“Oh my god my head is killing me!” Vanisia moaned. “What the hell is in that stupid.. moon.. juice those elves were handing out?”
Merrianna rubbed her one open eye and looked around, “At least we’re not the only ones who are worse for wear.”
She pointed at Belafonte and Jando who were curled up on a blanket in the corner, when a sparkle caught her eye. “Who’s is that? I’ve never seen that sword before?”
Vanisia crawled over to where Merrianna was pointing and pulled the sword out with a heavy scratch. “It looks like a warrior or a paladin sword. Look how ornate it is. It’s beautiful!”
Bela sat up and squinted in the morning sunshine. “You guys are being so loud! Can you quit yelling, please!” she pleaded.
Merrianna giggled, “We’re whispering you goof. Your head must feel about like ours does. Is that sword yours?”
Bela shook her head. “I think it belongs to that paladin you were hanging out with last night. Free something.. I don’t really remember his name. Last I remember you were giggling with him on the floor.”
Merrianna blushed deeply, “I would NEVER! I was here with Vanisia the entire time!”
Belafonte snickered, “Yeah, the entire time she wasn’t licking all over Rankyn.”
Vanisia coughed, “Discretion is obviously not your strong suit there Bela-bigmouth.”
“Hey, where’s Kaliye.. and Sabryel?” Merrianna looked around. “Doesn’t seem right that we’ve crashed in her apartment without her. When was the last time anyone saw them?” Shrugs went up around the room.
The door to the bathroom opened and there stood.. a human male. “Glad to see you drunken morons are finally awake. Snore louder than Onyxia you do. Anyone up for breakfast?” They all blinked at him.
“Who the hell are you?” Vanisia slowly crawled to her feet. “This is MY friend’s apartment, and you just got naked in HER shower!?”
He gave a short bow, “Buzzfreedom at your service. We met last night, but you were too busy locking lips with the bearboy to pay much attention. I got to know your sister fairly well though!” He waggled his eyebrows.
Merrianna gasped and sputtered, “We just.. kissed.. a few times. Several times.. um. I’m going to go look for Kaliye.” She scrambled to her feet and stumbled out the door.
**
“Where am I? Where are my clothes! What the hell is going on!?” Kaliye looked around in panic. “AERYNN?! VANISIA!? SABRYEL!! MERRI?! RANKYN!?” She rubbed her eyes. “What the hell have I gotten myself into?”
“It’s the middle of January and I found you floating in Lake Elune’Ara babbling to yourself in drunk speak.” The voice paused. “I pulled you out of the lake and brought you here before you turned into a purple popscicle.” He stepped out of the shadows and tipped his head.
“I’m Spektre. After watching the mayhem that was my brother and the rest of you drunken sots, I thought someone had better keep an eye out.”
Kaliye raised an eyebrow. “Who are you to think you’re better than us. We aren’t children and we don’t need a babysitter. And if you’re watching over US where are my friends and my sister?”
Spektre crossed his arms over his chest. “Your friends are safe and sound in your apartment back in Darnassus.. well those that I could locate. Your sister is on a ship bound for Azuremyst Isle.”
“She’s WHAT?! Why in the world would she be on a ship there. Are you crazy? She’s not even done with her training?!” Kaliye’s eyes took on a dangerous glow.
Spektre held up a hand. “Your sister and I spent a great deal of time talking last night. The antics of you and your friends persuaded her to stay away from that ‘juice’ you all were partaking of last night.” He gave her a pointed look. “She confided in me that she has some questions about gems that she finds when she’s prospecting. I happen to know that the Draenai have extensive knowledge in the ways of gems and crafting with them, so I helped her. Do you have a problem with that?”
Kaliye looked at him for a long time before nodding. Wrapping herself in the blanket, she went to the window. “I’ve wasted a long time in mourning. She doesn’t turn to me any longer… instead she goes to a stranger.”
He let out a throaty laugh. “I’m not so strange, I’m just new to you. I like you and your friends. Lord knows I’ve spent enough time hearing about the lot of you. Anyway, your clothes should be dry, they’re hanging outside. I’ll be on my way. It was nice… meeting you Kaliye.” He turned and slipped out the door.
“Hearing about the lot of us, eh? Who is his brother?! And what kind of name is Spektre anyway?” Kaliye grumbled.