Chapter 19

"So Ikit." Said High Elf Archer as she watched Ikit eat some cheese that he had stolen from the kitchen in the temple. To her amazement, he kept eating wheel after wheel of cheese, never tiring from his seemingly insatiable appetite for cheese. It reminded High Elf Archer so much of her party member Lizard Priest, who also liked cheese. So much so that the only thing he would eat would be cheese based products. "What is your people like?" Swallowing a big chunk of cheese, Ikit looked at the green haired elf and scoffed.

Like other Skaven, Ikit hated elves. Not only did they act like they were superior to everyone else, due to either their lifespan, their affinity with magic, just because, or all three, they also pretend that they are the absolute best race in his world, incapable of doing no wrong. Skaven hated them, almost as much as Dwarves, their most hated rivals, for their attitude and arrogance. But above, all else, the magical vortex that was at the center of their home. The vortex hummed with power, giving the elves potentially limitless amounts of magic energy. That and they have access to the only piece of land that the Skaven can't dig to or have outposts in, adding more to their hatred towards elves.

And that wasn't bringing up the elves darker cousins, the Dark elves. Cruelty personified, Ikit had his fair share of run ins with the Dark elves, either through his journeys for knowledge or on the battlefield, and none of them left him with any love for the Dark elves. Now, Skaven weren't a bundle of morality and honor, far from it, but even they had higher standards in terms of them dealing with their slaves, while the Dark elves would just execute them from time to time for their own amusement. After all, what was the point of a slave if they can't work to maintain your people's empire.

But this elf. This elf he liked. While she was certainly naïve to the crueler elements of life, Ikit had to admit he liked her spunk. Unlike the elves of his world and those of this world it seemed, she was brash, inelegant at times, and even whined from time to time when she didn't get her way. It amused Ikit much that the supposedly perfect elves had such a brat among their ranks. It was why that he left her alive, she amused him with her attitude. That and he liked mocking her for her lack of big balls on her chest. Yes-yes. It made him laugh whenever she grew bright red and yell at him for it.

High Elf, on the other hand, didn't like just how filthy Ikit was and his general attitude. Unlike her, who wanted to make friends with the humans and machines in their ranks, Ikit kept to himself. Like her crush, Orcblog, but unlike him, he did it because he didn't like being around others. Where Orcblog radiated stone cold confidence and logic, Ikit radiated cruelty and insanity. Whenever he looked at people, he didn't do so because he liked them. He did it to see if they were of any use to him. What ways to hurt them and how to do it the best way possible in terms of time and resources. He was like a ticking time bomb just waiting to blow up. It made High Elf avoid him most of the time. But with Chief gone, taking Thalyssra, much to her annoyance as she wanted to speak with the older elf, her curiosity with the Nightborne still unsatisfied, Jack going to comfort Vereesa, and Courier no where in sight, her only companion she speak to was the one that she wanted to avoid at all costs. Remembering how she hated Orcblog when she first met him, High Elf pushed her discomfort of Ikit away. Perhaps he wasn't as evil as she thinks he is.

"What about the Skaven, hmm?" Asked Ikit, turned to look at High Elf Archer fully, constantly twitching and looking at her erratically. Gulping a bit, High Elf Archer clarified her question.

"I mean, what are they like? As a people. Do you work with other races? Do you make art? Who leads your people?" Asked High Elf, looking at Ikit, who tilted his head at her questions.

"Hmm…" Started Ikit, wondering how to best speak about his people while keeping the elf in the dark about the many darker points of the Skaven people. Like the forced slave labor of their own people, the cannibalism of the weak, and their constant backstabbing amongst, even amongst the lowest branches of Skaven society, the slaves. He very much doubted the elf and the others will approve of such practices of his people and may result in them kicking him out of the group. With no other allies that would take him and limited Warpstone in his possession, he needed them until he found a way back home. Once that was achieved, he'll leave them, telling them everything about his people. They'll be pissed, no doubt, for him holding back so much information, but it wouldn't matter. He got his way back home and so did they. They're forced reliance on each other would be at an end. As a token of the cooperation, Ikit would spare them from death and experiments from his laboratories. It's the least he can do. Especially with all the knowledge he'd gotten from both this world and from them. Already, his big mind was at work making designs inspired from their vehicles, most prominent was the bug he rode during the Siege of Orgrimmar as well as the big suit of armor that Courier said was power armor. Such devices would make Clan Skyre even more wealthy and powerful. Yes-yes. But going back to the question, Ikit spoke careful, being careful on what to be revealed and what not to reveal.

