hammerbearer | IC Inbox

Yes, I've definitely seen that... I've no desire to deal with the wrath of another one of them. I don't know how long it'll take to find a way there... but we must. Somehow, we will find a way out of here.

[For now this is 'home', like it or not. And he does feel he belongs here... but he doesn't want to abandon his own world to whatever fate might be conspiring to do.]

I know, I know. I've been trying to get better at it... at least I'm not trying to take on every problem here on my own.

[He could. He wants to. But even his shoulders will eventually crumble if he puts too heavy a load on them.]

You... didn't end up in the Sleeper Farm at any point, did you?

[ Mm hm. She'll believe it when she doesn't see Nara'a falling back into Corruption within a month or two. However she promises herself to be a little better at keeping an eye on him. His next question is successful in changing the topic though. ]

No.

[ The answer is short. She might have been fortunate and avoided the Zealots so far. But it's not like she hasn't heard the rumors. ]

And please don't go calling it the 'Sleeper Farm'. [ The disgust in Gaia's voice is very clear. ] Like capturing and torturing anyone or anything and whatever else they're doing there is something productive or positive.

[ Farms are things like sowing crops in fields and tending livestock. Yes butchery for food is part of that process but there's still an expectation to quality of life which doesn't include torture. In the background, bowls are being placed on a table with more force than necessary, showing her agitation.

Possibly her fear as well. ]

I hope you're almost here, Nara'a. I've just about finished.

[ Gaia may or may not wish to be in company now. ]

True. That's just what I'd heard the others call it.

[He could have worded that better... oh well.]

I had to rescue a friend from there... it was awful. The poor girl was really badly hurt...

[He's still not sure how she's alive, but that's a question for another day.]

Yes, I'm almost there. Are you... you made enough for yourself as well, right?

Ugh, they need to stop.

[ It's not Nara'a's fault exactly. Sometimes it's easier to go with what everyone else says for context. Which was certainly there. ]

I'm sorry about your friend. [ Gaia doesn't ask if they're okay. No one's okay after an experience like that, even though they can mend. ] Those zealots or whatever. They're frightening. But... yeah. It drives home that not every Sleeper is nice.

[ Something that's good to be reminded about from time to time even if this is a horrible way for it to happen. ]

Don't worry, there's enough for both of us. I'm not going to let you feel guilty about sitting there and eating something in front of me.

[ Sure the exasperation sounds a bit forced as if she's trying to put forth a measure of her usual self. But it isn't entirely faked. ]

It... does. The ones we know are, but... there's the terrifying prospect of power going out of control.

[Something he knows only too well... too many people with power using it and abusing it.]

Good. I know full well you can take care of yourself, it's just... I suppose I worry.

[He's not responsible for Gaia, but he feels like he needs to protect her nonetheless. Not just for her sake but for Ryne's and Thancred's and Urianger's as well. Not that he's going to say that in front of her - he can already imagine the exasperated look and frustrated tone.]

Though you worry about me too, so it's even in the end.

[ Of course the really frightening thing about the Sleeper 'farms' is that the Zealots may have a point in what their aim is. Even if there are thousands of other ways to go about it. Who can say though? And it'd be pointless to ask for details from the Zealots themselves and expect an impartial answer.

But for now perhaps it's best to move on to simpler matters. ]

I promise I have no intention of living almost hand to mouth like I had to last winter.

[ To a point that she has probably been caught checking and rechecking her preparations of food, wood, house comforts a bit excessively, particularly during the harvest season. ]

There's certainly nothing wrong in looking out for one another.

[ There is a hint of smile in Gaia's voice. Protecting each other is fine after all. And it's good to have someone trusted to watch one's back. ]

Good. I have a few things that are tradable, if we have an emergency.

[He sighs and starts tromping up the path to the house. He's almost there, at the very least.]

We should check on our neighbors soon. The non-sleeper ones. Make sure they have enough to last the winter as well. They might need a helping hand, given all that's been going on.

As ever, the house is there. Nara'a first arrived at a time when the house's outside had been fully repaired with its mismatch of older walls and newer restoration. The latter has developed some character in the following months; maybe in another year it'll be hard to tell the difference. The garden has been closed down for the season; the last of the plants harvested and preserved, seeds gathered and nutrients mixed into the soil so it can be ready for spring.

Windows are shuttered; one doesn't want to draw too much attention to occupancy even when there aren't crazy zealots kidnapping Sleepers. But there's still some signs of light and smoke coming from the chimney. And as Nara'a comes up the road the door opens and spills welcoming light into... well, it's possibly getting toward dusk? Let's say it's dusk.

Uri had alerted Gaia of someone's approach. While she had certainly been ready for a threat, the canine's reaction told her it was a friend and since she was expecting the miqo'te, there's no surprise on her features. Arms crossed, a half smile and a very Gaia-like comment.

"It's about time you got here."

She hadn't bothered responding on the omni since he'd been so close. It seemed silly to continue to use the thing when they were about to speak face to face anyway. Better than a hug, right?

