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EXT. Midafternoon, the courtyard of Westguard Keep. BEN is perched on the scaffolding around the half-finished statue of Falstad Wildhammer; ISMENE is seated on a stone slab facing him.
[Ismene]: It's just that they've been working on that statue's back for weeks and weeks now.
[Ben]: I mean, it is important to get a fellow's backside correct.
Ismene giggles, surprised by the answer. "Bennarin!"
Ben grins back at her.
[Ismene]: Thank you for my chocolate cake.
[Ismene]: I'm not at all sorry for not sharing it.
[Ben]: You are welcome. And you wasn't meant to share it, so good.
Ismene's dark eyes twinkle at him, and she wrinkles her little nose.
[Ismene]: Here, I made you this.
Ismene gives him a healing potion.
[Ismene]: There… isn't much to make things from out here, yet. Do you need soup? I have soup.
[Ben]: I am kind of done for soup, if I can admit it. Chef Kettleblack has maybe turned me on soup for a while.
[Ben]: Though a fish chowder, maybe…
Ben looks thoughtful.
[Ismene]: Yes, I can see how that might be the case. *She sighs and looks up at him.* No, it's shoveltusk.
[Ben]: Oh.
[Ben]: Yeah, no. Sorry.
Ismene is sad at her inability to provide him with fish chowder.
[Ben]: I should just do up a recipe myself. I mean it ain't hard.
Ismene stretches out her hands for his. "I wish you didn't have to go."
Ben takes her hands and squeezes them. "I dunno that it'll be too long today. Doesn't seem like there's any fight out there. Captain Adams said he got a message for us to deliver."
[Ben]: Not sure where to, 'course, but.
Ben shrugs.
Ismene leans in so she can touch his fingers to her cheek. "I hope not. It was easier to worry when I had Mordecai to worry with me."
Ben smiles briefly. "Nice we can see 'em again now. You ought to have a visit, the two of you."
Ismene makes a face. "By the time the turtles get there, you'll be back."
Ben grins. "I don't mean right now on mission time. Just… whenever."
Ismene sighs. "I know, it just seems so far. As if I could travel home in the time it takes, though I know that estimate is off by a week or so."
Ben looks faintly wistful himself.
Ismene says softly, "We'll miss the spring blossoms entirely at this rate."
[Ben]: I do wonder how Baby Dane and them are gettin' on. And I'd like to check with Estel, see about… y'know. The babies.
[Ben]: Maybe they get spring blossoms up here?
Ben looks around, not optimistically.
Ismene just gives him a Look. A look that suggest he's trying, but it's not the same and he knows it.
Ismene's looks are very expressive.
Ben deciphers it capably. He shrugs apologetically at her.
Ismene shrugs back and sighs again. What can you do?
Ralaea lurks around the side of the statue.
Ismene looks over Ben's shoulder, then past Ralaea and frowns.
[Ben]: Ain't seen apple trees up here anyplace, now that I think on. I mean, not that — hm?
Ismene upnods toward Rae, frowning a little.
Ben follows Mizzy's gaze, twisting around and leaning.
Ismene hops down from her stone and approaches Rae around the statue.
[Ismene]: Hi Ralaea!
[Ismene]: You're alone.
Ismene looks to her left and right.
Ralaea flinches and glances around. "Maybe… call me something else today. Pretend, or something."
[Ismene]: Uh…. All right. Um… Bob.
[Ralaea]: … Sure. Bob.
Ben hops down from the scaffolding to amble over to the two of them.
[Ismene]: Ben, look, it's Bob.
Ismene is very good at secret names.
[Ben]: … it is?
Ben looks around.
[Ben]: Who's Bob?
Ismene points at Ralaea.
[Ismene]: Bob.
[Ben]: No, that's — uh. Are we — doin' a thing, here?
[Ismene]: It's short for… um. Bobbera.
Ben looks between the two of them.
Ralaea nods. "I'm just… going to be Bobbera today."
[Ben]: Bobbera? C'mon. You got a middle name?
Ismene whispers toward Ben, "Be nice, I've hidden before."
[Ismene]: She can be Bob if she wants.
[Ben]: She can, sure. But we can do better by her if she wants, too.
[Ben]: Could also be Marie.
[Ismene]: Well it's too late now!
[Ralaea]: Bobbera Marie. Better?
[Ben]: Bobbera Marie.
[Ben]: Mizzy's cousin from out of town.
[Ismene]: Bobbie Marie. That's a Westfall name if I ever heard one.
[Ismene]: She's your cousin.
[Ben]: … my cousin. Okay.
[Aiseia]: Hey there!
[Ben]: Ace, hey. Hi.
Ismene takes a step back and turns. "Hi Ace. This is Ben's cousin, Bobbie Marie."
Ralaea nods.
Ben nods toward Rae solemnly.
Aiseia glances between everyone. "Hello there. I'm Ace Stormhammer. How are you finding the weather?"
Ben looks politely to Bobbie Marie.
[Ralaea]: I dunno. It's fine.
[Ben]: I am findin' it, that's for sure.
Ben squints at the sky.
[Aiseia]: Honestly it's not hard. Tends to just land on you whenever you're outside.
Ben smiles crookedly at Ace.
Ismene nods at Ace, surprised. She thinks about that observation, perhaps more than it deserves.
Ismene looks around. "There's the Ambassador."
[Ben]: Lieutenant Paluuva, ma'am. Afternoon.
[Paluuva]: Archenon poros, friends.
[Ben]: This is, uh. My cousin. Bobbie Marie. For today.
Ben tilts his head significantly at the hooded Ralaea.
Ralaea nods to Paluuva.
Ismene grins. "There's Lena!"
Ismene takes a step back so she can see everyone.
Lena smiles at Ismene.
[Lena]: Hi everybody! Sorry I wasn't around last week.
[Ben]: S' all right. Hope the 7th Legion treated you right.
[Paluuva]: All is well. Welcome back, Lena.
[Aiseia]: Afternoon, Lieutenant. I was just remarking on the weather. Hey Lena! How was your mission?
Ismene raises her hands and whispers her prayers.
Lena waves at everyone. "It was… well. The Kirin Tor had some work ahead of them still."
[Ben]: Aw. Well.
[Lena]: But I got to meet a bunch of people from the 7th Legion, which was neat.
[Ismene]: Be well, stay safe, ride together… Take care of my husband, please.
Ben smiles at Mizzy.
Lena nods at Ismene. "We always do."
Ismene smiles at Lena.
Exit: Ismene, stage left.
Ben clears his throat.
[Ben]: Uh, also. This is my cousin. Bobbie Marie. From Westfall.
Ben tilts his head toward the hooded Ralaea.
[Ralaea]: Nice to meet you all.
Lena blinks at 'Bobbie Marie'. "Pleased to meet you for the first time ever, Bobbie Marie."
Paluuva arches an eyebrow for a moment, then nods. "A pleasure to make your acquaintence, Miss Bobbie Marie."
[Ben]: So. Uh.
[Lena]: I read the newsletter and all. Are we after some Stone Giants today?
[Ben]: Not today. Captain Adams said he had somethin' for us to do. Top priority.
[Aiseia]: Oh, boy.
[Ben]: So I reckon we better see about it.
[Lena]: Hope it's not another plague. Or more angry dragons.
[Ben]: You know. Another day on the job for Cobalt Company White Squad.
[Ben]: … and my cousin Bobbie.
Ralaea just quietly follows along.
Ben salutes Captain Adams with respect.
[Ben]: Sir. You asked for us.
Captain Adams says: Ah! Cobalt Company, brilliant.
Captain Adams looks warily around the room and lowers his voice, gesturing for the squad to gather closer around him.
Lena moves in at Ben's shoulder.
Paluuva tries not to loom too much over the dwarf.
Captain Adams says: What I've got for you today is a mission in strictest confidence, and top priority. I trust you can handle it?
Captain Adams looks from face to face.
Ben knits his brow. He nods. "Yessir."
Captain Adams nods sharply.
Captain Adams says: I don't know what you've heard from your colleagues in the west. But we've heard about some… troubles they've had with infiltrators in the ranks.
Captain Adams says: Cult of the Damned, aye?
Ben narrows his eyes. "I heard some about that. Yeah."
Lena nods.
Ralaea withdraws further into her hood.
Paluuva nods solemnly.
[Lena]: We've not got those troubles out here, though? In Westguard? *Lena asks in a low voice.*
Captain Adams says: Among my men? Hah! I'd have sniffed them out as soon as they showed their faces!
