Take Back the Crown

It wasn't very often that Nameen had the opportunity to take a hot bath. Without wasting a second she snatched up an clean set of clothes from her minimal supplies, and made way in the direction she saw the rest of the group heading.


The bathhouse was warm and steamy, and Nameen felt instantly relaxed upon stepping into it. In a similar fashion to everyone else, Nameen selected a stall and right away turned the knobs so that clear warm water began to flow. The tub slowly filled behind her as she shut the door, and graciously peeled off her food splattered garments. She unravelled the cloth wrappings around her wrists, and ran her bare hands through her short white hair, feeling bits food and crumbs between her fingers.


Nameen sunk into the comfort of the bath, feeling as if she could fall asleep in the warm water bubbly water. She soaked longer than was probably necessary, before stepping out and drying herself in the fluffy towel that the dwarves had provided. Nameen then dressed in the new clothes she'd selected, loose grey pants made of tough material and a long sleeved shirt of dull blue, and pulled on her boots before stepping out of the stall, dirty garments in hand.


Turning to head back the way she'd come, Nameen scanned the area to find out where to clean her filthy clothes. She passed several of her companions before finding the place, and soon got to work scrubbing out the colourful stains.
 

"Well, some of your company has been dropping off armor and weapons to be mended." The old dwarf pondered at the elf's question, "So perhaps you could help tend to them, sharpen them." He smiled, gesturing to a pile of weapons and armor just waiting to be showered in attention. He hopped off his seat by the forge and reached for a jar on a shelf. He pulled it down and gave it to Oceana, "I'm not sure how humans and elves mend their armor, but we dwarves can communicate with metal in a language not spoken. If there's anything we understand best, it is the rock of the deep earth. We know how to fix dents and cracks in armor, coaxing it to knit back together again, making it as good as new. All we have to do is heat up the wound until it is red and glowing, and then we strike it with a hammer until it is smooth once more." He demonstrated with Yaroslav's gauntlet. The dwarf pointed at a large and deep slit across the the forearm that must have been inflicted by an axe or sword in battle. The dwarf already had his brass-metal hammer stoked in the fire, the butts of the head already having turned a shade of orange, like an ember in a fire. He set the gauntlet upon his workbench, and heaved up the burning hammer, pressing the head against the gash of the gauntlet until its shade matched that of the hammer. When the pressing was done, Olaf raised his hammer high above him and began bringing it down upon the gauntlet, sending a clear ring through the air as he did. With each beat, the metal melded back together until it looked as if it had never seen war. Olaf put his hammer back in the fire and grabbed his tongs, carefully picking the gauntlet up with them. He then dipped them into a bucket full of cool water, a hiss escaped the gauntlet as the hot surface was chilled and the light slowly faded.


Olaf kept the gauntlet in the bucket for a minute before finally pulling it out and resting it on his desk. He beamed proudly, not usually having anyone to show his skills off to. The gauntlet appeared as it did when it was first made, the design not ruined, but the dents and bruises were gone.


"Now this is when we apply the contents of that jar." He pointed to the item that was filled with dark purplish jell he had given Oceana, "This is a special remedy created by the dwarves, very hard to make, but it does wonders for armor! You apply it to the surface of the armor, and the metal will drink it up, fortifying the steel and making it stronger! Go on, just dip your hand in and rub it on the gauntlet. Just watch it soak it up!" He exclaimed excitedly, it really did look as if the metal drank it, like skin soaks up water or lotion.


@OlKaJa77





Hjalmar was so wrapped up in his own thoughts, he hadn't noticed the princess take a seat next to him. He jumped a little when she suddenly, though quietly, asked him a question. "Ah!" He stuttered, "Y-yes... It was fun." He sighed and continued to sharpen his sword, having neglected them for so long, it felt nice to hear the clear ring of the whetstone cross his blade. He would occasionally glance up the princess, and flushed ever so slightly as he received a look from Oceana.


