The light and darkness (open to all)

[Thaaria]

Thaaria sits in the chair looking at the sleeping priest in the bed next to her and smiles before going back to her book Turning a page she looks out the window seeing the sun start to rise Thaaria writes a note and sits it on the bedside table kissing the shadow priest she leaves out the door and heads to the Cathedral.

Thaaria gets to the bottom of the stairs and takes a knee looking down at the ground she whispers a small prayer then stands walking up the first few stairs she looks to the Stormwind guard and smiles and she strides up to him and hands him some Yak jerky from her bag "I didn't forget what you told me yesterday", The Guard nods to the paladin and smiles handing her some Nagrands finest tobacco, Thaaria goes to step inside but stops and steps back asking the guard "Have you seen any of these Cheshire Cats around or do you know them?" The guard just shakes his head "No can't say i have but i have only been in Stormwind for a few days now" Thaaria sighs and steps inside to start praying.

A few hours later she steps outside of the Cathedral she looks around taking in the sunlight onto her face and letting her eyes adjust to the light before seeing a familiar shadow priest waiting for her.

[Shaevisa]

Sunlight filters in through the open curtains of the inn room that Shaevisa shares with the Dreanei Paladin, Thaaria, the golden light slowly creeping over the floor and onto the bed as time presses on. The morning light causes the shadow priestess to stir, a soft groan ushering from the ivory haired woman as she rolls over onto her left side, her right arm reaching out as if to curl around Thaaria, but it is greeted with nothingness. Her hand falls through the air and hits the cold sheets, which makes her huff out of irritation. In silence, while keeping her eyes closed, she feels around the empty space. Judging by how cold it is Thaaria hasn't been in bed for quite sometime. Her full lips pull into a grimace as her eyelids finally flutter open, and she looks over to where her partner was resting last night. "Does that woman ever sleep?" Shae sighs and sits up. She glances around the room to notice Thaaria's armor are missing as are her shield and sword. Running her right hand through her hair she falls back against the mattress and looks over at her nightstand, groggy blue eyes taking notice of the piece of parchment resting on the wooden table. With her left hand she snatches the piece of paper and holds it up in front of her face. 'Headed to the Cathedral to pray, join me when you wake. Keep an eye out for Natasha or the Cheshires. - Thaaria.'

After sitting up she tosses the note aside and swings her legs over the side of the bed. She strides over to the armoire and gets out a white and black dress then tugs the fabric over her head and lets go, letting the soft fabric freefall down her hourglass frame. From beside the door she snatches a brown leather messenger bag and slings it over her right shoulder. She isn't the biggest of morning people, the priestess preferring night over day, but Thaaria has started to change that. If it wasn't for the Draenei leaving the room before the priestess even wakes up Shae would probably try to go back to sleep, but Thaaria is out and about and has assigned her with a task. She yanks the door open and steps out into the hallway, shutting the door hard behind her in clear frustration. Shae stalks down the stairs and outside. Her tongue lashes over her lips, wetting them before she places her right index finger and thumb between them, whistling loudly. Out from an alleyway a large black wolf emerges, the beast approaching the shadow priestess. He presses his large nose against her side. "Hey boy." Shae whispers, combing her fingers through the dark fur on his head. "Let's go get something to eat, and catch up with Thaaria."

The two make their way through Stormwind, Shae keeping Thaaria's task in mind the entire time. Every person she passes by she studies their clothing to see if maybe she'll catch someone sporting the Cheshire tabard or colors, but her search efforts didn't turn up much. She stops at a street side stand and buys an apple, keeping her breakfast simple this morning. Eating in the morning isn't something she's used to either, yet another thing Thaaria has changed in her life. Shae makes her way to the Cathedral where Thaaria prays every morning, sinking her teeth into the red flesh of the apple as she walks. Along the way she stops and questions the guards if they have seen anyone matching Natasha's appearance or if they've seen anyone from the Cheshires, only to be told no by each one. Eventually she runs out of people to question by the time she reaches the Cathedral.

