Pink Rose [1]

"I Prefer My Grapes Peeled"

Quest Objective: Bash family members. Hard. 

Oh. Fuck.

A pair of piercing eyes held my gaze, molten gold, like they were forged from the sun. They used to be kinder-looking. Smoother, almost. Like yellow wildflowers.

"What is this?" Garrosh's eyebrows were slanted, drawing more attention to the pair of orbs beneath them. How long had it been since I had met that gaze? They seemed to stare right through any disguise I adorned from my position on the floor. He towered over me like a massive storm that could demolish a fleet of ships.

My gaze slowly trickled back to Andy. The face he wore now was still unfamiliar to me, but I knew he was as shocked as I was. I could imagine what he was thinking...being in the same room as the person who put him in so much pain.

"What is the meaning of this? I will not ask again!" The voice above me bellowed with a voice that could cut through canyons.

I didn't look up. I continued to stare at Andy's face; it was easier to stay calm that way. Come on...I worked for him! He's my ex-boss. I know how to deal with him. Or I did, anyway. That's better than nothing!

"We were told you were expecting us," I lied, thankful the crystal that disguised my voice was still working.

"By who?" I knew he was sneering—he always had that facial expression with that voice.

I offered Andy a hand, and we rose together. Spearheads were immediately beneath our throats. Andy and I shared another sidelong glance.

I know my mouth causes a lot of trouble...but he's talked enough today.

I finally forced myself to look at him, conjuring the fakest smile I had ever used. "We're...entertainers. From the Darkmoon Faire."

"The Faire is not in season," Garrosh noted. The guards stationed in the massive domed room nodded along. When I stared too long at the crimson banners decorating the walls, black dots filled my vision. I drilled holes into Garrosh's spiked pauldrons.

"We were specially ordered," I said, clutching Andy's fingers so tight I was fearful I'd leave marks.

"You didn't recognize us?" Andy finally chimed in, but his voice sounded hoarse.

Garrosh's head tilted to the side, sizing up the prey that stood before him. At his standard height he remained a mountain of spikes: pointed ears, sharpened tusks, and toothed jewelry. The orc from Nagrand had become the herald of the Blade's Edge Mountains.

"Should I?"

"I would hope so," Anduin turned to me, still clasping my hand, and kneeled upon the floor. My eyes widened as he brought my fingers to his lips, "No one could forget Prince Dandelion and his Pink Rose."

Warmth spread through me from the touch of his lips. I nearly wondered if he used Light magic. But his touch was always thrilling, magical or not.

A messenger entered the hold, pausing before the sight before her. The troll blinked at us, then Garrosh. "You be doin' marriages now, Boss?"

"No, I don't..."

"Why not, Boss? I think the citizens would like it," One of the Kor'kron along the walls chimed in.

"Do I look like a PRIEST?" Everyone winced at the raging echo that followed. Garrosh cleared his voice and muttered, "Marriages are too emotional for me, anyway."

Aww, he still likes weddings. I remember when he used to be in charge of decorations for orcish matrimony ceremonies on Nagrand. He'd spend hours picking wildflowers in the grass fields...maybe that Garrosh isn't completely gone? Maybe he's still in there, somewhere...?