(2024-08-31) A Peaceful Day in Cobalt HQ

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Jo is in Cobalt's Ironforge HQ when Dane comes by with little Karson. The three of them are joined by Shine, and later by the draenei Mansia, who has an interest in the company.
Rating:	T for Teen

Jocoza sits in HQ, for once deeply engrossed in a novel rather than paperwork.

Atley marches into the HQ. He can be heard pausing, and muttering something in a low voice, before he continues inside. Eventually, Atley descends the stairs with a large, chubby baby tucked into the crook of his arm. The child appears to be in the middle of consuming a stuffed gryphon.

Jocoza looks up at the sound, and then her expression brightens suddenly. "Dane! And little Karson! Come to bring him to see HQ?"

Atley holds his son up proudly with a single arm and nods, a smile in his eyes. "Aye, first time on tram. Wonder how much of it he'll remember. This is the Captain, lad." he growls. Karson has hair the exact color of his father's, but eyes of Ivrianna. They lazily swirl around his surroundings.

Jocoza walks over and holds up one four-fingered hand to the toddler. "Hello, little one. I hope you like the tram? Gnomish ingenuity."

Atley lowers Karson closer to Jocoza's eye level. His bright blue eyes blink with acknowledgement at her, and he growls a drooly greeting with the stuffed gryphon's head in his mouth. He wears cloth pants and a loose fitting blue shirt, and appears to be missing one of his tan socks.

[Atley]: He admired the colors. Water, and the like.

Jocoza looks at him with adoring eyes. "It must be a wonder to one so young. He's got Ivri's eyes, hasn't he? Does he speak yet?"

Atley looks back to Karson and hefts him up with pride, as if he were a trophy. "Not yet, but he has discovered how to make noise, and enjoys roaring at great lengths to hear the sound of it. He's taken to squirming and nearly crawling, have a look."

Atley marches over to set Karson down on the middle of the rug. The child splays his chubby hands and arms and pushes himself up, mouth agape, peering at the stuffed animal.

Atley kneels down.

Jocoza steps back to give room for Karson on the ground. "He's a little lion of the Alliance already, then." She giggles. Jocoza kneels next to them. She probably doesn't need to, she's not that much taller than Karson.

Atley smiles softly and sets his jaw. "Aye. He's a bit cheeky. Properly fed, too, lookit' that belly of his."

Karson gurgles and reaches one hand forward, and then another, with conscious deliberation, inching towards the stuffed gryphon.

Jocoza smiles at him fondly. "Want to see something neat, Karson?" Jo rummages in her bag, and sets a clockwork rabbit on the ground, out of his reach.

Atley lifts a brow in approval. Karson gurgles again, and reaches out for the stuffie, only to collapse and fall face forward onto the torso of the gryphon. He gurgles again and fights to push himself back up.

[Jocoza]: I'm afraid most of my creations aren't suitably soft for a child.

Atley shakes his head. "Ah, p'raps not, he's got a mind to eat wot'ever he can get his hands on, but he can have a look at it."

[Jocoza]: Once he's a little older, I can help him make his own little clockwork animals. How long does that take for a human child? Is four old enough?

Atley raises a hand to itch his jaw. "He'll be talking and a proper person by then, aye."

Karson shoves himself up and blinks, looking around and in front of him as he hears the deployment of Jocoza's mechanical rabbit.

The rabbit sniffs a bit, and scratches it's ears as if it's a real creature.

[Jocoza]: That's so exciting. *Jo sighs* Maybe sometime soon, Kerlo and I will have one of our own. Hopefully not too far behind yours and Elo's.”

Atley promptly lifts Karson by the back of his shirt like a sack of potatoes and turns him around, setting his chubby hands and feet back onto the rug. Karson blinks and doubletakes the clockwork creation, staring glumly before his lips twist into an open mouthed smile and he squeals. "Kerlo Quarterflash of the 7th, aye?"

[Jocoza]: Mm-hm, *Jo smiles dreamily* We're going to be married soon enough. Happiness I wouldn't have dreamed of just five years ago.

