Pink Rose [1]

"Channel My Inner Predator"

Quest Objective: Take care of "it."

The next few days quickly fell into routine. At night, I endured nightmares and saw things I did not want to see. I spent my days outside, familiarizing myself with the grounds, getting to know the other scholars. Anduin would join me on my rounds sometimes; other days he was inside, listening to lectures on pandaren lore. He tried his best to hide his miserable mood from me. Composure huddled about him like a dark cloak, but he was opening up more. Slightly.

I ran into our tour guide on one of my walks. His name was Fang. I found it quite contrasting to his air of knowledge and calm.

"Eona," When he saw me, he pressed his hands together in a polite bow. I knew to return the gesture, and he changed directions to walk by my side.

"It's good to see you, Master Fang." It really was—I was falling in love with pandaren culture. I related to it more than the haughty, superior-thinking values that my parents were raised in (and I couldn't blame either of them for abandoning those traditions). The ways of the pandaren were an escape, a novel to immerse myself in and forget the world outside of Pandaria.

"I wanted to humbly ask for your physical expertise," Master Fang always seemed to choose the right words naturally, spoken with an ancient tongue.

"Of course—what can I do for you?" I asked.

I followed his gaze as he stared across the grounds, the stone shrines, and into the wilds. The forest was made up of deep, exotic shades of green like the haze of Terokkar Forest. Off in the distance, the rivers that weaved throughout the twisting trees sighed.

"The Temple of the Red Crane was built in the heart of nature. It may seem illogical to some, but much can be learned from the neighboring wilds. It is life, undisturbed. There are many lessons to be recognized...but, unfortunately, this life is beginning to threaten our students." Master Fang's furry face creased with worry.

Life beginning to threaten the students... "The wildlife is becoming an issue."

"Yes."

"And you want me to... take care of it ?" My eyebrow rose. I was a scout—I was placed out of harm's way most of the time, but it wasn't unavoidable.

"Yes, a...wise choice of words." Master Fang nodded, although it was meant to answer my question. "Hunting is a natural part of life. And...well, in all honesty, Miss Eona, you send off more predatorial vibes than anyone else at this temple."

My eyes widened. "I do?"

"Not in the sense of intimidation," Master Fang assured me. "More in confidence. You are easily at home with your surroundings. You are a hunter , not prey—"

And yet the reason I was here, on this continent, was because I fled from predators.

"—and the wilds will be no match for you." Master Fang spoke with sincere belief.

I was suddenly very critical of my actions, wondering what specifically about me gave off fumes of hostility. I crossed my arms. Nodded a little. "Alright, I'll get right on it...showing the jungle who's boss."

Master Fang beamed at me and clapped one of his paws on my shoulder. "Excellent. The tigers have been the most defiant. They will not stand a chance..."

Master Fang leaned closer, looking over his shoulder as if for eavesdroppers. His voice was low. "And, perhaps...some of the cranes have also been a little...out of line."

I glanced back at the Temple of the Red Crane. When my gaze returned to the Master's face, it was pale. "I suppose the students wouldn't want to know of the... purge of their mascot?"