Mending Promises

Log Info

• Title: Mending Promises

• Characters: Skielstregar, Harkashan, Rune

• Place: Wuja Docar, Am'shere

• Summary: Skielstregar tries to make amends for his mistake of transforming within Wuja Docar, while Rune and Harkashan offer different perspectives on how to go about it.

Wuja Docar, Early Evening

It's not been too long since that sparring match between Warriors, the blood spilled still staining the ground crimson and black on the dirt. Though the latter has been cleaned up due to superstition. There was a Forgotten here after all- or, was it? It was very confusing, and incredibly awkward to speak of. The tainted silverscale was tended to and dragged off to rest, though as next morning came around, he was absent, save for a few rune scratched into the dirt where he was resting, 'Be back." <Draconic>

The sun rises. Peaks. Starts to fall. The humidity and haze of the day wonderful for the Wuja Docar. Horrible for softskins. But where was that silverscale?

"Ermm... hello," an awkward greeting in Draconic meets anyone at the walls. There is Skielstregar with his steed Voarexthua beside him, Malefic resting on a frog in the saddle. A large trail of dragged dirt follows behind him from the jungle-line, it leading up to-

Logs. Whole, entire trees, felled and trimmed. A dozen stacked up in a pile, with all the leaves and branches in another pile beside it. "This one has... gift. For Wuja Docar..."

The one who stands by the gate is Cayosin. It is always Cayosin. The redscale, still showing some marks on her scales from their very own sparring. Tall, taller than Skielstregar, she stands there and listens to the darkness beyond.

With the darkness starting to fall, her watch is ever more important. The fires near the entrance have been lit. Poles leaning forward, with magic being used for the flames.

As Skielstregar comes striding out with such a racket and ruckus behind him, the woman slowly lowers her blade at the ready, in case she needs to protect the community. But instead, it seems there's... logs.

A gift, for Wuja Docar.

There's a seriousness in Cayosin's expression for a long time... before... she can't help but crack that maw of hers open and lets out a bemused chuff, then an outright laughter. No words yet. Just laughter at the enormous amoutns of trees, leaves and branches being led along.

Under normal circumstances, Rune might have been concerned about anyone heading off into the jungles alone. However, this was Skielstregar. The silver-scale had proven time and again that he was more than capable of handling himself, even if that meant turning into a monster that drools black ichor and causes many people to run screaming for the hills. Besides, there were re-assurances that he would be returning, and that is enough.

So, Rune had spent the day avoiding the worst of the heat wherever she might manage. In this case, likely it had been spent bathing in cool water and keeping out of the worst of the sunlight. So, even now, her hair damp, clinging about her face as she hears the incoming ruckous and heads towards the gate.

"Everything alright out there?" She calls in Draconic.

Skielstregar shifts on his taloned feet as Cayosin's reaction is serious, turned... into laughter. Despite the heat, frost forms on his face, gaze dropping to the ground briefly before returning back up. "Ah.... um..." he mumbles.

He peers past, spying a mildly damp Rune. A small wave is offered her way. "This one.. doesn't know?" he says back in the same tongue.

Looking back to Cayosin, he folds his hands in front of himself, fidgeting his thumbs against one another. "... erm, this one... deeply apologizes for the other day, Warrior Cayosin," he says to her once she had a moment to collect herself. "It was not their intention to do that. Your ferocity and dedication to your clan and caste is unapparelled, and they apologize for such a shameful display."

Cayosin continues her laughter for a short bit, before she quiets a bit and moves to push open the gates to Wuja Docar. Slow heavy steps, feet pressed into the ground, opening it. Giving Rune the ability to see what is actually going on, and for Skielstregar to better approach.

Once done, and only then, she looks to the frosty one and remarks; "You fought well, Warrior Skielstregar" <Draconic> She answers him with a heavy draconic intonation. "Though I do not know what ails you. And I will protect this tribe with all my might were you to lose control again for even but a moment. I respect your strength." <Draconic> She states, before looking back behind him once more.

"Then, I will leave it to you to move these logs into our community. This is most certainly the strangest gift I have witnessed in a long time. But, not an unwelcome one." <Draconic>

Rune's ear twitches, likely picking up bits and pieces of the conversation through the wall. That is, until the gate is opened and she looks on at the work that the silver-scale has kept himself up to. "Only you would spend a day this hot, working out in the jungle as a lumberjack." Shaking her head, the Rogue steps to the side, staying well clear of both the gates and the logs that need to come inside.

