Wildfire Riders

(this was written with assistance from Uthas)

A few weeks previously...

In cities and towns where the population could be expected to be multiracial, certain allowances are taken to ensure the ease and comfort for all inhabitants. Doorways which can accommodate elves, for examples, or benches able to survive the weight of an adult male draenei. It wasn't always a universal situation, especially not in the older parts or places, but one could generally assume to be able to get around and do what one needs doing these days despite height, weight or other variables of physiology. That being said, however, Neutrino Quarkbucket - Accountant, Stockbroker and Scientist - still had to employ a rather hopping gait to make it up the flight of stairs she was ascending. Pausing breifly at the top of the staircase, she caught her breath and checked the antique pocketwatch she had recently made. Assured that the time was what it was, she tugged her robes back into proper place, knocked on the door labeled "Whiteley Tarbell, Solicitor", and walked right in.

The office skirted the realm between spartan and homely. It was suitably furnished; desk, bookshelves, a few tasteful paintings and commendations and qualifications which may or may not hold up under scrutiny. Just the sort of things one expects to find in a Stormwind solicitor's office. The man sitting behind the desk had taken a pair of spectacles off - affectation or not, they still were rather well made - and was placing some paperwork back down on the desktop. Neutrino raised her own goggles, resting their lenses at the point where her forehead met her hair, and swung herself up into the chair facing the man. He was reasonably good looking (if you went for humans); long face, slightly craggy looks, sandy hair. He raised an eyebrow quizzically.

"Yes? May I help you... ?"

Neutrino snickered slightly.
"Miss Quarkbucket. You're expecting me, a mutual associate of ours put your name forward to me and assured me he had secured an appointment for me. I'm sure you're been made adequately aware... ?"

"Oh, yes, yes, of course. Smail Broadmountain organised your appointment. I was not expecting you to arrive so promptly. The associates mister Broadmountain refers to me are usually not the most punctual of professionals."

Neutrino laughed again slightly.

"So; mister Broadmountain told me that you are based out of an office in Ironforge, but that your employer was tasking you with duties which take your concern outside of Khaz Modan - all the way south to our fair city of Stormwind. How exactly may I be able to assist you?"

"What my employer is looking for is some property, in this city. I do not have much of a professional presence here in Stormwind, therefore I am looking for something to help facilitate the necessary local agents, paperwork, and dancing between law and custom which such endevours undoubtedly require. Mister Broadmountain said you would be both well equipped and eager to assist me."

Tarbell nodded towards the gnome.

"Certainly. I have helped expedite the purchase of properties and estates in both Stormwind and the surrounding burroughs over the years. What is your employer looking for?"

Newt coughed and continued.

"Well, as I said - my employer is looking for property, within Stormwind; in the Park or Mage districts preferably. Canals also, perhaps? She is not too interested in the Dwarven district, even less so the Trade Quarter. I'd even go as far to say as vehemently opposed to the Trade Quarter. I'm also well aware of the current prices of real estate in the Trade district or around the Keep and Noble's estates, so let's not wate our time with there."

Whitley nodded and motioned fluidly with his hand, a human gesture which amounted to "Get on with it, please."

"Ideally, my employer is looking for two things; First, an apartment or some form of domicile. Secondly, space. A fair amount of space."

The gnome slid a folded sheaf of vellum across the table to Whitley.

"This is her requirements for space - after I had interpretted what she wanted, obviously. Exact measurements are variable according to availablility, but the space itself is not negotiable."

Reaching forward with one hand for the vellum, Whitley also picked up his spectacles up and placed them upon the bridge of his nose. He spread the parchment, raising it slightly off the tabletop, his eyes speeding from one side to another like a speed scrivener's quill, taking in the ink-blotched script.

"So... let's see. Hrmmm, sleeping, cooking facilities. Washroom as well. Dwelling washrooms are not terrible common in some areas, that will affect the price. Two additional rooms, with... well, that will need to be in a zone which allows that. Mage district is zoned that way, off the top of my head. Treatment will need to be done out of pocket, however. Aside from that, the apartment will be straightforward to organise via agent. The additional space required is going to be what narrows the options down. Let's see, it's... well. This raw space amounts to another whole apartment, essentially. So, we'd be looking for either an additional dwelling, or..."

Tarbell tapped the point of his chin thoughtfully.

"Or... I may have another idea. The facilities listed here will need to be constructed as required, but as far as I am aware there are no zoning issues, rules or bylaws which would complicate those matters. Plumbing and drainage would be the only thing I could think of. Of course, all this together in of itself will cost a pretty coin. I do hope you and your employer are aware this is not a small request, and therefore not wasting my time."

Neutrino nodded slowly at Whitley.

"Of course, of course. This is the amount my employer is willing to spend on acquiring what she desires."

She slid a second sheaf of folded vellum across the desk to the human. She waited, watching for Whitley's expression. Whitley slid the vellum closer to himself, flipped it over, and opened it. He raised an eyebrow looked back to the gnome. He picked the half-moon optics off the bridge of his nose, and leaned forward ever so slightly.

