(2023-01-14) Open Office Hours: That Sort of Deposit

Details

Author:	Luridel
Summary:	Founder of Cobalt Company Elohad Ference, accompanied by translator Alaisa Lysander, rents out the Dwarven Mining Guildhall in Stormwind for an hour. Today's visitors are Raschal, Thalstan, Jenzelle, Dane, and Drunagh. ~4200 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Open Office Hours

Elohad greets Alaisa warmly.

[Elohad]: Hey there! Looking sharp!

Alaisa smiles and adjusts the papers on her clipboard. "Good afternoon, Elohad."

[Elohad]: Since this is our first time doing this maybe no one will show up, but honestly it's kind of nice for us to have some time to chat. Don't you think? We've never really gotten to talk beyond me asking you to translate this or that.

[Alaisa]: I hadn't thought of it that way, but that is true.

[Elohad]: What have you been doing lately? Most of what I've been doing is going into the weekly report and the rest is boring, so…

[Alaisa]: Aside from my work with Cobalt and other confidential tasks for Stormwind? Mm… I suppose I've been trying to keep in touch with my brother.

[Elohad]: I don't think you ever told me about your brother. What's his story?

Elohad zeroes in on her, clearly interested.

[Alaisa]: I have two, but… the one I'm referring to is in Acherus.

[Elohad]: …Oh.

[Alaisa]: Yes.

Elohad's expression shifts, but then he carefully arranges it back to friendly Listening Mode.

Alaisa shrugs one shoulder. "He's… changed somewhat, since he died."

[Elohad]: And you… you're still trying to… ? *He gestures vaguely, not seeming to know how to phrase it.*

[Alaisa]: Maintain a family relationship with an undead man?

[Elohad]: Right.

[Alaisa]: Yes. Are you acquainted with any of them?

[Elohad]: No. I mean… I was. My best friend's daughter. I was acquainted with her before she died. Now, I am not.

Elohad's expression suggests he would not like to be.

[Alaisa]: I'm sorry to hear that. I'm told the transition is… incredibly difficult for them.

[Elohad]: Difficult how?

[Alaisa]: The ones they had time to train properly were often tortured. There's memory loss in some situations.

[Elohad]: I mean, I'd hope so. Remembering who you used to be would be worse… wouldn't it?

Elohad looks deeply unsettled.

[Alaisa]: I suppose it depends on what sort of a life they want, and how much of it they wish to have back.

[Elohad]: It's… weird. The ones during the second war, they just… crammed orc souls into random dead human knights. But these… they put them back in their correct bodies. It must make it even more confusing.

[Alaisa]: The ones I've spoken to still have a sense of self. Some want parts of their old lives back. Some don't.

[Elohad]: At least the old ones, there was no confusion that they were still… themselves. They had a purpose, and that was it. No confusion.

[Alaisa]: You don't believe them to be still themselves?

[Elohad]: I uh — oh hey, look!

Elohad seems relieved by the distraction as someone enters.

Elohad waves at Thalstan.

Thalstan waves at Alaisa.

Thalstan waves at Elohad.

Alaisa straightens up and smiles politely.

[Elohad]: Thalstan! How's it hanging?

[Elohad]: Have you met Lady Lysander?

[Thalstan]: Good afternoon sir, ma'am! *Thalstan rustles his mustache in a way that's likely a smile*

[Alaisa]: I'm Ally. Good afternoon.

[Thalstan]: I ha' not. *He makes an elaborate bow to Alaisa*

Alaisa curtsies back, clipboard still in hand.

[Thalstan]: Pleased ta meet yeh, Lady Ally Lysander.

[Elohad]: Got any questions about your assignment next week? Or just here to catch up and hang out?

[Elohad]: Here, Ally, why don't you take the chair, in case you have to take notes, hm?

Elohad rises to his feet in that way that middle-aged men do… carefully.

[Alaisa]: Oh, thank you.

Elohad smiles at Thalstan.

Alaisa takes a seat and immediately begins rearranging the things on the desk.

