Things Off The Chest

Log Info

• Title: Things Off The Chest
• Emitter: Vaera
• Characters: Skielstregar, Vaera
• Place: Mictlan
• Time: November 22nd, 2021
• Summary: After their trip with the caravan recently, Vaera and Skielstregar return to mictlan, after the warrior-caste was badly injured by a giant bat creature. Tending to the wound revealed why Skielstregar always covered his torso, as their entire front was scaleless, with various scars, including one close to where their heart would be. They speak of the reasoning for the covering, with Skielstregar seeming uncomfortable with the weakness it presents. With the wound bound and cleaned, talk instead turns to a revelation from Skielstregar, that he had met his sister in Alexandria, and the reunion was happy for both. Vaera is overjoyed to hear this, and the two talk about what happened and what led to it, as well as what Seyardu was like. Skielstregar seems happy to talk about them, and Vaera is happy to listen. Vaera shows some of the magic she had been re-practicing at an inquiry from Skielstregar, which she uses to hide the deathly scent from his condition before they rest for the evening, discussing what was possible around Mictlan and Alexandria without that concern.

Mictlan, Late afternoon.

In a camp none too far from the gathering rounds of Mictlan in the woods, a tall bronzescale breaches the edge inot the camp itself, him dropping his belongings with a heavy sigh next to his tent. He grunts as he sits down, his face pained as he starts to remove his armor. The ground is cold, and the leaves were turning orange. A massive stack of firewood rests next to the camp, Skielstregar having been making quite a lot for the past couple of months. The front of the armor was rent and torn on his chest, blood having dried and sullied it. It'd need a smith to patch it up for certain. "That... thing did a number..." he mumbles in his native language.

Vaera was not far behind Skielstregar, looking none the worse for wear herself. But she was concerned about the bronzescale, despite her lack of emotion and tone that was usual, and she had asked, perhaps a bit forcefully to carry most of his gear back to camp.

"You are very lucky, Skielstregar." She replies, setting down most of the things and busying herself with starting a fire. "How are you feeling? Any lightheadedness? It is hard to tell if you are colder than usual, but that was a lot of blood loss."

Skiel gives a soft sigh, one that makes a cloud of frozen water spill forth. "Yes, this one is lucky..." he murmurs, popping off a few latches on his breastplate. "This one is somewhat lightheaded. For once, they thank the tainted side of them, it more than likely saved them."

Finally, he gets the plate off of his chest, and it clatters to the ground. The man's usual tabard is torn to shreds, and he looks down to assess the damage. On the lower right side of his chest was a haphazard bandage to staunch the bleeding, but now it was a nasty open wound, black and crimson staining his side from the flow. But what was perhaps the most off putting things of all as not the injury.

The warrior had no scales on his chest. It was all hide. It's clear that he did at one point, but the amount of scars that he seemed to have endure stripped them completely. The most offensive one was a gash that should have severed a heart. "This one will need your aid with this," he mentions, working on shimmying out of his back plate.

"So be it, if it allowed you to survive, then I will thank it for allowing such." The red makari sighs. "We can bring the armor into town for repairs. Or see if someone in Mictlan can do such."

The fire was lit, and Vaera stands, before kneeling down in front of Skielstregar to assess the damage. Her eyes look to his chest, and to the haphazard bandage which she works on removing. "You always cover your chest, no matter what you are doing. Is this why?" She asks.

Having used quite a bit of his Forgotten side, Skielstregar's dreadful scent was... quite light. Actually, it's been rather light as of late overall. Which didn't help mask the beat of anxiety that flared up. "... ah..." he glances off to the side. "... t... this one..." he looks down to the redscaled hands working on removing the bandage. He grimaces in pain as its removed, the massive clotting having kept him from bleeding out. Certainly going to need to be cleaned. "... y.. yes. This one's, um, scales do not grow back." Makes sense, considering all the patches missing on him.

Vaera was moving quickly, and not stop, but she was clearly listening. Bandage removed and set aside, she begins the careful process of washing out the wound. It would likely take a lot of cloth, but she had plenty of supplies on her. Though she does raise one braw at his explanation. "Why?" She asks. "No one is going to judge you for them."

"Why do they not grow back? Um..." Skiel rubs his neck, face twisting in pain some as the wound is cleaned out. "... this one's scales are tarnished and gone. This one heals strange. Some things don't grow back, some things over grow..."

"That is not what I meant." Vaera sighs. She stops her work for a moment, before taking off piece of leather armor and offering it for the bronzescale to bite down upon. "I understand if they do not heal properly, what I am wondering is, why hide it? It is just a scar like any other, this one is covered in them, and does not hide them among the people."

