(2023-11-09) All the Cycles

Details

Author:	Saaron
Summary:	Iphindra meets Jocoza Sparkwire to volunteer as a squad member for the Company's next adventure into Northrend.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Season 12

+ Show additional content warnings

discussion of the place of undeath in the cycle of life

Jocoza sits in her chair in Ironforge HQ, sorting through some paperwork.
Iphindra goes down the stairs very swiftly, stopping in her tracks as she spots Jocoza. "Captain! Thank you for meeting me!" She's followed by a sinister Squashling.
You salute Jocoza with respect.
Jocoza: No problem at all! *Jo smiles, adjusting her goggles as she looks at the sentient pumpkin.* Or at least, I hope there's no problem? Has everything been going well?
Iphindra: Yes, yes e-everything is fine! *She salutes Jocoza again.* I hear the squads are going to Northrend again?
Jocoza: Well, I suppose most of them never left, except perhaps to visit friends and family. But we're reorganizing now to head into a new area, it's true.
Iphindra nods. "Then I would like to… to volunteer, to go too!"
Iphindra: As a squad member for the Cobalt Company!
Jocoza: Hm… *Jo looks over a paper in the hand and tucks it away.* It seems you've been explicitly assigned to the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor, which are also important places. But I do see you wanted to go to Northrend, and it does seem like things have
Jocoza: been going well, as far as I can see in the reports.
Jocoza peers at Iphindra, reaching up to tick a dial on her goggles one click over. "You were a healer, right? I believe I recall that from Ahn'Qiraj. What makes you want to go to Northrend? And squads… you know they go into the most dangerous areas."
Iphindra: Yes, I am! I wanted to volunteer, after our expedition, but… I thought you wanted rest after such mission. *She brushes a strand of hair behind her long ear, vines reaching for her fingers as they come close.* I am a great healer, as you saw!
Iphindra drops down, and goes through her bag, pulling stacks of papers. "This, um… These are my reports of previous missions. Copies I write in my native tongue, just to keep."
Iphindra her voice lowers a little. "It's okay I keep this, right?"
Jocoza: Of course, you wrote them, didn't you? I've got all the Common copies in here. *Jo gestures towards the filing cabinet.*
Jocoza: But I'm hearing again that you want to volunteer, but not why. Ahn'Qiraj was the first time I saw you in action,. but I have been keeping track of your activities, as I do everyone.
Iphindra holds tight to her reports. "I- I wish to help! As much as I can. Northrend, it's a place of death, and I am life. Full of life! And they're not opposite, as I've heard from people here."-
Iphindra: And since I understand life more than maybe anyone you know, I understand death, and Northrend's life, maybe more than anyone you know too!
Iphindra: I want to help the Cobalt Company, Northrend and Azeroth fully!
Jocoza looks at Iphindra curiously. "The desire to help is certainly admirable, but… I'm not sure how you understand life more than anyone I know? I mean, you do seem to be full of life, but so are many people."
Jocoza: Have you ever been to Northrend before?
Iphindra: I- no. Sir Elohad, he said… I needed to prove myself, if I wanted to go to Northrend for Cobalt Company, so I did my job here, south.
Iphindra: But… I know you know many people, and some druids, but I do understand life differently, more strongly, I promise.
Iphindra looks at her captain with puppy eyes.
Jocoza peers at Iphindra through her goggles. "I realize you're just trying to show confidence, but… are you willing to accept that maybe people who have been living and fighting in Northrend understand the life of Northrend better than you do?"
Iphindra: I… yes. I do. For now, at least, they understand it better.
Jocoza: Okay, good. I wanted to make sure you're the sort who will listen to others. It's very dangerous to simply assume you understand everything better than everyone around you. Will you have a seat, by the way? You're very tall.
Iphindra grows red. "Yes! Sorry! Right away!"
Iphindra sits down.
Jocoza gestures to a chair and continues on. "For instance, I'm the Captain of this mercenary company, but I wouldn't say I understand everything about Cobalt Company. I have people I trust, like Elohad, Ben, Paluuva and others."
Jocoza: If you want to volunteer to go to Northrend, and especially to be in a squad, it's important that you're willing to trust the people with you. That you're willing to accept that they might understand things better.
