The Perils of Academia

[Kevasha]

The young warlock couldn't help but smile softly at her gasp speaking softly "Amazing isn't it? Perhaps you will find what you need here to fill in the holes in your research..."

As she turned and bowed to Alexandria, the woman smiled and walked forward, giving the priest a hug. "Oh you're welcome dear! I don't believe I've ever seen someone so happy over a library." She patted her cheek gently "But as I said you are free to use whatever you would like! And in addition!" She stepped back, giving Shira a kind smile. "I'll even arrange a room for you should you wish not to leave during your research here."

Pyron had to hold back a chuckle at the look on Shira's face. Her mother breezed to a large desk nearby, unlocking it and sliding the drawers open "Here are inks, the next drawer is paper and pens and if you find any books that are a bit worn, please, don't hesitate to ring this bell right here." She pointed to a brass bell that rested on the desk. "That will summon Luseren, and he will fix it up for you right away!"

She smiled a bit at that "I'll be sure to have dinner brought up for you dear so please! Enjoy yourself! Come along darling." She gave Shira one more pat on the face before turning to go with Pyron behind her. He turned walking backwards and mouthing to her "Have fun!"

[shirafune]

The hug was... unexpected. But Shira felt obligated to return it, the scent of expensive perfume filling her nose instead of pure Fel as it had with Pyron.

As they left her alone with this treasure trove, Shira gave Pyron a parting smile and wave, delight written all over her features as she took a few tentative steps foward, head still rubbernecking about as she took in everything, breathing in the scent of old paper and ink.

The door closed on her spinning around and giving a girlish giggle as she trotted over to the desk.

== Two Days Later ==

A servant, one of his mother's, knocked politely on Pyron's door before coughing to clear his throat and speaking up to be heard through the heavy wooden and arcane-laden door.

"Master Pryon, I thought you would like to know that your...guest has let to leave the library." A pause. "She hasn't taken a meal in the time either, just requesting plain tea and bread, sir. You might wish to find her before your father does - I'm afraid she's pulled half the books to be repaired."

[Kevasha]

He had been working on his reports for the Apothecaries, the fine parchment stacked high on his desk. At the knock, he glanced up, listening to the message, giving a blink, laying his pen down.

"Half? By the Nether..." He stood and smoothed his outfit before walking to his door and opening it "Very well, I'll speak with her."

The servant bowed gently before standing aside and letting the young Master go on his way. As he made his way to the library, he came across his mother busying herself in one of the guest rooms with teo of her maids.

They were preparing it, putting fine cream silks on the plush bed, fluffing the many pillows, dusting it down and such. His mother turned to her son, a look of worry on her face. Her attire this time was a gown of sapphire blue.

"Oh Pyron dear! Please go get your little friend! She's been in there for two days! I've had the baths prepared for her and a good meal, so please...go and get her.."

He nodded and bowed gently "Of course mother." Heading his way to the library he pushed open the grand doors, looking around for the book worm.

"Shirafune? Where are you?"

It was then, a bookish black haired young man tottered up arms laden with repaired books. He put them down and looked up at the young master looking rather tired.

"Master...she's a madwoman! S..she...she's reorganized the whole library!"

Pyron blinked in surprise then shook his head lightly "Take a rest Luseren, you have earned it." The youth stood up, brushed his hand back through his hair. "T..Thank you, sir.." He bowed and trudged off to get some rest. That woman was crazy and had been running him ragged.

"Shira? My Mother wishes to speak with you! Please come out.." Pyron called to her as he looked about the library, now where oh where could she be?

[shirafune]

"I'm up here!"

And by "up here", the voice came from well above Pyron's head. Craning his head back, Shira stood at the top of one of the many ladders in the library, arms loaded with books that she was carefully placing on the shelves reverently. Down at the foot of the ladder, several larger stacks were piled up, an identical number in each, more than likely organized to be placed on the empty shelves in this particular bookcase.

