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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Jo holds a party on the beach of Stranglethorn Vale! Arric, Dane, Emerine, Estel, Ivrianna, Kerlo, Silvestre, Tadget, Taeavon, and Velrin attend. ~7k words |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
A large section of the beachline coast of Stranglethorn Vale, some ways out of Booty Bay, has been cordoned off for an event. The cordon and the regularly-spaced guards seem less inclined to keep out potential attendees than to ensure that no crocolisks, gorillas, raptors or other dangerous wildlife wander into the party zone. The entrance, a break in the barrier easily reachable by a path from the main road, is open and welcoming - there is no checking of invitations here.
Inside, everything is set for people to have a good time. It's still warm this far south, and the blue water sparkles invitingly for wading or swimming. There are several large food buffet tables, tidily organized into vegetable, animal, and dairy. The plants table has a variety of tropical fruits, as well as crackers and some kind of greenish vegetable spread - one might assume the latter is from gnomish underground-living influence. The meat table has a variety of smoked and dried meats - ham, crocolisk, talbuk, spider - it's a multicultural table. The dairy table has a wide variety of cheeses, from the milk of cows, sheep, deer and goats. There's also a table for drinks, with a human bartender ready to serve. There's water, lemonade, and sparkling white wine - no stronger spirits appear to be available. Maybe Jo didn't think it was necessary.
A band is already setting up, far from the water. It looks like Jo did not ultimately go with the Tauren Chieftain band from Shattrath - perhaps she asked to hear their music first. Instead, the band is a collection of kaldorei musicians, who appear to be playing a variety of stringed and percussive instruments.
The area is decorated with gold, white and blue ribbons around the perimeter, perhaps a nod to the colors of the Alliance as well as of Cobalt Company. Within the zone, small clockwork robots trundling about with small collections of vegetables, crackers, cheese, and meat, as well as pre-filled cups of water, lemonade and wine.
Jo Sparkwire herself is there already, dressed in a casual yellow sarong and top, with her long hair down her back. She isn't wearing her usual goggles, and for once does not appear to have any kind of tools at hand. That is, unless her sarong has pockets. She is ready to be a hostess!
Siege Engineer Kerlo Quarterflash stands at Jo's side, his usual goggles replaced by dark lenses that protect his sensitive eyes from the sun. He's wearing white sandals and a loose short-sleeved shirt and shorts in shades of purple, white and blue. His platinum hair is mostly covered by a brimmed straw hat.
"Now don't be alarmed if the humans aren't punctual," he tells her confidently. "Apparently it's an important part of human culture to arrive at parties well after the start time."
Jo nods nervously at Kerlo. "Yes, 'fashionably late' they call it, though I'm not sure what part of it is fashion. That's usually clothes."
Taeavon Noonshade arrives early. He's dressed in a loose fitting shirt and pants that are perfect for the hot sunny weather. He is not human and with his strict upbringing he did not get the memo that he was supposed to be late. He looks around a bit awkwardly being the only one there.
Kerlo gives him a wave. "Ah, hello there!" he says brightly. "More will be coming along shortly, don't worry - humans tend to run a little late. I'm Siege Engineer Kerlo Quarterflash of the 7th Legion, 9th Expeditionary Unit, at your service! You can call me Kerlo, or Q."
"O-oh. Hello there. I'm Taeavon Noonshade." He waves back after a slight hesitation, "It's nice to meet you."
Atley arrives. He wears sturdy leather work boots, deep brown pants with golden embroidery, but no belt. Suspenders have been pulled tight over his broad shoulders. He wears a brown button up work shirt with many of the buttons undone and his sleeves rolled up, chest partially exposed.
Over one shoulder is a sizable tan beach bag. A fishing pole sticks out from it. Over the other shoulder is the shield bearing the glowing Royal Crest of Lordaeron, and lastly, Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker, is securely strapped between his shoulder blades. Its points nearly drag in the sand. He looks like he’s going on something of a cross between a lightly-armed campaign and a leisurely stroll.
Taking in the beach, he turns to offer his traveling companion his hand.
Ivri is wearing a cheerful yellow sundress, one large enough to accommodate her rounded stomach, and little sandals on her feet. One hand holds Dane's hand, the other is wrapped around a reasonably large one-year-old, bracing him on her hip. "I need to sit," she complains. "That gryphon of yours may fly smoothly but it was still bouncy. All right, fine, less bouncy than horses, I'll give you that." Was there a discussion in progress? No. Does that stop her? Also no.
