(2023-07-12) Bruuk's Brothers: Forks, Spiders and Boyfriends

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Jonas, Sintha, Iphindra, Hectorius, Dara, Mayellen and Lucille meet at Bruuk's Corner for a lively conversation about a number of unusual topics. Rating T, ~5800 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: The Bros of Bruuk's Corner

The scene is Bruuk’s Corner. Jonas, Sintha, Iphindra and Hectorius are already present.
[Hectorius]: Fair lady, have we met?
Hectorius peers at Síntha searchingly.
Dara walks nervously up the stairs of the dwarven pub.
Iphindra notices Jonas's look and nods. "Do not worry. I will do a heroism! I am with Cobalt Company, now!" she says, completely out of context.
[Síntha]: Gosh, have we? I rather expect if we had you'd know not to address me as 'fair la-' Dara! Darling!
Iphindra sits at the table, not noticing Dara.
Dara brightens suddenly. "Lady Sintha! Whatever are you doing here?"
Hectorius looks over…
Jonas nods gravely at Iphindra.
Hectorius bows "Ah you must be Dara. I"m Hectorius."
Hectorius bows before you.
Iphindra turns around. "Oh! A new person! He- hello!"
[Síntha]: Darling, I'm practically a Cobalt auxiliary now. Well, at the bar, at least.
Mayellen carefully climbs the stairs, with the aid of her cane.
Síntha laughs musically.
Hectorius also notices coming up the stairs, Mayellen!
[Hectorius]: Mayellen!!!!
Hectorius cheers at Mayellen!
[Mayellen]: Hectorius!
[Hectorius]: So good to see you too, it's been a while.
[Mayellen]: Jonas, we can share.
Dara looks from Hectorius's pointy hat to his red robe. "Pleased to meet you."
Hectorius nods and turns to Dara "Likewise, thank you."
[Jonas]: May. *Jonas looks even more relievedly relieved. He rises from his seat to make room.*
[Mayellen]: Yes, sorry, my leg's been bothering me a lot lately. Better today though, so I thought I'd get out finally and socialize a bit.
May and Jonas sit together on one chair.
[Síntha]: Gosh. *Sintha puts her chin on her hand and admires the lovebirds and their chair-sharing with extremely theatrical heart-eyes.*
[Iphindra]: Hello, May! *She thinks this is her full name now.*
Hectorius grins wickedly at Síntha.
Hectorius winks slyly at Síntha.
Mayellen gives Sintha a slightly chilly look, for some reason, but quickly turns it into a smile when eye contact happens.
Síntha smiles so sweetly at May. May has diabetes now.
Mayellen really needed more health problems, thanks, Sintha!
Hectorius comforts Mayellen.
Dara stands by awkwardly, twisting her hands together.
[Hectorius]: Please Dara take this seat, I'll be standing, I can handle that.
[Hectorius]: I mean I know you can too, just… Well, it's my duty.
Hectorius smiles at you.
Dara smiles tentatively at Hectorius. "Are you… with the Kirin Tor?"
[Hectorius]: "Well, I have done work with them, and I have done a lot of recent work with Gwenivene. So not *with* them, but *work with* them, yes.
[Síntha]: Dara, darling, what brings you?
Síntha beams at Dara.
[Dara]: Oh, how terribly heroic. *Dara smiles, then she turns back to Sintha* Oh, I just thought I should learn more about my brother's new colleagues.
[Lucílle]: Oh!
Hectorius waves at Lucílle.
[Hectorius]: Good evening, Lady….
Hectorius bows before Lucílle.
Lucílle waves back. "Lucy!" she fills in.
Síntha looks over at Iphindra and her eyes round. "Lucy!" she squeals - she squeals! - and leaps from her chair.
Dara turns to see Lucy and smiles.
[Mayellen]: Your brother? I'm sorry, who are you? *May's wording is rude, but her smile to Dara is warm.*
[Dara]: Oh, I'm sorry, it's dreadfully rude of me not to introduce myself right off. Only, you all were already here and in conversation… *she bites her lip, and then says* I'm Dara of House Tennerow.
[Iphindra]: Ano- another new person. *Iphi, who walked in very confidently, shrinks in her chair.* Hello.
Síntha flings her arms around Lucy's neck. It is not an air-hug. It is an actual hug. Kind of.
Lucílle makes a solid attempt at lifting Sintha off the ground with a hug. She isn't that strong.
[Hectorius]: So many people here tonight, it's lovely.
Síntha laughs gaily.
[Síntha]: Will you sit? You should have my chair. Or we can share, like May and Jonas, hm?
Jonas eyes Lucy and then Sintha and then Lucy again. Hm.
