Turning of the Stew – Marto Copperkettle – 5.04.2022
Apr 11, 2022 16:03:45 GMT
Velania Kalugina, Andy D, and 2 more like this
Post by Marto Copperkettle on Apr 11, 2022 16:03:45 GMT
“It’s a feature, not a flaw,” Marto said for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
It was a silly thing, letting the teasing and the confused stares get to him. Normally such things wouldn’t. Normally, he would be the one ribbing back, and definitely making fun of himself. But that was before Adhyël, before becoming lost, before the memory of a stolen kiss made it hard to breathe. That was the thing. As hard as he tried – and Marto tried very hard – the dream would dance across his mind when he least expected it, but especially if he didn’t keep himself busy. Reminding him of what he did. What he chose. What he gave up.
Who he betrayed.
Marto was glad Fog was there. The giant furbolg was serene in a way that helped still his turbulent thoughts. Fog also seemed to be the only one who truly liked Marto’s new armour. He had begun to wonder if it was a mistake accepting the well intended gift from Taz. The young knight had been saving up to buy his own full plate armour, seeing how expensive such a set would be from when he’d gotten his splint from Samed’s Smithy. So when Merla’s friend gifted the magical armour to him, Marto didn’t know what to say, except thank you.
Then there was Rahmina’s wife, Maddie, who was way too intuitive and caught on real quick that something was plaguing the young knight’s thoughts. There was no way Marto was going to open up about everything to a complete stranger, and Maddie’s mothering only served to deepen Marto’s own guilt at what he had foolishly given that devil.
“Ulvon. Gelni. Yoara. Berton. Eina.”
There was not enough turnip stew in the whole of the Turning Fields that could drown his feelings but by Yondalla’s lustrous hair, Marto sure tried to eat his feelings into submission. He’d never eaten so much before in his life.
Then there was the confrontation in the caves against the water hag. They had come to the Turning Fields for a reason and it was to get rid of her. It really surprised him when his axe’s attacks did more than just pitiful half damage. Of course, standing shoulder to hip with Kavel also invigorated Marto. That he could stand beside someone whose strength was beyond the muscles he clearly had. Kavel has a strength of heart, of character that Marto had seen from the beginning, but it also had a focus, a precision. When he offered training in Kavel’s Strength Corner at the Fort, Marto wanted to take him up on it right away. But a very faint prickling in his right palm reminded him of a task he had to complete first.
“Once I’m done wood carving training with Jacques I’ll be there, Kavel, as often as I can be. I feel there’s a lot I could learn from you.”
Seeing the opportunity, when everything had been divided up equally, Marto went over to the light-bearing cleric and offered the majority of his share to Nessa. He remembered from the first time meeting her she was trying to save up for a particular item and since he no longer needed to save up for his own armour, Marto thought he could share the wealth around a little.
“May Selûne bless you and keep you. May Selûne make her face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May Selûne lift up her countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
Marto had smiled a little awkwardly, muttering something about doing what he could to provide for those who can protect people, before quickly retreating away from such platitudes. They didn’t feel right, not for him.
Velania was the one who ended up keeping him company most of the way back to Daring Heights. She had broken her ankle in the fight against the hag trying to revive Fog and though between herself, Nessa and Fog there was plenty of healing to go around, she still had to be careful how she walked. To help her, Marto offered to help support her as they walked back, during which they began to talk.
“Whatever I can help you with, please let me know,” she said with such fierce sincerity it took the halfling by surprise.
There were quite a number of steps before Marto responded. “Thank you, Velania. I’ve got a lot to think about. A lot of feelings I need to sort through too. But-… If there comes a time I need to speak to someone, I will keep your offer in mind.”
“The journey of a lifetime is in coming to understand what is within yourself,” Velania intoned philosophically. “It should never be forced or hurried, but accepted with an open heart. I am certain it will come to you, and when it does, you will always have people who care for you ready to listen.”
Marto had his doubts about that but he kept those thoughts to himself. Velania suddenly winces and he slows down, asking if she is alright.
“Hm. This long walk back probably isn’t going to do me any favours. Healing magic is a blessing, but I rather think I’ll have to rest it properly for a couple of days to be sure. I think I wounded my pride more than anything.”
“Then let me support you as much as I can until you can rest properly at the temple,” Marto said, getting a firmer grip on her waist to help support her better.
She gratefully leaned on his shoulder. They all continued on for some time in that way before Velania looked over to the others. “Perhaps it should be Fog giving me a hand,” she said with a mischievous grin.
He grinned back, no strain or effort showing on his face. “Going from really short to really tall? I see how it is…”
Velania blushes. “Haha-! I only meant to tease Fog about paying me back for my healing services… Did you know there are some miserly priests who charge for that kind of thing? Outrageous!”
“There’s all types in all walks of life, so that doesn’t really surprise me…” Marto said. He adds, “The value of life though is not something one can put a monetary price on.”
“Indeed. And I wonder if these… fiends seek pleasure in dividing us through fear, or hate, or greed. But you are right, you cannot put too high a price on preserving life.” She looks ahead down the road, her eyes seeing beyond the approaching city on the hill that was Daring Heights.
