(2022-06-08) Familiar Faces, New Places

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	Miss Mayellen Mullby encounters two faces from her past on a visit to Cobalt Company HQ.
Rating:	M for Mature 17+

Ben comes jogging down the stairs, hands in pockets, whistling threadily through his teeth. He halts on the landing and surveys Mayellen.
[Mayellen]: Oh!
[Ben]: … oh, hey. Ain't seen you there. Sorry.
Mayellen lets out a strange little laugh.
[Mayellen]: No, no, this is perfect. Lt. Hazan, right?
[Mayellen]: You probably don't remember me.
Ben raises his eyebrows. "Uh. Yep. S' me. Did we– have an appointment? Sorry." He rakes a hand through his hair.
[Mayellen]: No, no. It's Mayellen. Mullby?
Ben knits his brow for a moment, and then he blinks and his expression wipes clean. He stares, and then shifts his weight a little awkwardly. "May– Yellen? No shit. Are you– seriously?" He descends the rest of the stairs cautiously, still staring.
[Mayellen]: I am, *she says quite seriously.*
[Ben]: Damn. Look at you, all… growned up, and all.
Ben in fact stops looking at her, now that he seems to have realized he's doing so. His gaze slides awkwardly away.
[Mayellen]: I've recently attained my majority and am free to choose my own path. I've been studying with a fellow, Mr. Calduin Bennett, who recommended I sign up with Cobalt Company. I saw you were among their leadership and I hope you don't mind that I used your name in my application letter? Just as a general reference for my family.
Mayellen still has a bit of that Westfall drawl, but she's obviously making efforts to smooth it out.
Ben shifts again and nods earnestly at a point past Mayellen's shoulder.
[Ben]: That's– no, yeah, that's fine. That's great. I can– yeah. You're… you wanna be a merc?
Mayellen sidesteps slightly so as to be closer to where he's looking.
[Mayellen]: Yes, Mr. Bennett said you do a lot of good work.
[Mayellen]: He feels it's important that demonologists stay in touch with the needs of citizens as a whole.
Ben jams his hands in his pockets again and nods gravely. His ears are red. "Yeah. For sure, we — oh, damn. That's right, Cal is a– huh."
[Mayellen]: I am a demonologist.
[Ben]: So your… what do your folks think on it all?
Ben manages to look directly at her again, doing his best Grave Adult Face.
[Mayellen]: As you can imagine, they're not too pleased. They still let me come to dinner, but there isn't as much talking as there used to be. *She gives a wan smile.*
[Mayellen]: Mr. Bennett prepared me for that.
Ben 's Grave Adult expression softens. "I am sorry to hear it. I hope they'll come round, yeah? I mean, Cobalt is for sure good people, an' honorable work. Maybe Aunt Nir can talk to your ma."
Mayellen smiles a little. "I remember your aunt. I always liked her."
[Mayellen]: "She always says hello when she's on her way to hole up and gossip with Ma."
Ben smiles back crookedly. "She lives right next to here. Baby's sleepin', though, so." He holds a finger to his lips.
[Mayellen]: Baby? *She blinks*
[Ben]: Oh, yeah, I reckon you would not have heard. I got a new baby broth– cousin?
[Mayellen]: Niris had a baby? With… I heard she'd gotten married. *She frowns.*
[Ben]: Yeah, she marry Mr. Ference last year.
[Mayellen]: There has got to be some reason Ma didn't bring that up. You would think she would have brought it up.
[Mayellen]: She did not say word one about a baby.
[Ben]: Uh. I dunno.
Gwenivene whistles a happy little tune from her childhood as she enters headquarters.
Ben rubs the back of his neck. He glances up at the new whistling.
[Ben]: Oh, hey Miz Gwen.
Mayellen glances up the stairs, and gives another strange little laugh, similar to the one when she saw Ben.
Gwenivene gasps at Mayellen.
[Mayellen]: Well, if I was looking for signs, these are them. They.
[Mayellen]: Hi, Gwen.
[Gwenivene]: May? MAYELLEN MULLBY?!
[Mayellen]: Gwen? Gwenivene Whittle?
[Gwenivene]: No plucking way! It IS you!