[Lucílle]: Oh, yes, I can take half a chair, of course. Do you want the left half or the right half?
[Síntha]: I would like the right half so that I can be between you and May. *She beams at Mayellen again.*
Lucílle waves brightly to Dara.
Dara waves and smiles at Lucy.
Mayellen glares daggers at Sintha the next time Sintha looks away.
Hectorius smiles at the friendliness between Sintha and Lucy.
Lucílle claims the left half of the chair. "Hello, everyone! I'm Lucy."
Jonas pats May's knee under the table.
[Mayellen]: Hi, Lucy! I'm May.
Iphindra nods at Dara. "I'm… I'm Iphindra! Of the forest?" She doesn't know why Dara is introducing the name of her home, but she's going to too.
[Lucílle]: Oooh, which forest?
[Hectorius]: Hi Lucy, I'm Hectorius, apprentice to someone who many believe does not even exist.
Dara looks at May and Jonas, then at Lucy and Sintha, and then up at Hectorius. "Do you… want to share? Is that… what people do?"
Síntha laughs brightly at Dara.
[Iphindra]: Ashenvale! *She smiles at Lucy.*
[Hectorius]: Well, certainly, if you would be comfortable enough to share, yes, Dara.
Mayellen turns to Dara. "So you're a noble, then. You mentioned your brother as though he's in Cobalt Company, but Tennerow doesn't ring a bell. Could be brain damage, though."
[Hectorius]: I mean it's fully up to you, Dara.
[Lucílle]: Well, that's mysterious! Nice to meet you all.
[Iphindra]: Ni- Nice to meet you too!
Síntha arches a brow at Dara. She looks very entertained.
Iphindra she shrinks again, making conversation is hard, everyone.
[Jonas]: Isn't Tennerow - hm.
Dara scoots over to make room for Hectorius, glancing again to confirm Lucy and Sintha think this is totally okay.
[Hectorius]: Thank you Dara, or should I say Lady Dara. I appreciate this, please let me know if I am crowding you.
Hectorius smiles at you.
Mayellen gives Hectorius a spontaneous, warm smile at his kind words.
Lucílle is all smiles. She probably could not care less. "I haven't been here in ages."
[Dara]: Oh, don't worry, I will. *She smiles at him, then turns back to May* I am, yes. I meant, your leader Lord Ference? He's in the House with my brother.
Jonas signals Edris to bring a round for the table.
[Mayellen]: …Oh.
[Síntha]: And Shay! We are all practically related to Cobalt, now.
Dara peers at Mayellen more closely. "Are you a mercenary?"
Hectorius smiles over at Mayellen, happy to see her again after what feels like ages.
[Mayellen]: So… does this mean a … lot of nobles will be coming to Bruuk's now, or…
[Mayellen]: Yes, I'm a mercenary.
[Síntha]: Gosh, wouldn't that be awful of us?
[Dara]: Would it? *Dara looks suddenly concerned*
[Mayellen]: I'm a shopkeeper's daughter.
[Síntha]: But you have so many nobles already, with the Aspenwoods and Ally and Lucy here….
[Lucílle]: Oh, is that bad? I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable! But I am a member of Cobalt Company.
[Síntha]: I was thinking of joining, myself!
[Mayellen]: They don't come to Bruuk's generally.
[Mayellen]: I figured they were above that sort of thing.
[Lucílle]: I've been in Northrend for ages, that's probably why we haven't met.
Lucílle looks curiously at Sintha. "Really?" She sounds excited.
Dara looks around the dwarven tavern, and tries to sit more comfortably, like maybe she belongs there. She brushes up against Hectorius and stifles a squeak.
[Mayellen]: I don't think I've ever seen an Aspenwood here. Or Lady Lysander for that matter.
Iphindra shakes her head. "More nobles is- isn't horrible. I noticed you're the same as the, uh… not nobles… Human nobles just say often they are nobles, I noticed!"
[Mayellen]: And tonight we've got three nobles; I assume that's because Ference is on the House now, or…?
Síntha smiles at Lucy. "Really! I really am. Only thinking about it, but."
Hectorius looks over at Dara "Well, Lady Dara, I am sure all is good here, and you can certainly make yourself at home here.” He smiles, and doesn't move, unless she asks for it.
Mayellen looks uneasy.
[Síntha]: Well I can't speak for Lucy or Dara but I've been coming for weeks and weeks now, darling, you know that.
[Síntha]: Since before your - the whole dreadful business.
[Dara]: But a shopkeeper's daughter. I bet you know oh so many useful things.
Hectorius agrees with you.
[Lucílle]: Oh, no, I was just in Tinker Town and realized what time it was.
[Hectorius]: Agreed, a shopkeeper's daughter would indeed.