[Thalstan]: Oh, I jes heard there was an event today, an' I thought to meself… if it is fer the public, ya need yer cover dwarf.

[Elohad]: Fantastic!

Elohad - social chameleon that he is - has used his second dwarvish expression in as many minutes.

[Thalstan]: I am lookin' forward to th'assignment. Can't wait ta meet all th' team in one place! *Thalstan glances back at the doorway* That nervous lady in the hallway one of ours?

Elohad squints. "There someone there? I can't see anyone."

[Thalstan]: Saw 'er when I came in, might should ha' said hello.

Alaisa peers at the open door. "Would you mind inviting her to come in, Mr. Stouthammer?"

[Thalstan]: Oh, sure.

Thalstan trots in a dignified manner back toward the door.

Raschal thumps Elo briefly on the shoulder, then sits by the desk in a kind of sprawl on the floor. "Hey." He grins up at Ally.

Alaisa gives Raschal a cheerful wave. "Hey."

[Elohad]: Hey there Crowflight. No messages at the moment but stay alert!

[Raschal]: Always.

Elohad waves at Jenzelle.

Thalstan walks proudly back at Jenzelle's side.

Jenzelle timidly waves back.

Alaisa smiles. "Hi, miss Halveris." Have they met? Sure haven't.

[Jenzelle]: I uh…heard this was happening and came to show support. Dressed proper…oh, um. More properly? I don't have a tabard, should I go get a tabard?

[Alaisa]: I'm Ally. Oh, no, hang on. Raschal.

[Elohad]: If you want! But you look very nice.

[Thalstan]: Oh, you know errybody already! *Thalstan rustles his mustache in a smile* An' here I was thinking how to introduce.

[Raschal]: Yeah?

Raschal's Common is very Stormwind-slangy.

Alaisa produces a couple of coins. "Will you run and pick up a few tabards?" She offers him the gold.

Thalstan turns to Jenzelle in thought. "Didja come to one o' these things dressed im-proper?" He seems intrigued about this improper outfit.

[Raschal]: Yes ma'am! That kind of thing is exactly what I'm here for.

Raschal darts out much more quickly than he strolled in.

[Alaisa]: There's no tabard required today, don't worry. I just thought you might want one.

[Jenzelle]: I used to wear…the wrong thing. But I have proper clothes now.

Alaisa smiles at her.

Thalstan raises one bushy eyebrow, imagining. "Well, yeh look right proper to me now, lass. An' I didnae think neither to wear my tabard." He turns to Elohad. "I willnae forget, fer the mission."

Raschal returns with tabards.

[Raschal]: I talked her down 5 silver. Should I give you the change or keep it as a tip?

Raschal grins at you wickedly.

Alaisa grins at Raschal. "Nice. Keep the change."

Elohad waves at Atley.

Raschal cheers at Alaisa.

Dane marches into the wide room with a tiny Alteraci Shepherd pup haunting his steps. The dog has a pair of floppy ears, and an equally floppy tongue, hoisted on oversized, clumsy paws.

[Dane]: Hullo', you lot. Milady, Sir.

Dane greets, nodding to Alaisa and Elohad respectively.

[Jenzelle]: Oh, a dog. *She smiles.*

Raschal flops back down in a sprawl on the floor, leaning against the desk.

Alaisa settles the pile of tabards neatly on the desk. "Sir Atley, hello. Oh, who's this?"

Elohad smiles at Atley and the dog.

Alaisa picks up the top one and brings it over to Jenzelle.

[Alaisa]: Here, miss Halveris.

Dane grunts and nods, turning to the side, gesturing to the tiny canine. "This here's Fang. A holiday gift from 'Vrianna."

Jenzelle accepts the tabard gratefully. "Thank you so much."

[Elohad]: You have a tabard yet, Stouthammer?

Elohad gestures to the pile on the desk.

[Alaisa]: You're welcome.

Raschal's eyes flick from one person to the other, a playful smile on his face as though he might be Plotting Mischief.

[Thalstan]: I do not. I was gonna go fetch one afore the mission.

