(2025-08-28) Friends and Allies

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Dane brings Jo down to Paw'don Village to meet their self-appointed local guide, Peixin. Things begin cautiously, but with goodwill on all sides. ~4000 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Season 17: From the Mists

Atley marches up to Jocoza and cracks off a salute. "Captain."

Jocoza salutes back smartly. "Lieutenant. How are things down here on the ground today?" She means that literally, she's been in the airship.

[Atley]: Things are in good shape. The land is quiet. We're waiting on the Sky Admiral's command.

Sikki says: May our ancestors protect us from these outsiders and their violent ways.

Kinda rude, Sikki. We’re right here.

Jocoza looks around. "It is beautiful here, isn't it? I hate to think that this place might get plunged into war. Not by our intent, obviously — we're just here for the… the rescue."

Atley grunts. "Indeed. And, a word about this contact, before she arrives…'
[Atley]: I do not fully trust her, but she may prove useful. A welcoming presence here is something we ought to capitalize on.

Jocoza frowns, and nods carefully. "I'll be cautious. But if she's friendly, then that's a promising start." Jocoza is well-known for being sparing of trust, at least. Oh wait, no, the opposite.

Atley inclines his head. "'Tis. How fares the airship?" he asks, nodding to the Skyfire in the distance.

[Jocoza]: Not much change yet — no news on where we'll need to head next.

Atley grunts and nods, glancing around. "I told her to meet us at the central shrine."

Peixin is sneakily listening to their conversation. She comes out of her invisibility. "No news on where to go next? That's because you're lacking a great informant!"

Atley knits his brow and turns to Peixin. "Peixin, Captain Jocoza Sparkwire. The leader of Cobalt Company. Captain, Peixin Goldensprout, a traveling merchant."
[Atley]: And something of a sneak.

Peixin bows before Jocoza.

[Jocoza]: Oh! Oh, I didn't see you there. *Jo says, a little flustered.* Pleased to meet you, Peixin Goldensprout.
Jocoza starts to hold out a hand to shake, and then sweeps it into a bow instead.

[Peixin]: It's a pleasure to meet you as well! *She takes in the sight of a GNOME!* I must admit, Sir Dane painted a pretty scary pictures of gnomes to me when we first met! You don't seem half as scary as he made me think you'd be!

Atley cinches his thumbs in his belt and looks between them. He grunts.

[Jocoza]: I'm pleased you don't find me frightening. *Jo smiles* I admit that the description of pandaren is also more frightening than the reality. Maybe with the exception of Taran Zhu.

[Peixin]: He's part of an organisation which has a prerequisite to be scary, don't worry about it. *She giggles.*

[Jocoza]: The Shado-Pan, right? They have something to do with those Sha creatures, if I understand correctly.

Atley keeps his thumbs cinched as he calmly listens, looking between them.

Peixin nods. "They're trained to handle them, yes." She bites her lower lip slightly. "Excuse me, I just have to ask, how did you come to be the leader of this Cobalt Company? Seeing how the others talk about your guild, you seem to be a pretty big deal!"

[Jocoza]: I am, myself, a pretty big deal, *Jo says, stretching to her full… very short height* As is Sir Dane Atley the Red, here. For the both of us, we were a part of the earliest days of the company.

[Atley]: Aye. We joined together. P'raps the three of us'd like to sit outside the inn, there.
Atley nods behind Peixin.

[Jocoza]: Certainly! I much prefer sitting. Much less neck pain later.

[Peixin]: Of course, of course!

Atley marches over and takes off his helmet, tucking it under an arm. "That's nearly five years ago now, innit'?" he asks Jo.

[Jocoza]: Very nearly, yes. *Jo beams*
[Jocoza]: If you'd like to know more about our Company — it was founded nearly five years ago by another legendary knight, Sir Elohad Ference the Enduring.

[Peixin]: Five years? As mercenaries? Congratulations! *She beams as well.* What happened to this Enduring man, then? Given the name, I hope he's enduring a few good years of retirement right now!

[Atley]: He's entered the Stormwind House of Nobles. You might say he's a ruler of the kingdom — or a 'Master,' as your people would call it.
[Atley]: He maintains an officer position in the Company, as well.

