(2023-06-21) Bruuk's Brothers: Congratulations!

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Ben, Elohad, Iphindra, Maisha and Sintha attend this week's Bruuk's Corner gathering, and congratulations are had for the outcome of the House of Nobles vote for Houses Ference and Fallon. ~4000 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: The Bros of Bruuk's Corner

It’s another Wednesday night at Bruuk’s, and Iphindra and Elohad are sitting at the usual table when Maisha arrives.
Elohad starts to rummage in his bag.
Maisha wanders up the stairs. Is there a leopard with her? Probably just a trick of the light.
[Maisha]: Oh!
[Elohad]: Hey there, Cloudskimmer!
[Maisha]: Lord Ference, sir. Good ta see yeh.
Iphindra nods excitedly. "Sorry! Maybe coming to have a drink is not the good place for job."
Elohad finds an application and passes it across the table toward Iphindra.
[Maisha]: I hear congratulations ar' in order?
Iphindra turns around at the sound of the voice, a bright smile on her face. "Maisha! I finally find yo— Congratulations?" She turns to Elohad.
Maisha nods at Elohad and then smiles at Iphindra as she slides into a seat.
[Maisha]: Yer in the human…. senate?
[Elohad]: I got voted into the House of Nobles just yesterday, in fact. That's why I'm here. Celebrating, a bit. Also a bit of a farewell, as I'll be moving to Stormwind as soon as possible.
The flowers on Iphindra's hair open, their vines growing all around her, covering the chair and a part of the table.
Elohad blinks.
Maisha 's face lights up at the influx of plants.
[Iphindra]: The senate? That is a political position, yes? In Stormwind? Stormwind is a beutiful city! With wonderful mage quarter, although the trees would like more sun! *She rapidfires her statements and questions.*
[Elohad]: The Senate is the political body here in Ironforge. In Stormwind, it's called the House of Nobles.
[Maisha]: It's a shame yeh'll have ta leave Ironforge, but I'm sure tha' Cobalt… will yeh be leavin' Cobalt, sir?
[Elohad]: I could never leave Cobalt Company. It's in my blood. … Also tattooed on my back. But I won't be hanging out in headquarters all day, unfortunately. I'll be doing weekend recruiting and whatever else I can do when my day job allows.
Iphindra takes the application from the table and listens curiously to the conversation.
Maisha relaxes back into her chair a little. "Tha's good. I'm sure th' whole company's proud, but it'd be a blow to lose yeh."
Maisha seems to notice what Iphindra's doing. "Are yeh joinin' up?"
[Iphindra]: Ah, so there is a day for recruitment? *The vines retract back to her hair, slightly.* I'm sorry I asked during a day of resting!
[Elohad]: Cobalt Company is so much a part of me now, I don't think I could ever leave it.
[Elohad]: Well, I'm technically off work at the moment, yes, but I do always carry around applications, just in case. *He winks.*
[Iphindra]: Yes! Cobalt Company, I heard stories of them, and I want to help and see the world just like you do! *She brightens again.*
Elohad smiles warmly. "That's great news. I look forward to seeing your application!"
[Maisha]: Evry time she comes by here, th' tavern blooms. It's a right lovely sight, here in all the rock and lava.
[Elohad]: I've never seen that exact kind of magic before. Druid stuff?
Iphindra excitedly fills in her application. This is Way More Normal than Kehda's, although she's not saying much about her past. All mentions of kaldorei seem to be absent. She giggles at Maisha. "Ironforge, it need more life, I say."
Maisha nods. "Yeh ever been ta Aerie Peak?"
Maisha then waits for the answer to Elohad's question.
Iphindra nods at Elohad, suddenly a little more serious. "It is close to druids, yes. But… a little different. I didn't learn like most of druids you probably know."
Bennarin comes bounding up the stairs two at a time, grinning broadly. "Hey, y'all, you hear?" He blinks at Elohad and his ears turn red. "Oh. You heard."
[Bennarin]: Uh, hey, sir. Y'all.
Iphindra turns to Maisha. "I have not! Why?"
Elohad grins and rises to his feet, holding out his arms for a bear hug.
