Closed [The Syka Commons]A Common Sighting[Tazrae]

[Crylon Stonecraft]

17 Spring 522 While Crylon had not been in Syka long, not long enough certainly to have experienced a tenday, he had spent much of it looking around at the buildings, something he always did whenever coming to a new town since he left Sultros ages past. He had done it in Ravok with its floating houses. Sunberth with its... Questionably named... "Houses"... And Zeltiva and its mix of old and new. Now he was doing the same in Syka, feeding his burning Architects spirit. At the moment he was wearing a simple pair of pants and a vest which left his arms exposed, clearly showing the complex markings on either limb. One old since birth, and one much newer from when he met Caiyha. He also had his pack on his back, but was otherwise free of burdens and not even wearing shoes. Of course being an Isur his skin was much thicker and hardier than most humans, and he spent a good bit of time in the forge so heat was not new to him, and so the weather and hot sands of Syka did not overly bother him. In some ways he found the buildings in Syka very interesting, both for their complexity and simplicity. Most of it was made of wood, with little stone to be seen. Which made sense seeing as they were in a jungle where trees and wood was relatively plentiful and easy to work with, whereas stone and metal was much rarer and had to be brought in. The heavy use of wood reminded him a bit of Ravok, but here the way it was used seemed very different. Here the danger was not sinking and building an effective boat house, but the land and nature. The risk of a high tide or floating which was addressed by raising the buildings on stilts above the ground level to avoid a sudden surge. Of course everything was a balance, and if a truly bad storm came in... Yes, he could see there being issues with that as well... But something to consider all the same for any places he might design. High up to avoid the waters, while stable enough to avoid sinking into the ground... Also avoiding marshy or soft ground, or the softest of sands which slipped and gave no purchase for a structure... Today on his walk he found himself not far off the beach, sighting a large open public area which also seemed raised. While there were a few people sitting, talking, or working no it, it was overall sparsely populated at the moment and not too busy. Something about this place rubbed Crylon the right way, and after a bit he realized it was the places odd mix and melding of nature and a structure. However done without conquering the nature to make something new, but worked so as to work alongside and compliment it. The decking and area to walk on was amongst the trees more or less, letting one feel like they were still among nature and within the trees, while still being on solid planking. It gave the Isur the sudden urge to make a house in or upon a tree, though he was unsure he would be able to find a big enough one to do so... At the moment there was a nice breeze blowing amongst the trees, cooling a bit from the days heat. Heat, he realized, was another thing to address. Any building would need to be made such that it could not only ward off a heavy rain, but also help keep the inhabitants cool when the sun was out... Another almost conflicting thing which was needed in designing a structure. The sea, the heat, the wind, the rain, and uncertain land, all where issues that needed to be addressed. While the locals had found many ways to deal with some or all of these issues, he hoped he could think of new and innovative ways to improve of them. For the moment he was far enough away from anyone such that his odd and recent desire to hug anyone walking close was not forcing his actions, but he knew if anyone suddenly moved too close he would end up doing so again. Still in control of his motions Crylon would continue to walk about the Commons, inspecting the various parts of the building and how it was made, at least until he was interrupted or anyone drew too near and he ended up hugging them. Though if he did he would do his best to keep it brief, no more than a few moments before the compulsion left him and he was able to let the person go. WC: 786

[Tazrae]

The big scarlet male flicked his tongue, locking eyes with the iridescent black Ixam, filling her mouth with the taste of the tang of soft fish or the sweet fatty flesh of pork. Taz hissed, sending back a sensation of her stomach being full and her nibbling on meat rolls as she’d made up some meat rolls for the guests at The Protea. The male snapped back, annoyed, sending her yet another sensation – his hungry empty belly – and giving her a hurt look. Taz laughed in the way of Ixam, her lips peeling off her razor-sharp teeth, and in return sending him back a picture of him fat, lazy, and snoring in the sun while she was sleek, muscled, and baking in the kitchen in her human form.

