(2022-08-07) A Toast or Three to the Departed

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Lena comes by to talk to Mayellen about the need to acquire a new warlock teacher, when Ben drops by to check on his newest tenant. The conversation ranges over a variety of topics and people.
Rating:	T for Teen

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discussion of character death, alcohol, censored language, discussion of romance as a concept

Lena walks up to the townhouse door and checks the address, just to be sure. She knocks lightly.
Mayellen answers after a delay and the muffled sound of someone coming down the stairs.
Mayellen blinks.
[Mayellen]: Oh! Uh… Lena, right?
Lena waves and smiles, though the smile fades a bit May's confusion.
[Mayellen]: Sorry, I've been reading all day, and my brain is just… *she makes a vague gesture.*
[Lena]: That's me, Lena Coit. I heard you were staying at Ben's old place. I hope it's okay I came by?
[Mayellen]: Yes, yes, I remember you, just… you look different somehow. Please, come in.
[Mayellen]: The sitting area is upstairs. But there's food here, if you want.
[Lena]: I suppose it's been a while since we met. *Lena says with a polite nod* Oh, thank you, no. I really ought to have brought something for you, myself. Only my last batch of cookies didn't last very long.
[Mayellen]: That's usually a good sign.
[Mayellen]: Well, come on upstairs then!
[Mayellen]: I've been collecting some interesting books you might like.
Mayellen points to the lower shelf, which has various books on demonology.
[Mayellen]: Hopefully Ben doesn't mind me keeping them here for now.
[Lena]: Ooh! I'll have to share my collection sometime. *Lena looks over, making a series of 'read it', 'read it', 'innnnteresting', comments under her breath*
[Lena]: Books are safe, even for people who don't like warlocks, right?
[Mayellen]: Well, I know some people would be appalled.
[Lena]: Good call to keep them upstairs then.
[Mayellen]: I considered turning them pages-out. But then I realized…
[Mayellen]: Anyone who saw them might feel compelled to turn them around, and that would just draw more attention.
Mayellen shrugs at you. Who knows?
[Mayellen]: Feel free to take a seat!
Lena nods. "Sounds like something someone told me once. If you want to hide something, you got to hide it behind something less interesting. Turned-around books are a mystery."
[Mayellen]: Oh, I like that. Who told you that?
Lena grins. "Dwarf girl I met before I signed up with Cobalt. Glynara."
[Lena]: Anyway, sorry to drop by unannounced and all, I just… I figured you heard Mr. Bennett's out of teaching for a while?
[Mayellen]: Oh, yes, I suppose that affects you, too.
[Mayellen]: Have you found a good replacement teacher?
Ben jogs up the step to the landing, reaches for the door, and then hesitates. It is probably polite to knock, even if it is *technically* his house.
Ben steps back and knocks. Politely.
[Lena]: I sort of figured I'd just study on my own, but… maybe Cobalt wouldn't be happy about that.
[Mayellen]: Oh, hello?
Mayellen hurries downstairs to get the door.
[Mayellen]: Oh!
[Mayellen]: Hello!
Mayellen doesn't even invite him in, just steps aside, deferring to the house's owner.
Lena waves from behind May. "Hi, Ben!"
Ben jams his hands in his pockets and smiles at May. He blinks past her and his smile crooks wider.
[Ben]: Hey, ladies. I ai- did not expect to find you here also, Miz Coit.
[Lena]: Well you know. Warlocks of a feather lock together.
Mayellen winces gently.
[Ben]: Am I interruptin' a … lady thing? Or a warlock thing?
[Mayellen]: No, it's fine!
Ben does not seem chagrined by the suggestion of warlock things. He may have looked hopeful at the suggestion of lady things.
[Mayellen]: It's your house, you know.
[Ben]: I mean, technical. But you are the one livin' in it, your business is your own.
[Lena]: Really, I just live nearby and thought I'd come visit. On account of recent things.
Ben raises his eyebrows at Lena.
[Ben]: Recent … things?
Ben looks to May.
[Mayellen]: Our teacher just went on leave.
[Mayellen]: Death in the family.
[Mayellen]: We're both trying to figure out what to do.
