[Open to all] Pig & Whistle

[Arkhaen Ravenstar]

A month on The Vigilant accorded Arkhaen sea legs but deprived him of basic stability upon solid ground. He wobbled up the docks of Stormwind Harbour, determined to force adaptation within the next few minutes. This issue was easily avoided had he chosen a mage portal but the long tenure in Northrend, surrounded constantly by bickering soldiers stationed there after the War with the Lich King made Arkhaen yearn for personal time. Thus, the long voyage gave him that, along with the luxury of working on his manuscript sans disruptions and distractions.
He was now two-thirds of the way through. Such an accomplishment needed a minor celebration. 

His disembarkation orders were to report in with SI:7 headquarters but Arkhaen, with his canvas bag slung over one shoulder, headed toward the Pig & Whistle in Old Town instead. It was suitably close to where he needed to be even if he didn’t feel like being there now.


Efficiency was always his strong suit, even while playing the rebel.
Besides, he had cause for a celebration. 

In the dank and dark interior of the tavern - where the air stank of beer and piss – Arkhaen felt oddly at home. Perhaps it had much to do with his former life as a member of the Horde whose main city of Orgrimmar was composed of many rotten and vile smells like this. But although that despicable city was a far cry from the cobbled Stormwind, it reeked similarly to his trained nostrils.


Arkhaen leaned against the tarnished wooden counter and ordered a pint of beer. His incandescent eyes glowed in the gloom like a cat’s as they took stock of each patron and of the entrance. Old habits once again. His two swords, sheathed separately and on both sides of his hips scrapped against the wood but he paid it no mind. In such a place, none cared for superficial scars but one would be foolish indeed to remain therein without a weapon or two within reach.


When the barkeep returned with his pint, Arkhaen in one gulp, consumed half of it. Foam coated his overgrown beard which he wiped off absent-mindedly with the back of his hand. Ah, it was good to be back, even if he did miss the cool and comforting climes of Northrend.


“Do yer scars mean somethin’?”


Arkhaen looked up and toward the sound of the unfamiliar voice. A dwarf stood there, beady eyes beneath bushy brows and an extravagant beard likely to be taller than him were it laid out next to his corpse.


“No,” he responded. Typically taciturn and monosyllabic, the ren’dorei’s admission into the Alliance issued new troubles, specifically the cooperation with dwarves.


“Me cousin, e’s a Wildhammer. E’s got a mess o’ tattoos,”


“Good for him,”


“When did ya get ‘em?”


Stifling a frustrated grunt, Arkhaen carefully lowered his pint onto the table, looked at (down?) the dwarf and said, “Is there something you want? I’d like to enjoy my drink in peace if you don’t mind,”


Seemingly taken aback, the dwarf wavered for a second, then turned on his heels and stalked off. Arkhaen heard him muttering something about more elves in the Alliance but paid it no mind. At least the hairy organism was no longer in sight. With a contented sigh, he took up his pint and finished the last bits of the beer.

*walks into the pig, takes his time looking around. Sees a Ren'Dorei who looks familiar, but is currently speaking with a dwarf. Moves to one of the empty table, setting his pack at leg of the table.  Adjusting in his seat, he stretches out a bit, motions one of the barmaids over and orders his drink*

[Arkhaen Ravenstar]

Upon the exit of the dwarf, Arkhaen returned to his drink with all intent to wash out the taste of that unremarkable encounter with something more pleasant. Given time, he may come around to tolerate them, but it did take him a long time before he could deal with orcs and trolls and even goblins. That day might very well be far away, so why not indulge in more alcohol in an effort to artificially speed time up and make everyone more palatable.

Something in his periphery caught his attention causing him to turn slightly; it was Grim'Un, the burly human he met the other day. Grinning, Arkhaen intercepted the barmaid en route to the man with his drink. Taking the pint and his, the ren'dorei stepped up to Grim'Un and handed the pint to him.

"Fancy seeing you here again," he said, "One might think this dive was your home,"

*Looks up at the ren'dorei he had the pleasure of meeting with the other day, he smiles as the male slides him a pint of liquor. He looks around the tavern before he reshifts his eyes to the male*

Please have a seat, Arkhaen....

