Getting the Point

Log Info

• Title: Getting the Point
• Emitter: Tawyse
• Characters: Tawyse, Skielstergar
• Place: Mictlan
• Time: December 20th, 2021
• Summary: Skielstergar is helping guard some traveling merchants from Wilderness Pointe, him running into Tawyse taking a break. She holds onto his weapon as he eats as well, though can't hold something half her body weight. They get to talking trading humour and talking of home, as well as sort out their new friendship.

The sounds of the outside world seem muted today, with drifting snow falling from the sky outside the bounds of Mictlan's wards. As far as one can see, there is nothing but grey skies above, and snow covered landscape below.

Fresh from travelling said landscape, Tawyse offers up a brace of several rabbits, and a double handful of root vegetables, to those tasked with keeping the cooking pots full. Taking a bowl of the daily soup, and a wooden spoon, she sets off in search of a place to sit. Near the edge of the wards, where the snow almost threatens to intrude, she finds a small log. Which she immediately occupies, settling down with a sigh. Peering into the distant forest, she sips lightly at a spoonful of her soup.

There is a distant 'clank, clank, clank,' that comes down the main trail coming into Mictlan. Emerging from the forest is a lumbering figure in a two-toned cloak, a large polearm in hand as they use it as a walking stick. Numerous spears jut out from over their shoulder, and axes dangle from a bandolier that clinks against metal armor. Their head is on a swivel, keeping an eye out.

Behind them is a small ensemble of softskins and a couple of makari. He steps aside at the ward's edge, them gesturing with too long talons and a scarred arm. "Mictlan welcomesss you," the deep voice rumbles to the group. A few are unsettled by his presence, but they give thanks before heading off into the climate controlled lands for their various business.

Skielstregar doffs his hood and sighs, cracking his neck with a satisfying pop before walking over to one of the Dragon spires and standing next to it, eyes on the road.

Daww, we was being a little guard.

He sniffs, catching something on the wind before looking over to the side finally. Blink blink.

Ahem. "Taw. Peassse on your nessst," he polietly greets, raising a hand.

The Gnome's attention quickly falls upon the travelers making their way to Mictlan. She counts them as they pass by, eyeing each one curiously. "Fruit vendor. Dry goods merchant. Speculator." She names off potential professions of those that travel by, mostly to herself.

Her expression brightens, and she grins. "Peace on your nest, SKielstregar.", she replies softly. "An uneventful journey, one hopes." Tawyse slowly stands. "Do you require any water or food?" Holding up her soup, she grins, "This is delicious."

Skiel bobs his head, large steps crunching against the ground. "Yesss, uneventful. Ssssome folksss needed a guide from Wildernesss Pointe to trade in Mictlan. Sssooo thisss one volunteered."

His head tilts to the side, glancing to the soup. He inhales, then sighs with a faint smile. "Ah, that'sss what that wasss. Isss that what isss over the great fire today? Thisss one can go get a bowl and return. If you watch over thisss one's weapon."

GAME: Tawyse rolls strength: (9)+0: 9

Tawyse nods, and then quickly scarfs down her soup. She offers up her bowl and spool, and holds out her other hand for the weapon. "Sure thing! Would you be a dear, and take my bowl and spoon back to the people serving? Please and thank you!"

She wobbles a little as she takes the full weight of the weapon, but pulls it over a few steps, and stands at attention with it. Barely.

Skiel was mostly joking about watching after his halberd. The weapon was just as tall as he, and quite heavy. Though, Taw was reaching for it, and he blinks. A bit nervously, he hands it over, holding it upright so she could balance it.

"Ssssure thing," he rumbles, kneeling down to take the bowl into one hand as he rises to his full height. There's a pause. And he reaches over to the axe head of the weapon, and geeeeently pushes down on it.

The other end of the polearm sinks to the ground, like a post of a fence, so its easier to keep upright. Before there was protest, he lumbers off. Armored tail swishing to and fro.