[Ben]: Oh, I am sorry to hear it. Who's that, then? Wait, hold - wasn't your teacher Cal?
[Lena]: New teacher, no teacher… *Lena gestures casually*
Mayellen 's expression wavers slightly. "Mr. Bennett, yes."
Lena nods. "One of my terms of employment, really, back when I joined. Lord Ference thought well of him."
[Mayellen]: I thought it might help my case, applying. But now… I'm not sure when or if he'll be back.
[Lena]: I bet he'll be back. *Lena shrugs.* Just needs time. He likes teaching.
[Ben]: Well, sh*t. Cal is a hell of a fellow. Who died?
Ben rakes a hand through his hair.
Mayellen hesitates. "His sister."
[Ben]: Cory?
[Mayellen]: I… I don't know her name.
[Lena]: I didn't ask. Something Bennett, I'd guess. Unless she's married.
Ben nods. "Cory, I am pretty sure. Damn. I met her couple've times, if it's the same. She was -"
Ben tries to find an adjective for her.
Mayellen peers at Ben searchingly.
[Lena]: Emotional? *Lena offers*
Mayellen peers at you searchingly.
[Mayellen]: You knew her?
[Ben]: Muscly. And- yeah. Emotional is good. Muscles an' mad, mostly.
[Lena]: Wait… Cory… Emotional…
[Ben]: Hell of a fighter, though.
Lena 's eyes widen. "I think I do know her. Did know, I guess."
Mayellen looks like she is trying to imagine this person, and failing.
[Ben]: Kind of the opposite of Cal.
[Lena]: Was she in Cobalt?
[Ben]: She done some work with us, I dunno about her formal standin'.
[Lena]: I worked with her on the troll stuff, down in Stranglethorn.
Mayellen is speechless.
[Ben]: Went into a Stockade riot in the city with her one time. She was … kind of a one-lady riot herself. Out-rioted the hell out of 'em.
[Lena]: Had a temper on her, but never turned it on us.
[Mayellen]: Well, we should… pour a drink in her honor then, perhaps.
[Mayellen]: I didn't know you both knew her.
[Ben]: Well, sh*t. Reckon I ought to send somethin', or somethin'. Yeah, hey, yeah. Drink. You got anything? I can run get a bottle.
Lena looks a little baffled. "I didn't either. I never put together…"
[Mayellen]: Yes, sending flowers or food or something might be nice.
[Mayellen]: I have an address. There was… nothing there. No flowers, nothing.
Mayellen turns around and rummages for booze.
Ben knits his brow. "Huh. Well."
[Mayellen]: There seems to be some wine and some whiskey. Partial bottles.
[Lena]: Oh, I didn't send anything, because I figured, you know… not a big guy on work friendships. But if nobody…
[Lena]: Maybe we could send some stuff and sign it anonymous?
Mayellen plunks the bottles on the table.
[Ben]: If there is a whiskey there got a yellow label on it, that is Westfall corn whiskey. It is pretty good. Ain't Aunt Nir's fancy Highland stuff, but.
[Mayellen]: Yes, there. Yellow label. I'll get you a glass.
[Mayellen]: Wine or whiskey glass for you, Lena?
Ben finds the bourbon bottle and nods at it, satisfied. He glances at Lena.
[Lena]: Partial bottle of wine probably wouldn't keep? How about a whiskey.
Mayellen nods and gets a pair of whiskey glasses, as well as a wine glass, despite Lena's warning.
Mayellen sets down the glasses and pours herself some suspect wine.
Mayellen lifts the glass in expectation, watching the others.
Lena lifts her glass of whiskey, in a toast to the departed Cory.
Mayellen raises her glass as well. "May Cory rest- however she would prefer to rest. Perhaps not peacefully, given the description."
Ben lifts his glass as well. He nods solemnly at May's toast.
Lena nods, toasts, and throws back the whiskey. She realizes afterward that probably that was not ladylike.
Mayellen has some wine. She does not drink it like someone who is a connoisseur of wine. She treats it pretty much like any other liquid, including holding the glass by its bowl.
Ben also throws his back because he is not ladylike either. Then he pours himself a second glass. Still, uh, in Corduin's honor?