Lena relaxes a little at that.
Captain Adams says: That fool Keller, though? Bah! Who knows what all miscreants he’s been overlooking?
Captain Adams says: We've gotten a list from Valiance and this fellow Thassarian. Wanted us to look over the names and see if any of 'em was here. Which, like I said, they were not.
[Lena]: A list of… infiltrators?
Captain Adams says: Suspected infiltrators, aye. Shady contacts and so on.
[Paluuva]: I see.
Captain Adams says: Now, I couldn't vet everyone on the list. Some of our Alliance lads and lasses have just headed west to Dragonblight, to join up with the 7th Legion's lot there.
Lena straightens at the mention of the 7th Legion.
Paluuva glances to Lena.
Captain Adams says: If any of the traitors on this list went thataway — and like I said, Light only knows what tomfoolery Vice Admiral Keller is encouraging at Valgarde! — it could be catastrophic.
Captain Adams reaches for a sealed scroll on the table and presents it to Ben.
Captain Adams says: I need you to get this to High Commander Halford Wyrmbane at Wintergarde Keep. Straight into his hands, you understand?
Ben accepts the scroll and nods seriously. "Yessir."
[Paluuva]: We understand.
[Ben]: Is there road that way, or we roughin' it?
Captain Adams says: Oh, aye, no. Take it to Orehammer at the gryphon post and show him my seal. He'll put you on a bird straight there.
[Ben]: Oh. That's… easy. Okay.
Ben salutes Captain Adams with respect.
[Ben]: On it.
Lena salutes Captain Adams with respect.
Ralaea bows before Captain Adams.
Ben stuffs the scroll into the front of his tabard.
Lena glances at Ben. "I sort of recommended your friend for a temporary 7th Legion thing. Hope that's okay. Just… Wyrmbane made me think of it."
[Ben]: My friend?
Ben, to be clear, has multiple friends. Or is under the impression he does.
[Lena]: Yeah. Sil.
[Ben]: Oh! That's great. Sil'll do great.
Lena smiles at Ben, relieved.
[Ralaea]: Why is he called worm bane? Did he used to eat them as a child?
Paluuva smiles.
[Ben]: It is Wyrm like with a y. Which is like an old-timey way to say dragon. In books and such.
[Aiseia]: I think it means he's a dragonslayer.
Ben nods at Ace.
[Ralaea]: Oh. Okay.
Ben takes out the scroll and shows it to Greer Orehammer. "Sir. Off to Wintergarde?"
Greer Orehammer says: Aye, all right. Off ye go.
Greer Orehammer nods at a group of waiting gryphons in 7th Legion colors.
Off they indeed go.
After an indeterminate interval of Azerothian Travel Time, they land at Wintergarde Keep.
Ben stares around them.
[Aiseia]: Huh! This looks pretty sturdy.
[Ben]: 7th Legion works fast. As usual.
[Paluuva]: Very impressive.
[Lena]: This place looks pretty solid.
[Aiseia]: And a proper keep!
Ben nods to Gryphon Commander Urik. "Sir. Where's High Commander Wyrmbane?"
Gryphon Commander Urik nods back. "Down the hill, soldier. Near the gates."
[Ben]: You were here already, Lena?
[Lena]: I didn't exactly come into the keep, but I was around outside, yeah.
[Lena]: I did not get to talk to the High Commander.
Lena shuts up as they get near the High Commander.
It's hard to miss the armor.
[Ben]: Sir.
Ralaea doesn't remove her hood, but she looks visibly more relaxed.
Paluuva bows before High Commander Halford Wyrmbane.
Ben snaps his snappiest salute.
Lena curtsies before High Commander Halford Wyrmbane.
Aiseia gawks up the hill. "There's high elves here!"
Aiseia remembers herself.
Aiseia salutes High Commander Halford Wyrmbane with respect.
High Commander Halford Wyrmbane says: What is it, soldier? Cobalt Company, is it?
[Ben]: Yessir. Cobalt Company, sir. We got a message from Captain Adams for you, top secret.
Ben takes the scroll from his tabard and offers it out.
High Commander Halford Wyrmbane breaks the seal and reads the scroll, frowning. He snorts and crumples it up.
Ben blinks.
High Commander Halford Wyrmbane says: Do you know where the people on this list are now? Take a look outside, near the front gate. They're the ones hanging from the arches.
[Ben]: … oh.
Paluuva 's brow lifts.
High Commander Halford Wyrmbane nods grimly. "The 7th Legion knows its business. If that's all, Cobalt Company, you can be on your way."
[Ben]: Uh. Yessir.
Ben salutes High Commander Halford Wyrmbane with respect.
Lena bobs a bow nervously and backs away with the others.
[Ben]: Well. That was sure… a mission.
[Ben]: Reckon we may as well look around the place, while we're here?
[Lena]: We're all the way out here… and they already knew.
Paluuva glances back at Wyrmbane for a moment.
[Ralaea]: Efficient, at least.
[Paluuva]: He leaves… quite an impression.
[Ben]: Efficient, yeah. Charmin', uh, not so much.
[Lena]: That's the 7th, right? They're all hard, efficient folk.
[Paluuva]: Not charming…but certainly impressive.
[Ralaea]: It's war. Charming is not a requirement.
[Ben]: Yeah, I was being facetious. Jokin', like.
Paluuva smiles softly.
Ben surveys the towers and the cannon-mounts.
[Lena]: Some of them are a little bit ch… *Lena trails off.*
[Ben]: Whole place is pretty impressive.
Ben casts a sidelong look at Lena and raises an eyebrow.
[Lena]: Oh, yeah, for sure.
[Ralaea]: It's in a good spot, too. Mountains.
[Ben]: Reckon if we got this whole war run by the 7th Legion, we'd've been done yesterday.
[Aiseia]: They really have this place in hand!
Ben nods.
[Ben]: Let's see what kind of facility they got? An' whether they got anything beside shoveltusk soup, maybe.
Ben peers into the inn.
[Ben]: I see a distinct lack of drunk gnomes.
[Lena]: Same sort of floor plan though.
[Lena]: I admit the lack of the drunk gnome is an improvement.
Ben beelines for the fire in the massive hearth.
[Aiseia]: Where is everyone?
[Ben]: Workin', I would reckon, from the look of the place.
[Lena]: I'd have thought at least an innkeeper…
[Lena]: Fire's burning though.
Ben warms his hands.
[Ralaea]: Maybe someone comes in and checks it from time to time.
[Lena]: Part-time innkeeper. Maybe fights Scourge rest of the time.
[Ben]: Little eerie, though. Reckon it's fuller after nightfall, probably.
[Paluuva]: Mmm. I doubt they get many visitors here.
Ben looks around again.
[Ralaea]: Still, nice to have a place to warm up.
[Lena]: Yeah, Bobbie. That's for sure.
[Ralaea]: You can… just call me Rae again. He couldn't have followed me here.
[Paluuva]: Ah… very good.
[Lena]: Oh, good. *Lena smiles* He… who?
[Paluuva]: Yes… why the disguise?
Paluuva is very charitable calling it a disguise.
Aiseia nods. "I knew I'd figure out what was up with the dress and the stick eventually. So there's trouble?"
[Ralaea]: I… met with a death knight, and…
Ben raises his eyebrows.
Paluuva frowns in concern. "And…?"
[Lena]: The, um… the one from before?
[Ralaea]: Yes, that one. He's… not who I thought he was, so… I don't want him watching me.
Ben frowns a little.
[Ben]: Okay.
[Ralaea]: Sorry, Ben… I went out alone again.
Ben just shakes his head at Rae. He's not angry, just disappointed.
[Aiseia]: You know what you need, Rae? The buddy system. Fortunately you have a whole squad of buddies to back you up… if you tell them what under the mountain is going on!
Ben 's mouth twitches faintly in a suppressed smile and he glances down at Ace.
[Aiseia]: Don't pick me unless you need to bash heads, though.
[Lena]: Well. Um. If you need it sometimes, I can make you better able to see invisible folks. If he does that. That's about all I can do to help.
[Paluuva]: Rae, should you need assistance with the death knights, I do have a contact in the Ebon Blade. I have managed to maintain some diplomatic relations with them…in a manner of speaking.
[Ralaea]: Is that contact… someone you knew?
Paluuva nods solemnly.