There is a scattering of picnic tables at the edges of the gathering, and also blankets over the sand for a more picnic-like experience.
Atley growls, a fond if gruff look in his eyes. He leans in to kiss her cheek and scratch her skin with his beard. Atley offers her his full arm instead and grunts, nodding over to a picnic area, leading her to a seat. He sets the bag alongside her, and leans the sword and shield against the bench.
Jo brightens as Tae, and then Dane and Ivri arrive. She waves happily, reaching out her other hand to take Kerlo's. "Please, help yourself to food and drink! And, um, if you need anything special for Karson, let me know. I can send somebody to Booty Bay. Or no, I won't do that. Maybe to Stormwind, via portal. They have more baby-safe foods."
“Hullo’, Cap’. There any umbrellas about for the little one?” Atley asks, up nodding to the large one year old in Ivri’s arms.
Karson squints vaguely at the ocean before he flutters chubby arms and lets out a cry of excitement with no warning, followed by an incoherent burble.
Emerine ducks underneath the cordon rather than entering from the road, smiling at the guards. "I'm a guest," she says, and makes her way down the beach to the drinks table already. Her eyebrows are still in the process of growing out, and she has not worn her wig to the beach - her once luxuriously long green hair is fairly short, courtesy of Deathwing. She wears a large sunhat tied underneath her chin to keep it from blowing away, and is otherwise wearing a teal and turquoise kaldorei-style beach wrap.
None of the guards move to stop Emerine. It seems they truly are here to prevent wildlife from entering.
Ivri settles herself at the table and sighs, then smiles brightly at Jo. "Jo! Sorry we're so early but we wanted to take it extra slow. Guess we didn't go slow enough. And don't worry about the food, I brought some for His Royal Chubbiness." She looks down at Karson and blows a big raspberry kiss against one of his fat little cheeks.
Karson reaches up to lightly grope at Ivri’s chin and squeals with wonder at her many abilities. He is in a light blue onesie with tan shorts to cover his chubby pale thighs, his brown Atley trademarked hair cropped short. It appears custom and tailor-made.
"I'm just thrilled you made it," Jo says, beaming at Dane and Ivri. "And yes, there are some umbrellas, just one moment…" Jo blinks away to the edge of the party, picking up a beach umbrella leaning against the ribbon and rope, and then hurrying back to hand it over to Dane.
Taeavon starts to move toward the food tables until some distant wildlife catch his attention and he pulls out a notebook and begins observing.
There is a sudden huge puff of odorless smoke atop the cheese table.
When the air clears there is a totally ripped gnome with short brown hair standing there - on the table - in dazzlingly reflective sun-protection goggles and a black bikini that reveals more than a few scars. She is standing between two plates of cheese, her stylish black sandals showing off eight toes with black nail polish.
" ✨ 😎 THE PARTY CAN START NOW! 😎 ✨ " she announces, and then proceeds to flex her biceps picturesquely.
Ivri rolls her eyes, but doesn't manage to hide a delighted smile. "Oh my god, who invited that?" she asks loudly. Very loudly.
Jo jumps and turns around with a sound of delight at Tadget's announcement. To Ivri's open question, she says, "I invited her, of course! Tadget, so glad you made it!"
Taeavon jumps and nearly drops his pen and notebook at the sound. He tries very hard to play it off naturally with limited success.
Emerine's ears twitch, and she reaches up to adjust her hat. Maybe that's where the knives are.
Tadget does a little jump-flip off the cheese table and then struts over to Ivri. "Sup, sis?" she says. "You've got a little something stuck to you there." She points to Karson. "Need me to wipe it off?"
Atley looks over and grunts in surprise, hand shifting towards his sword before he stops himself. He scoffs with amusement and glances between Ivri and Tadget before he leans down to relieve Ivri of child. Karson continues squinting his little eyes in the brightness as Atley tucks him against his chest and reaches for Jocoza’s umbrella with a grunt of thanks.
He drives it into the ground as if staking a banner and extends it.
Relieved of her burden, Ivri makes "gimme" arms at Tadget. "Nah, that's what I keep Dane around for. Hug me before I pass out in awe of you. How'd you get your abs back after dropping three kids at once?"
Tadget jumps up into Ivri's arms and gives her a rib-crushing squeeze before letting go and dropping back down to the ground.
"Two years of extremely punishing workouts," she says. "Also I was smart enough to have 'em all at once." She eyes Ivri up and down. "You look all happy and junk though. It's freaky."
“Hullo’ there. Sharpgear now, innit’?” Atley growls. Karson decides to grab a handful of his fascinating beard and yank. Atley makes a face and grits his teeth before he pries Karson’s chubby wrist away from his face.
