(2024-04-09) The Herald Sisters' Reunion

Details

Author:	Luridel
Summary:	Dara, Sophiette, and Kehda come to the Cobalt Clinic in Ironforge to check if the Estel Herald who works there is the Estel Herald that Wisteria spoke of when talking about her missing sister. ~3500 words.
Rating:	M for Mature 17+

Chain: Light Guide Us

[Dara]: Sophiette, Kehda!

Dara waves.

[Dara]: I think this is the place.

[Dara]: Do we simply… go inside? I'm not sure how clinics work.

Sophiette chuckles. "I believe so, yes."

[Kehda]: Hello… Sounds like it, yes! Blue Water Lily's sister's workplace…

[Dara]: Possibly Wisteria's sister's workplace, yes. If this is the right woman.

[Kehda]: One of us could pretend to be sick, if you're worry about just going inside…

[Sophiette]: I don't think that's necessary, Kehda.

The sign says: The Cobalt Clinic. Underneath that, in smaller font, it says: Apothecaries and Healers.

[Dara]: No, I think we have legitimate business, we just need to… *Dara walks through the door.*

Sophiette steps inside after Dara.

A bell chimes when the door opens.

Kehda follows them.

[Dara]: Hello? Anyone here?

Estel is leaning on the counter, flipping through a book. She turns at the bell. "Yeah, hey!"

[Kehda]: Hello! You are being visited by Dara, the Prestigious Priestess and Sophiette, the Exemplary Paladin!

[Estel]: Cool. I heard two names and there's three of you.

[Sophiette]: Ah…heh, thank you, Kehda.

Dara smiles tentatively. "I'm sorry, but we're not ill. We're looking for someone I've been told works here."

[Kehda]: Oh, yeah… I'm Kehda.

[Sophiette]: This is Kehda, the…Astonishing Mage.

[Kehda]: Awww… *She smiles at Sophiette.*

[Estel]: I'm Estel. Come in, don't block the door, it's fine. What's up?

Estel waves them inside.

[Dara]: Oh, you're Estel!

Kehda comes in and stops blocking the door.

[Kehda]: We're in luck!

[Dara]: Estel Herald? *Dara takes another step into the room*

[Estel]: Yeah! That's me. What can I do for ya?

[Kehda]: Do you know anyone else who has the same exact name as you?..

Sophiette brightens. "You're just the person we're looking for!"

Estel blinks at Kehda. "Nope."

[Kehda]: I heard it happens a lot to humans. That's why you invented last names…

[Estel]: I picked my own last name.

[Dara]: We're getting ahead of ourselves. Do you have, um, history with the Scarlet Monastery?

[Estel]: Wasn't Scarlet at the time, but yeah. Grew up there.

Dara shoots Kehda and Sophiette a look.

[Kehda]: Do you know a Blue Water Lily?

[Dara]: That's not her name, Kehda.

Kehda shrugs. "I don't know, I think it suits her…"

[Estel]: Uh… they're native to Kalimdor?

[Kehda]: Not that one!

[Dara]: This isn't about flowers. Well, it sort of is. Is Wisteria native to the Eastern Kingdoms?

[Sophiette]: We met someone there…named Wisteria.

Dara nods at Sophiette.

Estel looks surprised. "Dunno where she comes from, we were both orphans. That's my sister, yeah. Is she - she was at the monastery?"

[Kehda]: She's been living in my home since we met her there, while she looks for her long lost sister… *Kehda smiles.*

[Estel]: Wait, so you found her? She's okay?

[Dara]: Well… 'okay' might not be the right word for it, but she's safe now.

Estel does not seem to have noticed the fishbowl yet, which is probably a good thing.

[Kehda]: Yes! Well, no, but yes! She was cursed when we found her… Dara and Sophiette managed to remove that curse…

[Sophiette]: She…might not be the same as you remember her. There have been changes. But yes, she is alive and safe.

Kehda's fishbowl hangs behind her hip, that's why Estel hasn't noticed yet, don't question it it's fine.

[Dara]: I'm not sure how much there is that we can say - when were you parted? Was it before or after Scholomance?

[Estel]: I was the one who left the monastery first. Scholomance? Holy shit.

[Dara]: Ah. Then before.

[Dara]: She… *Dara's brow draws down with worry* She wasn't a necromancer, and she's hazy about how she ended up there. But I think they did things to her.