All around the library, before half-filled book cases were more evenly stacked piles of books, folded paper on top of each stack seeming to indicate what and where the tomes were designated to be placed. However, several large shelves had already been filled with wire baskets holding all the scrolls in the library, organized and the shelves labeled neatly in whatever system the priest had devised.

"Whats wrong?"

[Kevasha]

As he looked around he had to fight the urge to face palm. His father was going to freak about this, but he knew his mother was on Shira's side of things so she would be safe from the Lord Darksun's wrath.

He smiled as he called up to her "It's late! Mother wishes to speak with you about something as well. Come down if you would..." He had to lower his head to keep from straining his neck and sighed with a small chuckle.

The bookish priest had no idea what was waiting for her and he wondered how she would take it? A rich dinner followed by numerous luxurious baths and a night rest in a comfortable silk covered bed clothed in a fine silk sleeping gown. These things were his nature, not the gown of course, but Shira was used to the rougher side of life.

This...would be amusing.

[shirafune]

"Its late?" He could see the priestess turn her head towards a window and squint. "It can't be more than mid-morning, surely!" Stretching her head forward, Shira could barely see out through a window and to the darkened skies and the lights that marked nighttime in Silvermoon. A disgruntled murmuring came from the girl as she put the last book in place and began to shimmy down the ladder.

Brushing her hands free of dust, the Priest looked at him as she ran her fingers through her hair. Still dressed in the very same clothes as the day before, it appeared that she really hadn't slept or barely ate since they left her to her work, if the faint dust of breadcrumbs on her dress were an indication of anything.

"Sorry this has taken so long, but I wanted a through cataloging of your materials here. The one I found was terribly out of date." She walked over to the desk that had been filled with papers, inks and pens before. Now on the desktop were two neat stacks of parchment, written on in very small handwriting. "But here it is, your up to date catalog of the entire Darksun library!"

[Kevasha]

He blinked at the neat stack of papers and smiled lightly. "I thank you for your work. Come...you can return to it soon enough." He motioned with his head and lead her out, discreetly locking the door behind him.

"Right this way..." He lead her to the guest room and stepped inside. It was a wondrous thing, the room was two stories. A lounging area along with a study and a balcony that overlooked the family's garden. Alexandria was seated at a table and she smiled brightly as Shira was gently nudged in.

"Oh there you are dear! Thank you Pyron..I will speak to you later dear." He smiled and bowed "Of course mother.." He left closing the doors and heading off to his own room.

She smiled to Shira "I've been told you've been busy in the Library dear! Why don't you tell me of your progress over dinner." She gently clapped her black silk gloved hand, a servant rolling in a service cart. Silverware was laid out, kept simple at the lady's request, a single knife, fork and spoon along with a fine linen napkin for both of them. The servant quietly poured them glasses of cold water along with a fine sparkling wine. Covered dishes were laid out and then opened revealing a succulent meal: an herb cooked Moongaze tenderloin with various vegetables as accompaniment.

The Lady smiled to her servant as he bowed and made his way out. Alexandria returned her attention to the young priestess with a kind smile "Please, eat."

[shirafune]

Pyron's leaving nearly made the Priestess panic. Being alone with one of the most powerful warlocks in Silvermoon was more than enough to turn her stomach with nerves, even more so if the lady asked her further about her name and family. She'd be obligated, just out of honor towards this woman's hospitality, to be truthful. Then it'd be out on her rear into the streets before you could say "geists on fire". Which would be a pity, because she saw some very interesting titles and scrolls among the collection that looked like they would hold promise.

Shira stared at the setting as it was laid out infront of her, yet again finding herself bewildered as to what she's supposed to do with this. Feeling every inch the pauper sitting down in the high-backed chair, she made a startled sound as one of the attendants pushed her to the table. Color flagged at her cheekbones and she committed herself to settling in to the meal and trying to handle this with a modicum of dignity.

"I spent had to catalogue the library first, which is what I've been doing for the past day -- or days, sorry." She managed a sheepish smile. "I'm afraid I lost track of the time. But I really can't begin my research if I don't know what I have available to me, and the current catalogue seemed to be out of date."

