Colin grasped his arms around one of the heaviest boxes in the cart, pulling it over toward the edge of the wooden contraption before hopping out and examining it. It had taken him, Kelaeth, and Eldris to get it in, but surely, here in Darnassus, there would be just as strong of men to help. Unfortunately, as he turned to see Kyra conversing with one of the priestesses of Elune's temple, he could easily gather that there were few men, here, ready for the task.

Though not a man quite so in touch with his machismo, Colin still couldn't help but stubbornly stare at the heavy box, and coupled with a suddenly insatiable desire to show off for Kyra, he grasped the edges of the box and pulled against it mightily, though it only just moved against the wooden cart.

"Oh!" shouted the priestess at Kyra's behest, "Hold on, human; you shant hurt yourself here."

She pattered off, leaving Kyra to watch Colin, curiously, "Are you seriously trying to get that down?"

"Pfft," Colin scoffed as he looked off into the distance, leaning himself against the cargo, coolly, "It's not like I'm showing off or anything."

Kyra grinned, "But you're always doing it; why would today be any different?"

Colin shrugged, sniffing, as he nonchalantly remained there, "It's all good, babe; I'm simply j-j-just…"

He stammered off as his eyes widened, catching Kyra's attention, who spun around to come face to face with Malfurion Stormrage, standing there, albeit a bit cluelessly, as he examined the two visitors.

"Am I interrupting?" he began with a low, mesmerizing voice, as he kept his eyes on the two.

Kyra rushed into a deep bow, returning to her standing position as her arms flattened against her body, "N-No Archdruid, we were just, you know… Uh, we were bringing the offerings of my mother and father, that is."

"Ah," Malfurion nodded, in understanding, such would explain why I was told to help with lowering it. I hope your parents weren't compelled to make such an offering due to their long absense. Elune is understanding."

Kyra grinned, slightly ashamedly, "Well, that…among other things."

Malfurion paused for only a second before nodding once more, "I see. I would surmise that reclaiming a life to the side if Elune would be tribute enough, but it is their decision."

He turned to see Colin standing idly by the massive crate, slightly nervous by the Archdruid's entrance, though Malfurion simply chuckled warmheartedly, seeming to warm the very air around him, "Their choice, and your partner's burden, it seems!"

He walked over, grasping the opposite side of the crate, following along with Colin's lead before the two managed to drop the large box onto the ground, leaving Colin slightly wonder as he continued recovering from partaking in such a minute task alongside one of the powerful men of Azeroth. Malfurion patted the crate gently, admiring the size of the offering.

"You can leave it here; I'll have some from the order recover it. As for you two, thank you for your generocity, and give Eldris and Cayssarin word that Elune shall be mightily grateful," Malfurion nodded, his words holding a certain meaning for Kyra, as many night elves referred to her parents with her father's name last, simply in degradation of his status.

"Shaha lor'ma, Archdruid," Kyra recited, gratefully, as she bowed low once again.

Malfurion nodded in acknowledgement, while shaking Colin's hand, his face remaining still, though carrying an aura of happiness, "If I hear correctly, you two are headed up north, correct? Across the seas? If so, you should partake in the festival tonight before leaving. Should your trip turn dark, you'll need night like these in your heart to aid you."

He nodded, knowingly, "One of the greatest lessons I've learned from my years among dwarves and humans- you should lighten the heart to cast out shadows from your mind."

Kyra nodded with a stoic smile, "We will definitely consider it. I had forgotten all about it to be perfectly honest."

Bowing his head toward the two, Malfurion began back inside, "We'd be happy to have you. The rest of your kin as well."

As he walked off, a thought suddenly popped through Colin's mind, his eyes watching the druid slipping away caused a sudden and instinctive shout, despite the improper manner, "Wait!"

Malfurion stopped, rather immediately, slowly turning with another plain face, "You are indeed a spirited one, human."

Colin scratched at his chin nervously, an embarrassed smile creeping across his face as Kyra stared at him, confused, "Eh, umm, I don't know if you can say, but… Ysera's okay, right?"

Malfurion eyed him without a change of expression, nor a change in his speech, in that he spoke nothing. Colin nervously stuttered for a brief moment, grasping for some line of communication to avoid an awkward air.