[Lena]: Diplomatic? *Lena raises an eyebrow at Luu.* Well, I reckon they are meant to be our allies.
[Ralaea]: And are they… the same? As when you knew them?
Ben folds his arms and turns his head to contemplate the fire, frowning.
Paluuva sighs, her brow knitting. "In some ways… he is very much the same. But in others, the changes are obvious."
[Ralaea]: Have you ever considered he might just be acting? Pretending to be like he was for some…evil reason?
Paluuva nods. "I have. I examine his behavior very carefully. But I believe he is sincere. He is quite blunt about his intentions, and even his limitations."
Aiseia nods. "You know, I have spent some time in the circles that dance around the Senate. And if I've learned anything, it's this: people can say just about anything, as pretty as you please. It's what they do that matters. If those tend to match, then good."
[Aiseia]: But if they don't…
Ben nods firmly at Ace.
Paluuva nods to Ace. "Precisely so, and Icaros has backed up his words with action. Through him I have been able to study death knight behavior, tactics, and capabilities."
Ben glances over at the unattended bar speculatively.
Ralaea considers this. "Hey, um… Lieutenant Paluuva? I'm… sorry your people got drawn into the whole Lich King business. You came here to get away from people wanting to hurt you, right?"
Paluuva smiles softly to Rae. "Thank you, Rae."
Ralaea nods.
[Paluuva]: However, if you want to know the truth, we came here following a prophecy that this would be the staging ground of the final battle. So, we are prepared to fight.
[Ralaea]: Well. You came to a good place. All of us here are fighters.
Ben nods.
Paluuva grins. "And mighty fighters at that."
[Ben]: Mostly that's Ace.
Aiseia flexes her muscles. Oooooh so strong!
Ben grins at Ace.
Ralaea smiles a little beneath the hood.
Lena smiles, maybe a mighty fighter of some sort.
[Ben]: Okay. If we are warmed up, reckon we better get back an' report to Captain Adams.
[Ben]: Then we can — oh, sh*t.
Azizia looks for someone identical to the two twins.
Ben blinks at Atley.
[Atley]: We'd heard there was some rabble here to be run off from the High Commander.
Cressidha smiles immediately.
[Atley]: You lot know anything about that?
[Aiseia]: Maybe– oh.
Paluuva smiles brightly.
Aspenwood smiles faintly at the sight of White Squad. "Good afternoon."
[Ben]: Well damn.
[Aiseia]: Hey there! What are you doing here?
Ben laughs.
[Lena]: Oh!
Caspis stands at attention and salutes.
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, everyone. It's good to see you all well.
[Azizia]: Oh. Hello, White Squ– Professor Paluuva! Miss Lena!
[Paluuva]: Archenon poros, friends.
Atley growls with amusement and stomps forward, extending his hand to Ben.
Ben grips Dane's hand and shakes it firmly, grinning.
Atley returns it.
[Ben]: Sir. How you doin'? How's everyone doin'?
Ralaea shifts slightly behind everyone, withdrawing back into her hood.
[Atley]: We're in one piece. We've just flown in from Dragonblight. Wot' of you all?
[Lena]: I've not been over to Borean Tundra yet, good to see you all again. *Lena grins, looking over the squad.*
[Ben]: Flown up from Westguard.
[Caspis]: Ben Hazan.
Ben nods respectfully to Caspis and offers him a smile.
Aiseia can't help smiling at everyone.
Lena nods at Azizia, the Aspenwoods, Dane, and looks at Caspis curiously.
Caspis peers at Aiseia searchingly.
Aiseia greets Caspis with a hearty hello!
Cressidha looks genuinely happy.
Aspenwood looks maybe mildly pleased? It's hard to tell with his face.
[Atley]: P'raps we ought to get a round.
[Atley]: When's the last time we'd all been in the same room, mm?
[Lena]: Months. It's been months.
Ben jerks a thumb at the bar. "No 'tender. Place is empty. Reckon I could pour, though, if y'all want."
[Atley]: I've heard Westfall tenders are a bit generous with their distributions. Let's have it.
Ben grins and heads behind the bar.
Atley grunts, and eyes Lena. "You look well," he remarks platonically.
[Lena]: You too, Dane. Your girl alright?
Atley nods. "Ivrianna's well. With child, too."
Caspis murmurs a brief Darnassian prayer.
Atley leans back against the table.
[Lena]: Oh. *Lena's smile flickers for a moment, but then she seems genuinely happy when she says,* Congratulations on the little one, then.
[Aiseia]: Oh! Bravery and wit to the little one!
[Azizia]: Big reunion, very nice. I sit.
[Ben]: Okay, step up, who's havin' a drink?
Ben rummages among bottles, peering.
[Azizia]: I will have drink, yes!
Cressidha looks uncertain. "Do we have no further work to do today, Dane?"
Atley nods once to Lena, and to Aiseia. "To you as well." He looks to Cressidha. "Not that I've heard, only to fortify the embattlement here."
[Caspis]: We delivered the urgent message, yes? Were there further orders?
[Ben]: What'll you have, Azizia?
Ben finds a bottle of whiskey. "Whiskey?"
[Azizia]: Strongest thing behind bar!
[Azizia]: But not you.
Ben does not actually wait for further requests. He lines up some glasses on the bar and sloshes them full of whiskey. He grins at Azizia and slides one out to her.
Paluuva places a hand on Azizia's shoulder. "It is good to see you, Zizi."
[Lena]: I could take a whiskey. *Lena steps over to the bar.*
[Azizia]: It is good to see you too, Professor Paluuva! I hope you have been well!
[Atley]: Caspis, have a snort of whiskey, will you.
Caspis blinks.
[Caspis]: Yes, sir.
Caspis peers at the whiskey wit obvious concern.
[Ben]: … it's a figure of speech. Don't, uh —
Ben eyes Caspis a little anxiously.
Atley stomps forward to accept his glass. "Aye. S'not for the nose."
Lena grabs one of the sloshed glasses and holds it up. "A toast? To reunions?"
[Cressidha]: Ah…
[Atley]: I'll toast to it.
Azizia gets up. "Well I guess it is not time to sit."
[Ben]: Oh, uh. Miss Cressidha. There's — you want me to see if there's wine?
[Atley]: Aspenwoods? Thirsty?
Caspis watches the others carefully for cues.
Ben rummages some more.
Atley moves slowly to demonstrate for Caspis.
Azizia stands next to Paluuva, smiling at her briefly.
[Cressidha]: No, thank you.
Aspenwood abstains from the alcohol. "No, thank you," he says politely.
Aspenwood says it in unison with Cressidha. It doesn't sound creepy or anything.
[Ben]: Okay.
Caspis follows Atley's lead. As usual.
Atley grunts.
Ben picks up a glass of his own. "To Cobalt Company. An' reunions."
Cressidha raises one of her bottles of conjured water.
Lena reaches hers out to symbolically clink with Ben's.
Ben symbolically clinks with Lena.
Atley raises his drink. "Here, here."
Caspis raises his drink and repeats after Atley.
[Cressidha]: Cheers.
Aspenwood raises his bottle of water in the toast.
Ben grins at the assembled group with goofy benevolence, and then throws back his drink. He squints. "Yeah, nice."
Ralaea moves over to stand behind the Aspenwoods. She doesn't say anything, just sort of hangs out over there.
Aspenwood glances mildly over his shoulder at Ralaea.
Cressidha looks behind her, peering at Hiding Rae. She smiles.
Lena drinks her whiskey in one gulp.
Atley knocks his head back and pours the shot down with a small grunt.
Caspis follows Dane's example, then coughs and sputters.
[Caspis]: Bloody hell!
Ben blinks at Caspis.
Atley growls with amusement and smacks Caspis' shoulder, hard.
Ben looks from Caspis to Atley. Weird echo in here.
[Atley]: Aye, there you are. That'll put a bit of hair on that chest.
Caspis looks down at his leather-covered chest.
Lena looks in concern at the night elf.
Atley growls with laughter at Caspis, smacking him a few more times.
Caspis … smiles, slightly at Dane.
Azizia downs the shot, slamming the glass on the bar. Was she trying to break it? Who knows. Regardless, she would have failed at that.
[Atley]: So then. Wot'd you say you'd been summoned here for?
[Azizia]: To bring us more to drink.
Cressidha drinks some water.
[Azizia]: Give me other one. *She slides the glass at Ben.*
Paluuva beams happily at the gathering, quietly observing from the background.