"Yessir, Tadget Sharpgear!" She gives him a little salute. Which is weird, in a bikini.
Atley grunts.
He turns to casually scan the perimeter, Karson’s wrist in his hand. He spots Tae and grunts as he idly leans down to softly bite Karson’s digits. The baby squeals. Atley nods.
Tae waves and considers if he should approach or not. He glances between his notebook and Dane a few times before he decides to say hello. "Hi. You're Sir Dane Atley, right?"
Ivri laughs at Tadget, then shakes her head at Tae. "Don't 'sir' him, it goes straight to his head." She lifts her smile up to Dane, dazzling bright with sparkling blue eyes.
Estel stops at the point where road meets sand to take off her very practical shoes and socks and shove them into her bag. She is wearing a light blue and white sundress (acceptable beachwear) and a shabby brown cap with a brim (does not seem like standard beachwear at all).
Then Estel breaks into a run towards the trio of food tables. She has priorities. "Hey!" she calls as she passes people. "Hi, hello!"
Ivri watches Estel sprint by. "Hi Estel!" she calls. "Someday," she murmurs quietly, "I'm gonna feed that girl until she surrenders. It'll be an interesting challenge."
"Hey, Ivri!" Estel shouts back. Plate. Food on plate. Let's go. She gathers herself a selection from each of the different tables, all on the same plate, stacking things on top of each other that perhaps should not be stacked.
Atley scoffs at Ivri, deadpan. “Where’s the trouble in that, then. We can use it as a flotation device,” he jokes dryly.
Atley shifts Karson to his other shoulder and extends a hand to Tae. “I am. Dane or Atley will serve fine here. We’ve met then, haven’t we.”
Taeavon takes his hand and gives it a firm shake, "Yeah. In Icecrown I think. Argent Tournament." He gives Karson a quick smile and returns to Dane, "How have you been?"
Atley takes to fondly patting and squeezing the back of Ivri’s neck as he nods to Tae. “Aye. Must’ve been that. Wot’s that ledger?”
"Oh, these are my notes. I like to keep it on hand in case I see something interesting." Tae turns the notebook around to show a rough sketch of a pod of dolphins with some observations and notes scribbled on the sides.
Atley’s bushy brows knit in wariness at ‘interesting.’ He leans in to squint at the sketching, and appears appeased. “Aye. The beasts. You ever come across those sailing?” he growls inquiringly.
"Well, I can't say I do much sailing, but I've traveled out here to do some research quite a few times actually." Tae's eyes light up as he nerds out, "The ecosystem here is so diverse. I doubt I've even studied half of it."
Ivri opens the leather bag and pulls from inside it… another bag. One of Cressidha's, a fact which soon becomes apparent as she begins pulling out more and bigger things than that bag should hold. It's not long before she's assembled a playpen in the shade of the umbrella. She tosses in a well-loved and much-drooled-upon small stuffed hippogryph. "Tell me everything you've been up to," she demands of Tadget. "I miss the life so much!"
Atley lowers and deposits The Boy on his chubby hands and knees. Karson struggles to maintain himself for a moment and yawps wildly before he spots the hippogryph, and a look of determination flicks across his wrinkled, vaguely turtle like face.
"'Kay," says Tadget, plopping down under the umbrella wherever there's room. "Well as you likely know, I am now a character in an ongoing series of illustrated novels by Elanor Steelbloom, all of which I'm sure you've read multiple times - so I'm super famous and stuff. Me and the rest of the Cobalt Blade have lately mostly been running around sweating inside Blackrock Mountain, checking up on ol' Nefarian, who apparently got tired of being dead and is up to all kinds of nonsense again. So, you know, the usual. Glamor. Violence. Et cetera. You?"
Ivri sighs and grimaces. "Babies," she says as if that explains it all. "I'm determined this one will be the last one for awhile, though. Remind me to ask Estel about a tea that I can drink while breastfeeding. I'm already planning to have another run at Ravenholdt to get me back in shape. Thank the Light for extended family units that can watch the offspring while I'm away getting buff again. Then, back to murder!"
Estel calls, "What?" and approaches the playpen. Apparently she heard her name.
"Sup," Tadget says to Estel as she approaches. "Have we met before?"
"Yeah, but it's been a bit. You weren't famous then. I'm Estel, hi." Estel grins.
"A pregnancy-preventing tea I can drink while still breastfeeding," Ivri explains. "Who knew you even could get pregnant while breastfeeding?"