"We Skaven have big empire." Said Ikit, stretching his arms wide to show how big the Skaven Under empire was. "Very, very big! We have cities and burrow-dens everywhere. Yes-yes. We have them even under the cities of other races. Burrow-cities hidden from other races, yes-yes, they don't know about them nor care. Under empire biggest in world, yes-yes. We Skaven number in billions, yes-yes! Outnumber other races we do. We also have the best weapons, yes-yes. We make dreaded Warpstone cannon and Doomwheel! All races tremble in our might!" Ikit than began remembering all the death both the Warpstone cannon and Doomwheel did to their enemies. The death, the carnage. The explosions. They were all magnificent.

"I see." Said High Elf, raising an eyebrow at Ikit. The fact that there were Skaven cities underneath other cities without the inhabitant's knowledge was a bit concerning to her, but as long as the Skaven weren't robbing from them or hurting them in any way, she can let it slip. "So, there are elves in your world?" Ikit nodded. "Are they like me or like the elves here?"

"*Growls* Stupid pointy ears." Said Ikit, looking away from High Elf Archer and towards the vast plains of grass of Pandaria. "They think themselves superior to others. They think that they are better than all other people because they tall-big, that they got stupid magic-sorcery, and they got pretty-shiny buildings. They think they're worth more-more than all of us!" Ikit then flexed his metal claws. "They think we all are plague to world. That world is better with just elves. Well, they wrong-wrong!" Snarling, Ikit then looked back to see High Elf looking at him in concern.

"So…these elves of yours. They're arrogant and upstart because they're the oldest in your world? That they have long lifespans? All of them?" Asked High Elf carefully. She knew a few elves in her world that were arrogant. That believed that the world would be better off with just elves in it. The elves, an immortal race descended from fairies, and just them alone. As much as High Elf Archer loved her people and their culture, she didn't believe they were superior to the other races. Sure they beat the other races in archery and art, but they make up for it with their tenacity, spirit, and, much as some elves shake their heads at, morals. She always was disgusted with those that think just because the elves were descended from fairies that they were better than everyone else. And as much as she teased her good friend Dwarf Shaman about her superior lifespan, she didn't really mean it. Even though she was far older than her party, they surpassed her in terms of wisdom and knowledge. Well except priestess. Fortunately for her people, the people that believed elves' were superior to other races were few and far between.

To here that there was a group of elves that were in the majority in Ikit's world, depressed and disgusted High Elf.

"Yes-yes. Stupid pointy elves." Said Ikit. "All of them. Be they tree elves, pointy elves, or high elves. They all the same. Stupid and prideful. They think they don't need other races. So stupid." Frowning at Ikit's hatred, High Elf asked if he had some bad encounters with elves when they heard a yell.

"What!?" Yelled someone, a woman by the sound of it. And the voice sounded almost like.

"Sylvanas?" Asked High Elf Archer as she looked at Ikit, who just tilted his head at the yell. Curious and worried on what made Sylvanas angry, she motioned for Ikit to follow her. Curious as well, Ikit followed her as they left to find the source of the voice.

Courtyard

"What!?" Yelled Sylvanas as she glared at her sister, who winced at her raising her voice. Sylvanas had been talking with Vol'jin about Horde politics and reparations, something which she despised they had to do, when Vereesa came with Courier and Jack, two beings that interested Sylvanas along with the rest of their group. Telling her sister that they needed to talk, Vereesa asked Vol'jin to leave. Raising an eyebrow, Vol'jin eventually left when Sylvanas told him to do so, saying they'll speak later. Thinking it was about her wanting to join the Forsaken now, Sylvanas was prepared to take her to Undercity, the city of the Forsaken, when she told her that she had no intentions of becoming a Forsaken and ruling with Sylvanas. That…didn't exactly please Sylvanas in any shape or form. Gulping as she stared at her sister's enraged face, Vereesa spoke again.

"I…I changed my mind sister." Said Vereesa, looking at Sylvanas in the eye, scared beyond belief with how her sister will react now. She always had a fiery temper when angered. They had fought before, but Sylvanas never resorted to physical violence. But that was when she was alive. Now that she was undead, there was no telling how she'll react now. "I don't want to become a Forsaken. I…when I made that promise to you, I forgotten what I still have left in this world. My children. Your nephews. I don't want to abandon them just to be with your again sister. They…don't have anyone besides me." Still glaring at her sister, Sylvanas glared at her with her red eyes, glowing even more intense than before.