Bennarin seizes Elo and thumps him on the back vigorously. The thumping makes it Manly.
Elohad hugs Ben and pounds his back as well. "We did it!"
Iphindra startles at Ben. "Oh! Hello." She turns to Maisha and giggles. "I think it is about House job!"
[Bennarin]: You did it, sir. I ain't done nothin'. But damn. Is it weird to say I am proud of you? I am pretty proud of you.
Elohad grins.
[Elohad]: I guess you're allowed. It's only fair, given how I'm just about exploding on a daily basis with how proud I am of you.
Bennarin turns legit scarlet now.
[Elohad]: But I wouldn't have done this without you, and you know it.
Maisha looks up and then peers at Ben. "Yeh look familiar."
[Bennarin]: Well. I mean.
Elohad gives his shoulder a squeeze before returning to his chair.
[Bennarin]: Stormwind could not have a better fellow, so.
[Elohad]: I will do my best.
Elohad is so humble.
Bennarin turns to survey the table, and peers back at Maisha.
[Bennarin]: I do? Have we met?
[Bennarin]: Hey, Effie. *He nods to Iphindra.*
Iphindra 's smile is brighter than ever. She's so happy for everyone at this table. You go everyone, you go!
Maisha smiles happily, but still kinda peers at Ben. "Reckon you look like that Jonas fellow?"
[Elohad]: Your cousin! Have you had the chance to meet him yet?
Elohad beams.
Bennarin knits his brows sternly. "Reckon that Jonas fellow look like me. I am older than him." He pauses. "He's my cousin, I guess."
[Iphindra]: Oh, ok! Hello! *She answers Ben. She's already gotten a nickname from him, how nice."
Elohad laughs at Bennarin.
Bennarin glances at Elohad and nods. "Just the one time but he stayed a bit. Come up to the orchard to meet me and Mizzy. He seemed okay. Nice, I guess. He is goin' with Mayellen?"
[Maisha]: Ah, right, then I reckon he looks like yeh. I jus' met him first.
Iphindra nods excitedly.
[Elohad]: He… Yes, I suppose he is. Going with her.
Elohad doesn't seem super pleased about this, but doesn't comment further.
Maisha glances at Iphindra. "An' what I meant about Aerie Peak is if yeh want to see a dwarf place with more nature and wildlife."
Iphindra nods less excitedly at Elohad and Ben's discussion.
Maisha nods at Elohad and Ben. "They're sweet together."
Elohad sighs.
Bennarin has visible reservations about this, but nods politely.
[Iphindra]: Ah ha! There is other clans of dwarves, I learned that! One of them is more… less… locked up inside moutains?
[Elohad]: The Dark Irons. Nasty bunch.
[Bennarin]: Yeah, the Dark Irons are no good. We have run into a bunch of dwarfs in Northrend I reckon are proto-Dark Irons.
[Elohad]: Really? Like ancestors or something?
Iphindra tilts her head. You lost her at the proto thing.
[Elohad]: I don't remember seeing that in the reports, but I've been, uh…
Elohad shrugs and grins.
[Bennarin]: They are just called… irons. Because they are, I think. Iron. Kind of. Like the earthen but more irony.
[Elohad]: Oh. Huh. Yeah, I bet you're right.
[Bennarin]: Everything in Northrend is proto-somethin' else, is my theory pretty much.
Elohad chuckles.
Iphindra looks at Maisha to know if she understands the Iron and Earthen and proto talk.
Bennarin looks from Maisha to Iphindra gravely and explains, "Proto means 'before,' like ancestors."
[Maisha]: Odd. Irons. *Maisha frowns* The Dark Irons are a problem, so I take it these are a proto-problem?
Elohad chuckles again at proto-problem.
[Bennarin]: No they are pretty much a full developed problem at the moment. *Ben grins at Maisha.*
[Bennarin]: We ordered drinks yet? I am buyin' drinks for everyone. *He looks around for Edris.*
[Elohad]: I won't say no.
Maisha grins at Ben.
[Síntha]: Oh my gosh, Lieutenant Hazan, I would love a drink, thank you for offering.
[Maisha]: I wouldnae say no to a round. Celebrate Lord Ference an' all.
