#sculking

[asknelux]

Does she eat? If so, does she have a favorite food of some sort?

“I gain all my sustenance from the Sculk. However, I have not tried to eat food, so I do not have an opinion on what would be my favorite… mayhaps something to explore when I go to the surface again.”

[lulu-the-warden]

Of course…this is your home now, isn’t it? I’ll need a little help growing my garden if we want to keep eating like this. Things just don’t grow on the surface here with that icy ground.

Geode knew he could never drive away a warden this large who had a weapon. The big warden could not be forced to help Geode with the chores he needed to do to stay alive, but maybe if he was convinced it was worth his while? Being a nomadic warden in his younger days and being very easy going back then, he was used to improvising.

Oh that’s an axe? Good, good…we have a bit of a zombie problem sometimes. By the way, keep a close eye on anything small you may have on you. They like to pick things up, those zombies.

Geode lowered himself onto a stone block he often used as a chair and began to eat. He thought to himself for a moment while the two of them ate quietly.

I think I will call you…Mountain. Yes, you’re a big, formidable fellow…I think Mountain suits you. If you want to change it, please tell me…I may be old, but I’ll remember whatever name you want, hehe.

Geode finished his breakfast and hobbled back toward his workshop. He did have a task he really wanted to complete that day.

Maybe…just maybe…I’ll have enough strength to plant these today.

Geode leaned against the wall of his workshop and pulled a bundle of about 8 sugarcanes out of one of the barrels. He had been meaning to plant them and tend his potato and mushroom patches, but then he had fallen and now his leg was acting up. Just a few…then maybe a soak in the hot spring. He hobbled toward the patch of dirt near the lava lake edge. The patch of dirt separating the potatoes and the water used to irrigate them would be a good place to grow sugarcane.

Say, Mountain…do you mind helping me pick some potatoes when you are done with breakfast?

Geode used the end of his cane to awkwardly make holes for new sugarcane sprouts. It always took him a painstakingly long time to tend his plants.

[lulu-the-warden]

Have you ever had any romantic interests in anyone, Tesser?

I...I...well, it's not like I could, you know...act on it even if I did...

I mean...who WOULDN'T want a big, tough partner who can crush boulders, but is soft and gentle to you at the same time??

Dr. Tesser has had a few crushes. Usually on knocturnes and wardens, you know, big powerful creatures. She definitely has a type. She doesn't let them know because of her upbringing in the very uptight, overbearing enclave.

It isn't the reason she decided to provide medical care to these creatures, but you know...it wasn't NOT a reason.

[lulu-the-warden]

Geode's antennas twitched as he heard the familiar foosteps approaching.  He paused the story he was reading to Pebble, who was intenetly listening from the old warden's knee.  This book was written in a way wardens and vision impaired villagers/illagers could read.  He could easily feel the words with a finger.  Geode had several of these books, some of them he had even written himself.  Until he met Pebble, though he had no one to read them to.

Welcome back, Jonathan~ Geode greeted Jonathan with a content sounded hum.   I think this is a good stopping point, I'll read you more at bedtime.  Go say to your Papa. He set Pebble on the ground gently so she could run to Jonathan.  Geode then grunted as he hoisted himself off his chair and steadied himself with his cane. He felt the pile of dirt that Jonathan had gathered. Oh good, that is more than enough!  Hmm...what is this?? Geode took the glowberries. My...it has been so long since I've had these!  Thank you!  I...I'm going to plant them right away.  Ooh, may you bring that dirt over here?  I have the perfect place. Geode limped over to the garden with more energy than he usually had.  Things were so much happier with his new friends. Being familiar with this part of his cave, Geode climbed up on a few rocks and tucked seeds from the glowberries into cracks in the stone cieling.   There, we should have more in a week or two...they grow quite fast.   Geode used the dirt Jonathan gathered to expand the border of his small garden.  He used his cane to trace a small canal; directing water to the new dirt.   I have a few things I can plant here.  While you were gone, a zombie wandered in.  He was pretty easy to deal with, and he dropped a carrot.   Geode started walking back to his workshop, where a fresh batch of mushroom soup was cooking. I'm sure you're hungry after such a journey.

[lulu-the-warden]

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/sculking/694194321205936128?source=share The old warden began to eat his own baked potato in dainty bites, sipping a little of the mushroom soup as well.  He listened to the younger warden telling him about his old home and the happy coos from Pebble.

Hmm? 

Geode swallowed the bite of potato he was working on.

Oh yes, this old injury…. It happened about five hundred years ago.  I was already getting on in years, so my old bones weren’t in the best of condition to begin with, hehe.  I woke up to a bothersome miner going through my workshop.  I tried to scare him away at first, but that nasty fellow hit me with an enchanted trident…right in the thigh!  All the way to the bone…  I got him good with a sonic shriek, though…in fact, I even have his trident to this day.

