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Chilling, icy wind whistled through the deserted roof yard. The breeze clutched into the sheets of free newspapers piled on the ground, flipping them open, just to slip away at the next moment and fly toward the benches and garden ornaments, covered by canvases, grabbing into them, then vanish as if it had never been there. The impressive pedestrianized courtyard at the top of Maestra's Post was closed to the public due to redesign, but this did not bother Illidan Stormrage, who took advantage of the desolation of the place, staying there for the time being. He was holding a supermarket advertisement as he leaned against a tree, studying the colorful images. As a demon, he couldn't feel the cool weather outside, but suddenly a shudder passed over him. Lowering the newspaper, he turned to the glass roof not far away, and looked at the multitude of shops and restaurants below. It didn't take long to find the source of his sinister feeling. Opposite of him, from a patisserie's patio a way too familliar pair of eyes looked back at him. A moment later, his former warden jumped up from her table, leaving her young company behind and headed for the stairs leading up to the roof. Illidan sighed. He put down the magazine and mentally prepared himself for Maiev's arrival. He didn't have to wait long. The door slid open behind him with force that could put even Dreadlords into shame."What are you doing here? Are you following me?" the night elf screamed in anger. Just as she opened it, she slammed the entrance shut and stood in front of the demon hunter, presumably waiting for answers.Illidan finally rose from the ground and straightened slowly, revealing the difference in height between them, and the man wondered yet again just how petite the Warden actually was without her armour. She barely reached his shoulder. Those huge shoulder pads optically helped to make her appear bigger and scarier than she really was, however, it would have been a mistake to underestimate her. She was undoubtedly a dangerous adversary, he could not deny it, and even though Shandris assured him that he would not be harmed, they were talking about Maiev there... He decided it would be preferable not to provoke the woman already on edge, and prudentially pointed at the paper bundle."I'm reading."You are blind. How?"Are you seriously interested, or you just want to banter?"Maiev took her eyes off him, just to check if there really was something where he was pointing, then immediately gazed back at him, and she didn't look any more serene."Advertising papers?"That's what I could find." the man spread his arms."Libraries existed twelve thousand years ago, too, imbecile. I doubt they are novelty for you."No, but the New Common Language is." he replied. He didn't belived for a minute that his words could move her, but to his relief, she seemed to be slightly eased."Stay here." She ordered him assertively, then disappeared behind the front door.Illidan sighed and considered his options. He could stay and wait for Maiev to return and find out why she is keeping him there, or make a run for it, risking her anger that he would have to face at latest within a few days, and then surely there would be no living creature on this planet who could calm her. Not that he was truly afraid of her, as he overpowered her several times. She was just lucky at the Black Temple as she ambushed him while he was ailing. At the same time, he didn't see the point in angering her unnecessarily. He didn't come back just to start running from her again... He decided to stay. And anyway, the last time was almost bearable. Except for the horn-pulling...Illidan glanced again at the confectionery. Maiev waved goodbye to her young company and headed for the roof, but suddenly stopped and turned back. Probably the other night elf shouted after her. He didn't know the girl, but that was understandable. She was young, even in human measure. Why was an adolescent lass in such a rotten woman's company, like Maiev? And why were they sitting in an inn-looking place? And why did she look at her with such admiration now? However, he did not have much time to reflect on these issues. Within seconds, the front door reopened, signaling the return of his probation officer."You know, it's none of my business whom you spend your time with, but that little girl seems a bit too young for you, don't you think?" but instead of an answer, he received a sizeable punch in his stomach, with such force that he nearly collapsed."Lysende is my niece, you quilboar!" the woman spat at him, and Illidan had to admit that he had missed by quite a long shot with his conclusion. He tried to commit to memory to ask his questions more tactfully next time if he doesn't want Maiev's fist to find its way into his stomach again. And who knows, maybe next time it won't even stop until it reaches the other end... His warden, still not finished, grabbed his horn again and tugged him peremptorily toward the exit, while the demon hunter pledged that he would never go to that roof again to read...

The Silverwind Library's ornately carved ebony door opened at an easy pace, making way for the dim light and the two guests to enter. The entrance opened into a spacious foyer, with corridors leading to the various wings of the library on each side, and a wide stone staircase to the upper floor. Next to it, behind a dotted table, an aging male gnome with glasses leaned over a newspaper and wrote something on it with his pen from time to time, obviously solving in a crossword puzzle. Due to the sudden flood of light, he raised his balding head wondering and looked at the visitors standing before him, but soon he regretted it. He held the magazine in front of him as a shield, hiding himself as much as possible. The pages rattled loudly as the librarian's hand trembled with fear."I...I...I've already told youuuuu...w-we're closed! I'm not even working here, just... er... I'm filling in for my brother, he'll come back in a minute... I'll go and find him!" he tried to sneak out under the table, but Maiev reached over the furniture and pulled the gnome back to place. "Then I guess I'll stay..." he stammered. "How may I help?"He did the same the last time. I didn't understand a word of his." Illidan turned to the probation officer."Why doesn't that surprise me?" she gave the demon hunter a telling look, then addressed the gnome. "I want to enroll." Upon hearing the woman's words the gnome raised his bushy eyebrow in astonishment, expressing his doubt, as if he didn’t believe he was not going to be hurt, but then nodded and took out a blank reading card. The Silverwind Library was probably the last institution on the continent to use the old paper-based cards instead of the newer electronic plastic ones."May I see your personal documents?" the man stretched out his tiny hands and soon was busy with writing the night elf's data in the blank spaces. When he was done, he stamped the card and looked at the visitors with a grin. Apparently, he hadn't issued any new reading card for a long time. "Maybe the gentleman wants to enroll as well?" he turned to Illidan, forgetting surprisingly quickly that he had been shaking like a meat-jelly just a few moments ago, but Maiev answered the question."I want a partner card for him. Any obstacles?"No, no." The gnome's eyes sparkled and he reached for another card under the table. Unlike the previous white one, it was bright pink with fewer checkboxes. "May I have you name, sir?"He asks for your name."Illidan Stormrage." said the demon hunter, looking doubtfully at the woman next to him. Is Maiev really helping him? Thinking about it, Shandris mentioned that part of her job was to support his integration, but he didn't think she would take it seriously. Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, his probation officer paid, then politely said goodbye to the librarian and turned to him."Here, take it." she handed the reader's card to him. "The reader-room is upstairs, to the right. It is open from 08:00 to 20:00, just like the library. In case you want to borrow something, I wrote that on this note. Just show it to the gnome. You have two weeks to bring the books back. I do not pay late fees."Illidan stared for a moment at the small piece of paper and the card, then came to himself and took it out of her hand. He studied them for a while, then put them in his pocket and looked at Maiev questioningly."Don't thank me." the night elf glanced to the side. Noticeably none of them liked gratitude, so she thought it was better to obviate the issue. "Part of my job."I thought so." Illidan said. "But that will make it easier for me to get to know this new world." he shifted his weight from one foot to another. Although it wasn't for his liking to thank his old enemy, he still felt he should say something. "There are few things I hate more than not knowing or understanding something"Maiev was completely of the same mind. The only thing she hated even more is having to agree with The Betrayer for the second time this week. Two more times than she would have liked. Not just this week, in her entire life. She was seriously thinking about visiting one of those specialist doctors his brother once mentioned to her. What did he say, what they were called? Psyche-logistics maybe...? She made a barely noticeable grimace."If learning is so important to you, why didn't you ask your brother? Shan'do Stormrage could have dealt with this for you..." But she couldn't even finish the sentence when the demon hunter interrupted."No! Keep my brother out of this." his voice was tense as in the past, when Malfurion's name was mentioned, but Maiev did not waver."Why?"Could you try not to poke that owl beak of yours into my business for a change?" Illidan asked irritatedly, but almost immediately regretted it. At that moment, he was in Maiev's debt, and if he wanted to be able to count on her help in the future, he had to concede that he would have to behave, even if she bombards him with unpleasant questions. Meanwhile, Maiev was apparently ready hit back, but when she was about to open her mouth, Illidan raised his hand apologetically, signaling that there was no need for a dispute. Maiev's eyes continued to spark with anger, but she seemed willing to give him a chance. She took a deep breath, and after a moment of silence, she nodded to let him speak."The last time I saw my brother, we made peace, but I did not earn forgiveness. When I returned to life at the Nighthold, Tyrande was there. They knew about my presence and my role on the Broken Shore. The fact that neither she nor my brother came to see me, told me everything. I want to respect their decision." he replied.Maiev listened carefully to his words, watching his face. Is he honest? Her instincts told her that he was. She was surprised at her willingness to believe The Betrayer, but there was something in his voice and body language that Maiev could hardly phrase to herself. Could it be vulnerability? In the place of the always arrogant, impetuous and ruthless Illidan stood an unknown, almost humble figure, who had lost his brother's love because of his idiotic decisions. It was something she could feel sympathy for. She thought of Jarod as he rushed to her in relief when she escaped from the captivity of Blackrook Hold. Even after she tried to put him to death...She quickly brushed off the memory and nodded, indicating that she understood what he had to say. After that, not many words were exchanged between them. They agreed on the next mandatory meeting's date, and with that, Illidan headed upstairs to the reading room, while Maiev was on the way to the library exit. From the doorframe, she looked back at the demon hunter slowly climbing the stairs. She could be in his place...Maiev set forth to take a detour and visit her brother.

