(2023-03-15) It's Turtles All The Way Over

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	White Squad takes a field trip.
Rating:	M for Mature 17+

Arc: Season 9

[Ben]: Lena. Evenin'.

[Lena]: Ben. *Lena smiles.* Tuskarr been alright? No kvaldir attacking yet?

[Ben]: No sign yet.

[Lena]: Oh, Rae, I didn't see you there by the fire.

[Ralaea]: Fire's the place to be. Too cold, when you're just standing around.

Lena nods, stepping closer to the fire. "So they were saying something about contacting their people on the west, right?"

[Ben]: Yeah.

[Ben]: Place called Dragonblight. Moa'ki?

[Lena]: Moa'ki. Their language is so odd. Dragonblight's Common, though.

[Ralaea]: That's… a name. Dragonblight.

[Ben]: Who named that one, got to wonder?

[Lena]: Can't be worse than Blades Edge, with 'em all on spikes, right?

[Ralaea]: It… could be, considering undead dragons.

[Ben]: Dragonblight, right? Yeah.

Lena waves at Ismene.

[Ismene]: Isn't this exciting?! I've never ridden a giant turtle before.

Ben grins.

[Ben]: Can't say as I have, neither.

Ismene rummages through a bag, stepping close to Ben. "I'm bringing some spices, they may need those. And some of my frostbite serum."

[Ben]: Oh, good, nice.

[Lena]: That they might need, if it’s cold as it is here over there.

Ismene rummages more.

Ben glances over and nods respectfully to Paluuva. "Ma'am." He grins at Ace.

Paluuva smiles and bows her head.

[Ben]: Look! Holy sh*t.

[Ismene]: Oh. My.

[Paluuva]: There it is.

[Lena]: Is that it?

[Lena]: The boat?

[Ben]: It's a f*cken turtle.

Ben laughs.

[Ismene]: Let's go!

The turtle is crewed by a couple of genial tuskarr.

[Ismene]: Oh. Hello!

Ben bows before Qatiichii.

[Lena]: This is adorable!

[Paluuva]: How absolutely charming.

The giant turtle, enticed by a carrot dangled from a fishing pole, paddles its ponderous way out from the harbor and into the open sea.

Ben leans on the railing. He laughs.

Ismene chatters animatedly with the pilot about the use of carrots.

[Ralaea]: They've got a crab down there.

[Lena]: In the boat, you mean?

Lena peers through the netting.

[Ben]: … damn, look at all them pirate ships.

[Ben]: Reckon a turtle is safer'n a ship out here, for knowin' where the ice is.

Lena looks up sharply at the pirate comment. "Guess we were just on the tip, there. Of the iceberg, I mean."

[Ben]: … Miss Coit.

[Ben]: You did not just.

Lena looks at Ben with complete innocence.

Ismene gets to put a carrot on the stick.

[Ismene]: He's so fast!

They leave Howling Fjord’s iceberg forest and move into the somber dark waters south of Dragonblight.

[Ben]: Oh. … oh.

[Ben]: What is —

[Ralaea]: That looks like —

Ralaea sees a familiar insignia and quiets.

Ben stares at the graveyard of sunken ships off the desolate coast.

[Lena]: Oranna ought to have a look at this.

[Paluuva]: Look at that…

[Ben]: You reckon that's where — HOLY SH*T.

[Ben]: You see that dragon? Skeleton?

[Paluuva]: And those trees beyond it. So green!

Ben cranes his neck at some ruined pillars, gawking.

The great turtle gradually slows and angles northward, until it glides its way into the kite-marked docks of another tuskarr settlement. White Squad disembarks. Presumably the turtle gets carrots. He is a Good Boy.

Ben stares up at the bleak, snowy cliffs. He paces to the edge of the dock to peer back along the coast behind them to the east, toward the ruined pillars.

[Ben]: Y'all see that tower up there? Behind the… lights?

[Paluuva]: I do. It must be enormous.

[Lena]: This is a bigger tuskarr city, looks like? Bigger than Kamagua, anyways.

[Ismene]: I wonder where that turtle goes.

[Ralaea]: Maybe he's the… storage turtle? Is that a thing?

[Ben]: A pack turtle?

[Ralaea]: How many of these turtles have they got, do you think?

[Ben]: I dunno. Got to be old as hell, a turtle, to get that big.

[Ben]: Centuries? Like, elf turtles.

[Ralaea]: Is that how that works?

[Lena]: I dunno, I heard once turtles are immortal. Are they immortal?

Ben squints.

[Ismene]: That one ate his vegetables, Ben.

[Ralaea]: I mean, why don't elves get that big? They're big, but not… turtle big?

[Ben]: … I dunno.

Lena giggles. "Can you imagine? They'd look like… gosh, foot as big as one of us."

[Ismene]: They do live a long time, though. Like turtles. Who also eat vegetables.

[Ben]: An’ they are bigger'n humans. But, then, gnomes live longer'n humans too and they're– you are really on about vegetables, huh, Mizmainy?

[Ben]: You got somethin' you want me to know about vegetables?

[Ismene]: You need more variety.

[Ismene]: That's all I'm saying.

Paluuva chuckles softly, amused.

[Lena]: Mizzy, you need tricks? I used to have ways to get folks to eat vegetables.

[Lena]: Ismene, I mean.

