Writing Prompts Archive/5/Thane Starstrider

*The biting cold enveloped the tall Au Ra’s frame, as he left the Dzemael manor. The visit exhausted him, greatly. He was a good listener and fine with giving advice, but when it came to negotiating with important people, he preferred somebody else doing the main work. Thane sighed and watched the puff of condensed air slowly rise into the night. It was night already! It meant that Thane had spent the entire day tip-toeing around diplomacy. He crossed his arms and with a shake of his head he headed to Jeweled Crozier.*

*As much as he wished to retire to the Skysteel Manufactory, his grumbling stomach made itself known. The Dzemael were hospitable indeed, but the thinking and talking drained him too much. Thankfully, the Jeweled Crozier was bustling with merchants as ever, so it wasn’t hard to find a hearty stew for sale. Thane happily handed over his Gil and scarfed down the stew, before handing back the wooden utensils to the merchant. If there was something the Ishgardians have mastered, besides the art of the lance, it would be the art of making delicious soups and stews. It wasn’t surprising, though, for the cold of Coerthas was unforgiving.*

*Thane yawned as he clenched his torso on his way back to the Manufactory. It was true that it wasn’t a usual place where one would lay their head down, but Stephanivien was a friend of his, who didn’t mind Thane staying for a little bit. The Au Ra helped out where he could in the Manufactory as a thank you, of course. Snow slowly fell, as the muffled sounds of machinery grew louder. The Au Ra smiled as he pushed open the front door of the Manufactory. The room was dimly lip, the machines working away on their own, for there was always a need for good weaponry.*

*Whenever Thane stayed at the Manufactory, he always checked the pressures for the machines, to make sure they working properly and the production would move forward without a hiccup. He had limited knowledge of the machinery, but he did the best he could do for a friend. There were some workers still around and they nodded to each other as their usual greeting. Once he was done with his self-imposed duty, Thane made his way to one of the industrial sinks. They were hardly meant for regular washroom rituals, but the Au Ra used them so nonetheless. He turned the knob for hot water and splashed his face with it, feeling the cold ebbing away. He placed his hands on the edges of the sink, hovering above it, as he thought about the day he had been through. On one hand it felt like he had spent an eternity in the manor, but on the other hand he felt like he blacked out for the most of it, having almost no recollection of what had happened during the visit. He shook his head and straightened his back, letting go of the sink, as he turned off the faucet.*

*The Au Ra let out an another yawn, gently persuading him to simply call it a night. Thane would make his way to the corner of the Manufactory he occupied as an impromptu overnight guest. There was a worn out pillow, along with his trusted blade. As much as it pained him to leave it behind in the morning, Thane reckoned that it was best to show up unarmed in the Dzemael manor. With a quiet sigh he would lower his mostly mentally exhausted body onto the floor and lean against the pillow. Normally he would have cleaned and checked the blade for any dirt or faults, but he could afford to skip that for the night, no? The blade hadn’t been used that day. Surely it wouldn’t mind…*

*Thane felt his mind drift off, as he took hold of the blade, holding it close to him. He closed his eyes, before falling asleep to the steady sounds of the machinery.*