The scarlet male returned her laughter, flicked his tongue again, and she got the distinct impression of how ugly he found her two legs. A pale green, almost colorless Ixam interrupted them both with her snout between them as she sent them pictures of the two of them getting eaten by Sawtooth randomly while she and the other deep emerald green and the sapphire blue female ran to Swine Swells and killed a pig to split.

Taz knew when she was being called stupid and snorted, returning the image of her being eaten by Sawtooth to the pale green female and then adding to it her bursting out of Sawtooth’s stomach whole and hearty while saving the bloated image of the scarlet male from their made-up immediate peril. The pale Ixam flashed teeth at the scarlet as if she agreed that Taz was the only way he’d survive Sawtooth, and trotted off with her blue and green companion to go hunting. The trio paused, glanced over their shoulder at the scarlet male, who hesitated before joining them on their hunt.

Taz knew why he hesitated and yet she still couldn’t make him understand.

The scarlet male was gathering a band, a lounge of lizards, for his own and he wanted her to join his group of females. She was flattered really, but she knew he’d breed all the females in his band and would expect no less of her. Even though it was still early spring, many of the mature females in the Settlement were already swelling with eggs.

And while Taz was an Ixam, she felt the drive for such things and sometimes in moments of forgetfulness longed for a pair of males to battle for her attention. Tazrae doubted if she let any of them lay a talon on her that she’d catch and swell with eggs. She might physically be an Ixam, but she had the drive and heart of a human still. So, she didn’t go with them. She knew they’d hunt, bring down a pig or two, then with full stomachs and pig blood still in their mouths, they’d take turns being with the male under the hot sun while his blood was still running hot.

As far as she’d come to join them, to understand them, and to be part of their world, she hadn’t gone further than this. She still changed her form back to human three or four times a day to be an Innkeeper no one saw, no one remembered and no one cared about.

Most days, that is… sometimes she skipped the whole thing and forgot she was born with two legs and not four. Sometimes it was easier and she needed a break from living as a shadow. Among the Ixam, she was someone… the aloof black female who’s scaled shimmer with rainbow iridescence. She was a Mussurana made flesh, grown to four legs and sleek in her jungle form. Taz was vain about it. It was such a small thing to cling to. But she didn’t care. Instead, she ran, wild, and made something of a new life in the way of the Ixam as they had slowly taught her.

Without her scaled friends, she decided to wander the Commons and see what was going on in and around the Settlement.

And so, it was a curiosity that she stumbled upon the Isur wandering around The Commons studying the buildings, the water storage, and the things that encircled the area that pretentiously called itself a city. She decided to follow him, as quietly as she could, being large and scaled and roughly the size of a horse. He was just off the beach and she casually strolled parallel to him, keeping to the shade of the palms.

Taz gave off a ‘nothing to see here but a wild Ixam’ vibe as she nibbled at this vegetation or casually shadowed him. He was studying the designs of the buildings. As an Ixam, that didn’t interest her. Taz realized, studying Crylon as he studied the buildings, that there was nothing she actually liked about them in her Ixam form. They weren’t easily climbable unless they had stairs, and the angles were all squared. There were no organic curves and no natural twists.

At that thought, she walked up to the Isur, snorted in disgust at his actual pleasure at the buildings, and tilted her big scaley head at him. “I don’t like them. They are all squared off. The angles are sharp. There are no pleasing curves and slowly climbs up and down. The vegetation has all been cleared away. Flowers could be growing all over these places, providing shade and scent and atmosphere. Instead… humans tame everything, force it into unnatural angles, and make it conform to something it isn’t.” She said, lashing her tail and raking the sand with her clawed paw.

“They look at everything from the perspective of the ground. They should see it in the way it exists… in all its angles.” She added, blinking her bright turquoise eyes.

