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| Details |
| Author: | Luridel |
| Summary: | Blue Squad helps the gnomes of Fizzcrank airstrip in testing out shortening prototypes, diplomatic overtures to the Taunka, and how many grunts it takes to be a convincing orc. Caspis gets cheeky, and Azizia gets to destroy one (1) free tabard as a treat. ~9900 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Season 9
Dane blinks briefly and grunts, inclining his head, turning his horse to face Caspis head on. "You've my thanks."
[Caspis]: Among my people, such a thing is miraculous and rare, but even among yours, it is to be honored.
Cressidha traces water-summoning sigils idly in the air.
Dane inclines his head, the gruff lines of his face easing somewhat. "I'm happy," he growls with a glare.
Caspis nods. He also does not appear happy, but is. He gets it.
[Dane]: Hullo', Cress.
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon.
Cressidha passes out water to the two of them.
Caspis startles slightly as though Cressidha literally blinked into the midst of them.
Caspis bows before Cressidha.
Dane reaches out to accept with a grunt.
Cressidha nods to Caspis.
[Caspis]: Cressidha Aspenwood. Are you well?
[Cressidha]: I am, thank you.
[Cressidha]: How are the two of you?
Dane growls with amusement before he raises a fist to his lips.
Cressidha steps out of the way of incoming traffic.
[Caspis]: Eager, as always, to leave the keep.
[Cressidha]: Ah, yes.
[Dane]: Wot's it? The walls, or the cultists?
[Caspis]: The walls. The crowds. The smoke billowing out of the docked ships.
[Cressidha]: Ah. I see.
[Caspis]: We have dealt with the cultists, yes?
Dane glances around, as if giving it some thought. "I've spent most of my life in places like this. I enjoy seeing the footmen about."
[Caspis]: At least within these walls.
Dane nods to Caspis. "Aye. Though, the sting of their presence lingers, dunnit'."
[Caspis]: I have never been fond of walls. Even before I was a druid, my family spent a great deal of time on the road. We would camp in the wilderness rather than stay at inns.
Dane grunts in thought. "Your folk don't seem very keen of them in general from wot' I've seen."
[Caspis]: I think the priestesses very much enjoy their temple, but on the whole, our people are more comfortable in the wilds than yours, I would say.
[Dane]: I'm no frontiersman. I enjoy an inn less than a day's ride away, and though Stormwind's a great place of history, it's got too many folks for me.
[Caspis]: When I was a child, though, we were seen as… a bit odd, my family. Walls and grand cities were very much the fashion, then, as our ruins likely suggest to you.
[Dane]: Warrant I fit right in to a civilized hamlet.
Caspis nods.
Dane grunts and up-nods, eyeing Caspis. "Aye, the old days."
[Caspis]: My mother enjoyed the cities, but my father preferred the journeys we made between them.
[Caspis]: He would hunt game, make leather goods and sell them at each place my mother performed. It was an interesting way to grow up. Or… begin growing up, I suppose.
[Cressidha]: I've always been fond of walls, but then, I rather like heights.
[Dane]: Doesn't sound properly alien to me.
[Caspis]: Ah, I do enjoy heights - we have that much in common at least.
Cressidha smiles faintly.
[Caspis]: I will be pleased when I can take wing once again. Something about this place makes it nearly impossible for me at present.
Dane glances up and squints. "The cold air?"
[Caspis]: That may be part of it. But there's something terribly amiss and unnatural about the air here as well.
[Dane]: Couldn't be anything to do with that saronite, could it.
[Caspis]: It could be that… or the… arcane chaos… I'm not certain.
[Caspis]: I will continue to investigate.
Atley eyes Cressidha up and down.
Cressidha doesn't seem to have an answer for this one.
[Colson]: Good afternoon.
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, Colson. Mordecai.
[Caspis]: Colson Aspenwood. Mordecai Aspenwood.
Cressidha hands out more conjured water.
Caspis bows down graciously.
Mordecaì waves shyly and mumbles, "Hello."
Colson ties his water to his belt, as usual, because he is not on the whey. ICly.
[Dane]: Hullo Colson, Mordecai.
Azizia bows down graciously.
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, Azizia.
Caspis bows before Azizia.
[Azizia]: Hello, Blue Squad.
Cressidha passes out water.
Azizia thanks Cressidha.
[Colson]: Good afternoon.
[Dane]: Azizia.
Dane nods in greeting.
Mordecaì waves quietly to Azizia and starts looking for candles now that everybody's here. He finds a candle! Success.
[Caspis]: I am pleased the winds have brought you back to us today.
[Dane]: How fares those druids of the tundra?
Mordecaì mumbles his usual prayer, the candle melting away into Light.
[Azizia]: Well, it was not winds. It was hooves of mine.
Colson’s lips twitch.
[Azizia]: They are doing great! Working very hard for animals of here!
Cressidha covers her mouth to hide a smile.
Dane nods. "Right then."
[Mordecaì]: Where are you all headed today?
[Dane]: We've solidified the greater part of our holdings here. The brass have their eyes on further securing Fizzlecrank Airstrip. If we lock it down, it'll give us air superiority and increase the supply flow from back home.
Colson looks at Dane with a mild expression of possibly curiosity. Or maybe just his face.
[Cressidha]: Ah.
Cressidha looks sympathetically at Caspis.
Caspis sighs softly.
[Azizia]: Which means more stores.
Mordecaì nods. "Be safe, everyone." To Colson, he adds more quietly, "I love you. I'll be inside, probably."
[Dane]: Mm… aye. We're to make our way there by gryphon and see wot' else needs doing.
Colson leans a little closer to Mordecai, and murmurs, "I love you. I shall see you soon."
Mordecaì smiles.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Caspis]: Yes, let us take a gryphon to the place that makes necessary flying machines.
Caspis is very dry.
Azizia chuckles at Caspis.
Colson's lips might twitch again.
Dane grunts. "This way." He nods to Mordecai before marching off.
Atley blinks at Azizia.
[Dane]: Where's your tabard.
Azizia doesn't turn around. He is not speaking to her. This is not about her.
[Dane]: Azizia.
Dane sets his jaw and waits.
Cressidha stops walking, looking at Azizia expectantly.
[Azizia]: Oh, me? *She turns around, looking surprised.*
Mordecaì is stuck behind the traffic jam.
[Dane]: We are members of Cobalt Compay here, Azizia. We'll not set off 'fore you have your tabard on.
Azizia lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
[Caspis]: The white wings of the tabard set off Azizia's hair nicely.
Atley stares Azizia down.
Colson seems as mild as ever. If he has any opinion about the tabard, it doesn't show in his neutral face.
Azizia takes a tabard out of her bag. "We wouldn't want to make gnomes wait any longer, right?"
[Colson]: Of course.
Cressidha nods.
Caspis lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
[Dane]: Properly not.
Azizia puts her tabard on.
[Azizia]: Like they did not wait long to break earth of here.
On that note, they fly to the airstrip.
Cressidha looks around.
[Dane]: Wobblesprocket, we've returned.
Caspis has become Droopy Cas. Ears droooop.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Ah, you've returned! Good deal. There's a great deal left to do…
Colson inclines his head politely.
[Cressidha]: How may we be of assistance?
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: As you may have noticed, we created the airstrip on the southern border of a magnataur den!
Caspis looks super thrilled to be of assistance.
[Caspis]: We noticed.
