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| Details |
| Author: | Disknight |
| Summary: | Rozalin meets with Jenzelle in Stormwind to catch up and break the news about her and Lena. Mayellen joins later and the two do their best to comfort Rozalin and offer a few words of advice on how to move on (and also unknowingly encourage her to incite a rebellion). Afterwards Mayellen talks some about her own family situation. |
| Rating: | M for Mature 17+ |
Rozalin sits at the table and nurses a glass of beer. The keen observer would note that this may be the first time anyone's seen her drink it. She normally sticks to strong spirits.
Jenzelle steps into the bar in the Park, looking around like she doesn't really belong there. Spotting Terrineth, her pace increases ever so slightly. "Hello!"
Rozalin slowly glances over. She smiles a little when she notices Jenzelle, "Heya." She says without her characteristic upbeat lilt.
[Jenzelle]: You seem a bit…out of sorts. Is something the matter?
[Rozalin]: Oh, you know how it is. In Westfall if it ain't one bit of bad news it's another. *she deflects*
Jenzelle slides into the chair next to her. "It's still pretty bad out there? I suppose the war isn't helping."
[Rozalin]: Getting better, but… yeah. It don't help.
[Jenzelle]: Is there anything I could help with? The families in Northrend I've been working with are fairly well settled now, so I have some time to spare.
Rozalin lets out a big sigh, "I appreciate that, darlin, but you really don't gotta do that for me."
[Jenzelle]: Well, I could at least listen to what's going on, if you want to talk about it in more specifics.
[Rozalin]: I guess that would be fine. *she takes a deep breath and drains her glass* Well the wall is comin together pretty good. Main issue is the gnolls have gone apeshit now that the Brotherhood ain't there to keep em in check.
Jenzelle frowns in concern. "Gnolls. And they're attacking people? Civilians?"
[Rozalin]: Yeah. They won't leave Sentinel Hill alone. I've really had my work cut out for me.
[Jenzelle]: And I've heard a lot of people from Westfall are in Northrend, fighting. Are you sure I shouldn't be helping? It sounds pretty bad.
Mayellen asks the bartender for some juice and a sandwich, glancing over at the word 'Westfall.'
[Rozalin]: I mean you can if you want, I just… I don't know. Shit feels helpless to me right now…
[Rozalin]: I mean… what do I really got goin for me anyway? In Westfall or otherwise?
Mayellen looks over in concern, furrowing her brow as she tries to place Rozalin.
[Jenzelle]: Is everything okay with you and Lena? I'm sure she's been fairly busy in Northrend herself, lately. Have you been able to see her?
Mayellen blinks at the word 'Lena' - now she's placed her.
[Mayellen]: Hi, is it all right if I sit here for a moment while I have my dinner?
Rozalin glances up at May, "Oh, uh… Go ahead I guess."
[Mayellen]: You probably don't remember me. Mayellen.
[Rozalin]: Oh yeah that's right. Think I've seen you in Ironforge once or twice.
Jenzelle smiles at Mayellen in greeting. "Hello! My name is Jenzelle. You know Terrineth?"
[Mayellen]: We've crossed paths a few times. Mostly I remember you from the Gala.
Mayellen says re: Terri.
[Mayellen]: You sounded a little down, just wanted to see if you were okay.
Jenzelle nods appreciatively. The more friends the better!
[Rozalin]: Yeah, that was a pretty nice time. *she rubs her nose and looks down at the table* A-and I'll be ok. Also been goin by Rozalin recently if you don't mind.
Mayellen gives Jenzelle a little smile.
[Mayellen]: Oh, Rozalin's a nice name.
[Jenzelle]: Rozalin. Okay.
[Rozalin]: Thanks.
[Mayellen]: Jenzelle, I'm not sure if we've met before. I'm with Cobalt Company, among other things, but I'm not really well known. Not yet, anyway.
[Jenzelle]: Oh, Cobalt Company? I am too, but not… I wouldn't say I'm well known either.
[Mayellen]: Well I guess we're in good company then!
Mayellen smiles and tucks into her sandwich now that she's introduced herself, letting the two friends continue talking.
Jenzelle misunderstands. "I-it is a good company, yes."
Mayellen 's smile widens, but she doesn't correct her.
Rozalin goes to grab a pitcher to pour herself another glass but sighs and pushes it away instead.
Jenzelle nervously swipes a stray hair behind her ear. "So Lena…" she begins again. "Did you ever work out whether you wanted to join the fleet?"