"Thankfully, he's on our side." She adds to Cayosin, her lip quirking slightly as she raises a hand to return the wave to her friend. Forgotten or not, Skielstregar had earned a place in Rune's regard long ago.

"Though, I did have to stab him once. That wasn't his fault though." She winks to the silver-scale. "He fought off the possession of a demon who was threatening a village." She explains in Draconic.

Skielstregar sighs in relief as the gates are opened, him turning to the slightly taller Warrior. "... thank you," he rumbles back, his low tail starting to sway. "Please show no mercy if this one does lose it. But it should not happen again."

He looks behind him. "... strange gift for strange kin?" he shrugs, trying to joke. "Thank you for accepting." Picking up ropes and patting his pitch black steed on the side, he pitches forward, muscles bulging and straining as his talons dig into the earth. Vaorexthua huffs once, straining themselves as well before the massive load finally inches forward. Slowly. Very, very slowly.

He passes by Rune, hearing her quips and chuffing out a gout of cold air. "Of. Course," he grunts before finally getting it to the middle of the grounds and throwing everything off of him. There's a shudder, first from the exertion, then from the memory. "... it wasn't a fun time, this one is glad no one was seriously injured," he murmurs, rubbing his backside where he was stabbed a while back. "Rune, do you know where Harkashan is?"

Cayosin tilts her head a bit as Rune mentions having to stab Skielstregar before, giving the creature a bit of a look for a moment, before she returns to watching the jungles. Letting Skielstregar deal with the dragging alone. Well, with his steed - but she watches him. Quietly. Unaiding. This is his gift to give, so it would be wrong for her to help him and diminish this gift in any way shape or form.

Once inside, she pulls the gates back shut and leaves them in the midst of the camp. There's quite a bit of Sith-makar moving around. Most of them dealing with end of the day things. Animals being roasted in one corner. Food being prepared. A large community stew being prepared.

As Skielstregar asks where Harkashan is, he's just stepping out from Ocuir's guest house, and then spots Rune and Skielstregar. "Ah, that's where you have been." He rumbles from afar, before approaching. Giving the massive logs and bunches of greenery a curious look.

"Such truly is a Skielstregar Gift." Harkashan decides, before looking back to his Kin and putting a hand on his shoulder. "Welcome back, Brother." He wishes to him. "How are your wounds?" While snaking his tail about to touch at Rune's legs.

"Don't go talking like that. Regardless of what was done to you, you matter." Rune folds her bare arms across her chest, looking as if she may not accept any quarrel on that matter. Monster, Skielstregar may be, but he is /their/ monster.

However, she does not make any attempts to help with hauling logs. One: Because Rune likely couldn't lift even a single one, two: Skielstregar seems to have it well in hand, and three: it is already hot enough without extra exhertion.

"He was in talking to Ocuir, last I checked." And speak of the cleric and he shall appear, Rune turns her head and motions at the Makari, "Evening." She offers, giving the 'small' lava-scale a warm smile. "Any luck talking to your nest mother, yet?"

Skielstregar gets Voarexthua unhitched and picks Malefic up before giving the horse one more pat. "You can go now. Thank you." The horse says nothing but stares at him. The shadow underneath it grows, melding into a pool as the horse sinks down. Down. Down... >paff<. Gone.

He rubs his shoulder, looking down to Rune. His tail sways wider. "... thank you, Rune," he rumbles warmly, a reliving wave of cold air drifting by as he sighs. There's a nod at her directions and- oh! There he is!

His nerves suddenly shoot back up, tail freezing in the air. His maw opens to say something, but he's being welcomed so openly. "They are... they are healed over now thanks to you and your tribe," he answers, dumbfounded.

The little ice cube in his skull is taking a moment to reach the other side. "Broth...er?" he repeats, trying to make sure he heard that right. "This one, er- I, wished to speak with you. It need not be private."

Harkashan lays a hand over the pommel of his blade and nods at Rune. "Yes. She says she's willing to talk to me and a small group of my friends in a few days. She has to make some preparations." He answers Rune. "She largely has been listening and asking me questions. Learning what I've been doing over the past hundred years. She is both Shaman and Keeper to our tribe." He explains to Rune.

