#winterdawnforge

Sitting at a portable work bench, her latest mechanical endeavour laid out, the Huntress focused on what, for her, had become an outlet for frustration during the last two months. Ironically, the mercenary who gained her greatest renown for destruction, found her solace in creation.

The armatures had been finished for those two months, but the design for the outer shell had seemed so inadequate for their intended recipients that the project had grown in scope. Crimson, white, and blue dragon scales littered the desk, as did shavings from her incessant carving thereof. Circuits and motors sat discarded as they had been tried, failed, and replaced to find the perfect combination of durability and function.

Seated to a mantle of specially treated leather and polymer that served as the mechanical trio’s skin, the scales had been carved to pieces, each reduced to the size of a child’s pinky nail. Hundreds had been set in place with fidgety, obsessive precision over the course of weeks, the frame beneath giving each a distinctly draconic form.

And last came the heart and brain for each of the mechanical creatures before her, by far the longest and most difficult task in their creation. The former was a specific power core of kyparium and thorium, built into a casing that was crafted from adamantite. Unbreakable. Safe. With a lifespan that, Haly was certain, would last for at least a decade before more would be needed.

Counterpoint to the heavy, solid core was the delicate, well protected mind of each. Unwilling to settle for cheap imitations of response common to such machines, a great deal of gold and effort had gone into a solution that was equal parts engineering and arcane. Once activated, each would bond with its owner, seemingly alive in every way.

Halcyona had crafted small gifts for both Winter and her son, so the concept was hardly new. In fact, this very project had been spoken of some time ago, then seemingly forgotten. And since then, the crimson haired Sin'dorei had kept it under wraps as the endeavour grew.

Now, here at last, the final parts were in place. All that remained was to install each power core, a trifling act that would be accomplished by those each was intended for. At that point, the three dragonling doppelganger’s would cease to be mere machines.

With a mild grunt, the Huntress set each on the floor, their mechanical bodies already balancing on all fours readily. With all three; crimson, ivory, and azure, arranged in a row, she huffed, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. The smile that followed was pure excitement, as she’d timed her last actions almost down to the minute.

Quickly packing away the work bench, and cleaning the detritus that night otherwise draw her lovers ire for being in the house, Halcyona was grinning ear to ear as she heard the door open…

“Hey you two. Got a present for you.” she called from the next room, standing with her creations. Standing among the fruits of a labor of love.

She had been just a little distant for the last few days. No less affectionate, but reserved, as if the last confrontation with she who was held dear by the dainty monk had left her shy of the world in general. And, in a way, it had.

Halcyona had never been able to easily understand, or deal with, people. And it seemed especially acute right now, prompting thought both considerate and discouraging behind her current, quiet facade. Moreover, she didn’t know what to make of her lovers reaction to it all, even if she understood the desire to remain aloof from what was essentially a clash of personalities. That, at least, she’d managed to rationalize herself.

Reflecting, she felt as if all efforts were being made to find horrible intent in her every word and action. The culmination of which had been a verbal flensing that had left the Huntress completely bewildered. And that bewilderment reverted her to the most basic of selves, into a persona that had been built unconsciously to deflect such unfamiliar “threats”, even if she knew such wasn’t the case. It was that disconnect that preoccupied Halcyona’s thoughts that morning, before she focused on the world around her once more, snapped to by the familiar, much beloved presence as Winter emerged from her morning culinary labors.

Waiting for a quiet moment, and uncaring as to who looked on, the crimson haired elf rose from her contemplation, closing the distance with Winter. Gently taking a hand, she waited for her lover to turn, then curled her arm slowly, holding their entwined fingers over her heart with a soft, acheing, tired smile…