Bennarin blinks at Síntha.
[Elohad]: Lady Sintha. *He says it correctly.* Good to see you!
Síntha beams at Elohad. "Congratulations, Lord Ference! We're so pleased."
Maisha peers at Sintha. "Lady… Sintha?" It was just said, so she repeats it correctly.
[Elohad]: Your brother better sit next to me. And Lord Tennerow on the other side. So Lescovar can't get anywhere close.
[Síntha]: That's right. You can just call me Sintha, we needn't stand on ceremony. We're all friends here!
[Elohad]: Oh we are, are we?
Elohad winks at Sintha.
[Maisha]: Ah, yer brother's on the House, too?
Síntha laughs brightly at Elohad. "I will tell him. Although it's possible he'll want to sit next to Lescovar in case there's an opportunity for violence."
Iphindra turns, waving at Sintha, then back to Ben. "I will take a drink too! We will celebrate Sirference!" oh no she's back at trying to copy Sintha's inflections, even though she doesn't get them.
[Elohad]: As of yesterday, yes.
[Elohad]: Yes, let's all celebrate!
Maisha shifts a little, maybe a touch nervous at all these important people. Just a touch.
[Bennarin]: Oh, uh. You should sit, Miz— Lady Fallon.
[Elohad]: Where's your brother at, Sintha? *Elo has immediately dispensed with formalities at the merest whisper of permission.*
[Iphindra]: We will celebrate Sirference and her brother, then! *She looks less shy than usual. Everything is going her way today!*
[Síntha]: Thank you. It's just Sintha, darling. Or Lady Sintha. Lady Fallon was formerly my mother, and soon to be my sister-in-law. *She pauses.* Not the same lady, of course.
[Maisha]: Congrats fer Lord Ference and Sintha's brother! *Maisha raises her hand like a toast.* Jus' need the round for it.
[Elohad]: Four good people in those new seats. I think the House of Nobles has a good future.
Síntha settles happily into the chair Ben just vacated. She beams at Elohad again.
Bennarin goes to order a round from Edris.
Iphindra giggles at Maisha, also raising her hand as a toast.
[Elohad]: Very pleased there's another lady on the House, even if her mother doesn't like me. I think I've convinced her to like me well enough.
[Elohad]: The new House Lady, that is.
[Síntha]: Oh, Morgauna's darling, you'll adore each other. She's very big on infrastructure as well.
[Elohad]: Her mother will just have to relax. She got what she wanted, even without "beating" me. Hmph.
[Síntha]: And in answer to your other question, my brother is at home being very cross about everything, in spite of all.
[Maisha]: Infrastructure. *Maisha nods mock-knowingly* Real important, that is.
[Elohad]: Wait, what? Why?
Síntha sighs. Brothers are such a trial, man.
Elohad peers at Síntha searchingly.
[Elohad]: He just won a House seat and he's getting married soon! What does he have to be cross about?
Maisha also peers at Sintha. Why's he mad that he won?
Síntha brushes her hair back to tuck it behind an ear, and makes big eyes at Elohad. "Because of Northrend. The news from Wintergarde. He's absolutely chafing to get back up there and naturally he can't at the moment."
[Maisha]: Oh? What's happened?
[Elohad]: Ohhh. Yeah, I … I guess I've gotten a bit too used to the feeling of being out of that particular loop.
[Maisha]: My ma's up there.
[Bennarin]: Naxxramas come to Wintergarde Keep. The, uh, necropolis thing?
[Bennarin]: They are under siege.
[Elohad]: She's in the Grizzly Hills, Maisha, don't worry. That's a ways away from Wintergarde.
Iphindra smiles at Elohad's comforting comment to Maisha. "I'm happy to hear your friend Myma is fine."
Maisha still looks a touch worried. "It's my mother. She's… always in the midst of things."
[Elohad]: There's troubles in the Hills, too, of course, but nothing Lireen can't handle.
[Bennarin]: Grizzly Hills is a nice spot. We was there. And we did not have any idea about Naxxramas till we flown into Wintergarde. Ain't seen other Cobalts there — at Wintergarde, I mean — apart from Sil.