Tadget plants her hands on her hips and listens with interest to the conversation between Estel and Ivrianna .
Estel, who did know that, waves a hand. 'I'll check with Niris just in case and send you somethin'. Shouldn't be an issue."
Velrin suddenly appears by the edge of the playpen. She's dangling a baby boar plushie and making silly faces at Karson. She's dressed in a black, one-piece swimsuit.
Jo notices Velrin appear and smiles at her behavior around the baby. Then Jo looks around to see where that other stealthy person, Emerine has gone off to. Sure are a lot of rogues at this party!
Emerine has obtained a glass of lemonade and is listening to the band.
Ivri sighs heavily. "Oh good. I was worried you were gonna tell me there wasn't such a thing and that was seriously gonna put a crimp in my love life." She strokes her belly absently. Then she grins at Velrin. "Stop giving him toys," she scolds, teasing. "I can't believe you found one you hadn't already given him. That hippogryph is his favorite."
Jo smiles fondly as they catch up, and wanders back towards Kerlo, ready to greet anyone else who might arrive and get them situated.
Karson drools heavily. He spots the dangling boar and an expression of mischief flickers across his face. He reaches out to the barrier of the playpen and slowly but surely tugs himself up, leaning heavily on it for support. He starts to lethargically shimmy closer to the boar.
Velrin is too distracted by Karson to be horrified at the concept of not wanting to get pregnant, "But he loves them so much. See?" Velrin makes the boar wiggle in a little dance, "I like the hippogryph too. The big bear one is my favorite, though. I'll have to get him one for his birthday." Velrin evidently has her own plushie collection.
"It's coming up soon. End of the month, believe it or not." Ivri fans herself with one hand.
Atley tongues the inside of his cheek, giving Velrin a grunt, still patting Ivri’s upper back. He scowls out at the jungle and narrows his eyes, then answers Tae’s last comment about the wildlife. “Diverse, aye. Could do with less trolls, F’course.”
Tae chuckles awkwardly, "I guess they can be a little troublesome sometimes. They've been here longer than us, though as far as anyone can tell."
Ivri looks up at Dane. "Can you go get me something to drink, please? Tadget, do you want something to drink? Get Tadget something too. Lemonade? Lemonade."
"Boooo-ring," says Tadget. "But since there's no rum I suppose lemonade will have to do. What kind of Booty Bay party doesn't have rum?"
Ivri laughs. "The kind where the captain knows that the only thing more rowdy than a mercenary party is a drunken mercenary party. Jo doesn't want to have to pay to have the beach replaced."
Atley grunts once. “Relics,” he says in agreement with the comment about trolls, before his gaze flicks from Tadget to Ivri. He gives the former a final pat on the back before he grunts at Tae. “Time for a drink.”
He marches off to the beverage table and wipes some sweat from his forehead as he acquires three cups, filling two with lemonade, one with water.
Taeavon follows along to get some lemonade.
Karson makes a play for the stuffed boar, and tries to tug on it. He wobbles on his thighs, nearly losing his balance as he grips the playpen.
Kerlo seems content to hang back at a short distance and let Jo mingle and survey the gathering. With a glass of lemonade in one hand, his gaze drifts from Jo to the ocean and back again. He exudes an aura of relaxed satisfaction.
Velrin lets go of the boar so Karson can play with it. She just watches and smiles. If she was thirsty she has long since forgotten.
Karson falls back, in his own volition, rump breaking his fall in the sand. He fixates on the boar’s eyes, trying to pry at the mysterious gems for a moment before he takes to biting. His bright blue eyes rotate to up to Vel, causing him to squeal through his mouthful, kicking around sand in his playpen.
Atley acquires the lemonade and water, briefly grunting at Tae. “Oft too sweet for me, these.” He turns and starts marching back to the table.
Taeavon takes a sip of his drink, "I get that. It's nice every once in a while though, right?"
Atley grunts mildly and offers the lemonades to Ivri and Tadget. “Here you are then, ladies.”
Ivri extends her hand for the lemonade as Dane brings it back. She smiles at him, then at Taeavon. "No ale?" she asks. "Watered ale is practically the Cobalt Company signature drink."
"O-oh, no. Not for me. I don't like ale." Taeavon says looking a bit embarrassed.
Atley grunts at both of them at once. He takes a sip from his water before wrapping his fingers around Karson’s torso, lifting the baby from the pen.
