Give it a Chance

Log Info

• Title: Give it a Chance
• Emitter: Skielstregar
• Characters: Skielstregar, Vaera
• Place: Camp outside Mictlan
• Time: January 26th, 2022
• Summary: Vaera and Skielstregar have a long overdue conversation. About their fears, about one another. They come to terms that their fears are warranted, though it shouldn't get in the way of having something to look forward to. They give it a chance, as there had been too many near misses as of late, and they enjoy the eve with some tea and fish.

Camp just outside Mictlan. Night.

The wards for Mictlan keep the worst offense of the chilly winter at bay. Though, a light dusting of snow settles around the camp.

The ground shakes some. A rhytmic >thud-thud-thud< of massive footsteps approaching. In the dark, a looming, towering giant amongst the trees carefully sets down a fell log in a pile.

The figure shrinks down in the shadow. There's a >pop< of a bubble bursting, and a silver/bronzescaled makari steps out from behind a tree, dusting his hands off. "That should be the last one," he hums aloud, striding into camp.

If Vaera did not know what was causing the noise, perhaps she may have been on edge in the dark of the night, but with it simply being an extra large Skielstregar, it was more comforting than not. The red makari was tending to a decently large fire, with a large kettle coming to a boil hanging above it.

"You must have worked up a decent sweat after carrying all that around, Skielstregar." Vaera chuffs, turning to the other makari at the camp. "I do not know why you were doing this so late. But you should rest, now."

Skielstregar huffs once, grinning as he lumbers over. His armor is quickly taken off and set aside before he plops down next to Vaera at the fire. "If this one sweats, they'd be constantly drenched," he snorts, taking a few even breaths to quell his exertion. "This one was a little late getting back, they apologize. They spotted a log than needed moving, and this one didn't want to wait until the morrow to fetch it. Besides, this one needs to use the magics when they can to get used to it."

He grins, a closed eye smile. "Plus, it's fun to pick up logs like they're just mere branches. So, redscale, what's on the menu?"

"Well, that wood should have some use. And that is fair enough. Though, if you are doing it for fun, then you should do it where this one can see you." Vaera snorts herself. "You are still hungry? I can get some food for you to eat. I was just putting some tea on to drink. Perhaps some roasted deer, or fish, or something of that sort?"

Skiel chuffs. "Ah, this one will remember to stay closer next time." He shakes his head. "No food, just was curious as to what you had on the fire. Tea sounds good to this one."

The mixed scale, dressed down in his tunic and pants, reclines back on the ground and closes his eyes. He's got a few new cuts on him, and they've been healed over by some magics, as well as a large scar on his shoulder. "This one wonders what else they can do..." he idly muses.

"You asked because you are hungry and tired." Vaera chuffs, and she leaves her seat to go see to the food stores. "You have been doing a lot of work, and you have been hurt several times. You need to be able to rest and eat well enough to recover." She adds, pulling a few fish out from the snow and cloth. "As for what you can do, I do not know what that magic can do. Likely much more, if you work at it."

Skielstregar chuckles and shakes his head. "Bah, fine. This one won't turn food down."

A light sigh leaves him, mostly a rumble. "Yes. This one is just curious as to what."

A thumb traces the profile of his amulet, dead eyes half lidded. He speaks, a tinge forlorn, but mostly nostalgic. "... to think this one would do magic in this... manner. They had always thought to receive the Dragonfather's blessing to carry out his will. Yet... instead this one is suffused with this. This one was to be a... what do the softskins call it? A Sunblade?"

"Then do not turn it down, I would not wish for it to go to waste." Vaera chuckles as she moves to skewer the fish, and set them near the fire.

"You wished to be a follower of the dragonfather. But you already are." The makari notes, taking a seat back down next to him. "It does not matter what magics you wield, as long as you believe in what you are doing, no? This one does not imagine they would worry about the difference."

Skiel hums, watching Vaera prepare the food as he rests. He rumbles and shakes his head, "This one is. Just... with more of his power and not this... whatever this is. It feels wrong and nasty to use. But... it is this one's. And they'll use it for the same cause nonetheless."

He glances to Vaera as she sits beside him. He hesitates for a beat, but slowly reaches out, placing his hand atop hers as he watches the campfire. "And that is what matters."