[Jocoza]: Yes, and of course, he had a baby. Well, his wife did. But anyway, between family and ruling a nation, he handed the reins to me.

[Peixin]: Phew, good! Because if he was dead, that joke would have been a tad insensitive!

Atley grunts.

[Jocoza]: Oh, dear, no, he's fine. As for how I joined — he was a good friend of mine, and I'd just found myself bereft of purpose, given the destruction of my homeland. *Jo glides right on past that.* So I was one of the officers of the company at its inception, and well-placed to move into leadership.

Peixin blinks a little, and doesn't let Jo just glide right on past that. "The destruction of your homeland?"

Atley idly sets his jaw and looks between them, apparently content to let Jocoza explain.

[Jocoza]: Ah, yes. Well. The homeland of the gnomes is being… renovated at the moment. Nearly a decade ago, there were terrible problems with creatures from under the earth, and well… If you've never had problems with troggs in Pandaria before, then they probably just aren't here, so you don't need to worry about it!

[Atley]: A wretched, savage race. Mostly witless, and violent.

[Jocoza]: But we are making progress in reclaiming it. Give it another few decades, maybe.

Peixin tilts her head, smiling a little worriedly. "Wretched, violent and witless creatures coming from under the earth to destroy the land? I hope this isn't some kind of premonition for the future of Pandarian and the Sha."

[Jocoza]: Oh goodness, I hope not. But I thought as long as everyone was happy, the sha would not cause a problem?

Atley shifts on his stool and shakes his head. "It won't come to that. The troggs were a surprise. You lot know of the Sha well."

[Peixin]: Of course, we know the Sha well… But with a war coming to our land, these horrors' numbers will only grow. Our expertise can only go so far.
[Peixin]: I'm really sorry to say this, but you guys are kind of a bad omen!

[Jocoza]: Well, um. Hopefully we can just finish our mission here, and the Horde will keep to themselves. And then we can just visit and share culture, and keep the war over on Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms.
Jocoza is very optimistic for a mercenary captain.

Peixin giggles.

Atley looks between them. "Once we've accomplished wot' we've been set here to do, we'll get out of your way, but the Horde sees a land ripe for the taking." he says to Peixin.
[Atley]: And they are mighty.

[Peixin]: Speaking of! What's your mission here? As I told you, *She looks at Dane.* The sooner you're done, the better it is for Pandaria. *She turns back to Jo.* By the way, when he told you about me, did you go "Well, why didn't you invite her here right away"?

[Jocoza]: Oh, I suppose I expressed my desire to meet with you here in Paw'don Village as quickly as I was able!

Peixin turns to Dane, raising her eyebrows. "See? I told you so."

[Jocoza]: Our mission is… hm. You clearly know this land better than I do, so I'd appreciate it if you could keep us apprised of any other sightings of outsiders you hear about.

Atley simply grunts and nods.

[Peixin]: Of course. You want to know everything that Horde is doing, I bet? I can spy on them. I can put on a disguise!

[Jocoza]: Yes, any outsiders, regardless of their affiliation, but be careful of the Horde — they're dangerous.

Peixin tilts her head. "Any? What do you mean? Is there a third party I should know about? Is there even more wars than we've been told?"

[Jocoza]: Oh, I only mean… don't stop to quiz them on their loyalties. Just report people you see.

[Atley]: Any reports of any outsiders at all, separate from our group here and the Alliance, would prove useful.

[Jocoza]: Speaking of war and things, though… Do the pandaren have a standing military? It seems strange that all we've really seen so far are brewers and villagers. And the Shado-Pan.

[Peixin]: The Shado Pan are Pandaria's protectors, so I suppose you could see them as our military.

[Atley]: How many are they?

[Jocoza]: Yes, this is kind of a big incursion of outsiders, isn't it? And there's just the one of them here.

Peixin looks around. "I feel like I've told you a little too much about them already, so their numbers is kind of a big ask…" She looks up to the sky, swaying her head from side to side. "And since you're keeping secrets, I should probably keep some as well."
Peixin joins her hands on the table and smiles brightly.

Atley inclines his head. "Very well. Know that our mission is not kept a secret arbitrarily. We are bound to our silence.”

Jocoza nods. "And that's fair. I wouldn't want to ask you to betray the trust of your people, or to tell more about a secret order than is allowed."