"I would have thought you'd have loads of fun being raised in a castle." He commented, "I mean, endless corridors to explore, secret passageways, garden mazes, a friendly town with friendlier people and little shops full of odds and ends... Did you not have a fun childhood?" He looked at her, truly curious as to why she had never experienced anything more fun than a silly food fight.
​



 

The princess looked into the water in silence, unsure whether or not to explain her troubled past. "I had a lot of things get in the way of fun. My parents were..." She paused for a moment, looking for a word to describe them without using "abusive". "They were harsh..." She muttered. "I wasn't allowed to do a lot of things..." She sighed.





@Lo Alyssa
​
 
Dorian, despite being a neat person, took as little time as possible with his bath. He had long since learned that any time without armor is a time in danger, no matter where. His childhood had hammered that lesson into him time and time again. Which is why he was soon back to sitting in the room to which the rest of the group was coming back to. He was trying to hide in the more shadowed corner, not wishing to draw attention.


Kacel'last was equally quick to come back. She noticed Oceana and Olaf tending to weapons and armor, so she decided to join them. "Magla bi ya vam kakta pamotch?" She asked the dwarf


@OlKaJa77 @Lo Alyssa


(What Kacel'last says: 'could I help you in any way?')
 
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Oceana watched with rapt attention, her keen eyes glued to the gash in the gauntlet, observing as the metal melted back together almost gently; almost how ice melts in the sun.


She didn't even flinch at the clang that rang through her sensitive ears as Olaf slammed the hammer down.


Elven smithing was somewhat different; an elven smith would melt metal it in the forge furnace and fold, and melt and fold. Add another thin layer and melt and fold until the thin metal was thick enough to be worn, the layers at last swirled into a pattern honoring the gods. Elven silver steel took much longer to make and mend, and even find, which is why elven armor was mainly leather.


But something gentle could be found in the brash dwarve's way of forging. The way the metal peacefully melted back together until it was a color that whispered it was ready to be whole again.


And the dwarves listened.


Not unlike how we elves listen to the forest, Oceana mused.


Nodding to Olaf, she scooped a bit of the strange gel out of the jar and smeared it evenly on the piece of armor.


Her eyes widened in fascination as the gel dissipated slowly, leaving the metal gleaming and free of minuscule cracks.


"My gods that's amazing!" She exclaimed, still staring at the gauntlet, cerulean eyes filled with childlike wonder.


Then her expression fell, self doubt rising once again, glancing at the newly arrived Kacel'la nervously.


"I would like to help..." She stammered, a bit unsure "... But perhaps I should practice first"


Twirling her hair in a shy gesture she reluctantly admitted her fear.


"I donnae wish to make a mistake and ruin someone's gear."


@Lo Alyssa
 
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Bo was honestly overjoyed to be able to take a bath, and take his time. He peeled off his food covered clothes, and flicked off as much sludge and goop he could off his arms and face before he slid into the warm bath that had been filling up. He quickly got the actual washing out of the way and spent the rest of his time sitting in the warm, soapy water. He played with the bubbles, scrubbing the soap bar between his hands furiously to try and make as many foamy bubbles as he could. He finally had accumulated enough bubbles to... put on his face. First, on his beard, then his cheeks and nose. When the bubbles slid down to cover his mouth he blew at them with a "ptoo," and watched them launch into the water. Once he'd had his fun with the soap, he took one last duck under the water before drying off and getting dressed. After the long trek in the sun, he noted that his arms (and by assumption, his face) were notably darker than the rest of his self, and he actually found it quite humorous. He roughed up his hair with the towel, trying to make it as dry as possible before he headed out, with his dirty clothes - boots included - in hand.


He followed the sound of people's voices, easily happening upon the stream that others seemed to have washed their clothes in as well. He spotted Hjalmar and Lucasta talking down the way... and some clothes hanging up here and there... and then Nameen. He walked up, plopping down beside her, tucking up his legs beneath him. He singled out the dirty shirt and placed the other dirty clothes beside him, and he dunked it in the water, scrubbing out the food.


