(2022-01-19) Bruuk's Brothers - Dropped Apples and Open Doors

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	Ben and Sil are joined by Misses Ralaea Westwind and Ismene Callis, and Messrs. Sandy Spellbond and Cambrin Cooper. The opening of the Dark Portal is discussed. Sil is Not Prepared. Sandy gets a pet-sitter.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: The Bros of Bruuk's Corner

[Ben]: Hey. This seat taken?
Ben smiles crookedly at Rae.
Ralaea glances at him and gestures for him to sit.
Ben does so, settling comfortably back in the chair and stretching his legs out under the table. He studies Rae.
[Ralaea]: I got your letter shortly after arriving in Ironforge. Figured you'd be here.
[Ben]: Pretty good guess. Always on a Wednesday. Was the letter okay? Wasn't sure it would be.
Ralaea can't seem to look at him. "Letter's fine. You need something?"
Ben raises his eyebrows. After a moment he says, "Well, yeah. We got some stuff to discuss. But — you okay?"
[Ralaea]: I'm alive. That's about as good as it gets, isn't it? *She shrugs.*
Ben 's eyebrows lift a little higher. "I mean. Reckon it gets better'n that sometimes. But f' you ain't want to tell me, I ain't gonna press." He scratches his jaw.
[Ben]: You hear about the Portal?
[Ralaea]: What about it?
[Ben]: That it open up. Yesterday, I think.
Sandy waves.
[Ralaea]: Huh … I was just down there today.
Ben glances over and nods at Sandy.
[Sandy]: Hi everyone! Talking about the Dark Portal?
[Ralaea]: Apparently.
[Ben]: Yeah? What you find out?
[Ralaea]: Find out? Nothing. I killed some things.
[Ben]: Okay. You go down there alone?
Ben is watching her steadily.
[Ralaea]: Got summoned by the Captain. Letter said help, so I went and helped.
[Ben]: … okay. Well, I wrote you to come talk to me just cos I was s'posed to let you know we're goin'. Soon. Reckon the Captain might've told you that, though, if you seen her before me.
[Ralaea]: No one said anything about it being open.
Sandy looks awkwardly from Rae to Ben, and back to Rae.
Ben grimaces and rubs the back of his neck.
[Ben]: Yeah, so. It's open. We're workin' out the particulars with the Alliance. Expect we're gonna go through it, prob’ly.
[Ben]: Dunno how long for.
[Ben]: So, y'know. Pack up an' be ready. You're with me. An' Sandy.
Ben nods at Sandy with a faint smile.
Ralaea glances at Sandy.
[Silvestre]: Oh wow, you all beat me here.
Ben glances up. "Oh, hey, Sil."
[Silvestre]: What's up?
Sandy waves at Silvestre.
Ben gets to his feet and stretches, then puts his hands in his pockets and shrugs affably.
Ismene peeks upstairs.
[Ben]: Rae was sittin' over here when I got here. I came over to talk. We can move to the big table if you — hey!
Ben breaks into a broad smile at the appearance of Ismene.
Ismene smiles in return, because who wouldn't?
[Silvestre]: Oh, hi Mizzy! That dress new?
Sandy waves at Ismene.
Ben eyes Ismene up and down appreciatively.
[Ben]: Pretty as hell.
Ismene walks over and snuggles one arm around Ben's waist. "Hi Sil! It is new, thank you!"
[Sandy]: It looks very good! *He smiles.*
Silvestre nods agreement with Sandy.
Ismene curtseys just a bit to Sandy.
Ben puts a hand on Mizzy’s hip and tucks her more firmly against his side. "We was just gonna go sit at the big table. I was over here talkin' to Rae. You met Rae yet?"
Ismene blinks wide brown eyes at Rae. "Oh! You're Rae! No, but I've been meaning to say hullo for so very long now."
Ben smiles down at Ismene and then smiles at Rae. "Ralaea Westwind, Ismene Callis."
Ralaea gives her a nod, then refocuses on the candlestick. "Apples, right?"
Ismene grins. "Apples right. My family grows them. I heard you were trying to grow one."
Ralaea flinches and stands up. "I … I should … go."
[Sandy]: But— you can't go like that! Everyone just got here!
Ismene looks uncertain. "Oh …"
Ismene looks up (and up) at Ben.
[Ben]: Rae, hey. Nah. C'mon and stay.
