Against The Chill
Log Info
- Title: Northern Tornmawr riverbanks
- Emitter: Eztli
- Place: Placeholder
- Summary: A group gathers at the new sauna to discuss recent events, mini demon lord plushies, and other matters.
The Tornmawr river banks, early afternoon.
While the remains of the festivities had died down, the work done in the area remained at least. Fire pits that were mostly snowed over, and the log cabin nearby which seemed to be slowly losing the snow cap which had formed on it.
The reason for it was obvious, at a further glance, as the small makari outside nearly blended into the snow, save for the movements of an axe being brought repeatedly down, breaking down the firewood into manageable sizes to keep the stove inside running, stopping to toss more in a few times.
Bryn has arrived.
A fiery spirited Dragoon has found the best excuse to go out into the cold snow, and the relentless winter. It was soon to be a routine for him. Surely there would be a party like the one before.
"Spelldancer!" Aelwyn calls out, the ruddy sith-makar pulling the cloak around him more tightly. His head was covered in flakes of snow, and his red ribbons were miserable. "... whyfor is one chopping down the wood?" He asks, with a tilt of his head.
The small winged makari stopped their work for a moment, pausing and waving to the dragoon, resting the axe on one shoulder. Eztli on the other hand, looked completely unbothered by the weather in any way, shape or form.
"Afternoon, oh great and powerful headless horseman!" They chuckle. "What does it look like? I'm getting all this ready so I don't need to worry about it later, of course. And what about you?"
Not everyone minds the cold so much. Bryn could be one of those. She has a few extra wrappings on her arms and legs, but otherwise isn't bundled up at all against the chill or the snow. She remembers hearing about the sauna being set up on the Tornmawr and has come to check it out. She just may not have remembered the day quite right.
"Ey!" she calls out seeing others ouside the cabin, lifting shiny arm and hand to wave at the Makari while on her way cabinwards.
Aelwyn makes a grandiouse spin, then extends his hand towards Eztli. "And the leader of riotous dance." He flickers his tongue out. "This one believes the dance were a great success." He then straightens and looks at the sky. "... except for fighting off the winter." He lets out a deep breath.
The appearance of Bryn makes Aelwyn turn his head. "Braid! This one sees one has chosen!" The draconian greets with wide teth. "Does it shoot lava?"
"Oh please, Aelwyn, it was never about fighting off the winter. It was about celebrating what we have before winter comes, after all." The white and brown makari chuckles. Eztli had on just a plain breechcloth while returning to preparing the firewood after giving Aelwyn a strong handshake. "Ah, hello, Bryn, right? Nice to see you again! You're welcome to join, same as Aelwyn, it's open to everyone. Just actually getting it up to temperature, is all."
Bryn looses a loud laugh at Aelwyn's question about the arm, but takes a moment to give Eztli a direct wave before she lowers it. " Yep, that's me!" Then she answers the other question. "Nah. No shootin, lava nor nothin else. Works pretty good fer the normal stuff, though. Still gettin used ta it."
Aelwyn twists his lips. "No, this one did not ride headless only to say goodbyes." The Dragoon responds, crossing his arm across his chest. Then his face grows long. "... it is not hot enough?" The draconian makes an exaggerated sigh. "Whyfor does this town be filled with mages, if the one place they do not cast their fireballs in?" He pauses, then looks towards Eztli. "Present company excluded."
The draconian's attention is then returned upon Bryn. "Ah, tch, shame. Perhaps one could ask Brass to make modifications, her hand can be quite impressive." He clicks his tongue. "Still can swing a blade and wrestle with it?"
"... I want the air to be hot and steamy in there, Aelwyn, not completely absent from being consumed by fire, along with the building around said air." Eztli snorts loudly. "Besides, other people are going to want to use it, and I need to keep it stocked long enough that it'll still be perfect when I get back from enjoying a swim through the river. You're welcome to join me by the way, the water is absolutely wonderful this time of year!"
The small makari stops to toss some water on top of the stove, but seems disappointed by how quickly it steams. "No, not quite. Hand looks good though, did you not want it back, though? I know people that could manage that."
Bryn nods to Aelwyn, grinning tuskily. "First thing I did was start swinging ma big blade round again!" A pause. "Er, second thing. First was havin an' ale in each hand. Missed that, too. Ain' done much wrasslin 'gain yet, but that's onna list!"
To Eztli, she rolls her shoulders in a shrug. "Eh. If'n Kor wanted me ta have the hand, he'da left it on. Since I was gettin a new one, might as well get a better one, eh?"
