[PQ+] Lucky charm

Oh, you say you have to fall apart to really be someone

Satisfied with the result as the fountain's foundation was reassembled and the pieces marked up, Maea took a moment to rest while the cement was mixed up. As she had started on the puzzle she really wanted to help put it together too. Once the mortar was ready she rolled up her sleeves and put on an apron a thoughtful person handed to her - "that's too fine a dress for this, miss" - before diving into the art of reassembly.

And it was an art. Even with the pre-planning, the puzzle would have to be re-laid all over again with mortar in between. The collaborative effort never ceased; there were moments where Maea was glad she wasn't in charge. Whenever she felt like throwing her hands up and quitting, another set of hands were there to replace hers so that she could step away, breathe, rest - and then return to work.

---

Maea helps mortar the fountain back together (Dex)

Base by Odd

Thalassa

You could do anything,
if you only dared.

The rewarding destruction of rocks was followed by the realization that she had, in face, succeeded in improving her production rate. Dust caked her hands and clothes, but a content smile ghosted across her face at Hadama's recognition of their progress. Rolling her shoulders back to release the fatigue from her muscles, Thal walked to join the others in preparing for the next step of their task.

People began to mill around while the ingredients were being added to the cauldron. Not feeling particularly team- or people-oriented, Thal decided to claim the role of fire manager. She took a seat on the ground next to the flames, soaking in their warmth and gazing into their bright dances. The world seemed to vanish around her as she focused on feeding the hungry beast. Thought faded away to empty depths of nothingness. Her body only moved to refuel the flickering fire.

---

Thalassa manages the fire (END).

And deep down, you know it too.
That’s what scares you most.

Now that the largest pieces had been generally sorted out Maea would find it easier to move forward with applying the cement to hold them in place. As each new piece was added the puzzle became a little simpler, with fewer pieces to choose from and their shapes more easily recognizable. The biggest chunks needed to be stabilized while the fountain was rebuilt, but the replacement stones that they had brought from Apopo were used to fill in the missing pieces and the fountain began to slowly regain its shape.

Although it was technically a fountain that had received Safrin's blessing, Maea would find amidst the pieces at the base a few stones bearing a certain inscription once they were reassembled: LUDO WOZ HERE.

Thalassa was due for a break after all her hard work breaking rocks, and sitting to tend the fire was the perfect job for her. Whether it was from her affinity as an Ancient or some other skill, she had no trouble managing the flames and keeping them fed. The fire burned steadily and without interruption while the cauldron bubbled slowly, turning the slurry of water and freshly-ground rocks into the dark cement that would reunite the fountain's pieces once more.

It was Hadama who had the most difficulty with his task of stirring the cement. He had more than enough strength to push the large stick through the heavy mixture but he was distracted by offering direction to the townsfolk who moved in and out among the fountain pieces. He was also naturally inclined to stir slowly, unfamiliar with the proper consistency of the material. The slurry almost set up twice, delaying the finishing touches of the fountain before he realized that he was causing more problems than he was solving at his post.

"I will work on the water we will need for the rum," he decided after the third near-disaster with the cement. "If anyone would like to change tasks, now is a good time."

---

It looks like the fountain needs one last push to finish rebuilding it! The bottom basin and first tier are done, now the two smaller top tiers need to be reconstructed.

Continue with your current task or change it up and try something else to help finish the construction!

Oh, you say you have to fall apart to really be someone

Looking up only briefly when Hadama spoke up, Maea only nodded before returning to what she had been doing. Dark splotches of cement was drying on her cheek and chin, on her hands and on the apron that kept her dress from the messy work.

She had found her focus, and the job was progressing well. As someone fetched a ladder, Maea stretched out her back and took a breather, then resumed the final push. It felt good, being able to make something. For years and years she had been convinced that all she was capable of was destroying things, messing up, tearing down - a belief reinforced by her turning into an Ancient with Dygra for a goddess. But here, now? This was building. Repairing. Making, rather than unmaking.

---

Maea keeps working on the fountain.

Base by Odd

Thalassa

You could do anything,
if you only dared.

Being so close to the cauldron, Thal got a front row seat to Hadama's struggles. Although she wasn't necessarily paying attention to anyone around her, by the third time he'd nearly derailed the project, she stood to relinquish her role as fire manager to someone else. With a soft hand on his bulky arm, she spoke in a firm tone that contained a hint of pity amongst the exasperation. "Let me."