Crafty Wobblesprocket rapidly mutters something insulting about Fizzcrank under her breath.
[Azizia]: Oh no. How could this be?
Colson nods. "And I understand that it has caused some difficulties with your tools. Establishing a perimeter would be beneficial."
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Precisely! The old man has put me in charge of finding a … ahem … 'creative solution' to this situation: if we don't with them soon, they'll come down here and tear us limb from limb!"
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: That's where you come in. I want you to get me everything on this shopping list. Please.
Crafty Wobblesprocket waddles forward and gives Atley a tiny piece of parchment. He grunts at it.
Caspis stares at the aurora that shimmers behind the craggy peaks to the north.
Colson's brows raise only slightly, as he looks at the tiny list.
Cressidha looks over Dane's shoulder. Nope, can't do it. She looks around Dane's shoulder.
[Colson]: Hm.
Dane offers Cressidha the list.
[Dane]: We were provided with some pieces to add to the stockpile here from HQ, but we'll need to salvage the rest.
Cressidha takes it.
Does Colson recognize the things on the list? Probably not. Is he still willing to make the attempt? Absolutely.
Caspis growls softly at a plane.
Cressidha shows the others, as if this will make any sense to them.
[Dane]: Tools, some Grit from a giant or somming'.
[Colson]: Rocknar does a have a certain elemental ring to it, perhaps.
[Dane]: Let's mount up and move out.
It clearly does not make sense to Azizia.
[Colson]: Earth, I would guess. Rock, possibly.
Dane grunts.
Azizia nods at Aspenwood.
Cressidha also looks like she's trying to make sense of the list as she rides.
[Dane]: Right then. Keep your heads on a swivel. We're looking for tools here.
[Caspis]: My head…??
[Dane]: Mm, figure of speech.
Colson keeps his head on a swivel.
[Colson]: It means to look around, actively.
[Azizia]: Eyes. That means keep eyes of yours on swivel.
[Colson]: Like so.
Colson helpfully swivels.
Dane gestures to Azizia
Caspis bares his teeth and snarls at Scavenge-bot 004-A8.
[Cressidha]: A 'swivel' is a word meaning a connecting piece between two parts that enables you to move one of the parts without moving the other.
[Azizia]: Ah, thank you! That I had no idea of meaning.
[Dane]: We're seeking for tools here, according to the list.
Cressidha looks down at a toolbox.
[Cressidha]: Ah, yes. Tools.
Dane blinks down at it.
Atley kneels down.
[Caspis]: So I am to… move my head but not the rest of me?
[Dane]: T'merely means to look about as we move.
[Caspis]: Ahhh I see.
Dane lifts the toolbox and shakes it around. Its contents clatter noisily. He marches over to Cressidha.
There are a few scattered tools around near some of the others. Colson looks as though he's likely to try to collect them as well.
[Dane]: That magic bag f'yours.
Cressidha holds a bag open.
[Caspis]: We have a similar expression in Darnassian, at least as far as meaning.
[Cressidha]: Oh?
Dane stuffs the toolbox into Cressidha's bag and looks to Caspis.
[Caspis]: It sounds rather odd when translated, but it's something to the effect of "remember your saber whiskers."
[Colson]: Ah. *Colson sets more tools into the bag. What do these do? It's a mystery.*
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: Let's ride.
[Colson]: Such a cat's sense with their whiskers. That does have a poetic sort of sound to it.
[Dane]: The list said the giant thing'd be to the southeast of here.
Caspis nods to Colson.
[Cressidha]: We're looking for an earth elemental.
[Azizia]: Of course we are.
[Dane]: Ought not to be too hard to find about here. I've seen some elementals by that tauren-like village.
Caspis stares at the only clear blue patch of sky he can see, and takes deep breaths.
Cressidha squints at the tiny handwriting.
[Cressidha]: She says this is for 'Crafty's Ultra-Advanced Proto-Typical Shortening Blaster'…
Dane grumbles.
Caspis lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
[Dane]: And wot' in the hell does that mean.
[Cressidha]: It means the thing she's building is a prototype, the first of its kind.
[Cressidha]: It may or may not work as intended.
[Caspis]: Prototype. *he says the word thoughtfully and slowly*
Cressidha shrugs.
Dane peers down into the hole.
[Colson]: Shortening…I suppose if the magnataurs were smaller, they would pose less of a threat to the gnomes.
Dane grunts with acknowledgement at Colson.
[Dane]: Wager it'd –
The party stops by a nerubian pit, the entrance of which is covered with heavy webbing. Four small nerubian scarabs approach.
[Dane]: Watch them.
Colson consecrates the ground.
Cressidha eliminates four scarabs in a single cone of cold.
[Dane]: They had the look of gatherers, scavengers, somming'.
[Dane]: Azizia, can you tell us wot's under this?
Colson's face is set in grim lines. "I can sense quite a lot of undead below us."
[Cressidha]: Hm.
[Caspis]: We do not need to go down there, surely.
[Colson]: Nerubians, predominantly, if I am recalling the sensation accurately.
[Dane]: Not today, we've orders. Would still be good to report on.
Azizia focuses, working with air elementals to look inside the hole. "I do not see much."
[Caspis]: It reminds me a bit of the silithid hives.
[Azizia]: And by not much I mean even ground. There are not much ground around hole here.
[Dane]: Not much… soil?
[Colson]: More coming
[Dane]: Let's move on, 'fore we trigger somming'.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Colson]: Yessir.
[Azizia]: It is… how do you say in common?..
Colson carefully makes sure not to trample the toads they pass with horse hooves.
[Azizia]: If you punch it it sounds like there is nothing inside. There is word for this I know.
Atley peers at Taunka'le Longrunner searchingly.
[Cressidha]: Hollow.
[Azizia]: Hollow!
[Dane]: Hollowed out, is it.
Atley points at Taunka'le Longrunner.
Azizia nods at Atley.
[Dane]: There. Some local tribesmen.
[Dane]: Have any'f you made contact with them, yet?
Azizia tells Atley NO. Not going to happen.
Caspis's saber looks at the elekk and starts to drool a little.
Colson makes a faint 'hm' sound. "No."
[Cressidha]: I have not been wandering alone, and have not had the occasion.
Dane grunts.
Caspis peers at Taunka'le Longrunner searchingly.
[Dane]: Could prove promising. Wot' say we make contact.
[Cressidha]: Do you suppose they speak Common?
[Dane]: Though they've the look of tauren.
[Caspis]: They are related in some way. They have lived here for thousands of years.
[Dane]: They may. May not. The kalu'ak know it, t'least most of them.
[Colson]: If they are Tauren, or affiliated with the Horde, they are likely to be potentially hostile.
Dane grimaces and shakes his head. "They've not got the snouts."
Cressidha calls, "Excuse me! Pardon!"
[Dane]: Let's ride.
Colson inclines his head.
[Azizia]: Until now, everything living here has been not kind. Just saying.
[Dane]: Hail and well met.
Caspis peers at Taunka'le Longrunner searchingly.
[Dane]: We're members of Cobalt Company, of the Grand Allian–
The two Taunka scouts completely ignore the party and continue. They do not attack.
Caspis blinks as they just keep walking.
[Azizia]: We are speaking to you!
[Azizia]: Hey!
[Colson]: Ah.
[Azizia]: Well, that is very rude.