[Ismene]: Well, he does all the cooking, Lena, so….

[Ismene]: You can call me Mizzy, I don't mind!

[Lena]: Oh, okay. *Lena smiles at her.*

[Ismene]: It's just no one actually uses my name anymore. *She sighs.*

[Lena]: Do you want people to? Nobody calls me Averlena. Nobody has since last time I was in trouble with my parents.

[Ben]: … your name's Averlena?

[Ralaea]: Is it?

Ismene laughs. "I'd like it, yes. But everyone seems to find it difficult. Do you want people to call you Averlena?"

Lena blushes. "I guess I always introduced myself as Lena. But yeah, that's my name. I'm fond of Lena."

[Ismene]: Then I'll call you Lena, and you can call me Mizzy or Ismene.

[Lena]: Alright, Ismene. *Lena grins.*

Ismene grins back at Lena.

[Ben]: C'mon, let's see to them up to the village. About the kvaldir.

They head toward the rough, snowy track that leads from the docks toward the hide huts above.

[Ben]: An' I do call you Ismene, sometimes.

[Ismene]: Ben!

[Ben]: What?

Ismene turns bright pink and hides her face.

Ben looks innocent.

[Lena]: Particular times? *Lena says, her expression totally innocent.*

Paluuva pinches her lip to prevent herself chuckling.

[Ismene]: Someone please push him off the dock.

Ismene 's voice is muffled because of dying and all.

[Ben]: Hey! Not off the dock. It's cold.

[Ismene]: You're just lucky I like everyone here.

[Ralaea]: …You do?

Ismene blinks at Rae. "Of course."

[Paluuva]: What is not to like?

[Ismene]: You're Ben's people, so that makes you my people too.

[Ralaea]: Oh. Well… good. *She reddens slightly.*

[Ralaea]: I um… like everyone here too.

Ben doesn't look back, so no one can tell he's smiling a little.

Lena smiles at all the friendliness around.

Ben nods respectfully to a Moa'ki Turtle Rider.

[Ismene]: Well, half my people. If we get divorced, he'll probably get dibs.

[Ben]: What? Why you say that? Why'd we get divorced?

[Ismene]: Focus, Lieutenant.

Ben scowls at her.

Ismene grins.

[Ben]: … man's wife talkin' about divorce.

Lena whispers, "Look, there's another elder!"

Ben whispers, "Damn, he's a big one."

[Ralaea]: And an… orc?

The Moa’ki Elder is standing by a fire inside his hut, flanked by a night elf and an orc; the two of them are arguing while the tuskarr wearily ignores them both.

Aiseia eyes Envoy Ripfang up and down.

Lena nods at Emissary Skyhaven.

Lena scowls at Envoy Ripfang.

[Paluuva]: We beg audience with the Elder.

Ben steps back to defer to Paluuva.

Ismene seems uncertain, hesitantly looking at Ben. She opts to stay where she is, ducking her head and rounding her shoulders.

Paluuva bows before Elder Ko'nani.

Elder Ko'nani peers at Paluuva.

Elder Ko'nani says: What is this? Not more envoys? These two already make my head hurt.

Ismene tiptoes forward, eyes averted from any possible contact. Here's a nice wall. I'll stay by this wall. Lookit this wall.

Ralaea stays near the outside, having had quite enough of tuskarr tents.

Paluuva smiles softly. "We are envoys only from your cousins in Kamagua. I am Ambassador Paluuva of the Alliance, and we are members of a group called Cobalt Company. We are passing through on our own business, but we bring news on your people's behalf, for they have been kind to us."

Lena nods at Paluuva's words, but keeps quiet.

Elder Ko'nani brightens. "Ah! From Atuik and our cousins. How fares Kamagua?"

[Paluuva]: At the moment, it is peaceful, despite some troubles with pirates. But there is danger looming from the sea. That is what we have come to warn you about. Elder… I take no pleasure in telling you that the Kvaldir are emerging from the mists.

Lena puts on a solemn expression.

Elder Ko'nani stares at Paluuva for a long moment, and then turns his shaggy-whiskered head to regard the others, his eyes stern as stones.

Ismene ducks a little, shaking her head to have her hair hide her face.

Ralaea crosses her arms and tries not to let the smells further sour her expression.

Elder Ko'nani says: The Kvaldir, you say. Long has it been…

Aiseia listens, fidgeting only a little.

Lena nods, as if she knows what the Kvaldir are.

Elder Ko'nani sighs, and sits down wearily beside his fire. "This is terrible news indeed. We must — we will prepare. But you must go on, then, to our far cousins in Unu'pe, in the tundra."

Ben nods gravely.

[Paluuva]: We shall, Elder. We have already promised Elder Atuik we would do so, but we will bring your goodwill as well. Do you have any message for Unu'pe?

Elder Ko'nani shakes his heavy head mournfully. "Tell them only to make ready. The darkness spreads now over the sea as well as the land. Not even our shores may be safe much longer."

Elder Ko'nani says: There is a turtle. You must know, this is how you arrived, is it not? There is another, here in the village, that will take you west to Unu'pe.

Ismene brightens up. Another turtle!

[Lena]: Another turtle! *Lena says, then snaps her mouth shut.*

Ismene peeks shyly at Lena, giving her a private happy-grin.