Kehda is visibly taken aback by the language, but she doesn't say anything. "Yes… But she's safe now! Do you want me to go get her?.."

[Estel]: Shit. There were reports about that place. I — yeah, could you? Please. Thanks.

[Sophiette]: This may not be easy to hear. But she can no longer access the Light. Only…Shadow.

[Kehda]: I'm happy to help… *Kehda smiles warmly, then turns around and blinks outside the clinic.*

[Sophiette]: I believe it may have had an impact on her personality as well. But, I didn't know her before, of course.

Estel looks at Sophiette. "At all?"

[Dara]: Not at all, as for the light. *Dara shakes her head.* I'm a priestess myself, an acolyte anyway. She was only able to wield shadow.

[Estel]: I was taught both.

[Estel]: So you're Dara and you're Sophiette. Yeah?

Estel points between them.

[Dara]: …in the Scarlet Monastery? Back when they were a proper monastery? And yes, I'm Dara, she's Sophiette.

Sophiette smiles, nodding. "Exactly, yes. This is Lady Dara of House Tennerow."

[Estel]: Yeah. I was… I had two teachers, and they were kind of trying to make a point or somethin' by teaching me.

[Dara]: And Lady Sophiette of House Valonforth. *Dara says, grinning at Sophiette.*

[Dara]: Make a point? About light and shadow?

[Estel]: Yeah, pretty much. How do I put it? Like…

[Estel]: So you've got two sisters, they're priestesses, and they grew up competin' with each other, kind of? This isn't about Wis' and I, this is my teachers.

[Dara]: Okay, competitive priestesses. *Dara nods*

Sophiette nods. "Your teachers were sisters as well?"

[Estel]: Yeah. And they came up with this idea, like, Sister Briony would teach this orphan kid about the Light and Sister Eridan would teach her about shadow, and then when she grew up, she'd pick one.

[Estel]: Except I said fuck that and ran away without picking and now I use both.

Estel grins, folding her hands behind her head.

Sophiette's brow lifts at the continued foul language. Mercy.

[Dara]: And then… I suppose Wisteria chose shadow, but then again she didn't really. It's just what she was left with. *Dara seems a little less concerned about the profanity. Her brothers were soldiers*

[Estel]: You ever get someone tryin' to decide what you're gonna do with your life for you?

[Estel]: That seems like a noble lady kinda problem.

[Sophiette]: Ahh…yes. We are familiar with the issue.

[Dara]: Yes… I'd have to say so. Though I just sort of decided what I'd do myself after a certain point, and I'm hoping that works out.

Sophiette glances over at Dara with a wistful smile. "Aye, we both did, I suppose."

Dara's expression softens as she glances back over at Sophiette, and then she turns back to Estel. "I suppose the situation was just as unwelcome for you and your sister."

Estel smiles at them. "You two are partners?" She might mean that in a number of ways.

[Dara]: We're… um… *Dara blushes* We're courting.

[Estel]: Oh! Awwwww.

[Dara]: Or will be? *Dara looks over at Sophiette for confirmation*

Sophiette clears her throat, nodding. "Yes…we will be. Once I ask her brother for permission."

Dara beams at Estel.

Sophiette scootches closer to Dara.

[Dara]: My brother's my guardian, since my parents are gone. It was long ago.

[Estel]: Ah, gotcha. Well.

[Estel]: If you feel like you wanna get his permission first, that's your call to make, yeah? Is that how rich people do these things?

[Dara]: Yes, we want to make sure it's all done properly.

Sophiette nods firmly. "It's traditional. He is the head of House Tennerow, after all."

[Estel]: Neat. Definitely try it that way first, then.

[Dara]: First. *Dara repeats, and a strange look comes over her face. She might not have considered a backup plan yet*

[Estel]: Yep!

Meanwhile, at Kehda's house…

[Kehda]: Blue Water Lily? Are you her- Oh! *Kehda spots her sitting at a table.* Yes, you are!..
Wisteria looks up. "Ah. Kehda."

[Wisteria]: Is there a meal today?

[Kehda]: There is! *Kehda conjures some bread.* Here!

Wisteria nods politely. "Thank you." She accepts the bread and goes to fetch a plate.

[Kehda]: Take all the time you need to finish your meal! We aren't in a hurry…

Kehda sits at the table.

Wisteria settles down with her bread, which she cuts into slices and eats. She is not putting anything on the bread.

