Stopping By

Mictlan, early afternoon.

The foliage around Vaera and Skielstregar's camp rustles with activity, even though the the red makari was usually relatively quiet. The hunter had been successful early, as the broke into the clearing with what appeared to be the back half of a deer carried on the back of a large swiftclaw. The like spattering of blood around the beast's maw gave enough clues to determine where the other half had gone while she busies herself hanging it up from a nearby tree.

With the meat set aside for now, Vaera took a wander around the camp, dropping off her coat at the tent, and exiting with one metal leg tucked under an arm, as she hopped over to a large basking spot in the camp, where Malefic was also knownt to frequent, where she flopped unceremoniously onto her back with a happy sounding growl.

Skielstregar as of late has been to Am'shere to help Kin with some ancestral issues, as well as some other problems pertaining to Charn. He's busy, but he always went out of his way to return back to camp weekly for a day where he can. And where he couldn't, he'd get a message out to let Vaera know his ongoings.

That basking spot was empty upon the redscale's arrival. Not unusual at this rate. But, a black miasmic puddle slides into the camp briskly, making a beeline for the basking area before it splashes to a stop, the black ink reconstituting into a fearsome looking halberd with a jagged crack down the axehead.

"He comes," it metallically growls before going silent, opting to turn to face the sun fully.

The silverscale is felt before seen, his thudding steps lumbering past the walls. Once a foot passes the threshold, a heavy sigh escapes Skiel, him lulling his head back in relief as he dumps all of his belongings to the ground. He turns to spy Vaera, perks, and ambles over to the one-legged makari.

It's a gradual change on him. From the Cryohydra pauldron, to growing magics, Malefic speaking and doing its own thing. But this time, he looks a touch pouty. Though its wiped away as he all but flops over on the ground beside the redscale. His tail thuds against the dirt a moment later. "Peace on your nest, Vaermiir...!" he rumbles.

Vaera cracks open one eye at the noise, and the red makari glances at the halberd manifesting next to them. "Wasting no time, are you? Appreciate the heads up, though. " They respond. The hunter's tail meanwhile betrays their thoughts, as it waves back and forth against the rock. She takes the leg off the rock next to her, making sure there was enough space. Vaera sat up and waved to the silverscale, before collapsing back onto the rock. "Peace on our nest, Skiel." The hunter growls happily back, resting her head against Skielstregar's. "I wasn't expecting you back today, but it's always the greatest pleasure in the day to see you back."

Malefic offers no reply, but the jagged grin grows wider at the quip.

Skielstregar grins, his tail too matching Vaera's as it hits the ground repeatedly. "Sssaa, it is always good to see you too," he hums, his cool head pusing against Vaera's. "This one had business with Alexandria, brought them through here again," he informs. "It was... *sigh*, successful, but frustrating. They are just thankful it went well for the most part."

He looks over to where the swiftclaw was. "Wyrmere looks well. This one hopes they haven't been too much of a rascal?"

"Ah, this one sees." The red makari chuffs, wrapping an arm around Skielstregar. "Regardless, it is good you had time to return home."

One brow raises just slightly, and Vaera pulls the silverscale a bit tighter as she keeps her gaze on him. "There was trouble, and it is bothering you. It looked like it was bothering you even coming here." They note bluntly. "Come, get it off your chest. This one will listen, so you might begin healing."

She does spare a glance over to where Wyrmere was already curled up and resting after the hunt and what was presumably a very large meal. Vaera chuckles and nods. "They are quite well, but they are themself. Thankfully they have not come into any trouble in Mictlan of late, but that sometimes requires them expending their energies for such mischief around this camp, instead."

Skiel, despite his size, curls into the arm and sighs in relief. "It is merely frustrating when this one is to be a Warrior, one of the Dragonfather, when faced of beings of the Hells, locks up in fear and is drained on a whim to the point when they finally get their wits about them, they can't even lift their weapon..."

He chuffs heavily, shaking his head. "At least those this one was with had the power to overcome this one's folly. And this one, at the very least, held a line." His gaze drifts to Vaera, and he bumps his head against hers. "Thank you, Vaermiir. This one appreciates it. This one just feels mildly worried with their recent mishaps with transforming at a different nest during a sparring match and being unable to do anything recently, they feel as if they need to tackle their corruption from a different angle."