The sky had been coloured by the setting sun in a vivid pinkish hue. It only appeared every now and then between the towering, unshapely multi-storey apartments. The parking lots were crammed with the vehicles of the residents, bringing some colour to the gray housing estate. Maiev hated these cube buildings the most. In her own opinion nothing could ever compete with the traditional kaldorei architecture anyway, but even the few who remained of her people rarely shared her views on the matter. Among them was her own brother, who was living with his small family in one of the horrendous buildings, forcing her to admire the terrible concrete sea from time to time.

Maiev stuck to her resolution and headed right there. She searched between the identical buildings for the one where Jarod lived, then, taking advantage of the fact that a human family had just come home, she slipped past them at the entrance as they opened it and ran straight to the fourth floor. She was about to knock on the door when she realized that maybe she shouldn't just tumble in uninvited. She took her phone from her pocket and was astonished to realize that she missed nearly thirty calls, all from her brother."Lysende... " She should have told her not to mention her little incident in the mall to her father, but she had completely forgotten about it. It seemed probable that the girl presented the events to her father more dramatically than how it had actually happened, explaining the dozens of calls. Without hesitation, she pressed the call button and immediately after the first ringing, her brother's desperate voice was on the line."Maiev? Maiev, are you ok? Is everything alright?" "Yes, little brother, don't worry. I just muted my phone and forgot to turn the sound back on." she confessed sincerely."What happened? Where are you now?"In front of your door." the woman replied, and the sound of footsteps struck her almost immediately, then the next moment Jarod's worn face appeared from behind the door."Praise to Elune!" he sighed as he hung up the phone. Behind her, Shandris showed up in the hallway."Honey, did you find her?"Yes, my love, she is right here." the night elf replied to his wife, then invited her sister - still standing in the doorway - into the apartment."What happened?" Shandris inquired to Maiev's utmost annoyance. She had to figure out quickly how she could pitch in her presence that she had made a scene in the mall because of Illidan, frightening her niece to death, and also a few passers-by. Not even a week had passed since she started her job, she didn't want to be already fired. Luckily, Jarod accidentally came to her help."Honey, let it go. She is in one piece, that's enough for me." he averted the question, and his wife - though reluctantly - seemed to give up trying to figure out what had happened. Maiev praised her brother's name with sincere gratitude in her mind. "But what brings you here, sister?" her brother turned to her."I wanted to talk to you about something. It's personal." she added firmly, and Jarod apparently got the message.He gestured to her wife to leave them alone, then led his sister into the living room and sat on the couch. Shandris frowned one more time at her sister-in-law, but she kept her husband's wish above all else, so she unwillingly complied. She closed the door and probably started preparing dinner, or at least the clattering sounds of pots and other kitchen appliances led Maiev to that conclusion."So, you have met Illidan?" Jarod asked his sister, after making sure his wife was out of earshot. Although Maiev concealed it flawlessly, she was surprised by her brother's lightning fast and accurate conclusion. "I guess that's why you didn't want to talk in front of Shandris." he explained as he offered his guest tea and then poured himself a cup, too."As expected from my little brother." she admitted. "He was lounging in the closed roof garden. I just made sure he was not scheming something. Then I enrolled him to the library."To the library?"I had to, that idiot was trying to learn the New Common Language through newspaper advertisements! I doubt it will get him far if he knows how to sell everything at half price until the end of the promotion..."It's kind of you." Jarod nodded appreciatively. He didn't expect his sister to be able to act as a probation officer for Illidan, but it seemed his beloved was right to belive in her, and he was worrying over nothing yet again."I was just doing my job." she snorted with frustration, trying to avoid even the slightest suggestion that she would ever voluntarily help the Betrayer."Of course, you're right." Jarod let the woman's answer go unchallenged. "But I'm glad you seem to be enjoying your job. This put my mind to rest."Here we go. He had to worry about me again." Maiev thought, but no matter how much regretted causing so much trouble to her brother, she was overjoyed to have someone who is genuenly concerned about her. Suddenly Illidan's elegiac look flashed before her mind eyes. She lingered on the memory for a moment, then took a deep breath. Jarod, almost as if he sensed the change in mood within his sister, leaned closer to her with sincere attention."Well, out with it, what's on your mind?"My little brother... I've never been the sister you deserve, I've always been aware of that. But then why? Why are you so lenient with me? Why did you forgive the unforgivable?" she finally blurted it out. She looked at her brother in shame and waited for his answer."That's weighed upon your mind?" Jarod smiled. "Because you're my sister."I see." she sighed."That's not the answer you've hoped for?"It doesn't matter what I wanted to hear. More important that you were honest."Jarod's face winced."Did Illidan say something to you? If he tries to confuse you, I'll..." he raised his fist and shook it menacingly. As he sat on the couch in his home-style attire - including a hole sock - it all looked more comical than threatening. Maiev smiled at her brother's militancy. He couldn't stand a chance against the mage twelve thousand years ago either, and they both knew it."He talked about Shan'do Stormrage." Maiev muttered. "About how he never forgave him." His brother finally understood what it was all about."Don't worry. Whatever may have happened, it doesn't matter. The past is in the past. I'll always be here in your time of need. That's what siblings are for." He put his hand on his sister's shoulder and smiled encouragingly.Maiev remained silent. She wondered quietly for a while about what Jarod told her before she said goodbye. As she was about to leave, she looked back from the door."I'm proud to have you as my brother. Thank you for being here for me."And I'm proud to have you as my sister."The noise of the shutting front door indicated that Maiev has left and Jarod remained alone with his thoughts. He had never thought that his sister was still grinding about what had happened back then. Did she derive solace from his words? He doubted that. As long as she couldn't forgive herself, he could say anything, it would fall on deaf ears. But maybe something has started now. The fact that she was so upset about Malfurion's actions and was capable of showing empathy for Illidan on some level was a testament to this. Perhaps Shandris was right, and this work could really help his sister find the right balance and finally leave her hatred behind.As if she had felt her husband's thoughts, Shandris entered the living room. She sat next to her lover, leaning her head on his shoulder and stroking his arm."Is everything alright, my love?"Of course, honey. We just talked about a little this and that." Jarod embraced his wife. He turned to her and leaned over to grace her lips with a kiss."Who is Illidan?" Lysende, stuck her head out of her room, interrupting her parents" lovely moment. "Aunt Maiev's new boyfriend?" Shandris could barely keep herself from breaking out in a loud laugh at the question, and Jarod had to turn away so his daughter couldn't see him giggling as he scolded her for eavesdropping again.