*stops for a second is if he were thinking about something, looks at the solid oak table then again back up at Ark*

I hope I did not massacre the way you say your name

*lets out a slight chuckle as he takes the pint in his good hand, raising the mug up in the air*

Cheers to good company, and better yet free drink

*He keeps the mug ascended in the air*

[۞ KAT ۞ AKA Red Viper]

A red headed woman appears just inside the bar and peers around with a raised brow and casually crossed arms over her large chest which was covered by a black and red grinning skull tabard, naturally honey colored skin seeming to go a shade or two darker in the dimmer lighting. She stands there a moment surveying the room before blinking and looking to her right- and then her left, arms unfolding in confusion.

"Shari!? f*ck sakes woman-" growling she goes around the corner and comes back hauling a very small Kaldorei woman who was a couple inches shorter than she was. "Damnit woman, i brung ye here now that yer feelin better to do yer ambassadoring. So go f*ckin ambassador!"

Spying Grim deeper in she flashes a grin should he look their way, vaguely wondering who the grape was he was sitting with. She hadn't met any of the Horde rejects yet and was quite interested in them. While she waited for Shari to compose herself Kat stroked her chin pondering if the grape was male or female. Like the Sindorei... it was so damned hard to tell right off.

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

Shari stumbles into the bar as Kat pulls her in, long hair tousling about her blushing freckled face.

Shifting uneasily she smiles weakly under Kat's stare and anyone else in the bar. It suddenly felt like all the eyes of Stormwind were on her. "S-Sorry Lady. I will do my best."

Following Kat's stare she saw Grimun and instantly a happy relieved smile spread across her face. Brushing some hair from her brightly glowing eyes she also noticed he had someone with him. "Oh look! Mister Grimun is talking to someone, it is one of the new allies to the Alliance. I bet he has some wonderful stories about the Horde to share!"

Wiggling she half-bowed to Kat before bouncing off to Grimun's table, stopping to offer him a crisp salute. "Ishnu-Alah Sirs!" her eyes washed over Arkhaen as she nodded her head to him. Whispering softly to Grim she nodded toward the door in case he somehow had missed Kat's entrance. "The Lady is here too Sir." Arms opening she pointed to a chair, "May I please join you both?"

Curtsey's before the stranger, "I am Shari'Adune Forestsong, Druid of the Talon and Ambassador to the Cheshire Cats. How are you enjoying the Alliance? It must be quite a change for you here hmn?"

[Arkhaen Ravenstar]

Arkhaen clanks mugs with Grim'Un then takes a hefty swallow of the ale. It was vile; bitter, foamy, thick...excellent. Sitting himself down next to the man, he settled the mug on the table then leans back into the solid backrest.

"It's pronounced similar to arcane or arcann if you've got a bit of an accent. So as I believe I mentioned the last time we had this conversation, you're on the right track."

But something had stolen Grim'Un's attention almost at the same time as Arkhaen was speaking. The ren'dorei followed the man's gaze and spied two females, one fiery-haired human and one spritely kaldorei of whom the latter was fast approaching. Frowning, he spared a quick look around toward the exits in the event he needed to bolt.

But the night elf belayed his concerns immediately with a chirpy greeting and salute to Grim'Un. Arkhaen was so taken aback by her polite curtsy then he shot right up and offered a slight bow. Sticking his hand out to shake hers, he followed her introduction with his:

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Arkhaen Ravenstar. But don't let appearances fool you. I'm a lot older than I look. I've been in the Alliance before," he grins, then continues, "You're most welcomed to join us Shari'Adune, that is if my companion is willing?"

*Watches Arkaens eyes move to the oncoming Shari, a grins crosses his face*

~ Dont let her trip ~ *as he thought to himself*

Shari...of of course you can sit, you never have to ask my permission to join me

*he slowly begins to rise, blinks as Arkaen bolts up like a goblin rocket, his eyes move past Shari as he spies Kat, He eyes her up and down*

Evening, Care for a drink or ten

*He pushes a chair out with his foot for her to take*

[۞ KAT ۞ AKA Red Viper]

((FYI: Kat had not approached yet, she had remained at the door.))

She watched Shari bound off with an eye roll. Smirking she loped her way over toward Grimun's table, hips swaying, lightly dusting against her wrists. As she approached she caught Grim's words to her and offered him a wry grin, slipping in past the smaller woman to take the chair, naturally assuming it was her her and not the elf.

"Shari, plant yer ass."