"It's just, Kelaeth, er, Kyra's brother, said she was fine in the Dream, but that she wasn't talking much of anything, and I know that she no longer exists, physically, but-"

Just as his words began to loop around in circles, Malfurion's eyes shrunk just a twinge, enough for Colin to pause everything he had set up to say. The Archdruid approached Colin, waving to Kyra for her to make her way over as well. He stood beside Colin who, even at six and a half feet tall saw nothing less than a giant of a night elf.

"You two," Malfurion began, pausing, "I wasn't going to mention anything, but if you two insist."

He eyed Colin, silently sizing him up almost, "I know what it is you seek. I don't believe I need to tell you how farfetched ideas of that sort are, as you're sure to be aware. I also have known Ysera for most of my life; under a rather trying tutelage under Cenarius, she was more akin to a sister to me within the Dream, and even more so when I returned."

Malfurion's gaze wavered almost, "The Aspects may be chosen by the gods, human, but they are not gods themselves."

Colin watched him carefully, though now with a slight incredulous look on his face as Malfurion continued, "I do not think Ysera intended to not deliver on her promise, though she might have underestimated the situation that she construed. Not being gods, the Aspects have flaws as well, and though they may not show it, they do hold emotions, Ysera is "The Dreamer" after all."

"My point is," Malfurion began to finish, "I'm not telling you not to try. I understand how strong promises are, especially between two souls. and in this life of mine, I've seen crazier things with these eyes. I wish you two nothing but well wishes."

He patted Colin on the shoulder, "I'm rooting for you two."

Colin lowered his head just as Malfurion began to turn away, nodding toward Kyra, who returned the gesture, albeit a bit sadly, though Colin shouted out again, "What about Ascal?"

Once again, Malfurion paused, though this time sighing as he spun around, "My my, you are dedicated to getting me in trouble, aren't you?"

The Archdruid didn't return to them, but he did continue speaking, a bit less emotionally this time around, "He's alive. In fact, he's no longer at your home. Ysera has called to him finally, once again, though no longer as a messenger, but as a…"

He paused, pondering, "Actually, that might be… As I said, she's like a sister to me, and sisters often have their secrets. In any case, he is alive and well, and you needn't worry. Though, the next time you see him, it may be slightly different."

Malfurion took a step back, preparing to leave, before speaking, finally, "Remember. The Aspects' vision isn't nearly as wide as they'd lead you to believe. They're flesh and blood, just like the rest. They make mistakes."

The Archdruid managed a slight, emotionless smile across his lips as he turned back around, leaving the two with nothing more before leaving. As soon as he left their sight, Kyra's head shot back toward Colin in shock.

"You were making demands of the greatest druid to walk this world?!"

Colin looked back at her, surprised, "I-I don't know- most of it just, I don't know, just came out of me I guess. I was surprised as well when I shouted out…"

Kyra sighed, "Well, at least we learned a lot. I'm sure it hasn't deterred you, though."

"No," Colin replied, quickly, "I've spoken to Ysera. I know she's sincere about everything. If I have to confront her and the other Aspects, then I'll do what I must."

He looked down the massive bridge that ran from the temple down toward the ursine tree that overlooked the whole of the city, seeing Vylira approaching them with a satchel in hand, Colin's voice continuing, "But for the moment, I do believe Malfurion Stormrage himself requested our presence at a party, was it?"

"In a manner of speaking, I suppose," Kyra smirked, "Why? Were you- Hold on, that's right; you haven't ever seen Darnassus extensively, have you?"

Vylira had come into earshot as Kyra finished, her eyes fixed on Colin as he replied, "Well, I did, if you count seeing it from the breath-holes of a box being carried around by Tyriel, anyway."

"Always so practical," Kyra noted, amusedly, "I suppose tonight would be a good time to see it. We can explore in the meantime; I believe Vylira, here, can get us rather lenient clearance still."

"What, for the starlight festival? I guess," Vylira shrugged, "All I can really get is- Oh, you know what I just thought of?!"

Kyra and Colin both watched as Vylira dramatically rose her hand into the air, holding her finger out, "It's not as if I'll be returning any time soon. And after this journey, you two will go back to Stonetalon, regardless, correct?"

Colin nodded slowly, though it was Kyra who answered verbally, "Yeah, so?"

"Well," Vylira went on, a mischievous smirk reaching over her, "Why don't we leave the folks with quite the joke to handle on our way out?"

