(2021-10-20) The Bros of Bruuk's Corner - Candy and Chaos

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	Ben and Sil are treated to the Hallow's End antics of Timmet Grimblast, which may or may not be a trick. Ismene Callis visits Bruuk's for the first time, and immediately regrets it.Captain Jocoza Sparkwire intervenes. Ben grapples with responsibility (his own and others') and Feelings.
Rating:	M for Mature 17+

Arc: The Bros of Bruuk's Corner

+ Show additional content warnings

Alcohol, alcohol consumption

Silvestre waves at Ben.
[Bennarin]: Hey, Sil.
Bennarin grins at Silvestre.
[Bennarin]: I got somethin'. Want to see?
[Silvestre]: Hey, Ben! Sure!
Bennarin takes a folded piece of paper from his pocket and turns his back for a moment to fiddle with it. When he turns back to Sil, he’s wearing a female Kaldorei Hallow’s End mask.
[Bennarin]: Hiiiii, Sil.
Silvestre laughs.
Bennarin strikes a pose. "Want to see a magic trick?"
Silvestre laughs, and slaps the bannister nearby. "Got any … teleportation tricks up your sleeve tonight?"
Bennarin pulls the mask off, grinning, and rakes his hair back as he stuffs the paper back in his pocket.
[Bennarin]: Not tonight, sorry. Gonna have to ask elsewhere for that kind of thing.
[Silvestre]: That gonna be your Hallow's End costume? Night elf lady?
[Bennarin]: I do not know who would be convince by it. Also I'm still not real clear on why I got to have a costume?
Silvestre drops carelessly down in a chair, leaning one arm on the table. "I guess only kids gotta do costumes. But why not? They're fun."
Silvestre sits bolt upright and says, "Oh, I should tell you! I used one of those wands to turn Mizzy into a BAT!"
A leper gnome leaps into the room.
[Grimblast]: BLEAAAAH!
[Grimblast]: I'M CRAZY!!!
[Bennarin]: Wait, you turned Mizzy into a — hey, Tim.
Grimblast bursts into dance.
[Silvestre]: Oh whoa!
[Grimblast]: c R A z y
[Silvestre]: Is that.. a costume? Please say that's a costume.
[Grimblast]: What do yooooooooooooou think?
Grimblast cackles maniacally at the situation.
[Silvestre]: I still got the wand on me. Wanna see what you turn into, Ben?
[Bennarin]: I do not.
[Silvestre]: Awww, come on. It's just for fun.
[Grimblast]: I can turn you into a dashing rogue again, Ben!
[Grimblast]: Sil is already a dashing rogue, if I remember correctly, so it would not be much of a costume.
[Bennarin]: Okay, but I can turn back, yeah? I mean, unless I'm a dashing rogue, then I will stay.
[Silvestre]: Awesome!
[Grimblast]: And I was already an INSANE GNOME! hahahah. Nonetheless, this is what the last innkeeper did to me.
Silvestre aims his magic wand at Ben.
Nothing happens.
[Silvestre]: Huh. It didn't work. Let me try again.
[Grimblast]: You turned him into a Ben! Well done.
Grimblast cheers at Ben.
The wand works on the second attempt, and Ben is suddenly a wisp.
[Bennarin]: Uh.
[Silvestre]: Aha! You're … what is that?
[Bennarin]: Whoa.
[Grimblast]: A Kaldorei ghost!
[Grimblast]: Of sorts.
[Silvestre]: Really? Why ain't it got a body?
Bennarin tries to look down at himself, which is difficult because his self is pretty insubstantial at present.
[Grimblast]: For some reason, this is the form that Kaldorei spirits take when separated from their physical forms.
[Grimblast]: Happy Hallow's End!!
[Silvestre]: Well, I'm pretty sure you can take it off if youfffff
Silvestre breaks off as a pumpkin smashes over his head.
[Bennarin]: Can I … yeah I don't think I am gonna be a Kaldorei ghost all evenin'.
Grimblast cackles maniacally at Silvestre.