[Kehda]: I'll need to take you somewhere in town, after that…

[Kehda]: It's just, thanks to Dara and Sophiette investigative skills and spiritual connection to the Light, we were able to find Estel Herald… That's the name of the sister you're looking for right?

The bread is pumpkin flavored. Very out of season.

Wisteria blinks. "Yes. Where is she?"

[Wisteria]: Is she alive?

[Kehda]: Oh, at the clinic!

[Kehda]: She's not a patient… She works there…

[Kehda]: But she's not going anywhere, enjoy your meal!..

Wisteria nods. She finishes up two slices of bread, taking her time.

[Kehda]: Plus, we're not sure this is the Estel Herald you're looking for… She did say she lived at the Scarlet Monastery and had a sister named Wisteria, but you never know! Sometimes, coincidences happen…

Wisteria blinks. "There were no other Estels there."

[Kehda]: Hmmm, maybe that's her, then!..

[Wisteria]: I hope she is well. Thank you for finding her for me. Is this pumpkin bread?

[Kehda]: She looked well! I sense a great power emanating from her, too… You have a powerful sister…

[Kehda]: And it is, yeah! I'm trying to conjure different flavored bread!

[Kehda]: Next one is going to be steak bread…

[Wisteria]: I believe I enjoy pumpkin bread. I have never experienced steak bread that I can recall.

[Kehda]: Great… That's good, to try new things…

Wisteria carefully wraps the rest of the conjured bread up for later, takes her plate and knife to the sink, and washes the dishes.

Kehda is sitting very relaxed in her chair. Not in a hurry at all. They'll go there when they go there.

[Kehda]: Do you need help with the dishes?..

[Wisteria]: No, thank you.

Wisteria dries her hands on a dishtowel. "May we go see my sister now?"

Kehda gets up. "Absolutely! And thanks for keeping this place tidy. Since I'm never here, there's usually dust everywhere!"

[Wisteria]: You are welcome.

[Wisteria]: I appreciate having somewhere to stay.

Kehda exits her home. "I'm happy you do! That usually is nice to have, yeah…"

Kehda casts an arcane intellect spell on Wisteria. "You'll need this!"

Wisteria blinks.

[Wisteria]: Thank you.

[Dara]: Oh, I think they're back!

[Sophiette]: Yes…ah…I'm sure he'll agree. I can be very-…oh, I hear someone approaching.

[Kehda]: We are! *She smiles.*

The bell above the door rings as Kehda and Wisteria enter.

[Kehda]: Sorry it took a little bit, we were eating pumpkin bread…

Sophiette steps aside to make way for Wisteria.

[Estel]: Hey, Wis'.

Dara looks at the sisters, clasping her hands together.

Wisteria looks Estel over. "I am glad to know that we did not kill you when we were in the monastery."

Estel gives Wisteria a big hug, laughing. "What have you been DOING, you went to Scholomance?"

Wisteria wraps her arms around Estel. She seems to understand hugging. "Yes. I was invited. It was not a legitimate invitation, it was a trap."

Kehda watches the reunion, tilting her head to the side and smiling brightly.

Kehda's smile fades a little at the mention of a trap, though.

[Estel]: Ben brought some people in, I wonder if he… that was years ago, though.

[Estel]: You've missed a ton.

[Wisteria]: I believe it was many years, yes.

Wisteria's manner of speaking has not changed at all, but she puts her head down on Estel's shoulder.

[Dara]: Many years between when you left Scholomance and we found you?

Sophiette watches the sisters, her shoulders drooping just a little. She might have hoped seeing Estel would trigger some kind of blooming in Wisteria.

[Wisteria]: I am uncertain. I believe I spent many years in Scholomance itself, but it was difficult to track time in there.

[Kehda]: There is much about the magic that was placed on you we don't know about, I think…

Dara reaches out one hand towards Sophiette's in comfort. Sometimes blossoming takes time.

[Estel]: I went to the city for a bit, an' then I left. I had an assassin phase and everything. Met my partner. Got this job here, well, I joined this group of mercenaries, yeah? Cobalt Company.

Sophiette gives Dara's hand a squeeze, smiling over at her with flushed cheeks.

[Wisteria]: I see. I have heard of Cobalt Company.

[Dara]: Oh, you did? I should have checked the company roster…

[Estel]: Yeah, it's been a few years.

Kehda takes a chair and goes to sit behind the counter, closer to the two sisters. "You were an assassin, you say?.."

[Dara]: I admit, that does seem a little on the side from the priesthood.

