(2023-03-25) Open Office Hours: An Expertided Application

Details

Author:	Luridel
Summary:	Founder of Cobalt Company Elohad Ference, accompanied by translator Alaisa Lysander and courier Raschal, rents out the Dwarven Mining Guildhall in Stormwind for an hour. Today's visitors are Ilaisha, Caliette, and Annibeth. ~3700 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Open Office Hours

Ilaisha walks in, glancing around at all the empty space. "Roomy, for a building of stone."

Alaisa chuckles. "Isn't it?"

Ilaisha eyes Alaisa up and down.

[Ilaisha]: So you're Cobalt? Or was my source incorrect?

Alaisa nods and beckons them over.

Caliette is entrant, pursued by minor functionary. She pauses to have a very quiet, but very firm discussion with him. There is some finger-jabbing toward something distant.

[Elohad]: You've come to the right place!

[Elohad]: How can we help you today?

[Ilaisha]: I ran into some of yours at a dwarven bar, of all places. An odd ensemble, considering there was only one dwarf.

Raschal files his nails.

Raschal is filing them into points, incidentally.

[Alaisa]: Bruuk's, I take it?

[Elohad]: We have a number of dwarves, but they drink at Bruuk's because our headquarters is in Ironforge.

[Elohad]: In the Mystic Quarter. But there are no good bars there.

Elohad gives her a crooked smile.

Ilaisha glances at Rashchal with mild interest. "Bruuk's, Stonebeards, I couldn't tell you. Names." She shrugs.

Raschal looks up and gives the kaldorei a little wink.

[Caliette]: You tell my father—

Raschal returns his attention to his nails.

Caliette drops her voice again.

Ilaisha glances at the newcomer and raises an eyebrow.

Elohad waits patiently, smiling.

[Alaisa]: How may we help you today?

[Elohad]: If you have any questions about the company, I'm your man. I founded the thing, back in 25.

[Ilaisha]: I'm looking for someone. Your people said you were for hire?

[Elohad]: We are indeed! And we have experience finding people.

Alaisa pulls a clipboard closer to her, ready to write things down.

[Raschal]: Once they found me. In a silithid pod.

[Elohad]: That we did, that we did.

[Ilaisha]: Naiya Stardancer, is her name. Last seen after the Third War… *She pauses and glances at Raschal.* And what were you doing in a place like that?

[Raschal]: Being digested! *He smiles.*

Caliette's little tagalong finally leaves. Huffing a sigh, she composes herself, then walks to sit.

[Ilaisha]: An adventurous one, aren't you?

[Raschal]: I'm a courier. I've probably seen the whole of Azeroth by now, save Northrend.

[Elohad]: Give Alaisa the details of your missing person while I see to our other guest hm?

[Elohad]: Hello! What can I do for you, miss?

Alaisa murmurs, "Naiya Stardancer." She writes it down.

[Raschal]: She's been missing for… half a dozen years already? Talk about a cold trail…

Caliette leaps to her feet. "I… was going to wait my turn. I'm sorry. I'm… I wanted to join Cobalt Company."

[Alaisa]: I'm Ally. May I ask your name?

[Elohad]: Fantastic! Let me get you an application. Sit tight.

Caliette re-composes herself.

Alaisa hands one over to Elohad as he approaches the desk.

[Elohad]: Perfect. Thanks.

[Elohad]: Here you go. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the information it asks for, hm?

Ilaisha steps closer to the desk. "Me? Oh, I do forget. Your kind is so short lived, it hardly seems necessary. But, very well. My name is Ilaisha Emberweave."

[Elohad]: I think the latest version is pretty straightforward, but don't be afraid to ask.

[Caliette]: I'm sure it'll be quite self-explanatory.

[Raschal]: The dancer?

Caliette's voice carries just a hint of a northern lilt.

[Ilaisha]: The dancer! Prettiest elf you'll ever see.

[Alaisa]: [Darnassian] One who lives a short time must fill their lives with as much as possible.

[Raschal]: I mean, you're definitely up there.

[Caliette]: I'd be remiss if I didn't caution you that my father is fairly set against this. Lord Audric Glenarvan.

Emberweave winks slyly at Raschal.

[Caliette]: I wouldn't want to cause trouble for the Company. You're very highly thought-of.

Raschal speaks Common with a slangy sort of accent; he seems to have learned it from unsavory types.

Alaisa smiles and writes Ilaisha's name down. "Can you describe Naiya for me?"

[Elohad]: Hmmm. I don't want to cause trouble for you, either. What's his concern, and is there anything I can do to help?

