![](http://cobalt-company.wdfiles.com/local--resized-images/writing:2026-05-27-happily-ensconced/style="margin:/medium.jpg) |
| Details |
| Author: | Athena |
| Summary: | Melancholy writes her eldest sister Malaise back to tell her about the invasion in the Golden Vale against the mogu (disagreeable slave owners), how many famous people she's met (several!), her suitor (Lieutenant Bryn Baird), and that she knows warlocks explode (bad), but don't worry about her, she has a teacher (good). 1400~ words. Personal Plot. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
In Melancholy's handwriting, with her usual Midnight Ink, on her best stationary.
Dear Malaise,
I hope that this letter finds you happily ensconced at home, and that Therapy has been enjoying his walks in Duskwood. I must tell you that Theris isn’t there for the nonce, for the safety of the roads as they have been the past few years; he’s here in Pandaria with me (so is his sister Alaisa).
I’m not currently at sea, as my warlock teacher, Mrs. Lena Shine (one of the founding members of the Warlock Ethics Bureau, a former member of Cobalt Company who now serves as the Fallon Fleet warlock, who saved King Varian Wrynn during the Battle of Bladefist Bay), had taken some time ashore to investigate some highly unusual soul magic used by the mogu (horrid, slave-owning race of torturers of the pandaren and grummles, historically even worse than they are now, and they are terrible enough that it is ethical for Theris to eat them). When we arrived in a place called the Golden Vale, which had been closed to people for hundreds and hundreds of years (to preserve the wondrous magic of the place from the mogu and the sha), it soon came under attack by the mogu, and so we’ve remained to see to the defense of the place. Long ago, it was once a mogu seat of power, before the pandaren took back their agency and their lives from their oppressors, slowly turning what was soured by pain and hate into a sweeter life. So, I’ve been learning how to be a warlock on land, defending this beautifully ancient place. Once we can be sure they are safe, or if the Fleet needs us, we will go to the sea, and I will learn how to be a warlock there.
Despite all the danger (and it is, inarguably, dangerous), I have been happy here. I have been making all sorts of new acquaintances, including the true life heroes of our age, like our very own Sir Dane Atley the Red, the knight of House Ference, who is not 9 feet tall, but seems like he should be (he is only maybe four or five inches taller than I am, and he loves his wife and children, and eats jerky like he needs to refresh it every so often or he’ll keel over). Just this past Tuesday, I worked with him in reclaiming a pandaren festival from hozen (disagreeable monkeys), and I went off into the jungle with a druid who turns into a bear, a panther, a stormcrow, and a sea creature I cannot identify (she’s my age! It seems so strange to meet a kaldorei who has lived only as long as I have, with such a different expectation of her existence! Her name is Florande).
I’ve also met Lady Cressidha Aspenwood, and her brother-in-law, the Bishop Mordecai Aspenwood, who have both given me the use of their first names alone. Cressidha has made me an entirely new wardrobe – oh! I have changed my color from the red. It’s purple now, which better suits the representation of shadow, as that is the primary element of Affliction (my chosen specialty as a warlock). I also needed some enchantments for being in the line of fire, so to speak, although in truth I am still in the far back, with so many looking out for me in the field.
Which brings me to my happiest news of those I have met, my suitor, who I am certain Mom has told you about, Lieutenant Bryn Baird. He is the Second Lieutenant aboard The Lady Blanche, the flagship of Admiral Siamus Fallon’s Fleet, and where Woe serves as gunner’s mate (a type of petty officer, or specialist, as I’ve learned). Bryn was once the gunner’s mate, and when he stepped up to be an officer, Woe took the position, and they are good friends. Bryn came to the Golden Vale in early March, on personal business, and then stayed when the invasion began. He is a truly wonderful person, steady and sure, brave and thoughtful, and he makes me feel more happiness than I have in years.
If you are still at home in another month, he will be returning to the Eastern Kingdoms in July, and for at least a day, I think, I will be there with him to take some time in Duskwood and Fallon Harbor in Elwynn. July 8th to the 9th is my intent, for now, barring unusual reasons, of course. And then you can meet him yourself, and come to your opinions about him. Miserie has met him, as she’s visited here (and helped us steal a mogu cannon for Bryn’s birthday (July 9th)!). Bryn will be staying in Fallon Harbor, because he’ll be attending the Admiralty School in Stormwind to further his education formally. I also hope that he’ll get to attend at least one of Cuddly Cuddy Nordlinger’s Philosophy courses at the Keep.
I’m sorry to have been so quiet the past two years. I don’t have easy explanations for it, of things I don’t know that I am ready to speak about to the family, and without them, I’m sure that some of my actions seem strange and impulsive. I know that news of me becoming a warlock must have been a shock, as if it came out of nowhere, but it was truly something I thought very carefully about. I went to the W.E.B. specifically to seek out an ethical instructor, for personal reasons, and when I did, I encountered one named Mr. Carlay Carlisle (yes, his real given name), who insisted on a one year waiting period before he would begin teaching me how to make a pact. I abided by it, truly thinking about the decision, and he was convinced of my reasons, and my understanding of what I would be undertaking.
I know that the fel corrupts. Even if I hadn’t before, Mr. Carlay’s instruction was six months of preparation, which included a great number of educational fieldtrips of exactly what the consequences are of the fel and the practitioners who allow hubris to drive their power, and the seeking of it, which usually all end in stories how they exploded (causing irreparable damage along the way). It’s why I decided on an apprenticeship even after I made my demonic pact, to someone who has been working with the fel for a number of years, demonstrably responsibly, who can impart those necessary wisdoms and techniques, so that I don’t join the list of cautionary tales. I plan to do as much good as I am capable of, for as long as my Fate will let me.
It’s with that awareness, however, of what could be, and what I could become, that I formally stepped down and out of the line of the House, preemptively, but while I am sure of the decision. If it ever comes to a point where the family needs to distance themselves from me, I have made sure that it is as easy as it can be. I also intended that I would never marry, but that is something that I am reconsidering as a possibility, in one person specific, if not the general way. I obviously can’t claim that I can see the future, as I didn’t see someone like Bryn in it when I embarked on this particular acceptance of my destiny. I’m hopeful, though, and I didn’t think I would be.
I hope that there’s something at home that you feel called toward. I know that Theramore was your Fate, and now it’s complicated. At least it’s the summer, and there’s always Stormwind. If you do go into the city, you might meet with Bryn’s younger sister, Bryling Baird, who is one of the Guard. Torment has met her already, and she spoke kindly about his garret and his person, and she seems like a wonderfully forthright, beneficent person who dearly loves her family.
Love,
Melancholy
PS – I have also met an elven demon hunter (obviously not serving with anything awful! She’s a member of the Alliance), named Aszera Sunstrike, who has been teaching me how to speak Thalassian properly at last! I’ve been working with her on several translations of poetry (Bryn bought us a book) and surreal short stories.
PPS – Bryn’s been also teaching me how to swim! I have progressed from demented gazelle leaping into the water to baby otter paddling, and I hope to eventually become a svelte dolphin. Bryn swims like he was born in the water.
PPPS – Cressidha is engaged! I’m sure it will become big news circulating once it’s known, but I know you won’t gossip about it. Her fiance is Silvestre Silentstep, an enterprisingly adventurous young man who you may have read about in news about Cobalt Company! He's also a childhood friend of Bryn's, and they hadn't seen each other in ages, and now here they both are, courting ladies, like a measure of Fate, perhaps, if I might be possibly considered part of Bryn's fate (uncertain).
PPPPS – I am not using a chaperone with Bryn, and I don’t intend to, which I’m telling you now so it won’t surprise you in July if we see you.