to it.” Cristianno threw himself back onto the
ground and sighed, rubbing his eyes.
“Perhaps
you would be better off focusing and releasing that magical energy inside.”
Cristianno’s
eyes glared at Xuelan immediately. “I don’t have magic.” The Pandaren furrowed
her brows and looked at him, as if observing him carefully. Then her gaze
changed and now she looked at him sarcastically.
“You
are an elf with magic. Why don’t you use it?”
“Because
I swore not to.” Cristianno looked away and sighed, leaning back on his arms
and stretching his legs outward.
Xuelan
looked at his boots and how close they were to the flower she was training him
with. Grabbing the tip of the boot, she moved his leg away, “However, it is in
your nature. Why not embrace it?”
“Because
I said no!” He heard the rustling of birds flying from the tree at the sound of
his scream and then flocking back onto the branches. Xuelan shushed him and
with the wave of her hand, summoned a totem from the ground, water emerging
from within. She muttered something and sprinkled water around them. With a
sigh, Cristianno hanged his head and shook it. “Look, it was something that my
mother made me promise. She didn’t want me to be like…” He threw his head back
and took a deep breath. “…Like the man who helped create me.”
“Your
father?”
“He’s
not my father. A father cares about his children.”
Xuelan’s
blue eyes grew wide with his words and her mouth shaped an o. Silently, she
gazed back at the flower. Breaking the silence, she said, “He was a magic
wielder, I take it?” Cristianno shrugged. “I see.”
“She,
my mother, never wanted me to be like him. I’m glad for that.”
Xuelan’s
lesson ended. She realized how hard it was going to be to train him, so she
decided to stop. A mouse scampered around them and stopped beside her. She
gently patted the mouse and smiled. “I often wonder what they are thinking.”
Cristianno
lifted his head and looked at the mouse. After staring at it, he smirked and
softly said, “He’s hungry.”
“Or
lonely. Maybe he’s looking for a friend.”
The
captain shook his head and reached for his bag. “No, really. He’s hungry.”
Pulling out a cracker, he placed it next to the mouse, which reached for it and
began to eat rapidly. “See?”
Xuelan
looked at Cristianno. “You were sure of that.”
He
nodded. “I have been able to communicate with animals since I was a young boy.”
He smiled and reached out to pet the mouse on the head. “I used to take care of
the animals in the caravan. They didn’t bite me and when they did, it wasn’t on
purpose.” With a shrug he leaned back on his arms. “Ain’t no big.”
“You
have a gift, Captain. You can focus on animals’ feelings. Not many can say
that. Maybe that’s why you’re able to fish so easily.”
“I
didn’t like fishing in my early days at sea. I hated it. But yes, it was easier
for me than others.”
Xuelan
stared at him and smiled. “Well, you have found your focus.”
“What?”
“You
have found your focus; the thing that is going to help you calm yourself. You
need a companion.”
“I
have a companion.” Cris grinned at her. Xuelan sighed and shook her head.
“I
do not mean your wife, your friends, or your crew. I speak of an animal
companion; one that will allow you to calm your nerves.”
“I
have Adara.”
“Who’s
that?”
Cristianno
looked up at the canopy of trees and whistled a brief melody. Xuelan looked
around, wondering what he was doing. A blue-violet bird soared downward, toward
Cristianno. “Xuelan, this is Adara. She’s a hyacinth macaw.”
The
Pandaren smiled and gently approached the bird. “Well hello. She’s beautiful.
How did you acquire such a bird?”
“She
was a gift.” He gazed at the macaw and sighed. Xuelan noticed the change in speech.
“A
painful memory?”
He
looked at her for a moment before turning back to the bird. “I rather not talk
about it.”
“If
you keep it within, you will fall prey to the sha.”
“I’ve
already made my peace with it.”
“I
do not believe you have.”
“Why
can’t you just drop it?”
“Why
can’t you face your emotions?”
“Because
she can’t forgive me!” Adara flew into the air briefly before landing back on
Cristianno’s shoulder. He shook his head and tried to ease the bird’s panic,
but Xualan saw more to him.
“Who
can’t forgive you?”
“The
woman who gave me this beautiful bird.”
“And
that’s all that’s bothering you?”
“No!”
He sighed and whispered to the bird, which flew up back into the trees. “I’m
gong to be a father. I’m nervous. I’m worried. And the woman I wronged hasn’t
forgiven me.” He threw himself backward onto the ground. “I’m happy. I am
finally happy. So why can’t I let this go?”
“You
wronged her?”
“Yes.
No. No, I didn’t. Maybe a little?” He grumbled and kicked dirt and leaves up
into the air. Xuelan coughed and fanned the air around her. “She wasn’t there
when I needed her. You have to understand: I have this obsession with women. If
I have their attention, then they have me. It’s complicated, I’m sure. And many
women have come and gone.” He felt as if his words were just rambling. “Look,
this bird is more than just a gift for me. She’s…”
“A
memory you can’t let go?”
“I’ve
let go of her. I had to. I think… I think she’s dead.”
Xuelan
nodded. “I see. Well, then may your companion aide you well.”
Sitting
up, Cristianno looked at Xuelan. “Join me.”
She
looked at him and chuckled. “You expect me to join your crew and bear the idea
that you steal, rob, cheat, and murder?”
“We
only murder when it’s necessary.” Xuelan glared at Cristianno, who smiled and
winked at her.
“What
would I have to do?”
“Take
care of my crew. Take care of my wife.”
Xuelan
thought about it and said, “I will join you, if you allow me to continue
training you. And…”
“And?
Is that enough torture?” He grinned.
“And
you tell me more about this Tia’Zula.”
His
grin slowly faded, but he maintained a small smile. “Very well.” He extended
his right arm and the Pandaren took it, shaking hands to seal the deal.
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