At home, Elunara stood on her porch, quietly sweeping and contemplating her life. Emaline was at the keep with her father, and Elunara was looking forward to picking up her tiniest daughter after she had completed some chores. Everyone took turns keeping the house tidied up, and today she was using the time to relax and enjoy time off from her duties. That was a laughable thought on its own. Since when had she needed time off?
An old but familiar sound pricked her large ears and she snatched the arrow out of the air before it could pierce her skull. Turning in the direction of the arrow, she took off, confident in her abilities to track the arrow to its source. Speed was her advantage, and she used it. Once at the location, she grabbed the arms of the female goblin.
"Why are you trying to kill me?" She demanded.
"The hell are you talking about?" The goblin wiggled in her grasp. "Let go of me, you bitch! I'll slice you from... Elunara?"
The pair of women looked into each other's faces as recognition passed from woman to woman. Elunara sat the goblin down. "Tawdry? What the hell are you doing, shooting an arrow at my head?"
"Arrow? What fuckin' arrow? You know I only use my dagger, and only when a patron needs a little extra coaxin'." Tawdry pulled out the aforementioned dagger and ran a thumb across the blade.
"Who was here? Did you see anyone?"
"You mean the assassin with a bow and arrow? He's hiding up my damned skirt. Fuck if I know. I just got here."
"Damn." Elunara muttered and looked around, hoping to spot a clue, any clue. Blinking a moment, she turned back to Tawdry. "What the hell are you doing in Stormwind? Booty Bay is your port of call."
"Can't I come see an old friend?"
Elunara snorted back a laugh. "Tawdry, you don't do shit if you can't get paid for it."
"That ain't a lie." She tucked the dagger back in its sheath. "However, I had other issues. I just dumped one of my girls at the healer's building and I was sent this way when I asked for yas."
"Healer?"
"Found herself in the family way. Unlike most of my girls, this one wants to keep it, but her favorite benefactor is a pirate, and here she's afraid of losing her baby to the man."
Elunara shook her head. "I'll be damned. You do have an altruistic bone in that body of yours."
"I charged her for the ride. And the personal escort."
After a scant moment of consideration, Elunara nodded. "Ok, that's more like you. Where's Havey and Cavey?"
"Holding down the fort."
This time, the snort turned into a full laugh. "Those two bone heads?"
Tawdry glared up at Elunara. "Ever since a certain night elf hasn't ran tame in my brothel, they haven't been tempted. I don't know what you do to men, but after what you did to my oafs, I had some... well placed threats drilled into their empty heads."
With a grin, Elunara winked. "I can't resist a challenge. They were an... interesting challenge."
"Pfft, disgusting. Even I wouldn't fuck an oaf."
"Broaden your horizons." Elunara winked. "Other than a preggo prostitute, what brings you to me?"
"That self-same preggo. Even in Booty Bay, we're aware of the current queen of Stormwind. Preggo is looking for some protection, and I told her I'd try to get it. She paid me a pretty penny to do it too."
"Well then." Elunara crossed her arms. Considering the other woman, she shook her head. "Goblins, you'd all sell your mothers for a gold."
"Hell, my mother sold me for a handful of silver." Tawdry snorted.
"Sad."
"Like you, I made the most of what I got. The Whore, queen of Stormwind, or whatever the hell it is you do these days. I've seen your name on some of those SI communications."
"Now I have to wonder how many of my agents have wasted their time in your brothel, for you have to have seen my orders."
Tawdry smirked. "I have sticky fingers."
"I remember." Elunara raked her fingers through her hair. Looking around she considered the situation. She had not forgotten what led her over to the area where Tawdry had been walking. "I'll meet with your preggo. I'll do what I can for her."
"What do I owe?"
With a quick grin, Elunara winked. "You haven't heard? I do things out of altruism now."
Tawdry blinked up at her. "I thought that was just part of the elaborate rumors. They get fantastical the more drunk the patrons are."
Elunara's ears twitched as she listened for any further attempts on her life. "You and I really need to play catch up. I'll buy you a drink, I kind of need one myself."
"Good deal."
"Let's find your preggo first."
In the healer's building, Tia clasped her hands together. "She is in perfect health; her baby will come along nicely."
"Thanks, Tia." Elunara eyed the girl. Her bright red hair and cocky smile belied the nerves below. "What's your name?"
"Angel"
"Stage or real?" Putting her fingers under the girl's chin, she examined her eyes. "What name do you want to be called? I guess that would be the better question. There's no need to play around here."
"My name is Tammy." The girl bit her lip. "My patrons called me Angel, and a few other things. I always found it absurd."
"Well, that's no longer necessary. You wouldn't be the first person to change their name. My Daughter-in-law changed her name when she came to town. Pick whatever makes you happy. Be Tammy, or Angel, or tootie fruitie for all I care."
Tammy looked around at the people in the room.
Tawdry shrugged. "Don't look at me, I don't give a shit. Once I leave, I ain't comin' back for your ass."
"I'll stick with Tammy. I wanted to be exotic but look where it got me." She rubbed her belly. "I don't want to go back to Booty Bay, and I don't want Harold to find me. My baby can't be raised by pirates."
"That's why you're here, Tammy." Elunara gestured. "Come with me. You can stay at Tippy's while we try to find you a place for you and your baby to stay."
---
"Tippy!" Elunara pushed her way in the door. "It's crowded today."
"Serves you right for showing up at lunch rush." Tippy cocked her hip against the counter and crossed her arms. "Even your table is taken at the moment."
"We can wait." Elunara jerked a thumb back at Tammy. "I need a room for this chicky until I can find her other lodgings."
Tippy rolled her eyes. "Of course you do. I've got one room left. One. She can have it, but don't you have room at your house?"