Alaisa fetches a second tabard to give to Thalstan.

[Thalstan]: Thank yeh!

Dane looks to Thalstan. "Have we got a new member?"

[Elohad]: Thalstan Stouthammer! He's going to be the front man for our new Cobalt Blade initiative.

[Jenzelle]: That sounds important.

[Dane]: Indeed it does. Can't say we've met, master dwarf.

Alaisa says out loud, "I am going to resist the urge to ask to pet this dog." She returns to her desk.

Fang sniffs anxiously at Atley's boot between peering at Thalstan.

Thalstan nods. "It is important." He turns to Sir Atley. "Pleased ta make yer acquaintance, Sir Atley."

[Alaisa]: Hey, Raschal, do you have a tabard yet?

[Elohad]: I'd say Mr. Stouthammer has failed at representing the Company. *He points to where his luxurious beard covers the Cobalt symbol.*

Elohad laughs at Thalstan.

[Alaisa]: He's just teasing, Mr. Stouthammer.

[Jenzelle]: Oh, but, it is a lovely beard, though.

Dane looks to Elohad before he leans in to peer at Thalstan's magnificent beard. He scoffs with amusement. "Mm. I see that. Aye, 'tis a kingly beard."

[Raschal]: I did have a tabard…

[Thalstan]: Ah, well… they can see th' trim? *Thal tries lifting the heavy weight of hair experimentally*

Raschal gives Ally naughty-child eyes.

Alaisa swipes a tabard off the desk and dangles it above Raschal's head.

[Elohad]: It's fine, Stouthammer. Just messing with you. It's a great beard.

Raschal swipes at it, catlike.

[Dane]: I'm Sir Dane Atley. Dane or Atley'll do well in these circumstances.

Thalstan grins proudly at Elohad. "I take good care of it. Beard maintenance is not ta be taken lightly."

Elohad scratches at his own scruff and grunts.

[Jenzelle]: And I'm Jenzelle Halveris. I'm…not sure how many of you know Ralaea, but we're friends from…before the Company.

[Thalstan]: An' I've no title but my name. Thal is suitable enough, fer Cobalt friends.

Dane faintly knits his brow at Jenzelle and eyes her up and down, as if looking for something, before he nods.

[Dane]: Thal and Jenzelle.

[Thalstan]: I've no' met Ralaea, but Jenzelle is a lovely name, Miss Halveris.

Raschal rises and drapes the tabard over himself, insinuating it beneath his belt and turning it into something very like a slightly provocative dance.

[Alaisa]: I'm just Ally, at work.

Thalstan gives a low, hearty chuckle at Raschal.

Jenzelle wilts a little under Dane's gaze, reaching up to hide something that isn't there, before awkwardly lowering her hand back to her side.

Dane's gaze lingers on Jenzelle before he looks to Raschal. He deadpans for a moment. "I've met you. Haven't I?"

[Raschal]: Might've.

Raschal grins wickedly at Atley.

[Dane]: Kalimdor, somewhere.

[Raschal]: Was I covered in slime?

[Dane]: You weren't dancing then else I'd remember.

Raschal winks slyly at Atley.

[Dane]: Aye… Ayyye, that's right.

[Jenzelle]: Slime?

Alaisa laughs quietly.

[Dane]: Bit f'a tale, that.

[Raschal]: Acid actually! Digestive acid.

[Alaisa]: They're never going to let you live that down.

Dane turns to hold out a fist to Fang. The pup hesitates before obediently sitting. Atley leans down to feed him some jerky.

[Jenzelle]: You got eaten?!

[Raschal]: I was being digested by a bug pod.

[Raschal]: He and some others broke me out!

[Dane]: Silithids, innit'.

[Raschal]: So now I'm your courier.

[Raschal]: Yep. Silithids.

[Jenzelle]: Goodness, that sounds awful…

Raschal smiles, seeming not at all traumatized by the experience.

[Raschal]: It was! *he says cheerfully*

[Dane]: Bloody feat you don't look like a melted candle, mate.

