(2023-09-14) Fine and Pleasant People

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Author:	Alli
Summary:	Siamus comes across a draenei member of Cobalt Company (Erixa), in Moa'ki Harbor. They discuss topics such as shamanism and their shared dislike of orcs.
Rating:	T for Teen

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vague innuendo

Erixa stands by a glowfish pole, staring at the contraption as if it personally offended her.

Siamus moves up the path from the docks toward the tuskarr village, his head down, wearing an unaccustomed frown.

Erixa pokes the fish, which moves back and then swings forward into her hand.

Siamus glances up to eye the fish-poking draenei briefly, drops his gaze, and then looks sharply up again. He considers her tabard and stops walking.

[Siamus]: Cobalt Company?

[Erixa]: Yes? Where? Oh, me. Yes. *Erixa turns to smile at the stranger.*

Siamus eyes Erixa up and down.

Erixa eyes Siamus up and down, one eyebrow raised.

[Siamus]: I know some others of your people. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of ye yet, though. Siamus Fallon.

Siamus offers out his hand to shake.

Erixa considers him for a moment, then reaches out to take it. "Vindicator Erixa, since you people love having longer names. I have not had pleasure of you, either."

Siamus smiles gleamingly. "I ha'e no opinion myself on the proper length of a name. But I'm glad to know yours, Vindicator Erixa. The Cobalt people I've met are all fine folk."

Erixa nods. "I am no exception, then. You have some business with Cobalt Company I can help with?"

[Siamus]: No, no. I've had one of yours working wi' me for a little time now — Miss Lena Coit?

Erixa's glowing eyes narrow just a little, and she nods again. "The warlock. Cobalt Company believes in people being good, even warlocks sometimes."

Siamus tips a brow up. "Aye. In my admittedly limited experience, it seems a policy that's served them well. Miss Coit's been a fine addition wi' my crew, and a great help."

[Erixa]: I am glad to hear it. *Erixa sounds genuine.* I am… suspect of people who choose such a path, but… if she has done good, then that is a good thing.

Siamus nods amiably. "And a Vindicator… that means you're a Light — ah, a paladin of the Light, aye?"

[Erixa]: Aye-yes. A paladin of the Light is how you call it. Though it is not so much like a church as it is for your people. What are you?

Siamus laughs. "I'm a marine. A… sailor and a fighter, in one."

Erixa grins at him. "Two things in one. I like complicated people sometimes. It is well you're good at fighting, being in Northrend. No end of fighting here."

Siamus's expression fades a little, but then he summons the smile again. "Aye, no. Though we'll put an end to it, one hopes."

[Erixa]: One always hopes for an end to evil. *Erixa smiles, like of course no one really expects that to happen.* So what brings you to the harbor? Or are you hoping I am also a fine, pleasing Cobalt person?

Siamus looks her up and down again with that Smile. "Oh, I expect you're a fine and pleasing person. But I'm here wi' my ship — my ships — at the moment. Bound from Valiance to Kamagua."

[Siamus]: We've been patrolling the coast against pirates and the Scarlet Onslaught, and the tuskarr are generous wi' the use of their harbors.

[Erixa]: So they are. Very friendly people, though they want all things to smell of fish. *Erixa glares at the fish-lamp* I was born on a ship. Different kind, though. It is crashed in Draenor. Outland.

[Siamus]: Crashed in — oh, aye, no' the one crashed here on the Veiled Sea isles.
(Siamus does not observe that this seems like a whole lot of crashing.)
[Siamus]: I've been looking to talk wi' some of your people, in fact, about… your history wi' ships, navigation, and so on. And your shamans.

Erixa shakes her head, and gives a brief chuckle. "I was not pilot at the time, you do not offend. But I am happy to talk of my people, what I know. I also want to learn more of our allies."

[Siamus]: The type of navigation your people do, the instruments ye use — are ye well familiar wi' all of that yourself? Or no?

[Erixa]: Ah, some, yes. But some things… one uses tools one does not always know the workings of, yes? I am not artificer.

[Siamus]: Do ye happen to know any artificers might be willing to speak wi' me some time?

[Erixa]: Mmm, maybe? I can ask who wants to talk to a fine marine. *Erixa considers.* In meantime I can tell you what I know. We mostly use arkonite, the crystals you see around our places.

Siamus is a very fine marine.
Siamus nods seriously and folds his arms, listening intently. "And do ye know its nature or would an artificer have to talk wi' me on that?"

