Fallen - Thanks (Part 7)

Branny walked through Ironforge tiredly, careful to keep out of the way of the various people busily rushing down the streets on their own, myriad errands. While the city was never exactly quiet, it was quieter than she remembered from days long past. The rough and rowdy adventuring types had moved their base of operations to distant Shattrath, leaving the citizens of Ironforge in relative peace.

Except from the occasional insane gnome, she amended silently, shaking her head sadly as she passed one by. Dancing on a mailbox he was, and sputtering some nonsense, while mostly unclothed.

Many folk held that all gnomes were insane. She didn’t completely agree, but neither could she completely disagree. All gnomes were a wee bit off kilter, but most were harmless enough if left in peace, barring a wee bit of gentle shepherding to keep ‘em from wandering too far from sanity. But gentle and kindly treatment is what they needed, especially since the destruction of Gnomeregan. A good, sharp shove is all any gnome needed to fall over into the abyss.

And I’m knowing all about that. Her left hand clenched.

She walked out towards the Great Forge, and a small apartment there. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer, and peering through the windows, she saw no one there. She frowned, and walked over to a nearby guard, standing stoically on duty.

“Pardon, boyo – have ye seen the gnome girly who usually stays here?”

The guard blinked. “Gnome, ye say? Cannae say. I’m nae one ta notice th’ buggers, ‘til ‘tis trouble they’re bringin.” His tone carried a slight tinge of disdain.

She ignored it. Not yer fight, girl. Keep yer head. “Thankee,” she replied shortly, then turned to walk away.

Maybe she’s over by Fizzlespinner’s place…
_____

From the shadows, a small figure watched fearfully.

Abby had been off to get a quick snack from the pie vendor, muttering under her breath about the inefficiency of a pie vendor who insisted on wandering the streets instead of establishing a stationary base of operations, where customers could always find pies to purchase at their convenience, rather than having to always chase after the ambulatory source of baked sweetness.

She ducked fearfully behind some boxes as soon as she recognized the dwarf. Talking to the guard dwarf, near the location of her workshop. When the guard dwarf shook his head at some comment, the dwarf looked irritated and moved on.

Pie forgotten, the gnome panicked.

Oh no! She’s looking for me! I… I need to get out of here! Can’t take the tram, she might see me! Where to go, what to do, have to run… wait! Teleport! Yes!

It took her several deep breaths before she was calm enough to get the incantation right. A sharp flash of light, and Abby was gone.
_____

“…no, miss lightwielder Lady Branwynne, ma’am,” Adelheide chirped cheerfully. “I’m afraid Abby isn’t here right now. She was helping Nik with a project earlier, but stepped out for some fresh air and a bite to eat. Well, maybe not fresh air, as she is still confined to the boundaries of Ironforge for the duration of her punishment, but fresher than the workshop by a fair margin…”

“Ah, yes,” Branny interrupted gently. “Alright then. Well, when ye see her, tell her I was looking for her, an’ pass along my thanks.”

“Oh, of course, miss lighwielder Lady Branwynne, ma’am!”

Branny suppressed the urge to sigh.
_____

The sweet smells wafting from the forgotten pie drew the attention of a nearly naked gnome, tired from a day of failed experiments and several hours of dancing on a mailbox (he didn’t know why, but it seemed like a good idea at the time). He peered about, but the pie’s rightful owner seemed no where in sight. With a shrug, he appropriated it.

“Ugh, cherry again. You’d think Srazz would try something more innovative from time to time…”