When she first arrives Thaaria is still inside praying, and not wanting to interrupt the Draenei paladin she perches herself on a bench, and lays the bag down next to her. Her wolf plops down behind the bench, and nestles into the green grass. As she waits Shae decides to busy herself. From the bag she pulls out a small leather bound book that is filled a quarter of the way with sketches and drawings. She opens the book to a new page and after fetching a charcoal pencil from her she starts to draw. Shae doesn't even notice hour many hours have passed as she is so focused on what she is doing.

[Thaaria]

Thaaria noticing the Priest sitting on the bench Shaes wolf standing out more then Shae herself Thaaria smiles more a blush coming to her cheeks as she finds herself straightening her armour up making sure her paladin halo is sitting straight above her head, She also looks down at her blue and gold armour that hugs her body tightly and quickly wipes the dust off it she looks to her golden mustang off to the corner a little blue raptor jumps down off its back and comes running over to her. Thaaria takes a piece of meat out of her pouch and throws it down to the raptor before picking him up in her arms and holds him close to her body.

Thaaria strides over to the priest sitting on the bench that is busy with her drawing her shadow casting over the book as she looks down to Shae. The raptor "Jingles" jumps out of Thaaria's arms and onto Shaes lap beside the book, Jingles nuzzles at Shaes hand and Thaaria giggles "Guess he gets to say good morning first, How did you go with looking out for our new friend?". She muses as she sits beside Shae pulling out some of tobacco she traded the jerky for.
She rolls a smoke in her fine long fingers before placing the smoke between her ruby lips and striking a match lighting it she takes in a deep draw of the smoke and makes sure to exhale it away from Jingles and Shae.

[Shaevisa]

Shae damn near jumps out of her skin when the raptor lands on her lap, the priestess's body jerking a little but she remains perfectly seated on the bench. Noticing Shae's body jerk Chief, the large wolf behind Shae, lifts his head from the ground out of concern. The ivory haired woman gives a small smile, her body slowly relaxing and the tension quickly leaving her when she sees that it is Jingles and Thaaria. Well you'd get to say good morning first if you just stuck around. Shae thinks to herself, but feels guilty about the bitter thought. She smiles warmly at Jingles as she closes the book. After slipping it and the stick of charcoal back into her bag she runs a hand over top of the little raptor's head. 

'How did you go with looking out for our new friend?' Thaaria's question makes her lips purse together as she sits in silence, thinking for a moment. "Uneventful," Shae speaks up, giving a small shrug of her right shoulder. "I looked around the city, and couldn't find her. I also questioned some guards if they saw her or anyone from the Cheshires, and no one has spotted them today it seems." She works on buckling the straps on her bag as she adds, "Maybe they're like me and are night owls rather then day people."

[Thaaria]

Thaaria looks down as Shae makes the comment about sitcking around then Shakes it off trying to make it not noticeable she smiles over to Shae watching her pat Jingles as Jingles does a circle he lays in Shaes lap, Thaaria pats Jingles then reaches back behind her patting Chief as well "uneventful huh?" She questions 'Maybe they're like me and are night owls rather then day people.' Tharria sighs and looks down at her smoke before taking another deep draw, "Well the day is still young, and i guess a band of misfits as they call themselves wouldn't hang around here" She motions toward the cathedral.
 
Thaaria leans over and kisses Shae on the cheek softly then lifts her hand up to take another deep draw of her smoke, "I think we should try the garden again, but she wasn't there yesterday i waited quite awhile with no avail, Do you have any ideas hunnie?." Thaaria blows out the smoke and before she even finishes blowing it out she takes another deep draw.

[Shaevisa]

When Shae made her comment about a band of misfits not really hanging out around here the shadow priestess looks up at the grand church off to the side, her dark azure eyes studying it in silence. Her lips purse together momentarily, and thinks back to her own experiences with the church and religious folk, and it brings a bitter taste to her mouth. "Yeah, I don't think misfits would hang out here." Shae remarks in agreement, thinking to herself how she doesn't like being here either but she does it out of consideration. She finds herself falling for the Draenei paladin, something she will not openly admit just yet to her traveling companion or herself for that matter. Those blue eyes watch as Thaaria reaches behind the bench to pet Chief, the wolf growling contently while he presses into the paladin's hand.

