(2023-09-05) An Overabundance of Joy

Details

Author:	OzmaAsimov
Summary:	Dara fills Sophiette in on the latest gossip, and the two reminisce about what used to exist between them.
Rating:	T for Teen

Chain: Light Guide Us

Dara waves at Sophiette.

Sophiette waves at Dara.

[Sophiette]: Dara!

[Dara]: The shop's just here!

[Dara]: Sophiette! *Dara giggles*

Sophiette giggles

[Sophiette]: I always love the smell of this place. It's so…strange and exotic.

[Dara]: Like all sorts of plants.

Dara waves to Morgan Pestle. "We've brought some wax from Elwynn, for your shop!"

[Sophiette]: Courtesy of your brother, the other Mr. Pestle!

Morgan Pestle says: From my brother? Splendid! Fortune shines on me today!

Morgan Pestle says: Let me pay you for that. And while you're here, don't forget to shop!

Morgan winks.

[Sophiette]: Oh, splendid. Thank you!

[Dara]: I don't think I need to buy anything today, but next time!

Dara looks down at her clothes. "Do I look alright? I thought maybe I should dress a little more practical. For the work."

Sophiette gives Dara a glowing smile of appraisal. "You look quite dapper, and your beauty radiates as always."

Dara beams at her. "You're so kind to say. And you too, of course. The armor suits you."

Sophiette grins. "Thank you."

Thomas Miller says: Freshly baked bread for sale!

[Sophiette]: Do you have anything pressing in the city?

Dara shakes her head. "I think I've handled everything I need to. Do you?"

[Sophiette]: No, just the delivery. I've got orders to report to a Guard Thomas out east.

[Dara]: Let's do that, then. As partners. *Dara nods*

Sophiette lights up, nodding eagerly. "Partners."

Dara scrunches up her face a little and whispers, "Fortitude."

Dara’s prayer imbues the both of them with fortitude.

Sophiette proclaims boldly, "Might!"

Likewise, Sophiette’s blessing grants each of them extra might.

[Dara]: Have you run into anyone, while you're in town?

[Dara]: Or did you only just arrive?

[Sophiette]: I've been in and out, really. But I can't say I've encountered anyone I know that I can recall.

[Dara]: Did you…. see the latest gossip sheet?

Dara grins a little.

[Sophiette]: Gossip sheet? Oh, gosh, do you mean that awful Moth rag? I don't read those things.

Dara laughs. "I should have guessed that. But this one was interesting!"

Dara glances to the right. "Oh, look, the fair's in town."

Sophiette sighs and chuckles. "I can tell you're dying to tell me what it said. Very well. Tell me."

[Dara]: Okay, so. I talked to Sintha while I was in Stormwind. And she said she'd help with my reputation.

[Sophiette]: Sintha Fallon?

[Dara]: Mm-hm. Do you know her well?

[Sophiette]: Not at all. But I know who she is.

[Dara]: She's the sort that everyone does, I suppose.

[Dara]: Still, she's really very kind, in her own way.

[Dara]: Oh, the guard. I'll gossip later.

[Sophiette]: Guard Thomas?

Guard Thomas says: Yes? Are you the paladin and priest team I was promised?

[Dara]: That's us! *Dara says brightly*

[Sophiette]: Yes, sir. That's us. Sophiette Valonforth and Lady Dara Tennerow.

Guard Thomas says: And you know my name already - Guard Thomas. It's good to have your help. There's a number of things I'd task you with, if you're willing.

Guard Thomas says: First, a few of my guards have gone missing around the murloc-infested coast. I'd ask you to keep an eye out for them while you're handling other tasks.

[Sophiette]: Oh dear. Of course.

Guard Thomas says: In addition to the murlocs, there's all sorts of predators wandering these woods. If you could take out some of the prowlers and the bears, that would make this area considerably safer for civilians.

[Dara]: We can handle that, I'm sure!

You salute Guard Thomas with respect.

Guard Thomas says: You might want to head over to Eastvale Logging to see if they've any need of help. I haven't been that way myself for a while.

[Sophiette]: Any idea where the guards were last patrolling?

Guard Thomas says: I sent them just north of here, to the lake. You might check where the river meets it, circle out from there.

Sophiette nods. "We'll take a look."

[Dara]: Maybe we should look for the guards first. That might be more time-pressing.

[Sophiette]: I agree.

