Strength - Koru/Xayah
The methods of digging out the Matriarch were many; picks, claws, drilling magic— whatever it took to get the job done swiftly. But the efforts did not come without its discomforts to the Haedian affected. She would shift her free limbs and shake the cavern when the whole ordeal became too much, or when too many mishandled picks struck her long-buried hide. Caregivers were on top of every digger working in the cavern the best they could to keep an eye on things, but after so many solitary years, the amount of people was unavoidably overwhelming.
Koru and Xayah had joined the efforts of freeing the Matriarch directly, after much care for her appetite, her pets, sending out prayers, and seeking others to join the cause. It was time to get their paws dirty in the more unsavory way. Koru took to using magic as his tool, wedging it between the crystals and pulsing cracks to the surface. With glowing eyes, his magic overtook a good portion of the crystalline encasing as he tore at it, cracking it apart piece by piece. Focused, his brows were furrowed deep in his efforts.
—
Xayah was no stranger to having to exert physical effort to do things. Her entire life, until some time after she met Koru, she’d been unable to use magic. And while she was willing to give it a shot, the vayron opted to do what she was most familiar with. Koru could handle the magic, she could handle chipping away at the stone and crystal.
“We will likely feel this for some time after we’re done,” Xayah said past a heavy breath, adjusting her positioning and eyeing the crystal in comparison to where everyone else had dug to before she lifted her hammer and chisel once more. “I think a long soak will be appropriate after today. Perhaps the Tranquil have something that will help with muscular and magical fatigue.”
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“Do not tempt me with comfort so soon, my love,” Koru sighed between breaths, smiling though his magic thrummed in his temples. “Thinking of leisure and relaxation will dim your drive before the job is done.” At least that is how it was for Koru. Discipline in work was his style, keeping himself in line with his goals and tasks. Something he has begun to unlearn the worst of after meeting Xayah and having her join his everyday life.
Crystal pieces loosened more and more with his magic cracking it apart. Koru always liked to see Xayah use her magic for utility or for fun, but the understood the familiarity Xayah had with doing things by paw rather than magic like him. She got her limbs dusty with the rock, her long mane tied out of the way as she focused on the job at hand. Koru had to remind himself to focus on his own work.
—
“It’s the reward of a good rest after that gives me the extra push,” Xayah laughed, winded but not slowing down just yet in the slightest. No- for her, the promise of comforts and relaxation only fueled her to push through whatever growing fatigue she had. No rushing by any means, but a steady rate of chiseling away bit by bit. “Perhaps perfectionism is what drives me the rest of the way- or my habit of being rather competitive. This is by no stretch a competition, but there’s part of me that refuses to lose. I want my efforts to be visible when compared to the others.”
It was silly, really. But whatever helped keep that fire inside of her going, Xayah wasn’t going to fret about it too much. Koru helped her learn to relax and actually take a breather in life, but she would likely remain a stubbornly competitive person until the day she drew her last breath.
“I don’t really want to stop. I know the moment I stop moving and rest, I’m just going to get stiff!” Xayah laughed, taking a moment to stand and stretch herself out to get the tingling in her paws from sitting too long to fade. She even gave herself a solid shake to try to free herself from some of the dust that had accumulated on her body while she was chipping away at the crystal. Then she was once again sitting and hammering away. “I wonder if we can bring some of these crystals home for Keela. We could make them into little figurines, or jewelry for her to wear once she’s older.”
—
“A bit of healthy competition keeps the spirits up, I know this is true for you,” Koru smiled, a small tease in the curl of her lip knowing how passionate his wife is about things she does, but in no means a jab. She is determined and hardworking, in so many ways beyond Koru on that front. He admired her drive, where he would rather recede to his privacy and books. It was as equally the hunger of learning something entirely new for himself, and the company and encouragement of his wife that he was out here today, helping countless strangers with manual labor.