"When you made that promise to me, I let my walls down. I let myself become vulnerable. I let myself actually…feel something other than cold rage and anger. For once since Arthas, I felt that I have someone among the living I can rely on." Started Sylvanas, placing a finger on her sister's chest, tapping it with every word. And every word stung Vereesa more than all the battle wounds she had been inflicted over her long life. "And now you intend to break it! All to be with your children! Children that could easily become Forsaken with you! Was the promise just a way to spite me!? Was this orchestrated by your friend Jaina to bring misery to me!?" Upon hearing that last sentence, Vereesa shook her head.

"It wasn't!" Yelled Vereesa, not willing to let Sylvanas in bringing her friends into this debate. "This is all me! I decided on this alone! No one else was involved in my decision!" Before Sylvanas could retort, her ears picked up the shuffling of feet. Turning around, Sylvanas saw Jack shuffling his feet a bit. In her raged filled mind, she thought Jack was the reason for Vereesa breaking her promise and saw marched up towards him and glared at him instead, causing him to gulp as the tall elf looked down on him. Though Jack wasn't small by any means, the elf still surpassed him in height by around half a foot.

"You are the reason, aren't you?!" Demanded Sylvanas as she glared at Jack, the smaller man just gulped as he looked at Sylvanas's glowing red eyes, glad that his helmet was on. "You caused my sister to turn her back towards me!"

"That isn't true!" Yelled Vereesa, placing herself between Sylvanas and Jack, fearing that she might kill Jack. "This was all me, sister! No one else!" Glaring at Vereesa, the two Windrunners would have continued yelling when Courier fired several bullets into the air, catching their attention along with some others that gathered around to spectate.

"Okay, looks like it's my turn to diffuse this situation." Said Courier as he placed his pistol, a 12.7 caliber pistol, into a holster on his person. Looking around, he could see people from both Horde and Alliance looking at them, wondering what was going on. Heck, he could even see Jaina of all people there, staff at the ready in case Sylvanas tried anything. "Now that you two are done yelling, let me do my job and try to convince you two to reconcile."

"Reconcile!?" Asked Sylvanas incredulously. "What is there to reconcile!? She betrayed my trust!"

"Yes, but for an arguably good reason." Said Courier as he walked towards the two elves. "In order to prove fair and just to the Forsaken, I'll support Sylvanas first." He then turned to Vereesa, unnerving her with his helmet. He said it helped him being negotiable, but she had no idea how it could do so with how it looked with its expressionless helmet design and red glowing optics. Intimidate, sure, but certainly not be negotiable. "Vereesa, while I can understand that your want for revenge has clouded her judgement and concern for your children, that still doesn't fully excuse the fact that you made a promise to your sister. A sister that was went through much persecution, suspicion, and a lot of other things that made her a far cry to what she used to be. Not to mention she didn't have any family members around to provide emotional support during her time of need, which led to her developing walls around her, dare I say it, soft side in order to prevent herself from being hurt emotionally. By breaking that promise now, when she was so hopeful of having a family member again that supports her, you effectively hurt her in a way that Arthas could never do. You, her only living family member, in her eyes, shuns what she become. Disgusted even. And that hurt her more than any sword or magic can do. Am I correct, Sylvanas?" Sylvanas just growled as she started at the human, still glaring, but now more relaxed. She wanted to deny him, that he got it all wrong, but he hit the mark with his explanation. And the way he spoke…she must admit very few elves she knew could speak so smoothly and refined as this human did, so much so that even she couldn't find it in her to disagree with him. He was just that charismatic. Plus, the pain that Vereesa showed with Courier's explanation didn't hurt.

"Yes." Said Sylvanas, now fully in control of her emotions again. "You are correct." Courier nodded.

"Good, now you may hate me, but I now need to support Vereesa now. Forgive me." Said Courier. Sylvanas just huffed before beckoning him to get it over with. "Sylvanas, as much as I understand your plight as well, you also need to understand your sister in this situation. She was blinded by anger and a want for revenge. Something I think you can understand with you and Arthas." Sylvanas's eyes glowed at the mention of Arthas, but kept cool. "She was so blinded by it that she neglected something very important to a woman. Their children. Her anger was so overwhelming that she turned to you, the only other person that wanted Garrosh dead and can get away with it, to help her in her need for revenge. While you two may have bonded during the time you spent, it was a bond built on rage and a hatred of an individual. Not on ideals, family bonds, not even sisterhood. Believe me, a bond built on rage and hatred will not last once the source of that hatred and rage is gone. Eventually, might take years or decades, but eventually without that common ground, you'll be at each other throats with your different ideals. Course that might actually not happen, you might actually coexist, I've seen it happen before as well. But that's beside the point, in this case, Vereesa has her children, alive and well still. Once she became Forsaken, even if you remove her motherly instincts and the like, she'll still feel for her children and realize that she did a terrible thing to them. Now let's say that they too volunteer to become Forsaken, where would they get their education? Will they have to fight against the Alliance when the time comes? What if they don't want to fight? Have you two considered them in your promise?" Both Sylvanas and Vereesa just looked away from Courier, one in shame and one in reluctance. Nodding, Courier sighed.