Iphindra nods. "Yes, I- absolutely! Community, it's… everything to me. I- I know that if one person, animal, plant or even machine does one thing, it can change everything. They all matter. Like people in a team."
Jocoza nods agreeably.
Jocoza: Right, so, I should mention that I am looking for a healer to join one of our squads, which is why I'm getting into this with you, but I have a number of potential candidates.
Jocoza: I'm curious what has pointed you towards the life and death of Northrend specifically. Do you have history with the Scourge?
Iphindra: For Scourge… no, not really. The first time I saw them was when I went to Andorhal, for my mission. But, you see, the world it has energy. Spirits, everywhere, and- and it's very far away, but I can feel Northrend's calling.
Iphindra: And- and even the undead, I know they need help. I can feel them too. Waiting, to go through a following stage of their cycle of life. I- I know this is where I need to go.
Jocoza considers that. "So it's the pull of all the undead? How would you… help them? You know the Ebon Blade are on our side, the Forsaken are questionable, and the Scourge will certainly not respond well to any help."
Iphindra: Oh, well- I, I mean- There's a cycle. Life, death, life, death, and- and it goes on and on! *She moves her fingers a lot as she speaks.* And… there's a new step that's been added. Undeath. But it's still pulled to the next step, like everything. But it's forbidden to move to that next step, unlike all the other steps. I want to help, bring them to the next one. So they can feed the earth, and grow again, in a new life, repeating the cycle again, and- again.
Iphindra: And- maybe not those who are our allies. I- we can keep the Ebon Blade with us, if they want to stay in that step, just for a little bit.
Jocoza considers that. "I suppose, if this is an extra step, perhaps you should consider it as one. An unlife. You wouldn't want to just kill a living person to help them move on to death, would you? So, I'd say, similarly, let them, um, 'live' their unlives.”
Jocoza: If it's a cycle, let's let people move through it at their own pace, right?
Jocoza: After all, your people can spend tens of thousands of years in the 'life' step.
Iphindra: W- well for those who can make decisions, yes! Death knights, they can go at their own pace! Bu- but those who are not like that, they need it. Their spirits, they call for the next one.
Iphindra: In- In Andorhal, there was this… ghoul. He was trapped in that step by the dark magic necromancy. So it was my role, as a creature of Life, to help him continue that cycle.
Iphindra: Just… like as a healer, it's my role, to keep the spirits who wish to keep fighting in the step of 'life'. Like I would do, with the members of a squad!
Jocoza: Okay, then by this logic you'll fight Scourge, but not any of the undead on our side. I can accept that. In any case, I hope you won't need to fight many undead creatures, as you'd be mostly healing.
Jocoza: So if I may sum all of this up, what I'm gathering from you is that you feel the necromancy of the Scourge is a great… blockage… of nature, and that you are called to Northrend to help those who will defeat it?
Iphindra nods vehemently. "I really wouldn't fight the undead on our side! The truth, I'm not… opposed to undeath itself. It's… one more step, some go through. Like… when some mushroom take over the bodies of insect after they die. And it's not necromancy!"
Iphindra: Yes! I'm not the strongest fighter, but by keeping those fighters alive, I'm helping Northrend! And all of Azeroth!
Jocoza tenses a little at the subject of mushrooms taking over bodies. "Do you know Ralaea, by any chance?"
Iphindra: I… don't think so, no. Why? Is she a squad member?
Jocoza: Ah… she has some…. interesting ideas about mushrooms. It's fine, probably. And she has been, but right now there's this whole court case which… you know, let's get back to your qualifications.
Jocoza takes her goggles off, smiling over at Iphindra. "It looks like you started out with a lot of small work around here, at the behest of Elohad, is that right?"
Iphindra: Yes! Qualifications! I have all my reports, even the one from Andorhal, and Ahn'Qiraj, and maybe you haven't read it yet, but also that fire I helped stopped from a headless spirit burning Goldshire!
Jocoza: Oh, the horseman? *Jo perks up* Is that where you found your interesting pet?
Iphindra nods. She calls over the pumpkin, which rushes there and wraps a tendril around her leg. "Yes, his magic made the pumpkin… mean. But I was able to make it sweet!" *She giggles.*
