![](http://cobalt-company.wdfiles.com/local--resized-images/writing:2021-12-02-bruuk-s-brothers-azeroth-s-hottest-people/style="margin:/medium.jpg) |
| Details |
| Author: | inkie |
| Summary: | Ben and Sil are joined by Miss Cognitia Fizzthingle, Miss Estel Herald, Dame Fionette Crawford, Mr Cambrin Cooper, and brand-new recruit Miss Ralaea Westwind. Conversation ranges from dating dragons to Winter's Veil ettiquette. |
| Rating: | M for Mature 17+ |
[Silvestre]: Hi Ben!
Bennarin is sprawled comfortably in his chair, a pint already in hand. He grins at Sil.
[Bennarin]: Always on time for beers. How you been?
[Silvestre]: Been good. Peaceful week.
[Silvestre]: How 'bout you?
[Bennarin]: Yeah? Good, m' glad. I been — uh. Yeah, I been.
[Bennarin]: Busy.
[Bennarin]: What'd you think of last night?
[Silvestre]: Did not really know what to make of Raschal.
[Silvestre]: Not sure how somebody dances like that.
Bennarin laughs.
[Bennarin]: Not sure it was dancin'. Some kind of … somethin', anyhow.
[Silvestre]: Reckon I should keep an eye on my wallet round him.
[Bennarin]: Nell should've been there.
Bennarin shakes his head regretfully.
[Silvestre]: Oh, him an' Nell got a thing?
[Bennarin]: I don't think they got one so much as one or the other of 'em would like one. Nell's … well.
Bennarin smiles fondly.
[Bennarin]: Think she's a little like Mizzy was. Just — real sweet, real young, stars in her eyes.
[Bennarin]: She is interest in fellows for sure, I seen her makin' eyes at that Raschal and one other fellow.
[Silvestre]: I dunno, then, about Raschal? He seems kinda … I dunno.
[Bennarin]: Her mama's over her like a mama lion anyhow, so.
Bennarin shrugs.
[Silvestre]: Which other fella? 'Nother elf?
[Bennarin]: … maybe an elf? Elf or a dragon. We seen him up north with that Chromie.
[Bennarin]: Did not say much, just stood there with Chromie, lookin' … elfy. One've the pretty ones, not a Kaldorei.
Bennarin clearly doesn't mean 'pretty' as a compliment, in this case.
[Silvestre]: Ah. Well. Maybe Raschal is a better pick'n an elf-maybe-dragon. Though wouldn't it be cool to date a dragon?
Bennarin smiles crookedly at Sil.
[Bennarin]: Ask the Captain.
[Silvestre]: Wait, she datin' a dragon? She's not said nothin' about that.
Bennarin laughs. "Naw, but she's been makin' eyes at that Chromie."
[Silvestre]: It's a gnome, right? She is, I mean, Chromie?
[Bennarin]: I mean, she's a dragon. But disguised like a gnome.
[Silvestre]: Bet if she was in dragon-form, she wouldn't look so attractive to the Cap.
[Bennarin]: I have not sat down to have that conversation with her.
[Bennarin]: But I will be sure to ask.
Bennarin nods solemnly.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, uh, maybe we shouldn't be givin' her advice on love. Or not me anyway. You … you and Mizz … I mean, I ain't never been married before an' I don't have a girl.
Bennarin grins at Sil. "Not now, anyhow. Night's young."
Cognitia blinks up the stairs and directly into Sil’s lap. "Silly! Hey, cutie!"
Silvestre laughs at Nish. "You did that on purpose, I'd lay bets!"
Bennarin grins at that distinctive 'Hey, cutie!’. "Miz Nish, evenin'."
Cognitia giggles and blows Sil a kiss. "Gotta keep you on your toes."
[Bennarin]: Keep someone on his somethin', anyhow.
Silvestre laughs. "Good to see you, anyhow, Nish."
Cognitia waves a four fingered hand at Ben, and bounces into a chair of her own. "Hey, there! Just confirming cutie, I'm totes on my free time, and absolutely not in headquarters." She winks at Ben.
[Bennarin]: Ma'am, I do not think anyone once has mistook Bruuk's for HQ, so you are in the clear.
[Silvestre]: 'Course, who's not on their free time in a pub at night?
[Silvestre]: 'cept bartenders and bouncers and … you know, just not us.
Cognitia giggles. "Sorry, a bit of a habit I got into, back in the day. When you work with goblins, you make sure everything is clear."
[Cognitia]: Whatchu boys up to, or did I interrupt a date night?
Bennarin nods solemnly. "Buy you a drink, miss? We are discussin' Sil's lack of date nights."
[Silvestre]: A brief discussion.
Silvestre nods solemnly, following Ben's lead.
[Silvestre]: And I can't date Ben, 'cause he's taken.
Silvestre widens his eyes innocently. “Also, my roommate an' friend and all — it'd be weird.”
[Bennarin]: It'd be weird.
[Bennarin]: Also Sil is pretty as hell but I do not go that way. No offense, Sil.
Cognitia looks over at Sil with a pout. "Oh, sweetie pie. You need me to take out the list? I'm sure I know someone you'd like. I'll cross off Ben's name, I promise."
[Bennarin]: Oh, you got a list? For Sil? We got to hear this.
Bennarin sits forward and puts his elbows on the table.
Cognitia pulls out a giant black book from … somewhere? and holds it up. "Cutie, I have a list for everyone."
[Silvestre]: Wait, you got a list for each person? Or just a general list of cuties?
[Bennarin]: If there is a list for each person I definitely got to hear.
Cognitia opens the book to a page labled SILLY with a heart over the i. There are fourteen names under it. "Oh, both, really." Some of the 'names' however, appear to be things like 'that one girl in Gagetzan with the big knockers.'
Bennarin cranes his neck, trying to read the page from where he sits.
Silvestre leans over to peek onto Nish's page. He is not looking down at her shirt, he is Respectful.
[Silvestre]: I am… not sure how I'd locate the hot Gadgetzan girl.
[Cognitia]: Oh, I know who they are. I'm … not, like, the best with names? But I never forget a face. Or a set like that one, wow.
Cognitia runs a finger down the list. "You like them cute and baby faced, or you want a bear? I know a druid that has been looking for a sweetie pie before hibernation."
Bennarin chokes briefly on his beer at Nish's question.