"Miss Quarkbucket... I am more than certain I am able to assist you and your employer. In fact, I think I may just have something to show to them..."

They both grinned at one another.

*****

A week later...

There was a crackling of static and interference, before Neutrino Quarkbucket's voice emitted from Whitley's buzzbox.

"Mister Tarbell? It's miss Quarkbucket. I've spoken to my employer, miss Illithias, and she finds the property appropriate for her needs. We accept your proposal, amendment and all. I hope you enjoy the additional commission those changes bring. I am organising the transfer of gold at the Royal Stormwind bank as we speak. We're both incredibly grateful for your assistance, mister Tarbell."

"Now, there's another matter; miss Illithias has some more work that requires doing, and after your assistance would appreciate it if you were to have this organised for her. We are able to recompense you appropriately, obviously. We will have the details delivered via messenger pidgeon shortly. Good day, mister Tarbell, I will be in contact again shortly."

A week ago...

The buzzbox crackled into life. Following the short burst of static, a hissed breath could be heard, with a slight grumble. A husky elven voice emitted from the device.

"Hnhhh. A- Al'Cair; you there? It's Illithias."

"Are you busy? No matter. You're in Stormwind, correct? Come to the canals, by Old Town. West. Remember this; I'm about to give you an address to go to..."

(this was written with Threnn)

Still a week ago...

Illithias stood at the top of the flight of stairs. She was dressed in the rough, dark clothing she habitually wore when not armoured; behind her the door into the building's third floor. She peered down as Annalea made her way up the staircase, a hint of a smile on the good side of her lips. She nodded to Anna.

"You made it; good. Hope the trip across wasn't an inconvenience."

Illi faced the door, turning a key in the lock. She entered, Annalea in tow. They were in a residential room, much similar to every other apartment or domicile throughout the Mage district, and Stormwind itself. A simple cot and chest of drawers were pushed up against one wall, laden armour stands and a weapon rack sat in the corner, surrounded by packs, clothing, and other accoutrements of a life spent mostly on the road. The room still managed to remain fairly bare. A hallway went deeper into the apartment. Sunlight angled in from the northern facing windows, overlooking the canals. Annalea still wasn't quite sure what the point of this was, or why she was here.

The kal'dorei turned and pointed to the southern wall; a series of rungs were anchored there, leading up to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

"This way."

Swinging herself up effortlessly, Illithias climb the rungs set in the wall, and pushed open the trapdoor. More sunlight flooded into the room. Hoisting herself up through the opening, she spun quickly, reached down, and all but hauled Anna up through by her arm. She got up to her feet, blinking from the change in illumination. She looked around.

They were on the rooftop of the building - there were plants everywhere. Long tables were set up, filling the roof, covered in pots and planters. Flora covered the surfaces; herbs and shrubs and ferns and flowers and saplings and sprouts and grasses and mushrooms. Larger trees occupied large pottery urns along the building's parapet, a trelliswork faced the street below, with various vines beginning to work their way up the wooden lace. A lean-to made of panes of glass abutted the taller building to the side, condensation and more plants could be seen within. Plants from around the globe populated the rooftop aboretum; specimens from the forests of northern Kalimdor, the Duskwallow marshes, the Crater and Basin, the remenants of Lordaeron and Quel'Thalas, the tropical Vale, the central Azeroth highlands, the fjords and tundra of the North, all vying for space. Even a selection of examples from Draenor occupied one corner. Illithias swung her arm around, encompassing the entire roof.

"It's all mine. Had it all organised for me. Cost a fair amount of gold apparently, but that's what it's for, right? I made it as comprehensive as I could; it's still going to require a lot more work. There's a laboratory and library, as such, downstairs. Should be all fully stocked. More than suitable for my own requirements."

With a slight flick of her wrist, Illi tossed something glinting into the air towards Annalea. It was a key.

"There you are. That'll let you in, able to get to the laboratory or up here to the arbortum. So; what do you think?"

Anna spun around slowly, trying to take it all in. Every time she paused to take in one plant, another drew her attention. Her fingers itched to pull out her notebook and start sketching then and there. She turned the silver key over in her palm. "Blessed Elune, Illi, this is... this is just..." She completed her turn and peered up at the elf.

"Just what?"

"Just amazing." She reached out and traced the curve of a tightly closed bud. "The only place these grow with purple flowers is near the peak of Blackrock Mountain. It had to've cost you a fortune to get them. And the black lotus over there. And..."

Illi waved a hand. "Like I said, that's what the gold's for."

Something else caught Anna's eye. She darted over to the little greenhouse and stuck her head inside. When she looked back up, her eyes were wide. "Illi, you have Bells of Jalinde there. I've always thought if you could cross them with silverleaf, you'd get something twice as effective. But I've never been able to get my hands on..."

"Now you do."

