#peejee

@cabalofbastards @asherrean

    The Broken Heart Club was humming with anticipation. The doorman noticed more than a few of their younger regulars from the dance nights drift past him all abuzz.  Word had spread that tonight's performance was going to be a bit different from what the Kaldorie Songstress usually served up. For starters the full jazz band was already playing, and the normal grand piano swapped out for something a bit more compact and having an almost organ-ish sound (obviously of gnomeish design). The small dance floor was made larger by pushing back the tables near the front.  So far no one was dancing though. Everyone seemed to be... waiting.

    The hands of the clock had barely touched the top of the evening hour when the tone of the band changed, the clarinet breaking into an upbeat solo. That was all it took. Several scrambled to the dance floor not even noticing the draped figure step from the shadows just as the sax started in. She took her place on the small stage behind the mic. A snap of her fingers resounded like a gunshot, bringing all eyes to Peejee, her pink skin seeming to glow from around the shadow dark cloth draped around her like a robe.  As the band joined in she swayed side to side, a playful smile on her lips as her blue glowing eyes skimmed the dancers before seeming to pick out a suited male still sitting at a table and pointed, her disapproving voice cutting through the air:

Hey, brother, what you thinking? Leave that old record spinning You feel the rhythm, going

    Another snap of her fingers, and the whole club seemed to pulse slightly with the energy of the music, a couple jumping up to dance, others tapping their toes. The goblin and troll in the band called out:

(They call it lonely digging)

    Purple lips curved into a grin as she continued, eyes now casting around the club:

Let's end your time to lay low Your knees a-bending, so It's time to get up and let go (You're gonna come undone)

     Peejee spied a female shyly dancing in her chair:

Hey, mama, how's it going? Can't see your body moving Don't leave the party dying (They call it lonely digging)

     Another wave of her hand, snap of her fingers; again the yearning to jump up and dance coursed through the club. The Songstress wasn't asking. 

 Your booty shaking, you know Your head has no right to say no Tonight it's ready, set, go

    The music paused for a second. Peejee shifted as the music did, tossing back the dark cloak that vanished into the shadows to reveal her blazing bright blue and purple flapper dress. Rhinestones and sequence catching the light as her voice came out rapid and commanding:

Baby can you move it round the rhythm So we can get with 'em To the ground and get us a rock and roll round Just a downtown body body coming with a super-hottie Let's go, yes, no, hell no Baby can you move it round the rhythm 'Cause you know we're living in the fast lane, speed up It ain't no game, just turn up all the beams when I come up on the scene

    As the trumpet cut in for the bridge Peejee grinned from ear to ear. She stepped back and started to dance, kicking her legs back in the Charlesten cow tail, swinging her arms. More people rose  from their tables, grinning as they joined the dance floor. 

    Once more a hand snapped up to point at a male still stubbornly sitting at a table, music changing as Peejee started to sing. 

Hey, brother, what you thinking? That good ol' sound is ringing They don't know what they're missing (They call it lonely digging) Let's end your time to lay low Your knees a-bending, so It's time to get up and let go Hey, brother, nice and steady Put down your drink, you ready It's hard when things get messy (They call it lonely digging) Your booty shaking, you know Your head has no right to say no Tonight it's ready, set, go

    A few more dance steps then Peejee reached out to grab the mic stand. As she started to rapidly sing again she threw it to the side, making like she would catch it with a hooked leg but the mic seemed to vanish. Her voice still carried through the club like nothing had changed though now she danced as she sung, swinging her arms, kicking her legs:

Baby can you move it round the rhythm So we can get with 'em To the ground and get us a rock and roll round Just a downtown body body coming with a super-hottie Let's go, yes, no, hell no Baby can you move it round the rhythm 'Cause you know we're living in the fast lane, speed up It ain't no game, just turn up all the beams when I come up on the scene

    As the note drifted off she jumped down to the dance floor, letting the band shift tone. They built in a slow crescendo while Peejee took turns with the dancers. Her infectious smile making them all feel the energy of the music. Then, just as the sax cut in and the music picked back up they all turned towards the bar and started to dance in sync. Swinging arms and kicking their legs as one, somehow each knowing exactly what moves to make at just the right time. 

    Then as Peejee's voice cut through they all broke off, turning to each other and riding the energetic high. 

Baby can you move it round the rhythm So we can get with 'em To the ground and get us a rock and roll round Just a downtown body body coming with a super-hottie Let's go, yes, no, hell no Baby can you move it round the rhythm 'Cause you know we're living in the fast lane, speed up It ain't no game, just turn up all the beams when I come up on the scene

     As the music started to fade off Peejee danced her way back to the stage and hopped upon it. Cheers resounded as the dancers finally slowed to a stop. The songstress turned to blow a kiss and wave at the patrons before gesturing to the band. While they took their bows Peejee slipped off the stage and faded back into the shadows. 