Kyra shrugged, "I don't know; I mean, all things considered, the Shadowmoons have already set the bar pretty high as far as this stuff goes."

"No, no, no," Vylira shook her head, "Imagine the societal possibilities we have, now, that we have a human, here, in Darnassus with us!"

Colin's heart sank slightly, rather unsure of whatever it was Vylira was cooking up in her head, his voice weakly emerging as he covered his face, "Please, I just want a nice night to relax and see the city with Kyra."

"Oh, you'll see the city with Kyra, alright," Vylira cocked a grin, "But you'll have another fair maiden around your arms."

Her two companions both eyed her, suspiciously, though Colin's stomach rolled with nerves as he stammered, "J-J-J-"

"Just what are you getting at?" Kyra questioned, more curiously than maliciously, which frightened Colin due to her appearing to be fine with the whole thing.

Vylira grasped her sister's shoulder, pulling her in closer, "A human here is taboo enough, huh? So few people know about you two being mates; imagine if a human just showed up, not only courting one, but two, of the brightest sisters to bless this tree?"

She closed her eyes in thought, "Not to mention the most beautifully spry elf to ever run across the forests of Ashenvale! "She sure is a catch", they'll say!"

Kyra smirked playfully, her eyes running toward Colin, who returned a rather unamused stare, his voice just as even as his glare, "You already know how I feel about this."

"Come on, it'll be fun, don't you think?" Kyra grinned, "I haven't done something fun with my sister in decades! I know you're introverted, but so are most Teldrassillians; most of what you'll get are uneven stares."

Colin groaned, "I just would like to see the city. However that happens, I guess I'm fine with whatever that turns out to be."

Vylira shot her sister a wink, "Awesome! We'll run on down to the Tradesman's Terrace, hit up Vinasia for some dresses, and have a fun night on the town!"

Her eyes darkened, mischievously, "And then mother and father will have a fun time, as well, next time they're in town."

Colin sat atop one of the wooden chairs that ran alongside the two-storied building meant specifically for clothiers, his attention left upon the three night elves who were hard at work spilling yarn and stitching up different outfits. They had eyed him curiously upon his arrival, but seemed to be familiar enough with him now, and appreciated the intrigue with which he seemed to show in their work.

The sisters had gone up to the top level to try stuff on, leaving Colin down here among the workers. He could tell that two of them were more new than the third one, who seemed to be the master tailor, and while he was left with the more difficult task of spinning, the other two took their time stiching, with Colin raising his head to get a better look.

One of the novices hid a sort of laugh, speaking quietly to her companion, who also revealed a light-hearted laugh before moving his fabric over for Colin to see better before he spoke up in Darnassian, "[You a tailor, as well?]"

Colin's Darnassian had improved in his years with Kyra, though he still wasn't confident in it conversationally. Still, he had little excuse, now, given that he'd been watching the two work, so he gave it his best shot.

"[No, but I've tried my hand at it.]"

At his speech, the two stared at one another in shock, and the master tailor even paused for a second in surprise, one of the novices speaking out in surprise, "I don't think I've ever heard a human speak Kaldorei tongue before."

Colin smiled, bashfully, "Eh, it's here and there. To elaborate further, I worked for a while with some tailors in Stormwind, but their technique is much different from yours, it seems."

"Different fabrics, different techniques," the man replied, "I would like to hone my skills further by working with other cultures' techniques, but more often than not, that requires us visiting them, not the other way around."

Colin nodded as the novice's female companion spoke up herself, though in Darnassian, "[It's too pretty here not to stay.]"

The man smiled, "My apologies, Halae never bothered to learn the common language, despite her parent's wishes."

He playfully kicked the table, as if to signify him hitting her, though she only grinned back, devilishly, sticking her tongue out as the man went on, "She understands enough, though. I'm Nyteth, by the way, and that's our master, Waelir, who trained even Vinasia's steady hand. She's the one who took your friends upstairs."

Colin nodded toward him in greeting, "I don't mind Darnassian, actually. [One of those two is my mate, so I'd enjoy mastering the language]."

Halae stared at him in surprise, as if the idea had been otherworldly, and even Nyteth watching him with a slight shock, "That's very- ahem. [That's quite unique for these parts.]"

Colin could tell the two had little to say on the matter, given how little Nyteth had spoken, so he simply laughed, waving off the comment, "[That's what she tells me.]"