The last rays of the sun were about to disappear on the zigzag-like horizon formed by endless chains of mountains. As the night slowly descended, the stars began to show their radiant body on the nocturnal sky of Hyjal, and with them a handful of night elves began their preparation for their millennia-old tradition. The group, wearing white silk priestess dresses, set off with a wicker basket on their arms to welcome the night and say their common prayer for their Goddess. At their head, Tyrande Whisperwind walked with persistent humility within her heart toward her beloved Elune. Her husband, Malfurion Stormrage, was watching every step of his love from nearby, resting at the base of a tree, amazed over and over again by the woman's unceasing beauty over thousands of years. He saw his companion as beautiful as she was in their youth. As his wife slowly disappeared from his range of vision, his thoughts once again strayed to old, better days. It was a useless pastime, as nothing could change the past, and he knew that well, yet he found himself more and more often pondering over bygone times.The susurrate sounds of the night were interrupted by a loud default phone ringtone, distracting Malfurion from the oh so fond memories of his heart. After some difficulty, he manadged to get his brick-sized mobile from his satchel and stared at its display. It showed an unkown number. The Archdruid was surprised by the call, as not many used to seek him out in the last few centuries, especially not by phone. It was only because of the wish of one of his students that he acquired such a device almost two decades ago to get in touch when needed. Malfurion pressed the button with the small green handset and lifted the phone to his ear."Good evening, Malfurion Stormrage speaking."Shan'do, this is Maiev Shadowsong." the woman introduced herself."Maiev?" the druid was surprised. If he didn't expect someone to call him, it was her. According to his latest information, she worked as a bounty hunter and she felt it was her personal mission to finish off every remaining undead on Azeroth's surface. Shandris said she wasn't in good shape. Although somewhat adapted to modern technology, she was unable to integrate into society and continously showed signs of obsession, and more recently, alcoholism. With that in mind, he spoke into the phone again."I'm listening, how may I help you?"It's about Illidan."

A sinister fog has descended upon Astranaar in the dawn. The gray veil could have been cut with a knife, but it could not discourage Illidan Stormrage. He squatted like a gargoyle on the top of a skyscraper as he observed the city. The high winds got in and out of his hair, and he enjoyed every moment of it. The ice-cold piercing gales might have been a nuisance for others, but to him, it was freedom which he could taste for the first time since millennia. No nine-steps long cell, nor Burning Legion, and most importantly, no Warden chasing after him. He was his own master once again. He could do whatever he wanted, and he enthusiastically immersed himself in the discovery of the new Azeroth. He was fascinated by the modern technology, the huge, luxurious cities that had put the former Zin-Azshari into shame, the crowds that flooded the streets even at night...His gaze suddenly stopped at one point. In spite of the dense fog, the World Tree, Nordrassil, could be easily seen in the distance. His joy somwehat abated. He watched the tree longingly for a short time, then sighed."No... it's enough to know that you're alive ..." he whispered to himself. As he tried to regain his composure, he inadvertently recalled his conversation with Maiev in the library. Strangely enough, she not only proved helpful the last time, but also showed some compassion. Well, at least he thought that's what her unusual silence and lack of taunts was meant to be. He wondered why. Suddenly, a revelation came to him. What about her brother? Jarod Shadowsong was his name, if his memory served him right. Could something have happened to him, serving as a reason for her emphaty? He decided to try to find it out tactfully later on."Which reminds me..." he straightened up. "It's time to get going if I don't want to be late and anger Maiev..."

The door of the shabby fast-food restaurant slammed open with tremendous force, making the bell hanging above cry out in a bitter ululation. Illidan didn't shudder as his apparently ill-tempered probation officer slumped down on a chair in front of him. His hurry proved to be in vain. He quickly considered his options and decided not to say anything. But despite all his consideration, the Warden's rage could not be avoided by mere silence."What?" she growled, but without waiting for an answer, she jumped up and stormed out to order from the menu, leaving Illidan alone with his thoughts. He sighed. Last time he was almost grateful to Maiev, but obviously that day must have been the result of favourable conjunction of the stars that made her so willing, and he was right to suspect that it wouldn’t be the norm onward. But it would have helped a lot if her attitude had been more... tolerable... To tell the truth, he didn't even understand how she could take a job that included not killing him in the first place."What have I done now that made you mad?" he asked the returning woman."Can't you put your ego aside for a second? My world doesn't revolve around you."Of course, that was a lie, she knew very well that she had been obsessed with Illidan for some time. Although she had achieved some improvement over the past two thousand years, it only lasted until her brother announced that he was having a child with Shandris, giving up his immortality. The mere thought of the following seventy years was enough to drift her to the brink of despair, so she quickly dismissed the memories. That wasn't the cause of her anger anyway. Exceptionally, the other Stormrage was at fault. Obstinacy seemed to be in their genes. How could he reject his own brother so indifferently? He didn't even consider talking things through! If she could be forgiven by Jarod after almost taking his life, then it's not right for Malfurion not to give his brother a chance!Recalling the conversation with Shan'do from a few days ago made her simmer with anger. She threw the plastic tray she was holding in her hand on the desk. Bitterly, she began to unpack her  sandwich, then realising that she forgot something, pushed the tray over to Illidan. There was another package on it, similar to hers. "Take it."Illidan stared at her, puzzled. Now what? She's still willing to help him? At the end, he thought it was better not to reject Maiev's offer, and slowly began to unwrap the food. It seemed he had to get used to not being able to read the woman. He guessed it was likely that her hatred towards him and her sense of duty were having a life-and-death struggle, and fortunately the latter seemed to be on the winning side. He wouldn't have minded for sure if he could continue to benefit from her. Accessing the library's material was a huge help to him. He has learned the basics of the New Common Language in the last few days, and was able to chat quite well with Firglibec, the librarian. The old gnome got over his fear of him surprisingly fast, and after he managed to figure out what the demon was looking for, he kept bringing various language books to Illidan's desk industriously, one by one. The old man, like him, valued knowledge more than appearance."Has something else happened this weekend that I need to know about?" Maiev took out the first sheet from the folder after finishing her breakfast. Illidan shook his head. The woman gazed at him with a pungent look, then looked back at the paper and grabbed a pen. "Then I'll just write that you enrolled to the library." she said, but she hasn’t come to the point of actually writing it down as her phone on the desk started to ring loudly. Maiev annoyedly turned her gaze at the device, but when she saw the name on the screen, her attitude changed. She picked up the phone and rushed out of the restaurant without a word. When she was out of range, she pressed the Answer icon.Illidan watched the woman from behind the glass curiously, whose initially stern expression slowly seemed to soften during the conversation. She glanced at him, then quickly turned her back. After a short while the call ended and Maiev returned to the table with satisfaction, with a faint smile on her face, as if she had received good news. She put the phone away in her light blue, worn-out jeans, then reached for her fur hooded jacket."Take your breakfast, we're leaving" she ordered the man. "You can eat the rest on the way. The railway is about ten minutes away from here, I hope you can finish until then, because you can't eat on the train."Wait, where are we going?" the demon tried to keep up with the night elf, as she had already opened the front door."To Hyjal."

Illidan watched the fields from the train window in annoyance, beating on the floor with his hoof angrily."If you don't stop, I'll tie your legs." Maiev said, not looking up from the newspaper that has probably been left on the sear by a previous passanger."I asked you to honor my request to leave my brother out of this!"You didn't ask." she flipped the page. "You just told me why you don't want to contact your brother."I thought that part was obvious!" Illidan growled at his companion, but she folded the magazine in half and slapped him with it between his horns."Be quiet on the train. Good grief, you lack basic manners..."Illidan had no other choice but to suffer through the rest of the road in silence, without hoofbeating. Maiev said they were around half an hour away from their destination and meeting his brother, Malfurion Stormrage again. How many times had he imagined the moment over the years... What he was going to say, what he would do... but no matter how much he tried to word his thoughts, how much he tried to soften the druid's expression, in his imagination his twin only ever responded with a contemptuous look to all of his efforts. Illidan stared despondently at the rapidly passing landscape beside him. What's the point of this? What would change if his brother rejects him face to face? At least he could have convinced himself that his message from Argus had served its purpose, and perhaps Malfurion had forgiven him, but now, thanks to Maiev, his illusion soon will be shattered."Maiev..." He glanced angrily at the woman absorbed in her newspaper. Oh, sure, she'll enjoy the scene. How clever of her to conceal his torture as help. Even after so many years, she was able to impress him, unfortunately for the wrong reason.The train gradually slowed down and finally stopped at Hyjal station. Maiev looked up from her newspaper and signaled to his patroned to get off. Illidan's stomach twitched again."Why ...? Why am I getting off? Why am I following this woman? Why do I go after her, why don't I get away? Nothing awaits me there but another rejection and soul-crushing disappointment." He asked himself, but he had known the answer for a long time."Because I'm a pathetic fool who's still clinging to the last remnant of hope..."Yet again, in his mind he saw Malfurion's relentless gaze, and he set out once more to try to change the immutable as Maiev led him to the scene of their meeting.

