(2023-06-29) Bruuk's Brothers: Cats on the Stairs

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Alysson, Iphindra, Jo, Sintha and Zalael meet up to discuss life, purpose and cats. ~2400 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: The Bros of Bruuk's Corner

Jocoza walks up the steps of Bruuk's Corner and waves at the night elf at the usual Cobalt table.
Iphindra is sitting at the usual table, with a white cat with black stripes on her lap. "Oh, hi!" She says, with a smile on her face.
Jocoza boosts herself up into a seat. "Are you new to Cobalt? I'm afraid I don't know all the new faces yet."
Iphindra: Very new, yes! You are?..
Jocoza: Me? Oh, I'm the Captain.
Iphindra: Oh! Jocoza Sparkwire!
Zalael glances around.
Iphindra: It's a pleasure to meet you Captain Sparkwir- *She looks at Zalael.* Oh.
Zalael: Silentstep ain't here?
Jocoza: Oh, hello! Are you a new Cobalt person? As I've just said, I don't know all the new faces.
Zalael peers at Iphindra. "Oh…hey. You."
Jocoza: Mm, no. Last I heard he was pinned down in Wintergarde by Naxxramas with the 7th.
Zalael: Nax-…? Oh %^&*…
Zalael: He better not die on me.
Jocoza: You might want to zip up to Wintergarde if it's something urgent you wanted to talk to him about? Otherwise, I'm sure he'll make it down here sooner or later.
Iphindra nods hello to Zalael, then she just… listens.
Zalael: Ahh, I'm not eager to go rushin' up north.
Iphindra pats the cat like a James Bond villain.
Iphindra: Do you… Want to sit? *She asks, not looking like she wants Zalael to sit.*
Jocoza: Oh, yes, sure, have a seat. I'm Jocoza Sparkwire, by the way.
Zalael squints at Iphindra with mild suspicion, then puts on a wry smirk. "Yeah, I'll sit." She takes the seat closest to Iphindra.
Jocoza: What do people normally do? Should I order beer for everyone?
Iphindra stares at the cat on her own lap. Some of the flowers in her hair shrink.
Zalael: Jocoza, hm? You a friend of Silenstep's? Maybe he mentioned something about his business in Northrend?
Iphindra: She's not just a friend to Sil, she's Cobalt Company's captain..
Zalael lifts her eyebrows at Iphindra, then turns the look to Jo. "You're…? Oh…I guess I just assumed Ference was…"
Iphindra: And yes, the other times someone orders to drink. Do you want me to order drinks? I- I can order to drink.
Jocoza: Elo started Cobalt Company in the first place. I'm one of his oldest friends, in a sense.
Jocoza: But he's in the House of Nobles now, and of course has a family, so… I'm the Captain!
Jocoza glances from Iphindra to Edris. "Sure, go ahead! I'm not sure what all people usually order."
Alyssonn: The Captain hasn't got a family?!
Zalael arches an eyebrow at Alysson.
Iphindra nods. She knew all that about Cobalt Company. She's studying.
Jocoza: I… um… *Jo's cheer deflates a little bit.* No, not right now. Except Cobalt, of course.
Zalael: Aww…that's sweet.
Iphindra: Hello! *Iphindra grabs the cat on her lap and puts it on the table.* Don't move, I'll be right back. *She goes up to Edris and orders a few beers.*
Jocoza: But I do recognize you, Alysson! Welcome. Back down from Northrend?
The cat doesn't move.
Alyssonn: Well then, that makes us, uh… What does that make us? Are you uh…a big sister? An' yeah seein' as how I wound up in North End by accident, seemed right that I come on back.
Jocoza: Not a bad plan, then. Dangerous folks up that way. You can… think of me as a big sister if you'd like?
Jocoza: Big sisters take care of people, and that's my job. Send you into danger and also try to make sure you get out of it.
Zalael whispers loudly at Iphindra. "Did he just say 'North End'?"
Alyssonn considers Jocoza. Was big the right word? Oh well! He nods agreeably.
Iphindra: … Yes, he did! That is a little sad way to call it.
Jocoza: I suppose in a sense, it's the north end of the world…
Zalael: Eh…dat's fair.
The cat meows loudly right into Iphi's face.
Iphindra: Oh, right! *Runs back to Edris to ask for a little plate of meat.*
Jocoza: So… how are things going down this way? Hopefully no necropolises. Necropolii?
Alyssonn: Stormwind's good! My crates were right where I left 'em.
Jocoza: Your… crates?
Alyssonn: Yeah, the ones I live behind. An' nothin' was stolen either!
Iphindra: You live… behind crates?
Alyssonn: Sure do! Best crates a fellow's ever seen, I guarantee.
Iphindra: …
Zalael: Is…anything valuable in the crates?
Jocoza: Well, I'm glad no one messed with such excellent crates.