Aelwyn looks at Eztli. "But is it not the point to be hot and sweaty inside?" He asks, gesturing towards the hut. "Why not simply have a large fire?" It was obvious that the draconian was more interested in the heat, rather than the subtleties of the steamy, stinging heat. "Tch, perhaps this one should hire someone to heat it in well advance."
The suggestion for joining the river swim simply makes the ruddy sith-makar pull up the cloak further over himself.
"It is good to hear Braid has appropriate priorities." The draconian flickers his tongue. "Planning to join in the steam?"
"That's a lot of ale, but I guess it's more sensible than a custom made double sized mug." The small makari snorts. "I suppose I can't argue with that, well, no real good reason to."
"The large fire is wasteful, Aelwyn, besides, doesn't feel as good." Eztli chuckles some more. "What though, are you not a fan of the snow?" She asks, one brow raised. "You just like tossing other people into the snow, is it?"
The sorceress glances once more into the cabin, sighs, and snaps her fingers, causing a small bolt of flame to fling itself at the stones, making them glow a slight orange for the briefest of moments. "There, it's pre heated since he's so impatient."
"Sure!" No one needed to ask Bryn twice if she was joining. Not that anyone did. "Always up fer gettin hot 'n sweaty! Cleans everythin out! Then ye just jump inna water to wash't way!"
There's a pause as she blinks at the snap and flame before she's back to grinning. A large metal thumb is jabbed in Eztli's direction. "Looks like ye don' needa hire nobody. Got someone right there!"
Aelwyn breathes out a sigh of relief. His toes were already starting to go numb. They probably were already numb. The Dragoon turns his head towards Bryn. "This was has never been sure if he can afford her." The draconian quietly admits to the tall woman. "And this one is afraid to ask."
After which he flashes his teeth, coming nearer the stones. AFter a moment of consideration, he takes a handful of water and throws it onto the stones. "Hot enough?" He asks from Eztli, then looks between the two. "And whyfor anyone would swim in a frozen river who is not Silver?" He shakes his head. "Try not to swim under the ice, at the very least!"
Eztli glances to Bryn, and shakes her head. "No, he couldn't afford me in the slightest. Mostly because I'm not for sale, at least." The makari chuckles. Finally, things were ready, and Eztli could sit back and relax on one of the benches with a happy sigh. "The steam is the most important part Aelwyn. Especially since I can't really feel the heat to begin with."
"Why not enjoy the frozen river Aelwyn? I thought you were an excellent skater last time, when you actually got used to it." she chuckles some more. "Bryn's got the right of it, enjoy the sauna, and then the river is even more nice when you hop in right after! I'd be fine anyways, I can hold my breath long enough under the ice."
Bryn looks between the two of them and lets out another laugh. "Time fer some heat!" She happily makes her way in to plop herself down on a bench. Off come to fur wraps on her arms and legs, her boots, and most of what she's wearing.
Aelwyn looks towards Eztli - then puts his hand on her shoulder. "This one laments her loss." He bows his head. "For the touch of fire is the strongest sensation one can feel." The cloak is discarded, revealing he was already wearing just his red loincloth. The glaive is brought along as he also finds a bench to seat down, letting out a long exhale. Toes curled.
The ruddy sith-makar tilts his head and then raises his hand. "The one with the blades? Ah, that was like dancing on a high rope. This one is not very good at it, but Jared taught this one." He lets out a brief grin. "But while Spelldancer perhaps could hold her breath, this one worries for Braid."
"It's alright, I don't mind that much really, It's not like it's completely gone, just, no overheating or burns." The small makari shrugs. "Yes, with the blades on your feet. I guess that makes sense Aelwyn, but you really should go out and do it more. And go enjoy everything the cold has to offer."
"Yeah, Bryn might have more trouble, but it's not like there aren't areas to swim still that are safe. There's only so many excuses for not going in you know, Aelwyn."
GAME: Carver accepts a meet and will arrive momentarily.
Carver has arrived.
"Ahh.." Bryn gets comfortable, which includes kicked her feet up and wiggling freed toes. "Huh?" Then she catches up on the swimming part. "Eh, can swim jus' fine. This'd be more just dippin 'n rinsin, though. Not gonna start swimmin under ice. Ain' that dumb."
Aelwyn's horns rest upon the side of the hut. There was that subtle flexing, shifting and stretching of his ruddy body - mostly for show, but also to get some of that frost off his scales. "Ahh, this one can enjoy the blades, but the river?" The draconian makes a shiver. "This one would rather walk on hot coals. It is better for the feet." Another flexing of the toes.
The Dragoon looks towards Bryn. "It is a river; this one is not sure if one can punch through the ice like Silver can." The sith-makar says... tauntingly.