[Estel]: I didn't say that, but I'm not sayin' I wasn't, either. Heh.

[Wisteria]: What does that mean?

[Kehda]: That she legally can't talk about it because being an assassin is punishable by law?..

[Estel]: It means that only stupid people say things to incriminate themselves. But, like, I'm a healer.

Kehda giggles.

[Wisteria]: Did you heal assassins?

[Estel]: Yeah, actually. Healed a lot of 'em. Trainees, mostly.

[Kehda]: Ooooh…

[Wisteria]: I see.

[Dara]: A good healer heals everyone who needs it. *Dara says, and it sounds like she might be repeating a lesson*

Wisteria sounds like she does not see.

[Estel]: Yep!

Estel gives Wisteria a squeeze and finally releases her from the hug.

Wisteria latches on to Estel's arm like a koala.

[Wisteria]: I have been living at Kehda's house.

[Estel]: Yeah?

Wisteria nods.

Kehda has her fishbowl in her lap. "Yeah… She loves bread…"

[Wisteria]: It is a nice location. I sleep on the carpet by the bed. It is soft.

[Kehda]: … you haven't been sleeping in the bed?..

[Wisteria]: No. Was I intended to?

Sophiette started to give Kehda a disapproving look for not giving up her bed, until it becomes evident she tried to provide one.

[Estel]: What did they do to you, holy shit.

[Kehda]: Well… that's what I meant when I said "the room is yours" but… *She shrugs.* I'm glad you liked the carpet…

[Estel]: Wisteria, you can sleep in the bed, it's okay.

[Estel]: She says it's okay.

Kehda nods at Estel.

Wisteria looks at Kehda. "Does that mean I can also store my belongings in the wardrobe?"

[Estel]: Do I need to teach you how to live in a house?

[Kehda]: Of course!

Wisteria looks at Estel, considering. "I am not accustomed to all of this freedom and lack of structure."

[Estel]: Okay, okay. We'll get you sorted. You'll be fine.

[Kehda]: Awww… *It's a sad awww, this time.*

[Wisteria]: I like Kehda's house.

[Sophiette]: Lack of structure? Hm…maybe you need a job, Wisteria.

[Wisteria]: I would like to continue living there.

Dara watches the two of them with sympathy.

[Wisteria]: Another one?

[Kehda]: Hmm… If you want to, Estel, you can come live in my home too, to help Blue Water Lily!.. Even if it's temporary! To help her get used to… freedom?

[Kehda]: I'm almost never there anyway…

[Estel]: Yeah? That'd be great - at least get me a key, an' I can drop by. I've got a roommate with two kids, I don't want to just ditch her, y'know?

[Dara]: Oh! A roommate with two kids. How old are they?

Kehda gets up, pulls a key from a pocket in her robes, and hands it to Estel. "Here… you can have mine!"

Estel takes the key. "Man, I dunno, I'd have to do math. I can take this to a locksmith, sure."

[Kehda]: No, no need! It's my home… I'll find a way in if I need to anyway…

[Estel]: They're pretty young.

[Kehda]: I could just… walk through the walls…

Kehda goes back to the chair and sits.

[Estel]: Wait, what's that?

[Dara]: Well, that's kind of you to help, then. It must be difficult to care for two small children.
Estel points. Fish.

Kehda looks down. "Oh, that!.. They're hooves. All Draenei have them, and some horses do too…"

[Estel]: In the bowl. Are you a necromancer?

[Wisteria]: I have not seen Kehda use any necromancy.

Dara looks sharply at Kehda. Is she?

Estel pats Wisteria's hand on her arm reassuringly.

[Kehda]: In the bowl?.. Oh! No, that's just my fish!.. I found it, a few… months ago, I think?

Kehda raises the fishbowl. "Doesn't it look cute?"

[Estel]: Yeah, that fish is dead and reanimated. Also a sanitation hazard. Shouldn't be in here.

Sophiette wrinkles her nose at the fish.

[Dara]: One can reanimate… fish?

Kehda gasps. "How dare! I don't come to your house to say terrible things about your fish…"

[Sophiette]: Kehda…this is a clinic for the sick.

[Estel]: Hey. I'm just calling it like I see it, that fish is dead. I get patients here, I can't risk contamination. Fish goes outside, please.

Estel sounds friendly, but firm.

Kehda sighs. "I see, well I don't see what you see in my pet, but okay…" Kehda snaps her fingers, and the fishbowl teleports somewhere else.

