saffron wind

[golden_anvil]

Not everyone walks calmly into the streets of the Nexus. Not everyone is so distracted as to not see when the stones shift and the shops and buildings aren’t quite the same. She’s staring down into a sketchbook in her hands and muttering to herself for a fair distance before it even occurs to her to look up. Light brown eyes peer out from a mess of dark curls pinned up around her shoulders. She purses her lips in some amount of confusion and looks to her left, her right, and finally turns about in a small circle.

This stocky stranger traces her gaze over the various buildings as she slowly closes the sketchbook and returns it to a satchel strung across her shoulder by a long strap. After a moment of taking in her surroundings, she nods quietly and sighs. She shifts two things strapped across her back and shoulders: a satchel bag and a large pole with one end wrapped up in cloth. In less than a minute, she has the bag slung around her shoulders and over her back in the style of a backpack. The pole finds it’s way into her hands, the covered end pointing upward as she turns in a slow circle.

“This is…different.” Her voice is soft and deep, but quickly taking on a worried tone. The pole rests in the crook of one arm as she gathers up her skirt to tie off around her waist. Her leather sandals gently hug her all the way up to her knees. “All right, I’ll bite. Who did I offend this time?”

Comments

[golden_anvil]

"You would think, at some point, the grand majority of people would realize how ridiculous it is to be upset with the messenger. My news is mostly that someone commissioned my father and I for a new weapon and they get jealous about it."

She sighs and shakes her head, but her gaze quickly shoots up back to Ben, taking his appearance in. He's got the right kind of build for a weapon, perhaps something like a sword. It's a prospect that gets her mind racing.

"Far ahead, but I could certainly make you something if I had the time and materials. If it can be made by hand, I can bring it forth from metal, leather, and sinew." She nods and offers a hand to shake. "Lysandra. What do you usually fight with, Ben?"

[chiaro_oscuro]

Ben tilts his head a little. "There are a lot of things you'd think people would have learned by now that they haven't. If people get jealous of your work, it must be special and I would like to see what you're capable of even more. Your family must be important and powerful for it to be so coveted."

There's more than a hint of curiosity behind the genuine flattery. Ben accepts the offered hand and shakes it.

"My usual weapons are from the universe I was born in. They're special." He shifts his robes a little, letting her see the blade hilt at his side. "I have weapons covered, but a gauntlet would do nicely, or maybe a smaller set of knives. It doesn't hurt to have access to other sets of weapons for other situations."

[golden_anvil]

"My work is rarely second to anyone outside of my father or Auntie Anthy. Unless it's plants... That's more Dame Dem and Seph. Or archery. Sunspot and Moony would ream me if I dared to suggest they're not the masters in that regard."

A pout grows on her face, and she leans hard against her pole. It fades the more she listens to Ben speak, even flashing a bit of teeth in a smile seeing the hilt.

"I could try and take some of your measurements right now, if you really think I can find some place that will allow me to do the metalworking or leather crafting required. What kind of protection and flexibility do you think he would need? It would help me decide how to go about planning the gauntlets."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"That's a good idea. We can take measurements when and where you feel comfortable doing so. Morrign will help find a spot..."

Ben doesn't pick up on who the nmes are, but does get the implication that she's close to some very powerful beings.

There's a whistle, and an enormous bird with metal feathers and red eyes descends, landing beside Ben. She looks at her curiously and caws.

[golden_anvil]

She looks up before Morrigan properly lands and she goes from confidence to looking properly terrified. Lysandra practically jumps back as the bird lands, spear still very much covered, but decidedly beteween her and what reminds her of a roc. Her gaze darts all over the dark feathers and the fact it damn well looks like it's wearing a suit of armor.

"W-what is this 'nevermore' creature of yours?" She looks at Ben so calm, and slowly, ever so slowly, lowers the spear. "This is Morrigan?"

[chiaro_oscuro]

"Yes." Ben steps aside, letting the Corviknight approach. She gives an interested caw, noticing the spear, and tilts her head. "She's a friend."

"About the gauntlets. There's a story behind my request. I met the Fenris-Wolf here in the Nexus. He granted me the honor of stroking him. Though the one I met isn't the same as the one from the stories, he is an analogue, and I would like to honor him."

[golden_anvil]

Lysandra cautiously offers the back of her hand to Morrigan, wondering how one even goes about finding such a strange and wonderful bird. She glanced at Ben at the mention of the great hound.

"Even an aspect of Fenrir is one who would likely match his temperament. You must have a great deal of honesty and kindness in your heart to lay hands on such a hound and not lose it as well."