Kinly Meetings

Log Info

• Title: Kinly Meetings

• Emitter: Seldan

• Characters: Seldan, Zeke, Skielstregar

• Place: Wilderness

• Summary: Seldan and Skielstregar are introduced to each other by Zeke as they share a meal in the woods.

The day has been a long, but profitable one, in the woods north of Wilderness Pointe. It is still a respectful distance from Mictlan, but that covers several hours worth of ground, and game is plentiful on a summer day. Out of a desire to hunt more silently than usual, Seldan has traded his usual armor for hunting leathers, the peek of fine chain at the collar beneath suggesting some reinforcement. Reunion is in his haversack, and has been all day, mercifully quiet; he instead hunts with a longbow of wood, elkhorn, and steel, a red quiver trimmed in white fur at his hip. Even the sorcerer's robe was rolled and stashed neatly in the haversack, and he cuts a very different figure from his usual self.

Until now, that is. A deer brought down now roasts on a spit, turned slowly by an unseen servant over a fire crafted by a glowing golden bead from his hip pouch. He sets about wrapping some tubers he found in leaves, in preparation to stuffing them into the coals.

He himself is sitting near the fire, a casual pose, in the dirt near where he's cleared a space for the camp.

Zeke sits at this fire, his own armor shirked and placed away for safe-keeping. In fact, he isn't even wearing his usual cleric's robes either, having gotten out one of his very few outfits which are meant for when he is not about his usual duties. He is then, in shades of black and dark blue, his shirt sleeveless for easy accommodation of his left arm, and his pants cut short in accommodation of his legs.

He had been 'assisting' Seldan in the hunt. Though in truth it had been more an effort to make sure he hadn't scared off the prey rather than being truly useful. At least until they'd made camp and he'd fished a few fish from the stream they'd camped near. Those too were by the fire. It wasn't them that had the sith's eyes though. It was the venison.

"Thisss one knowss that taking deer too often isss unwissse, but thisss one isss glad to have them now and again for the eating." He says softly and with real feeling behind it. "It ssssmellsss good." Soon for the eating.

Some are quiet hunters. Some... aren't very much so. A silver scaled makari roams the woods, less hunting, more making a ruckus with the way their plated tail and plate skirt clanks with each step. As well as the argument they are having with another. "Yesss, we musst take the long trailsss," a sibilant, deep voice rolls through the woods. "Sssometimess people get lossst."

A metallic growling bites back. "But can we at least find a clearing while we do this? The sun is high, and that is a perfect time to bask in-"

"You did that thisss morning." There's a chuff at the edge of the camp. "Besidesss, there isss always-" Sniff. Some rustling from a nearby brush pops out a dead eyed, silverscale. He blinks at the sight, then grins merrily. "Peassse on your nesssts! That isss a good catch there- Sshaman Zeke! Brighessst of daysss!"

"For such as us, one shall feed us for some time, properly -" Seldan stops short at the muttering coming from the bushes, and in the blink of an eye is on his feet, reaching to string his bow. "Hsht. Who goes there?" He holds still, only the crackle of the fire and the creak of the spit punctuating his silence.

Zeke is slower to his feet, but no less cautious for it. He has no weapon, but then... He doubts he has need of one. Even were bandits stupid enough to attack, he has no doubt in Seldan's skill, and his ability to provide support. He relaxes a moment later however when Skielstregar reveals himself. "Sssa! Peasssce on your nessst Sskielstregar!" He offers the other male a wag of his tail in greeting as well.

Skielstregar goes stock still as hands go for unstrung weapons and people getting to their feet. "Sssa, peasse, peassse..!" he assuages, him stepping out of the brush and setting a nasty looking halberd down to rest against a tree. "Ssskielstregar, Warrior Casste, asss the Ssshaman ssaysss!"

He looks to Zeke, giving a closed eye smile as his tail sways from side to side. "It isss pleasssure to ssse you. Erm, thisss one issn't interrupting anything, they hope?"

When Zeke immediately greets the newcomer, Seldan stands now, relaxing enough to execute a polite half-bow. "Brightest of days, and peace upon your nest," he responds politely, setting the bow back down. "Be welcome at our fire. It is not in my mind that we have previously met? A second voice did I hear, as well. Show yourself."