Iphindra: But… yes! He said I needed to prove myself, and to get recommendations, like from the people I worked with, during the battle at Mount Hyjal. I… haven't done, however.
Iphindra throws puppy eyes at Jo again.
Jocoza looks curiously at the sweet pumpkin, and then snaps her gaze back up to Iphindra. "Oh? You were at the Battle of Mount Hyjal?"
Iphindra: Yes! A bit… hidden, but I healed there, during the battle!
Jocoza: Is there anyone I might contact for a recommendation? I know a lot of people who were at that battle by now.
Iphindra: Well, that's… that's the thing, I- I'm supposed to keep some things… secrets. My sisters- My family, they told me it's better if I don't say… all I know. *She fidgets with her fingers, and vines gently, comfortingly wrap around her arms.*
Iphindra: But… You're my captain. Maybe I should tell you? *She looks like she wants to tell her.*
Jocoza: I can keep a secret. *Jo says earnestly, leaning forward slightly*
Iphindra: Okay… I- I don't know much about before. I don't know anything about it, really. But I've been living and learning with dryads, for four centuries. That's who took me to the battle at Mount Hyjal, and who I healed.
Iphindra: They're… my family.
Jocoza: You've been living with dryads? *Jo's eyebrows raise* I understood they were pretty, well, they keep themselves pretty isolated. That's why the secrecy?
Iphindra nods. "I was hidden with them. And, I think they know more than I do, about before, and they think it's better if I don't say too much about myself. Especially living with them."
Jocoza: I'll keep that secret, then. But I expect that does give you a unique perspective. Did you know we worked with some dryads up north?
Iphindra: Yes! And see, like them, I have plants living in my hair! When they're healthy, and happy, everything seems more… full of life around them! It strengthens everything. And that's what I learned to do too!
Iphindra nods. "I do read the newsletter! I think they're the spirits I hear calling. If not ones you met, others, hidden in Northrend, waiting to see the land healthy again."
Jocoza: Maybe so. They seemed friendly enough, but they did say their people preferred to stay hidden when possible.
Jocoza: Alright, so you have four hundred years training with dryads as a healer, and I do see a successful trail of work in your reports. Starting around here, working your way up through the Wetlands, Arathi, Hillsbrad, and then finally the Plaguelands.
Iphindra nods enthusiastically.
Jocoza: And then, of course, your work recently at Goldshire and then at Ahn'Qiraj, which certainly hosts some similar dangers to Northrend.
Jocoza: Given your solid record of work and no complaints against you, as well as your obvious enthusiasm for the role, I'm willing to give you a chance as a team healer.
Jocoza waits for Iphindra's reaction.
Iphindra: Re- really? *She immediately gets up.*
Jocoza smiles. "A chance, yes. You won't be going immediately to dryads or to the Scourge, though. I'm planning to send people up in the mountains of Storm Peaks to help out some goblins, to start with."
Iphindra: Thank you so much! You will not regret this chance, I… I oath it! *Iphindra clearly recently learned the word.*
Jocoza: I accept your oath. *Jo says with a grin.* And I'm thinking to set you with a veteran of the Third War, Sir Dane Atley.
Iphindra: He was- This was the warrior, at Ahn'Qiraj, yes?
Jocoza: Yes, so you've some experience healing him already, I expect.
Jocoza: As for the others… there's a draenei paladin - or vindicator, they call themselves - named Erixa.
Jocoza: And the Lady Cressidha, a frost mage. Have you had a chance to meet her?
Iphindra: I will happily join Sir Dane Atley in a squad! *Flowers bloom on her head. If she could be any happier, maybe the deer head she's forgotten is above her head would come back to life.*
Iphindra: I… No. I don't know Erixa or Lady Cressidha! But if they are in a squad, and not just for a chance, they both have to be exceptional!
Jocoza nods. "I'll check in with you after you've had a chance to work together? And with your squad leader, Dane. I'm still looking for a fifth person for the team, but if all goes well I expect it'll be a kaldorei who has a history with the sentinels."
Iphindra: Oh.
Iphindra: Um… yes! This sounds… great!
Jocoza: Okay, I'm glad to hear it. *Jo smiles* Do you have any other questions? If this were the old days I'd direct you to a dock for a week-long journey, but these days I can just open a portal to Northrend for you.
Iphindra: Hmm… *She shakes her head.* No. I'm ready. I will heal with all I have for the squad, for the Cobalt Company, and for all Life! For all cycles.