Watching surreptitiously, she copied the Lady Darksun's motions as they neatly speared vegetables with the fork. Shira almost laughed at how strange this seemed to her now, after spending so much time with the Banepaw in Warsong Hold around a cooking fire, using her skinning knife to cut meat from a slab tossed on the table (and getting used to eating it a bit on the rare side), having real cutlery seemed...antiquated. But she minded her manners and had to fight to not roll her eyes as how exquisitely prepared the side dishes were. A strange habit of hers, to eat the vegetables first and meat last, so she could savor it.

And oh by the Sunwell, was it worth it! Cooked with till just slightly pink on the inside, the tenderloin was succulent with its spices and herbs, moist as you could ask for. Shira wanted to just spear it with the fork and tear it apart with her teeth.

Oh damnit, she was spending too much time with Horkugal's eating habits, wasn't she?

Covering up her horror with a sip of water from her cup, she gave her hostess a smile. "This is delicious, ma'am. Thank you for your generosity!"

[Kevasha]

The elegant woman nodded as Shira spoke of being lost in her work "Ahh I remember those days in the Academy." A sip of wine and she smiled softly. "Once I spent three whole days researching the effects of Fel energy when used to interrogation..it's a fascinating subject."

Alexandria smiled as the young ink stained young lady thanked her and nodded with a wave of a hand "Oh no need to thank me dear." The dinner went on rather calmly, the Lady of the House regaling her young guest with tales of her youth and that of her sons. One of her favorite tales was one of when she met a rather unpleasant human robber and his gnome traveling companion in Stranglethorn.

"So I looked him dead in the face and told him, 'If you dare threaten me again, I'll be sure to give your little friend a tour of your inside and I won't shove him down your throat either." She laughed lightly. "The look on his face was priceless, it was a bit crude of me but it worked and I got my things back."

After a good laugh she sighed as the plates were cleared away and they were presented with desert, a slice of rich cheesecake flavored with coffee and chocolate.

"Oh my favorite! I'm pleased I got a slice this time, my husband is a bit of a beast for this." She smiled to the young priest, motioning with her hand "Please enjoy.."

[shirafune]

The meal's progression caused Shira to finally relax a bit, listening avidly to the Lady Darksun's tales of her own time as an adventurer out in the world (hard to believe she used to walk the same muddy trails as she did), grinning and adding in details to the stories. What changed here, what changed there, who was still alive or maybe dead now. It made her feel just a tiny bit better to know the woman across from her had lost her own shoes to a sticky pud muddle in the jungle herself. And hearing some interesting stories about Pyron as a child were just as hilarious, the fact that his mother loved him dearly and dotted on him was becoming more and more obvious as time went by.

She supposed she had even more to envy him for now.

The desert got a wide-eyed look from the Priestess, her fork taking a little bit to her mouth. Cheesecake? Sounded like it was better served with the appetizer than desert. But she didnt want her hostess to think her ungrateful, so she smiled and placed the fork in her mouth.

The startled expression on her face could be clearly seen from across the table. A long "hmmm!" of appreciation as she chewed slowly, savoring the slightly bitter taste of coffee with the tartness of the cream cheese and the sweetness of chocolate. Swallowing, she took another fork full, trying not to look like she was shoveling it into her mouth.

[Kevasha]

Alexandria smiled softly as she watched the priest eat the sweet dessert and enjoyed her own slice. She gently wiped her mouth with her napkin and clapped her hands gently when it was all over.

"Now then dear! I believe it's time for a good hot bath and some rest for you! Don't worry about the books, I'll have my servants shelve them in accordance with your new catalog." Picking up a small gold bell she rang it and two servants came forth, two of her maids. Both bowed and smiled to her "Please follow us.."

Lady Darksun smiled and waved after her "Rest well dear! You can get back to your research in the morning!" The maids lead her down a hall to a large wooden door, pushing it open revealed a large bathing room, done all in black marble with gold accents. Four elegant tubs rested against the right wall and a huge almost pool like feature was on the left side of the room. There was also a small padded tables for massages as plush and elegant as anything else in the house.

