RP:Catching Up With The Blacksmith

Gualon Grogshop

Meri has found a seat in the back corner of the Grogshop, still working on the task of creating flyers for the concert so that she can distribute them throughout the taverns of the land with the hopes of promoting it further. Todays supplies include a quick and black ink and several pieces of parchment. It would seem that Meri has been working on this project for some time now, as all of the borders of the flyers have already been decorated with musical notes and flowers. In front of her is a glass of chilled tea instead of her usual whiskey and her table is absent an ashtray. No whiskey and no cigarettes? How strange for Meri.

Leone enters slowly due to distraction. Laiden with soot and sweat, the blacksmith has obviously spent a long day at the forge. Plodding into the grogshop, the woman's pace is slow and her direction aimless for a few moments. Clutched in the farrier's hand is a gleaming dagger. She appears to be examining it with a loupe, the magnifying piece more often used by jewelers. Moving toward the bar proper, the plover gestures toward Gragh, the loupe dropping from its position against her eye as she speaks, "Mmm food. Bread, cheese, some meat, too. Roasted, I hope? And ahh...a drink, nothing hard. I've more work to do tonight." After flashing the hulking barkeep a wide smile, the petite human turns to survey the bar. The stooped blonde is almost immediately noticed, and the charcoal brunette cross to her. "Meri? Can I sit, or are you pressingly busy?"

Meri gestures to a seat next to or across from her current position, indicating that Leone is more than welcome to sit wherever pleases the blacksmith. “Leone. It has been too long.” Meri says, a faint smile pulling at her red lips but it doesn’t hold quite the same warmth that it usually does. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why but perhaps organizing this concert was proving to be a stress creator? “I am not dreadfully busy, though I do need to finish these before the night’s end and then begin distributing them.” Meri’s blue eyes drops down to the flyers she has been working so hard on then lifting to Leone’s features again. “How have you been?”

Leone smiles and eases herself into a seat at the table, the inconsistencies in Meri taken note of, but not mentioned just yet. "I'm well, thank you. Frighteningly busy," the diminutive femme chortles. The blade in her hand, as well as the loupe, are both set atop the table. The knife itself is standard sized, with a thin, curved edge and a thicker, straighter spine. Most curious of all, the weapon appears to be made of glass. Mostly transparent, and holding a slightly green tinge, the dagger doesn't appear as if it would be functional at all. "How are you? And how is the concert coming along? When was the last time you ate?" The last sentence is said with a weight of sterness, underlined with concern.

Meri addresses Leone’s questions one by one, relaxing back into her chair and letting her arms come to rest loosely across her chest. “I’ve been doing well enough. I guess in the grand scheme of things, I can’t complain. And I think the concert is coming along well....I’ve most of the shops in Gualon willing to attend as vendors to try and promote business around here as well as you. I’ve hired a few musicians.” Some NPCs. “And informed them that there is the potential for a bonus to their pay if they write a piece about or for Gualon. Decor...is...hopefully still in the works. I believe Daine is still going to help me with that....” Or she hoped. “And yes, I ate not that long ago, before I sat down to start this project. I can’t think and work on an empty stomach.” Meri gestures to the dagger placed on the table. “Strange looking piece you have their.” Strange because of the material. “Is it functional? Or decorative?”

Leone taps a finger against her chin just as the food she'd orderd upon entry arrives at the table. Making sure that none of it ends up near Meri's posters, the blacksmith begins to delicately pick at the meal. "Well, then what about the minutiae? What can you nit-pick? Sometimes those things matter more," the metallurgist inquires, popping a knot of bread into her mouth. Chewing thoughtfully, the woman nods in recognition when Daine is mentioned. A mouthful of food is hastily swallowed once the dagger is brought up, the femme's onyx brows surging high onto her forehead, "It's not functional yet. Hildegarde is going to test it for me. I'm hoping to be able to make Rayala a new leg out of the material."

Meri rakes her fingers through her hair as she considers just what she could complain about in the moment. She bides her time by continuing to keep the subject on the matters that Leone has brought up. “Hildegarde, quite the talented warrior, I must say. She stomped all over me in our tournament battle. It was a great experience though...And a leg for Rayala? That is great. She is a very kind soul.” A faint smile pulls at Meri’s lips before it is wiped clean. “I suppose Daine and I got into something of a spat last light...He’s not a fan of my smoking, wants me to quit...then I went and asked him what it was we have been doing because we’ve been spending an awful lot of time together...and things just sort of went downhill from there. Just horrid timing, I’ve been working so hard on this concert. Might have to find someone else to help with decor if he and I don’t work things out....” Meri shrugs.