[Mayellen]: Have you checked out either of the names in the letter, Lena? I went to see the 7th Legion fellow, because I couldn't help but be intrigued. But I don't think I'd like to work with him.
[Lena]: What's wrong with him?
Mayellen considers.
[Mayellen]: He was… cold. And I know, I know, some would say the same of Mr. Bennett, but this was different. He was… sharp. Made me feel… small.
Ben swirls his whiskey glass idly and looks between the two. He frowns at May's description.
Lena considers this, and nods. "I think I've had enough of that sort of warlock fellow for one lifetime."
[Ben]: Can't have none of that.
[Ben]: That a common warlock fellow thing?
Ben arches a brow.
[Mayellen]: Yes. Usually even worse.
[Mayellen]: This one wasn't overt about it at least. It was just a feeling I got.
[Lena]: Making a girl feel small? I don't know. Common enough, I suppose.
[Mayellen]: If it helps, I don't think it was because I was a girl. He didn't much seem to notice that.
Mayellen smiles crookedly.
[Mayellen]: I'll check out the other one tomorrow, the gnome, but I'm not hopeful.
Mayellen drinks some more wine, in the same careless fashion. It might as well be grape juice.
Ben is still frowning.
[Lena]: I figured I was studying alone before Mr. Bennett, could carry on that way for a while. *Lena reaches for the bottle of whiskey, as long as we're all drinking in honor of Corduin.* You know, my roommate's from Westfall. Wonder if she likes the whiskey.
Mayellen peers at Ben searchingly.
[Lena]: What is it, Ben?
Mayellen 's expression echoes Lena's question.
[Ben]: Sandy an' Cal's the only two warlock fellows I know, s' all. I am tryin' to figure why the rest of 'em would be a**holes. Unless it is just … I mean, a fellow thing. I know how some fellows is.
Ben looks grim.
[Mayellen]: Indeed.
Mayellen tries for a worldly, contemptuous tone with the "indeed," but her slight trace of a Westfall accent ruins it.
[Lena]: I reckon a lot of people go to warlocking because they want power. The sort of fellow who wants power usually wants to use it on other people. Some exceptions aside, like Mr. Bennett.
[Lena]: I… have honestly no idea why Sandy went into being a warlock. For a lark?
[Mayellen]: Yes. And this fellow is a Captain in the 7th Legion, on leave they said. They didn't say why. But I imagine he's used to giving orders.
Ben nods, his expression hard.
[Ben]: I got to say I cannot explain much about Sanders.
[Ben]: But as to the other fellows, if any of 'em is a !@# at you, you lemme know maybe.
[Mayellen]: Mr. Bennett warned me about Sandy, you know.
[Ben]: I am not surprise.
Mayellen smiles wanly.
[Ben]: Cal is a real steady fellow. Sanders is … uh.
[Mayellen]: That doesn't worry you? Do you think he's dangerous?
[Ben]: I have work with him enough to be okay. My aunt and Sir Elohad work with him before me an' they sign off on him, so.
[Mayellen]: Hmm.
[Ben]: I will be honest, I did not know a warlock from a hole in the ground till I come up north, so.
[Ben]: Ain't a expert.
[Lena]: He's like a big kid, mostly. I don't think he'd hurt any of us on purpose.
Ben | The whiskey is loosening Ben's efforts at Diction.
[Mayellen]: Sir Elohad is the one I was worried about, given his reputation for being prejudiced against warlocks. So there must be something about him that's extraordinary.
Lena takes a sip of her second whiskey.
[Mayellen]: Sandy, I mean.
[Mayellen]: Obviously there is plenty extraordinary about Sir Elohad.
[Ben]: We had a girl in our unit back in Hellfire who was scared sh*tless about magic, all kinds. Was a former Scarlet. He was real good with her. Sanders, I mean. I was surprise.
[Mayellen]: So he's compassionate. That's good.
Ben nods and drinks some more.
[Lena]: I am not sure? It was before my time. Maybe it was that. The compassion.
[Mayellen]: It's a difficult quality to find, among warlocks.
[Ben]: Yeah, he is a sweet kid for sure.
[Mayellen]: I suppose it would mean a great deal to a paladin. Isn't that one of their - it was one of their books.