"You know what's great about wearing mostly black?" He asked, not waiting for an answer. "I doesn't really stain." He paused, a look of confusion flashing across his face as he reconsidered what he just said. "Er, I mean, even if it does, it's really hard to see, since the fabric's really dark. That is, unless the stain's white or something... but..." He trailed off, realizing he was defeating his own point. "I like the color black." He ended simply, shrugging and sending a half-grin to Nameen.


@Rydellius (I hope she's ready for this dork)
 
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Valeiah had chosen a nice place to sit and just relax for a little bit. Without having to worry about being pummeled by food. But then her lousy brother saw her.


It was time for his revenge.


"Scuse me, guppy." He quickly plucked his sister up from where she had been and got all comfy in her place.


Valeiah was offended. "Yeah, I'm gonna go get that lady you unwelcomingly showed up with and tell her that you want to trip her into a poison ivy plant, you big jerk."


Alo regretted his life decisions.
 
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Lilith exited the sauna and braided her long hair. She Went and washed her nasty clothing, then hung it up to dry and saw Valeiah approaching her. (I assume?) "Hello Valeiah." Lilith greeted.


@Danika
 
(Yeah whoops I forgot to tag you)


"Alo is your buddy right? Already judging your choices there." Valeiah pointed at him in the corner looking terrified. "He said he wishes he could trip you into a giant poison ivy plant. Told me right to my face." She nodded and tsked. "Sad isn't it? He's so rude."


@Queen of Fantasy
 
Lilith raised a brow. "Truely? Well then..." She snickered to herself. She knew the two siblings quarreled and this was most likely a lie to get back at him. She decided to play along. She flicked her wrist, and suddenly small rose bushes surrounded Alo. The rose bushes had multiple thorns on it. "Look behind you, child." She snickered again, trying to hold back laughter.


@Danika
 
Alo screamed and went to stand up but got tripped by a bush. Yes. Punish him.


Valeiah laughed loudly. "That's what you get, Alo!" She yelled at him. "That's awesome!" She then turned to Lilith. "So are you guys like going around and trapping people in rose bushes or something?"


@Queen of Fantasy
 
Nameen scrubbed at her stained shirt vigorously as she tried to figure out how to respond to Bo. So... black is his favourite colour. She supposed that it was an interesting tidbit of information, but she had no idea what to say to it. The soak in the tub had left her clean, but somewhere during that time she'd reverted back to her normal self. On top of that, she was already on edge around him, since their earlier conversation.


She tilted her head. Should I say my favourite colour? Do I even have one? Nameen mentally cursed her terrible ability to smalltalk.


"I like.. blue." She was wearing a blue shirt, that had to count for something.


@soundofmind
 
He smiled, finding more and more that it was clear - small talk wasn't her strong suit. But that was ok. He didn't mind, really. Awkward silences were awkward, but he was more than capable of filling them if need be.


"Blue is a nice color. It's calm. And if you want to get all poetic about it, it's like water. The darkness depending on the depth, the tone and tint depending on how it catches light, and the pulse dependent on the flow of the stream, and the curvature of the land that shapes it, and vice versa..." He grinned contentedly, observing the features of the stream in front of them as he spoke. "I can almost liken the push and pull of water to the way magic pulses through me... I guess it has to do with how magic and I are... connected." He looked down at his shirt, now clean, and set it aside, grabbing the next thing to clean.


"Magic runs through my blood... in the most literal sense. I... have... a dragon's blood. Sometimes..." I wonder if... that makes me less of a human... not that it matters. He looked over at Nameen, realizing that now his heart was racing, and his face felt warm. He derailed himself. "I wanted to say thank you for earlier. I know it didn't seem like it, but... I'm glad you asked why I came. I know that everyone's been asking that of each other, but I guess it finally got me thinking. And I guess that's a good thing. Because we really shouldn't just jump into things right? We should think before we act, before we speak..." But he didn't feel he was doing a very good job of that right now. He spoke quickly, "And I know I have no real reason to be, but I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable or anything. I just wanted to try and talk... like... I don't know - friends do. I try my best to be welcoming and..." he paused, taking in a breath, and letting out a sigh.


