[PQ] Wild Wind Blowin'

COLT

It'd taken some time to get a grip on where the best section of the desert would suit them. After wandering through it more thoroughly than ever before, studying maps, making maps and seeing it laid all out from the back of a pegasus, Colt has landed back on her original thinking. "Despite the thick and toxic plants here," she explains, grunting as she finishes unrolling the large canvas. "This is really the optimal place to try and make work for a base of operations."

It would be the town, one day, but until they got more help from the gods with making the immediate area tame enough to build on, she'd settle for tent city. It'd be set up not unlike the one in the Boneyard when making the skyport, which seems like a fine enough place to have settled with the quick delivery of trade there now. Yet, she knows how well something temporary can turn into the new normal, and while some workers living out a tent in the sand dunes and skeletons might work, a town would not. They'd need the line to fresh water that they'd only get from here.

"Here, help me unroll this fully so we know where to put in the posts." Wyatt and a few others are working with them, but she lifts her head and speaks directly to Liam and Noe .

---

Please grab a section of the tent canvas and spread it out.

Host a PQ with your entire cabinet setting up your base of operations and establishing positions

I had some help
It ain't like I can make this kinda mess all by myself
Don't act like you ain't help me pull that bottle off the shelf

Tell the tales of the trail of dead
Lovers learned from slower hands

Liam had been unprepared the last time he'd set foot in the desert alongside Colt, but today he was determined that that would not be the case. Despite the seemingly innocuous surroundings, the ex-soldier wore his sword strapped to his belt and his crossbow slung across his back with a quiver of bolts. While they weren't expecting trouble from setting up camp, Liam had seen enough now to know that out here, trouble could come from unexpected places.

A pack with his belongings sat nearby, containing some snacks that would keep in the desert heat, a canteen of fresh water, and other necessities for his stay - which, given that they were setting up their base camp, was sure to be prolonged. Maea was back in the Greatwood for now, but eventually, she'd be out here with him. She'd probably bear the heat better than he, a thought that made him smile to himself. Maybe after a few seasons, he'd get used to the strange weather patterns in the desert.

For now, Liam jumped in to help unroll the canvas. "This will work well - we'll just need to keep an eye out for plants and animals we might disturb as we work." The preying orchid incident, for example, came to mind.

---

Liam helps!

Losing self in myself
And my demons make demands

Liam

Noe

Change my priorities

Having never been to Suvahasi, Noe was unprepared for the dense vegetation that clung to the rim of the desert. She'd heard enough to know that it was a dangerous place to be, unless proper precautions were taken, and yet she refused to let caution stand in the way of her hopes and dreams. She might not have Stormbreak anymore, might not have a place anywhere else, really, but she could build something worth having here, in Hak Etme, alongside others who wanted to build something that would last.

In any case, the young woman had pored over the many maps of the area she'd been able to get her hands on, and the journal that she kept in her pack was now filled with various designs and plans for different buildings. Today, though, they weren't building yet. They were to set up a camp from which their future efforts would be based.

Liam, the carpenter, whose name she had learned on the flight here, gave voice to her own concerns, the clamic fight fresh in her memory. Still, with nothing yet to add to the conversation, Noe simply grabbed a corner and began to spread out the canvas.

---

Noe helps!

The taste of your lips is my idea of luxury

COLT

The line between Suvahasi and the Furnace is abrupt. She isn't sure if there's something more inherently magical to it, or if it's just the inevitable overextension of resources beyond a certain point, the fresh water that feeds the wild jungle only so much. A thought to consider too, when building the town, but she worries if they go too deep the jungle will fight back all the harder. The closer to the resource, the more opportunity to face the very things Liam and Noe seem leery of, and rightfully so.

"Yeah, we'll probably need to establish some patrols or watch stations if we want to arrange any sense of safety," Colt thinks aloud, arms flapping the canvas out as they all grab some and start to unroll and walk it back. The fabric gives reluctantly, spreading into some magnificent, pale skin. Colt shouts a few instructions down the line to Wyatt and other assistants, ensuring they stay lined up. "Can't be either of you, since I need you both focused on our building arrangements," she decrees, stepping on the canvas to keep it in place while she surveys the whole giant arrangement. "At least, not to run it. I imagine we'll all need to take some shifts until we can consider magical or better physical barriers to stand in for us." More men, more things she could do, but more resources it'd take too, and will. Gods know she's grateful for the hands she has with her thus far, and she's cautious not to push them to their limits when there's little comfort to be had yet.