Atley pushes himself up. "That's fine news," he growls fondly. "Do you know where you'll have the ceremony? I don't know much of gnomish marriage traditions."

Karson finds new motivation to perfect his crawling as he inches towards the rabbit, cooing with excitement, some spittle on his double chins.

Shine pauses on the stairs and takes in the pair conversing ahead. His one-eyed gaze drops to the child on the floor and he smiles faintly.

[Jocoza]: Oh, I'm really not sure. Not much of Gnomeregan has been reclaimed underground, so… *Jo smiles as she turns to see another person coming down the stairs.*

[Shine]: Good afternoon, Captain. Sir Atley. I'm not intruding?

[Jocoza]: Oh, no, of course not. For once, I'm not in the middle of seven hundred different things. *Jo glances from Atley to Shine* Have you met Sir Atley's son?

Atley turns and grunts at Shine. "Hullo'. Not at all." A chubby and otherwise very large toddler with bright blue eyes and Atley's hair is struggling to crawl across the rug to reach Jocoza's clockwork rabbit. He's also missing a sock.
[Atley]: This is Karson.

Jocoza subtly steps in between Karson and the clockwork rabbit.

Shine smiles at the toddler again. He steps back and carefully draws out both his blades from their sheaths and lays them on the table before crossing the room and crouching down before the child. "Hello, Karson."

Karson blinks at the sounds and presence of a new stranger. He pauses and pushes himself up on his splayed, chubby hands, brow wrinkling as he strains and spots Shine. He squeals again, but loses his concentration, head lowering.

[Atley]: This is his first trip to Ironforge, and 'cross the tram.

Shine laughs gently. "A world explorer." He nods.

[Atley]: Aye, something of the sort. Breaking him in gently. You've much experience with little ones?

[Jocoza]: I'm so glad Oranna and I worked on child-proofing headquarters, too. *Jo smiles* Everything should be very safe. Karson's not tall enough to reach the weapon racks.

Atley marches over to grab a clean mug and a keg.

[Shine]: I had three nephews before I left the isles. More now, probably. And, of course, there's Lady Ery these days.

Atley grunts shortly at that, briefly glancing over his shoulder at Shine. He returns with a mug. "This one is my first —" he cuts off, and glares at the single bare foot before he glances around. "Twisting Nether seems intent on robbing Karson of his clothes. It's a miracle the bloody socks stay on at all." Karson looks back at the rabbit and gurgles, only seeing Jocoza in the way. He frowns in dismay as the object of his attention disappears.

Jocoza giggles.

[Shine]: The socks are always the first to go, *Shine says solemnly.* Ye must hope he didn't eat it.

[Jocoza]: …an entire sock? Goodness I didn't realize human babies had such developed digestive systems.

Shine laughs. "I'm joking. Mostly. They will put anything in their mouths, though."

Atley takes a sip and nods at Jocoza. "Ivri's brother had a child. Karson here'll eat anything he gets his hands on. Twice the size of his cousin."

[Jocoza]: Lady Ery, too… the Vice Admiral's daughter, *Jo nods* It does seem to be the right time to have children.

Shine looks up — well, looks across — at Jo and smiles again. "It does seem so. He's got two more on the way."

Atley faintly knits his brow. "The Fallons are expecting more reinforcements, are they?"

Shine looks up at Dane and nods. "Aye. Twins, this time."

[Jocoza]: Wow, two more? She didn't use any of the recent fertility treatments the gnomes have put together, did she?

[Atley]: That's fine news. We've one more on the way, though just the one, for which I'm sure my wife's grateful.
Atley takes a slow sip from the tankard.

Jocoza puts her hands over her stomach in a wistful kind of way.

[Shine]: … she did not, *he tells Jo.* "That I'm aware, at any rate. I'm not exactly… privy to the Fallons' reproductive choices. But I don't believe this one was planned in the least. Lady Ery's but four months old, and Her Grace is three months along.

Karson continues his slow, stubborn trudge on chubby arms and legs. He eventually tries to push his nose against Jocoza's leg with another loud gurgle, timed with a wild spasm from his thick legs.