Silvestre blinks, and sits back. "Like, a literal bear?"
[Bennarin]: … 'scuse me.
Bennarin clears his throat and gets up from the table to go down to the bar and order another beer.
Cognitia looks over at Ben, and back to Sil with a yikes face.
[Cognitia]: Well, he's only a real bear sometimes, but he's a bear you know, the other way, all the time.
[Silvestre]: Oh, like Rissa.
[Silvestre]: Druid type?
Bennarin leans casually on the bar and nods at Bruuk. He orders three of pints of ale, and then just waits, leaning and watching the door idly.
Cognitia tilts her head to one side and nods at Sil's question. "Yup! He's not like, super old, but you know, something like three hundred or three thousand years old. I don't remember which."
[Silvestre]: Three hundred or three thousand?
[Silvestre]: I dunno, somebody like that might think I'm kinda boring. I've only been around like twenty-two years.
[Cognitia]: Oh, sweetie pie. You could just show him your knives and I'm sure he'll forget all about ages.
Cognitia as she speaks, she moves a hand in the air, conjuring an absolutely neon bright pink drink in a tiny triangle shaped glass. There is a tiny pink umbrella in it.
Bennarin straightens, smiles, and nods his thanks to Bruuk. He balances the three glasses against one another and carries them upstairs. He does not take the stairs two at a time, for once. Because he's carrying three beers.
Bennarin sets a beer by Sil.
[Cognitia]: Or, if you like them political and cute as a button, I know a senator's daughter.
[Silvestre]: And no, I am not dating Glynara.
Silvestre takes the beer Ben set by him and takes a sip. “She's cute as hell, but I've got no senator future.”
Bennarin returns to his seat, keeps one of the beers, and sets the spare at the center of the table for any late arrivals.
[Bennarin]: What'd I miss? We got Sil a — what?
Bennarin looks blankly between the two.
[Cognitia]: Oh my gosh! You know the senator's daughter? Isn't she just so cute? Someday I'm getting her to a private party with a fake name and letting that girl go feral.
[Silvestre]: Nish here is tryin' to set me up with a three thousand year old druid. Or Glyn.
[Bennarin]: Miz Glyn? She is a sweet girl but, uh.
[Bennarin]: She don't seem Sil's type.
Silvestre laughs. "Dunno if this is helping, but it's a funny list, Nish."
[Cognitia]: Oh, get a girl like that with a boy who wants to take her for an adventure, and she'd be on board. But you know, one of those, ‘milk the cow, buy the sow,’ that kind of deal.
[Silvestre]: You do know those're different animals? Cows and sows?
[Cognitia]: Have you seen her pig? Adorbs.
[Cognitia]: Trust me, that one is a part of a set deal.
[Silvestre]: I do not think I've met the pig, but I have heard of it.
[Bennarin]: Damsel. Pig has got a name, please.
Cognitia nods and giggles. "I recommend that if you ever do change your mind about her, kiss the pig first. I'm pretty sure that's the way to the girl's heart."
[Silvestre]: Sorry, sorry, her piggy ladyship, Damsel.
[Cognitia]: So, what is your type, Silly? If not pigs or bears.
Cognitia giggles at Silvestre.
[Bennarin]: Pretty sure his type is not animals.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, not so much into animals.
[Silvestre]: I think probably humans. No offense to gnomes or dwarves but uh … I dunno how that'd work if it were a real love thing. And I got all old, and they didn't …
Cognitia giggles and shrugs. "Then I guess space goats are also out?"
Bennarin tuts at Sil. Adventures, bro.
[Silvestre]: I mean for dates sure, yeah. I'd go for a draenei girl, they're pretty hot.
[Silvestre]: For like dating, that's maybe a bit different.
Cognitia runs a finger down the list, pouting a little. "Oh, hey, whaaat about … let's see. Hm. Blonde, experienced, and into dark arts?"
[Silvestre]: Dark arts? That an innuendo?
[Bennarin]: Oh, or what about Miss Coit? You met her yet?
[Silvestre]: Yeah, she was at the show yesterday?
[Silvestre]: With the string figures.
[Bennarin]: Yeah, pretty girl, kind of grey eyes? The strings, yeah.
[Cognitia]: Right? Oh my gosh. You just know she gives the best … back rubs.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, she's pretty. Seems kind of … a lot, though.
Bennarin shrugs genially and drinks his beer.
[Cognitia]: Or, maybe super shy, blonde, and into arcane arts? What's her name. Gin, something? She's magicky, and really shy, if you're into that.
[Bennarin]: No. Ginivieve? No no. We been over that.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, I'd like to meet her, even if you an' Ben maybe are talkin' about different people.
Bennarin looks at Nish.
Meanwhile, downstairs:
Estel heads over to the bar place her order and starts digging around in her pockets.
[Estel]: I'll have … mm. No. Hold that thought, Bruuk, I'll be right back.
[Estel]: Hey. How'd the interview go?
Ralaea turns her attention to Estel, resting her elbows on the table. "I don't think I like interviews."
[Estel]: Rough, huh?
[Ralaea]: It was more like an interrogation.
[Estel]: They let you join, though?
Estel leans on the table.
[Ralaea]: Seems so.
Estel grins. "Nice, congrats."
[Estel]: You wanna come eat with us upstairs? Ben and Sil are usually 'round here about this time.
Ralaea shrugs and gets to her feet. "Why not?"
[Estel]: Hey, guys.
Bennarin glances past Nish and his expression warms. "Miz Herald. Miz Westwind."
Bennarin gets up from his chair and waves the pair over.
[Bennarin]: Y'all take seats.
Cognitia giggles and shrugs. "She was so sweet though —" She looks at the newcomers, and does a once over at both. "Hey, cutie I know. And cutie I don't!"
[Silvestre]: Hi Estel!
Silvestre glances at the newcomer. “And Miss … Westwind? I think you were at the show yesterday, right?”
[Silvestre]: Want to join us? We're just havin' an evening.
Cognitia waves a hand at Ralaea. "Hey there, cutie. Name's Cognitia Fizzthingle. My friends call me Nish. You can totes call me Nish, cutie pie."
Cognitia holds her other hand, with a neon pink cocktail in it, very steady, as though very experienced with moving around with drinks in her hand.
Estel slides into Ben's chair. "Thanks."
