[o] [PQ] [SE] A beacon in the night

RONIN

Having made the window boxes successfully and without so much as a splinter, Ronin also gives his group a break while Noah takes over, the Knight taking the opportunity to sit and sun his pale wings, enjoying some of the snacks on offer. 

By the time Hadama is calling them back and the boxes are filled with beautiful trailing flowers, he's well-rested and ready to go on their last task. Not needing his wings for this part - at the very least they'd be more cumbersome in trying to keep him hovering while painting - Ronin dismisses them in lieu of a bucket and brush.

Happy this time to focus on the lower portions of the lighthouse, he makes sure to keep out from beneath Noah's feet (and ladder) as he works, content with the quiet manual labour of the day.

---

Ronin also paints!

soft spoken with a broken jaw
we step outside, but not to brawl

There was something to be said for things just going right for a change. No rabid animals or broken tools, no smashed thumbs or damaged windows. The lighthouse shrine was cleaned and scrubbed and polished to a shine to honor Safrin and Vi, and now the final coat of paint was going on without a hitch.

With Noah going high and Ronin going low, Hadama helped fill in the space in-between. One of the townsfolk began singing a sea shanty to the rhythm of the rollers and brushes going up and down over the stonework and a few others quickly joined in. Several more gathered up smaller brushes and chipped in with the detailing while the demigods layered the glittering whitewash on the larger surfaces.

By the time they were done the lighthouse shone brightly in the afternoon sunlight, and a few more boats were making their way to the island with supplies of a different kind. Not more building materials, but a pair of large grills and several baskets of ingredients, along with a keg of beer and a tun of wine. Hadama stepped back to examine the lighthouse as the finishing touches were applied, and his stoic expression cracked into a small but satisfied smile at what they had accomplished.

"Everyone, thank you," he called to his friends and their assistants. "Dinner will be ready in an hour. Until then rest, relax - or bring your families back to celebrate Safrin and Vi. We have done well today. I could not be more grateful .. or more proud."

The grills were set up, the wood and charcoal lit and set to burn down to hot coals to cook the meats and vegetables that were laid atop the metal lattices, and the drinks were soon passed around. Later, as the sun sank below the horizon and the party shifted into full swing, Hadama asked his friends to help him carry the window boxes up so they could be set into place.

And the shrine at Aumakua, in honor of his goddess, was refreshed and renewed for another season.

~Fin