Taking the handle, she set to stirring the cauldron. Her muscles were weak after the previous tasks, but she let the steady push and pull generate a swirling of the thick substance. They didn't have much more to go and she knew that the stirring wouldn't be about forcing the mixture into a frenzied cyclone through strength and speed as much as steadily reaching the end. So she let her mind return to the comfortable rhythm of monotonous movement.

---

Thalassa switches to stirring the pot (END).

And deep down, you know it too.
That’s what scares you most.

"Thank you," the King murmured quietly as Thalassa made her offer. He accepted the hand on his arm and the willingness to take over with a grateful inclination of his head. If there was pity in her voice it wasn't without reason; the King had overextended himself and underestimated the amount of concentration the task required. It was better to hand it to someone who had the necessary focus.

Besides, having seen her breaking rocks he knew that she was both a hard worker and a diligent one.

His trust in her was rewarded immediately as she took over and smoothed out the roughly uneven and thicker portions of the cement slurry that his slower stirring had allowed to form. Under the Ancient's steady, patient hands the cement smoothed out and became much easier to work with. Before he left, Hadama threw in several handfuls of mica and quartz chips to be evenly distributed into the mix by the captain's expert stirring.

Maea might have been making a mess of herself, but no one could say that about her work reassembling the fountain. Between the new rocks they had retrieved and the careful application of cement to smooth out the cracks it was looking better than ever. Slowly but steadily she built upwards, recreating the cascading basins from largest to smallest. The two top basins were much smaller than the one at the base and her work was able to go faster (though she might have needed to borrow a ladder for the top part). The addition of quartz and mica lent a glittering appearance to the cement so that the cracks glimmered in the light like seams of diamond or rivers of night sky coursing through the original stonework.

While the Ancients saw to finishing the fountain, Hadama sent some townsfolk to retrieve a couple of large barrels. Then he slid into the water of the nearby canal and ducked beneath the waters. The head that emerged was not that of a man or even a manta, however. A hippocampus shook its webbed mane and lifted its scaled chestnut nose to the sky with a snort. Focusing his attention on the barrels that were even now arriving, Hadama used the mastered water manipulation of his shift to create pure water above the barrels, filling them both to the brim.

By then the fountain stood proudly in the Torchline sun, rebuilt and shining darkly in the afternoon light. The crew sent to harvest the sugarcane had started to return, bringing bushels of long, green grasses with them. Hadama, once again in a human form, looked over those gathered with eyes that twinkled with pride. "We are almost done for today," he assured them. "Once we crush the juice out of the sugar cane we can rest while it ferments."

---

Great job so far, team! We're making amazing time and we just have a few rounds left!

This round we need to crush some sugarcane... however you want! Let's make some sugar juice!

Oh, you say you have to fall apart to really be someone

Stiff and sore from losing herself in the work, Maea didn't really want to move anymore. She could have been content with just sitting and watching the fountain for the rest of the evening, contemplating how she'd actually managed to complete something without threats, fires or dire need being involved. But the people she had been working with over the day didn't let her. They joked about her messy hands until she washed up, then someone came carrying a huge mortar and a pestle so tall it took two people to operate it. Before she quite knew how it happened she was seated in a circle of women and elderly men, listening to someone's family gossip while a young girl showed her how to peel sugarcane with a paring knife, before it was hacked up and thrown into the mortar. Someone took up a song to the beat of the pestle, then another joined; soon they were all singing, as if it had been planned all along.

Overwhelmed, she looked around for Hadama and Thalassa, wide eyes imploring them for some reason to slip away without being rude. While it was probably nice to be surrounded by people, anxiety kept building in her. It was too close, and too warm, and she felt like she might suffocate. Or cry. Coin toss on which would be worse.

---

Maea gets help from her fountain puzzle group to crush sugar cane.

Base by Odd

Thalassa

You could do anything,
if you only dared.

She watched as the fountain was slowly finished; the pieces placed into crevices within each other and cemented with sparkling cement. Having not seen the original, she didn't have a frame of reference for comparison, but she was fairly confident that the new version was much improved. Although perhaps that was just personal bias.