[Bennarin]: Extra beer on the table there for who wants it. And I'll buy somethin' for who doesn't.
[Ralaea]: Please. Please just call me Ralaea. Or if that's too long, Rae. Miss Westwind just reminds me of …
Ralaea wrinkles her nose.
Bennarin steps back from the table to make room for Rae to pass him to the other free chair.
[Silvestre]: Rae.
Silvestre smiles. “That's a pretty name. I'm Sil.”
[Bennarin]: Miz Rae. Or Rae. Okay.
[Estel]: It took me a bit to get 'em to stop calling me Miss Herald, I hear ya.
Bennarin smiles at her.
Cognitia looks over at Sil and mouths 'yes/no?' with a nod at Ralaea.
Cognitia makes A Note in the black book, and slides it back to … somewhere?
Silvestre gives Nish a Look. And nods his head yes.
Bennarin leans comfortably against the wall with his beer.
Estel doesn't seem to have ordered any food today.
[Silvestre]: You alright Estel?
[Estel]: I'm good, I'm good.
[Silvestre]: Already had dinner?
[Bennarin]: Or you ain't feelin' well?
[Estel]: Eh, money, you know.
Estel waves it off.
Bennarin clicks his tongue exasperatedly.
[Bennarin]: Shit, Estel.
[Silvestre]: Want me to order you somethin'?
[Bennarin]: What you want?
[Bennarin]: And Rae, you want anything? Eat or drink?
Estel grins and leans back in her chair. "Sure. Stew's fine if they got it. Thanks."
Bennarin nods to Estel, and looks a question at Ralaea.
Ralaea pulls an apple out of a bag at her hip. "I'll manage with this."
Cognitia makes a little gesture with a hand. "Or you want a cookie, honey? I can make you anything."
[Cognitia]: I never mind lending a hand to a girl in need.
Cognitia winks slowly.
Fionette hesitates, scanning the table uncertainly.
[Estel]: I'll take one of those too. Hey there!
[Silvestre]: Hi there Miss Crawford!
[Fionette]: Hello.
Bennarin glances over and smiles. "Miz Crawford, evenin'."
Cognitia turns and spots Fi, her face lighting up. "Oh heeeeey there, cutie! Name's Cognitia Fizzthingle my friends call me Nish you can pretty please call me Nish."
[Bennarin]: Be right back, y'all. Miz Crawford, get you somethin' while I'm down there?
[Fionette]: Fionette Crawford, pleased to meet you. No, no thank you, Mr. Hazan, that won't be necessary.
Fionette speaks with the crisp accent of Lordaeron nobility, though some of the vowels have softened a bit from time in the South.
[Bennarin]: Ben, miss. Go on have a sit.
[Estel]: Estel. Hi. C'mon in.
Ralaea eyes the newcomer. "Ralaea. Or Rae if you prefer."
[Fionette]: Hello Rae. You can call me Fi if you prefer that.
Fionette perches on the edge of the chair, looking like she's ready to take flight if necessary.
Cognitia grins at Fi. "That is such a cute dress on you. I love what it does for your hair."
[Silvestre]: How things been with you? The dress go over well?
Fionette flushes slightly. "Yes, she seems to have liked it."
Estel waits for her cookie and whatever Ben gets her.
Fionette pulls her black ponytail over her shoulder, smoothing it with her hands in an obvious self-soothing gesture.
[Fionette]: I don't suppose we expect Kit or Colson tonight?
Cambrin waves.
[Cambrin]: Good evening, folks!
[Estel]: Dunno. Hey!
[Silvestre]: I haven't heard anything, but it's kinda, you know … whoever shows up.
Fionette nods and looks up at Cambrin.
Cognitia moves a hand in the air, concentrating a little. She conjures a sugar cookie with purple frosting almost the color of Estel's eyes, and slides it over to the priestess. "Here you go, honey. Dessert first, that's what I always say."
[Estel]: Thanks, Nish.
[Silvestre]: Cam! Glad to see you again.
Fionette smiles uncertainly at Cambrin.
[Cambrin]: Hi Sil.
Estel puts the entire cookie in her mouth at once regardless of whether she's meant to take smaller bites or not. She chews.
Cognitia looks over at the newcomer, and grins, taking a good, long, long look. "I love Cobalt Company," she says brightly. "Every hot person in Azeroth signs up."
[Silvestre]: Ben's just down ordering food. Leaving me with …
Silvestre looks around, suddenly puzzled with how he ended up surrounded by women tonight.
Cambrin runs his eyes over the crowd. "Don't think I've met the rest of the crew here."
Cognitia reaches out a tiny hand to Cambrin. "Cognitia Fizzthingle. Call me Nish. My friends do, and you, definitely, should be my friend."
Estel says something incomprehensible with her mouth full.
Cambrin takes the offered hand and shakes cordially. "Cambrin Cooper. I'm one of Jo's new recruits.”
Cognitia shakes Cam's hand, lingering in the handshake for a moment. "I love Jo."
Bennarin comes upstairs, carefully balancing a tray. It is laden with bowls of stew, a plate heaped with meat pies, and a dish of crispy roasted potatoes.
[Bennarin]: Okay, y'all got to clear some room.
[Fionette]: I — I can go if it's too crowded.
[Ralaea]: I almost feel it would be worthwhile to wear a name badge.
Fionette laughs nervously at Rae's comment.
Bennarin slides the tray carefully onto the edge of the table between Nish and Estel and pushes it toward the center.
Estel holds up a hand at Cambrin and chews until she is no longer in danger of choking on the cookie. "Estel. No, no, you're fine, Fi! We can pull up some chairs."
[Bennarin]: I just bought a shit ton of food so no one better be leavin'.
[Silvestre]: Ben, maybe we could see about name tags. Might be helpful.
[Bennarin]: Yeah, maybe. Cap'n was gonna talk to Mizz about doin' up a board in HQ, like Cam mentioned.
[Silvestre]: That'd help, too. Make you feel like you know people even before you met 'em.
Silvestre 's face brightens, and he turns to Nish. "Do you do illusion stuff? Can you label everybody with their name?"
[Cognitia]: Oh, gosh, that's Ger Bear's specialty. If he were here, he totes could, but I'm like. The only thing I could do is turn into a furbolg.
[Silvestre]: If you were a furbolg, no one would forget you who were. Though, I mean, you kinda stand out anyway.