To Dane, Shine says, "Congratulations to the pair of ye. And to your wife in particular, I suppose."

Atley scoffs with amusement. "No one seems to be wasting any time. I'd have you pass along my regards."

Jocoza pats him gently on the head, and doesn't prevent him from bumping into her little gnomish legs.

Karson moves to try and bite at Jocoza's boot before his father swoops in to collect him. "Alright then, you. Enough savagery."

Jo smiles unconcernedly at the little one. Surely humans don’t develop significant teeth so young.
[Jocoza]: It's only, it seemed the treatment had a tendency to cause multiple births. A friend of mine had triplets.

Shine looks fondly at the baby. "Ah, he'll be a proper terror. He'd get on wi' Lady Ery." He looks to Jo and blinks. "Triplets? Tides ha' mercy."

Atley sets his tankard off to the side as he places Karson on his thigh. "Small army, that."

Jocoza smiles. "Yes, I expect Tadget's hoping they'll be a small army. Anyway, it was rather dangerous. I do hope… Her Grace… is well?"

Shine rises to his feet now that the baby is more at grownup conversational level. He takes a chair himself.

The clockwork rabbit hops around on the floor, oblivious to having been a target for an aggressive toddler.

[Shine]: She's… being cautious. Fallon's beside himself, half wi' joy and half wi' fretting. It's good he's at sea or he'd be hovering like the weather, I expect.

Atley looks to Shine as he lowers Karson's feet to the ground. He grunts and leans in farther to tug the baby's sock back up to his ankle after it had already begun to slip off.
[Atley]: Couldn't rightly blame him, either.
Atley says with an amicable nod and a growl.

Jocoza nods agreement. "And Ivri… she's doing well? The baby's… do you know if it'll be a boy or a girl yet?"

Atley shakes his head. "Not yet. When she's pregnant I've a mind to just have her lay about, or stash her in a glass case somewhere until the baby's due…" He shakes his head. "Estel's said it's best she remains active. Couldn't stop her if I wanted to, either, fluttering about the home."

[Jocoza]: I can't imagine Ivri being content with idleness. It's really just not her nature.

Shine flashes Dane a smile. "She and Her Grace are of a mind. As are you and Fallon."

Karson grips onto his father's outstretched fingers with surprising strength and wobbles on his chubby legs, yanking on Dane unevenly.

Atley grunts. "Seems that way. I warrant we'll know the gender soon enough."

Shine looks to Jo. "Have ye heard any more from our people on the White Squad? Any new?"

[Jocoza]: I wonder if Kerlo will feel the same way, wanting to tuck me away in safety. I suppose… in a sense he probably already does feel that way. But we both accept that the other has a dangerous job… oh, White Squad? Yes!
[Jocoza]: Had you heard about the rescue?

Atley perks up at that as he rests his forearms on his thighs, hands outstretched to balance Karson. The baby 'roars,' adding to the conversation. "Aye. They're all well, are they?"

Shine nods. "That it happened, at any rate. Fallon wrote to her Grace."

[Jocoza]: I had myself summoned out, to see them safe. I always fret when my people are lost.

Atley widens his eyes and shakes his head. "Wot's their situation? Have they got any lodgings? A base?"

[Jocoza]: They all seem well enough, and actually intent on returning to the bottom of the sea. Apparently the naga have been doing dreadful things with an Old God of some sort.
[Jocoza]: They've been keeping in caves, and now we've the fleet stationary above, so there are places.

Shine nods.

Atley grunts and looks down at Karson, who continues bobbing, eyes vaguely following the sources of the voices. "I've heard of a kraken, as well. Is this some agent of the enemy or a beast?"

[Jocoza]: It's… not clear, as of yet. It may just be a natural creature unusually upset because of all the naga activity in the deeps.

Shine frowns. "I can't imagine how a kraken would serve an enemy, aye. But it also seems… unnatural that they met one at all."

[Jocoza]: Then again, maybe it's a pet of an Old God. *Jo shrugs* Either way, they'll need to deal with it if our fleet's to stay out there.

Shine nods grimly.

[Atley]: No sunlight for weeks and they've still the grit to press on. No surprise. Bloody grim not hearing from them all that time.

