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| Details |
| Author: | Luridel |
| Summary: | Cobalt Company heads to K3, a goblin outpost in the Storm Peaks, to help out an outfit lead by a goblin named Ricket. Blue Squad discusses horses, fetches back stolen rations from some gnolls, clears out a cave for future mining work, and rescues some goblins. Iphindra learns what a minefield is. Dane wants to know why there are snobolds but not sgnolls. Nobody likes Tore Rumblewrench. Zeek has a name, actually. ~8400 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Season 12
Oranna gives Ben a wave, and laughs at Erixa's Mizmainying, which is a verb, as we all know. "Aye, I havena. It's good ta put some faces ta th' names. I've signed some o' yer paperwork, back at HQ. I'm Oranna, Oranna Stormbreaker."
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, everyone. Oranna!
Cressidha smiles at her.
Brannagen offers Cress a hearty "Lo there!" without quite looking up from his note-taking.
[Bennarin]: Hey, Cressidha, afternoon.
Erixa turns around to look at the newcomer. "To you too, Cressidha."
Cressidha raises a hand in a wave to Ben.
[Oranna]: Cress! *She waves, a warm smile popping up on her face like it's not as accustomed to being there.*
Velrin smiles and nods politely to everyone, but remains fairly quiet.
Cressidha moves aaaall the way around this table to sit down next to Oranna. "It's wonderful to see you."
Bennarin smiles at Cressidha and Oranna. He counts heads again. There are two (2) more heads this time.
Oranna's expression swings from pleased to the look of The Guilty. "Oh, aye. It's good ta see ye, too. It's been a little while." A year and a half. It's fine.
Dane marches into the garden. "Hullo', hullo' you lot." He looks to Oranna and inclines his head with a smirk in his gruff eyes.
Bennarin nods respectfully to Atley.
[Bennarin]: Afternoon, Miz Auralind.
Erixa waves a cheery hand at Dane and Auralind.
Cressidha does not seem bothered by the amount of time it's been. "Goodness, you don't happen to be on Blue Squad, do you?"
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, Dane, Auralind.
Velrin's ears perk up and she waves at Dane.
Brannagen flips back a few more pages to a map he's drawn of Northrend, annotated in Dwarven. He peers at it and chews on the end of his pen.
[Auralind]: Ishnu alah.
[Oranna]: Dane! *Oranna gives him that same little wave.* Hullo, Auralind. *She turns to Cress, shaking her head.* No, I'm with White. Ben's team.
Cressidha nods. "Well, Ben's an excellent leader. Perhaps we'll see each other in the field now and then regardless. It does work out that way sometimes."
Bennarin eyes Iphindra up and down.
Iphindra arrives at the meeting place. For those who have seen her before, it's clear the Northrend air has affected the woman. The plants on her are perennial, her sky has turned into a very pale blue, and her hair a light cobalt.
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, Thaeru'kal.
Dane stifles a small yawn and moves to lean against the table. He glances over his shoulder at Iphindra and nods with a grunt. "Hullo', then."
Atley eyes Thaerukal up and down.
[Dane]: And you.
[Iphindra]: Hello Squads!
Iphindra stands at attention and salutes.
[Brannagen]: Lo there! *He keeps nibbling his pen and studying the map in his journal.*
Thaeru'kal looks directly at Cressidha and approximates a humanoid-like bow of her head.
Bennarin counts again.
Cressidha nods to the cat. "Ah, hello, ma'am," she says to Iphindra, who she has never seen before.
Iphindra smiles at the spirit beast.
[Bennarin]: We are missin'… Ace, for my squad.
Oranna nods. That's how it was when she was on it last. Her attention shifts to the newer addition to the team, stretching up in her seat. Her legs are dangling off the bench. "Oh! That's…that's th', uh…" She doesn't seem to have a way to not say Ghost Cat.
Dane turns around and performs a small, second head count.
[Cressidha]: That's Thaeru'kal, a spirit guide.
Auralind cocks her head. "Iphindra. Elune adore."
[Oranna]: Aye, Jo mentioned. And… *The look of pain and odd grief suggests Elu'shalla's fate.*
Bennarin takes a weirdly ornate-seeming — for Ben — silver pocketwatch from his belt pouch and consults it.
[Oranna]: It's good ta meet ya, Thaeru'kal. My lass is just outside, ye might ha' seen her comin' in.
[Iphindra]: Hello! Who— who is the Blue Squad? I know you are our leader… *She nods to Dane.* But who else is with us?
Cressidha stands, circling around.
Auralind | Thaeru'kal regards Oranna and gives another dip of her head.
[Iphindra]: And— and if you're White Squad and we've never met I also would very much like to know your names too!
Erixa raises a hand. "I am blue. Also Blue Squad. Erixa."
[Cressidha]: I am Cressidha of House Aspenwood. Blue Squad's mage.
Dane looks to Iphindra, and gestures to Cressidha. "This is Lady Cressidha Aspenwood." He turns over his shoulder. "There is Velrin Silverbloom, of the Sentinels."
[Cressidha]: Ah!
[Oranna]: Oh! I'm with White. I'm Oranna, Oranna Stormbreaker. Good ta meet ya.
[Cressidha]: Goodness, Velrin, you've been so quiet. It's wonderful to see you as well.
[Dane]: And aye — Erixa.
[Cressidha]: It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Erixa and…
Cressidha looks at Iphindra.
[Velrin]: Oh, h-hello. *she waves to Cress*
[Auralind]: I believe they spoke, Oranna. I hope that Befound was not disquieted by Thaeru'kal's presence.
Iphindra salutes the members of Blue Squad. "It's an honor for me to adventure with you!" She looks back at Cressidha, staring at her look at her. "Oh! I— I'm Iphindra!"
[Cressidha]: Iphindra. A pleasure to meet you as well. Would anyone care for water?
Cressidha begins tracing water-conjuring symbols in the air.
Bennarin tucks his pocketwatch away again and clears his throat.
[Iphindra]: Yes, please!
[Oranna]: Ach, no. No' like ta be. Dalaran jus' sets Befound a little on edge. *Actually, given how Oranna has a vague tension to her, it might be that Daralan sets Oranna on edge, which sets Befound on edge, but tomato, potato.*
[Bennarin]: Hey, y'all.
[Erixa]: Yes, water is helpful!
Oranna's attention shifts to Ben.
[Oranna]: Aye?
Cressidha begins to pass out water.
Dane looks to Ben, as well.
Iphindra bows before Cressidha.
[Iphindra]: Thank you!
Erixa stands and turns attentively to Ben.
[Cressidha]: You're welcome.
