Nylia stood by the small lake outside of Bloodhoof Village, trying to catch some fish without much success. Solly was becoming very spoiled and lately wouldn’t eat most to the things she tried to give him. Finally, just to get some peace from his constant grumbles, she had put him in the stable at Thunder Bluff.

“Ungrateful wretch.” she muttered as another fish dropped from her line. Nylia sat down to bait her hook again. “Worms are disgusting.” she thought to herself. With a resigned sigh , she stood up and cast her line again.

Up the grassy knoll behind Nylia, near a tree, stood Zanduse, his gaze taking in every detail of the svelte Sin’dorei. He had been warned not to startle her or approach her from behind. A small smile graced his lips as he recalled Josteen’s telling him how skittish Nylia really was, in spite of the bravado she displayed to the world, what a gentle heart she had, under her seemingly tough exterior. His eyes traveled from the top of her head to her boots, taking in every detail, including the daggers strapped to her sides. Sensing how at ease she was, now he thought would be a good time to greet her. Zanduse shifted into cat form. Walking towards Nylia, he was sure to make some noise so she would hear him approach. As soon as he stepped on the tall grass causing it to crunch beneath his paw, her head whipped around toward him.

Nylia, hearing the sound, turned her head to make sure she wasn’t about to be dinner for one of the many predators roaming the area. Seeing the large cat ambling it’s way toward her, she let out a smile. One thing that gave a druid away in cat form…horns. The thought made her smile even more and she only knew one druid that walked around in cat form most of the time.

“Mahune?” Nylia inquired, a little surprise to see him out here far from Thunder Bluff. She was expecting Josteen to meet her here, but not for a couple of hours. Her pack lay on the ground next to her, full of leather she put aside for Jos.

The large cat came next to Nylia and nudged her leg. “I’ll take that as a yes.” She said to the silent cat and reached down to scratch him behind the ears.

“How nice you are being this morning, Mr. Mahune.” She told him, petting his head. “Ooo, and smelly too! What have you been rolling in?” Nylia squatted down , set her pole aside, and washed her hands off in the lake water. She turned to look at him and quirked an eyebrow at him.

“I have just the thing for that. I don’t think Solly will mind.” Nylia turned and pulled a bottle out of the side pocket of her pack. “Flea shampoo!” She laughed at the big cat’s sudden step back.

“Oh, come on. Don’t be a baby.” Nylia reached out to grab him by the scruff. She almost got her hand on his neck when he moved forward, knocking her off balance and into the water. Nylia came up sputtering and wiped the hair out of her eyes. She narrowed her eyes at the cat, swearing she could hear masculine laughter coming from the druid.

“Bad kitty,” she told him. “Look at me! I am all wet!” Moving quick as she could, she latched onto the cat, getting one arm around his neck. Nylia was laughing now as she reached down into her nearby pack. “That’s it mister. You asked for it!” She searched in her sack until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out a bar of floral scented soap and waved it in front of his face. “Hah!”

Nylia let out some more chuckles as she pulled him into the water with her. It was not that hard now that the cat decided he would let her wash him. His laughter coming out as feline chuckles. Besides, he needed a bath, and if she wanted floral soap, who was he to complain. He let out a sigh as she scooped up the cold water in her hands and poured it over his head, his eyes never leaving her smiling face.

Nylia lathered him up well and then pushed the big cat down into the water to rinse him off. “Come on, big guy, let’s get out.”

Up on the bank, Ny rooted through her packs again and pulled out a towel and a set of clothes.

“Stay here. I will be right back.” She told him and walked off toward the nearby thicket of trees to change.

When she came back down to the shore, the big cat had given himself a good shake, his fur standing up on ends. Nylia let out a laugh. She threw the towel over his head and back and dried him off briskly, smiling at the loud purrs coming for him. She turned, spreading the towel out on the tall grass so it could dry. She sat down and looked towards the druid, smiling at him still, thinking he had lifted her spirits and made her miss Solly at the same time.

The druid walked over to Nylia, laying down next to her so that he was half on her lap. Nylia stroked his feline head, making more purrs issue forth.

“You smell much better now,” She tells him, laughingly protesting when he reaches out and swipes her cheek with his tongue. “Ugh.” She said, wiping her face off with the back of her hand. They sat there in companionable silence for a few minutes, with Nylia just stroking his mane, and him purring, both basking in the sunshine.

Zanduse wiggled around until he was on his back, exposing his belly and looked expectantly at Nylia.

“Oh no, I am not rubbing your stomach. You have an elf to do that already.” She told him with a smirk. “And don’t look at me with those big kitty eyes.” She poked him in the side with her finger.

Zanduse rolled off her lap, trying to use the ground to scratch a spot just below his chest that he couldn’t reach.

“Not falling for that either.” Nylia laughed. “Shape shift and use your hand.” She unfolded her legs and leaned back on her elbows, stretching her legs out in front of her, watching him with knowing eyes and smiling at his actions.

Zan shifted into his humanoid form, showing her that he was not who she thought he was but another tauren all together. He stood there in front of her, slowly scratching his bare chest.

“Well, hello handsome…” Nylia purrs, inwardly she is instantly on guard, her eyes narrow slightly, her thoughts turning to Josteen and what could have happened to her. She eyes the tauren, taking in his leather leggings, boots, and lack of shirt and weapons. Thinking he must have hurt Josteen in some way, how else could this druid have known she was here. She gets up and saunters over to him, looking him up and down.

“Nice…” She tells him with a sly smile, then quick as a flash, grabs her a handful of tauren manhood and pulls out her knife, brandishing it threateningly towards his groin.