[Mayellen]: It's good to see you. How are your folks? Haven't been by in a spell.
Ben blinks and looks between the two.
[Mayellen]: Her folks came by the store a lot when Gwen was a– er, when we were children.
Ben nods slowly. He shifts a little bit away from Mayellen, closer to the wall. His hands are still stuffed in his pockets, and he looks awkward.
Mayellen peers at Ben searchingly.
[Mayellen]: What's the matter?
[Ben]: The matter? Uh, nothin'.
[Ben]: Just, y'know. Givin' ladies room. To catch up an' all.
[Mayellen]: I'm not sure that's the entire truth, but you don't have to say the rest if you don't want to.
[Gwenivene]: But yeah! We go all the way back to Westfall! Our families have been close forever!
[Mayellen]: So how are your mage studies going, Gwen?
[Gwenivene]: My mage studies? Oh, May… MAY! You would NOT believe it!
[Mayellen]: You might be surprised what I'd believe.
Gwenivene removes her Very Pointy Hat, tucking it under her cloak, where it seems to simply vanish.
Gwenivene beams excitedly. "May, I got apprenticed to the greatest mage in all Azeroth. JOCOZA SPARKWIRE!" She exclaims this, quite certain May should know who this is. "Also! Also! Cheese and crackers, May… I got accepted into the Kirin Tor!"
Mayellen occasionally darts her gray-blue eyes over toward Ben to make sure he is doing all right. She seems satisfied enough with what she sees, as she returns her gaze to Gwen each time.
[Mayellen]: The Kirin Tor? Cheese and crackers indeed.
[Mayellen]: Well I'm a warlock now, so.
Mayellen shrugs.
[Mayellen]: Thank you for taking that in stride, by the way, Lt. Hazan.
[Gwenivene]: Shut the front door! A warlock? That's amazing!
Gwenivene smiles excitedly, apparently unfazed about the whole dealing-with-demons thing.
Ben has gotten his flummox under better control now that there is an Audience Present, and is doing his mild-mannered puppy-eyed thing now, hands still in pockets. He shrugs genially at Mayellen.
[Ben]: We got a few of 'em, so.
[Mayellen]: That's what Mr. Bennett said, though he warned me against one or two of them by name…
[Ben]: Also why you gonna call me Lt. Hazan? You know me, an' I ain't your Lieutenant. Yet.
Ben smiles crookedly.
[Mayellen]: Oh, sorry. What should I call you?
Ben stares at her. "'Ben' is okay."
[Mayellen]: I understand that usually the captain and a lieutenant has to approve every new member, is that still the case? And if so, would you be willing to put in a word for me, Ben?
Mayellen 's tone is neither pleading nor demanding, simply… a question.
[Ben]: Yeah, I– sure. For sure I will put in a word.
[Mayellen]: Thank you so much.
Ben nods once, a little curtly, and then wills himself to relax again. He studies Mayellen surreptitiously, his brow furrowed, once she's focused on Gwen once more.
[Mayellen]: Perhaps we'll get to work together sometime, Gwen. Once I have the skills to back that up.
[Mayellen]: Is that… what kind of frog is that?
Mayellen peers at Gwen’s frog searchingly.
[Mayellen]: A familiar or something? I'm not honestly all that sure how mages work.
Mayellen looks well and healthy, if a bit on the skinny side as always. She has great hair, and her eyes are a bit too far apart. Something about her exudes trustworthiness.
[Gwenivene]: Working together would be incredible! I'd love that. Oh… and…
Gwenivene giggles, looking at the frog
[Gwenivene]: Um… this is Padrick.
[Mayellen]: What's he for?
Ben eyes Padrick dubiously.
[Gwenivene]: He's… uh… my friend!
[Mayellen]: Oh, so just a pet? I thought maybe he was something magical.
Gwenivene wrings her hands nervously. "Well…."
[Mayellen]: Do you want to see my imp?
Mayellen glances at Ben, aiming the question at him as well.
[Mayellen]: I understand if not.
[Gwenivene]: Oh! Sure!
Mayellen checks in to make sure Ben's okay with this idea, watching his face and body language closely.
[Ben]: We ain't supposed to summon demons in cities, Yellen. Although I guess you ain't a proper member yet, so.