Cognitia giggles at Silvestre.
[Cognitia]: You're such a sweetie pie.
Estel takes one of the bowls of stew and a meat pie. She picks out some potatoes to put into the stew. "You're the best."
Bennarin grins at Estel.
[Fionette]: Um, I'm Fi. If anyone didn't hear.
Cambrin nods at Fi. "Hello! I'm Cambrin."
Fionette smiles at Cambrin.
[Fionette]: I'm a … friend of… Kitharian Du Lac, and Colson Aspenwood, if any of you know them.
Ralaea crosses her arms and glares at the table at the mention of Colson.
Silvestre notices Rae's reaction to Colson's name, and looks at her curiously.
[Bennarin]: Fi, can I pass you somethin' down? Rae?
[Estel]: So we got Cambrin, Fi, Sil, Rae, Estel, Ben, and Nish. Help yourselves, guys.
Estel indicates the food that Ben brought.
[Bennarin]: I got my notebook. Want I should write out names?
Fionette tugs a little awkwardly on her dress, then gnaws on a hangnail.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, sure.
Bennarin nods at Sil and steps over to an unoccupied table to take a little notebook and the stub of a pencil from his pocket.
[Cambrin]: Speaking of pie, pardon my reach!
Fionette leans back to get out of Cam's way.
Cambrin leans in to grab a meat pie.
[Cognitia]: I love a man with reach. By all means.
Cognitia scoots closer into Cam's way.
[Cambrin]: Thanks!
Estel has gone quiet again because she's started eating, but she reaches out with her free hand and grabs another couple potatoes and just … puts them in the pocket of her dress.
Cognitia nods at Estel. Pocket Potatoes are a way of life.
[Fionette]: Um so … Rae, was it? Are you with Cobalt Company?
Ralaea nods. "Only recently, though."
[Fionette]: Oh, um, welcome. Though … I don't suppose I'm the best person to welcome you. I'm only barely a member myself.
[Cognitia]: Oh yeah? Just in to make sure we're still #1 in Azeroth's Hottest People?
Cambrin carefully focuses his attention on his pie.
Silvestre chuckles at Nish.
Fionette looks at Nish with manifest bewilderment.
Bennarin tears a page into strips and scrawls on them. When he returns to the table, he is wearing a torn strip of paper that says B E N in childish block capitals tucked into the top edge of his shirt.
[Estel]: Oh, we got name tags, mm?
Bennarin passes out block-printed paper scraps: NISH, ESTEL, SIL, RAY, FI, CAM.
Cognitia takes hers and puts in over her shirt. It stays, as if by magic.
[Fionette]: Oh, are we … doing that? All right.
Fionette takes one and puzzles out how to attach it to her dress.
Estel smiles and sets hers on the table in front of her, next to her food, facing towards everyone else.
Ralaea also leaves hers on the table, not even noticing her name's spelling.
Silvestre pulls out a long pin and affixes his to the front of his shirt.
[Silvestre]: But you been a member for a while, I thought, Fi?
[Fionette]: I … joined the Company some time ago, but I have not particularly … distinguished myself.
Cambrin pulls a sewing kit from a pocket, and withdraws a few pins. "These might help." He places them on the table.
Estel stretches way across the table to grab a pin from Cambrin. "Thanks."
[Cognitia]: I'd say you're distinguishing really well tonight in that dress, lovely.
Cognitia winks at Fi, very, very slowly.
Fionette finally seems to understand what Nish is getting at, and turns rather red.
[Bennarin]: You been workin' down in Duskwood. And doin' a hell of a job, what I heard.
[Fionette]: You heard that?
Fionette looks genuinely surprised. “From whom?”
Cambrin turns his attention back to his pie.
[Bennarin]: From Mr Ference, from Cole, and from that one lady down there. Eva somethin'?
Fionette is about the color of Cam's shirt at this point, and is completely speechless.
Bennarin smiles at her.
Ralaea makes another sour face hearing Colson's name come up again.
Cognitia puts her head in her hand, and sighs happily at Fi. "Adorbs." She takes a sip from her neon pink drink, which floats in the air by her face.
Silvestre glances to Rae again. "You all right there?"
Ralaea just now seems to realize her expression and tries to even it out. "Yes. Just fine."
Fionette clears her throat, and then turns to study Ralaea's expression. She doesn't say anything, but a little line appears between her brows.
[Estel]: You sure you don't want a meat pie or anythin'?
Cognitia glances over at Rae, and sips her drink loudly.
Cambrin can't help but notice Fi's blush. "Um, so, Fi. What is it you do with the company? I'm new."
Cambrin tries to change the subject. He moves so he isn’t standing behind Fionette.
[Fionette]: Oh, I er, I'm a … Silver Hand trainee. Under Sir Sevastyn Black.
Cambrin nods at Fi.
Cognitia makes a little 'yikes' face and goes. "Oh, like, a personal trainer kind of trainee or like, a paladin?"
Bennarin blinks at Nish.
[Fionette]: I … suppose I'm a paladin?
Cognitia makes a little awwwww face. "Oh, yeah, well that's….super cool! Good luck with that! Um, Light be in you, or on you, or whatever?"
[Bennarin]: With, I am pretty sure. Light got to be with you.
[Cognitia]: Sure! If you say so. With you, and that kind of thing.
Cambrin blinks. "Ah. Does that mean you're a knight?"
[Fionette]: I suppose so. I haven't received an official title yet or anything, or… a steed.
[Cambrin]: Um hm.
[Cognitia]: Hope you get to ride something holy soon.
[Silvestre]: You thought of a good name for it? Your future steed.
Bennarin leans over Estel to nab a meat pie, and steps back to lean against the wall again.
[Fionette]: I … no. I doubt I'll get that far, if we're being honest.
[Ralaea]: And why not?
Cambrin tilts his head and looks at Fi curiously.
[Fionette]: I'm … not very good at it. We don't really have to talk about it, if … there are other things to talk about?
Fionette shifts in her chair.
[Cambrin]: Oh sure.
[Bennarin]: We don't got to talk about anything anyone don't want.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, for sure.
Cognitia sips at her drink, looking back and forth between Rae and Fi, before her eyes just start looking at the others at the table.
[Fionette]: We have new people, that's interesting. I'm curious about them.
Fionette smiles uncertainly toward Rae and Cam.
