(2023-03-18) The Cobalt Fishing Pole

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	Cobalt members and friends meet up on a Stormwind pier for an afternoon of fishing. Mayellen has news and a surprise for Annibeth. Anni is not surprised in the way May had hoped. Feelings ensue.
Rating:	T for Teen

[Jonas]: Mayellen.

Jonas smiles at Mayellen.

[Mayellen]: Hi there. Nice fishing weather, hm?

[Jonas]: Hullo. It is.

[Jonas]: Was hoping I'd catch you here today. You've been well?

[Mayellen]: I'm all right. Quite an adventure we had.

Jonas sets down his tacklebox and nods agreeably.

[Jonas]: Was, aye.

[Jonas]: How's Anni doing?

[Mayellen]: I haven't seen her since; hope she's keeping safe. I've been pretty busy.

[Jonas]: Oh, aye? That's good. Is it?

[Mayellen]: I managed to get myself into Cobalt Company.

Jonas lowers his fishing rod and stares at May.

[Jonas]: Well, congratulations. Congratulations, Mayellen. That's — brilliant news, aye?

Mayellen nods, keeping her eyes on the water. She belatedly remembers to smile.

[Jonas]: You should've got in touch. I'd buy a drink. We ought to have a drink or something? Celebrate?

Jonas peers at Mayellen searchingly.

[Mayellen]: That's awfully sweet of you. It's… kind of a trial thing, so maybe we should wait, hm?

[Jonas]: Ah. Well, sure, all right. As you like.

[Mayellen]: I don't want to get too excited, you know? In case it doesn't work out.

[Jonas]: Still. Congratulations.

[Mayellen]: Thanks.

[Jonas]: Ach, it'll work out. Why wouldn't it? You're a sensible girl, hard worker.

[Jonas]: Anni will be all right then, will she?

[Mayellen]: Don't tell her it's a trial thing. She might try to wiggle out on a technicality.

[Mayellen]: I need her to join; that was the whole point of rushing it like this.

[Jonas]: I won't breathe a word.

[Mayellen]: Thanks.

Mayellen shoots him a genuinely grateful look.

Jonas smiles back at her briefly and then looks at the water again.

[Jonas]: Well, so it's been a good week, has it? Our adventure? And Cobalt?

Jonas doesn't look at May this time.

[Mayellen]: I got a letter from Ben, too, want to see?

Mayellen didn't exactly answer, though…

[Jonas]: Oh, ah. Is that all right? If he wrote to you, I mean….

[Mayellen]: He won't care.

[Jonas]: Ah.

[Mayellen]: It's not like it's super personal.

Jonas steals another look at May. He frowns a little.

[Mayellen]: But he mentions you. Because I did.

[Jonas]: Well. I'd be — I mean, if it is all right with you, then sure, yes.

Mayellen glances at him, and possibly because she catches the small frown, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out the letter for him to see.

Jonas props his fishing pole against his boot and shoulder, and accepts the letter. "Damn, that's — it smells? I thought I was smelling… the pier."

[Mayellen]: Yeah, I have no idea what that's about.

[Mayellen]: If you're wondering, that's not normally how he or his possessions smell.

[Jonas]: I'll take your word, aye.

Jonas unfolds the letter carefully. He tries to hold it at arm's length and read it by squinting.

[Mayellen]: I heard that some of the letters are getting altered in transit, some arcane thing? But… that seems a weird thing for magic to do.

[Jonas]: I can't say as I'd know. You'd be more authority than I.

[Jonas]: … how does one get a letter if it's on fire?

[Mayellen]: Painfully, I would imagine.

[Mayellen]: I found myself wondering if it consumed the paper or if it was like arcane fire, only burning what it it was hostile to.

[Jonas]: Well, and there's your Len– wait, what was Anni's brother's name?

[Mayellen]: Dagrick. I hadn't realized he and Ben knew each other that well. I mean we all knew each other more or less.

[Mayellen]: But it sounds like they were maybe pals.

[Jonas]: Hm.

[Jonas]: I put my hands in my pockets? Do I?

Jonas looks up at May, nonplussed.

Mayellen glances at him, the corner of her mouth twitching once, weakly. "You do."

[Jonas]: Ah. Hm.

Mayellen demonstrates, putting her hands in her pockets and standing in a Benlike manner.

[Mayellen]: Just a certain way of standing that reminds me of him.

Jonas colors very faintly, a stain along his cheekbones, and squints at the letter again. "I see."

[Mayellen]: There's nothing wrong with it. No need to be embarrassed.

[Mayellen]: I just think it's interesting, the things that we inherit.

[Jonas]: I just hadn't realized, is all. One doesn't, does one? Mannerisms.

[Jonas]: Odd when other people notice and remark.

[Mayellen]: I wonder if I have any.

Jonas glances at Mayellen. He doesn't comment.

[Mayellen]: I make a point of noticing as much as I can.

[Mayellen]: Are you not used to people paying much attention? On your own too much?

[Jonas]: Aye. And I don't generally try to call attention. Go along, you know?

Jonas folds the letter up again.

Mayellen nods.

Annibeth strolls up, whistling.

[Annibeth]: Go along with what?

[Jonas]: So will you write back and confirm I'm 'infereror’?

[Mayellen]: There you are.

[Jonas]: … oh, hullo, Anni.

[Mayellen]: Don't make fun of his spelling, Jonas; he didn't get to have schooling.

[Jonas]: … I know. I apologize. I wasn't making fun, so much as — I apologize.

[Mayellen]: I'm glad you're okay, Anni, because this would have been really bad timing for them to finally get you.