Words: 973

[Crylon Stonecraft]

Crylon was somewhat distracted as he looked at the surrounding structures, and so did not immediately react to the Ixam approaching. He was vaguely aware of something approaching, but was focused on his task and not sensing any threat or anything rushing at him did not immediately react. By the time he did the large reptilian beast had grown somewhat near, but it didn't seem to be threatening in any manner and so he continued about his business of looking about the space. He reasoned running off or reacting violently would only exacerbate the situation, and as they were allowed to roam about somewhat freely they were assumedly somewhat tame and not openly and randomly violent to someone inspecting architecture. Or at least, so he reasoned. He kept himself ready to react if needed, generally by throwing his special arm between himself and the oncoming threat which was his main response to danger, but mainly just focused on his work. It wasn't until he heard the Ixam speak that he fully turned and regarded the creature before him. He had not been aware the creatures could speak, though of all the things he had met over the years he didn't find this one all that surprising and overall he stayed calm and took the information in stride. She did seem intelligent enough, smarter than quite a few humans he had met over the years and decades, and not at all as a animal in her speech. Logically speaking either this one was special, or all of the Ixam could speak and he hadn't known and the settlement was taming a breed of fully sentient beasts... He found this a bit less likely as the theory of this Ixam being special, after all would that many intelligent beings allow themselves to be tamed by humans, and stay subservient? Meeting the Ixam's eyes Crylon smiled, not having grown close enough that the urge to hug had overcome him, but knowing if they got much closer it likely would. Trying to avoid any issues on this front he made that clear right away. “Ah, just being up front, I have odd compulsion since come here Spring, hug if come near. So fair warning. Can't seem not hug even if try. Can be bit tricky, humans very soft. Have to hug very carefully. I think maybe you though bit sturdier than human.” Another idea occurring to Crylon was that someone was projecting their voice, and only making it seem that the Ixam was talking. Turning to eye the architecture, Crylon considered it from the vantage of an Ixam, or tried to. From above. Below. From the size where a ladder was tricky and likely to break... From how it looked from atop a tree. “I can see what mean though. Human building... Limited. Is very square. But think part of this, is because square easy. Boards square, edged. So easy build in same was as material. And much built here, built because easy. Is simple do. So do. Things harder, more difficult design. Swoops. Curves. Arches. Not done. Because hard design, hard make. Hard mean cost more, and more work to think.” Finding it a bit funny that his own limited common was clearly less fluid than the Ixams use of the language Crylon smiled, looking back at her. “Don't think met Ixam talk before. But also not try talk to Ixam afore. I wonder what you think of Sultros. Is city built in mountain, but also part of mountain. Many embraces of... Swoop. Arch. Way land move. Maybe would like better than things here.” Considering the architecture of the building Crylon pondered for a moment, before continuing. “When design building, must think how use. These made for human, when design. I bet if design for you, could make something would like. But would not be easy. Would take time. Much work. But possible. So for what these design for, do that. Not design, I think, for you. This, here, for what asked to do, meant do, does do, so like for that. Is not made pretty. Is made... Function.” As he spoke Crylon tried to imagine what he said in his mind, picturing a structure that included such things. For one it was certainly larger than most buildings made for humans. “If you want make building, what would want? From what say... Curves, not sharp. Maybe... Ramp, instead stairs. Smooth move up or down. And also... Still room for nature... That bit trickier. If not natural, not easy to make natural. Maybe planters, for flowers, but not quite same... Isur build stone, not much nature there, so not much built over. Here, all nature, so more nature built over. What would you do if build? What sort of thing, or place, want?” Pondering the Ixam Crylon wondered on her answer, legitimately interested in her response. He was always open to new viewpoints, and he had to admit he had never made or designed anything for a non human besides a few kelvics. And even then it wasn't quite the same... As he eyed the Ixam Crylon also felt a bit of... Connection. Familiarity? He wasn't quite sure what it was, but he felt some closeness to the Ixam, and as he did he felt the urge to rub the tree marking on his right arm that Caiyha’s touch had left. He wasn't sure if it was simply itchy, or something else, but he scratched the spot on his arm before turning back to eye the Ixam and considered what she had said. WC: 929

[Tazrae]

Taz snorted, sensing the Phylonura mark on Crylon and listened to him speak. “I’ve seen the great soaring towers in Riverfall. They can build things more beautiful, less simplistic, if they really wanted too.” Taz replied, dipping her snout to peel her lips back and nibble at an itchy patch of scales on her right front foot between the gleaming black talons. Tazrae tilted her head at Crylon’s question and looked thoughtfully as she blinked her vertically slit eyes, thinking.

