Pop, snap.
The gentle crackle of the fireplace was all that filled the dimly lit living space. An oil lamp sat on the side table, unlit as the young woman preferred the burning logs to serve as her light. The room was big yet cozy, with simple furniture to bring out the elegant decorations hung and strewn here and there.
Outside of the wooden and cobblestone cabin, it stormed. The dirt roads were flooded, the winds whistled and shrieked through the trees. But her cabin was safe and dry.
The woman—a young woman, she was—sat cuddled in an armchair. Her golden hair fell over her eyes. She hardly noticed, as her icy blue eyes were instead fixated on the sophisticated scrawlings of a book. A simple nightgown was what she wore under the heavy linen blanket draped over her.
It was a cold late Autumn evening, and Jaina couldn't think of any better way to spend her night than snuggled up with a book and a cup of tea, to which she raised to her lips. Over the fire was a pot of stew, and between her seat and the fireplace, a beautifully stitched rug of violet and blue.
Her plump lips moved along with the words she read so carefully, soaking up each word like a sponge. She was studying to become a mage, though she chose to read on her own time. Knowledge was one of Jaina's best features, in her opinion. As she was about to set her cup back onto the saucer, a knock echoed through the room. She didn't look up at first, finishing the sentence in her book before closing it and turning her attention towards the door.
"Now who could that be at such an hour?" she wondered out loud.
Another knock. Jaina set her text on the table, stepped into her slippers and walked to the door. She stood in front of it, a pang of apprehension holding her back. What if it's a thief? ...Or even an assassin?!
"W-who is it?" she called nervously, before gathering herself. "Who goes there at this hour?" she said again, more assertively.
Silence. Then, a muffled voice spoke:
"I am in need of shelter for the night, if you would be so kind as to allow it." The voice was unlike any Jaina had ever heard; nasally and somewhat demanding, yet feminine. Whoever this stranger may be, she carried an odd accent. The teachers Jaina had had always advised her to never trust strangers, yet she couldn't help but feel bad for this one. Without a moment to lose, she opened the door.
Standing before her now was a woman adorned in blue and yellow armor. It was covered in intricate designs, swirling gently and wrapped around her shroud. But what stood out to Jaina the most was her face. This stranger was an elf, judging from the long eyebrows and pointed ears poking out of the hood, but that wasn't what caught her attention. Her features were sharp, her eyes relaxed yet at the same time stern, defined cheekbones, and full lips pulled into a frown. She was truly intimidating.
And soaking wet in the rain.
The elven woman raised an eyebrow inquisitively to the mage, and Jaina realized she had been staring—with her mouth agape. She faked a nervous cough and smoothed out her gown.
"Ahem, I apologize sincerely for staring it's just.. I've not had the opportunity to see many elves."
The stranger raised her chin at Jaina's words, adjusting her armor. "Charmed. Now, the matter at hand—this establishment of yours is the only dry place around here. Would you let me stay here, if just for the night?"
Jaina was still stuck staring at this woman. She was beautiful. "Ah, yes, come right in. And let me help you with your armor. There's food inside." She motioned for her to take a seat by the fire once inside. "And um.. may I ask your name? I'm unsure of how elf culture works, but for human it's common courtesy to know—"
"Sylvanas. That is my name. Sylvanas Windrunner." She spoke without looking up at Jaina, wringing out her cloak and removing her hood. Her hair was a light blonde, much lighter than Jaina's. One would think it was pure white in this lighting.
Sylvanas had not bothered asking for Jaina's name, which made the human feel nervous and even embarrassed in her sophisticated presence. "A lovely name that is. An honor to meet you, Sylvanas. I am Jaina Proudmoore, though you can just call me Jaina."
Jaina poured a second cup of tea for her guest, glancing up as she stirred to take a glance at Sylvanas, only to find her stripping off her armor. "Goodness!" she exclaimed, quickly looking back down to avoid the sight and putting her hand over her mouth. Though she couldn't see, she knew Sylvanas looked over at her. And was smirking.
"Something wrong, Jaina?"
Jaina fumbled to collect herself and finish pouring the tea, scrambling over to the pot to busy herself with stirring. "Nothing, it's fine. Just thought I saw a mouse was all." Curses, why had she said that? Now Sylvanas would think her living quarters were filthy!
The archmage never taught her what to do in this kind of situation! What was she to do?
Cold arms wrapped around her waist and a chest was pressed against her back. Sylvanas wasn't wearing a top, and Jaina could tell out of the corner of her eye. Had she already known Sylvanas and been friends with her before, the gesture would seem much different. But this was far too intimate for someone she had just met. Lips brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Just focus on the stew, Jaina. She's just teasing you.
"So good of you to let me stay with you for the night, Jaina. I promise I won't cause any trouble." She laid a quick kiss on the back of her neck then moved away, and Jaina found herself frozen. The fire continued to crackle gently and fill the much-too-quiet cabin. Jaina sighed and served two bowls.
She turned towards Sylvanas, figuring she'd at least want this stew she'd been offered. Jaina nearly dropped the bowl when she found her laying across the rug wearing only her underwear. The sight was almost too much to bear, but Jaina couldn't bring herself to look away. Her wet skin glistened in the fire's light, painting her as if she was some fiery succubus from one of Jaina's questionable pieces of fiction. The sight was picturesque. Sylvanas must have been a warrior, or perhaps a rogue; muscles clearly etched into her skins and toned her arms and thighs beautifully. It ignited a fire the mage didn't know she had. She didn't feel any shame as she looked at the elf, though she didn't understand why. Any other situation and she'd feel humiliated, but this was different. Though her eyes were peacefully closed, Jaina knew that she knew.
Her fixation was broken as she noticed Sylvanas's armor. It was folded neatly and set off to the side near the fire to dry, though not as Jaina would have set it to do so. She huffed in frustration, setting the bowl and spoon by the troublesome elf, moving to properly hang her gear by the fire to dry as it should.
"You are so fussy, human. I find it adorable," Sylvanas cooed, resting on her elbows as she watched her bustle about restlessly. Her light hair pooled over her shoulders and just barely covered her breasts.
"Forgive me, Sylvanas. But presenting yourself naked to someone you met mere moments ago is not usual for humans."
"Ah, but it is when you wish to be intimate with the person. I am not one to open up to someone so easily, but you are unlike most humans I've come across. You intrigue me."
Sylvanas spoke as if she'd met Jaina before, and this confused her to no end. She turned to face her, able to look at her face without her eyes wandering elsewhere this time. Intimate? "Have we met once before?"
"No, but I have seen you. You're quite well known around Dalaran, a place many of my people's mages reside. You possess a certain aura that I find myself drawn to. It was mere coincidence that I find myself in your presence this night, though I suspect it could be something more. Perhaps even fate." Sylvanas's tone was softened as she explained herself. Jaina's cheeks lit up a vibrant red; she'd had admirers before, but not like this. Being confessed to by someone this mysteriously gorgeous was like something out of a dream.
"I wish to get to know you better, my dear," Sylvanas continued. "In any way that I can." She sat up now. Jaina moved to sit in front of her on the carpet, and she felt as if she was seeing Sylvanas in a completely different light this time. The fire's light played against her soft skin and wrapped delicately around her sharp features. Jaina was utterly enchanted.
The fire crackled much softer than before.