Jonas offers the letter back.

[Annibeth]: Who'n'what're we talkin' about?

Mayellen tucks the letter away.

[Mayellen]: Well, we are now talking about you.

Mayellen pulls out another piece of paper and hands it to Anni. It's a Cobalt Company application.

[Mayellen]: The time has arrived.

Mayellen points to red ink at the top of the app that says EXPEDITED.

Annibeth takes the Mysterious Paper and looks it over. Her face goes Very Neutral.

Jonas watches Anni's expression. He glances at May.

[Mayellen]: That's the handwriting of the man himself. I told him your situation and he is expediting your application. Basically once he has the papers you're in, on a trial basis. We both are.

[Mayellen]: No more excuses. You sign up with them, and you sleep at HQ for now. Okay?

Annibeth sighs. Crap. She set herself up for this. "So… you are in, then?"

Jonas smiles. It's a slightly uncertain smile. He glances at May again.

[Mayellen]: Yep.

[Mayellen]: Not how I wanted it, but you kinda forced my hand. So here we are. Trial run.

Annibeth grumbles. "I didn't force nothin'. You wanted in, you got in. If that's my 'fault' somehow, you're welcome."

Annibeth pokes her tongue out.

Jonas does a small eyebrow-frown. His mouth doesn't actually turn down or anything.

[Mayellen]: Do you know where their HQ is in Ironforge? That's where I want you sleeping now. It's safe as anything, on several counts.

[Annibeth]: May…I said I'd apply. I din't agree to nothin' about sleepin' in their base.

[Mayellen]: What the hell, Anni. Do you just want to get assassinated?

[Jonas]: May's concerned for your safety. And she's right. It's safe.

[Mayellen]: I have gone to a huge amount of trouble to keep you safe — you have no idea what I've been through. Why do you keep fighting it?

Jonas glances sharply at Mayellen. He studies her profile.

[Mayellen]: If you just wanted them to kill you, you shoulda told me before I went through all this.

Mayellen 's fists are clenched.

[Annibeth]: I don't wanna get 'sassinated! Cripes…

[Mayellen]: Then stay in the one place they'd never dare set foot, until we have some other way of making sure you're safe.

[Annibeth]: Yeah, like what?

[Mayellen]: We'll figure something out.

[Mayellen]: But for now, I've ensured your safety. And that's what matters to me.

[Jonas]: You're not signing your life away, either, Annibeth. It's a mercenary company, not a cult. Sign up, keep safe, see what you think. Aye? You're not marrying anything.

[Annibeth]: May, I dunno if you noticed… but I'm kinda wagin' war on the Defias. It's dangerous, and I can't do that if I'm hidin' out.

[Jonas]: You could have hands in it with you, though.

[Mayellen]: Cobalt Company is already at war with them.

[Mayellen]: So join the army that's already slaughtering them.

[Jonas]: More effective, and less dangerous to you personally.

[Annibeth]: Great! And I already got hands in it with me. You guys!

[Mayellen]: We're three random young people Annibeth, Cobalt Company is… Cobalt Company.

[Mayellen]: But at this point I think you just don't want to understand, and are being contrary for the sake of being contrary. I've done everything I can. Your funeral.

Mayellen turns around, face red, and starts fishing again.

[Annibeth]: No I ain't! Light's sake, May… I don't wanna be in a cage! Okay?!

Jonas looks between the two again. He raises his eyebrows at Anni.

[Mayellen]: Then die outside one if that's what you prefer. I did what I could.

[Mayellen]: I wanted a lot of things. I didn't get ‘em. That's life.

[Jonas]: Mayellen, would you — ah. Hullo.

Jonas offers a smile to Arthur.

Arthur lifts an eyebrow, but directs his attention to Jonas. "Jonas! Hello."

Mayellen furiously fishes.

[Annibeth]: You know what? I would rather die free than live in a cage. I don't know how you don't get–

[Mayellen]: Oh what a terrible cage, having a powerful mercenary company accept you.

[Annibeth]: Holy cats, May. All I said is I don't wanna be shut up in their headquarters.

[Annibeth]: I said I'd apply!

[Mayellen]: But you're all mad about it, like I– never mind. Done talking about it.

[Mayellen]: Do what you want.

Annibeth finally registers someone else has arrived.

[Annibeth]: Oh… hey.

[Arthur]: Miss Jansen, hello.

Jonas clears his throat. "Good fishing weather, as Mayellen was telling me earlier," *he says to Arthur.*

[Jonas]: Going to join us?

[Mayellen]: Oh, uh, hi.

[Arthur]: I seem to have stumbled on an involved conversation. I had some extra lures, and i remembered you all came out here to fish.

[Mayellen]: I remember you, the mage, right? Do you have any idea what's going on with the mail?

Arthur looks Mayellen right in the eye and says, "Something screwy is going on with the mail."

Estel waves lazily. "Hey."

[Arthur]: It's baffling. I'm not sure what exactly, but it sure is interesting. Aside from the trouble of getting the mail to and fro.

Mayellen half-smiles at him. "I just got a letter that reeks permanently of dead fish for no apparent reason."

[Mayellen]: Estel, hi!

[Jonas]: Hullo, Estel.

[Mayellen]: Do you know my friends, and um, this mage, here?

[Estel]: Hey! Uh, this mage here I ain't met. Hi, I'm Estel.

[Jonas]: The mage is Arthur. Of the Cobalt Blade, aye?

[Arthur]: Hello, Estel. I'm Arthur Reeves. Cobalt Blade, yeah.

[Mayellen]: Thalstan's squad.