He tilts the water cup to his lips, and Karson takes a moment to catch on before he grasps the cup and begins guzzling, otherwise maintaining a vice like grip on the boar. “This here’s my lovely wife, Ivrianna. And this here’s Taeavon. We first crossed paths at the Argent Tournament, in Northrend.”
"Hullo," Ivri says, then she wrinkles her nose. "Ugh, Northrend. The whole place stank of fish."
Jo can't let that one go, and she moves closer to the conversation again. "Did you know they suggested I drink pungent seal whey to support my magic usage? I don't think I'll ever forget that smell."
"Nice to meet you, Ivrianna." Taeavon offers a hand for her to shake.
Ivri shakes hands with Taeavon. The gagging sounds she makes probably has more to do with what Jo says than with shaking hands. Probably. "As if seal whey itself isn't a crime, they have to add the 'pungent' to it. Ugh." A dramatic shudder punctuates the 'ugh'.
"I didn't think it was that bad." Taeavon says, "It was a little gnarly going down, but it's a good source of protein on the go and it has a lot of good probiotic properties." He stops for a second to read the room, "But, uh, still not my first choice I guess…"
Atley grunts and lays Karson out on the table. He rummages around in their bag for a vial of pale cream. After removing the baby’s small shorts, Atley takes to covering his heavy limbs in sunscreen, holding the cup in his teeth.
“Can’t have you cooked, though these thighsh’ are good eating.” Karson expresses distaste at playtime getting interrupted and begins to whimper in pitiable displeasure, bottom lip trembling as he writhes and fights against the cold substance.
Jo's eyebrows raise. "I can think of a number of protein sources I would prefer to seal whey. But in any case, we're not serving that here today."
Ivri murmurs, "Praise the Light."
“Ivri’s no love of seafood,” Atley comments idly as he hefts Karson up and applies the sunscreen to the back of his neck. At this, the baby begins to miserably cry.
"But seals aren't fish. They're…" They don't care, Tae. The voice in his head shuts him up.
Since this is apparently a rogue party, another rogue joins in. Sil comes in from the side like Emerine, and quietly looks around to see who all is here. He sidles up to the group, waving a familiar greeting to the Atleys, Tadget and Taeavaon.
“Oi, Sil,” Atley growls as he works on the last of the sunscreen on the crying baby. Karson drops the boar on the table.
Ivri brightens. "Sil!" she says. "How's my favorite not-really-my-nephew nephew?" Absently, Ivri leans over her son and lifts his hands to her mouth, kissing his fingies. "Shh," she murmurs. "Don't scare away all the fish your father wants to catch."
Estel waves to Sil and blessedly does not talk with her mouth full.
"Doing great," Sil grins, he notes Estel and waves at her as well. "Sorry I've not been to Eastvale so often lately. Doing some traveling. To the sea and back, that sort of thing."
Karson’s cries deescalate back to whimpering as Atley offers Karson to Ivri so he can make for the food table.
Velrin's ears perk up at the mention of fishing, "We're going fishing? Oh no! I should have brought my rod!"
"You can fish from the surf," Jo says, gesturing at the water. "But be careful in case anyone goes out in the water. I don't want to have to ask Estel to heal hooked people."
Estel snorts and says something very indistinct with her mouth full about how she'll heal whoever.
Ivri takes her son and swings him onto her lap. She picks up the boar and hands it to him. "Restless feet," she says. "Like my brother. Eastvale's there when you need it," she assures Sil.
"It means a lot to know that," Sil says, with a fond smile. "How's the new little one coming along? Any easier this time?"
Karson leans his large toddler head against Ivri’s chest as he consoles himself with prying and squeezing the boar, still sniffling.
"Some of it," Ivri says, nodding. "More because I know what to expect at this point. Not nearly as sick as I was with this one." She bounces Karson a little. "Garritt is out there on the sea somewhere, you know," she says. "On one of Vice Admiral Fallon's boats, or so I heard. If you see him, tell him to write more often or come home once in awhile."
Taeavon considers if the window of opportunity to wave to Sil has past yet or not. Would it be weird if he waved now? Is the moment over? He just stands there and smiles absently while he observes the situation.
Atley takes his time, half loading a plate with items of all kinds, half stuffing his own face in the process. Fish may or may not be conspicuously absent.
"I will for sure," Sil nods, and smiles back at Taeavon. The window of opportunity for smiling never closes. "I haven't seen a whole lot of all the sailors. I… um… well, I've been a little mixed up in some stuff here in Stormwind. The murder case, and spending some time with Lady Cressidha."
Ivri's metaphorical ears perk up. She's not an elf, they don't really move. "Spending time with?" she asks, plainly requesting clarification.