[Dara]: I'm not sure you should keep a reanimated fish as a pet, but… I suppose if it hasn't got teeth?

[Kehda]: I promise it's very friendly… whenever you put your finger near the bowl it approaches to give you little kisses…

[Estel]: Uh huh…

[Sophiette]: Are you sure it isn't trying to eat you…?

[Kehda]: Of course not. It never eats anything… Why would it eat me?..

[Dara]: Can a human catch plague from a fish? Or a draenei?

Sophiette palms her face in her hand.

Wisteria's face is still quite blank, but she continues to hold on to Estel's arm.

[Estel]: Yeah.

[Estel]: Don't eat it.

[Dara]: You'd best be careful then, Kehda. If it's plague that might not be curable.

[Estel]: Wis', don't touch that fish, yeah?

[Wisteria]: I will not touch the fish.

[Kehda]: Don't worry, the fish is always with me!..

[Estel]: Okay, I gotta close out my shift. Wis', you wanna stay here with me?

Wisteria nods.

Sophiette beams happily at the sisters. "I'm so glad you've found one another again!"

[Estel]: Yeah. I owe you guys one.

[Dara]: And please, do not hesitate to ask if there's anything I can do to help!

[Estel]: Well, I mean, money.

[Sophiette]: Please, you owe us nothing.

[Dara]: Money? To help? *Dara blinks*

Kehda gets up. "I am too… That's a beautiful end for a tragic story, full of twists and turns!"

[Sophiette]: Compassion for those in need is the way of the Light.

[Estel]: Clinic needs funding for rarer ingredients and staff. I need money to eat three meals a day and have clothes to wear. You know. The usual.

[Wisteria]: Three?

[Estel]: Three's ideal, yeah.

[Kehda]: Oh, no, I don't need money… My parents left me a lot of gold inside a pocket bank, in Shattrath… I take payment in good stories, though! And you already payed!

[Dara]: Oh, hm. Should I see if House Tennerow can sponsor the clinic? I was going to say I could give you some money now, but it sounds like a longer investment is needed.

Estel shakes her head. "She said if there was anything she could do to help. So. Yeah, that's the sort of thing Niris might appreciate. That's my boss. Niris Ference."

[Dara]: Oh! Yes, we're quite close with the Ferences. I imagine my brother would agree easily.

[Sophiette]: Oh! Yes, I've met Lady Ference. She's absolutely lovely.

[Estel]: Cobalt Company runs the way it does on sponsorships and investments, that kind of thing.

[Kehda]: Oooh, you meant you want us to give you money. I'll leave some on the table at my house! Come pick it up whenever…

Dara smiles at Sophiette.

Estel grins at Kehda. "Can't wait to see how you break in."

Kehda is going to leave an absurd amount of money on that table.

Kehda giggles at Estel.

Dara giggles nervously. "Well, I'm sure Dev can discuss with Lady Ference about a proper amount." It sounds like the sponsorship is already settled in Dara's mind.

[Estel]: Brilliant.

[Estel]: Love days like this.

[Estel]: Wis', we're gonna get you sorted out, okay?

Wisteria repeats, "Okay."

Kehda smiles at Wisteria.

[Kehda]: I'm glad you two are back at each other's side…

[Dara]: I hope we'll see you all again. *Dara smiles*

[Kehda]: You deserve it!

[Kehda]: Even if you were a little rude to my fish…

Wisteria looks around at the trio. After a moment, she smiles.

[Estel]: If your fish tells me I hurt its feelings, I'll apologize. To the fish.

Sophiette stifles a giggle.

Kehda giggles.

Dara raises a hand to her mouth.

[Kehda]: I'll let it know!

[Estel]: But I can't have contaminants in the clinic. Thanks.

[Dara]: I suppose we should leave you two to it, then. To catch up.

[Kehda]: I get it… That water in the bowl hasn't been changed in a while.

Dara pulls Sophiette's hand gently towards the door.

[Estel]: Take care, y'all.

[Kehda]: Yes, we should! I'll see you two at home soon… *She'll knock. This isn't her house anymore.*

[Sophiette]: Light be with you!

Kehda waves goodbye to everyone. Farewell!

[Estel]: Light do the thing, yep. Later, later!

Estel waves lazily.

Dara waves goodbye to everyone. Farewell!

[Wisteria]: Goodbye.

[Kehda]: Dioniss aca!