[Estel]: Oh, cool. Nice to meet you, yeah?

[Arthur]: Yeah! I come bearing lures.

[Arthur]: For fish.

[Arthur]: Fish lures.

[Mayellen]: I mean, I would hope so.

Jonas smiles at Arthur.

[Mayellen]: How are the kids, Estel? Doing okay?

[Estel]: Loud. They're real loud.

[Mayellen]: Yeah, babies can be like that.

[Mayellen]: Oh, Anni, you should see this weird smoky fishy letter from Ben also. *She passes it to her.*

[Estel]: Ben doin' alright?

[Annibeth]: Smoky… fish letter.

Annibeth takes the letter.

Arthur gets a whiff. "Huh! … Trout?"

[Annibeth]: So… someone wrapped fish with it?

[Mayellen]: No, this is most definitely unnatural, and no signs of oil or anything on the paper.

[Mayellen]: It's like a permanent smell.

[Mayellen]: I tried airing it out and if anything it got stronger. It's weird.

[Annibeth]: Fish usually is….

[Jonas]: The letter from Ben says the mail trouble is to do with… ley lines?

[Mayellen]: I know what those are, but not what they have to do with smoked fish.

Arthur perks up. "Ley lines? Huh! So it could be a resonance problem. but…"

[Arthur]: What's wrong with the ley lines?

[Jonas]: What did he say, again?

Jonas looks to May.

[Mayellen]: He said "something wrong" with them.

[Estel]: Welp.

[Mayellen]: But ley lines are kind of part of Azeroth, like… gravity and so forth. So whatever is messing with them must be pretty huge.

[Mayellen]: Cobalt Company sized problem.

Estel says mildly, "That's, uh, bad."

[Mayellen]: Yeah.

Annibeth zones out as she reads the letter.

[Mayellen]: I'm sure they'll fix it though, they have Jo up there.

[Mayellen]: Also Gwenivene.

[Mayellen]: If there's anything magical those two can't fix, I don't know what it is.

[Jonas]: Jo does the science talks, aye?

[Estel]: Yeah, she does the science talks.

[Mayellen]: Or did.

[Estel]: Don't jinx it. She'll do more science talks someday.

Mayellen smiles wisfully at Estel.

[Mayellen]: Already feels like a thousand years ago.

[Mayellen]: Arthur, did you get to meet Captain Sparkwire before she left for Northrend?

[Arthur]: Captain Sparkwire recruited me in the first place.

[Mayellen]: Makes sense!

[Mayellen]: Mage-engineer solidarity.

[Mayellen]: I'm in the Company now as well.

Mayellen says this a little awkwardly.

[Estel]: Oh?

Mayellen nods.

Arthur smiles. "It's great to have you, Miss Mulby."

[Estel]: Hey, congrats.

Mayellen smiles a little and bows her head in thanks.

[Jonas]: We ought to have drinks, I said. To celebrate.

Annibeth offers the fishy letter back to Mayellen.

[Mayellen]: I might wait a little bit. I don't want to get all excited and then screw something up and get kicked out just when I was sure everything was fine.

[Jonas]: Have you written back to Ben of it yet? He'll be pleased, won't he?

[Mayellen]: Yeah, I do mean to write back. Just a bit occupied lately.

Mayellen tucks the letter away carefully.

Arthur digs around in his bag and produces a handful of [Aquadynamic Fish Attractor] lures. "It's not quite a celebration gift, but these mught come in handy."

[Mayellen]: Oh!

Jonas smiles at Arthur.

Mayellen looks slightly suspiciously at the Cute Boy Offering Gifts.

[Mayellen]: What are those?

Arthur offers the lures. "They wiggle. It makes fish real curious. Save these for the wily ones."

Estel mutters, "I oughta write to folks…"

[Mayellen]: That's… actually quite interesting. Thank you.

Mayellen inclines her head politely to Arthur.

[Arthur]: I have some for everyone!

[Mayellen]: Perfect! *She relaxes a bit.*

[Jonas]: Oh, aye?

Estel sits down against the post and takes out a pencil and a piece of paper. She does not have an ideal writing surface on hand.

[Jonas]: Thank you kindly.

Jonas takes up his fishing pole again and fiddles a moment, affixing one of the lures carefully.

[Arthur]: Miss Annibeth, you can make these I bet. You want some anyway?

[Annibeth]: Oh, don't worry 'bout me. I actually got plenty lures. Thanks, though!

[Arthur]: Miss Estel, would you like some lures? I really do have a lot.

Estel waves a hand. "I ain't got the patience for fishing, I'll pass. Thanks."

Arthur nods and puts them back. "I'll always have more. Drop me a note if you need them."

[Jonas]: And a mackerel, straightaway. That's a fine lure, then, Arthur.

Jonas holds the flapping fish up triumphantly.

[Mayellen]: Anni can make all kinds of things. Mostly explodey things, but other things too.

[Annibeth]: Yeah. The guards gets kinda upset if I try to fish with 'splodey things, though.

[Arthur]: Sometimes exploding things are handy. Dynamite, bombs, sheep…

[Mayellen]: Exploding sheep?

[Mayellen]: What possible purpose could that serve??

[Annibeth]: What?! I need to upgrade from squirrel…

Arthur nods. "Swear it's true."

[Annibeth]: What possible purpose wouldn't it serve?

Annibeth grins.

Arthur grins. "It's a trap, see. a sheep might just be a sheep…or it could be an ambushed guard who's been polymorphed."

[Annibeth]: So many possibilities….