[Rozalin]: Yeah so uh… Lena and I sorta split up…
[Jenzelle]: Oh… Oh! Goodness! I'm so sorry, I didn't know!
Mayellen blinks and pauses mid-chew. After a moment, she continues chewing, without comment.
[Rozalin]: I… yeah… I've been trying not to make it everyone's business, but… yeah…
[Jenzelle]: Was it the distance after all? I suppose that is a difficult thing. I really am so sorry, do you need a hug?
[Rozalin]: Nah, we um, had a bit of a disagreement over something with her boss. I still don't get what that prick's problem is, but I took it out on Lena a bit.
[Mayellen]: The Vice Admiral?
[Rozalin]: Yeah, something like that.
[Mayellen]: He seemed decent enough to me, but I've only spoken to him a few times. Has he been giving Lena trouble?
[Jenzelle]: Oh, goodness, did you meet him? I-I haven't met him. I'm a little nervous, now.
[Mayellen]: He seemed all right to me. Strange accent, but he didn't seem… quite as military as I'd have expected.
[Mayellen]: I can't say I know him at all, though.
[Jenzelle]: Two of my friends are um… apparently living with him, right now? I don't understand how that happened, exactly.
[Rozalin]: Nah, it's not about Lena. I was just tryin to help her out so I asked Crim to help me with a favor. Gave that fancy captain a bunch of crates of my homemade marmalade. Had to rent out a kitchen to make it all and then ship it up north too.
[Rozalin]: Nack cut me a deal on it, but it still cost me a fortune.
[Mayellen]: That was nice of you. I don't suppose ship crews get that kind of treat very often.
Jenzelle nods in agreement.
[Rozalin]: Well apparently he didn't like it. *Roz raises her voice a bit*
Jenzelle blinks. "Really? Why not?"
[Rozalin]: I don't know. Some bullshit excuse about not knowin where it came from and me tryana bribe him and crap.
[Mayellen]: Huh.
Mayellen tilts her head as though trying to see it from another angle.
[Jenzelle]: That's…a bit of a leap. Did you have the chance to ask him why he thought that? Surely you could have told him you made it yourself…
[Mayellen]: I don't think I know enough about being captain of a ship and the way they usually do things to fully understand, but I suppose I can see why it might be a bit stressful to get a large shipment of food from someone you don't know.
[Mayellen]: They probably have very strict … supply line… stuff. I don't really know. Not military, myself.
[Rozalin]: I guess, but ain't things tight up there? *she grumbles* Whatever. It's too late anyway. *she slumps down on the table*
[Jenzelle]: Oh, did you… was it a surprise? Maybe asking first might have been…
[Mayellen]: I'm sorry you ended up fighting about it. But that's probably a sign that you wouldn't get on well long term anyway, if something like that could cause such a kerfuffle. Better to know sooner than later, hm?
[Jenzelle]: But couldn't… if you just talked to everyone involved, all together, surely everyone could come to an understanding…
[Mayellen]: Not always, with relationships. It's not always about the specific thing that happened, you know?
Jenzelle probably does not know.
[Rozalin]: I guess… *she bangs a fist on the table lightly* I just feel bad. Maybe if I wasn't such a bitch to Lena about it things would've been ok. I just wanted to help her out.
[Mayellen]: Well, maybe you just weren't a good match anyway. She doesn't strike me as someone who's really good for a close relationship like that right now. Especially not one where fights are likely.
[Rozalin]: But she's good at all the same stuff I am. She can cook and sew, I mean… and with all these new fancy friends I don't know what to do with em.
[Mayellen]: Yes, it seems to me that she's looking for a different sort of life from what you'd probably enjoy.
[Jenzelle]: I just hate to see someone's good intentions taken so wrongly…
[Mayellen]: I'm sure she's not going to stay mad about it or anything.
[Mayellen]: I think it's probably more that it just made you two realize how different you were, and how you wanted different things, you know?
[Rozalin]: I guess, but like… there's been plenty of people different than me that I get on just fine with, right? One of my closest friends is an orc for Light's sake!
[Mayellen]: There are differences that matter in a relationship and differences that don't.
[Jenzelle]: Do you have a lot of experiences with relationships, Mayellen?
[Mayellen]: I'm in a good one, myself, and I've witnessed enough of them falling apart to know what not to do.