[Cressidha]: I do not think they understand us.
[Dane]: Scouts, somming'.
[Caspis]: Or perhaps, if they are allied with the Horde, they shun us.
[Azizia]: Does not mean they can just walk away without even looking at us!
[Dane]: We don't've the orders, but I wager we ought to meet with them in their village.
[Colson]: Hm. They are not immediately hostile, at the least. If they are of the Horde, and ascribe to orcish beliefs, they may have given insult.
[Azizia]: Draenei did not speak Common. That does not mean we did not wave at you humans.
As they get a bit too close to the village, two guards at the gate attack, and Blue Squad is forced to fight back.
[Colson]: Careful!
[Dane]: Light…
[Caspis]: That was unfortunate.
Cressidha hesitates before she attacks.
[Dane]: Wager your assumption was correct, Colson.
[Caspis]: We should not linger.
Atley peers at Pahu Frosthoof searchingly.
Colson exhales slowly, as he kneels down trying to resurrect the Taunka.
[Dane]: Too right, Caspis.
[Azizia]: I like these ones better. Better to attack us than to just ignore us.
[Dane]: They must be Horde aligned, by the look of them.
[Caspis]: WE SHOULD NOT LINGER.
Caspis doesn't seem to think they heard him the first time.
Dane raises a hand to Caspis as he waits for Colson with a squint.
[Caspis]: Shan'var, it is dangerous to linger after such an attack.
[Caspis]: I plead with you to retreat.
Dane stays his horse. "We'll depart swiftly once Colson's work is done."
Colson's hand grows brighter and brighter as he attempts to resurrect first one brave. It doesn't work. His mouth is set in a tight line as he tries the other. "We intruded on their village. It is the least we can do."
[Caspis]: We resurrect the enemy now?
[Caspis]: The rules of war are not as I remember them.
[Dane]: Colson, let them see to their own dead. Let's bugger off.
Azizia shrugs at Caspis. Who knows?
Colson's resurrection seems to take hold of the second brave, who seems startled. Colson sends off a hasty heal, and then a stunning Hammer. "Go!"
[Caspis]: It was they who attacked us.
[Colson]: We invaded their territory.
[Caspis]: We did not invade. We approached.
[Dane]: We marched up to them without weapons in hand.
[Caspis]: Giving peaceful greetings.
Azizia lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
[Dane]: You're right, whoever t'was said it. They're Horde.
[Azizia]: We are back here now.
[Colson]: That is their village and home. If orcs did the same to Valiance, Dane, do you not think that they would have defended it?
[Dane]: I know wot' orcs have done. They were seeing us for the first time, or so we thought.
[Caspis]: I have never in my life attacked first one who approached wishing to speak.
Caspis eyes Ziggurat Defender up and down.
Cressidha sighs.
[Colson]: Whether or not it is what we would have done is not the matter. We cannot judge them for their wariness, not in this land.
[Dane]: I don't judge them for their wariness. I judge them for the allegiances they apparently keep.
[Caspis]: I judge them for attacking us.
[Dane]: Cressidha, did that list name the elemental?
[Cressidha]: Yes. "Roknar".
Colson inclines his head, but says nothing more on the issue. He's said his piece. Or peace.
[Dane]: If that's not it, I dunno' what would be.
[Dane]: Azizia, you may've to wake this thing up.
Azizia nods at Atley.
Caspis eyes Rocknar up and down.
[Caspis]: Those … void-undead creatures are in the way.
[Dane]: We'll undo them.
[Azizia]: I suppose. Hopefully machine of gnome will not make me regret doing this.
Atley nods at Azizia.
[Dane]: On you, lass.
Cressidha dismounts, readying her staff. Her expression is very neutral.
Azizia throws some fire elemental magic to unfreeze Rocknar.
Rocknar attacks IMMEDIATELY.
Azizia’s head and horns are covered by rocks as she headbutts Rocknar.
Caspis hangs his head dejectedly.
[Azizia]: Well. Last person who saw elemental before freezing made it angry.
[Cressidha]: Ah.
[Colson]: So it would seem.
[Dane]: I'll leave it to you to acquire the sample.
[Azizia]: Not even try to talk first.
[Dane]: Let's mount up and return. We've got wot' we need.
Azizia picks up a rock. One big, random rock. And then she puts it on her Elekk's saddle.
Azizia nods at Atley.
[Dane]: Right then. We'll stay to road. Ignore that road.
Cressidha looks back at the village as they pass.
Dane spares one last glance at the village, as well.
Dane nods to Cress, then Azizia, then to Crafty. "We've got wot' you need," he says, digging around in his pack for a sack of mechanical parts.
Colson doesn't comment on the goblin phrase. It's fine.
Cressidha opens the bag and takes the toolbox out, along with the stray tools.
Dane tosses the sack to Crafty.
Azizia hands Crafty the elemental sample. "I better not regret giving you this, you understand?"
Crafty Wobblesprocket makes grabby-hands at all of the goodies. "Alright, that's more like it! Now all we gots to do is put all this together."
Crafty Wobblesprocket blinks at Azizia. "I understand…"
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: But, hold your horses, this'll just take a second now that I've got my tools back!
Crafty makes a thing.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Here we go, bunky. One Crafty's Ultra-Advanced Proto-Typical Shortening Blaster at your service!
[Dane]: T'was swift.
Colson holds his horse.
Atley eyes Crafty Wobblesprocket up and down.
Crafty Wobblesprocket wipes some sweat from her brow. "That'll do her, chief! So, here' what I want ya to do…"
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Take my blaster and head north to Magmoth. If we're gonna' have a chance at all against those monsters, we need to cut them down to size… so to speak.
[Cressidha]: Ah. Yes.
[Cressidha]: Shortening.
Colson inclines his head. He suspected.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: In order to gauge its effectiveness, I need you to slay the magnataur while the blaster's effects are still on it. Any of the crushers or mates will do, but don't bother with the offspring…
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: They're too small to worry about.
Colson nods seriously. "And they are their young."
Caspis does his deep-breaths-while-gazing-at-the-sky thing.
[Dane]: Cress.
[Cressidha]: Yes?
Dane nods to her, and the Blaster.
Cressidha takes the [Crafty's Ultra-Advanced Proto-Typical Shortening Blaster].
[Dane]: Let's ride and undo those magnataur.
[Cressidha]: Well, now.
[Dane]: Let's have a go at this one.
Cressidha takes aim…
Colson has a go at this one.
Nothing happens to the magnataur. Cressidha, on the other hand, turns into a gnome. She looks a lot like Crafty.
[Cressidha]: Oh.
[Cressidha]: Hm.
Caspis blinks at Cressidha.
Cressidha's voice comes out squeakier than normal. She is a cute blue-pigtailed gnome.
Colson attempts to unmagic Cress. It doesn't work.
[Dane]: Did't fail? Facker' was the same size, wasn't it.
Dane doubletakes Cressidha.
[Colson]: I believe it backfired.
The gnomishness wears off after a little while, returning Cressidha to normal.
[Cressidha]: Hm.
Caspis looks VASTLY relieved.
[Cressidha]: Did that make it bigger?
[Dane]: You well 'nuff to try more tests? I doubt that's last trouble it'll give us.
[Cressidha]: Yes, I'm fine…
Dane nods. "Let's move."
Cressidha studies the blaster thoughtfully.
Caspis does not look eager to clarify for Cress.