Her heart flutters inside of her chest when Thaaria's warm lips press against her cheek, and it brings a soft smile to her lips. Her cheeks warm as a rosy tint paints over them. "I think the gardens might be a good idea. While we make our way there we can keep an eye out just in case she is out doing errands or something." She slides the bag over her right shoulder and stands. "Let's get going." After Thaaria stands Shae slides her hand into the paladin's and laces their fingers together. Happy with the light affectionate touch she starts toward the gardens of Stormwind with Thaaria at her side, Chief following close behind the pair. 

[Thaaria]

Thaaria holds her hand back interlacing her fingers with Shaes then smiles and moves closer to her then whistles as Goldie comes trotting over to them he follows beside the wolf that is behind the pair, Thaaria looks at Jingles who is in her other arm and smiles more as they walk toward the gardens as they walk Thaaria talks about her morning and her getting the special Nagrand tobacco that she is smoking on as she finishes it she puts it out and throws it away as they reach the garden steps she looks out over the gardens before starting to descend the stairs with the priest on her side.

The wind blew the smell of the salt sea up and over the cliffs of Lion's Rest, causing a few stray strands of ebon hair to flutter and flap. Natasha Ebonlocke, enjoying the mid-morning sun and breeze, closed her eyes, leaning her face back into the sun and giggling a bit as the breeze whipped hair and dress and Cheshire Cat cloak alike. Smiling happily once the breeze passed, she settled back into her bench near the fountain, gazing out over the distant sea as she relaxed. Sipping daintily from her thermos of hot hazelnut coffee, she hummed a song absently to herself.

Nat looked up when she saw movement out of the corner of her right eye. A pair of familiar-looking women, one Draenei and one Human, were descending the stairs from the direction of the Cathedral District. Peering at their faces, she realized it was the pair from the other morning! She waved from her bench as the other two approached.

"Ohmigosh, hi again, guys! Thaaria, right?" she asked, looking to the Draenei woman. "And Shaevisa?" she asked of the human woman. "I hope I've remembered your names right!"

Nat waved to the bench across from her, where they'd sat the other morning, awaiting their responses. She hoped they were there to act upon their interest in joining the Cheshire Cats. She took another dainty sip of her coffee, tucking a few windblown strands of hair behind her ear, and sat with a smile, awaiting their replies.

[Shaevisa]

As the pair descends the stairs leading into the garden the ivory haired woman gently squeezes the Draenei paladin's hand, grateful to have Thaaria here to help keep her upright and steady, or at the very least help catch her if she falls. Shae is not the most graceful of people, especially on stairs. Thankfully she has saved herself the embarrassment thus far and hasn't fallen in front of Thaaria, and she's determined not to start now. Every so often her dark azure gaze will fall to the ground, watching where she places her feet every few stairs. 

While her gaze is fixated down at her feet and the stairs she hears a familiar voice, and it causes her to look up. Sitting several yards away is the dark haired warlock that they made acquaintances with several days ago. Seeing Natasha brings a warm and welcoming smile to her lips. "Looks like your hunch was right, dear." Shae coos softly to Thaaria before waving at Natasha. "Good day." She greets Natasha warmly as they stride up to the bench across from the warlock's. Sitting down she perches herself on it and pats the empty spot while looking briefly up to Thaaria, but she soon redirects her attention back to their new friend. "How have you been?"

[Thaaria]

Thaaria notices Shae holding her tighter and smiles thinking she just wants to be held and gives her hand a light squeeze back looking to her then hearing Nats lovely voice a smile is brought to her lips as well "Yes it would appear so". Thaaria looks back at the wolf and Goldie and whistles to Goldie, The golden steed trotting up to them she drops her sword and shield off her back and places them on the horse before patting the steed and shooing him away, he trots off to a grassy patch and lays down.

Thaaria lets go of Shae as she watches her shoo the wolf off as well, Thaaria sits on the bench across from Nat and smiles gently pushing her hair out of her eyes "Well Miss Natasha how are you on this lovely day?". She looks up to the sun and smiles as it beams on her face making it light up slightly her holy aura projecting out as she does so for anyone that is close enough to feel.