[Bennarin]: I am gonna give Ace a few more minutes, but I will start us off with a briefin' on the mission, so I'd appreciate your attention.
[Auralind]: I say so only because Thaeru'kal is a guide to the afterlife…particularly for felines.
Brannagen closes his journal and tucks it away.
Erixa thanks Cressidha.
Dane swings his leg over a bench to take a seat.
Iphindra turns to Oranna and smiles at her. She did hear Oranna, and she must therefore acknowledge it. Helloranna.
Aiseia hops off the balcony and lands on a bench. "Hey."
[Bennarin]: … oh, an' there she is. Hey, Ace.
Oranna waves to Ace. Hello other new person.
Iphindra shyly decides to stand behind her group, not sitting at the bench.
Brannagen laughs at Aiseia.
Cressidha smiles. "Ace, good afternoon."
[Bennarin]: Okay, so —
Erixa raises an eyebrow at Ace's entrance, and smiles.
Brannagen cheers at Aiseia!
Dane peers at Ben.
[Bennarin]: As y’all know, we have not had any luck so far with breakin’ through to Icecrown. To that point, we are hoping to push the offense into a new region, see about a pass through the mountains.
[Aiseia]: Hi!
Brannagen nods at Bennarin.
[Bennarin]: That ain’t our main job this time around, though. As y’all also have pretty good reason to remember, I reckon, things are wound pretty tight between Alliance and Horde right now.
Aiseia nods.
Erixa nods at Bennarin.
Oranna nods at Bennarin.
Iphindra nods at Bennarin.
[Bennarin]: It ain’t our job to wind anything tighter, but it is our job to represent an Alliance interest where we can.
Dane grunts.
[Bennarin]: A goblin outfit went up into Storm Peaks not too long ago, prospectin’ for resources in the region — and also, apparently, for titan artifacts.
Dane faintly knits his brow.
[Brannagen]: Mmm.
[Aiseia]: Ooh.
[Bennarin]: Some of y’all may recall we heard iron dwarves an’ giants down to Howling Fjord and Grizzly Hills talkin’ about the Storm Peaks, an’ my team in Grizzly Hills located some of Brann Bronzebeard’s research, suggestin’ he was after a lost titan place called Ulduar, “nestled in the storm.”
[Bennarin]: I ain’t sayin’ the Storm Peaks is that storm, but signs do kind of point this way, and for sure we know that a lot of people interested one way or another in titans are interested in the Storm Peaks.
Oranna frowns in thought, the worry line between her brows deep.
Dane frowns in thought.
[Bennarin]: If there is some kind of powers in titan artifacts, you can bet it ain’t just goblins and Explorers but Alliance, Horde, everyone else who’ll be after ‘em.
Erixa nods in thought.
Oranna has the silent version of an exasperated scoff at the mention of the Titan Artifacts that everyone seems to want. Ugh.
[Bennarin]: So we are bein’ asked, on behalf of the Alliance, to go pitch in with this goblin outfit I mentioned, which has run across a rough time.
Oranna nods at Bennarin.
[Bennarin]: The hope is, I think, that we can sweeten ‘em over to the Alliance side — and, important, maybe we get first look for the Alliance at whatever artifacts or research they got their hands in up there.
Iphindra seems to notice Oranna's expression and tilts her head.
Brannagen nods at Bennarin.
[Bennarin]: Now, we ain't forget about the Lich King, we ain't forget about our way into Icecrown, but for now we are lookin’ north with an eye on the Alliance advantage, and signs of titan powers or whatever.
Erixa balls up her hands, and seems eager to get those artifacts that do who knows what.
Dane squints in thought and works his jaw.
Cressidha nods to Ben.
Bennarin looks from face to face. It has sort of a rehearsed quality, as though someone once told him that when public speaking, you should look at people's faces. So here's him grimly checking that off.
Erixa winks at him when he makes eye contact.
Velrin follows along with Ben's briefing.
Iphindra kind of avoids Ben's gaze but nods.
[Bennarin]: Okay, so we got that?
Cressidha makes eye contact. She seems neutral (positive).
[Cressidha]: Indeed.
Dane raises a hand off the table.
Bennarin looks at Dane.
[Velrin]: Understood, Mr. Hazan.
Auralind nods wordlessly.
Brannagen fidgets on his bench, but seems attentive.
Oranna looks back at him. "Aye, an' lookin' fer Brann. If we can find somethin'. Understood."
[Erixa]: Yessir!
[Dane]: Wot' do we know about Horde in the area? Should we expect contact?
[Bennarin]: We know they are prob'ly doin' the same as us, but far as we are aware, they ain't out-reached to these goblins particular yet.
Dane grunts and lowers his hand to produce a strip of jerky to quietly chew on.
[Bennarin]: So we are gonna beat 'em to this punch, at least. We are not gonna initiate no hostilities, but if we run into 'em and there's trouble, we do what we do for the Alliance.
Dane nods once.
[Brannagen]: As ye say.
Velrin puts on a grim expression.
[Erixa]: So beat them to punch, but no punching. *Erixa nods*
Oranna laughs at Erixa.
[Bennarin]: … that's right. Unless they punch us.
Dane grunts again.
Cressidha covers her mouth to hide a smile.
Erixa grins at Oranna.
[Brannagen]: I got yer backs if there's punchin'.
[Bennarin]: Okay, so. We’re gonna head into the mountains. Wear your tabards, put on your best Alliance manners, an’ keep your eyes — uh. *Ben glances at Auralind. He clears his throat.* Your attention sharp.
Iphindra now looks confused with all the punches.
Oranna nods at Bennarin.
Brannagen looks down at himself at the word 'tabard' and seems to note the absence of one, but does not comment.
[Bennarin]: Okay. Let's move out.
Auralind smirks.
Iphindra salutes Bennarin with respect.
Dane pushes himself up. The bench squeaks underneath.
Oranna shifts a little awkwardly off the bench. Dangly.
Erixa assumes Bran has a tabard under his beard somewhere.
Cressidha moves out.
Erixa follows the team out.
Brannagen smiles at Befound. "Hullo lass."
Befound meets up with them as soon as they're free of the garden. She blinks slowly at Bran.
Auralind smiles in Befound's direction, making a soft rumbling sound of greeting.
Iphindra follows the team, but specifically Dane. He's her leader, specifically. She knows that information.
Dane eyes Befound with gruff amusement.
Befound rumbles back.
Atley blinks at Iphindra.
[Dane]: That's a fine horse you've got.
[Bennarin]: Everyone got flight clearance?
[Iphindra]: O— Oh! Thanks! Birch's a friend!