[Cambrin]: Oh me?
[Fionette]: Yes, please, tell us about yourself.
Cambrin shrugs.
[Cambrin]: Just a working-day fighting man, miss.
Bennarin smiles crookedly at Cambrin.
[Cognitia]: Jo's been doing her best to follow in the footsteps of Elodad, recruiting Azeroth's Best for the cover of Hottie McCuties.
Fionette can't help but smile a little, wryly, at "Elodad."
Cambrin blushes at Nish's words, finally.
Bennarin says very dryly, “I am pretty sure Hottie McCuties is not a real publication because my subscription moneys keep gettin' return.”
[Cognitia]: Someday I'm printing it for real! As soon as I get the name back from a goblin, who has it under patent. He'll die. Eventually.
Bennarin nods gravely at Nish.
Cognitia blows a kiss at Ben in return.
Bennarin winks at her.
[Estel]: Aw, Nish, you're embarrassing them.
Cognitia makes a pouty face. "What do you mean, 'them' pretty flower?" She flutters her lashes at Estel.
Estel laughs. She doesn't seem to take the compliment seriously, and quickly goes back to making this food disappear.
Cambrin takes an unconscious step away from Nish.
[Fionette]: And you, Rae? Are you a warrior too?
Fionette peers at Ralaea searchingly.
Silvestre raises an eyebrow at Nish.
[Ralaea]: I am. Trying to be something else for a bit, but I need the money, so …
Ralaea shrugs.
[Fionette]: There's certainly need of good blades.
[Cognitia]: Oh, Cobalt's great for that! You should see our contracts. Airtight as they can be. You will get paid, and not in cheese.
[Silvestre]: Well, if you want to try out throwin' knives and stealth and such, let me know.
Silvestre smiles at Rae.
Cambrin chuckles at Sil.
[Cambrin]: Kind of hard to be stealthy in mail.
[Fionette]: Yes, Sil, I heard you throw knives. Everyone was talking about it last month after the show.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, just I thing I practiced since I was a kid.
Cognitia sighs happily at Sil. "I'd let you throw knives at me any time, Silly." She smiles sweetly at Rae. "They're worth trying out. Sil's got great … knives."
Silvestre says, looking at Nish. "Actual, literal knives."
Cognitia deadpans back at Sil. "Really, really literal knives." She holds it for a moment before giggling, and sipping her drink.
Bennarin sips his beer.
[Fionette]: I mostly practiced climbing trees.
[Cambrin]: Oh, in Stormwind, Fi?
[Silvestre]: Oh, climbin's great too! It's how I got out of the house more often'n not.
[Cambrin]: Or did you grow up somewhere else?
[Fionette]: I grew up in Tirisfal.
[Ralaea]: Oh.
Fionette nods at the "Oh," not quite looking at Rae.
[Ralaea]: So did I.
Fionette glances at Rae, blue eyes grave and sympathetic.
Cambrin 's eyes widen.
[Cambrin]: Ah. From Silverpine, myself.
[Cognitia]: Oh, wow. Ger Bear's from around there originally. That one place, um. Statehome?
Estel sneaks a couple potatoes into the pocket on the other side this time.
[Fionette]: I am … sorry for you both, then. I hope you find Stormwind welcoming.
Bennarin eyes Estel and her pockets speculatively.
[Cambrin]: Good to meet some more northern folks.
[Cognitia]: “So, like, plague. Yiiiiiiiiiikes.” She drags out the word in a long, long vocal fry.
Bennarin gives Nish a Look.
Cognitia gives Ben a yikes face in return, and a shrug like 'what?'
[Silvestre]: This is an awkward time to say this, but I think I better head out — early morning tomorrow.
[Estel]: Yeah, sure thing.
[Ralaea]: Take care.
[Cambrin]: G'night, Sil.
[Fionette]: Good to see you, Mr — er, Sil.
[Silvestre]: Good to meet you Rae, and to see the rest of you again.
Ralaea nods at Silvestre.
Cognitia blows Sil a kiss. "See you, Silly. Have fun with your knives."
Silvestre catches Nish's kiss, and places it on his cheek.
Cognitia winks slowly at Sil.
[Cognitia]: Don't blind yourself!
[Bennarin]: G'night, Sil.
Bennarin grins after him.
[Fionette]: I understand your people have suffered a great deal as well, Nish.
Bennarin 's grin fades at the mention of Gnomeregan.
Cognitia waves a hand in the air. The neon pink drink moves in the same circle, without spilling, in the air. "Oh yeah, like, Major Bummer."
[Ralaea]: I heard that as well, talking to Boopsie.
[Estel]: Don't think I've met a Boopsie yet.
[Fionette]: Nor I.
Cognitia brightens at the name. "Boopsie! Oh my gosh, isn't she just the cutest?"
[Cognitia]: I would boop that girl aaaaall morning, pause for snacks, and resuming booping for the evening, not gonna lie.
Fionette blinks at Cognitia.
Cambrin blushes to match his shirt.
Fionette catches Cam's expression and rather abruptly giggles. It's an awkward, rusty sound.
[Ralaea]: What, er … what is 'booping?'
Bennarin looks at Rae.
[Fionette]: I think she means, you know, physical relations.
[Fionette]: I know that Cobalt Company did specifically seek out gnomes as members not long ago, though. Posters up and such.
[Bennarin]: They went down in there. Gnomeregan. The Company did.
[Cognitia]: “Down in there – oh, not Boopsie. Gnomeregan. Well, someone should go down in there.” Her words are ambiguous if she means Boopsie or Gnomeregan.
Cambrin blushes.
Bennarin gives Nish a look that says he does not find that ambiguous at all and there are an awful lot of recruits BLUSHING awfully suddenly.
Estel stares at Nish and shakes her head, although she seems amused rather than scandalized.
Ralaea just looks confused.
[Cognitia]: “Any time you want me to show you what booping is, sweetie, you just let me know.” She winks very, very slowly at Rae.
Fionette actually facepalms.
[Ralaea]: You can't do it now?
Fionette 's hand is just glued to her face now. And behind it her ears are quite red.
[Bennarin]: “Uh, probably she should not,” Ben suggests mostly to Nish.
[Estel]: Nope.
[Cognitia]: I mean, I could. But we've got quite an audience. If that's your thing though …
[Cognitia]: There's a great place in the Mage Quarter that Ger Bear knows if you're into that.