[Mayellen]: Am I going to have to learn all the different forks just to eat here now?
[Iphindra]: Different forks?!
[Dara]: Do they have forks?
[Hectorius]: Forks?
[Mayellen]: They bring them if you order food.
[Jonas]: I do not believe they have different forks at Bruuk's.
[Hectorius]: I hadn't even realized there was more than one.
[Jonas]: Just, you know. Forks.
[Mayellen]: I've only used one kind, but I hear there are different forks. Spoons too. And you get laughed at if you use the wrong one.
[Hectorius]: Though when you are out in the wilderness of Azeroth, you can't really pack too much.
[Lucílle]: I promise I shan't laugh at you no matter what you do with the forks, May.
[Síntha]: Oh, there's loads of forks when you're noble, it's incredibly tedious. Don't ever worry about it. I'd never laugh, certainly.
[Iphindra]: I- Do you have… books about different forks? *She looks panicked.*
Mayellen smiles at Jonas at mention of the wilderness, as though she imagines he'd know all about that kind of life.
Síntha routinely makes fun of her brother for his silverware habits but #oksintha.
Hectorius grins wickedly at Síntha.
Dara is baffled that commoners are so interested in forks.
Hectorius chuckles at you.
[Iphindra]: I said to Lord Ference I would be the perfect new recruit I- I need to know all about politeness!
[Mayellen]: Well I might hold you to that promise, because I'm about to order a steak.
[Jonas]: I own a fork, *Jonas contributes politely, possibly to May.* I am not up on the various fork fashions, however.
Hectorius smiles at Dara.
[Lucílle]: Oh, I'm sure someone must have written a fork book by now.
Mayellen eyes Iphindra. "You… uh…. in Cobalt Company? You want to… be a mercenary?"
[Dara]: Goodness it wouldn't take more than a few pages. Cutlery is not that complicated.
[Lucílle]: A fork brochure!
[Síntha]: Table etiquette. Loads of books. People have ever so many opinions, usually about what other people do wrong.
[Jonas]: That does seem to be a favorite type of opinion. As opinions go.
[Hectorius]: There we go, hopefully this fork brochure has nice pictures. Though I digress. I have to say, being a mage, we can conjure whatever cutlery might be useful as part of our food and drinks.
Síntha laughs like Jonas is the Wittiest.
Iphindra nods at May. "I- I want, yes! He said I could join, but I need proof I'm good before he sends me to Northrend, where I want to go."
Jonas looks nonplussed.
[Mayellen]: Uh… yeah. That does make sense.
[Dara]: How does one become a mage? Is it something you can decide?
[Lucílle]: Oh! Welcome, Iphindra~!
Iphindra turns to Lucy, then Hectorius. "Do you have the fork brochure?" She's extremely interested in that fork brochure they're talking about.
[Mayellen]: You have to have the talent for it, Dara.
[Hectorius]: For me it was. Well….
[Mayellen]: I tried, but I couldn't do the spells.
Iphindra a flower blooms on her head. "Than- thank you!" she says, smiling at Lucy.
[Síntha]: It is inborn talent. Gosh, Lucy is ever so, too!
[Hectorius]: I mean, I think I decided, but you have to enjoy reading, and research.
[Dara]: Is that how you know? I've never tried to do magic…
[Hectorius]: So perhaps it wasn't decided by me personally but by who I have become.
Lucílle beams at Iphindra.
[Mayellen]: Right, you can have the talent and decide whether or not to use it… but if you don't have the talent you can't decide to. Unfortunately. *She sighs.*
[Hectorius]: Well it certainly helps to enjoy reading and researching, and something sparked in me a desire to learn about it.
Hectorius agrees with Mayellen.
[Mayellen]: Yes, it's a lot of study, even if you have talent. It's not easy for sure.
[Hectorius]: Also helps if you have a fascination with libraries.
[Lucílle]: I don't think being the perfect new recruit has much to do with table manners. As long as you're polite in how you speak to other people, I think you'll be just fine!
Jonas nods politely at Edris as she approaches and distributes drinks. The drinks are beer. Hope you wanted beer, everyone.
Mayellen grins at Hectorius. "Yeah, that's why I was hoping I'd become a mage, but oh well. Now I'm stuck reading books about demons and chaos."
Síntha did not want beer, but she slides hers aside without comment, still smiling brightly.
[Mayellen]: Ms. Barleybeard can I have a steak?
Hectorius smiles and thanks Jonas, raising his [Flagon of Dwarven Honeymead] to him in a toast, and to everyone else, and then drinks it.
Dara stares at the beer in confusion for a moment, then looks up sharply at Mayellen. "Demons and chaos?"