[Cressidha]: To where?
Oranna nods at Bennarin.
[Brannagen]: All righ' Magni, let's do thes. *He pats the gryphon.*
Erixa nods.
[Erixa]: Snowball on the move!
Dane whistles for his stoic gryphon.
[Bennarin]: No, just for cold weather. We ain't been by these goblins yet.
Oranna attaches Befound to a harness. Befound tolerates this with cat exasperation.
Cressidha produces a luxurious-looking flying carpet from her bag and climbs on.
[Dane]: We'll be flying there ourselves.
[Cressidha]: Ah. Very well.
[Bennarin]: This is, uh, the place I figure.
Erixa looks invigorated after the brisk flight.
[Dane]: Mm, looks it.
[Erixa]: Snowgetzan, yes.
Cressidha's carpet lowers to the ground. She rolls it up again.
[Bennarin]: Okay. C'mon with me.
Iphindra looks at the town curiously.
Oranna laughs at Erixa.
Oranna takes deep breaths as they walk.
Dane sets his jaw as he looks around.
[Bennarin]: We are lookin' for a — I reckon that is her.
Bennarin eyes Ricket up and down.
Aiseia scratches Lucky's head.
[Bennarin]: Ma'am? We are lookin' for a Ricket.
Brannagen eyes Ace's companion curiously.
Dane grimaces distastefully at the noise of mechanical machinery.
Ricket eyes the blue tabards.
Iphindra looks at the spinning parts of the spinning machine, her head discreetly following the movement.
Ricket says: Cobalt Company, huh? You’re that Ally gang they promised us? Okay, well, let’s see what you got.
Oranna looks around. What's a ricket?
[Bennarin]: Yes'm.
Ricket says: We came up here hoping to make our way into those peaks and get our fair share of whatever amazing titan machines they got probably just lying around up there.
Erixa stands up straighter, the more to make her tabard visible.
Ricket says: Progress on that end has been minimal, though. Gnolls, snobolds, magnataur… there’s no shortage of trouble to go around.
Dane knits his brow.
Brannagen's tabard would not be visible even if he were wearing one, really.
[Bennarin]: We did just kind of… see a gnoll.
They saw the gnoll to death.
[Erixa]: And where there's one…
Dane grunts.
Ricket says: Yeah, you get it. *She nods at Erixa.*
Ricket says: Not to mention, we can’t seem to keep our fliers in the air or half our machines running without motors freezing and parts cracking.
Ricket says: We’re stretched to breaking, here — but it’s nothing a little bit of goblin determination and ingenuity can’t handle! With a heaping dose of other people’s generosity, that is.
Ricket smiles winningly.
Dane deadpans.
Erixa nods.
Ricket says: So if you’re ready to fix our disas– uh, pitch in, why don’t half of you stick around to hear me out, and the other half head over there to talk to my pal Jeer. He’s the little green fella.
Oranna sighs at Ricket.
Bennarin looks over his shoulder for a little green fella. He has options.
[Bennarin]: Uh.
Iphindra looks at the green fellas.
[Bennarin]: I will… take White Squad to find… Jeer.
Auralind listens for the sound of green.
[Cressidha]: Is there a flight path around here I can get clearance to?
Dane grunts. "Blue Squad, on me."
Ricket says: Flight path's outside, just north of the wall, sweets.
[Cressidha]: Thank you.
[Bennarin]: Okay, White Squad.
[Cressidha]: What is the name of this outpost?
Ricket says: Okay, so the five of you are what I've got to us.. work with, excellent.
Ricket says: This place? K3.
Dane glances around. "Aye. We're here to work."
Cressidha nods. "K3. Very well. And your group…?"
[Velrin]: How can we aid you?
Ricket says: A major problem we've got at the moment is gnolls. These particular gnolls are led by a big one called Gnarlhide, and they’ve been raiding K3 for everything from food to spare parts, none of which we can afford to lose at this point.
Cressidha nods.
Dane briefly looks up at the wall before he looks back to Ricket.
Ricket says: Go teach ‘em a lesson, would you? Take out their leader. And maybe help restock the outpost by collecting whatever rations you can find on ‘em.
Iphindra nods at Ricket.
Dane nods once. "We'll see to it."
Ricket says: And as for who we're with, why's everyone got to be with somebody?
Ricket says: We're just an independent team, looking for a nice score.
Velrin checks her knives (there are many) and nods. "Consider it done."
Dane half-lids his gaze but says nothing.
[Cressidha]: I was hoping for, perhaps, a means of identifying which other goblins were associated with you and which… are not. I suppose we could ask.
[Cressidha]: I would not want to accidentally aid one of your rivals.
Dane cinches his thumbs in his belt as he looks between Cressidha and Ricket.
Ricket says: Hm. You make a good point. But I think today you're just going to have to deal with us one at a time. Maybe I should come up with some flashy tabards…
Ricket eyes the flashy Cobalt tabards.
Iphindra looks at her own flashy tabard proudly.
[Dane]: Let's move out, you lot.
[Cressidha]: Your crew would identify you as their leader, I take it?
Iphindra salutes Atley with respect.
Cressidha nods to Dane. "Very well."
Ricket says: Yeah, I'm like a leader.
Dane nods once before he continues on.
[Erixa]: So we come all the way to Northrend mountains. And we fight gnolls.
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: I'm surprised they have them here, myself.
Iphindra looks worriedly at the nearby flames.
Cressidha starts moving towards the flight path.
[Cressidha]: If we could take a moment?
Erixa flexes her hands. "Seems they get everywhere."
[Dane]: A fine idea.
[Cressidha]: I would like to update my passport.
Iphindra turns around. "Oh! Yes!
[Dane]: We've all be introduced and are familiar with each other by now, aye?
[Velrin]: They are quite prolific aren't they. Not so much in my homeland, however.
[Cressidha]: We were introduced earlier, yes.
[Cressidha]: Ah.
Dane grunts.
[Iphindra]: Dane Atley, Cressidha, Erixa, and, um… Velrin, I think?
[Dane]: We'll push west, and find this leader.
Dane nods once at Iphindra.
[Erixa]: Yes, I did not see gnolls in Azuremyst either, that I remember.
[Cressidha]: I should, perhaps, warn you two that I am a frost mage, and my specialty is area-of-effect casting.
[Cressidha]: You may see a blizzard about you. I will not hit my allies.
[Dane]: Cressidha's good about avoiding her allies.
[Dane]: Gnolls nearly sacked the kingdom of Stormwind, 'fore I was born.
[Dane]: They're mighty in number.