Ben nods.
[Ben]: Libram of Compassion. Sir Gavinrad.
[Mayellen]: I wonder why Mr. Bennett was so concerned about him?
[Ben]: … I mean, like Miz Coit says, he is kind of a big kid?
[Lena]: I mean, he's not very responsible? Kind of dangerous powers to be playing with for somebody like that.
[Ben]: S'pose Cal does not think kids should be runnin' around with demons, yeah.
[Mayellen]: Mm, that makes sense, yes.
Mayellen laughs dryly.
[Lena]: When I came into Cobalt he was all over, this is my new protegee. And everyone else quietly whispering, "No". *Lena smiles, remembering*
[Mayellen]: Well, if you think he's safe, I won't worry about him.
Mayellen laughs out loud at Lena's comment.
Ben smiles crookedly at Lena.
[Ben]: I would not take lessons from him, no. But I mean that ain't just warlockery. I would not … take lessons from him in much, I guess.
[Mayellen]: Nice of him to want to guide you, though. Unless it was because, well.
Mayellen gestures up and down at Lena.
Ben looks Lena up and down too.
[Ben]: … naw, Sandy ain't, uh.
[Mayellen]: More childlike, you said. That tracks.
Lena giggles. "No, I don't think so. I flirted at him a little, I admit, but it didn't take."
Ben arches a brow at Lena, his expression wry.
[Mayellen]: That's sort of sweet. Innocence, in a warlock. I'm half intrigued now.
[Mayellen]: How old is he?
[Ben]: Twenty? Close to? Maybe less.
Mayellen nods. "Perhaps a bit sheltered?"
Lena nods sagely, a very wise 24-year-old.
Ben does too, an equally sage 23-year-old. Adults, yo.
[Mayellen]: I might like to meet him sometime. I have trouble trusting men sometimes, which means all my friends are women, really, and… I don't know, that limits my perspective in some ways.
Ben raises his eyebrows and contemplates May. He doesn't comment.
[Lena]: I think he'd be a good friend, just maybe not a good advisor on demons.
[Mayellen]: Yes, well, I feel fairly secure in my knowledge of demons. So far. At least imps and voidwalkers.
[Mayellen]: And the rest, I'm just going to avoid, for the foreseeable future.
[Lena]: I've gone so far as felhunters, and I think I really don't need a more powerful demon, you know?
[Mayellen]: Felhunters - can I be honest? - they really disturb me.
[Lena]: Yeah, the way they look at you with their little… stalky… eyes…
[Mayellen]: Even pictures of them make my skin crawl.
[Ben]: Y'all know Cressidha? Aspenwood?
[Mayellen]: I don't.
[Lena]: Mm, don't think so? Might've been in a room with her before.
[Ben]: Noble girl, Stormwind people? She an' her brother is both Cobalt. She is sharp as a razor an' cool as ice in a fight.
Mayellen smiles at the description.
[Ben]: Not about felhunters, though. She will not come within like a mile of a felhunter.
[Mayellen]: See?
[Lena]: Huh.
[Ben]: Only time I ever seen her real shook up.
[Mayellen]: They're just… wrong.
[Ben]: Like, I cannot imagine Miz Cressidha ever shed a tear in her life but if she was gonna cry it was the time we run into some packs of felhunters out in Hellfire.
[Lena]: I mean, I felt like I was in control, so it didn't scare me. It was just like… a little too sharp.
[Mayellen]: I think for me it's because I like dogs so much, and there is something about them that is just doglike enough to be a horrible mockery.
[Mayellen]: There's something all the more horrible about horror when it mocks something you love.
[Mayellen]: My worst nightmare is someone I love falling to the Scourge and coming back. It's a bit like that.
Ben grimaces. He stares into his whiskey glass, grim again. Or maybe he's just contemplating more whiskey.
[Mayellen]: So is the whiskey as good as you remember, Ben?
[Mayellen]: Every whiskey I've ever tried just burns like felfire.
Lena blinks, and takes another sip of whiskey. She mutters, "I don't think they would… most folks just died."
Mayellen puts a hand to her mouth. "Oh… Lena. Forgive me. I forgot-"
[Mayellen]: You're from the North.