A few minutes later, he returns with his own bowl. Sith portion. Well, maybe double that size, but he still he holds it with one hand as he returns and plops to a sit. "Thank you for watching it, thisss one didn't want it to run away." he chuckles.

Her stance is unsteady, but she's moved the polearm from the small post hole Skiel created. "Pfff.", she retorts. "As if anyone but you is running off with this easily." She gestures to her former seat, "Go ahead and eat, I'll keep watch for you."

The Gnome sort of makes her own post hole, subtly, but on a slight angle, allowing her to lean against it.

"So it was uneventful? How was the snow down there?" Her eyes take in the lonely solitude of the distant countryside, and Tawyse lets out a lengthy sigh.

Skiel quietly laughs, shaking his head. "Thank you Taw. Your pressence with such weaponry will give paussse to any that approach," he teases before he starts working on his soup.

He nods his head, the back of a hand wiping at one of the fangs to keep it from dripping. "Up to thisss one's anklessss. But to othersss, their shins. And to you, your kneees."

A scaled brow rises. "... isss.... sssomething the matter?" he asks, joining her in looking out to the countryside.

She snorts at Skiel, shaking her head in return. "No, what they will run from, or at least pause... is my girlish scream. Followed by the arrival of all the men-folk here. Or maybe they will run from my dropping this thing on them. Oooor. I zap them with a bit of lightning, and they think better of their ill-conceived plan."

Tawyse chuckles, and sticks her tongue out at the bronze-scale Sith.

"Oh, that's not too bed. I have snowshoes, so, I am usually still quite mobile in the snow."

Shaking her head, she smiles faintly. "No, nothing is the matter. I am just taking in the view, feeling a little nostalgic, and enjoying your company all at the same time."

Skielstregar chuckles at the array of misfortune the little one could bring, though, he goes a bit silent, watching the view.

Sluuuurp.

"And what hasss you nosstalgic, if thisss one may asssk?" he inquires, glancing down at her despite him sitting.

"Memories of home.", she says softly, almost a whisper. "Memories of... comfort, of being with someone." Turning, her grin is bright and cheerful. "Winter is a good time for snuggling close, in front of a warm fire, and something hot to drink."

Her gaze returns to scrutinizing the snowy landscape. "You can see for miles and miles in places, and.. it all looks more peaceful than the world really is, you know? Nothing but soft snow, the gentle whisper of the wind, maybe a deer or rabbit scurrying about."

Skielstregar quiets his soup enjoyment as he listens, gaze sliding from the view to Tawyse herself. Gauging her. "And what isss home for you?" he asks quietly, more a rumble, felt than heard. He wasn't sure if the cheerfulness was for show or not. "Thisss one wissshes they had sssuch memoriesss. They only remember sssuch feelingsss that you ssspeak of."

He rejoins in looking out. "... thisss one can underssstand what you mean. It all isss peassful. Though that peasssfulness doesssn't mean it isss any lesss deadly. But the view is nice to behold."

GAME: Tawyse rolls strength: (4)+0: 4

Tawyse carefully carries the halberd over, at least, as carefully as she can manage. The bottom of it bangs against the ground a few times, and she only just barely sets it leaning against the log beside the Sith without dropping it. Then she moves to settle in his lap, on the leg opposite from the hand holding his soup bowl.

"Home is the forest over there.", she says quietly, pointing to the nearby forest, that houses and hides the great tree. "But I am nostalgic for the little hidden Gnome village where I was born. Where my family resides. At least, I hope it does. I have a love of history, and this area...", gesturing vaguely at the surrounding countryside, "Holds so much of it, I was eager to get here. Living the dream, but.. longing for a past that's just out of reach. Like a place you'd swear you'd get back to one day, but something always comes up before you can do so."

"I think it is a little sad that you don't have those memories. Maybe I can feature prominently in your new memories, yes? Oh, that reminds me!" The Gnome smiles broadly. "I was able to speak to someone in the Yggsadril Union, and they're seeing if they can find someone in the Crescent for me to talk to. So, I'm well on my way to rustling up some information for you."