[Bennarin]: … whew.
[Grimblast]: I can make you a dashing rogue again!
[Grimblast]: Or I can simply run around spreading my SCARY RADIAAATION!!!
Grimblast runs in circles, leaving sickly green flame eddying in his wake.
[Grimblast]: Haha, don't worry. It's actually only felfire.
Grimblast cackles maniacally.
[Bennarin]: Uh.
[Silvestre]: That uh … isn't that worse?
[Grimblast]: Far less likely to turn you into … well … this!
[Bennarin]: I am just gonna … do this one, I think.
Bennarin puts his mask back on.
Grimblast whistles at Ben.
[Grimblast]: Well hello there beautiful!
Grimblast laughs at Ben.
[Silvestre]: Okay, let's settle in as pumpkinhead, kidnapper, and leper gnome.
Grimblast bursts into dance.
[Silvestre]: You are Tim, right?
[Grimblast]: AM I???
[Bennarin]: Tim, I do not think you should get felfire on the table here. Edris is kind of givin' you a look.
[Silvestre]: I can't think of any other insane gnomes that turn up when I'm havin' a beer.
Bennarin tips his head in agreement at Sil.
Grimblast blows Edris Barleybeard a kiss.
[Grimblast]: My fire is very well controlled and will not damage the table!
[Silvestre]: I am… sure glad you're confident about that.
[Grimblast]: Luckily your confidence in the matter is immaterial!
[Bennarin]: Okay, well, just don't get any in the beer, okay?
Grimblast cackles maniacally at Silvestre.
[Grimblast]: I will not! It tends to give it an unpleasantly acidic flavor.
Bennarin pulls his mask off again and lays it on the table so that he can drink before his beer gains an unpleasantly acidic flavor.
Silvestre adds to Ben, "Anyway, you should talk to Mizzy. We had a Scarlet Crusade adventure!"
[Bennarin]: Yeah, I would like to hear about this. When was it? You ain't tell me you hung out.
[Silvestre]: Oh, just the other day. There was this dude in the Cathedral recruiting, yeah? And we thought it was weird.
Bennarin studies Sil, his expression neutral. "Uh-huh."
[Silvestre]: So yeah, we did what he said and went over to, you know, Kalimdor.
Bennarin raises his eyebrows.
[Silvestre]: And killed a bunch of giant skeletons.
[Bennarin]: Okay.
[Silvestre]: Killed? Uh… de-movemented? I guess they were already dead.
The leper gnome seems perfectly content to dance on the table while they talk.
[Bennarin]: Tim, have a beer, sit down. How much candy you had today?
Grimblast dances with Silvestre.
[Grimblast]: A GREAT DEAL!!
[Bennarin]: … kind of guessed it.
Bennarin returns his attention to Sil.
[Grimblast]: I suspect beer and candy wouldn't mix well …
[Silvestre]: Anyway, then we went to talk to this guy in Southshore, and he was all, 'Actually, the Crusade's gone bonkers and here's a long list of folks to kill.
[Silvestre]: So I think the guy in Stormwind's just like … recruiting for thing that ain't exist anymore.
[Bennarin]: … wait, back up. You known the fellow in the Cathedral was Crusade when you went off to do this?
[Silvestre]: Um
Bennarin stares Sil down.
[Silvestre]: We didn't go off with him.
[Bennarin]: But you — Sil.
[Silvestre]: He just said there was an undead menace and stuff, so we went to check it out.,
[Bennarin]: You known he was — and you just went and done it? They think pretty much anyone who ain't Crusade is Undead Menace!
[Silvestre]: They really were giant skeletons though!
[Bennarin]: Yeah but …
Silvestre turns his pumpkin to Tim. "You're with me on this, right? Killing giant skeletons is a general good thing?"
Grimblast pauses in his dancing only long enough to stuff another handful of candy in his mouth.
[Grimblast]: I couldn't agree more!
[Grimblast]: The larger the better! The sound they make when they collapse is so satisfying!