“…or love,” she finishes, flushing in earnest at her own thoughts whilst Marto feels the echoes of dark sensuous laughter reverberate in the hollow well of his chest.
Thank you Velania Kalugina for the wonderful post-session bits!
It was a silly thing, letting the teasing and the confused stares get to him. Normally such things wouldn’t. Normally, he would be the one ribbing back, and definitely making fun of himself. But that was before Adhyël, before becoming lost, before the memory of a stolen kiss made it hard to breathe. That was the thing. As hard as he tried – and Marto tried very hard – the dream would dance across his mind when he least expected it, but especially if he didn’t keep himself busy. Reminding him of what he did. What he chose. What he gave up.
Who he betrayed.
Marto was glad Fog was there. The giant furbolg was serene in a way that helped still his turbulent thoughts. Fog also seemed to be the only one who truly liked Marto’s new armour. He had begun to wonder if it was a mistake accepting the well intended gift from Taz. The young knight had been saving up to buy his own full plate armour, seeing how expensive such a set would be from when he’d gotten his splint from Samed’s Smithy. So when Merla’s friend gifted the magical armour to him, Marto didn’t know what to say, except thank you.
Then there was Rahmina’s wife, Maddie, who was way too intuitive and caught on real quick that something was plaguing the young knight’s thoughts. There was no way Marto was going to open up about everything to a complete stranger, and Maddie’s mothering only served to deepen Marto’s own guilt at what he had foolishly given that devil.
“Ulvon. Gelni. Yoara. Berton. Eina.”
There was not enough turnip stew in the whole of the Turning Fields that could drown his feelings but by Yondalla’s lustrous hair, Marto sure tried to eat his feelings into submission. He’d never eaten so much before in his life.
Then there was the confrontation in the caves against the water hag. They had come to the Turning Fields for a reason and it was to get rid of her. It really surprised him when his axe’s attacks did more than just pitiful half damage. Of course, standing shoulder to hip with Kavel also invigorated Marto. That he could stand beside someone whose strength was beyond the muscles he clearly had. Kavel has a strength of heart, of character that Marto had seen from the beginning, but it also had a focus, a precision. When he offered training in Kavel’s Strength Corner at the Fort, Marto wanted to take him up on it right away. But a very faint prickling in his right palm reminded him of a task he had to complete first.
“Once I’m done wood carving training with Jacques I’ll be there, Kavel, as often as I can be. I feel there’s a lot I could learn from you.”
Seeing the opportunity, when everything had been divided up equally, Marto went over to the light-bearing cleric and offered the majority of his share to Nessa. He remembered from the first time meeting her she was trying to save up for a particular item and since he no longer needed to save up for his own armour, Marto thought he could share the wealth around a little.
“May Selûne bless you and keep you. May Selûne make her face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May Selûne lift up her countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
Marto had smiled a little awkwardly, muttering something about doing what he could to provide for those who can protect people, before quickly retreating away from such platitudes. They didn’t feel right, not for him.
Velania was the one who ended up keeping him company most of the way back to Daring Heights. She had broken her ankle in the fight against the hag trying to revive Fog and though between herself, Nessa and Fog there was plenty of healing to go around, she still had to be careful how she walked. To help her, Marto offered to help support her as they walked back, during which they began to talk.
“Whatever I can help you with, please let me know,” she said with such fierce sincerity it took the halfling by surprise.
There were quite a number of steps before Marto responded. “Thank you, Velania. I’ve got a lot to think about. A lot of feelings I need to sort through too. But-… If there comes a time I need to speak to someone, I will keep your offer in mind.”
“The journey of a lifetime is in coming to understand what is within yourself,” Velania intoned philosophically. “It should never be forced or hurried, but accepted with an open heart. I am certain it will come to you, and when it does, you will always have people who care for you ready to listen.”
Marto had his doubts about that but he kept those thoughts to himself. Velania suddenly winces and he slows down, asking if she is alright.
“Hm. This long walk back probably isn’t going to do me any favours. Healing magic is a blessing, but I rather think I’ll have to rest it properly for a couple of days to be sure. I think I wounded my pride more than anything.”
“Then let me support you as much as I can until you can rest properly at the temple,” Marto said, getting a firmer grip on her waist to help support her better.
She gratefully leaned on his shoulder. They all continued on for some time in that way before Velania looked over to the others. “Perhaps it should be Fog giving me a hand,” she said with a mischievous grin.
He grinned back, no strain or effort showing on his face. “Going from really short to really tall? I see how it is…”
Velania blushes. “Haha-! I only meant to tease Fog about paying me back for my healing services… Did you know there are some miserly priests who charge for that kind of thing? Outrageous!”
“There’s all types in all walks of life, so that doesn’t really surprise me…” Marto said. He adds, “The value of life though is not something one can put a monetary price on.”
“Indeed. And I wonder if these… fiends seek pleasure in dividing us through fear, or hate, or greed. But you are right, you cannot put too high a price on preserving life.” She looks ahead down the road, her eyes seeing beyond the approaching city on the hill that was Daring Heights.
“…or love,” she finishes, flushing in earnest at her own thoughts whilst Marto feels the echoes of dark sensuous laughter reverberate in the hollow well of his chest.
Thank you Velania Kalugina for the wonderful post-session bits!