[Iphindra]: And— and I don't avoid my allies, I promise!
Erixa nods. "I will trust you. And if you see the ground burn with Light, it will not hurt you."
Cressidha adds as a disclaimer, "Unless… I am mind controlled or some such."
[Cressidha]: Which is rare, but has occurred.
[Iphindra]: Oh.
[Cressidha]: And this is Marina.
Dane glances up at the actual Storm Peaks with a squint. "Bloody tall mountains, here."
Cressidha takes out a pair of elemental bracers and tosses them out.
[Dane]: I wager they'd even rival Hyjal.
Erixa waves at Water Elemental.
[Iphindra]: They're wonderful!
Marina burbles.
[Iphindra]: Oh, hello Marina!
Iphindra salutes Water Elemental with respect.
Marina waves back at Erixa. She has some trouble mimicking the salute.
[Dane]: Gnolls don't seem any different, here.
[Erixa]: What happens to Marina, if you are mind-controlled?
Iphindra gasps at Ironwool Mammoth.
Dane grunts inquisitively at Erixa's question.
[Velrin]: I'm rather hoping that once we're done here I'll have a chance to visit Hyjal.
[Cressidha]: I have not yet had the occasion to find out.
[Dane]: With all due respect, I've seen enough of that mountain for a lifetime. Though, 'tis mighty itself.
[Erixa]: If it happens, I will watch. *Erixa nods*
[Iphindra]: Hy— Hyjal is wonderful.
[Velrin]: My parents used to take me there every year or so.
[Dane]: You've not been there since…?
Cressidha checks a crate.
Dane trails off.
[Cressidha]: Rations, it looks like.
[Erixa]: I have not been there. Is it much like these mountains?
Velrin shakes her head, "No."
[Dane]: Aye. Loot the camp.
Cressidha levitates the crate up to float behind her.
[Iphindra]: It's more…. green!
[Dane]: Hyjal used to be the seat of a mighty tree. Last I saw it, it was a barren landscape of ash.
[Iphindra]: But tall, like this too!
[Iphindra]: … Right. Was.
[Erixa]: Tall and green.
[Dane]: It was beautiful. This is beautiful, too, in another way.
Dane gestures to the rugged peaks.
Iphindra nods at Atley.
[Velrin]: I hear that it has been mending quite well, but… Yes. It did burn quite badly.
[Dane]: Mm. Lookit'.
Atley points at Torseg the Exiled.
[Dane]: I've only seen the rotters of that. This must be where they're from.
[Erixa]: He has campfire!
[Velrin]: Hmmm…
[Cressidha]: Hm. A resting giant.
[Dane]: Could bloody mount one of these mammoths, couldn't he…
[Dane]: We'll leave him be. For now.
[Iphindra]: The creatures here are all giants, it seems!
[Dane]: Same as 'fore. Clear it out!
Iphindra blows flower petals at Atley, the scent bringing comfort and sweet whispers from nature spirits.
[Erixa]: Giants and gnolls!
Dane blinks as a flower petal lands exactly on his nose. He lifts a brow as it falls off.
[Dane]: Cheers.
[Dane]: Some more of the raiders up this way.
[Iphindra]: Bu— but about Hyjal… Forests can heal well from fires!
[Dane]: I trust the night elves can heal any land they set their mind to healing.
[Velrin]: Some even thrive for it.
[Iphindra]: The ground is reborn stronger from fires!
[Dane]: I've a mind to see the Plaguelands as they once were.
[Velrin]: That would be nice.
[Iphindra]: E—even without night elves! Forests don't need them to heal from fires!
[Erixa]: I have heard one went to work on that.
[Erixa]: The Plaguelands.
[Dane]: The trees used to be so dense you could take the King's Road from Brill to Corin's Crossing without the sun touching you once.
[Velrin]: I pray my home isn't beyond hope either.
[Dane]: Aye. That'd be Caspis. A friend.
Dane grunts at Iphindra's clarification and nods.
Atley points at Gnarlhide.
[Dane]: That bastard looks important.
[Erixa]: My home is beyond hope. *Erixa says this unusually cheerfully*
[Iphindra]: A big gnoll!..
Cressidha nods.
Dane briefly side-eyes Erixa.
Iphindra tilts her head at Erixa.
[Erixa]: That must be the leader!
Marina burbles something.
Dane casually pushes the gnoll over and looks to Marina.
She might just want to feel like she's part of the conversation.
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: We need to recover more rations. Loot every camp between here and K3.
[Dane]: Hold fast. A bloody minefield?
Erixa raises her eyebrows.
[Cressidha]: What? Oh, Light.
[Erixa]: Dangerous place.
[Iphindra]: What— what does it do?
[Erixa]: They boom.
[Velrin]: Should I try to disarm them?
[Iphindra]: I don't know these plants…
[Dane]: Those are explosives. If you step on them, they'll detonate.
Iphindra blinks at Erixa.
[Dane]: This isn't our problem for now. We'll round it.
[Cressidha]: They are mechanical.
[Cressidha]: But anyone could…
[Iphindra]: Oooh! Like the mechanical sheep and squirrels…
[Dane]: It looks to be something the goblins at K3 laid out.
[Cressidha]: Ah. Well.
[Erixa]: At least, I do not think there are much civilians up here?
[Cressidha]: I suppose we are fortunate that we came in by air.
Dane grunts.
[Erixa]: And goblins are good at bombs.
[Iphindra]: Eek!
[Dane]: Crate here.
Dane grunts. "Waterfall's frozen solid."
Iphindra gazes in awe at the waterfall.
[Erixa]: One could skate here.
Dane grunts inquisitively before he stomps on the ice.
[Dane]: Right.
Cressidha walks carefully on the ice.
[Erixa]: Maybe if we have time, after clearing gnolls. Skate party.
Dane scoffs with amusement. "P'raps."
Iphindra giggles quietly as she "skates" on the ice with her boots.
[Dane]: Iphindra, I'd noticed you were riding a horse in Dalaran.
[Iphindra]: Yes! Birch. That is the name he chose.
[Dane]: You prefer him to the nightsabers?
Iphindra shakes her head. "I— I just never made a nightsaber a friend like I made him!"
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: Horses are fine mounts.
[Erixa]: I ride horse too, instead of elekk.
[Iphindra]: I helped him, from Andorhal. On a mission.
[Erixa]: Oh, so special friend horse.
Dane swings his head towards her. "Andorhal? When?"
[Velrin]: I only ever had one horse I felt like I could rely on.
[Iphindra]: A— um… I think a few months ago? I was rescuing following a team that went to get a precious object in the town!