Nyteth chuckled, "[It is nice to hear. Don't mind Halae; she's what you'd call a purist. Never leave Teldrassil, never consort with other peoples, never-"

A swift kick under the table came from Halae this time, which wasn't playful at all, shaking the table around as she nearly managed to hit her colleague. The voice of Waelir boomed out from the other end of the room, like a crack of thunder.

"Children!" he shouted, catching everybody's attention and leaving them all in silence as Halae and Nyteth hurriedly returned to their work without a word, leaving Colin sitting there by himself, quietly, the master's words even jolting him back into his seat to rest properly.

Not long afterwards, voices emerged from one of the ramps around the corner, happily belonging to Vylira and Vinasia, the two of them going on about some topic. He couldn't hear Kyra, but as she rounded the corner, he could understand why.

Her crimson face was the first thing he noticed as her body came into view, draped within a blue dress that elegantly hugged her body, a dark silhouette of a vine running down and across her, almost enveloping her in a nature setting. Besides the frills that ran across the ends of the dress near her feet and around her chest and shoulders, Colin couldn't help but stand and admire her body, so captivatingly captured by the dress she had on.

"Wow," was all he could manage, bringing a shy smile across Kyra's face, who didn't particularly enjoy dresses, though she did enjoy Colin's stare.

His gaze was only won over by Vylira once she shouted out at him, "Hey! What about mine?!"

Colin turned from Kyra, who could barely move, due to embarrassment, toward Vylira, who happily spun herself around, stopping only to watch her skirt continue to fly around, only to stop sharply and revert back to its place, almost in a dance itself.

Her dress was much more bold where Kyra's was demure, wearing a red dress that wrapped delicately around her midsection, but burst into the magnificent skirt that she'd just demonstrated, silverine trails of swirled around its free-flowing fabric, which matched her hair whenever she spun around, the silver becoming a blur of color.

"Be honest," Vylira declared, "If I think you're lying, the two of us will simply switch dresses."

Colin groaned, but couldn't help but feel a slight loss as he shut his eyes, "They're both great."

Vylira took the opportunity to jump up in joy, reaching over and wrapping an arm around Kyra's shoulders, pulling in into a sidelong hug, "Excellent! Kyra, my dear, prepare to turn faces!"

Vinasia wrung out a pile of cloth nearby, absentmindedly speaking her thoughts aloud, "You've never once worn a dress, Shadowmoon; the stares would be more in amazement than anything else."

"Ah ah!" Vylira shouted, attempting to interrupt her, unsuccessfully, "Hey, you're making me look bad in front of my baby sister."

Kyra ducked under her sister's arm, taking Colin's hand in her own, "I don't know; now that Colin's going to be put into a suit… Maybe it should be just the two of us turning fa-"

Uh, I don't think so!" Vylira interrupted, "Let's not forget the point of this whole affair! Besides, you already promised."

Despite her looking at, and addressing, Kyra, Colin complained, "I did no such thing."

Vylira pouted, and before she could speak, Vinasia graciously waved Colin along, carrying the stock of cloth she'd collected, the human following her back and around to the ramp. He turned back to watch Kyra's grace once more before disappearing, his face visably saddened by his eyes' parting from her beauty.

"Those two talk a storm," Vinasia spoke evenly, though she was visibly annoyed.

Colin sighed, "Sadly, the night is young."

Not wanting to wrinkle their dresses, the two sisters simply stood around, making small talk between turns at watching the novice tailors do their work, with the occasional hurried shuffle whenever one of them quickly hopped up.

"Hey!" Nyteth shouted, waving an arm at Halae as she rounded the table, nearly knocking his arm as he sewed, "[Watch it!]"

She didn't respond as she walked on, hopping off the the edge of the building and making her way toward the waters of Darnassus in order to dye. Nyteth watched her angrily for a bit before snorting hot air from his nose, shaking his head as he leaned in to examine his needle and thread. Kyra watched him for a moment, curiously before finally speaking.

"[She likes you, you know]," she spoke up, though she noticed the master's body fidget as the old man heard this.

Nyteth turned to her, mid-thread, and grumbled aloud, "[What, are you teasing me?]"

[She's hunting for any opportunity to touch you]," Kyra shrugged, "[She's looking for any chance to annoy you; she thinks you're cute.]"

