Lights, Camera, Orc-tion!

16: Theater

Retreating to the woodcutting area didn't seem to dissuade Namra and Fanuma, though. They followed at Avicia's heels, asking good-natured questions and carrying on with small talk. Half the time, the human woman didn't even need to participate as the two orc women exchanged quick snarky patter, as if they had rehearsed the conversation beforehand.

It was almost a relief, how little she had to participate. However, watching her boss splitting wood wasn't exactly without its own problems. It was like a scene in a bad romance book. Kahdreg tossed their shirt to the side upon entering the clearing, hoisting up an axe that a human couldn't dream of hefting. Avicia watched their every movement, eyes drawn to the muscles flexing along their arms and back. Kahdreg's face pinched with concentration, a crease between their eyebrows and the beginning shimmer of sweat on their shoulders.

Heat caressed down the back of her neck, spreading tingles across her skin as heat weighed heavily at her core. Unbidden thoughts of other sweaty activities teased at Avicia's mind. Clenching her teeth, she tried to ignore her body's reaction. She never once considered chopping firewood sexy and she wasn't about to start now! But, damn, if Kahdreg wasn't making a good, wordless argument. Maybe that was what was so alluring. They weren't smirking or saying anything smarmy to ruin the moment.

Kahdreg, on the other hand, was having a far easier time. Their father was quiet when focusing on a task, though - occasionally - the older orc man would glance between Kahdreg and Avicia.

After a thunk of his axe, Kraull paused to voice their observation. "Still tryin' to use the ole choppin' firewood t'show off, I see."

"I don't know what you're talking about, dad," mumbled Kahdreg, thankful for the heat of exertion masking their embarrassed flush. Had they subconsciously decided to show off in front of Avicia? It certainly wasn't their intention when asking to help. Really, they just wanted some distance from their sisters. Kahdreg grinned over to their dad, a taunting tone in their voice as they slid a little back into informal speech, "I'm just helpin' you in your old age."

Kraull eyed Kahdreg with a skeptical look, a heavy eyebrow raised high. "That mean you won't take off once you realize your sisters took off with Avicia?"

The bombshell dropped just as Kahdreg was midway through halving a log of firewood. Once the blade thunked into the wood, they twisted to look where Avicia had been observing. Only empty air stared back. "What?!"

She was gone. As was their sisters. An annoyed growl curled from Kahdreg, imagination already full with what embrassments Namra or Fanuma were airing to Avicia. It made the blush burning at their cheeks hurt all the worse. Leaving their axe wedged into the stump, Kahdreg took a step toward the house before Kraull grabbed their arm.

"What happened to helpin' your old man?" A teasing, crooked grin tilted at Kraull's lips and, had Avicia still been around, she would have seen the sheer resemblance between father and child. Grabbing Kahdreg's axe, Kraull yanked it from its embedded spot before pressing it into their child's hands. "Finish your stack, before y'go."

---

Once the last log was chopped, Kahdreg charged into the house - directed by Kraull - and pounded up the stairs. The nearer they got to their old bedroom, the more pronounced the voices became. Giggling and teasing tones that sent Kahdreg hurtling backward into their memories. They'd heard those sounds well enough to know Uma or Namra were duly embarrassing their oldest sibling. Old photo albums and regaling embarrassing stories all while using the sanctity of Kahdreg's room as a setting for their tales.

As they neared the open door to their old room, Kahdreg grabbed onto the doorjamb, lest they skid passed the entryway.

"Get out!"