[Annibeth]: I packed my squirrel with explosives. It ain't like to pass for a real squirrel. But it can get to tricky places. Like adorable, self-propelled dynamite!

Mayellen goes to sit over by Estel.

Estel is using her leg as a surface for the paper and scribbling out a letter in the absolute worst handwriting. She looks up at May. "Hey, you get your results?"

[Mayellen]: Mm.

[Mayellen]: Who're you writing to?

Mayellen peers at Estel searchingly.

[Estel]: The lady who left her kids with me.

Estel lowers her voice. "Good? Bad?"

Mayellen gives Estel the tiniest little shake of her head, accompanied by Significant Eye Contact.

[Mayellen]: She's in Northrend? I don't remember you saying that bit.

[Estel]: I dunno, but I think she might be?

[Estel]: She ain't been home in a long while, and if she were, that would explain why not.

[Mayellen]: She just… left her kids with you and didn't say where she was going?

[Estel]: We offered to look after them back when, uh… the plague was. Happening.

[Mayellen]: And then she disappeared? You don't suppose she got the plague?

[Estel]: No, I don't think she got the plague, but. Yeah, she didn't say where she was goin'.

[Mayellen]: Wow. I suppose my mother isn't the worst mother, then.

Estel laughs. "Honestly? I ain't holding it against her too much yet 'til I find out what's actually happened."

[Arthur]: There might be a reason, yeah.

[Estel]: Always a lot more goin' on with people than you can tell.

[Mayellen]: You can say that again.

Jonas glances toward Estel and May's conversation slightly.

Annibeth glances back at May and Estel briefly.

[Arthur]: I should be off! I'm dying to go to the library and chase down more about ley line resonance in object translocation.

[Estel]: Gooood luck.

[Mayellen]: If you figure anything out about it, let us know!

Mayellen waves at Arthur.

[Arthur]: I will!

Arthur waves goodbye to everyone. Farewell!

[Annibeth]: See ya!

[Jonas]: Good seeing you.

[Mayellen]: So what have you been working on lately, Estel?

Estel looks up from her letter in progress. "Hm?"

[Mayellen]: Oh, Nala! Have you met Estel?

[Ionala]: I think I have? How do you do?

[Annibeth]: Oh, hey Nala!

[Estel]: Hey. I think so, yeah!

Mayellen gives Ionala a little smile, but she looks a bit wan.

Jonas glances back and smiles. "Nala. Good afternoon."

[Mayellen]: That was quite an adventure we had last week, right Nala? I hope you got some rest after?

[Ionala]: Oh, I did.

[Ionala]: Hello everyone! are they biting?

[Mayellen]: I think I'll see if I can catch a few more…

[Annibeth]: Kinda bitin'. Get on in here.

[Mayellen]: Good spot for it.

[Jonas]: Biting well, aye. Would you like a lure, Nala? Arthur was just here, lent a few.

[Mayellen]: Engineered ones!

[Mayellen]: Very high tech.

[Annibeth]: He's a pretty clever sort.

Jonas steps over and offers a lure to Ionala.

[Ionala]: Oh, I have some… worms. What are these?

[Jonas]: Engineer– Anni could probably explain them.

[Mayellen]: Arthur says they wiggle.

[Mayellen]: Nala, Estel has been a priestess for a long time. She's in Cobalt Company. Anni and I are both in now; you should join!

Ionala examines the lure, but looks up. "You've joined Cobalt Company? Oh how wonderful! I know you really wanted to."

Estel folds her letter up and shoves it into an envelope. She makes a face at it.

Mayellen nods, not quite meeting her eyes.

Jonas smiles at Nala.

[Annibeth]: I ain't actually IN-in yet…

[Annibeth]: But apparently I been expertided.

[Mayellen]: The application is just a formality, he said.

[Mayellen]: You're expedited on account of needing asylum.

Annibeth sighs.

Ionala holds up the lure, looking terribly surprised by how it twitches in her palm. "I sense that there is quite an explanation behind your membership."

Ionala frowns as she ties the lure to her line.

[Mayellen]: Mostly just that she's been fighting it like hell.

[Mayellen]: For reasons unbeknownst.

[Annibeth]: Oh, they're knownst.

[Mayellen]: Not to me.

[Annibeth]: Dunno why not. Been tellin' you over and over.

[Mayellen]: You give me lots of reasons, but none of them are based in fact.

Annibeth frowns at May, her face painted in hurt.

[Ionala]: A mackerel! First cast!

[Mayellen]: Nice work!

Jonas grins at Nala.

[Ionala]: That's quite a lure.

Estel hops up and stretches. "A'ight, I'm gonna go mail this. Will it get there? Who knows."

[Mayellen]: I want to know how it arrives.

[Mayellen]: If it arrives.

[Mayellen]: If you hear back, let me know!

[Estel]: If I ever find out, I'll let you know. You lot take care, yeah? Later, later.

Estel waves over her shoulder.

[Jonas]: See you, Estel.

[Ionala]: What are your reasons, Annibeth? Do you feel there's something wrong?

Annibeth lowers her head. "There's a lotta reasons… but I don't wanna fight with May no more…"

[Mayellen]: I wouldn't fight if you had a factual reason.

[Mayellen]: But making really important life decisions based on being upset about things is a terrible idea, ask me how I know.

Annibeth 's face tenses with emotion. She looks down at her rod. "I gotta– there's something wrong… with my rod. I'm just gonna… um…"

Annibeth wanders up the pier to plop down and pretend to fiddle with the rod mechanism.

Mayellen stares angrily at the water.

Ionala peers at Annibeth searchingly.

