[PQ] rivers belong where they can ramble

Deimos Just a little more – fragments remaining in the rivulet, and then they might be able to coax the water back into an even flow once again. Concentration aimed to hone, to become keen and precise, to layer and lacquer the focus upon dispelling the dirt, the loam, the soil, and the components left behind. Except Loren seemed to have issues, and his head came up, gaze riveting to the water now bombarding into the earth he’d been painstakingly carrying away, and the Sword could see the weakness in all of it now. Feeble, delicate, flimsy; and so he poured more, more, more of the Mastered components into stabilizing the damned thing. Reinforcing, as he’d done in so many other instances; ignoring the onslaught of warnings ringing through his mind. Even then too, he attempted to splinter off some portion of the water incantations in his veins too, to assist Loren in holding back the water, in just giving him a little more time. Zuriel, impressed the burros listened, was instantly torn. She could hear, feel, and sense the impending cataclysm surrounding the General, and she’d been eager to help the Fae out of boredom. A snort and a nod was granted instead, loyalties no longer so fractured after a moment, another coaxing muzzle and movement to push the burros onward, and then she trotted back towards the other fools. -- Deimos tries to use his Mastered Earth to reinforce the dam while Loren restabilizes the water, and tries to use a little Mastered Water to help Loren too. Zuriel helps with the burros one last time before returning to Deimos/Loren, assuming they’re going to hurt themselves. Out of sight and out of mind Make everything alright So let the sky and sea collide Just not in our lifetime

LOREN

Enticed by the promise of sweets and treats, all of the burros crowded around Juniper and Zuriel. The animals chittered and cooed at the Fae and the companion as they trundled along behind them. They'd follow the woman and the unicorn all the way to the Sidhe Village, where they'd happily settle in, digging new tunnels around the buildings and trees there.

Back at the dam, Loren would manage to beat back the water. However, Deimos would do the healer one better. A huge surge of water magic would fly out from the General (nat 20!!!): not only would it relieve the pressure on the blockage and stabilize the fallen earth, it would remove the moisture from the dam itself, making the earth drier and easier to shift.

Which is exactly what the Sword did. With the newly dry dirt, it was simple for him to remove the last of it. When he did, the Firebrand released his magic and stepped away from the riverbank with a grin. "Crisis averted." And when Zuriel returned, she'd find both men entirely unharmed.

---

The dam has been removed and the burros relocated. This PQ is now concluded. Feel free to post a wrap up and I'll archive in a few days. Thanks you two!

look at how a single candle can both
defy and define the darkness

Deimos If Deimos had been surprised by the last round of success, these moments of established triumph were baffling. The surge and swell of power was nothing new, but the precision, the prowess, mauling and honing through the proceedings hadn’t been felt in ages, and confidence reigned instead of being cast along a shadow. Whatever dread and apprehension that had coursed through his veins, the warning signs became indignant and unworthy, as the potency flared, defying odds, parameters, and particulars. Almost as if things were normal again. Almost as if the affliction hadn’t taken its toll. He released a breath when all of it was finished, Zuriel back at his side (similarly shocked). The monolith backed away a few steps, snorting at the way in which the Stonesong had returned. “Somehow.” A shrug, half a grin edged along his mouth, before nodding at Loren, and peeling away, along the abandoned cart, and its piles of sticks and twigs, a wave extended, before hastening off to snag at the rest of his chosen burdens. -- Deimos out! Out of sight and out of mind Make everything alright So let the sky and sea collide Just not in our lifetime

LOREN

It seemed that Juniper wasn't planning on returning to the Stonesong. She likely had her hands full getting the burros all settled in at the Sidhe Village. Loren nodded at Deimos and Zuriel, lips quirking at the general's assessment of their efforts. Waving goodbye at the other man, the healer turned to squint at the sky.

Sighing when he saw how much time had passed, he shook his head. It was too late to make it to the shrine. Besides, he didn't have any offerings. He'd stop at the Temple on his way through the Hollowed Ground then. Scratching Astra behind the ears, he began to make his way towards his temporary home.

-FIN

look at how a single candle can both
defy and define the darkness