[Cressidha]: Take two…
[Azizia]: Why do not we try invention on creator? If it is good enough to be tested, it is safe enough too.
Cressidha shrinks this time. So does the magnataur.
[Colson]: Oh, dear.
Caspis stands protectively between tinycress and the magnataur.
[Dane]: The gnomes, destructive and odd as they are, are our allies here. Integral allies, at that.
Atley blinks at Cressidha.
Colson looks down at extra small Cressidha.
Cressidha looks up - way up - at the others.
[Cressidha]: …ah. Hm.
Cressidha grows in size again.
[Colson]: I see it has some…side effects even when effective.
[Dane]: Best not let Ivri see you like that. Wager she'd fashion you a doll house and steal you away.
[Azizia]: Hopefully it is not permanent.
[Cressidha]: Well, this is valuable data for them. Let's get a few more tests in, hm?
[Caspis]: It does seem to fade after a moment.
Dane grunts.
Colson brushes a hand by his face for some reason at Dane's comment.
Azizia nods at Caspis.
[Caspis]: It does not hurt you, then?
[Cressidha]: Not at all.
Caspis nods.
Azizia blinks at Magmoth Crusher.
[Cressidha]: Although… this is very odd.
Caspis gently pats Cressidha.
[Dane]: Mm …
Cressidha shrinks again with this one.
The magnataur does as well.
[Cressidha]: Am I the one shrinking?
[Colson]: Ah. Both are.
[Cressidha]: So you are not all growing. Excellent.
[Dane]: That hurt at all, does it?
[Colson]: I do not believe so, no.
[Cressidha]: No, not at all.
[Azizia]: Am I… only one who saw previous test subject… change form, not size?
[Dane]: If any of you've others have a mind to try the device, now is the time.
[Colson]: Into a gnome, briefly?
[Dane]: I saw that briefly as well, Azizia. Had the look of Crafty.
[Cressidha]: I blinked and missed it, I believe.
[Azizia]: No thank you.
[Colson]: Yes, so it seems.
Cressidha turns transparent for a while this time. It's fine.
Atley eyes Cressidha up and down.
[Azizia]: I thought they had… switched place.
[Dane]: You've the look of a ghost.
[Caspis]: Are we certain we should keep testing this?
Cressidha looks down at her gloved hands. "Ah." The effect fades.
Colson's face goes tighter.
[Azizia]: Ah, looked like one, but did not feel like.
Dane gives Caspis a grim look of acknowledgement.
Colson reaches out a hand to Cressidha's shoulder.
[Dane]: One more ought to do it. Let's press on.
[Cressidha]: I'm fine, and nothing has hurt yet.
[Azizia]: No, but Mr. Dane thinks gnomes are very valuable allies.
Cressidha pats Colson's hand.
[Caspis]: I will test it this time.
[Cressidha]: Are you certain?
[Caspis]: Yes.
[Cressidha]: I truly do not mind.
Azizia raises an eyebrow at Caspis.
[Dane]: The gnomes have bled alongside my people for countless battles my entire life, Azizia. I know you've no love for their ways.
[Caspis]: I do not wish to see if the effects… escalate.
Colson gently pats Cressidha, and there's a look in his eyes.
Dane nods to Caspis. "If you've a mind to."
[Caspis]: Also, useful to see if it affects me differently?
[Dane]: I see the wisdom in that, aye.
[Cressidha]: Very well. Caspis, you aim this end here at the magnataur, and pull this trigger here with your finger.
Caspis nods solemnly.
Cressidha passes the device over.
[Azizia]: I know, I know, gnomes very kind, but maybe one day someone should say they are going little too far.
[Caspis]: I will return it to you afterward.
Dane looks to Azizia for a mount, gruff and thoughtful.
[Dane]: Can't say you're wrong there.
[Azizia]: I know.
[Dane]: There's one, stomping about.
[Dane]: Properly sized bastards.
[Dane]: Cressidha, can you get us down there?
Cressidha readies a feather. "Yes."
Caspis sighs wistfully.
Colson looks as though he's bracing for Dane to jump, and raises his brows when he asks for a feather first.
Caspis is now ENORMOUS.
Atley eyes Caspis up and down.
[Colson]: Ah.
[Caspis]: Well.
[Dane]: You've the look of a proper meat eater.
Dane growls with amusement.
[Caspis]: I can confirm that it does not hurt.
[Azizia]: Hm.
[Caspis]: For a moment I thought it had actually worked…
[Caspis]: Until I noticed the rest of you were also smaller.
Dane grunts.
Caspis lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
[Dane]: Let's return it to her.
[Cressidha]: Well, we'd best give her the results so she can make the appropriate alterations.
[Colson]: Understood.
Dane grunts.
[Caspis]: I have a few alterations to suggest.
Caspis grins slowly and fiercely.
[Dane]: Do you properly or are you being cheeky, Caspis.
Dane inquires warily.
[Caspis]: The latter, sir.
[Dane]: We'll save it for later.
[Dane]: T'worked. Only partially. Transformed a number of my squad members.
[Caspis]: It did not work.
[Cressidha]: Zero percent success rate. Attempt number one, I shrunk in size. Attempt number two, I shrunk in size. Attempt number three, I shrunk in size and the magnataur shrunk in size as well. Attempt number four, I became transparent and the magnataur became a gnome. Attempt number five, Caspis grew in size and the magnataur turned green.
[Azizia]: Maybe you give up plan.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Whadya mean it didn't work?
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: But…but…
Crafty Wobblesprocket begins to sob.
[Cressidha]: Oh…
Caspis looks startled.
Caspis gently pats Crafty Wobblesprocket.
Cressidha kneels before Crafty Wobblesprocket.
Caspis kneels before Crafty Wobblesprocket.
[Azizia]: Just get better gear and size of enemy won't matter as much.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: O-okay… It's just, it's been so hard out here. And we're surrounded by enemies all over, and —!
Caspis comforts Crafty Wobblesprocket.
Crafty Wobblesprocket twists a palm in her eye socket and whimpers.
Cressidha looks awkwardly sympathetic.
Dane knits his brow.
Colson looks as mild as ever, but it's possible his eyes seem softer.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: I'm — I'm a big girl.
Crafty Wobblesprocket wipes her tears away and fosters a bright smile, indomitable in defeat. "Time to think outside the box, I think!"
Colson inclines his head. That's the spirit.
Cressidha nods solemnly.
Azizia crosses her arms. She doesn't look reassured by that change of mood.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Okay, don't panic! The blaster might not've worked, but we still have options… We must have options…
[Azizia]: I am not panicking.
Crafty Wobblesprocket snaps her fingers. "We're going to divert attention away from the airstrip! To make this work, we'll need a few things first."
Colson doesn't look like he panics much in general.
Crafty Wobblesprocket looks Azizia up and down appraisingly.
Caspis seems somewhat startled by how quickly the gnome rallied.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Steeljaw's caravan, just to the west, stupidly took a shortcut through a taunka graveyard and was destroyed by their risen spirits.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Head over there and get some outfits off of the dead orcs. Pick up on one of their banners, too!
Azizia throws her hands up. "Ugh!"
Caspis looks like he is not sure who to be angry at. Angry in general…?
Dane just grunts.
[Dane]: Right then. Let's ride.
[Cressidha]: Very well…
Colson looks as neutral as ever. Dead bodies scavenging. Hm. "Is it only the clothing you require?"