His tail winds a bit around her leg for a moment, then releases.

A few Sith-makar move up on the logs, understanding this is a gift, and nod to Skielstregar. One of them mentions not to touch it until the morning, and to let Ocuir inspect the gift. After all, as much as Inhelk is the Warrior-leader of the tribe, he is not the /head/ of the tribe. Gifts such as this are not his to judge.

Harkashan then just nods at Skielstregar as he repeats 'brother', and doesn't explain himself at all. His giving his shoulder a squeeze. "Sure. Let's go somewhere quiet. People are making food at the moment, and I don't want to interfere right now. Here." He motions, and leads them to a spot near the walls with a bunch of trees on the inside of the community.

Where, under the shade - though it's not really needed this deep in the evening fall - they can sit on some stones that have remained cool thanks to the shadows. There's multiple bowls of cooled water nearby used for cooling off the less fiery Sith-makar.

Harkashan sits down, and motions to Skielstregar and Rune to sit with him. "What do you wish to speak of?"

The unusual disappearance of Skielstregar's mount has Rune staring after it for a moment. Perhaps because of her own unusual connection with shadows, she finds it distinctly curious. That, and it seems to be some sort of magic. Without much claim to magic, herself, the rogue is usually fascinated by such things.

Rune's lips press together, an obvious look that suggests she is starting to get antsy about staying here for quite so long. "Hopefully, soon." She raises her brows. "I know this is important, but we want to make sure we get to the prison and check the place out as soon as possible." That would explain her worry, at least. Rune has a very strong protective streak when it comes to children, and the threat the Charneth have made has her on edge.

Still, she follows as Harkashan leads them to the shadowy place beneath the trees. Rather than sitting on the stones, she just sprawls herself out on the ground between the two of them, drawing one knee up to her chest. "Something bothering you?" She adds, head tilted, obviously interested in what the silver-scale has to say.

Skiel's scaled brows quirk up at that. "That is good that she may know more answers for you, and still will help with this prison," he comments. And not saying aloud that he hopes he was one of the friends allowed in there, despite all evidence pointing to that he would be. Dead eyes drift to the wandering tail, but it's dragged away towards the makari thanking him for the gift. "Ah, you all are welcome, this one hopes it can benefit the tribe," he says broadly to them. "And can mend the issues this one brought."

It must be magic, the way the horse vanishes. But the pool it sinks into turns into a wafting miasma that fades away. That necrotic energy that the silverscale harbors made manifest.

The nod given in reply says far more to Skielstregar than any explanation could, were the fondness that that melts across his visage anything to go by. Though, he shelves that conversation for later, him following after to the shaded spot with the cooling stones. He doesn't sit at a stone just yet, instead him opting to sit on both knees in front of his two friends. "Well, erm, yes," he answers to Rune before looking at them both.

His throat bobs. "This on- I, am very sorry for the other day," he starts, folding his hands in his lap and fidgeting with his too-long talons. "You... you told me not to transform. And I had every intention of making good on that. This is where I would offer excuses and explanations as to why it happened: the amount of kin's blood around, Cayosin's ferocity and fear, getting hit in the chest- but excuses do not change matters. I broke a promise made to the two of you. And for that I deeply regret and wish to mend," he finishes, bowing his head low.

GAME: Skielstregar rolls intelligence: (6)+0: 6
GAME: Rune rolls knowledge/local: (2)+8: 10
GAME: Harkashan rolls Sense Motive+2+5: (16)+15+2+5: 38

"I have no doubt they have answers." Harkashan anwers Skielstregar. "No doubt you've noticed something odd about this community by now. I think it has to do with that." He expresses to Skielstregar and Rune. Skielstregar would not have noticed. But Rune might have - there's a gap.

Ocuir is the only old Sith-makar present, easily broaching 400 years of age. His father and mother at the 300 years range. But there's an enormous gap, until one hits Harkashan's generation with a small batch. Then suddenly, a lot of much younger ones. More detail than that escapes them both for right now.

When the topic turns to Skielstregar's apology, Harkashan gives him a long and firm stare for a bit. It would be all to easy to just forgive him. But does this bear a time where 'more' is needed?

