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| Details |
| Author: | Luridel |
| Summary: | White Squad takes a trip to Tian Monastery. Ralaea counts shrines. Everyone debates what might count as a weapon. Shun and Azizia are most likely to make use of unarmed combat training. Azizia learns the difference between mingle and mangle. Estel cheats at stairs. Operation: Basket Case is actually very straightforward. High Elder Cloudfall welcomes everyone to Tian Monastery. ~5.2k words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Estel watches the kites go with a smile.
"Hey," Estel calls as Rae approaches, waving.
Gwen follows Estel's greeting to face Ralaea. "Hello, Rae!"
Ralaea nods in greeting as she joins the others. "Missing one still?" she asks, glancing around.
Gwen nods. "Yeah. Azizia should be along shortly…I assume."
"We got any requests today…?" Estel asks.
"Not exactly a request," Gwen says, "But something I'd like to look into."
Gwen continues,"Gentle Mother Hanae mentioned to me a place in the Jade Forest that teaches the pandaren way of unarmed combat. You remember, she talked about how they developed it under mogu rule?"
"Yeah, 'cause having weapons was suspicious or something?" Estel gets up and stretches.
"Illegal, I think!" Gwen shakes her head sadly.
"The place is called Tian Monastery," Gwen explains. "I thought it'd be good for us to learn a bit more about pandaren culture. Also, from what I understand of Prince Anduin, he's become a spiritual young man. Maybe he sought it out, too!"
Estel glances around the square.
"…Hand to hand combat training is good," Shun utters.
Gwen looks around. "Hm…I hope Azizia is alright. I'll leave word for her at the inn about where we're headed."
"Couldn't hurt to learn more about the locals, and maybe the prince thought so, too," Ralaea says.
Gwen turns to go leave a message for… "Azizia! Oh good, you're here. Come, we'll explain on the way."
"Hello, Blue Squad," Azizia joins the group. "I am sorry for lateness, humidity made hair slow to dry."
"Hey, Azizia." Estel waves lazily. "We're goin' to a monastery!"
Gwen giggles. "We're White Squad, remember?"
Gwen waves the squad along. "Let's hit the road!"
"… I get confused, I am Blue Squad, then White, then Blue…" Azizia sighs. "A monastery? What monks are they? Death monks? Sha-killer monks?"
"Pandaren monks," Ralaea says.
"Tian Monastery is a place where they train in their unarmed combat techniques," Gwen explains. "Gentle Mother Hanae told me about it."
"I grew up in a monastery, so I'm curious what this one's like," Estel says.
"So, today is sort of a cultural immersion day." Gwen perks curiously at Estel. "You did? I didn't know that."
Azizia deadpans Rae. She turns to Gwen. "Unarmed, hm? I like unarmed combat. I will like these monks."
"Yep. In Lordaeron." Estel gestures vaguely. "It wasn't the Scarlet Monastery at the time."
"You will tell us differences and similarities with monastery of yours," Azizia tells Estel. "Maybe we can learn much from this."
"Ooooh, that monastery." Gwen frowns sadly. "I'm sorry for what became of your home."
Ralaea does not comment.
"Sure thing! Can do." Estel smiles at Gwen. "It sucks, but I made it out, so."
Gwen nods emphatically. "And that's what's important."
Azizia can't refrain from letting out a soft "eww" when Estel says that she was technically raised on the grounds of the Scarlet Monastery.
"You know what's fun? Everybody calls me a priestess." Estel grins. "Technically I'm not. I left too early."
Gwen giggles.
"So what are you?" Azizia raises an eyebrow. "A prepriestess?"
Shun grunts.
"You do priestessy stuff," Ralaea says with a shrug.
Gwen giggles even more. "Prepriestess…"
Estel snorts. "An acolyte. Basically still in training, I just, you know, ditched."
"Acolyte Ms. Estel," Azizia nods. "I will try to remember title of yours."
"This way, over the bridge," Gwen directs them.
"It's not a title," Estel says. "It's a job description, but it's not, like, a big one. Because I quit, yeah?"
"How far is this place?" Ralaea asks, glancing over the side of the bridge at the water.
"I'm not totally sure," Gwen says to Rae. "But the Gentle Mother made it sound like it's a bit of a trek. But we just need to keep on the roads and we'll get there."
