lifenet | voice; 8/12

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voice; 8/12

[A slight clearing of the throat, followed by a soft, heavily-accented voice. Prim, almost. And serious.]

I, ah, understand there's been some talk of firearms and their usefulness lately, but — well. I was wondering if anyone here has any experience in the art of blacksmithing? Or might know where one could hypothetically acquire a sword? A shortsword, specifically.

Erm.

Thank you... in advance.

[Awkward pause goes here.]

— this is Aziraphale, by the way.

[Another pause.]

Very good, then.

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I suppose you could ask the Storyteller? Something like that would probably not be expensive.

[Ah, yes. Ask the god for a thing.

So he can just give it away again, right?]

I... could.

[.....okay, well, Asgore might not have the context, but the tone here's pretty clear.]

I do...not believe we have a local blacksmith...

Ah.

[Unfortunate.

Aziraphale pauses, again, then carefully asks:] Have you ever received anything from the Storyteller?

Oh, yes, several things. [...] All plants, actually. My tea trees, and the cacao tree out back. I have also contributed to a few group efforts.

[Back.

The [bleep] up.]

— a cacao tree, you say?

[#priorities]

Oh, yes! I had my first harvest recently, although I have not gotten around to doing very much with it. I need to find a source of sugarcane...and then figure out how to make sugar, I suppose.

[He would never say so, but he's sort of hoping to not be in charge of growing sugarcane too. There's a lot going on in his garden already.]

What about those, erm, candy-plants?

[Aziraphale's been thinking of uses for them, himself.

Like how to ferment them and turn them into alcohol.]

Oh! That is a thought! If I could find some without a strong flavor, perhaps. The only one I tried was very much like a candy.

[That is to say, it wasn't just pure sugar.]

Although I have not made a habit of trying them. They are very sweet.

You should! They're nice!

[Did Aziraphale make himself nearly-sick on them?

Maybe!]

[Asgore's sweet tooth only extends about as far as his wife's baking, so suffice to say it hasn't seen a lot of action lately.]

Perhaps I shall. Have you found any likely varieties?

It's a bit luck-of-the-draw, unfortunately. There's little consistency in flavor, outside of sweet. There seems to be no way to tell. I found some that look like oranges, but taste like lemons, so...

Edited 2019-08-24 16:09 (UTC)

Oh, how interesting! There must be cross-pollination between the different varietals. I wonder if you could breed them to get the kind you wanted...?

[A bit more than he really wants to take on right now, but still interesting!]

I'd love to say yes, but nothing really works the way it ought to here, does it?

That is true. It's an interesting prospect, but I'm afraid my garden is quite full as it is.

[He doesn't care to take on some kind of experimental candy breeding program.]

I do have some unique plants from another island, though! They glow, like lanterns.

I know someone who might be interested in the project.

[Which — could be nice, really.]

Is that — Nastrandir?

Cahypdo. It has vanished now - all the islands here except for Enso seem to come and go as they please. Nastrandir itself was not here last week.

Oh.

[That makes... about as much sense as everything else.

Alright, sure.]

Is there a greenhouse anywhere on Enso?

No. We had one once, on another island, but it is also gone now.

[Seems to be a running theme]

But we do have the farming islet! There are some fields and livestock there.

I have a sword I got during one of our explorations. I have my own from home, so. I've just been keeping its edge sharp and the blade clean.

Not a good enough blacksmith yet to forge a blade. Will that do?

Oh!

[Delight, thy name is Angel.]

Really? You wouldn't — surely you'll want a backup just in case? I wouldn't dare take something you might need.

Don’t worry about that. I have a few back up weapons. This sword hasn’t seen any use since I got it. I’m happy to give it to someone who needs it.

Well, then, in that case... thank you. Consider this a favor owed, mister...?

Keith. So long as you take care of it and keep yourself safe, that's enough for me. Where do you want to meet so I can hand this over?

Mister Keith.

[Wait. That's not what he meant, is it?

Ah, well. It's out there now.]

The library, if you don't mind?

I know where that is and it’s a good place to meet. I’ll be there shortly.

[And true to his word it will arrive in short order. Keith is a tall man, his dark hair pulled back from his face. He’s built like a soldier and moves with the brisk pace of one. If Aziraphale isn’t there already he waits for him in a seat and outside the library a giant blue wolf almost the size of a lion slumbers near the door.