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: I know that town.
[Dane]: It looks like we've all the rations we'll need. Let's fly back.
[Iphindra]: Horses are trustworthy, if you understand them. Like all animals!
Iphindra nods at Atley.
[Dane]: Loyal, noble beasts.
Cressidha collects Marina's bracers and then digs out her carpet again.
[Dane]: We've been dragging them off to wars with us for millenia.
[Velrin]: I wonder what you would have thought of Storm.
[Dane]: We've got the supplies. Killed their leader, as well.
Cressidha levitates stacks of crates neatly down near Ricket.
Erixa smiles as they land in front of Ricket.
[Cressidha]: Rations in there.
Ricket says: Thanks a bunch! Without their leader, maybe they’ll finally give it a rest. As for the rations, they aren’t top gourmet, but we’ll take what we can get out here.
Ricket says: Now that’s settled, I hope you can help with something else. North of K3, Tore Rumblewrench was investigating a nearby system of mining tunnels for potential goblin takeover.
Dane grunts.
Ricket says: She hasn’t reported in, and I want you to head up to talk to her and see what the holdup is.
Dane nods once. "We'll see to it."
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Dane]: Let's head for the mine. Mount up.
[Dane]: We're looking for Tore Rumblewrench.
[Cressidha]: Excuse me, ma'am.
Tore Rumblewrench says: You're lookin' for me? What for?
[Cressidha]: Oh! You are - wonderful.
[Dane]: We're Cobalt Company. We've come to fortify K3.
[Cressidha]: Ricket was concerned you hadn't reported back in some time.
Tore Rumblewrench says: Oh, whew, that's great. And if she's wondering what's taking so long… *Tore shudders* The holdup is that the tunnels are full of taxing spiders!
Tore Rumblewrench says: The snobolds who were digging there previously seem to have dug right into a nest of them or something, and now the whole cave system is infested.
Erixa looks like she might go for a paladin bubble soon.
[Iphindra]: Awww… p— poor spiders, disturbed in their nest!
[Dane]: We'll see to clearing it out.
[Dane]: Anything else that needs doing?
Tore Rumblewrench says: Poor spiders? What about poor snobolds? And poor goblins? Most of the snobolds are pretty much dead, so we’ll have to do something about the crawlies if we’re going to move in.
[Iphindra]: … Oh.
Tore Rumblewrench says: If you're in there anyway, maybe grab any ore samples you find on the snobolds, since they won’t be needing them anymore.
[Iphindra]: That… that's also very sad for the snobolds and goblins!
[Dane]: Wot' sort of ore can we expect to find?
Dane inquires with a gruff wariness.
Cressidha regards Tore with a neutral expression.
Tore Rumblewrench says: Well, y'know the usual. Saronite.
Dane's look darkens somewhat. "I'll be handling that then, you lot."
Iphindra spots Dane's look and looks at him curiously.
Cressidha nods to Dane.
Tore Rumblewrench says: It'll be fine, I haven't seen any snobolds mumbling about darkness.
[Dane]: Not yet…
Dane growls.
[Dane]: Saronite is an ore unlike any other. It's of particular use to death knights.
Dane suddenly growls. "And why's this place got snobolds but not sgnolls?"
[Erixa]: Yes, they rub it all over themselves.
Cressidha laughs, surprised.
Iphindra can't contain a giggle at Dane's comment.
Erixa laughs.
[Dane]: In we go. Mind yourselves.
Cressidha minds herself.
[Iphindra]: Oh! Is that it? *She raises a piece of [Impure Saronite Ore]*
[Erixa]: Looks like ore to me!
[Dane]: Aye. That'd be it.
Iphindra cautiously holds it, staring. "It's pretty."
[Erixa]: Do not let it speak to your mind.
Dane admires the dead snobolds for a moment with a glare.
[Dane]: They've made quick work of the natives.
[Erixa]: Let us think of happier things - Velrin, did you meet your horse in special time, like Iphindra did?
[Velrin]: You could say so.
[Iphindra]: … Oh, it's… that kind of object. *She places the ore in a bag.*
Dane eyes Iphindra warily before he gives a slight nod and looks to Velrin.
[Velrin]: He was a gift from Thoradin. A big black stallion.
Iphindra blows flower petals at Atley, the scent bringing comfort and sweet whispers from nature spirits.
[Iphindra]: A gift?
[Erixa]: Ah! A gift horse! There are sayings about that in Common!
Dane raises his brows as a flower pedal catches in his beard. "That was a kingly gift."
Iphindra is climbing over a dead trapped snobold and snuffing out the candle on its head.
Velrin nods, "Indeed. Never before have I seen a horse so fearless."
Dane shakes his head in awe.
[Dane]: It's still hard to believe you've met him. Wot' happened to the steed?
[Velrin]: He died. He was old.
[Erixa]: They live only a few decades, horses.
[Iphindra]: He- he lived a great, long life, then!
[Dane]: I'd have liked to have studded him out.
Velrin smiles at Dane.
[Dane]: Oi! A goblin. Iphindra, look alive —!
Iphindra kneels before Injured Goblin Miner.
[Erixa]: Are you okay?
Atley kneels before Injured Goblin Miner.
Injured Goblin Miner says: Oi… it's like there's a propeller in my stomach.
The Injured Goblin Miner writhes in pain.
Iphindra makes vines sprout under the goblin's feet and wrap gently around wounds, their leaves soothing the pain.
Dane looks over the miner's wounds.
Injured Goblin Miner says: Whew, thanks… I think I can walk, but I got something nasty in my system when I got bit by something in the back of the cave. It was bigger than the other spiders… and brightly colored.
Dane lifts his gaze and looks around with a scowl.
[Erixa]: Some kind of poison?
[Iphindra]: Brightly colored! A warning!
Injured Goblin Miner says: Yeah. Ricket can probably make me an antidote, but she'd need the venom sac from whatever bit me. Would you mind finding it for me? I don't think Tore's coming.
Dane mutters something unsavory about goblin loyalty.
[Dane]: We'll find it.
[Dane]: Let's press on, you lot.
[Cressidha]: Iphindra here may be able to cure you…? But having an antidote on hand would be good for future excursions…
Injured Goblin Miner says: *The goblin looks relieved.* Thanks. You can leave me here for now. I'll just pretend I'm dead here and hopefully they'll leave me alone.
Dane looks to Iphindra.
[Erixa]: I can cure poisons too, but… if we don't know the toxin, safer to check.
[Iphindra]: I- I don't know the venoms of here well enough to heal them like that. I- I need to know more about the animals and plants of Northrend!
