(the return of the smith)

[mechanicalswans]

[Previously: a challenge.]

And here comes Weyland in from out back tonight, after successful testing of the fruits of his experimentation: a flaming sword, much better sized to Loki than the Gambanteinn is. Lighter, too.

Who would have thought that spiderwebs could hold fire so well, in spite of not really being flammable? Apparently fire and spiderwebs go together like hákarl and being very, very drunk.

It's beautifully-made, of course, and its flame doesn't dim when it is swung--nor does it extinguish underwater. No, Loki doesn't need a fire-weapon. But it looks suitably apocalyptic, and looking good is half the battle (especially if you're not much of a fighter).

In the doorway, Weyland lights a cigarette from the sword before extinguishing and sheathing it. That much fire around this amount of alcohol fumes would be dangerous indeed, and he's got some substantial drinking in mind.

Botherable.

Comments

[witchfinder_general]

The bar has changed, though. There are construction toys all over, the fireplace has turned into a furnace, and the patrons look a lot more varied and colourful than usually.

One of them, sitting on a couch looking slightly dejected, is a large yellow teddy bear -- for example.

"That is one very dramatic cigarette lighter," he says, with a cultured, middle-aged British voice.

[mechanicalswans]

Oh, one of these again.

Weyland himself hasn't changed since that time everything went steampunk--and his hands, temporarily replaced by much cruder work than their usual metal, had been nearly unusable.

He glances himself over briefly to make sure everything's normal, and then smiles.

"My lovely wife doesn't like me smoking in the house."

[witchfinder_general]

"And that justifies lighting your cigarettes with a great literally flaming sword elsewhere?" the teddy bear asks, amused.

[mechanicalswans]

"It was easier than fishing for a lighter," he says.

Oh, he can light things with magic just fine. But the sword was already out and already lit, and anyway, it probably looked good.

[witchfinder_general]

It did - very dramatic!

"How did you come to have a large flaming sword in the first place?" the teddy bear asks, sounding rather impressed.

[mechanicalswans]

"I made it myself," he says. "It's a gift for my lovely wife--she's not much for swords, to be honest, but she does like to make an impression. And she's got some armor this will look stunning with."

'Armor,' anyway. Overzealous jewelry.

[witchfinder_general]

"What world are you from?" the teddy bear asks, sounding rather amused.

Flaming swords as cigarette lighters and fashion accessories!

[immortalthief]

The flaming sword didn't go unnoticed, so a Lego figure saunters up and asks, "Where did you get that?" pointing at the sword.

[mechanicalswans]

Legos. He remembers those. Never had any, himself, but he can respect them, even if they are of the dreaded plastic. People don't choose what they're made from. They simply are.

"I made this," he says. "A new technique I've been working on for months now. I think it's finally ready."

[immortalthief]

"It looks impressive." the figure asks, "Is it a technique that you can teach someone?"

[mechanicalswans]

"It's possible, probably, but it could take a long time," he says. "And a level of discipline not everyone has--I was apprenticed as a child, so I've had a lot of time to work on that. And it takes a different way of looking at materials than many smiths seem to have."

[immortalthief]

"I'm immortal" she offers, "so I have the time. If you wouldn't mind teaching me." adding, "I have experience forging but I am not a professional smith." despite what many think she is capable of discipline, at least if it's something she wants to be good at.

[mechanicalswans]

"Well..."

He considers that, as he picks up a beer from the bar.

"As long as you're not normally in this shape--it might be a bit difficult, working in the forge this way--then I'm certainly willing to try. It's been a while since I've had a student."

[jonathanparagon]

Jonathan and Andrew have colonised one of the tables, and Jonathan glances up at the doorway, raising his eyebrows.

"That's quite a sword."

[stilljustandrew]

"Think we should go over?" Andrew chews his lip uneasily. "-- Do you have the thing? Do you need to go get it?"

[jonathanparagon]

"I've got it", he says quietly. "I've been keeping it with me wherever I go, just in case."

[mechanicalswans]

Ah, there they are.

The hazard of working with artistic types, especially ones as obsessive as Weyland, is that they can get absorbed in some minor detail and next thing you know, months have gone by.

But damn if he hasn't perfected the project he'd been working on.

He fetches himself a beer, and strolls over. "Gentlemen."

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew spots him first, and nudges Jonathan in the ribs.

"Master Weyland," he says as the smith approaches, making a sitting half-bow.

[jonathanparagon]

Jonathan jumps, glaring, then echoes the gesture to Weyland.

"How are you today?"

[is_the_motion]

"Sweet!" the redhead at the bar comments, looking at the flaming sword in admiration.

She hasn't gone for a body change, but she is enjoying playing with all the lego.

[mechanicalswans]

Look at all the lego--he hopes that whoever's responsible for this keeps track of all of that, or there's going to be a lot of unhappy drunk people with even less happy feet later on.

It's like confetti. It gets everywhere.

"Thank you," he says, as he approaches the bar to order a beer.

[is_the_motion]

"Bar's lookin' pretty cool this week." Bonnie says. "I don't really understand it, but it's been a lot of fun."

She offers him a hand to shake. "Bonnie Murdock."

[mechanicalswans]

"Weyland."

His hands are metal, but not cold. They seem no less flexible and capable of movement than any ordinary person's hands of flesh.

He does good work.

"Are you new here? I don't think we've met before."

[is_the_motion]

Bonnie shakes the hand, and noticing the handiwork, is even more impressed. Though you can't really say 'nice hands'.

"Been here a month or two. It's a fascinatin' place."

[mechanicalswans]

"It is, at that," he agrees. "They say a person can find anything here, and I've certainly found a lot. I've been here a number of years, and live here now. Not dead, just... I prefer it here."

Here is where Loki is, after all.