[Fionette]: Nish, not all human girls are taught about such things, perhaps we could try a different subject.
[Ralaea]: I'm still not sure what I should be 'into.'
Cambrin mutters something about "Sisters warned me about this."
Cognitia slants a look at Cam. "Sisters?"
Cambrin mumbles something that sounds like "Orphanage."
Fionette looks at Cam a little sadly for a moment.
Cambrin clears his throat.
[Cambrin]: Um, no. Just grew up in one of the homes. In Stormwind. For us northern kids.
Cognitia nods at Cam. "Ohhhh, like thaaat kind of sister. Yikes. Um. Hope you also have the Light in with you?"
[Fionette]: Yes, Light bless all of us. So … the weather has turned rather cold lately.
[Fionette]: For Stormwind, I mean.
[Bennarin]: Has it, Miz Fi?
Cognitia looks down at her shirt for a moment. "Not that cold," she mutters to herself, patting her shirt – what little there is of it – down.
[Fionette]: You don't think so? A bit crisp.
[Ralaea]: I haven't been south long enough to know any weather patterns.
[Fionette]: Winter Veil's on it's way.
Cambrin looks up.
[Estel]: Oh! What's everyone want for Winter Veil? I gotta start figuring that out early.
[Bennarin]: Yeah? When's that?
Fionette blinks at Ben.
[Cognitia]: I mean. I know what I'd like for Winter Veil, but, you know. Big Bro here is probably going to say 'not on the table, Nish.'
Cognitia winks at Ben.
[Fionette]: Erm, Winter Veil's at the end of this month.
[Cambrin]: A few weeks off, eh?
[Bennarin]: Oh. Shit, is it?
Bennarin rakes a hand through his hair.
[Fionette]: Does Cobalt Company do presents?
Fionette looks suddenly alarmed. “I don't …”
[Estel]: I mean, I do presents for my friends, yeah?
[Estel]: You ain't gotta find something for everybody.
[Fionette]: I don't … I just have the two friends, really, and I don't know what to get them.
[Estel]: You could ask them.
Cognitia spreads her arms. "Meeting all of you is definitely my present from Cobalt Company! Feel free to present me with yourselves any time."
[Bennarin]: What do people do for presents? I mean, like — what would a fellow, hypothetically, get for … a girl, hypothetically?
[Fionette]: It depends on the girl. What does she like?
[Estel]: Uh. Ben, are you asking about a specific girl?
[Ralaea]: Presents. I could … possibly come up with a few extra apples?
[Estel]: Apples're great.
Bennarin looks oddly at Rae when she offers apples.
[Bennarin]: Um. Well, yeah. But I already give her — some stuff. What is … like, Winter Veil stuff?
Cognitia looks over at Ben, almost serious, for once. "Get her something that you know she would get for herself, but always tells herself she shouldn't. Lots of girls do that whole self denial thing, to put others first. Remind her she's your number one."
Bennarin considers this. He nods slowly at Nish.
Cognitia shrugs. "Or just get her something that leaves her looking like she just got her first holy steed the day before, I dunno."
[Bennarin]: So it's just, like, regular presents, though? Is there somethin' … Winter Veily you got to do? or give?
[Estel]: You can put it in a box if you've got a box.
[Fionette]: You wrap them in paper, and tie ribbons around them.
Cognitia waggles her brows at Ben, with a sly grin. "You absolutely could put it in a box."
[Bennarin]: Okay. O-
[Cognitia]: With a big, big ribbon. Very big ribbon, I'm guessing.
Bennarin 's expression does a Thing and he has to look away from Nish and clear his throat.
Cognitia flutters her lashes innocently, and refills her pink drink with a slow wave of her hand.
[Ralaea]: Hmm … now I have to wrap the apples …?
[Estel]: You don't have to, Rae. Only if you have the stuff.
Cognitia looks down at Rae's chest. "I mean, you abosolutely could wrap the apples. Who doesn't love unwrapping….apples."
[Bennarin]: Rae, you should meet Ismene.
[Fionette]: I … don't actually know what a girl should get for … another girl. If they're … courting. Kit doesn't seem … like the type you get jewelry for or that sort of thing.
[Fionette]: She likes weapons, but I couldn't afford anything better than she already has.
[Bennarin]: What's she like? You talk to me, Miss Fi.
[Bennarin]: I could do you up somethin' for her.
[Estel]: You could ask Kit what she wants?
[Fionette]: If I ask her, then it isn't a surprise.
[Estel]: Maybe, like, maintenance kit stuff?
[Estel]: Doesn't have to be a surprise, does it?
[Fionette]: Oh, I don't know. We always used to try to surp-
Fionette stops speaking abruptly and looks down at her hands.
Bennarin looks from Fionette to Estel.
[Estel]: What if you asked her the kind of thing she likes, and you pick out a specific one?
[Ralaea]: If I already mentioned apples, does that mean I lose Winter's Veil?
[Bennarin]: Shit, you can lose Winter's Veil?
[Estel]: No. No, no, you can't lose.
Fionette gives Rae a wobbly little laugh, and puts the heel of one hand to her eye, not looking up.
Bennarin relaxes.
Cognitia looks at Rae, and smiles sweetly. "Aw, honey pie, you can't lose it. Everyone's different. I love surprises, but not everyone does. Sometimes, you surprise someone, they don't like the gift, even if they would normally."
[Cambrin]: And not everyone likes surprises.
[Fionette]: Um, thank you all for your company; I need to get back to Darkshire. Have a good evening.
[Estel]: Travel safely.
[Cognitia]: See you, cutie!
Cambrin nods at Fi.
Cognitia blows Fi a kiss. "Get your girl a good tool, if she's into it!"
[Bennarin]: I — oh. G'night, Miz Crawford. Fi.
Fionette curtseys without quite looking at anyone, and exits swiftly.
Ralaea nods farewell to Fi.
[Cambrin]: Good journey!
Cognitia pats Fi's chair, looking at Cam with a sweet smile. "Hey, cutie, you wanna sit? Take pity on a girl's neck." She flutters her lashes. They are fake, upon closer inspection, far too long to be natural.
Cambrin takes the open seat.
Bennarin shakes his head a little.
[Bennarin]: So how come apples, Rae?
[Ralaea]: For horses.