Shun furrows his brow off to the side, "Those are…massive caterpillars."
"Damn, yeah." Estel admires a caterpillar.
"Awww, they're cute!" Gwen googly-eyes at the caterpillars.
Ralaea wrinkles her nose.
"Very well, I will call you Ms. Estel only, then," Azizia says. She then looks at the caterpillars, she has… mixed feelings, about the caterpillars.
"You can just call me Estel," Estel says, laughing.
Gwen points excitedly ahead. "Look! Look! Mother Hanae told me about this statue. Jeepers, it's gorgeous."
"It's huge," Ralaea says, peering at it.
Ahead of the squad is a massive, unfinished jade statue of a serpent-like dragon.
Shun looks up at the statue.
"No," Azizia answers. "I still have not learned when you should or should not use human titles, and I will keep using them no matter wh- whoa." Azizia's eyes widen at the statue. "It looks almost as big as Exodar itself, from here."
"Maybe this is why she called this area 'Serpent's Heart'," Gwen muses.
"That thing could eat the statue of the king we have in Stormwind," Ralaea comments.
"Oh! That was on a sign–" Estel bursts out laughing.
"Smaller statues to either side," Shun notes.
"It totally could," Estel agrees with Rae.
Gwen sighs happily. "This place is so serene."
"It is," Azizia nods. "Maybe better place I had to work for with Company, apart maybe Nagrand."
"For now," Shun grumbles.
Estel pats Shun's arm. "So we're gonna help keep it that way."
"Well yes, maybe I will get to work in even better place for Company lat- oh. You meant 'serene for now', right?" Azizia shrugs.
Estel nods to Azizia.
"Did you see on statue?" Azizia asks. "They put big… Structures around to repair or repaint or something similar. Maybe it was attacked?"
[Gwenivene]: "I saw some pandarens with what looked like stonecutting tools. I think maybe they're still carving it?"
"Scaffolding," Estel says. "One piece of scaffolding is called a scaffold. Yeah."
Azizia sighs. "I would not have patience to stonecut such statue myself."
"You could almost make a game of 'count the shrines' in this place," Ralaea comments. "I counted two before I even thought of the idea."
Gwen chuckles. "They seem like a deeply spiritual people."
"I guess I don't know for sure what counts as a shrine." Estel stares off. "Looks like spider webbing."
"Oh look, here's a sign pointing to Tian Monastery!" Gwen points.
"Right…through all those webs," Gwen adds.
"And here is spiders," Azizia points at one.
"Great," Ralaea says.
"Stay alert, everyone," Gwen warns.
Azizia walks fast to catch up with Gwen after she stopped to point at spiders. She will PROTECC the mage. They are small and squishy.
Ralaea makes a face and kicks some stray webbing off her boot.
Shun draws his weapons, ready.
"Okay, this is a lot of stairs," Ralaea says.
The spiders mind their own business.
"I'm intrigued by this unarmed combat system of theirs," Gwen comments. "Not that I'm into fighting. But the idea of never needing a weapon is fascinating."
"Do not you never need weapon?" Azizia asks, staring at Gwen. She tries her best to hide that she's panting after walking up those stairs.
Estel stops at the top of a flight of stairs to drink some water, then catches up.
"Is that a shrine?" Ralaea points to the ornamental bell. "It has a tiger on it. Everything else had serpents."
"Maybe!" Estel shrugs.
Azizia shrugs. "Maybe?"
"Well, generally no," Gwen says to Azizia. "Not in the traditional sense. But…some spells I would consider weapons."
"Golly, this bridge could rival dwarf structures!" Gwen marvels.
"Why would you?" Azizia frowns in confusion. "Spells do not get hands of yours dirty. Weapons make hands dirty."
"A bow is a weapon," Gwen points out. "I would say is doesn't make hands dirty."
"Paladins have some spells that look like weapons," Estel says. "Like a big hammer of Light or whatever."
"Magic is a tool. But like most tools, it can be used as a weapon," Gwen explains.
Ralaea stares up at all the really tall hills around them.
Azizia tilts her head. "Hmm. Good points. I would think if I was mage, I would say 'no, spells of mine are not weapons', so I would have no death of enemies on conscience of mine."
Gwen tenses a little. "Yeah…I used to think that way. It, um…it isn't always practical."