[Jenzelle]: You haven't had any of your own fall apart?
[Mayellen]: I was planning to just stay single. I was never interested in it. But then I found the right person for me.
[Jenzelle]: But… how do you know it's the right person? How do you tell?
Mayellen considers.
[Mayellen]: Just… that feeling that the person is in your corner, all the time, no matter what. That comfortable feeling, that they get you, and respect you, even when you don't agree on things. This feeling of absolute confidence and security. I dunno.
[Mayellen]: We were friends for quite a while, first, and it just… blossomed, I guess.
[Mayellen]: So that trust was already there.
Jenzelle turns to Rozalin. "Do you feel like you had that with Lena?"
[Rozalin]: I don't know… maybe. She really helped me out of a dark place, ya know? I-I've never had someone like that before. Gotten close a time or two, but… those never panned out for one reason or another.
[Mayellen]: Well you weren't friends first, you pretty much started off flirty right away, right? Attraction can sometimes blind you to incompatibility.
[Mayellen]: Or did you meet before the Gala? I'd thought that was when you met. All dressed up and dancing and whatnot.
[Mayellen]: That sort of situation is kind of artificially romantic and can set up a kind of… fantasy, you know?
[Rozalin]: We'd met up once or twice before I think…
[Mayellen]: Most of the couples I know who seem really solid, they met through working together, or being friends, got to see the real 'them' before things got all… smoochy.
[Mayellen]: Jonas for sure saw the worst of me before we ever even thought of dating. So he knew what he was getting into.
[Rozalin]: I showed off plenty of ugly too. I'm a little surprised I made it this long to be honest.
[Mayellen]: Anyway, I think someone like Lena would always make you feel like you couldn't quite fit in with her crowd. You shouldn't have to feel that way. You should be with someone whose life you fit into.
Rozalin just sits quietly and traces a finger on the table.
[Mayellen]: Not everyone wants the same kind of life, but if a couple is going to last, they have to pretty much want the same things out of life. You gotta agree on stuff like children, money, where to live, religious stuff… at least the broad strokes.
[Mayellen]: Otherwise one of you just ends up giving up who you are.
[Rozalin]: I ain't even know how I feel bout half of that stuff…
[Mayellen]: That's what you have to figure out first.
[Mayellen]: You have to know who you are before you're ready to share yourself with someone. I at least had that going for me pretty early on. I've always been pretty sure of who I am.
[Mayellen]: Of course I was also sure I was never going to get married, so I guess I was wrong about at least some of it.
Mayellen shrugs. Who knows?
[Jenzelle]: So it doesn't have to be a perfect understanding, just a working one. A theory, I guess?
[Mayellen]: Exactly!
[Mayellen]: The important thing is to take that time for yourself. To think about things.
[Rozalin]: You think so? It was only after I got with her that I felt like anything made any damn sense.
[Mayellen]: That's a common problem.
[Mayellen]: A lot of people try to find meaning through a partner. That's a really, really bad idea.
[Mayellen]: You have to know yourself first. Or at least, know what you want when you're on your own. When it's not about trying to fit with someone else.
[Jenzelle]: You want to help Westfall, right? That's a good start.
[Mayellen]: You may find that if you throw your heart into the things you really care about, you'll just naturally meet someone who shares your passions.
[Mayellen]: But that's not the point of it of course. Finding a partner should never be the point. Finding yourself is much more important.
[Rozalin]: I guess helpin in Westfall is ok… Been gettin along with my folks a bit better. It's just weird. I remember em from when I was a kid but I hardly know em now.
Mayellen smiles a little wistfully.
[Mayellen]: That's great, that you're reconnecting with them. I envy you that.
[Jenzelle]: Time and distance is a bit like that, I think. And people change, too.
[Rozalin]: It's been awkward as fel, I'll tell you that.
Mayellen giggles.
[Rozalin]: I think they're afraid to ask too many questions about where I've been.
[Mayellen]: I can imagine.
[Mayellen]: I think that's a good start, actually, in figuring out who you are and what you want. Your roots, you know? What parts of them feel right and what parts you want to break away from.
[Jenzelle]: Roots! Yes, roots are lovely, aren't they?
[Mayellen]: You don't have to be a copy of your parents, but there might be things about them you can look at and say, yes, I take after this or that, that's part of who I am.
Mayellen smiles at Jenzelle.
[Rozalin]: True. I'm still not sure if I wanna hang around once things are a little more back to normal.
