awashlogs | February Catch-All!

Oh.

[ Honestly that sounds legit. Sage nods. ]

I don’t suppose that I can assist you in negotiating with the beaver? To ask for the hairs of a spirit…this is quite an interesting toll.

You're definitely more than welcome to! I'd love persuasive company.

What a troublesome beaver it must be…I certainly hope it will not come to violence.

[ To no one’s surprise, he says this with a completely straight face. ]

I don't think it will unless it picks a fight first! And we should be fine.

[ She has guns!! Among other things.

But also she offers her hand. Come along, new escort. ]

[ Well, the prospect of beating up a beaver is still worrisome to him…unless it’s like an evil demon superbeaver. But all right, he’ll follow along. If nothing else, he doesn’t want her going into the woods alone, anyhow. ]

But you are making chocolates then? Who is the happy recipient, if I might ask?

... I mean, you're free to ask, but that really might spoil the surprise for you.

[ You just spoiled the surprise yourself, Maya. ]

Oh. [ Uh. So she did. But instead of being embarrassed, that gets him to chuckle instead. ]

I am certain that your sentiments will be very much appreciated. [ Man it makes him wish he got to be a part of the Valentine’s Day festivities the other Servants used to talk about. ]

Especially given the great effort it must require in the making of it.

It's true that it's going to take a colossal effort, since I haven't done it since high school... but!! It's fine!

[ With an upraised fist as she enters the forest, no less. ]

I don't intend to lose to baking!

I am certain you will do well. [ Says the man who already got poisoned by two of his friends who cooked for him. But she has experience!! He’ll be fine!!! Third time’s the charm, right?? ]

I must admit that it is a very charming custom—and one I wish I’d known of sooner.

There's no use regretting the past, right? You can just use that to make new memories, starting with today!

[ Maya will at least not kill him. ]

[ Hey at this point his standards are pretty low. ]

Yes… [ And yet his smile takes on a rather sad cast anyway. ] I only thought…perhaps Iseult might have appreciated such a gesture.

[ ... Damn, despite her best efforts-- ]

Well.... hm. Maybe we can make one in her honor too.

I’d like that. [ And he offers her a sheepish look. ]

But you must forgive me. You are right, of course. This is a time for celebration, and I can safely say that I do love many in this world.

Aww! I'm glad you're not afraid to form attachments, even after everything.

[ And it makes her smile as she leads the way. From the prints in the snow, the beaver isn't far. ]

Even though love and passion proved to be—oh, I hear a river.

[ Thanks beaver for cutting off his rambling. ]

We must be close.

Yeah, he should be--

[ and there the beaver is, chilling by the riverside. It looks expectantly at Maya, who gestures to Tristan with a flourish. ]

As promised, he's a real live spirit!

[ The beaver, predictably enough, gives Tristan as unimpressive look as a beaver can manage, as it hops off the top of its den. Tristan gives it a polite bow. ]

Yes, good sir. The lady seeks passage for a noble quest, and be it five strands or a thousand, I am at your disposal.

... Maybe don't volunteer to go bald for my sake, your hair's too pretty for that.

[ The beaver's tail slaps the ground five times, though, so that's apparently enough. But then it tilts its head at Maya. ]

... I have to pull them off of him??

That is fine. [ Losing an entire head of hair isn’t a big deal, despite her protests, so he inclines his head toward her. ]

You might have to put all your strength into it, however. Dealing damage to a Heroic Spirit is no easy task for a human.

[ They could also just cut them off with his sword, but why do things the easy way? ]

Yes, well, I'm a pretty fierce human!

[ Which is to say she doesn't really want to hurt him, but if he insists, she'll curl her fingers around five strands of hair and yank with.

Well. All her might. ]

[ It’s hard resisting the urge to flinch, but what’s a hair or five in comparison to all the other damage he’s sustained in this place so far? Sure, it takes perhaps a bit more strength than necessary, but his hairs do eventually come off, and Tristan immediately reaches out for her in case the momentum sends her tumbling backwards— ]

[ It's like he knew. Because Maya might have underestimated the strength of Tristan's scalp, and when the hairs do fly free, so too does she topple backwards.

Thanks, Tristan.

The beaver has been watching this with as much entertainment as a beaver can evince. ]

... I need to work on my upper body strength...

You are fine as you are. [ If anything he looks more upset by all of this as he helps her straighten up. But turning to the beaver, he asks: ]

I suppose that will suffice?

[ A single thump of its tail. That’s probably a yes. He’s not sure. ]

... Fair enough. Here you go!

[ Maya kneels carefully, offering up the strands. After a pause, the beaver takes them delicately in its mouth, balanced awkwardly, and slips into the water.

When it returns, it's got an inexplicably dry package of sugar balanced on its tail, which it solemnly flips up to Maya. ]

This... may not be the weirdest thing I've ever experienced but it's pretty high on the list. Still, thanks!

[ It makes him wonder just what the beaver intends with those hairs…likely they’ll dissipate into nothingness before long, but it seems that it knows even that much. Still, he remains positively unruffled when Maya receives her sugar, even as he calls out— ]

Wait.

[ The beaver pauses as Tristan fishes within the hammerspace of his…cape…to reveal… ]

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