[Raschal]: Most of the damage was internal! *Also cheerfully.*

[Alaisa]: Really?

[Dane]: Any of it … mental?

[Thalstan]: Were ya in Silithus? *A somewhat stormy expression comes into Thal's ordinarily cheery face*

[Raschal]: Oh no, I was mentally damaged before that.

Raschal winks slyly at Atley.

[Raschal]: No, Feralas.

Jenzelle hesitantly smiles, looking to the others for social cues.

Raschal slouches back to the floor, still smiling.

[Thalstan]: Ah, I was gonna say, ya might ha' met some of my kin, down that way.

[Elohad]: Raschal's tougher than he looks. Stainless steel, that one.

[Dane]: You've kin in that wasteland?

Dane asks Thalstan, turning his head.

[Elohad]: His father was a great hero in that war.

Alaisa smiles back at Jenzelle.

Elohad salutes Thalstan with respect.

[Jenzelle]: Feralas, Silithus…I've never been. The world is truly a large place, isn't it?

Elohad looks to Jenzelle, and gives her a warm smile. "It sure is."

Atley eyes Thalstan up and down.

[Elohad]: And what have you been doing with yourself lately, Jenzelle?

Alaisa writes something down on her clipboard.

Raschal discreetly attempts to carve his initials in the leg of the desk with the point of his dagger.

Thalstan nods at Elohad.

[Jenzelle]: Oh, I've been helping out at the Church when I can, seeking guidance from the more experienced priests. I heard one of their priestesses recently disappeared…

[Elohad]: Oh, is that something the Company should look into?

Alaisa definitely notices and also lets Raschal get away with it.

Elohad peers at Jenzelle searchingly.

Dane appraises Thalstan with a small grunt before he side-eyes Jenzell. "Wot. Here?"

[Thalstan]: Disappeared? A priestess? *Thalstan perks up*

Raschal notices Ally noticing, and notices her letting him, and adds her initials.

[Jenzelle]: I don't know much, myself. Only speculation.

[Jenzelle]: One day she just…stopped showing up.

Alaisa makes another note on her clipboard.

[Dane]: And you're a priestess yourself, milady?

[Elohad]: Ally, I assume you're taking notes on all this… we should look into it.

[Thalstan]: Which priestess is it yer missin'? Do ya have a name?

[Raschal]: As a former missing person myself, I strongly recommend Cobalt Company for the task.

Raschal grins wickedly.

[Alaisa]: I am.

[Jenzelle]: I am a priestess, yes. And her name was…oh, what was it…? It starts with an A, I think. I can go ask…?

Dane nods slowly. "Mm. How long's she been missing, then?"

Raschal carves a tiny heart between his initials and Ally's and glances at her slyly.

Alaisa can't actually see what Raschal is writing from this angle, just that he's writing something.

[Thalstan]: Do ya know where she was last seen? That can help.

[Jenzelle]: Since…just after the Scourge invasions, actually. But I heard she sold her house, so she survived, at least.

[Dane]: Mm. Cannot say I make my way to the Cathedral District as often as I might ought.

Raschal - satisfied with his work - puts his dagger away.

Elohad gives Dane a Stern Look.

[Alaisa]: Want me to send an inquiry, Elohad? Or go in person?

Dane flattens his lips into a line as he looks at Elo, somewhat penitently.

[Elohad]: Maybe stop by? Wearing the tabard of course.

Alaisa nods. "I'll add it to my agenda…"

[Elohad]: Much appreciated.

[Thalstan]: So she may ha' just run off, more than disappeared? If she sold a house an' all.

[Dane]: Mm, sounds like.

[Jenzelle]: Yes, that could be it.

[Elohad]: Better not to dismiss it until we get more information, I'd say.

[Elohad]: Worth checking into, at least.

Elohad waves at Drunagh.

[Drunagh]: Ah thought ah overheard some folks sayin' Cobalt Company had taken over the Miner's Guild. So ah had teh come say hello!

[Elohad]: Oh we haven't taken over!