Raschal examines the final effect of his sharpened nails, and smiles with satisfaction.

Caliette smiles and shakes her head. "He doesn't mind that women fight, he just doesn't want his daughter to. He'd rather I were a mage or a priest. But he was cavalry, my brother is as well, and frankly I'm good at sword fighting."

Ilaisha looks closer at Alaisa. "Oh, very good. I see you're a learned one. Her hair is long, the color…like his." She points to Raschal. "And she's perfected the air of mystery."

Caliette hastens to add, "I've had beginning training in mining, so I can also bring metals to the company, as I find them." Um. "If I find them."

[Elohad]: So he thinks it… undignified… or? It can't be the danger, if he'd let you be a mage.

Raschal rakes his hand back through his birdsnest hair.

[Alaisa]: I'm Cobalt Company's translator.

[Caliette]: I'm afraid he thinks fighting isn't very womanly. Magic is, I suppose.

[Elohad]: Do you think it would help if I spoke to him?

[Elohad]: I certainly don't want to cause any family crises or anything.

[Alaisa]: Does she have tattoos?

Caliette blinks. "Lord Ference, I wouldn't presume to ask. In any case, he… He has a temper and I match it, if you see. He's already passed me over for heir."

Raschal 's ears perk up at the question.

[Caliette]: So the damage to the family is done, and might as well have something come out of it but strong words.

[Elohad]: So you're prepared if this causes a break with your family entirely?

[Elohad]: I won't reject you on the basis of your father being a stubborn fool, but if there's any way to avoid causing further damage to your life I'd like to help. If not, well, I guess you can find yourself a family with us. *He smiles warmly.*

[Caliette]: If you would speak with him, one war hero to another, that would be beyond anything, Lord Ference.

[Elohad]: I'd be happy to. I like meeting new people.

[Caliette]: I mean to go ahead with it, but he's a stubborn ol— Er.. stubborn man.

[Ilaisha]: Translating? Is that all you do with such knowledge? I myself only learned Common for information. And she does have face markings, if that's what you're asking. I haven't had the privilege of seeing…all of her.

[Elohad]: Now, there aren't any particular hoops you have to jump through, as you're only signing up to swing a sword, and we're willing to let just about anyone give that a shot. We're between warrior trainers at the moment but I can show you some basics.

[Elohad]: I used to be a straight-up soldier myself, before I became a paladin.

Caliette grins, blue eyes twinkling. "Ach, no. I've had training since I was a mite, alongside my brother. So you see, it's his own fault I'm set for the sword."

[Raschal]: You don't have to interrogate Ally, she's just an innocent little secretary.

Alaisa laughs. "Hardly all, but it's a large part of it. Can you draw her facial markings for me? What color are they?"

[Raschal]: Who also happens to know about forty-seven languages.

[Elohad]: Well, then, sounds like you're all set once the paperwork's filed. I'm a one-man recruiting committee at the moment, so it goes fast.

[Caliette]: If there had to be just one, you're the man for it. And you starting the whole company!

Elohad smiles proudly.

Alaisa does not confirm or deny the number of languages she actually knows. (Mostly because Blizzard is inconsistent about how many languages actually exist.)

Ilaisha looks impressed. "Imagine what you could gather, with that many languages. How are you not Queen, by now?" She scans the desk. "You have something to draw on? Her markings match her hair in color."

[Elohad]: Do you have any questions while you fill that out?

Annibeth lifts her goggles up to the top of her head, now that she's out of the stinging outside air.
Alaisa provides Ilaisha with a pen and paper.

Raschal waves at Annibeth.

Caliette shakes her head. "None that come to mind, thank you sir."

Caliette chin-up nods toward Annibeth. "I'll leave you to get on with the others. Just ask around the back end of the Cathedral district and you'll find the Glenarvans."

[Alaisa]: Why would I want to be Queen?

[Elohad]: Okay. When you're done you can bring or mail that to the HQ in the Mystic Ward in Ironforge. Know where that is?

[Caliette]: No sir, but I'll find it right enough.

Ilaisha begins to draw, glancing up at Alaisa as she speaks. "I know why I would. This city needs more dance. And less smog."

[Elohad]: Welcome! Here with questions about Cobalt Company?

Elohad smiles at Annibeth.

Annibeth stands awkwardly with sheaf of papers in her hand.

Alaisa chuckles quietly. "There's quite a bit of scrutiny that comes with being a public figure in a position of authority like that."