The fog refused to clear. It stubbornly hid away in a gray disguise of ordinariness the once beautiful green park where the Stormrage brothers were supposed to meet. Maiev looked back from time to time to check that the demon hunter was still behind her, but beside that she didn't pay much attention to him, and they made their way silently to the place of the rendezvous. In the center of the tiny grove an old tree stood majestically. Maiev led her patroned there and waited. After a while they noticed some movement from the far end of the park. Someone approached. Slowly, the outlines of a tall night elf began to emerge from the fog. Illidan recognized Malfurion immediately in the coming figure. Though he replaced his old druid garment with a finer one, the man's image remained just as he had lived in his memories. As the man slowly approached them, Illidan hectically tried to think through one last time what he was going to say."Brother..." the demon hunter finally said in a slightly hesitant voice, but his words seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Malfurion kept coming nearer without pause. "My brother... I..." Illidan tried again to say his monologue somewhat louder, but his brother didn't react this time either, finally stopping before him. "Is it really useless...?" He asked himself as sorrow began to take over him. Malfurion stood before him exactly as he had imagined and feared for so many years. Then silence followed. Relentless and unbearable silence. Illidan desperatly tried to say something, but the words just didn't come. Even though he had been preparing for this moment for so long, his mind has failed him at the crucial moment. He was ready to surrender and accept his defeat, giving up hope that he could ever settle things with his twin. As he slowly broke down, he didn't quite understand what was happening as he felt two arms around him.His brother was embracing him.He didn't expect that. He couldn't ever dream so. He raised his arms slowly and gently embraced his twin back, who was falling on his shoulder. That was all he ever wanted, but he never dared to phrase it for himself. Malfurion didn't say a word, instead his gently shaking body expressed his feelings. Illidan leaned his head on his brother's shoulder and listened with a joyful heart to his testimony of regret as their thoughts slowly drifted toward better times, when they thought there was no power on Azeroth that could ever separate them.Maiev watched the two men from behind a tree, making sure no one interrupted the moment. Her expression softened to be akin to a mother's, as she couldn't help herself but to be glad for Illidan."Forgive me for coming only now." The druid lifted his tearful cheek from his twin's shoulder. "I should have done it sooner... much, much sooner."Your words are like balm on my aching heart, but I'm not to blame you. I... didn't make it easy for you."Perhaps, but it's a brother's duty to be there when the other needs him." Malfurion squeezed his brother's shoulder affectionately, glancing at Maiev, who nodded appreciatively. "Come, let us sit down somewhere. There's much to talk about."

As the fog slowly began to dissipate, the mood between the Stormrage brothers slowly eased as well. At first, the two men talked modestly while sitting on one of the benches in the park, and gradually became more cheerful in the conversation. Malfurion and Illidan, siblings who were only distinguishable at birth by the colour of their eyes and hair, could not have looked more different nowadays. Still, being at close quarters seemed to flash out their likeness, and for the first time in a while they looked like twins again. At least Maiev could have sworn she could see the similarities as the two men walked up to her.

"Letting me know about my brother's return and arranging this meeting for us, for that, I thank you, Maiev." Malfurion expressed his indebtedness, then quickly added, "On my brother's behalf as well."

"Then it seems, you two are done." She glanced at the screen of her phone. They still had plenty of time until the next train's take-off.

"Illidan, I hope we will stay in touch from now on."

"I share your desire."

"Would you give me your contact information?" Malfurion retrievied paper and pen from his purse. However, his request remained unanswered, as his brother glanced puzzled at Maiev, but she looked just as helpless as him. "Is something wrong?" the night elf wondered.

After a short pause, Maiev finally replied.

"I don't think he has one."

"Is that true, brother?" the older Stormrage looked at the demon hunter, who nodded hesitantly. "Where do you live then?"

"What is the meaning of this, Warden?" Malfurion clashed out to Maiev, who didn't bat an eye, but being held responsible for something she had little to nothing to do with still rubbed her the wrong way. On one hand, barely a week has passed since she became Illidan's probation officer. On the other hand, he didn't show any sign that he'd need anything more than the starry sky. She opened her mouth to answer when Illidan intervened.

"Never fear, brother, we'll fix that soon, too." he calmed the druid, to the woman's surprise.

"Just who is who's patron now?" Maiev thought. "Until then, you can contact him through me, Shan'do." she offered the opportunity, though reluctantly.

"There's no need for that. I'll take care of my brother's accommodation. In the meantime, move in with us. Our home is but a little snug, but the three of us used to fit in my old hut, we will be able to now as well." Malfurion put his hand on his brother's shoulder, and Illidan seemed to think for a moment, but then he shook his head.

"Your offer is, as always, proof of your generosity, Brother. However, I cannot accept it. I'm afraid Tyrande wouldn't be as forgiving as you. No, I'd better stay in town. Trust me, I'll paddle my own canoe.

"Very well, then. I believe you are wrong about my love and she would not oppose your staying at us, but I accept your decision. However, I want you to know that the door of my house is always open for you."

"If that's the case, I'd like to ask Shan'do to agree to temporarily register Illidan to your address." Maiev grabbed the occasion. "It would greatly increase his odds to find a job."

"All right." the night elf nodded. "I request you to send me the completed form. I'll sign it." The druid smiled at his brother. "Well, I'm afraid I have to leave soon. There are other things I have to see being done today. But first..." The Archdruid turned his head towards Maiev. "Maiev, may I speak to you?" Asked then gestured her to follow him. The woman agreed, leaving Illidan behind as they walked further away. "I assume you suspect what may I'd like to discuss with you." Malfurion spoke with a decided manner. 

"Perhaps, Shan'do."

"Drop the act Warden, would you?" Malfurion growled at her. Maiev stood still, then flashed a vile smile. Her previous collected composure has gone in a blink of an eye.

"Do not fret, Malfurion..." She said. The archdruid stood transfixed with horror. The way she phrased the words, deliberately mimicking when she held him captive, promising a slow, rotting death sent shivers down his spine. "I have no intention of killing your brother, if that's what you think. After all, I am his probation officer. Causing him harm would mean failing my job! You know best, that I always do my duty. Well, of course, unless..."

"Unless he gets off the track, endangering our world. Then I can't guarantee his... safety." Maiev grinned at the archdruid, then turned her back on him and walked back to Illidan, leaving the other man alone. "So much better" She thought after getting back for her perceived mistreatment just before. Of course, she knew well that even if Illidan was about to cause further trouble, even then she wouldn't be able to kill him. That would be like taking her own life... But that's something that Malfurion doesn't have to know... Serves him right...

And with that, the meeting ended. For a while, Malfurion stood beneath the lonely tree in the park, watching his brother slowly disappear at the horizon. This time, however, he undoubtedly knew: they would see each other soon again. On the other hand, his fears about Maiev did not ease, especially after their conversation. Perhaps, he should have been more tactful and not anger the former warden. He hoped that only his poor manners brought out the worst of her. After all, his brother said that she indeed knew her job and he should not worry. 

"Maybe I should have told you the truth, Illidan. I hope that your judgement about her is better than mine."

When he was certain that his brother was out of earshot, Illidan turned to his partner with interest.

"I'm looking for a job?"

"Didn't you say you will resolve your housing?" Maiev asked sarcastically. "And that requires money nowadays. Or did you mean by taking over another temple? Or a whole country right away?"

While the demon hunter certainly didn't find her tone to be in his taste, she was unfortunately right. However, it was difficult for him to imagine what kind of work he would be able do. Based on what he had read, most jobs required academic qualifications that he did not possess, and most of the classical profession had ceased to exist. But at that moment he did not want to deal with the subject. He was way too happy for that, and Maiev might have noticed it because she didn’t push the topic any further either.

The aging train slowly and relentlessly clattered toward Astranaar. Outside, the sun had fallen below the horizon, hiding the outside world in darkness from the eyes of the average passengers. Inside, at the faint light of the cart, a draenei ticket inspector twinkled as he tried to check the passenger" tickets, with little to no success. He finally gave up on what seemed to be an impossible task, validated and returned the receipts to the night elf lady. The conductor  looked at the man in front of him once more, but he had to admit that if he had trouble to see the tickets clearly, then it was even less likely that with this sparse light he would be able to determine what kind of creature he could be. But if the others didn’t mind his somewhat frightning presence, then he wouldn’t be bothered with him either. He nodded to the pair and left.