"Perhaps he thinks you do not need it." Vaera offers in response to what the makari was saying. She turns her hand over, and holds Skielstregar's back. "I did not know it felt bad to use though. You should not need it often, you are strong enough on your own. But, you are not a bad person. It is what you do that does matter."

"Perhaps," he rumbles, a light smile quirking the edge of his mouth as he feels her hand in his. He squeezes it lightly. "It just feels... wrong. This one knows the energy is necromancy. And it is cold, like death."

Skiel nods lightly, shifting his gaze off of the fire towards Vaera. "Yes. That is what this one thinks. Only use such power when necessary to help folks."

He dips his head some. "This one thanks you for all the help you have been..."

"So, do not use it to lift trees in front of me. This one understands, even if it is unfortunate." The red makari chuffs with another chuckle. "There is more to necromancy than just death, you know. You should ask some of those clerics about it."

"You are welcome. This one should thank you for all you have done, too." Vaera responds, squeezing the hand she was holding. You have helped this one to feel much more comfortable around kin again."

Skiel pouts. "Aww, and this one thought you liked to see that," he lightly teases, snickering. But, a tinge of confusion creeps from him. "Hmm? This one thought it was all foul. Perhaps this one will ask the shamans next time they see them."

His gaze goes to the ground as he sits up some, embarrassed. "Ah... it is nothing..." he tries to humble. "But this one is glad they could help. And you have done the same for this one. They are not as afraid to be around the People. And learn to trust them."

Pause. "Like... this one trusts you," he murmurs soft, watching the fire dance in his reflective silver scales. They're starting to win out against the bronze, perhaps three fifths of him is the shiny hue at this point. "... are you.... still afraid?"

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+2: (19)+2: 21

"I do like to see that. You are, impressively strong. But if it is a bother for you to do, then don't." Vaera chuffs, thankful for not letting any embarassment show. "Of course, this one thought it was just to help you at first. But, this one did not realize that they needed it nearly as much. They were so worried about what could happen, that they put themselves in a position to not have anything happen."

Vaera lets go of Skielstregar's hand, and wraps it around the other makari. And another arm hooks under his leg. With a light grunt of effort, she manages to lift and pull the multi toned makari into her lap. "This one is still afraid, but they will not let such fears hold them back." They note, offering a hug from behind.

Skielstregar gives a long sigh, along with a light smirk. "Nonesense, this one will do it for you regardless," he teases. He watches for a reaction to his question, and instead finds himself in a side hug.

He sighs happil-

Blink blink.

And now the large man is in Vaera's lap. He does not mask his emotions, embarrassment flooding from him, mixed with surprise and no small amount of glee. He rumbles, a giggle practically as he leans back against her. Carefully. "By the Scales, when did you get so strong? Have you been taking pointers from this one?" he teases before closing his eyes. "... that is good you admit such things. This one... this one is as well. But, with all these near misses as of late..."

A hand rises to reach behind him, cupping the side of Vaera's cheek. A dead silver eye watches. "... this one now mostly fears missing something that would be nice to have, for once."

Vaera chuckles and leans back against Skielstregar, resting her head over his left shoulder. "You should have seen this one before. They were so much stronger, and they may have been able to sweep you off your feet." The red makari chuckles. "But, form can help. And, this one simply wished to hold you a bit closer, if you would not do so yourself. If that is alright."

Vaera blinks, and chuffs as the hand holds her cheek, which blows a gout of warm air against him. She meets the eye, before closing hers, and leaning into the hand. "And, you wish not to miss them?" She asks.

"This one believes it, but, this one also likes Vaera for what she is now, too," Skiel rumbles. At the notion of it being alright or not, he simply just leans more into the redscale.

His head lulls to the side, resting against the side of her face. "... no, this one doesn't want to miss anything."

He dry swallows. "... would... you like to give us a chance?" he whispers quietly.

"Thank you, Skielstregar." Vaera chuffs. "This one is glad they are appreciated, and, while this one liked you before, your new scales are even more stunning. This one still would offer to paint them, another time. Though perhaps without the rituals of the Oruch."

One eye opens to see Skielstregar resting against her face, and the redscale rumbles another chuckle, nuzzling just slightly back. "And this one was hoping you would want to give it a chance, to not miss this time. Even if there will be so much more time to come, it does not make this less precious."

"Which is to say, yes, if you wish, I would like to give it a chance."