[Annibeth]: Huh? Oh, uh…sorta.

Caliette sits down and digs for a bit of pencil, filling out the application in a neat and tidy hand.

Elohad smiles warmly, his olive-green eyes crinkling at the corners.

[Elohad]: Whatcha got there?

[Ilaisha]: Oh? I say let them watch. I'd charm them all with my performances.

[Annibeth]: I'm lookin' for Ference. Mayellen Mullby sent me. Name’s Annibeth Jansen.

[Elohad]: Well you've come to the right place! Pleased to meet you. Elohad Ference. *He holds out his callused hand.*

Raschal studies Ilaisha.

Annibeth eyes the hand for a moment, but damn her Westfall upbringing, she cannot turn down an offered handshake. She takes his hand firmly in quite a strong grip.

Elohad gives her a good strong handshake, still smiling.

[Elohad]: Mayellen Mullby told me all about you. Explosives, huh?

[Elohad]: We don't have a lot of siege engineer types, so that's interesting to me.

Ilaisha finishes her drawing, which depicts an elegant Kaldorei woman, poised to dance. The markings seem to be only the secondary focus of the drawing.

[Annibeth]: Oh…yeah. I'm pretty good with blowin' things up.

Raschal peers at the drawing and lets out a low whistle.

[Elohad]: Nice.

Annibeth offers the papers. "Uh…this is the application. Sorry…I spilled some oil on it…"

[Elohad]: So, any questions?

Elohad takes the paper and looks it over. "Still readable."

Alaisa studies the drawing. "Do you mind if I make copies of this?"

Caliette rises with her papers, flashing a smile at Annibeth as she heads for the door.

[Raschal]: So, not my place to ask or anything, but what makes you think she's alive, if no one's heard from her in half a dozen years?

Annibeth puffs herself up a moment. Boy did she ever have questions…and comments. A whole lot. A whole practiced speech. None of which she could remember in this moment.

Elohad waves at Caliette.

[Annibeth]: Uh…well…

[Ilaisha]: As long as you do it proper justice. Can't have you spreading inferior advertising.

[Alaisa]: Indeed.

Annibeth blurts out, "I ain't sleepin' on the floor in Ironforge!"

Elohad blinks.

[Elohad]: That's… good to hear…?

[Alaisa]: Can I have your contact information or an address by which you might be reached if we find word of Naiya?

Annibeth's cheeks turn a particularly rosy shade of red and she ducks her head.

Elohad looks confused but friendly.

[Annibeth]: I mean, May said, uh, that…there was this arrangement…

[Ilaisha]: Oh, please. Who do you think I am? If you find her, I'll know. It isn't as though I'm giving up the search myself. Just hiring a few more eyes.

[Raschal]: I gotta ask again… any hint of her continued existence in recent years? At all? Rumors? Belongings found somewhere?

Elohad continues listening, still clearly not following.

[Annibeth]: 'Bout havin' me hide out in your base in Ironforge. But I ain't havin' that.

[Elohad]: Oh!

[Elohad]: Well, we have beds there for people who need them, if that's what you mean.

[Annibeth]: Sooooo…you ain't gonna try to make me stay there? On account of…the people who might want a piece of my hide?

Alaisa looks curiously at Annibeth and Elohad.

[Elohad]: You're… of age, aren't you?

[Ilaisha]: There is one rumor…that her bow and armor were found discarded in the woods of Ashenvale some time after the Third War. But from the look of it, she removed them herself.

[Annibeth]: Huh? Course I am! I'm twenty and one years!

[Raschal]: Okay, that's a starting place, thanks.

[Elohad]: Well, then, I'm not sure anyone can force you to do much of anything, so long as you stay on the right side of the law.

[Annibeth]: Uh…sure. Yeah, I ain't runnin' afoul of the law.

[Elohad]: Then what right does anyone have to make you stay anywhere?

[Ilaisha]: If I find out more, I'll share.

[Annibeth]: That's what I been sayin'!

[Alaisa]: Please do.

[Elohad]: …All right then.

Annibeth sighs. "May just worries about me. She's a sweet girl. But she tries too hard sometimes."

[Raschal]: If they could find me in a pod, they can find anybody, I bet.

[Elohad]: Well, that's between the two of you. I don't want to get all up in your business. But if you have business that concerns your work for me, I'm all ears. Questions? Work requests? Et cetera?

[Annibeth]: Um…actually I should ask about somethin'…

[Elohad]: By all means.

Annibeth lowers her voice…but not nearly enough.