[Elohad]: Just renting it for the hour.

Elohad smiles at Drunagh.

Drunagh lets out a hearty chuckle.

[Alaisa]: A very temporary takeover.

[Elohad]: Elohad Ference, founder of the Company. Pleased to meet you.

Dane turns to Drunagh and grunts in greeting. "Milady."

Jenzelle greets the newcomer with a smile. "Hello."

Thalstan looks over in happy surprise at the fellow dwarf, who is a lady. "Hello, there, milady! I do not think we've met!"

Thalstan gives a smooth bow and says, "Thalstan Stouthammer, at yer service."

[Drunagh]: The founder 'imself! Well, bless me buttocks. Good teh meet yeh all, those I have no' met. Ah'm Drunagh Ashenstone.

Dane inclines his head. "Dane Atley."

Alaisa smiles. "I'm Ally. Translator."

[Elohad]: As a paladin, I am qualified to bless you in general, but perhaps not your buttocks specifically. *Deadpan.*

Drunagh laughs at Elohad.

Raschal snorts.

[Dane]: Aye, dunno' if that's church doctrine, properly.

Alaisa laughs quietly.

[Drunagh]: Dinnae worry, Ference. Ah'll handle me own posterior's annointing.

Elohad nods at Drunagh.

[Elohad]: Sounds fine.

Raschal snorts again.

Dane grumbles in amusement.

Thalstan chuckles.

[Jenzelle]: I-I'm Jenzelle Halveris… *She seems hesitant entering into this particular conversation.*

Drunagh grins broadly. "Hello, Jenzelle Halveris!"

Jenzelle relaxes a little and smiles back.

[Elohad]: Jenzelle, as well as the rest of us here, is a member of our prestigious company! Were you looking for some work? Thinking of joining?

Dane cinches his thumbs in his lower suspenders.

Alaisa keeps an eye on Fang the puppy. And everybody else. But some percentage of her attention seems to be on Fang the puppy.

Thalstan looks at the dwarf for an answer, with perhaps a touch of hopefulness.

[Raschal]: Cobalt Company's the best. If not for them, I'd have been liquified!

Dane grunts in agreement(?) with Raschal.

Jenzelle sends a sympathetic glance in Raschal's direction.

Fang keeps sniffing at Atley's boot before he pads right on up to Jenzell and starts inspecting her footwear, instead.

[Drunagh]: No doubt! I know Cobalt's reputation. But joinin'? Och, I doubt yeh've need of my meager skills. My time is fairly well filled up doin' the Light's work.

[Elohad]: Oh are you a priest?

Thalstan winces, and nods. "I do not think I would recommend bein' liquified."

Elohad's eyes brighten.

[Raschal]: Yeah, it's no fun.

[Alaisa]: A paladin, I would guess?

Raschal catches Jenzelle's sympathetic glance and sizes her up, smiling.

[Drunagh]: A priest? Nae, lad. I dinnae have the temperament. I'm a paladin like yerself.

[Dane]: We've many priests and paladins in our ranks.

[Elohad]: Wonderful!

Drunagh nods to Ally.

Jenzelle smiles at Fang. "Well hello there."

[Elohad]: Well if you ever decide you'd like to work with a group, feel free to come into our Ironforge HQ and pick up an application.

Fang rears back on his hind legs to pad at Jenzell's thigh, floppy tongue leaking out of his mouth like a liquid.

Dane briefly glances over his shoulder at the hound before turning his attention to Drunagh.

[Raschal]: Oh wow, look at him go… *re: the dog*

[Jenzelle]: Can I pet him?

[Dane]: Mm? Aye. Just mind that tongue. He's a slimy runt.

[Raschal]: There might be trouble if you don't, looks like.

Dane remarks gruffly but affectionately.

[Thalstan]: I'm a warrior meself, so we may have some skills in Common. *Thal eyes her sword approvingly*

[Elohad]: Atley is he uh… house trained?

[Dane]: He is, sir, but not without a fair bit f'blood sweat and tears. I'm here town to visit a proper trainer and see wot' else needs doing.

