(2022-09-27) Demonic Influence

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Jo calls Sandy in to talk about the recent demonic developments in his career as a warlock.
Rating:	T for Teen

Jo is in Ironforge HQ, wearing her usual mage robes, tabard and fancy red goggles. Sandy comes down the stairs wearing a white buccaneer shirt and capri-length blue pants with sandals.
Gausanders waves at Jo.
Jocoza waves at Sandy. "Wow, I like your outfit!"
[Jocoza]: You look like a pirate. *Jo grins, to show this is probably a good thing*
Gausanders didn't slide down the railing, surprisingly. "Oh, thanks! I like yours too!" He grins back. "Yeah, that's what I was going for!"
Jocoza gestures over to the chairs. "I wanted to talk to you about a few things, so thanks for meeting with me. Care to have a seat? I like to not strain my neck."
Jocoza looks at him for a moment, and the decides to take off her elaborate red goggles so she can look him in the eyes.
Gausanders nods and takes a seat. "Sure! What is it you want to talk about?" He fidgets with his sleeves. He has a feeling he knows what this is about.
[Jocoza]: How would you say work is going with White Squad?
[Gausanders]: Great!.. I think. Is it not good?
[Jocoza]: Oh, the squad's done a lot of good work. There was the one… um… unfortunate misstep, but that happened when you weren't there.
[Gausanders]: The… misstep? When I wasn't there? *He looks genuinely confused.*
[Jocoza]: Oh, no, really, that's fine. I'm sure it'll get handled. But that leads into one thing I did want to talk to you about. Do you remember why you weren't there?
Gausanders nods slowly, then looks at the floor. "Yeah…"
[Jocoza]: I wasn't present, but I read about it, and it really startled some of your team members. I know you've had problems with Legion mind control before, so I hope you can see why they were afraid?
[Gausanders]: Oh but that's not the same thing! I'm completely in control when I use that metamorphosis spell!
[Gausanders]: And the only one who got hurt was that demon leader we were fighting, right? So it's not such a bad spell!
[Jocoza]: But… how could your team know you're in control, when you just suddenly turn into a demon yourself?
[Gausanders]: That's true, I get that part! *He smiles.* I can just warn I'm about to use the spell next time, like I did with Rae and the rain of fire one!
[Jocoza]: Well, you see… *Jo hesitates, trying to choose the right words* …even with warning, I can see how people might find it disturbing.
[Gausanders]: I… but that's such a cool spell! I can't just not use it! I get so much stronger when I do!
[Jocoza]: And then… apparently you had a demon helmet and wings the other day, going into Steamvaults?
[Gausanders]: Oh, the armor! That's just something nice I bought! It magically makes… ghost wings appear from time to time, but they're basically useless, I cannot fly with them! I tried.
[Jocoza]: …you tried.
Jocoza looks him over for injuries.
Gausanders laughs. "Oh no you won't find any injuries, don't worry!"
[Gausanders]: I already had one of my brothers heal them.
[Jocoza]: Well. I, um, would rather you didn't fall off high things, but I'm glad your brother was there. *Jo refocuses on the matter at hand* But okay, if I accept the wings and the demon head are for aesthetics, and the other spell is for power…
[Jocoza]: Can't you see how it makes people nervous, you gaining power by literally turning yourself into a demon? Isn't that… exactly how the Legion demons became what they are?
Gausanders takes a moment to think, then looks at Jo with puppy eyes. "I guess so?.. But the way I'm doing it, it's safe. I found it in a book, so that's serious business, I promise!"
[Jocoza]: People can write things that aren't… *Jo sighs* You know the other Squad's been looking at books like the "Book of Fel Names" and the "Lexicon Demonica". Those aren't safe even if they are books.
[Jocoza]: I know you're a really senior warlock in Cobalt Company, but have you… consulted with any teachers recently?
[Gausanders]: I mean… *He scratches the back of his head.* I haven't really been studying with someone, recently, but I talked a few times with the warlocks who work with the Scryers! They're the one who had this book with the metamorphosis spell!
[Jocoza]: Blood elf warlocks, okay, that's probably better than nothing, but still.. *Jo considers* …you do know it was their ancestors who sort of invited the Legion to Azeroth in the first place?
Gausanders clears his throat. "I guess so, yeah? But uh, doesn't that mean they know better than anyone else how not to do it again?"
[Jocoza]: Well, one thing we know for sure is that they know how to do it, I suppose. But anyway, what I'm sort of getting at is… you know we haven't hired very many warlocks since you and Hex, right?
Gausanders nods. "That's true, I did notice that! I'm sure I can find some great one, if you need me to!"
[Jocoza]: Well, there has been one, in the past while. And when we hired her, there were a lot of requirements. One of them was that she train with a trusted warlock. *Jo bites her lip* You kind of dodged this requirement, but now… I'm wondering if maybe you ought to, too. Just so, you know, when you do stuff, people know its all safe, vetted Alliance spells.
Gausanders blinks. "But… I don't think I need a teacher! I am a teacher! I'm teaching Lena!"