Lena grins back at Ismene.

Ben does not remark on the other turtle because he is an officer and a professional. He is totally jazzed about another turtle, though.

Ralaea just seems glad at the prospect of leaving this tent.

Paluuva smiles at Lena. "As you can see, we look forward to enjoying the ways of your people, even in these dire times."

Elder Ko'nani says: If you are friends to Kamagua, then you are friends to Moa'ki. We are all kin. You are free to come and go from this place, and our hospitality is yours.

Ralaea mumbles, "I would enjoy your ways more if they didn't smell so… strongly…"

[Paluuva]: We are honored, Elder, and we are at your service should you ever require it.

Paluuva bows before Elder Ko'nani.

[Ben]: Thank you, sir. We are here to help. 'Preciate you.

Ben bows before Elder Ko'nani.

Lena curtsies before the Elder.

Ismene takes her cue from the others.

Ismene curtsies before Elder Ko'nani.

They head out of the village toward the docks again.

[Ben]: Another turtle!

[Ralaea]: I don't expect anyplace out here to be warm.

[Ben]: We are only goin' more north eventually, I expect, so. Yeah.

[Ben]: An' I thought f*cken Lordaeron was cold.

[Paluuva]: On our way here, beyond that dragon skeleton, there was some sort of valley full of green growth. It was remarkable.

[Lena]: Oh? So it's not all a wasteland, then.

[Paluuva]: There must be some source of warmth in there to allow for that.

[Ben]: You saw that too? I wasn't sure. I was lookin' at the dragon an' only saw the green for a second, wondered if it was the sky reflectin' on the snow.

[Paluuva]: If it was a mirage, it was a very convincing one.

[Ismene]: I was just looking at the turtle.

Ralaea glances back in the direction they came from and clenches her fists. "There were… a few things back there."

Ben looks at Rae. He lowers his voice. "That… beach. With the ships in the water. You all seen it?"

Ismene shakes her head no, but not intently. She's pretty sure she wasn't meant to be in the 'all'.

Paluuva nods solemnly. "I did. Those banners. I could not be sure…"

[Ben]: Yeah. I ain't a hundred per cent, but….

[Ralaea]: It's them.

Paluuva sighs softly.

[Lena]: What banners?

Ben looks to Rae again.

[Ben]: If Rae says it's them, I'm inclined to believe.

[Ben]: Prob'ly of all of us, she'd know it.

[Ismene]: Them who?

[Lena]: Wait, is it… the dead folk?

[Ben]: The first ones. Arthas's — you know.

[Ben]: Them as came up here with him.

[Ismene]: Death Knights?

[Lena]: Oh… the first expedition?

[Ismene]: Are… are we not saying it out loud?

[Lena]: It'd be easier if we would.

[Ben]: Not the Death Knights, Ismene. Arthas an' Muradin Bronzebeard an' them.

Ismene clearly has no idea what he's talking about.

[Lena]: Before he went wrong. Or I suppose while he was going wrong?

Ismene shrugs and goes back to looking out at the water.

[Lena]: No telling when it started.

[Ben]: It — I reckon that might've been that fleet? That first one. Back there off the shore. Lordaeron ships rotting.

Ben looks at Rae again.

Awkward silence.

[Lena]: Well, here's the new turtle!

[Ismene]: All aboard!

[Ralaea]: They name 'em, you think? The turtles?

Ben watches the coast slide by again, wordlessly.

[Lena]: What's that light?

[Lena]: Violet is… not a real good color up here.

Ben shakes his head, squinting. "I dunno. Tower there, too."

Ismene has seen the turtle, now she looks at the scenery. "Hard to know how to judge blue light these days."

Ralaea watches a patch of ice following behind them. Nothing else is visible.

Some of the gray sheet of cloud dissipates as they pass beyond the snowy coastal bluffs of Dragonblight and into the Borean Tundra.

[Ismene]: Look up there…

Ben tips his head back to squint at the structure in the sky.

[Ismene]: See it?

[Ben]: Oh, hell.

[Ralaea]: Scourge.

[Ben]: That's — yeah.

They’re looking at the floating citadel of Naxxanar — unaware, of course, that Blue Squad already totally Handled That Sh*t.

I DC’d here — thanks, Blizz! — so I may have missed a line or two. Anyway, they’re now approaching Unu’pe. They disembark on the snowy shore.

[Ben]: This is… the next village? Ain't look like much.

[Ismene]: There's more up higher.

Jocoza waves excitedly.

[Ben]: We should — oh, SH*T.

Ben laughs, startled by delight.

[Ben]: I mean, ma'am.

[Ismene]: Jo!

[Ismene]: I mean, Captain!

[Jocoza]: Oh my goodness! You're all okay! I mean, I knew that, from the note, but I… you're here!

Ben steps up front and salutes Jo crisply.

Jocoza tries to turn what was obviously going to be a hug into a salute.

[Aiseia]: Captain!

[Paluuva]: Captain Sparkwire! It is so good to see you.

Paluuva salutes Jocoza with respect.

[Ismene]: Is everyone else here??

[Ralaea]: Is the Lich King here?

[Ismene]: All work and no play, Ralaea.

[Jocoza]: The Lich King? No… we've seen images of him, but not…

[Jocoza]: I guess you haven't either?

[Ismene]: Ben has.

