The City of Rebirth [Asha]

[Asher Salvatore Arc]

37th of Summer, 512AV

The afternoon was not hot but a light sheen of sweat covered nearly all bodies in the Spires, many projects were just beginning and trying to finish them before the season ended was a pressing matter. The steady sounds of grunts and thudding filled nearly every petal as everyone worked steadily, moving from project to project, house to house to help in whatever manner they could.

Though previously Salvatore felt as if he had been in the way he now found that once the basic structure was created it was not as hard as he had previously thought. The Jamoura’s strength was something to be awed by, though they rarely seemed to use it now he watched them take scraps from their previous homes and structures. They would bend the branches in a manner most odd so that they could properly hold themselves in place. It required no nails, no stone or iron and if there was need for nails they were long wooden stakes, hammered into place with bare hands or wooden hammers.

Rather than helping with this procedure though Salvatore found something much more to his tastes. Currently he made himself useful by helping coat the houses with moss or bend the larger blooms just so and they would make a roof. More often than not he found himself carrying little supplies or cleaning what was left of some of the previous housing.

“Just a pat here and a pat there…” I should sing a song, wonder if the Jamoua know any. “Of course they know some! I’m sure they have tunes to deliver to Caiyha.” Nodding to himself he made a face as whatever he was smearing splatted in his face, it did not leave a good taste. “Probably shouldn’t have eaten it then.”

“And now to the next one…” Probably should get my own house made up soon. “Good point, maybe tomorrow.”

Continuing on his way Salvatore asked different sites if they needed help with menial tasks so they could get the main work done that much faster.

[Asha]

Asha was standing with her arms straight in the air wondering how she managed to get herself talked into these things. She had been pleasantly walking by the Petal of Tranquil Slumber when a pair of humans called her over requesting help. They had asked her to hold up a large piece of wood while they cleared out debris beneath. She never considered herself a strong woman particularly compared to the massive Jamoura males that she was used to. But these humans always seemed to think she could move mountains just because she was covered in fur. She didn’t have it in her to decline aiding them, though. So there she stood with her arms straight in the air holding up a huge slab of wood on the petal known for processing dead things with the smell of blood and drying skins assaulting her sensitive nose. Asha did not like the smell of blood and her stomach churned as she tried to ignore it. The humans were busily chatting to themselves and clearing out the wreckage beneath the slab Asha held. As Asha turned her head she noticed a male human walking by who didn’t seem to be walking with any particular purpose or place in mind. “Hey! You! Hairless male! Could you give me a hand holding this up?” Asha called as the man wandered nearer to her location. The slab of wood was huge and heavy but the human would be able to take on at least a little of the weight. Generally she didn’t like to bother people she didn’t know but she was getting fed up with the heavy lifting and the blood smells. Neither were particularly enjoyable to the Jamoura woman.

[Asher Salvatore Arc]

“Hairless?” I’m hairless? He patted his head and for a moment felt a twinge of shock before shrugging, “I suppose I am.”

Not hurrying any more than necessary he strode towards the Jamouran and gripped the other end of the beam, standing on his tip toes a bit to make up for the height difference. It wasn’t necessarily heavy and he barely felt the weight of the board, in fact he couldn’t even understand why they needed his help. Still he managed to help quietly for a few moments before wondering exactly what he was helping with and who. it’s not as if I was doing anything. “True, I was looking for things to do.”

Gazing over at the Jamouran Salvatore gazed shamelessly, his eyes roving over her physic and pure strength that radiated from her very being, even if she did not look particularly happy to be there. It wasn’t hard to see why though, the people were casually working as fast as possible and she, now they, had to hold up the slab of wood. It could fall and crush us…well me. “It’s not going to crush us, besides I wanted to do something useful.” Right then, so I stand here quietly then? “Or I could ask her her name.”

Turning his head slightly felt rather than heard the crack in his neck and decided against turning anymore, instead settling for facing the ground.

“What is going to be built here?” Name. “Right! And you are?”

Shift slightly on his feet he felt his arms begin to tire after only a few chimes, he must be slacking off if her couldn’t even support a tiny bit of weight from this for less than half a bell. How did he expect to pick up a dead weight animal if he couldn’t even hold this? Rather than dwell on that bit of information he yet again tried to face the Jamouran woman, “Have you rebuilt your own house then?”I haven’t even started mine yet. I wonder what it will look like.