Ben uses that "we" politely, as though he's personally been reprimanded for bringing home voidwalkers.
[Mayellen]: Oh!
[Gwenivene]: Oh… hm… hey! We could go outside the city?
[Mayellen]: I wasn't sure if this counted, as it's a training area. Or looks like it.
[Mayellen]: Mr. Bennett has instructed me well on the etiquette of summoning demons around civilians.
Ben glances upstairs.
[Ben]: I mean, I guess it has got to be reported or a complaint, so.
[Mayellen]: That's all right. I don't need to summon him. I just wanted to demonstrate my skills.
[Ben]: I am sure you got skills. Especially if Cal is teachin' you. He is level as hell.
[Mayellen]: He really is.
Mayellen averts her eyes for the first time in the conversation, but quickly returns them.
Ben knits his brow again and studies Mayellen.
[Gwenivene]: Mr Bennett? Oh, Calduin? I know Cal!
[Mayellen]: Does anyone really know Mr. Bennett? *She gives an odd little laugh.*
[Gwenivene]: He's the one that introduced me to Jocoza!
[Ben]: He is one of the first fellows I met in Cobalt.
[Gwenivene]: I'd still be stuck with Master Purdwick if not for Cal.
[Mayellen]: He thinks very highly of the Company, even though he is mostly focused on his teaching now.
[Ben]: Well I am glad to hear he's doin' good, I ain't seen him in a dog's age.
[Gwenivene]: Say hi to him for me, will you? I miss him!
[Mayellen]: I uh… well, we don't really socialize. Just instruction. But I will see if I can squeeze in a hello.
[Gwenivene]: Thanks, May!
[Mayellen]: Okay, so I'll just hope the captain also approves my application, and then I'll get started right away. I'm already helping out a bit in Elwynn.
[Ben]: That will speak pretty well for you.
[Ben]: An' I will too, f' course.
[Mayellen]: I really appreciate it. I know you don't know me very well, but you know my family. You know they wouldn't raise some sort of deviant.
[Mayellen]: The Mullbys are all good solid folk.
Ben 's ears redden again. He nods firmly.
[Ben]: Yes'm.
[Ben]: I ain't seen you since — *He holds a hand at just below hip-height.*
Mayellen smiles wryly at Ben.
Gwenivene puts her hands on her hips. "Well, I know you extremely well," she states with confidence. "And I have some pull with the captain, so I'll put in a good word for you!"
Mayellen ’s smile softens at Gwen's assertion.
[Ben]: Reckon Aunt Nir will attest for Edna's girl, too.
[Mayellen]: Well my mother absolutely adores your aunt Niris. Who I think… she said Niris is sort of… your mother now? Also?
[Ben]: Yeah, that's– yeah. I got adopt. -Ed. Adopted.
[Ben]: When they got married.
Padrick stares at Mayellen, perhaps assessing her. Then he licks his eyeball. What it means is anybody's guess.
[Mayellen]: That's wonderful for you! My mother has nothing but good things to say about her.
Ben nods. "Yeah. Aunt Nir is amazin'."
Mayellen smiles. "I heard the paladin she married is semi-famous, or something? I don't really move in those circles."
[Ben]: Mr. Ference? Yeah, he was a actor for a while. Run a theater troupe. But also he served in all the wars. An', you know. Founded Cobalt. He's really somethin'. You got to– well, I guess you will meet him.
[Gwenivene]: Oh yes, Sir Elohad is very impressive once you meet him in person. He has this… presence…
Gwenivene makes a "presence" face.
[Mayellen]: I've been dividing my time between madly studying demonology — sorry, bad choice of words. Intensely studying. And helping out Ma and Pa at the shop. I think I've missed a lot of important happenings.
[Mayellen]: But now I've quit the shop, so things should be a bit more reasonable.
Gwenivene giggles softly, murmuring, "Madly…"
[Ben]: I mean, I only come up from Westfall last year and it turned out I missed… I mean, there's a shitton I am still catchin' up on. Generally speakin'. So.
[Ben]: Probably in the city you are better-inform an' all.
[Mayellen]: My mother is. I think I get tunnel vision.