"I didn't think so." Said Courier. "So, no matter what you look at it, you're both in the wrong here. You completely forgotten the children that would be affected by this promise. Both of you. Look, I know sometimes children have to accept the decisions made by their parents, but this isn't one of them. And as much as both of you want to see each other as the victim in this manner, you're not, even if one side is more morally correct in this manner. That doesn't manner. What does manner is acknowledging the wrongs you committed to each other and forgiving each other for committing them. Or, in this case, reconciling. This may sound optimistic, and quite frankly it is, but just apologize to each other and hug it out. Seriously, you elves are sore losers when it comes to not getting what you want." The two sisters glared at Courier, who just shrugged, before looking at each other. Pursing her lips, Vereesa looked at her sister with her ears drooping.

"I…I'm sorry for hurting you, Sylvanas." Said Vereesa as she walked over to Sylvanas, timidly and cautiously. Sylvanas, meanwhile, just looked at Vereesa as she walked towards her, not giving any clue to her emotions. Once she was close enough to Sylvanas that she can comfortably hug her, she spoke again. "Can you forgive me for breaking our promise?" Looking at the worried eyes of her sister and the way she bit her lips as well as her flapping ears, Sylvanas just growled before bringing her sister's forehead to her own.

"Just don't let it happen again." Said Sylvanas, whispering softly enough that only Vereesa can hear it. Smiling and tearing up at her sister's forgiveness, Vereesa hugged her sister tightly, feeling her cold skin and how it bit into her own exposed flesh, but she didn't care. Sylvanas tensed at the hug at first, but eventually hugged back, though she grumbled at it.

"I'll be damned." Said Jack as he walked up to Courier, who nodded in satisfaction at a job well done. "You actually managed to convince Sylvanas."

"You betted that I wouldn't be able to do it." Said Courier, looking at Jack, who shrugged.

"To be honest, I was expecting her to fill one of use full of arrows when Vereesa told her and she glared at us." Said Jack.

"I think that would be you." Said Courier. "You are the one that spoke to Vereesa the most after the incident." Jack just nodded, knowing that Courier was right. "Anyway, I held my bargain, you two hold up yours." Jack groaned at that.

"When do you want it?" Asked Jack, knowing he had to fulfill his part of the deal.

"Two days." Said Courier. "In Dalaran. Make sure to ask Vereesa to send you a good dress shirt in order for you to look nice on your date. Cause I want you both in pretty clothing. And I mean dress clothing, like shirts and dresses." With that Courier left, leaving Jack to sigh and look at the hugging sister with a smile. Courier, meanwhile, was approached by the crowd of people who watched his speech, looking at him in awe for being able to calm Sylvanas down as she was known for her temperament and berserk rage whenever she lost control of her emotions. It looked like she would lose control and become a banshee, but Courier, through sheer words, managed to stop and calm her down. If that didn't deserve a medal, they didn't know what.

As they congratulated the man for his work, he was approached by High Elf Archer, Ikit, and Jaina, all of whom were looking at him in awe.

"You speak-talk good-good." Said Ikit, impressed with his ability in negotiations. If he was Skaven, he would have made a good career in politics, perhaps even gaining a seat on the council of thirteen.

"Yeah, you actually convinced that crazy dead elf to calm down." Said High Elf. Sylvanas had always unnerved her. It wasn't just because of her being undead, something that was taboo amongst her people, but the way she looked at her team and the feral smile when she did so. It made her nervous and make her want to be away from her, even more than Ikit. Yet Courier managed to talk her down.

"Indeed." Said Jaina in awe. She had been looking for Vereesa, wanting to see to her friend after she heard about the death of her brother again. When she did, she saw Sylvanas glaring at her. She was about to cast a spell, when Courier stepped in and made a grand speech that left the two Windrunners reconciling. It reminded her much of Arthas, her former lover. And though it brought pained memories of happier times, it also brought a smile to her face as a man managed to stop a conflict by doing nothing but speaking. It filled her heart with joy. "I didn't think Sylvanas could be talked down to, yet you managed such a thing. I'm impressed."

"Eh, I've done it many times. Stopped a lot of fights with nothing but words. Trust me, speaking the right way and the right tone can save a lot of blood from being shed.' Said Courier.

"Oh, I know." Said High Elf Archer, remembering legends of elven heroes stopping entire wars with such their charisma and voice. Her sister being amongst such beings. "Words are effective. I can attest to that."