Crossing her legs she leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest again. Her voice was laced with a purr, "Ye know me so well. Aye i would care fer at least ten." Quite suddenly she raised her voice from the purr and barked out, "BAR WENCH! Some of yer strongest sh*t, right here!"

Anyone who had been even mildly relaxed had jumped at her bark which made her amber eyes dance like glittering jewels- which she laid upon Ark, a brow raising sharply. Though she stared at the void elf she addressed Grimun, "So Grim... who be yer new friend here eh?" She stroked at her chin as she studied Ark's facial hair. "Oh, so tis a male after all," shrugs a bit, "Was a little hard ta tell from over by the door. Shadows and all..." Her eyes narrowed into catty slits as she winked at the void elf.

[Arkhaen Ravenstar]

When the red-haired woman took the seat with all the class and grace of an ogre out of his mound, Arkhaen bit his tongue. He's experienced behaviors like this; particular where orcs were concerned. They wanted to intimidate, bully and see how you reacted. If you took the bait, you're ostracized; their mind about you made up. If you fought back, well, that would be giving them what they wanted. That this was a human female who did this amused him but though the package was different, the patterns were the same.

Still, she was far more palatable than orcs.

So he merely reclined back in the chair, incandescent eyes regarding her with a measure of politeness. And when she did finally speak to him, after eyeballing for a time, it was with depreciating words he knew to expect.

"Yes, male," Arkhaen answered, his baritone voice rumbled with a deep echo as if he were in a cave, "Sorry to disappoint."

With a grin, he downed the entire pint of its ale, then slammed it appreciatively onto the table.

*grins as he looks as Kat takes her seat, and calls the bar wench over, is kind of taken back as she says her words. He looks over at Arkhaen to see his reaction to what Kat had said*

His name is Arkhaen we shared a few drinks the other night. Arkhaen this is Kat the leader of our little Family.

*Watches as the Barmaid brings several pints of ale, Grim tosses her a bag of coin*

Keep them coming, So how have you been Kat?

*Looks over at Shari and renders her a soft smile, then back to Kat*

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

"Shari, plant yer ass." Kat had said and took the offered chair.

Squeaking softly she did just that, and quickly dropped down to sit upon the floor the bell upon her left ankle jingling as she did. Smiling up at Kat, and then to Grim in turn, her eyes shone with contentment at being around her family.

She wasn't able to see Ark so well so for a moment she stood up on her knees to peek at him after Kat and Grim had spoken. Her head slowly rose above the horizon of the table. Holding a finger up in the air to emphasize her words she piped up, "Mister Arkhaen, Sir? i for one find you a very handsome Ren'dorei." Bobs her head as if hearing the words from someone else before sinking back down to rest her cushy bottom upon her heels.

[Arkhaen Ravenstar]

When the kaldorei took her place on the floor, Arkhaen resisted the urge to react in any way. Grim'Un's friends...well, family as he introduced them seemed an eclectic bunch; who knew what might set them off. Besides, he had no intention of insulting anyone, well at least not yet. Even the woman whom he referred to as Kat - the leader - he took her brusque attitude as a idiosyncrasy of character rather than a malicious affectation.

But when the strangely chirpy night elf stood up suddenly and afforded him that compliment, he smiled despite himself and nodded his thanks.

"No need for formalities...Shari'Adune was it?" he said while he reached out across the small gap toward the other table and dragged a chair from the glaring dwarf that was too drunk to react in any other way. This chair, he offered to Shari.

"Won't you sit?"

[۞ KAT ۞ AKA Red Viper]

Snorting Kat immediately corrected Grim, "Lady Kat." Jerks her chin at the human male, "i been perfect, of course. Takin names, downing bodies... " grabs a mug of ale quickly and takes a very long gulp which was followed by a reverberating belch that would make even the surliest dwarf nod in appreciation. As the mug hit the table she smacked her lips, "And enjoyin the pleasures of this life." Her eyes dropped to his left hand, "How's yer hand been, Grim?" she sucked in a breath, "Oh wait!  X has it!  Has he given ye any visitation rights yet?" Her snicker was teasing, yet digging at the same time, emphasized by the sharp glint of her eyes.

When Shari sat...on the floor... she palmed her face and uttered a soft growling sigh. Then the elf rose up like one of those things in a whack a mole game to address the void elf. "Shari, f*cks sakes no wonder ye get in all the sh*t ye do. Talkin like that to people!" her voice becomes thin, "haven't we talked about this before, ye don't say such things to people unless ye wanna f*ck em."