[Jocoza]: I heard the military had something in mind for the kraken, but we'll see. *Jo looks to Dane* And yes, I confess I was starting to lose my optimism after a month of silence.

Atley gently lowers Karson's hands to the ground before he releases him. The baby takes a moment to acclimate to being horizontal again, mouth agape and drooling, before he spots the rabbit again and gurgles.

[Atley]: Your optimism kept the rest of us afloat, Captain. Too many bloody trouble areas these days. Not one can be neglected.

Shine looks at Dane. "Your own Blue Squad seems to be doing mighty deeds. Raising wild gods back into the world?"

Atley grunts. "One after another." He tilts his head and squints aimlessly at Karson as he thinks. "I've not the proper words for it all. Bloody surreal. It's good we've a druid and a shaman along."

Shine nods agreement. "I expect."

[Jocoza]: Mm, yes. And the druid one so ancient and learned himself. That must be very helpful for understanding what's happening.

Atley grunts. "I'd thought I'd seen enough of that mountain for one lifetime, but it's not as I remembered it. Most of where we've traversed so far looks nearly untouched by war."

[Jocoza]: It must have been healing, all this time. On that note, has there been any further sign of the… *Jo glances at Shine, then back to Dane* …um, the satyr?

Atley faintly narrows his eyes and shakes his head. "No. None yet. I'm still counting on it to lead us to some greater power to vanquish. Can't deny that it was useful to us, when we did have it."

[Jocoza]: I think a lone demon is less of a concern than the forces of the Firelord, at any rate.

The rabbit hops a little closer to the toddler, wiggling metallic whiskers.

Atley grunts and audibly itches his chin. "Aye. I warrant in time he'll find his end, at our hand or at those of the enemy. Steady progress has been pushing them back, but there's still much more to do."

Karson's keen blue eyes lock onto the rabbit. He issues another gurgle and takes an ambitious 'step' forward with his right hand only to overextend and drop, nearly face planting before he catches himself at the last moment. His legs wiggle and kick.

[Jocoza]: Banishing Ragnaros was quite a task last time, I understand, so I don't expect it to be any easier this time. Cobalt was still in its early days when that happened, and we weren't involved. It looks like we will be this time around.

The rabbit paws at its whiskers, unconcerned.

Atley takes a sip from his tankard, gaze shifting from Karson to Jocoza. "Wot ' can be done once can be done again. Even with all that's afoot, nothing seems impossible after Icecrown Citadel."

[Shine]: Am I understanding aright that the cultists are attempting to summon the Firelord at Hyjal, but assault the Tidehunter?

Atley looks to Shine and gives a single nod with a grunt. "Tidehunter may not be so amenable to their schemes, I warrant."

Shine nods firmly. That's right, the tides are the Good Guys. Well, they're not the Bad Guys, anyway.

Jocoza nods. "As long as we all work together. And I believe they have summoned the Firelord, if my reports hold. I'm not sure what came of that, but mostly it's been his generals pushing the flames forward at the moment."

Atley's look darkens somewhat and he nods at Jocoza. "They've summoned him. We saw it. The lower valley of the mountain's naught but ash and stumps for miles…"

[Jocoza]: As for the Tidehunter, we've at least had our Eye team make diplomatic contact with a Lord Hydronis. The water ones seem to be on our side. *Jo agrees with Shine's assessment*

Karson finally makes it to the clockwork rabbit and pushes himself up on one hand, using the other to sloppily and harmlessly grab at the rabbit's left 'eye,' trying to pry it loose, no doubt for another snack.

The rabbit hops, lifting the toddler's arm with it.

Shine glances at Jo to see whether this is a problem.

Jocoza peers down at the rabbit, and then nods. The eyes are holding, baby's safe.

Shine hates when people get their eyes pried out.

Karson blinks, hand still outstretched, uncertain of what just happened. He gurgles.

[Atley]: Cobalt Blade's been kept busy as well, haven't they.

Jocoza says to Dane, "I do wish I could be there with your squad, see everything first hand. But I can't be everywhere all the time… oh, yes, that's yet another problem area."