“I’d build with materials that blended into the jungle like the massive trees do. I’d build in coiling twists and turns that reach for the sunlight. I’d build high up, lofted, where the air moves. If you live in the jungle long, you learn it’s safer in the high trees. Solid massive branches are like roads that will allow you to travel far, and they can hold much weight. There is fresh water everywhere up there and cool breezes. Lots of insects still, but fewer things like big spiders the size of your hands. I’ve learned recently they are delicious if eaten raw…” She said with a toothy grin. You don’t need planters if the materials you used are natural. Life will grow in the cracks and crevices.” She said, lashing her tail back and forth, showing her interest in the topic.

In the back of her mind, Tazrae wanted a home of her own. That was the human in her heart whispering. She wanted a place she didn’t have to move out of every few days to make room for guests. She wanted a home for her things, but she wanted something tropical and beautiful, that was functional and would hold all her family if she ever had one. Closing her eyes, she reached out to Crylon in Nura and flooded him with a sense of what she wanted…

The language of Caiyha’s gift linked them a moment and Crylon would feel the Ixam’s very human desires. A sprawling dwelling that couldn’t exactly be called a house. It was circular with decking on all sides of it… anchored on either side by more human square rooms that were far larger than normal. One would be a workshop for magical practice and sword play or acrobatics. The other would be a bedroom with a great huge bed and room to roam. The inside of the house was circular, roughly… geometric with a calm pond of fish in its center and things radiating out from it… bedrooms, a living room that was like being in the jungle with a great hearth and a kitchen that opened up to a dining area. A library would exist though he could see twinkling shields barring water and mold from the places where the paper was. He saw faces there too… a Sunberth man, a kelvic Ocelot, some people he recognized, some he did not. She was instinctually placing family throughout the space. And it was a picture she built in his mind, sharing her thoughts. The walls were formed of wood as if it had been grown that way. The floor was cobbled stone as if set by Reimancy. She had such a firm hard picture in her mind of the place. It had no windows and only open doorways. It was easily the worst defensible place ever. But the Ixam didn’t seem to care.

He also got the distinct impression she was human, standing before him as an Ixam, in some sort of borrowed rewarded form. They were kin, linked through Caiyha, and even she sensed it even if he could tell she was a little lost to the Ixam. Coming forward, she butted her head against his chest, seeking a connection almost like an affectionate pet.

“I’m Tazrae.” She said thoughtfully. “But you won’t remember. People forget me… the moment they meet me and I am out of sight. It makes me sad.” She said, nudging him again, her nose finding the location of his Caiyha’s Mark instinctually. Hers was visible even in her Ixam form, The First Tree etched in silver and gold running down her left front shoulder and foreleg twisted in jungle vines. “You need to help the people here. Something is hurting Syka. It’s an attack of a quiet sort, the kind that destroys souls.” Taz stepped back, looking at him in the eye. She was a big reptile, but moved gracefully. She watched him with turquoise eyes. “Can’t you feel it?” She asked, looking hopeful.

Words: 748

[Crylon Stonecraft]