Thal let the handle fall away when the work was done and listened for the next list of directions. With the structure finished, it made sense that they were moving onto the most important part - the rum. Excitement had her looking for methods before Hadama had even finished his explanation.

Luckily, she didn't have to look far as Maea and her puzzle crew began crushing away. Thal wanted to join in on the festive events and was immediately absorbed by the motherly workers. Much to her disappointment, she found the only empty seat was right next to the other Ancient. Her enthusiasm dampened slightly at the proximity, but she let her singing voice accompany the others, just as sweet as the liquid being crushed from the sugarcane. She even taught the group a sailor tune that had them laughing loudly.

Being partial to sharp objects, Thal spent most of her efforts paring the stalks, only taking a turn with the mortar when the others got tired. All the while, she enjoyed the company with smug satisfaction at Maea's discomfort.

---

Thalassa joins Maea's pestle and mortar crew!

And deep down, you know it too.
That’s what scares you most.

Hadama was as surprised as the Ancients when those Torchers who lived in the immediate neighborhood around the fountain brought out the mortar and pestle, but the Tidebreaker's eyes lit up in appreciation as his people prepared for one of Torchline's most time-honored traditions:

The making of the rum.

He shooed the other helpers over to take seats and rest their weary arms while they sang and relaxed compared to the backbreaking work of earlier in the day. Paring the cane was much easier than collecting or breaking rocks and more comfortable than hunching over hundreds of shattered stones! Meanwhile, he remained by the fountain to clean up the mess from cement-mixing and carefully gathered the remaining rock dust to store for future repairs. By the time he finally made it over to join the festivities Thalassa was leading the group in a rowdy and humorous song with an excellent rhythm for paring and crushing the sugarcane. Emerald eyes gleamed with pride and a rare flash of white teeth showed in a brief grin before he glanced down at Maea and met her unhappy gaze.

Kneeling down beside her, he rested his hand gently on her shoulder. "We will need to add the yeast soon," he murmured to the pale woman, but he included Thalassa as well. "Can one of you go with Haukea to retrieve it?" Haukea ran one of the largest distilleries in Torchline and her workshop had a large supply of the yeast they would need to ferment the rum.

"Food will be arriving shortly," he revealed next, mischief hiding in emerald eyes behind his serene expression. "Will the other help Aleko bring the drinks?" As hard as they had been working it only seemed fair to give them one of the first shots at the first shots of the day! Aleko had a wagon they could take to the warehouse where several kegs of beer, wine, and spirits could be fetched for the group.

Perhaps a walk through the streets of the Port in the sunset would help his friend regain her balance?

If they agreed, he would take their place in the circle. Hadama pared cane until it was his turn to take over the mortar and pestle. Despite the best efforts of the laughing grandmothers and ribbing from the old men he staunchly refused to sing, but he did teach the group a call-and-response chant that the Mer used when harvesting kelp until the last of the day's supplies arrived.

---

Hadama will hold down the fort and keep mashing the peeled sugarcane into juice!

Someone needs to help Haukea get the yeast for the next step in making the rum.

Someone needs to help Aleko retrieve some celebratory drinks!

Thalassa

You could do anything,
if you only dared.

Hadama's presence in the circle was a welcome addition and she found herself chiming in with the others in their admonitions that he sing. His call and response was a happy compromise that she begrudgingly allowed with a smile. It helped the work go quickly, surprising her when he whispered the options for their next steps.

At the mention of drinks, Thal was leaping to her feet. "Say less." Without another word, she was hopping into the wagon with Aleko, rolling to the warehouse. All in the blink of an eye. During their journey, Thal let Aleko ramble about everything under the Torchline sun. She barely had to say anything to support the conversation and she actually enjoyed it.

Upon arrival, the two of them made quick work of the kegs. A little tune hummed during their labor helped as well. Before they knew it, they were on their way back to the fountain to set up for the celebration. Thal may have stolen a sip of beer in the process.

---

Thalassa goes to help with the drinks.

And deep down, you know it too.
That’s what scares you most.

Oh, you say you have to fall apart to really be someone

It said plenty of her distress that Maea not only allowed the hand on her shoulder but actually leaned into it for support. Gratitude and relief flared in her eyes as she quickly got to her feet, but not before Thalassa had snatched the drink delivery. Maea didn't begrudge her. "I'll go get the yeast then," she murmured, and disappeared off towards a wagon and the smiling woman who drove the wagon.