"No need for formalities...Shari'Adune was it?" the void elf said said while he reached out across the small gap toward the other table and dragged a chair from the glaring dwarf that was too drunk to react in any other way. This chair, he offered to Shari.

"Won't you sit?"

Kat bellowed a laugh over the rim of her mug, tone dripping with sarcasm. "Aye, go sit in his f*ckin lap! Yer workin up to that anyway eh?"

Amber eyes slid to the male elf and gave him what should have been a coy smile, however on her it looked like she was deciding which body part to bite first, "Ah, see, had i heard ye before seeing ye, there would have been no mistake ye are a male." Raises a hand before the fingers flutter and gesture toward him as her gaze then sweeps to wink at Grim as she talks, "Though male, female, i don't give two sh*ts. When yer drunk enough sh*t like that don't matter." Slaps her hand on the table chuckling and pointing at Ark, "And when ye aint drunk enough ye can still appreciate how someone looks in most cases. And in this case," she rolled her hips and leaned forward a bit, "how they sound as well."

Leaning back in her chair, her legs uncrossed leaving her sitting much like a man, legs splayed, sitting on mostly the tailbone, "So-Ark." her voice dropped low again taking on the purr, "f*cked any alliance yet? i find them to be MUCH more disappointing then a good plow by any of the Horde." her eyes lock on his as a brow raises, "Meself not included in tha statement, of course." she gulps another drink before poking out her tongue and slowly licking her lips while she winks, "i don't disappoint, any race."

*Raises a brow, and with a sly grin looks at her*

ooo that is right Lady...Sometimes it is hard to remember when you are always belching and farting

*Slams the ale back with one fel swoop, motions the barmaid to brin another*

As for the hand I think it is doing fine, X I believe has scapegoat plans for it

*looks between the three as Kat bellows out for Shari to sit in Ark' lap, the innuendos rising*

Please tell me you havent banged a cow

[Arkhaen Ravenstar]

Arkhaen didn't mind the way Kat or Lady Kat as she wished to be known, however contradictory such an esteemed title fits on someone so aggressive, looked at him. A testament to the haughtiness of elves, he's used to being objectified. And now, with the Void, Arkhaen knows that for many in the Alliance, their mystique is both infuriating and alluring. But the ren'dorei gave little import to these things; preferring instead to remain aloof and detached. He didn't know these people well after all - why would he present himself so openly now?

Still, after meeting her efforts in guzzling the ale in his mug, Arkhaen regarded her with those eyes of his and made a show of contemplating her question. But Grim'Un's query about 'banging a cow' made him stop and he chuckled, thinking back about some of the stories he's heard while on Horde-side.

"No, I haven't the time, nor pleasure to fully acquaint myself with the women of the Alliance. Frankly, it's been work since day one, not that I'm complaining. I'd much rather fight, then mingle," he offered a shrug, then continued, "I don't do well around others. Present company excluded of course. Well, at least for now,"

He gave Kat a sly grin, then took another deep swallow of his ale.

[Shari'Adune Forestsong]

The druidess was very happy to accept Arkhaen's offer, and rose to slide over to the chair. She sat down beside him as Kat commented about sitting in his lap. She giggled musically and shook her head, some of the beads in her hair lightly clicking together, "Oh Lady, you can be so silly!" Shari was by now after so many years within the Cats, used to the Lady's tone and nature. Anything the red headed woman ever said was simply taken in stride and added to her uniquely endearing nature.

Smoothing out her robe Shari turned her face to the Ren'dorei (though never making direct eye contact -ever) with a grateful, friendly smile, "Thank you Sir." At this distance, even in the bar Arkhaen may catch the ocean fresh scent of the woman which was infused in the locks of her hair and upon her skin.

Kat and Grim'un began to speak then, which she listened to intently before Ark then was speaking again.

"No, I haven't the time, nor pleasure to fully acquaint myself with the women of the Alliance. Frankly, it's been work since day one, not that I'm complaining. I'd much rather fight, then mingle," he offered a shrug, then continued, "I don't do well around others. Present company excluded of course. Well, at least for now."