Atley returns with a subtle, but ever gruff look of amusement, sharing in Ivri’s curiosity. He lowers the plate towards her, trading it for the sniffling baby.
"Yeah, we… um, we went to the Darkmoon Faire when they were open, not long ago?" Sil says, with an innocent smile.
Taeavon smiles wistfully.
Ivri lets Dane take the baby while she begins poking at the plate of food, nibbling here and there from Dane's selections. "Well I won't tease you about it," she says, "at least not yet. But I hope you both had a good time?"
Atley verbally barges in. “Sounds like a date.” he growls, bouncing Karson against his chest.
"Oh, yeah, definitely," Sil says with a nod. "And it was, officially, a date. I'm hoping to see more of her… I mean, see her more… you know what I mean."
Ivri snickers. "I know," she says. "Cressidha's special to me, so don't hurt her. We'd have to finally see who's really better with knives and I'm not up to that challenge just yet."
"I hope you had a good time together." Velrin says cheerfully.
Atley growls with amusement at Sil’s words and begins to unbutton his shirt, looking to the ocean.
“I think we did,” Sil laughs. "And I would never aim to hurt anybody I care about, least of all Cressidha."
Before people head for the water, Jo wanders over to Estel and quietly asks if she can get a quick levitation. There aren't barrels here to stand on.
"Yeah, of course." Estel waves a hand at Jo. Up you go.
Jo taps her glass to get a little bit of attention, and smiles at all the party guests. "I just want to say a few words before we all continue to enjoy the sun and sand and snacks. Cobalt Company has been through a lot together this year. We defeated the Nightmare, as well as the Lich King, and we've come through a Cataclysm that reshaped much of our world."
"Along the way, we've had losses in our Company, and this party is a memorial to them and a celebration of their lives. Cognitia Fizzthingle, whose planning I used to put this all together. Torvald Fauntleroy, lost during the Cataclysm. Lucille Moore, lost to the Lich King. I will miss them, and I will honor them in the future they fought to preserve."
Jo raises her little glass of sparkling wine. "So here's a toast to the heroes we've lost, and the world we will continue to make better every day in their memory!"
Ivri lifts her glass of lemonade. "To their memory," she murmurs.
Kerlo puts a hand to his heart, and a little tear slips out from under his dark goggles.
Tadget just drinks her lemonade. Whatever, people die, it's fine. Whatever. One of them wasn't her ex, it's fine, she's fine. She drinks lots of lemonade.
Estel holds up her plate of food. "Cheers." She forgot to get a drink. It's fine. She takes a bite out of something.
Emerine raises her lemonade and nods to Jo.
Velrin bows her head and says a quiet prayer for the departed.
Taeavon follows everyone’s lead and raises his glass.
Atley gives Ivri’s shoulder a squeeze and raises his cup. Karson, alarmed by the glass tapping, raises his gaze, mouth ajar, double chins unleashed. He looks around at everyone.
Jo takes a drink to their memory, and then waves away the levitation, gently drifting to the ground.
Sil also toasts, with an empty hand because he hadn't gotten to the refreshments yet. He pretends to drink to it. He'll get some lemonade later.
"Okay, now back to the party," Jo says with a smile.
The kaldorei musicians pick back up with the background music, having paused for the toast.
"Even since the Cataclysm," Sil says, "There's so much going on. With our company helping Neptulon on the bottom of the sea, and driving Ragnaros out of Hyjal… and me, I'm just going to the Faire and helping folk out where I can."
"Don't knock helping out folk where you can," Ivri says seriously. "The area around Eastvale got dangerous again when adventurers stopped coming out to pare down the murloc numbers. It wasn't safe to let the kids of the lumber camp go to the river anymore. Someone always needs to help out regular people, too."
That rewards Ivri with another firm, affectionate squeeze at the back of her neck. “That’s bloody right.” He pauses, before looking to Karson. He babbles firmly in agreement.
A picturesque white horse with a long flowing mane is seen galloping toward the gathering. Seated atop it is a ginger-haired nobleman in a smartly tailored summer suit.
The nobleman ties off the horse at some distance from the other humans, and can be seen frantically waving off a guard who attempts to "help." The horse's sudden baring of teeth may be a clue as to why.
Once that's all sorted, the gent heads toward the party and makes a beeline for Jocoza.
"Pardon my tardiness," he says amiably, reaching down to grasp her hand in greeting. He spots Sil and gives him a wave, as well. "Sil!" he calls out.
"Arric, glad you made it!" Jo beams at him.