[Ben]: To give Wyrmbane a message. Turns out he already got it, though.
Ben shrugs and pours another for Azizia.
Atley squints.
[Atley]: Somming' about traitors?
Atley sets his empty glass down on the counter, licking his lips.
[Lena]: You all too? Cultist folks sneaking about?
Cressidha traces a water-conjuring sigil in the air and offers Ralaea a fresh bottle of water.
Ben blinks up from the bar to Dane. "That's right, yeah."
[Atley]: Mm. Seems we've traced it back to the source. Ought to go a good way uprooting it.
Aiseia picks up her glass, pounds the counter three times, and knocks back the shot. "Hoo!"
[Aiseia]: I didn't get acquainted with that one. Is there another?
Ben grins at Ace and leans over to pour her another.
Aiseia lifts the glass and nods at Ben. "Thanks."
Aspenwood steps to the side to stand more next to Ralaea and less in front of her.
Ralaea accepts the water with a murmured, "Thanks," and sips at it slowly.
Cressidha lowers her voice. "Are you all right?"
Ralaea nods a little. "Some… things to sort out," she mumbles. "I was trying to avoid someone, which is why I'm… dressed like this."
[Cressidha]: I see. I shall not draw attention to you, then. But it is good to see you.
Aspenwood nods at Ralaea.
[Ralaea]: You too. I was… I mean I… miss working with you.
Azizia drinks her second shot in one go, slamming the glass again on the bar.
Atley side-eyes Azizia and nods in approval.
Ben gestures inquiringly with the bottle at Dane's glass.
Caspis gives Ben a pleading look.
Ben pours Caspis another shot. Is that what he was pleading for? Sure it was.
[Lena]: Um, sir, if you're not used to it, you might not ought to drink a lot of them.
Caspis looks to Atley.
[Azizia]: I take it.
Azizia goes to take Caspis's glass.
Atley growls out the corner of his mouth and reaches for Caspis' glass.
[Atley]: Wager I can take this one. We'll break you in slowly, later on, Caspis.
[Caspis]: Yes, sir.
Azizia begins a staring contest with Dane.
Atley looks at Azizia and maintains eye contact as he takes the shot.
Azizia leans backward. Rude.
[Ben]: Here, Azizia. *Ben breaks the standoff by refilling Azizia's non-broken glass.*
The sound of heavy wings beating the air precedes a wooshing of wind gusting through the front door and a heavy thudding outside. After it subsides, a diminutive figure in a pointy hat steps into the inn.
Cressidha moves in between Rae and the door.
[Lena]: Oh my goodness! Gwenivene?
Aspenwood glances at the sound. "Miss Whittle. Good afternoon."
[Gwenivene]: You're here! Oh gooood good good!
Atley frowns and spins around, looking to Gwen.
Ben blinks and sets the whiskey bottle down, prepared to dodge out from behind the bar at the appearance of any Authority. He wasn't doin' nothi– oh, it's Gwen.
[Ben]: Hey! Miz Whittle!
[Azizia]: Oh, I remember you!
Cressidha is already smiling, and it brightens further when she recognizes Gwen.
[Cressidha]: Gwenivene, good afternoon.
Ralaea 's hand travels idly to her bag upon seeing Gwen.
[Atley]: Bloody hell.
Aiseia smiles. More people in Company tabards!
[Lena]: I haven't seen you in over a year, I think.
Atley grunts in greeting, faintly tilting his head. He sets the empty glass down behind him.
Caspis peers at Gwen with no recognition. Even if he has met her IC.
[Gwenivene]: Oh my gosh, look at you all! I can't believe… *sniffles*…IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU!
Ben grins at Gwenivene.
Aspenwood digs into a bag rather quickly, removing a handkerchief, and holds it out in offer to Gwen.
[Atley]: You look well. We'd all only just arrived here.
Aiseia murmurs, "Never seen so many of us together at once!" And then, after, her grin falters a bit.
Gwenivene takes the hankie with a grateful smile, and blows into it with a loud PTTHTPHTHTHTPHT!
Aspenwood smiles faintly back at Gwen.
[Ben]: You workin' with the Legion now? Uh, the 7th one, that is?
Caspis peers at Gwen in concern.
Atley grunts.
[Gwenivene]: Heh… um… hm? The Legion? Oh, cheese and crackers, no! Wouldn't that be something? I'm with the Kirin Tor! Actually, that's why I'm here.
Gwenivene points proudly to the big Violet Citadel symbol on her tabard.
Aspenwood inclines his head politely to Gwen's symbol, but he keeps his eyes on her face politely.
Ben surveys the Violet Citadel symbol. He has no idea what it is, but he looks suitably impressed.
[Lena]: Oh, the Kirin Tor! All that dragon business?
[Cressidha]: Ah, yes. Is there any news?
Atley digs around in his belt for a scrap of jerky. He takes to chewing on it, working his square jaw with each bite.
[Gwenivene]: Well, yes actually! Great news! Well, maybe just good news… but great news compared to all the really cruddy news lately.
[Cressidha]: Oh?
[Lena]: Oh, really? Something with the stabilizing work?
Atley grunts inquisitively as he eats.
Azizia goes back to sitting at a table.
Caspis is all ears now. Because… ears.
Ben steps up to join the crowd, then steps aside to make way for Ace. She is short. Stand in front, tiny dwarf.
Aiseia scoots through.
Caspis listens intently to Gwenivene.
Aspenwood glances back as Ace gets closer and then steps to the side.
Caspis is fine in the back.
[Gwenivene]: Yeah! It's been going well! In fact… gosh, I'm just havin' kittens about this… we've got stable portals in Dalaran!
[Aiseia]: Oooh.
Atley blinks slowly and looks off to his left.
[Aspenwood]: That is good news.
[Cressidha]: Oh!
Lena 's mouth drops open.
[Lena]: Stable? To… to where?
Atley grunts at Lena's question.
[Gwenivene]: Everywhere! Well… to the major ley line conjuctions. We've managed to stabilize Dalaran's own conjuction and turn it into a stable hub.
Ben has no idea what any of that means. He nods respectfully. Much wow, very gosh.
Azizia looks absolutely confused. Half these words do not mean anything to her.
[Caspis]: Will Cobalt Company be allowed to use them?
[Atley]: Do you mean we've passage back home…?
[Aiseia]: That means we can go home?
Aiseia doesn't look as smiley as she did before.
[Cressidha]: Very well done, Gwenivene.
[Gwenivene]: WE HAVE PLUCKING PASSAGE BACK HOME!
Caspis exhales in audible relief.
Gwenivene giggles!
[Azizia]: Oh!
[Ben]: Oh, sh*t!
[Gwenivene]: Oh, shinbones is right!
Ben did not say shinbones.
Aspenwood inclines his head to Gwen. "That is good to hear."
[Caspis]: *to himself, with quiet longing* Tirenda…
Atley sighs, as well. "Ivri'll be thrilled."
[Lena]: Oh, that's amazing. I could go see May.
Ralaea does not look as excited as most everyone else.
[Gwenivene]: It was no easy feat, lemme tell you.
[Lena]: I believe you, I helped with some of the testing, last week.
Aspenwood looks at Lena at that, brows raised slightly.
Lena notes Colson's look and shrugs with a little smile.
Aspenwood smiles faintly back. She seems fine, after all. Probably.
[Azizia]: I wonder if stores I like in Stormwind have new purchases for me!
[Aiseia]: Well! That's good! And I guess we're… going on leave?
[Lena]: It did say something like that, in the letter.
Atley grunts.
[Gwenivene]: What's more, personal telemancy to Dalaran has proven consistently safe…within Northrend. I do not recommend trying it from southern Azeroth yet.
Atley squints. "You'd have us only return here by hearthstone?"
Ben looks impressed that Mr. Atley understood that.
[Caspis]: And only from Northrend. We must take a ship back?
Aiseia nods. "Okay. Don't think I know what personal telemancy even is, though."
Atley squints back and forth between Caspis and Gwenivene.
[Lena]: So we can portal to Stormwind, but only our hearthstones will bring us back?
[Gwenivene]: Oh… telemancy just means like portal magic. Teleporting and portals and stuff. But that includes hearthstones. I wouldn't risk it. But we're working on that.
Caspis is trying very hard to follow all this magic nonsense.
Ben ktf, bro. He steps closer to Caspis.
Caspis studies Ben.
[Azizia]: So if we leave, we do not come back?
