Home is What You Make It

Log Info

• Title: Home is What You Make It
• Emitter: Skielstregar
• Characters: Skielstregar, Vaera
• Place: Outside Mictlan
• Time: February 18th, 2022
• Summary: Skielstregar and Vaera expand their campsite a bit more to house a larger tent for themselves, and their belongings. They ponder what next to work on, as well as how nice it feels to have someone to lean on. After some reassurance (and a miscalculation on how heavy Skiel is), they work on getting dinner started.

Outside Mictlan, Early Evening.

>Tink! Tink! Tink!<

There's a long 'phew', that comes from a silverscaled makari, him shaking his hand off as he moves a rubber mallet over to his off hand. "That should be the last one," he mentions, stepping back to look at everything.

Their camp has been rearranged quite a bit. Instead of two singular tents, their space has been combined with something quite a bit larger. A large tent, plenty tall for a few makari to stand comfortably in and move around. Or, two makari and some personal storage. The logs that have been collected before have been moved around to form a semicircle wall around the camp, and the swiftclaw's sleeping space has been nudged to the side ever so slightly to make room.

Large, taloned footprints litter the camp, evidence that Skielstregar had taken to his enlarged form to speed moving things around. Though, at present, he was his normal towering self, testing the tension of a string that went to a tent spike he had just driven into the ground. He was in nothing more than his usual shirt and pants, with his holy symbol couple with a red scale dangling from this neck. "It looks good!" he grins, a hand on his hip as his tail swishes behind him.

Vaera had been helping to put the tent together, but with most of it done now, she was off to one side of the camp near where Skielstregar was working She had a pair of pants on, and in her lap was a large sheet of fabric, much like what had been made for the tent.

"It is feeling a lot more like a more permanent place now, Is it not?" Vaera chuffs, glancing over to the wall that had been made. "Good thing you collected all that wood, Skielstregar."

Skiel rumbles warmly in his chest as he ducks his head ever so slightly to lean into the tent, gently tossing the rubber mallet underhand into a pile of random things in the corner. "It does! Though, This is probably as much as we'll be able to make, else it might be deemed too permanent for them."

He glances back to Vaera, his grin softening some as he looks to the ground for a brief moment. "Ah, yes, it was good that this one did that. It will help with hanging up tarps or drying game out."

"Yes, I still do not know what they mean by that." Vaera chuffs. "I really should speak with those who know more, so I can understand it better. But for now, this should at least not cause any issues."

"The privacy is quite nice, as well."

"I can not remember when you ended up with one of my scales. Not that I mind, it is nice of you to do, Skielstregar. What brought that about?"

Skiel picks up a waterskin and washes his hands with it, him giving her a light smile. "This one is not sure, but at least it will be more comfortable."

He blinks, then rubs his neck, looking away. "... yes, yes it is..."

He clears his throat. "... erm. This one found it. This one, um, thought it fitting."

He shifts on his feet. "... do you wish to have a silver scale?"

"Surely that crossed your mind at some point, did it not Skielstregar?" Vaera snorts, setting aside the piece of the tent for a moment. "It certainly was a thought as I worked on an additional room for the tent.

She looks up and over to Skielstregar, before she chuckles. "That is a kind offer Skielstregar. I already have plenty right here however, and I would not wish for you to forcibly lose any, given how hard you worked to grow them back."

Skielstregar folds his hands together in front of him. He's quiet for a few beats, then, meekly, "... it has crossed this one's mind several times."

The information makes him perk up, him glancing over to the redscale. "You already have..- ah, that... makes sense. You've patched their wounds many times. Makes sense for you to find a few."

The comment from Skielstregar makes Vaera chuckle as she stands up. "There is nothing wrong with having a place for oneself, even among the people. And, that is not what I mean."

She gestures to the silver makari for a moment, before the chuckling resumes. "They look well on you, and that is more than enough for this one. Though perhaps they would not turn down a scale of their own."

Skiel blinks. "... oh." Called himself out there. "Yes, there is nothing wrong with that. Um, a place for oneself. And. Uh-"

He just stops before he digs himself further and shakes his head. "Thank you. But, erm, you said you had a silver one of your own?" he asked, confused.

Vaera continues to chuckle for a moment, until she steps forward to hug the silver makari.

"There is nothing wrong with it at all. And, no, this one does not, but they would not mind one. Perhaps to fashion into something similar to the necklace you made."

"Which, this one would wonder in that case, what do you think would be the most fitting, or look striking on this one?"

Skiel blinks, then chuckles as he returns the embrace with one of his own. He reaches into his shirt, towards the scar on his shoulder is starting to heal over, and a talon slips under a coin sized silver scale.

He pulls back slightly, a warm expression alighting his dead eyes as he looks at the redscale. "... well, it is hard to be more striking than you already are," he compliments with a closed eye smile. "Perhaps a necklace, if you... so desire."