But at that, he just laughs. "Better mischief here than in Mictlan. This one is glad they have kept you company."

Vaera's gaze narrows for a brief moment, only for the hunter to chuff softly and hug Skielstregar closer still. "This one had half a mind to smack you on the snout Skielstregar, but also, this one knows that it is not what is needed at the moment." Vaera rumbles equally softly. "You expect too much of yourself, Cihuaa. Beings of the Hells are not to be taken lightly, like any hunt. You rely on others when you need to because of such possibilities, and this one is glad you had reliable allies. Nor does it diminish the many impressive feats you have had in the past to falter at times."

The red makari takes a moment to breathe, before continuing. "You were transforming at a different nest?" They ask. "Tell this one what you can and feel comfortable with, what your ideas are. This one will do what they can to support you as always."

"Please don't," Skiel grumbles witha chuckle, holding a hand over his snout for a moment before returning the embrace. He listens closely before his frame slackens. "... of course, you are wise, Cihuaa," he murmurs back, giving the redscale a careful squeeze. "Thank you for your perspective, it makes this one feel better."

Here, he gives one last nudge before releasing Vaera and propping his head up on an arm, laying on his side. "Deathsinger Harkashan has been having issues with his Awakening," he informs. "This one and him have fought together often as of late, and this one is going to aid him to help find answers. To do that, we went to his nest-family." He draws idle circles in the dirt with a talon. "There was a warrior there that wanted to spar- his nest is mostly Warriors. They obliged. But this one forgot Kin go a bit... harder in their sparring. They were formidable, but struck their chest a couple of times, as well as landed some heavy blows. A lot of blood was everywhere. This one's other side was screaming to be let out," he mumbles. "Ended up transforming, but called for a draw, as this one refused to fight further."

He looks to Vaera. "This one does not know what ideas to do so. Starving it has been working, letting it out in solitude has been working, but there are still moments where enough stress just-" He flicks a hand, and a smattering of familiar, nasty inky flicks from his fingers off to the side. "Happens."

"It is only that, a perspective, and one not your own. I do not offer it to diminish your own feelings, only to let you know that no one is perfect, and we must rely on our allies at times."

The red makari rolls onto her side to keep facing Skielstregar, the hunter watching and listening closely while her tail sways a bit more subdued behind her. "Yes, this one remembers from your letters." The red makari nods, hanging her head for a moment. "This one must apologize for not being present. The thought of returning to Am'shere still frightens this one in many ways, but, this one also knows they can not always be there to support you."

Vaera chuffs and shakes her head as she focuses back on Skielstregar, following the ink for a moment. "Perhaps something less physical is something to try perhaps." The red makari considers. "This one is sorry they can not offer anything more concrete in spite of desires to help. It is not as if one can eliminate stress in their lives completely."

Skielstregar shakes his head, leaning forward to touch his nose against Vaera's. "You needn't apologize. Everyone must take their fears at their own pace," he rumbles warmly. "You are always there, even when you aren't." He taps his chest over his heart, then cheekily on the red scale on his necklace. "No one is perfect. This one is a testament to that," he chuckles, his spirits lifted.

His brows quirk at that. "Less physical? Have you any ideas? To be honest, this one... hah, may be shiny, but they admit they aren't too bright when it comes to more mental tasks," he snickers.

He looks up to the sky. "You help eliminate stress in many ways," he says off handedly.

The red makari rumbles happily as she bumps against Skielstregar's snout, before glancing down to the the silvercale's gesture. "Thank you for your understanding Skielstregar, flatterer." Vaera chuckles as she leans back. "You stated two ways of dealing with it, both of which are mostly physical in nature. Perhaps something more mindful?" She suggests. "Meditation, different ways of thinking, ways to avoid being in a place where such thoughts can become overwhelming."

"I am glad that I am able to help with stress, prehaps that is a good place to start." Vaera rumbles. "What ways can this one eliminate stress for you?"

Skielstregar smiles at that compliment, him sitting up with his hands splayed behind him. "Of course," he hums before growing contemplative. "... perhaps. Could maybe just repeat some sort of mantra when it gets to be too much?"