Jocoza tries really hard not to laugh. She manages, but she makes a brief, odd, choking noise. "Of course. You're teaching Lena. But she's learning from these other warlocks, too."
[Jocoza]: Maybe they have neat things to teach, stuff you don't have the books for? You never know!
Gausanders raises an eyebrow at the noise Jo makes. He sighs. "I've been reading a lot, you know! Since we realized the guys in Ironforge were working with cultists, and since the, uh… incident in Stormwind. I promise I can learn on my own and do a great job!"
[Gausanders]: I've been doing that for a while, now, and apart from the… thing with Rae, it's been going great!
Jocoza sighs. "Okay. I'll be totally honest. I think you ought to take a little break from being so close to the Legion, and I would appreciate if you'd at least talk to one of the recommended warlock teachers."
[Jocoza]: You know warlocks walk a thin line, and I just want to make sure yours isn't slanting. *Jo looks at him seriously.* I do not want to find out in a few years that you were headed the wrong way, and I could've done something about it.
Gausanders pouts, and looks at Jo sadly. There's some signs that he understands her point of view in gaze too, though. "Okay,I'll talk with one of them, I guess… Maybe I can teach them a thing or two!"
Jocoza smiles. "Maybe you can teach them a thing or two, with all your Scryers books. As long as you're willing to hear what they have to say."
[Gausanders]: But how am I supposed to take a break away from the Legion? The squads are working in Outland, and I'm working with the squads!
[Jocoza]: As for the Legion… I would like you to take a break from squad. Not forever, but just for a while. To recalibrate a little. Here, away from them. Can you do that?
Gausanders 's eyes widen. "I can't— but— what will I— wait… How? Why? When?…" He shakes his head. "… Uh?.."
[Jocoza]: You've been on squad since the very beginning, Sandy. So was I. I'm taking a break, for now, right?
[Gausanders]: But you're not really taking a break, you've been promoted! You're still doing something important within the Company!.. What will… I do?
Gausanders whispers. "Are you secretly giving me a promotion? I can keep a secret!"
Jocoza smiles, but shakes her head. "Sorry, no Captain Spellbond today. But you've seen loads of people come on and off squad, right? Gwen left, not long ago, but she's still with the Company, right?"
Gausanders shakes his head. "Yes, she's still working with the Company, but she has other responsibilities! With the Kirin Tor! When I'm not working for the Company I, uh… I'm not doing much, really!"
[Jocoza]: And… *Jo hesitates* …Sil's stepping down for a while, too.
Gausanders raises his eyebrows. "Why? What's happening with Sil? Is he in trouble too?"
[Jocoza]: He's got some family-related stuff in Stormwind. I don't think he wants to be off Azeroth as much for a while. And I bet there'd still be plenty to keep you busy! Talking to Tyrrell or Bennett or Pippinlopper, other jobs..
Gausanders blinks. "Who? I mean, I've heard of Bennett, I've met his sister, but… who are the other two?"
[Jocoza]: Um, Tyrrell is from the 7th Legion, and then Pippinlopper is a gnome. *She says this almost like it is a qualification*
[Gausanders]: Oh, okay, yeah! *Gnome sounds like a qualification to Sandy too.*
Jocoza blinks then, at Sandy. "Bennett… Did you read the newsletter that said…? His sister… passed away. He's been out of office for a while now."
Gausanders 's eyes widen once again. "She… what? When? Oh no…"
[Jocoza]: She was up in the Plaguelands, doing some work outside of Company time, I think. It was a while back, but I didn't hear right away.
[Gausanders]: Oh no… *His eyes get teary.* She was kind of scary but she was nice! I gave her her first interview for the Com— *He doesn't finish that sentence.*
Jocoza looks at him curiously. "What was that?"
[Gausanders]: Nothing!
[Gausanders]: Anyway, we were talking about how to punish me for turning into a demon! *He wipes his tears with his sleeve, trying his best to change the subject.*
Jocoza looks at him suspiciously, but nods. "Okay. And um. Not punish, I would say. Just, make sure everything's all right and people feel safe around you. Right?"
Gausanders shakes his head slightly. "Yeah!" He smiles.
Jocoza smiles, relieved. "That's good, then. And it'll give you more time to study and spend time with friends and family, too. Everyone could use a break every now and then!"
Gausanders nods. "Yeah, I guess! Maybe I'll go back to my mom's place, just for a little bit! I'll probably invite dad from time to time, and Gwen too, whenever I can!"
[Jocoza]: That sounds really nice. *Jo nods.* Well, I'm glad we had this talk.
Gausanders smiles. "Uh… yeah!.. Me too!" He doesn't sound very enthusiastic.
Jocoza stands up. "Let me know if you run into any difficulties!"
Gausanders nods. "You too! With… the Squads and all!"
[Gausanders]: Especially if you need a Captain Sandy!
Jocoza giggles. "If I do, you'll be the first to know! Well, besides the other Captains and Lieutenants."
Gausanders chuckles. "Great!"