Skielstregar takes the leather and holds it for a moment. He fidgets with it. "... this one, erm, feels vulnerable without something on it. Their chest is weak as a the underbelly of game. It's... been like that for some time." He then bites down on the armor, hoping his wicked teeth wouldn't puncture it.

"That is, fair enough. But I do not thing you need to worry about kin here seeking to take advantage of this. In fact, many would likely be impressed you survive with such injuries, as is often the case." The red makari chuckles. "One with many scars is a dependable and strong sort to continue on in spite of them."

With the wound cleaned out, Several bundles of moss are pulled out, and unwrapped, before being moistened with another bottle of water. "This is specially prepared by druids in mictlan, it will keep the wound healing and prevent most infections. That being said, you will need to rest for some time. No gathering firewood or exerting yourself for some time, Skielstregar."

Skielstregar tenses as the moss is placed onto the gash, him leaving some fine imprints on the armor in his maw. He pulls it free and shakes his head. "It is not the People this one has... reservations about. It is his own mind that feels the need for something covering it." He runs a talon over the old scar that barely missed his heart. "The mind is a strange beast..."

He gives a nod,sighing. "This one understands the importance of rest... thank you for your help, Vaera..."

"Yes, it is, and this one is no shaman or speaker." Vaera sighs. The bandage was wrapped up, and she looks around. It seems your tabard was shredded fairly badly by the attack though. This one could get you a blanket or the like, if you wished. And think nothing of the help, this one would do the same for any other kin in need, it is the way of things."

Skielstregar shrugs. "If you have one on hand, this one wouldn't mind." He's quiet for a moment as he lays down beside the fire. "This one knows you would, and they would do the same for kin."

His mind wanders for a long moment before he gasps and turns towards Vaera, a pain flaring in his side as he does so. "'V-Vaera! This one has good news!" he grins, tail swishing wide behind him.

Vaera nods and gathers up the bloodied bandages and rags, stowing them away for cleaning or disposal later. She looks around beneath her lean to for something, returning with more of a treated fur pelt than a blanket that she sets over Skielstregar. One brow raises, and her own tail thumps once. "You have good news? That is excellent to hear, this one is happy for you." She replies, joining him in sitting near the fire. What is it you are happy about? If it is something you wish to share that is."

Skielstregar rumbles a chuckle, him taking the pelt and pulling it closer. "This one wouldn't bring it up if they didn't want to share!" His smile and joyous aura was infectious. "This one found their sister! Or, rather, she found him. But still! This one is overjoyed! They thank you for your offer still, but it ended up being moot. This one didn't know shaman Seyardu was his sister the whole time!"

Vaera looks over, and chuffs, grinning and giving the bronzescale a brief hug. "That is beyond wonderful to hear, Skielstregar, it does not matter if this one helped or not, if you found them or the other way, it is the end result that is important. And judging by the way you speak, it was a good meeting?"

The red makari chuckles just a bit. "It was not as bad as you were making it out to be? This is good. I do not know this shaman Seyardu, but I will have to meet them some time."

Skielstregar returns the hug with one arm, taking care of the wound in his side. "Yes! The meeting went well! We shared many words! This one was beyond relieved she accepted this one. She is still just as small and clumsy as he remembers."

Skielstregar's tone softens. "Thought, she has grown much. Far more than this one has. This one is fairly certain his sister could best him one in one strike," he finishes.

"This one imagines you shared many words, and yet, not nearly enough. It was not as bad as you imagined, and I expect they were just as happy to see you." Vaera chuckles. "Though you say small and clumsy, are they alright? It seems they are capable by what you say, but the two seem more than a bit conflicting."

Skielstregar rumbles deeply, pulling the pelt over him as he rests on his back to take pressure off his mended side. "Yes. Not nearly enough. There is so much to speak of, and so much time."

He sighs easily, a slight grin on the side of this face. "Clumsy and small, yes. But she wields the power of the Celestial Mother like none other. This one has felt her healing magics. Never has this one felt such raw power before. And this one has seen her in battle. She swung with such strength a raptor was flung against a tree!" It's clear from the thrumming and praise he's extremely proud of his sister. Though, it as a drop of sadness to it as he says, "This one will certainly need to catch up to her. Strange it is how the roles have reversed."

"So do not rush things, take them at a pace that feels right." Vaera chuckles. "You are still young, as is she. You both have time to catch up together, and it would not be good for siblings to be sick of each other quickly. Yet I do not expect that is a concern."

"Ah, so they are strong spiritually, which makes sense if they are a shaman. But, they are as strong as you?"

