Listen I Have Too Much Free Time Right Now And I’m Obsessed So Why Not?

Rebuilding Rustberg

Work on the dock started early every morning which suited Kore just fine. The large Illidari preferred to be kept busy, finding the down time between tasks where the time his own demon whispered incessantly. Volgath's constant scratching just under the skin, his restless need to be free, in control, had only worsened once the Legion was broken and the Centurion had found less and less prey to hunt. With no direction, no focus Kore was finding it harder to control the soul he'd trapped years ago. So he sought out his brothers and found the wave and wind battered island.

Perchedon, the commander of the island, seemed to immediately understand seeing the unkempt hunter walk into the Tavern. Not only had be offered Kore a place in the Hold with the rest of the Brother Illidari but had arranged for Kore's size to be put to use, to which Korellan was eternally thankful for. Frankly, he'd never expected to live to see the Legion fall, and was rather bereft on what to do with himself now that they had. What possible use could a frankly monstrous elf have to anyone? As if his size wasn't intimating enough, the wicked claws and lethal bone spikes jutting from his form were just downright unnerving. He had been remade into a hunter of things that went bump in the night...and not much else.

Perhaps that was why it was so odd to see the Demon Hunter not only volunteering to help with the clean up of the most damaged areas but taking orders from the smaller residents like a well trained dog. Mostly he hauled lumber, and debris from sun up till sun down, putting his strength to good use. Was it glamorous? No, but it gave Kore a sense of place and something to keep his mind focused and at the end of the day a dark ale always waited at the Tavern as he caught supper with the rest of the crew. 

It was while working one day that the idea came rather by accident. He'd been hauling a load of old dock wood, too shattered and in disrepair to be of any use anymore, when his claw had caught on a plank. The soft wood curled as the claw sank, leaving a furrow along its surface. The blind hunter tilted his head this way and that, unable to see exactly what he's done but able to feel it. He scratched again raking all four along the plank and feeling the damage left. Huh....

A memory surfaced of a time long, long ago when he'd still been a man. The smell of fresh cut pine and wood dust, his father sitting hunched over a workbench, his little brother usually making a mess of tools and precut poles. Riverwood, they used to be called. Named for the find craftsmanship of their woodworking that was damn near an art form. One of his father's tables made with color-stained glass could go for thousands of gold if sold to the right noble.

It had been a long time since Korellan had been a Riverwood. He'd given up the name and the craft when his Prince had ordered him to the Black Temple for Illidan's training. Now all that remained was a simple pet name of 'River' that Jari affectionately called him. But.... he gave up the name to become a hunter, and now he didn't even have that. He was rudderless, without direction or idea on what to do with his life now. But that did present a very unique opportunity that only had one answer. Anything. 

"Hey boss!" Kore called over the din of hammering and grunting men. "What are we doing with this old wood?" "Naw'tin. Bound for firewood prob'ly." The human called back only sparing a quick glance up at the Hunter and the pile of scrap before resuming his hammering. Kore looked back at the pile of splintered aged wood, barely able to make out the outline in the shifting grey-ness that was non-magical things. "You mind if I take a few?" The foreman just waved a dismissive hand before remembering the Illidari couldn't truly see such a gesture. "Do as ye like!" That evening when the others went up to supper Kore stayed behind picking through the scrap pile, carefully feeling every plank. ‘Too rotted, too broken, bad grain, terrible knot, barnacle covered....’ Eventually he found three good sized pieces which he carried off to his quarters in the Hold. After that the Illidari could be seen sitting in the sand down by the shore on his days off, turning blocks of wood over and over in his large hands. Sometimes taking a piece of sturdy leather to the wood, rubbing clumps of sand across the surface only to brush it away, feel the wood, and start again.

Four days later when Ajarik went to the Aviary to check on his little bats he'd find the newest addition, a carved wooden bat, hanging from a beam. The tiny orphans pups seemingly having taken a shine to their friend as they piled in the hollow of its wings, cuddling into the warmth they provided. A thank you for his flamboyant brother, and dearest friend.

A week later the second craft was found on the bar top in the Tavern with no note or explanation, a plaque baring two ravens perched inside a Triquetra. An offering to the Town that had welcomed the Illidari without so much as a second thought.

(( Mentions: @jinxandjingles @perchedon @heartoftheravenwra ))

Jason Momoa

Birthday Surprises

The bat bound Illidari woke at his usual time, just when the last bit of sun was sinking below the horizon, bathing the world in a cast of color. Not that he could see it. He wished he could, as it had been described to him many times, but it wasn’t something he tended to dwell on. No use. Things just were. Much like today… It was his birthday and nothing was going to change that. Long, painted claws dug their way into his hair, scratching at his scalp as he yawned, and stretched his wings with a small trill of noise. Today would be just like any other day and… Well… He’d just gotten used to that.

Jinx dropped to the bed with a very lazy ‘whump’ of sound after he noticed a significant lack of a certain, massive partner, and he huffed softly. Where could River have gone? Irritation welled inside of him as he lay there with his arms crossed, completely ready to storm his way through the Hold to find the other male. Kore knew the anxiety that was now attached whenever he left Jinx’s line of sight and yet… Here was the Baby Bat without his usual roost. Unacceptable.