"Indeed. Now if you can only do so with Varian and…"

"No." Interrupted Courier, knowing where Jaina was going with this. "I'm not going to convince Varian to end the Horde. Look, Jaina, I get your pain, we all do, but to exterminate and dismantling the Horde isn't the answer. It'll just open a new can of worms. It might even lead to a new faction taking its place, one even worse than the last."

"Then what!?" Demanded Jaina, glaring at Courier. "The Horde has done countless atrocities in it's existence. Are you suggesting that we let it all go!?"

"Yes." Said Courier. "Getting justice for those that have died from those that have died pointlessly in this war is one thing, but dismantling an entire nation isn't the answer. Not unless you're willing to place all the people of said nation into intermittent camps or killing every single person of that nation. And unless the Alliance likes to face massive protests from such acts, I don't think it'll be worth it." Though Ikit snickered at such a thought and how glorious it would be, even he knew that would be a waste of resources. Resources better spent making more dangerous weapons. High elf nodded in agreement with Courier, finding both options to be detestable.

"Besides, you're going to get reparations, anyway." Said High Elf. "You won't get them if you dismantle the Horde."

"That isn't enough." Argued Jaina. "The Horde needs to pay. It needs to…"

"Enough." Said a deep voice as it made its way to them. Looking around, the four saw Chief and Thalyssra arriving, having come back from their tour of Pandaria. "We're not going to tell Varian to dismantle the Horde. That's final. If you want to complain about it, complain it to me or Varian. Don't do it with my team." Glaring at Chief, who just starred back, Jaina spat out.

"You will regret your choice." Said Jaina. "As will Varian. The Horde isn't to be trusted. I made that mistake one too many times and it has cost me greatly." With that, Jaina teleported out of there, not wanting to be around them anymore.

"God." Said High Elf, ears flapping in annoyance. "She's a far cry to what she used to be when Theramore was around."

"Shows you what that city meant to her." Said Courier, not really faulting Jaina for her attitude, though he made a note to tell Varian to get Jaina some psychological help. She very much needed it.

"*Growls* She plot-thinking something. Me-me no like it." Said Ikit. "Recommend we kill-stab her. Remove her from equation."

"We can't do that!" Yelled High Elf, glaring at Ikit. "That's just turn the Alliance against us!"

"Plus, it's not like she'll do anything to the Horde. Varian forbids it. And that guy is not someone you want to anger." Said Courier with everyone but Thalyssra nodding their heads in agreement. "Besides, if she tries anything, we'll let you have her for whatever you want." Ikit smiled deviously at that.

"Like-like you all." Said Ikit, finding these people to be the most tolerable humans and elf ever. He wondered if he could bring them to his world so they can help him and the Skaven conquer the world.

"Anyway." Said Thalyssra, a bit unnerved with the rat. Perhaps it was because he was…well a rat, but she sensed great darkness from him when she first met him. And she didn't like it. "I now need to inform Elisande that the two factions are preparing to meet us in Suramar and to prepare the city for them. If any of you wish, you can follow with me to the city."

"I would!" Yelled High Elf Archer with excitement, eyes glistening with excitement. Having seen glimpses of the beauty of Suramar while infiltrating it, she wanted to see more of it. It reminded her greatly of her own city and Silvermoon, just with a darker tone. Plus, with the hectic business that was Garrosh and the Nightborne addiction problem now done with, she was eager to just relax and enjoy life. What better way to do that than look and admire a beautiful city.

"Very well." Said Thalyssra with a smile, liking the young elf's excitement. "If you wish, I could give you a tour of the city once I've finished informing Elisande of the news. I have the feeling there will be more to come once we've been fully integrated with the rest of the world." High Elf smiled at that and looked at Chief, who nodded. Giving a sound of excitement, High Elf Archer went over to Thalyssra and gave her a beaming smile, something that caused Thalyssra's ears to twitch in amusement. She then looked at Chief and offered a tour of Suramar. Chief declined, saying he had to meet up with the rest of his allies and to see if they're alright. A bit disappointed at that, Thalyssra still accepted it and asked Courier and Ikit if they wished to join her. Ikit, wanting to experiment more in Torrington now that the war is over, declined. Courier, seeing no problem with doing it, agreed and said he'll love a tour of Suramar. He also said that Jack won't take part of it as he'll be too busy with a date he had to attend.

That caused Chief to look at Courier, who looked back.

"Bet." Said Courier simply. "He lost. Relax. It isn't any bad or anything. Just a date with Vereesa, nothing more." Upon hearing that, High Elf gasped in surprise.