"What, like, whoops you fell into my fireball, your fault?" Ralaea asks.
"I am the weapon," Shun adds, possibly unhelpfully.
"No you're not," Estel says automatically.
Gwen blinks at Shun. "You're…a person."
"Not mutually exclusive," Shun responds.
"I'm a weapon too, I bite," Ralaea says. "Apparently."
Azizia turns to look at Rae. "Yes. You stay away from enemy, you do not need to look at them, it is like you are not killing. It does not get personal." She then deadpans Shun. "Yes it is. We just said weapons are tools. You are not tools."
Gwen considers that, then nods along with Azizia. "I agree. A weapon hurts no one on its own. It has no will."
"Everybody with teeth can bite," Estel says idly. She drinks more water. It's a long walk.
"Am I not? I am currently a mercenary that is employed to deal with threats and problems others point out," Shun says.
"Even without teeth you can bite," Azizia adds helpfully.
"But you still make your own choices," Gwen says. "You choose to fight. A sword can't do that."
"And you can quit," Azizia says, then points at Gwen.
They approach a smaller bridge, past which are multiple buildings.
Gwen gasps softly. "I think this is it!"
Estel nods politely at three jinyu that pass them.
Shun shrugs.
"Oh, those are…" Ralaea peers at the jinyu.
"Fish," Azizia finishes that sentence. Maybe.
Gwen boggles at the jinyu. "Those…were not pandaren. Are those the…janu…? That Blue Squad met?"
"Jinyu," Estel corrects. "I saw Bran's pictures of 'em."
[Shun]: "People just tell me who to kill and it happens," he utters, but turns his attention to the area they've come across.
"Jinyu! That's the word. Thank you." Gwen nods to Estel.
"So they are allies of Pandarens?" Azizia asks.
"It doesn't just happen," Estel protests. "You decide to do it."
"Is it just me or are there a lot more stairs here?" Ralaea asks.
"So many stairs…" Gwen giggles.
Azizia nods at Rae. "Pandarens must have very, very strong legs."
"'cause the land is pretty hilly. Yeah. Not just you." Estel sounds a bit grumpy. That was a LOT of stairs.
"It's a whole little village!" Gwen wanders a bit, peering at the brewer's goods.
They pass through a large courtyard where a bunch of pandaren are sparring.
Shun looks around at the various groups of pandaren sparring.
"Oh look! They're doing the fighty thing!" Gwen claps.
[Shun]: "Sparring."
"Careful of walking on sparring grounds, we do not want to take punch that was meant for other person," Azizia warns the others.
Master Stone Fist bellows for attention. "Strangers! What brings you to Tian Monastery?"
Ralaea jumps and reaches for her weapons.
Estel approaches Studious Chu, the kite master. "Hello! Do you know who's in charge here— oh. That'll be them!" She waves and heads over to the other guy.
Shun whirls around.
The pandaren is massive, even for his kind.
"My, you are a tall one," Azizia says, hands on her hips as she observes the pandaren.
"I heard a gnome say that once," Ralaea says.
"Oh, um…Gentle Mother Hanae sent us? Well…she didn't exactly send us," Gwen explains. "But she told us about this place, and we were curious."
"Hello!" Estel says cheerfully. "I'm Estel. This is Gwen, Azizia, Shun, Rae."
Shun grunts.
Master Stone Fist nods with a smirk to Azizia. "Yes, I am." He bows to the squad, "Greetings. I am Master Stone Fist. So, you are curious about our monastery?"
Azizia whispers to Rae. "Me too, and as we Draenei are very tall, I took opportunity to use it for first time myself."
"Congratulations on finding someone taller, then," Ralaea whispers back.
Gwen nods. "We'd like to learn more about pandaren culture. This seemed like a good place to do so."
Master Stone Fist says, "Then you will want to speak with HIgh Elder Cloudfall. Go up the stairs directly across this courtyard. You should find him up there."
"Okay!" Estel tries to sound enthusiastic at the prospect of more stairs. "Will do. Cheers."
Gwenivene smiles and tries to emulate the pandaren bow. "Thank you, Master Stone Fist."
Estel waves. She isn't bowing to this guy even if he is taller than Azizia.
Azizia bows her head.
Shun gives a light bow of the head, then makes for the stairs.
