Windrose.
Last Laugh.
Haphaestus closed the door to his room as he stepped out into the hall. He had only just finished and sent out the letter to Zorol when his rumbling stomach reminded him how late it was getting. He decided to get Melu and find the kitchen. The Sanctum Manor was surprisingly annoying to navigate. I swear this place is enchanted. There's no way this one little house has so many twists and turns, he thought, exasperated. He finally reached a familiar point: the staircase leading down to the front entrance. The area had been decorated into a cozy lounge, not as invitingly furbished as the living room which he had seen (somewhere) but clearly a resting point between or hideaway from the more frequented spots in the house.
As he slowly descended the stairs, he spotted some of guild members sitting leisurely in the fur covered seats. At least I assumed they're members of Sanctum, Haphaestus thought with a frown. Koleyna didn't say anything about any other clients being here, but considering how easily she let us stay here, would that be so odd? He wasn't sure whether to ask the trio, completely oblivious to his presence. Was he expected to just automatically know? Was Koleyna supposed to tell him? Did it really matter?
Haphaestus paused to consider then shrugged. Ehh, whatever, I don't care. The smithy hopped down the last few steps and headed for the door. He cast one last glance over at them. He smiled at the two women in the group. A dreanei with wild white hair and a night elf whose hair, the color of kelp, fell around her like water. The two women whispered conspiratorially at the expense of the poor tauren, who seemed to be taking his newfound social exile with good grace. Hmm, one upside if we do join Sanctum… all the women are total babes. Haphaestus chuckled to himself and turned back to face the doors. He nearly jumped out of his skin as he came face to face with an orc. Ok, almost all of them, he thought as he clutched his heart, staring at the orc like she grew two heads. She returned the look, less than amused by the jittery elf. The monstrous scorpid beside her clacked it's bronze pincers together threateningly.
"You're Haphaestus Sunveil… where are you going?" She asked, her voice rough and accusing. He bristled.
"Outside… I'm looking for my cousin so we can eat. Is that a crime?" When he didn't get a response he added, "I'm not trying to run out on my debt to Koleyna, if that's what you're thinking." The orc glared at him but still said nothing.
"Oh don't worry about grumpy pants Rakka, she's always tense after she gets back from a job. Aren't ya, Rakka?"
He recognized that voice, it was Shoshan! And judging by the suddenly mischievous expressions on the faces of the three sitting down he guessed she was as much of a crazy pain at the guild as she was on missions. Haphaestus couldn't help but grin at the almost horrified look in Rakka's eyes as she searched for the closest escape. She quickly strode away down the corridor, slamming the door behind her as she left.
The draenei paladin pouted as her prey escaped but recovered as her eyes landed on Haphaestus. Uh oh…
"Yoooouuuu!" she squealed. She threw herself at him, catching the sin'dorei pleasantly by surprise as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Sho, this was the guy you helped on that rescue mission, right?" Haphaestus looked over to see the night elf had joined the conversation. The draenei and tauren close behind.
Sho nodded vigorously and the elf suddenly felt very concerned for the safety of his face against her horns. "Yup yup! We went to Stormwind to save his cousin, Melu!"
He held his hand out to the night elf and smiled. "Hey, Haphaestus Sunveil."
She smiled warmly at him and took his hand. "Akulyn Tidechaser." Now that she was closer he noticed she lacked the usual facial tattoos of her kind. Odd.
He held his hand out the others. "Eirindi," the draenei said.
"Achak, The Last Wall. Welcome."
Haphaestus quirked a brow. "The Last Wall? Is that your title?"
The large tauren nodded, smiling. "Yes, I am the last line of defense for the Sanctum. While the others will go out and take jobs or face any attackers against the guild head on I will always remain here to protect this place and all of it's secrets."
"Sounds boring," he said without hesitation. Eirindi's eyes widened at his bluntness but out of the corner of his eye he noticed Akulyn and Sho trying to hide their giggles. He smirked triumphantly. To his surprise though, Achak also laughed.
"Yes, well. Let's hope it stays that way, hmm?"