[Mayellen]: It's honestly one reason I don't think I'd be a good shop owner. Part of what makes them so good at what they do is keeping their finger on the pulse of the news and all. I follow the financial news, but that's about it.
[Ben]: Well, between your ma an' Aunt Nir they probably know the whole business of the kingdom, so.
Mayellen smiles. "I wouldn't doubt it."
[Mayellen]: So how are you keeping these days, Ben? Obviously you got out of that h– er, you left Westfall as well.
[Mayellen]: But after that?
Gwenivene tilts her head curiously at May's verbal detour.
[Ben]: Oh, yeah. Yeah, I'm good. Joined up with militia for a while down there, then, uh. When Ma died I come up here. It's been… a hell of a year. I am a lord an' a lieutenant an' a married fellow now, so.
Ben laughs a litlte awkwardly and shrugs.
[Mayellen]: Congratulations on your wedding! I think Mother did mention that, but that was around the time I was– highly distracted.
Ben raises his eyebrows. "About … warlockin'? An' thank you. Thanks."
[Mayellen]: I've been planning this whole warlock thing for a while, studying in secret. I don't really like living two lives, though, so it was a relief to finally tell my parents. Once they couldn't stop me.
[Mayellen]: I hope you're right, Ben, and they see in time that it isn't the end of the world.
[Ben]: Your ma is pretty level. An' Aunt Nir will talk to her, I bet, f' you wanted.
Mayellen nods.
[Ben]: An' if you are signed up with a solid outfit like Cobalt, ain't like you are runnin' around a fiery mountain in a red robe an' cacklin'.
[Gwenivene]: So what made you decide warlockery was the path for you? I admit, I didn't see that coming.
Mayellen takes a moment to consider Gwen's question carefully.
[Mayellen]: Well, you know, I was always running packages all over town. Sometimes to the Slaughtered Lamb. I didn't like most of the people there, but Mr. Bennett and some others seemed interesting, and so I got to know some of them. Looked at some of their books.
[Mayellen]: And it just… it was like math, you know? There was a right and a wrong way. It appealed to me.
Gwenivene grins. "I understand completely."
[Ben]: You might want to talk to Miz Coit. Lena Coit.
[Mayellen]: She's one of the Company's warlocks? Not one of the ones Mr. Bennett specifically warned me against, I know that much.
[Mayellen]: I have those names branded to memory.
Gwenivene nods, "Oh, Lena is great! And I'll have to introduce you to my–" She pauses, blushing softly. "To Sandy."
[Mayellen]: ………
Mayellen narrows her eyes slightly at Gwen.
Ben shifts his weight again and glances at the ceiling. Awks.
[Mayellen]: To… Gausanders Spellbond?
[Gwenivene]: Oh, you've heard of him!
Mayellen presses her lips together in a thin line. "Mm."
Gwenivene sighs happily.
Ben drops his gaze to survey Gwen a little dubiously.
Mayellen has a very subtle and yet very clear Oh No expresson on her face.
[Mayellen]: Yes, I will definitely… meet him.
Gwenivene nods excitedly.
[Gwenivene]: You should see the amazing work he's done with his demons.
[Mayellen]: I probably should.
Ben clears his throat and considers the ceiling again. Hm, there is for sure a ceiling in here.
[Mayellen]: So tell me more about this Lena Coit. Do you know her well?
[Ben]: She joined up… maybe half a year ago? Northerner originally, but come through Theramore. She was just startin' her own studies in warlock– ery? When she join us. She has come a pretty good ways.
[Ben]: She is a real level girl. An' a good teacher herself.
[Ben]: … teachin' me to knit, some.
Mayellen smiles, amused.
Mayellen is clearly picturing it.
[Mayellen]: Also, I'm curious, are there ever any informal social get togethers for the Company people? Mm, hangouts if you will?
[Gwenivene]: Oh, absolutely.
[Mayellen]: Mr. Bennett said that was his primary regret, that he never made more effort to 'fit in,' and that I should try harder.
[Ben]: I mean, I will be at Bruuk's Corner tonight buyin' beers for folks.
[Ben]: If you want to drop in.
[Ben]: That is a pretty regular thing.
[Mayellen]: Bruuk's Corner? Where's that?