"Alright, let's start to anchor the tent down." A few of the workers remain stationary, holding the tent in place, while others, like she, Liam, and Noe, step back to the pile of supplies. "Two to dig, one to pack," she says, nodding to each set of needs. Some shovels for digging into the sand and burying the tie after, then some heavy logs and rocks to use as a weight, long cords of rope tied about them. "Make a hole a few feet deep, then throw in the anchor and tie, long ways if it's available, then we bury it back up. Keeps the wind from just yanking regular stakes out."

---

Select if you want to shovel (2 people) or lug the heavy anchors over (1 person)

I had some help
It ain't like I can make this kinda mess all by myself
Don't act like you ain't help me pull that bottle off the shelf

Tell the tales of the trail of dead
Lovers learned from slower hands

"Watches make sense," Liam agreed as they worked, stretching out the canvas in accordance with Colt's instructions. "Basic sentry points could work at strategic locations until we get some proper stations or towers built. Better if you can assign them in pairs, but I know we've got limited resources for now." Pairs made it less likely for someone to be snuck up on, less likely for someone to accidentally fall asleep, and overall for a more successful watch. But with limited personnel, that might be hard to start. "I'm happy to take shifts. I'm sure Maea would be, too."

Then it was time to anchor the tent. Grabbing a shovel, Liam got to work, digging out holes a few feet deep. It was tough going - sandy soil was hard to work with, and kept filling the holes back up - but he persevered, pressing on with his digging partner until the first hole had been dug. When the anchor was in, he began to pack the dirt back in. "Best to make these as sturdy as possible until we're established enough to start with actual buildings," he agreed. "Do you think we'd want a magical perimeter with the gods' help, or something physical, or both?"

---

Liam digs!

Losing self in myself
And my demons make demands

Liam

Noe

Change my priorities

Both Liam and Colt seem better prepared to take watches than Noe, who had limited experience with combat, none of it particularly positive. For having a dragoon for a brother, the engineer was surprisingly incapable when it came to anything other than basic self-defense against a human opponent. If she was being assaulted, she could put up a fight, but out here in the wilderness... clamics and tangleweeds and gods knew what else were more than she knew how to handle at present. "I don't know much about watches or sentries," she said slowly. "Are there any plans to train those of us who don't have much fighting knowledge?' Seemed like as good a place as any for Noe herself to learn, and then maybe be helpful by taking a few watches.

They began to dig holes for the anchors. Noe grabbed a shovel alongside Liam, not liking the look of the long, heavy stakes that would be buried. Maybe that made her weak, but she didn't think it made her lazy - not when she was sweating to dig out a hole into which the anchor would be settled. It was back-breaking work, no matter how she looked at it, so in the end, she didn't feel bad for leaving Colt to drag the anchor into their hole.

---

Noe digs!

The taste of your lips is my idea of luxury

COLT

Grunting as she argues with the weight, its very heft exactly what she needs, and yet an obstacle to wrestle into place, she drags the heavy anchors over to each hole they dig. "Thanks, Liam," she says through her teeth just before tumbling the heavy stone onto the canvas tie down, leaning over her knees for her breath. That he and Maea would offer is a helpful addition, and gives her hope others will feel the same.

"That's not a bad idea," Colt offers to Noe as she leans up into a stretch while they bury the anchor with the sand they'd just moved. She leaves a bright, curious gaze on the engineer for a moment before heading over to haul another anchor over to their next dig point. "I think we should use people's strengths, so let them do what they're best at, but we all might need to wear different hats now and then, so some learning opportunities can't hurt." She herself has never done watch beyond a herd of cattle and some hungry coyotes.

When they've dug out another hole, she lumbers over with a hefty log, sinking that anchor over the tie to help secure the tent. "Some physical barriers are probably needed to start us off. I plan on asking the gods to help us tame this jungle first, and from there we can build the town properly which will naturally afford us more safety." There's only so much leaning on the gods they could do, and she'd need their help for things they wouldn't be able to accomplish alone. "Once we get those basics, there's the economy to consider, or else we'll be dead in the water before long." Ruins are such things. Once built up grand and fine, but now crumbling beneath their own weight.

The anchoring work finishes up well enough, sweat clinging readily to Colt's pits and back now, her sides heaving from the exertion. "Alright," she mutters after taking a swig of water. "Now we put the poles in to prop the canvas up so we can walk beneath."

---

Help put up the tent poles to erect the tied down and stretched out tent!

I had some help
It ain't like I can make this kinda mess all by myself
Don't act like you ain't help me pull that bottle off the shelf

Tell the tales of the trail of dead
Lovers learned from slower hands

Liam didn't know much about Noe, except that she seemed quite young to take on the role of lead engineer for what was sure to be a very trying couple of seasons until they could wrangle the wilderness into something relatively tame. But her suggestion to train others was met with a look of approval as the carpenter continued to dig in the sand, hazel eyes flicking up to glance at her with renewed interest. Perhaps there was more to her than her youthful enthusiasm.