[Erixa]: It is… arcane energy, you would say. Like your mages. We have mages too, though not so many. It was… not used until Draenor though. We made on Draenor. Before there was… Argunite.

[Siamus]: Made it? So it's artifice itself? No' mined?

Erixa nods.

[Erixa]: Exarch Hataaru learned how, when we first landed. Crashed. Very major crash.
[Erixa]: Hataaru would probably talk to you, but I think the orcs killed him. I do not know, but he has not been seen after.

Siamus 's expression hardens. "Orcs," he says, and the word sounds like a profanity.

[Erixa]: Monsters. *Erixa nods.* That is where I know warlocks, before Cobalt.
[Erixa]: Not know as companions, of course. As enemies. On battlefield.

[Siamus]: Monsters, aye, just so. And I know your people suffered wi' them. I'd be interested to hear more on that sometime, as well, perhaps. Miss Coit, I can say, does no' much strike me in an orcish way, at least, nor does Captain Tyrrell.
[Siamus]: But let me ask ye now, d'ye know any shamans of your people who might speak wi' me?

[Erixa]: Shamans? *Erixa shrugs* Yes, I know shamans. My little cousin is shaman, and he has lots of little shaman friends.
[Erixa]: Other, older shamans too, like Nunuzac. Azizia, but she is… very Azizia.
[Erixa]: Other thing on Arkonite, you asked —

[Siamus]: Aye?

[Erixa]: Where they come from. They mined raw material on Draenor. And then the artificers, they fashion into the power crystals. These power all things now, since we have no Argus for more Argunite.
[Erixa]: But for shamans, I can send you at Nunu or my cousin Ness, maybe? I can try to answer questions, but I only know as friend.

[Siamus]: D'ye know what the raw material was? And aye, I think it would be best if I spoke wi' a shaman directly, if one would be willing.

[Siamus]: I've questions about the… nature of their powers.

[Erixa]: Ah, yes, that I cannot answer. I do not know why someone would follow that path, if not rejected by the Light. *Erixa shrugs*

Siamus looks startled, and then his eyes narrow.
[Siamus]: Is that how it is, then? Among your people?

Erixa looks at Siamus in surprise, and hesitates. "I do not know if you know history of shamans? It is not a long history."
[Erixa]: But the Arkonite… it is a dust? In different regions. I do not know if Azeroth has similar.

[Siamus]: I don't know the history of your shamans, no. And… dust?

[Erixa]: Kind of… softly glowing dust. In mines. *Erixa nods.* So, okay, back to shamans, you have dizzying conversation, fine marine.

Siamus laughs.
[Siamus]: If I'd known I was to have a conversation wi' such a fine Vindicator, I'd ha'e prepared better.

Erixa smiles brightly at him and laughs, reaching out to touch his shoulder briefly in companionship.

[Erixa]: You should know all our people are blessed by the Light. From the naaru.

[Siamus]: Hm.

[Erixa]: But then a thing happened, because of orcs. Because they are terrible.

[Siamus]: Aye, we're agreed on that.

[Erixa]: They infected our people with something, a… red mist. It severed the connection to the Light.

Siamus raises his eyebrows.

[Erixa]: That is not… a happy part of history. We did not know, is this catching? We… *there's a brief shadow across Erixa's face* We threw them out.
[Erixa]: Many do not live. But then, one Nobundo found other power speaking to him - elements. He brought shamanism.
[Erixa]: So at first, it was mostly Broken. The ones severed, no longer Draenei.
[Erixa]: And then, now… *Erixa raises one hand helplessly* …it is in fashion, I think?

[Siamus]: … in fashion.

[Erixa]: Many Draenei seem to want to call elements now.
[Erixa]: It is… trendy?

[Siamus]: Or perhaps it's a gift to be able to do so, and to feel that connection wi' the world around ye. Perhaps it's as profound in them as the Light might be in you or one of your kind.

[Erixa]: Or that. *Erixa nods agreeably.*

Siamus studies her and looks briefly, sardonically amused.

[Erixa]: You want I write to Nunu and Ness for you? And they can get whole shaman team, if you like.

[Siamus]: I'd be much obliged if ye would, Vindicator Erixa. If they're willing and have the time. I'd be obliged as well if there were an artificer or two willing to speak wi' me.

[Erixa]: I will look for you. Good to meet you, Siamus Fallon.

[Siamus]: You as well, a very great pleasure.
Siamus bows before Erixa.

Erixa bows in response, echoing his movements. "I had pleasure also. Till next time."

Siamus 's smile curls back to life. "Until next time."