[Raschal]: What's his name?

[Dane]: Name's Fang. A gift from my wife. Alteraci Shepherd, the only good thing to come out of that country.

[Elohad]: I don't think the contract I signed with the miners' guild included uh… that sort of deposit.

Drunagh grins at Thalsan. "No doubt."

Jenzelle leans down and begins petting the dog's head and chest.

[Raschal]: *in an urgent stage whisper* Faaaang… Faaaaang… c'mere…! Here, Fang!

Drunagh peers curiously at Thalstan. "Ah feel like Ah know yeh from somewhere…."

Fang pushes his head around underneath Jenzelle's hand to direct her fingers towards his ears. He's all too happy for the reciprocated affection.

Raschal sweetens the pot, waving a [Kaldorei Spider Kabob]. "Heeeere Faaaang…"

Fang's said ears do perk up and he first looks to Atley before peering around Jenzell's shin at Raschal, eyes alight with promise.

Thalstan shifts a little to the side and poses with a touch of dramatic flair. "Do yeh?"

Elohad smiles at Drunagh's comment, for some reason.

Fang abandons his master and immediately pads over to Raschal on large puppy paws, sliding around on the stonework as his tail wags back and forth.

Elohad may know something about her now.

[Dane]: Were you both soldiers?

[Raschal]: Whoo's a goooood booooooooy. Fang! Fang's a gooobooooy!

Raschal slides pieces off the spider kabob and feeds them to Fang without asking his owner's permission.

[Thalstan]: Heh, I'm afraid I've no soldierin' behind me yet. I been workin' in the guard in Ironforge. This bit in Cobalt's my first step to livin' up to my pa's legacy.

Jenzelle can't help but giggle at Raschal's eagerness.

While Raschal is distracted by the dog, Alaisa 'accidentally' knocks a pen off the desk and leans sideways to pick it up. When she straightens up, Raschal's desk graffiti now reads RC <3 AE.

Fang pants happily big brown eyes perhaps insinuating that they are indeed owned by a good boy. He does however immediately go for the spider kabob, ever the mercenary.

Drunagh shakes her head at Dane's query. "No, I dinnae think that's it. But…" She looks back to Thalstan," There's definitely somethin' familiar. One does no' easily forget a face and beard like those!"

[Jenzelle]: It really is a nice beard.

Thalstan strokes his beard with pride.

Elohad covers a smile with his hand.

Drunagh smirks, "And he clearly knows it."

Dane grunts.

[Elohad]: Much of a reader, Ms. Ashenstone?

Elohad's eyes are twinkling with merriment.

Raschal smothers the dog with kisses.

[Drunagh]: A reader? Oh, some. Ah'm no' exactly a scholar or anything.

Alaisa looks up at the sound of the bells. "Ah, that'll be our hour."

[Drunagh]: I prefer fiction. Mostly I-…

Fang happily and loudly consumes the treat before deciding Raschal's face would make a fine follow up, trying to slobber his tongue all over the young night elf.

[Elohad]: I don't imagine they'll kick us out right away, but we should probably wrap up. Any other business?

Drunagh pauses, and peers again at Thalstan.

Raschal is blissfully slobbered on.

[Thalstan]: Well, I dinnae see any reason fer false modesty! Like yerself, I'm sure yeh know ye've a lovely strength and intensity about yeh."

Dane glances over and growls at the dog. "Aye, watch it. 'Nuff of that, you mangy hound."

Raschal gives Fang a gentle push back toward his owner.

Alaisa gathers up some of the paperwork, her clipboard, and the spare tabards.

Raschal notices the desk graffiti. Blinks.

[Raschal]: Okay now I might really be in love.

[Dane]: Fang.

[Jenzelle]: I can stay and help clean up. Do we have things to clean up?

Raschal winks over his shoulder at Ally.

[Elohad]: If the dog stays much longer we might.

Elohad winks slyly at Jenzelle.

Fang pads back to Dane and sits before him. Before he twists in on himself like a dying star to chew on his own thigh, bursting with youthful energy.