[Peixin]: I mean, there would be… One simple way for me to be entrusted with this secret information of yours, you know? *She smiles at Dane, then at Jocoza.*

[Atley]: We cannot divulge this while maintaining our honor, or that of the Company. But, we can tell you all you'd like to know about the Horde.

[Peixin]: Exactly! So put me on the payroll! *She beams.*

[Jocoza]: Oh, you want to… join Cobalt Company? As a mercenary?

Atley's features shift slightly, and he looks between them again.

Peixin gets up. "I'm seeing the bigger picture here!" She turns her back to them. "I have a promise to fulfill. I must join the Shado Pan, one day." She places a hand on her chest. "I kind of missed my chance," she turns around very suddenly. “But what better way to prove my worth as a protector of Pandaria than to be the one who realized we needed to help you guys get away from here and take the Horde with you before a large scale disaster happened? *She beams.*

[Jocoza]: So you'd like to temporarily join Cobalt Company?

Atley eyes Peixin. "An independent contractor."

[Peixin]: For as long as your war is going on in here, yes! Or start your… Cobalt Company branch in Pandaria, if you end up staying here long term, I guess. *She hides her mouth from nearby passerbys with her hand.* Which people here wouldn't be very happy about.
[Peixin]: You need someone who knows Pandaria and its people, if you want an advantage over the Horde, and if you want your… Whatever you're looking for, here. Which I will know very soon as you'll definitely want to hire me.
Peixin comes back to sit down at the table.

Atley nods slowly, and looks from Jocoza to Peixin. "We are bound by the rules of Stormwind, and the Alliance. If you were to join us, you would commit yourself to those same rules and regulations, of a land you've never even seen."

[Jocoza]: Yes, this would be tantamount to joining the Alliance, as we are an Alliance organization. Which, there are some of your people who have. Pandaren, I mean.

Peixin nods. "As I said… The Alliance and Horde alike aren't very welcome here, so I don't suppose you'll be staying here indefinitely. If I join this Alliance of yours indefinitely, at some point this war will leave this land anyway."
[Peixin]: Soon, it won't even affect me or Pandaria at all!

Atley grunts at Jocoza, eyes on Peixin.

[Jocoza]: Well… I don't think we can hire you as an official member, in that case, *Jo says, looking over at Dane* Though your knowledge of the land and culture would be valuable in helping us not to make missteps with the people here.

Atley grunts. "Indeed. And I warrant this bears a discussion. While you may not be able to become a formalized member, we do have functional capacities in the form of independent contractors. But know that you will be bound by our rules and expectations, if things were to go that way, and that even as we sit and talk now, there is no official guarantee granted to you that this contracting will become a reality."

[Jocoza]: You would need to follow orders from superior officers in the company, for the duration of contracting. And we have a Code of Conduct you would be committing to follow.

Peixin tilts her head to the side. "Hm, all these rules and hypotheticals of yours are making it difficult to help you swiftly and efficiently."
[Peixin]: But I haven't seen anyone else offering you what I'm offering right now… So I suppose that's the best deal you can make, right?

Atley grunts and gestures to Jocoza in support. "And be subject to our disciplinary measures. Anything worth doing is worth doing right, not just expediently."

Peixin giggles. "I'm a merchant. I know a half-baked business is not one that's bringing the customers in."

[Jocoza]: Indeed, and Cobalt is not a half-baked business. One reason we're well-respected is that we're careful about who we allow to represent us in the world.

Atley grunts.

[Peixin]: Well, if you want to make sure I'm fit for the job, you can ask literally anybody around in Pandaria! They won't even know me. That's how good I am at all that roguish and spy stuff.

[Jocoza]: I'm not saying no, Peixin. I'm just saying… we might need to think about this. But I can say to become a full member of Cobalt Company, you would need to be a full member of the Alliance.

[Atley]: No exceptions.

[Peixin]: And I'm not saying no to becoming a full member of the Alliance either!
[Peixin]: Just that, in the grand scheme of Pandarian things, well that allegiance will probably… Not mean much in a few seasons, when I stay on Pandaria and you guys go back to the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor!
[Peixin]: All I mean is that the choice to align myself with the Alliance isn't hard to make at all. I'm all in for the Alliance. Go Alliance, go! *She giggles.*

Atley inclines his head. "There are other avenues, but they've still their own rules. If we were to divulge more information about our mission, after you were taken on as an independent contractor, how could we trust that you would maintain our secrecy?”

