While the Grounder stayed safely in the shade below (and the growing shade from the platform being laid down above) preparing the next batch, Kel shifted the boards from the first load to the edge of what he'd completed earlier, expanding the floor atop the frame and nailing them into place with increasingly practiced hammer strokes. Nails danced around him on a light breeze, helpfully blown into his fingers when he reached for the next one as his magic grew steadier with practice. He winced at the occasional splinter or pinched finger as his dexterity was challenged, but overall he was able to work smoothly while Hotaru followed behind. "Atlas... he sounds strong." Kel glanced over his shoulder with a shy grin for his friend. "What does 'bonded' mean, though?" Somehow the way she said it made it sound like the connection was deeper than that of a master and a pet.
Hotaru's endurance was sorely taxed by the effort of sanding in the damp heat, though her practical choice in clothing helped to mitigate some of it. It was the most difficult task, and the most time-consuming, and only her strong will and perserverance
The platform curved around in an uneven circle rather than a square, resting on the frame braced atop the largest branches while others - and the wall studs - poked through and continued high above to spread their protective leaves. Looking around at the completed floor with shining eyes, Kel wiped away sweat and went to a water barrel tucked near the pulley, scooping out two roughly made wooden mugs of water for himself and Hotaru. "Sam, do you need a drink?" he called down to the hard worker below, who had persevered and managed to get most of the wood up to the platform, where it waited for the next project. "There's water up here." He grinned at Hotaru, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Not quite all the comforts of home... yet. But it's good, clean rainwater."
After a break, he headed over to the pile of cut lumber, hoping he had enough. Still, as long as they could get most of it in place today, he could finish the rest himself later. "I'd like to get some outer walls up before we add the roof," he explained. "But with the heat, I thought maybe it could be mostly windows? " He looked to Hotaru, seeking advice and willing to adjust if she had something better in her experience. "So maybe two of us can hammer boards up about three feet high all around the outside, then skip three feet for windows, then finish the top foot off with more boards?" They'd need to fill in some of the walls in-between all the way up, too, but it was a plan to start with. "And then if someone could make storm shutters to go over the windows?" Either a pair of shutters that opened outward, or a single broad board that could be propped up to let the breezes in - or better yet, a combination of both for different windows.
Well done (and lucky rolls!) on getting the floor put in! Next task:
Building the walls (with lots of spaces for windows):
1. Kellan
2.
Making storm shutters for the windows (roughly three feet by three feet boards with hinges)
1. Samuel
No posting order!