"I talk too much. And I worry a lot. But you're cool, and I just... want to make things right. I can tell you're tense... you know, the way your shoulders scrunch up just a little, and you're just a little more stiff than normal? Uh... yeah. Stuff like that. I probably want to help too much, and it'd probably be better if I just shut up right about now, because I don't really know what else to say..." He lifted his knees, then dipped his feet into the water. They were already kind of pruney from the bath, so it didn't really matter at this point if they got more wet. "Yeah."


@Rydellius I'm so sorry omg hahaha
 
Lilith chuckled. Poor Alo. "Actually... Our reason for traveling together is classified as of right now." She said, becoming a little more serious. "I think I should go and see if the poor lad is alright." She snickered, then walked over to help him up.
 
Valeiah was curious now. She would ask Alo about it later.


Alo had face planted and hit his nose, resulting in it bleeding profusely. "What was that for?! Valeiah is always lying one hundred percent of the time. That wasn't any more true." He whined, holding a hand over his nose.


@Queen of Fantasy
 
Lilith laughed and had the bushes wilt and thorns fall off. "I know she was joking. I was just being a jerk like you always are." She said, lending a hand.


@Danika
 

Hjalmar didn't press her for more answers. He understood more than most that sometimes the past was better left concealed.


"I understand." He muttered under his breath, "My childhood was not so luxurious that I had time for fun..." He sniffed and sheathed his sword, grabbing the next one to sharpen. Though, he felt slightly awkward at the silence of their sudden heavy conversation.


@Queen of Fantasy





"Oh, pish posh." Olaf waved his hand, "I highly doubt you would hurt anything, and even so, it wouldn't be something I couldn't fix." He said with a chuckle, then turned to Kacel'la, "Ah, yes. If you know how to mend armor or sharpen blades, then there's much you can help with." He pointed to the pile of armor and weapons waiting to be tended.


Yaroslav had finished his axes, sliding them back into the leather straps of his belt, and stepped away from the sharpening wheel for Kacel'la to use if she should sharpen some of the weapons. He leaned against a post and folded his arms.


@OlKaJa77 @L1d1ja
​
 
Thora had had enough of the warm water and she climbed out of the tub. She only had one dress and so she rinsed it off in the tub as well. She wrung out as much water as she could before sliding on the damp dress. She didn't mind though. She loved the rain and the rain always soaked her to the bone. This wasn't too different.


She exited the bath house and began to track down some dwarfs. It had been a long time since she had gotten to be a real nymph and she wanted to see if she still had it in her. Her plan was to spend the rest of the time here flirting with dwarfs and breaking their hearts. Playing a game of cat and mouse leaving them no possibility to catch her. Like all of her sisters once were, she had been a pro oh so long ago
 
"I'm never a jerk. That's just my personality." Alo took her hand and stood up. "Why are you laughing at me I am clearly wounded. That's a horrible thing to do." He looked around at the other people around them, hoping they didn't see his ultimate flop.


@Queen of Fantasy
 
Oceana scrunched her nose again, this time in annoyance; not with Olaf but herself.


She nodded with effort, as if shaking off the doubt.


"Alright." She said, "Alright I'll help."


Looking up at the dwarven smith, the elf asked,


"What shall I do? Is there another hammer? And gloves?"


She looked at the bench and saw her own armor.


Huh.


"How'd tha-?" She shook her head, inky hair tossing. "Never mind."


Sweeping her hair up, the elf braided the soft strands with quick, nimble fingers and pinned it up with a stray screw.


And went to work.
 
Nameen didn't say anything for a noticeable silence, Bo's words being a lot to take in. Out of everything that he had said however, her mind had picked out the word friends for her thoughts to linger on. Nameen had only ever had few actual friends, all of whom she now pretended never existed, or meant anything to her at all. She'd spent so much time alone for the last several years that having anyone she could trust enough to actually call a friend was almost foreign. But now, she felt the tightness in her chest fading and could feel her shoulders fall. Without even knowing it, the corners of her mouth perked up into a slight smile.


"You don't need to be sorry," being calmer, words were coming a little easier. "I'm just not good with- To be honest, I thought I'd made you uncomfortable." She paused before adding in a significantly lower voice. "And I've been thinking a lot too. About- about why I'm here." Nameen stopped, not entirely sure if it was a good way to end the sentence, but couldn't think of anything else to say.


