Summer special! Photgaphed by ny really talaented friend
Wivian.
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Chandira took her new position as trainee-anchorite seriously. She not only carefully listened Buurq’s teaching, but also spend her leizure to studying the few books her new mentor had salvaged from the Crash and brought with him to Forest Song.
"I wonder if Night elves have books on local plants and their practical uses", Chandira thought, as she leafed through "Herbs and Weeds of Draenor". The book was interesting, but none of the plants it described was found from Ashenvale Forest.
Sound of quiet footsteps alerted Chandira. She looked up from her book to see Shalunia approaching. The elf was carrying paper-wrapped bundle with her. Chandira smiled. She hasn’t seen her friend in few weeks – not after Chandira had accepted her new apperenticeship.
"Greetings, Shalunia", Chandira hailed. "Please, come and sit down with me, if you are not hurry", she said, gesturing the elf sit down.
"I- Yes. Thank you", elf said, and sat down, shifting the bundle in her arms.
"So, are you here on some army assingment? Or…?" Chandira questioned, and Shalunia shook her head. "No, I am off-duty. I came here to see you."
"To see me?" Chandira echoed, suddenly feeling nervous.
She could feel Shalunia looking at her. “Yes.”
Elf handed the bundle towards Chandira. “I wanted- Thought…” Shalunia started. She quickly shook her head, and tried again “This is for you."
Chandira looked the bundle. “For me?” she repeated, and raised her eyes to Shalunia. “Shala, I cannot take it, I have nothing to give in return.”
"Just open it. If you do not like it, I will take it back", elf said, offering again the parcel. Chandira hesitated, still. "Do not worry of gift-in-return. This is gift, not a trade", elf assured.
Chandira nodded. “Thank you, Shalunia.”
Shyly she took the bundle, and opened the paper wrappings. Pure-white cloth spilled out. It felt soft and cool to Chandira’s fingers.
"So beautiful!" Chandira exclaimed, as she saw first embroideries on the cloth.
Shalunia smiled. “Try it on to see if it fits.”
Quickly Chandira got on her feet, exited about new clothes, and started undressing. She thought she heard Shalunia muttering something, but ignored it.
"Shala, how do I look? Does it fit?" Chandira asked, when she had got the new dress on. She turned slowly around, marveling the lighness of fabric.
"It… it’s good", Shalunia answered after a while.
Chandira shifted, and slowly sat besides her friend. “Shala, this is beautiful dress, but it’s too much.” She gestured the embroideries. “The cost of something like this-“
"No, listen", Shalunia interrupted. "I want you to have it and wear it."
"But-" Chandira began. Swiftly Shalunia raised her hand to draenei’s lips.
"No buts, Chandira."
Long moment they just looked each others, elf’s fingers resting on Chandira’s lips. Slowly Chandira raised her hand, too, interlocking their fingers. “Yes”, she whispered.
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And some bonus piccies:
Chandira's hair is fixed.
Wivian and her not-so-comfy-looking working positions.