Creating A Party
I need a drink.
I was back in Darnassus, sitting on a bench underneath that bear-tree thing, the Bough of Eternals. I'd be more fascinated with the size of the tree itself, but I was so bored and distracted with the chatter I was a victim of.
On my left was Enya talking to Malys, who was on my right. Apparently, being stuck in Barrow Dens for a long period of time can make Wardens go a tiny bit insane, but only to the point of NEVER shutting the fuck up, or at least with these two. Their current topic was about different clothes they could wear if they ever retired from the Wardens, so...you know...that bored me to no end.
I really need a drink.
I don't mean alcohol, as I'm not one to get sloshed, just something to ease my mind. I take a soft comfort in not thinking about anything with a delicious drink going down my throat...Why doesn't that sound right?
I was still sitting there, left to my own pity, when I turned my head, seeing a familiar face.
"Ralid?"
He was at the bank, talking to the teller. He was so preoccupied he didn't even notice the growing conversation ten feet from him. Only once I said his name a second time, louder, of course, did he finally see me. He looked a little surprised.
"Darminus?" His casual voice had a few questions in it, but that was fine.
A squeal of delight sounded behind me, revealing Enya practically jumping with excitement.
"OOOOH, that would be the perfect combination. What pattern would go great with it?"
I stood up, partly to get away from the two of them, but mainly to speak with Ralid. I walked over, feeling a little better than before.
"Hey, it's been a week since we saw each other, right?"
He nodded, both brows at opposite heights.
"Yeah, but...what are you doing here? I thought the Wardens arrested you?"
He only had curiosity in his eyes, nothing malicious, thankfully.
"Yeah, but until they've figured out my sentence I'm allowed to go around the city, although I'm under guard."
We looked back at the two, still in their heated discussion.
He smiled, "I suppose so, if you can call it that."
He turned back to me, "Hey, are you guys staying anywhere while you're here?"
"No, actually. The plan was to walk around all day, waiting for the "trial", but it's been a long time. Those two" I motioned with my thumb, "haven't made it easy, either. I could use a bit of R&R."
He looked confused, "R&R?"
Whoops, gotta use their vernacular. "Rest and relaxation. It's...uhh...a shortened term for it I thought up."
He nodded, going over it in his head.
"Not bad, it might catch on. Anyways, I've got this room in the nearby inn. You could stay there, for now."
A devilish smile spread across his face, "You'll have to pay for any expenses you take, of course."
Now I was confused, "What do you mean "room"? Doesn't the inn have only a couple beds?"
"No, they have rooms. You really haven't been to Darnassus before, have you?"
Azeroth is way too complicated for me. "I suppose not, I'm learning new things about it every day."
I walked over to Enya and Malys, waving my hand in front of them to gain their attention. It took a few seconds, but they eventually looked at me.
"Hey, we're going to the tavern. My friend, Ralid here, has offered to let us stay in his room for a while. Plus, I bet you're both hungry." From talking for so long, I said under my breath.
As if on cue both their stomachs growled, surprising the three of us. Enya smiled sheepishly, "Well, I guess so. We're still in the city, so we should be pardoned if we take a break."
I nodded, happy I could take my mind off things.
Looks like I'll be getting that drink after all.
The inn was bigger than I remembered, the main hall as big as the Goldshire Inn...the entire inn. It was all in Night Elf style, of course, a few tables spread about with stools at a counter. A staircase went up to the rooms, another heading downwards.
There were a few companies in here, some louder than others. A couple Humans, a Dwarf, and a Draenei were at one table, drinking and laughing merrily. Two Night Elves were talking in the corner. In the middle, to my full surprise, was a Worgen playing Hearthstone with a Gnome, the Gnome shouting in glee as he pulled off some move. The Worgen didn't look so pleased, however.
Fucking yes, nothing else matters right now.
I immediately went over, dragging a shocked Ralid with me.
"Hello there, mind if we play after you?"
They both looked up, the Worgen first to speak.
"Bugger off, we're in the middle of something important."
The Gnome shook his head, his pink moustache waving. "Now Henry, they can use our board if they want. Besides, I do believe you just lost to my Sheep. Ha! A Sheep!"