Skielstregar looks over to the forest, him chuckling and nodding. "Thisss one ssseeesss. It isss easssy to wonder of what liesss around one'sss self. The passst is always out of reach. It isss what you do in the now that isss important."

He goes quiet at that, pensive. He reaches out to help with the weapon, and shifts his legs some so she has a better seat.

Then he chuckles. "Ah... it iss fine. Better than being mad. At leassst thiss one'sss sssisster has memory isssuess too, ssso they are not alone." He blinks, then rubs his neck. "Per... hapsss. Yess. Thisss one would like their friendsss in new memoriesss."

The man's brow raise. "... oh? You have? Thisss... issss mossst welcome. Thank you," he rumbles warmly, the large hand patting the top of Taw's head once more.

Tawyse reaches an arm around the Sith as much as possible, and squeezes with all of her strength. The Gnome leans against Skiel. She makes a soft sound at having her head patted. "You're welcome. I hope it will prove useful to you, in the end. I can see how frustrating it can be for you, and I want to help as best as I can."

She lets out a little sigh. "I uhm am a bit of an apothecary, and your condition has me wondering if I could come up with something to temper your symptoms. So I may start doing some research. I feel there might be some danger involved, since I may have to investigate necromantic rituals, and many of those roads lead to Charn. I hope that maybe my connection with the Union can insulate me from that, allowing me to ask around.. anonymously."

It's genuinely hard to try and hug the man as much as possible. Like hugging a wide tree trunk. Though this one is armored and has muscle. The embrace is returned carefully, the large paw engulfing a shoulder and pulling them close for a beat. "It isss frussstrating. Asss thisss one wantsss to be near their People, and othersss, but findsss it anxiety inducing."

He blinks at that, pulling away to look down at her with a singular dead silver eye. "... the ssshamans sssay there is no reverssing being corrupted. Being Forgotten. You... are doing quite a lot for sssomeone that hasss only jussst met thisss one naught long prior. If... you do thisss, do not ssseek to cure thisss one. There is no cure. Only learning to live with it."

The Gnome giggles and crosses her arms. "Challenge accepted.", she says. "I won't naysay your shaman's wisdom or intellect. However, I will still challenge their assertion. At the very worst, I learn many interesting things, I may find ways to lessen your symptoms, I may be able to help you live with it, and I gain a very close friend at least."

Her voice lowers. "Or something more."

"At the best, I find something amazing, and reverse the damage done to you. If you look at both outcomes and all of those in between, is that not a life well lived, and worthy of respect and well regard?"

Skielstregar frowns slightly. "... very well. Just there isss no know cure for reversal of Forgotten. Thiss one died. Their sssoul returned, yet their body remainsss corrupted. Thiss one has resolved themselvesss to living with it. But lesssening the sssymtpoms would be swell."

He squints some. "Yess, it isss. But Tawyse."

He sets his bowl down, picks the gnome up and sets her back down in his lap facing her. His head lowers, cold air from his breath breezing past her. He speaks quietly, rumbling. "Why do you pine for thisss one? What about thisss one hass you enamored?"

Oh.

He's not as thick skulled as it seems.

The Gnome blushes brightly, being positioned to face him /and/ being asked such a question.

"You are awfully kind, and sweet, for someone dealing with your condition. Many in your position would end up bitter and scornful. That you are not speaks greatly towards your character. You possess massive strength, and you use it to do useful and kind things, but not to bully the weak."

"So it was admiration, first. Before it deepened somewhat."

Skielstregar is silent for a long. Long. Uncomfortable, awkward moment. Unmoving. Unblinking. Staring like a dead corpse. The only indication he was alive was the chilly breeze on every exhale.

"You harbor thisss desspite what thisss one felt about sssuch things."

Another long pause.

"... thisss one iss... unssseritain... about themselvesss... and... thisss.."

His hand tightens slightly on his knee. Dead eyes troubled.