Dane does eye Colson.
[Colson]: We have a tailor among us, who may be able to replicate the clothing if she sees it, if that will suffice.
[Caspis]: Is there a certain threshold of ludicrousness beyond which we would… not do as someone asks?
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Just one of their banners, I think. It'll be integral to our next plan!
Colson looks at Cressidha.
[Cressidha]: I could, yes.
[Azizia]: Every decision gnomes of here make. Every time it gets worse.
[Dane]: I'll not unnecessarily endanger any of our lives.
Caspis nods solemnly to Azizia, giving her a WTF look.
Crafty Wobblesprocket frowns at Azizia before looking to Colson, and then to Cressidha.
Azizia frowns back.
Colson inclines his head. "Perhaps that would be best. Once you know what they look like," he says to Cressidha. "And the banner we shall take."
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Well… If you think you could recreate it accurate! I think it'd still be prudent to take a look at what you're replicating.
[Colson]: Of course.
[Cressidha]: Of course. Especially if they have a uniform. The one thing I would not be able to replicate is color, necessarily.
[Colson]: We shall see.
[Caspis]: What are we doing this for exactly?
Cressidha looks like she might just be doing this to make Crafty feel better.
[Azizia]: Do orcs care about colors? They do not look like they care about color. Or fashion at all.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: I have an idea on misplacing blame!
[Caspis]: They like the color red.
[Dane]: The cloth'll be red. I've no trouble looting dead greenskins.
[Colson]: I expect to create a target for the magnataurs, yes. Like a scarecrow.
Colson looks like he, in general, does not loot dead bodies.
Cressidha loots dead bodies very regularly.
[Caspis]: A… scarecrow?
[Dane]: Let's move. We need to secure the airstrip.
Caspis looks very much at sea. Proverbially, not literally like he was in February.
[Colson]: A farmer's tool to redirect crows away from a field. It resembles a person, and thus a 'scare - crow' so they do not pick at the crops.
Caspis thanks Aspenwood.
[Dane]: Horde are allied with taunka, but disturbed their dead, mm.
[Dane]: Wonder if the taunka regret their allegiance, now. Primitives.
Azizia looks sadly at a trapped mammoth calf as they travel there.
Atley spits on the ground.
[Dane]: Rotter here.
[Dane]: Caspis, you'll gather first.
Caspis, at his shan'var's order, removes the clothes from a dead Forsaken.
Colson frowns. "There are many ghosts here."
Dane mutters something unsavory about orcs.
[Azizia]: Yes.
[Cressidha]: Just the tabards should be fine…
Dane gestures to Cressidha.
[Colson]: I am not certain that we should disturb the dead any further.
[Azizia]: We can put back to sleep.
[Dane]: You lot, hand all cloth directly to Cressidha.
Caspis casts about a hundred thirty spells on the cloth before handing it to Cressidha.
[Dane]: Horde's certainly proving useful 'gainst the Lich King.
[Dane]: Cressidha.
Dane nods.
Cressidha nods.
Cressidha stops by the corpses to make sketches of their outfits.
[Caspis]: It is difficult to find tabards that are not… soiled beyond use.
Dane grunts.
Colson smiles gently at Cressidha in gratitude.
[Dane]: Scavenge wot' we can.
[Colson]: Ah, a banner.
Dane eyes the banner.
[Dane]: T'd be a fine trophy, properly…
Colson looks at the corpse of the orc, frowning.
Caspis snarls quietly at the symbol.
Dane marches up to the massive banner and rapidly disassembles.
[Azizia]: At this point, one more piece of cloth or one less is not problem.
[Dane]: Colson, you're on.
[Dane]: Just need one or two each that aren't soiled.
Colson inclines his head.
[Cressidha]: The red would be difficult to replicate without a lengthy dyeing process.
[Colson]: There is something keeping the dead here.
[Cressidha]: Frostweave is very difficult to dye bright colors. Hm?
[Dane]: Is it that they're disturbed, Colson?
[Caspis]: This is where they were meant to be laid to rest.
Caspis gestures to the stones.
[Colson]: I can feel them rising behind us, yes.
[Caspis]: And then their "allies" drove a caravan through.
[Dane]: Jabbering Horde knuckle draggers trodded all over their graveyard.
[Caspis]: I am sure they are… annoyed.
[Dane]: This is a Horde issue, to me.
Cressidha's face is neutral as she trods all over the graveyard herself.
[Dane]: Azizia, on you.
[Dane]: Remember, only wot's serviceable. We don't need rotted cloth, you lot.
[Azizia]: Of course it is…
[Caspis]: Look at the size of those machines they drove through.
Azizia lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
[Caspis]: They likely broke the stones, the monuments.
[Dane]: War wagons and the like, aye.
[Caspis]: There is likely no setting them to rest now.
[Dane]: Would've been damned useful against the Scourge. Instead they'll rot uselessly in this graveyard.
Azizia places a hand on one of the stones and shivers.
Atley peers at Azizia searchingly.
[Dane]: Wot's it?
[Caspis]: Perhaps if one of their people were to come and reconsecrate the ground - but I would not recommend we go ask them to do that.
[Azizia]: Disturbed spirit. I feel them strong within stones, yes.
[Dane]: I'd say it's their issue to deal with.
[Dane]: On me, now.
[Azizia]: Oh, oh, take this one it has very beautiful cut!
[Dane]: Mm, aye. Good eye.
Cressidha nods to Azizia and adjusts one of her sketches.
Dane accepts Azizia's suggestion.
Atley peers at Steeljaw's Corpse searchingly.
[Dane]: Looks to be the war leader.
Azizia throws one of her weapons in the air and puts a flaming hand on Ghostly Sage's face before catching her weapon again.
[Dane]: Cressidha, have we enough?
[Cressidha]: I think I have enough tabards to work with. I'll make the alterations when we're… out of the graveyard.
[Dane]: Mount up.
Colson looks at Cressidha, and inclines his head. "I think that wise."
Azizia nods at Cressidha.
Cressidha reorganizes her fabric while on horseback.
Dane reaches into his bag and tosses the disassembled Horde banner.
[Dane]: Asked and answered.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: We'll need lots of their clothes if this is going to work. I'm no seamstress… But you are!
Crafty Wobblesprocket beams at Cressidha.
[Cressidha]: Indeed. Are we to be wearing these?
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Umm… Yes. I'll add a touch of my engineer genius, and poof, you'll look the part you need to play.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Caspis]: I… what?
Crafty Wobblesprocket grimaces. "Nice work, but these clothes reek!"
Azizia contains a scream. She looks very angry.
Colson's face is extremely neutral.
[Cressidha]: Please allow me some time to work.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Personally, you'll never catch me dead in such rags. But we're going to have to sort through them and find some that fit your, um … figure.
Colson seems to have suspected this would happen.
Dane nods to Cressidha.
Cressidha lays out the tabards on the oil barrel.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: With all those outfits you, er, recovered, I'll be be able to fashion a Warsong disguise. I had the genius idea of combining it with some old stuff that I had left hanging around from Last Hallows' End!
Cressidha takes out… two bolts of pre-dyed red mageweave fabric, carefully matching the shade to the tabards as best as she can.