His silence, looking at Skielstregar, is a lengthy one. Quietly considering for a bit, before nodding his head. "You caused a great disturbance in this village. And the trust my egg-family has in me has been marred by you." He begins, making sure that his consideration is spoken out loud. "Not to mention a broken promise."

A deep breath. "You have already gifted the community with a wonderful thing. Ocuir will be the judge of that gift. That is not for me to decide on. But I need a bit more than an apology, Brother." He remarks. "I need to know what you will do to make sure this promise of yours does not get broken again."

It is likely that Rune had picked up on that age-gap within the gathered Makari, but that could be for any number of reasons beyond her knowledge. A disease perhaps, or a disagreement causing a schism in the clan? Whatever the case, Rune just seems thoughtful and lifts a shoulder in a shrug.

The appolgies that spill form from Skielstregar are little surprise to Rune. In her time knowing the silver-scale, he had been quick to try to make up for any perceived msitake or slight that might have impacted those around him, even those that are well beyond his control.

Sitting between the two, Rune looks first at Skielstregar, and then to Harkashan as he speaks far more harshly than she would have expected. "Wow, way to be a dick to a friend." Leave it to Rune to see things in a very black and white manner. Skielstregar is a friend earned in battle and blood, these people... sure they are Harksahan's family, but Rune has a very different sense of what that means than the Makari.

"If your family doesn't trust you enough to know who your friends are and what they are capable of, well, fuck them." She chuffs, "You know what he's been through. You know this is completely undiscovered territory and that it's not like he can just 'turn it off'." That protective nature of hers rears up again as she looks at Harkashan. "It's a promise that should have never been required in the first place, and dragging him for not living up to an unreasonable task just makes you, and your family seem like assholes."

Skielstregar doesn't seem to have caught ont he oddities of the village, but his current focus was a bit occupied at present. There's a visible cringe in his frame as it's pointed out that his actions have damaged Hark's relations with his family. It's true, and needs to be said. But Rune's actions on defending him nearly cause him to look up in surprise, it taking much effort to remain with his head bowed. "... Rune," he murmurs. "... I am touched by your words, but... there is still my word at fault here. I made a promise, and did not keep it."

He traces little circles on the scales of his knees. "... therefore, I cannot make that promise again. As Rune has said, it is uncharted territory, there are times where it is easy, there are times where it is very hard."

A beat. "One promise I have kept for many years is with this one's nest-sister Shaman Seyardu. I promised her that I would never partake again, nor needlessly spill blood." The silverscale turns his arms over, showing off his forearms. He always keeps them unarmored and exposed, keeping several viscous looking bite scars on display. More importantly, they are old. Very, very old. "The most this one can promise is that if and when it happens again, they will run away. They were going to if no one backed down the other day."

Harkashan is, admittedly, taken aback a bit by Rune's sudden harsh claim. Of course, she is right. Skielstregar is a friend. A brother. But it is notable that Harkashan also favors those he travels with higher than his hatch-family. There's reasons he's not returned to this place in over a hundred years of time. His Caste was his people for the longest time.

That has been extended to those he travels with. The people he has created deeper bonds with. Still, Harkashan is not perfect, his tail slaps against the stone for a moment - a rise of temper for a moment as his heart shakes at Rune's words. His words were ill-calculated. And it's Rune who pushes him to think deeper. But it takes Harkashan a moment to calm again.

Far faster than most in his place would.

But Skielstregar catches onto what Harkashan was looking for. A consideration of the promise itself. So, he bows his head and rumbles; "That is fine by me, Brother. Let the promise lay broken. It was born from warning words, hoping to shield you from the gaze of others who might mistake your visage. Not from a place of requirement." Harkashan bids him calmly.

"Thank you Rune, for defending Skielstregar, from my ill words." Harkashan then notes, lowering his head in respect to her.

His head tilts, looking at the old bite scars, and rumbles a sound of worry.

"My family does not hate you, Skielstregar." He then makes sure to mention, since Rune touched on them as well. "They do not look upon you in fear. Instead, it is confusion. As you are well aware, you are the only Forgotten anyone is aware of who has retained a part of themselves. When they look at you, they think of their old battle-brothers lost to others. Some who they have had to put down themselves. No doubt wondering... doubting now. Thinking - if this man before us is still there - could I have done something to bring mine back."