[Bennarin]: Right, yeah. You like horses?
[Ralaea]: Sure do. And they like apples. Always worth carrying a few for the odd encounter with one.
Bennarin nods.
[Bennarin]: I'm serious you got to meet Ismene, though. Estel, you think she got to meet Ismene?
[Estel]: Ismene's great. You'll like her, she's a priestess. Real sweet.
Bennarin helps himself to another meat pie. He nods solemnly at Rae.
[Ralaea]: “That so? “ She nods. “I have quite a few people to meet. Seems like everytime I turn up someplace there's someone new.”
Cambrin chuckles. "I know the feeling."
Bennarin smiles wryly at them both.
Cognitia grins. "Isn't it awesome?"
[Estel]: Don't think I've met everyone yet, even.
Cognitia pats somewhere on her hip for some reason. "I'm gonna, someday. I dream big."
[Ralaea]: Boopsie said the same thing. Must be a lot of us in this company.
[Bennarin]: Well, we're growin', and we travel.
[Bennarin]: People get set off in squads to do jobs, and you get to know 'em pretty well, and then you come back to HQ and there's more people.
[Bennarin]: But you'll know 'em all in time.
[Cognitia]: She doing okay, Boopsie?
Cognitia leans forward, and her expression goes a little less flirty for a moment.
[Cambrin]: I guess Boopsie is another person I've not met yet.
Cognitia nods and smiles at Cam. "You'd remember her. Pigtails. A real thing for kneecaps. Forge roughened hands. Mmm." She smiles sweetly.
[Ralaea]: Last I spoke with her, she said she was trying to figure out how not to be a soldier too. Except when she gets tired of thinking. Then she goes back to killing things.
[Ralaea]: I think we had a conversation about why she shouldn't kill an elf so she can ride their tiger.
Cambrin cocks his head to one side. "What doesn't she like about soldiering?"
Cognitia pouts for a moment, before brightening. "Maybe I should send her a note! I know what can get her to stop thinking. We can get wet together again!"
Cognitia nods. "Running around in the rain. Good times."
Cambrin nods slowly.
Estel picks up one of the unattended meat pies. "How not to be a soldier … do things soldiers don't have time for. Gardening, looking at birds, whatever."
[Ralaea]: Those sound like things I don't have the patience for …
[Cambrin]: It's good that folks can still do those things.
Cognitia moves a hand around. "It's not just soldiers, you know. Everyone's gotta remind themselves that living can be totally fun."
[Estel]: Running and climbing things for fun instead of for practice.
[Estel]: Sports, I guess, like with a ball.
[Ralaea]: This will be harder than I thought …
Cambrin chuckles. "Never was much good at games myself."
[Cognitia]: Well, you like ice skating, honey pie?
[Estel]: Those're just examples, yeah? Find a hobby you've always wanted to try.
[Bennarin]: Smithin'? Cookin'?
Cambrin looks at the calluses on his hands. "Not sure I'd call smithing a hobby, myself."
Bennarin grins at Cam. "Well. It ain't soldierin', anyhow."
[Bennarin]: I always wanted to try knittin'.
Cognitia looks at Ben's hands for a moment, and nods. "Mmm, yes, I'd absolutely endorse this plan."
Estel gets up, taking the pie with her. "A'ight, I'm gonna head out, take Niris some leftovers."
[Estel]: Thanks for the food, Ben. 'ppreciate it.
[Estel]: You all take care, yeah?
Cognitia giggles and shakes her head. "Thanks, pretty." She blows Estel a kiss.
[Cambrin]: Good night, Estel. Good to meet you.
[Ralaea]: You too, Estel. If you ever need an apple, send me a note.
[Bennarin]: Oh, you leavin'? You tell Aunt Nir I say hi, okay? Tell her I'll be around — uh. Sometime. Soon.
Estel grins. "Will do. Later, later."
Bennarin reclaims his seat.
Cognitia stands up on the chair for a moment. "I should get back to Ger Bear. Make sure he's not just sitting in a chair smoldering again or something."
Cambrin blinks.
[Bennarin]: Like, literally, or …?
[Cambrin]: Like, actual smoldering?
Cognitia wiggles her fingers at Cam and Rae. She smiles at Ben, but there's something a little sad in her expression. "Literally. Like, hawking isn't easy, I guess.”
[Cambrin]: I mean, I've met some of our mages, guess it wouldn't surprise me.
[Ralaea]: Bring water?
[Cognitia]: I'm taking him ice skating as soon as I figure out how to kill 20 to 30 feral yetis.
[Cognitia]: “I'm guessing —” She snaps her fingers, and there's a very brief flash of fire above her. “Just gotta figure out how to snap fast enough, I guess.”
Ralaea jumps out of her seat and trips over the chair.
Bennarin blinks at Ralaea.
Cambrin is used to Taelei and doesn't react beyond shading his eyes.
[Cognitia]: “Anyway. Toodles.” Cognitia blows Ben a kiss. “See you, Big Bro. Can't wait to see you wrap something around your giant needles.”
Bennarin nods solemnly at Nish.
Cognitia raises her brows at Rae, and hits a portal to Stormwind.
Bennarin reaches out a hand toward Rae without looking at her and ushers her — not touching her, just waving — back toward her seat.
[Bennarin]: Sorry. She is … unpredictable.
Cambrin looks thoughtful. "Sil did mention that about her, come to think of it."
[Bennarin]: She ain't mean nothin' by it.
[Bennarin]: Anyhow, s' just us brawlers here now.
Ralaea tries to pretend she didn't jump in such a way, but by her expression she is still clearly flustered.
[Ralaea]: So … she's gone, right?
Ralaea checks under the table.
[Bennarin]: She is gone, miss.
Ralaea lets out a sigh, but stares uneasily at the chair that Nish had occupied.
[Cambrin]: I guess I'm more used to Taelei and Rissa from Green Squad, they're a bit more … reserved.
[Bennarin]: When I first come to the Company, there was a real sour one who used to threaten to turn me into a sheep for whistlin'.
[Ralaea]: But that's awful!
Cambrin raises his eyebrow inquisitively.
[Cambrin]: I guess that's one up on kissing a pig.
[Ralaea]: Do you even keep your memories as a sheep?
[Cambrin]: Huh, wonder how that works myself.