Caspis glowers.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: I have compiled the disguise and the banner you recovered. Head down into the bowels of Magmoth, and slay the magnataur chieftain, Magmothregar.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Once your mage applies the finishing touches, it'll be good to go! You're going to convince them to turn their attention on the Warsong orcs, you'll need to plant the banner while disguised.
Azizia shakes her head.
Dane knits his brow and sets his jaw.
Colson has accepted his fate.
Cressidha goes through the process of making five (5) tabards for Crafty to enchant, sewing on the emblem with ridiculous speed, five at a time, levitating a bunch of different tools in the air.
It's absolutely ridiculous to watch, like she's conducting an orchestra.
Caspis watches Cress work to distract himself from RAGE.
[Dane]: I don't like it.
Cressidha regards her work. "It'll function with an illusion, I suppose, but…"
Caspis gives Atley a cautious sidelong hopeful look.
Colson is not smiling at Cressidha working, which may be the only sign that he's not pleased with this plan. Or maybe that's just his face. Who can say.
Cressidha passes out CLEAN TABARDS. The material doesn't match, but the color of the fabric does.
Dane grunts. "Nor do I like that it'll give the Horde more to worry about. Every greenskin that dies fighting a magnataur is one less greenskin tying fighting the Scourge, which means one more of us will have to die."
Dane leans down to accept the tabard with a grimace.
Cressidha waits patiently for Crafty to enchant the tabards with a neutral expression.
[Azizia]: I am sorry I will not be saying thank you for your work today, Miss Cress.
Crafty Wobblesprocket waddles over to perform some enchanting on the tabards.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Alrighty then, Cobalt Company, here we go: one illusory-enhanced, Warsong orc disguise, complete with Smell-A-Vision!
[Colson]: And one more possible to be raised by the Scourge. But, it is also likely the orcs may be more prepared to deal with the magnataurs than the gnomes here. We shall have to hope.
Cressidha nods solemnly to Azizia. "It's not my finest."
[Cressidha]: But at least it's clean.
Azizia shrugs at Cressidha. Who knows?
[Colson]: Perhaps with the leader dead, they may struggle to mount a full scale attack. I am not certain we have any other options at the moment.
[Cressidha]: If we can kill their leader, perhaps that might at least slow their advances, yes.
Dane nods. "We'll do it then."
Caspis keeps his fangs covered, a.k.a. his mouth shut.
[Dane]: We'll ride, then dress.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Dane]: Alright then.
Colson rides and then dresses.
Dane touches his face. "Fackin' hell."
Cressidha definitely puts her disguise on behind a rock and not out in the open in front of two sentries.
Colson is the exact same orc. With a mask on his face.
[Azizia]: When she spoke of hallow's eve costumes…
[Azizia]: She meant mask.
[Dane]: Wasn't bloody lying, was she.
[Colson]: Well.
[Cressidha]: Er…
Dane pats himself down.
[Dane]: Let's get this shite over with.
[Azizia]: Hopefully magmoth are blind.
[Colson]: I suppose it's possible they may not…see faces well enough to tell the difference.
[Dane]: Magnataur can't be too bloody bright.
Colson walks way too gracefully to be an orc.
Azizia gets a pocket mirror from her bag.
[Caspis]: All the ones who will see us will be dead.
Dane pulls off being a hulking orc a little too well.
Cressidha grunts. Is she getting in character?
[Azizia]: Hm. At least I like very long braid.
Colson makes a faint sound. That might have been a chuckle.
Dane briefly side-eyes Cressidha.
Cressidha points at the big magnataur and grunts.
Dane grunts.
They kill Magmothregar, a very big magnataur.
Dane raises the banner and jams it through the body.
There is a lone gnome chained up on the far side of the lake.
Colson points to the gnome. "Dane."
Caspis watches Atley. Who knows what expression is on his face.
Bonker Togglevolt raspily cries out. "Hey! Hey — Oh… Orcs. Just my luck!"
[Azizia]: We are not orcs, gnome. We are draenei and humans. Do not fear us.
[Dane]: S'a gnome.
Cressidha grunts.
Bonker Togglevolt says: You're… Not orcs?
Caspis tells Bonker Togglevolt NO. Not going to happen.
[Azizia]: No. I said draenei and humans.
Cressidha points at the terrible orc mask on her face.
Cressidha points to it with both hands.
Colson doesn't really look like an orc, despite his appearance.
[Caspis]: And a kaldorei?
Bonker Togglevolt says: Why do you all look like orcs? Not just orcs, but … exactly the same orc…
Caspis gives Azizia a slightly hurt look.
[Dane]: We're on a mission of espionage.
[Azizia]: And Kaldorei, yes. Hard to remember who we are now that we are orcs.
Cressidha whispers, "Don't question it."
Bonker Togglevolt eyes Cressidha. "W-Whatever you are, you're a sight for sore eyes! I'm too weak to break the links of this rusty ball and chain."
Cressidha looks at Dane. Then at Colson.
[Caspis]: I suppose trying to give the orcs a reputation can cut both ways…
Colson examines it thoughtfully.
[Caspis]: Now they are gnome-rescuing heroes.
[Colson]: Cressidha, can you freeze the chains to weaken them?
Bonker Togglevolt says: I knew they'd send someone for me sooner or later … turned out to be later, of course, and three versions of one two orc and two of another.
Cressidha snap-freezes the chains.
[Colson]: I can ensure his protection. Dane, if you will.
Bonker Togglevolt says: I’m Bonker Togglevolt. I came in here to parlay with the snobolds, but their main shaman, Kaganishu, decided instead that I'd make a tasty snack for Magmothregar.
[Dane]: We'll save you, Bonker.
Colson puts the gnome in a bubble. It's fine. Cut away.
Dane raises a boot to stomp on the chains, frozen by Cressidha.
[Cressidha]: No one mentioned you were here…
[Caspis]: I assure you, we are only disguised as orcs.
Bonker Togglevolt says: Wait… what?! They didn't send you?!
[Azizia]: No they did not.
Bonker Togglevolt yells: DID THEY FORGET ABOUT ME?!
[Azizia]: Too busy with bad plans, yes.
Caspis nods subtly to Azizia.
Bonker Togglevolt says: Okay, you're here now and that's all that matters.
Bonker Togglevolt says: Now that you've broken this chain, we'll make our way back to the airstrip. Then you can tell Fizzcrank I'm safely back.
Bonker Togglevolt says: If he remembers me, that is…
Bonker Togglevolt says: Right then, no time to waste. Let's get outta here!
Bonker Togglevolt says: Here we go.
Cressidha conjures a wave of heat to dry the group off.
Bonker Togglevolt says: I think it's up this way to the left. Let's go!
[Dane]: On you, little one.
Cressidha occasionally grunts as they pass by the magnataur offspring. Is she still trying to keep up the act? Maybe.
They get outside.
Bonker Togglevolt says: Ah, fresh air! I can get myself back to the airstrip from here. Be sure to tell Fizzcrank I'm back and safe. Thanks so much, Atley!
Dane grunts.
Dane removes his tabard.
[Dane]: We're not greenskins.
[Dane]: Alright, you lot, you can take that shite off.
Colson takes that shite off.
Caspis may think shite means clothing now.
Cressidha removes her tabard with some relief.
[Cressidha]: Ugh.
[Dane]: Feels like I'm staring down a pack of boars.
Azizia checks herself out in her pocket mirror again. "Do you think Draenei me could pull off long braid like this? With more hair on head, not shaved like this."