Iphindra nods at Erixa.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
Iphindra blows flower petals at Velrin, the scent bringing comfort and sweet whispers from nature spirits.
[Dane]: I've to say, I don't mind that sweet smell. Not in this frozen place.
[Erixa]: Reminds of spring.
Dane grunts.
Iphindra giggles.
[Iphindra]: You can find sweet smells in all the places!
[Dane]: Bloody hell.
[Velrin]: I do wish there were more flowers out here so these ones are quite welcome. *she smiles at Iphindra*
Atley points at Snowblind Digger.
[Dane]: Looks like the … snobolds have held out.
[Dane]: We need to reclaim that ore.
[Cressidha]: Ah.
[Erixa]: They have barricade.
Dane grits his teeth.
[Dane]: I doubt it'll get us anywhere.
[Dane]: But if one of you's a mind to attend diplomacy, now's the time.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Dane]: P'raps with the spiders they'll be more amenable to a deal.
[Cressidha]: I shall make the attempt?
Dane nods.
[Erixa]: Tell them we cleared a path out.
[Dane]: Oi —
[Erixa]: Well…
One of the snobolds rushes right up to them while they're discussing diplomacy and attacks.
[Dane]: So much for that. Put 'em to the sword, then.
Cressidha shouts at the snobolds closer to the barricade.
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon! Pardon me!
Iphindra looks at them sadly.
[Cressidha]: The path behind us to the exit is clear!
Cressidha approaches slowly. "If you would like to leave this cave, you can do so!"
The snobolds at the barricade chitter uneasily amongst themselves before they start scurrying towards the exit en masse!
[Dane]: Mm. Off they go, then.
Iphindra smiles.
Cressidha looks relieved and stands aside.
Iphindra blows flower petals at Atley, the scent bringing comfort and sweet whispers from nature spirits.
Dane takes to pushing over wheelbarrows to scavenge for ore.
The team begins searching the remains of the camp for ore samples.
[Erixa]: Meantime, while we work, more horse stories. Cressidha, does your horse have a story?
[Cressidha]: Cinnamon? I… bought her, when it became apparent I would need my own horse for my work with Cobalt Company.
[Erixa]: Is she spicy?
Dane grunts inquisitively.
[Cressidha]: Not very.
[Cressidha]: Ah.
Cressidha points at Icetip Crawler.
[Dane]: Spicy horse. Wot's that, then?
[Cressidha]: A brightly-colored spider.
[Erixa]: Must be the poison one.
[Dane]: Look at the bones. These wretches have dragged mammoths down here.
[Erixa]: No one is bit?
[Dane]: Not I.
Cressidha taps the inside of her ice barrier. "No, I am well."
Iphindra casts [Soothe Animal] on the spiders before their deaths.
[Cressidha]: Do… any of you know how to extract a venom sac?
[Dane]: Let's each grab a sac, n'case of mass production.
[Iphindra]: I— I can do it!
[Dane]: I've a mind to just dig 'round inside it.
[Dane]: But Iphindra —
[Erixa]: Just be careful not to touch with bare skin.
Dane gestures to the fallen spider.
[Erixa]: Go for it, Iphindra.
Iphindra pets the fallen spider(tm), before carefully cutting through its skin and pulling out the venom sac. "Here, I have it!" A flower on her head loses a few petals.
[Cressidha]: Thank you.
Dane lifts a brow. "Well done."
[Dane]: We still need more ore. Keep your eyes peeled.
Iphindra nods at Atley.
Dane clears his throat.
[Dane]: I worked the stables when I was very young.
[Dane]: I've always had a fondness for horses.
[Cressidha]: Oh?
Cressidha smiles. "I can see it."
Dane just grunts.
[Erixa]: Then what was the most special horse you remember?
Dane lets out a wistful sigh and answers immediately.
[Dane]: Sir Anduin Lothar's.
[Erixa]: Did you get to ride it?
Dane scoffs with amusement, and even growls out a bit of laughter.
[Velrin]: His steed must have been quite the impressive beast.
[Dane]: No. No, but I did see it in action.
Erixa smiles, imagining.
[Dane]: T'was. Fit for him, as a rider. I remember it being monumental in size. The color of pearls.
[Dane]: As graceful as it was strong. Built like a bloody fortress.
[Erixa]: A horse of hero.
[Dane]: Let's get the sac back to the goblin.
Dane grunts. "Too right."
[Cressidha]: Of course.
Dane grunts, look briefly darkening.
[Iphindra]: Did- did the horse need to be strong, to be special? Was- was there a horse that was just… your friend? In the stables?
[Dane]: No. But their strength and vitality in combat gave them renown.
[Dane]: T'was in Hillsbrad, 'fore the Horde made it north. I'd look after them. Horses enjoys being spoken to.
[Erixa]: I had horse only for the first time on Azeroth.
[Erixa]: I was learning about paladins, and their special horses.
[Dane]: Properly mighty beasts.
Erixa nods. "Very impressive. And then one, it was like, it belonged with me."
[Dane]: It's a powerful bond that has the power to break those who form it.
[Dane]: S'worth forming, nevertheless.
[Erixa]: That is my horse now, my Righteous. *Erixa smiles* I hope it does not break him or me.
Cressidha smiles. "I am glad you found your charger, Erixa."
Iphindra smiles at Erixa.
[Dane]: We've exacted terrible vengeance on the ones who attacked you, and we've got the sac.
Injured Goblin Miner says: Oi - thank you! I thought for sure I'd just be a spider snack.
[Cressidha]: Not at all. What's your name?
[Cressidha]: I am Cressidha, with Cobalt Company.
Atley peers at Injured Goblin Miner searchingly.
Injured Goblin Miner says: My name? Uh… I'm Zeek. I didn't think you'd care so much… wow…
[Dane]: On your feet then, mate. We're getting out of this nest.
Dane extends a hand.
Velrin smiles softly, "We're happy to help."
[Cressidha]: Let's get you back to Ricket, Zeek.
Zeek says: Alright, let's do it. I think I can make it. Just let me know when you're ready to go.
[Iphindra]: It's an honor for us to save the life of our ally!
[Dane]: Let's move.
Zeek is an absolute badass who just books it at full speed towards the exit. He even hits some spiders with his pickaxe on the way out.
[Iphindra]: You run fast!
[Erixa]: Poison does not slow you down!
Iphindra nods at Erixa.
Injured Goblin Miner says: I'm going to bring the venom sac to Ricket… and then… you know… collapse. Thank you for helping me!
Dane deadpans as Zeek runs off.
[Dane]: Cheeky.
Iphindra giggles.