Sil waves a hand in greeting. "Hey! Win-win seems in high spirits today."
Tae can be seen scribbling notes while watching the horse.
The horse seems to sense that it's being observed. It turns its head and stares at Tae. Even from some distance away, its surly mood can be easily read.
"Ah you're a diplomat, I see," says Arric with a wink. "He's a felsteed in disguise, that one."
Ivri cranes her neck around to see the horse, in case it really is a felsteed in disguise. Neat.
The horse stares back at Ivri now. It looks like it might want to eat her.
Ivri grins in delight. She nudges Tadget with a foot and nods toward the horse.
Tadget stares at the horse. It stares back. They instantly understand each other. Why can't they just murder everyone here???
“That’s one aggressive looking horse. Is it wild?” Taeavon asks.
"I wish that I could say so, and claim to have tamed him," Arric says, his pale blue eyes a touch mournful. He sighs. "But alas, he's a perfectly well-bred Tirasian who simply thinks he's wild. My father would never have parted with him if not for his disposition and a slight eye color defect. Otherwise he's quite the example of his breed!"
Atley shrugs off his suspenders and removes the last of the buttons, alternating Karson between hands to shrug off his shirt and lay it down next to Ivri, exposing his heavily scarred musculature, Lordaeron tattoo, and the brand of the Stormwind Lion.
Tadget whistles loudly. "WHOOO! HEY THERE, LEGS!!!"
He grunts at his wife. "Taking this one to the tide. Come and join us once you're finished. I'll float you about." He lowers to clumsily but effectively shrug off his pants, revealing a pair of tan trunks that cut off at his lower thigh.
"I'm not dressed for it," she says, patting his hip. "You go have fun. Don't let him drown."
Jo takes off her sarong and is revealed to actually be wearing swimsuit bottoms underneath. "I think I'll wade a bit in the tide."
Kerlo watches her, respectfully.
Sil laughs. "Sturdystrasza was a little nervous for days after seeing him, I think. Which is not usual for her, she's sturdy. Hence the name."
"Yes, my hope was that I might introduce him into some of the breeding lines on the mainland, but I have a hard time imagining a mare letting him anywhere near her! I really must find a way to teach him to be a gentleman."
Atley grunts. He turns to admire Arric's steed from afar, with a clinical, experienced gaze. He gives the man himself a gruff nod and a respectful, if brief, "My lord," before he tactfully takes the stuffed boar from Karson and starts marching towards the beach.
Arric gives a respectful nod to the famous knight!
"We could see if he and Speedygos would get along?" Sil offers. "Speedy's a gentleman, as far as horses go. A bit too nervous in combat, though, which is why I ended up getting the mare."
"I'm afraid that Win-Win would see his nervousness as a sign of weakness and likely bite holes in the poor beast the moment I turned my back." He considers, stroking his neat red beard. "But if I supervise him closely, it might be a good exercise for him sometime, to get used to restraining his violent urges."
Tae seems quite absorbed in taking notes on this strange horse.
Arric glances over at Tae, eyes lighting with curiosity. "Are you a horseman yourself, sir?" he asks.
“A little bit I guess. I’m a ranger so I’m fascinated by all sorts of animals.” Tae’s eyes light up now that he gets to talk more about his Special Interest.
Arric's eyes sparkle. "A bona fide elven ranger!" he exclaims. "I never thought I would meet one. I'm from Kul Tiras, you see, we don't have much in the way of elves over there. Plenty of stories though, from the second war."
“I bet. I’m from Dalaran myself, but I trained with the Farstriders in Quel’Thalas.” Tae explains, “Never got many chances to visit Kul Tiras, though. Anything neat to see there?” It can be implied that he is referring to animals.
"Wild gryphons!" Arric answers immediately. "Splendid beasts. I had no idea they could even be tamed until I came here. Also foxes, stoats, wolves, bears… I've seen mostly the same things here on the mainland, other than stoats that is. They're erm… rather long slender mammals, silky fur."
“Well hey! There’s not a lot of places to find wild gryphons outside of the Hinterlands, so that’s something, yeah?” Taeavon starts talking faster, “And I’ve read about stoats! They’re sort of like weasels but a little bigger and with a longer tail, right?”
"You know, I don't think we have weasels on Kul Tiras!" Arric says thoughtfully. "Unless it's just a different name or subspecies of the same beast. There is a lot of that going around. But yes, rather fetching little creatures. Hunted for their fur, but I always wished I could have one as a pet when I was a boy. They're endlessly entertaining to watch."