“What did you do to Josteen?” She asked him, her tone menacing.

He looked down at her, grinning slightly, amused that this little Sin‘dorei thought she could scare him.

“What does it matter what happened to Josteen?“ he paused before saying, “But she is in Hammerfall resting.”

Zan leaned in close and whispered into her ear. “I am here now to keep you company.” He quickly darted his tongue to lick Nylia’s ear. Nylia was frowning at his words and then jerked her head back, giving a delicate shiver, reacting to the caress on her ear.

“Interesting…” She tells him, releasing her grasp and stepping back to gaze at him, not sure if he was serious. She had just a hint of fear in her eyes which she quickly shuttered, looking at him from under lowered lids.

“What makes you think I want you here with me?” She quirked an eyebrow at him, feeling more in control now having put distance between their bodies. “How do you know that my mate is not coming to be with me here?“ She smirked at him.

Zan smiled gently, showing that he is not here to harm her.

“I am here because I want to be and you are not mated with anyone. Where as I am attached to no one also and you have piqued my attention, curiosity and desires.” He slowly took a step towards her, attempting to close the distance between them. He watched her carefully, intrigued by her features and beauty. Thinking with a smile that she reminded him of one of those spitting and hissing cats that roamed Silvermoon City.

Nylia’s eyes widen briefly as the word 'desires' came from his mouth and took a half step back.

“Uh..well,” she cleared her throat. She shifted from foot to foot, flipping her hair back over her shoulder, betraying her nervousness.

“Ah…” She gave a short laugh. “I do not even know your name and...and I have never seen you before, so how could I garner your interest, hmm?” She frowned slightly at him. “What makes you think I am in the market for hanky panky anyway?” She put her hands on her hips, so he would think she was angry and not see her fear.

Zan slowly stepped forward again, getting closer to her.

“My name is Zanduse.” He bowed slightly, out of respect. “I have seen you around even if you haven't seen me. I have watched you a bit but did not want to seem like I was stalking you, Nylia. I just felt that it was time for me to…” he smiled gently, “step forward and make myself known.” He looked into her eyes. “I know of your past, m'lady. And as for this, “he grinned at her, “ hanky panky. We can work into that.” He winked at her.

“Hmm...yes...well,” Nylia swallowed, then waved her hand toward his chest. “I would suggest you put your shirt on.” Her gaze goes up to his face but it fell back to Zan’s bare chest.

She took a deep breath and nodded, thinking to buy some time so she can get away. “Perhaps we could sit and talk for a bit, you know, to get to know each other…” she gave him a quick smile that looked more like a grimace, “I already know you like to take baths in cat form.” She turned her gaze from him, trying to think of something else to say.

“Zanduse, you say? Interesting name for a Tauren. And since you shape shift, you are a druid. That is nice.” She spoke quickly, suddenly feeling like she was babbling. Nylia, trying not to be conspicuous, glanced around and behind her to see if she had a clear path. She turned her gaze back to him.

“And who told you I was single?” she asked him with a frown upon her face. “You don't know me. I could have three or four lovers on the side and just be able to be discreet about it.” She stuck her nose up in the air and folds her arms across her chest, watching him from the corner of her eye, her gaze dropping back down to his chest and back up to his face, Without knowing she had a challenging look upon her own face.

“And whoever your source is,” she told him, “they are mistaken in some things. Or else you would not have called me Lady. I am not nobility nor do I claim it.“ She gave him a taunting smile.

Zan watched her with a slight challenging smile of his own. “I don’t carry a shirt around.” Watching her reaction to his statement.

“I do like taking baths in cat form.” He nodded at her. “ I did enjoy the one you gave me and I thank you for that.” The smile still upon his lips. “My friends and associates call me Zan. You may do so if you like.”

He watched Nylia’s furtive glances around, knowing she was thinking of running. He let out a gentle sounding laugh.

“We are in a fairly accessible area, the only way to make this easier on yourself, is to just relax, Nylia“ He smiled at her. “As far as who told me you were single... Josteen. She approached me as you were talking with Mahune the other day in Orgrimmar.” he paused slightly, watching the little frown reform between her brows.

“Jos also informed me that you were a very strong willed individual but doesn't enjoy being cornered, which I can understand. Which is why I approached you in cat form. I wanted to see what kind of person you were just from that experience and you are a kind person.” His eyes had a slight devilish twinkle as he smiled at her.

“As far as you having lovers, Jos warned me that you might say something like that as she started laughing.“ He held back his laughter at the look of outrage on Nylia’s face after his comment. He told her, “I wasn't going to approach you at first but was decided to give it a try.”

“And I do know you are not of royalty,” he continued. “Just my way of being cute and attempting to break the ice. I do apologize for placing the assumption that I thought you were royalty.”

He suddenly held his large hand out to her.

“Please, come with me. I have some food and drinks setup for us by the water.” He gestured to a spot on the other side of the lake.

Nylia looked over to where he pointed. Sure enough, there was a bright woven mat on the ground. She could see a basket sitting on it with a earthenware jug next to it. She took another deep breath and turned her gaze back to the tauren, who still had his hand out to her, waiting expectantly. Thinking Josteen needed a swift kick in the butt, Nylia’s gaze went back to the mat with the basket. Her stomach, to add insult, decided to betray her also by letting out a loud grumble. Ny’s eyes jumped to Zan’s face, she could see the laughter in his eyes.

“Fine.” She slapped her palm into his, grabbing it and pulling him along the shore toward the mat. “I haven’t eaten since early this morning.” She stopped suddenly to turn back around to look at him, pointing a finger up in his face. “Food, talk, that’s it.”