Peixin beams at Dane. "I haven't told you any of the Shado Pan's secrets, right?"

[Jocoza]: I think it sounds like for now we can be good friends and allies, and then the legalities can be sorted out once you know us better, and we know you.

Atley grunts at Jocoza.
[Atley]: As the Captain says, time will strengthen the trust between us. You would prove useful as an ally and a contact in the field.

Jocoza nods firmly. "That and — so far, I like you, Peixin."

Peixin smiles. "Honestly, I like you as well, from what I could see of that Cobalt Company! And I still have so many questions about all of you! I'd love to visit your cities as well-" She interrupts herself. "Are you planning on making portals back home?"
[Peixin]: As an independent contractor, will I be able to use them if yes?

[Jocoza]: I don't think that'll be something I can answer. *Jo says, biting her lip* Speaking of missteps, I'm pretty sure the mayor here would not be pleased if I opened a portal and brought more people over to Pandaria.

Atley grunts. "Time'll reveal more to all of us. If you do seek to become an independent contractor, or a full member of the Company, and the Alliance, it's important to stay in contact for this next while. And prove useful."

Peixin giggles. "That's for sure!" She pauses for a second, staring into nothing. "Oh wait, I brought you something and I forgot it at my turtle. I'll be right back!"

[Jocoza]: Oh, well, thank you!

Peixin bows down graciously.
[Peixin]: I'll be right back! *She starts running and disappears.*

Jocoza looks over at Dane as Peixin dashes off to her turtle. "I like her. I do want to trust her."

[Atley]: As do I. She is eager, capable, and knows the land.

[Jocoza]: But I think we have to keep a hard line about the Alliance. We have to make sure everyone in Cobalt agrees to uphold the same standards. Maybe if we're good allies, and she gets to know us better, she'll join like the Wandering Isle Tushui did. Not for like, because it's just for a few months and it doesn't matter, but because she believes in the Alliance.

Atley nods. "As do I. I'd see her being capable of becoming an independent contractor with more time and good interactions, but I wouldn't accept her as a full, formal member of the Company or the Alliance until she's journeyed to our lands and knows wot' she's swearing herself to."

[Jocoza]: Oh, yes. I wouldn't want to pressure her or trick her into it. I'd want it to be because she sees it's what she wants. If she does.

Atley grunts.
[Atley]: As of now, there's not enough trust, and little if any way to enforce discipline. But, maintaining an unofficial partnership and good relations with her may improve the locals' opinions of us, and aid us in our mission.

Jocoza nods to Atley. "I think that's a sensible way forward." Then she turns over to Peixin as she arrives.

Peixin reappears, gently dropping two small potted trees, one for each of them. They're both different, but both bear small fruits. "Here, those are both for you!" She suddenly grabs both of them back and steps away "Did you bring gloves?"

Atley looks over as well and shows his hands. "I've my gauntlets."

[Jocoza]: Gloves? I have some enchanted ones I could put on.

[Peixin]: Please do. *She stays away for a little bit.*

Jocoza pulls out her glimmering Firehawk Gloves and puts them on.

[Jocoza]: Why do we need gloves? Contact dermatitis?

Atley furrows his brow at Jo.

Peixin gently places the trees back in front of them. "I have no idea what that means! Please explain this to me." She goes back to her seat.

Atley shifts his gaze to the plant in front of him and lightly pokes its trunk.

[Jocoza]: Oh, um. Some plants, when they come in direct contact with your skin, can result in itching or a prickly feeling. Don't ask me which ones. I honestly don't know.

Atley nods to the trees and looks at Peixin. "Wot' are these? Small fruit trees, then?"

[Peixin]: Ah, right! Well, that's exactly it! *Peixin beams.* I keep these trees to a travel size! It's an ancestral technique that helps you bring specific trees you need anywhere you go on your travels!
[Peixin]: I use these two species to make the poison I coat my weapons in. *She giggles.*

[Jocoza]: A miniaturization of trees? *Jo perks up, suddenly very interested* How do… wait, poison?