[Mayellen]: Well that's part of what you're figuring out, right? That's valid.
[Mayellen]: I decided I didn't want to be part of my parents' family anymore. Jonas is still close with his mother, and they have a great relationship. It varies, you know?
[Rozalin]: Yeah. Maybe I gotta figure out some more for myself. Stop complainin about crap I ain't like and actually do something about it.
Mayellen grins.
[Mayellen]: That's the spirit!
Jenzelle just smiles and nods through the talk of family.
[Mayellen]: It really does feel so much better when you take the reins, so to speak.
[Rozalin]: I hope so.
[Mayellen]: Really only you can know what's right for you. I think maybe you just haven't spent enough time yet really asking yourself what you want. What you believe. Sometimes we're too busy putting out a hundred little fires, you know?
[Rozalin]: Yeah… I guess I've got a lot to think about, huh…
[Mayellen]: It can be a lot. But there's no rush. There's not like, a test tomorrow.
[Jenzelle]: And helping people is a lovely goal.
[Mayellen]: I agree. Plenty of people who need help out there.
[Mayellen]: I wish I could do more, myself.
[Mayellen]: But I'm just not very powerful, and I'm not sure I ever will be.
[Rozalin]: Yeah… do you… think I should talk to some other pals about this stuff? I just… I'm not quite sure where to start.
[Mayellen]: I think that's a good idea. Get as many different opinions as you can.
Rozalin nods, "I… I guess I'll do that then. Maybe I outta think on it myself a bit more first though."
[Mayellen]: Yes, good idea. And then ask around, and see what others say, and what feels true to you, and what's close to what you came up with.
[Jenzelle]: Oh, goodness, I'm still…considering that. I know I want to be a priestess, and help people as much as I can. But as for relationships, I'm still…
Mayellen listens intently to Jenzelle.
[Jenzelle]: I had someone, but he died, so I'm trying to figure out where to go from there, is all.
[Mayellen]: Oh, no… I'm so sorry.
[Rozalin]: I feel you there, darlin. *she frowns*
[Mayellen]: Definitely don't rush yourself, Jenzelle. You need time to heal.
Jenzelle nods.
[Mayellen]: It's not so bad, being single. Honestly I was planning to spend my whole life single, after the relationships I saw.
[Mayellen]: And I was fine that way.
[Jenzelle]: There is someone that I… I think I like? But it's complicated, and he's also my friend's brother.
[Mayellen]: Oh, that can be tricky, yes.
[Mayellen]: I think I would have been perfectly happy being single my whole life, honestly. There's nothing wrong with it.
[Rozalin]: Friend's brother, huh?
[Mayellen]: That can be good or bad, depending on the friend.
[Jenzelle]: The friend is… do either of you know Ralaea Westwind?
[Mayellen]: I don't.
[Rozalin]: I don't think so.
[Mayellen]: I mean I've heard the name, but I don't know her.
Jenzelle smiles. "She isn't very sociable, so that doesn't surprise me. But her brother was in the Argent Crusade until a few months ago."
[Jenzelle]: They're the ones living with the Vice Admiral…
[Rozalin]: So they're with the fleet now?
[Jenzelle]: Not…exactly? Bren said it's almost like they've been…adopted.
[Mayellen]: Huh.
[Mayellen]: There's a lot of… adopting of adults going around these days. Like Ben Hazan.
[Jenzelle]: Oh, Ben! I like Ben.
Mayellen smiles a little wistfully. "We used to be pretty close. He gave me his horse when he went to Northrend."
[Mayellen]: I'm marrying his cousin, so I guess we're family now.
Rozalin makes a weird face at the mention of Ben.
[Jenzelle]: Really? Wow. And congratulations!
Mayellen 's smile warms.
[Mayellen]: His mother's going to move down to Stormwind and live with us. Jonas's mom I mean. I hope she likes me.
[Mayellen]: We've already got her pretty well settled in.
Rozalin nods along while she sits in her thoughts a bit.
[Jenzelle]: I don't see any reason why someone shouldn't like you.
[Mayellen]: Oh, lots of reasons. Just ask my parents.
Jenzelle frowns in concern. "Your parents…don't like you?"
[Mayellen]: According to them I'm some sort of willful ungrateful demon-worshipping stain on the family name.
Mayellen shrugs. Who knows?
[Jenzelle]: Oh… oh goodness, that's an awful thing to call someone. I'm so sorry.