[Cressidha]: Certainly.
Colson looks mildly at Azizia.
Dane stares.
[Dane]: … Properly.
[Caspis]: I think your hair is most flattering as it is.
[Caspis]: It draws attention to your face.
[Azizia]: Hm, yes, but I miss seeing more curls on me. I suppose braid would not help, hm.
[Dane]: Azizia, I'd have you remove that tabard lest we're fired upon by our own folk.
[Azizia]: Oh, now I do not have to keep tabard, hm?
Dane shakes his head. "You do not."
[Cressidha]: You do not have to keep that tabard.
Dane grunts and nods to Cressidha.
Caspis exhales in relief.
[Caspis]: It is good to see your faces again.
Dane grunts.
Atley peers at Mammoth Calf searchingly.
[Dane]: We've done it. Their chief is slain, and we wore Horde banners.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: It's all over then? You've done the dirty deed and framed the orcs at Bor'gorok Outpost?
[Azizia]: Dirty deed, yes.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Holey moley, you did it!
Cressidha returns her tabard to Crafty. Ugh.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: Alright, now those pesky magnataur and their snobold flunkies should turn their attentions to on the Horde.
Crafty Wobblesprocket says: How can I ever repay you?
Colson inclines his head. "The work you are doing here is important."
Dane nods to Colson.
[Cressidha]: I am sorry your, ah, blaster did not work out on its first iteration.
[Dane]: Let's get to Fizzlecrank, you lot.
Cressidha nods.
Crafty Wobblesprocket perks up and smiles softly. "Few things do work the first time. It's about perseverance!"
Cressidha nods solemnly.
Caspis's ears droop.
Atley salutes Fizzcrank Fullthrottle with respect.
Colson inclines his head politely to Fizzcrank.
Caspis stares intently at the back of the gnome's bald head.
[Dane]: We've rescued one of your men from the Magmoth. T'was a Bonker…?
Dane trails off and looks to the others, trying to remember.
Cressidha shrugs. She doesn’t remember the gnome's name.
Fizzcrank Fullthrottle looks up from his pile of paperwork. "Huh? What? Bonker who? We don't have any Bonkers here nor have we ever."
[Colson]: Bonker…Togglevolt, I believe.
[Cressidha]: Hm.
Fizzcrank Fullthrottle says: I've no idea who you're talking about, but I'lltake your word for it. If you rescued him or her from the pit of Magmoth then I suppose you deserve a reward. I'll have an additional stipend sent to your headquarters.
Colson frowns faintly. "That is odd. He seemed very certain. Perhaps…he goes by a nickname."
[Caspis]: …Thank you.
[Azizia]: Apparently, gnomes do not consider gnomes very important allies. Not worth remembering each other.
[Caspis]: We were paid nonetheless.
Fizzcrank Fullthrottle narrows his eyes at Azizia.
[Dane]: Outside. Now.
Caspis shrugs. Who knows?
Atley salutes Fizzcrank Fullthrottle with respect.
[Cressidha]: Ah…
Colson goes outside, now.
Caspis's ears droop in anticipation.
[Dane]: Right then. When we're dealing with chief commanders out here, we're going to keep the smart remarks to ourselves.
[Dane]: We compete with the Horde for every inch we take from the Scourge. Now is -not- the time to needlessly check our allegiances. Is that clear?
Cressidha nods, her expression neutral.
Colson inclines his head as if he is being addressed. "Understood."
Azizia crosses her arms, looking at the sky.
Dane looks between them all.
Caspis turns and looks at Azizia very hard.
[Dane]: This is the last time I'll be as polite 'bout it as I've been. Now. On those primitives we encountered.
[Dane]: I mean to meet with the Captain and tell her wot' we've learned. They're hostile towards us, and have thrown themselves in with the Horde. I'll also inform her that by my orders, we encountered them, and there was bloodshed.
[Dane]: If any of you wish to attend this meeting to give your accounts, you're welcome to it.
Cressidha puts a hand on Colson's shoulder.
Azizia doesn't look like she's being addressed. The only thing that would let someone know she did hear Dane is her frown and the pout accompanying it.
[Caspis]: *quietly to Azizia* I would heed our commander's warning. Having you on the squad is important to me.
Colson inclines his head to Dane, and sets his hand over Cressidha's.
[Dane]: If you've a mind to join me, you may. It's not mandatory, and I'll give full account.
[Caspis]: I will accompany you, shan'var.
Azizia answers just as quietly. "I cannot make any promises."
[Colson]: I trust you to give an honest and full report, Dane. I have nothing to add.
Dane nods to Caspis. "We live in desperate times. I trust very few people that are not standing in front of me. With that being said, we must focus on the larger campaign here."
Caspis turns swiftly to Azizia. "Why not?"
Dane looks to Colson and nods.
[Caspis]: What is it that makes you uniquely unable to hold your tongue when called upon to do so?
Caspis stares Azizia down.
[Azizia]: Because doing this is not me.
Dane clears his throat. "You lot are dismissed."
[Dane]: Azizia, I'd have a word with you.
[Caspis]: Then that is likely to be a serious problem. And I would miss you on the squad. Please.
Colson nods his head. "Good work today, Dane."
[Dane]: You as well. We've made proper strides.
Cressidha nods and takes out her hearthstone. She hesitates, though, looking at Azizia.
Colson hearths, totally normally, does not just disappear into thin air.
[Caspis]: I do not want to be the oldest person here by millennia, Azizia.
Dane looks sternly between Caspis and Azizia.
[Azizia]: I am only a few hundred years old, you are still older by millennia… But anyway. What is it you want to say, Mr. Dane?
[Caspis]: You… I thought you were older.
Caspis blinks.
[Cressidha]: Azizia was not initially introduced to Fizzcrank Fullthrottle when the rest of us were. Perhaps she was unaware that he was in an important leadership position?
Cressidha says optimistically. Maybe she's just trying to give Azizia an excuse.
Dane looks to Cressidha, then to Azizia.
[Dane]: Is that true?
[Azizia]: No, I had guessed.
[Cressidha]: Ah.
Cressidha sighs. Well, she tried.
[Caspis]: She has just said, clearly and plainly, that she will not hold her tongue under any circumstances, even if ordered to do so.
[Dane]: Right then. You're a valued member of this squad. I defer to you often, and with purpose.
[Caspis]: But if she does not value your leadership in return?
Caspis folds his arms.
[Dane]: I would impart upon you that the tabards we wear are bigger than any one of us and wot'ever we do while wearing them reflects on the lot of us.
Azizia sakes her head. "I never said I do not value leadership."
[Dane]: For two years this sigil has meant something to folk. I know you and your people faced racist behaviors at Valiance Keep, which I do not abide, but we must maintain our good standing.
Cressidha turns her hearthstone over in her hand. She hasn't activated it yet.
[Caspis]: I do not always agree with everything our commander says or does in the field, but my understanding was that we were all to abide by the shared code of conduct of Cobalt Company, and that includes doing exactly as told when on duty.
[Azizia]: And I think I maintain good standing by saying what is true to me.
[Caspis]: But you are not in charge.
[Dane]: Wot's true may be true, but I'll not let personal quirks that reflect poorly on Captain Sparkwire, or Sir Elohad, or Ben.
[Caspis]: Would I do certain things differently? I would, without a doubt. But it is not my call.