"A date with her?" Asked High Elf, happily surprised at this. She heard of elves falling in love with humans and having great relations with them, even having kids. Though the humans don't last long, about under a hundred years, which is nothing for an elf, she heard that it was still a great thrill and experience for the elves. "That's so romantic. Does he need any pointers?"

"Pretty sure he does." Said Courier with a shrug. "Date is in two days. Want to give him pointers, do it when we get back from this tour." High Elf just nodded, beaming with ideas and tips for Jack for his date. Chief and Ikit just starred at all this, neither understanding this and why this was even happening.

"Stupid reactions." Grumbled Ikit. He heard about dates during his many travels from humans. They basically meet ups between two people who don't want to hurt-kill each other. He didn't understand it. It didn't involve politics, a weapon around, nor malicious intents of both parties. What was the point of such things? According to Clan Eshin, they were the prelude to the art of breeding as many of these meeting tend to end up with a child or more. Which seemed a pointless waste of time to all Skaven. If these dates were just preludes to breeding, why not just breed right then and there! It didn't make any sense. Skaven breeders didn't care who was the father to their litters, only that more Skaven are being born to serve the empire. Nothing else. Stupid other races. All stupid.

For Chief, however, it was because he didn't understand the art of dating, but it was more out of a lack of understanding of civilian life rather of both lack of understanding and contempt on Ikit's part. He couldn't see himself divulging in such manners. Still, he won't deny his teammate from partaking in such acts. The war was over and all that was left were pirates and bandits to fight. At least for now.

"Once Jack is done with whatever he's doing, we'll leave." Said Chief. "We'll pick up our friends once they're done with Suramar."

"I understand." Said Thalyssra. "I'll take good care of them. I hope to see you in the negotiations next week."

"We will." Said Chief. "We'll be part of security if that is alright."

"It will." Said Thalyssra with a nod. "Take care, Master Chief." Chief nodded before leaving with Ikit, who was still grumbling about the pointlessness of dates. Looking at Thalyssra, High Elf could see that she was a bit saddened at Chief's refusal at partaking in Suramar's beauty.

"You taken a liking to him?" Asked High Elf Archer, curiosity overtaking her. Thalyssra just shook her head. While she did take a liking to Chief, it wasn't like that.

"No, I'm merely saddened about your leader's past." Said Thalyssra, honest. "It's…full of sorrow and pain." High Elf rose an eyebrow at that along with Courier.

"How?" Asked Courier, wanting to know more about his friend.

"It's not my place to say." Said Thalyssra. "That is his decision to do. Not mine." The two were disappointed at that, but respected her decision. With that, Thalyssra teleported back to Suramar with the two in tow.

Two days later

"I cannot believe I'm partaking in this." Said Jack as he wore a white dress shirt and black pants, given to him by Vereesa. After being reminded of the bet with Courier, Vereesa went out and got him some appropriate clothing for their date. Much as Vereesa despised it, she was the general of the Silver Covenant she had to at least dress up for a date. And Courier and High Elf pretty much just forced him to partake in such things.

"Shut up and wear it." Said High Elf, adjusting his shirt so that there won't be any wrinkles on it. "You're dating an elf! Do you know how uptight and pompous we are!? You need to look at your absolute best! Even the slightest of mistakes can ruin your chances."

"I doubt Vereesa is that uptight." Said Jack as High Elf continued to adjust his clothing. "She doesn't seem to be the type."

"You'll be surprised." Said High Elf after finishing, now satisfied Jack was at his absolute best now. "That should do it. Now, some tips on dating elves. First, don't comment on their breasts. We elves don't place much emphasis on our bodies as you humans do. Comment on her face, ears, and her general figure, those are the parts we place great care on. Hair is fine too. And don't order too much meat when eating. We elves don't like seeing dead meat in large amounts. And whatever you do, don't get distracted by our ears. Especially when they twitch." To emphasis, High Elf began twitching her own ears, flapping them seductively at Jack, who was a bit freaked out at how she did it. "We get annoyed when humans focus so much on them. We have pride on them, but we don't like it when people stare at that for too long."

"Then why the heck do you place pride into them?" Asked Jack.

"Because they're a sign of prestige and care." Said High Elf. "Listen!" Jack just grumbled as High Elf continued to list of things to do and what not to do when dating an elf. Everyone else was just in a corner, either finding amusement or just staring at this bizarre thing they couldn't understand.

"This fun-fun to watch-spy." Said Ikit as he watched High Elf yelling at Jack whenever he messed up, snickering to himself. If he had known humans and elves would have been this amusing, he would have stolen one and made them a clown for clan Skyre. Who knows, it might give them more Warpstone tokens from the other clans, who also want to watch some entertainment from the other, inferior, races.