[Shine]: In Blackrock, aye? If there's work to be done against orcs, I'd be glad to join wherever hands are needed.

Atley grunts inquisitively and casually leans forward, grabbing Karson by his sockless foot. He gently and smoothly drags the baby backwards.

Karson blinks, again, as the world underneath him inexplicably reverses. Nevertheless, the stubbornly sets his eyes back on the rabbit and starts to clumsily trudge that way.

[Jocoza]: No more Ragnaros in Blackrock Mountain, but it seems the Dark Horde has somehow recovered Nefarian. Likely with Twilight's Hammer involvement.

Atley looks to Shine at that. "Necromancy. Is there any talk of it being remnants of the Cult of the Damned?"

Jocoza nods at Shine. "The orcs there are a continuing problem, if you'd like to help. I know we have a priestess and a paladin working against them in the Steppes, now, and the Blade has run through any number of orcs in the spire."

Shine nods thoughtfully. "I've no' worked with paladins before, but the ones in Stratholme were a thing to behold."

[Jocoza]: Mm… sometimes all these cults run together. But I am pretty sure it was the Twilights involved. Perhaps they've recruited a necromancer from the Damned for their purposes, now that the Damned are out a leader.

[Shine]: A merger of cults. Brilliant. *Shine snorts.*

Jocoza looks to Shine. "Oh, in Stratholme? Then you may have met our operatives. Dara Tennerow and Sophiette Valonforth. Dara seemed particularly interested, since the orcs border her homeland."

Atley grunts, and nods at Shine. "Have you been to Blackrock Mountain?"

[Shine]: Oh, aye, I do remember the young ladies. I'd be glad to join, if they need orc throats cut. *He looks to Dane and shakes his head.* Heard tales of the place, but I've still not yet seen much of the mainland. Work for Cobalt will amend that quickly, I expect.

[Jocoza]: It's… a massive mountain. There's the capital of the Dark Irons in there, but it's also still a base for the Dark Horde and the black dragonflight, elsewhere in the mountain.

Atley grunts. "The upper reaches are infested with orcs. Largely Blackrock, Dragonmaw. They've seized the dwarven infrastructure there and made it their own."

[Jocoza]: Some ogres and trolls as well, from the latest Blade reports, but a lot of orcs.

[Shine]: The Dragonmaw. I'd be too glad to put paid to that lot.

Atley gives Shine an even look with the faintest glimmer of approval. "Figured you would."

[Jocoza]: I imagine the red dragons must feel similarly. We've a contact from their flight in the spire.

[Atley]: That Sophiette Valonforth's got service in her blood. Her father was a commander in the 1st Legion.

Jocoza nods at Dane. "It must be a difficult legacy to follow up, but she does seem to be on her way, from what I can see."

Karson squeals with delight as he conquers the journey, reaching out to grab and pat at the clockwork rabbit's left foot.

[Atley]: She's properly sorted.

[Shine]: Acquitted herself well in Stratholme.

The rabbit wiggles its nose, seeming to sniff at Karson.

[Atley]: We recently delved into a cavern of Blackrock Mountain that was new to me. Traveled from Hyjal. The place contains many mysteries.

Shine raises his eyebrows.

[Jocoza]: Yes, that place I'd never heard of at all. Even after all these years, our enemies find new nooks and crannies in that place.

Karson raises a chubby arm to give the rabbit foot an experimental bap with his soft palm. He wrinkles up his nose as he's 'sniffed' and squeals, open mouthed, large head lulling around.

Atley nods and grunts. "Vermin." He looks off, almost wistful. "I've a mind to see that place before it became the inferno it now is."

[Jocoza]: There's a chance it may be a better place in the future, *Jo points out* If things with the dwarves settle, and Moira can set things in order.

Shine smiles faintly at Jo. So optimistic! Cute.

Atley 's expression shifts. "Aye, her. Wot' has the day to day of Ironforge been like with all that afoot?"

[Jocoza]: It's… better now? Things were very tense at first, but these days there aren't so many clashes between the clans. I think rooting out the cultist rebels in our midst certainly helped. There are well-meaning Dark Irons here, for all there are some who snuck in on bad faith.