[Ben]: People're just gettin' here, and you can talk with Mizzy, an' I'll buy us all a round or two. Yeah?
Ralaea shifts uncomfortably and sinks back into her chair.
Ben squeezes Ismene against his side gently and then lets go of her. "I'm gonna go downstairs an' order some stuff. Any especial requests?"
[Ismene]: Nothing for me.
[Sandy]: Just water for me, please!
[Ben]: Okay.
Downstairs, Ben leans on the bar to talk to Bruuk.
Sandy turns to Sil. "Come on, take my chair! I took yours last time!" *He grins at him.*
[Silvestre]: Thanks, Sandy! You can pull up one of the other chairs?
Sandy turns to a chair at the other table, then decides better of it and sits on the railing instead.
[Sandy]: No, I'm good, thanks! *He chuckles.*
Ismene walks closer to Rae, though she doesn't sit yet.
[Ismene]: So … you know, you really can start an apple tree in a bag. But you have to keep it wet, and then when it sprouts, you have to plant it …
Ralaea 's fists clench tightly in her lap, and she seems to be holding her breath. Trying to be polite, she nods along.
Ismene looks at Sil now, uncertain again.
Sandy raises his eyebrows at the whole situation, not really sure of what's happening.
Ismene looks down at her shoes, nudging the edge of the rug with the toes of her right foot.
[Silvestre]: Did your seed not sprout, Rae? Sometimes they're just duds. But every apple has more, you can try again.
[Cambrin]: Good evening folks.
Sandy waves at Cambrin.
Ben returns, taking the stairs two at a time, his hands in his pockets.
[Ben]: Drinks'll be up in — oh, hey, Cam.
Ben nods to Cambrin.
Silvestre looks up to catch Mizzy's eyes for a second, conveying his confusion.
[Ralaea]: I don't think … I'll be doing that. Sorry.
[Cambrin]: Good evening, Ben.
[Silvestre]: Oh, hey, if you don't want to anymore, that's fine too. Right Mizzy?
Ben draws the chair out for Mizzy in a silent invitation.
Ismene nods at Sil, smiling a little though she doesn't look up.
Cambrin unbuckles his swordbelt and rests his weapon against the railing.
[Sandy]: That's less competition for Ismene's family! *He grins.*
Ismene whispers to Ben, "I'm going to go. We'll talk soon, right?"
Ben blinks at Mizzy and his expression smooths over the brief flicker of disappointment. He studies her and nods. "'Course we will. I'll see you. Later tonight?"
Ismene nods too and hurries away, not looking up at anyone.
Sandy whispers. "Oh! Bye…"
Ben watches her go, his brows knit.
[Ben]: Well, sh*t. What's that about?
Ben drops into the chair he'd offered Mizzy and rakes a hand through his unruly hair.
[Silvestre]: I am honestly not sure?
Ben regards Ralaea.
[Silvestre]: She was talking to Rae about apples, and looks like Rae's seed didn't take?
Ralaea laughs and gets to her feet. "Messed that up too, didn't I? Yeah … I'll stick to killing. We're going through the portal? Fine. I'll go first, even."
[Ben]: Rae. C'mon. Gonna be fine. Stay an' have a beer.
Conflicting emotions flash across Ralaea’s face. "The seed … I … lost it."
[Silvestre]: Like I said, not like that's the only seed in the world. Sometimes plants just don't grow.
Ben blinks at Rae. "Okay. Well — I mean, that's okay. Disappointin', I guess, if you was workin' on it. But it happens. We'll get you another."
[Ralaea]: No, I … I lost it. I threw it out … on purpose.
Silvestre shrugs. "Still replaceable, if you ever want."
[Sandy]: And you can go get it back, if you really feel bad about throwing it out!
[Silvestre]: Anyway, what do you mean about "the portal"?
Ben looks sharply at Sil. "Ain't you heard from Mr. Atley?"
[Silvestre]: Um. What?
Silvestre looks over to Sandy and Cam for clues.
[Cambrin]: Dark Portal is open.
Sandy scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.
Ben sighs and scrubs a hand through his hair again. He nods toward Cambrin.
[Silvestre]: Whoa, really? That's wild.
[Ben]: And we're goin', Sil. Atley's s'posed to be notifyin' you. You're on squad.
[Cambrin]: It was acting up when we were over there the other day. Looks like it was just warming up.
[Silvestre]: Was there like a memo about that or something? I … wait, what?