Ismene frowns.

Jocoza blinks, looking again at Ben. "I did read that, in the report. I'm glad you got better."

Ben is totally better from being dead that one time.

[Ben]: Are y'all — is this where Blue's at?

Ben peers around, searchingly.

[Jocoza]: Oh, we're at a Keep. Let me lead you there! The rest of Blue's all holed up in the inn there.

Ben looks slightly relieved not to be camping in snow tonight.

[Ismene]: Do they have horses we can ride?

[Paluuva]: First, we must deliver news to the Elder of this village.

[Jocoza]: Oh, sure. We're friends. I hang out here sometimes. With friends.

[Ismene]: Oh! I can see about horses while you deliver your news.

[Ben]: We got to warn 'em about these fellows called 'kvaldir,' ma'am.

[Ben]: We got sent by some tuskarrs in the Fjord to let 'em know.

[Jocoza]: Oh, kvaldir? We've been fighting them for ages. Seaweed folk.

[Ben]: … oh. What? For serious?

[Paluuva]: You've encountered them?

[Ralaea]: Seaweed?

Jocoza nods at Rae.

[Jocoza]: Yeah, they have this mist, it's like… you go in it and you're separated from everyone else. And then, they appear! And they turn into seaweed when they die.

Ralaea frowns. "I don't… like the sound of that mist."

[Paluuva]: Yes…some vrykul ghosts told us they would come from the mists.

[Ben]: Some kind of curse.

[Jocoza]: Oh goodness. Sounds like you'll be fighting them over there too, then.

[Ben]: Uh, guess so. They ain't know over there that you already got 'em here, seems like. They asked us to warn y'all.

[Ralaea]: Seems like the warning should've gone the other way.

[Jocoza]: I guess it means there'll be more.

Jocoza gestures to Mystic Tomkin.

Ben bows before Mystic Tomkin.

Ismene stays outside this time.

Mystic Tomkin eyes the newcomers' tabards, and then peers at Jocoza. "Cobalt Company, I greet you."

Jocoza waves cheerily.

Ralaea notes that the tent is small enough that she doesn't actually have to go in, so she doesn't.

[Paluuva]: Greetings. I am pleased you are already familiar with our people. I am Ambassador Paluuva.

Mystic Tomkin says: Ambassador Paluuva. We are honored. We know your people well! Cobalt Company has done much for the Kalu'ak of Unu'pe and Kaskala.

Jocoza nods proudly.

Paluuva smiles.

[Paluuva]: We have come on behalf of your cousins in Kamagua and Mo'aki bearing news of the arrival of the kvaldir. But my captain tells me you may already be aware of them.

Mystic Tomkin wags his head dismally. "The kvaldir emerged from the mists here some weeks ago. Your people have been of great aid in holding them back, but they come as waves from the sea. I fear we see no end."

Jocoza nods sadly.

Ben grimaces.

[Ben]: I am sorry to hear it, sir. An' sorry we did not get to warn you.

[Ralaea]: So, two infinite forces at play here? That sounds like a problem.

[Jocoza]: Nothing's infinite, Rae. We'll find the end of it.

[Paluuva]: Know this. Their arrival was heralded by spirits of the vrykul after sacred artifacts were stolen from their burial sites. If there is a way to stop them, it may be in the realm of the spiritual, not the physical.

Jocoza looks at Paluuva curiously.

Mystic Tomkin peers at Paluuva and rustles his whiskers.

Mystic Tomkin says: Interesting. I will speak of this with my fellow shamans. The dead of these lands are much disturbed of late, as you well know.

[Paluuva]: I am sure your fellow Kalu'ak will be eager to know what you have learned thus far.

Mystic Tomkin says: Yes. Our own battle was so desperate for a time that it was all we could to hold out here. But now that your people have given us some respite, we will send word back to our cousins.

[Paluuva]: We are at your service.

Paluuva bows before Mystic Tomkin.

Mystic Tomkin bows. "You have our deepest thanks."

Ben bows before Mystic Tomkin.

Outside, where Ismene and Rae are waiting, and Mizzy has procured horses.

[Ralaea]: Ugh… I feel like the smell is stuck in my hair…

[Paluuva]: Imagine how much fishier it would smell without the incense, Rae.

[Ben]: Where is Blue? A Keep, you said?

[Jocoza]: Let's head back to the Keep? I'm sure you're eager to see everyone!

[Jocoza]: I'll show you around on the way!

Ben stares wide-eyed all around at the foreign landscape as they ride.

[Ismene]: Hot springs!

[Ben]: Hot springs! An' are those murlo–

The gorloc pounces! To its now-eternal regret.

[Ben]: … that was not a murloc.

You can tell because it did not produce six others from its pockets.

[Ismene]: Acted like one.

Apart from: See above.

[Ralaea]: Big mouth on that thing…

[Jocoza]: It's something similar, though. Northrendloc.

[Jocoza]: Gorloc.

[Ralaea]: Should've called it Mouthloc.

[Jocoza]: Geysers! Beware the oil, though. And the mechagnomes.

[Ralaea]: The what?

[Ismene]: Mechawhat?

[Ben]: — Mechagnomes?

[Jocoza]: Yeah… apparently we unearthed some ancient mechanical gnomes?

[Ben]: Ancient — hold up. You get my reports, ma'am? About the iron dwarves an' all?