Ionala peers at Mayellen searchingly.

Jonas looks between May and Anni again, and then at Nala.

Ionala raises her eyebows as she looks at Jonas, plainly wondering what to do here.

Mayellen fishes furiously.

Jonas clears his throat.

[Jonas]: So. Er.

[Mayellen]: Any of you ever been to the Barrens?

[Jonas]: On Kalimdor? I haven't, no.

[Mayellen]: One of my instructors is sending me there, and I dunno if it's practical to go by myself.

[Mayellen]: I've never been farther than Ironforge.

Jonas glances sidelong. "I wouldn't mind going with. I've not been to Kalimdor at all. Like to see the place."

[Ionala]: I haven't been, but I think I know how to get there.

[Ionala]: But it's a bit dangerous.

[Ionala]: You should probably have companions.

[Mayellen]: Definitely could use some company, then. This lesson is definitely not worth dying for, as it's only theoretical for me.

[Mayellen]: It's not urgent, but, whenever somebody has time.

[Mayellen]: Also if you know anyone else who needs to head out that way for any reason, let 'em know.

[Mayellen]: The more the merrier.

Annibeth glances up from her "work", listening but remaining sullen and quiet for the time.

Ionala glances at Annibeth, again with the eyebrows that ask so many questions.

[Mayellen]: They want me to learn how to control a sayaad. It's part of the curriculum.

[Mayellen]: There is no way in the VOID I am working with one of those things for real, though.

[Jonas]: Ah.

[Mayellen]: You know what they are? *She glances at Jonas.*

[Jonas]: I've read. I've not seen one, but as I'm hoping to go through the Portal, you know. Research.

[Mayellen]: They're possibly the most manipulative and dangerous creatures in the Legion. They use them as interrogators, to weaken people's wills, find out their breaking points.

Mayellen shudders.

Jonas glances at May with concern.

[Mayellen]: I see why it's important for them to know I can control one, but I can't stand the thought of using something like that.

[Ionala]: Even if you don't want to work with them, it's a good idea to know how to control them, I agree.

[Mayellen]: Right, because otherwise I might get controlled by one.

[Ionala]: Precisely my worry.

[Mayellen]: This lesson will help me not only summon one to serve me, if I were twisted enough to do something like that, but also I could possibly rescue others who were ensorcelled by them.

[Jonas]: A valuable one, then.

[Mayellen]: Yeah. But not looking forward to it.

[Ionala]: If we run up against these foes, we need as many ways to stay safe from them as possible.

[Mayellen]: That's my goal. So long as I'm learning this horrible stuff I may as well put it to not-horrible use.

Jonas ventures another smile at May, mildly.

[Mayellen]: Do you ever use shado– uh, void magic, Nala? Do you feel weird about it?

[Ionala]: I have had some training, of course. It's…

Mayellen peers at Ionala searchingly.

Ionala shrugs. "It's important to understand its place in the church's magic. Any tool can be misused. But to deny one side in favor of the other…"

Jonas nods.

[Mayellen]: It must be nice, Jonas, to have a calling that's a bit more… straightforward. Point and shoot. Guns are dangerous, but not like… it's not going to turn your mind into a gun.

[Jonas]: Ah. *Jonas glances sidelong at May.*

[Ionala]: It leaves you open on that side. Weak.

Mayellen nods at Ionala.

[Mayellen]: So you aim for balance?

[Mayellen]: In my calling, balance comes from sort of… grounding yourself. Doing… not-warlock things.

[Mayellen]: My first teacher was very big on that, in fact discouraged me from having other warlock friends.

[Ionala]: Yes. It's easy to see the sacredness of the Light. Look what it does, after all.

[Mayellen]: I wish I could have channeled it myself…

Mayellen sighs, suddenly looking quite sad.

[Mayellen]: I really did try.

[Jonas]: Ach, you'll do great things, May. It's those as work the hardest, aye?

[Mayellen]: I hope so. I really do.

[Mayellen]: I just… I want all this to be worth it.

[Jonas]: We know it. Don't we, Nala? Anni?

Jonas looks around at the other two.

Annibeth mumbles, "Course we do. May's great."

[Ionala]: I know.

Mayellen looks surprised at Anni, and a touch wary.

[Mayellen]: I should get going.

[Mayellen]: Thanks for keeping me company a while.

[Ionala]: Rest well, May.

[Jonas]: All right. I mean it, about that drink, though? We'll celebrate.

[Mayellen]: Let's hold off on the celebration for a bit, hm? Let's just… make sure I don't screw this up somehow.

[Mayellen]: I have not had a great track record lately.

Jonas frowns faintly. He studies her.

[Jonas]: As you like.

[Mayellen]: See you soon! I'll let you all know when I hope to make my Barrens trip, if anyone's interested.

[Ionala]: Definitely tell me!

Ionala waves goodbye to Mayellen. Farewell!

Ionala stares Annibeth down. "All right. Now how do you really feel?"

Jonas props his fishing pole at his foot again and turns to look at Annibeth too.

Annibeth looks up from her fishing pole, which she might have actually managed to break while "fixing" it.

[Jonas]: What's on, with the pair of you?

[Jonas]: I concede Mayellen was — out of sorts today. But.

Annibeth sighs and gives a little shrug. "She been houndin' me about joinin' Cobalt Company for weeks. I said I'd apply if they accepted her… and I will. But apparently that ain't enough for her."

[Jonas]: To be fair to Mayellen, you didn't sound altogether willing to apply. Even after.

[Ionala]: And that's not bad. At all! But I would like it if you felt understood.

