Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
As the year comes to an end, an abnormal cold snap has taken over Tendaji. The mountains of Zena are covered in a blizzard, and even the desert of Oba is feeling a bit of an abnormal chill.
[ What do you get up to during the cold? Do you find a place to warm up, or check up on a friend? ]
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.
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2025 1:31 pm
Even with every fireplace in their modest home flaring with magical life Asa was freezing. His bones ached - more so than usual - and feeling had yet to return to his extremities. The only saving grace was that his fever had finally abated, though it's effects had yet to leave him. Asa was a weakened, emotionally exhausted, useless mess of blankets in the sitting room and he might have remained there if not for the knock.
Asa lazily turned toward it and gingerly lifted himself off the settee. The only two foolish enough to go out in this weather had been his wife - hard working woman that she was - and Arden; the stubborn boy. "Coming, coming," He responded to a second knock and when Asa turned the brass knob his eyes widened.
"Aurick." The solid wall of a man blocked out the winter storm from consuming Asa and he may have been glad for it were it not for the obvious shiver wracking his body. "Come in, come in." He ushered the other man in, pulling the edges of his robe tighter as the wind bit into him.
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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2025 1:36 pm
[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?"
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 10:54 am
“The kitchen is fine.” He pulled the blanket further onto his shoulders and led the way into the home. Once they were in the room, a flick of Asa’s wrist shot a spray of magic toward the cooking coals and brought some warmth to the space. He hadn’t bothered earlier; both because it wasn’t a room he was in nor did he had the energy too. With a guest, though, it just seemed rude. “You have a truly kind heart to come out in this weather for strangers.”
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 10:58 am
[3]
“Except you aren’t strangers,” Aurick sat the basket atop the kitchen table and sighed when he felt the fire blare to life around them. He’d never get used to it, to the flash of magic, but he had to admit it was nice. “And we look after our own, y’know?” Now that he was out of the elements and truly able to look at the other man, Aurick’s brow pinched. “Do you – No, you probably haven’t eaten yet, have you? Mind if I-?” Aurick motioned toward the food with a nod of his head.
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 10:59 am
Asa’s cheeks bloomed. “I couldn’t ask that of you. If anything I should be offering you a meal and a warm drink.” But he couldn’t really do that, could he? Even now Asa found himself moving toward a kitchen chair and the Zenan didn’t so much sit as he did ‘plop’ into it. His bones were screaming at him and spirits all he wanted to do was sleep...”I’m sorry you’ve caught me at an...inopportune time. I’m not much of a host today.”
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 11:02 am
[4]
Aurick closed the space between them to make sure Asa was comfortable and when he adjusted the blanket over the other man’s shoulder he paused for just long enough to look him in the eye. “You don’t have to be and I won’t stay longer than you want. Just...let me make sure we both get a good meal first. I think a little broth might do us both some good in this weather.” He tossed what was meant to be a reassuring smile, but honestly, Asa’s state scared Aurick.
He’d never seen the man look this withdrawn, this weak and as he milled about the kitchen, assessing what all they had in stock, he tried to tamp down on those nerves. “You’re probably used to hearing the wind howl like that, but it shakes my nerves everytime. Sounds like something crawling up from the pit.”
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 11:03 am
Asa let out a breathless chuckle. “You’d be surprised just how similar this is to my homeland.” He could remember it well; the winds that would slam against the windows so hard that even the stone would rattle. Asa would cry and cry, scared out of his mind until his caretaker swept him into her arms. “Sometimes I wonder if this isn’t a sign calling me home.”
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 11:07 am
[5]
He'd been so close to suggesting that maybe Asa could take a nap in the sitting room while he cooked but after hearing that Aurick was afraid to let the other man out of his sight. Calling him home? What kind of morose talk was that?!
"Or maybe it's uhm...I can't remember the goddesses name, the boys told me once, but maybe it's her checking on you? To let you know she still thinks of you and is wishing you well." And maybe he needed to write a very long, very detailed account of this for Asa's wife when she got home since there was no way he was leaving the other man alone now.
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 11:15 am
"Bergchi." Asa supplied easily and settled back into the seat, his blanket snug around him. His particular seat at the table had a little more cushioning than anyone elses - save, of course, for the twins - but even here his hips felt as if they rubbed. He shifted, turning just enough to watch the larger man move around his kitchen.
It was odd, seeing Aurick here. Everyone in his family were either pale or cooler skin tones, but Aurick was all light. It was as if a spark of the sun itself had settled into his home, in the midst of a blizzard no less. "And perhaps. Were you able to find what you were looking for? Arden was supposed to return home this evening with provisions, but the storm must be delaying him."
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 11:20 am
[6]
"You've already got some chicken stock-" He looked over his shoulder for confirmation, and when Asa nodded, Aurick continued, "-prepared so I figured I'd cut up some of the root vegetables, let them simmer and cut some meat. The broth will still hold some of it's properties for you, and the soup will be a little heartier for the rest of the family." He'd only seen the full extent of the family a handful of times, but with that many mouths, with that many larger bodies, Aurick knew they'd need to be fed.
"Should he have been home by now?" He furrowed his brow. It was one thing to be delayed but if he were caught in this....
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 11:25 am
"It's worrisome, but I'll give Arden a little longer before he comes home. It's plausible that he went to escort the twins or even to meet up with Colm." That boy - always so brash, so head strong - but full of a protective core. He wouldn't admit it, but Asa would also bet he went to check on Ygraine as well, even if he wasn't formally speaking with her.
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 11:29 am
[7/ Fin]
Aurick nodded before returning to the soup. As long as everyone made it back safe he wouldn't worry too much; though he would have to worry about the potential conversation he held with Ygraine. What was he supposed to say to her that she didn't already know? Maybe...maybe he should just keep it to himself.
At least he could make sure the man was fed and warm while the world raged outside.
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 11:32 am
Asa closed his eyes, momentarily drifting while the scents of warmth and spices wafted up around him. For the longest time the whip of winds outside his door had brought his mind to horrid places, but this - this hadn't been in any of his memories. The broth, the smiles; none of it was familiar. Nothing that had ever happened in this house reminded him of that manor from long ago and now, even with the world literally freezing around them, all Asa felt was content.
It wasn't a perfect life, but it was one he was grateful to have.