Peixin nods enthusiastically. "Yes! For one of them, it's the fruits I use. It's non-lethal, but it makes your mind… Foggy. It slows down the enemy when they're struck!"

Atley slowly looks from Peixin to the plant.
[Atley]: Which is which?
Atley asks, nodding to the trees.

[Jocoza]: Or you need a mix of both for that poison?

[Peixin]: The other has poisonous sap. It's really painful, so be careful if you cut it! It can provoke necrosis, so that'll slow down your healing process for a bit, if you're hurt by a weapon covered in it!

[Jocoza]: Ah… then I'll ask the same. Which is which?

[Atley]: You truly know your poisons for a merchant.

[Jocoza]: I'd rather not find out by trial and accident.

Peixin bites her lip. "Well I need to see first with other Pandarens if I can give you this information. It may take some time, but you've got the basic idea of how to handle those trees, right?"
Peixin giggles.
[Peixin]: No, I'm joking, Sir Dane's got the sap one. I did really mean to give you those plants earlier, as a gift. The metaphor just came to me on the way back here!

Jocoza eyes her warily, but then chuckles as she does, actually, explain.

Atley inclines his head. "Thank you for these gifts. There's a man in my squad that'd be greatly interested in these."

[Peixin]: I hope he won't be the only one. These miniature versions of some of the dangerous flora will help you identify from which big ones you should stay away from. *She smiles.*

Jocoza carefully takes her own poison gift in hand. "It's really kind of pretty, isn't it? I bet Sil would love these. Oh, right, and the ones here. I expect Shine and Shun can make good use of them."

Atley looks at Jo and grunts. "This is the start of a beneficial alliance," he says, looking back at Peixin.

[Jocoza]: It certainly seems so!

Peixin leans towards Dane. "And for the whole 'merchant who knows poisons' thing, not everything on Pandaria is as peaceful as me. I have to fend for myself, when I travel from town to town."

Atley nods at Peixin's explanation before he goes back to examining the tree.

[Jocoza]: Maybe next time we meet, I'll have a gift for you, Peixin.

[Peixin]: Really? Do you already have something in mind? What kind of gift do you usually gift, back in your respective kingdoms?

[Jocoza]: Is there any kind of gadget you're missing? Normally I make things out of metal and springs for my friends.

[Atley]: She's a highly skilled engineer. A tinkerer.

[Peixin]: Ooooh, a gadget… *She looks at the Skyfire.* I guess one of those doesn't count as a gift? What about a miniature one? Can you imagine all the wares I could carry in one of those?

[Jocoza]: Oh, well, that would be quite the gift but… I can see what I can put together!

[Atley]: In the meantime, keep an ear to the ground. Keep me informed as to the mood of the locals, and of any other foreigners, like us, spotted in the forest.
[Atley]: Think of our time going forward as a sort of trial period to see if we've a more stable future together, Peixin. It's known around here that you're friendly to us, and in some ways, represent our intentions here. Remember that.

[Jocoza]: I'm sure that trust between us can grow in time!

Atley grunts.

[Peixin]: Any gift will do really. You can't blame me for trying, right? *Peixin smiles at Jo, she then turns to Dane.* Very well! Should I look for foreigners… Not wearing your colors, or the Horde's?

[Atley]: All of the above. The more you can tell us, the faster we can finish our dealings here, and build trust.

Peixin's eyes widen as she imagines herself having to report information on literally all foreigners, even Cobalt Company people. That's a lot of information to write down.

Atley keeps an even, expectant gaze on Peixin.

Jocoza smiles mildly at Peixin. Write lots of reports! It's the Cobalt way!

Peixin nods. "All right, I'll happily build trust with your Company. Something's telling me that's the right thing to do for Pandaria."

Atley grunts. "It's fortunate that we've met. We mean you no harm."

[Peixin]: Well, I hope so, because now I've given you tools to backstab me really painfully! *She nods at the trees.*

[Jocoza]: Don't worry, I'm no backstabber. *Jo smiles*

Atley grunts. "I prefer direct confrontation, myself," he jokes wryly.

[Peixin]: Well, it's good to get to know your allies' preferred methods.
Peixin lets out a hearty chuckle.