Zeke allows him to take a relaxed stance and motions toward Seldan. "Thisss isss thisss onesss kin; Sseldan. He issss a warrior of the Sssky-sssinger. A great ally." He seems to take pleasure in the opportunity to introduce Seldan properly. "Thisss one wasss about to eat, but there isss plenty, and you are welcome to join usss asss Ssseldan sssaysss."

After a moment he adds more. "Ssseldan, thisss isss Ssskielsstregar. Of the warrior cassste asss he sssaysss. He too, isss a great ally."

Skiel returns the bow, his tail doing a wave from the motion as he drops his open hands. He perks and gestures a hand to the cracked halberd he left against a tree. "Oh! Yesss. Thisss is-"

"I am shown," the jagged crack on the axehead bends and clacks like a metallic maw. "Dragonfather's brightest blessings. You should lead with introducing /me/ after you, Warrior!"

The silverscale rubs his face. "... -Malefic. This is Malefic." He spares a moment to ensure the haughty weapon stays put before approaching empty handed. He straightens as he gets closer, a fanged smile crossing his maw at the introduction. "Any kin of Zeke isss an ally to thisss one! Pleasssed to meet you, Warrior Ssseldan. Thank you for the offer!"

Seldan shows not one trace of surprise or concern as the halberd speaks, although he does study it with interest. "His blessings bright on you, Malefic," he returns gravely, "And upon you, Warrior. Zeke, well it is that I left Reunion in the haversack." This is said with a touch of amusement, and he turns his attention back towards the spit and its prize, still being patiently turned by an invisible force. "An ally indeed. How come you to be here?"

Zeke has met Malefic before, though the weapon was not speaking back then. He rumbles in amusement at its voice. "Indeed Ssseldan. They might argue, and then where would we be?" He could well imagine the two weapons having words for one another, though that might be interesting. "Thisss one remembersss Malefic, and itsss enjoyment of the high-plascess."

Malefic simply grins wider at the returned greeting as Skielstregar opts to plop down beside the fire, watching it and the spit with interest. His tail flicks in appreciation. "Oh! Thisss one hass business in Am'sshere, but visssitsss Cihuaa in Mictlan when time permitsss. They take long trailsss to make sssure travelerss aren't lossst."

He quirks his head curiously at the speak of an argument breaking about between someone named Reunion and Malefic. But Malefic is the first to open their maw. "Yes! Sunguard Zeke. I recall you, appreciate greatly what you've done for Skielstregar." It grins even wider, almost to the point the metal would break off. "What is there not like the high points? The wind on your fastenings. The warm Father on your metal."

Seldan sits back down by the fire, quieting as the pair begin to discuss the blessings of the Dragonfather in detail. He says nothing, only returns to wrapping his vegetables in leaves and tucking them in the fire in a suddenly reserved silence that bears the look, briefly, or an alabaster pillar. Once done, he returns to his spot, staring into the fire.

Zeke takes his own seat and thrums at Malefic's words. "Your weapon isss wissse." He remarks to Skielstregar. Thisss one did not know that you had taken cihuaa. That isss good. You dessserve happinesss warrior-cassste." He bows his head to the other male.

Malefic clacks its metallic jaw. Clang clang. "Thank you!" Seems like praise is one way to stroke Malefic's ego.

Skielstregar hums warmly, nodding once. "Sssa. Hunter Vaera. Redscale with metal leg. Thisss one isss very happy that ssshe bringsss sssuch warmth to thisss one."

The large makari shifts his attention to Seldan. The pillar-like look is either noted, or completely stumbled past. Probably the latter, based on his track record thus far. "Thiss one wasssn't aware of other kin!" he smiles goofily, tail brushing the dirt behind him. "Warrior Ssseldan, how did you two meet?"

Surprised, Seldan looks up from his contemplation of the fire, and pale blue eyes regard Skielstregar. Instead of anger, or confusion, though, a self-deprecating, short laugh escapes his lips, along with a small smile. "That - is quite the tale. We were - together on a Guild job, both much younger than we were now. We had been sent to separate a coven of night hags. A dangerous task, but one that wanted finesse, not force."

He turns more fully towards the pair, shifting his seated position. "I became bait to lure one away, but in so doing, was bitten, and became - quite ill. Zeke and one other aided me, and their aid have I not forgotten."