[Elohad]: If she survived the War of the Three Hammers I reckon she can survive this.
Maisha nods. "She's right tough."
Bennarin leans on the wall by his dad and nods firmly.
[Elohad]: Sil's still sticking it out with the 7th, huh? Damn. The thought of him up there right now… his unit better take good care of him.
[Maisha]: An' yer brother wants to be out there? *This is directed at Sintha*
[Bennarin]: F*cken better, yeah. *Ben's tone is dark. He glances at Sintha and immediately looks guilty.* Uh, beg your pardon, miss.
Iphindra places her hand on Maisha, if it's on the table, vines reaching down from her shoulders, wrapping gently around both their hands.
Síntha eyes Ben. "I was raised by sailors, darling." She looks over at Maisha. "Oh, you know, 'There's a bloody war on' and so forth. The man's incredibly single-minded. If there's a fight, he wants to be in it. I mean, this isn't even one he can be in, not properly. 'You're not going to get ships to Wintergarde, I keep telling him."
[Elohad]: Siamus Fallon is a soldier through and through. *Said with deep respect.*
[Elohad]: If I were even five years younger, I'd probably feel the same. And if I didn't have a baby at home.
Maisha seems to appreciate the comforting vines.
Bennarin nods firmly. "He is a real good fellow, I reckon. Mr. — Lord Fallon, I mean. Not the baby. Though he is, also."
[Elohad]: But I've reached the point where I need to find other ways to serve. I've been on the front lines in three wars already.
[Maisha]: I reckon the baby's a good fellow too, in a dif'rent way.
[Elohad]: He's a very good little fellow.
Bennarin grins.
[Elohad]: Actually a pretty large one. But little compared to me. Very large, though, compared to other babies his age. Maybe some of that vrykul bouncing back.
Elohad smiles wryly.
Bennarin laughs.
Maisha chuckles.
[Elohad]: Have you seen how well he's walking now, Ben?
Iphindra seems lost again. So she goes back to her application, sitting back in the chair, curling up with the papers resting on her knees, right in front of her face.
Edris approaches the table with a laden tray of drinks; there are several pints of beer as well as a bottle of sparkling wine and some glasses. She arranges these on the table a little disdainfully. Human stuff. Then everyone gets a pint. Much better.
[Bennarin]: I ain't, sir. Is he a terror? Broke out the house yet?
[Bennarin]: You are gonna have to put a curfew on him.
[Elohad]: We may, yes.
[Maisha]: I s'pose I ought to want to head up that way. There many flyin' battalions? *Maisha nods appreciation of the pint*
Síntha leans forward to slide her pint of ale in Ben's general direction and reach for the bottle of wine. She pours a couple of glasses, and offers one to Elohad.
Elohad takes the wine glass and hoists it into the air. "To the new and improved House of Nobles!"
Maisha raises her pint in response.
[Bennarin]: They got gryphon-riders and some air machine things out at Wintergarde, yeah.
Bennarin leans forward to pick up one of his two pints and raise it.
Iphindra raises a pint as well.
Síntha lifts her glass of wine and smiles twinklingly at everyone. "To the House, and the new nobles on it!"
[Bennarin]: Cheers, y'all.
[Maisha]: Cheers!
Elohad grins and has a drink.
Bennarin chugs fully half his pint.
Síntha has a demure sip of wine and continues to beam at everyone.
[Elohad]: Whoa, there, son.
Maisha takes a gulp of her pint.
[Bennarin]: It's a celebration, sir. *Ben gently and courteously contains a burp.*
[Elohad]: Show a little dignity, future seat-holder. *He winks, not seeming truly offended whatsoever.*
Bennarin blanches and lowers his pint.
[Bennarin]: … oh sh*t. Yeah.
Síntha eyes Ben with amusement.
[Maisha]: There's still time ta be dignified later. *Maisha grins at Ben*
Bennarin drags a hand through his hair and smiles wanly at Maisha. "Uh. I guess I better start practicin'."
[Elohad]: Did you not realize?
Elohad looks at Ben, genuinely curious.