"I understand. But I am not deterred. I do harbor these feelings despite the trouble that may lie down that path." She shrugs her shoulders lightly. "There is trouble down any path I walk, but much of it is uncertain. With you, I know that trouble lies there, so, at least I can make that decision without uncertainty. I welcome you with open arms."

Tawyse reaches up a hand to pat at his armored chest. "You don't have to answer right away. You can also say no. I will honour whichever you choose."

Hekiel closes his eyes, and slowly sighs. His shoulders sag, the Dragonfather symbol on his necklace scooting down to brush against Taw's hand as he does so.

"... thiss one is sorry, Taw...." he murmurs, the rumble weak and lacking. "... thiss one can... cannot give an ansssswer until.... they have a grasssp on thisss..."

There a slight bit of movement. And before long, Tawyse is completely wrapped in a cold embrace. He sniffles.

The man was genuinely torn about this.

Tawyse gives a soft noise as she's pulled in, and after a moment, she wiggles a hand free to reach up. Patting him gently on the cheek, she whispers, "I understand. Don't you worry, I will still assist you, and stand by you."

Skiel carefully leans his head into the hand, his breath shaky. "... thank you..."

A long pause. He doesn't release her. Then, he opens his heart a smidge. "... thisss o-one... h-hates being like thissss. They misss their sssilver. They misss being in the crowdsss with people. They misss not having thisss... thisss wild rage that'sss not thiss one at all underneath the ssssurface."

"They hate that t-they crave flesssh of kin," he continues, starting to whisper in trembles. "T-They hate that food ssssometimes doesn't taste good. T-They hate that their ssscales don't grow back. They hate the fear that people have at ssseeing them. They jussst want to help people..."

The big man was not as strong as he seemed to be, clearly riddled with a sea of issues.

The Gnome leaves the Sith to hold her steady in a hug, while her other hand joins the first in gently caressing his cheeks. "Shhh, shhh. It's okay. Anyone would feel that way, were they in your position. You miss the feeling of normality. All the simple pleasures. I pledge to help you find those things again, in for a pennyweight, in for a pound."

More gentle strokes of his cheeks come and go.

"But you can take comfort in one thing, at least. You are still able to help people. And you are helping people. Many are enjoying warmth brought by firewood that you, yourself fetched and chopped. Many are enjoying a hot meal, thanks to you. The denmothers have had their minds eased, somewhat, by bringing wood which the pregnant mothers to be may build their nests."

One of her hands squeezes at a thick shoulder. "And people will become accustomed to your condition. They will understand. They share with you the rage and sadness, for we all do, when it comes to evils of Charn."

Simply put, he's silently crying. Little hands on his stiff, cold face makes him all but rest his head in their hold. "... n-normality.... y... yesss..." he mourns.

There is silence, save for the trembling of his frame quietly clanking armor. "... that isss why.. thisss one doesss all that for them. Ssso they can help... it'sss what they can do...."

His head slowly bobs, him taking a shaky breath to gather himself. "... they... they are aware. It isss... ssslow moving, but they are aware. It isss.... ssstill hard on thisss one."

He's quiet again. "... you harbor a big heart for sssuch a small folk...." Skiel points out, finally pulling away some to look down at the gnome.

Taw tries to dry his tears best she can, dabbing at his cheeks lightly with the hems of her sleeves.

"You have a heart several sizes too big for your body, and that is saying much, for you have a very statuesque body."

The Gnome nods slowly, "Yes, generally your people are kind-hearted, even if they have a tough skin, and are prickly on the outside. More will accept you, and grieve with you, and swear vengeance on those who would render you such."

Her cheeks flush lightly at the compliment, and she shrugs lightly. "We're not here for a long time, so why make things miserable for others?" She laughs lightly. "People say it's a good thing, but it is really selfish. I treat people as I wish to be treated."

Skiel bobs his head lightly, him finally getting a hold of himself. "...yesss... they have spend much time away from the People, and it'sss sssomething thisss one hasss to remind themsselvess of consssstantly."