[Erixa]: Poison did not harm his legs, it seems.
Cressidha watches to see that he makes it back. The landscape is very clear - there's full line of sight.
[Dane]: Let's report in, and return the ore.
[Cressidha]: Good.
[Dane]: We've dealt with the snobolds. And saved one of your men.
[Cressidha]: Zeek was still alive in there.
Tore Rumblewrench says: And the ore?
[Dane]: Hand it over, you lot.
Dane does so, marching forward.
[Iphindra]: He— he was right to not move! Spiders like to hun— *She shuts up at the ore question.*
Tore Rumblewrench says: Heh, Zeek. Well, you know what they say - those that fall behind get left behind. I don’t have time for that, when I’ve got to get our whole mining operation off the ground!
Tore Rumblewrench says: Anyway, much appreciated about the spiders and the ore.
Dane grunts, unsurprised and unimpressed.
Cressidha nods, her expression neutral.
[Dane]: If you've not anything left for us we'll return to K3.
Iphindra's vines wrap a little tighter, gently around her arms.
Tore Rumblewrench says: That's all on my side. I'll organize the takeover from here!
[Dane]: Back we go, then. Mount up.
Erixa glares briefly at Tore.
Cressidha unrolls her carpet and gets on.
[Dane]: We've handled the situation in the mine.
[Cressidha]: Ricket. Did Zeek make it back alright?
Ricket says: Yeah, Zeek got back safely - thanks for helping out our miner back there, Cobalt Company! I should be able to put together an antidote no problem.
[Iphindra]: If- If I can help, let me know! I can heal!
[Iphindra]: If I learn more about the poison, I will be able to heal similar ones very fast!
Cressidha smiles. "This is Iphindra, she's our squad's healer."
Ricket says: Thanks for the offer… if those spiders stick around I may take you up on it.
Dane grunts.
Ricket says: Also, if you stumble into Tore again, tell her that she's a jerk for me, will ya?
Iphindra smiles shyly.
Erixa grins at Ricket, the better goblin.
[Cressidha]: Should I encounter Tore once more, I shall make certain to convey your words to her.
Cressidha sounds like she would enjoy that.
Dane grunts mildly.
Ricket says: Wonderful. Anyway, there’s another thing I’d like you to help with, if you’ve got time. Gretchen Fizzlespark mentioned to me that she’s having another missing personnel problem.
[Cressidha]: Oh? Of course.
[Dane]: Mm?
Ricket says: I don't have all the details, but could you go over and see what's up with Gretchen?
Ricket says: She's just on the other side of town.
[Velrin]: We can go investigate.
Cressidha nods.
Dane nods. "We'll see to it."
[Erixa]: At least this Ricket seems to value people.
[Cressidha]: Excuse me, we're looking for Gretchen Fizzlespark?
[Dane]: Gretchen Fizzlespark!
Gretchen Fizzlespark says: That's me!
Iphindra almost whispers around the town "Gre- Gretchen?"
[Dane]: Where's —
[Iphindra]: Oh, here!
[Dane]: Ricket's us sent us to you for work.
Gretchen Fizzlespark says: Cobalt Company? That's just perfect, I can use you.
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: That'd be us.
[Cressidha]: How may we be of assistance?
Gretchen Fizzlespark says: Or I should say… you just have to help us! We were in the middle of an expedition into the mountains to set up a transmission tower when we were attacked.
Dane listens stoically.
Gretchen Fizzlespark says: They looked like vrykul, except their skin was blue and layered with frost… and they were all female! They took all the men in the expedition and let us women go.
[Erixa]: What? They took the men?
Dane lifts a bushy brow.
[Cressidha]: That's curious.
[Dane]: All women?
[Iphindra]: For…
[Velrin]: Hmmm…
Gretchen Fizzlespark says: I don't know what for, but I'm worried!
Gretchen Fizzlespark says: When they took our men, they also took all our equipment. Of course, it's more important that we get our boys back, but if you run into any of our equipment, I'd really appreciate it if you brought it back to us.
[Dane]: We'll look into them both.
Iphindra looks like she may have a guess what for.
Gretchen Fizzlespark says: We think they're being held in Sifreldar, the village overlooking K3.
[Dane]: Let's fly, you lot.
[Cressidha]: We'd best hurry.
[Dane]: Have a care, you lot. I've not encountered women-only vrykul.
Cressidha has a care.
Atley whistles at Sifreldar Runekeeper.
[Cressidha]: Pardon me.
[Dane]: Where are the prisoners?
Atley glares angrily at Sifreldar Runekeeper.
[Cressidha]: We're looking for some captives you may have taken?
Iphindra giggles. "They- They look like tall me!"
The blue vrykul woman attacks.
[Dane]: Right then. We do it our way.
[Erixa]: Not very friendly, though.
Iphindra nods at Erixa.
[Iphindra]: We are on their territory!
[Erixa]: A cage!
[Erixa]: We will get a key, do not worry!
[Dane]: Looks to be locked.
[Velrin]: This lock is beyond me. We'll need to find a key.
[Cressidha]: Ricket and Gretchen sent us. We'll be back soon with a key.
[Cressidha]: Got one!
Cressidha rushes back to the cage to let the goblin out.
Goblin Prisoner says: I can't believe it! I'm free to go!
[Erixa]: I found one too!
Iphindra claps excitedly for Goblin Prisoner.
[Dane]: Make with haste. S'not safe here.
[Erixa]: Another cage outside!
Goblin Prisoner says: I'm free? I'm free!
[Dane]: There's only a few more left.
Dane works his shoulder.
[Dane]: I've found a key.
Goblin Prisoner says: I can't believe it! I'm free to go!
[Erixa]: They put this fellow in a house.
[Dane]: Off you go, then.
[Cressidha]: Hm.
[Dane]: We'll have to ferry these goblins to safety.
[Dane]: Each of us will ride with one.
Iphindra blows flower petals at Erixa, the scent bringing comfort and sweet whispers from nature spirits.
[Iphindra]: I have a key!
[Dane]: Let's get the last two.
Cressidha nods.
There are definitely only five prisoners here.
Goblin Prisoner says: Time to hightail it! Thanks, friend!
[Iphindra]: Run!
[Dane]: Back to our mounts!
Cressidha brought her carpet with her, so she helps a goblin on early and flies to meet up with the others.
Dane scoops up a goblin by his collar and sets him on the saddle.
[Dane]: Let's fly.
Dane returns with a goblin in his saddle. He lifts him and sets him down.
[Dane]: Off you go, then.
[Bennarin]: Okay. Well, that's us for now, then.
