[o] [PQ] [SE] Restorations

A machine where your heart once was
Slowly takes the place of you

Liam made quick work of the bloom, and after it was fully destroyed, he stepped back from the carnage to run the back of a hand across his brow. He glanced up to find the Iskra had completed his task as well, and he shot both he and Noah a quick smile as he took in their progress.

With the old torn away, it was time to build the new; Liam gathered up materials and ferried them to the porch. He was not a carpenter, but he could follow directions, and he confirmed each move he made with the others to ensure a job well done. Between the three of them, the job was fairly straightforward, and when they were done, Liam gladly accepted the invitation for drinks.

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Liam helps lay the new foundation!

Only hold the memories now
Of a love I thought I knew

Liam

By late afternoon, the men were at the end of the last task Noah set before them. The new boards slotted into place with surprising ease after the chaos of the voidbloom. Iskra’s hands were steady, guiding each plank down with practiced care, checking for levelness, driving nails with rhythmic precision. Liam followed close behind, offering the support they needed. Noah, ever the anchor he was, adjusted each post with quiet focus, ensuring the weight settled right into the frost-hardened soil.

When the last support was locked in place, they stood back for a moment, breath misting, boots sunk in packed snow. The porch was still skeletal, but it was solid—usable. Noah’s mind already reeled with all of the rest that needed to be done, but for now, this was enough.

“Enough for today,” Noah said again, this time with a weary sort of satisfaction. He pulled his gloves off and tucked them in his coat. “The Kraai’s will still be open by the time we make it there. Like I said, drinks are on me.”

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Thank you for helping in this PQ! The work they did was good, but Noah will need to run more PQs to finish the much needed work on the lodge!

FIN

Noah Olson

the forsaken