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+---- Thread: [PQ] into the grit and grime (/showthread.php?tid=12445)
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RE: into the grit and grime - Iskra - 02-06-2026
As the flame tears through the trench with ribbons of golden teeth and hot breath, the residual armaments crumble to ash and the snow melts. It's this fresh wet that leeches into the ground, rapid and welling with a muddy layer that softens the structure use to rime. He frowns at the clear sag of the ground, and sighs thereafter, glancing about for some tools. [say]"One problem gone, another arises,"[/say] he gripes, and finds that ground work is rather like trying to hunt out every ningo from the city, a game of whackamole.
[say]"I'm going to pack the trench sides with a shovel,"[/say] he informs her, hoisting himself out of the ditch and grabbing one of the tools they'd carted here for the job. Jumping back down into the crevice, shovel in hand, he tests the looser areas and firms them up as if he's back at the tower laying bricks. He carves underfoot with the shovel, bringing up new dirt, and packs it along the stides with the mud from the melted snow and a hefty slap of his shovel, patting in the grout of the ground. The moisture ought to keep it, and the strength should seat particles into the gaps, adding new stability.
Iskra uses a shiovel to pack the sides
RE: into the grit and grime - Nina - 02-06-2026
[say]"It is nice to meet you, Iskra,"[/say] Nina said, only moderately unnerved by the fact that she was no longer relegated to the shadows like she had been when her grandmother was Keeper. No, now everyone seemed to know her name and her face, and while she was glad for the respect that came with her position, it was also a burden to shoulder. One she would not trade, but heavy nonetheless. [say]"Yes, I am Nina. That is Ember,"[/say] she added, pointing to her fire elemental. The sprite popped and crackled in greeting, but otherwise stayed out of their way.
With Deimos's approval and Iskra's suggestions in mind, Nina nodded and wielded her fire in time with the woodcutter. The armaments went up in flames quickly enough, burning to ash before their eyes - but the melted snow sank into the ground, which sagged and listed. Nina made a face; it would be more physical labor for her, then. Her poor hands were going to be blistered to hell when they were done.
Still, she picked up a shovel without complaint and hopped down beside Iskra. [say]"I will be glad to assist,"[/say] she said, copying Iskra's motions to help shore up the trench.
---
Nina helps Iskra pack the sides!
RE: into the grit and grime - Deimos - 02-07-2026
As Marcus took to the skies to ward off the ningos, he’d find he had greater difficulty than likely expected. The fluffy, downy birds seemed to be triggered simply by destroyed nest rage, or had forgotten they could simply roost elsewhere, and were fast, quick, as the eagle took after them. Scarcely intimidated at all, the largest even went after the younger hybrid.
From below, Deimos simply sighed and billowed a sharp gust of Mastered Air towards the flock. Within half a moment, they were seized and caught in the sudden churning of wind, and the Sword torpedo-ed them some distance away, where they probably would forget where they’d been instances before.
Meanwhile, Nina and Iskra packed away at the trench, using shovels and hard, physical labor, ensuring the ditch’s walls no longer sagged by the twist, turn, and change of the elements. When they were finished, the area looked better than ever, as if newly constructed from years prior. [say]“These look good,”[/say] Deimos nodded, indicating his approval. [say]“On to the next.”[/say]
And wound they went, carting their wares, towards the southern end. From these portions, the only mark of issues, upon inspection, were other things jutting out of the ditches themselves. [say]“We can dig these out,”[/say] his brow furrowed, pondering what on earth had been tossed here now. [say]“If someone wants to fill the holes back in when we are done.”[/say]
--
[say]Either help dig out the items (feel free to decide what they are for flavor or wait for the surprise) or fill in the holes left behind.[/say]
RE: into the grit and grime - Iskra - 02-07-2026
He can understand some part of Nina's struggles, though he's rather oblivious to them, offering polite chatter but otherwise focusing on the work. Having been much a recluse himself most his time in Halo and only in the past year braving something other than woods and bars, the transition took some getting used to. Though he's nowhere near as noticeable as she is, his stature not quite so elevated among the town, and he's grateful for that. [say]"Ember seems very fitting,"[/say] he grins back in return. The trenches require their attention though, and his chatter dissolves into grunts of effort. Goose, meanwhile, is attracted by the ningo chaos, lending his voice to Deimos and Marcus' pursuits while Iskra works to pack the trench back to its complete form alongside Nina.