The young female pandaren at the top of the stairs turns wide eyes on the new arrivals, and simply stares at them for a moment. "How strange," she breathes at last, "to have such foreigners visiting our temple. Are you here to study?"
"Yes, I am very good at punching but I would like to learn new ways to do it," Azizia says, very seriously.
"I guess?" Ralaea says.
Estel catches her breath. That was a lot of stairs.
"Ah…yes, we're very interested in your culture," Gwen repeats.
She bows to the group. "I am Lin Tenderpaw. I have heard the monastery is accepting new trainees, and I have come to see if they will take me. You… you look very strong. I don’t think you’ll have trouble getting in."
"You should go speak with the High Elder on the balcony above, if you wish to join this place." Lin smiles hesitantly.
"Why does this building have a fence in front of it with no gate?" Ralaea saks.
Shun furrows his brow a bit at 'join'.
"You wanna come with us?" Estel offers.
"Are you scared of going yourself?" Azizia asks after Estel's offer.
Lin tilts her head, lifting her brow at Rae. "For the feng shui," she explains, as if that explained anything.
Ralaea opens her mouth, ponders, then closes it again. Nope, not gonna ask.
Lin bows to Estel. "Thank you. But I am taking some time to meditate and strengthen my resolve. I will see you inside soon…I hope."
"Feng…shui…." Shun repeats.
"I think the entrance is over here," Ralaea says, pointing around the side of the building.
"Okay. Hey, you got this." Estel grins at her. This somehow carries the effects of a Power Word: Fortitude.
"Thank you, Lin," Gwen tries to bow again.
Azizia shrugs. "Okay, but do not meditate too long, or maybe they will not have space for more new recruits, when you decide to go."
"She said the balcony." Gwen says. "So, up more stairs, I guess?"
They go up more stairs.
"You'd think they'd have enough of stairs with all the mountains that they wouldn't build a bunch of towers on top of them," Ralaea says.
Azizia sighs at the stairs. "Does Cobalt Company have insurance on hooves?"
Estel looks blankly at Azizia and tosses her a healing spell.
And even more stairs.
At the very top of the tower, a grey-furred pandaren whose belly hangs heavily over the sash of his embroidered skirts turns to greet them with a serene smile. "Ah, the foreigners from the south. Word has reached us on the wind of your heroism at Paw’don Village and Nectarbreeze Orchards. I am High Elder Cloudfall, and you are welcome at Tian Monastery. We are unaccustomed to outsiders. You would do us a great favor to train alongside our younglings, so that they may see a wider world." The pandaren bows. "We have nothing to offer in return… except knowledge, and perhaps an appreciation of what it means to be pandaren."
Shun furrows his brow, again.
Ralaea whispers, "He's not wearing a shirt."
Gwen's eyes widen. "Really? Training with you…would be a favor to you?" She looks to the others.
"Are we the first outsiders you've been visited by?" Estel checks.
"Of course," Azizia nods at him. "I will show you fighting skills out of world here."
The High Elder nods to Estel. "You are. I hope, if all goes well, that you will not be the last."
"No missing person, then," Ralaea says. "But still, favor to the locals is good?"
Gwen sighs softly in disappointment. "Yeah, definitely good to make new friends and learn about our hosts."
"Your call, Gwen," Estel says.
"Very well," Shun nods.
"Well…this is what we came here for, right?" Gwen smiles encouragingly.
Estel gives her a thumbs-up.
"There are many students here, maybe one of them saw something?" Azizia shrugs. "It is good to mangle with them for information."
"Mingle," Estel says automatically.
[Azizia]: "… Mingle." She repeats.
High Elder Cloudfall says, "Make this place your home while you are here. You will begin your training soon enough."
[Gwenivene]: "Right. Mingle." Sounds good to Gwen.
"Maybe we mangle with them, if we spar," Ralaea says.
"Mingle. Not Mangle," Shun says.
"Mingle," Azizia corrects Rae, unaware that 'mangle' is an actual word.
Gwen turns to her arcane familiar. "Pookie, I think I'm gonna need all my concentration here. So, uh, you can rest for now." The construct doesn't respond, and simply fades into blue-violet sparkles.
Ralaea stares flatly at Azizia and Shun, but keeps her mouth shut.
"Soooo…back down the stairs, I guess." Gwen gestures.
"Can we not fly down with feather magic of yours?" Azizia asks.