[Bennarin]: You and Mizzy run off to Kalimdor because a fellow in the Scarlet Crusade asked you to do a thing? Like, no part of it give you pause?
[Silvestre]: We wouldn't’ve killed elves or anything for 'em. We just went to see.
Bennarin slumps back in his seat, glowering.
[Silvestre]: We didn't sign any contract or anything. It was fun, got to ride around with Abbey and Speedygos.
Bennarin gets up and paces out to the balcony.
Grimblast continues dancing on the table.
Silvestre gets up and follows Ben onto the balcony.
[Bennarin]: You got to give me a minute, here.
[Silvestre]: Okay. I didn't think you'd be so upset.
Silvestre returns to the table.
[Grimblast]: You seem a bit glum! Would you like me to turn you into a different dashing rogue?
[Silvestre]: “Yeah, sure,” Sil says distractedly.
Silvestre says to Tim. "I shouldn't’ve said the guy was a Scarlet. Rest of the story is fine.
[Grimblast]: Yes, yes, a splendid story indeed!
Grimblast may not have been listening to the story very closely.
Timmet employs his Wand of +10 to Dashing Rogue.
[Grimblast]: Ta daaaa!
[Silvestre]: Oh wow. I look like an assassin!
[Grimblast]: Yes, quite terrifying! Yet dashing!
Bennarin comes back in and goes to Edris. He orders a stiffer drink, and returns to the table with a glass of bourbon, neat.
Bennarin slumps back into his chair, his jaw set. He drinks.
[Silvestre]: I swear to you I would not have done nothin' fishy for any of those folks.
Bennarin shakes his head wearily, scrubs a hand over his face, and sits forward to put his elbows on the table. "Sil, I ain't — I dunno how to say it. You got to — "
[Silvestre]: To what?
[Bennarin]: We just drug you out of a kidnappin' in Booty Bay because there was a whole … situation goin' on and you — it was not approached as carefully, maybe, as it could have been. And that's on me, too, yeah?
[Bennarin]: But then — I mean, you can't. You went to see, and it turns out okay, but what if you went to see and it wasn't? You got to have more sense, Sil.
[Silvestre]: I don't think none of us could've seen that coming. The kidnapping.
[Bennarin]: Well, no, I ain't know it would kidnappin'. But I did think it stank.
[Bennarin]: Somethin' happens to you and Mizz — over to Kalimdor, even! — how'm I gonna know about it?
Silvestre leans on the table, looks over at Ben. "We are in a mercenary company. Dangerous stuff kind of comes with the territory. Didn't you go down to Blackrock Mountain the other day? That was dangerous too."
[Bennarin]: I'm tryin' not to be pissed, man, because you're my best friend and I loike you a lot. But c'mon. I want you two on squads someday. But you got to have sense about that, too. It ain't just runnin' right at stuff, you know?
[Bennarin]: We are fightin' the Crusade up in the Plaguelands, we got fellows like Cole all in knots about it, yeah?
Ismene steps in hesitantly and looks around. No bar fights, no leering drunks … So far this is nothing like her mother warned her about.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, I know. That's why we wanted to investigate.
[Bennarin]: So you two — that ain't — okay.
Ismene 's head cocks as she hears familiar voices.
Bennarin sighs and tips back the rest of his whiskey. He signals to Edris with the empty glass, and then catches sight of the figure on the stairs and sits up.
[Grimblast]: I'm craaaazy! Behold my terrifying RADIAAATION!!
Ismene smiles in relie- Holy shit.
Grimblast cackles maniacally at Ismene.
[Bennarin]: Mizz.
Silvestre looks seriously at Ben. "You really think … squads? I just figured this is my job."
Ismene eyes the leper gnome. "Ben?"
Bennarin glances sidelong at Sil and narrows his eyes. "Shit, Sil, yeah I think squads. I want you both there. But — you just can't, okay? Do like that."
Silvestre sits upright again. "Mizzy? Hi!"
Grimblast threatens Ismene with the wrath of doom.
[Grimblast]: I'm sCaAarY!
[Silvestre]: Don't mind him, that's just Tim in a costume.
