(no subject)

[tragic_mask]

Arriving at the Visitor's Center, Melpomene takes a look around.

"Well, this is it. In all its touristic glory. "

Comments

[mechanicalswans]

"I'm not sure it's something to be proud of," he says, "that I am able to live the illusion of a life."

[tragic_mask]

"Well... it's certainly been nice being with you, here, pretending," she says with a small smile.

[mechanicalswans]

"It hasn't all been pretending," he murmurs, and stubs his cigarette out on the bricks of a building they are walking past.

[tragic_mask]

She looks up at him.

"So which parts are real?"

[mechanicalswans]

"What I said about my brothers," he says. "My preference for apple pie over pumpkin. And my feelings for you."

[tragic_mask]

She's silent for a moment. Then: "It's good to know that's genuine."

[mechanicalswans]

"It would be cruel to be dishonest about that," he says. "And it was my reason for coming here with you, after all."

[tragic_mask]

"Yes, and it's a good reason."

[mechanicalswans]

"It is," he agrees, and hesitantly adds, "And what were yours?"

[tragic_mask]

"Almost everything. Like I say, I can't pretend," she says softly, but adds less gravely, "And I still do want to go down the falls in a barrel."

[mechanicalswans]

"We could do it in my world, if you like," he says, giving her a small smile. "I feel more in control of the elements there."

[tragic_mask]

"Yes... in between the lessons, in the forge, you promised me."

[mechanicalswans]

"Is there anything in particular you're looking to learn to make?" he asks.

[tragic_mask]

"Just wanting to learn," she says. "I'm not much good with my hands-- doesn't seem that was something I needed, so I wasn't given it."

[mechanicalswans]

"We'll find something you will enjoy and be good at making," he says, nodding. "Not like when I started, and spent my time making nails. They're necessary, of course, but dull."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh..." she says, wrinkling her nose at him. "Well, that's better than making things that are extraneous and dull, I suppose."

[mechanicalswans]

"It's so much easier now that people can buy mass-produced nails," he says, "if they want to make simple repairs or hang pictures or whatever. I still make nails sometimes, but they are special then."

[tragic_mask]

"Special nails," she murmurs. "Must be for hanging special things."

[mechanicalswans]

"Among other uses," he says with a nod.

[tragic_mask]

She tilts her head.

"Well, I think I can just about handle nails, in any case."

After a pause, she adds, "Maybe."

[mechanicalswans]

"They need to be made relatively straight, and pointed at one end, and flatter at the other to give you a surface to strike," he says. "Very basic. I had to make so many of them, when I was young, for my father to build and maintain our home and outbuildings."

[tragic_mask]

His father. She looks at him, surprise mixed with pleasure.

"You've never told me about how you lived when you were young. Just... what happened after you were exiled."

[mechanicalswans]

"No?" he asks, faintly surprised. "There isn't much to tell, really. My mother died when I was young, so my father raised us. I showed talent, so he sought the best teachers for me."

[tragic_mask]

"So you weren't born with your smithing ways, then," she says. "Did your father do the same for your brothers, with healing and hunting?"

[mechanicalswans]

"He sent all of us to learn to work metal, actually," he says. "We were sent to be apprenticed to Mimir, but he had Sigurd as a pet at the time. Sigurd was a tosser."

His dislike is obvious in his tone.