In any case, Liam continued to dig, grunting his acknowledgement to Colt's plans. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he kept shoveling sand out of the way. It was hard work, if only because half of what he dug out slid haphazardly back in. Such was the difficulty of working with this type of soil. Eventually, though, they were able to secure each of the anchors into place. Taking a brief break, Liam grabbed the canteen of fresh water he'd been sure to bring and took a swig. Then it was back to work, this time helping to prop up the poles that would hold up the tent.

---

Liam helps with the tent poles!

Losing self in myself
And my demons make demands

Liam

Noe

Change my priorities

Noe was so focused on her task that she didn't notice Liam's approving glance; she didn't really need it, anyway. It was Colt's approval that she really cared about, and as it came, the girl glanced up with a grin. "I can't speak for everyone," she said with a shrug. "But I know a thing or two about wearing multiple hats." She'd had to, in Stormbreak: running her own business without assistance had forced her to learn a little bit of everything - except combat, unfortunately.

In any case, now she had the perfect opportunity, and she wasn't about to waste it. For now, though, she kept digging, and eventually took a short break with the others once the anchors were in place, mentally calculating whether they'd anchored the tent in enough places and nodding to herself once she'd decided that they had. Then it was on to the poles, which she began working on without delay. At least from here on, it should be fairly straightforward - the anchors, she thought, were the worst of the work.

---

Noe helps with poles!

The taste of your lips is my idea of luxury

COLT

Liam's hard focus on the tasks at hand, alongside Noe's thoughtful input and keen eye for structure, ensures they're building up this headquarters properly. A low, knowing chuckle answers Noe's admission to hat-juggling experiences and Colt flashes her an understanding look. To some extent she thinks everyone has had to get their hands dirty with things they'd prefer not to. Such is survival. Still, she means to separate people out by their skillsets once they're able, once they have a proper town in order and can manage something better than all of this.

Grabbing hold of a pole and fitting the top into the canvas seat, Colt carefully maneuvers it up. The fabric grows all the more taut, making it harder to straighten it at the very end, as intended, to get the pole just right alongside the frame. The key here is tension and fitting different poles against each other, against the roof and the sides and the ground, so that as one it supports and keeps itself firm. "Once Rae helps us get this area better in order, we can build the town, then the economics, then I figure we need more ways to manage heat and water. With the sky port and the ship port trade should get up and running smoothly from the start, and I'm working on a Frey and Rae shrine alongside the Mort and Ludo one here. Next I'll see about a Safrin and Vi one, then Dygra, to ensure everyone has what they require." She's thinking aloud as she works, laying down her plans that've been mental notes. Half to tell them, her budding townsfolk, and half to see their input.

Grabbing another pole and going at it again and again until the tent can breathe with them inside, Colt tests the sturdiness with approval. "Eventually, I think I should at least have someone on a council seat." She glances their way, trying to gauge interest, afraid to just say it and get any hopes up. She isn't sure who, or when, but she's going to chew on it a hell of a lot longer this time.

"Alright, let's move the crates and supplies in and then we should be good!" Behind the tent, the goods await.

---

1. 2 people move in some of the furniture - chairs, tables, desks, couches, etc.
2. 1 person move in some of the supplies - water barrels, crates of food, paper and writing utensils, maps, etc.

I had some help
It ain't like I can make this kinda mess all by myself
Don't act like you ain't help me pull that bottle off the shelf

Tell the tales of the trail of dead
Lovers learned from slower hands

Liam listened as they worked, his silence indicative of his approval of Colt's plans. It certainly seemed like she had thought of everything - or maybe not everything, but certainly the bare minimum that would be needed to get things in Hak Etme livable. "Whatever you need help with, say the word," he offered, grunting as he levered a pole into place. "You shouldn't have to carry all the burden on your own." Sure, someone had to lead - but that didn't mean they had to feel alone under the weight of it all.

Once the tent was erected, Liam took a moment to take a swig from his water. His brows raised as Colt mentioned her council. He'd had plenty of time to consider leadership by now, given that he'd once wanted to lead the Greatwood, back before the Fae had become... uncooperative. But he'd never thought about offering his services here. He didn't know Colt that well, and she didn't know him, but if he didn't know better, he'd have thought that maybe she was attempting to gauge interest with her openness.

So it was after a beat of consideration that Liam gathered his thoughts enough to nod. "Like I said - whatever you need help with, if I can do anything..." He'd never been one to grab for power, and that wasn't going to change now. But certainly, if his expertise could be of assistance... he'd once been a soldier, after all, so at the very least he might be able to help with training and watches and setting up the bones of what could one day be a military.