"Don't..." Rune starts to warn Skielstregar, but she is not so rude as to speak over him. Though she has spent a fair few years amongst the Makari, there is a lot about their culture that will always be a foreign thing to her. Rune has never truly fit in anywhere, and thus she knows when to bite her tongue and leave it to others to sort things out.

However, she does kick a bit at the ground with her extended leg, sending a rock tumbling out from the shadows. It's just a small show of frustration. Then, she seems to let out a breath and calm, herself. "I don't think anyone can expect any more from you than that. You've always gone out of your way to make sure the people around you are safe when it happens. That shows remarkable strength in my book."

Despite her harsh words, Rune isn't mad at Harkashan, nor Skielstregar, but she does have a protective streak a mile wide and that flares even when it's between friends. "You'd think, meeting someone like Skielstregar would give them hope, but..." Her brows furrow, "I can see that other side, too. How many people they've loved and lost because of the Forgotten. What if there was some way to save them that no one knew about? It leads to a lot of questions, and a lot of guilt."

Her blue eyes look towards Skielstregar, "I trust you. You know that." Then, to Harkashan, "As for you... I'd like to think that I don't care about what your family thinks, but I do." She sighs, "If they can't accept Skiel, then I doubt they'll accept me. And we both have to be ready for that."

GAME: Harkashan rolls Sense Motivation+2: (3)+Sense Motivation+2: 5
GAME: Harkashan rolls Sense Motive+2: (7)+15+2: 24
<OOC> Harkashan says, "-4 for a 20. Not bad."

Skielstregar -finally- raises his head to look at his friends, his mood lifting slowly. "It is for reasons such as those why this one was nervous coming here. I have told Rune before; I am an outlier. I Forgot who I was, as I still have trouble remembering. I should not be alive, as I have died," he lays out. He watches the rock get kicked before shifting back to look at Rune. Something clicks in his eyes, and he turns back to Harkashan.

"This one knows a way to help assuage. Much confusion and worries. Then this one will offer to answer any questions about their affliction to your family. This one thinks the reality of the situation may squash their doubts of what must be done to those that are Forgotten."

The last bit of Rune's comment get his attention. He looks to her. To Harkashan. To Rune. "Why would they not? You two are friends?" he asks innocently. "This one thinks Rune would have an easier time being accepted than this one."

Harkashan, at the time, had spoken to Skielstregar's strength of character and will to his egg-father when Skiel had transformed. Speaking not of his curse, but his ability and strength in resisting it. But it is hard to remove a hundred years of memories and survivor's guilt from a people like that.

As the conversation shifts to Skielstregar explaining to his family, to the tribe, Harkashan nods. "Information breeds understanding. Ocuir..." There's a pause there. "No, I will let you do this. Talk to Kyfe. Out of all of them, she and Ocuir will be quickest to listen to you. Kyfe's words may be sharp, and her eyes mesmerizing. But she's also the most perceptive and quickest to understand. Start with her." He rumbles to Skielstregar.

Knowing Rune's heart, and why she mentions acceptance, he takes in a deep breath, then slowly breathes out again. "It's not that they do not accept Skielstregar. Hah - in fact - Inhelk still thinks you are a fine Warrior. That's all that really matters to him. He doesn't actually judge you for what you are. He's... a very simple man. And Ocuir likely already knows more about you than you do, Skielstregar. It's just going to take time and words to assuage worry." He begins there, before looking to Rune...

And offering her a hand. "/This/ family will accept you, Rune. As will my egg-family. Trust me. I can see it already in them. Kyfe doesn't just follow you around because you are 'interesting'. She sees a like-hearted and like-minded soul in you. I have to be careful she is not going to steal you from me." He teases. Not that he means to say that Rune is 'his'.

"Don't forget, you're not the only one who has died and come back." It's a common enough story among so many of their friends and allies. Rune's blue eyes look to the silver-scale. "Just because you died, does not mean you should not be alive. If my own return has taught me anything... it's that we really don't know what the threads of fate have in store for us. There's a reason for you being here, just as there's a reason for me."

And then Harkashan has to use that insight of his and see into the heart of Rune. She chuffs in that distinctly Makari way, as if dismissing matters before shaking her head. A few strands of her hair have already started drying, hanging down across her forehead. She doesn't delve further into her own family, her own lack of acceptance.