Ilaisha smiles. "It's an interesting place to be, certainly. I may have to check some pods, myself. You never know. I'll let you be on with your day, then. Elune guide your steps. Preferably in perfect rhythm."

[Raschal]: Nice. I like that.

Raschal winks slyly at Emberweave.

[Raschal]: Al diel shalah.

[Annibeth]: Seems I caught the attention of… *dramatically* ESS EYE SEVEN. Like…they been recruitin' me for jobs, I'm assumin' on account of my former employers.

Ilaisha throws a wave over her shoulder and heads for the exit, eyeing Annibeth on the way out.

Alaisa nods to Ilaisha.

[Elohad]: That's great! Never hurts to have multiple streams of income, hm?

[Elohad]: I'm sure they need all sorts of things blown up.

[Elohad]: Hey, come here and meet Alaisa, my assistant.

[Annibeth]: Uh…if you say so. For me it was more a situation of I can't exactly tell 'em 'no'.

[Annibeth]: So…that ain't a conflict for you or nothin'?

Elohad introduces her to Ally for no specific reason specifically.

Alaisa smiles. "I'm Ally, hello."

[Elohad]: Oh not at all. Cobalt Company and SI:7 worked together to bring down Edwin Van Cleef, and we've had a close relationship ever since.

[Annibeth]: Oh…right. Yeah…the whole VanCleef thing.

[Elohad]: That whole thing.

Annibeth clears her throat and smiles at Ally. "Hiya. I'm Anni."

Raschal looks between Anni and Elo, eyes sharp and attentive.

[Alaisa]: You're one of our newer members. Has everything been alright so far?

[Elohad]: Lady Lysander serves a number of important functions for the Company including documentation, translation, and so on. Also she keeps me from forgetting where I left things.

[Annibeth]: Oh…I mean…I lit'rally just turned in my application. But…it's expertided.

Elohad pushes the application toward Ally.

Elohad has indeed written EXPEDITED at the top.

[Annibeth]: Sorry 'bout the oil stains…

[Elohad]: Engineer's hazard?

[Annibeth]: Yeah.

Alaisa nods, taking the application and looking it over. "Ah, yes."

[Elohad]: Make a note on there that SI:7 has shown an interest in the young lady?

[Alaisa]: Oh?

Alaisa flips to the second page and makes a note.

[Elohad]: Just so we don't end up tripping over each other.

[Elohad]: Shaw and I, that is.

[Elohad]: I have great respect for the man, and I hope it's mutual.

[Annibeth]: Hopefully they'll just forget all about me a'fore too long.

Elohad starts to laugh, then turns it into a cough.

[Alaisa]: Frankly, SI:7 shows an interest in everyone. You're being scouted for long-term recruitment? Or they've just asked you to do a couple things?

[Elohad]: How would she know the difference?

[Annibeth]: Heck if I know. They just keep bringin' me in whenever it suits 'em.

Elohad seems genuinely curious.

[Elohad]: Have they offered you any sort of training?

[Alaisa]: They would make it clear, if they did.

[Annibeth]: I get the impression the missions have been trainin', as well as tests, if you get my meanin'.

[Alaisa]: Early stages.

[Elohad]: Mmm. Well, like Lady Lysander says, if they decide they want you, they'll probably let you know.

[Elohad]: But if not, you've still got us.

[Elohad]: I keep forgetting to bring tabards…

[Annibeth]: They been pretty cagey so far. Only thing they've made clear is they know all about…everything.

[Elohad]: Oh well, yes, of course.

Alaisa opens a drawer. There are some folded tabards in there. She brushes one off and offers it out to Anni.

[Elohad]: That's sort of their whole thing.

Annibeth takes the tabard with an uncertain look. "Huh."

[Alaisa]: Here you are. The tabard's optional, although you may wish to wear it while doing jobs for us.

[Elohad]: Our thing is helping people out. So show up wearing that and you're likely to get paying work. And also very unlikely to get hassled. By anyone.

[Annibeth]: You don't think it makes ya a target?

[Elohad]: Not at all.

[Elohad]: At this point there isn't anyone who'd think it worth the hell it would bring down on them to target Cobalt Company.

[Alaisa]: If it gets stolen, do report that, if you don't mind.

[Elohad]: Well except maybe the likes of the Lich King or whatnot, but I mean, we're already fighting him, so.

[Elohad]: But your average gang or cult? They steer clear of us if they can. Often they can't, because we're coming after them.

[Elohad]: There was a time when sometimes one of us would get targeted - but it has never worked out well for anyone who tried.

