(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]

"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.

[tragic_mask]

"So you've said," she says carefully. "But why?"

She feels as if she's unearthed something huge, now that he's telling her these things, and isn't sure how to wield it all.

[mechanicalswans]

"Why what?" he asks.

[tragic_mask]

"Why was he a... tosser? Unless, of course, you meant he was someone who tosses things for a living."

[mechanicalswans]

"He was a bully," he says quietly, with a shrug, "but only because Mimir would let him do whatever he liked. An apprentice dare not disobey his master, even when he is clearly in the wrong, so all we could do was endure it."

[tragic_mask]

"That doesn't sound like a good rule," she says, looking up at him.

[mechanicalswans]

"It has its uses," he says. "When I take apprentices, I expect obedience from them. Of course, I'm more fair to them than he was to us."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, I'm sure you are," she says. "Do you have an apprentice now?"

[mechanicalswans]

"No, but I'm not opposed to the idea of taking one on," he says. "They need to have very particular qualities, though. I wouldn't take just anyone."

[tragic_mask]

"What qualities do you look for, in an apprentice?" She pauses, adds: "Besides subservience, that is."

[mechanicalswans]

"I don't actually like the subservient," he says. "Not one who follows orders just for the sake of following orders. One who follows my orders because he trusts me, or at least my expertise where it comes to forgework. He must be intellectually curious, but not so ambitious that he seeks to get involved in things he is not prepared to experience. He must be a very hard worker."

[tragic_mask]

"I believe that. Forge work seems like it takes... endurance, to say the least."

[mechanicalswans]

"It does," he agrees. "I have them start with working the bellows--it builds muscle and humility--and have them watch me work. I explain what I am doing, and teach them about the tools and temperatures before I ever let them handle anything besides the bellows-pull."

[tragic_mask]

"Sounds like tough work, for nails," she says, pulling a face. "Don't get me wrong, I know how to pull my weight when it comes down to it, but... I leave the metalwork and bellows to those such as you."

[mechanicalswans]

"It's such enjoyable work, though," he grins. "And you can make things other than nails. More interesting things."

[tragic_mask]

"So I understand," she says.

[mechanicalswans]

"If you don't want to work in the forge after all, I would understand. But I hope you'll at least watch me work, sometime."

[tragic_mask]

"No, I do," she says. "Still, I doubt it will have the same rhythm."

While she won't admit it, it seems clear Melpomene is ashamed to do anything she can't do well.

[mechanicalswans]

"If you're worried about rhythm, it sometimes helps to sing while working," he says. "I do it, myself. Not always, but when the mood strikes."