Hauling out a breath and shooting Nina a glance and a thumbs up as Deimos decrees their work satisfactory, he clambers back out of their trench, extending a hand to help her out too should she desire. The husky pounces back to his side, thoroughly invigorated by all the bird activity, nearly vibrating out of his fur and attention snapping eagerly at any subtle shift around them. Iskra teases the dog with sudden jolts to his steps, one of which sends Goose zooming off and back with a litany of barks that sound akin to playground taunts.
At the south section of the trenches now, shovel still in hand, Iskra glances down. [say]"I can help dig them out,"[/say] he offers, and in short order is in the trench. Using his shovel to carefully carve away the dirt around the object, Goose joining in helpfully (?) with some rapid paw work, they begin to excavate the mystery.
Iskra and Goose dig! Waiting for the GRAND REVEAL
RE: into the grit and grime - Nina - 02-07-2026
Nina and Iskra worked, exchanging polite chatter until the work became too laborious. Ember seemed to bore of the shoveling after a time, darting to heckle Goose as he chased the ningos. The Keeper only had the breath to sigh; figuring that the playful fire sprite would do no harm and would return when it was ready, Nina simply continued to shovel and pack in dirt.
Once their work had been reviewed and approved by Deimos, Nina shot Iskra a small smile and followed along as the group maneuvered to the south. On the way, Ember attempted to join in Gooses's fun, crackling and spitting as it zoomed after the dog.
When they arrived to find the trench littered with unidentified objects that needed to be dug out. Given that Nina would have to shovel either way, and deciding that she and Iskra had made a good team thus far, the Keeper rapidly decided to assist with the excavation. Hopping into the ditch, she began to dig, carefully shaving away dirt while attempting to avoid accidentally nicking Goose in the process.
---
Nina helps dig, and also I await the grand reveal ;D
RE: into the grit and grime - Marcus - 02-08-2026
Marcus abandoned the chase the moment the wind itself rose against the flock. He banked hard to avoid the worst of it, wings jolting as Deimos’ magic seized the ningos and hurled them away like loose snow. He steadied only after the air settled back into its natural bite.
He circled once, sheepish irritation prickling beneath his breastbone, then dropped toward the trench and shifted mid-descent and landed in a staggered crunch of snow.
He reclaimed his shovel from the sled and fell into step with the others as they moved to another part of the trench. The work helped smooth the lingering edge of frustration from the ningos. By the time they reached the next stretch of ditch, his focus had settled back into something practical and grounded.
He crouched at the rim, gloved fingers brushing aside powder to reveal the obstruction beneath. He worked to help unearth frozen remnants of history, and he kept at it methodical and steady, clearing what didn’t belong so the barrier could keep doing what it was built to do.
Marcus digs and I wonder what he will find!
RE: into the grit and grime - Deimos - 02-08-2026
All of them worked; digging into the core of the hardened earth, hard cast against something almost solidified from the climate. Carving and sculpting away, glints of the particulars became known, dropping out from the holes made one by one by one, until there seemed to be a stash of coins – gold, silver, bronze, significant enough to warrant a mystery. [say]“Huh,”[/say] was all Deimos managed to rumble, brow furrowing, then arching, as his mind strived to decipher the particulars. Could it have been a robbery gone wrong, a stash tossed over the Citadel wall? Misplaced on a misadventure? [say]“What do you want to do with it?”[/say] He could fathom each of them taking portions and pieces, dividing it up equally amongst everyone.
Thereafter, he filled in the empty spaces the change had left behind; smoothing everything over until it looked new, sturdy all over again. [say]“All right, one last side,”[/say] and they could maneuver onwards.
As they approached, portions of the ditches were noticeably different – one was partially collapsed and fallen in on itself, and the other semblances contained massive amounts of ice and snow, needing to be removed once more.
--
[say]Decide what to do with the coins and head to the last side!