"I guess." Said Courier, finding amusement in this as well while also being grateful that his girlfriend, Julie, wasn't this uptight when it comes to their dates and get togethers, mainly because she can't afford to nor actually want to.

"Hmph." Said Chief as he watched this with Cortana smiling a bit, amused a great deal, along with ED-E, who was floating up and down in amusement as well. As this was happening, Cortana appeared in Chief's helmet's visor and spoke.

"So, this Thalyssra, you like her big guy?" Asked Cortana with a teasing smile. Once she heard about Thalyssra taking Chief in a tour of Pandaria and had even offered a tour of Suramar for Chief and the crew, she got a devious idea, which grew even more when she looked at Chief's helmet recordings and saw all the intimate moments he had with her, allowing to trace her fingers around his visor. With those recordings and asking the others about Thalyssra's personality, she determined she was the best candidate for Chief.

She was strong, caring to her people's wellbeing, brave as she was willing to face Chief when she thought he was trying to destroy her city, but also caring and understanding to the pain of others, especially Chiefs', even if he'd accepted his fate. That and she was quite attractive. A great person to be with Chief. The only problem was actually getting Chief to do a date with Thalyssra. The guy, not only didn't know how to do a date, but also do basic social interactions with people. He needed help and she was willing to give it to him. She'll first need to get in contact with Thalyssra and figure out her game plan.

"She's a capable leader that cares about her people." Said Chief, thinking about the tall, purple elf. "She's respectable." Cortana just sighed.

"That's not what I mean, John." Said Cortana. Before she could explain, High Elf suddenly exclaimed that she was done and that Jack was finally ready for his date.

"Okay! Let's get you going! Don't want to be late! Elves hate it when their dates are late!" Said High Elf before dragging Jack to the Pelican.

"What do you elves like?!" Demanded Jack as he was being pushed by High Elf Archer. As the others watched this happen, Ikit suddenly stood up and looked at everyone left.

"Me go to den-burrow." Said Ikit. "Experiments to do!" With that, Ikit left, leaving them alone.

"Cortana. Is Ikit doing anything dangerous?" Asked Chief once he was sure Ikit couldn't hear him. Much as he wanted absolute trust in his team, he couldn't extend that to Ikit. There was something off about the rat that prevented him from fully trusting him. Though he certainly trusted Ikit in combat, that didn't mean he wasn't keeping an eye on him. After clearing out the den of his people, he made it his home, where he did some experiments that he refused to tell the others of, which made Cortana sent a small drone to his den to keep an eye on him just in case. So far, it was nothing groundbreaking or dangerous. He wasn't even planning on betraying them. He was just…making crazy, rundown contraptions that looked like they would explode with some strange green crystals. Cortana had them analyzed and saw that, while they have incredible energy, they were also extremely volatile and will explode with such destructive force that they can be comparable to nukes in the right amounts.

But that wasn't a problem for Ikit, no, he seemed to know what he was doing and knew what to do with the green crystals he called Warpstone without them exploding. Well…most of the time anyway.

"Aside from his usual crazy inventions of vehicles and weapons?" Said Cortana. "Nothing much. He isn't planning on betraying us, though, if that's what you're asking." Chief, long past convinced that Ikit would never betray them, gave a nod.

"Keep monitoring him." Said Chief. "He may think he knows what he's doing, but I don't want a repeat of what happened last time."

"Oh don't remind me." Said Cortana with a shaking of her head. "He nearly destroyed the entire island with that item you took from Theramore."

"Speaking of that thing, Ikit has it in his lair?" Asked Courier, wondering where the artifact, called the Focusing Iris by everyone on Azeroth, was.

"Yeah." Said Cortana. "I trust him enough to let him fiddle around with it so long as he promises not to do a stunt like that again. It's truly amazing Chief. That artifact can magnify the energy of any object a hundred-fold. It could make a tactical nuke into a NOVA bomb if one properly harnesses it."

"Which is why we're keeping it away from the Horde and Alliance." Said Chief. As much as he respected Varian and Lor'themar, he very much doubted war won't happen again. Not with people like Jaina prying for blood. Cortana even calculated that it probably won't be long until another war between those two factions occur unless some outside force gives them reason to fight alongside each other. They've done it before with some force called the Lich King, but when he was gone, they kind of went back to being at each other's throats. So, all it took as a single spark, and war will be back on the playing field. If that happens, they'll stay neutral and only fight to limit civilian casualties and bring a swift end to the war on their terms.

And unfortunately, they needed some nuclear deterrent to prevent either faction from forcing them to join them. And who better out of all of them to make that than the mad rat himself.