[Dara]: Okay, so like I was saying, I don't know who Sintha spoke to, but Lord Rossig was absolutely slaughtered in the gossip sheet.

[Dara]: And not a word of my association with him.

Sophiette cannot help but smirk.

[Sophiette]: Oh, my….

Sophiette trips over a shield

[Dara]: Oh… what's that?

[Sophiette]: Gaah, wha-…

[Sophiette]: Oh…by the Light…

Sophiette covers her mouth at the sight of the mangled body.

[Dara]: Is that, oh… oh goodness… *Dara pales*

Sophiette investigates and picks up a medallion. Wincing, she nods. "This ia a footman's badge…."

Dara looks down at the body in horror. "Was this murlocs?"

[Dara]: We were fighting them ourselves not so long ago…

[Sophiette]: Given the proximity to the water….

[Sophiette]: …it seems likely.

[Dara]: That's terrible.

[Sophiette]: We'd better check out that murloc village.

Sophiette points over yonder.

Dara bites her lip nervously.

[Sophiette]: Careful now…

[Sophiette]: Best stay behind me, Dara.

Dara nods. "They just swarm."

[Dara]: I can see how it might've happened.

[Sophiette]: Is there no end to you horrid things?

[Sophiette]: Yes. The guards must have been overwhelmed.

Sophiette grimaces. "I think we've found the other guard…"

[Dara]: Oh dear.

[Sophiette]: Just awful.

[Dara]: I wish we had made it in time. But it looks like… we were not close to in time.

Sophiette nods solemnly. "At least we've avenged them…and we can pray for them."

[Dara]: Oh, right, yes. We should do that.

Dara kneels down.

Sophiette kneels down.

Sophiette looks to Dara, the resident priestess-in-training.

Dara closes her eyes and considers the body.

[Dara]: Guardsmen, we did not know your names. For this, I am sorry. We do know that you fought to protect these lands, these people.

[Dara]: And in the end you gave your lives for that purpose. May the Light hold your souls in its warm embrace and may you find peace.

Sophiette nods. "We'd better move on. I don't think we can take on the entire village."

[Dara]: You're probably right.

[Dara]: The wildlife sure is aggressive here.

[Dara]: Is that Eastvale?

[Sophiette]: It's no wonder they're asking us to cull them.

[Sophiette]: I believe so.

[Dara]: She looks like she's in charge.

Dara points at Supervisor Raelen.

Supervisor Raelen says: We have yet to meet our quota for the wood demand. Now back to work with you.

[Sophiette]: Having trouble, miss?

Supervisor Raelen says: Hello! Oh, when am I not…

Supervisor Raelen says: Daylight is still upon us so let's see that axe of yours chopping some more wood.

Supervisor Raelen says: I'm sure you overheard we're behind on our wood shipment. We've asked the Marshals to see if someone can handle the wolves and bears, but we still need to transport the wood.

[Dara]: Perhaps we could help? That seems simple enough.

[Sophiette]: I don't see why we can't haul in some wood while we deal with the wildlife.

Supervisor Raelen says: We have yet to meet our quota for the wood demand. Now back to work with you.

Supervisor Raelen says: Thank you, ladies. Light bless you and all that. And now I've got to get back to it.

[Sophiette]: Of course!

[Dara]: I should mention that you and I were in the gossip sheet as well.

Sophiette 's eyes widen.

[Sophiette]: What?

[Dara]: Only good things, really! *Dara raises her hands as if in surrender* It was about us and our work with the church

Sophiette wrinkles her nose. "There's gossip about that? Who gossips about the church?"

[Dara]: It was actually a rather nice segment. Milady Moth was talking about all the good things people are doing after, you know… all that up in Northrend.

[Dara]: Did you know Count Tyrrell's turning his home into an orphanage, for instance?

[Sophiette]: I hadn't. That's wonderful to hear. Unexpected…but wonderful.

[Dara]: Yes, I mean, he's a warlock.

[Sophiette]: I would just rather not be in Milady Moth's sights. I've heard she can be rather vicious.

[Dara]: I shall endeavour to keep you out of gossip, Sophie. *Dara crosses her heart in promise*

Sophiette smiles. "Thank you. Honestly, the last thing I need is public attention."

Dara looks at Sophie with a touch of curiosity. "I'd think our work might draw a little of that, eventually. But in a good way?"

