| abstract | - Akindi Bar'att watched Adeph and Wicked go, their heads together as they plotted a way for Wicked to go and retrieve Khadija from the jungle. She smiled at the younger trolls, silently wishing them good fortune as they disappeared among the Sen'jin huts. They seemed like nice kids. She was glad Ajeera was finally hanging out with other trolls her age - the Tauren she'd grown up with were good people, mind, but not appropriate role models for a young troll. The huntress nodded her thanks to Bulja as he passed her pipe back. The bark on the balcony railing was rough against her back as she leaned lazily against it, sharing the rest of the pipe with the older troll. "So what brings you to Sen'jin tonight, Bulja?" she asked curiously in Zandalar. "The moon dance isnt' for another few weeks." "Well, I've got a bit of a problem. Unfortunately, it's one that only a troll woman can help me with. " "Oh? What's the problem?" "Well, to put it bluntly, I need a wife. Don't suppose you're interested?" Akindi arched an eyebrow at him. "What's this about, now? Whatd'you need a wife for?" "Bit of a long story to that, too. To make it short, I'm going to be visiting Zandalar soon, and I'm bringing someone with me. Unfortunately they know I'm not married." "And so?" "This someone… isn't the sort of person I want questions to be asked about. I need a real troll woman to marry, so that the tribal records would show it. Then I can pass off my companion as a newly wed. No one would question her presence too closely. I only need to use the name, but it has to be something believable. The elders know what I was without a mate the last time I was there. And if I show up with a new one this time, one that can't seem to be found in any registry.. Well, things could get complicated." Akindi "hmmed" thoughtfully as she smoked her pipe. She was tempted. Bulja was a strong troll and a good hunter, it would do her no dishonour to marry him. She could take him as a second mate for a while, as a lark. The problem was, she had already been to Zandalar several times and had left a bit of an impression. The damage from the fire was probably fixed by now, but there was a chance that people would remember an Akindi. She grinned as a solution presented itself to her. I shouldn't… but it's too perfect. "I have a mate. Take Ajeera," she offered casually. "She's younger anyway. Better match for a new wife." "Red, huh? I don't know if Vain could pull her off. Then again, she's going to be mute…" he considered. "I was planning on asking Adephagia, actually -" "She's an outcast of her tribe, though. Her name might have been stricken from the records, even. Ajeera would make a much more suitable wife for a hunter like you," Akindi said, selling him the idea. "That would work." "Good! So, how much are you going to give me for her, then?" Bulja blinked. "It doesn't need to be a real marriage," he countered. "If someone asks once I've left Zandalar, it's easy enough to fake a falling out. Most of my relationships seem to end like that, anyway," he added. "You want it on the tribe's records though, don't you?" she challenged him. "If you're not talking about the official records, then call your companion whatever you like." "That's the thing, it would need to be official. At least, as far as the Zandalar's concerned. No need to hold a ceremony or anything." "Right, so she'll be on record as having been married to you." "For better or worse, depending on how you view being married to me. It's hardly a trivial request, I know. But it's one that unfortunately needs to be done." Akindi grinned at the thought of actually marrying her daughter off to Bulja. Or trying to. "She could do a lot worse, but it is a temporary arrangement we're talking about here." "Right, a few weeks at the most." Akindi nodded. "Right. So. Since her father's not around, you'll have to talk to me. What will you give us to take our little 'Jeera away?" she asked ritualistically, not hiding the amusement in her eyes as she watched him. "We-lll, she's a fine young woman," he acknowledged, hedging for time as he thought. "Hah! She could kick the ass of any man in this town, I'll tell you that right now." "That's the truth. I'd go with a standard offering. No reason to embellish this more than it has to be." "Standard?" she said, feigning outrage. "For Ajeera? Go buy K'waii there, she's still single," she said scornfully, pointing over at the cross-tusked serving girl across the common room. "I don't suppose the joy of sharing my life would be considered enough compensation?" Akindi lifted an eyebrow at him. "But you're not bringing her with you. Or for that matter, keeping her." "Well, I'll be bringing her name with me. So in a way…" Akindi shook her head sadly. "She'll forever be remember as the troll who was ditched for an elf," she accused him. "Not that Zandalar needs to know that, but I guess it's true." The trolless held up a dramatic hand. "Never mind. This was a foolish idea. I could never inflict that kind of shame on my daughter… for less than two hundred." "Two hundred? You think I'm made of gold? Or for that matter, you think she is?" "I'm her mother. I know she is." "You drive a hard bargain," Bulja accused her. "I suppose a hundred sixty would be a fair price." "A hundred sixty? Why don't you just take your axe and cut my heart out? The honour of the Bar'att's is something worth putting a bit of effort into! One ninety." "She can be just as honoured for one seventy five." "Let's agree on one eighty five, but only because I like you." "Well it's hardly fair, but as I'm in a bit of a tight spot…" The trolls grinned at each other. "Deal?" Akindi asked. "Deal." "Hah!" She spat on her hand and held it out to him. He mimicked the gesture and they clasped hands, both trolls shaking with an iron grip. "Tell you what," Akindi offered generously. "Just because we're such good friends, I'll let her know the good news." she chuckled. "Be a shame if she killed her first husband." "That would be a shame. No need for her to be a widow, too." Akindi nodded, then gave the troll a suspicious look, sticking her pipestem between her teeth. "You [i]will[/i] give her back, won't you?" she asked around it. "Well, Red is a fair bit less irritating than Vain…" he lazily scratched a tusk, grinning. "Maybe we'll see how the honeymoon goes." Akindi snorted. "All right then. If you keep her, have fun with that. I'll go tell the blushing bride the good news. As soon as you pay me, anyway." "Right."
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