[Mayellen]: They're… very old fashioned. To put it diplomatically.
[Mayellen]: Luckily I won't be staining their name much longer. I'll be a Hazan soon enough.
Rozalin grabs her stomach at that last sentence and coughs.
Jenzelle blinks and looks at Rozalin. "Are you okay?"
[Mayellen]: It's uh… in some circles not a very well-liked name. But Jonas isn't like that.
[Mayellen]: The Westfall Hazans though… they're… uh… not good.
Rozalin coughs a few more times and slaps her chest, "Sorry, just swallowed wrong is all, heh…" She looks very pale.
[Mayellen]: No, it's all right. I know they're awful people.
[Jenzelle]: I hope you and Jonas and Ben can show everyone there are good Hazans too.
[Mayellen]: Yes. People like the Hazans I grew up around don't deserve to define the name. Niris is good, too. A good woman.
[Rozalin]: Yeah… Ben seems ok at least.
[Mayellen]: I still remember seeing his bruises when he was a kid. Poor thing. Glad he got away.
[Mayellen]: I actually thought we were related for a while. Glad we're not, because being in love with Jonas would be awkward.
[Jenzelle]: Bruises… from his family? Goodness…
[Mayellen]: Yes. His father was… awful. Just awful.
Rozalin itches her scar.
[Jenzelle]: He sounds awful.
Rozalin breaks into a cold sweat and starts to shake.
[Mayellen]: I hope he's twisting somewhere in the Nether for eternity, frankly, and I'm not normally one for grudges.
[Jenzelle]: Rozalin, are you sure you're well? You don't look well.
[Mayellen]: I probably shouldn't talk about such an evil person; it's not a pleasant subject; I'm sorry. He hurt so many people.
[Rozalin]: I'm fine. *she barely gets out the words.*
[Mayellen]: Anyway. Ben's a good man, and so's Jonas. And that's what the name means to me.
[Mayellen]: That I'm part of their family.
[Mayellen]: And Aunt Niris. Have you met her?
[Jenzelle]: I haven't, no.
[Rozalin]: No, can't say I have. *she tries to catch her breath*
[Mayellen]: She can seem a bit … dour at times, but she has a heart of gold, honestly. She's Sir Elohad's wife, you know.
[Mayellen]: She's a brilliant herbalist and alchemist, and she's very particular about calling plants by their proper names.
Mayellen smiles fondly.
Jenzelle excuses herself for a moment and returns with a glass of water, which she offers Rozalin. "Sir Elohad the founder of the Company? He's… intimidating."
[Rozalin]: Is he? *she takes the water and sips*
[Jenzelle]: Yes, well I had some…circumstances when I joined the Company, so he was a bit cautious — and rightfully so!
[Mayellen]: He really did not like me.
[Mayellen]: But he's finally given in and accepted me, I think.
Jenzelle smiles. "That's good to hear. Sometimes people just need a chance."
[Mayellen]: I suppose I can't blame him for being protective of Cobalt Company, though. It's an amazing group of people. A family, really.
[Mayellen]: And I fully understand why he didn't trust me.
[Mayellen]: But I stuck it out and now I'm on a sort of investigative team with them; we've been doing good work.
Jenzelle nods. "Yes, I do understand it in my case as well. But I'm so glad I was given a chance after all. You do detective work?"
[Mayellen]: Yes, sort of. We investigate things.
[Mayellen]: Find lost ships, lost people, investigate murders… unofficially.
[Mayellen]: We're not the Stormwind Guard or anything. But we help.
[Jenzelle]: Wow.
[Mayellen]: It's very rewarding.
Mayellen finishes off the last of her juice, then smiles up at the server who takes away her empty dishes. "I suppose I'd best get back home now. It was nice talking with you both."
[Mayellen]: If you ever need someone to talk to don't hesitate to look me up. Here's the address of my new place. *She pushes a little slip of paper a cross the table to each of them.*
Jenzelle stands up. "You too! I should also get going. Rozalin, I'll be in the area, and I might stop by Westfall too."
Mayellen waves goodbye to everyone. Farewell!
[Rozalin]: Yeah. Was gonna rent a wagon to bring some food over while I'm here.
[Jenzelle]: That's a good idea! Let me know if you need any help.
[Rozalin]: Will do. Take care darlin.
[Jenzelle]: You too. *She retrieves the paper from the table, then scurries out of the bar.*