[Bennarin]: I dunno. I still ain't been a sheep that I recall. Been a frog now a couple've times but mostly it's just, like, 'Shit why's everything so big?!’ and then it's over.
[Ralaea]: I would have to fight the Scourge with a sword in my mouth. … Somehow.
[Cambrin]: You could always kick 'em!
Cambrin looks at Ben. "Sheep can kick, right?"
[Bennarin]: Oh, hell yeah.
[Ralaea]: Even so … I'd rather stay like I am.
[Cambrin]: Oh, me too.
[Cambrin]: Got plenty of work to do yet.
Cambrin 's eyes flick north.
[Bennarin]: Yeah, I got no long-term plans at bein' a sheep. But I ain't seen Ginny for a while anyhow.
Cambrin stifles a yawn.
[Cambrin]: Think I'll turn in myself. Have to catch a ship to Theramore tomorrow.
[Bennarin]: Oh, yeah? Good trip, then.
[Cambrin]: Thanks. You folks keep your guards up, eh?
Cambrin waves goodbye to everyone. Farewell!
[Ralaea]: Always.
[Bennarin]: Night, Cam.
Bennarin sits back and eyes Ralaea.
[Bennarin]: Was a lot. Lot've people. You doin' okay so far?
[Ralaea]: The occasional scare. Nothing too major yet. Rather not see that 'dancing' elf again though.
Bennarin laughs.
[Bennarin]: Was a hell of a thing.
[Bennarin]: He's pretty harmless, I reckon, but I can see he might give a person a turn.
[Ralaea]: It was … something. Never seen anything like that. Wasn't sure if we were under attack or what.
[Bennarin]: Well. If you're in HQ or among Company, you can be pretty sure you're safe. Okay? Might be weird sometimes, but safe.
[Ralaea]: I hope so. I knew of a group that was into murder. I bet they'd have even killed one of their own. Might be a little wary, because of that.
Bennarin arches an eyebrow. "That … ain't sound great. I'd understand wary, for sure. Lot of folks come to us a lot of kinds of wary, though. Might've been one myself." He slides his empty glass away. "That group got a name?"
[Ralaea]: They were called Lordamere Covenant. Not sure what happened to them, but good riddance.
Bennarin tips his head. "I can't say as I've heard of 'em. But I ain't — I will have to beg your pardon for ignorant, miss, but I ain't still all up on … northern whatnot."
[Ralaea]: I don't think most have heard of them. They were a small group. Claimed to fight for Lordaeron. My Commander tried to recruit one to the Scarlet Crusade. He was willing, too. Thing is, he had an elf friend …
Bennarin listens.
[Ralaea]: The elf was no problem to my Commander. Only, the rest of the Crusade wasn't so … accepting. So she tells the elf she can't come.
Bennarin knits his brows, still attentive.
[Ralaea]: And that elf … she called her friends, the rest of the Covenant. Two ice spell-slingers and a paladin. And you know what they did? They murdered my Commander in a barn. She didn't so much as draw a weapon on them, and they …
Ralaea is shaking with rage.
Bennarin swears under his breath and sits back, looking shaken.
[Bennarin]: Shit. Oh, shit, Ralaea, I am sorry like hell to hear that.
[Ralaea]: That's the only elf I ever knew. So having one pop around like that … I might've been a bit scared.
[Bennarin]: I get you. I get you. I'm sorry if you was surprised about him.
[Ralaea]: Any such thing as a slow elf? You know … one that isn't so quick? Might be a good place for me to start, as far as elves go.
Bennarin laughs softly. "You should meet Miss Nell, maybe. That's Nilunelle."
[Bennarin]: She's my healer, on White Squad. You won't meet a sweeter girl this side of Mizzy.
[Ralaea]: Yeah? I'll give that a try sometime. Learning a thing or two about elves might help me grow a bit.
Bennarin gives her a crooked, earnest smile. "Reckon you got the right of it."
[Bennarin]: When I come up here from Westfall, I was wound tight as anything. I was ready to fight the world.
[Bennarin]: Still am, sometimes.
[Ralaea]: Not an easy thing is it? Fighting the world. What changed?
[Bennarin]: Company. Company's good people. They helped me sort out, and keep me settled. You too, if you give 'em a chance.
[Bennarin]: I learned people wasn't all how they looked from where I was stood down in Westfall. And I learned that people would give me chances I ain't think I'd get, if I let 'em.
[Ralaea]: Doesn't it make you uncomfortable, taking kindness from others? I get resentment. Got used to that, being a Scarlet. But kindness … that's hard to take.
[Bennarin]: I'll tell you what, mostly it made me want to duck, at first. Duck, or fight. You got to watch for what's comin' after the smile, or hidin' behind it. That's how I come up.
[Bennarin]: But it ain't like that here.
[Bennarin]: And it ain't charity, we look out after each other. I will buy Estel all the supper she can eat any time she wants, because when I'm in a elf ruin in Feralas, it's Estel keepin' me on my feet. And it's Estel goin' to sit with my aunt right now and look after her.
[Bennarin]: It all comes around.
[Ralaea]: I owe Estel myself. As soon as I get my expenses in order, I'll think of something …
Bennarin shakes his head.
[Bennarin]: You ain't owe Estel. She does what she does cos it got done for her, and everyone here knows how it goes.
[Bennarin]: She's a good girl. You could be friends with her.
[Ralaea]: Friends …
Ralaea lets out a frustrated noise. “I can't remember the last time I had any of those!“
Bennarin smiles wryly at her.
[Bennarin]: Yeah, I wasn't real good at it myself. But shit, you are in for a lot of 'em if you stick around here.
[Ralaea]: I hope I'm good at it. Being friends.
Bennarin shrugs a shoulder affably. "Takes a little practice, I guess. You'll sort it out. Bet you'll be fine." He glances toward Edris Barleybeard. "You want another drink or anythin'? I got to be gettin' back soon, I think."
[Ralaea]: Nah I'm alright.
Ralaea stands up and stretches. “We'll meet again though? And next time…you tell me a story.”
Bennarin grins at her.
[Bennarin]: Careful, I might.
[Ralaea]: Good, then.
[Bennarin]: I'll see you, okay?
Ralaea salutes Ben with respect.
Bennarin nods respectfully to her.
[Bennarin]: Evenin', Rae. You take care.
[Ralaea]: Night, Ben.