[Mayellen]: I really shouldn't speak so carelessly about the Scourge around people from the north. I just… ugh. I don't think before I speak, sometimes.
[Lena]: I admit I did not stick around to check the bodies, but… *Lena gestures vaguely, and takes another sip of whiskey.*
[Mayellen]: Forgive me?
Ben was going to reply about the whiskey but the shift in subject silences him. He does pour himself some more, though, if that answers May's question. He glances sidelong at Lena, somber.
Mayellen notices Ben pouring more whiskey and gives him a little smile and nod.
[Lena]: Oh, sure, forgiven. I mean. Also, I'm sorry I did not mean to put a damper on things. *Lena smiles a little* Really, that was like… five years ago? And a major thing, I don't want folks to walk on eggshells or nothing.
[Mayellen]: Have you and Mr. Bennett ever talked about it?
[Ben]: People got eggshells, *Ben observes quietly into his glass, and then takes another sip.*
Mayellen studies Ben thoughtfully for a moment.
[Lena]: A bit, the other day. Not so much details. Just… grief came up.
Mayellen 's attention snaps to Lena, but she doesn't probe further.
Mayellen turns back to check the shelves, and spots a jar of salted rye chips. She brings them over to the table and sets them between Lena and Ben.
Ben waits to see whether either of the ladies is going to help herself first.
[Mayellen]: You should probably have a little something in your stomach if you're going to finish that whole bottle. *She smiles a little.*
Lena smiles gratefully and helps herself to a rye chip.
[Ben]: Sh*t, I grown up drinkin' this stuff. *Ben may or may not mean that literally.* Also I had a sandwich not too long ago. But I 'preciate you.
Ben has always recently had a sandwich.
Ben takes a handful of chips.
Mayellen smiles a little awkwardly, and takes one too.
[Lena]: Anyways, I reckon all people got their sad stories. And maybe we can make some happier ones as we go. *Lena raises her whiskey glass as if saluting this, and takes another sip*
Mayellen nods in agreement, and has another sip of wine.
[Mayellen]: So what brings you back here, Ben? I forgot to ask.
[Ben]: Oh, I just been back this side of the Portal mostly, last few weeks, an' ain't come by to see how you are doin' and how the place suits. Reckoned I ought.
[Ben]: So, uh, how're you doin'?
Ben flashes her a smile.
Mayellen has clearly been keeping the place very clean.
[Mayellen]: Well, I was doing all right, but losing my teacher has thrown me for a bit of a loop. I'm not sure what to do next.
[Ben]: Hm.
[Mayellen]: Perhaps the other substitute he suggested will pan out.
[Lena]: Maybe we could go together, check out this other teacher? Or do group lessons with the Legion fellow. Two on one I bet he couldn't cow us too bad.
[Ben]: I could talk to him if you reckon it would help. *It would very much not likely help.*
[Mayellen]: Hm, I mean, it's worth a try, I suppose. He does have an impressive record.
Lena pats Ben on the arm in a friendly way. "Nice of you. But I think I can handle myself these days."
[Mayellen]: He was an early adopter of the practice and is very knowledgeable, yet he has not managed to blow himself up or get seduced by a succubus or anything in all this time.
Ben 's ears redden but he flashes Lena a smile. "Reckon you can." He looks back to May.
[Lena]: That we know of… *Lena says drily.*
[Mayellen]: I just… I don't know. He is a bit… sardonic, and I don't respond well to that. He's also extremely good looking, and I don't respond well to that, either.
[Ben]: … wait, hold up. He is -
Ben stops at May's last remark and blinks at her.
[Mayellen]: What?
[Lena]: Why not? Fun to look at.
[Ben]: Uh. Sorry. *He clears his throat.* You said he is 7th Legion?
[Mayellen]: Good looking men are typically the very worst sort of men.
[Mayellen]: Yes, well, he was. Or will be? He's on leave.
Ben tips his head and tries visibly not to wonder whether he is the worst sort of man or not good-looking.
[Ben]: You know Lord Tadget?
Lena cuts a glance to Ben, and suppresses a smile.
[Mayellen]: I do not.
[Mayellen]: Is he a warlock?