Elohad smiles a fierce little smile.

[Elohad]: Even if someone stole your tabard, they couldn't get paid.

Annibeth nods slowly, but keeps the tabard under her arm for the moment.

[Elohad]: But they could probably get into some fancy places.

[Annibeth]: Why couldn't they get paid?

[Elohad]: Because payment gets sent to HQ. You pick it up there.

[Annibeth]: Oooh, that's clever.

[Elohad]: I thought so!

Elohad grins.

[Elohad]: We take a little cut, but that's what keeps us in equipment and fresh tabards and marketing posters and whatnot.

Annibeth sighs. "Maybe if I wear the tabard, May'll relax a little…"

[Elohad]: You know, overhead. *He makes a vague gesture over his head. He may not be a finance guy.*

Alaisa keeps her mouth shut.

[Elohad]: It'll look smashing on you! We fair haired types look great in blue.

[Annibeth]: Okay, I do got one big question.

[Elohad]: Sure.

[Alaisa]: Go ahead.

[Annibeth]: So, last outfit I was a part of…let's just say they weren't big on dissent. What if I got a problem with how somethin's bein' done? Or like, a call you make? Am I just shit outta luck? Gotta take a hike? Or what?

[Elohad]: You're welcome to bring any concerns to us. Well, me, for now, until the rest of the leadership gets back from Northrend.

[Elohad]: The general policy - oh get her a code of conduct?

Alaisa picks up another piece of paper from the desk and offers it over.

[Annibeth]: Oof, lotta readin'…

[Elohad]: Um, the general policy is, if you're in the field in a combat situation and there is a clear leader, you do what they say no matter what. But once it's over, report them if you think their orders were rotten.

[Annibeth]: Okay yeah…I get that when lives are on the line.

[Elohad]: We try to strike a balance between the sort of military discipline needed in combat, and the sort of questioning that's important to keep people honest.

[Alaisa]: It's a bit dense, but if you need any help reading or interpreting what it actually means, you can come see me at headquarters in Ironforge, Anni.

[Elohad]: It was written by a lawyer, so…

Elohad makes a face.

[Alaisa]: For your concerns, you should be looking at section six, there. Essentially…

[Annibeth]: Yeah…I might jus' take you up on that, Ally.

[Elohad]: She's good at explaining things.

[Annibeth]: Okay, but like…if I bring somethin' to you, is it gonna make a difference? Has it ever? When someone's brought up an issue?

[Elohad]: Absolutely.

Alaisa nods.

[Elohad]: We've removed people who were abusing other members, and so on.

Annibeth sticks her tongue in her cheek, nodding and looking the three of them over in consideration.

[Elohad]: Even if it's a Lieutenant or something. Maybe especially then. If anything seems hinky, report it to someone higher up.

[Elohad]: Jocoza Sparkwire is the Captain, so there's no one above her, but I can't see anyone ever having a problem with her, she's ador— uh, amazing.

[Raschal]: It's okay. You can say it.

[Raschal]: She's adorable.

Annibeth smirks.

Raschal makes heart eyes and droopy ears, briefly becoming an Anime Elf.

[Annibeth]: Sparkwire? Oh man…she a gnome? She's a gnome, ain't she?

[Alaisa]: She is.

[Elohad]: She is!

[Elohad]: Friend of mine from the Second War. We met during the siege of Gnomeregan.

[Elohad]: She sent a cry for help to my unit using a mechanical squirrel and a… portal or something?

[Annibeth]: No kiddin'? I got a mechanical squirrel!

[Annibeth]: Course…mine's packed with seaforium…

[Elohad]: When she gets back from Northrend, maybe your squirrels can have a playdate. She still has the same squir— oh.

[Elohad]: Please dont' blow up her squirrel. It's a historical treasure.

[Annibeth]: Oh yeah, noooo…prolly shouldn't play, yeah.

Elohad laughs.

[Elohad]: Well, our hour's up, we should clear out.

[Elohad]: For the… miners or whatever.

[Annibeth]: Well…a'ight then. Lessee how this goes. I hope I can blow things up to your satisfaction.

[Elohad]: I… never see them here.

Elohad grins wickedly at Annibeth.

Alaisa nods, gathering her things from the desk.

[Elohad]: Thanks for coming by!

[Annibeth]: Yeah, uh…thanks for…bein' different than…uh…never mind.

[Elohad]: You're welcome!

[Alaisa]: Drop by any time, Anni.

Elohad closes up shop in a very normal manner.

Annibeth smiles. "Thanks."