Nyteth stared at Kyra, reddening more and more, before quickly turning back to his work, mumbling to himself as he tried to find his concentration once again. Kyra crossed her arms, turning to Vylira, who'd been watching the whole conversation with a haughty air.

"What?" Kyra questioned, "I figured he needed help."

"I've never gone out of my way to touch guys I was into," the elder of the two complained.

Kyra scoffed, grinning widely as she did, "Yeah, because the only guys you were ever into were in armor. They'd think you were challenging them to a duel or something."

Vylira moaned quietly, thinking to herself, "Say what you will, I'd hardly ever seen a man in uniform until they started breaking the gender barriers. I think Jarod Shadowsong came through Astranaar one time- mmm, I'd have worn him like a suit."

Kyra giggled like a schoolgirl, shaking her head in dismissal as Vylira went on, "What, were you touching Colin every second you got?"

Her mind running through their first meeting, Kyra's face suddenly froze, a red streak appearing across her face as she lowered her face, raising up an arm to hide further, "Uhh… I sort of kissed him."

"Straight up?" Vylira noted, "Damn, girl. and it took a year to get together?"

"Uhh," Kyra paused, "I, uh… I was still so used to Teldrassil; I didn't realize that wishing him well with a kiss was… Well, for humans, they take that sort of thing more seriously than we might."

Vylira burst into a laugh, nearly snorting as it began, "Oh my god!"

Kyra blushed, embarrassed, turning away from her sister, though as she did, she froze immediately, her eyes catching Colin coming back around the corner. His hand was raised, holding onto the wall to balance himself around the uneven ground, his eyes locking with Kyra's as he froze as well.

With nothing but a blush to hide his face, Colin stuffed his hands into his pockets, staring at Kyra as she critiqued him, her eyes running up and down his body. His suit ran down his broad shoulders, trailing down his body so mightily that Kyra was sure her mouth had opened slightly as her own breath had been taken away.

Colin adjusted the tight fabric around his wrists, "I think I kind of like it. It's really, I don't know, 'professional', even if I only know a little about a lot of things. What do you think?"

Kyra remained speechless, though Vylira was more than happy to approach him, her head visibly rising and falling with a shocked expression, "Woah; you look so put together. Like, this was the guy who we dragged, unconscious, back to the house?"

Nervously, Colin turned to Vinasia with a dismissive smile, though returned his attention forward once again as Vylira began running a hand over his chest, earning her the first words out of Kyra, "H-Hey!"

She quickly spun around, raising her hands into the air, innocently, "S-Sorry! I know; hands off the merchandise. Why don't you take if for a twirl, then, so we can all see?"

Kyra's eyes met Colin's once again, though as if his suit was overpowering his mind, he confidently held out a hand toward her, which Kyra slowly took. As he pulled her in toward him, she felt as if she was being pulled into a sturdy home, with walls of shoulder and arms, ready to cover her whenever necessary.

"Come on," Colin chuckled, nervously, "This isn't the first time you've seen me in a suit."

"I know, but…" she paused, her eyes nervously shifting to the rest of the people within earshot, "…but I wasn't expecting a future then, at least not like I do now."

Colin grinned, albeit a bit cocked due to her words, but he simply pulled her into a hug, kissing her simply, before releasing her again, not wanting to spread any uncomfort from the others. Kyra bowed her head toward his chest to avoid any stares that might have been directed toward her, leaving Colin to wrap an arm around her as he began toward the door, shielding her from any stares.

"Thank you, Vinasia," he spoke up, leaving Vylira open to say much the same.

The tailor bowed low before waving them off. Given that Kyra was surrounded by one arm of Colin's, Vylira stepped at Colin's other side, wrapping herself around his arm in sharp contrast.

"I thought it'd be less annoying than this," Colin complained with a sigh.

Vylira giggled, "Isn't this every guy's dream, though?"

"Not always," Colin groaned, "I'm looking forward to all the guilt whenever Kyra and I discuss things like 'loyalty', 'dedication'…"

Snickering childishly, Vylira stuck a tongue out in reply as the three began up toward the major concourse of the city. The events of the starlight festival were now close to beginning, the three's fittings timed perfectly to ensure an ideal entrance. Though Colin was nervous, he looked down to witness Kyra's own nerves.

He knew he needed to be strong, now while she was weak in the meantime.