Iphindra: Have you thought about one of the tree in the mage quarter? It has leaves, and birds and squirrels. It's wonderful! Much better than crates!
Jocoza: Birds do make nice music, sometimes.
Iphindra: Yes! Always, even, I- I think!
The cat meows loudly again.
Iphindra chuckles. "And you do too, yes!"
Jocoza: So… can I ask your names? I'm afraid you've got me at a disadvantage there.
Alyssonn: Valuables in the crates? I've never looked! An' trees are fun for climbin', but there's a nest o' little ones in that tree, an' I'd be buggin' 'em I think.
Alyssonn: I'm Alysson! Cap'n knows!
Zalael: Hm? Oh. Lyrane.
Iphindra: Hmm, it's true… You can't ask the birds nicely, right?
Iphindra: I'm Iphindra, sorry, I didn't introduce myself early!
Jocoza: Lyrane, Iphindra, good to meet you, and… *Jo turns to look at Alysson and sees Sintha behind.* Oh, Lady Sintha, I didn't see you there!
Síntha beams at Jocoza.
Alyssonn: I tried askin', only the big one tried to make food o' my eyeballs.
Síntha: Captain Sparkwire! Aren't you a doll for remembering me!
Síntha: Hello Cobalt Company. *She surveys the unfamiliar faces, bright-eyed.* It is Cobalt Company, isn't it?
Jocoza smiles at Sintha. "And you for me… and Alysson yes, just listen to the birds, don't get too close."
Iphindra: He-hello!
Síntha: Oh yes, I remember you. With the plants.
Jocoza: I… think we're about half and half?
Iphindra nods. "I am in Cobalt COmpany now, yes!"
Alyssonn: Sintha…Sintha…y'know that sounds familiar for some reason.
Síntha eyes Alyssonn up and down.
Síntha: Yes, I believe you've been in several of my bathtubs.
Alyssonn: Aha! That was it. Nice tubs you've got ma'am.
Síntha: They are, thank you for noticing.
Zalael snickers.
Iphindra: Did you take time to think about the 'useless thing' you said last time? *She smiles at Sintha.*
Jocoza blinks at Alysson.
Síntha gazes round-eyed at Iphindra. "Did I say a useless thing? Gosh, that doesn't sound awfully like me at all!"
Síntha helps herself to the last seat, since Alysson doesn't seem to be claiming it.
Alyssonn prefers bathtubs anyway.
Jocoza: What useless thing was that? *Jo looks at Iphindra*
Síntha looks brightly curious.
Iphindra: You said a use-? *Iphindra's eyes widen like a deer caught in headlight.* Oh! No that's not…. what I meant to say. You said you were dull and not interesting, and I said nothing and no one is! That life only has purpose!
Iphindra: I wanted to ask… if you learned of purpose for you since!
Iphindra: Not that what you said was not useful!
Síntha: Oh, gosh, I do remember that!
Iphindra 's face is red. She shrinks into her chair, and so do the flowers on her head.
Síntha laughs merrily.
Síntha: You were awfully sweet.
Zalael: Life only has purpose? That's some impressive optimism.
Jocoza: I do think it's important to find the purpose in one's own life.
Síntha: My purpose is to be the cat on the stairs.
Jocoza: The cat on the stairs? To… trip people?
Síntha smiles the smile of that little girl from the gif, you know the one.
Alyssonn raises his hand. "I haven't got a purpose! Unless just bein' is one. I accomplished mine." He seems proud of this.
Síntha: That's some of the time, yes.
Iphindra stands up straight as soon as Zalael comments on that. "Tha- that's not optimism! That's true! All life has purpose! If you remove one life form of a place entirely, everything else dies too eventually!"
Síntha: Some of the time it's to be listening and watching and some of the time it's to be thinking cat thoughts and some of the time it's to be tripping people.
Síntha: I am the cat on the stairs.
Síntha spreads her hands in a voila! motion.
Iphindra: You do not want to be a cat. *She shakes her head.*
Zalael arches an eyebrow at Iphindra. "I don't believe that. Random happenstance rules the day, not purpose. And if there's an imbalance, anything worth surviving will adapt."
Síntha: We can't help what we are, darling.
Jocoza: Why not? There are a lot of good things about cats. And… Alysson, maybe you just haven't found it yet. Your purpose.
Iphindra: They… have all been saying that they've never been fed, and also that no one ever pats them. All of them say the same thing! It's a very sad life for cats in the Eastern Kingdoms…
Alyssonn: As a victim of many a cat… would you like some tuna?
Jocoza shoots a sharp glance at Zalael. "Many things worth surviving don't."
Síntha: As it happens, I love tuna. But I prefer it seared and glazed. Not the canned kind. If you don't mind.
Síntha: And no one has ever fed or patted me. *Sintha pouts theatrically at Iphindra.*
Zalael eyes Sintha up and down. "I find that difficult to believe."