"I have several hundred mantras I can share," Malefic says with a grin, still pointed towards the sun. "So many of His radiance. His brilliance. Compassion and Light."

He gives the weapon a look. "... per... haps. Maybe in a less... zealous manner."

"I am not zealous!"

Skiel stares.

"... I will concede that," Malefic grumbles, turning slightly to resume their basking.

The silverscale shakes his head, looking back to his partner. "Oh, you do lots for this one. Listen to this one vent, help with getting food for this one, accepting them for who they are, uh... other things," he rolls a hand, looking aside. The makari shakes his head. "What have you been up to as of late?"

"If you feel it may help you, then it is worth trying. Giving yourself something to focus on when you need it." The red makari considers, before turning back and glancing at the weapon nearby. "You are a bit zealous, and Skielstregar may need something that works for them." Vaera chuckles. "Your desire to help is appreciated."

The hunter pauses, and smiles to Skielstregar. "Ah, this one is always happy to help, Skielstregar." They rumble happily. "This one also hopes you will be here for dinner. As for this one? They are keeping busy around Mictlan. And discussing things with your sister, as well." She adds. "It seems she has plans for Mictlan, and is in need of carpenters and stonemasons for them."

"It is something worth trying," Skiel shrugs, leaning forward to sit cross legged. "This one will have to ponder what that is to be."

Malefic says nothing save for a metallic sounding rumbling of contentment.

The Warrior returns the smile with one of his own. "Of course this one will be here for dinner. They plan on staying here for a couple of days to recenter themselves and to catch up with you," he rumbles. But he blinks, his brows raising. "You've been speaking with Seyardu? She's... doing what? Oh! If well, uh, if she needs help with needing lumber, this one gave away most of their stockpile during the Wight invasion for defense, but they can always get more!" His tail sways. "This one is glad that you two are getting along."

"It is worth trying to help you, this one wants nothing but the best for you, and if there are less worries for you with your hunger, it is worth it." Vaera nods, rather unceremoniously dumping her head into the silverscale's lap. The red makari sticks their tongue out for a moment. "I am glad you will be here for some time." The hunter rumbles contentedly. "I am not quite certain yet, but some manner of structure for Mictlan, something permanent to aid the people who have made the area their home." She answers. "I am sure your aid would not go amiss, of course. This one is happy to get to know your sister, they are easy to get along with. Though, there is worry she is working too hard."

Skielstregar softly laughs, him resting a hand on Vaera's head and stroking it in a loving manner. "And this one appreciates everything you do, and this one feels exactly the same for you," he hums, sticking his own blackened tongue out at her.

He tilts his head to the side. "Ah, yes, that sounds like something she would do. But... yes, she works far too hard." He looks down at Vaera. "The best way to make her do less work is to, and it sounds rude to do, is to take over what she is doing. Words will not work with her, she is as is stubborn as a Warrior when it comes to her tasks," he informs, grinning cheekily in a way that only a sibling could.

A thoughtful hum escapes him, and he ponders. Before reaching around and scooping Vaera up easily into his arms as he rises to his feet. "Now, this one thinks we need to wash off before eating, no?" he suggests with a grin.

Vaera rumbles happily, closing her eyes with a quiet chuff. "Noted for the future. Luckily, this one does not believe she is a lumberjack or carpenter, so what this one can do is for their work alone, and they will limit what supervision is necessary. Still, she might surprise this one with what she is capable of doing, but this one will do what they can to avoid that."

Vaera is unceremoniously scooped up with a surprised sounding growl. "This one supposes that is a good idea." Vaera chuckles, looping one arm around Skielstregar's neck. "Lead the way then, Skielstregar."

Skielstregar chuckles. "Seyardu downplays it, but she is gifted and favored heavily by the Celestial Mother. The miracles she can call upon are not to be trifled with. But she opts to help everywhere she can, which she over does," he informs. "But! This one is very glad you can help her. This one's sister means a lot to them."

He barks a laugh at that, a deep rumble purring in his chest. "As you wish, love," he smiles, trotting off in the direction of the nearest stream.

As they draw away, Malefic idly sighs. "... at least I got left in the sun." They bask.