Mayellen whips out a little journal.
[Ben]: In the Military Ward.
[Ben]: Across the Forge, pretty much.
[Mayellen]: East or West side of the ward?
[Ben]: East.
[Mayellen]: Got it.
Mayellen makes a note, then tucks her journal away.
[Gwenivene]: There's also an occasional book club. I keep meaning to attend, but the Kirin Tor has kept me pretty busy in Outland lately.
[Ben]: Oh, yeah, last Book Club was just this Saturday past. Hell of a good one, too.
[Mayellen]: Oh a book club, that sounds wonderful. I love to read.
[Ben]: That is run by Sil Silentstep, who will be at Bruuk's also.
[Mayellen]: Oh, some sort of… assassin type?
Mayellen looks wary.
[Ben]: Nah, Sil is good people. He is maybe my second Cobalt friend? You'll like the hell out of him.
[Ben]: Used to be with the circus.
[Gwenivene]: He's very charming.
[Mayellen]: Okay. I'll just stay here in Ironforge then tonight. Those cots over there… are they only for members? I don't have anywhere else in particular here.
[Ben]: The cots are for who needs 'em, I ain't grudge you one. But, uh– I got a townhouse, also? That I ain't stay in no more much?
Ben looks Double Awkward.
[Mayellen]: I wouldn't want to impose.
[Ben]: But if you want a place to stay while you are in Ironforge– it ain't a imposition, I promise.
[Ben]: It is got two bedrooms. I been tryin' to rent it out.
[Gwenivene]: Oh, that's perfect!
[Mayellen]: Oh, but I could pay for the night, yes.
[Gwenivene]: Of course she'll accept.
[Ben]: You ain't got to pay, you are f–an old friend of family.
Ben rubs the back of his neck again.
Mayellen narrows her eyes ever so slightly at Ben. Oh yes, she knows exactly where he was going with that.
Ben didn't mean to he swears.
Gwenivene looks at May with that sweet smile she used to give her as children when she was convinced she was Taking Care of Little May.
Mayellen smiles at Gwen with the same smile she used to give her when she was sure she was Looking After Little Gwen.
[Mayellen]: It's nice that I have friends in the Company already. And people who are almost like family.
Mayellen 's eyes are quite steady on Mr. Hazan.
Padrick looks at both of them like he knows something.
Ben 's ears turn very scarlet. He shifts his weight.
Stop staring at Ben, frog.
[Mayellen]: What has the Company been working on lately?
[Ben]: Been in the Outlands.
[Ben]: I come back over once a week to see the folks an' all, but I am livin' in Shattrath City out there right now.
[Ben]: Got some people up to the Plaguelands too, since this citadel business.
[Ben]: An' there is some folks workin' on… a troll thing?
[Ben]: Miz Coit is one of those, in fact.
[Gwenivene]: Oh yeah, mostly down in Stranglethorn Vale.
[Gwenivene]: Speaking of Outland… I just came back here to collect a few supplies, and I have to be getting back.
[Mayellen]: What's it like out there?
[Ben]: Depends on where you're at. No two pieces of it is the same, an' the whole place is in pieces.
[Ben]: Like a patchwork.
[Ben]: Literally you can look off the edge of the world.
[Gwenivene]: In Outland? Alien… strange… beautiful… frightening… magnificent…
[Ben]: Pieces of it floatin' in the sky.
[Mayellen]: It's hard to imagine.
Gwenivene digs into some crates, gathering her supplies.
[Ben]: There is Hellfire Peninsula, which is… a lot like it sounds. An' a marsh that is kind of a forest of glowin' mushrooms?
[Ben]: And a forest-forest with … like, crystal pinecones? An' a crater full of bones in the center of it.
[Ben]: That's where we're at now.
[Mayellen]: Some of that sounds… half-pleasant? But only half.
[Ben]: Yeah. That is about the size of it.
[Mayellen]: Glowing mushrooms… but marsh. Crystal forest… crater of bones.
Mayellen is obviously trying to imagine, and falling short.
[Gwenivene]: And the plains and hills of Nagrand… as gorgeous as anywhere on Azeroth. Vibrant and alive… with a mountain of crystal. A MOUNTAIN.