"We could…but I thought that might be rude," Gwen says.
"Would it be rude to do in monastery where you grew up?" Azizia asks Estel.
As they head downstairs, Estel says, "So 'mangle' is, like, where you really destroy something by ripping or crushing it apart."
"I'd be fine jumping a railing, but I know people who'd pitch a fit over it," Ralaea says.
Estel nods to Azizia, but makes a face. "Yeah, probably woulda been."
Lin is waiting wide-eyed below. "I heard!" she says. "The High Elder wants you to train with us!"
Estel would probably have preferred to jump railings as a kid.
Azizia sighs. She also makes a mental note of what mangle means.
"Good ears," Gwen murmurs.
Lin smiles shyly. "You will join us for the trainees’ banquet this evening… and it is the custom to bring a gift, as a sign of courtesy. The oranges in the grove south of the temple are extra sweet right now, and would be welcome."
"Sure!" Estel says cheerfully. "We didn't grow 'em ourselves, but if ferrying them over counts…"
"That's like Elle's custom," Ralaea says. "He always brings a gift when he visits Fallon House."
"It will be appreciated," Lin assures. "The fastest way to the grove is the path directly to the left at the bottom of these stairs."
"Next time one here goes through portal, we bring apples from orchards, or grapes, near Stormwind, yes?" Azizia tells the others. "If we need more gifts."
Estel nods. "It's a nice thing to do when you get invited somewhere."
"That's a wonderful idea, Azizia," Gwen smiles.
Ralaea pauses at the top of more stairs. "You realize if we go down these stairs, we'll have to go up them again?"
Gwen giggles.
"Yep," Estel says. "It's good exercise, I guess."
"Do not speak of future misfortune, Ms. Rae," Azizia shakes her head. "I try to forget."
Several small green creatures are stealing the oranges and hurling them off the cliff!
"What are these?" Ralaea asks, pointing at a sprite.
Azizia dodges an orange thrown at her by a sprite. "Do not dare do this again!"
Shun just gets to work with beating up the little gremlin things for their oranges.
"Hey!" Gwen scolds the sprite. "You leave those oranges alone! We need those!"
[Gwenivene]: "Okay…look, let's try to just…take the oranges. No need to hurt them badly."
Estel hurries to scoop up some oranges in her skirt.
Azizia didn't hear Gwen's order and grabs a sprite before throwing it down the cliff.
"Azizia!" Gwen's voice is more shocked than stern.
"They're throwing stuff at us," Ralaea says. "Unless you want to show up to the banquet covered in orange…"
"It threw orange at me. It was very aggressive." Azizia answers.
"Are these guys, like, plants?" Estel wonders out loud.
Shun isn't using his weapons. He's just using his fists and stuff.
Gwen takes a deep breath and nods firmly. "Yes. They threw oranges. That is hardly a lethal assault. I expect you to react proportionally to a threat."
Ralaea looks down the cliff. "I mean it's probably…fine?"
Azizia sighs. "Okay, I will not throw things like this over railing again, unless Pandaren say we should. Maybe they are like cockroaches of Pandaria?"
It is a long way down, actually.
Estel is using her skirt like a basket to hold a bunch of oranges. She's wearing shorts under the robe.
Gwen sighs. "Maybe, but we can't make assumptions. Especially not in this strange land. You saw what happened when a man merely let his doubts overcome him."
"Yeah." Estel smiles at Gwen. "You got it."
Gwen gestures to the great nemesis: the stairs. "Let's get back and see what Lin thinks of the oranges. I hope they didn't get too bruised up."
Estel produces a spread of spectral feathers. "Maybe I can float us up the stairs," she says.
Azizia nods. "Hm, it is true. I will ask for next time."
Gwen breathes a sigh of relief. "Thaaaank you, Estel."
"I could have just shadowstepped, Estel…" Shun says.
"Yeah, but they can't," Estel points out. "So you can keep us company."
Ralaea does not look entirely comfortable with the floating business but she doesn't complain.
Estel floats ominously up to Lin, holding her skirt full of oranges. "Hey!"
Lin giggles. "You seem…lighter than before."
Azizia winces a little as the elemental spirits around her weapons complain to her at the sight of these mortals illegally floating.
"Just for a bit," Estel says, and eases everybody gently to the ground.