[Ben]: She used to be Cobalt. Accountant. She is 7th Legion now. Might could be she knows this fellow?
[Ben]: Maybe put in a word, or give you some advice, or somethin'?
[Mayellen]: A… 7th Legion accountant…?
[Mayellen]: A female lord…?
Mayellen seems to be having trouble with either of these things.
Lena just shrugs. Weirder things have happened.
[Ben]: Well she was not … I mean, I do not think accountin' was her first career choice? Also she … ain't a actual Lord.
[Ben]: But she is a gnome, so.
Mayellen nods. This definitely clears things up completely.
Ben | So, you know. Gnomes.
[Mayellen]: Well, as I don't know her, I doubt she'd put in a word for me. But perhaps she can at least assure me he isn't the type to… cause trouble.
Ben nods firmly.
[Mayellen]: Though if he's good looking and nice then I might have a whole different sort of problem.
Mayellen laughs ruefully.
Ben drinks his whiskey.
[Mayellen]: No. Unlikely. Impossible, I'd have thought a few months ago.
Mayellen sighs and finishes her wine.
Lena looks at May a little curiously.
[Mayellen]: No, I'm not really like that. It was a joke.
Mayellen takes a tiny notebook out of her pocket, bound in soft cloth.
[Lena]: Okay, okay. *Lena smiles.* I'd have no place to judge if you were, even.
[Mayellen]: So, Lord Tadget, you said? Spelled like gadget, or…?
Ben starts to set his empty glass down on the table, then glances over at the little sink and picks the glass up again to head that way. He nods over his shoulder. "Yeah. T A G - uh. Like gadget."
[Mayellen]: I'm not even certain how to contact someone in the 7th Legion. I'll figure it out. They must have representatives in the city.
Lena sits straight up and sets her whiskey glass on the table. "Totally other thing, Ben, but I forgot to follow up and you're here. Did you ever get those baby booties knitted?"
Mayellen smiles delightedly at Ben.
Ben washes his glass out and sets it by the sink to dry. He glances over at Lena and smiles ruefully.
[Ben]: I did, yeah. He - well, one of 'em mostly fits. He will grow into the other.
Ben 's expression is deadpan.
[Mayellen]: Er…
Ben grins at May.
[Mayellen]: But then he'd grow out of the first one?
Lena giggles.
Mayellen tilts her head.
[Ben]: I ain't a great knitter. By the time he is like six or so I will have booties all figured out, though, I am pretty sure.
[Mayellen]: Practice makes perfect!
[Lena]: Do you want me to do the next size up, and you can tell your aunt… mom… you did it?
[Mayellen]: Lena!
Ben puts his hand over his heart.
[Mayellen]: Don't rob him of the chance to learn!
[Ben]: Miz Coit, you are a real lady, but I could not fib to my aunt like that. If she found out she would …
[Lena]: But well… he's learning and the baby's growing…
[Ben]: I mean, she would look at me.
[Mayellen]: I think it's wonderful, a man learning to knit. Mostly so people will stop expecting every woman to.
[Mayellen]: Some of us really do not like knitting.
[Ben]: Aunt Nir neither.
[Mayellen]: I like your aunt.
[Ben]: Yeah, me too.
Ben smiles wryly.
[Ben]: If you ain't mind, ladies, I got to get runnin', though.
Lena shrugs. "I like messing with strings and things. It's soothing. And your aunt does have some looks to her. Her… um… I mean her eyes."
[Mayellen]: It was very kind of you to drop by.
Ben nods gravely at Lena. That is for sure the kind of looks she has, yup.
[Ben]: Well, you need anything, May, you lemme know, yeah?
[Mayellen]: Of course! I'm fine, though.
Mayellen smiles at Ben.
[Ben]: I mean, either of you. But I ain't your landlord, Miz Coit. Still, lemme know. Yeah?
Mayellen nods at Ben.
[Lena]: You're a good friend, Ben. *Lena smiles.*
Ben 's ears redden again. He nods respectfully to both of them, jams his hands in his pockets, and heads for the door.
Mayellen does not leap into the air.
[Mayellen]: You know, I sort of hope he's my brother.