Lucílle seems fine with beer. "Thank you!"
Edris nods firmly at Mayellen and heads for the stairs.
Iphindra frowns worriedly at Lucy. "Yo- you think so? What if one mission is about eating with nobles? What if I don't eat wel-" she raises an eyebrow at May.
[Mayellen]: I'm a warlock. But not a scary one. I'm a member of the Warlock Ethics Bureau. *She says this as though everyone should know what this is.*
Hectorius smiles at Mayellen.
[Hectorius]: You know something Mayellen?
[Mayellen]: I know a lot of things, Hectorius.
Mayellen grins wickedly at Hectorius.
Jonas laughs softly at May and pats her knee again.
[Hectorius]: Maybe the Mages need an Ethics Bureau too. Maybe Medivh wouldn't have gone Medivh with a Mage'sh Ethics Bureau.
Hectorius agrees with Mayellen.
Lucílle giggles.
[Mayellen]: Ooooooh. Good point, Hectorius.
[Síntha]: … that is not a bad idea, you know. To be frank.
Mayellen frowns as though annoyed to be agreeing with Sintha.
Iphindra seems to be doing calculations in her head. She whispers: "Warlocs Ethics Bureau… the WEB! Like a spider!"
To be fair, Sintha was agreeing with May. She agreed second.
[Mayellen]: Spiders are useful.
[Iphindra]: They are!
[Hectorius]: Thank you. I'm trying my best not to turn out like Medivh, despite my fascination with Karazhan and his library.
[Mayellen]: WEBs can catch all kinds of nasty things before they bite you.
Lucílle smiles at Jonas. "I don't think I caught your name. You look familiar, but I don't think we've met? I'm Lucy."
[Jonas]: Oh, beg your pardon. Jonas Hazan. I'm… Ben's cousin? Apparently.
[Mayellen]: Oh Hectorius, you could never be like Medivh. You care too much about people.
[Lucílle]: Oh! That would be why. Nice to meet you too.
[Hectorius]: Well thank you, Mayellen, thank you.
Jonas nods politely and smiles at Lucy.
[Iphindra]: Yes, but not all spiders need webs! Sometimes they hunt differently! *She's accidentally ruining the metaphor with her animal facts.*
Dara peers at the cousin of the infamous adopted nobleman Ben.
Mayellen is distracted by animal facts. "Some spiders don't use webs?" She looks genuinely interested.
Jonas sips his beer and looks neither infamous nor noble, personally.
[Lucílle]: What kinds of spiders hunt differently?
Hectorius looks at Dara "Are you still comfortable, m'Lady?"
Lucílle seems to think spiders are a perfectly acceptable mealtime topic of conversation.
Dara jumps a little. "Oh, yes, perfectly comfortable. I hope you are?"
[Hectorius]: Speaking of spiders, Karazhan has its fair share of spiders.
Dara shivers.
[Mayellen]: There are spiders in Medivh's tower? The web kind or the non-web kind?
Hectorius smiles at Dara "Yes, I am also. Good to hear you are, although if you are cold I can warm you."
Iphindra nods. "There are spiders that jump! Very high and very fast, so they don't need webs! They hunt with their good eyes and speed!"
[Hectorius]: "Certainly the web kind, considering how the place is full of dusty cobwebs now.
[Dara]: Goodness, I'm fine. *Dara smiles, blushing faintly* Just the thought of some dusty old tower full of spiders just waiting to drop down from the ceilings…
[Síntha]: Is it so spooky in there? I imagine it must be terrifying. I should awfully like to see it sometime. Dara, would you like to go to Karazhan with me sometime?
Dara blinks at Sintha. "Go? To Karazhan?"
Mayellen turns back to Iphindra. "Okay, I would prefer not to meet that type of spider. How big are they?"
[Iphindra]: Really? Karazhan sounds wonderful, if there is so much life!
[Hectorius]: "Yes, it's really really spooky. Maybe that is why I am so attracted to Karazhan, the decaying and haunting spooky beauty of it all."
Lucílle giggles. "I don't think it's really a tourist location these days."
Hectorius smiles at Dara and pledges to keep her safe.
[Síntha]: The decaying beauty! Gosh, Hectorius is a mage and a poet!
[Mayellen]: I don't mind the usual type of spider, but I confess I've never seen the kind that jump. Not sure I'm nimble enough to handle that sort.
[Hectorius]: "Well Lady Dara I'll keep you safe from whatever you need to be kept safe from." *He smiles at her*
[Mayellen]: He's really a very good mage, Dara.
Síntha leans over to nudge Lucy with her shoulder. "What about Dalaran, hm? I was also thinking of going to Dalaran."
