Welcome to Gaia! ::

A particularly harsh winter had settled into Belrea. Reports were coming in of airships that were temporarily docked and life in Zenner seemed to slow down completely. Aurick was used to the bell above the bakery door chiming at least as often as he could blink, but over the past few days a silence had settled over them. Not that he could blame anyone. He'd prepped as much as he could in the bakery itself before retreating to his families home to wait out the worst of it.

Still, for as little as he worried about lost sales - they would make it up with spring flavors, Aurick was sure - he did worry for one family in particular. His son Eyvin had gotten close to his school mate - a scrawny lad named Zev - and while he'd picked up on the boy's illness far too late into their friendship Eyvin had not. He'd been keenly aware from the start and he couldn't help picking up on the boys anxiety with this growing weather.

So, while he'd forbade his son to travel in these harried streets Aurick had done so in his place. He had a care basket under both arms and a scarf tucked as tight around his face as possible. Getting there had been tricky - especially with winds nearly strong enough to knock him down! - but soon enough Aurick was knocking on what he hoped was their home.

[2]

All worries of freezing to death on a near-stranger's doorstep slid away when he saw Asa. Zev's father was so frail that the sight of him nearly stunned Aurick in place; that is, until a blast of hail hit the back of his neck and sent him stumbling inside. The larger man didn't truly relax until the door shut closed behind him.

"Sorry to intrude, Asa." Had he always been this small? In truth he hadn't seen the other man in some time - the boys were far past the age of needing an escort to and from their homes - but he seemed...off. Paler, for sure, and more...gaunt. Was he ill?

Choosing to focus on happier things, he held up the two baskets with a wide grin. For anyone else the sheer weight of one would be enough to topple them; Aurick bore it with glee. "It's a winter storm gift basket, from Eyvin and the family. He wanted to make sure that Zev had his favorite snacks since he wouldn't be able to get out and I tossed in a few things for the rest of ya. Wasn't sure what your favorites were so I've got a variety. Where can I put them?"