{Open} Do you even rift, bro?

[hallabackdir]

WHO: Haldir, and Whoever!
WHAT: Haldir has drug 4 large trees from sundermount, and is now vigorously chopping wood outside the mages tower without a shirt. 
WHEN: Wintermarch
WHERE: Kirkwall - Gallows specifically
NOTES: For some UNKNOWN REASON Haldir feels super energetic, and he promised a lovely lady some wood  /waggles eybrows

Over the space of a few days, Haldir’s attitude and outlook on life had changed drastically. Although he lacked a purpose in his new place of residence, it didn’t seem bother him as it did before. After a delightful, and very eventful day with Ellana, he felt an overwhelming need to make sure she had everything she needed. She had mentioned that having a well stocked supply of wood was always sought after, so it was a place to start. So, after a quick and very awkward chat with the Quartermaster, he borrowed an ax and ran off toward a wooded area he discovered in his roaming.

He chopped down four sizable trees, and then proceeded to drag them from the wood all the way to the Mages Tower. He thought it would take quite a lot longer, but he felt his old strength and vigor return, which made it possible to drag two trees at once, rather than just one at a time. Night passed, and the exercise felt rather good. It was quite a hike from the gallows to the forest, but he didn’t feel fatigued. If anything, he felt relieved that his body didn’t seem to require rest or sleep that night. He hated the idea of sleep, more so the nightmares that accompanied it. He often went until he collapsed, hoping fatigue would erase the chances for dreams. Given the option, he was much more content to explore the new trees, and walk under the stars, even if they were not the ones he knew. He was beginning to feel like himself again.

An irksome thing he had noticed his body was that it started producing a wet sheen that smelled most unpleasant after a few hours. In order to prevent his shirt and armor from becoming soiled, he stripped down to just his breeches and boots, stashing the rest away until he was finished. Once all the trees had been deposited by the tower, he started frantically chopping, cleaving each log in two in just one swing. A sizable pile of wood was starting to build up, and he paused to survey his handiwork with a satisfied smile, and a swipe across his brow.

Comments

[untiltheyarent]

Someone has passed him several times over the course of this episode, and each time she stops and stares a little longer, pursing her lips and wondering if maybe the gentleman needs help. But he has one of those glowing hands, and Fifi understands that Rifters are a little different, with different needs, so maybe... maybe he's fine. Maybe it's none of her business.

But she stands and watches him this last time, puzzled, hoping he's having a good time.

[hallabackdir]

After a sharp exhale, he continued his blistering pace, grunting each time the blade came down. He smiled as he worked, and he was so focused on his work, all else seemed to fade away. The slight burn in his muscles felt good. It was satisfying to work with this hands, so much so he wondered why he hadn't done it before. Perhaps he would try to do something else once this was done.

He turned around to grab the next large log, and saw someone watching him. He mentally cursed himself, it was not like him to be so unaware of his surroundings. Whoever they were, they seemed to be staring at him rather quizzically for some reason. He stopped, unsure of how to proceed. After a pause, he cleared his throat, and put up a hand to give a small wave.

"Hel-hello."

[untiltheyarent]

"Salut," replied the elf, who, for one with an observant eye, was dressed as a maid and seemed very much to belong in Thedas. "...would you like some water?" She really had no idea what else to ask him, apart from 'are you mentally sound', which didn't seem quite the right approach for a shirtless glowing man holding an axe.

[hallabackdir]

He cocked his head to the side, and then looked around.

"I'm afraid you must have me confused with someone else. I am not Salut. Perhaps he is about?"

He looked around again hoping that Salut would pop out of the corner to save him from his own awkwardness.

[untiltheyarent]

It takes Fifi a moment, then she smiles. "...salut is a greeting," she explains, "forgive me, it would seem I am still very Orlesian." She shakes her head with a sigh. "But the question remains, if you would like water."

[hallabackdir]

He had no idea what being Orlesian meant, but he assumed it was either a region or possibly a clan? She lacked the facial markings the dalish often had, but maybe she was from a different clan? He remembered that there were also elves who had no clan, maybe she was one of them?

He was unsure why everyone in Kirkwall suddenly became concerned with his water intake, but he didn't want to appear rude.