He can't help but blubber a chuckle. "... that isss a good mindssset to have. And that isss what thiss one triess to do asss well."

He sniffs one final time, palm of his hand getting the remaining tears before he finally squares his shoulders.

Tawyse kicks off her boots, so that she may stand carefully on his leg. Where she offers dainty little kisses to each of his cheeks. "Always remember, you are a good person. You deserve to be treated with dignity and decency. And if you treat others such, they will return the sentiment."

Her expression firms up. "If they don't, well, fuck them!"

Skielstregar blinks twice at the gesture on each cheek. Snick snick. Dead eyes hone in on Taw, then go to his lap.

He's incredibly embarrassed.

...

"... yesss.... fuck them. Well... um... maybe not... /actually/ do that... thisss one will jussst ignore them... and.. uh..."

He flounders.

The Gnome giggles at length, hugging at his neck gently. "You are incredibly adorable when you are flustered.", she says, snorting. She sees where he looks, and takes a glance herself. "Ahah. You are mortal after all, I see."

Taw pats at his cheeks delicately. "I did understand what you meant."

Skiel is just staring at where the ground would be is all. Like where one would stare at their feet.

"... thisss one isssn't sssure what you are speaking off being adorable," he murmurs, then glances back to Tawyse with a brow raised. "... yesss? Thisss one hasss died before. They are mortal."

Taw is picked up with one hand, lifted, and placed on a broad shoulder. "Here. You are dissstracting thiss one from their meal," he rumbles, a faint teasing tone coming back.

Tawyse makes a small, high-pitched sound as she's lifted up onto a shoulder, and clings to his head momentarily. "Pfft, you don't sound mad about that, though." She snorts and shakes her head. "I can see my house from up here.", the Gnome says with a laugh.

"And you are adorable, in certain situations. When you look and sound vulnerable. It makes me want to hug you to bits, you know?"

There is a lovely set of horns on his head to easily keep her balance.

Skielstregar snorts, picks up his bowl, and turns his head away dramatically. "... thisss one doessss not mind the attention," he mumbles, sipping /loudly/ on his soup, or what's left of it.

A pause. "... thisss one enjoysss hugs. They do not get enough."

Taw leans lightly against his head, wrapping an arm around to hug at it. "And once you are done your dinner, this one will give one lots of hugs."

He carefully bobs his head, skulls the last of the soup, and sets the bowl aside. The man pulls his weapon over to his lap and lays it across with his eyes closed.

"Mmmmm..." he rumbles. Content to sit just like this.

Giggling lightly, she slips down to his lap, standing upon his halberd and hugging at his chest. "See? Adorable.", she says softly, whispering so that only he may hear.

"I'm such a bad influence, hmm, distracting you from guarding the path?"

Skiel cracks an eye open, and looks down at the figure hugging him on the breastplate. He squints at her, chuffs, then resumes guard duty.

"... yesss... a bad influence. Perhapsss thisss one should give you their spear ssso you can help out," he says completely deadpan.

The snort is made louder by her close proximity to his armored chest, and she giggles for some time at what he says. Tawyse hikes up her armor ever so slightly. "Where are you giving me this spear of yours?", she says, barely keeping a straight face.

Skielstregar continues to stare dead ahead. Taw's laughter makes the corner of his mouth twitch. "... if you can handle it, your hands."

There's a /long/ pause.

A clunk of wood comes from behind him.

And he hands her a spear from the quiver on his back.

"You finally got thisss one's spear."

There's a wheezing in his breathing, trying to not break into laughter.

She stares in silence at the long, hard shaft placed into her hands, and then she blinks a few times. The Gnome is obviously fighting the giggles and a silly grin.

"Is this your wood, and did you make it yourself?", she wonders, before bursting out laughing once more.

Skielstregar has reconnected.

Skielstregar opens his mouth to reply, but soon he breaks and loudly laughs to the air, voice echoing through the clearing and the trees. It's a long moment before he's able to speak again, and he wipes a tear from his eye. "Dragonfather's scales. You're too much," he sticks his blackened tongue out at her.

