Khepri's turn to tell his tales around the campfire. Featuring Magnai, Mauci, Esugen and some little ones from the tribe.

“You two never cease to amaze,” Esugen’s voice is soft, his smile kind. “The recipes I’ve been able to make thanks to your efforts, truly you two are most kind. You’ve brought so much... Please, will you not stay a while? It is not much, but I would like to make something for you both as thanks.”

You rub at your neck, sharing a look with Mauci, who puffs up with pride. The dotharl’s skin gleams with sweat, wearing less than usual from the waist up on this hot day. He stretches his arms up over his head, muscles shifting in a clear display as he grins at the both of you. “Your cooking is it’s own reward!” Mauci says with his own smile, slinging an arm over your shoulder as he presses his sweaty body against you and accepts Esugen’s offer for the both of you. “Of course we’ll stay!”

You huff, shoving the sweaty dotharl away. You were already hot enough without his added body heat. Still, you nod and agree as Esugen looks to you with a hopeful smile. 

“Oh, wonderful,” the oronir says. “I am glad for your company.” 

You sigh, seating yourself in the grass nearby and eyeing Mauci as he plops down to recline next to you, fanning himself. 

He must be thirsty, you muse as you take out your waterskin, take a drink, and then offer it over. 

Mauci looks at you like you hung the moon and takes a grateful drink, groaning. 

You snort, accepting it as he offers it back over, and then pouring it over his head. Mauci gives a yelp, because it was cold, but doesn’t complain. 

“You looked hot,” you say with a laugh. “Feel better?”

Mauci slicks his hair back away from his face - a good look for him, his hair usually sticking up in tufts at the top - and shakes himself like a wet dog. 

You shield your face, laughing. 

“Here we are,” Esugen says as he brings over two steaming bowls. 

“That was fast,” you say, straightening up. Mauci sits up eagerly, pressing himself to your side. 

“Well, it was mostly finished,” Esugen says with a gentle chuckle. “You brought me just what I needed to complete the dish.”

A bowl is pressed first into your hands and then one to into Mauci’s, the oronir watching you both with plain anticipation as you take your first bite.

“How is it?” Esugen asks. 

Mauci groans like it is the best thing he ever tasted. “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted,” he says. He says that every time he tastes Esugen’s cooking. You’ve no doubt it is true every time. Esugen was quite the cook.

You smile around your own mouthful, nodding your head in agreement.

“I am so glad,” Esugen says, his pale skin ever so slightly flushed. He is still unused to such compliments.  

“Esugen,” Mauci says, reaching for the oronir before he can move away, “won’t you eat with us?” 

Esugen pauses, surprised. “...Oh. Well, I must see that my brothers are fed first, but... If you do not mind, I would be glad to join you afterwards.”

Mauci sets his bowl down, leaning back on his hands. “We’ll wait for you.”

Esugen seems flustered as you put your bowl down, too. Glancing between the both of you with wide golden eyes. “Ah, then I will be quick about it. Excuse me.”

You look to Mauci as the oronir hurries away to see his brother oronir fed. The dotharl looks thoughtful.  

“They do not deserve him,” Mauci mutters. 

You hum, taking a sip from your waterskin. The other oronir certainly did not appreciate Esugen and all his effort. Only a very few. 

“Planning to steal him away?” You ask, because if he wasn’t, you certainly were.

The dotharl looks very much like he’s considering it. 

He's a quest NPC in The Azim Steppe. The designated cook for the Oronir. I really wish Magnai would have stepped in somehow? I know the Oronir are all about battle and strength, but I feel like Magnai is intelligent enough and has enough sense to understand that food/diet is very important in relation to strength and his Oronir brothers are being dicks to the person in control of feeding them. Esugen is much too good natured to take advantage, of course.

Esugen is kind. He goes out of his way to help his rival in the competition, knowing that if he did nothing he could likely win, but not wanting to see his (only?) friend sad. Who just happens to be the little sibling of said rival.

And then we go on to meet Mauci. And help Mauci to discover what he's actually good at. And then we introduce Mauci and Esugen. And suddenly Esugen has another friend. One who appreciates his cooking, too. It just warms the cockles of one's heart.