"If you would part with some, I would gladly partake. I have been working for quite a while." He shifted his feet awkwardly. Should he introduce himself? "I'm called Haldir."

[untiltheyarent]

Another smirk. "I would," she agrees, "give me a moment."
A minute or so later, she returns with a wooden cup of water, lukewarm from the kitchens so the winter doesn't make it icy too quickly and shock his system. "Fifi," she replies, "'Aldir. You are from a rift?"

[fineriftercrafts]

A somewhat tuneless humming can be heard, and a dwarf comes around the corner, leading a cart being pushed by another person. The dwarf has the bearing that there are pushers and people who lead and as he had the gold, he does the leading. The cart is oddly filled with bottles, all corked, and all seem to be different. Barnabas spies the elf, working hard and sweaty and gives him a big grin. "Hello! You seem to be working hard. Quite a few people seem to be working quite hard lately. Perhaps would you be interested in a cool refreshing drink?"

Barnabas passes a hand over the cart and the bottles. "Fresh water! Just the thing for someone...chopping a whole lot of wood..." Barnabas pauses for a moment. "Just out of curiosity, is there a end-goal for all this wood? Or did ya just feel the urge to go chopping?"

[hallabackdir]

He looked up from his chopping to look at the speaker. He let out a soft huff once he discovered it was a dwarf. What was with this town and pushy dwarves? They were supposed to rather fond of being underground, weren't they? Why then were they constantly underfoot? He'd never seen dwarves who acted like them. They are seemed very intent on getting your attention. Shouting at you from the streets to look at their objects they carried. He cared very little for most babbles, but they were relentless in their desire to show off their possessions, but easily parted with them when others took interest in them. The dwarves he was exposed to where very much the opposite. They horded their precious possessions, much like dragons, and refused to let anyone see them. It was most confusing.

He eyed the bottles, not quite sure he could trust the water to be exceedingly clean. He put out his hands, and shook his head. "I do not require anything." He looked at the duo again, and then added belatedly, "I thank you." He looked to the growing pile of wood, and then back to the dwarf. "My...friend...said they were in of wood. I said I would help with their supply."

[fineriftercrafts]

"Well, it's good clean water, and we all know how bad it is to get dehydrated. Never good, you get all confused, headaches, stop sweating. Seen it happen! Dwarves working all day in the forges, forgetting to drink, and the next thing you know Bam! They lose a finger with a misplaced hammer."

Barnabas looks back at the massive woodpile, and then back at the unchopped two trees. "You know, winter dosn't last for years here. Just a few months, and then it gets hot again."

[hallabackdir]

"Eldar do not dwindle to physical exertions as easily as some...other...races. As I said before I am well, thank you." He went back to his chopping, after giving him a little side eye. He didn't appreciate this dwarf's needling. He didn't feel fatigued at all, if anything the physical exertion was invigorating.

"I have experience little of winter, as my Lady couldn't abide it. She preferred spring to all other seasons. But, I am not ignorant to it's waning. It's my understanding that wood can be used for necessities other than warmth. Cooking, for example." He brought his ax down, cleaving another thick log in half in one swing. "Perhaps I should get another tree or two. It wouldn't be too much trouble. I admit, eating out of necessity is another thing I have little experience in."

[fineriftercrafts]

"Well I'm just saying you're looking a little sweaty there. But no worries, whatever works for you."

Barnabas leaned against his cart, watching the log splitting. "I'm Barnabas by the way. Seller of rare goods. Currently trying out the water business." He glances at his nails, trying to figure out how to phrase the next question. "So...You don't eat normally? Wherever you come from? Well, cooking is one of the great skills, nothing gets a person in a more cheerful mood than making them a great meal. Where do you come from anywho? You're not like the other elves I've seen around."

[hallabackdir]

He paused in his chopping, looked back to the cart and back to the dwarf.

"I'm from Arda, far from here. I am quite different from the elves you are accustomed to. And I ate quite often, but it was out of desire rather than necessity. Cooking wasn't a strength, so I was assigned to duties elsewhere."

He gave both individuals another glance, then cocked his head again. "Is it your duty to provide water for the town?"