[Asha]

Asha glanced at the human man. She glanced away. She glanced back at him. She glanced away. Was this guy talking to himself? She began to regret asking this man over to help her. Clearly he was a few bees short of a hive and now she was stuck with him. Asking him to leave would seem ungrateful so she would have the bare the oddity of his presence. Well whatever strange conversation he was having with himself certainly seemed interesting. Asha remained quiet for a few moments after Asher had asked what her name was. It took her a couple moments to figure out he had directed the question at her and not himself. “Oh, err.. my name is Asha. What should I call you?” Asha replied and hoped desperately he wouldn’t answer as two different people. Normally those who were bit a off intrigued her but not when she was sweaty and her tummy churning with blood-scent. At least paying attention to the strange human had taken her mind off the smell of blood somewhat so there was that saving grace. “I believe they are rebuilding the butcher shop. Juicy Morsels is the name if I recall correctly.” Asha responded after another moment, having forgotten to answer his first question. She felt quite befuddled in speaking to the man which was very uncharacteristic of her. She didn’t really quite know what to make of him. Whenever she looked over at him he appeared to gazing at her body very thoroughly which only made her feel more uncomfortable. Didn’t this man come from a place with manners? Surely he couldn’t have come from The Spires. She definitely would have noticed one such as him. “I haven’t begun the construction yet though I plan on making inquiries soon. Will you be constructing a home here? I can’t recall seeing you before and usually I know most of the residents by face. From where do you hail?” Asha’s voice was smoother and less awkward. She was beginning to feel slightly more comfortable around the man. Not much more. But enough to keep her words polite and sensical.

[Asher Salvatore Arc]

Salvatore took a few moments to answer, currently he was too busy counting the tiny splinters entering his fingers from constant movement to actually remember he had engaged in a conversation. “That is not very kind of you.” Yes, well, doubtful it’s in a good mood considering damage is barely being repaired over here. He told the slab sternly, very aware it would say nothing back before flicking his gaze over to Asha.

“Asha is it?” It was similar to his own and found himself frowning slightly before answer, shoving any other thoughts aside. “Mine is Salvatore. You can call me Sal, in fact, I’d prefer it.”

He said this brightly and smiled wider as if to make up for his previous frowning before letting out a puff of air. Obviously this slab was heavier than it appeared because the Jamouran woman look a bit put off and he could feel the tingle starting in his arms. The tell-tale sign of the them falling asleep along with the sheen of sweat beginning to coat his back and neck, “That will be much kinder to my pallet.”

The first remark was directed at Asha but it was obvious that his mind wandered as he began shifting his hands, Meat! Finally. “Oh shut up, it’s not as if anyone could hunt before. I’ve seen that first hand.” Still it will make staying much more…well, more. “True, I did miss trying new meats. Didn’t you?”

This on the other hand was directed at the slab and he nodded vaguely as if it had agreed with him before turning into Asha’s own question, his body going rigid for a spilt second. His mind only focusing on her final question, for an instant he did not look like his spacey self, in fact he looked quite agitated to say the least before speaking slowly, his voice flattening sharply at the end. “I’m from Mizahar.”

Stop being such a baby. “Right then, I haven’t started either but I will be soon. I plan on staying in The Spires for some time. I enjoy your people. I would enjoy talking to you more about them.” Back to himself, he felt his arms lock lightly and his wrists wobble. Turning and ignoring the protest in his neck he smiled lopsidedly at Asha, “You know. It seems my arms are beginning to fall asleep, do you think they will be finished shortly?”

[Asha]

Asha smiled politely as Sal revealed his preferred nomenclature. Well it was short and simple. A good name by Jamoura standards. Some humans had such long names with so many syllables it was rather ridiculous. She had started to think that perhaps he wasn’t such a bad sort after all, when he began talking to himself again. She wasn’t sure what to make of that. It was strange by any species standards of that she was sure. Asha tried to not to stare at the man as he exchanged a little conversation about meat with himself. She supposed she ought to be glad that he wasn’t speaking about meat with her. She didn’t enjoy that subject very much so at least he had someone else to discuss that with. Even if that someone else was in fact himself. Maybe he had some djed creature or otherworldly being locked inside of him. Ought she cleave his chest open to let it out? No, that would be an awful fuss and if she was wrong then she would be terribly sorry and in trouble with the Hakh’Shatara. She didn’t really like the idea of cleaving anyone’s chest open anyways. Far too violent for her delicate sensibilities. And there would be blood. LOTS of blood. Asha gagged slightly at the thought and tried to take her mind in another direction. Sal spoke again and since he was looking at her she assumed he was addressing her. He was looking rather agitated but then again she wasn’t looking very comfortable herself. Too many thoughts and smells involving blood while she was trapped holding up this silly slab. Asha was beginning to feel fairly annoyed about the whole slab business. “I enjoy my people as well. I would be willing to speak to you on any manner of subject as long as you had something interesting to speak on in return. I love to teach but I love to learn even more.” Asha hesitated briefly before speaking. This was quite an eccentric man and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to encourage any more contact. However, eccentricities always were interesting and could provide an interesting subject of study. And she was a glutton for knowledge and learning. Not to mention discussing the Jamoura and showing off the excellence of her culture and species. “I certainly hope they finish soon, I’m beginning to tire as well.” Asha said, speaking up a bit so that the humans clearing debris would hear. One of them looked up with an annoyed glare before turning back to her task. The major branches and broken pottery had been cleared. The two working humans turned their attention toward sweeping the leaves and twigs away. The process appeared to be almost complete.

[Capricious]

Asha

Award

Skill	XP Earned	Lore Earned
Body Building	1	• NOT an Air Freshener: Blood

If Asher should return, I will grade for him/her. I do wish this thread has been continued.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.