Iphindra imagines what the job of a Chair Holder entails and understand why Ben looks a little worried about it. Are there people on the chair? How long does he have to be holding it? How high? Humans and their mysteries.
[Síntha]: I for one think you'll be very refreshing for the House, Lieutenant Hazan. A little rustic charm.
Elohad narrows his eyes slightly at Sintha, sniffing for condescension.
[Maisha]: But hopefully not fer a long while yet, if I understand how it works.
[Iphindra]: Rustic? What is it?
[Elohad]: Right. I have to be dead first, and they don't call me the Enduring for nothing.
Bennarin eyes Sintha like he's not sure that's a compliment. He glances at Elohad. "I… did, but I kind of forgot it in all the… wantin' you to get it, and celebratin', and all."
[Elohad]: Well, you'll probably be ninety before you get it, so we'd best prepare you and little Dane. And Dane's kids.
[Maisha]: Folk say Wildhammer area's quite rustic. Bit like that.
[Elohad]: And your kids.
[Síntha]: Honestly there couldn't be a more ideal candidate than… well, than my brother, but after him, than Lord Ference, and then after Lord Ference, yourself, Lieutenant. I mean, gosh, the representation for the common people of
[Síntha]: Westfall? Isn't that just what they need?
Bennarin eyes Sintha again. He is still not clear on the sincerity quotient here.
[Elohad]: You are aware, of course, that Ben is no longer a commoner.
[Elohad]: But both he and I care deeply for their interests.
[Síntha]: Oh, I'm very well aware, yes. But that's what I mean, he has a unique perspective, and a commitment to those issues. No?
Maisha watches them all warily, a little lost in all this human nuance.
[Elohad]: When I joined the army at eighteen, I didn't bother to tell them I was a lord. I had to join at the very bottom, as though they'd just pulled me off a farm somewhere. So I fought alongside common folk, and I learned to talk like them - a habit I've >
[Elohad]: still not shaken off much of the time, and most importantly, I got to thinking like them.
[Elohad]: And I agree with you, that's exactly what the House needs.
[Elohad]: And Ben will do a fine job of carrying on my interests for me in the unlikely event that I should ever die. *Another wink.*
Síntha nods earnestly at Elohad, her eyes enormous. "Exactly. And gosh I respect that of you, Lord Ference."
[Bennarin]: You better not, sir. Gimme a while, here, yeah?
Elohad grins wickedly at Bennarin.
[Elohad]: I certainly won't without your mother's permission.
[Bennarin]: Okay, well, I know you ain't gettin' that any time soon, so.
[Elohad]: She would Eyebrow me straight back from the grave.
Bennarin laughs.
[Maisha]: I can't see as how somebody bein' able ta represent more people's perspectives is anything but a good thing.
Síntha sips her wine and smiles brightly at Maisha and Iphindra.
[Elohad]: Absolutely, Cloudskimmer.
[Síntha]: Oh, it's a very good thing. It's brilliant, frankly.
[Elohad]: I don't know too much about the dwarven Senate, but I do know a bit about Senator Craghart, and he's similarly inclined to look out for the little folk. His daughter's one of our part-time members. Ben, you know her, right?
[Síntha]: In my opinion the House has had a surplus of certain views and interests for too long. So the new faces are refreshing to see.
[Bennarin]: Glynara, yeah.
[Elohad]: It also had a surpluse of dragons and cultists.
[Bennarin]: She is a good girl.
[Elohad]: surplus*
Síntha laughs gaily at Elohad.
[Elohad]: Cobalt Company helped out a little with that, though. *He gives Sintha a dadly wink.*
[Síntha]: Oh, I know. *Sintha smiles slyly, her amber eyes glittering, and sips her wine again.*
Iphindra tilts her head, listening intently, waiting patiently to know more about what Cobalt Company has done.
Elohad studies Sintha. "Mm, I bet you do know."
Maisha looks curiously at them with the note on Glynara Craghart. "I dinnae have much in the Ironforge Senate, but I've heard the name, Craghart."
Elohad turns to Iphindra and smiles a little. "One of the members of the House was a black dragon in disguise. Cobalt Company exposed her."
Síntha smiles modestly at Elohad, and then looks to Maisha. "Honestly I know hardly a bit about dwarven politics myself, I must say."