But for now, their task was nearly complete, and Liam turned his attention to moving furniture. There were chairs and tables, desks, couches, and the like, all of which needed to be arranged in a way that made sense. He took to it easily, subconsciously arranging things the way he would have if he were designing, say, a commander's tent in the middle of a war, periodically looking to Colt for her approval before settling on the layout, until it was both comfortable and efficient.

---

Liam says he'll help however he's needed, and arranges furniture.

Losing self in myself
And my demons make demands

Liam

Noe

Change my priorities

Noe didn't quite have the silent approval thing down, so instead, she nodded along with Colt's plans. "Smart, going ahead and getting shrines going for them all," she commented. "Makes it much easier than having to travel elsewhere to chat with your chosen deity." It opened up plenty of opportunity, too, making Hak Etme seem more livable than it might now, when only Mort and Ludo had a shrine - and they the less popular deities, from what Noe had seen. In any case, she continued jokingly: "The big thing is obviously making sure people don't die as soon as they show up. And then sources of food and water, and then things for comfort." Like the heat. While yes, it was unpleasant, it wasn't technically unlivable.

At talk of a council, though, Noe wrinkled her nose. Not only did she have no credentials to speak of that would make her worthwhile on a council, she had no interest in it. "Good luck with that," she said, but there was no venom in it. "I know you'll find the right person." Maybe Liam, since he seemed more interested than Noe; or maybe someone else entirely. Who knew? "But, yeah, if you need help with anything -" she added hastily, not wishing to seem like she was content to sit and let others do the heavy lifting. "- happy to lend a hand wherever I can."

With the tent erected, it was time to move on, and leaving Liam and Colt to tackle the furniture, Noe turned her attention to the supplies. She started with rolling water barrels and crates of food into logical positions. When the desk was in place, she laid out maps and papers and other desk-related paraphernalia. The space was really starting to come together, she thought proudly, as she looked to Colt to see if there were any finishing touches needed.

---

Noe moves supplies!

The taste of your lips is my idea of luxury

COLT

Liam's easy offer catches her attention. It's not the first time he's said something like this, and each time she's beginning to believe him more and more, and take him up on it. Case in point, here he is helping her erect the main base of operations. She flashes him a fond smile, nodding as she tucks that knowledge away while they work.

A laugh slips free on its own when Noe's much more punctuated words land, Colt's attention shifting from carpenter to engineer. "Definitely don't want anyone dying as soon as they get here." After they drop all their money off, well, then maybe... It's a humorous thought, little more, Colt not in the business of burying bodies just for the sake of it. She will, if it needs to be done, but someone who's alive generally has a lot more to offer. "Glad we share the same priorities," she says with a nod, agreeing with the ticking off of food, and water. "Although enough heat can kill you. You don't wanna be out midday in Longheat here." Colt whistles low and knowing. "I'll have to see how much Rae can do for us to start with." As Noe says though, comfort would be later, so as long as they can keep the heat from murdering, they'd be sitting much prettier.

She catches Liam's repetition of his offer and how it comes after her own verbal note of need. Her gaze catches on him, and for a moment she just holds him there, then nods, a sign she'll keep that in mind. "Appreciated," she offers to him, attention swiveling to Noe as she chips in, the offer not so doubled up. "Just gotta be patient I think, and know I can trust the person. Actions always speak louder than words with that." Actions take time though, so she'll be waiting and evaluating her options until it feels right.

As they break to finish up the work, Colt ends up staying with Liam, grabbing the opposite ends of the long and awkward or generally heavy things so they can both shuffle them into the main tent. Couches arranged for convenience, desks organized for focus and efficiency. She wrestles a chair into place, glancing back to give a thumbs up in confirmation of Liam's placement of a table. Noe busies herself around them, delivering rations and stationary aplenty, meps unfurling and inkwells waiting with their pens. "This actually looks workable now," Colt declares, the sound both impressed and surprised. "Who knew a tent could prove so handy when done right...and big." Used to nothing more than the small personal tents of her cattle drives, Colt had almost scoffed and turned up her nose at the offer when the locals gave it, but here she is, feeling much more at ease even with just canvas walls.

"Alright, I think we're good in here now if you all want to go set up your own private tents around here. This will be home base for a bit, so you can always come here for resting, provisions, and planning. Your private tent is all yours, but this one will be community." She certainly plans to go and arrange her own tent now, be done with the whole chore. "Thanks for your help."

---

Home base tent is set up and Colt advises they go erect their personal tents now, ty all!

[FIN]

I had some help
It ain't like I can make this kinda mess all by myself
Don't act like you ain't help me pull that bottle off the shelf