Iphindra smiles at May. "Very, very small. But very ferocious for their size! And very cute, with big round eyes and lots of hair!"
[Dara]: I'm not sure I'd be much of a help in a place like Karazhan. Unless I could bore the ghosts and spiders with proper etiquette or put them to sleep with music. *Dara smiles apologetically at Sintha and Hectorius*
[Dara]: Oh, Dalaran! Now that sounds lovely.
[Síntha]: Dara! You must have more faith in yourself, darling!
[Hectorius]: "Speaking of the music….. it's very musical in Karazhan too."
[Mayellen]: You're a musician, Dara? I have zero talent for music but I sure enjoy listening to it.
Hectorius thanks Mayellen.
[Lucílle]: Dalaran is a lovely tourist location. A little expensive, though.
[Síntha]: Dara plays the harp and she is brilliant.
[Mayellen]: Okay, I'm fine with small cute jumping spiders.
Dara blushes a little more, ducking her head.
[Hectorius]: Dalaran is very lovely yes.
[Síntha]: Expensive! *Sintha laughs at Lucy. Expensive! So funny.*
Hectorius smiles at you.
[Jonas]: The harp is a very pretty instrument. *Jonas nods politely to Dara.*
[Hectorius]: Yes it is.
[Dara]: It is, but ever so difficult to drag around. *Dara giggles* I mostly just keep it in my sitting room, over in Stormwind.
[Mayellen]: Cobalt Company has an official bard, have you heard of Chuck Silversong?
[Hectorius]: Dara that is lovely that you know how to play that instrument. Perhaps one day I may end up hearing that. Perhaps one day.
[Iphindra]: I would love to hear you play! Music is magic too!
Jonas looks a little disconcerted. "Chuck Silversong? Is… Cobalt's bard?"
[Hectorius]: Yes, music is very magical. Can be haunting as well.
[Mayellen]: She played at the Aspenwoods' wedding, if that makes her more relevant to some of you.
Lucílle drinks her beer. She seems sort of indifferent towards its existence and more interested in the conversation.
Mayellen peers at Jonas. "You know Silversong?"
[Síntha]: Gosh yes, she was brilliant.
[Lucílle]: Oh, she was famous back in the day.
Iphindra tilts her head at Hectorius. "Haunting?"
[Jonas]: Not personally, but aye. She was famous in the north.
[Jonas]: I didn't realize she was still - huh.
[Hectorius]: Yes, haunting sometimes, like harkening to events in the past.
Dara smiles at Hectorius, and then tries to follow the conversation.
[Hectorius]: Almost making you time travel back in time.
[Mayellen]: Back in the day? What day? She didn't seem that old to me, aside from the hair. And some people just have silver hair apparently. Like what's his name, the mage boy.
[Iphindra]: It… is? I never have that. The music I know is… joy!
[Jonas]: Well, you know. She sort of… vanished, a while, after the war?
[Dara]: The mage boy? Khadgar?
[Hectorius]: Yes, music is also joyous for sure!
Hectorius agrees with Iphindra.
[Mayellen]: Uh, nnnno.
[Mayellen]: Not Khadgar.
Mayellen starts giggling.
[Mayellen]: This is an actual young guy. Not a line on his face, but his hair is silver, very pretty.
[Dara]: *giggles* I thought it seemed a little presumptuous to call him a boy, given, you know, our youth.
[Jonas]: Oh! Arthur. That's Arthur, right?
[Mayellen]: I just can't recall his name. My brain keeps going "Arthas" but I know that's not - YES! Arthur. Sorry.
Iphindra smiles at Hectorius.
[Jonas]: He's been here once or twice, I believe. One of the Blade?
[Hectorius]: I was going to say Trokair but no one believes in his existence.
Hectorius grins wickedly at Mayellen.
[Mayellen]: Yes! He's the Cobalt Blade's mage.
[Dara]: Whyever not?
[Mayellen]: Is your master a hermit, Hectorius?
[Hectorius]: Well, I make mention of Trokair fairly frequently but I never have the chance to introduce him to anyone lately.
Lucílle nudges her chair-buddy. "Sintha, you said you were thinking about joining Cobalt Company?"
[Hectorius]: He seems to be lately, yes, quite preoccupied with explorations in Northrend.
[Mayellen]: So he's like your "girlfriend up in Southshore," I see. *Mayellen winks.*
[Hectorius]: I didn't even know I had a "girlfriend up in Southshore".
Hectorius snickers at Mayellen.
[Mayellen]: Sorry, that's … is that a Westfall joke?
[Síntha]: I am! I've been coming here ever-so-long and I've met so many people between this place and the election - and of course I know the Aspenwoods and Lady Alaisa already! - and I was just talking with Lord Ference ….