Crylon smiled, taking her point, but also finding it didn't disagree with his own point he had mad. “Yes, but Riverfall, not same build as Syka. Syka built new, as need, for needs. Easy, simple things. Riverfall not new, have time. Not just on survive. So more time do fancy, clean, good. Maybe in years, once all need done, have time for want.” Crylon wasn't completely sure he was making himself clear, but felt the broad strokes of what he was saying was getting across. Riverfall was a old city where survival was much easier, and they could spend time on such longer term or more difficult projects. Syka though... Syka was not like that at all. Each place built was done quick and to fulfill a specific need. It wasn't replacing a lesser version of itself, but was the first version in most cases. Looking around he pictured what Syka might be in a year. A decade. Two decades. He could see the potential looking at the bones of the land, and could see what the city could become once it evolved from a simple new settlement. But that would require time, labor, money, and a desire to do so. As the Ixam explained her idea Crylon tried to picture it, getting a vague impression of what she meant. Large coiling structures, built aside or atop the trees, among them. Sweeping ramps and curves going with the ways of the land and nature... “I think for that, you'd need... Big trees. Bigger than here in jungle. Trees here big, but not that big. Though maybe, if support across many trees, even if not as big... One room, place, across many... Mmmm... Then yes, maybe. But would be hard do. Not cheap. Though even still, not perfect. Would still affect trees... And... Maybe further from coast?” As he thought on this design he realized something else, it would be safer as the Ixam said, but it would also bring up other problems. Would it be hotter? Heat rises, and so being higher up among the trees would their be more heat? She mentioned breezes, but he was unsure if that would counter the other factors... Though since it would be shaded mostly by the canopy of the trees perhaps also cooler due to that? And perhaps safer, though not against all threats. If an Ixam could get up it, then so surely could other jungle beasts. Regardless he did not think it was something you could do near the shore, since the sandy beach and such areas could not support such tall structures. And moving farther inland would mean work would be harder to do compared to the relative safety of the shore and established settlement. As Crylon was thinking on this he felt the Ixam reaching out, and by instinct of his own marking reached back out in return. As he did he felt... A connection, one much more distinct than most he had felt before. He could feel her need, her expression of want, rushing across him in a much more vibrant and colorful way than their limited usage of common allowed. As he listened to the Nura message he canted his head, looking at the Ixam but also seeing her. At once he could see the Ixam, but he could also feel the woman exuding her thoughts at him standing in the same place. He had seen morphing before, so perhaps she was a woman taking the form of a Ixam? No, that wasn't it, he could tell from the communication this was something else. Something gained, shifted, but not quite like a Kelvic. No, of a different sort. What she expressed was not really a house, but a building of a sort... More a sprawling stretched out series of connected sub buildings, all one continuous extended structure. Though that was not needed, for it to be one uniform thing, at least not to a inventive builder and designer. Round wheels of structure, swooping and bending and turning around just as the trunks of the tree grew... Magic work in one place... Another for working out, training of the body and combat... A great sized room for a bed to match... A fish pond among the tree, living in and among it... Rooms for living and sleeping, one after another... A large open room for space to be shared, amongst the jungle... A place to cook and burn, that would be tricky among the trees... Needing porting so the smoke could get out but the flames could be kept in... While also keeping it from burning the tree itself... Cooking and kitchen space, a place to dine and sit among a table... And a great library that made Crylon think of others he had seen... This one though with twinkling sheets he understood warded off things... Some type of magic he did not know, but was interested in. Among all of this he saw people. She was not alone, and many diverse people seemed to take up residence there living with her. Friends, family, relations she trusted and joined with... Being a Earth Reimancer he had a bit of an idea of some of what she meant to do, but did not think he had the skills as he was now to do it. Perhaps to design, but not to make. And how was the wood taken or formed? Not as he was familiar with. He had the impression of singing to the wood, and asking of it, and it agreeing. Perhaps even with how they talked now? A connection, a binding and changing... Once she was finally done Crylon felt a bit of wetness in his eyes, having felt the sadness and wonder and detail of her needs he himself was feeling a mix of emotions. Or perhaps he simply really like well done architecture that much? He was unsure which. Or perhaps a bit of both. “Ah.... Your idea... desire... Is amazing. Such detail. I think... Would like help, if can. To make thought into real. Is all crafting, making, to do. See the raw thing, see the end within it, and make that happen. Take steps in between. Though... I think some of how done here, are beyond what know. How would shape wood that way? And what was twinkling cover magic? And are you also... Earth Reimancer? I know bit of this, but not much. I could maybe help design... But not sure on make.” As the Ixam woman bumped up against him with her head Crylon instinctively gave her a hug, scratching at the side of her head a bit with his hand as he felt she might enjoy that. It was an odd spot she could not easily reach, and it just felt right. Though if she pulled away he would end the hug, he felt from her words and feelings she did want some kind of connection. Since meeting Caiyha and surviving her test he had felt many things he had not before, but a connection to others certainly was one of them. Much more than before, when he had felt more of a detached understand of humans and Non-Isur. “Hello Tazrae. Is okay if not remember, I think. Will I remember what show, told, even if not who? If do, and I forget, when next meet I think we will be friends again. You seem good sort. And connected. I am Crylon Stonecraft Pitrius. If you know this, and show connection, I think will help if forget and meet. And besides, I like design, so happy to do. Not know before today, so not so different. And like build. And you want build, is good thing.” Opening himself and looking about Crylon considered her words, but was unsure he fully understood it all. But since coming here, he did feel.... Something. “If can help people here, will do. Want help, if can. But not sure how. I think I feel... Something... Like sound, but without voice. Is... Off.... But hard to say exact. You been here long, see before and after yes? So easier feel difference. Change. I only come after, so... Not sure I feel as well as you.” Crylon met the Ixam woman eye to eye, looking back into hers and she peered into his, a calmness on his face. WC: 1,393