     After the last set Peejee found herself sitting on a rickety stool in the small closet-like dressing room backstage. She was in the middle of balancing a mirror with one hand while wiping off her stage makeup with the other when he found her. Ash softly closed the door behind him as he watched her work in silence. She waited for him to mention it. To tell her how imprudent she'd been. After what felt like an eternity of silence she put the mirror down and cast him a glance. It'd been their way for as long as they had known each other. A single look could contain an entire conversation. Trust with concern met willfulness with caution. 

    "You were amazing out there tonight." His voice was so soft she barely heard him.  

    She flashed him a brilliant smile, "Thanks for helping me make it happen. You put up with that 'infernal contraption' quite well. I doubt anyone out there could tell you hated it."

    A simple shrug of his shoulders was his only reply. 

    Finished with removing her makeup, Peejee stood up and reached for the zipper along her back. A grin spread across her lips when she felt her hands gently brushed away. Fingertips grazed her skin as the zipper dragged down.

    "Be careful, Peej. Talent like yours is liable to attract attention." She could see his reflection in the small mirror and knew what he meant. The people they worked for might want more than just her singing voice if they found out. Ash's chess partner seemed to know who he was. Did they know about her?

    Her eyes closed as she shivered, though from the touch or the thought she wasn't sure.

((Read Part 1. Also read Ash's Ledgers and Balance story))

"Hmm, care for some company? I could use a distraction from paperwork." Ash then gave her a sly grin, "And the last place Blythe would send her messengers is out to the front line."

It was enough to make PeeJee chuckle. Soon the pair were climbing onto their winged mounts; Peejee on her phoenix and Asherrean on his new gryphon. The trip to the front lines was short. As soon as they landed she had felt the change in her companion. Very few would notice, but she did. It brought back memories to him, she was sure. If he did not feel like speaking of it then neither did she. Perhaps later tonight as they sat in their chairs by the fire they would discuss it.

It took a bit of time to find the proper encampment where the House Nightstone healers were stationed. Her arrival was met with signs of relief and hope. It made her curiosity about this supposed poison that much greater. After examining the first of the afflicted, the healers were shocked when she refused to see another, instead demanding to see the body of one who had died. PeeJee didn't care. There was only so much she could learn from the living. When the moans and screams of the injured finally grated on her last nerve she bid Ash go around and dose them all with her desensitizing serum. At last, with only the distant sounds of battle now bothering her, she went to work.

It had been a long, long day.

It had all started in Pandaria. PeeJee tried collecting more specimens to transplant into her garden. The Sha infusion of the soil was still proving to be quite difficult to replicate and the plants just simply were not thriving. Most died before arriving at Lakeshire. Dried and preserved ingredients were still useful once taken away from the island, but the plants refused to grow. Shortly after lunch she was sitting at the side table in her greenhouse, head down, a discarded sandwich and a dozen or so dead plants scattered around the table.

"PeeJee?" It was one of the ladies who helped around the house. The poor woman was concerned. Whenever her employer didn't eat was never a good sign.

A grunt came from the prone figure, "What?"

"I'm sorry ma'am but this letter just arrived from you, I think it's from Margravine Nightstone's household."

With a sigh PeeJee forced herself up and took the proffered envelope. It wasn't the same as before. Different handwriting, paper, and the seal wasn't exact either. That was curious. Opening it reveled it was indeed NOT from Sirithil but from one of the alchemist she was going to consult about the supplies for the troops. They were asking to meet her near the front lines. There were a few soldiers who were suffering from what looked like poisoned wounds but none of their antidotes were working. Normally PeeJee wouldn't bother but the prospect of studying a new poison intrigued her. Besides there was nothing she could do with dead plants other than throw them in the compost heap.

An hour later and she was dressed in her travel robes, knife tucked in her belt and pack full of carefully wrapped vials slung over her shoulder. She told the ladies goodbye and headed towards Lakeshire. Reaching the side path she stopped and looked over at the Orphanage. Impulse made her head to the building. She wanted to tell the kids she would be gone for awhile. Danica offered to go with her but PeeJee reminded her that the tutors were supposed to arrive later and she needed to focus on her studies first.

It wasn't long before she was back on the path to the town. Her mind was still elsewhere though, going through a dozen different things. How too keep the Pandarian plants alive. A few orders for the Shaded Leaves to fill. The proposal for Sirithil's people. The other arrangement she made with that odd Stormwind soldier. The possibilities of new specimens from beyond the portal. Now already a new poison to examine. She was so deep in thought she nearly ran him over.

"Heading out again Peej?" Asherrean's voice snapped her awareness back to the present and made her smile at the unexpectedness of it. 

"Ash! Where did you come from?" PeeJee glanced around a bit, "I didn't see you..."

"So I noticed," He never could stop himself from teasing her whenever he could. Reaching out a hand he tapped the pack slung over her shoulder, "Going somewhere?"

"They've encountered a new poison at the front lines." Ash's quirked eyebrow told her that was the last thing he had expected. "The transplants died before getting here again. I need a detraction." 

((Part 2))

Nov 5, (2014) - Just past the Witching Hour.

Nov 1, (2014) - Late Evening

Oct 31st, (2014) Late evening

Original Post HERE