[Ben]: I ain't been out there too much yet but I hear the fishin' an' huntin' are good.
Ben has Priorities.
[Gwenivene]: Nagrand is stunning. Of all the places in Outland I have seen, it is my favorite.
[Ben]: Reckon I will have to get out that side of the forest more.
[Mayellen]: Well, perhaps I can set that as a long-term goal, then. They don't let just anyone go out there.
[Gwenivene]: Well… if you ever do want to see it… I can get you into the city. Shattrath. But I would not recommend leaving its walls. Not yet anyway.
[Mayellen]: I think I might like that sometime.
Gwenivene smiles.
[Ben]: You should see Shattrath, for sure. City's safe enough, an' you will see… there is a hell of a lot.
[Ben]: Mushroom people an' bird people an' all.
[Mayellen]: I'll try to make time for a full tour.
[Mayellen]: Is it as big as Stormwind City?
Mayellen seems to be doing math.
[Ben]: Yeah. Bigger, maybe? Only, half of it is ruin.
[Mayellen]: Hmmm. *She clearly adjusts her mental calculations.*
[Mayellen]: Do you think two hours would cover it?
[Ben]: Maybe?
[Mayellen]: The basics, I mean.
Ben looks at Gwen.
Gwenivene pulls out her hat and tugs it on, rotating it to a friendly position. "It's been great seeing you again, May. I hope we can do this again soon!"
Mayellen curtsies before Gwenivene.
[Ben]: Nice to see you, Miz Gwen.
[Gwenivene]: Nice to see you too, Ben.
Mayellen waves goodbye to Gwenivene. Farewell!
[Gwenivene]: Toodles!
[Mayellen]: Ben, do you have time to show me where that townhouse is? So I can settle in and get ready for this evening?
[Mayellen]: I smell of tram, a bit.
[Ben]: I– uh. Sure. Yeah.
[Ben]: C'mon with me.
They head out of HQ and into the city.
[Ben]: How well you know Ironforge?
[Mayellen]: Not very. I know the map of Ironforge very well, though.
[Ben]: Okay. Well, it is in the Hall of Explorers. Pretty great spot, actually. You can get there by goin' through Forlorn Cavern, but I do not recommend it for a lady on her own.
[Ben]: Best cut through the Forge this way.
[Mayellen]: Noted.
[Mayellen]: You know, it's called Forlorn Cavern right on the map? It did seem like a place I might avoid.
[Ben]: Yeah, it is… yeah. It is inhabited by the kind of people who are willin’ to call their place that, so.
[Mayellen]: But then again you never know. I spend half my evenings at a place called the Slaughtered Lamb.
[Ben]: I mean —
[Mayellen]: Some of the people there do seem exactly like that sort of people.
Ben nods.
[Mayellen]: But Mr. Bennett is good at warning me who to watch out for.
[Ben]: Good. Yeah, Cal's a good fellow.
Mayellen is Warmly Silent.
Ben steps up on the little porch and fishes a key from his pocket for the cheerfully green-painted door.
[Ben]: Here we go.
[Mayellen]: This is nice.
[Ben]: Thank you.
Ben looks around with some pride at the whitewashed walls and colorful braided rag rugs.
[Mayellen]: And it's all right for me to use the washroom and all?
[Mayellen]: I'll be meeting people for the first time, probably, and I'd rather not smell like travel.
[Ben]: 'Course it is. Upstairs. It's on the left. On the right is two rooms– the one of those on the left you can use, too.
Ben offers her the key.
[Mayellen]: On the left. Got it.
[Mayellen]: Thank you so much, and for not charging. I could pay though, if you need.
Ben shakes his head.
[Ben]: I could not charge you.
[Mayellen]: Whatever makes you most comfortable.
[Ben]: I am gonna check in with my folks, but I reckon I will see you at Bruuk's, then?
[Mayellen]: Almost definitely.
[Ben]: Okay. Military Ward, southeast corner. We will be upstairs.
[Mayellen]: Got it.
Mayellen curtsies before Ben.
Ben steps back, puts his hands in his pockets, and nods respectfully.
[Mayellen]: See you then!
[Ben]: Nice seein' you, Yell.