"Just make sure to keep an eye on that lab at all times, Cortana." Said Courier as he went to get some shut eye. "I don't want to end up in heaven just because of that crazy rat decided to make a toast with the ball of crystal."

"I very much doubt he'll use it for that." Said Cortana. "If anything, he'll use it to make an endless supply of cheese for himself. Speaking of which, get either of you go get cheese? That crazy rat has been ransacking the storage rooms for the past two days for the stuff."

"Not my problem." Said Courier before leaving. Cortana then turned towards Chief, who shrugged. Sighing, Cortana then left Chief alone, both to keep an eye on her own experiments, Ikit, and to brainstorm ideas for John and his elf lady.

Few hours later

Dalaran

"Are you going on a date, mother?" Asked Giramar as he and his brother looked at their mother brushing her hair in front of a mirror.

"Yes, Giramar." Said Vereesa, putting the brush down, satisfied that her hair was flawlessly flowing done her back and without any loose strands sticking out. She then took a look at the silver dress that she wore.

It fully encapsulated elven tastes. It emphasized her figure, even her breasts, but didn't do so in a way that it would be inappropriate nor make it hard to breath in. It also didn't expose her back in any shape or way.

She had this dress since the days when Silvermoon was in it's prime. When Alleria and Sylvanas were still with her and among the living along with the rest of her family. It was one of the few things she managed to recover from her home in Windrunner spire. She also used it during her first date with her late husband Rhonin. He always said that she looked stunning with it on. Remembering her late husband again, Vereesa closed her eyes in pain before opening them again. She then looked at her two sons and give them a smile.

"I'll only be gone for a few hours, Jalia will be here soon and take care of you." Said Vereesa as she knelt down and held them in her arms. Seeing the uncertainty in Galadin's eyes, Vereesa immediately knew what was wrong. "I'm not trying to replace your father, Galadin. I still love him, but…he would want us to move on and be with other people. People just like him." She then sighed. "Just because I'm going on a date with someone, doesn't mean I'm going to marry them. We still need to see if we're compatible enough for that." Still seeing Galadin was uncertain, Vereesa gently forced him to look at her and spoke to him as softly as she could. "Believe me, I still love your father, but he wouldn't want us to keep mourning him for the rest of our lives. Like I said, we would want us to move on and be happy with other people. Trust me, he would be saying the same thing if he's here and I'm not." Galadin just looked at his mother and embraced her.

"Just don't replace dad, mom. I don't want another father." Said Galadin. Vereesa frowned sadly at that before embracing her son. Much as she wanted to promise him that, she suspected that would be something she can't keep. Her current date, Jack, was someone that she believed could be a fitting husband for her. He's strong, handsome, and a capable fighter like Rhonin. But also like Rhonin, he had morals, indicative of his remorse of taking her children and giving them back with an apology, and also was caring to the point of comforting a woman that hated him at that point. If Rhonin could see him, he would approve her dating such a man, even encouraging her to marry him. The only problem was getting Galadin to accept him. Although he hid it, she knew he still resented Jack a bit for the scars on his face as, although it wasn't him that was directly responsible for them, he was indirectly responsible for them as it was his gun that caused him. How he would react to Jack being her date and that she may marry him, caused great fear in Vereesa.

Thinking of a way to tell Galadin that Jack was her date, she was interrupted by a knock. Knowing who it was, she got up, straightened her dress, telling her son's to take care of themselves while she was gone, and left to go to the door. Opening it, she saw an old, stout, human woman looking at her with a smile and Jack, wearing a white dress shirt and black pants with an awkward smile on his face. Knowing the old woman, Vereesa gave her a hug before pulling back.

"Thank you for coming so soon, Jalia." Said Vereesa, giving the woman a smile. The human woman had been there for her when she gave birth to her twins and had been a sort of grandmother towards the two elves, taking care of them when she had to fight against threats that threatened Dalaran. "The boys would be ecstatic to see you again." Jalia smiled at that.

"As am I." Said Jalia before looking at Jack with a smile. "And I'm happy that you begun dating again. I'm sure Rhonin would be too." Vereesa smiled sadly at that before looking at Jack.

"Are you ready to go?" Asked Vereesa as she looked at Jack, who nodded, straightening himself.

"I'm ready to go whenever you are." Said Jack, looking at her dress. "That's a stunning dress." Vereesa nodded at that.

"Thank you." Said Vereesa before grabbing Jack's right arm. "I know a great place to have lunch. I'll escort you to it." Before Jack could speak, Vereesa began to drag him towards their destination. As she watched this, Jalia had a smile.

"Such a nice man." Said Jalia before going inside, eager to see Vereesa's kids again.