The door swings open, Carver squinting against the wave of steam. She waves her hand before her face before blindly stepping inside. Certainly she can make out the silhouettes of others actively enjoying the cabin's benefits, but not identify them yet.
"Aw, but taking a swim is the best part, gets your heart rate up, and it's so refreshing!" The small makari laughs, lounging on the bench. "But yeah, best not to be dumb about it, safety's more important."
"Besides, hot coals wouldn't do much at this point. I can still feel the cold a lot better, you know." She adds, turning to the door as someone else enters. "Hey! You're welcome to join us if you want. Plenty of room in here after all."
Aelwyn makes a face. "If this one wants his heart rate up, there are plenty of more enjoyable ways of doing it." He flickers his tongue, but then after a moment he sighs and stretches out. "This one must deliver something," He says with great annoyance, "But with this heat this one surely will be able to run and return before the frost settles in." He flashes his teeth, and then moves past the stranger in the mist outside.
Carver moves out of one way, and then closer to a familiar voice, sitting down on a bench as well. "Sounds like I was jus' late for the party, eh?" Sweat already stands out against dark skin. It's a steam room after all!
Aelwyn has left.
"What, already? Must be real important to go against your hatred of the cold, Aelwyn." Eztli chuckles loudly. "Don't worry, I'll keep it well stocked, assuming I don't head off to enjoy the river for too long."
The small makaro blinks, and rumbles happily, smiling wide to the newcomer. "Well, apparently. I wasn't expecting everyone to just up and take off." She chuckles, a bit more ruefully.
Carver nods, "I suppose this must feel a 'little' closer to home than the snow an' ice." She clasps hands together, bracing arms against her knees as she leans forward slightly. "Hear about the attack near the trade district?"
"This? I suppose it does, we had plenty of saunas where I'm from." Eztli sighs, placing one hand on Carver's knee. "I'm not from Am'shere you know, but, eh? What's that about an attack on the trades?" She asks, one brow raised in concern. "Is everyone alright?"
"I remember, but you also was very excited fo' the steam room." Carver says with a chuckle. "Oh, you dinnit 'ear? Mmm, well, all the toys came to life an' this one in particular, the leader I'm guessin', he showed his face. Was some reborn devil or sometin'? Went by Eclavdran. Seemed like some of the big storied adventurers knew him. I didn't recognize the name."
"Everyone's fine, I think. Some minor injuries to merchants and they destroyed a fountain bot got contained pretty quickly." Carver answers.
"Eclavdran, name rings a bell, but, I don't know them personally." Eztli sighs, tapping one horn deep in thought. "Know they're bad news, though. Probably related to that one in the market the other day? Glad people are alright, though."
"I was real excited, shame I couldn't make it the day of." She nods. "At least I can enjoy it today with you, though."
"Yeah, it's nice." Carver says, patting the hand on her knee. "An' as far as I can tell? He was. Seemed to spook some of the people there wot knew 'em, and even as a doll, he was able to transform into somethin'... well, vaguely devilish? My arrows dinnit seem to do much to 'em."
"Not surprised, to be honest." Eztli muses, shaking her head slightly. "From what I heard, he could have destroyed the city, probably more than that. hurt a lot of people, but hard to learn more since people don't even like saying his name."
"So, there's more to those dolls than it seems, at least some of them." Eztli continues, letting out a long sigh. "Hope none of mine hurt anyone, I'd feel guilty just by association."
"Well, statistically..." Carver teases, before squeezing the hand. "I'm sure they didn't. Most of the toys seemed harmless. 'member? Like that one prancy elf who just sorta faked castin' a spell. As cute as a little plushie dragon shifting doll of you would be, I suspect it'd be much the same."
"Yeah, I guess there aren't that many of me, after all." Eztli nods, squeezing the hand back. "Also, tiny."
"Telamon, yeah. glad he wasn't actually casting spells, that'd be a lot of trouble."
"I would be real cute though, wouldn't I?' Eztli teases back. "Almost as cute as you'd be."
"Yours 'is' real sweet. I foun' one and bought it." Carver says with a wrinkled nose. "An' stop it. I'd hate seein' me in that way, nor am I near enough decorated for it. If you fin' one of my horse someday though, buy't for me." She runs her free hand through her hair, already damp. "... s'really hot in here."
"Really there was one of me?" Eztli asks, surprised. "I mean, I should expect that, think I saw myself in one of those books."
"Still, that's really cool, and, noted, Carver. I'll be happy with the real deal." She hums, patting the hand she was holding. "Is it? hard to tell nowadays. I hope I didn't stoke the stove too much."
"s'fine." Carver says, with a wry shake of her head. "Though think it's time for that dip in the ice, that Jotun spoke of. Cya out there? An' there most certainly was a few. I'll show you later."