[Annibeth]: No, I said I weren't willin' to go sleep on Cobalt's floor or whatever. It's like she wants to put me in a cage where nothin' can hurt me. But it's still a cage.

[Jonas]: Can you — listen, Annibeth. I assure you that no one knows like me about… not wanting a cage. But think of it as — they'd not be holding you, aye? It's a safe place to sleep. Think of it as a hostel you don't need to pay for.

[Jonas]: Because it's sponsored for you.

[Jonas]: It's a free cot in a safe place. No one's holding you there.

Jonas glances at Nala.

[Annibeth]: I know it ain't an actual cage, but… just listen to how she talks. She wants to make sure nothin' can hurt me. It won't stop there. She thinks I'll get 'sassinated if I walk down the street.

Ionala looks thoughtful. "She is afraid for your safety, and you feel like you're being restricted?"

[Annibeth]: Yeah! I mean, I know she's tryin' to look out for me, and I love her for it. I'd die to protect her, too. But I gotta be able to move, y'know?

[Ionala]: I think I do.

Jonas nods.

[Annibeth]: Fact is, I been survivin' on my own jus' fine by movin' around. Stayin' outta sight and bein' unpredictable. Even then I got these spies fro– um…nevermind. Prolly not s'posed to talk about that.

Jonas raises his eyebrows.

[Jonas]: Spies?

Ionala lets Jonas poke that one.

[Annibeth]: Did I say spies? I meant… spies… no wait… um… shit.

[Jonas]: You did say spies. Aye.

Jonas folds his arms across his chest.

Annibeth looks around suspiciously.

Jonas looks up sharply and scans the harbor area. "Should we be alert? To something?"

Annibeth keeps her voice low.

[Annibeth]: I dunno. Prolly. I feel like they're watchin' me everywhere. Keep poppin' up outta the blue.

[Annibeth]: You ever heard of SI:7?

[Jonas]: I have, aye.

[Annibeth]: Well, they been houndin' me. Like… recruited me to do some work for 'em. I think cuz of my… uh… history. Y'know?

[Jonas]: Ah.

[Annibeth]: May said I should just go along with it. Not the kinda people you really say no to.

[Jonas]: So they're not spying with an aim to harm you? But to recruit you? Or?

[Annibeth]: I honestly ain't sure what they really want with me.

[Ionala]: And they're not exactly handing you an informative brochure.

[Jonas]: Have you tried asking?

[Annibeth]: Course I have. These people speak in codes and riddles and shit.

[Jonas]: Hm.

[Ionala]: Hm.

[Annibeth]: But it's like… everywhere I turn, I got someone tryin' to tell me what to do, or what I can't do. Defias, May, SI:7… now maybe Cobalt.

[Ionala]: So let me ask you this.

[Ionala]: What do you want to do?

Annibeth lets her shoulders droop. "I never had to think this hard about it. I was doin' it. Tryin' to stop the Defias wherever I could. Tryin' to make up for the bad I done."

[Ionala]: Well. I have an idea, if you'll hear it.

[Annibeth]: Well, you're my future wife so I better listen to you.

Annibeth finds a small smile.

Ionala smiles. "Indeed."

Jonas looks between the pair. He raises his eyebrows.

[Annibeth]: That's a joke, Jonas. Uh… we ain't actually gettin' married.

[Jonas]: Ah. Well, let me know when you do. I'll get a tie.

Ionala grins at Jonas, and then turns back to Annibeth.

[Ionala]: Ask, specifically, how contracts are ended with Cobalt Company. I get the feeling that you'll know how you feel when you know how free you are to change your mind and go.

[Ionala]: And if it's easy to go, I think that's a pretty safe place to be able to sit still long enough to figure out what you want.

[Ionala]: Having people you can count on really helps.

[Annibeth]: It ain't joinin' Cobalt that's chafin' my hide. I mean… I'm still skeptical, but May convinced me of the benefits. Long as they take her, I'm satisfied.

[Annibeth]: What's grindin' my gears is that May just keeps pushin' for more. First it was join 'em. But that alone ain't enough. Now she wants me locked up nice and safe in their headquarters… in Ironforge.

[Jonas]: She never did say locked up, Anni, *Jonas observes gently.*

[Annibeth]: Ain't it implied? If I ain't hidden away in there all day and night, apparently I'll be killed in the street, the way she talks.

[Jonas]: She didn't say day and night, either. If you join Cobalt Company, you'd be expected to work, aye? Mercenary companies don't take people in to sit idly in a room.

[Ionala]: The problem is that May is so afraid that you will be hurt that she's forgetting you have stayed safe all this time.

[Ionala]: I don't think you should give up all of your safe places. I think you can just add one more to the list. The headquarters in Ironforge has to be one place of many where you can go.

[Jonas]: It would be a safe harbor to come back to, aye?

[Annibeth]: Would it? May thinks the Defias wouldn't 'dare' set foot in Cobalt's base. Apparently she don't know how bold the Defias can be. That ain't even to mention SI:7, whatever they want with me.

[Jonas]: Well, I can tell you that I don't know SI:7 would act against Cobalt Company's interests, at least not without consideration. They've… past ties, it seems. I think SI:7 would be inclined to mind those borders, out of respect. The Defias, now, I can't speak to.

Ionala nods. "They are the unknown factor."

[Annibeth]: Well, I can, and I'm tellin' you they ain't gonna respect shit. Best we can hope for is they tear themselves apart before they get organized enough to be a big threat again.

[Ionala]: …can we help?

[Jonas]: We can work at that together, aye? And perhaps you bring what you know to Sir Elohad and Cobalt, and they can make use of it to break the Defias apart as they did before.