Ismene 's eyes widen in alarm and she holds up a hand that begins glowing…
[Grimblast]: LEPER TIM!!
Ismene eyes Sil. "Are you sure?"
Grimblast cackles maniacally at the situation.
[Bennarin]: Ain't responsib- whoa, yeah, Mizzy, it's Tim!
Grimblast bursts into dance.
Silvestre eyes the frenetically running gnome. "I think he's like … on a sugar high?"
[Silvestre]: But yeah.
[Bennarin]: It's Tim. Come an' sit, kitten-cat. You want a drink? He's had … a lot of candy.
Ismene does not find that either illuminating or comforting. But at least the incipient Holy Light of Doom goes out.
[Grimblast]: APPEASE THE LEPER GNOME WITH CANDDYYYYYYY!
Ismene chooses to stand between Ben and Sil.
[Silvestre]: I uh … told Ben about our adventure. And he said I'm irresponsible. So …
[Bennarin]: I ain't said you, I said it. Well … to be honest, a little.
[Silvestre]: Also that he thinks we ought to get promoted someday! I never been promoted before, in any job.
Ismene keeps an eye on the air-spanking leper gnome. "It wasn't irresponsible, we had each other."
[Bennarin]: Yeah, and who else? Who known you were in Kalimdor? Who known you were doin' a thing for the Scarlet … you know what, I ain't gonna no more. Mizzy, have a drink, sit down. Tim, can you, like … turn the felfire down or somethin'?
[Grimblast]: Ben and I had an adventure, too, didn't we, Ben!
[Grimblast]: Educational and amusing!!
Silvestre looks between Tim and Ben. "Oh yeah?"
[Bennarin]: Yeah, Tim taught me about Hallow's End.
[Grimblast]: Milady, would you care to have an illusion placed upon you so that you resemble a dangerous assassin???
Grimblast points at Silvestre.
[Ismene]: Sil is dangerous already.
[Silvestre]: That's why I'm an awesome assassin right now.
Ismene confides, "But I like the hair on you."
Silvestre laughs.
[Silvestre]: Maybe I oughta dye it.
[Grimblast]: I can give any of you the same! I have a wand for that!
[Ismene]: And don't mind Ben, he just worries since he wasn't there to make sure we were both safe.
[Bennarin]: I am worried because … never f*cken mind.
[Grimblast]: Also, you may ask any question of my IMP IN A BALL!!
[Ismene]: No, thank you. Are you sure you're all right? I am a priestess, I could try to heal … whatever that is.
[Grimblast]: I AM A TERRIFYING LEPER GNOME! CURSED BY THE IRRADIATED RUINS OF GNOMEREGAN!
[Grimblast]: s C A r Y!
Grimblast has really had quite a lot of candy.
Ismene edges closer to Sil.
Bennarin sits back wearily again and puts a hand in his hair. He eyes Mizzy and Sil.
[Grimblast]: Imp-in-a-ball, tell me … is there a cure for my leprosy?
The imp says it doesn't look promising.
Grimblast sighs at the imp.
[Silvestre]: Would beer actually help?
[Silvestre]: I mean, counter the sugar.
[Ismene]: You know, perhaps I oughtn't have come after all …
Bennarin glances at Ismene, looking pained.
Ismene can't seem to take her somewhat horrified eyes off Timmet.
[Silvestre]: “He's really not normally a leper gnome,” Sil explains carefully. “And not so … like this.”
[Grimblast]: Imp in a ball, does beer counteract sugar?
The imp-in-a-ball says Yes.
[Grimblast]: That settles it then … NO BEER FOR ME!
Ismene holds up a hesitant finger. "Um, actually … no."
[Bennarin]: It don't. Imp's a liar.
[Grimblast]: It's Hallow's End!! It's CHAOS TIME!
[Bennarin]: Beer got sugar in …
Bennarin realizes belatedly he should not impart this information.
[Silvestre]: But it also like … makes people sleepy?
[Ismene]: Well, maybe in sufficient quantities.