Mayellen blinnnnnnnnks at Sintha.
[Iphindra]: About finding your purpose! *She says, smiling at Sintha.*
[Hectorius]: It could be, but you make me worry I drink too much now. *He laughs*
[Dara]: What will you do with Cobalt Company, Lady Sintha? Haven't you work in Stormwind?
[Mayellen]: So uh… as an engineer, or…?
Mayellen eyes Síntha up and down.
Lucílle sets her mug down on the table and clasps her hands together, practically vibrating with excitement. Friend. Join company. Yes.
[Síntha]: Oh, I have a little work in Stormwind, but it's not as though all of Cobalt packs off to Northrend, is it? Yes, I could be an engineer! Or… whatever else is called for.
Síntha smiles sweetly again.
[Hectorius]: An engineer? That is fascinating.
Hectorius smiles at Síntha.
[Hectorius]: Engineering is useful indeed.
Síntha beams at Hectorius. "Isn't it?"
[Lucílle]: Have you met Captain Jocoza yet?
Mayellen can't help but smile at the mention of Jo.
[Hectorius]: I was obligated to become an engineer to further my explorations.
[Mayellen]: I wish she would come drink with us sometimes. Imagine how amazing that would be.
[Síntha]: She was at the gala! I didn't speak with her apart from introductions though. But gosh, she seems darling.
[Mayellen]: I saw her, she had a boyfriend!!
Mayellen bounces a little.
[Mayellen]: He's in the 7th Legion!!
[Lucílle]: Oh, you must, she's so clever.
[Hectorius]: Makes me wonder Mayellen if any good ladies are single out there.
Hectorius chuckles at Mayellen.
[Mayellen]: He had on his uniform, and they were so sweet together.
Hectorius smiles at Mayellen.
[Síntha]: I would love to meet her sometime.
[Iphindra]: She is very nice!
Mayellen sighs at Hectorius.
[Síntha]: But yes, I was thinking of putting in an application with Lord Ference. Shay would be so cross with me! *Sintha sounds like this is a definite pro in favor of applying.*
[Mayellen]: Who's Shay?
Lucílle giggles. "You should!"
Hectorius grins wickedly at Síntha.
[Síntha]: My brother. He's awful.
Dara raises her eyebrows at the gossip.
[Mayellen]: Oh you mean Lord Siamus Fallon?
[Síntha]: Yes!
Síntha laughs.
[Dara]: What's so awful about him?
[Mayellen]: He didn't seem awful. He seemed nice. I mean, I didn't talk to him or anything, but he gave a great speech.
[Síntha]: Oh, I'm allowed to say he's awful because I'm his sister. None of you must, obviously. He's a darling.
Iphindra looks around curious, like she's missed the Event of the Year.
[Mayellen]: Nice looking, too.
Hectorius grins wickedly at Síntha.
[Mayellen]: Very dashing, sailor type.
Jonas eyes Mayellen.
[Hectorius]: Ok, should I meet your brother, Lady Sintha, I'll tow the party line then.
Lucílle giggles. "That's little sister privilege."
[Mayellen]: What! *May grins at him*
[Mayellen]: at Jonas*
[Síntha]: Do not fall for it, Mayellen. He's a sailor.
[Mayellen]: Oh believe me, I am the last person to fall for the wiles of a charming handsome sailor.
[Mayellen]: Ask anyone.
Jonas tries to decide whether he's insulted or not. He doesn't look too insulted.
[Mayellen]: I require an honorable and honest sort like Jonas here.
Jonas is definitely not insulted. He nods.
Síntha smiles sweetly at Jonas.
Mayellen pats him and smiles adoringly.
[Lucílle]: Awwww.
[Hectorius]: Yes, an honest sort like Jonas who is rather dashing himself.
[Dara]: Very noble of you. *Dara smiles at her*
[Jonas]: All right, all right. *Jonas is turning red. He drinks some more.*
Hectorius grins wickedly at Jonas.
Lucílle looks at the stairs like she's expecting May's steak to arrive at any moment.
Hectorius toasts Jonas and drinks some more himself.
[Mayellen]: Jonas is pretty good looking, but I don't like to say so in public since it seems like bragging.
Miraculously, May's steak arrived! Edris whisks it over to her. There is one (1) kind of fork.
[Lucílle]: It's not bragging if you're complimenting someone else!
[Hectorius]: "I won't get drunk however. Tonight is not the kind of night anyone would want to see a miniature version of me table dancing."
Jonas hunches down a little in his seat but he's smiling into his drink now.
[Mayellen]: Thank you Ms. Barleybeard! *May digs into the steak with her one fork, and with enough gusto that she says nothing more for a while. Mouth full of steak.