[Tazrae]

“Yes, bigger trees. I think you are right.” The Ixam said softly, looking thoughtful. “But I want to build it a specific place, where there are no big trees like you mean. “ Tazrae couldn’t disagree with him, but she was an eternal optimist. She literally wanted things from the property she bought that she wasn’t sure that she could achieve. Her perspective had drastically changed on a home and a place to live out her days since moving to Syka and becoming… something other than what she started out being.

She watched Crylon thoughtfully as he seemed to lose himself in his thoughts. He was hard to follow at times. Common wasn’t obviously his first language, but he could communicate well enough that she got the general idea of what he was saying. And when he laid his hands on her, first hugging and then scratching the side of her head, she loved it. It was a contact she needed badly that she’d been lacking for days and days. He felt familiar, his Caiyha mark resonating with hers and she leaned into him then eventually rested her big scaley head on one of his shoulders. “You feel good. You feel like family.” She said softly then licked his ear like a big dog would before she stepped back, whipping her tail back and forth.

“It’s nice to meet you Crylon Stonecraft Pitrius.” She said, digging a clawed front foot into the sand restlessly. “I’ve been here two years. I know what you’re saying. It feels like a nasty coating overlaying everything, like a mold or a tainted scent… like a ground fog slowly easing over a forest floor. It tastes bad. And no one is doing anything about it.” She said with a hiss, then closed her eyes slowly. “I don’t know how to help them.” She said with a bitter tone and shook her head. “There is no enemy to fight.” She said with a shake of her head.

Then, as if the topic disturbed her too deeply, she sighed and opened her eyes with a gleam. “Can I show you something? The place I want to build?” She added, wanting him to come with her. She glanced over her shoulder, turned, and motioned for him to follow.

“You said you like helping. Look and see what you think?” She said, breaking into a weird little trot. Her gait was more sideways, flowing, rather than the trot of a horse. She moved across the terrain of the Commons easily, leading him north past Mathias’ place. Then once into the jungle behind his bungalow, she kept moving north and slightly east, until she came out on the beautiful stretch of beach there. Several Ixam were snoozing in the shade of large palms, and the underbrush was filled with flowering plants. Many of them looked like they’d been planted there – some recently.

Then, in a bit more time, they came out into a small clearing on the edge of the beach. There was a large tent pitched and a pile of raw lumber laying next to a cleared spot in the shelter of the palms. It looked like a building project somewhat underway. “I was going to build a small palapa here to house a lounge and some cushions… a nice place to relax and sleep during the day or night out of the rain when its warm.” Tazrae said, simply. "But I haven't gotten a lot of time to drive the pilings and get it put together yet. I've already built one on my dock at the Protea. I thought it would be nice to have one here too... " She added.