[Dara]: I will, of course, not brag or anything.

Sophiette smirks at Dara. "No? You wouldn't tell stories of our adventures?"

Dara tries to look very solemn, but can't stop a little giggle.

[Dara]: I wouldn't if you don't want me to.

[Dara]: But maybe there's a step in between telling stories and ending up in gossip sheets.

Sophiette chuckles. "I'm not going to ask you not to be you."

Dara grins. "Oh good. That would have been ever so hard."

You laugh.

[Dara]: Speaking of stories, I did speak with Finley. And as far as I can tell, that's not any kind of scandal. His recent rise in fortune.

Sophiette lifts her brow.

[Dara]: Simply his Lady no longer needed a butler, but wanted to keep him on in her house.

[Sophiette]: Oh? Well…I didn't imagine it was scandalous. But it was certainly curious.

[Dara]: Yes, I suppose it was just the whole…. merging of households thing.

[Sophiette]: And…how are things…with Finley…and you?

Dara shrugs a little. "I didn't give him all the reasons, of course. But I don't think I feel anything for him. I think it was just… you know, attention. Before."

[Dara]: I do hope he'll be a friend, if he's now to be counted in Society? But, well, if not… *Dara shrugs again*

Sophiette nods, trying not to seem overly relieved or anything.

[Sophiette]: Well…he'd be a fool not to embrace your friendship.

Dara smiles. "I do hope you're right."

[Dara]: I really think I shall stop flirting with men altogether for a time.

[Sophiette]: Oh? Ah…any particular reason?

[Dara]: I misread Lord Rossig so badly.

[Sophiette]: Ah, yes, of course…

Sophiette winces a little, silently chiding herself.

[Dara]: Perhaps I should just focus on, you know, myself, for a while. And our work.

Dara smiles at Sophiette with an odd hint of hope in her eyes.

[Dara]: Maybe if I'm more certain in myself I'll better see others.

Sophiette nods, peering in concern at Dara. "Yes…right, of course. You must tend to your own heart first."

[Sophiette]: And…I'll be right here by your side…for whatever you need.

[Dara]: Thanks. *Dara reaches over to give her hand a squeeze.*

Sophiette smiles, holding her hand maybe a little longer than intended before releasing it to continue their work on the local wildlife.

[Dara]: What of you? I've been prattling on about my problems in love.

[Sophiette]: Me? Oh…um…I don't…I haven't got anyone…um….

Dara looks a little relieved, and then a little confused.

[Dara]: Really? No beautiful paladins sweeping you off your paladin feet?

Sophiette blushes, rubbing the back of her neck under her butter blonde hair. "Gosh, no. I don't think anyone looks at me like that."

Dara gives a little sniff. "Then there must be something wrong with their eyes."

Sophiette blushes fiercely.

[Dara]: Oh, I'm… I didn't mean to embarrass you.

[Sophiette]: No, it's…it's alright.

[Sophiette]: It's just…we haven't really said things like that since…you know.

It's Dara's turn to blush. "I'm sorry. I… I must be falling into old habits. I didn't intend to remind you of… things you'd rather set behind you."

[Sophiette]: Dara…

Dara looks at Sophiette, waiting patiently.

[Sophiette]: I put Lyonel behind me. But don't think for a moment that means I'd rather forget everything. Certainly not you.

[Dara]: I feel like… it must seem like a whole other life. Before, in Lordaeron. So many things have changed.

[Dara]: But I'm glad I'm here with you, as you are now.

[Dara]: I'm not trying to bring him back, or anything like that. Even if I do forget myself, and talk to you like we're promised to one another.

Sophiette 's smile threatens to leave permanent lines in her face, and her eyes begin to shimmer. "Oh…you do know how to draw out my emotions." She laughs softly.

Dara reaches out spontaneously to hug her. "Oh, I didn't mean to make you cry."

Sophiette welcomes the hug, shaking her head. "Some tears are just an overabundance of joy."

Dara gives her a little squeeze and her own eyes might look a little misty. "Then I'm not sorry, if they're happy ones."

Sophiette giggles, nodding firmly.

[Sophiette]: Hey…I'm happy I'm here with you, too.

Dara pulls back from the hug, a soft smile on her face. "I'm glad. I suppose we should get back to the bears and the wolves?"

[Sophiette]: Ahh, right. Not going to cull themselves.

Dara nods.