Valinae wakes up in her soft bed. The blanket is the fur of a Stranglethorn tiger, and she pulls it aside, draping her feet over the edge of the bed. She stretches her arms out above her head, yawning as she did so. Dressed in a simple silk nightgown, imported straight from Pandaria, she lifts herself from the bed and glances at Sparr, still asleep, curled up on top of a thick pile of tiger hides in the far right corner of the room. On the far wall is the door, leading into the main hall of the dwelling. Against the left wall, a solid mahogany chest of drawers accentuates the drab grey rock walls. Lain haphazardly across the top is her belt harness, holding all three sheathes for her revolvers and knife. Her rifle lays propped up against the wall in the left corner next to her bed. Boxes of custom ammunition lay strewn around the rifle, some opened up and crystal tipped rounds spilling out. Her bed is centered against the back wall, and is also built from solid mahogany. Slight scratch marks line the frame from where her claws have flicked across its surface in her sleep.

Valinae crosses over to the dresser and opens a drawer, pulling out an elegant dress, also from Pandaria. Its fiery hues are accentuated by thick grey lines, sown in a chevron pattern pointing downwards. She casts off her nightgown and throws the dress over her head, letting it fall down to her ankles. She lets out a sigh as the dress catches on a loose plate from her metal arm, and she adjusts it quickly. Her entire left arm was removed in a freak ambush by the Truthfuls. It was completely reconstructed by a genius gnome named Spindle, who specializes in fully functional prosthetics. The arm mirrors her right, and has a full covering comprised of several dozen individual moonsteel plates that allow for improved flexibility of the arm. She zips up the back of the dress, then grabs her harness and dons it over her apparel. Exiting her room, she walks down the hallway, passing by over a dozen rooms, each containing two or more inhabitants. Passing through the living area, the worgen picks her way up the stairs to her office. A fresh letter is waiting for her on the desk when she opens the door. Valinae lets out another sigh, and closes the door again, leaving the letter unopened. Padding sleepily down the stairs, she opens the door to the building and lets the daylight wash over her. Whistling for Avasha, the bird comes and Valinae clambers up into the saddle. The bird sprints through the streets, dodging the morning traffic of citizens going to work and Guards fulfilling their duties.

They arrive at their intended destination of the Pig and Whistle, home of the best cup of coffee in Stormwind. Located in Old Town, the tavern is the oldest in the entire city. Valinae swings off of Avasha and the bird darts off, going back to the stables. She enters the tavern and walks over to the bar. As her steaming mug of fresh BlackRock coffee slides over the counter, she hears her name being called from the upstairs section.

"Oi! Morning, Val!"

The sleepy worgen looks up, to see a bright eyed and energetic Xmir, peering down at her over the railing. She smiles, and then walks up the stairs to join him. She sees that Gonzy is here as well, sitting adjacent to him. Both are wearing casual civilian clothes, with her in a bright blue dress. Valinae takes a sip of her coffee and sits down across from the lovers, then sets down her coffee on the table.

"'Ello, loves." She greets them somewhat groggily. As she gets a closer look, she realizes that they are both wearing bandages in various areas of their bodies. "Ya' doing alright?"

"Well enough." Gonzy chirps in. "We just thought we'd get something to eat before heading to the Cathedral."

"Smart." Valinae takes another sip form her mug of coffee. "So, now that the Truthfuls are gone, wot are ya' going to do now?"

"Same thing as always, mate." Xmir says. His black hair is grown out in a ponytail and is accompanied by a close cut full beard. "Guarding the same things, hopefully not getting shot."

"Well, I haven't shot ya' in wot, three months now? I'd say that's something to be proud of!" Valinae's face beams in faux happiness. Xmir is not as amused as she had hoped, so she quickly grabs her mug and sips from it to hide her smile.

"Actually, there is one thing. But it probably isn't that important." Gonzy says quickly, to change the subject.

"I don't mind, love. I don't have anything better to do."

Gonzy looks around the area, making sure nobody can hear her before lowering her voice and leaning across her empty plate. "We've received a tip from an anonymous source, saying there's a new cult, specializing in void magic. Another doomsday plan is included as well, but no details were given."

"Sounds like fun to me. I'll see what I can find." The two resume their positions at opposite sides of the table. Xmir stirs his fork around the tin plate, poking at the pancakes that are completely doused in syrup. Gonzy watches him absentmindedly, and Valinae simply stares at the far wall.

"So, how's life?" The worgen follows up the question with a sip from her mug of coffee.

Xmir shrugs at the question. "Life's good, I guess."

His wife takes a completely different approach. "It has been terrific for the both of us. How has yours been?"

The grey and white she-wolf nods. "Fairly decent." Her eyes brighten for a second. "Actually, wonderful. I can't believe how much the Chapter paid us! It wus outstanding!"

The man waves his right hand at her dismissively. "Psh. Y'would've helped us either way. We're your family, kind of."

Gonzy nods at Valinae and smiles. "It was worth it in the end, as he said. We're kind of your family."

Xmir nods excitedly. "Actually, I'm surprised I didn't get shot during the battle!"

The woman turns and looks at him. "I would think by now, that you would have learned your lesson from all the times you did get shot."

Xmir absentmindedly scratched the back of his head, then forced a smile at Gonzy. "Never. The bullets just keep on comin'."

"I'm just glad that it wasn't as sorry and sad as it could've been." The wolf-lady sighs, and takes another sip from her mug of coffee. "I niver realized The warship we boarded wus the command ship, though."

Xmir looks at her with a teasing look in his eye. "Oh really, Val?"

Valinae shrugs. "All the boats looked the same to me. Just a bunch of red and white targets."

Gonzy nods in agreement. "I guess that is what they intended to do. But I guess luck wasn't on their side that day."