The women grinned at each other, and at last, Anna pulled her notebook from her pocket, jotting down reminders as she drifted from plant to plant. There was no way she could see everything on her first walkthrough, but damned if she wanted to forget anything between visits. At last, before she found herself completely overwhelmed, she turned to Illi almost shyly. "So... do I get to see the lab?"

Illithias watched the other woman wander the aisles between the tables and trellises. Annalea's attention swung quickly from plant to plant; the notepad in her hand quickly filling with jotted scrawl. A grin curled up the unscarred corner of Illi's mouth as she observed her reactions. Shortly after beginning her crawl amongst the flora, Annalea turned to Illi. The elf raised her remaining eyebrow.

"So... do I get to see the lab?"

The elf chuckled slightly.

"Of course. Back inside. You can follow me."

The trapdoor remained open. The kal'dorei turned to face it, and neatly dropped down into the darkness of the room below, eschewing the iron rungs. Annalea hurried after her, taking the ladder steps down from the roof. She got to the floor and dusted off her hands, looking around, she saw Illithias further down the apartment's hallway; she was standing partially inside a doorway off the hallway.

"Down this way Al'Cair."

Illi didn't wait to see if Anna followed. She disappeared inside the room in a flash of white hair, confident curiousity would propel the other woman along after her.

It did.

Anna strode down the hallway, imaginging what sort of equipment she'd find. She had her own small lab set up in her apartment, just a table full of portable equipment. Thantrus had set up a modest lab in the basement of the Pig and Whistle, but being below ground, it got very little natural light. But whatever expectations she had for Illi's lab, the room she'd stepped into was beyond her wildest dreams. She rounded the corner and stood, gaping, at the sight in front of her.

The elf stood roughly in the middle of the room, pointing out paraphernalia and accouterments of interest.

"Most of the metalwork is gnomish, the brasswork dwarven. Brought down from Khaz Modan. Glasswork is mostly goblin; unfortunate, but necessary. Some of the more delicate burners are quel'dorei rather than gnomish; I was not terribly happy about that, but again, it proved necessary. Furniture's all from Teldrassil, hardy as anything found this side of the Nether. Got the walls in here treated by dwarven alchemical smiths; won't catch fire from anything less than an agitated mage. Who's on fire."

The elf reached out with one leg, hooking a booted foot around a squat stool resting underneath the table, and dragging it out.

"Mostly everything is build for kal'dorei height; I got a few of these as well. Mean no disrespect, but you may find them needed to reach everything."

Kicking the stool back underneath the bench, she turned back to Annalea. The elf stuck her thumbs behind her belt, and raised her eyebrow.

"Well?"

Anna turned in a slow circle, a dozen experiments already running through her head. "I think it's bloody brilliant." She grinned and drifted around the room, much the way she'd done in the nursery -- running her fingers along the surfaces, picking up odds and ends and turning them over in her hands. She made a few notes as she went along, but spent most of the time simply taking in her surroundings. By the time she'd finished her circuit and stopped in front of Illithias, her fingers were itching to put some of the equipment through its paces.

"Better than bloody brilliant. Illi, I've never seen anything like this."

Illithias rose again, moving up to Annalea, gently shuffling her along. She was all but herding the smaller woman to the far wall, where a doorway - sans door - led into the next room over. When they passed through, it was obvious the room was the makeshift library. All four walls were lined with shelving, most laden with books. A table occupied the middle of the room, also piled with more books, and various parchments and vellum. A few quills and small bottles of ink, also. Most of the assorted volumes and tomes about the room were various works on botany and alchemy; mainly written in the kal'dorei tongue, but also a number in Common, and a few in various other languages and scripts. A small section of shelving contained all the books not devoted to the previous disciplines; assorted writings by authors such as Loresinger, Ryback, Lovelace, Starseeker, covering a wide selection of topic and subject.

"Most of these are mine, or were... family. Some I've bought. Some I've... rescued. Like some from Lordaeron City. Scourge don't need books anymore, no? But most should be of use for either the roof or the laboratory. Again, you have full access if you would like."

Illithias brought her hand up and started brushing self-consciously at her hair; the bone-white locks fell away from her face. She looked slightly uncomfortable, flushing slightly, contrasting with the pale scar tissue covering one side of her face.

"I, ah... I'd appreciate it if... you didn't mention this room. To anyone else. You know."

Annalea nodded slowly, looking at Illithias in almost askance as the elf continued.

"It's, uh, just... no, uh, nevermind..." she trailed off. She shook her head. "Nevermind."

She leaned back on the table, spreading her hands behind herself for support. Leaning back a fair way, the kal'dorei came eye to eye level with Anna. Her mouth quirked back into a half grin.

"Well, that's the grand tour. As I said; you've a key, feel free to use it as you wish. All I ask if you ever find yourself with an interesting tome or manual which would fit in here but you don't need, well... new acquiring is always appreciated. Only real thing left for me to do with this place now is fill the other three floors."

"If'n you feel like, there's a kitchen not too far a ways down from here, by the canals. It's not bad; I haven't eaten in a few days, so was thinking of going down to it before finding somewhere to drink. You want to come with?"