[Ben]: There was a memo, yeah. From the Captain. To the whole Company. An' then she wrote to me an' Atley to tell us to notify our squads. Atley was s'posed to notify you.
Cambrin gives Sil a long look, then turns to Ben. "I think Sil might need something stronger than beer."
Ben grins over his shoulder at Cambrin.
[Cambrin]: Should have saved some of that rum I've been finding in Tanaris.
[Silvestre]: I'm … goin' through the Portal?
Sil looks perhaps like a small deer might, when suddenly caught in the lights of Ironforge. “Are you all goin' too?”
Sandy lights up. "Oh that means Sil is coming with us through the Dark Portal?"
[Ben]: Yeah, Sandy, he is. An' yeah, Sil, you are an' we are.
Sandy cheers!
Ralaea sinks back into the chair to listen, though reluctantly.
[Ben]: Got to pack up an' be standin' by to go when the call comes. They dunno yet for sure, but soon.
[Ben]: You're squad, yeah? Got to drink to that.
Ben grins at Sil.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, okay. So I better pack tonight. And find Mr. Atley.
Silvestre takes a shaky sip of beer. "Cam, you goin' into the unknown too, or protectin' Azeroth from this side?"
Cambrin shakes his head.
[Cambrin]: I'm with the crew keeping an eye on things here. For now, at least.
Edris Barleybeard climbs the stairs, carrying a heavily-laden tray of bottles and tankards of various kinds. She considers the small table the group is seated at, and then goes to the larger one to arrange everything there.
[Silvestre]: A whole 'nother world. I guess a lot of us'll go over eventually, if it stays open.
Silvestre 's face falls in horror. "But what if it doesn't? We ain't got a dimensional ship or nothing."
[Ralaea]: Has anyone … been back from that side yet?
[Ben]: I — dunno, Rae. Ain't heard so. But, I mean. A door'll work both ways, yeah? They got sh*t comin' through it down there, demons an' all.
[Silvestre]: So you got to be able to come through to here. That's the whole point of them opening it, yeah?
Sandy gets up and gently pats Sil's shoulder. "Don't worry! I'm sure they'll keep the portal open once people go in there! If I remember correctly, the others said that the portal could be opened anytime, if people worked on it on both sides, or something!"
[Cambrin]: And hopefully our mages will be able to open portals back to home.
Sandy nods at Cambrin.
[Silvestre]: I hope so.
[Sandy]: Do you think a lot of Draenei will want to go back there?
Silvestre looks up at Sandy. "You could ask, at the Draenei thing going on in a few days. But … didn't they try awful hard to get out of that place?"
Sandy chuckles. "Uh … I don't think I'm very welcome at the Draenei thing!"
Edris Barleybeard finishes unburdening herself at the large table and then calls over cheerfully, "Gotcher drinks and eats over here when ye like 'em, Cobalt!" She tucks her tray under her arm to head back downstairs.
[Silvestre]: Should we go over to the big table then?
Ben glances back, distracted, and then looks to Sil again. He nods.
[Ben]: Yeah, spread out some. Rae?
[Ralaea]: I'm going … to go look for it. *She gets up.*
[Silvestre]: The seed?
Cambrin leans back against the wall. "I've been sitting for a good while, feels good to stand."
Ben blinks at Ralaea.
[Silvestre]: If you can't find it, and you want another. Let us know. Mizzy'd love to help, I'm sure, and she's got all kinds of apples.
[Ben]: S' true. Mizz could fix you up straightaway, f' you want.
[Sandy]: Do you want someone to come with you? I could join you!
Ralaea shakes her head. "I'll … find it. Somehow. Threw it off a Gryphon's back, so it might take a bit. I'll be ready to go anytime, so …"
[Ben]: Off a grypho—- okay. I mean, good luck, yeah? F' it's too much trouble, we'll get you another. Okay?
[Silvestre]: Guess I'll see you on the other side.
Sil's face pales a little again at that thought, and he takes another gulp of beer.
[Sandy]: Wait you threw it from a gryphon's back?! I take back what I said earlier, I thought you just threw it in the trash!
Ben is studying Rae like he kind of wants to check and make sure she doesn't have a fever.
[Cambrin]: Sounds like a new one might be easier. Wait, what kind of seed are we talking about?
[Silvestre]: Appleseed.
Ralaea still refuses to meet anyone's gaze. "Be back when I find it. Or … portal. Whichever."