Male servants bustled about, a couple pouring what looked to be large buckets of salt into one as the maids poured a bit of cold water over it. The other tubs were prepared as well, one with herbs and almost too hot water, a second with rich looking oil, the last was empty for the time being.

Maids were stacking soft fluffy towels and one walked up to take fast measurements of her before thanking her and hurrying off.

A young man walked up to the bookish elf a golden tray in his hands. He, like the rest of the servants was a tall handsome specimen of elf, his deep red hair hanging elegantly over his shoulders, a few stray bangs in front of his eyes. Upon the tray were a myriad of small vials and bottles "Please" He spoke, his voice soft and coaxing "Choose one you like.." The crystal vessels were etched with the name of what was in it, ranging from simple Peacebloom to the exotic Sanguine Hybiscus and everything in between.

[shirafune]

Four tubs? She blinks hard at the bustle of people about her, expression lost as she's gently brushed past by attendants and servants. Really, the theme is starting to get a bit obvious with the attractive specimens of Sin'dorei around her, women and men both seemed to be hand-picked for their beauty. Not that it particularly bothered her or made her happy, it was simple observance.

"Oh, umm...let me see." Delicately handling a few vials, opening the stoppers carefully to sniff, she handled a few before simply smiling at the young attendant and shrugged her shoulders. "You're probably better at choosing something than I would be. I'll let you chose!"

The man blinked for a few seconds, his face quickly schooled back to that distantly pleasant look that all of the servants of the house seemed to have perfected. A singular bow of his head and he swept away gracefully, not a single of the delicate vessels on his tray even budging from their array. You had to admire professionalism like that. "Very well, madam, something light and sweet -- Dreaming Glory perhaps?"

"That sounds fine," she nodded. As he strode off to do...whatever with the scent selected, Shira looked around her again, taking in the sheer size of the bathing chamber around her, feeling suddenly awkward again with nothing to do but stand and wait to be pushed in the right direction.

[Kevasha]

It was then the male servants cleared out, leaving only the maids there. The two attendants from before lead her behind a nearby screen, presenting her with a large towel and a basket to put her clothes. One of the girls, a young blonde with short hair was new to her job evident by the genuine smile she gave their guest. "Just come out when you're ready and we'll begin."

When Shira stepped out wrapped in a towel, she was led to the salt bath, stripped out of her towel and settled into it. It was half filled with salt that had just a skim coating of water on top of it and when she settled, both maids picked up handfuls of the cold salt and began to scrub it over the shivering elf.

The new girl smiled encouragingly as she and her coworker scrubbed at the bits that needed softening, like feet, elbows and the like. "Don't worry, this part doesn't take long. I heard from Lord Pyronystus that you've been to the North..what's it like?"

[shirafune]

Shira would be grateful to this new girl later on, because conversation made her focus on something besides the immensely embarrassing situation of being man-handled by someone else like this. The Priestess bathed in buckets with a rag and sliver of soap, or in a river where privacy and time allowed. Which wasn't always that often. She was blushing underneath the chill, especially as her limbs were being lifted out of the tub and some sort of stone was being scrapped against the callouses and patches of rough skin. The attendant tsked at her feet and the toenails that needed clipping about a week ago.

"I-It's c-c-cold, mostly." She squawked in surprise as someone else lifted her other foot and she was forced to hold on to the rim of the tub to stay sitting up. "B-But not everywhere. Some pl..aces are rather temperate. D-Depends on wh-wh-where you go."

[Kevasha]

The girl got a dreamy look on her face "I know the war's going on up there, but none the less I'd still love to go and see it...just once." She took the priest's hand and began to gently clean out from under her finger nails. "Lord Pyronystus must think greatly of you to have brought you home Miss Shirafune...Oh! I'm Liliana by the way, Liliana Sunpetal..it's a pleasure to meet you." She smiled as she worked her way through Shira's hand tending to the nails.

"Forgive me if I bother you with too many questions...but what's it like? Outside the city I mean?" The maid glanced up at her questioningly.