"Hold on just a moment. There's more." She explained, then slowly turned her back to him shifted her shape in front of him by the door of the tent. The Ixam shrunk down its form, scales folding in on themselves, vastly different than either morphing or a kelvic. She was facing away from him and was completely naked. Tazrae glanced over her shoulder at him. “I’ll be right back.” She said, walking into the tent completely human. She shrugged into a bright colorful dress, then picked up a rolled bundle of plans.

Walking back out to where she’d left Crylon standing… she offered him the house plan she’d drawn up.

The Plans :

“That’s what I want to build. What do you think?” She asked, human now. He could still feel the Caiyha mark, and the wildling in her. She watched him with a critical eye, wondering what he’d think of the building and any suggestions he might have for it.

Words: 771

[Crylon Stonecraft]

At the agreement on needing a big tree for what the Ixam wanted, and that no tree such as that existed, Crylon simply shrugged. “If no tree, seem two choices. Either give up, not make place. Or, find way make tree, or bring to place. Do or not, seem choices.” How someone would move a tree so large as that, or make a tree, Crylon was less than clear on. But he felt the logic of his statement was sound, either someone would find a way to do such a thing commonly thought impossible, or have to give up on the task entirely. “How much hurry you in? Maybe spend time find right tree, and grow? Seen lots of weird things afore. This not seem so odd. Maybe find... Magic fertilizer tree grow thing.” After explaining his vague notion Crylon shrugged again, not overly concerned on the topic and more focused on the actual idea of designing the place rather than where it would go. If no one designed it properly, then it didn't matter much if they had a place to put it. The Isur smiled and scratched the Ixam in the spot he had found, seeming to... Understand, what she needed somewhat. Perhaps from their talking, or her gifting of Nura speech to him which had conveyed much more than simple words allowed, or perhaps it was simply an aspect of his gift from Caiyha he had not fully understood before or actively used at least. Or perhaps it was simply him being observant and logical and deducing things from what he had seen. He was glad she liked it, but not surprised as he had known she would in some way. “Is nice say. Home, Isur, all family in many ways. Family as all Isur, but also all touched by Izurdin. Been long time since... Felt such family type... Thing. Different, in Caiyha, but same in ways.” Unsure how to put it into common he tried to convey his intent to the best of his abilities, but once more felt common fell short. Particularly compared to other methods of communication. Crylon, being a rather laid back and accepting fellow, didn't really react to her lick, assuming it was some playful act as it seemed. From what Tazrae the Ixam had said she felt quite isolated, after all having people forget her constantly, and so seemed eager for some closeness. Being exuberant when she found it and playful seemed a natural enough reaction. “Sometimes, is easy to do. Make. Build. Hammer in forge when someone break sword. Repair. But when thing break not thing can touch, is tricky. Can be.... Frustrate. Understand feeling. I am mostly maker, designer, doer. But not know much either on how fix thing here.” When the Ixam woman asked and offered to show him a place, the place where she wanted to build Crylon nodded right away, quick to agree. In fact, it was always one of his first steps before he took down the first line of drawing the shape of a building, to see the land itself. For him this was an extension of his abilities, skills, and senses as an architect, understand the land and what it would allow and what it needed. Such things had to be brought to the forefront when designing a place. How would the weight be positioned, how solid was the land? What sort of foundation or reinforcement was needed? If it was a tree some of those things were moot, but he still needed to understand the land and what it needed and could hold. Crylon followed along after her, noting where he was and which way they went so that he could both get back to where he came from later, while also return to the site later if needed. Out of the commons... Past a house... Into the jungle past the house... And then on to more beach. So perhaps a route by land was possible by keeping on the coast, if it was on the beach? Currently the place seemed full of plants, some smaller trees relative to what Tazrae wanted, and some Ixam napping. Beyond that was a clearing or cleared area near the beach with a tent inside and little else besides some cut wood. At the odd term though Crylon frowned, trying to work out what she meant. It was not a building term he knew, though perhaps this was a limit of his common and if he saw it he would understand. From context and the other things she said he vaguely got it, but was still unsure. “Palapa? What exactly that?” As they headed closer to the tent Tazrae headed inside after shifting her form. Crylon didn't look