You Decided

Log Info

• Title: You Decided
• Emitter: Skielstregar
• Characters: Skielstregar, Tawyse
• Place: Druid Grove
• Time: February 2nd, 2022
• Summary: After making his choice with a heavy heart, Skielstregar sets out to inform Tawyse of his decision. Words are shared. As are tears. It's tough, but necessary, and both of them know that.

Druid Grove, Midday.

It is a peaceful day within the Grove. Though, there is a slight tension with the Veil falling fairly recently, as most forests are being eyed at in a destructive manner as attention seems to be elsewhere presently.

Though, through it all, there are moments of respite that help curb such quelling anxieties.

Well, save for one man that meanders into the Grove.

A massive, lumbering silver and tarnished bronzescale has his hands folded in front of him, the Warrior lacking any armor or weapons, save for a spear slung over his back by a leather strap. It looked like the silver was winning out, about three fifths of it covering him and overtaking the old. He fidgets with his hands, panning his gaze around as he attempts to find a small, firey haired ball of energy.

A crow alights on Skiel's shoulder, and caws at him several times, before pecking at his shoulder. It flutters and preens a few times, before suddenly changing into that firey haired Gnome.

"Skiel!", she says cheerfully, hugging at him. "The silver is more amazing every time I see you. How're you doing?"

Skielstregar flinches as there's a sudden crow on his shoulder, but by this point, he's come to recognize them. He smiles a bit, about to pat the crow on the head. But then a Tawyse takes its place, and he's holding a small woman in an arm.

He looks to the ground, but lightly smiles while returning the hug. "Ah... thank you, they have been coming in nisssely," he rumbles. "Thisss one is well. And yourssself?"

He's aimlessly walking around now with her held to him.

Tawyse giggles at the silver-scale, and after a few hugs, she wiggles, attempting to free herself and drop to the ground.

"I am well enough. Things have been a little off, of late, as you may know. The forest faces a threat. But other than being a little apprehensive, things are good."

"How is Mictlan faring? I've not visited much recently."

Skiel carefully sets her down as she starts to wiggle, him coming to a stop to speak with her properly. "Thisss one is glad you are well. Yesss, thisss one isss.... well aware of the dangers. Thisss one hass undergone some expeditionsss to help ssstop problemsss from manifesting," he sighs, rubbing his shoulder where there was a fresh, pink scar that cleaves through silver present. Healed properly, thankfully.

"Mictlan is well! The nessst mothersss are being taken care of and the People live well so far."

Talk of Mictlan makes his mind wander, and it ends up someplace. His dead eyes unfocus slightly, and a chilly sigh leaves him.

He gets down on his knees to get closer to Tawyse. "... thisss one wished to speak with you, actually..." he mumbles, fidgeting with his hands.

One of those fidgeting hands is taken by hers, and she gently pulls him towards her little camp, simply a few logs to sit on, a small fire to cook over, and her worldly goods in a neat, organize pile.

"As yours would say, let us share words." Taw gestures to the larger log for him to settle on.

"What is it you wish to speak about?" With a bare foot, she pulls over her backpack and reaches into it, rummaging around.

Skiel draws a breath to steady himself, but soon finds his massive mitt taking by a tiny hand. He stills his fidgeting, and a small smile crests him as he is lead by the hand over towards the camp.

The makari sits upon the sole log that'd actually fit him, him clasping his hands together as he watches her rummage.

There's a bit of silence, his dead gaze sliding over towards the flames of the fire. He stares at it for a long beat before closing his eyes.

The flickering light of the flame is reflected a hundred times on his scales.

"... thissss one wanted to ssspeak about usss..." he carefully broaches. This topic was already an anxious one for him.

She tries to keep her face calm and neutral, but there is obvious excitement and dread hiding in her eyes.

"You've decided, already? Are you confident that you are able to control your affliction?"

Tawyse smiles brightly. "I am glad that you've come along well in working through your affliction. I hope that you are able to best it, as much as such a thing is possible."

Skielstregar opens his eyes to a half lid, watching Tawyse for a moment to gauge her reaction. There was excitement. There was dread. This could go any way, the right way, the wrong way, no way. Was there even a right way for this?

The man wasn't a Speaker, but he's better than most to stumble through something that required a delicate touch. He tries to smile, and gives the faintest nod. "Thisss one isss.... mostly confident that they can. Thisss one has learned how to control sssome of its magicsss better, learned how to manage the urgessss, to reign in their sssavage ssside. It isss sssomething that might not ever go away, but... thisss one can learn to live with it."

He folds his hands together. "There have been sssome... near missesss asss of late. A handful of timesss where thisss one has skirted death onssse more," he elaborates, speaking softly and quietly. "... thisss one is still young, yet they do not wisssh to miss anything."

"I can understand that, not wanting to miss anything.", she nods, listening as he speaks. "So.."

Her expression tenses lightly. "You've decided."