Maiev put the tickets back in her pocket, then glanced at his companion before returning to her newspaper. Illidan stared out the window in silence, peacefully. His usual nerve-racking arrogant facial expression was replaced by a happier, almost day-dreamery one. Maiev grimaced in a theatrical manner, then slid back behind the sheets of paper. She was reluctant to admit that on those rare occasions when he was not a pompous prick, but merely joyful or melancholic, it was harder to hate him by a hair's breadth. Not that it meant much to her unrestrained hatred... But at that moment she set aside her dislike towards him and allowed herself to share his happines a little bit, even if she refused to show it.

When was the last time she shared her joy with someone? Or someone shared it with her? The memory of most of the living beings on Azeroth would be too short for it to recall. Even Maiev wasn't sure about it.

She warily glanced from behind the newspaper. Illidan seemed to be deeply immersed in his thoughts. How ironic... She was sitting there, in the company of the man whose death she presumed would give her marvellous catharsis, but instead only despair and unbearable emptiness awaited her. Now, having helped him, for the first time in a long time, some kind of warmth has passed through her by seeing the joyful demon hunter. Happiness seems to be able to beautify even grim faces like Illidan's. Back in the day, at their youth, even though Maiev couldn't suffer the man's haughty personality, she had to admit she found him handsome. Actually, she could still see what was so attractive about him long ago... When he was whole. Back when both of them were whole. When they were filled with hopes and dreams. Perhaps... if someone as broken as Illidan can continue his dream, then maybe she can as well...

"I owe you." Illidan broke the silence, and Maiev had to realize that she had been looking at him less discretely for a while now. Could he have noticed? He was still staring out the window, but he was clearly talking to her. Maiev quickly sorted out her thoughts and lowered the newspaper as naturally as possible, as if she had just finished reading.

"How do you say?" she asked back. Illidan hesitated, then turned to her.

"I owe you" He repeated. Maiev was completely floored. What was she supposed to say? She wasn't used to somebody being grateful to her, especially not the demon hunter. For her luck, Illidan didn't wait until the conversation subsided into silence. "But there would be something I wanted to ask from you for a while."

Maiev looked at him suspiciously. What is he up to? What would he want to know from her? But at least she understood why he was so blissful just now. The whole gratitude act was just the introductory speech to win her over and make her tell him easier what he wants to know. Very well then. So be it!

"You had a brother..."

"I have a brother." She corrected the demon hunter.

"I see. I hear this with relief. I admit, I thought your help - which I greatly apppreciate - has something to do with him. Or with your relationship with him... But it seems I was mistaken.

"It's not surprising." She turned her head away, not to face the demon hunter. When did she become so superficial that anyone could read her mind so easily? First Jarod, now Illidan... Maybe it would be wiser to avoid future guessing and give him what he wants to know... "He lives with his family in Astranaar. His daughter is Lysende, whom you've seen already. I keep being in touch with him... to... some degree." She muttered, then reached for the newspaper.

Illidan, seeing that she did not want to continue the conversation, turned back to the window. Through the reflection of the glass he could clearly see that Maiev was not reading this time either. Nor was she observing him like a few minutes prior. Her eyes gazed into empty space. It was apparent that something had happened that she wouldn't say. But he also knew he wouldn't be able to get anything out of her with force, so he decided it would be better to drop the subject. Maybe he'll get to know more in the future.

"What do you want?" She growled, still holding the magazine in front of her.

"I've meant it. I owe you."

Although she did not respond, Illidan saw through the window's reflection as a smile lingered about the corners of her mouth behind the newspaper.

A dazzling parade of colours. That would have characterized best Astranaar’s largest fabric shop. From the floor to the ceiling, each square meter was covered with fabric of different patterns and texture. One of the vendors, a troll woman, had just placed a roll of red gingham with checkered pattern on her worktable, measured the requested length at the speed of light with her practiced hand, and then cut the material. In the middle of the store, a blood elf was chatting with two other human ladies. Judging by her variegated, extravagantly crafted clothes, she may have been an experienced tailor. The two middle-aged women were virtually hanging on every word of her. Not surprising, as ever since the blood elves had been freed from their magic addiction, they have found a new passion: the beauty industry, and all its forms, including fashion. Thanks to their unmistakable sense of style, they soon made their brands known by everyone in Azeroth.However, Maiev was left completely cold by the blood elf and her trend advices. She knew exactly what she was looking for. Her silver eyes tirelessly scanned the seemingly endless shelves."Got you..." She smiled contentedly as she lifted the night blue fabric from its place. She stroke it with her fingers and when she was sure about its quality she took it to the measuring table. "Six meters of this." she spread her prey across the counter. The shop assistant nodded kindly, then began to cut the requested length with her sharp scissors.Maiev rolled up the fabric, then walked to her already full basket, placing her latest loot among the other variegated materials. She was pondering about something for a moment, then headed to the zippers and patents. Her face was radiating with excitement as she eagerly compared two buttons. Behind her, the previous small company was astonished and frightened at the same time by the amount of materials she had brought together so far."A whole wardrobe of clothes could be made out of these!" said one of the women after she was convinced that the night elf was not paying attention to them."She may be bored with her collection." the blood elf spread her skinny arms apologetically. "It happened to me too from time to time... about every two or three weeks..."