Alyssonn: Hmm… I could light a fire…but the last time I did that, Azizia an' I almost couldn't put it out.
Síntha smiles sweetly at Zalael.
Jocoza: Probably not in the tavern, little brother.
Alyssonn: Yessir Cap'n sister.
Iphindra nods at Jocoza. "This is true. Life can't adapt when things change too fast. Adaptation and life disappearing is part of the purpose, but it can't be forced…"
Síntha: I… didn't realize the two of you are related.
Jocoza giggles.
Alyssonn grins.
Jocoza does not explain.
Jocoza: My purpose is to run a mercenary company. And to set the appropriate things on fire.
Iphindra look at Sintha, unsure if she's joking about the 'never being fed or pat' thing.
Síntha is the picture of sweet and soulful innocence she has never told a fib or been sarcastic in her life just look at her.
Zalael: Anyway…I say if something doesn't survive, it wasn't worthy. Just didn't have what it took. That's life.
Alyssonn reaches out to pat Sintha on the head. This is okay, right?
Síntha gives a surprisingly agile duck sideways and reaches reflexively for a - oh, hm, what? No, she is just examining her fingernails is all. She laughs up at Alysson. "Gosh you startled me."
Jocoza stares at Zalael calmly for a moment, and says, "That might not want to be a sentiment you want to often repeat around people who've lost a lot of loved ones."
Síntha: Which is, by the way, so many people these days!
Iphindra shakes her head. "If something doesn't survive, it feeds a predator, or other forms of life bloom or thrive from it. It's still purpose." She repeats, very seriously. "Life is only purpose."
Zalael smirks at Iphindra. "You're the one who said if you remove one life form everything else dies. Now you're saying it's just food?"
Alyssonn laughs as well, unphased. At least she didn't claw him like most kitties! "That's it! That's why cats don't like me!"
Iphindra: If you remove it too fas- *Iphindra's eyes widen again, this time at Jocoza, and she just stares down at the table, embarrassed that this conversation was brought up because of her.*
Zalael levels a firm look at Jo. "I know exactly the pain of losing loved ones. If someone wants ta take offense cuz I speak some truth, that wasn't my doin'. That's their pain and only they can deal wit' it."
Síntha might have clawed him (with a poisoned knife), so it's good she's not quite as twitchy as a real cat.
Jocoza smiles comfortingly at Iphindra, and adjusts her goggles for better opacity.
Jocoza: If you say so, Lyrane. *Jo nods* Anyway. I used to have a cat. She was quite a killer.
Alyssonn 's eyes widen at the killer cat mention. "Did wearin' bells help?"
Jocoza giggles. "I didn't consider putting bells on her, but that might have saved quite a few rats."
Síntha: … well gosh, why would you want to save the rats, though?
Jocoza: I suppose I didn't, so at the time… I didn't?
Alyssonn: Oh…bells on the cat.
Alyssonn is probably considering wearing bells himself.
Jocoza tilts her head at Alysson. "Did you not mean on the cat?"
Alyssonn: Well I was thinkin' cats would like me more if I didn't go an' startle 'em.
Síntha: But cats are also touchy about noises so wearing bells might just make them avoid you.
Iphindra nods, still mostly looking at the table. "They don't like… startlement, yes."
Jocoza nods. "I think that might make them just run away from you."
Iphindra also nods at the not liking noise thing.
Alyssonn: Cats are like my Ma and Pops. One o' them'll scratch an' bite, an' the other just runs.
Jocoza shoots a sympathetic expression at Alysson.
Jocoza: I think that was the horn, though. I'd probably better check in back in Northrend.
Alyssonn: Stay warm Cap'n sister!
Jocoza: You too. And all of you, take care.
Zalael: See you around, Captain Jo.
Síntha: Oh, gosh, I ought to dash as well in that case.
Jocoza: See you around, Lyrane, Iphindra. And pleased to meet you.
Iphindra: Goodbye! Please to meet you too!
Síntha: You know cats! When we're out we want to be in, and when we're in we want to be out!
Síntha waves goodbye to everyone. Farewell!
Alyssonn: Guys. Ladies. I think she really is a cat.
Iphindra: … I don't really see it, but…
Zalael peers at Alysson.
Iphindra gets up very quickly. "I should go as well! Goodbye."
Zalael: You a bit of an odd fella.
Alyssonn: I get that a lot. *He seems proud of it.*
Zalael: See you, Phindra.
Zalael chuckles at Alysson. "Yeah…me too. Good for you."
Iphindra: … goodbye. *She answers, not turning to look at her.*
Iphindra speaks to the cat as it follows her. "Wh- where do you live again? I'll get you back home before I leave."
Alyssonn beams at Zalael. "And now…to practice the art of distraction!"
Alyssonn points in a random direction.
Alyssonn: Look it's an angry tree!
Zalael does not look, but snickers quietly.