[Jocoza]: Yeah, I did. I don't think they're any, um…

[Jocoza]: What you said. Just machines.

[Ben]: … huh.

[Ismene]: Just.

[Ben]: So they ain't… proto-gnomes? *Ben glances proudly at Paluuva.*

Paluuva smiles at Ben.

[Jocoza]: Oh, they… they say they are, yeah.

[Ben]: They say– so they talk?

Ismene giggles. "Of course they talk. They're gnomes."

[Jocoza]: Yep, here to free us from the curse of flesh.

[Ben]: The– sorry, curse of what now?

[Aiseia]: The curse of what now?

Aiseia glances at Ben. Jinx.

[Jocoza]: …flesh. They like being machines.

[Ralaea]: I think I like my flesh where it is?

[Jocoza]: You know, me too. I'm big on having flesh.

[Ben]: Yeah I am pretty okay with flesh.

[Jocoza]: I've got all the newsletters here, too, you can read up when we arrive!

[Ralaea]: Reading… I suppose I could use the practice…

[Ben]: Oh, hey! I see Alliance towers.

[Ismene]: Look! The keep!

Ben flinches and then glares at the nerubians on the sand.

Ismene eyes the attack as they ride through.

[Jocoza]: Welcome to Valiance Keep!

[Ben]: Damn.

Ben cranes his neck to look around, admiring the towers.

[Ralaea]: So we had giants… and you've got Scourge.

Jocoza nods at Rae. "A lot of Scourge around here."

[Jocoza]: To your right's the keep. This ship is the Stormbreaker, which is just perfect for Oranna.

Ismene chuckles.

[Ben]: They pulled the ship right up into the — oh, no sh*t? The Stormbreaker?

Ben looks delighted.

Jocoza giggles.

[Ben]: Got to get her over here then. Now that we can get here.

[Jocoza]: The inn's over this way.

Civilian Recruit says: Blacksmith.

Ben eyes the waiting recruits with approval.

Ben grins at Mizzy.

[Ismene]: We can sightsee later!

[Ben]: Yeah, I want to people-see first.

They step into the common room of the inn.

Atley pushes himself up and furrows his brow, stomping over.

Jocoza grins widely.

Atley fosters a small, grim smile. "Well. Who's this ragged lot, then?"

Ismene beams. "Hullo Sir Atley!"

Ben grins at Dane.

[Ben]: Sir.

[Jocoza]: They arrived on a turtle!

Atley squints at Jocoza before looking to the others. "The Kalu'ak…?"

[Ismene]: It eats carrots.

Ismene gets out of the doorway.

[Aiseia]: They're big on innovative transportation up here.

Ralaea stays very much in the doorway. She is an excellent door.

[Jocoza]: Come on in, Rae!

Ismene waves Rae in.

Ralaea grumbles and slides in.

Atley nods slowly and grunts before he steps forward and shoves a hand towards Ben. "Hullo' there, Ben."

Ben reaches to grab Dane's hand in both of his and shake it vigorously, grinning.

[Ben]: Sir. Good as hell to see you again.

[Ben]: How's the squad? How's everyone? Ivri around?

Atley returns it with that same tight smile, his jaw set. He nods and takes a step back with a grunt to make room. "It's good to see you as well. Feels like it's been months." He breifly looks to Jocoza. "But I've to ask… Is it a good thing you're here?"

[Ben]: Oh.

[Ben]: Well.

[Jocoza]: I think it is? They haven't got any worse news than we've had already!

[Ralaea]: We're not overrun if that's why you're asking.

[Ben]: We got sent over by some Kalu'ak fellows on our side to warn your ones here, an–

Atley roars, “IVRIANNA!”

Ben pauses when Dane bellows.

[Ben]: –an' now we get here, it turns out y'all don't need warnin' because you been up to your asses in kvaldirs already, sounds like?

Ismene wanders off to deliver the trade good she brought, after catching Ben's attention and pointing to the pack.

Ben nods absently at Mizzy.

Atley casually turns back to Ben after yelling, folding his arms. "Aye. Kvaldir. They call them fog folk, or somming'."

Atley glances around at the familiar and new faces.

Ivrianna appears. Taa daa.

[Ivrianna]: White!

Ralaea takes a step back.

[Ben]: Well. So that's how come we got sent over. We will head back after, but the Kalu'ak give us a way now to travel back an' forth along the coast, so y'all can — oh, sh*t, hey, Ivri!

Atley blinks and briefly side-eyes Ivrianna before he gestures around to the others.

Ivrianna laughs merrily. "Are you all done being official?"

Atley grunts.

[Paluuva]: I would be very interested in reading any reports you have thus far on the kvaldir. Combined with my research on the vrykul, it could be enlightening about both peoples.

Atley looks to Paluuva and nods. "We've not much, but I'll let you know wot' we know."

[Ben]: Lieutenant Paluuva's been gatherin' all kind of information, puttin' together like.

Ben is still grinning at Ivrianna.

Ivrianna looks to Paluuva. "I've some scouting reports I can have copied for you."

Atley faintly furrows his brow at Paluuva before he stomps over and extends a hand. "Don't believe we've met, milady. Sir Dane Atley."