Skiel watches Tawyse. It's always struck him how fascinating softskins could be. How vibrant and wild their hair was. The laugh lines that showed how much they smiled. How expressive they were in comparison to himself. It's why he smiles so much and tries to be exuberant. It's something he's picked up.

And yet, the flickering light of the fire plays across her tense features. "Thisss one hassss," slips out of him.

His gaze lingers on the fire, then to Tawyse, then to the ground. His maw opens to speak, but the words die out. There was so many explanations he had worked through on the trek up here, reasons and feelings and yet. When it came down to it, he found the preparation was all for naught.

Alas, perhaps, a bandage was best to be removed briskly.

He hangs his head.

"I'm sssorry," he quietly murmurs, having just enough courage to utter the words while looking at her.

There's a noise that comes from her, a small noise that speaks volumes of pain. But as he looks down, he feels her hands on her cheeks, and then a soft hug from her.

"Don't be sorry.", the Gnome says softly, whispering. "You can only let one have your heart."

She sniffles a few times, but simply clings for a time.

That noise had the weight of a hammer behind it, and it drove a spike right through where his heart was once ran through.

He's being hugged. And he's returning it right back with nary any hesitation. "... b... but thisss one isss..."

Little speckles of drops stain against Tawyse's shoulder as he hugs her tight. His slow breath ragged.

He did not make this decision lightly.

"You needn't be. You are kind, and you have wanted to spare my feelings. That is a considerate thing to do. I am sorry too, that you had to choose someone."

A sob escapes her, causing her to shake a little, but Tawyse is trying to hold off on a complete meltdown. "Please just hold me a little while?", the Gnome asks, in a small voice.

"... t-thisss one... doesssn't like... h-hurting his friendsss...." his voice warbles, breath hitching as the cry escapes her. While she keeps her composure as best she can, Skiel absolutely does not.

Tiny little rumbles spill from him as he tightens his hold on the gnome. "A-Assss lo-long asss yo-you wa-want...." he manages to eek out.

A little hand reaches up to lightly stroke at his cheek. "It is too much to bear, to hear you upset.", Tawyse says softly. "We'll be okay. I'll still visit Mictlan, and you'll still visit my camp. I'll tease you and you'll tease me. We'll hunt and adventure together. Fight the fights that need us."

The touch is met with a trail of wet tears.

He does a choking half-laugh, half-sob as nods his head. "Ye-yesss, we can do still do th-those thingss. Thisss iss... th-thisss is jussst hard be-because thisss one doess li-like you asss well," he admits, nuzzling his face against her.

"Y.. you do?", she asks, her voice cracking part way. "Like... More than a friend, sort of way?" The Gnome sniffles again, squeezing at Skiel with one hand, the other gently caressing his cheek.

"I am both sad and happy to hear that."

His large head dips once, resting against the hand that cups his face as he's clinging onto her just as she was him. "... yo-you... deserve to know... wh-what you mean to thisss one. A-And... and..."

He's losing words as his heart hurts. "... this sssu-sssucks," he comments quietly.

"It does. It is painful."

Another round of pressure as her one arm squeezes at the silver-scale.

"But we'll get by. And we'll both be stronger. Our relationship, whatever it turns to, will be stronger. But you must follow your heart, yes?"

Skiel finally manages to rein in his sobs as he's all but engulfed the gnome in his embrace. Faintly, he nods. And nods again. "Yesss.... thisss... thisss one will... have to do that. Thisss one isss... isss sorry you cannot follow yoursss..."

He watches the fire for a spell, then closes his eyes. "... thisss one will ssstay here for a while," he murmurs into her hair.

Her giggle is bright and cheerful, and she pats at his cheek once more. "As long as you want." is her reply. "No matter, I say, you shall remain in my heart."

She gets more comfortable, pulling her feet up, and settling more into his embrace. "You do make one feel as though nothing bad can happen. Would you stay the night? I know that the cold is refreshing to you, but I would worry you might get lost with the thick snow out there."

Skielstregar sighs, shuddering out a breath as the tears have stopped, but still stain his scales. "... that isss... kind of you..."

His gaze goes to the ground. "Thisss one jusssst... doesn't want to hurt your with hisses presence overlong, like a sssad reminder. But... thiss one will stay a night."

She's silent for a time, simply taking comfort in his presence, but after a bit, she makes a fist. And slugs him in the chest.

"What's this you were saying about almost dying?", Tawyse says, her expression darkening a little.

"What have you been up to?"

GAME: Tawyse rolls weapon0: (18)+4: 22

Skiel is silent, just watching the flames flicker and snap.

Then, a tiny fist gets him /right/ under the ribcage, and he gets the breath knocked out of him. Literally, a stream of frozen air diffuses through the air.

"Ack!" he yelps, rubbing his chest. Which... was like punching a soft rock. As his scales seemed to have come back under his shirt. "O... ow?"

Looking a bit guilty, he turns his head off to the side. "... thiss one had fought ssssome ghosts that almost threw him off a tall building. And thisss one hass been helping the elvesss with their Veil falling. Fought sssome oruchsss, one got an axe in a lucky sssspot..."