He rolled, snagging up some big shirt with the back cut open for his wings, and started to stomp his way toward the door when he paused. Was that… sweets? Ears flicked in a rapid jingle and his head turned in various directions before he located the source of the scent. Cake? When did he get ca–… What was all this?

Painted claws reached to touch a massive cabinet that was definitely not there when he went to bed and the doors were swiftly pulled open to reveal the shelving. Considering the size, it didn’t take long for the bat to realize it’s purpose, and a hand flew to his mouth with a delighted squeak just before he went tearing around the room to find discarded shoes. Everything fit perfectly! His hands were pressed over his heart as he gazed at the lovely display his shoes now rested in before his attention shifted to the other things that sat on his dresser.

Another box? Two boxes. He opened the doors on the smaller box and let his fingers roam the various empty spaces with a pinched brow before the realization it him. Oh! A brilliant smile lit his face and he cooed, attention quickly shifting to the remaining things that were left. Curiosity demanded the gifts be opened with as much delight as possible and he was not disappointed. New make-up in his favorite colors, absolutely packed with glitter, and the added effect of a slight magical embodiment that allowed him to really ‘see’ the intended shade. Caythaes must have gotten this, there was no question, and Jinx made a mental note to smother his best friend in the world with so much affection for this. He adored Kore’s attempted interest in his desire to be pretty, but the poor guy just didn’t really… get it. That was fine, though. He loved him all the same.

The next box was opened and it about brought him to tears as his fingers touched the familiar, if less worn out, cordage on the boots. A replacement pair for the one he lost. He sniffled a bit, now realizing what Kore, and Caythaes, had been up to on Monday. He bit his lip, picked up the cake, and made his way down the row of doors to where he knew the larger male must be hiding. This was too important to be bothered by putting on his face. He didn’t even knock, simply letting himself in, and held the treat aloft in one hand, hip cocked as he also held up the fork that had been left.

“Uhm, excuse me, sir. I have been thoroughly surprised and brought to tears. I also have cake. I can only imagine it is because it is my birthday. As such, I think it’s your job to feed this to me, hm? Because… You know… I love you.” (( super late response to this, but I needed to do it right )) Mentions -  @mekandawn​ @koreriverwood​

Major Arcana Inspired Character Asks

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The Fool: When has your character been excited to start a new journey? The Magician: How does your character unleash their creativity or resourcefulness? The High Priestess: When has trusting their instincts paid off for your character? The Empress: Who has been a positive female figure in your character’s life? The Emperor: Who has been a positive male figure in your character’s life? The Hierophant: Who has served as a mentor to your character? The Lovers: Which of your character’s relationships has been the most positive? (Romantic or otherwise) The Chariot: What goal is your character determined to reach? Strength: On what issue is your character persistent? The Hermit: Write about a time your character did some soul searching. What did they find? The Wheel of Fortune: What are your character’s proudest successes? Justice: When has your character felt satisfied with the conclusion to a major dispute or concern? The Hanged Man: When has your character needed to step back and look at things from a different perspective? Death: When has your character had to let go of something in their life? Temperance: How does your character balance their life? The Devil: Does your character ever neglect their wild side? The Tower: When has your character lost an ideal or relationship? The Star: When has your character been most hopeful? The Moon: When has your character’s path been unclear? The Sun: When does your character sit back and enjoy themselves? Judgment: Has your character ever been given a second chance? The World: When has one of your character’s dreams come true?

Bonus: Major Arcana in Reverse!

The Fool in Reverse: When has your character acted recklessly? The Magician in Reverse: When was your character manipulated? The High Priestess in Reverse: When has your character felt betrayed emotionally? The Empress in Reverse: When has your character felt dependent on another? The Emperor in Reverse: When is your character inflexible or stubborn? The Hierophant in Reverse: When has your character’s personal beliefs been challenged? The Lovers in Reverse:  When has your character experienced heartbreak? The Chariot in Reverse: When has your character’s pride or arrogance been their downfall? Strength in Reverse: What are your character’s doubts or insecurities? The Hermit in Reverse: When has your character felt the most alone? The Wheel of Fortune in Reverse: When has your character felt their life was no longer under their control? Justice in Reverse: When has your character been treated unfairly or cruelly? The Hanged Man in Reverse: When has your character tried to avoid making a major decision? Death in Reverse: When has your character tried to fight change? Temperance in Reverse: When has your character felt overwhelmed? The Devil in Reverse: When has your character suffered from refusing to break off an unhealthy relationship? The Tower in Reverse: When has your character’s actions led to disaster? The Star in Reverse: When has your character lost faith? The Moon in Reverse: When does your character mistrust their feelings or intuition? The Sun in Reverse: When does your character’s goal seem just out of reach? Judgment in Reverse: When has your character found it difficult to forgive themselves? The World in Reverse: What is your character holding back? 

@jinxandjingles

Things to do for the babies!

🖤|  honey.bee.slimery

Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho. Photo by Chiabella James. “Behold Dune,” Vanity Fair, April 14, 2020.