video; un: deathweaver

[respired]

[ Koltira's coming to you live from the latest addition to Oska: a blacksmith's forge, newly constructed on the castle grounds. He's standing over the anvil, hammer in hand, his implacable expression as unreadable as ever. His saronite breastplate is on the anvil, repaired back to its dark and ominously gleaming glory. The hearth behind him blazes with hungry fire, and the stone walls--already black with soot--are hung with various tools for cutting, shaping, and otherwise manipulating metal.

He lifts the hammer--a tremendous, black thing that looks like it could easily smash someone's head in--such that its oak handle rests against his bare shoulder. He's wearing only a pair of rough black trousers, slung loose on his hips; his pale hair is tied back into a ponytail. The glowing blue tattoos across his chest and forearms cast shadows in the dim forge light, evoking the silhouettes of blades over the cream-colored bricks.

Friendly and innocuous, as usual. ]

I asked Lloyd for a forge, and my petition was granted.

[ He taps the breastplate with his free hand. ]

I needed to repair my armor after answering Achilles's challenge.

[ Koltira speaks tonelessly, as though referring to ancient history, though the fight weighs on him still. He pauses for just a second, his long ears twitching, and then he moves on. ]

I have materials enough for other repairs, should you require them. If you'd like a weapon crafted, I can accommodate a few requests on that score as well.

[ He bows his head slightly. ]

You need only ask.

Comments

[twinpeak]

A sword, huh... Actually, I think that'd be pretty cool. I bet there's a lot of uses with a sword!

[respired]

[ It's true. For instance: murder, and also other types of murder. ]

It will take some time--perhaps not til the next mission. But I will make something very fine for you, if you don't mind the wait.

[twinpeak]

[ Ah, yes, who could forget about the vast varieties of murder one could perform. ]

I think we got time, yeah? At least while we're in Oska, we've got nothing to do but chill.

[respired]

Yes ... such is my dilemma.

[ And the reason he's offering these things, at least in part. ]

But I will need certain materials, ones I do not have yet.

[twinpeak]

[ Ah. Right. ]

Like what? Anything I could grab for you?

[respired]

Likely as not. Not unless you know of any Truesteel deposits on this slice of planet.

[twinpeak]

Iiii... don't. There probably aren't many decent rocks here, really.

[ Given that they're in a pocket universe that, overall, wasn't that huge... ]

[respired]

Indeed not. I will have to prevail upon Lloyd for more assistance.

[twinpeak]

Well, like I said, waiting's no problem. I've already gone this long without ever owning a sword, right? A few more weeks wouldn't hurt.

[respired]

Given what I understand of the dossier, you wouldn't have much use for it where we're going. Nor I would be able to train you openly, as I'd like.

[ Doesn't seem like a sword'n'sorcery type of place, especially if he has to pretend to be human. ]

[twinpeak]

—Oh. Right.

[ That's already soon, huh... They'll be on their next mission before they know it. ]

Uh, no, we wouldn't. In fact, I'm pretty sure we would be very, very arrested if we tried.

[respired]

Quite so. But you will have your sword, in due time--and if you like, I will teach you the use of it.

[twinpeak]

Yeah, of course! I'll be a sword swinging master in no time at all! The next time we come across some alien bad guy, they won't even see it coming.