Atley grunts idly and raises a hand to itch at his cheek. "You see or know much of 'her' directly? I'm still of a mind to view her actions as an attempted usurpation of the Bronzebeard throne."

Mansia wanders down the steps.

Shine looks between them. "… isn't she King Magni's daughter?"

[Jocoza]: She is King Magni's daughter. But she's also the Empress of the Dark Irons, by marriage.
Jocoza looks up and notes Mansia. "Hello, there!"

[Mansia]: Hm hmm… hello!

Shine glances up and surveys the draenei. He smiles and nods politely to her.

[Mansia]: This is the blue company place where Nessy works, right?

[Jocoza]: Nessy… Nesselos? Yes, yes.

[Mansia]: And Kae, and Izzy, and Nunu, and…

Atley opens his mouth to speak before Mansia arrives. He grunts in greeting and sets his tankard down.

[Jocoza]: Kae…rix, Izzy…ldir? And Nunu yes. Is there something we can help you with?

A very large and chubby toddler sprawls out on the rug, bapping and otherwise experimenting with Jocoza's clockwork rabbit. He gurgles and squirms around on his pot belly.

[Mansia]: Yes, I would like to work here.
Mansia sits down on the rug near the baby.

Atley sits up, tankard in hand, but he doesn't say or do anything, yet.

[Mansia]: Hello, little human.
[Mansia]: My name is Mansia.

Atley points. "That is my son, Karson."

[Mansia]: Does that mean you are Kar?

Karson senses the arrival of yet another strange adult and strains to lift his big head up on chubby limbs. His brow wrinkles as he peers up up up at Mansia, drool on his doublechins.

Atley patiently shakes his head. "My name is Dane. Karson was his grandfather."

Jocoza smiles at the interplay. "We're always open to new draenei. You're a shaman as well, Mansia?"

[Mansia]: Yes.

[Atley]: Have you got kin in Cobalt Company, or were those your companions?

[Mansia]: Just a lot of friends. I'm not very good with memory.
Mansia smiles at Dane. "So please don't be offended if you have to tell me your name a few times."

Atley waves a hand. "No offense will be taken, my lady."

Mansia wiggles her fingers at Karson.

[Jocoza]: I'm Jo Sparkwire, in case that was not clear.

Karson extends his hand to try and grab at her fingers, chubby digits groping clumsily.

[Jocoza]: And I'm happy to repeat as needed.

Mansia giggles and lets him.
[Mansia]: Are you in charge? That's very useful.

[Jocoza]: Hm, with that many friends, and we do keep an eye out for more shamans these days.

Atley grunts. "Have a care. The little one bites."

Jocoza waddles over to the usual file cabinet and retrieves an application for Mansia. "What made you want to apply? To be with all your friends? This is our official application, if you don't mind filling it out for me."

Karson growls lowly with satisfaction and tugs her fingers to try and bite down on them unless he's interrupted as if they were scrumptious.

Shine clears his throat and gets to his feet. "If you'll excuse me, I should be going now."

Mansia lets Karson chew on her fingers. "Oh, I will fill it out when I have my hand back. Well, I think Azeroth is - oh, goodbye!"
[Mansia]: This is my writing hand.

[Atley]: Travel well, Shine.

[Jocoza]: Pleasure to see you, Shine. *Jo smiles at him*

Shine collects his knives from the table where he left them for babyproofing purposes, and slips them back into their places. He smiles at the others. "A pleasure likewise. And to you, Sir Dane. And nice to meet you, Mansia and Karson."

Atley stands up and grabs Karson's ankles in one hand. He effortlessly lifts the drooling child upside down, his shirt hanging over his squealing face. "Bit cheeky, are you."

Jocoza waves farewell.

[Mansia]: I think Azeroth is a beautiful place and the spirits used to be so lovely here and now they're so…
Mansia wipes her hand off on her skirt.

[Jocoza]: Angry?
[Jocoza]: I hear that, from our shamans.