Atley grunts slowly, and nods to Azizia.
[Azizia]: Or with other boat?
[Aiseia]: So we can — yeah.
[Aspenwood]: Except by ship. I see.
[Gwenivene]: Well, you can. Just… y'know… come by ship. Because coming by ley line? Probably not a good idea just now.
Azizia lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
[Aiseia]: So if you have something to do here that means you don't have much time to be home before you have to sail again…
Ben nods slowly.
[Caspis]: We have a brief… leave, yes? To return home and sail back?
[Caspis]: I would like to see my daughter.
[Lena]: It's usually a few weeks, the leave. So… instant travel and then a boat back.
[Atley]: A boat back to Northrend from the kingdoms?
[Lena]: They've been back and forth regular.
[Atley]: Aye, and I've been grateful to've not been any of them.
[Atley]: And Dalaran. Is it secured? Besieged?
[Gwenivene]: Dalaran is very secure.
Gwenivene grins giddily. "Wanna see…?"
[Ben]: Wanna s– for serious? See?
Aiseia stands up a little straighter.
[Cressidha]: Are you inviting us to Dalaran, m– Gwenivene?
[Gwenivene]: Yes for serious! I'm here to take you there! The Council actually asked me to bring Cobalt Company to Dalaran now that we've opened the doors.
Aspenwood looks mildly at Gwen.
Atley shakes his head and looks back to Gwen.
[Aiseia]: A portal to Dalaran? LET'S GOOOO!
Caspis blinks.
Caspis blinks again. Even he has heard of Dalaran.
[Cressidha]: Goodness.
[Atley]: City of wizards.
Atley growls.
[Azizia]: Miss Gwenivene?
[Lena]: This'll be wild. Last I knew Dalaran it was… a different world.
Ben is jittering in place like a dude waiting outside Best Buy on Black Friday morning.
[Atley]: Only been to it once, many years ago.
[Gwenivene]: So, anyone need to grab anything before we go?
[Azizia]: No.
[Ben]: I never been. Can we — hold up, can we get to the uh — back to other places in Northrend from there?
[Ben]: Cos I got, y'know. A wife in Howling Fjord.
[Atley]: Aye.
Atley gestures to Ben.
[Aiseia]: I bet there's a gryphon.
[Gwenivene]: Yeah! We've got gryphons!
[Ben]: Okay. Just checkin'.
Cressidha glances at the door. "Ah… well, I'm sure he's fine," she says quietly.
[Azizia]: Then, even more no.
[Aiseia]: Well okay then!
[Gwenivene]: Just wait 'til you see the view.
[Caspis]: I am ready.
Aiseia is bouncing on her toes like that will make it go faster.
[Aspenwood]: Our hearthstones in Northrend have been stable so far. Will they be so from Dalaran?
[Gwenivene]: Your hearthstones will work perfectly in Dalaran.
Aspenwood nods to Gwen. He's ready then.
[Gwenivene]: Okay… everyone ready?
[Cressidha]: Yes.
[Ben]: Hell yeah.
[Aspenwood]: Yes.
Atley nods once.
Caspis lets Gwenivene know that he is ready!
[Aiseia]: You bet!
Azizia stands behind Gwen, ready.
Cressidha beckons to Ralaea.
Ralaea looks hesitant at the idea of portals, but steps closer to Cress.
Ben glances over at Rae. He smiles reassuringly, and then looks back to Gwen.
Atley gives Caspis a firm clasp on the shoulder.
Gwenivene takes out a portal stone, tossing it into the air where it hovers as she gestures in a circular motion, drawing a portal in the air. The stone shatters, the fragments spreading out and rending space to reveal the image of a magnificent city beyond.
Lena looks at the portal a little nervously, but smiles at Gwen.
Cressidha offers Rae her arm politely, like she's offering to escort her through.
[Cressidha]: Shall we?
Aspenwood closes his eyes in preparation to step through the portal.
[Aiseia]: Ohh.
Ben stares in awe at the city view, and steps into the portal as if summoned in a trance.
[Atley]: On we go, then.
Atley stomps inside after Ben.
Lena just stands on the portal platform, looking at the beautiful windows.
[Caspis]: Caspis follows Atley through, then staggers slightly.
[Aspenwood]: Colson keeps his eyes closed a moment longer after he steps through.
[Atley]: Atley raises a hand to stabilize Caspis as he himself shakes his own head, looking up.
[Ralaea]: Ralaea takes a deep breath, then steps through.
[Azizia]: Azizia steps out immediately.
[Cressidha]: Cressidha follows behind Ralaea.
[Atley]: "Azizia! Hold fast!"
[Azizia]: "What? Why?"
[Atley]: "Gwenivene is our guide here."
[Azizia]: Azizia comes back.
[Gwenivene]: "Welcome to Dalaran!"
[Aiseia]: Oh Light! Look at that, it's gorgeous!
[Caspis]: Caspis seems to wait for a cue from Atley.
[Ben]: Ben gazes around in awe at the stained glass.
[Ben]: "Is that… a eyeball?"
[Ben]: Ben peers at the window, disconcerted.
[Aspenwood]: Colson turns to look where Ben's indicating. "Ah, so it would seem."
[Lena]: "Maybe it's meant to be violet."
[Caspis]: Caspis locks gazes with the eyeball.
[Cressidha]: "We'll want to move off the inbound platform, though," Cressidha points out.
[Ben]: "Oh. Right."
[Gwenivene]: "Come, come!"
[Azizia]: Azizia looks at the stained glass. "Eh. Better glass in Exodar. And we walk on it."
[Aiseia]: "The fountain!"
[Ralaea]: Ralaea sticks close to Cressidha.
[Atley]: Dane looks up and lifts his brows. "Fackin' hell…"
[Gwenivene]: "This is Runeweaver Square, right at the heart of Dalaran."
[Caspis]: Caspis looks overwhelmed.
[Ben]: Ben cranes his neck, gaping first at the fountain and then at the surrounding spires.
[Aiseia]: Ace cranes her head back to look at the three maidens at the top.
[Ralaea]: Ralaea stares up at the fountain. "It's moving."
[Aspenwood]: Colson seems as mild as ever, but he's looking around with what might be interest in the plants.
[Azizia]: "Yes, yes, very good, pretty square with beautiful fountain. Do you knew where is district for shopping?" Azizia asks, impatiently.
[Caspis]: "I see Highborne influence in this architecture…"
[Atley]: Atley shoots Azizia a look. "Steady."
[Aiseia]: "Oh, the Tower! Look at that!"
[Ben]: Ben gives Azizia a quelling look.
[Gwenivene]: Gwen giggles at Azizia. "There's shops all over!"
[Azizia]: Azizia is just about to roll her eyes at Dane and Ben's reaction but instead claps her hands excitedly. "All over?!"
[Gwenivene]: "I'm guessin' you'll want to see the flight master right off?"
[Cressidha]: Cressidha gives Dalaran a cursory look-around and then focuses more on her companions. She seems to be trying to keep an eye on both Ralaea and Caspis.
[Aiseia]: "This is something else! Let's register with the flight master, yes."
[Ben]: "Oh, yes'm. Flight paths." Ben tears his gaze reluctantly from the towers.
[Lena]: "It doesn't feel like we're still in Northrend."
[Atley]: Atley grunts and nods. "Gwen, why's it so warm here? Lena's right."
[Gwenivene]: "Oh, the weather in Dalaran is all carefully controlled."
[Aspenwood]: Colson looks up, and makes a faint 'hm' sound at the purple tinted sky.
[Aiseia]: "Whoa."
[Caspis]: Caspis makes a low growling sound at talk of controlling the weather.
[Atley]: "How's the city so intact? I'd expected somming' more ruinous."
[Gwenivene]: "Um… we rebuilt it."
[Atley]: Atley moves to speak before he frowns and closes his mouth, accepting that answer.
[Ben]: "An' where is it? So this is still Northre– I mean." Ben squints at the sky and then all around them
[Gwenivene]: "Straight ahead is the Violet Hold, where we incarcerate the most dangerous magical prisoners."
[Atley]: "Arcatraz of Azeroth or somming'."
[Ben]: "Oh. Uh." Ben regards the magical prison with polite interest.
[Atley]: Atley admires the integrity of the prison's walls.
[Aiseia]: "All right. Not going in there."
[Lena]: "Oh, I bet we are. Remember what happened with Arcatraz."
[Atley]: Atley scoffs dryly at Lena with amusement.