away nor did he stare, not really off-put by nudity or such but also without anything lewd in his gaze. More it was an appraising look of one trying to see and understand something much akin to how he looked when forcing a piece of metal. Seeing her change it seemed different from other things. It was not like the slow shifting or changing he had seen from the morphing Kelvic back in the Demesne, nor was it the sudden dramatic change of a Kelvic changing between forms. Once she was done changing he began his work of looking around the land, spending some time checking the dirt and soil in a few spots while she changed and gathered something. As she exited he had dug into the ground and had pulled up a handful of loose soil and was slowly letting if flow through his fingers back into the tiny divot. Dirt, sand, gravel, rock, water, all such different terrains and land had to be understood to build a proper structure, and all the places in between those. Once he was done and she had returned he dusted his hands clean and took the offered plan. Then he spent a few chimes in silence reading over them, understanding them, seeing what she wanted and needed and was trying to do. What she had done was well done, but very different from what an Architect would do. Here the focus was on the layout, the types of rooms and things she wanted. While a good start, as an Architect he drew out a design with building it in mind. The actual task of making it, forming it, and turning it into a thing. While similar in intent, the method was quite different. Most important of all was weight. How much weight could each part support? Where was reinforcement needed? Where was a wall needed to be a bit extra solid? Or where it could be thinner, and only needed to divide a room rather than support weight? Even if inside of a hollowed out or reworked tree such things would still need to be factored in, he thought to himself as he viewed it all. Another thing he saw was water and bathrooms, which brought up an entirely different set of issues reminding him of some things he had seen back in the Outpost with its free flowing underground source of clean water. His main concern however was the large open area with the pond and the living area without any supports... Finally done for the moment Crylon held up the plans to let both of them view them, and gave his thoughts as best he could. “Is not bad as start. I think with work, I is able make into blueprint for build. But... Would need some changes maybe. Is hard say, without see material. Material affect weight. Both how much hold, and how much is. How much support need. See here... Living and pond place, and also dining and library. No support at all. Is this open to sky? Or closed? Think closed. If mean closed, think need some support somewhere. Preferable... At center of area... Here... Near place where pond crosses to living room...” Pausing a bit Crylon considered each aspect, trying to voice them as best he could. He was not trying to be rude or critical, but such considerations as this would need to be addressed and put into any proper blueprint before building could begin. “Also, many bath, much water. Where all come from? Where store? Where go? Where poop go? How come in, come out to leave waste? Where heat? How heat? Have source clean water? How get up to house, up tree?” Pausing again after his numerous water and waste related questions Crylon thought over the design again before continuing. “Also, maybe want room for store thing? See closet, but... Other things, maybe want store place. For all use.” With a smile Crylon met Tazrae's eyes, done pointing at the plans for the moment, and attempting a bit of humor. “Can tell not Isur, just from looking. Say dream home, but not for Isur. Any Isur home not proper without forge! But is kay, you not Isur, so maybe not need. Most human not want forge in home, not sure why. Though if I build dream place, forge center of place, place work center, more so than place live. But then, different mind, focus, Isur and non-Isur.” “Is good start, but lots things consider if build. Must plan and answer those, before start, and I put into blueprint for build. Maybe should write down things need figure.... ” As he finished talking Crylon's elbow bumped up against Tazrae for a moment, and a moment later he felt a stirring in his guts. Not painful, but odd to say the least. Like a worm or small snake was rooting through his innards and pushing on his stomach's edge trying to get out. He had been feeling many such feelings for awhile now, in fact... Thinking back he realized it had been happening ever since he met Caiyha and had swallowed the seed she had given to him... So far he didn't think anything had come from it, but the odd stomach feelings had been increasing of late, and he almost felt like he actually felt his guts move this time. As if the odd tiny snake was rearranging things or making room, or opening a new corridor... His thoughts on buildings such things were what came to mind. “Tazrae, you say also at tree, meet Caiyha, yes? Did you... Accept eat seed from her? I did, but seem... Stomach snake now. Only after swallow thing.” WC: 1,743