Iphindra beams. "Cobalt Company does so much!" She fills in her application even faster, now.
Elohad laughs warmly.
[Elohad]: It's a great thing to be a part of, no mistake.
[Síntha]: Cobalt Company is marvelous. I would join you myself if I had any kind of talent to speak of.
Síntha laughs merrily.
Iphindra nods. "Helping people and seeing a full world? It sounds like a great thing to be part of, yes!"
[Elohad]: Absolutely. *Elo beams.*
[Iphindra]: Talent can be learned, even if you were born with not one! *She smiles at Sintha*
[Síntha]: Between Cressidha Aspenwood and Alaisa Lysander and Lucy Moore, Cobalt Company is quite the place for young noblewomen to be, it rather seems.
[Maisha]: Surely yeh've got some talent, yeh look… *Maisha glances at her up and down* … yeh look talented?
Bennarin blinks.
[Elohad]: You're always welcome to join us, Sintha.
Síntha smiles sweetly at Maisha. "Oh, gosh, that's kind of you. Honestly I'm awfully tedious."
[Elohad]: Uh huh.
Elohad side-eyes Sintha, though he really shouldn't be throwing stones about false modesty.
Síntha sips her wine and smiles her little cat's smile.
[Iphindra]: What is tedious?
[Elohad]: It means boring. Dull. Not interesting.
Síntha nods solemnly at Elohad.
Bennarin eyes Síntha up and down.
[Elohad]: That does not seem to describe the young lady, does it?
[Elohad]: She's … effervescent.
[Maisha]: But yeh like ta come drink wi' mercenaries? I s'pose it's mercenaries whose leadership's in the House of Nobles…
Síntha laughs gaily at Elohad. "Effervescent, oh I adore that!"
Iphindra shakes her head at Sintha. "Then not. Nothing is boring or not interesting," she purposefully skips dull, that one she doesn't know either. "Everything and every one has a place and a role to play. You should not see you this way!"
[Síntha]: And I come to drink with mercenaries, darling, because I'm so awfully boring myself.
[Iphindra]: Life does not do boring or not interesting. It only does purpose.
[Elohad]: I agree!
Elohad nods at Iphindra.
[Elohad]: Some of the things most people call boring are some of the most interesting and necessary.
Síntha arches a brow at Iphindra, startled fleetingly into seriousness.
Bennarin nods thoughtfully at Iphindra.
Maisha nods at Iphindra and Elohad.
[Elohad]: If you ask me, anyone who calls something boring simply lacks imagination.
[Elohad]: Being bored is generally one's own fault.
[Síntha]: But there you have it, if I call myself boring, I must lack imagination, ergo Q.E.D. et cetera.
Síntha beams.
Elohad laughs at Síntha.
[Síntha]: And I'm rarely bored, myself.
[Elohad]: Well, there's the horn. I'd better get back to Niris. I promised.
Maisha chuckles, and takes the opportunity to take another gulp of beer.
Elohad finishes his wine quickly before standing.
[Bennarin]: Aw. I will go with you, sir? Drop in on Aunt Nir and Little Dane?
[Elohad]: We'd love that!
Iphindra hands Elohad her application. It's uh… written phonetically.
[Elohad]: Great seeing you three ladies.
Bennarin straightens from the wall and sets his empty pint down. He grins at Elohad.
Síntha raises her still-nearly-full glass to Elohad in a cheerful toast.
Elohad takes the application, blinks, and then tucks it away with a smile. "I'll review this tomorrow. Have a good night, hm?"
[Maisha]: I'd best be getting on too. Plenty of purpose in the world to see to.
Elohad grins at you wickedly.
[Síntha]: Congratulations, Lord Ference!
Elohad waves goodbye to everyone. Farewell!
[Iphindra]: I am happy I saw you as well! Thank you if you look at my application.
You wave.
[Iphindra]: Goodbye! *She smiles at the comment on purpose from Maisha, waving at everyone leaving.*
[Maisha]: Good ta see yeh again, Iphindra. Maybe we'll work together!
[Iphindra]: I would be very happy too Maisha!