Lin’s eyes light up at the oranges. "Ah, those will do perfectly! What a thoughtful gift!" Her smile is a touch impish. "I am bringing beer, of course."
"Where do we bring 'em?" Estel asks.
She looks past the group into the courtyard and points to some stairs on the far side. "The banquet will begin in a little while. Go there when you are ready, and pay your respects to the High Elder. You can present your gift then."
"Quick question," Azizia says. "Do you know what little wooden creature throwing fruits are?"
"Present… the present," Ralaea mutters to herself.
"Wooden creature? Oh, yes," Lin nods. "The sprites. Do not worry. They are mischievous, but harmless."
"Hmmm," Azizia says.
"They come from the earth," Lin explains. "I suppose there have been a lot more of them around recently."
Ralaea looks at the ground like it might suddenly spawn a pile of sprites.
"Oh, they come from earth?" Azizia raises an eyebrow. "So if they are hurt, they just go back to earth and come back again after?"
Lin nods. "Yes, I believe so. They do not truly die. They just return to the earth, as you say."
Gwen breathes a sigh of relief.
"Hmm, they are a bit like elementals, then," Azizia says, now genuinely curious about the creatures, more than trying to find an excuse for her overreaction to the sprites.
"How annoying," Shun grumbles.
Gwen nods to Azizia. "That does make me feel better."
"Good," Azizia nods back.
"The banquet will start soon," Lin says. "You should get ready. I will see you there!"
"Okay," Estel says. "I have a skirt full of oranges that smell really good and I can't eat them yet because we want to present them as a gift. Should we find, like, a basket or somethin'?"
Gwen snaps her fingers and points at Estel. "Good idea. That's our first task."
"Commence Operation: Basket Case!" Gwen strides toward the courtyard.
OPERATION: BASKET CASE - BEGIN!
"There are houses?" Ralaea suggests. "I think they're houses."
"Hmmm, where do they keep baskets?" Azizia looks around, hands on her hips. "They like beer, but that is not basket appropriate. More barrel."
Estel wanders around in search of a basket, heading towards a building.
Shun eyes the weapons on the nearby racks as they head in.
"This is a basket," Ralaea says, pointing.
A pandaren woman taking a nap on a bench in the armory looks up as they enter.
"There is no one here," Azizia says. "We will not steal basket here. I will see outside if I find someone who says we can borrow." She turns around to leave and notice the napping pandaren. "Here you are."
"Hey," Estel says. "Banquet's soon. Could we borrow this basket?"
"We'll bring it back with a pleasing orange scent," Ralaea adds.
The sleepy pandaren nods and rubs at her face. "Of course. What time is it? Oh, am I going to miss the banquet?" She rushes out of the building.
Estel carefully arranges the oranges into the basket. "Brilliant."
"Perfect!" Gwen exclaims. "We should probably hurry to the banquet, too."
Estel offers Shun the basket to carry.
Shun takes it.
Estel flashes Shun a smile and gives Gwen a thumbs-up. "To the banquet!"
OPERATION: BASKET CASE - COMPLETE!
"I hope we're dressed appropriately." Gwen smooths down her robes.
Estel brushes her skirt off. "Eh, should be fine."
"I don't have anything else," Ralaea says.
"There's the High Elder," Gwen gestures across the dining area.
Azizia looks at her armor. "I have so many more banquet appropriate clothes I brought…"
Shun just stares at the vast number of people here for the banquet.
"Hey, some of those monkey guys are here," Ralaea says, pointing.
There are indeed some hozen in the trainee uniform, as well as some jinyu.
"You could go change if you wanna, but let's present our gift first, yeah…?" Estel glances at Azizia.
"And jinyu as well," Gwen whispers.
"Oh, no, I didn't bring here. It is back in suitcase," Azizia answers Estel.
"And a shirtless guy on the table." Ralaea wrinkles her nose at the pandaren.
High Elder Cloudfall awaits them at the far end of the courtyard. As White Squad approaches, he bows.
Estel actually bows in return this time. "Thanks for the invitation. We've brought a gift."
Shun bows in turn as well.
"How thoughtful of you." The High Elder looks pleased.
Ralaea is not really the bowing sort.
Azizia does a very Draenei bow, not a pandaren one.
Estel motions for Shun to put the basket on what looks like a buffet table.