[Ben]: Oh, beg pardon. Yes'm, Sir Atley's head of Blue Squad. Lieutenant Paluuva's a anchorite an' teacher, an' also a proper Alliance ambassador, actually.

Atley faintly cranes his head and nods. "Ambassador," he corrects.

Paluuva smiles and places her hand in Dane's. "A pleasure, Sir Dane. Please, call me Paluuva."

[Ralaea]: They come in mist boats or something? Or do they build their own?

Ivrianna shrugs at Ralaea. "If I knew, I'd tell you. I've been here cooking most of the time."

Atley nods. "Atley will do fine." He turns back to Ralaea. "Their boats are made of wood. Longboats, by the look of them."

[Ben]: Cookin'?

[Atley]: The tuskarr refer to the actual kvaldir raiders as 'fog-walkers.' Have any of you got a map?

Ivrianna explains to Ben, "It turns out the old cook was a Cult member."

[Ben]: A map? Yeah, in my pa– *Ben is arrested in the movement of slinging his pack from his shoulder. He blinks at Ivrianna.*

[Ralaea]: A Cult member?!

[Ben]: A f*cken what now?

[Ralaea]: You don't mean that Cult… do you?

Ivrianna nods at Ralaea. "They'd infiltrated pretty deep, actually. Guards, sailors, fishermen, and, well, the cook."

[Atley]: She's right. The keep was properly infested. It's since been routed. We've had our own share of misadventures.

Aiseia looks around at everyone and– no. She is not going to say anything about that. Nope.

[Paluuva]: Sir Dane, if you could point me toward your scouting reports, I can begin my research right away.

[Atley]: Aye, let's —

Atley reaches into his vest and produces some folded parchments, holding them towards Paluuva.

Paluuva accepts the papers. "Perfect. Thank you."

Atley nods to Paluuva.

[Paluuva]: I will be upstairs if anyone needs me.

[Ivrianna]: Anyway, so they killed him and then I volunteered to cook, so… Cai helped, he did the baking. We both made bread.

[Ben]: Cai?

[Atley]: Mordecai. S'wot she calls him.

[Ivrianna]: Mordecai. No one has time to say that whole name.

[Ben]: … Cai? Huh. Well — s'he around? Me an' Mizzy'd love to see him, an' the twins.

[Ralaea]: Oh, Mordecai. Colson's… So… they're fine, huh?

Atley looks to Ralaea, giving her an assessing glance before he nods firmly in greeting.

Ivrianna angles herself so Rae stays in the circle. "Husband, and yes. They're doing well."

[Atley]: Aye, the Aspenwood trio's about. Not certain as to where.

[Ivrianna]: I think Cressidha took an escort to check on the whatsis rift thing stabilizer.

[Ben]: Well. Hope they show themselfs later on before we got to head back.

[Atley]: Might find them on the wall. We've been fighting off the nerubians in shifts.

Atley jerks a nod towards Ivrianna.

[Aiseia]: Noticed that, aye.

[Ivrianna]: They're boring. Nerubians have no imagination. Though if you have a moment, you might want to pop over to Farshire.

[Ben]: Reckon we will bunk here the night, try to catch up with some more folks, an' then get back to our side tomorrow. Give you the information on the route though, so y'all can make your way if you got to.

Atley looks to Ben and nods once. "Sounds fine."

[Ivrianna]: Uh… there's just the one inn. There might be room in the barracks?

[Ben]: Yeah, we ain't need a lot of space. We can camp, or wherever.

[Ralaea]: I'd be fine in a tent somewhere, yeah.

[Ben]: I promised Mizz if there was room in the stable…

[Ivrianna]: Or we can all take in someone. *She looks around.* Rae can stay with us. Or someone tiny. *She cocks her head at Ace, plainly waiting.*

[Atley]: You lot'f come a long way. I'll not see you tent up beyond the walls.

[Ben]: We're mercs, sir, s' fine. You know it. And we are sleepin' pretty good at Westguard Keep.

[Aiseia]: It's comfortable accomodation.

Atley inclines his head. "I'd like to hear more, but I'm sure you're eager for rest."

[Aiseia]: If you don't mind the environs.

Atley peers at Aiseia searchingly.

[Atley]: Do not believe we've met either.

[Aiseia]: Ace Stormhammer, Sir. I'm new.

[Ben]: Y'all never met at Bruuk's? Ace is a paladin. Of the Stormhammers, sir.

[Atley]: Sir Dane Atley. Atley will do fine for these circumstances.

Atley squints before he points at Ben, eyes still on Ace. "Stormhammers… Now that is bloody familiar."

Footman Rob says: One last drink before we head to the front?

Footman George says: Sure, why not?

Footman Rob says: Barkeep! Bring out your strongest ale. We're off to the front.

James Deacon says: You lads know the drill. No alcohol to servicemen on duty. You want the general to kill me himself?

[Ivrianna]: Ugh, these three…. Please can I follow them home and braid their weenies together?

Atley nudges Ivrianna, clicking his tongue.

Ivrianna snorts.

Footman Rob says: You'll surely make an exception for us, eh? We might not come back.

James Deacon says: All right, all right… but you didn't get these from me!

Ben glances over his shoulder at the three in question, and then back to Ivri.

Ivrianna taps an ear. Just listen, Ben.

Ben tilts his head very slightly.

Footman Rob says: I guess that's it then. Off we go.