"How is your shoulder healing, Skielstregar?" Vaera asks, noticing the movement and placing a hand over his. "You have been hurt several times of late, and sometimes you need to rest. Even if we did need to put up a new tent."

At the suggestion, the red makari chuffs. "That sounds like an excellent idea. After all, this one holds you close to their heart as it is."

Skiel rumbles softly. "This one is well. They are healed, though rest is... difficult, as of late. Though it is easier beside you."

He blinks, his fingers holding the scale also wrapping around Vaera's hand. "V-Vaermiir..." He glances down in his I'm-totally-blushing-like-mad-right-now way. "... that is.. shaa.... kind of you to say..."

"Well, if there is anything you need to help with sleeping and rest, just let this one. Though, being with this one, that is a mutually beneficial occurence. Unless of course, this one is at fault for the lack of sleep." The red makari half offers, half teases, before she steps away after bumping her snout against him. "It is just, stating what should be know already, Skielstregar. After all, we are together, and you mean quite a lot to this one."

Skielstregar opens his maw, then closes it shut with a light 'clack'. "... this one, um... never minds lacking sleep in that regard..." he murmurs, embarrassed as he thinks back none too long ago. He blinks, then returns the bump with a soft chuckle. "Yes, we are together. You... mean a lot to this one as well..."

"No, this one can certainly say the same." Vaera chuffs, though she looks back to Skielstregar, and grows a bit more concerned. "But, that is not the problem, then. You are having trouble sleeping, as well? You should have said something to this one, as they have heard others capable of magic having issues. They have for me as well, but I did not wish to trouble you about it."

Skielstregar blinks at that, files it away for later, then sighs, looping an arm around Vaera's waist as he starts to head into their tent. ".. this one has? The nightmare that awoke them in the Fernwood. Now it's just... more of a anxious feeling, like the Death eating dragon is prowling. It ails you too..?"

"Ah, right, this one thought it was something different, but if it is related, then that would make sense." Vaera chuffs, using the chance to give Skieltregar another squeeze before they enter the tent. "There was nothing about that, but this one has not been sleeping the best, either. They are not the usual dreams, and I can not be certain of what is shown."

"It is just a bit tiring, but this one will manage, they promise."

Skielstregar hugs her back, lingering before he steps in with her. "This one knows you will manage, as will they. Like they mentioned before: it is not so bad as they are alongside you."

He sighs, a long one that spills frozen air out in front of him as one hand rests on his hip and the other is around Vaera's waist. "So..." he starts, looking around the larger space, the light from outside making small scattering reflections dance across the inside of the tent. "This one thinks just a pile of bedrolls isn't going to be too well in here. Any ideas what to fill the space with?"

"Sure, give this one more reasons to need and want to fall asleep at your side, Skielstregar." The red makari chuckles. "It is, this one will admit it helps them too."

She takes a look around, and their head tilts slowly to one side. "A pile of furs and bedrolls to curl up next to you sounds wonderful, Skielstregar. But you are right, there is too much room for that. It is big enough for furniture, but it should be made to be able to be disassembled and stored, much like the tent. I would not wish to do woodworking in here for the air in the tent, but perhaps there are some things that could be done?"

Skiel rumbles quietly nodding in agreement. "A pile of that sounds good. Any furniture should be simple, in this one's opinion. "Table, perhaps. Maybe a chest. A weapon stand?"

He bumps his snout against hers, then steps forward, frowning slightly a bit. He moves an arm about, and lots of lights scatter inside the tent. "... we are going to need a mesh or something to diffuse the light inside the tent. Else you're going to be blinded on sunrise."

Vaera returns the bump with a quiet chuff, before she looks around, and squints for a moment at the light. "Yes, something to hang up, for the rare occasions this one is not already awake, or does not wish to be awoken by your resplendence." The red makari jokes, before stepping around the tent. "A table would be a good idea, and, this one could have some furniture for Tawyse made, should she ever be around. And a place to store your weapons safely would not be a bad idea, either."

Skielstregar snorts. "Then this one will get a light going within the tent just to wake you with glitz and glitter."

He bobs his head twice. "Yes, a splendid idea. What we have is a bit... large for her. And perhaps any other softskins that come."

Dead silver watches the redscale move about the tent. "... and then once that is done... what should our camp have next?" he asks, taking a bit of will to look away from the rescale and peer out the tent entrance. "They are a bit stumped on what to change. Though with this one's magics, it shouldn't be too difficult to do anything large."

"It would be, certainly something." Vaera chuckles. "You are mesmerizing in the firelight as it is, despite how much you have complimented this one about such things."

"This one would, Tawyse is a good person, and they would like them to feel welcome around here. As well as any of the many friends this one imagines you have and will made."