"And about what you said regarding the neighbors, I like that idea. I'd already planned to check in considering how much they helped me when I first arrived." Though she does make a hrmph noise. "They're probably doing alright but it doesn't hurt to check."

But discussions about the concern and welfare of other people is just going to have to wait because Gaia is already gesturing the new arrival to hasten inside.

"But that can wait for tomorrow. Let's get you inside and warm. It's freezing out here."

Probably a bit of an exaggeration but not by much.

"I'm home." He smiles a bit and steps inside, closing the door against the weather and hanging up his cloak. It's not much, but at least it's something to protect both against the weather and against damage to his armor when he's in it.

His ears flick a little, amused by her warmth and her welcoming in her own way. He sets his bag down and heads over to the kitchen to see if she needs a hand. "I'm sorry for worrying you." Now, and also always. He knows he's... a lot sometimes.

"I'm glad you're all right, though. It's been a... stressful month." Chizuru... but he can't focus on that right now. Going back there is only going to spike his corruption a great deal, which he can't afford right now. "Though that tends to be true every month, doesn't it?"

He'll find out soon enough that in his absence Gaia has been stockpiling winter weather clothes in sizes ranging from Nara'a to Gaia to D in range. It might be mostly second-hand but there'll be a pile for him to sort through and pick some things out.

D probably doesn't need them. But at least it was mostly for him 'just in case' instead of her forgetting that wasn't her size. Her issue with the memories has gotten a lot better over the last couple of months.

As to be expected in a house that has been newly insulated and had a fire going, the inside is cozy and warm as promised. The smell in the air is of pasta and a (meatless) tomato sauce (still made without garlic but there are plenty of other spices so it's not bland at all and mushrooms which are in abundance about this time of year). Her garden had been great for tomatoes and a lot of preparation and canning had filled the shelves; preparation had probably been as easy as grabbing a jar from the pantry and boiling water for the pasta. There are also a selection of tea leaves- including those from Sanctuary- waiting and a kettle at boil near the kitchen fire.

"Trench never makes it easy," Gaia agrees. She picks up a plate and hands it to Nara'a. He is quite capable of serving himself but the gesture indicates he should get to it. The teenager then looks around herself.

"But... I've certainly managed to improve where I was when I first came."

Uri has followed them into the kitchen. He is a well trained dog and not here to beg for food he's not being given by any means. But his tail is wagging and he's definitely sniffing the miqo'te, pleased to see Gaia's friend back home.

"Yes, you have. I've been glad to help, but it's mostly been you." He smiles a little bit at Gaia and reaches a hand out to Uri. Whether he wants pets or not is up to the dog. "Hey there."

His omen toddles after them, the little lesser panda nosing around the kitchen to examine it and make sure it's in order how he left it. (It is, it's not like either of them to misplace things.) Nara'a walks over and takes some of the food, going to sit down at the table. He's not sure how much he should tell her about what happened... the details aren't really dinner conversation.

"I'll gladly help you with canning and preserving... the last moon of the year is almost here, and there's no indication that it'll be a gentler month than usual. We have no idea what we might encounter..."

Uri is happy to receive pets. His tag wags and his head pushes against the offered hand after a cursory sniff. He'll be happy to be treated like a Good Boy. After Nara'a is done with that, the canine moves off to sniff at the omen before going to curl up on his favorite kitchen spot/blanket/bed by the hearth.

"Which leaves do you want?" Gaia asks as the miqo'te takes a moment to prepare a plate of food. She'll fix the tea and bring him a cup of his preference.

"It's all mostly done. Just the last of the harvest and some winter berries. Or we could enjoy them fresh. I'm certain we've enough to go through until spring barring something truly strange."

Honestly enough and then some. And they'll be able to help others within reason if it comes to that. It's very possible Gaia's over-preparation had some altruistic motivations as well; if she came across someone in a situation she once was in, she could help.

As to talking about what happened, Gaia doesn't appear to be in any rush to push Nara'a to speak about it. She gets her own plate, tea and settles down opposite him.

"I know for certain it will get very cold. So be careful going out." There's a pause. "Oh, I've been collecting winter clothes. It's not new or fancy, but if you need something, don't hesitate to take it. They're in one of the unoccupied rooms."

There's two other small bedrooms besides the ones she and Nara'a occupy. Well and besides the attic of course.

Good boy. He gives the pup some scritches behind the ears and down the neck before letting him go. What leaves... "Something gentle. Nothing too strong. Thank you."

He looks her up and down. He's... really impressed, and he smiles. "You've become quite the survivalist. Not that we have any choice here, but... I know there's a lot of people who would be proud of you." Hells, he's proud of her. Though 'barring something truly strange' is always a good addendum in Trench.

"I'll try. I'll definitely bundle up. I've spent a lot of time in a cold climate, but where I'm originally from... imagine the border of Amh Araeng and Rak'tika. That's the sort of environment I spent twenty years in." It's not an exact match, but it's close enough. "I've no desire to freeze my ears off."

He chuckles lightly, starting in on his food. He uses the time to think and try to come up with what to say. "... I'm just happy that you're safe. That... I didn't change here or in the city."

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