Of course, Skielstregar makes that comment and Rune shares a brief look with Harkashan before turning to regard their friend, "Harkashan has claimed me as his Cihuaa. His mate." She explains plainly. "Obviously, being a half Human and half Sildanyari, that makes things a little complicated."

Skielstregar is young, as he was not there for the decades of memories built up. But he knew how hard it was to unlearn. He nods sharply, his tail sweeping behind him at an increasing pace. "Ocuir and Kyfe. This one will speak with them and share words. Thank you, Deathsinger," he rumbles warmly.

Seeing as things were improving, a bit of a smile crests on his maw. "This one is glad that Inhelk approves of this one. This one admits they were worried they were going to be kicked to the skyline..!" he chuckles.

He looks to Rune, him dipping his head towards her with a light smile. "This one tries very hard to be alive. Both literally, and in experiences. Whatever our purpose is, it is ours to not squander it."

Dead silver eyes flick between the two at their interaction. "Oh. Okay. That makes se-" Blink. ".. Ch--!" He coughs, an ice cube probably caught in his throat. Or, obviously trying to not bellow something aloud that is clearly not public information. Emotions swell as his eyes well, freezing on his face and making little ice fangs on his maw. "First you call this one Brother and then-- Oh! My friends! This one is so happy!" he cries, getting up and pulling both of them into an all encompassing, yet cold, embrace.

The two are then lifted into the air, as if they were nothing more than just a rock and a twig.

Harkashan nods his head a few times when Rune speaks of Skiel not being the only one who has died and come back. He doesn't need to add anything to that. As a Deathsinger, he knows that such is a thing he will not be able to understand until he experiences it himself. If he will ever experience it himself. And even then, each experiences it in their own way.

Instead, he just chuffs back at Rune as she dismisses the topic, tilting that head of his to look her way in that knowing manner. Only for her to remark on his 'claim' on her. "Claim is perhaps a strange word - this one does not wish to overstep his bounds. But yes. I consider Rune my Cihuaa. The bond we share is... deep. Being of different species matters little to me, or our bond." He bids to Rune in a warm tone, reaching out and touching her leg.

Then suddenly, a hug. Harkashan, currently unarmored and wearing his Kin's more thin robes and various dangly accessories, flails a bit, before he laughs and answers by biting Skielstregar's horns softly. A sign of affection of his own.

"I am glad you are happy, Skielstregar." It is good Sith-makar can hold their breath for really long times.

"Oh no, it's probably me that's going to end up kicked to the skyline." Rune murmurs. Maybe she is just a 'liiiitttle' intimidated by Harkashan's father. Of course, if she had to prove herself, well... at least it's very easy to hit someone the size of a barn door.

There is just a momentary look exchanged again, likely Rune just not quite knowing that word and it's meaning as inherantly as a Sith Makar. Humans have terms, as do elves, but each has history with her which leaves her less than inclined to follow those traditions. And yet, her lip quirks upward, seeming happy enough to be considered someone of importance to him.

And then... "Erk!" Rune is scooped up and pressed against a hard, cold chest. It's almost like sticking your head in the freezer on a hot day. Which means the sensation is entirely pleasant, until the point where she is squeezed just a bit too hard and starts to flail. Small rogue, big Makari. Help!

"Glad you're happy, but I need to breeeeaaaaathe." She complains playfully.

Skielstregar laughs, a rumbling sound felt as the silverscale himself lacked his armor too, so the two were getting a full on heartful embrace. "This one thinks you two will be just fine! It matters not the body, but the soul and bond," he relays, giving them a few spins in the air.

A horn is gnawed, and both are flailing against him. This is perfect! But alas, desire to breathe is requested, and he must acquiesce. Hark and Rune and both placed down (gently) on the cooling stones where they once were, the silverscale twisting his head to knock his horns against Harkashan's while Rune's head gets a pat. "This one is happy for you two, and if anyone tries to protest, for any reason, this one will... freeze them!" he grins jokingly, tail swaying wide. "Thank you two for listening to this one. They feel much, much better."

He plops down beside them on the stone, him lazily looking up to the sky. Then, he mentions off handedly. "This one can understand more than others, this one almost had a gnome as their mate." Wait what-

"But a story for another time..."

-End Scene-