[Aiseia]: "You had to say it, didn't you."
[Ralaea]: Ralaea stares at the prison. "You keep them… here? Is that safe?"
[Azizia]: Azizia nods at Rae.
[Cressidha]: Cressidha also looks warily at the prison.
[Gwenivene]: "This way to Krasus' Landing!"
Way to dodge the question, Miss Whittle.
[Aspenwood]: Colson makes a faint frown at the prison, but goes onward.
[Azizia]: Azizia stops to speak with the flower vendor.
[Gwenivene]: "As you can see, shops and vendors all over."
[Lena]: Lena nearly wanders off looking at a sign, but then follows the group.
[Atley]: "It's civilized. Nearly how t'was in years past."
[Lena]: "After what happened, I never would've thought it'd be so pretty…"
[Azizia]: Azizia sighs, seeing the group leaving and runs to catch up with them.
[Ben]: Ben is still gawping at everything, only managing by barest accident not to walk into either Atley or Caspis.
[Atley]: Atley glares at the Horde.
[Atley]: "Horde have access as well, do they?"
[Caspis]: Caspis narrows his eyes at the high elf.
[Aiseia]: Ace stops. "Wait."
[Azizia]: "What is it?" Azizia asks Ace.
[Ben]: Ben glances back at Ace.
[Gwenivene]: "Master Whitecloud? This is Cobalt Company."
[Caspis]: Cas just glares at Whitecloud.
[Gwenivene]: "They've all been approved for flight clearance with the Council. If you would…pretty please?"
[Cressidha]: Cressidha gets out her passport to have it updated, waiting her turn in line politely.
[Aspenwood]: Colson politely goes to update his passport from the Helf Flight Master, looking over at Ace.
[Caspis]: Caspis just follows Atley's lead. As always.
[Aiseia]: "Wait a minute hold on wait just a–are we… where are we? Why's that mountain look weird? are we on a mountain too?"
[Ben]: Ben turns to squint toward the mountain.
[Azizia]: "Uh," Azizia says. "I have no idea."
[Gwenivene]: Gwen grins. "Not on a mountain… but near some mountains!"
[Azizia]: "Near mountains?"
[Lena]: "On… a plateau?"
[Atley]: Atley nods to Lena.
[Aiseia]: "Why are we so high if we're not on a —”
[Aiseia]: Ace gulps.
[Caspis]: Caspis looks around, clearly disoriented.
[Ben]: "Can't see over the wall," Ben reports. He also looks a little disconcerted.
[Aiseia]: Ace looks over at Ben with the WHAT IN HECK eyes.
[Atley]: Dane looks to Gwen. "…Gwen. Where the hell are we."
[Cressidha]: Cressidha moves out of the way once she's updated her passport. She stays near Ralaea, looking around. "Where is Dalaran currently located, geographically?"
[Gwenivene]: "Um… I think about 2,000 feet above Crystalsong Forest?"
[Caspis]: Caspis buh-links.
[Aspenwood]: Colson's brows raise slightly. "I see."
[Atley]: Atley's glare remains. "We're floating."
[Lena]: Lena's eyes go wide. "Above… like… hovering?"
[Azizia]: "You are making fools of us," Azizia says, frowning, shaking her head. "If city really is flying, it would be moving all time like Genedar. Not just staying in place."
[Aiseia]: Ace stares.
[Ben]: "Uh."
[Ralaea]: Ralaea's eyes widen. "This isn't safe. I don't like this. I'm ready to get down now?"
[Atley]: Atley raises a hand and hones in on Gwen. "We've your word it's stable?"
[Gwenivene]: "Technically, we're just in a state of fluctuating hypermaterial buoyancy. But… sure, we're floating."
[Aiseia]: "Hypermaterial what now?"
[Ben]: Ben stares at the pavement beneath his feet and sort of braces himself as though on the deck of a ship, preparing for it to roll.
[Caspis]: Caspis looks at Atley like he's pleading with him to demand the city be returned to earth.
[Azizia]: Azizia shakes her head, not believing a word Gwen is saying, even those she does not understand.
[Cressidha]: Cressidha puts a hand gently on Ralaea's shoulder. "You're quite safe here. If you feel any instability, stay near me, I can ensure your fall is not a rapid one."
[Aspenwood]: Colson steps a little closer to Ralaea.
[Gwenivene]: Gwen beams. "Trust me, it's perfectly safe."
[Atley]: Atley briefly looks to Caspis and then Gwen. "Is it going to toss and turn with the wind? Or move about? I'm not bringing my pregnant wife to a sleeping meteorite."
[Azizia]: "I will check," Azizia goes to climb one of the walls.
[Atley]: Atley watches Azizia, curious.
[Azizia]: Azizia fails at climbing the walls.
[Caspis]: Cas watches Azizia fail.
[Aiseia]: "Oh sure! perfectly safe, this however many thousand tons of city just acting like it's a cloud!"
[Caspis]: Caspis gives Aiseia a look of profound mutual understanding.
[Aiseia]: Ace looks back. Bros.
[Lena]: "Well, on the upside, nobody turned inside out coming through the portal! So you all clearly know what you're doing, and probably on the floating business too."
[Azizia]: "I need help to climb!" Azizia says angrily at the group, as if it was their fault she failed.
[Aspenwood]: Colson looks mildly at Azizia. "I expect it will be easier to see by gryphon."
[Gwenivene]: Gwen shakes her head to Dane. "No, of course not. I mean, yes, the wind does affect the city a little. But we can't feel it. Like I said, fluctuating hypermaterial." She stares at him like that completely explained everything.
[Atley]: Atley just deadpans Gwen for a moment…
[Atley]: "Very well then. I trust it, if you do."
[Ralaea]: "Is there a weight limit…?"
[Atley]: He does side-eye Ralaea, curious about her inquiry.
[Gwenivene]: "Weight limit? No…I mean…okay you couldn't like, land several full grown dragons and a bunch of airships on it. Then it might tilt a bit. Maybe. But no…there's really no practical weight limit."
[Ben]: Ben raises his hand.
[Cressidha]: "Yes, Ben?" Cressidha isn't Gwen, but she calls on him anyway.
[Caspis]: Caspis wanders over to Azizia. "Would you like me to help?"
[Azizia]: "Yes! Perfect! Turn into bear and make me stand on back of yours so I can see!" Azizia expains her perfect plan.
[Caspis]: "As you wish."
[Caspis]: Caspis obediently turns into a bear.
[Ben]: "Can you, uh, explain hyperlating fuckt– uh, the thing Miz Whittle said in, like, very small Common words?"
[Atley]: Atley abruptly growls with amusement at Ben's vernacular.
[Aiseia]: Ace turns in a circle. No one else looks at all concerned by all this hypermaterial tomfoolery.
[Caspis]: Cas would, if he were not a bear.
[Aspenwood]: Colson doesn't look like a lot makes him really look concerned.
[Ralaea]: Ralaea eyes the tauren warily. Those have to be as heavy as a dragon, right?
[Azizia]: Azizia uses Caspis as a stepping stool to climb the Dalaran wall, checking if the city really is floating.
[Atley]: Atley keeps an eye on Azizia and Caspis, like a father watching children on a picnic.
[Cressidha]: "Small words? Very well…" Cressidha considers this.
[Gwenivene]: "Anyway, shall we continue the tour? There's lots to see!"
[Ben]: Ben turns to follow Gwen, but hangs near Cressidha attentively.
[Cressidha]: "The city is safe because the things supporting the city keep it from moving."
[Azizia]: Azizia gets back down from the wall, silently walking towards the group.
[Azizia]: The draenei looks pale.
[Atley]: Atley glances over his shoulder and waits for Caspis and Azizia.
[Cressidha]: "It's like an anchor for a boat. The city is anchored."
[Aiseia]: "Anchored."
[Ben]: "What… things, though? She said it's in the — it's anchored? Okay. But. Up?"
[Ben]: Ben considers this for a while.
[Atley]: "Well…You see it?" he asks Azizia.
[Caspis]: Caspis falls back in line behind Dane. He is no longer a bear.
[Azizia]: "City floats."
[Atley]: He grunts, and sighs. "City floats…"
[Azizia]: "Thank you for help, Mr. Caspis." she says, staring straight ahead. Trying to forget what she just saw.
[Caspis]: "I am happy to help, Azizia."
[Lena]: "It feels safe enough, in here."