"What next, then? Perhaps we could see if a well could be found near here. But for the tent and camp itself, that is something to think about. Perhaps some hanging chairs, or a hammock?"

Skiel looks to the ground and rubs his neck. "... watch your words, Firebrand, there is no comfy pile to throw you onto just yet," he mumbles, glancing to her and affording a wink.

"Yes, this one agrees. And... yes this one has... more friends now." A fact that makes a small smile spread on his face. Then, "Ooooh, a hammock for us both sounds splendid! That can be easily done!"

His tail sways at the thought.

"The river is not far from here." Vaera chuckles. "This one just likes to compiment you though, you deserve them, and you are easy to compliment."

"It is no surprise whatsoever that you have more friends now, Skielstregar. It was simply a matter of confidence, and becoming more in control."

Vaera looks to the tail, and she watches it for some time, before her own tail loops over it to sway side by side. "Yes, then that is settled. For what time we spend here, we will make it so that it can be as comfortable as possible."

Skiel clears his throat. "And this one appreciates your kind words."

He rubs his hands together. "Ah... yes. Confidence and control. This one is... glad, they have more friends. It felt somewhat sad to admit they only had two friends at the start, you and their sister. But now that is not much of a worry. Though this one is still... wary around other kin. At least River Stone did not mind this one much."

He grins some, tails twinned now. "Yes, this place should be made for comfort. To rest between whatever outings we decide to go on."

"Yes, and this one has heard mention of you in camp on several occasions, and it was never anything bad." Vaera notes, letting her tail sway skielstregar's around for a moment. "This one is sure most would be happy with your presence."

"It may not be a permanent place, but a home is what you make of it. And this small place, while part of the whole of Mictlan, it is our own."

Skielstregar hums. "This one hopes so. It is hard to not be mentioned. This one is... hard to miss."

He glances ever so slightly down to Vaera, then wraps an arm around her to pull her against his side while they survey the space. "... home is what you make it. And this is ours."

The wind rustles the trees overhead, the small campfire pops and crackles, birds chirp and critters rustle the underbrush in the distance. The man's eyes half lid, and a serene look settles into his frame.

One could feel the latent content coming from him.

Little glittering trails disrupts the scales under his eyes, and he sniffles. "... sorry, this one is just... I am happy."

Vaera looks to Skielstregar some long moment after they are just standing there for some time. The red makari chuffs, and leans over to wipe away the tears underneath his eyes.

"You are happy, then you do not need to be sorry, Skielstregar." Vaera states. "There is nothing wrong with enjoying this, and the place. So please, do not cry."

Hekiel shudders a breath out, him shaking his head. "Happy tears, Vaermiir, happy tears..." he intones as they didn't cease, them falling off his jaw to land on the ground. "... I never thought I'd... I'd find peace like this... that's all..."

GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+1: (14)+1: 15

"Ah, they are happy tears. This one was not sure, what with the apologizing." The red makari chuffs, turning to face Skielstregar. She drops doen slightly, wrapping both arms securely around the other makari, so she could lift him up into a hug. It was not the easiest thing, and she struggled to hold them up for any period of time, but she was determined to hold him as long as she could. "This one, did not have any doubt you could manage it. It was only a matter of when."

Skiel was just about to get himself back together. "It was just sudden is all, there is- ack!"

And the massive, muscular man is lifted into the air. He flails his legs some, tail flopping about. "Well this one is glad that you have such faith in th- oh woah wo- Vaermiirthisoneisnotth-!"

This one is not that balanced, he means to say. Combined with his flailing, it wasn't long before he's tipping forward, and all that weight sends them sprawling out over the floor with a clatter.

He gets to his hands knees, moving off Vaera some to not crush her. Then, he starts laughing. "Are... oh scales, are you alright?"

Vaera was already struggling to lift up the other makari, and the added flailing was enough to tip Vaera over the edge, and send the red makari tumbling to the ground. When Skielstregar was asking out of concern, the hunter was also chuckling madly.

"I am fine, Skielstregar. Though this one was told we did not have any furs set down in the tent."

The silverscale's chuckling turns into a coughing fit, him reaching up to push a red tail out of the way. "Pfft. Seems like /you/ were the one doing the throwing this time around."

He sits upright, smiles warmly, and offer a hand out towards her to help her back up. "Shall we get dinner situated Vaermiir?" he asks.

"This one can not help themselves. When they see you, and wish to show they care, sometimes they can not help but want to lift you up and hold you close." The red makari continues to chuckle loudly. "Ah, yes. This one still needs to finish the stitches they were working on, and we can get dinner ready."

Vaera attempts to pull herself up with the aid, and she wraps one arm around his shoulders. "It is good, to have this space together with you. Now, let us get things cooking, so we can enjoy it more."

With that, she gently pushes Skielstregar out of the tent, to meet the fire that was feeling even more welcoming than before.

-End Scene-