Leone nods in agreement to Meri's high praise of both ladies mentioned. "I see Rayala every day now. Yesterday, her metal leg. It's difficult to describe. Something happened to it. We believe it to be caused by a man in the tavern. The result is that she's in great pain," the blacksmith explains with a frown. "If it's the same man as proclaimed himself ruler of Hollow, then he can control metal. For this reason, I seek to develop a new material that has no basis in ore." A chunk of cheese is popped into the farrier's mouth as once more the subject swings, and she contemplates. "Well, if he backs out entirely, I'll take over. I don't have a particularly strong aesthetic, but I can make things in a hurry!" With a gentle smile, the plover leans forward, her arm pushed against the table's surface at the elbow, while her chin comes to rest in the hand. Looking steadily at Meri, Leone says softly, "What do you want out of your time with him?"

Meri listens to Leone’s account of what happened to Rayala, feeling as though her problems were petty in comparison. Petty enough that she didn’t even want to keep complaining about her man problems. So she dodges the question, focuses on Leone instead. “A man has proclaimed himself the ruler of Hollow? Does this man have a name?” A brow is lofted. “And a description?” Meri’s curiosity was peeked, if only to so that she could avoid said character, or at least be wary of him. “I hope for Rayala’s sake that you are able to perfect your ability to manipulate the material swiftly. She came to my defense once, and Raphaline’s, when we were being attacked by drow. A kind soul who seems to have been dealt too many bad hands in life. Yet she always is chipper despite it.”

Leone arches a brow at the dodged question, though she decides to answer Meri's before calling her on it. "Ray says she'll be fine. She's tending to the new wounds. To be honest, I didn't pay attention to him much. I came in when he was already hurting her, and I focused on getting her out of there as quickly as possible. His laugh is...disturbing, though. He left a name on the proclamation, I think. I thought it more of a joke, and didn't give it any heed," Leone explains, frowning severely at her own lack of attentiveness. "The material doesn't shatter, chip, nor crack under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, it takes weeks to build up properly. Ray's new leg will take me perhaps three months to fully forge, provided the new glass proves durable," the farrier explains with a little chuckle, "If I hadn't been practicing my glass blowing for the concert, I'd never have thought of it! The world might have you to thank for the indirect defeat of a would-be tyrant." There's a pause, and a scrap of meat is chomped onto, masticated briefly, and then conversation is once more redirected, "Now about Daine? What is it that you want from your time with him?"

Meri grunts when Leone doesn’t seem willing to let that subject go. “It’s complicated, I guess. Senselessly so. He and I have been...intimate.” Meri furrows her brows. “And I care about him a great deal. I just want to know if we’re on the same page with things, I guess, especially if he’s going to go around making lofty requests like ‘quit smoking cigarettes,’ you know?” Meri lifts her shoulders in a shrug. “Speaking of glass blowing for the concert. I wanted to run the layout by you, since your forge has special requirements so that it is not a fire hazard. I was thinking about having the musicians perform in Gualon’s plaza with the vendors stretched out to the north and to the south along that road. Do you think that you will be able to find a suitable spot to set up your forge there? I want to make sure before making things official...Tristram would be displeased with the both of us if we managed to burn down any portion of his fine city.”

Leone nods in understanding of the situation with Daine. Another bite, and more reflection elicits a sniff from the raven-haired female. "Meri. Have you come out and said this to him? I mean, you're not a dolt, so I imagine you have, though I also know how tempers flare and words get away from us..." there's a beat of breath, a heaved sigh before the blacksmith begins to speak again, "I was betrothed once, long ago, to a man I genuinely adored, even if it started off as arranged. We argued over something completely inconsequential. I never spoke up to clarify things. I was afraid that if I asked for particulars, if I asked for specifics of what he felt, what he thought, that I'd be pushing too hard and things would fall apart. I was afraid of losing him because I demanded too much from him emotionally. Things fell apart, anyway." Confident that the anecdote needed no more elaboration, the smith moves on to the Concert. "I think there's a brick building along there, and that will be fine. I've already got the iron fences welded, they're in the Smithy next to the stables, if you'd like to inspect them."

Meri bites down on her bottom lip as she considers Leone’s words, nodding ever so slightly. “I mean...I worded it the same way I worded it to you. I asked him what we were doing...and he kind of stammered and fumbled then asked me what -I- thought....but I turned it back on him and I don’t think he liked that. He said he liked me a lot but it sounded so angry and defensive. I just...don’t think either he are I are great when it comes to discussing feelings.” Meri’s brows knit together. “He did leave me a letter, he said he had something personal he wanted to ask me...bought me a dress for the concert because he knows I’ve been so busy trying to recruit people, said he really hoped he would get to see me in it. I guess it’s not entirely lost.” Meri’s gaze travels directly west, toward the Smithy’s building, thoughtfully. “Inspect your work? I trust your judgement. You know more about that sort of thing than I. Who am I to critique? But if you wanted to show me, I would not be opposed to seeing what you have cooked up.”