[Jonas]: You don't have to be on your own in all of it, is all.

[Annibeth]: But you're doggone right, Nala. May ain't listenin' when I tell her I been keepin' myself safe… and she's just dismissin' all my reasons like they don't matter. Flat out sayin' they ain't even 'facts'. That… hurt.

[Ionala]: I saw that hurt you.

[Ionala]: It's why I wanted to talk.

Annibeth murmurs, "Thanks."

[Jonas]: May I… suggest something?

Ionala listens intently to Jonas.

[Annibeth]: Course.

[Jonas]: Mayellen… talks a great deal about her parents. How she was raised, and how she's been treated, then and now. I know you've both heard it.

Ionala nods at you.

[Ionala]: And a bit more hurt than that, besides.

[Jonas]: And it's made her angry, and it makes her chafe, but at the same time — it's how she was raised. By her family. She knows her mother wanted her safe. Her parents did, and do. It might be… even as she knows it's no way to go about loving someone, it may be that it's what she knows best?

[Jonas]: I expect she doesn't mean to make you feel this way. She's felt it herself. It's just… a pattern. People know patterns, aye?

Annibeth sighs. "I know… I know she's just tryin' to protect me. But… this is exactly how my brother was. It's what I ran away from when I… y'know…"

[Ionala]: Yes. your patterns are clashing.

[Ionala]: Stripes and florals… oh, that's not helpful.

[Annibeth]: She gets so angry, too… just like Dagrick. Light's mercy, I can't let it happen again, guys.

[Jonas]: But she wouldn't mean it, aye? She knows it herself, she's chafed to get away from it in her own people.

[Jonas]: I expect if you two could talk about it and mind your tempers, you'd air it out right.

[Ionala]: Yes. I agree, airing it out is what's needed.

[Jonas]: But also, she was… awfully out of sorts about something in general today. Could you tell?

Jonas looks between the two.

[Annibeth]: Yeah… I sensed that.

Jonas nods. "It was before you even got here, so I don't expect you were at the heart of it. Just caught up in it, aye?"

[Annibeth]: I really meant it when I said I didn't wanna fight no more. Partly cuz I did notice she weren't quite herself.

[Annibeth]: Not that I wanna fight normally…

[Ionala]: I have a guess.

[Jonas]: Do you?

Ionala nods at Jonas.

Jonas looks intently at Ionala.

[Ionala]: May really wants to belong to something, someone. Feeling like part of something feels like it'll solve the fear.

[Annibeth]: Yeah… I can relate, I guess.

[Ionala]: But she said that she was… conditionally accepted.

[Jonas]: It's why I'd expected — ah. Hm.

[Ionala]: And that doesn't feel safe.

Jonas frowns.

[Annibeth]: Oh… that's a good point.

Annibeth frowns deeply.

[Annibeth]: F#%@in' Cobalt Company….

[Jonas]: I had wondered. Why she hadn't told me. I'd not heard from her all week, in fact, and we'd talked so much about her getting into Cobalt that I was surprised to hear it from her today.

[Ionala]: But if we’re part of Cobalt too…

[Ionala]: Then it's a group within a group. A safe retreat built in.

Jonas raises his eyebrows and nods thoughtfully at Nala.

[Jonas]: And it's why she'd be so urgent about others joining it with her.

[Annibeth]: Hell, I said I'd join with her. But she acted like I was puttin' all this pressure on her…cuz she put all this pressure on herself to get me in, when it was her idea in the first place.

[Jonas]: … she wanted quite badly to get in. From the first time we met, she talked of it.

[Jonas]: So that can't fall on you.

[Annibeth]: She's just mad cuz I said I wouldn't join unless they accepted her. On account of… y'know. Her training.

[Jonas]: Aye, but now she's been accepted. Which she was working toward on her own as it stood.

[Jonas]: I don't see why she should be cross about that, it's not as though you were twisting her arm to put her in Cobalt.

[Jonas]: It was her goal.

[Annibeth]: Yeah… I was the one gettin' arm-twisted….

[Annibeth]: I mean… cuz she cares about me. I know.

Annibeth sighs.

[Ionala]: She still needs you, Anni. To feel safe.

[Annibeth]: I feel bad now, like I been talkin' bad about her. I don't mean to.

[Ionala]: It's okay. We're talking about how to care about our friend.

[Ionala]: Sorting it out. And we can't do it all without her.

[Ionala]: I think I understand better. do you?

Annibeth fights a little stutter in her breath. "I just don't want her to be mad at me no more. I just can't give up feelin' free. I need her to understand that."

[Jonas]: I don't think she wants you to give that up, Anni. Think of Mayellen and her own experiences.

[Jonas]: She's fighting hard to get free of her own family, aye?

[Annibeth]: She literally said it would be better bein' in a cage than dyin' outside one. I… don't agree.

[Ionala]: Ouch.

[Jonas]: I don't agree either. I'm not sure May does either, though.

[Jonas]: It was an odd thing for her to say.

[Ionala]: Yes.

[Jonas]: Which is why I wonder what's got into her.

Annibeth frowns. "I'm worried about her."

Jonas nods.

[Jonas]: Me too.

[Ionala]: Obviously we need to be there for her to talk to.

[Jonas]: She'd got a letter from her brother. I'd have expected her to be over the moon, but she was… subdued.

[Jonas]: There wasn't anything in it that I saw that might've put her off, though?

[Annibeth]: Not that I could tell.

[Ionala]: We'll have to ask.