[Grimblast]: My favorite time of year. No rules! No sanity! NO MERCY!! Hahahahaha…
[Grimblast]: That was wordplay, you see, because of the "gnome" in NO MERCY.
Ismene, still staring at Timmet, leans toward Sil and whispers, "What's it doing?"
Silvestre whispers back, "Dancing, I think? Or he thinks."
Grimblast pauses in his frantic dancing only long enough to stuff another handful of G.N.E.R.D.S. in his mouth. It's okay, they have nutrients!
[Bennarin]: Oh, shit, you still have candy? Tim, you are gonna … explode, or somethin'.
[Grimblast]: I am excited to find out!!
Bennarin gets up.
[Grimblast]: Would anyone like my fel taffy? It's not really fel. I don't like it.
[Bennarin]: Mizzy, you can sit there.
Ismene is comfortably at the exact opposite of the table from Timmet.
[Ismene]: No thank you.
[Silvestre]: Maybe I oughta go find Jo. She's like … good at handling gnome situations?
Bennarin eyes Timmet dubiously.
[Bennarin]: He is … kind of a situation, ain't he.
[Grimblast]: Yes, go find Jo! I'd love to see her!!
[Grimblast]: We're great friends, Jo and I!
[Grimblast]: I think she may be a bit sore at me for never getting around to that coffee date, but surely she understands, I am a very busy man!
Silvestre looks to Ben and Mizzy. “Do we need gnome backup?"
[Grimblast]: GNOMERCY!!!
Bennarin shrugs. He is not looking at Sil or Mizzy, but continues to watch Timmet.
[Ismene]: Or a blowgun.
[Silvestre]: A blowgun?
[Grimblast]: Milady, I hardly know you!
[Ismene]: Like the trolls use to spit those poi-
Grimblast cackles maniacally at the situation.
Ismene looks confused.
Silvestre groans a little at the joke, and looks at Mizzy. "You don't wanna know."
[Bennarin]: “Don't you at her, Tim,” Ben warns.
Ismene thinks about it. "I can only fix diseases. I don't think sugar is a disease."
[Silvestre]: Okay, I really don't know how to undo gnome chaos. I'll be right back.
Grimblast watches Sil go.
Bennarin watches Sil leave, narrow-eyed.
Timmet immediately sheds his leper gnome costume and returns to his ordinary self.
Ismene's eyes get even wider and she leannnnns away from Timmet.
Grimblast immediately and docilely takes a seat, waving over the hostess.
[Grimblast]: "One of your finest ales, milady," he says very calmly to Edris.
[Bennarin]: … did you just do that because Cap'n Jo's comin'?
Bennarin peers at Timmet.
Ismene looks at Ben, trying to telepathically urge him to come over here.
Bennarin casts Mizzy an inscrutable look.
[Grimblast]: “Do what?” He blinks long-lashed innocent peridot-green eyes.
Ismene gives Ben WIDER EYES.
Jocoza walks up the stairs, a little wearily.
[Jocoza]: Sil said there was an emergency? Was that a Hallow's End trick or something?
Grimblast looks over at Jo sedately. "Ah, good evening, Captain Sparkwire. How are you this fine evening?"
Jocoza surveys the room. "Hi Ben, Ismene."
Bennarin moves over to stand by Ismene, a little oddly reluctant.
[Bennarin]: Captain.
Grimblast smiles at Jocoza.
[Jocoza]: Um.
[Jocoza]: Everything seems in order here?
[Bennarin]: Mr. Tim here was just — uh. Well. He wasn't like that a minute ago.
Grimblast is very normally and sedately sipping an ale.
Ismene grabs Ben's hand. He couldn't get fr— Ok, he could, but still, she's holding very tightly.
[Grimblast]: Come, sit with us a while! May I buy you a drink?
[Jocoza]: Are you all right, Ismene?
Bennarin eyes Timmet suspiciously.
[Ismene]: He was green and glowing and dancing on the table and making weird noises.
Grimblast shrugs at Jocoza. Who knows?
Jocoza peers at Grimblast searchingly.
