steepwithdead | Folkmore

Oof, did that before. Learnin' to swim, got a unfortunately good mouthful. [Fjord laughs in a wry tone.] Definitely made an impression, that's for sure.

[This shift though had him curious, head tilting as he considered that.]

I... haven't heard that before that I know of.

[Surprise, Fjord, Caduceus opened his own door and you walked through with him. It's Wildmom time.]

She guides and protects those in nature, those who belong and those who wander through. Ships at sea are within her domain, and she watches over them. Often, she will take those lost in the water and bring them back to the safety of shore.

[Sounds familiar...]

I was adrift, too far from my home, with people I didn't know- and didn't know if I belonged with, yet. I was frightened, wondering if I'd made the wrong call. But once I settled, I could hear her loud and clear, in the wind and the sails. I was in her safe harbour, and all of you would become my family.

[It does sound familiar. And once again, makes Fjord wonder what must be wrong with him, that he was found, rescued by something else, something he could only guess was not nearly as protective as the Wildmother was of hers.

He didn't show the thought though, just smiling lightly as he nodded his understanding.]

I'm glad. That she was able to protect you like that. That we... I dunno, work? I admit I can't help but wonder here and there. All the big personalities, goals and secrets everyone in the group's got, hard to see how it'll shake out sometimes.

Give it time, you'll get there. [It sure did take TIME, though. Overtime. Many, many times. Lots of fighting over stupid things and serious things and clashing of heads. Or sharp things. Sometimes you try to kill each other and sometimes you save each other, and the scales balance in your favour.] We seem to be working out well here.

[Friendship is winning, Fjord. Sometimes it just kinda happens, and you get to keep the good things.]

[Fjord is sure that it took a lot more time back home, with everything they had to do, all the secrets actively in play. Here... it's almost like all of that drama is on pause. Unsettling in some ways, but at the same time it gives a chance to focus on things like this.]

Yeah, you're not wrong. Not as stressful overall, which helps, I think. [There's stressors and situations here, but it's not quite the same.] It's nice though.

[Interestingly enough, the excess of drama made their relationship grow faster. Fjord had needed an escape from his fate, and Caduceus was there to guide him towards the Wildmother. This world is an escape, and the Wildmother can't reach them. It's... different. Caduceus can't call it better, but he'd struggle to call it worse, either. Just means that their friendship is built on their individual merit more than what either of them can offer in the grand scheme of things.]

Mm... yeah, it's nice.

[He likes it. These moments.]

[Maybe the less transactional bend here helped. Fjord didn't really know how they bonded back home, but what they had here was... something new to him, really. Definitely not in a bad way.]

Most of my friendships before this were... more based on what we could do for each other. How useful I could be, what they could offer me in turn. This whole... [A vague gesture between them.] It's somethin' new to me. Which should be alarmin' but I can't say I don't like it for those differences.

Mm... I'm grateful that we have you. To those who didn't see your worth as who you are, not what you can bring to the table, it was their loss and our gain.

[It's definitely alarming that it's a new experience, but he's glad that Fjord is starting to depend on this experience more. His worth goes far beyond what he contributes. If only he knew how everyone circled in around him and supported him when he lost his warlock abilities, after refusing Uk'otoa. His contributions were hampered but his worth wasn't less.]

All of us value you and your friendship, Fjord. And if I may be presumptuous, I'd say me more than most.

[Jester's probably still got him beat, there. But hers is a different flavour of affection, and everyone knows that.]

[Fjord can't help the way he flushes and gets just a bit more flustered at the sentiment. It would be so easy to assume that it wasn't said in earnest, and yet...

Caduceus wouldn't lie. For all Fjord was a cagey son of a bitch about things, he knew that by now. The firbolg wouldn't tell him something like that if it wasn't true.]

...That so? [Voice a faint bit gruffer, but there was a pleased note under that.]

[Fjord's right. In fact-]

I wouldn't lie about such a thing. I'm terrible at it, anyway.

[If he was faking it, you would absolutely be able to tell.]

Well... I'm glad. That y'know, we're friends. I like it, it's... nice in a way I don't think I had much of before.

[If ever, before falling in with the Nein. He liked the crew he worked with before, but there was something different here.]

I'm glad, as well. I really don't think people talk enough about much the company of friends is cherished! It can be hard to put it into words. But I do cherish your company, Fjord. I'm really glad you're here with us.

[Sometimes he can even forget how many memories Fjord is missing. He's just... familiar. The accent throws him off, mind you.]

[It likely helps, that Caduceus forgets sometimes. It means he's not treating Fjord differently in some way that becomes obvious, that the half-orc would notice and worry over.]

Can't argue that. Don't think... I'd be near as okay with dealin' with this place without you around.

Ah... yeah. I'm the same way. I admit I don't like the idea of being left on my own again.

[He smiles somewhat sheepishly. The last time... well, he'd been pushed to his limits a bit too far for his liking. He does have some friends and neighbours outside of the Nein, of course, but it isn't the same as family at this point.]

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