Drunagh smiles at Thalstan. "Thank yeh, lad. Aye…Ah will no' be too modest about it."

[Dane]: Mm. Aye, I ought to get scarce. T'was fine meeting the lot of you. And Drunagh…

[Dane]: You'll not regret throwing your lot in with the Company.

Alaisa looks faintly amused. "Well, I have these extra tabards to take back to Ironforge, and I also have to drop by the cathedral, now."

Elohad agrees with Atley.

[Thalstan]: Yes, pleased ta meet yeh all today!

[Elohad]: Jenzelle, you want to help Lady Lysander?

[Jenzelle]: Of course!

Elohad smiles at Jenzelle.

[Elohad]: That's a good girl.

[Drunagh]: Maybe no'…but yeh mind regret throwin' yer lot in with meh!

Raschal stands and strreeettttches.

Drunagh laughs.

[Alaisa]: I wouldn't want to put you through an unnecessary tram ride, but perhaps you could accompany me to make inquiries at the cathedral?

[Raschal]: I'll miss you…

Raschal winks slyly at Alaisa.

Dane scoffs with amusement at Drunagh before giving everyone a grunt and a nod in farewell.

[Elohad]: Take care Atley.

Elohad smiles at Atley.

[Jenzelle]: Sure, anything is fine, really.

Alaisa grins over her shoulder at Raschal. "I don't suppose you want to take an unnecessary tram ride. Here."

Alaisa passes him the tabards, along with a few extra silver.

[Thalstan]: I best head back to Ironforge meself. Till next time, you lot!

Drunagh strokes her chin. "Ah'll consider it." She glances briefly at Thalstan. "Yeh seem fine folk to be around."

[Raschal]: I love unnecessary tram rides.

Raschal winks slyly at Alaisa.

[Alaisa]: Thank you.

Elohad bows before Drunagh.

[Alaisa]: Shall we?

[Drunagh]: Anyhow, speakin' of trams, I must be back to Ironforge, mahself.

[Raschal]: Bye everyone!

[Drunagh]: Light be with yeh all!

Alaisa laughs quietly as Raschal dashes past.

[Jenzelle]: Raschal is quite the fellow, isn't he?

[Alaisa]: He's young, for one of the kaldorei, I believe. Certainly still has his enthusiasm for the world.

[Jenzelle]: I do admire his optimism.

[Alaisa]: Right?

They reach the Cathedral.

Alaisa brushes off her tabard as she enters.

Jenzelle suddenly self conscious, straightens her own clothes.

Alaisa picks one of the priests to approach who doesn't look too busy. "Excuse me."

The priest nods to Jenzelle, then addresses Alaisa. "Yes? How can I help you?"

[Alaisa]: I'm Alaisa, from Cobalt Company. I heard that one of your priestesses might have gone missing, and I was wondering if the Church was looking for any assistance?

The priest says: Do you mean Almeiria? Oh, bless her heart, I hope nothing happened. I heard she left town suddenly, without a word to anyone. The children miss her at the orphanage.

[Jenzelle]: Oh, that was it. Almeiria.

[Alaisa]: Ah. A departure, not a disappearance.

The priest says: Rumors and gossip, most of it. Some say she was hounded by a jealous lover, while others…those who did not have fond feelings for her…say she left to join the Cult of the Damned or some nonsense.

Alaisa smiles. "I hope she turns out to be well, and you receive word when she's settled. Rumors will always abound, of course. Thank you for your time."

The priest says: Of course. I hope we hear from her too, if only to calm the gossip.

[Alaisa]: Light be with you.

The priest says: And with you.

Alaisa turns back to Jenzelle. "Thank you for your time, miss Halveris."

[Jenzelle]: Oh, thanks for having me. If you ever need anything, I'm happy to help.

Alaisa smiles at her. "Of course. I appreciate you showing up today to support us. Have a good evening."

Jenzelle smiles back. "Thank you, you as well!"

Alaisa departs the cathedral quietly, not stopping to pray.