Choices are (two for each again please):
- Partially collapsed trench
- Trench filled with ice/snow[/say]
RE: into the grit and grime - Iskra - 02-08-2026
Iskra made room for Nina to join him, glancing over at Marcus and Deimos' efforts as well as everyone wove into the same vein of work to get these trenches right. When shovels began to unearth the oddities properly and in full, Iskra slowed his efforts, leaning down to brush away remaining soil with a hand, pushing Goose back to keep the beast at bay. Deimos' approach to the artifacts and their glinting, unassuming bodies earns a shrug from Deimos. [say]"Finders keepers,"[/say] he offers up, the playground logic tried and true. For his own efforts, he'd be pocketing a portion.
Walking down the rest of the trench to the section they haven't completed yet, Goose trotting ahead as if he knows the way (he doesn't), Iskra halt when they come upon another section of ruin. He leans his shovel and power into clearing the snow and frost, fire magic loosening portions of it, though he mainly focuses on the shoveling through grunts of slow and steady effort.
Iskra says we each get some of the monies and uses his fire magic and shovel to work on the part filled with ice/snow
RE: into the grit and grime - Marcus - 02-08-2026
The next obstruction came free with a hollow thunk instead of a crack. Marcus frowned, setting his shovel aside and dropping to one knee, fingers digging through the loosened crust. Canvas showed first, stiff with frost. Once they knew what was inside, Marcus wasn't really sure what to do. He looked to the older group, each in turn, and waited.
When Iskra suggested they split it, Marcus only gave a small nod. No protest, no moral speech, just acceptance. [say]"Works for me."[/say] he said simply, passing it over to be portioned and packed onto the sled. Useful was useful.
They moved on.
The next section of the trench wall had slumped inward, layers sheared and folded like broken a cake, narrowing the passage and bowing toward the barrier line. Marcus exhaled through his nose and stepped down carefully, testing each foothold before trusting it. He carved clean edges first, cutting away the unstable overhang, then shoveled the fallen mix back into place in deliberate layers. Pack, press, brace. Over and over. His shoulders burned quickly, heat building under his coat despite the cold.
Marcus helps with the partially collapsed trench
RE: into the grit and grime - Nina - 02-08-2026
The treasure that they unearthed was just that: coins upon coins, frozen in the icy ground. Nina wondered where it had come from, but came up empty. In the meantime, Iskra and Marcus each pocketed a portion, but something about that didn't sit right with the Keeper. [say]"Perhaps there are those in need around Halo,"[/say] she said pointedly, tone frosty with disapproval. [say]"I do not require a portion,"[/say] she added, speaking to Deimos.
What became of whatever coins she might have taken, then, were up to the Warden. For now, though, they had more work to do, and Nina followed along obediently enough. The trench on the final side was partially collapsed in places and filled with ice and snow in others. Once more, Nina called upon her fire magic and began to burn away the debris from the trench, hoping that it would go quickly given that it appeared to be simply frozen material.
---
Nina says >:( and helps burn the ice/snow.
RE: into the grit and grime - Deimos - 02-09-2026
The response to the coins seemed to be a mixed bag; he couldn’t help but inwardly snort at the ‘finders keepers’ claims (after all, they’d done some hard, physical labor and should’ve been rewarded beyond the mere satisfaction of a job completed, or his bribes of snacks), and then Nina’s affronted regard. Granting a smile, he held out his hand and took the remains, nodding his head. [say]“I can give them out at the shelter,”[/say] as he had no intentions of snagging at the money either.
Then there were the remaining components, and combined efforts between fire, shovels, and more earthen wares saw the last problems solved – at least for this day. Glancing around and inspecting once more, the confirmation that they’d completed their mission brought a fulfilling ease to his shoulders. [say]“These look good. I say we are done for the day.”[/say] Grabbing hold of the rest of their equipment, he added it to the back of the sled, dragging it along as they began to hasten their way back to the gates. [say]“Drinks are on me if anyone wants a round,”[/say] he jutted his jawline with a smile, indicating the bar nearby through walls and stone. [say]“Thank you all again for your work and dedication.”[/say] Because Halo would be all the better for it.
--
And that’s a wrap!
[FIN]