Leone nods solemnly to to everything Meri relates, waiting patiently for her turn to speak again, though she itches to from almost the first sentence. "I would encourage you to get together with him before the concert. Let him know how much you care about him...let him know that you're not afraid to say it, either," the blacksmith says gently. Perhaps the silver in her hair was a mark of wisdom with age, or perhaps it was just an odd shock of discoloring. Either way, the elder woman dispenses advice when she thinks it appropriate, quickly shifting subjects afterward. With a bemused grin, the farrier waves off the parading of her skill, "Another time. Perhaps when they're set up for the concert."

Meri again bobs her head down into a nod, a little light bulb clicking on on Meri’s mind. Maybe she was a bit of a dolt because it never occurred to her that perhaps her unwillingness to admit her own feelings fueled the fire, so to speak. “I think perhaps you are right....” The woman reaches for that quill that has been resting idling on the table and dips it into her ink, preparing to scrawl out the actual wording on the posters now. “In your letter you mentioned that you were staying about the city. Any place in particular?” Meri seemed more than comfortable with writing and talking, the conversation hardly halting as she continues working on those numerous posters. “I ask because there are plenty of rooms available within the castle. Quite lovely rooms. And the food is better than down here at the Grogshop.” Sorry, Grargh! But it’s true.

Leone smiles at Meri's realization. Perhaps now the lights would return to the blonde's eyes. Sipping at her drink, the blacksmith seems satisfied for the moment. Once questions about Gualon are put forth, the farrier wags her head toward the nearby stables. "I've been renting a stall when I'm here, the smith has been more than accomodating. Otherwise, if I'm not here for the night, Raphaline has set me up with a very lovely room in her house," the petite woman states, her brows furrowing at the center. "Ahh, yes. Emi mentioned that she had a room in the castle last night. Is this the same?"

Meri smiles at the very mention of Raphaline, though it is a smile that does not linger on the woman’s lips for long. She addresses the matter of renting out a stall in the stables. “While I am sure Kadence appreciates the company...” Kadence being the gray mare that Meri seems to have acquired that also resides within Gualon’s stables. “...You might find the castle far more comfortable. And yes, it is the same. I live there as well...Emi, when she is not in Venturil. And four others frequent the place as well, off and on, when they are not traveling. Anyway, you are more than welcome to rent out a room there as well, if you so decided. Just let me know and I’ll get you a key to one of the rooms, yeah?” A brief pause. “I recently met another woman who is also staying out at Raphaline’s for the time being. A woman by the name of Skylei, have you met her yet?”

Leone purses her lips, eyes strafing ceilingward while she mulls over this name mentioned. "Hmm, I've not yet met her. Hilde is staying at Raphaline's as well," the blacksmith chuckles, "I think in the interest of not ruining my back before I complete my Gualon project, I'd better take up at the castle. What's the rent per week?" Merely picking at the bread and cheese that's left over, the plover again offers Meri food by way of holding a hand up behind it in invitation.

Meri rattles off a price. In truth, the price has never been set formally (as far as she knows) because the rent is merely an RP aspect. No gold is actually exchanged. The tattoo artist goes on to explain, “But Tristram is lenient and hospitable. He is not going to boot anyone out. And if you ever find that you are in a financial pinch, you can always make up for it by working around the city in exchange for your board....” Meri points toward her posters with the feathered end of her quill before resuming her writing. “For example, I am organizing this concert. And when I am not doing that, I am a trade tutor to Gualon’s orphans. Various skills. Sailing. Fighting for the younger ones, as self-defense is essential in these lands. I bet Tristram would be ecstatic if you were willing to teach some of the older orphans a bit of your trade as well.”

Leone smiles with absolute delight. "Ahh, that is a very nice trade. And a fair price. I can afford that...and perhaps to donate a bit more to the city's coffers," the blacksmith beams. "I will certainly take a room in the castle, then," Leone says decisively. "I've interviewed an apprentice recently. I think I can take them on in six month rotations, and up to three at a time," the farrier continues, rambling on until she catches herself. After stiffling a yawn, the petite femme grins warmly at the tattooist-come-teacher. "It was wonderful to catch up with you. Let me know how things turn out with Daine, or if you need my help with anything? I'm here most days, usually in the smithy," the plover says while rising. "I think for tonight, it's to bed with me!"

Meri gestures to the north when Leone mentions that it is time for her to retire. “Just let one of the employees within the castle know that you need a key to the bedroom, don’t be shy about dropping my name to get it either. I don’t have them on me but...! You’ll have no trouble. And if you do, let me know and we’ll get it squared away promptly.” Cue a smile. “And yes, I’ll let you know how it goes with that man next we see each other. It was lovely catching up. Don’t be a stranger either, if we’re going to be neighbors. Knock on my door whenever.”

Leone salutes Meri in a most comical way before heading toward the door. Over her shoulder, the shoer shouts toward the artist, "You can be assured I won't let our partings go for this long again! I enjoy your company too much." And with that, she trots off toward the north, and the promise of a much more comfortable bed.