Zeke nods to Skielstregar. He remembers having met this red-scale, though it was some time past. All that matters is that they make the other sith happy. The blue-scale seems satisfied to let Seldan tell the story, at least initially and then he shakes his head. "What he failsss to mention isss that hisss part required great bravery. The hagsss are no sssmall enemy and he took their attention where none other could have. He wasss gravely injured, and thisss one isss grateful to have been able to help. Thisss one could not have guesssed then that thisss one would one day have sssoft-ssskin kin. It isss a happy thing that he isss."

Skielstregar shifts some so that he can rest with his hands on his knees, him leaning back on his tail as he listens with quite some interest. A rumble in his chest- a hearty chuckle- echoes before he comments, "That isss quite a way to meet! Thisss one has not had to deal with sssuch beingsss, but have heard talesss. Facing a coven iss very brave indeed!"

He enthusiastically nods. "Asss is tending to grave conditionsss, sssa, brave asss well- and to not be discounted! It isss well and fortunate that sssuch trialsss forge sssuch great bondsss. And thisss one isss happy you two are kin!"

He ponders briefly. "And now you hunt the mosssst dire beasssts of all- deer..!" he jokes.

Again, Seldan's chuckle is quiet and self-deprecating. "Zeke has meant a great deal to me," he replies simply, placing one foot on the ground and resting his arm on his upturned knee. "He is deserving of my help and my brotherhood, far more than he himself guesses. His steadfast friendship, when few others would stand by me, has been a gift."

"As to the deer, it makes a pleasant change from demons."

Zeke looks grateful for Seldan's words, but perhaps a touch embarrassed by them particularly in concordance with Skeilstregar's complement. "Thisss one merely healsss." His deference in this situation is gently given and he nods in quick agreement to Seldan's words. "Thingsss... have been hectic in Alexandria, sssince this one came here."

Skielstregar chuffs, a gout of frozen air rolling towards the campfire briefly before being evaporated. "Sssa. Ssshaman Zeke isss very kind to offer much help. And hass helped thisss one too. Merely healsss? Bah, then thisss one merely chopsss!" he laughs heartily, putting a fist to the ground.

Which shifts easily to a shudder. "Bleh," he sticks his blackened tongue out to the side. "Much better than demonsss, for certain. Thisss one would rather deal with dire dearsss than whatever mind messs demonsss do. But- Thisss one isss no Lore-Keeper, Zeke, thisss one thinksss thingsss have always been hectic here. Or, maybe, The People'sss way of life isss too slow?" he ponders aloud.

"Nay, Zeke, you do far more." Seldan turns again to watch the spit slowly turn. It's really starting to smell quite good. "Alexandria is -" He pauses, and inclines his head, turning back to the fire. "I pray that you face no worse than a dire bear."

Zeke watches Seldan's downturned face and reaches out to gently touch his kin on the shoulder. "Perhapsss we are too ssslow-moving." He says to Skielstregar. "But... Sssome-timesss it iss needed. The long-thinking. The ssslow-thinking." He meets the silver-scale's eyes. "You are not lore-keeper, but you are wissse in your way."

"Thisss one already dealt with worsse than dire bear," Skielstregar grumbles, rubbing at his face. "They wisssh to be better equipped next time, isss all."

Malefic clacks. "Don't worry, I'll give you a GOOD chomp to rally you next time!" they reassure.

He chuckles and shakes his head. "Thank you." He turns to Zeke, the scales on his face frosting over somewhat as he rubs his neck. "Ah. You are too kind, Ssshaman. Thisss one agreesss. Long think iss good. Thisss one is very good at the sssslow-thinking," he smiles, thumping his tail.

Speaking of things slowly spinning, his dead eyes leave Zeke and drift to the hunted game. "... thisss one hasss contribution to meal. Dessert!" He brings forward a bag on his hip and tail, rifling around in a side pocket that is larger on the inside before he pulls out a fistful of- "Candied bacon!"

"Candied bacon? I -" Seldan blinks in surprise, the fire crackling as the meal nears completion. "I cannot say that I have had that since I was a lad. But come, for I think the venison near-done. I pray that I have trimmed it properly."

In the end, it is a fine meal for all, and enough to dry for jerky besides. Candied bacon finishes off the meal, along with fine conversation that lasts all afternoon and into the night.

-End Scene-