"Lemme know if you need a hand," Tal called in to the General, intrigued by the mystery Deimos's words invoked. He flashed Delia a grin as she offered to help as well, with what would hopefully be the most interesting part of the day, if they were lucky.
But when has Halo ever been kind to any of them?
Deimos had become too practiced at magic and mechanical engineering to find himself in danger now. Piece by piece, element by element, ropes and wheels and cranks took shape beneath his capable hands and soon enough he had his system in place. With various options available to him for getting down into the cellar and up again it was only a question of time and patience rather than trial or tribulation before he hoisted the dried carcass up the main floor of the little house. It quickly became apparent that luck wasn't quite enough on his side for the pelt to be salvageable. Although it had been protected by weather the smaller scavengers had still chewed holes in the hide, leaving it patchy and brittle.
Cordelia was able to sweep the snow out at first. The cobwebs contained nothing more than more snow and dust, as might be expected from a house that had been open to the weather for several seasons. True, the place was filthy, but under her determination and elbow grease it was starting to look downright salvageable - Whoosh!
Oh dear.
From the open windows came a gust of wind that blew snow right back inside and knocked grit and dust from the sod slabs insulating the ceiling. It wasn't quite as bad as it was before, but much of her work would need to be redone all over again - though at least the second time through it would hopefully go faster?
Tal, meanwhile, had gone back to fetch the brazier again from the sled in order to start heating up the mortar in a metal bucket. Once that was started he carried in the excess pieces of wood from his earlier cutting to build a small fire in the remnants of the hearth; enough to keep the mortar from instantly freezing as he applied it, at least. Thanks to Cordelia doing the heavy lifting, the stones were already mostly in place for him to begin stacking them and cementing them in place without too much difficulty, his progress slow but steady... at least until he had to start piling things to stand on and haul the rocks atop. Then it just became slow and full of groans and grumbles from aching arms and back.
But all of these things took time, and the luxere in the distance made its way to the edge of town as they worked, snuffling and lowing quietly to itself as it stumbled up to the ruins. It was an old animal, unlikely to live through the season. Unwell. Alone.
But what a lovely trail it left behind it through the Leafchange snow...
Round 4 has resulted in good progress and only a small, windy, hopefully brief setback!
The cellar needs a way to get safely in and out, and the trapdoor should probably be replaced; these can be combined into one round of manual woodworking or magical creation.
The windows still need to be repaired/replaced or shuttered before the wind comes along again and ruins more of Cordelia's hard work. Bonus points for creativity!
The roof - thick slabs of sod over planks - needs several slabs replaced; this may require more than one person, depending on strength.
The rotten support beams in the damaged wall on either side of the chimney need replaced; this will require at least two people.
No posting order!
But when has Halo ever been kind to any of them?
Deimos had become too practiced at magic and mechanical engineering to find himself in danger now. Piece by piece, element by element, ropes and wheels and cranks took shape beneath his capable hands and soon enough he had his system in place. With various options available to him for getting down into the cellar and up again it was only a question of time and patience rather than trial or tribulation before he hoisted the dried carcass up the main floor of the little house. It quickly became apparent that luck wasn't quite enough on his side for the pelt to be salvageable. Although it had been protected by weather the smaller scavengers had still chewed holes in the hide, leaving it patchy and brittle.
Cordelia was able to sweep the snow out at first. The cobwebs contained nothing more than more snow and dust, as might be expected from a house that had been open to the weather for several seasons. True, the place was filthy, but under her determination and elbow grease it was starting to look downright salvageable - Whoosh!
Oh dear.
From the open windows came a gust of wind that blew snow right back inside and knocked grit and dust from the sod slabs insulating the ceiling. It wasn't quite as bad as it was before, but much of her work would need to be redone all over again - though at least the second time through it would hopefully go faster?
Tal, meanwhile, had gone back to fetch the brazier again from the sled in order to start heating up the mortar in a metal bucket. Once that was started he carried in the excess pieces of wood from his earlier cutting to build a small fire in the remnants of the hearth; enough to keep the mortar from instantly freezing as he applied it, at least. Thanks to Cordelia doing the heavy lifting, the stones were already mostly in place for him to begin stacking them and cementing them in place without too much difficulty, his progress slow but steady... at least until he had to start piling things to stand on and haul the rocks atop. Then it just became slow and full of groans and grumbles from aching arms and back.
But all of these things took time, and the luxere in the distance made its way to the edge of town as they worked, snuffling and lowing quietly to itself as it stumbled up to the ruins. It was an old animal, unlikely to live through the season. Unwell. Alone.
But what a lovely trail it left behind it through the Leafchange snow...
Round 4 has resulted in good progress and only a small, windy, hopefully brief setback!
The cellar needs a way to get safely in and out, and the trapdoor should probably be replaced; these can be combined into one round of manual woodworking or magical creation.
The windows still need to be repaired/replaced or shuttered before the wind comes along again and ruins more of Cordelia's hard work. Bonus points for creativity!
The roof - thick slabs of sod over planks - needs several slabs replaced; this may require more than one person, depending on strength.
The rotten support beams in the damaged wall on either side of the chimney need replaced; this will require at least two people.
No posting order!