Taeavon laughs, “I know what you mean. They are cute little guys. I’m stuck with my dragonhawk.”
Velrin dashes out toward the beach as soon as she sees people headed out there. She jumps into the water and starts swimming.
Jo is very small, even relative to the calm waves on this part of the beach. She mostly just wades around waist-high.
Kerlo doesn't wade into the water, but stays close enough that he can dash in and rescue her in case of undertow, tentacles, etc.
Ivri's posture deteriorates into a slump at the table, head propped up on one hand. She watches Dane and her kid, just in case she needs to… uh… waddle to their aid.
"This is the ocean," Atley explains with a growl. Karson reaches for his beard, but is gently thwarted by his father as they march out into the tide. "A fine celebration, Captain." Atley bids to Jocoza, inclining his head. Karson reaches down to the water, in vain, short chubby arms failing him.
Jo smiles over at them. It will not be long until little Karson is bigger than she is. "It might be a last chance for swimming before the fall chill settles in."
Atley grunts. "Aye. This is his first time seeing the ocean, as well." Atley wades a little further in, Karson's pink soles first making contact with the tides. He widens his eyes, legs spasming in a nervous reaction. Atley gives the baby a squeeze and pats his head.
"It's an amazing thing to see for the first time," Jo smiles. "I first saw it myself… hm… maybe three years ago?"
Atley raises his bushy brows. "Three years. That'd be Cobalt, then. Which coast?" Atley wades in backwards just a few feet further, and quiets for a moment, scanning the water for any naga or other unsavory visitors.
"I think the first ocean I ever saw was from the Westfall coast, if I remember correctly," Jo says, thinking. "When we were there back in the old days, before we took down Van Cleef."
Atley grunts. "Wot'd you make of it?" He backs just a bit further before stopping. Karson continues reaching down at the water, swinging a chubby hand, while his legs kick beneath the surface.
"A bit dizzying, stretching out into the distance," Jo says. "And then our first long boat voyage, it was very nerve-wracking. I don't know how I would've managed without borrowing Niris's mystery novels to keep my mind occupied. It is beautiful, though, and Karson will know it from childhood."
Atley shakes his head and turns to look at the horizon. "Always hated sailing." He inhales deeply and clears his throat. "I was a child when I first saw the tides. I'll leave the love and mastery of it to others," Atley growls with a faint wryness. He adjusts Karson against his side. "This one doesn't seem to mind the water." A small swell comes in, and Karson stares, dumbfounded, before he babbles loudly in his own language and slaps at the water with both palms.
Jo smiles. "Maybe he'll like sailing. For fun, in a more peaceful era, that we help bring about."
Atley grunts. "P'raps." he agrees with firm hope.
Karson juts out his jaw and continues slapping the water with both hands before he looks to his father for approval, some drool trickling down his chin. Atley grants it with a nod.
Ivri lifts her head a little, just to keep Atley in sight. She frowns, vaguely concerned, but says nothing.
After Velrin realizes that no one is probably going to be playing with her in the water, she steps out and goes over to Ivrianna, “Karson is a little too small to play any good games in the water and his papa is busy. Are you ok?” Velrin wrings put her hair and drips, “You look a little nervous.”
"I am," Ivri admits. "I keep waiting for a bunch of naga to show up or for some tentacle to grab him. Normally I'd bet on Dane against a tentacle, but he's not armed." She chews her lower lip. "Jo's right there, though, and technically she's always armed."
Velrin gives Ivri a sympathetic smile, “I understand. I’d feel a little helpless in that situation too.” Velrin takes a seat nearby, “If it makes you feel any better I have a few knives on me too.”
"I think most of us are probably armed in some way," Ivri says, her smile a bit rueful. "Mercenary habits."
Velrin keeps looking at Ivri. She seems a bit perplexed, “Is there something else on your mind?”
"No." She lets her smile ease. "Just missing my old life while still loving the new one. It's an odd sensation."
“I see…” Velrin stays silent for a moment, “I suppose I haven’t had to worry about that yet… I wonder if I’ll be able to stay away when it happens. My work is all I’ve ever known.”
"You'll stay away as long as you need to," Ivri says confidently. "You're too baby-crazy not to. I mean that in the best way! I just mean that… well… Kids make things different. They make everything different. And not always in good ways, either."
Velrin frowns a little, “Maybe… It certainly is a lot of responsibility. But I think it makes Dane happy.” She looks out at him with Karson and her expression starts to lighten up.
That earns Velrin a grin. "It makes him very happy," Ivri agrees.