[Ismene]: I thought he might be cursed but he said he had leperousy? And … I guess too much candy?
[Bennarin]: He was doin' felfire and has et about half his own weight in candy I would reckon.
[Jocoza]: Lepro… that is not a funny costume.
[Grimblast]: Well it wasn't my choice. An innkeeper forced it upon me.
Jocoza looks suspiciously at Timmet.
[Ismene]: And there was a glowing ball with wings?
[Grimblast]: Oh, that I still have. Do you have a question for my imp-in-a-ball, Captain?
[Jocoza]: Fine, sure. Was Timmet the emergency I was sent to fix?
[Grimblast]: Imp in a ball, you heard her!
The imp-in-a-ball confirms that Timmet is, indeed, an emergency.
Ismene nods. Like a LOT.
Grimblast sighs.
[Grimblast]: Betrayed!
Grimblast grins wickedly.
[Grimblast]: Just a bit of Hallow's End mischief, milady. It is my favorite holiday.
Jocoza giggles.
Grimblast winks slyly at Jocoza.
[Grimblast]: Ah, I see someone has a sense of humor!
[Ismene]: And he kept slapping the air, but I guess that was part of him dancing.
[Jocoza]: That is … certainly a way to dance.
[Bennarin]: Cap'n Jo, can I buy you a drink, ma'am? For comin' out this way?
[Jocoza]: I suppose so, sure.
[Grimblast]: I've already offered!
[Grimblast]: Twice the drinks for Captain Sparkwire then!
[Bennarin]: What would you like? Mizzy, you?
Ismene just shakes her head no and eyes Timmet. In Case.
[Jocoza]: Whatever is good here. Beer?
Bennarin nods and takes his hand from Mizzy's to go and speak to Edris.
Ismene shows absolutely no signs that she intends to do anything that leaves her unprepared to leap away.
[Grimblast]: But yes, I trick-or-treated at the inn in Thelsamar, and that was the dwarf's idea of an appropriate response.
[Grimblast]: Would you like me to turn you into a deadly assassin, Captain?
Grimblast lofts a Hallow's End wand.
Bennarin sets a drink before Jo.
[Grimblast]: Not that you aren't already deadly enough, I'm certain.
[Jocoza]: “I am already a deadly assassin,” Jo says, deadpan, taking a sip of her ale.
[Grimblast]: Would you like me to turn you into a slightly taller one?
Grimblast cackles maniacally at Jocoza.
[Bennarin]: She is, for sure. Should see her in action.
[Grimblast]: I would love to!
[Bennarin]: Settin' whole cults on fire.
[Jocoza]: “I do my part.” Jo grins. “And I'm the right height, I'm pretty sure.” She looks to Ben and Ismene. “No offense meant.”
[Grimblast]: I couldn't agree more, milady!
[Bennarin]: None taken, ma'am.
Ismene murmurs, "None taken."
[Grimblast]: Perhaps we could go trick-or-treating together sometime Captain?
[Grimblast]: Surely no one would turn you into a leper gnome…
[Jocoza]: Sure, I think there's an innkeeper downstairs?
[Grimblast]: I bet he'll give you a treat!
Ismene swats Ben's arm as soon as they're gone.
Bennarin watches the two gnomes head down the stairs, and then looks at Mizzy.
[Bennarin]: What?
[Ismene]: What?! This place is insane, he's insane and then you don't even want to come stand near me?
Jocoza comes back up. "Guess they don't celebrate here."
[Bennarin]: This place is not insane, he is — uh, hey, Cap'n. Tim.
[Grimblast]: Bah, not festive, these military types.
Ismene smiles. It's fake. They're back.
[Grimblast]: But we could visit every inn on Azeroth, if you were so inclined, milady!
Jocoza blinks at Tim. "I've been to most of them before, I'm sure."
Bennarin dips his head toward Mizzy and says under his breath, "I will talk to you. Later."
Ismene offers helpfully, "The inn nearest the gates has a candy bucket."
[Grimblast]: But you haven't gotten candy from all of them!