Jingles jumps from Shaes arm and runs over to the warlock sniffing her, Thaaria hisses slightly and the little blue Raptor quickly runs to her side "Sorry about him hes still learning". She coos as she hands the little Raptor some jerky from her pouch for being a good boy, the Raptor munches on it happily watching the three women.

Nat smiled at her new friends, happy they stopped by. She observed their demeanor, subtle hints at a budding relationship. This brought an even warmer smile to her face as she peered at each of their faces in turn.

"I'm well, thanks! How you guys? Still looking for the Ambassador? Would you like me to take you to her?" she asks, giggling at the little raptor baby as he approached, and giving him a warm smile as well. "Hi, little guy!"

Nat observed their behavior between themselves and their attendant pets and what looked like large mounts, then looked back to the pair again, ready to rise to her feet and go off in search of Shari if they agreed.

[Shaevisa]

Despite Thaaria releasing the shadow priest's hand the ivory haired woman sits close to the Draenei paladin, their sides nearly touching every so often. Her azure gaze watches Jingles for a moment as the little raptor happily munches on his offered treat, and for a moment she contemplates taking something to Chief but the wolf has ventured off by now and she doesn't want to be rude and call him back mid conversation so she makes a mental note to do it later. 

"I've been pretty well, thank you for asking." Shae charmingly smiles at Natasha. She looks up at Thaaria for a moment. Even while sitting on the bench the paladin looms over her. Her attention turns back to the raven haired warlock and she gives a small nod. "We're still very much interested in joining the Cheshires. Meeting the Ambassador would be absolutely wonderful, and thank you for all of this, truly." 

[Thaaria]

Thaaria nods toward Natasha "Yes this is something we wish to do". The raptor finishes munching on the meat then jumps down running over to Natasha again and jumps up onto the bench beside her, Thaaria hisses him back "Jingles behave". She snarls out at the raptor as it bows its head Jingles large eyes turning to sad and droopy as he sooks back over to Thaaria again. Thaaria picks up the raptor "you wait till you are invited up by someone". She sternly tells the raptor which now nuzzles into her arm then prepares to stand and walk with the warlock to where ever she may take them, As she would stand she would feel the dagger holster on the back of her pants to make sure just in case anything was to happen she was armed.

Nat smiled, standing to her feet, carrying her coffee thermos in her left hand and tucking a few stray hairs behind her ear with her right. She looked to her friends and their attendant menagerie, giggling at the raptor baby once more.

"That's great!" she exclaimed, turning to walk toward, and then past, the fountain. "We'll look for the Ambassador where she usually sits in the Mage Tower courtyard. I'll lead you that way, and then we'll see if we can spot her."

Nat walked the length of Lion's Rest with her followers in tow, passing guards and a merchant or two and a couple of couriers along the way. Gaining the stars on the far end, she ascended, smiling an old man seated on the bench by the tree planter in between the two staircases as she made her way to the next. She climbed, looking back over her shoulder to see that everyone and their pets were still there, then further beyond, watching the sea for a moment before turning up toward the archway into the Mage District.

Once through the tunnel, she turned up the hill, passing the Slaughtered Lamb, gazing around the lawn there for the adorable little green-haired elf. Not seeing her here, she continued down the hill, chatting amicably with her new friends about this and that as they made their way down the curved slope to the Mage Tower.

The Mage Tower came into view next. She hugged the right side, as per her usual, looking at each face gathered this late morning with their coffee (and some with their steins or shot glasses full of their favorite morning eye-opener), or else seated to a meal, trying to spot a smiling little Kaldorei woman speaking with one of them. Not finding her on the porch, she continued past that, past the ramp that spiraled up to the top of the Mage Tower, and then stopped. There were generally a collection of faces here. She peered through the crowd for the Ambassador of the Cheshire Cats.

"Don't worry, guys!" Nat said as she looked, smiling confidently. "We'll spot her, or another Cat, soon enough, I'm sure!"