Xmir rolls his right eye. "Scarlets…"

"Everyone's luck runs out in the end, love."

The woman across from the worgen laughs a bit and lets out a sigh. "I am just glad that it is over. I made a promise to do my best to help eliminate them all for what they have done to our loved ones and us, and it is done."

Valinae nods in agreement. "A load off of our backs, as well."

Xmir snorts. "I'd say you're being quite Truthful, Val."

Valinae rolls her eyes and glares at the man. "Too early for that, love."

Gonzy continues her speech. "I can say that now, all of the ones whom we have lost due to these people, can finally rest in peace." She closes her eyes and mutters to herself. "Even you, Courtney."

The worgen raises her mug in the air, saluting to those they had lost. "Absolutely. May the Light bless them all, wherever they are at."

The trio sit in silence, remembering all who had died during the crusade against the terrorists. Xmir pulls out a small flask of homemade syrup, uncorks it, and empties its contents on his remaining pancakes, devouring them ravenously. Valinae finishes her coffee and sit in her chair, watching the far wall for any signs of intruders of the early morning. Gonzy stares at her plate, lost in thought.

Finally, the worgen breaks the silence. "Alright, loves. It is nice seeing friends this early." She rises from her seat, taking her mug with her. "I've already got a new job offer on my desk."

Xmir nods at her. "Aye, Val. Good luck with your, er, mercenary stuff."

Gonzy rises and embraces her friend in a light hug. "It was very nice seeing you too. Have a great time with everything today."

Valinae leans into the hug, and then loosens her hold, waving at the married couple as she descends the stairs. She exits the building, whistling for Avasha as she stepped into the street. They rode through the streets, the bird's feet pattering across the pavestones. Arriving at the building, the worgen steps out of the saddle, patting Avasha's flank before sending the bird on her way back to the stables. Valinae steps through the open doors, letting the scent of steamed bean-buns fill her nostrils. She makes her way up the stairs to her office, and opens the door. She sits in the posh chair behind the desk and picks up the letter, slicing it open with her right index claw. The worgen commander proceeds to read the letter.

Salutations, Commandant MacPhairce. You have my congratulations on your recent victory against the Truthfuls. I do hope that you are well rested, as well. I have a proposal to make. If you wish to accept my offer, meet me downstairs in the Cathedral tonight. The job will be one that cannot be undertaken alone, so choose your allies wisely. Until then, best of wishes. I will be waiting.

-O

Valinae sets aside the letter, for once having her fill of adventure. She picks her way downstairs all the way to the Dwelling, to be greeted by the sight of several of her comrades eating at the table. Sparr had moved out of the bedroom and now lay curled up by the fire. The lizard's head popped up when he felt Valinae's presence, and he greets her with a mental note. Good morning, Val. Why the fel didn't you wake me up?

Because you looked to peaceful, curled up on that pile you call a mattress, love. Valinae snaps back at the lizard, feeling happy to see him too. They let the exchange die as his head lowers back onto the Rylak skin rug. Valinae turns to the table. Bilgrick is sitting at the far side of the table, propped up in the chair by a pile of books. Rose sits at the near end of the table, picking at a pork filled bean-bun. A man dressed in mages garb sits patiently at the table with his back to the stairs. As Valinae rounds the corner, she looks into the kitchenette to see her second-in-command, Zojii Sunheart, preparing a breakfast of Pandaren bean buns for the entire company. Upon seeing his commandant, his expression lightens, and the panda offers her a large toothy smile. Sonny is sitting adjacent to the mage, apparently dozing with her hands resting on her stomach.

"Good morning, loves." Valinae greets her employees with a large smile, showing off her sharpened canines. Rose looks up from her meal, grunts at the wolf, and continues eating. Bilgrick, who still has yet to taste his buns, grins as his glowing eyes widen. The mage reacts in a more formal manner, rising from his seat and giving a bow.

"Ah, good morning, commander. I trust you slept well?" The mage, Michael Vonwenzel, asks with a flourish of his hands.

The worgen grins at the man, having been used to the mage's formal approach to her repeatedly ever since he met Valinae's human form. "Yes, love, I slept alright." She turns to address those gathered before her. "Listen up, loves. We have yet another job offer. I wanted to consult ya' on how we wished to proceed. I'll be frank, I'm tired as a I can press on."

Rose looks up from her meal, her maw stuffed with buns. "What is the job?" She asks, spewing chunks of food out of her mouth.

"I don't know." She replies. "He or she only allowed me the information on where to meet should we take up this offer."

Bilgrick stares at the woman, then blurts out. "I think we thould do it! Even though I am clueleth ath to what it ith..."

Another woman steps out of the main hall, her hair tied back. She is fully geared up, yet she lets out a yawn. "What's for *yawn* breakfast? Zojii make pork buns again?"

"Ah, good morning, Ayanna." Valinae is now leaning against her chair at the head of the table, her arms crossed over the head. "Aye, Zojii made buns."

"Wonderful." The Westfallian human crosses over to the kitchenette, and picks a bun straight off the stove where the panda was still cooking. Zojii cries out as she steals the food, but he relents, casting a threatening sidelong glance before returning to his work. Sonny begins to snore, and Michael pokes her sharply in the ribs, waking her up. Valinae watches as the Ayanna takes her seat next to Bilgrick, before continuing.

"As I was saying, he or she has asked me to bring whomever I wish to accompany me on this mission when I meet with him tonight. I will be handpicking the people I take with my this afternoon. Until then, you are free to do as you please around the city." Valinae nods at her company, signalling that she has finished saying her piece. She turns around and steals a bean bun form Zojii. The panda growls, but the worgen snarls back. Sunheart decides not to piss off his boss this early on, and continues to make more buns for himself.