[Caspis]: When they give me command, I will make the decisions. When someone else is in command, I will do as I am told, and report it later if I have serious concerns.
[Caspis]: That is part of the contract I signed in being allowed into the Company. Was it not the same for you?
Azizia shrugs at Caspis. Who knows?
[Dane]: We're not properly militry'. I understand. If I wanted to be, I'd have re-enlisted. Still, we are bound by our own rules and regulations.
[Caspis]: Because if those rules are not valued, I may have a few more things to say myself. I am not accustomed to following orders this closely. I do it because I thought I must.
[Caspis]: If an exception is made for her, then I would like one made for me as well.
Dane slowly shakes his head, peering evenly between them. "There are not going to be exceptions."
[Azizia]: Well, good, be like me and go say what you think to leadership so rule change and you get to say what you want all the time as well.
Caspis gestures to Azizia, still looking at Atley.
Atley stares Azizia down.
[Caspis]: She has no intention of obeying your order, sir. I am very curious to see what you do next.
[Dane]: I'd figgered' we'd a better working relationship than this. I'll give one last moment to correct this insolence before action is taken. I'd have you reverse the path you're on, Azizia.
[Caspis]: I would as well. There is much I hoped to learn from you, and discuss with you.
[Dane]: But regardless, I will not let anything damage the cohesion of this team.
Dane glares.
[Cressidha]: He is not telling you to avoid speaking your mind. He is telling you to avoid speaking your mind in front of the authority figures we are working for and attempting to earn the respect of.
Dane nods to Cressidha.
[Caspis]: We are free to say whatever we like to Sir Atley, as I understand it. Including disagreement.
[Dane]: You are. In the proper circumstances and company.
[Caspis]: But when we are on assignment, we do as he commands.
Azizia tightens her hands around her arms, looking sternly to the side.
[Cressidha]: Telling him he did not value his people… that was hurtful, and I do not believe it to be true.
[Dane]: Azizia. I need to know that you understand or action will be taken. I hold you to the standard I hold Cressidha and Caspis to.
[Caspis]: And understand, Azizia, I share many of your sentiments.
[Caspis]: I am appalled by the way the gnomes treat this land, and one another.
Dane gestures vaguely behind him. "I know this is more than offensive to both of you, and thus far I've admired your perseverance and dedication to the cause despite it."
[Azizia]: He forgot one of people sent on mission. That would never happen amongst draenei! *She raises her voice.*
[Cressidha]: Have you considered that perhaps he was telling the truth?
Dane sets his jaw.
[Cressidha]: That there is some discrepancy? Perhaps the gnome we rescued gave us a false name?
[Caspis]: The gnome we rescued may have— yes.
[Dane]: Regardless. Azizia, are you going to obey orders, or am I going to action? Choose, now, this is the last chance.
[Cressidha]: Or perhaps Bonker was not under his command after all, and merely pretending to be.
Cressidha sighs.
[Dane]: I take no enjoyment out of this, but I will act if I am tested.
Azizia seems to be trying to take a deep breath to calm down. It has the opposite effect. "Well then, take action. Do it."
Caspis sighs.
Azizia takes a few steps towards Dane as she speaks.
[Azizia]: I am certainly not doing any apologizing now.
Dane nods crisply. "Right then. I'll meet with the Captain soon, and you'll be notified of the time and place to state your case if you so choose."
Cressidha looks down, frowning faintly.
[Dane]: Unless we've other questions, we are dismissed for now.
Caspis has a Surrounded By Youths kind of expression on his face as he massages a temple.
Dane stares right at Azizia.
[Azizia]: Sure. *She turns around, walking towards towards the flight master.* You! Get me one of stupid plane of yours, now!
Cressidha sighs.
Caspis also sighs.
[Dane]: 'Tis a bloody shame.
[Caspis]: I suppose it is best to have a falling out over this rather than something where lives are at stake.
[Dane]: Caspis, I'll have to relinquish the invitation with meeting the Captain.
[Cressidha]: I cannot tell if she's doubling down out of pride or…
[Caspis]: She is… younger than I thought.
Cressidha shakes her head.
Caspis gives that word many meanings.
[Cressidha]: Dane, are you alright?
Caspis peers at Atley searchingly.
Dane nods once. "I'm well. As I said, I don't enjoy that, nor do I particularly dislike her."
[Dane]: Action will be taken regardless. You've all done fine work today.
[Dane]: I'll meet with the Captain alone, to discuss this, and the taunka.
Caspis's ears droop.
Cressidha nods. "As have you. Thank you for giving Colson the opportunity to attempt a resurrection."
[Caspis]: Have I… given offense?
Dane shakes his head at Caspis. "You've not. Both of you have been exemplary squad members."
[Caspis]: But… I may not accompany you?
Caspis is extra droopy.
[Dane]: I wager there'll be two meetings. One with myself and the Captain, and then a third with the captain, myself and Azizia. You can attend the former to give your account.
Caspis looks slightly relieved.
[Dane]: You're welcome as well, Cressidha, but it's not mandatory.
[Cressidha]: I understand. I do not believe I have anything additional to add to the account.
Caspis shifts his weight nervously.
Dane grunts. "Very well. Rest up. Caspis, it'll likely be today."
[Cressidha]: Are you alright?
Atley eyes Caspis up and down.
Caspis looks startled.
[Caspis]: In what way? You know I do not enjoy… *he gestures around* … this.
[Caspis]: But you need not worry about me.
[Caspis]: I will not be a liability.
Caspis bows before Atley.
Dane nods. "You've been an honorable comrade in this. I know this place is egregious to you, and I've a mind to put in a word to Alliance command through our Company once this is done to amend some of the damage to the land."
[Cressidha]: You seem troubled. I suppose, ah… I would advise speaking with Chaplain Mordecai, if you believe it might help to discuss with someone?
Dane nods. "He's a great deal younger than you, as we all are, but he's fine to speak to, Caspis."
[Caspis]: Well, it has been… a troubling day. But I would not wish to bother the young man.
[Caspis]: I am certain he has enough troubles of his own.
[Cressidha]: It is his role in the Company to listen to the troubles of others.
[Cressidha]: That's… what he does.
[Caspis]: And I am certain, therefore, that he is very busy.
[Dane]: It's no trouble to him, Caspis. He's been of great aid to my wife.
[Cressidha]: It is your choice, of course.
[Dane]: Would it p'raps make it more incentivizing if I were to make it an order to meet with him to evaluate your well being?
[Caspis]: If he has free time, I always enjoy speaking with him. But I assure you that there is no need to be concerned about my state of mind.
Caspis looks troubled by the whole idea that he seems troubled.
Cressidha glances at Dane.
Dane eyes Caspis for a moment before he nods. "Very well. I trust you."
[Caspis]: I promise you that I am fully fit to serve in all ways.
Dane nods. "I've been given no reason to doubt it. I'd only have you not tend to yourself if it's necessary."
Caspis nods. "Thank you, shan'var. You will let me know when it is time to accompany you to the meeting?"
[Dane]: I shall.
Caspis bows down graciously.
Atley bows before Caspis.
[Caspis]: I shall return to the keep for now. It is… better than this place, at least.
Dane grunts. "Too right."
Cressidha nods and finally activates her hearthstone.
Dane eyes Cressidha.
[Dane]: You right, as well?
Cressidha blinks. "Yes, I am fine—" and she vanishes mid-sentence.