Mansia nods. "I am a very good healer. But I think working with a big group would mean I would end up at the right places to do my work, right?"
Mansia looks at the form. She has no writing implements on her. She picks it up and stares.
[Mansia]: I think I may need a translator to fill this out.

Atley leans in to lightly bite at Karson's belly before he flips the baby rightside up and rests him on his shoulder. "I'll leave the two of you to it." He lowers to collect a gnawed on stuffed gryphon.

[Mansia]: Oh, bye bye!

[Jocoza]: I sure hope so. We have work going on all over right now. Westfall, Blackrock Mountain, Hyjal, Darkshore the middle of the sea… Oh, I could put you in contact with Alaisa? She's our company translator.

[Mansia]: Oh, yes, that would be good. Does she come here? I can wait here until she comes here.

Jocoza rises as Dane does. "It was so good to see you, Dane, and little Karson."
[Jocoza]: She does regularly, yes.

Atley grunts and gives Jocoza a small wave before he nods to both of them. "Ladies." He marches off, child in hand.

Jocoza waves farewell.

Mansia whispers to Jo, "They're both bitey."

Jocoza giggles. "Babies do tend to be bitey, in my experience."

[Mansia]: What was I doing?
[Mansia]: Oh, the paper!
[Mansia]: Yes, yes. When the translator comes, I will fill out the paper.
[Mansia]: And then maybe I can work with Nessy, or Kae?

Jocoza nods encouragingly. She's used to absent-minded long-lived race types. "Then I'll consult with the other officers. But I can't imagine there'd be any problem, so I'll tentatively say yes to that."

[Mansia]: Oh, exciting!

[Jocoza]: Oh, but I should also ask, as we usually do in interview, are there any sorts of people you wouldn't work with, or work you wouldn't want to do?
[Jocoza]: Just to see where you'd fit in.

[Mansia]: Oh, like… bad people?
[Mansia]: Hm, what is the word…

[Jocoza]: I hope we don't have any bad people in Cobalt, but… maybe anyone who is so different from you that you couldn't work with them?

Mansia pokes at her cheeks, considering.
[Mansia]: Well…
[Mansia]: I think if they did not speak Draenic or Common, it would be very difficult.

[Jocoza]: Everyone you work with should speak Common to some extent, so I expect that won't be a barrier. And Alaisa does translate our newsletters into Draenic, so if reading is a problem you'll have that in your native tongue.

[Mansia]: And if they are a big ooze, that would also be difficult.

[Jocoza]: I… *Jo blinks* I can confirm we have no big oozes on our roster, rest assured.

Mansia giggles. "Good! They make my totems go bad."

Jocoza giggles back. "I will keep that in mind."

[Mansia]: I have been working hard to learn to speak but the reading is difficult.
[Mansia]: And sometimes the same word means different things. It's very silly.
[Mansia]: I suppose Draenic has some of those, but…
[Mansia]: Wood! Wood is the silliest.

[Jocoza]: You will not be the only one in the company to be coming to Common as a new language, and we also have several members who have difficulty with the written word. I hope that if you do ever find you need more support, you'll let me know.

[Mansia]: You are a very nice person. This must make you a good leader.

[Jocoza]: Wood… hm. *Jo tilts her head.* Like how much wood would a woodchuck chuck?

[Mansia]: Huh?
[Mansia]: Wood wood a wood… chuckchuck?
[Mansia]: Is this about throwing things quickly?

Jocoza giggles again. "It is a word-game, in Common. They make these sometimes, to sort of… emphasize the weirdness of the language.

[Mansia]: Oh! That is very cute.

[Jocoza]: A woodchuck is a… small woodland creature? I think it might bite wood.

[Mansia]: Ooooh.

Jocoza smiles at Mansia. "And as for being a good leader, I try to be. I may not always make the decisions each of our individual members might make, but I do the best I can for our company."

Mansia beams at her.
[Mansia]: I will work hard!

Jocoza beams back. "I'll look forward to working with you. And if… Nessy, Izzy, Kae or Nunu have any missions coming up soon, I'll make sure you receive word!"

[Mansia]: That sounds fun! Thank you.