Footman Chuck says: That was the worst beer I've ever had.

Footman Mitch says: Hey, guys! Wait up!

[Ivrianna]: They bully poor Deacon into giving them ale when they're on duty, then they make fun of him and get snotty.

Ben looks after the trio of footmen and narrows his eyes. Uh-oh.

[Ivrianna]: You can stay with us, if you want, Ace. It's cramped, but warm.

Aiseia nods. "I did bring my kit. I can camp."

Atley loops a big arm around Ivri.

Ivrianna wrinkles her nose at Ace. "Sure you can camp, but it's cold out there! I won't make you, of course."

[Ivrianna]: I realize dwarf-cold is different from human-cold. *She grins.*

[Aiseia]: It's refreshing. Snow has a smell. Clears your brain up.

[Ivrianna]: Dwarfs. I will never understand you. But you're smart and you know all the best jokes, so…

[Atley]: The option remains open, Ace.

[Atley]: We do've a hound. And a cat.

[Ivrianna]: A puppy and a cat. They'll love you.

Atley growls. "Hound-in-training, and kitten."

[Ben]: … f*ck I did not check if Mizmainy packed Hattie. I would not put it past ….

Ben looks around for his absent wife.

[Ivrianna]: Wait, before you go wife-hunting.

[Ivrianna]: Are you ready for a surprise?

[Ben]: A surprise? Uh. An Ivrianna surprise? I dunno.

Ben looks at Dane.

Atley nods reassuringly a single time.

Ivrianna laughs and looks to Dane. Well?

Atley grunts.

[Ivrianna]: I'm pregnant.

Ben looks between them both.

[Ben]: Okay.

Ivrianna flings her hands skyward.

[Ivrianna]: That's it? 'Okay'?

[Ben]: … wait. What?

Atley growls with amusement.

[Atley]: Aye. She's with child.

Aiseia smiles. This is obviously good news.

Ralaea raises her eyebrows. Any further expression is hidden behind her goggles.

[Ben]: Wait, what the F*CK?

[Ivrianna]: Well. Yes, that's how it started.

Ivrianna grins.

Ben whoops and steps past Dane to grab Ivri and lift her off her feet. It is not a hug. Does not count as a hug. He sets her down again almost at once, grinning like an idiot.

Atley promptly releases Ivri for said non-hug and cinches his thumbs into his belt.

Ivrianna gives Ben a big mmmmmmsmooooch! on his forehead.

Ben scrubs the back of his hand across his forehead. Ew, Ivri-cooties. He's still grinning. "Damn, y'all!"

Atley grunts and lightly pokes Ivrianna's stomach.

[Ivrianna]: Don't poke your baby's eyes out.

Ralaea clears her throat. "Well… congratulations."

[Ivrianna]: Two months, apparently. Happened on the ride over.

Atley shoots Ivrianna a knowing, gruffly humorous look. He looks to Ralaea and nods. "Cheers."

[Ivrianna]: We figure it's one in Arthas's eye, to have a new life here where he's all about death.

[Atley]: Seems to be a fine way to take a piss at the Lich King, I warrant.

Ivrianna nods.

[Atley]: Investing in somming' of a future despite these dark days.

Atley peers at Ralaea searchingly.

[Atley]: You seem to've been carrying on well.

Ralaea shrugs. "Wars to be won."

Atley grunts. "Too right."

Ivrianna cocks her head toward Ralaea. "Hmph. If you want to fight, then, I strongly recommend stopping in at Farshire."

[Atley]: The folk there may be able to provide proper lodging in exchange for some help. Mind the crawlers out there. Death knights roaming 'bout, as well. "Ours."

[Ivrianna]: I can't believe you're all missing everyone!

Atley squints in thought and looks to Ivrianna. "Aye. Caspis and Azizia may be off with an 'eccentric' group of druids out on the tundra."

[Ivrianna]: Oh, yes. Don't kill any animals if you see a few elven tents in the distance. They have very strong feelings about it.

[Ben]: … uh.

[Aiseia]: We'll get a chance to meet again.

Atley grunts.

[Ben]: Yeah, yeah we will.

[Ben]: Lemme show you on a map, while I got you — there's a way to get along the coast, with the Kalu'ak.

[Ben]: So y'all can drop in at us sometime.

[Aiseia]: So far, the ferries are safe.

[Atley]: P'raps I shall, to see wot' it's like over there. This one can hardly stomach any more fish smell.

[Ivrianna]: Ugh, the fish-people are nice but bright blessed light, the stench!

[Ben]: … oh, the Fjord's scenic as hell an' the air's real nice. Outside of the Kalu'ak villages, no offense to 'em.

Ralaea nods. "Agreed."

[Ben]: You two'd like it.

Atley grunts. "I've heard little of the place outside of the reports you lot've scent. This land's barrens, as I'm sure you've noticed."

[Ivrianna]: Well, maybe I'll decamp to there. Ben can wait on me hand and foot because I am pregnant and obviously too weak to do things on my own.

[Ben]: … yeah you can try that.

[Ivrianna]: Ralaea can keep me company and discuss exactly how they smell. And Ace can help me keep Ben in line! It's perfect.

[Atley]: Have it all sorted, do you?

Atley shoots Ivrianna a wry, gruff look.

Ralaea smiles a little.