[Grimblast]: I suspect all of you could use just a bit more chaos in your lives.
[Bennarin]: I am pretty full up on chaos, Tim, not gonna lie.
[Jocoza]: Oh, I have plenty of chaos. And it doesn't look like you're a big fan, Ismene?
[Ismene]: Well. No. I tend to tidy and fix things so … Not really chaotic, that.
[Grimblast]: Shall I show you to the inn with the candy, milady? See if the innkeeper turns you into something interesting?
Grimblast grins wickedly at Jocoza.
Bennarin looks between the two gnomes a little cautiously.
[Jocoza]: “I … suppose,” Jo says, eyeing Timmet warily.
Ismene tries not to look hopeful.
Grimblast 's expression is bright and sociable. His eyes, perhaps disturbingly familiar!
Bennarin looks faintly relieved.
Grimblast motions for Jocoza to follow.
Jocoza gives Ismene and Ben a Look, as she goes out with the oversugared gnome.
Ismene sighs in relief, hand to her heart.
Bennarin catches Jo's Look and stops looking relieved.
[Ismene]: I think we owe her a present or something.
Ismene sinks into a chair.
[Ismene]: Is he always here?
Bennarin drops back into his own chair and reaches for his second whiskey. "Yeah. Reckon we do. And no, not always. He come by a few times now, though. Ain't always quite so — so."
Bennarin gives Mizzy a look.
Ismene twists her fingers together in her lap. "Well, it's just … that's rather the behavior I was told to expect in taverns."
[Bennarin]: Naw. Not Bruuk's, I mean, not usually. That was — a whole thing.
[Bennarin]: Tim and … he was tellin' me all about Hallow's End the other day, he gets all wound up about it, I guess.
Bennarin tips back his second whiskey in one swallow and considers the empty glass, clearly thinking about a third.
[Ismene]: Sil and I talked about it while we were riding. I wasn't allowed to sneak out to trick-or-treat but he did.
[Bennarin]: I did not know anything about it. We did not … holidays.
[Silvestre]: Did Jo help?
Bennarin glances up at Sil's return and some of his tension returns. He signals Edris curtly with the empty glass.
[Bennarin]: Think so. She lured him off, anyhow.
[Ismene]: She very kindly took him to another inn to get candy, though I suppose he could be back.
[Silvestre]: Oh, okay.
Ismene makes sure everyone knows, "If he comes back, I'm going home."
[Silvestre]: Oh, he's not bad. Just too much sugar.
[Bennarin]: He stopped bein' — all that the minute you went off, though. Turned right back in to regular Tim and sat down, polite as you like.
[Silvestre]: Really? Huh. So he could turn it off just like that?
Bennarin nods grimly. He suspects they have been Had.
[Ismene]: It was almost instantaneous.
[Silvestre]: So maybe … the candy was just an excuse.
[Ismene]: And he started behaving so he wouldn't get in trouble with the Captain?
Edris brings Ben a third whiskey. He picks the glass up and contemplates it but doesn't drink it. Yet.
[Bennarin]: Reckon he might've.
[Bennarin]: Seem like he want to make a certain impression on the Captain.
[Silvestre]: Ohh … maybe he's trying to increase his chances?
[Silvestre]: Of getting in the Company, I mean.
[Ismene]: His ch— He's applying?
[Bennarin]: Already did. Meant to ask you, in fact, if you seen his application around.
[Bennarin]: He said it was a while back.
[Silvestre]: He said it was pending.
[Ismene]: Probably not, then. I see the new ones, but if it was dropped off before I started, I suppose Cal would have handled it.
[Silvestre]: Maybe it got lost behind a file somewhere.
[Silvestre]: Well, I guess I better head home, anyway. See you all later this week?
Bennarin glances up from his drink and nods at Sil.
[Bennarin]: Okay.
Ismene looks at Sil, then Ben, then Sil.
[Ismene]: Is everything all right?
[Silvestre]: I'll be more responsible. I'll try.
Bennarin nods again once and tips back his drink.
Silvestre heads down the stairs.