Iphindra stares at the fork, before noticing what's on the plate. She looks away. At the wall. The very interesting wall.
Síntha eyes Jonas with pursed lips, assessing him.
Hectorius grins wickedly at Mayellen.
Mayellen does look up at Hectorius and give him a look that makes it clear she would VERY much like to see that.
[Dara]: So… is it quite common for women to join Cobalt Company and end up with boyfriends?
Mayellen chokes slightly.
Lucílle whispers to Sintha, "Those two are adorable." Iphindra can probably overhear easily enough.
Hectorius smiles over at Mayellen "Well, perhaps one day yes, but I should remain fully clothed though."
Síntha nods firmly at Lucy, and then eyes Dara.
Iphindra nods at Lucy, giggling.
Hectorius smiles at Lady Dara warmly. "Well, I am sure you could find a boyfriend whether you joined or not, if that is what you are looking for."
Iphindra turns to Dara, eyes widening.
Mayellen chokes again at Hectorius's fully-clothed comment.
Mayellen does not slow her eating, however. NOmnomnom.
Dara looks at Hectorius again, something a little more appraising in her eyes.
[Lucílle]: How common is common?
[Hectorius]: "Just don't settle for anyone less than you feel is worthy, Lady Dara, and then you shall be fine. Look for high standards and you will find them."
Hectorius smiles over at Dara.
Mayellen nods emphatically at Hectorius, mouth full of steak, and elbows Jonas with a smile.
[Lucílle]: Oh, yes. And don't get married young.
[Dara]: Then I should say the same to you, Hectorius.
[Jonas]: Cobalt Company has pretty high standards generally. So maybe that's your answer.
[Dara]: Don't get married young? *Dara looks at Lucy, puzzled* That ship has, as they say, sailed. But why not?
[Hectorius]: Perhaps you should then, yes, Lady Dara, perhaps you should. Well, should I find someone, she would have to share my love for adventure and seeing new places.
Mayellen makes the steak disappear alarmingly fast, then pushes her plate away. She burps, but is polite enough to cover it.
Hectorius smiles at you.
[Síntha]: Dara's not awfully young! But still, one mustn't settle. And you have time, Dara darling.
[Síntha]: The Duchess Esprit is thirty! *Sintha chirps cheerfully.*
Dara shoots a knowing smile at Sintha. A look that says 'You and I know what twenty-six means’.
[Mayellen]: I'm just twenty, so I probably won't marry Jonas for at least a few weeks. Kidding, Jonas, before you have a heart attack. *She winks.*
[Jonas]: … thanks, all right.
Lucílle tilts her head towards Mayellen and Jonas. Maybe that was a warning for them. "Well, I got married when I was eighteen, and look where that got me." She holds up her hands, now ring-free.
Mayellen laughs at Jonas.
Lucílle doesn't even sound upset about this.
Mayellen gives Jonas a big hug, with both arms, from the side. It's a little awkward but heartfelt.
Síntha sobers. She leans over to put her shoulder against Lucy's. "Yes. Gosh. Poor you, Lucy."
[Dara]: Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to remind you of dreadful things.
[Mayellen]: So are you a widow, Lucy?
Jonas leans into May's hug, smiling, and props his head against hers briefly.
[Síntha]: She ought to be.
[Iphindra]: Thirty and nineteen is very, very young. You have time. Centur-. *She pauses.* Years.
Lucílle smiles at Sintha. "Well, there were some good years in there." She laughs out loud at Sintha's comment. "No, May, but I am divorced."
Hectorius readjusted in his chair so he hopes Dara doesn't feel crowded as he may have brushed against her but only slightly and not intentionally.
[Mayellen]: Divorced? *May looks surprised.*
[Lucílle]: He was, well, a terrible choice. You know how it goes, mm? Gavin was very charming.
[Lucílle]: And I was quite charmed. And so was everyone else he set his eyes on, apparently.
[Hectorius]: Uh oh. I think I know where this is going, Lucy.
[Mayellen]: I've hardly known anyone who got divorced. In Westfall if someone doesn't like their husband they generally just, you know, *she draws a finger across her throat. Then she smiles.* Kidding. … Mostly.
Hectorius chuckles at Mayellen.
[Síntha]: And he was not, may I say, a sailor. Just a cad.
[Mayellen]: There are so many men like that, Lucy. I'm so sorry one swindled you into marrying him.
Lucílle smiles brightly. "So I suppose that's my ancient crone's wisdom." She's like twenty-five. "Make good choices!"
[Dara]: So Cobalt is a benefit, yes? None of those cads around.
[Hectorius]: Those men need to keep themselves busy. It's not really that difficult.