Tawyse grins cheekily, "Don't stick that out unless you plan on using it." Her cheeks turn a nice rosy colour. "I did once keep the company of a few sailors during a Guild mission ages ago. It is where I learned some of my off-colour humor."

Skielstregar snorts, taking the spear back and sliding it back into its quiver. "Thisss one findss it humorous. They had company that had such humor, but they tend to not partake in sssuch themselves."

"Well, you should. Both partaking of such humor, and using your tongue." Her grin broadens, "You might be a little happier for it. And you never know until you try, yes?" She giggles lightly, and goes back to hugging the loveable statue.

Skiel raises a brow. "Thisss one ussess their tongue frequently. They prefer it rather than getting physssical."

He blinks. Then buries his face into his hands.

"... godsssdamn it," he mumble-rumbles.

Her expression is one of almost pain. She really want to laugh, but is also rather embarrassed. "I thought you were sweet and innocent, but now I see you're quite naughty." Tawyse giggles lightly and holds her sides. "I haven't giggled and laughed so much in ages. You're amazingly fun to tease. I hope that you are enjoying teasing me as much as I am, you."

Skiel snorts, him puling his face out of his hands and looking away pointedly. "Thisss one? Naughty? Nonesssense! Thisss one isss pure of heart and mind!" he exposits, somehow pouting.

He holds the question ere long. Then glances down at her with a single eye. "... it isss enjoyable," he admits with a murmur.

"The teasing, or using your tongue?", she wonders, her eyes peering into his, her smile bright. And also full of cheekiness.

"You're not fooling me for a moment. You are definitely saying some of these things intentionally, even if you are accidentally saying other things."

"Both." The answer was delivered so quickly and deadpan that it was a joke unto it's own.

Skiel squints a bit. "... thisss one isss now aware of your humor. It jussst took a moment for thisss one to catch on."

She stands on tiptoe, and leans close to whisper in his ear.

Skielstergar blinks, his nostrils flare, and his head cambers to the side. "... thisss one told you already how they feel about that," he rumbles, the joking and teasing tone absent.

Tawyse nods, and hugs at him once more. "Yes, and I am simply stating my feelings on the topic. For if and when your feelings change."

Skielstregar returns the gesture with an arm, him lightly sighing. "... thisss one will keep that in mind, ssshould conditionsss change. They feel... not ready for anything of the sssort. Asss they have expressed before."

"This one will do her best to not be a bad influence on you.", she says quietly. She murmurs lightly at the hug, before wiggling free, and settling back in his lap. "So how long do you do guard duty for? Do you sleep much?"

Skielstregar lightly snorts at her word choice. "Thiss one doubtsss it, but they will deal with it..." he dramatically sighs, but smiles. He shifts a bit so it's more comfortable for her.

"Ah.. asss long asss this one wissshes. And thisss one ssssleeps plenty. Why do you asssk?"

"I was only curious if I could spend the night with you. I am feeling lazy, and I do not wish to travel back to my camp at night. I also didn't want to keep you away from your duties, nor keep you awake for too long this night."

Taw giggles lightly. "And I don't think you will protest too much at my teasing or bad influence. You'll simply fend me off as you have done so thus far."

Skiel raises a brow. "Certainly, thisss one wouldn't mind. Jussst know that thisss one'sss camp is Vaera'sss asss well."

The man snorts. "Then thiss one will fend off asss long assss they can."

With a grunt, he holds Taw close as he rises, then places the gnome on his shoulder once more. "Let usss be off then. It isss about an hour walk away."

"I don't mind at all. Vaera is good people.", the Gnome says. She giggles as she's lifted to his shoulders again. "I could get used to this.", she says softly. "Alright, I am good."

Skiel grins, picking up his halberd and his empty bowl. "Yesss, yess she is."

He rolls his other shoulder, then glances over to the gnome on his shoulder. "... be sssure to hold onto a horn if the ride getsss rough."

...

"Ssshut."

-End Scene-