I looked at the board, the mystical numbers floating above each card.
"TWELVE?!"
The Gnome laughed even harder, seeing my stupefied expression. "Oh, the things a few spells can do. He will never live this down."
The laughter was contagious, earning a chuckle from me. Henry was growling at this point.
"Filgitz Mechatrope, if you do not shut up this instant I will bury you under a tree and piss on your grave to mark my territory."
A moment of silence, then a renewed bout of laughter, even louder than before. Henry just simmered, folding his arms and snorting in anger.
"HEY! We're having a conversation here, if you don't mind."
We all turned to the slurred voice, it was one of the Humans from the rambunctious table.
"You were just as loud earlier, disturbing everyone else. Why can't we have a good laugh?"
He didn't seem to take too kindly to my words, coming forward until he was right in front of me. His breath smelled awful, clear signs of a drunk. Ugh, not again.
"Watch it, Night Elf. We have just as much right to be here as you, so you can shove it."
I sighed, already regretting saying anything,"I never said you couldn't be here, I'm just saying we can laugh if we want to."
I began to walk away, hoping to get a drink from the bartender, when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Where do you think you're going? We ain't finished yet."
I turned around, letting what magic I had flare a bit. "You really don't want this fight." I was bluffing, I'd never been in a real fight. The most I knew was how to dodge, but that was it.
He chuckled, getting into a stance, "Oh, yes I do."
He swung his arm back, preparing to hit me, when a hand caught his fist.
"That is enough!"
Enya was between us, her hand holding his fist, reverberating from the force. Her eyes were steely, no mercy within them.
"Unless you want to land yourself in prison, I recommend going back to your friends and staying there."
The man leaned in, his face right beside her helmet.
"You think I'm afraid to hit a lady?"
He reared his leg back, kneeing her right in the stomach. She fell to the ground, coughing.
"Enya!" I was furious, my magic burning in my veins. Yes! Let it out, SHOW him your power!
I blasted him back, only managing to stagger him. His friends came up behind him, all ready to fight. Ralid stepped up next to me, Henry on my other side.
"Why are you helping?"
He smiled, baring his fangs. "I love a good scrap, 'specially a drunken one. This is gonna be fun."
I didn't know whether to be happy he was on my side, or scared that he was on my side. I saw Filgitz under the table, though I wasn't surprised. Gnomes aren't ones to get into brawls.
Immediately the man charged me, tackling me to the ground. I wrestled with him, trying to flip him over, but he was stronger than he looked. One punch later and I wasn't too happy, neither was the voice in my head. What are you doing? Use the Explosion spell, knock him off!
I tried, but my head was spinning from that hit, it really packed a wallop. Another one was about to hit me, but everything slowed down, almost stopping entirely.
I was dragged into the dark recesses of my mind, standing in the darkness. There was nothing, only myself, but I could sense something else.
You know, we haven't really talked.
He was standing in front of me, but...it WAS me.
"Who are you?"
A chuckle, I am you, you are I. You could ask me all day, but the answer would be the same. What matters, is that I'm curious about you.
"What do you want to know?"
He began to "walk" around me, if I could call it that.
Before you showed up, I was nothing. Part of nothing. Then I was something more.
He stopped, his back to me.
I was pulled into creation when you were, although I feel as if I've been alive forever. In fact, you and I were part of this existence for only a week now. Why is that?
"Well, to be honest, Darminus has been a part of me for eight years now, but I've BEEN him for a week. It's been...strange, to say the least."
He was once again in front of me, only a few feet away.
You are a separate entity, then? Interesting…
He raised his hand to me, I will help you, but I want to know more about you. This craving for knowledge is driving me insane...not really, actually.
I was slipping away, back into myself.
"Wait, what do I call you?"
His eyes were amber, I realized, yet they did not burn with the serenity of the others.
You may call me...Ego.
The fist hit me, jarring me back to reality. I couldn't feel it, strangely enough.
Alright, I think I should take the reins from here.
My hand raised to his chest, Arcane power forcing him to the ceiling. I hadn't moved it, yet it did anyway. I stood up, watching the man fall to the floor.