It was barely noon by the time Maiev had completed all of her tasks for the day in the office. She submitted her weekly report about their progress with Illidan, but beside that she didn't really have anything to do. Unliket the other probation officers, she only had one patroned, yet no one dared to complain. It was well-known in the Authority Department that she was working with a notorious and extremely dangerous deliquent who special attention.  Thanks to her flexible working shifts, Maiev decided that she listened to her collegue, Nabitha's chatter about their new co-worker long enough, whom she had only known from the rumors in the air, but presumably piqued the blood elf's interest. Maiev took one of the ancient workplace laptops under her arm, then got over the farewell with a single "bye" and the next moment the office door already slammed behind her.The tram ran infrequently due to the renovations that were being carried out on a section of the track, leaving Maiev with plenty of time to glance at the display of her phone while waiting for the next train. The device showed half past twelve o'clock. She arranged her meeting with Illidan at two. Even with the longer journey time, she would get to the restaurant in less than ten minutes, meaning she would still have more than an hour of free time. A tiny letter symbol in the corner of the phone indicated that an email had arrived. Upon opening it she was met by a familiar template. ReLife has sent out a new assignment.The number of missing undead could have increased by quite a large margin ever since she took a break from bounty hunting. The letter contained the details of almost a dozen of missing individuals. She just quickly glanced at the document, but it already filled her with an unexplainable sinister feeling. All of them disappeared from ReLife’s eyes in a similar fashion, place, and time. At that moment, the wornout yellow tram has bumpily arrived. Maiev closed the application. She would look it throug in the evening. An hour wouldn’t have been enough to trace the fugitives anyway, and she would hate if Illidan rubbed under her nose her being late. Not as if he had any right to be outraged. They had been meeting every day for two weeks straight to find him a job. Maiev conscientiously questioned the man from head to toe about every talent he had, then used the information to try to put together a viable resume. But despite all of her efforts, they got nowhere.Maiev scrolled anxiously through the ads on a job search portal, to no avail. She had to face the fact that she and the demon hunter were pretty much in the same boat as far as their labour  market viability went. Neither of them had any accredited qualification, so opportunities for them were remarkably limited. For her, of course, bounty hunting was an option, but because of its legally muddy stance, Illidan could not have pursued it. It would only take one bad move, using forbidden magic, or accidentally killing a ReLifer with a valid Life Card, and he would find himself in jail again, perhaps for the rest of eternity. And she would lose her sole purpose in life again. No, she definitely wanted to avoid that. She glanced at the sheet resting next to her, on which they had tried to gather the man's strengths, but to her grief, no new trait had magically appeared on the white surface. Demon hunting, in-depth knowledge of arcane magic, astronomical proficiency, conquering an alien world, capturing a mad titan and serving as his jailer for two thousand years... unfortunately, there was not much demand for any of them in the job market. "Without training, it's practically impossible for him to find a job... maybe as a loader ... but that's below his level..." she sighed. While Illidan undoubtedly committed numerous unforgivable sins, it was undeniable that he has done just as many of great deeds. Often horrible, but great deeds. A simple trained job wouldn't match his abilities in any way. Well, she wasn't on the rankings where she should have been... Suddenly, as if she got an electric shock, she raised her head and then resignedly let it fall back down."How did this happen...?" she smoothed back her hanging strands out of her eyes dismally. The thought had taken root in her heart many years ago, slowly bleeding out her core, but as her own social slippage has materialized in her mind, it was as if the shame she felt for her situation has torn even deeper into her soul... Once honored priestess of the Moon, in line to be the next High Priestess, even acting as it for a short preiod. Then proud leader of the Watchers, Warden of The Betrayer... General of the Legionfall... Now? An alchoholic bounty hunter who luxuriates her own bitterness by murdering undeads... Also acting as a probation officer for her own enemy... Wonderful... Basically a nobody... Before she could ponder further about her own situation, Kende's loud shriek informed her about Illidan's arrival. The redheaded restaurant employee has been steadfastly adoring the demon hunter ever since, especially after he discovered that the horns and wings were not part of a costume, but real ones instead. True, Maiev has also eased somewhat towards him when the boy mentioned that he fell in love with the Darnassian language as he listened to some of their conversations. After all, what harm can a lowlife mortal creature like him cause? It's like some kind of pet... Illidan politely exchanged a few words with the boy, then walked to Maiev's table."Ishnu-alah."Elune-Adore" Maiev looked up from the notebook. "You still have to work on your Common language accent." she remarked objectively."I take this as praise." He smiled."Take it for whatever you want." Maiev switched pages on her laptop.She quickly ran through the titles with her eyes, then lowered the top of the device in frustration, glancing at Illidan. It was more hopeless than she initially thought... And now even her own status has poisoned her mood..."If, despite my blindness, I can see how hopeless your expression is, then things are indeed looking really bad for my cause."Another blind joke, and I'll fill your eye sockets with your sandwich." Maiev sweared under her breath as she threw the wrapped food to the man. Illidan grabbed the package and took a seat next to the woman."Do you mind if I take a look, too?" he pointed at the laptop."Would you even see what's on the screen? Wait, don't answer. It would have been another blind joke, right?" Maiev grimaced as she folded the top of the machine. The person sitting next to her chuckled, then added with pretended theatricality:"It wasn't my intention, but now that you mentioned it..."Do you really want to die in a run-down fast food restaurant for your second time?"Illidan didn't answer the question, instead he kept scanning the monitor. Whatever he might have seen from the display's image, it was probably not clear enough for him to read, as he had to lean closer. Maiev was forced to pull away if she didn't want the man's huge bat wing to caress her shoulder. "What about that?" Illidan pointed his finger toward one of the offers on the screen. The title advertised the job as a security guard for a community lot, but Maiev knew the place. What they were actually looking for was a bouncer for a nightclub. Only decided manner and physical strength were listed as requirements. The man, satisfied by his finding waited for his partner's opinion, but she was merely sitting, head hung down, in silence. "Maiev?"She finally turned to face him, and Illidan was surprised to discover that the woman's gaze seemed to carry some sadness."Indeed, you meet the criteria, but..."But?"This... is a low-class job... It's so below you..."Illidan was completely floored. Could it be, that Maiev somewhat acknowledges him? Out of all people he knew and shunned him... Of course, he always admired her abilities, even if he hated the woman just as much as she detested him. It just never occured to him that it may be mutual. The sudden realization admittedly flattered his vanity."Maybe, however being picky is a privilege, which I am clearly not. I have to start somewhere. While I do not intend to remain in this position forever, but, at the moment I need income to be able to move foward. After that I may get to worry about things like social status. Besides..." he turned to her. "It's not my job that determines who I am or how much I am worth. Only through my actions may someone judge me."Maiev gasped. He was right... Somehow he said exactly what she needed to hear to ease her own self-doubts and raise her self-respect. Just how many times did he prove to be right ever since he came back? She had already lost count... But slowly it began to disturb her less and less... She almost laughed. What a crazy world we live in..."There may be truth in it..." She turned back to her laptop and opened the job offer. "Then if it's alright by you, I'll call them to see if the position is still availabe." She said as she began to dial the number. Standing up from the table, she hurried over to a quieter point in the restaurant and talked to someone for a short time. "Congratulations!" she patted Illidan on the back as she returned to their table. "You have a job interview tomorrow." she said in an unusually uplifted mood as she gathered her belongings and seemed to be about to depart."Are you leaving already?" the demon hunter followed her outside of the restaurant."Yes. I've fallen behind with my work, I have to pull an all-nighter if I want to finish." Maiev turned back to him and handed over a paper note. "Come to this address tomorrow at eight o'clock. Knock on the lower window next to the front door. Don't you dare to be late!" she waved goodbye and disappeared into the crowd.Illidan didn't know what to say, nor did he understand the woman's sudden mood change. Confused, he put the note in his pocket, then went back to the table for his sandwich.

Maiev happily entered her small apartment. "Finally... Everything's going well..." she thought as she threw herself into work. Her fingers were quickly running the needle through the fabric in her hand and slowly the material began to take shape. "Well, this makes it easier for me to give these to you... Think about them as... a sign of my gratitude..." 