[Aiseia]: I get the feeling sorting is what naturally happens.

Ben grins at Ace.

Ivrianna grins and winks at Ace.

[Ben]: It's like you know her.

Atley grunts.

[Ivrianna]: I’m going to go to bed. I cannot believe how sleepy I am all the time.

Atley gives Ivri's temple a kiss.

[Ivrianna]: Good to see you again, Ralaea. Nice meeting you, Ace.

[Aiseia]: Likewise. Rest well!

Ben looks around for Ismene again.

[Ivrianna]: She went out and around the corner, Ben.

[Ben]: … damn.

[Ivrianna]: To bed. If you stay for breakfast, I'll whip up some omelettes and home fries.

Ivrianna leans in to give Dane a cheek-kiss.

[Ben]: We are for sure stayin' for breakfast, then.

Atley sets his jaw.

[Ben]: Get a lot of shoveltusk out our way.

[Atley]: Mm. Shovelwot'?

Ivrianna gives Ben a cheek-kiss too.

Ben makes a face at her. When she's gone, he grins after her, then turns back to Dane.

[Ben]: You got to see one, sir. I am gonna send a couple've hides back to Ironforge for rugs n' blankets for Aunt Nir an' Sir Elo.

[Ben]: They got these horns… well, tusks? Like… I mean. Like the name.

Atley grunts and briefly looks between the three of them. "Some sort of elk?"

[Ben]: They're f*cken huge.

[Atley]: Speaking of size. Vrykul. Giants?

[Ben]: Yessir. Proto-humans.

Ben has learned the prefix ‘proto’ and now everyone in Borean Tundra will know it.

Atley tongues the inside of his cheek and peers over Aiseia's head with a grunt, itching his chin.

[Atley]: Properly confirmed?

[Ralaea]: Except those ones that are bigger than vrykul. Those are giants.

Atley shifts his eternal glare to Ralaea.

[Ben]: I dunno who would proper confirm it, but to all reports we got, yeah.

[Ben]: Vrykuls seem to think it themselves.

[Ben]: That we are their, like, cursed spawns or somethin'.

[Atley]: There folktales among some of the nobles in Stromgarde. Old myths. Said we'd come down from the north, our folk. That we were once mighty as stone.

[Atley]: M'beginning to think nothing's a myth these days.

[Ralaea]: Good way to think. Safer.

[Ben]: Yeah, that tracks with — uh, a thing we heard about some raidin' down to Arathi back in the day.

[Ben]: Out to Kul Tiras too, I heard.

Atley raises his bushy brows. "I've a mind to see some of the vrykul settlements."

[Ralaea]: Get to 'em before we burn 'em all.

Ben smiles crookedly at Rae.

[Atley]: Driving them off the fjord entirely, are you?

Atley asks them all.

[Ben]: They're workin' with the Lich King.

[Ben]: They was hibernatin' a while or somethin'? Asleep thousand of years. Scourge been wakin' 'em up again.

[Ben]: So. We ain't havin' 'em.

Atley grunts, voice darkening. "Burn them all, then." he agrees.

[Ben]: But they got somethin' to do with your kvaldirs, too.

Atley snaps his fingers. "Aye, the kvaldir. They wiped out a tuskarr village to the southwest. Only one villager survived."

Ben winces.

[Atley]: At first look I thought they were naga, but they're somming' else.

[Ralaea]: Going to want a look at them, myself.

Ben nods.

Atley nods to Rae. "There's scores of them left there, at the beach. Be mindful. There's some sort of magic at play in areas they conquer."

[Atley]: Not properly alive, not properly dead, either. They turn to piles of seaweed as they're slain.

[Ben]: … I reckon I will ride out to see that in the mornin' before we set out back again.

[Ben]: Before I set out back, *he corrects himself.* If y'all want to stay a day or so, no harm in it so long's you stay in touch.

[Ralaea]: Strange kind of necromancy, animating seaweed.

[Aiseia]: What, like a fetch?

Atley nods to Aiseia. "Aye."

Aiseia makes a face. "So … they're not ending, then. Form is killed, spirit's still free."

Atley looks back to Aiseia, finally. "Once they're slain, the piles of seaweed remain inanimate."

[Ben]: Sir, lemme give you a map of the coast route an' one of my Fjord charts. Then I am goin' to find my wife an' see if she has discovered hay yet.

[Ben]: I will not mind catchin' up with you before I go tomorrow, though.

[Atley]: Aye, we'll perform an exchange. We've charted most of this territory, and the area to the north.

Ben stoops to rifle in his pack and straightens to hand Dane a couple of folded documents.

Atley pats his vest down before he returns the gesture.

[Ben]: I sent the Captain my reports, too, now the mail's workin'. So's you can ask her for those if you need 'em.

Atley nods. "Right, then. S'good to see you about, Ben."

Ben accepts the return documents and nods respectfully. Then he breaks into a grin. "Congratulations, again."

[Atley]: Aye, you've my thanks. It's good news.

[Atley]: Settle in, you lot. Get a pint, salted pork.

[Ralaea]: I'm going to check out Farshire. Take care, yeah?

Atley nods to Ralaea. "The folk there'll be glad to have you, I'm certain."

Ben glances over to Rae. "You'll be careful, Rae, yeah?"

[Ralaea]: Always.