"Oh, you're so kind Sir. " her head tilted to the side as her glowing gaze danced over his features, "Though you know, all work and not much rest can be harmful to ones health. I am a healer, Sir, so please listen to my words. I would hate for you to fall ill or hurt due to too much exertion." she taps at his arm her brows raising, "That being said, if you ever need any help anywhere with anything or even just an ear to listen to you, please remember me!"

Her eyes then turned to Grim'un glancing at his hand, then to the Lady then back to him with a comforting smile.

[۞ KAT ۞ AKA Red Viper]

Grim raised a brow and said, "ooo that is right Lady...Sometimes it is hard to remember when you are always belching and farting."

Kat's eyes narrowed and she bit out in a sly tone, "Mmm-hm. Just like it be hard to remember a lot of times ye be part of the gang with the sh*t ye say and do." raises her mug to the tabard he wears (assuming he is?), "But then faulty memory don't do nothin to change facts, eh?" Sucks back a swig before setting her mug down loudly- cue for a refill.

Nodding to Grim she snickers, "Ah then ye got reacquainted with it," charming smile, "So nice to hear. As fer X's plans fer it, i bet they all be interesting. Shall be fun to see what happens."

Grim looked between the three as Kat bellows out for Shari to sit in Ark's lap, the innuendos rising, "Please tell me you havent banged a cow."

She traced a deep scratch in the wooden table with a nail, both brows raised as she replied in an compliant voice, "Alright." Her amber gaze had slid back to the void elf, if indeed it had ever truly left him entirely. So the twig could drink. Not bad.

"No, I haven't the time, nor pleasure to fully acquaint myself with the women of the Alliance. Frankly, it's been work since day one, not that I'm complaining. I'd much rather fight, then mingle," he offered a shrug, then continued, "I don't do well around others. Present company excluded of course. Well, at least for now,"

He gave Kat a sly grin, then took another deep swallow of his ale.

The grin was returned quickly as she leveled her chin with his, her facial piercings glinting in the light. He wasn't like many of the willowy elves she had met Horde side. Full of himself perhaps, but that was as hard for them to hide or deny as those ears.

Shari's moving was incorporated in her field of vision, and the Kaldorei's words made her left eye twitch a bit. However as she spoke Kat found herself nodding, voice contemplative, "Aye... Fer once i agree with her. Ye can't work all the time. Course... this aint work is it." nods to the mugs on the table, then waves a hand to gesture to the room- her movements smooth. "Or is it?"

Nodding to the bar wench as she deposited a new round of drinks on the table, then glared at her as she lingered causing her to slip away again. Looping her fingers around the handle of the mug Kat kept her gaze upon the void elf. "So ye immigrate to the Alliance with any friends, family er... buddies er some sh*t?"

"Mmm-hm. Just like it be hard to remember a lot of times ye be part of the gang with the sh*t ye say and do." raises her mug to the tabard he wears (assuming he is?), "But then faulty memory don't do nothin to change facts, eh?"

(( Always wears the tabard ))

*Looks at her*

Aye

*Takes his pint, slowly stands, slams the pint back*

Nodding to Grim she snickers, "Ah then ye got reacquainted with it," charming smile, "So nice to hear. As fer X's plans fer it, i bet they all be interesting. Shall be fun to see what happens."

*slowly nods his head as she speaks her words*

I think he actually creeped Karrii out with it walking around the other night

*steps a back a few*

I will return in a few

*Grabs his crotch then heads towards the Latrine, area*

[Arkhaen Ravenstar]

Arkhaen smiles at Shari as she takes the seat. Her scent however, while pleasant reminded him too much of the voyage he recently undertook from Northrend to Stormwind; it made him sit back just a little. Her words however, delivered musically and with such grace that Arkhaen can't imagine how she came to be in the company of such surly individuals, took him out of his reverie. He meant to respond but Kat was quicker and though she chimed in with the same thought, her delivery was more severe...accusatory even.

But her attitude was starting to grow on him, or at least, he knew now not to take offense. Her colleagues certainly didn't seem to mind; which was all Arkhaen needed to know and see to determine that she while no doubt formidable, was certainly not a tyrant.

Besides, better the person who acts the beast then the beast who acts the person.

"No, I came alone," he answered, "My family are back in Silvermoon, still hoping for the day when the sin'dorei are once again neutral. But that's not enough for me, to sit and wait for things to happen. I like to make them happen, or be enough of a catalyst for change. So I'm here, in the Alliance again. You three are probably the first group outside of work that I've had the pleasure of speaking to."