If he is there Keith nods,] Aziraphale, right? [He unclips the sword belt from around his waist and removes it and the short sword with a plain grip and guard. He holds the sheathed sword and the belt out.] If you’re got questions about this island or anything, I can try to answer them while I’m here. I got the time.

[Aziraphale is there. He's made a second home for himself within its walls, helping as needed to justify his occupancy — and reading, and reading, and reading.

He spots Keith from the desk he's currently occupying and smiles, bright and warm and welcoming. There's some curiosity in his gaze, too, as he pushes himself from his chair and approaches.]

Yes, hello, thank you — [Reaching for the sword, Aziraphale finds himself hesitating. In all his millennia of existence, it's never been this easy.] — I'm sorry, I have to ask just one more time. You're sure?

[He accesses the other man at a glance. People here are full of surprises but one can get a bit of an idea about them from first meeting. It's all in what people share of themselves. He's always guarded, his steps light and eyes sharp. Like a blade ready to be drawn.

Keith pauses as well, Then he reaches for the white U at his side edged in black. The moment his hand closes about it purple light suffuses the object and it warps into a long slightly curved blade not unlike a kukri.]

I'm sure. This is one of the two I use. [The object reverts and he puts it back on his belt.] And I meant what I said. I'd rather a blade seeing use to keep someone else safe. Or who they choose to be safe.

...I've forged blades before. I don't have any shortswords completed, unfortunately, but I can create something to your liking if it isn't immediately pressing.

I don't believe it is, but there's the... small matter of having been attacked by a giant snake immediately upon my arrival, which, you'll understand, has made me rather wary. So, er — no, not immediately pressing, but in the meantime... have you got anything in stock?

[...]

...not that I can offer anything in payment yet, but perhaps we can come to an agreement?

I have plenty of stories saved up and not much to use them on if you can't get a sword made. You're new, right?

Very.

[It's almost as if the sound of blinking carries across the line.]

That would be extremely generous of you, I — you must have something you can use them on, surely?

No, I had my chance with them. Besides, I'll have more than enough left over, believe me. At least ten.

[He spends his stories on much more ridiculous shit. Toys! Pizza! Bedtime stories! So just say yes.]

I —

[But.

Ten sounds, to Aziraphale's ear, like so few. He could think of ten things he needs right now!]

...if you're absolutely sure.

I am. We've got enough people hoarding them in case of emergencies. I can give it a couple days to see if you get one made?

Well —

[A hem, a haw.]

— rather than... put a strain on someone's resources, if one could just be — miracled up in such a way, as it were...

Huh. You know, I'm not sure if they make us things or there's a whole line of stores out there being robbed by a giant bunny.

[He hopes it's the latter. That's hilarious.]

Anyway, being specific helps and I don't know the first thing about swords, so...

I'll see if I can find one that already exists. I would hate to use your hard-earned, erm, currency.

[He guesses that's what it is, technically?]

But thank you very much.

Hey, I thought we already agreed it's fine. If I ever need anything, you can pay me back later. Things can get crazy around here, it's better to have your sword now than wait a month.

I can make ye one, if ye bring me the stuff te do it. Shortswords're easy enough.

Ah... [A pause. The sound of papers shuffling, for whatever reason.] I don't have any materials at the moment, I'm afraid, but do you know where I could find them?

S'alright; If ye feel like canvasin' the new island, ye might find some old metal I can rework, or Twelve-willin, some ore. I'm sure I can find sommat te salvage if ye'd rather stay put though.

Oh, I would rather we both stay put, if it's all the same to you.

[Caution, thy name is Angel.]

I may have some alternatives, it's all right. Can I ask you — what was that you just said? "Twelve," was it?

No mind for an adventure? I can't rightly blame ye; that island is offputtin'. Ye let me know though, aye?

Hm? The Twelve, aye. My homeland has twelve gods, an' it's pretty commonplace te ask after the whole lot of 'em if yer hopin' for something good.

I've had plenty of adventure to last me a rather long while, I can assure you.

[He just wants a damn nap, honestly.]

How does that work? Do they have equal power, equal dominion?

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voice; 8/12

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