[Mayellen]: I mean, I also sort of don't, for my father's sake, but… it would be nice.
[Mayellen]: To have a brother.
[Mayellen]: Especially a nice one.
[Lena]: D'you have only sisters?
[Mayellen]: I'm an only child. Well, my mother's only child. *She sighs.*
[Mayellen]: I um, I suppose you… don't have much in the way of family?
[Lena]: OH. Oh. *Lena nods.* Well, it's not fault on either of you if your siblings, right?
[Mayellen]: Right.
[Lena]: No, not anymore. *Lena spreads her hands apologetically.* Had two brothers, though, older ones. It was pretty nice, having brothers.
[Mayellen]: I'm sorry.
[Lena]: I'm pretty well used to being on my own by now, anyway. *She tilts her head.* But Ben seems like he'd be a good brother, if you want to claim him.
[Mayellen]: Ben is the sort of brother I'd like to have, yes.
[Mayellen]: Lena…
[Mayellen]: You said you… talked to Mr. Bennett…? He actually talked to you? About… everything?
Lena frowns. "I don't think he meant to. I was just… the first person come along after he got the news. Why?"
[Mayellen]: Oh. I just - he always says to me that he doesn't want to… talk about personal things with students. But… I suppose that isn't always the case.
[Lena]: It wasn't like… *Lena bites her lip.* I suppose he might not be my teacher, when he comes back, too. Or something.
Mayellen blinks.
[Mayellen]: Why?
[Lena]: Wrong place, wrong time? Or maybe right, but not really the right context. Like you said. He doesn't like to talk about personal things with students.
[Mayellen]: But he did. That's what I don't understand.
[Lena]: I offered to just pretend it didn't happen. So I don't know which way it'll go.
[Mayellen]: What do you have that- *She stops herself.* That made him decide to break that policy?
[Mayellen]: Is there… are the two of you…? *She gestures vaguely.*
Lena looks more carefully at May, enough getting through the whiskey haze to concern her. "I am not intimate with Calduin Bennett, if that's what you mean."
[Mayellen]: Well, of course, he'd never- I just mean… do you think he's… attracted? You are very pretty.
[Mayellen]: I just wondered why he would talk to you, and not - other students.
Mayellen is really bad at this, especially when she's had some wine.
[Lena]: I don't think so. *Lena frowns* I'm usually pretty good at picking that up. I mean, I did flirt with him a little when I first started lessons, but he shut that down real fast.
Mayellen laughs softly, seeming to relax a little.
[Mayellen]: I heard that he's seeing someone? But I've never seen hide nor hair of her.
[Lena]: Anyway, that was just because… you know… condition of employment. I wanted him to like me. *Lena shrugs.*
Lena nods. "He mentioned something about a partner, yes."
[Mayellen]: Well, you're very likeable. I'm sure he likes you without your having to flirt.
[Mayellen]: You've never flirted with me, and I like you just fine.
[Lena]: Thank you, May. *Lena gives a brief, surprised smile.* You're pretty likeable yourself, to be honest.
Mayellen blushes. Or maybe it's the wine. "Really? Heh. I… don't hear that a lot."
[Mayellen]: I guess warlocks can't be choosers?
[Lena]: Do you have problems with your friends on account of the warlock stuff?
[Mayellen]: Some of them, yes. And problems with warlocks on account of friend stuff.
[Mayellen]: That made more sense in my head.
Mayellen pours more wine.
[Mayellen]: But you know what I mean. Have you tried having a normal friendship with most warlocks?
[Lena]: With warlocks on account of friend stuff… *Lena looks confused. She picks up her whiskey glass again and takes another sip. Maybe it'll help.*
[Mayellen]: It's always, "I heard about this ritual we're really not supposed to do but I'm SO SURE that you and I could make it work!"
[Mayellen]: And then you try to explain Principles and Boundaries and they take it so personally.
[Mayellen]: I've been called "self-hating" and a "sheep" and much worse.
Lena laughs. "Oh gosh, I guess my whole self-isolation thing had some upsides."
[Mayellen]: It really must.
[Lena]: Most of my warlock education was just me and books. And then Mr. Bennett, and Sandy. And now you!