[serannas]

Now that the ice rink has melted and things are back to normal, Ellana gets back into her routine. That means leaving the mage tower after breakfast to do some exercising outside along the walls and roofs of the Gallows before heading out into the city proper. But today she hasn't even completely descended the steps when her sensitive ears pick up the sound of furious chopping. Curious, she glances around the courtyard, stopping on the bottom step, mouth agape as she sees Haldir shirtless and chopping... oh so much wood.

Her entry onto the scene coincides with his pause to wipe his brow, and Ellana comes over, amazed at how much wood is there. Surely this is a task he's doing with others on a rotating shift. Maybe the Gallows as a whole is running out of wood and they need volunteers to create a stockpile?

Since he doesn't yet notice her, she takes a moment to ogle him because it's really a thing she does on the regular with muscular men, but then she decides to turn to the matter at hand. "Haldir," she greets, "Who is all this wood for?"

[hallabackdir]

He turned at the sound of her voice, face lighting up at the sight of her. He set the ax down, and then scooped her up in a quick hug. He pulled back a fraction, looking with pride at his pile.

"For you! You said you needed more, so here is more! I hope it's enough. I can always get more. It only took a few hours to drag from the forest. How long is winter exactly? I'm afraid I don't have much experience with it."

[serannas]

Ellana's eyes widen in pure surprise. She looks at the monstrous pile and shakes her head in disbelief.

"Haldir, this is a lot of wood! I'll gladly take what I can now, but there's no way I can fit it all in my room, and I have no where else to store it all. Uh, winter is about three months, give or take. It's usually more mild in the north. This heavy snowfall in Kirkwall is unexpected."

[hallabackdir]

His face fell immediately, and he retreated from her a few steps. He his face drained of color, and then his head bowed.

"My apologies. I-I only..." He only wanted her to have what she needed, but he couldn't finish the sentence. Instead he started to pick up the wood as fast as he could. "I will have it gone as fast as I can." He cursed himself. How could he be so stupid? It was too much. Too impulsive. Always.

[serannas]

Ellana gives his bent form a quizzical look. Is he always this... intense emotionally? Truth be told, it's a little disconcerting. She knows what it's like to be a fool in love, and she knows what it's like to be in love with someone too much. Ellana is far from having perfect control over her own emotions, but Haldir's response is a little extreme. He'd better not be trying to guilt her, because she's not taking any of that.

"It's not like it sitting out here bothers me," she replies evenly. "I'll take what I can carry up with me, and maybe we could deliver the rest to some of the places out here? The infirmary, the quartermaster, others who might have need of it. It won't go to waste."

[hallabackdir]

He paused in his collecting, looking up at her. "I'd like that. At least someone can benifit from my mistake. I didn't know how much you would need... Overzealous."

He tried to focus his eyes as Ellana's form duplicated in his vision. He shook his head a little, hoping to fix it, but that only made the world spin. His feet gave out on him, making him stumble down to his knees. He tried to brace with his palms, which hit the wood causing him to hiss as it grazed his skin.

[tar_minyatur]

"Ho friend!" Elros hails him with a laugh.

"Might I get some of that wood, or plan you to chop the whole place down yourself?"

[hallabackdir]

Haldir lit up at the sign of his friend.

"Well met, Elros," he said with small bow. "There should be some to spare. I admit I'm very much enjoying the work. Do you require more? Should I go get another tree?"

[tar_minyatur]

"If you could? I think I will build three little boats- the more the better!"

[hallabackdir]

He perks up a the sound of boat making.

"Would you feel like teaching me how to build one? I found the chopping alone to be quite satisfying... I would like to know how to build them, if you wouldn't mind a mediocre student."

[tar_minyatur]

"Of course!" Elros grins

"We could do four, as well as three? Or you could build cousin Galadriel's, if you like! I'm sure you'll learn fast."

[hallabackdir]

The thought of building a boat for Galdriel made him excited and sickened at the same time. He would love to build her something that would be so useful, but he knew his skills were rough. He would not want her to have a sub par boat. But, Elros had agreed to be his teacher, and if there was anyone who could help hone his skills it was him.

"I'd like that. Thank you." He put down the ax, and went over to slug an arm over Elros' shoulder. It was decidedly out of character, but for some reason he wasn't really worried about it. "When do we start?"