A Random Mess

Stormwind’s harbor smelled like any harbor the world over. Salty, fishy, and with more than a hint of garbage. The crew of the Thorn’s Bite were lined up and ready to depart.  “Alright, you lot,” Captain Mellathorne said as she inspected her crew. “I expect orders to be folla’d, tasks ta be completed, an’ th’ ship ta be defended. Any questions?” A gnome goes to raise her hand. “Tha’ was rhetorical... Get ye on th’ ship,” The Captain snapped. The gnome dropped her hand sadly. The crew made it’s way to the deck. Ray stepped on the deck and smelled the sea air. She released it with a great exhale and practically ran around looking at everything. A large Kul Tiran man approached her.  “Ye need ta get yer gear stowed an’ get ta yer post,” he said as he pointed to a mop and bucket. “Aye, Sir,” Ray said excitedly. She quickly stowed her gear and headed back up to the deck. The great ship began to maneuver itself off of the dock and away from the port. As the city faded into the distance, Ray ran to the railing to look at the vast sea. “It’s so beautiful... I feel so free!”

Queue Disney Princess song about freedom, the sea, and adventure.

On the deck, the Captain and Bosun watch as Watch as Ray climbs in the rigging while singing in draenic.

“What is that fool draenei doing,” The Captain asked Bosun Fannigan. “Cap’n... I got no clue...” “Ain’t she supposed ta be swabbin’ th’ decks?” “Aye Cap’n... But this is kinda fun an’ I like th’ song...” Captain Mellathorne looked at Fannigan incredulously. “GET HER SWABBIN THE DECKS!” “AYE, CAP’N,” Fannigan exclaimed with a salute.

Ray danced down the rigging to the deck. She spread her arms wide and Fannigan thrust a mop on her hand. (You can hear the gnomish recording machine scratch as she drops back into reality.)

In a small house in the Explorer’s Ward of Ironforge, a draenei woman sits working on a necklace. She’s painstakingly crafted each link, and perfectly set each stone. As she finishes, she hears the clank of plate armor and turns to see her older sister enter the house. “What do you think,” Ray asks holding up the necklace to Hlarra. Hlarra gives a low whistle. “It’s great work. That’s fancy... It should fetch a pretty copper.” “Oh, it’s not for sale.” Hlarra blinks. “Um... What?” “It’s for my new friend. She’s a priest. Kinda young, but then... Everyone’s ‘kinda young’ to us... Well, not the night elves...” “ ‘A new friend’?” “Yeah. You have plenty of friends... Why can’t I have one?” Hlarra hides a smile behind her hand. “Carry on,” Hlarra says as she sets her weapon in it’s rack and starts to remove her armor. “I think I’ll go give it to her,” Ray says to no one. She gets up and heads towards the tram station. Hlarra watches her go. “And she went looking for love and found it, huh? Good for her. I just wonder if she knows what she’s found..?”

The tram ride to Stormwind seemed extraordinarily long to Ray. She departs the station in high spirits though and makes her way toward the Stormwind Cathedral.She spies a familiar ash blonde woman and waves at her. “Allis! I haf somezhingk for you,” Ray says as she heads over to the startled Acolyte. “Um... This is unexpected...” “I made you a prezent! I hope you like eet. Eet’s nozhingk much,” Ray says with a bit of a blush and a grin. Allis takes the offered case and opens it slowly, almost afraid of what she’ll see. Her eyes widen when she sees the necklace. The links are of a silvery metal, but they look stronger. The gem is a deep blue, and delicately set in a field of small diamonds. She looks up at the draenei woman in shock. “I... I can’t accept this...” “Vhy not? I made eet for you. You’re my friend. Eet’s made from stormseelver and a few random gems I hadt lyingk around zhe houze,” Ray says with a concerned look. “You don’t like eet..?” Allis looks at the hurt expression on her friend’s face. “N...No, it’s exquisite! I... just feel unworthy. It’s too much.” Ray smiles and hugs her friend. When she lets go, she looks at her furiously blushing friend and says, “Eet’s alright. You can store eet until you feel vhorzhy. I vhas just so overcome vhiz inspiration and vhantingk to do somezhingk nice for you zhat I deedn’t zhingk about it.” Allis clutches the case tightly to her chest. “I think that will be fine. Thank you for the necklace. I will cherish it.” Ray nods at her friend and is oblivious to the stares and murmurs of the people in the Cathedral Square as she departs. “Oh, Light... I thought I was going to die... So soft... No. Impure thoughts.. Impure thoughts...”

Raylana makes her way from the bustling Dwarven District in Stormwind to the slightly run down and quaint Old Town. She follows a familiar path to the Pig and Whistle Tavern. The barmaid greets her with a casual wave and goes about her business. Ray makes her way to a table in the corner where a frustrated and harried looking night elf druid shuffles through a pile of papers. 

“Good. You’re here,” the druid says. “Reportingk az ordered, Commander,” Ray replies. “I need for you to check on some troops in Duskwood. Their reports are about a week late. Normally I wouldn’t ask this of you, but I’m a little short on people at the moment.” “I’ll head out now,” Ray replies and bows.  The night elf nods her dismissal and Ray heads out.

“Aleeren was a lot nicer when she wasn’t in charge... Maybe Thrannar could put Hlarra in her spot,” she thinks to herself as she leaves. She shakes her head and summons an elemental. “You called, Farseer,” the elemental states. “Yes. Thank you. I need transportation. I’ll guide you.” The elemental bows. “It will be an honor, Farseer,” the elemental bends down, and Ray hops onto it’s travel platform.

The hustle and bustle of Ironforge’s Military ward was quickly muffled by the large iron bound door. The draenei had just returned from their various patrols from out and around Azeroth. An older draenei woman leads the small group into her living room, and places her mace and shield in their usual spot. She looks to where her husband’s sword should be and frowns. Three of the younger females look as well. One sighs, the other offers a silent prayer, and the last glares at the empty place and the empty rack where the Saronite armor should be. “We WILL get him back, Mother,” the darker haired sister says. “I will start the fire,” the elder draenei says. With a quick motion the dark haired daughter throws a bit of fire onto the awaiting logs. The elder draenei sighs. “Raylana... You are too impatient.” “Mother, we HAVE to get him back! We don’t know... Her Mother raises a hand. “Ray... Trust in the Light, or the Elements, if you’d prefer.” “Lady Yvara is right. We should wait and trust. Nothing will be accomplished in haste,” the lone male draenei says. “Thank you, Korphos.” “Alright,” Raylana pouts.