[Annibeth]: I was even gonna tell her to tell him I'm the Annibeth he's thinkin' of. But… the conversation kinda turned sour first.

Jonas nods.

[Jonas]: I wonder whether I ought to write the man myself. Introduce myself?

[Annibeth]: Maybe ought do.

[Annibeth]: I mean, he's kin, right?

[Ionala]: And he's an officer.

[Jonas]: Aye, my cousin. And an officer.

[Annibeth]: Hold tight to what family you got, Jonas. While you can.

[Jonas]: It's what brought me down here, aye? Family, I mean, not this lot in particular. My father.

[Ionala]: Oh?

[Jonas]: He went through the Dark Portal. With the Sons of Lothar. And never came back. I was headed that way to cross through myself, and see whether I could find him.

[Ionala]: Oh. And so you mean to go look for him.

[Annibeth]: Aw hayell, and you lot said goin' in the Deadmines was a dumb and dangerous idea.

[Jonas]: I do. I did. I still do. Eventually. I've joined with Cobalt, and I'd like to get to know the family I've got here, aye? And maybe gather a company around me to take on whatever's beyond the Portal safely, when I go.

Jonas eyes Anni meaningfully.

[Ionala]: That makes sense.

[Annibeth]: Hey! I took you all with me!

[Annibeth]: …eventually.

[Jonas]: Mm.

[Ionala]: I'll go.

[Jonas]: But you intend to keep — what? *Jonas's head swivels toward Nala.*

[Ionala]: When you go to the Dark Portal. I'll go with you.

[Jonas]: Nala. That's — thank you.

[Annibeth]: Why're you surprised? Of course we're comin' with you, numbskull.

Ionala looks down at the dock and smiles.

Jonas colors faintly. He looks between the two.

[Annibeth]: We look out for each other now, right? So that's that.

[Jonas]: I'm — grateful. For you both. That's… an extraordinary thing.

[Jonas]: And you know I'd do likewise, aye?

[Annibeth]: Course we do.

Annibeth unconsciously rests a hand on the rooster-pommel of her brother's dagger in her belt.

[Jonas]: Well. So long as that's clear.

[Ionala]: There. It's settled. We're going to the ends of the world for each other.

Jonas smiles broadly.

[Jonas]: And for May as well. Which she ought to know.

[Annibeth]: And of course you know she'll come, too. It's May.

[Annibeth]: She'd have our heads if we went without her there to keep us in line.

Annibeth snickers.

[Jonas]: I know it.

Jonas smiles again.

[Jonas]: Mayellen's been good to me since I turned up. I'm obliged to her in all sorts of ways.

[Ionala]: then it's all settled. Whatever happens, we'll figure it out.

Jonas nods.

[Annibeth]: May is… she's always been great. One of the kindest people I ever known. Even back in school, when all the other kids would laugh or make fun of somethin', she'd be the one thinkin' about the feelings of the person bein' teased.

[Jonas]: That… does sound like her.

Annibeth smiles.

[Ionala]: It does.

[Jonas]: You should have heard the speech she gave on Westfall's behalf when she thought Niris Ference was disparaging the place.

Annibeth smiles. "Yeah? Oh, man, I wish I coulda been there."

[Jonas]: Ah, it was something to hear.

Jonas shakes his head admiringly.

[Jonas]: She was mortified straightaway after, of course. Sir Elohad told her not to address his wife that way.

[Jonas]: But I don't think Niris took offense, either. I think it was a spot of misunderstanding, is all.

[Jonas]: And Mayellen did the place proud, she did.

[Annibeth]: Good on her.

[Annibeth]: Heh… prolly best she talked to Ference for me and got me all expertided. I ain't sure I'd come out of a chat with him without really pissin' him off.

[Jonas]: He's a kind man, honestly. Very… paternal.

[Annibeth]: Uh-huh. We'll see.

[Jonas]: I think he's prickly about certain things. Warlocks, for instance. People speaking back to his wife.

[Ionala]: I suppose I had better go speak to him, too. About joining.

Annibeth nods to Ionala. "Prolly should. You guys are right. May's gonna need us."

[Jonas]: If either of you'd like me to go with, I'm happy to. I don't know how much help I'll be on that front, but I am a member, and sort-of kin to him. I might be able to put in a word. Not that either of you needs it in your own right.

[Annibeth]: I just gotta go fill in this application. Think I'll mail in it. The less in-person I am, the better, I think. Least right now.

[Ionala]: Then let's… make an appointment?

[Ionala]: I'm not actually sure how you do it.

Jonas nods at them both approvingly.

[Jonas]: You can turn up at the place and ask for an application. Or if the man's in, just ask for a chat with him.

[Annibeth]: I dunno. I don't think I need one. May said I'm in soon as the paperwork is done, on account of my situation.

[Ionala]: What if we should be our own group, like Cobalt Blade?

[Jonas]: Cobalt… Fishing Pole.

Annibeth laughs.

[Ionala]: Cobalt Anglers!

[Ionala]: Ha!

Annibeth snickers.

Jonas smiles at Nala.

[Annibeth]: Well, I'm gonna go stare at this application for a while, then stress-eat, then prolly fill it out.

[Annibeth]: Most likely with some spy lookin' over my shoulder without me knowin' it.

[Jonas]: Well. That's a plan.

[Ionala]: I should do one too. Probably back at the priory.

[Jonas]: I'll see the pair of you about, then?

[Ionala]: I think you will!

[Annibeth]: Course you will.

Jonas flashes them a grin.

[Jonas]: Evening, then.

[Annibeth]: Take care, you two.

[Jonas]: You as well.