Illidan arrived at the given address early in the morning. Without a watch, he had to trust the neraby crumbling church's giant clock. According to the mechanism, it was 7:50. The man sighed. Everything was much easier back then. They used the sun as their indicator and while it was more vague, it gave a special sense of freedom and laidbackness. The rays of the rising sun bounced back with a dazzling glow from the windows" surface, still frosty after the chilling night. The morning traffic was at its peak, the cars could only pound along on the two-lane road. The street itself served as a link between two busy main roads, decorated mostly by shops and family houses. It seemed as if a slice of suburbs was stuck right in the middle of a busy city. Illidan observed the families leaving their homes with interest as he searched for the building he had to go to. Some looked at the mysterious stranger with suspicion, a few with horror, but most of the passers-by didn't pay any attention not just to him, but to their enviroment at all. They proved to be too busy by looking at their phones to notice the heavily underdressed demon-looking man, standing in the freezing temparature.He finally found the address Maiev had given to him. The four-story condominium was the only taller building in the area. The black paint was wearing down from the front door, and the glazing was cracked at several places. There was no ground floor apartment in the building, the windows started from the first floor. It wasn’t difficult to spot the one Maiev had been talking about the day before. Not far from the entrance was a latticed cellar window.Illidan squatted down and peeked in. With his spectral sight, he saw a figure lying on the couch inside, wrapped up to their neck, surrounded by an enviroment that seemed to be right out of a war movie. The room was completely deranged. Colorful materials lay everywhere. The demon hunter looked uncertainly first at the note and then at the house's number. Weren't they looking for a security guard at a night club? He asked old Firglibec the previous day's afternoon how that kind of place looked like these days. He was shocked to find that instead of the glittering and imposing parties of his youth, young people preferred narrow, dark  chambers, smelling from drinks and tobacco, filled with neon lights. The sight before his eyes, however, did not match with what the librarian had described, at all. At the end, he decided to knock anyway. The person who had been fast asleep until then, immediately jumped at the sound and disappeared into the other half of the room. After waiting for a while, the sound of footsteps hit the demon hunter's ear, then the front door opened. To his greatest surprise, a rumpled and apparently sleepless Maiev stood before him."Come." she gestured and began to walk to the downstairs that led to the basement. The man followed her without question. Arriving at the bottom of the stairs, their path led through a narrow corridor. Locked doors lined up on either side of the wall. Repositories of other residents. Even the tiny room where Maiev ushered the man in was once one such chamber."Wipe your filthy hooves before..." she said, but as she faced the devastating effects of her work against the collar last night, she decided against her previous request. - On second thought, never mind..." She waved as she closed the door behind her guest.Illidan looked around the room suspiciously. A sofa, a blanket, a closet, a table... Suddenly he realized where he was: in Maiev's apartment. Frightened by the revelation, he looked at the woman."Why am I here?"What do you mean, why? Did you think you're going to a job interview unwashed and in these torn pants?"Illidan grimaced offendedly."You know quite well that I have nothing else." he looked at her hurt, but she didn't answer. Maiev stared visibly embarrassedly at the shabby carpet dotted with clippings, like she didn't know what to say. Finally, she reluctantly pointed toward the table. A bag of tailored clothes rested on it, carefully folded. The man looked back at his companion with confusion, but the woman suddenly growled angrily at him."Do I have to make an official request for you to go there and check them?" she pushed the man toward the table, then turned away ostensively.Illidan stepped to the table and lifted the topmost piece of clothing. It was a pair of black denim jeans, both legs could be opened with a zipper all the way to the middle of the calf, allowing him to push his hooves through it without tearing the material. He was speechless.. A pair of pants tailored to fit his needs? He quickly looked at the other things on the table as well. One by one, T-shirts, pants, shirts, tunics came into his hands, all taking into consideration his demonic changes. The backs of the tops were made so that they could be opened by buttons or a zipper from the bottom, leaving space for his wings. In the case of T-shirts, the shoulder part was also solved with a similar technique so that he could easily pull his horns over it."Did you sew these?" he asked, impressed."Well, you can be sure that you wouldn't be able to get anything for your bodyshape in a regular clothes shop." She said. Her words were sharp as a blade, yet her tone betrayed her real feelings. "Don't overthink it, I'm just doing my job." She continued as her awkwardness showed more and more. "You stood out horribly from the crowd in your torn pants, no one would employ you like that..." she tried to explain her unexpected gift, but Illidan was not the least interested in her confused speech. He picked up another piece of clothing. A black vest with a hyacinth red border. Deeply cut at the front, strapped at the abdomen with a leather strap. Aside from one or two small details, the resemblance was uncanny to what he used to wear when he was young. Illidan's throat tightened. Maiev didn’t simply sew a few things for him to wear. He quickly took another look at the other clothes as well. All of them were a tasteful blend of modern fashion and ancient Kaldorei style. The materials of the clothes, their colours, the tailoring, were all similar to what he and other young males liked to sport back in the day.She profoundly thought about his taste while tailoring these clothes, there were no mistake about it. Even if it was as she said it, part of her job, there was an indescribable tenderness within the threads. He could almost visibly see the care and devotion with which she sewed the piece as he stroke the cloth with his hand. Maiev Shadowsong... No matter what she did, she always took it one step further. A trait he feared for many millennia, and now the very same virtue almost moved him to tears. A frightening accomplishment of her. Even more terrifing was the realization that the woman remained silent for quite a while, leaving space for him to experience his feelings. Illidan quickly put the vest down. As if she sensed his conciousness about the situation, Maiev quietly walked to a white door. She opened it carefully, then went to Illidan, pressing a large towel into his hand. "Take a shower." She pushed the demon hunter into the tiny bathroom, then closed the door.Illidan waited a few more moments to see if the the woman returns, then began to undress. Really, when was the last time he took a bath? For the past millennia, hygiene has been such a trivial issue that he almost completely forgot about it. Yet now he let his whole body get wet by the hot pouring water with pleasure. He leaned his palm against the tiled wall, tilting his head forward to get his hair sokaed as well. It was as if his soul, along with his body, had been somewhat purified, and he had regained some of what he had lost when he became a demon. He never - not even for a split second - regretted any of his actions, he knew exactly what he was sacrificing, and that he could never return to his old, joyful life. Still, he felt as if the recent events were somehow rebuilding all that he had lost little by little. Not thanks to his own efforts, he gave up on that desire long ago. But that woman... She proved to be different. Maiev slowly returned the lost pieces of his life. The things she has done for him might have been insignificant for many... Food, enrollment to a library, and now the clothes... Yet, for him, these were long lost things he had never asked for, but now that those were in the palm of his hand, he realized how much he longed for them. It was as if an invisible dam has broken through, which he had drawn around himself thousands of years ago."Damn it... Why now...?"He clenched his fist and had to restrain himself not to hit the wall, undoubtedly gaining unwanted attention from Maiev. Yet, the urge to punch something, to yell, to destroy remained. All the pain, all the loss he endured up to that point rushed his senses, forcing him to face his own needs he had surpressed for so long. Everything he decided he did not want, but in truth feared he was not worth of... Slowly, a new thought began to form in the back of his head. Why deny himself felicity?He understood that Maiev was just doing her job, but an act doesn’t have to be selfless to make someone happy. And he was. A cruel joke of fate is that for the first time in twelve thousand years, he receives so much kindness and care from the very woman who made his life a living hell once upon a time."A wicked farce, sweetened by the simulacra of graciousness ... Yet I drink it up as a thristy bee does the syrup put in front of them." He thought to himself. "But why can't I just take it? Even if it's nothing more than a play, would it be really that wrong of me to accept it? Just for once... just to taste a reminiscence of kindness... After so many years of being shunned... hated... hunted... "He stood like that for a long time, pondering. Eventually, he turned off the tap, and with it, the stream of thought rushing to his mind. The sudden sensation of the lukewarm steam slowly calmed his mind, his nostril dilated as he inhaled deeply, regaining his posture. After soaking most of the water from his body and hair, he reached for his clothes on the washing machine and put them on. The white cotton shirt and fabric suit fit perfectly. The cuffs and collar of the shirt were embroidered with night blue thread, the silver-edged buttons evoked the night moon, giving some Kaldorei style to the otherwise uniformed dress. Maiev looked at the man appreciatively as he stepped out from the bathroom."Now, just look at you! Your appearance is almost tolerable." she said, but soon turned her attention back to the thin glossy material she was holding, which she apparently was trying to loosen. She tried to knot a night blue silk tie, so far unsuccessfully. She messed up a loop, and the whole thing looked more like a hanging rope."Do you want to choke me with that? " Jokingly asked Illidan."I don't think I could, but if you don't shut your mouth, I'll try anyway." she growled frustratedly, yet lacking any serious threat in her voice as she tried to undo the knot. "For Elune's sake, why is it so impossible to tie this junk?" she blurted out angrily."Can't you look it up somewhere how to do it?" Illidan tried to calm her, and exceptionally quite successfully, because Maiev's face suddenly brightened."That's right! I'll check it out online! There must be an instructional video on the net!" she pulled her phone out of her pocket and sat down on the couch. After waiting for a while, the voice of a woman speaking at least two octaves higher than neccessary struck the ears of both of them. She welcomed the viewers and explained that they would learn the simple tie knitting that day. Maiev quickly silenced the video, then ordered the demon hunter to sit next to him. With a big sigh, he complied with the request as his companion focused on the instructions, trying to follow the steps, but soon the garment landed on the table again. Maiev rewound the video in frustration and set off again to try to do the tie, but failed again and again. Soon Illidan was looking at the tiny display of the phone, too and tried to figure out together what the Draenei lady meant by flipping the tie around.After a few minutes of trying, they looked wordlessly at the rather rotten fruit of their work. The tie mostly resembled to mating snakes, hanging on Maiev's hand. For a few moments they remained silent, then Illidan broke the dead air, as his chuckling voice echoed in the small room. Maiev, while keeping her serious appearance, crakced a small smile as she gently pushed the laughing man in a joking manner to stop the laughter."All right, you're going without a tie, that's it." Maiev finally threw the material on the ground, then stood up, ready to leave. Illidan silently watched as the woman put on her leather jacket and opened the door. She waved him to follow her, and with that they set off. Maiev led the way, while the demon hunter followed behind her, still deep in his thoughts."Maiev... I don't know what's going on in your head, and to be honest, I don't even care. Someone like me doesn’t need reason to accept any form of kindness. Even the fake ones. It may seem that I'm using you, but after what you've put me through, this is the least you can do for me. I won't feel guilty for reciving all the care you give and I need. Let's see, how far will this charade of ours go." 

The city was already in full swing. In one of the parks, deprived from its colours by the mild winter weather, a group of Pandaren tourists rested, excitedly talking about their experiences of that day and what was still ahead of them. From the top of one of the skyscrapers, Orc and Draenei workers descended to clean the windows of the building. One of the Draenei seemed to have lost his balance for a moment, but regained it almost immediately. His companions watched the rookie anxiously until finally one of the older Orcs motioned for him letting the man know he wished to speak with him. Soon the old man patted the boy on the shoulder and they returned to their work. The first Winter Veil decorations slowly appeared in the shop windows, bringing some festive athmosphere to the gray landscape.

Maiev and Illidan turned from the main road and continued their way on a traffic-free, dark side street. The concrete got cracked in several places by weeds, and a faint odour of alcohol smelled in the air. Maiev glanced at her phone from time to time, checking on the GPS to see if they were going in the right direction. She finally stopped in front of a soot-black iron door. Above the entrance, dirty neon tubes proclaimed the name of the place: Hot and Misty.

"Great, an upfront sex bar." she grimaced. "You can still change your mind, there're jobs like this on every corner." she turned to her companion, but the man was already reaching for the doorknob.

"No thanks. I'm not prudish." he replied, bantering with the woman as he slowly disappeared into the nightclub's darkness.