[Silvestre]: But there's easier and there's what a person wants to do, probably. *Sil says absently* Not always the same thing.
[Ralaea]: Enjoy your evening, everyone.
[Sandy]: Well, uh … Good luck! I hope you'll find it quickly!
[Ben]: Take care, Rae. Yeah?
Ralaea nods and heads down the stairs.
[Cambrin]: Good hunting, Rae.
Ben crosses to join the others at the large table.
[Ben]: Well. An' now I guess we scared all the girls off.
Ben sighs and reaches for a beer.
[Sandy]: She is never going to find that seed!
[Cambrin]: Is it some kind of special seed?
[Cambrin]: Some rare kind of apple?
[Silvestre]: She's kind of an odd duck. Bird? What do you call a lady?
Ben shrugs at Sil. "Either one, I reckon." He tips back a swig of beer and then says to Cambrin, "And not so's I know. Just a apple."
[Silvestre]: Seems like maybe it was symbolic or sentimental or metaphorical or somethin'. Just a feelin'.
Ben clicks his tongue. "Yeah. Maybe."
Cambrin grabs one of the meat pies. "Well, I hope she finds it. Or whatever she's looking for."
[Silvestre]: But gahh, one of these times we got to get Mizzy to come out and actually have fun.
Ben grimaces at Sil and then looks down at his beer and nods. "Yeah, we do."
[Ben]: I was hopin' Mizz would hit it off with her because … I mean, Rae's prickly, but who don't like Mizzy? No one. Thought maybe Mizz'd warm her up to folks some.
Sandy frowns sadly. "I don't know if she even needs to find that seed anyway. Maybe it'll grow where it fell anyway. Maybe she's planted a beautiful tree right now! And it's not because she won't see it grow that it won't!" He seems lost in thought for a bit.
Ben gives Sandy a sidelong Eyebrow. He nods thoughtfully.
[Silvestre]: That's kind of a pretty thought. If she can't find that seed, let's tell her that.
[Silvestre]: Sandy, you got any appleseed summoning magic?
Sandy looks up at Sil. "I don't think I can summon appleseeds, no! Plus I don't think she'd want to grow … demonic apples, I guess?"
Sandy laughs at Silvestre.
Silvestre laughs. "Demon apple seeds. Yeah, that would not be amazing."
Cambrin looks up from his food. "Demon apples?"
Cambrin chuckles. "Oh, it would be amazing. Horrible, but amazing."
[Silvestre]: I dunno if there is such a thing?
Sil looks back down at his beer again, and says a little more quietly, “We might find out soon.”
[Ben]: … let's don't. I mean, if word out of Nethergarde's right, we're about to have a sh*tload of demon trouble anyhow.
Sandy clears his throat, awkwardly.
[Silvestre]: Which you can help with, cause you know so much about 'em, right? *Sil says cheerfully*
[Sandy]: Right! I even have a spell that lets me enslave one for a little bit. That can win us some time in some situations!
[Cambrin]: With the Captain and most of the lieutenants heading out, who's in command back here?
Sandy nods. "That's a good question!"
Cambrin suddenly jerks upright. "Wait … is it Glynara?"
Silvestre considers that one. "Maybe Mizzy and Cal?"
Cambrin looks relieved.
[Silvestre]: I don't think she's got a formal role.
[Silvestre]: I mean like, in leadership.
[Cambrin]: Oh, she was leading Green Squad for a bit.
[Cambrin]: So I wondered.
Cambrin mutters "Kiss the pig" under his breath.
Silvestre snorts a quick laugh and takes a drink of beer.
[Ben]: I mean, Mr Ference is still in Ironforge, an' Aunt Niris. Reckon there's other senior folks around. Cap'n Jo'll prob'ly tell us. Mizzy'll — yeah, Mizzy's Captain's assistant, and she's real on top of things.
Ben fiddles with his beer and frowns at it.
[Silvestre]: Yeah, if things're going alright with your folks, maybe they'll just take over?
[Ben]: Yeah, maybe. I mean, they're still around, at least. Reckon they ain't forgot how to Company.
[Cambrin]: As long as I know who's supposed to be telling me who to punch, I'm good.
Ben grins at Cambrin and nods.
Sandy laughs at Cambrin.
[Ben]: I'm sure the Captain'll let you know.
[Silvestre]: Yeah I bet … there'll be a memo. I should really check my mail more often.