[Mayellen]: I think I found a pretty good one already, but like you say, no rush.
[Síntha]: Gosh, is divorce less common among… well, common people? My parents are divorced also.
[Mayellen]: Right?? *She points to Hectorius.*
[Hectorius]: Well, Lady Dara, if I may be so bold, there is also the absence of cads outside of the Company too."
[Mayellen]: There are so many things in life to do besides collect pretty women like dolls or something.
[Lucílle]: And pretty men.
Dara smiles up at him, glancing up through her eyelashes.
[Hectorius]: Exactly. Like show one pretty woman the world.
[Síntha]: Oh yes, Shay collects both. But he isn't a cad. … mostly.
[Dara]: Wait, both what?
Hectorius smiles at you.
Jonas shifts closer to May in the chair.
Mayellen looks curious too.
[Dara]: Women and dolls?
Síntha laughs.
Lucílle laughs.
[Hectorius]: I'm thinking women and men.
[Hectorius]: Though I could be wrong.
[Síntha]: Yes, pretty women and pretty men. As Mayellen and Lucy said.
Lucílle snaps her fingers and points to Hectorius. "Got it in one."
[Mayellen]: Ohhhhhh. I thought Jonas was a man-collector at first. Or, well, not a collector, but, you know. Because he didn't hit on me immediately like most men do.
[Hectorius]: Ah but Jonas is wise though.
[Mayellen]: And I'm not even that pretty! Men are just gross. Uh, present man-company excepted.
[Hectorius]: The men hitting on women immediately are the ones who immediately screen themselves out. You don't have to do a thing to know who they really are.
Jonas eyes May. "… man-collector," he says dubiously. "And you are very pretty, Mayellen."
[Hectorius]: Well, I can be gross if I eat the wrong foods.
[Mayellen]: Honestly Hectorius and Jonas are two of the men who made me change my mind about men. I used to think they were ALL terrible. Because that's what my mom raised me to think.
Mayellen laughs at Hectorius.
[Mayellen]: Toooooo much information, Hec.
[Lucílle]: Well, I suppose you're learning!
Hectorius chuckles at Mayellen.
[Mayellen]: I like to think I'm open to having my mind changed, if enough evidence presents itself.
Iphindra nods at May, at the men are gross part, and the thinking men were all terrible.
Jonas smiles at May.
Mayellen pokes around at her plate as though hoping to find morsels of uneaten steak. There are none.
[Síntha]: That is an excellent quality, Mayellen.
Dara nods at Sintha.
[Mayellen]: Thank you.
[Lucílle]: Was the steak good?
[Mayellen]: It kind of went down my gullet too fast for me to really notice. I was hungry.
[Mayellen]: Oop, there's the horn.
Lucílle laughs.
[Mayellen]: Back to work for me.
Síntha glances up at the sound of the horn.
[Síntha]: Gosh. Time flies.
Mayellen carefully pushes herself to a stand and grabs her walking staff.
[Dara]: Oh, yes, I'd best get back to Stormwind before too late.
[Mayellen]: Nice talking to everyone!
Jonas gets to his feet and moves with Mayellen, his hand hovering around her elbow in case she needs assistance.
[Iphindra]: And I'll go… find the brochure!
Mayellen leans on him.
Iphindra gets up, determined to learn about forks. "Goodbye, everyone!"
Iphindra waves goodbye to everyone. Farewell!
[Lucílle]: Goodbye!
[Dara]: It was a pleasure to meet you all. And to see you again, Lucy and Sintha.
[Lucílle]: Mmhm!
[Lucílle]: You should definitely join, I think.
[Síntha]: I think I definitely shall.
Lucílle smiles at Sintha. "And you'll just adore Captain Jocoza."
[Síntha]: Well, if I'm accepted. Gosh, I wonder if Avrenne will be cross with me as well.
Síntha laughs at the thought.
[Síntha]: I cannot wait to meet the Captain! You'll put in a word for me, Lucy?
[Lucílle]: Oh! Yes, I can! I should do that before I forget.
Síntha nods solemnly. Girl, before you forget.
[Lucílle]: While I'm in Ironforge.
[Síntha]: Gosh, thank you!
Síntha waves merrily to Hectorius.
[Lucílle]: Goodbye!
Lucílle skips on downstairs.
[Hectorius]: Farewell ladies, and see you again if the opportunity permits.
Hectorius smiles at Síntha.
[Síntha]: Good evening, Hectorius!
[Hectorius]: Yes, good evening, Lady Sintha. Though if you are no lady, well, your title is.
[Síntha]: Perhaps I'll visit Karazhan someday, hm?
Síntha beams.
[Hectorius]: Yes perhaps.