"I'm not prudish! However, unlike you, I have morals!" she shouted after the man as she quickly followed suit.

The hallway where they arrived had no windows, keeping the place in complete darkness even during daytime. A tiny unlit booth hid in the dark, presumably reserved for the cashier or a security guard. On the walls, luminous neon tubes led the visitors further, straight into a huge hall. The place looked exactly like any nightclub with a highly questionable background. 

The bar counter extended from wall to wall at the hall's edge, allowing to serve dozens of guests at once, intending to appease their thirst, or just lose their sobriety. On a podium was a table for the DJ and their equipment. The upper floor could be reached by two iron stairs, from where several doors opened. Probably VIP rooms, where the more affluent guests could "get to know" their ladies of the night. Maiev looked around. The place looked just as filthy as she thought it would be. How many times has she been in clubs like this, searching for runaway undeads. Even back then, she already had poor opinion about places like these and their visitors, whom she considered to be nothing but drunken horny yobbos or light-blooded sluts. Before she could think about just how much of a hypocrite she was, she turned to her partner.

"I don't see anyone. I'll try to call the guy I talked with yesterday."

"Wait." Illidan stopped her. "Someone's coming." he pointed forward. And indeed, at the next moment, a chunky middle-aged dwarf stumbled out of one of the back offices. His huge beer belly jumped up and down as he put his feet one after the other, stretching the otherwise mismatched buttons on his white shirt to burst. His graying hair, however, rested in a surprisingly well kept braid hanging from his back, and his huge beard was nicely maintained. Had he not shown the obvious signs of hangover, the everyday man might have thought he was just a bit clumsy.

"Pff, dwarves..." Maiev thought, rolling her eyes, ignoring her own alcohol problem once more.

The man slowly crawled closer. Just when he was about to extend his hand to greet the visitors, his almost closed bloodshot eyes suddenly flashed with excitement.

"Are you the one who applied for the job?" he asked Illidan, who nodded in agreement. "Aaaaay, son! Son, son! You are the one I need! I was looking for a guy just like you!" he said, as he patted the demon hunter - several thousands of years older than him - on the back. "My name is Ukarner Redpike, but you can just call me Ukar. Your woman said your appearance is not ordinary, but not in my wildest dreams I dared to hope that you look this tough! You were sent by the Light, lad! I bet nobody dares to pick a fight with you!"

Illidan strongly disagreed with the last statement as he took a glance at Maiev, but she remained oblivious to his look, as she had the urge to deny another part of the dwarf's comment.

"I'm not his woman!" she clashed out, but her words were lost in Ukar's merry laughter.

"You're hired, son, you can start tonight! From six to four, it's pretty reasonable if you ask me. Oh wait, that's right... " just as abruptly as he had first appeared, the dwarf disappeared again into the office from which he had just crawled out. A few minutes later, he poked his hoarse head out and motioned for those outside to follow suit.

"Curse, where did I put my pen?" the man was seemingly looking for something on his desk when the others got there. "Aha!" he shouted happily. "There's your contract, sign it here, please. You can read the details later, it's just the usual anyway." He tucked the paper and a pen under Illidan's nose, but before the man could react, Maiev ripped it out of the dwarf's hand.

"If you don't mind, I'll take a look at it anyway." she smoothed out the contract intolerantly, then began to read it.

"A bossy pretty missy, isn't she?" The dwarf poked Illidan's side with his elbow like pals do.

"You have no idea." the demon hunter replied. 

To their luck, the woman in question was way too busy reading the document, otherwise she would have surely acted upon their words. In the contract everything seemed to be off the form. Unfortunately, that included the salary, too. The insultingly low amount stood just above the minimum wage. "Just as I feared... With this, it's almost impossible to find a decent apartment, pay the monthly expenses..." Maiev sighed resignedly. She tried desperately to think about what other alternatives Illidan might have, but none of the options were too promising. That's how it was for them, last living remnants of past times. Once heroes, now barely tolerated outcasts of society. "What other choices he has...? Or in fact, I have?" She thought. "None, therefore I have to make this happen, somehow."  

"About the wage..." She tried a bold effort, however, soon it proved to be in vain.

"Oh, glad you noticed it! We are proud to pay our employees higher than the competition. We appreciate them, y'know." Ukar dinged pleased, almost as if his words somehow magically made the pitiful amount he was willing to pay somehow more appealing. 

"In other words, it's not negotiable." Maiev summed it up. "What a greedy dwarf. His mother must have been a goblin..." She turned to her companion bitterly. "Illidan, can we have a word?" she called the man out of the office, leaving the dwarf behind, still struggling with his hangover.

"I'm all ears." the demon hunter turned to the woman when he was sure that his potential boss would not hear them.

"This won't do it. The salary is pathetically low." she said as she fluttered the contract, however, to her surprise Illidan tilted his head to the side, seemingly confused.

"Oh. Is that so? I thought you noticed, too, and you wanted to talk about it." he confessed honestly.

"What are you talking about?" she raised her eyebrows.

"Don't you think he's acting weird?" the demon hunter nodded imperceptibly toward the office window, referring to Ukar. Maiev glanced at the dwarf from the corner of her eye. The old man looked at Illidan through the window with such hopeful eyes as hungry dogs do, waiting for their owner. Her partner was right. Something was wrong with the guy. From the minute he had seen Illidan, he was strangely excited.

"Now that you mentioned it... " Maiev began to think about the situation.

"You said earlier that jobs like these are very common, aren't they?"

"Yes, and it's usually not too hard to find people to fill in these positions. That's why it's strange. He said... "the Light sent you" and "nobody would pick a fight with you". This lets me believe that the place faces some security problem that an ordinary man cannot work out."

"Good thinking, Maiev." Illidan crossed his arms." If you are right and we can get him into a corner, then the paycheck issue may get resolved as well." Illidan turned to the woman with confidence. "A beggar cannot be a chooser, right?"

"Yet he wasn't too willing to negotiate about your salary." She grimaced. "Luckily, I just happen to know some... let's say... techniques that may help him change his mind."

"Yes, I'm well aware of that, however..." Illidan said. "I'm afraid at the end he would want to hire you instead." He chuckled, but Maiev frowned her eyebrows, deep in thougts.

"You are right, we should showcase your capabilities."

"May I propose teamwork then?" the demon hunter leaned to her way as if he tried to bow in front of her, trying to get on her good side. 

"What's in your mind?" Good guy, bad guy?" Maiev asked with increasing excitement. She undeniably liked the idea of toying with the dwarf a bit. The man's attitude didn't sit well with her anyway.

"I'd rather have it be bad guy and bait and switch bad guy if you know what I'm thinking" Illidan tossed the ball. Maiev's eyes lit up at the brilliant idea, as a delicious act began to form in her head.

"Oh, sure I know." with that, the night elf began to walk slowly back toward the office, but turned back to Illidan halfway through. "By the way... Utility spells are allowed." she flashed an evil grin.

"Oho..." the man smiled back, matching hers.

"So, is everything fine with the contract?" the dwarf asked them without hesitation as Maievs stepped back into the small office.

"Mostly." Maiev answered coldly. "There's only one little thing..." her scratched voice tinkled in the silent, airless room. The smile on the dwarf's face somewhat faded. He finally nodded uncertainly. "Why the hurry?" the night elf grinned.

Upon hearing the question, Ukar went pale in a blink of an eye, his previous positive aura melted like ice in a desert. His reaction was quite to Maiev's liking. Almost as a sick animal trying to hide its weakness from a predator... In vain. The prey was in front of her, and she felt it. The old man was visibly affected by the question and felt rather uncomfortable. Ball-sized sweat drops began to appear on his wrinkled forehead one after another. It was enough to take one glance at him to see that the man was hiding something.

"Me? Hurrying? Ay, I'm not in a hurry, little lady!" he tried to evade the question and regain some of his confidence, to no avail. Maiev stood there, with an all-knowing, mysterious smile on her face, waiting for her opponent to break. And he would submit, she was sure about it. She doesn't even have to use force or more delicate methods on a drunken fool like him. Her aura encompassed her writhing victim, slowly vaporizing all that was left of the dwarf's spirit. "All right, all right!" he gave in. The wrinkles on the aging skin suddenly seemed even deeper as the battered man tried to gather his thoughts. "The thing is, lately ... well, so to speak ... the area had a little... problem. Nothing special, it happens, y'know..."