One brow raises as she looks at Skielstregar. "This one finds that hard to believe. But will take your word for it."

Skiel chuffs, shaking his head. "We are well aware of the time we have. Nothing shall be rushed. This one knows the importance of patience. We may not tire, we've both missed the other for far too long."

The man laughs. "You would be surprised the strength of some folks smaller than this one! It is why, even against the smaller foes, this one does not hold back!"

"And you thought they would not wish to see you. It seems the one the most hardest upon you is yourself. This one is not saying you should be careless, but, opening yourself up to the people and others is not a bad idea." Vaera chuffs, reaching to poke Skielstregar in a shoulder. "You have come a long way in a short time. Do not sell yourself short, but using it to drive yourself to be better is good. That is true however, you must never discount others due to their size. There are ways they can use such to their advantage, not to mention magics that can bolster anyone."

Skielstregar rubs his snout, looking off to the side. "Yes, yes, this one knows..." he mumbles. The man is poked, and he glances over to the redscale. Dead eyes soften. ".. thank you, Vaera. Your words are kind, and needed."

He bobs his head. "Yes yes. This one could only dream of using such grand magics the shamans use to bolster themselves. Sister used such magics, and this one would have mistaken her for a warrior with such power she held."

"And what, are warrior-caste the only ones allowed to be strong?" Vaera asks, one brow raised before she gives an amused chuff and shakes her head. "I am joking, but this one used to be quite strong. It is frustrating to be how they are now, to be honest. But this one digresses, yes. They are glad to hear your sister is doing so well, and is capable."

The bronze scale snorts, shaking his head. Appreciative of the joke. He gives a little sigh and smiles at Vaera. "Like this one has said, they can help you. Neither of us are as we were before. But yes, this one is... so glad to be reunited with her."

He tilts his head to the side. "... this one remembers you mentioning something about Ea aiding you. Yet this one has yet to see any such thing yet...?"

"This one appreciates your help, they would not have been able to keep this camp as it is without your assistance, especially with wood gathering. Their shelter likely would have collapsed during that rainstorm, had they not been able to reinforce it." Vaera notes. "This one wishes they could do more, but they appreciate your help."

Vaera closes her eyes for a moment, and nods. "Yes, this one used to be able to manifest magics, but perhaps their time and anger eroded that bond. But, it is something that this one has been meditating on, and thinking about. Again, thank you, as your help has given this one time to do such. There is one spell they have been meaning to try on you, if you were willing."

"Of course! And this one would be going hungry from not knowing these forests well!" Skiel mentions back, smiling some. Though, his head tilts the other way, visage laxing as Vaera finds herself. He blinks. "Oh, erm, yes, certainly you may try. This one is glad to have helped you for you to be able to do so." He grunts as he sits upright, hands folded in his lap.

Vaera chuffs, and looks into her coat, pulling out a small pouch. "Others here would have made sure you had enough to eat Skielstregar, but this one is happy to have helped. You do eat quite a bit, though any would at your size."

From the pouch she pulls a pinch of something, and they red makari chants something slowly, clearly in draconic, yet also not in any discernable words. this goes on for a few seconds, before the fingers snap, and are pressed into his shoulder again, dust vanishing into the wind.

It was strange, for certain. While the scent of death had lessened in time, suddenly it vanished completely, along with any others from the bronzescale. Vaera leans back, and chuckles. "This one was hoping it would work, it will hide any scents for several hours, Skielstregar."

GAME: Vaera casts Negate Aroma. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13

Skiel raises a brow, watching the redscale go about the incantation. He put himself in her shoes for a moment, idly wandering what it would be like to use such magics rather than one's own strength. Or... whatever was wrong with him.

His focus returns from the hand on him. The makari's deathly, dreadful scent was lesser now than before, perhaps his mood influenced it some. But then the scent began to lessen. And lessen. And...

Blink blink. Sniff sniff. His head quirks to the side, then another way as he lifts his arms up. With a pained grunt, he inspects himself further, snout searching for something, anything but...-Realization hits him. "... V... Vaera..." he rumbles, unable to contain his smile. While the spell did nix the happiness from him, it was felt more than sensed, as he suddenly pulls the hunter into a encompassing hug.

There was no doubt that it worked, and Vaera smiled back as well. While just as tall, it was easy for the much more physically imposing bronzescale to pull her into a hug. Vaera returns it, rumbling something happily back. "It is not a permanent thing, but it will last some time. Speak to this one if you ever need to travel into Mictlan or Alexandria, and this one can provide this magic again for you. They are glad to still be capable of such."