[Atley]: "Aye. And Horde. They're given equal quarter here?"
[Aiseia]: "Looks like it. So long as they don't start anything, there won't be anything."
[Gwenivene]: "Oh yeah. Horde and Alliance. But everyone has to play nice."
[Gwenivene]: "I'll show you where the Horde have their own space."
[Ben]: "Captain Jo said air is a liquid," Ben muses quietly to himself. "So if we are floatin', and anchored…. Okay. Okay." He nods firmly. City boat. Got it.
[Aiseia]: Ace cocks her head. "It's a boat? a skyboat. But it stays here."
[Ben]: Ben nods solemnly at Ace. You got it now, bro.
[Aiseia]: Ace nods back. "Okay. It's a boat. Got it."
[Gwenivene]: "Oh, before I forget…"
[Gwenivene]: Gwen points to the gaping tunnel. "That leads down to the sewers. Um… it's weird down there. I don't recommend it."
[Caspis]: "…Weird?"
[Aspenwood]: Colson doesn't look like he regularly checks out sewers but he nods at Gwen. "I see."
[Azizia]: "Why did you go to se–" Azizia throws her hands up in the air. "Nevermind."
[Atley]: "Do the sewers just empty out over the landscape…?"
[Gwenivene]: Gwen gives Dane a bit of a guilty expression, but doesn't answer.
[Atley]: He grunts.
[Gwenivene]: "So, yeah… um… imagine all the runoff from a bunch of magical experiments all mixing together."
[Caspis]: "I can imagine this all too well."
[Gwenivene]: "We do stuff to neutralize any issues, but… I don't think it always works."
[Caspis]: "I am shocked. Shocked."
[Caspis]: Caspis says to Gwen.
[Caspis]: Caspis did not sound shocked. As one who watched mages destroy the world might not.
[Cressidha]: Cressidha frowns faintly.
[Gwenivene]: "Me too!"
[Atley]: Atley tongues the inside of his cheek as he frowns at Gwen. "This is likely the safest city on the planet, innit'."
[Ralaea]: "Avoid sewers." Ralaea crosses her arms. "Don't have to tell me twice."
[Aspenwood]: "Hm."
[Lena]: Lena does not seem inclined to head down into the sewers either.
[Gwenivene]: Gwen nods solemnly to Dane. "Totally safe. One hundred an twenty seven percent."
[Atley]: He looks to the ground. "Off the ground means further from the rotters."
[Aspenwood]: Colson raises an Aspenwood Eyebrow at that over 100%.
[Ben]: Ben raises his hand again.
Gwen is not taking questions about her math at this time.
[Atley]: "Carry on, Gwenivene. We're with you."
[Gwenivene]: "Coolest pet shop in the world to our right."
[Azizia]: Azizia checks. Every. Single. Store.
[Atley]: "Can smell Horde."
[Caspis]: Caspis continues automatically following his squad leader, almost as though it were literally automatic in some way.
[Gwenivene]: Gwen gestures to the Horde sanctuary. It speaks for itself.
[Atley]: "They keep to themselves in there, do they?"
[Lena]: Lena glances at the blood elves. "They don't look as friendly as the Scryers were."
[Azizia]: Azizia isn't looking at the horde sanctuary. "Barber shop ahead! I recognize spinny thing!"
[Ben]: Ben has gone back to craning at the walls and towers. He's too busy gawking to devote much gawking specifically to the Horde enclave.
[Cressidha]: "Will I be permitted to learn the portal sigil for Dalaran, or will I have to earn more status here?" Cressidha asks Gwen.
[Gwenivene]: Gwen looks to Cressidha. "I don't see any reason we wouldn't teach you the sigil. Especially such an incredible sorceress like you!"
[Aspenwood]: Colson smiles gently at Cressidha.
[Cressidha]: "Then I'll be able to assist any of you in returning to this place, should Gwenivene be unavailable."
[Lena]: Lena brightens. "Is that a wine and cheese store? Just like home!"
[Azizia]: Azizia looks excited to be in a proper city.
[Atley]: Atley regularly glances back to do a head count.
[Gwenivene]: "There's one of the two city banks."
[Azizia]: "Two?!"
[Gwenivene]: "Two!"
[Ben]: "I smell a forge."
[Ben]: "There's a forge?"
[Atley]: "Mm?"
[Aiseia]: "I smell it too."
[Gwenivene]: "Lots of little park areas, too. I love just finding a cozy corner of the city to read."
[Ben]: Ben eyes the little park with some interest before he returns to peering around for the forge.
[Ralaea]: Ralaea glares at the wandering death knight.
[Cressidha]: Cressidha looks at a pastry stand.
[Aiseia]: "CAKE!"
[Aspenwood]: Colson chuckles quietly, reaching out to set a hand on Cressidha's shoulder briefly.
[Cressidha]: Cressidha smiles faintly at her brother.
[Atley]: Atley peers down into the well.
[Azizia]: Azizia looks teary-eyed. No one has ever seen so much emotion on her face. At least… emotions that aren't anger.
[Aiseia]: Ace returns with two chocolate cakes.
[Ben]: Ben grins at Ace.
[Aspenwood]: Colson raises his brows in question to Cressidha. They're right here. They're almost off duty.
[Caspis]: "Where are the portals home?"
[Gwenivene]: "Oh, we're getting there, Mr. Caspis. They're in the Silver Enclave. That's the Alliance sanctuary."
[Caspis]: "I would very much like to see my daughter again."
[Cressidha]: "Are we…" Well, Ace did it. Cressidha clears her throat, but Gwen moves on, and so Cressidha turns away from the pastry stand. "Never mind."
[Gwenivene]: "Up ahead is the Magus Commerce Exchange. Lots of tradesmen shops in that district."
[Caspis]: Caspis looks restless, but remains obediently behind Atley.
[Azizia]: Azizia extends her arms and spins around. Maybe it's the whiskey talking, maybe it's not.
[Atley]: "S'that forge at, then."
[Aiseia]: "We need somewhere to eat these."
[Ben]: Ben glances over to Cressidha and mutters from the side of his mouth, "I'm comin' back to get Mizzy somethin'. You can come."
[Cressidha]: Cressidha smiles faintly at Ben.
[Aspenwood]: Colson smiles gently at Ben.
[Gwenivene]: "Oh! Oh! This is the Legerdemain Lounge. Real fancy restaurant kinda tavern."
[Lena]: Lena nods at the restaurant.
[Atley]: "Is there lodging?"
[Azizia]: Azizia looks extremely excited at the site of a fancy restaurant. She does not notice the orc lurking.
[Gwenivene]: "But… you tend to get the Horde types wandering in since it's so close to Sunreavers' Sanctuary. So, a lot of Alliance folks prefer the Hero’s Welcome."
[Ben]: Ben eyes the fancy tavern with interest.
[Atley]: Atley nods crisply and gratefully at Gwen.
[Azizia]: Azizia brings a hand to her mouth as she looks inside. She really is about to cry.
[Gwenivene]: "Now… up ahead…" Gwen quivers… almost hyperventilating…
[Caspis]: Caspis looks at Gwen in concern.
[Aiseia]: "Hey, pretty! There's more to see!"
[Azizia]: Azizia has to look for the group until Ace calls to her. "Thank you!"
[Gwenivene]: "This is IT."
[Ben]: Ben gazes up the stairs.
[Caspis]: Caspis may be more concerned by Gwen than for her, if we're being honest.
[Cressidha]: Cressidha looks up at IT.
[Atley]: Atley glances up at IT, still glaring.
[Lena]: Lena looks up at the tower with something like awe.
[Ralaea]: "It's a tower."
[Ben]: "F*cken huge tower."
[Gwenivene]: "A tow– it's the Violet Citadel!"
[Ben]: "… oh."
[Atley]: Atley growls. "I'll be damned. T'has survived…"
[Aiseia]: "Oh heck! Even I know what that is!"
[Ralaea]: "It looks like a tower, though."
[Aspenwood]: Colson looks at it with the same mild expression as always. It's hard to tell if he's impressed or not. Maybe?
[Azizia]: "And what do they make?!"
[Azizia]: "Jewelry? Clothes?"
[Gwenivene]: "Make? This is the seat of government for the Kirin Tor. It's where the Council of Six guide us. Where our greatest arcane lore is stored. It's the beating heart of Dalaran!"
[Atley]: Atley grunts. "They oversee the city defenses?"
[Caspis]: Caspis looks at it like he wants to rip out its beating heart.
