(no subject)

[iprotectyou]

(OOM: Red: the blood of angry men, take two.)

There are several ways to identify an ironwood tree, specifically Holodiscus discolor: the deciduous, lobed, and triangular leaves, gracefully arched stems, and lacy masses of fragrant flowers which bloom starting in May. Baze knows them all, from extensive research. He had hoped to use uneti wood, but doesn't want to order it from Bar. Chopping the branches down himself has a lot of appeal to him, and, since he's constructing his lightbow on an Earth-like asteroid, why not use a tree from Earth?

So he researched Earth trees, conversing back and forth with Bar, until he found one he liked the strength of--and the color, too. Originally, he planned to go with black walnut, but Ganymede convinced him to use ironwood, for the raw strength. Holodiscus discolor shrubs aren't native to Scotland, but Bar assured Baze that there are some available in the forest, along rocky ledges.

He just has to find them.

Teja gave him an axe as a birthday gift, so he heads into the forest today, stopping by the counter for a bottle of water. He can be caught before he leaves, or can be found traipsing through the forest, whistling.

Comments

[oldmancreed]

If you go into the woods today, you're in for a big surprise. Well, it's a big enough surprise and it's not really a surprise since he' just standing at the edge of the forest, staring into the trees.

He smells Baze coming and turns his head slightly.

"You know how to use that thing?"

[iprotectyou]

Baze slows in his pace, but doesn't stop, his feet light against the forest floor despite his bulk.

"Yes," he says, lifting the short axe to show off Teja's handiwork.

"May the Force of others be with you, Creed. What are you doing out here?"

[oldmancreed]

"Good." He'd have even more reasons to think Baze was stupid if he didn't.

"Scenting. What's with this Force stuff?"

[iprotectyou]

Scenting? Well, he's related to X and Logan, so Baze supposes that makes sense. Still, that's weird.

"The Force is an energy field that binds and surrounds all things," Baze says, sighing.

"I'm Baze Malbus, by the way."

[oldmancreed]

He is the weird one of that bunch.

"Okay." Because that kind of makes sense.

Then he nods. "Idiot who tried to break me and Logan up."

[iprotectyou]

Baze bristles. He's already been chastised for that, thank you very much, but no one was bold--or unkind--enough to call him an idiot but himself. It's different when someone like Creed does it.

Baze stops walking and turns to him, eyeing him skeptically.

"I will call for backup next time."

[oldmancreed]

He's just that kind of blunt.

"Good idea. Better, just let us fight it out." Either one or both of them won't be a problem afterward.

[iprotectyou]

"I can't do that, as long as I'm on Security," Baze says, frowning. He grips the handle of his axe.

"The blood feud between you is none of my business. But I can't let you kill each other inside, where there's other people that can get caught in the crossfire."

[oldmancreed]

"Like you?" That's the last jab, he promises. Maybe.

"We know to go outside."

[iprotectyou]

Baze's lip curls.

"You do. But you didn't go outside."

[oldmancreed]

"Spur of the moment," he dismisses. Except that's, you know, a complete lie. "We'll behave next time."

[iprotectyou]

"X will have your head if you don't, of which I'm sure you're aware," Baze says, scowling at the man. The Jedhan would fold his arms, but he's holding an axe.

"There might be juice boxes."

[oldmancreed]

"Those ain't so bad, but I got no intentions of going back in the cells. So soon."

He looks at the axe and then back to Baze's face.

"You going hunting?"

[moonandstar]

As Baze is headed out, Garyn is headed back in from the kitchen after with a vial filled with the last fatigue potion he could squeeze out of his meager pack of ingredients. He catches sight of him just as he is opening the door.

"Afternoon, Baze. Gathering firewood?"

[iprotectyou]

Baze stops and turns to him.

"Hoi, Garyn! May the Force of others be with you! I'm building a traditional weapon, and require a bit of wood."

[moonandstar]

"I know a little bit about crafting weapons," Garyn says. "Will you need any help?"

[iprotectyou]

"Not with the crafting, but with finding the shrub I'm looking for, if you don't mind and you know anything about forests. I admit I know nothing," Baze says, laughing.

[moonandstar]

"I know a little less about that," Garyn says. "I know the general kind of wood that makes a good bow, or spear haft, if that's what you mean to make."

[iprotectyou]

"Well, I know what tree I want--an ironwood. Supposedly they're one of the hardest ones out there on Earth," Baze says, leaning his short axe against his unarmored shoulder.

"I just need to find it. You are more than welcome to come along."

[moonandstar]

"There are a few trees called ironwood in Tamriel," Garyn says. "Few of them grew around Leyawiin, but I know what they look like. Not sure if they're the same as Earth's ironwoods, but I'd gladly come with you. It's not as though I've anything better to be doing."

[iprotectyou]

"Great!" Baze says, and starts leading the way to the forest, holding open the back door so Garyn can pass through.

"I've never actually been inside the forest, so I'll really appreciate your expertise."

[moonandstar]

Garyn steps through, leaving some leeway for Baze and his axe.

"I can lead you to where the pine trees give way to other kinds" he says. "There's a clearing there - good place to practice swordsmanship."

[iprotectyou]

"Excellent, then that's where we'll start," Baze says, eager to get on the road, as it were. He steps beside Garyn, keeping pace with him rather than leading or falling behind.

"I appreciate your help. So, how have you been lately? It's been a while."

[moonandstar]

"Much the same as always," Garyn says. "Vivec City is large and strange and I don't trust my guild chapter."

[iprotectyou]

"You're new to the city, then?" Baze says, soft-soled boots crunching in the snow.

"Why don't you trust your guild chapter?"