Skielstregar gives her a careful squeeze, conscious of his own strength before he pulls back some. "This is well. Thank you so much... this one could be closer to the people without unsettling them so much. This means much to this one."

"This one hopes so, it will be easier to be relaxed around you." The red makari nods when they pull back, chuckling a bit more. "It is strange, this one is almost used to it at this point. Not that it is a bad thing it isn't there, but this one wonders if being unable to tell your feelings is worth it, here. At least as easily as normal."

Skiel shakes his head. "This one is used to having to be more... expressive? The softskins they were with after piecing their mind back together made many jokes about how this one's face was like stone. This one thinks the lack of scent will be minimal on that front."

He settles back down, resting his back on the ground to take pressure off the wound. "Though, it is good that it is something one can get used to. It sets this one's mind at ease."

He closes his eyes. "... maybe with your help this one could... deliver his gift to the mothers...?" he asks, hopeful. "This one was considering stashing his gift in front of the nesting grounds and absconding. But perhaps you could lend a hand with that..?" He gestures towards his gift. The piles and piles of firewood, ready for whatever use they need be for.

"This one meant for themself, but yes, it will not make much difference in town." Vaera replies, before she looks to the many piles of firewood. A brow raises. "You were gathering this for them? This is most kind of you, it is important to keep the building grounds warm, and they may need more. Of course this one will help you deliver it when you are healed, it would be no problem. Perhaps this one can even do more with some of the wood gathered, this one has a few ideas for that."

Skiel makes an, 'ah' sound. "Well, this one's scent tends to override being able to pick up others'. So not much would change then," he chuckles. The man gives a nod. "Yes! For the past couple of months, this one has been preparing to give them something to help. This one cannot guard for them, nor be in their grounds due to their nature or being shooed out. So this is the next best thing this one can do."

He raiess a brow. "Hmm? Certainly, use it for whatever you need. This one doesn't think we could make much of a dent in it."

"Well, this one can tell, especially when you get particularly happy or embarassed." Vaera chuckles as she turns her attention fully to the wood piles. "It would be a waste to burn some of the hardwood this one sees, and it can be used to make some sturdy furniture that may be of assistance. There is much sitting, there is no way around that. Which is why desks and tables made for that height can elevate tools and whatever else they may need, so they can relax or do work they wish to during that. Such tasks can help take their minds off it as well, and this one could make them from memory. Though they would need to determine the heights necessary for those present."

Skielstregar's brows raise. Then, he smacks his forhead. "Ah! This one should have thought of that! That is a fantastic idea! The wood there is already quartered down, unfortunately, but this one can go get more, sturdy wood to be able to work with!"

He grins. "Once this heals, this one will drag a log over and we can try and get to work on something!"

"Do not worry about it, there is still plenty that can be done with it, parts and limbs and the like." Vaera chuffs, reaching to pat the bronze makari on the shoulder. "This one will show you how to prepare the lumber for working, and with that magic to remove the scent for some time, we could go to speak to those expecting at the nesting grounds, to see what they may require or want. This one knows one there in particular, who they would like to see what may be needed."

"But after you heal. Your own care comes first, before looking out for others. This one will prepare a meal now, and will take no protests to help make it." She states firmly, leaving her seat to check to their food stores.

Skiel nods along. "This one would look forward to some woodworking, and to see how you do it. Remember, this one has some useful traits," he grins, clacking his too-long talons.

He holds a hand up in surrender. "This one has no intention of pushing themselves. And will gladly accept your help. No protests here. Instead, how about this one gushes about their sister to fill the time~?" he enthuses, proud.

"Yes, this one will have much for you to do. You may be able to scrape bark off the wood with your claws, and it will help keep them filed down some." Vaera chuckles while going about her business, using dried meats and foraged vegetables to get a simple stew boiling. She looks back and grins, letting her tail swish a few times. "Please share as much as you can, Skielstregar. This one can tell how much joy it brings you to do so, and it is good to learn more about you and them. This one is a good listener, even." She replies as she settles into preparing for the coming night.

Skielstregar closes his eyes, and rumbles happily. "Wellllll... Seyardu comes up to about here-" he puts a hand to just below his shoulder. "And she's just as kind as this one remembers. Also so concerned about others. And apparently she has been making many friends! Even go so far as to confide in another," he coos. "Did this one mention she apparently knows your softksin friend? Arisa? Regardless, she wears the most gleaming of armor and a weapon that's rightful of the Mother herself. And...-"

And off he goes. Looking like a proud brother despite the fangs. And even though his eyes held no luster of life, they certainly looked incredibly happ as he recounts his time spent with his long lost sister.