Haukea proved sypathetic to Maea's need to be left alone. She spoke to her horses instead, and kept instructions short and sweet when they loaded the yeast onto the wagon and turned back to the worksite.

---

Maea fetches the yeast

Base by Odd

The stars were coming out and the torches along the coast were lit by the time the wagons returned from their errands. Hadama had continued to tirelessly work at the mortar while the townsfolk sang and peeled the sugarcane, and by now they had several barrel's worth of the sweet, sticky juice simmering down in clean cauldrons over the fire. In the nearby canal a few boats had begun to arrive, along with several Mer, bearing food both cooked and raw to the tune of meats, fruits, and vegetables, as well as rice and bread that they spread out along the edge of the water.

Aleko happily chattered away to Thalassa as they loaded their precious cargo and drove it back to the main group. Their arrival was met with a cheer and several willing hands switched tasks to help them unload. Thalassa would find herself patted on the back and shoulders by folk who were happy to see her and the cargo she brought as she was urged to rejoin the circle around the fire.

Haukea was as silent as Aleko was chatty, but she seemed to appreciate that Maea felt no need to fill the silence. Although it wasn't exactly companionable it wasn't awkward, either, as the two women fetched the barrel of yeast that had been prepared for the day. As a token of her appreciation for the assistance, Maea would find a small bottle of spirits pressed into her hand with a firm nod before she dismounted from the wagon to help carry the yeast over to the fire.

Upon seeing the wagons arrive, Hadama ground the last of the sugarcane into paste and helped to strain the juice into the last barrel. "We are almost finished," he assured the group as they grew increasingly restive. Some were already sneaking away towards the food, but the King made no move to stop them. The final step only required a few people to hold the barrels and measure the final ingredients in. "One team to add water to the cane juice and sugar," he instructed. "and one to add the yeast. And one to manage the heat of the fire for each step." The water, cane molasses, and fresh cane sugar would need to be added to water that was hot but not boiling until the mixture was smooth and clear. But then the fire's temperature would need to be decreased until the mixture was at a steady, warm-but-not-too hot temperature before the yeast could be added.

---

Last big push and last full round!

One team needs a leader to add the correct amount of purified water from the barrels Hadama filled earlier, and mix it with the barrels of cane sugar and molasses
One team needs a leader to control the heat of the fire very carefully so that it doesn't boil, keeping it hot enough to dissolve the sugar before lowering it so it won't kill the yeast
One teams needs a leader to slowly mix in just the right amount of yeast to each barrel once the temperature has been brought down far enough.

Thalassa

You could do anything,
if you only dared.

Thal was extremely tempted to just sit the rest of the night by the fire, drinking the celebratory beverages, however, she wasn't a quitter. Placing the last keg, she gathered around Hadama and considered the roles. Maea would probably be better at the fire with her abilities, so she checked that one off. Between the two remaining options and her luck thus far, Thal thought she'd fare better as the mixer in one of the groups.

Finally deciding, she stepped up to the yeast group and began directing people in her Captain's tone. One of them would measure the correct amount for each barrel, preparing it for when the temperature hit the right level. Another few were ordered to keep an eye on the temperatures to notify when a barrel was ready. Lastly, she and a few others were in charge of stirring the yeast in slowly when the time was right. When she wasn't stirring, Thal walked around her group to ensure that everything was going smoothly.

---

Thalassa leads the yeast crew.

And deep down, you know it too.
That’s what scares you most.

Oh, you say you have to fall apart to really be someone

She was growing tired, but so was everyone else. Still, if Maea knew Thalassa had thought about her enough to give up the easiest job of the lit, she really might have hugged the younger woman.
Instead she only watched her go off to join the group that worked with measuring the yeast, before bracing herself for the last pull.

Someone began to fumble with flint and steel and talking about firewood, but before they could get far she stepped in and shook her head with a faint smile. "No need. Just tell me if you need it bitter or cooler." Drawing on the spark of magic, she summoned a ball of fire into a hand, split it neatly to make sure it would heat the brew evenly and sat down where she could maintain the fire without getting in anyone's way. At a casual glance she seemed to be doing nothing; it was only the focused gleam beneath half-lidded eyes that revealed the truth.

---

Maea leads the fire crew.

Base by Odd