Skielstregar opens his mouth to say something, but it clicks closed, his gaze dropping to his lap. "... ah, uh, well, erm... you see..." he blubbers in sheer embarrassment. "T-This one would like that. Um, the scale painting. Not the Oruch ritual. But that's not to say- this one means- uh- gah."

He rubs his face.

He sighs. Then smile sheepishly. "... this one would like to as well," he quietly says, nuzzling Vaera back and resting there. "... should this one remove the things in their tent and join yours?" he asks, half teasing, half serious.

The floundering makari makes the redscale chuckle even more, a rumble felt as she hugged skielstregar close. "This one would be happy to show you, Skielstregar. Though perhaps at some point you could show this one the rituals, too, if you did not mind, as it seemed you were saying." Vaera teases.

"So, that is settled. This one is happy to hear it, too." She continues, glancing to her tent. "You are more than welcome to, if you wish. This one truly would not mind if you rested with them for the nights."

Skielstregar's brain sort of comes to a screeching halt at that. He can only utter a dumbfounded, "Okay."

He is properly befuddled as he holds her arms around him. He shakes his head, filing that away for later. "... that is okay? This one doesn't want to scare you like that one night..." he tests, closing his eyes as he rests against her.

Vaera was content to hold and be held, even her tail swishing around until it could flop over Skielstregar's. The chuckling died down, leaving only a content rumble in its wake. One hand reaches forward, just to turn the roasting fish over. "This one already told you, that was not your fault. It was just a dream. And, we were just speaking of this, yes? Even if the fear is there, and the fear is no less valid, we can not let it stop us from missing out on the good. And, falling to sleep next to you does sound more than worth that risk."

Skielstregar could not blush, but a bashful look rests about his face, his tail flicking over once to coil with Vaera's. "... you should be a speaker, you make this one's heart flutter with such words," he rumble mumbles. The man shifts to give her a proper, full on, all encompassing hug. "... this one will do their best. And they thank you for your trust and your kindness."

Then he perks up, grinning wide." This one will start moving some things! They will warn you, this one never grows warm, so you'll need extra blankets!"

"This one is only speaking of how they feel, and have felt. How you make this one feel." Vaera muses, catching the silver and bronze makari spinning around in her arms, and leaning into the all encompassing hug. She falls silent, letting her tail swish too and fro, taking the other with it.

"Vaermiir." the makari chuffs. "This one, this one can accept their old name. It has been long, but they feel they have something to protect, again."

"As for arrangements for sleeping? This one has plenty of heat to spare." She chuckles after a long moment of silence. It was true, she was almost like a furnace to be held. "Though more furs and blankets to curl up in rarely go amiss."

Skielstregar's tail is swished about, letting Vaera dictate that bit of expression. Though, he is halfway to getting to before he freezes on the spot. "Vaermiir..." he whispers soft, like the syllables were made of glass. His smile warbles some, and his eyes mist over as a sniffle leaves him. He rubs his forearm against his eyes. "... a-and this one will protect you too. You... m-make this one feel honoured..." He shudders, then shuffles over to his tent.

There's some rustling, and then not to long later he's coming out with a bed roll, blankets, clothes, and - oh gods, is that scale polish? "This one has everything! Bring that tea and fish to your tent, this one will get us right and properly situated, Vaermiir!" he grins happily. Cheerful. Exuberant and goofy.

"Of course, this one would hope you would care about this one back." Vaera chuffs, bumping against Skielstregar's snout after he finished rubbing at his eyes. She does let him leave, and busies herself with keeping the fish roasting, and the fire preparing to die down for the night. She was almost finished when Skielstregar returns, and she chuffs at the offer. "This one hopes to see you use that scale polish some time as well, Skielstregar." She notes, before gathering up the fish onto a tray with a pair of mugs filled with steaming tea. "We can do that, that sounds quite good to me. That way, this one will not need to get up to leave you after the meal is finished. As this is a day to be celebrated."

Vaera disappears into her own tent, but only for a moment, as she pokes her head out, smiles to the bronze and silver makari, before gesturing to and waiting for him.

Skielstregar snickers, lifting the polish. "Oh this? This one has yet to use it! It'll be fun to try!"

He watches her slip in, then poke her head out. A happy rumble leaves him as he clambers on in.

... it's suddenly very apparent. They're going to need a bigger tent. But that doesn't stop the half-dead man from being any more happy than he is right now.

-End Scene-