[Ben]: … Sil. You got to check it every day.
Silvestre gives Ben an exasperated look. "What, now I'm chained to a mailbox? I make sure I get by every week or so."
Sandy chuckles at Silvestre.
[Ben]: Sil, you are squad now. You got to stay on top of Captain's notes n' all. Damn, how'd you ever get any of my letters?
[Silvestre]: See? It was fine.
[Sandy]: Hey, Cambrin since you're staying here, just in case I can't find a way to fit a rat cage, a bird cage, and a mechanical squirrel box in my backpack … do you know how to take care of a rat, a parrot and a mechanical squirrel?
Cambrin blinks. "Um… maybe?"
[Cambrin]: Haven't had a pet since … well, before.
[Cambrin]: Since I, um, moved south.
[Cambrin]: But I'll do my best.
Ben glances at Cam, distracted, and his expression creases briefly with sympathy. He drinks more beer in lieu of comment.
[Cambrin]: Um…
[Cambrin]: What does a mechanical squirrel need?
[Silvestre]: Does it actually eat?
Sil looks genuinely curious.
[Cambrin]: Does it come with, say, a manual or something?
[Sandy]: He doesn't, no! I just put a little bit of oil on it whenever it starts making weird noises! But the most important thing is to protect him from my rat and my parrot. They don't like it very much!
[Sandy]: If a part falls of, like an arm or his tail just … stick it back where it came from! That's been working until now!
Cambrin nods. "I think I can handle that."
Sandy grins. "Awesome, thanks so much!"
Silvestre takes another long sip of his beer. "I reckon I ought to go hunt down Mr. Atley. Or pack. Or check my mail."
[Ben]: Or all of those, maybe.
[Silvestre]: Good to see you all, like always.
[Cambrin]: Good night, Sil.
[Sandy]: See you Sil!
Sandy waves goodbye to Silvestre. Farewell!
Ben waves his beer at Sil equably.
Silvestre waves.
Sandy stretches. "I should probably go as well. I'm going to try one last time to find a way to get to take all my pets with me! If it doesn't work … At least now I've got someone to take care of Dragon, Bubble and Sine while I'm gone!"
[Ben]: Sandy, I 'preciate you, but I really ain't think it's a great idea to bring all your pets, okay?
[Ben]: We are gonna have enough on our hands for a bit, I reckon. And you would not want to lose your parrot on another planet or nothin'.
[Cambrin]: Don't worry, Sandy, we'll take care of everything back here.
Ben flashes Cam a grateful smile.
[Cambrin]: Just leave me a key and any instructions at HQ and I'll make sure your critters are cared for.
[Ben]: You can rely on Cam, Sandy. He's a solid fellow.
Cambrin blushes.
[Cambrin]: You do what you have to, right?
[Cambrin]: Only way to make sure everyone makes it.
Sandy nods. "Awww, okay … Thanks Cambrin, I'll do that! If you feel a bit lost even with the instructions, Oranna taught me everything!"
Cambrin nods.
[Cambrin]: I should get going myself. A lot of ore out there in the desert that needs mining.
[Ben]: Yeah. I hear that.
[Cambrin]: And it's a long trip back to Gadgetzan.
[Sandy]: Okay then, I have a lot of rearranging to do in my backpack, then. I can take so much more stuff now that I'm not taking three cages!
Sandy finishes his water and waves. “See you, good luck with the mining and … with Gadgetzan!”
Ben stretches and sets his empty beer down. "Yeah, I got to go find Mizzy. I'll see you two."
[Cambrin]: Oh, but I did finish this the other day.
Cambrin opens his bag and shows Ben a [Heavy Mithril Breastplate].
Ben leans to inspect it, and whistles admiringly.
Cambrin buckles his swordbelt back on.
[Ben]: Damn, Cam, that is some good-lookin' work. You got to show Mr. Atley.
[Cambrin]: Just got my Weaponsmith stamp from the master at the forge, too. A lot of work to go yet, though.
[Ben]: Oh yeah? Nice! Congratulations.
Ben offers out his hand to Cam.
Cambrin takes it and shakes.
[Ben]: Armorsmith, myself. Nice to have one've the other kind around I reckon.
Ben shakes Cam's hand firmly and releases it, grinning.
[Cambrin]: Figure we need them both.
[Cambrin]: Good night, Ben.
Cambrin waves.
[Ben]: Night, Cam. You take care.