Geode finished his meal and relaxed for a moment while Jonathan and Pebble were eating theirs.  He got up and shambled to the workshop to put away his dishes, then limped over to the colder part of his cave.  As he slowly moved away from the warmth of the lava lake, his irregular footsteps and cane began to make soft crushing noises as they hit snow.

Geode stood still to feel and listen to the air above.  This area was part of the ravine not covered by caverns or rock; it was exposed to the sky.  Geode couldn’t see it, but he could feel if there were changes in temperature or if the wind was picking up.  

Today, it felt cold, but not bone chilling and there was very little wind.  Good, they still had time before the blizzard moved in.  Geode debated on whether or not he should go to the surface or wait.  On one hand, three wardens meant they would need a little extra food.  On the other hand, if he moved too slow or the storm moved too fast, he could get them trapped in it. Also, one of them should stay behind to watch little Pebble. Geode had known her for a couple hours, but he was already feeling rather protective.

[lulu-the-warden]

That would be very helpful, I would be forever grateful.  If we get a larger garden, we’ll have more than enough food…if you and your little one plan to stay.  You are welcome to…if you’d like.  

Geode felt with a wooden stick for the dented bucket he used to make soup and stirred the mushroom soup he was making.  

It can be intimidating to go up to the surface, but…here there is really not much to worry about.  The village and outpost have been abandoned for some time now.

The whine he had made when his leg began to ache drew the attention of his new friend.

Oh, I’m okay…don’t worry.  Whenever there’s a storm on the way, my bad leg starts to hurt.  I’d say we have…hmm…two days before the blizzard gets here.

Geode used a pair of crude tongs made from two sticks and a spider thread to pull out the potatoes.  As they cooled, he pushed himself up again, stifling a groan as his leg ached again.  He got a couple old wooden bowls and hammered metal plates stashed next to the furnace.   Geode divided the thin mushroom soup, potatoes, and sweet berries into three portions.  He put a little extra soup in one bowl and added the small amount of goat meat to it.  The old warden paused for a moment and decided to add a few of his berries to that plate, too.  This was for the little sculkling; she was growing after all.

I have food for us.

Geode spoke with more joy.  He couldn’t even remember the last time he cooked for someone. He presented Jonathan with two servings.

The one with a bit more on it is for little Pebble.  It isn’t much, but it should be filling for her.

Geode got his own serving and joined the warden father and sculkling for dinner.  As he sat down, he stretched his bad leg out and rubbed it with one clawed hand.

Hehe…I’m going to need a good soak in the hot spring tonight.

[lulu-the-warden]

I think I can make enough to feed us.  These temperatures are hard to farm in, but…

Geode paused mid sentence as he hoisted himself back up.  He began limping his way back to the workshop where he had some food and supplies stored away.

I think once I finish getting enough dirt down here I can grow plenty.  The problem is getting enough down here…between the permafrost and well, my bad leg…the trip to the surface and back can take all day.  What I would do for even one glowberry, though…if I even had one, I could grow it on the ceiling above my garden.

It had been years since Geode had eaten glowberries.  

It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jonathan.  My name is Geode.

Geode’s antennas twitched at the sound of the shivering sculkling.  She sounded so cold, even by the lava pool.  Geode had an idea.

I have something you might be able to use!

Geode spoke with a little more excitement.  He moved as quickly as his cane and bad leg would let him, making it to the workshop.  Once there, he dug through the barrels for the object.

The soft cloth brushed against Geode’s claw and he pulled it out.  It was a small coat; most likely it had belonged to a young villager.  It was made of alpaca wool and fur and was designed for the cold tundra weather.  The coat had likely been discarded because it was well worn and had a tear on the sleeve.  When the village above had been populated, the residents used Geode’s ravine home as a dumping ground for things they no longer wanted.  He would be angry about it, but it was one way to get things he could use.  One villager’s trash was another warden’s treasure.

Geode carried the coat to Jonathan.

Here…hopefully this will fit her.  It’s very warm.

After handing over the coat, Geode set about making dinner.  He rummaged through the barrels he kept his food supply in.

Potatoes, a bit of dried, preserved goat meat, and a handful of berries…what luck!  Geode even found a small quantity of dried mushrooms.  He fired up the simple furnace and placed three potatoes inside.  The hot surface on top of the furnace was used as a stove; Geode cooked the bit of goat meat he had along with a little soup made of the reconstituted dried mushrooms.  

Geode sat back down just outside of his workshop and gave a wispy sounding whine.  His leg was starting to bother him.  Was it an approaching snowstorm?

We are almost done, I promise…

[thecreaturecrossroads]

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