[Ben]: Ben squints at the Violet Citadel. Huh.
[Azizia]: "Oh." Azizia looks disappointed. She turns around and looks at more. stores. instead. All the stores.
[Caspis]: Caspis looks very much like someone who may have ripped out a few beating hearts in his time. Maybe with his teeth.
[Atley]: Atley knowingly clasps Caspis on the shoulder, patting him a few times.
[Ralaea]: "Does it… really beat?" Ralaea stares at it.
[Cressidha]: "I don't believe so."
[Ben]: "I think it is a metaphor, Rae," Ben murmurs.
[Ralaea]: Ralaea shrugs at Ben. "Magic. You never know."
[Ben]: Ben nods at Rae. Fair.
[Cressidha]: Cressidha looks over at what might be a shapeshifted druid in Tree of Life form selling fruit at a stand. Or maybe it's just some other sort of sentient tree.
[Aiseia]: "The lime-washed walls are real nice."
[Gwenivene]: Gwen sighs at Azizia, but still smiling she points to a store behind her. "That place makes some really cool magical gadgets and toys. And the Threads of Fate next to it has some gorgeous fashions."
[Cressidha]: "Threads of Fate," Cressidha mutters to herself. Noted.
[Azizia]: Azizia squeals. She runs to Threads of Fate.
[Aiseia]: "Uh oh, she made a break for it."
[Aspenwood]: Colson watches Azizia with a faint expression. "Ah."
[Atley]: Atley deadpans Threads of Fate.
[Cressidha]: Cressidha takes a small step in Azizia's direction. "I'll just…"
[Aiseia]: "Should we give her a minute before we fetch her out?"
[Atley]: "…A moment."
[Atley]: "Azizia, come out f'there. We've still more of the city to see."
[Azizia]: Azizia is wearing a new top. "What do you think?! It is very pretty, right?!"
[Atley]: Atley squints at Azizia in amazement. "…How."
[Cressidha]: Cressidha nods to her. "Indeed. That was quite fast."
[Caspis]: Caspis admires Azizia's new top. We hope that's what he's admiring, anyway.
[Aiseia]: "Did you already buy a new top? It's cute!"
[Aspenwood]: Colson might be impressed. It's hard to tell.
[Ben]: Ben admires Azizia's new top Respectfully.
[Atley]: "We can come back here and shop to your heart's content when there's not the rest of us, Azizia. Gwen's still more to show us."
[Azizia]: "I buy this! And maybe some more, but I come back later!" She's fully crying tears of joy, now.
[Atley]: "Take the top with you if you've paid for it."
[Ben]: Ben steps over to consider a shirt on a rack, checks the price tag, whistles and steps hastily back.
[Cressidha]: Cressidha tears herself away from the store. "Who will I speak to in order to learn the portal sigil, Gwenivene?"
[Atley]: Atley does another quiet headcount, using his fingers.
[Caspis]: One of Cas's ears has begun to twitch spasmodically.
[Gwenivene]: Gwen points down the road. "See the sign there? That's the Hero's Welcome, the other tavern I mentioned."
[Aspenwood]: Colson politely takes note.
[Atley]: Atley grunts. "Alliance only?"
[Gwenivene]: "Not…exclusively? But you don't tend to see a lot of Horde there."
Ed. note: Gwen, who does not occupy herself with worldly political concerns, is unaware that the Hero’s Welcome is, in fact, the Alliance inn.
[Aiseia]: "That's the place, then."
[Ben]: Ben squints at the sign and nods. "They got lodgin'?"
[Atley]: Atley grumbles before he looks to Ben.
[Gwenivene]: "Um…I don't think they have lodging there, now that I think about it. The Legedermain does."
[Gwenivene]: "But they might."
They do.
[Aiseia]: "Come onnnn."
[Azizia]: Azizia isn't listening to the tour anymore. She has her hands around her arms, stroking the sleeves of her new top. Not armor. Just fashion.
[Gwenivene]: "But here. This is what you came to see."
[Atley]: Atley turns back to Gwen and seems appeased.
[Gwenivene]: "This is the Silver Enclave."
[Atley]: "Mm. No greenskin smell."
[Caspis]: Cas glares at the statues. At everything.
[Gwenivene]: "Working mailbox… but most importantly… stable portals to southern Azeroth and Shattrath City."
[Aspenwood]: Colson looks immediately at the one to Stormwind, blinks, and then looks away. It might be disorienting to look at. "I see."
[Ben]: Ben surveys the row of portals wide-eyed. And then the siege engine. And the elf-lady statues.
[Aiseia]: Ace notes the portals, all in a line. "Well. There they all are. Just step through and you're there."
[Caspis]: He spots the Darnassus portal, and his eyes go wide with longing. "Sir… may I… ?"
[Atley]: Atley raises a hand.
[Atley]: "Hold fast, Blue Squad. Gwen, we can portal off Northrend, but must book a passage to return?"
[Aspenwood]: Colson holds fast. But he kinda already was.
[Caspis]: Caspis sighs. "I will have to inform Anareline, before leaving." He gazes once more longingly at the portal.
[Gwenivene]: That's right, Sir Dane! We're working on the return telemancy issue. But for now, best you book passage on ship to get back here.
[Azizia]: "Book ship back to here? I am never leaving Dalaran in first place!" Azizia scoffs, still crying.
[Aspenwood]: Colson digs into a bag for another handkerchief. It looks identical to the one Gwen was given, as he holds it out to Azizia. "Azizia?"
[Ralaea]: Ralaea almost looks ready to walk through a portal just to be off of the floating monstrosity that is Dalaran.
[Azizia]: Azizia takes the handkerchief and screams into it as if it was a pillow. It's a happy scream. She also, after that, wipe her tears with that same handkerchief.
[Aspenwood]: Colson passes a [Blessing of Might] over Azizia. There, there.
[Gwenivene]: "But once you're in Northrend you'll be safe to use your hearthstone here."
[Atley]: Atley nods and turns to Caspis.
[Atley]: "Return home if you like, my friend, but I expect to see you back here once we're reactivated."
[Caspis]: "Yes sir."
[Atley]: "Rest well and see to your daughter. You've earned it."
[Cressidha]: "Oh. I have something for Tirenda."
[Caspis]: Caspis blinks at Cressidha, clearly moved.
[Aspenwood]: Colson turns to Caspis. "If you would prefer to see your daughter more immediately, we could inform Anareline when we return, if you believe it would be sufficient notice, Caspis."
[Cressidha]: Cressidha reaches into her bag and takes out a cute little scarf made of dyed green wool, folded up neatly. She offers it to Caspis.
[Caspis]: Caspis takes the scarf in his hands for a moment, gazing at it in wonder.
[Caspis]: He then very carefully folds it and tucks it away in his bag.
[Caspis]: Caspis lays a hand very briefly, lightly, on Cressidha's hair. "Thank you, Cressidha Aspenwood."
[Cressidha]: "I, ah, don't know any of her measurements, but scarves are rather one-size-fits-all." Cressidha smiles faintly.
[Caspis]: "It is beautiful. Thank you, sister."
[Cressidha]: Cressidha looks a little startled. She smiles. "You're welcome."
[Gwenivene]: Gwen squeals excitedly. "I'm so happy you're all here at last!"
[Ben]: Ben nods absently. "I'm gonna go… see to the hearthstone at the inn. And then I ought to let Mizzy– I ought to pastries. Then Mizzy."
[Atley]: Atley nods to Gwen. "You've my thanks for the tour and transport."
[Ben]: Ben turns to smile at Gwen. "Yeah, thank you, Miz Whittle. Obliged."
[Aiseia]: Wait! I have cake!
[Gwenivene]: "Cake! Oh no! I forgot I was gonna bake a cake!"
[Ben]: "Oh, hell yes. Thanks, Ace!"
[Azizia]: Azizia devours a slice of cake. "Mr. Dane, say words."
[Atley]: "Blue Squad, dismissed. I'll be here."
[Aspenwood]: Colson nods to Dane.
[Azizia]: "YES! WORDS!" Azizia squeals again and dashes back to the store.
[Aiseia]: "All right! I'm going to set my hearthstone and…look around."
[Caspis]: Caspis… you guessed it… wanders off.
[Ralaea]: Ralaea disappears somewhere, maybe walking very quickly towards the gryphons.
[Azizia]: Azizia's screams of joy can be heard all throughout Dalaran.