Ah, I do love watching the inferior learn a lesson.
Okay, let's not go crazy. Let's just...focus on the fight. I saw Henry roaring at the Dwarf, the other Human backing away from him, and Filgitz being chased by the Draenei, Ralid chasing the two of them. If I wasn't in a possibly life or death situation it might have been comical.
Malys was helping up Enya, her hand around her stomach.
"Can you fight?"
There was a slight echo to my voice, but they didn't seem to notice it.
"Yes, just don't let me get kneed again."
I looked back to the asshole, as that was his name now, seeing him get back on his feet.
"Go help out Filgitz, get the Draenei down. I'll take care of the tough guy."
He was standing now, holding a chair with both hands.
"Let's see how you like your furniture."
He threw it, barely giving me enough time to get out of the way. He charged, swinging his right back again. Seems to be his calling card.
Arcane tendrils coursed from my hand, wrapping around his arm. Since when can we do that?
Wait, watch this.
His fist turned around, plunging itself into his face. Repeatedly.
BAHAHA, did you see that? He was all like "Take this." and now it's like "Oh shit.", hehehe.
I had to admit, it was a little funny. He eventually knocked himself out, crashing into a table on the way down. Enya and Malys had brought down the Draenei, sitting on his back with triumphant looks in their eyes. Henry was...I didn't see that, did you see that?
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Ralid came up to me, holding a mug.
"I think these are well deserved. Cheers."
He downed his in one swig, wiping his mouth after. I looked into mine, seeing a purple liquid, bubbles included.
"What's this?"
He smiled, a satisfied look on his face.
"Some special wine reserve from the bartender. As a gift for "quieting" them down. Apparently, they'd been in here for a couple hours, disturbing the customers to the point that they'd all left. Oh, this too."
He held out some coins, some silver and others being copper.
I was about to drink it, when I remembered a quest from Suramar. Hey, can I borrow you for a sec?
What do you need?
Use our magic and infuse it into the wine.
Why?
Trust me, it'll be great for us.
Hearing Ego sigh, I felt magic coursing into my fingers. I held my index above the cup, seeing the azure mist fall like tiny droplets into the wine. It began to glow, although faintly.
Ralid stepped forward, looking into the cup. "Hey, why's it look like that? What is it?"
I smirked, sipping the drink.
Holy shit, that is good. What is it?
I decided to answer both of them, "In a way, Arcwine. Although, this is just magically infused wine. It's nothing like the real thing. It restores the mana of whoever drinks it." Taking another sip, I decided that I was going to make this whenever I could.
"What's Arcwine?"
Ah shit, "Well...umm...it's an ancient Highborne drink, although I've forgotten how to make it. It was drunk by the nobles and commoners alike, even a specially made juice version made for children." I saw the bartender looking at the mug, giving me an idea.
I walked over to him, feeling Ralid's eyes on me. "Hey, try this."
He took the drink, curiously looking it. After a moment, he took a sip. His eyes grew wide.
"Woah, I need some more of that. You wouldn't be interested in enhancing my other stock, would you?"
What are you doing?
I smiled inside, "Well, I'd be glad to, although I have a better idea."
I told him of starting a monopoly on "Arcwine", giving him and I a copyright and trademark on it. I could practically see the dollar signs behind his eyes.
"You crazy bastard, that just might work. I'll have to keep it a secret, but we could start an entire business on it. First, let's go into my office, business and all that."
I looked back at the others, shrugging nonchalantly at their incredulous faces.
Well, well, well. Where'd you get that idea?
Well, let's just say I know a place where this stuff is literally GOLD.
Our first action sequence, and our first quest, although a bit short. Hearthstone, literally just a game in Azeroth. I don't plan on expanding on it, but I thought it'd be appropriate to have it in a tavern. If anyone can guess who I've modeled Ego after I'll give you a diamond pony...made out of diamonds. Already we've started to change the world of Azeroth, though not too much. I've always wondered, "Why didn't they use the Nightwell to keep making Arcwine? They could have made a monopoly out of it." Plus, I think Darminus could use an income. He's got metaphorical bills to pay, man!
See ya on the next chapter. Bye!