[Mayellen]: But… I want to learn this. Not for power, not to prove anything to someone who hurt me. Because I am good at it, and I could do things with it.
[Lena]: What do you want to do with it?
[Mayellen]: I want to fight. To serve the Alliance.
[Mayellen]: Most of the Mullbys, aside from my parents, are soldiers. I've always admired them so much.
[Mayellen]: Ben reminds me more of a Mullby than a Hazan, to be honest.
[Mayellen]: He reminds me a little of my cousin Yander. Only… smarter.
[Lena]: My parents were farmers. *Lena smiles* But it's good to want to follow what your parents were doing. I think.
[Mayellen]: Would you like to be a farmer?
[Lena]: Not anymore, no. I thought I would be. A farmer's wife, anyway. Up until…
Mayellen nods, her gray-blue eyes sympathetic.
[Lena]: Then everything went a little off the rails, you know. And now I'm a warlock. So I guess I don't know what exactly I want to do with it, myself? Make a living, for one thing.
[Mayellen]: If you find someone and get married, do you think you'll stop?
[Lena]: I don't think that's really in the cards for me anymore.
Mayellen nods slowly, solemnly.
[Mayellen]: Because you've already bonded with demons.
[Lena]: Among other things. *Lena smiles ruefully.* What about you? Would you put aside warlock studies if you met some handsome, nice man?
Mayellen makes a very immediate, very emphatic sound, half laugh, half scoff of disgust.
[Mayellen]: No.
Lena laughs. "No to stopping warlock studies, or no to the handsome, nice man?"
[Mayellen]: I am not looking for a man. Nor am I interested in stopping my studies, but I feel less strongly about that.
Lena gives May a curious look. "Okay, that's fair. Well, maybe since you have a dream of what you want to do as a warlock, you can let me borrow it, too? It sounded like a good one."
[Mayellen]: You'd like to be a soldier of the Alliance? *She smiles uncertainly.* You don't have to want that. It's okay to want your own thing.
[Lena]: Well, maybe Alliance-affiliated mercenary. I'm already that, so maybe it's close enough.
[Mayellen]: That works!
Mayellen smiles.
[Lena]: And if you did want to study together some, or go see the new teachers. I promise I will not try to talk you into the latest deadly ritual. *Lena holds out her pinkie finger*
Mayellen grins.
[Mayellen]: Do you think I should give the 7th Legion fellow another try, with your help? Or should I try the other one?
[Lena]: I'd be game to try, if you want? Doesn't hurt to try, unless… *Lena giggles* I don't think Mr. Bennett would send us at somebody that *would* hurt to ask.
[Mayellen]: Yes, I do trust his judgment. I just… yes, maybe I'd feel better with you there.
[Lena]: Then let's give it a try?
[Mayellen]: All right.
Mayellen smiles.
[Mayellen]: Just let me know when it would work for you. He is renting a room in Stormwind at present, and taking potential student interviews there.
[Mayellen]: Or we could meet him at the Lamb.
[Mayellen]: Either is creepy in a different way.
[Lena]: Maybe room in Stormwind is better than the Lamb.
[Mayellen]: Ha!
[Mayellen]: I know exactly what you mean.
[Mayellen]: And his room isn't creepy. It just looks like a typical "I'll only be here for a while" room. He strikes me as very soldierly, which, I will admit, is a plus.
[Lena]: Not my favorite place, I'll be honest.
Lena nods. "On the path to being a soldier."
[Lena]: Maybe sometime later this week, or next? We can check when he's around?
[Mayellen]: Sounds like a plan.
[Mayellen]: I'm really glad you came by. I've been feeling rather glum.
[Mayellen]: I don't like it when my plans get disrupted.
Lena nods. "I bet no one does."
[Lena]: I better head back home now, but let's be in touch? We're practically neighbors, after all!
[Mayellen]: I didn't even know that. Where is your place?
[Mayellen]: *in response to whatever Lena says* Oh! Well, drop by anytime. Take care.
[Lena]: Oh, over near the Forlorn and the Hall of Explorers.
[Mayellen]: Neighbors indeed!
You wave at Mayellen.
[Mayellen]: See you soon.
Mayellen waves.
[Lena]: See you soon!