He pulls his shirt down slightly at his shoulder, showing a fresh, pink scar that cleaves from shoulder and peters out downwards, it splitting the bright silver scales there.

The Gnome hisses and waves her hand about. "Ow. Why is it like punching a rock, really! Snakes are scaly but they're all soft." She snorts at Skielstregar, and rubs at the spot she punched. "I had thought you'd not even notice."

Tawyse's expression softens as she sees the fresh wound, standing up on tiptoe to inspect it. "It looks like it is healing nicely, though. You had a priest look at it? Is it causing you any pain?"

Skielstregar chuffs, then grins slightly. "Thissss one'sss ssscalesss are coming back in. Even on thisss one'sss chest where there were none."

Yep. They were back in. Nice and interlaced. Smooth, but tough. He lifts up his tunic slightly to show-

Oh gods, it's like looking at a dozen dozen tiny mirrors at once! Not to mention, well, he is a muscly man. "You jussst got a lucky hit in," he teases.

He drops it, then sighs slightly. "Yesss, thisss one had their sssissster Seyardu heal it. No, it isss fine. It wasss... well, thisss one felled one enlarged oruch. Then the next one got him."

The shiny chest gets a close inspection, though more for the scales than the musculature. Tawyse peers in closer, giggling. "It's like a whole bunch of little mirrors. And I can see myself in each one!" Her little fingers prod and pick at a few of the scales.

"I have to say that this is very intriguing." She doesn't move as the shirt falls. "Oh, that's good, I am glad it's not infected and it should heal with minimal scarring. And the scales will regrow now, even better."

The Gnome lets out a sigh. "So how did Vaera take the news?"

Skiel chuckles in a rumble. "Thisss one is very shiny. When they all come in, thisss one will have to cover more up elssse they will blind people on a ssssunny day."

The shirt drops, which swallows up Tawyse. She can spy a rather gnarly scar right over where his heart would be. He's also /super/ cold.

He blinks, then lets out her out. "Ssssorry."

"Yesss, thiss one is glad their sssister isss such an acccomplished Shaman of the Celestial Mother," he grins, proud of his sister.

The makari stills, and speaks quietly, "... she... took it well. Um..."

"..."

"....."

"... thiss one chose her. She is, um, however, worried for you, due to, well, erm, everything..."

"I think you could use that to your advantage in combat, if they have a hard time looking directly at you, it'll be a distraction." She laughs as she's uncovered, running her hand along his chest before he covers up again.

"I thought you had chosen her.", Tawyse says, "I was just curious if she was surprised. And uhm. She doesn't need to worry, I'll be fine."

Skiel snerks. "Yesss, thiss one will dissstract them with their sparkles."

So many new shiny scales, then they're covered.

He rubs his neck. "... perhapsss mildly. Though thiss one hassss... tried to tell them before, then blundered it, ssso it ruined the surprise."

He squints a bit, then ruffles her fiery orange hair. "... okay. We ssstill worry. We are your friendsss."

She snorts at the ruffling of her hair, a few leaf bits falling out of it as she fusses with it to 'fix' it. The Gnome grins up at Skiel and nods. "As I am your friend."

Laughing, she lets out a sigh. "You are a sight for sore eyes, though. She is lucky."

Skiel nods slowly, giving a weak smile. "Yesss... you are."

The large makari looks down at the ground. "... ah. That isss.... nice of you to sssay. Thisss one is the one feelsss lucky though... ssshe isss... accepting of a lot of thingsss, dessspite her own isssuesss. And thisss one findsss them. Well. Um. Well. Perhaps, erum. Thisss one is going to shut up now."

He's /really/ staring a hole into the ground.

There's a gentle but insistent prodding at his side. "Oh no, you don't leave me hanging like that!", Tawyse says with a laugh.

"That's not fair at all. Pretty? Have you seen her naked already?" She giggles and prods at the silver-scale more, this time on the other side.

"Such an adorable pout..."

His eyes widen, him about to answer before coughing heavily. "W-Wha- n-no! Thiss one hass not- erm ah-"

He buries his face into his hands. "... sssshe is jussst... pretty," he mumbles. "... her sscales... remind thisss one of fire."

Skiel is on maximum pout.

The Gnome gently tugs at his hands. "I am sorry. It is just that you are fun to tease, Skiel. I'll leave it be." She smiles brightly, a mischievous look in her eyes. "I'll go fetch us dinner from the pot and we can settle in for the night, after, yes?"

His hands are pulled away easily, him sighing and shaking his head. "N-No no, you are fine. Thisss one doesss not mind the teasing, really. Thisss one s just... easily flusstered."

He smiles some. The overall news and situation still weighing heavy on his mind, but he wants to help blunt the sorrow as much as he can. "That sssoundsss well."

He reaches out, and pulls her into a hug. "... thank you."

"For ssshowing thisss one's worth."

-End Scene-