Cressidha lowers her flying carpet to ground level so the goblin can walk off.
Gretchen sees the team return, dropping off goblin fellows.
Gretchen Fizzlespark says: You did it! You brought our boys home! Thank you!
Cressidha stacks some crates by Gretchen.
[Dane]: We've rescued the prisoners. We'll return for the rest of the supplies in time while we learn wot' to make of an only female ice vrykul clan.
[Dane]: Let's have a final muster outside, you lot.
Gretchen Fizzlespark says: Thanks, we do need the stuff, but people are the irreplaceable parts, to my mind.
Cressidha nods.
Iphindra salutes Atley with respect.
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: Fine work today, you lot. This group will do well. Remember to wear layers in this biting cold.
[Dane]: I'll send word to the captain about these strange new vrykul. Have you any questions or anything else for me?
Velrin shivers.
Erixa shakes her head. "We helped many people today."
Dane grunts.
Iphindra has frosted flowers growing in her hair. "I will!"
Iphindra smiles.
[Dane]: Then we are dismissed. Travel well.
[Cressidha]: I do not. Iphindra, though, I have something for you if you have a moment?
[Iphindra]: Yes?
[Iphindra]: Fo— for me?
[Cressidha]: Indeed. I'm one of Cobalt Company's official enchanters. Would you be interested in some magical embroidery?
Cressidha gestures at her skirt.
[Cressidha]: It should enhance the effectiveness of your healing spells.
[Iphindra]: O— oh you mean… with arcane?
[Dane]: I'd advise it. But I'm off to see my son.
Cressidha smiles at Dane and nods to Iphindra.
[Velrin]: Say hello to him for me.
[Iphindra]: I- it's really nice to ask! Thank you! But- but I do it myself! Not with arcane, though.
Dane inclines his head to Velrin. "F'course. He's still fighting over the dog for the gifts you delivered."
Velrin giggles.
Dane takes flight and zooms away!
[Erixa]: And I will see you all next week. Good team.
Iphindra salutes Erixa with respect.
Erixa stands at attention and salutes.
Velrin gets lost in thought a little, but heads inside where it's warm.
[Cressidha]: Ah…
Erixa wanders into the inn to find a place to settle.
[Cressidha]: It is your choice, of course.
[Iphindra]: Bu— but it's very kind to offer! Um…
Iphindra she looks at her armor. "Maybe- Maybe you have something to enchant my gloves?"
[Iphindra]: They're new! I haven't given them strength from nature!
[Cressidha]: All my enchantments are arcane in origin, I'm afraid. Will that be a problem?
Iphindra shakes her head. "I don't mind arcane, really! I- I just didn't want you to bother with enchanting for me!"
[Cressidha]: It would truly not be a bother. Shall we go inside?
Iphindra nods at Cressidha.
Cressidha finds a spot inside to take out her reagents - a jar of pale purple powder and a jar of little floating purple-white dots, along with a runed titanium rod.
Iphindra takes off her gloves and hands them to Cressidha. They feel oddly cold.
Cressidha finds a spot inside to take out her reagents - a jar of pale purple powder and a jar of little floating purple-white dots, along with a runed titanium rod.
Velrin takes her feather charm in her fingers and twirls it about.
Cressidha looks the gloves over and lays them out on the countertop. She dips the rod in the jar of powder and begins to trace patterns with it onto the gloves.
[Cressidha]: You seemed a little nervous today. Is it simply the adjustment period?
As Cressidha enchants the gloves, the dust vanishes into the material, as do the two little lights she takes out from the other jar.
Velrin sighs and then goes over to a bed to lay down and rest.
[Iphindra]: I- I'm sorry if you felt… um… worried?
[Cressidha]: Not at all. I simply want to make sure you feel comfortable working with us.
Cressidha packs her things away and hands Iphindra her gloves back.
[Iphindra]: I'm just… not really good with people. New people. But it will not be a problem for the squad, I swear!
Erixa lies down.
[Cressidha]: I understand. We were new people today, of course.
Iphindra picks up her gloves, and puts them back on. "Tha— thank you!"
Iphindra nods at Cressidha.
[Cressidha]: You're quite welcome.
[Iphindra]: I've… only known my family, you see? Be- before I left to journey the Eastern Kingdoms!
[Cressidha]: Ah, I see. Are you younger? Or have you simply spent a long time in relative isolation?
[Iphindra]: I'm… more than four hundred years old. We- we like tranquility!
[Cressidha]: Ah. I am… twenty-eight years old.
[Iphindra]: Tha- that's young, for humans! And you're here, fighting in Northrend?
Velrin tosses a bit in bed, then pulls a blanket over herself and tries to sleep.
[Cressidha]: Yes. I have been fighting with Cobalt Company since its origin.
[Iphindra]: That's tree years ago, soon! *She studied the Company. She knows her facts.*
[Iphindra]: So… you were 25, when it began?
Cressidha smiles. "Yes. I was."
[Iphindra]: That means… you spent many time training and playing to be strong to join?
[Cressidha]: I spent many, many years studying to master my magic, although not with the purpose of joining Cobalt Company at the time - it did not exist yet. My twin brother Colson and I intended to join the army together, but… when we were of an age, my instructor did not think me ready.
[Cressidha]: So he joined without me. It was another seven years before I had achieved sufficient mastery that my tutor thought I could work in a group setting.
[Iphindra]: They only had you study, and then said you were not ready? It- it's their fault you weren't, then. Studying isn't enough. Seven years it's… very long, for many, many forms of life.
[Cressidha]: Studying involved practice, yes. I agree that I was not ready, not with my particular skillset. It took me a long time to control individual shards of ice in a hailstorm so that they do not touch my allies.
[Cressidha]: Ms. Granville was an excellent tutor. I simply had much to refine.
[Iphindra]: Bu- but did they let you play, with magic? Playing it- it's practice, but practice isn't playing, and it's very important to learn skills!
[Cressidha]: Oh, I did my share of playing, I believe.
[Iphindra]: When I hide and seek, I understand the tracking beast or its prey. When I play with the wind, I feel the leaves who fall off the tree, or dandelion seeds being carried- Oh! Then that's- that's good!
[Iphindra]: May- maybe you were more ready, earlier than you thought.
Cressidha smiles at her. "For certain skills, perhaps. I should be going now, I believe. It was lovely talking to you, Iphindra."
[Iphindra]: It- It was nice, yes! Thank you, for the gloves!
Iphindra salutes Cressidha with respect.
[Cressidha]: You're welcome. Have a good evening.
[Iphindra]: Yes, you too!
Cressidha nods to her and exits the building.