She stared down at the floor, took a deep breath, and looked at him again. Her expression was softer, friendly almost, in an attempt to ease the tension.


@soundofmind
 
Foxrun glanced at the pool of deepening water, taking notice of his reflection. He stepped in with a muffled laugh at how awful he looked. So much food had caked in his hair, literally caked. He chuckled again, this time at his own thoughts.


He cupped the hot water in his hands, staring into the water until it drained before refilling it and scrubbing his face. He reached over to his things, pulling a vial of some sort of oily substance from within the pile of cloth. He rubbed it over his face, tracing the scarlet lines that marked his features. The pigment swirled as it washed off into the water around him. He wondered if anybody would be surprised to see that they were not permanent after all. It was just something he grew up doing with the other children. The paint like substance was normally used in ceremonies, but once one of them figured out how to make it? They used it for all sorts of fun stuff. And it also wasn't uncommon for such marks to be used in their society for every day purposes. He shrugged it off as he leisurely finished, eventually wandering back to where the others were. Looking around to see who all was already here, and trying to guys what was going on. He noticed where everybody seemed to wash their belongings and headed that way, whistling a high tune to himself as he did so.


@/ whoever because why not!!
 

"Aye, there's a pair of gloves on the shelf over there," Olaf pointed at the shelf he got the jar from, "and a hammer lying against the forge. I've only got four including the one I'm using." He lifted his hammer up to emphasize, "They're a wee bit heavy though, just a fair warning." He added as he returned to his work, picking up Yaroslav's matching gauntlet.


The lad wished he could work with his own armor, but learning the language of metal was difficult to master, especially if one was not a dwarf, though it wasn't for the lack of trying. He sighed, giving a grunt and a wave to Olaf and the two elf maidens, before walking off to find something to do. He then remembered the dwarves had a training area, with dummies and targets. Perhaps he could pass the time with some exercises. He had only been able to unsheathe his axes and put them to use once on their journey, and so far, they had been traveling for two weeks and a half. That was far to long, at least to him.


He walked past the bride that led over the gully in the center of the encampment, and turned a corner to see a circular clearing where the dwarves had their training equipment set up. There were a couple dwarves there, making good use of their hammers. He wondered how long it took to make the dummies they used, as it seemed they went through them like wild fire goes through a forest.


He unsheathed his axes, gripping the handles tightly, and decided to practice his swings and his form.


@OlKaJa77 @L1d1ja
​
 
A small, relaxed smile grew on his face. He was relieved at her response- mostly because what he said wasn't pushed away, or ignored. He let out a short laugh, "It doesn't take a lot to make me uncomfortable, I guess. And... even if I wanted to change that, I think my face would give me away. I'm far too transparent," he smiled wider, a silent laughter showing on his face. "And I'm glad you've been thinking about why you're here too. I figure we can only get so far, skimming on whatever inherent feelings we have to help or do good or whatever. Not that we have to like, rationalize away the emotion behind why we're here? But... it's good to have reasons, and it's good to have... goals, I guess. Not that we really know how far we'll get for sure or anything, though."


He continued washing his clothes, and briefly went to hang them up to dry, seeing as he only had his boots left. He held up his hand, "Ah, just a moment - and I can take these!" He said, taking the bit of clothes she'd just finished cleaning, and returned seconds later (rushing, because he hated to cut off the conversation). He began to scrub at his shoes.


"As I was saying. Yes. It's good to think about your reasons why. Especially - I guess, for someone like you. You're pretty young, from what I see. You've got a lot ahead of you. You're a skilled fighter, and a quick thinker in times of crisis. And you're not bad company, either."

 
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Kacel'la nodded and thanked the dwarf before she went to work sharpening weapons. She hummed under her breath as she did, watching as the edge of the metal in her hands would start to shimmer unnaturally before quickly regaining the edge it had lost, one that would stay there long before other weapons would dull.


@Lo Alyssa @OlKaJa77
 
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