Shun steps up and sets the basket down on an open spot on the table.
"Ahhh, succulent oranges," High Elder Cloudfall eyes them eagerly. "These will go nicely with the duck."
"Welcome, foreign friends," says the High Elder, raising his voice for others to hear. "We are honored to have you as our guests. Today we celebrate not only your arrival, but the initiation of a new class of trainees within our monastery.
[High Elder Cloudfall]: "Please enjoy the food and drink as you celebrate with us, but allow me first to introduce some of the monastery’s instructors."
Estel moves towards a giant vat of soup during the announcement and peeks in.
The High Elder smiles warmly. "Let us begin with those who sit behind me." He turns and leads White Squad toward a row of expectant pandaren.
"Before you sits Instructor Myang," the High Elder says. "She is responsible for teaching most of the practical fighting techniques. It is said that before she joined the monastery, Myang defeated one hundred ravaging hozen in a single melee."
The female pandaren smiles modestly. "You flatter me, High Elder. Those hozen were weak, young and unskilled. Any other pandaren would have done the same."
"Flatter you?" The High Elder laughs. "You were eight years old!"
Myang’s modest smile widens only slightly. "… and a half, sir."
"Next," says High Elder Cloudfall, "we have Master Stone Fist. He leads our sparring exercises. Master Stone Fist is nearly unmatched in single combat. He once defeated nine hundred and ninety-nine challengers in a row."
Master Stone Fist nods somberly. "The thousandth challenger cheated."
"What? Cheated?!" cries the High Elder, and leaps across the table to direct a clout at Master Stone Fist. "I never cheat!"
Master Stone Fist dodges and there is a brief flurry of blows exchanged before the High Elder leaps back again. Neither of the men seems the least put out, and the High Elder moves on serenely."Finally, Instructor Xann," High Elder Cloudfall says.
Estel stares.
[High Elder Cloudfall]: "His mastery of the very basics of combat has given him a nearly perfect fighting form. Xann, how many practice strikes do your students perform daily?"
Shun furrows his brow.
Instructor Xann bows his head. "Ten thousand strikes, every day."
"And how many do you perform?" the High Elder asks.
Instructor Xann smiles. "Ten thousand and one."
High Elder Cloudfall steps away from his colleagues and confides jovially, "Luckily, High Elders no longer have to perform basic training. I find that I am happier when I am not exercising. Walk and drink with me, friends."
"Ah." The High Elder gestures affectionately at an elderly pandaren ponderously pacing atop one of the banquet tables. "Upon this table you see Spirit-Sage Gaoquan, the oldest member of our monastery. He has seen many elders come and go. He also tends to take these celebrations very seriously. You may also have noticed the hozen and jinyu among us. All are welcome here at the monastery, as long as they have the desire to learn."
They approach a pandaren in well-worn overalls who is dozing face-down on the ground at the courtyard’s edge. He snores loudly. "Finally," says High Elder Cloudfall, "this is Groundskeeper Wu."
He prods the sleeping pandaren. "WU!"
Groundskeeper Wu snorts with startlement. "Ye–yes, High <hic> Elder?"
"Wu," says High Elder Cloudfall. "These are the foreigners from Paw’don Village. They will be joining the other trainees."
"Hi," Estel says cheerfully to Wu.
"Oh," says Wu. "Hel–<hic> hello." He subsides into snores once more.
"Wu will be asking you to perform a few chores," High Elder Cloudfall informs the group as he leads them away. "Nothing complex, just some tasks related to the maintenance of the monastery. We are all responsible for maintaining our home. Even the High Elder must occasionally lend a hand." He stoops to pick up a mug from the courtyard stones. "You see? I am helping by picking up this full mug of ale that someone left on the ground."
The High Elder drinks deeply and smacks his lips. "Ahh. Now you are caught up." He leads them back to the table where they began, and where his original mug stands. "And would you look at that!" he beams. "My cup is full again! It is good to be the High Elder." He takes this mug up too in his other hand, and turns his smile on White Squad again. "Go, then, friends. Join the celebration! Tomorrow your training begins."
Azizia looks at him and raises an eyebrow.
"Thanks!" Estel says to him, fetching a plate.
Shun bows once more.
"I am very resistant to alcohol," Azizia shrugs. "I will try ale of yours."