middaeg | [open] how am i gonna be an optimist about this

[ Percy considers him for a moment, eyes flicking between the man and what he's holding. Repurposed entirely? Interesting. And not something to be discussed simply, it seems. ]

I see. You had better come in. [ He tips his head back towards the door, and turns to hold it open for him. ] Just mind the bear.

[ The bear in question being the massive pile of fur curled into the corner. He raises his head slightly at the sound of moment, then lowers it back onto his front legs as he spots Percy. ]

[ The bear? Oh. Geralt sees now. He eyes the very large bear and decides not to ask. That's a hell of a guard dog.

He follows the man the rest of the way through the shop, setting the wrapped weapon down on the table for him. And because he's still not sure how long he can hold it before it starts burning him through the cloth.

Inside, he waits for the man to give him his answer or name his price. His gaze flicks over the equipment and projects, a little curious. ]

[ The space is split in half, or near enough, with more than ample evidence of two very different minds at work. The part Percy heads towards is crowded in paper, all sketches and designs, and tangles of wire in metal in varying states of anything recognizable, with two large and very well secured barrels standing quietly near the wall.

He absently pats the bear's head as he passes, and gets a rumble in answer that has one side of his mouth quirking up slightly. Though the expression flattens again as he gets a better look at his guest. A quick, measuring look, and then he moves to pick up the metal that was set down. That gets a much longer stare. ]

Is this pure silver? It's not going to hold an edge terribly well, if you want a knife made from it. [ An alloy could be better, possibly, but he lifts an eyebrow at Geralt anyway, waiting for an answer. ]

[ The bear is, in fact, slightly more distracting than he'd thought. He'd assumed it was another Turnskin, but the fact that it gets a pets on the head as if it were a household dog suggests something else.

Geralt looks back. ] Meteorite core. It's not for common use. [ Like most of the weapons he owns, silver or not, meteoric iron sits beneath. There's a brief pause as he considers how much he wants to explain. ] It only needs enough silver layered for contact. [ Speaking of the blade. He gestures with his thumb and forefinger. ] About six inches.

[ Short, so Jaskier can keep it concealed on him. He's requested a dagger for a reason: it's easier to stab and ideally, Jaskier will sink it into something (hopefully not Geralt) and flee.

Or more ideal: it never gets used at all. But, well. ]

Do what you need to. I'll pay, as long as it gets done.

[ Ah, well. That makes a bit more sense. Percy gives the metal another considering look, then nods. Separating out the two metals while melting it down will be irritating, but not impossible. And Percy might not be the blades expert here, but knives he can probably manage, and assistance can always be enlisted.

But he does flick a glance back towards Geralt, thoughtful and almost searching. ]

Are you looking for something that can be hidden, or?

[ Percy's spent enough time around someone who uses quite a few daggers to know just how many variations there can be. And what those variations might be used for. No judgement on any of them, but it would be helpful to know. ]

[ Geralt watches the other man while he deliberates, but he seems ultimately satisfied with what's been requested. Geralt's reply comes without hesitation. ] Yes.

[ There is a short pause before he adds, ] It's not for me. Something light. Easy to handle. He's... [ Untrained? Unskilled? Is there a simple way that entirely sums up Jaskier's exact skill level when it comes to a blade or any sort of weapon in general?

Yes. Actually. There is. ] He's a bard.

[ And that oddly, does actually explain everything, or at least it explains enough. The expression that flickers across Percy's face is both amused and knowing as he nods once.

So something lightweight and subtle, most likely. Easily disguised. That could be easy enough done, and he makes a thoughtful sound as his eyes go distant for a second. ]

Just how ostentatious is your bard? [ The ones Percy knows may or may not be the best baseline to go off, fond of them as Percy is. ]

[ That's a new one, the knowing look that Geralt sees on the blacksmith's face. Amusement of his own appears briefly as he considers the question. ]

He wore a silk doublet to a swamp.

[ Admittedly, Geralt did not tell Jaskier that they were going to a swamp, but he thinks it's a given seeing as he was, for example, following a witcher and had been for the past ten years at that point. Clearly, it isn't lack of experience that made Jaskier do it.

In any case, the answer is: extremely. ]

[ Percy can't fight back a snort at that, though he isn't really trying either. And he'd be told that he went about a bit overdressed. At least he'd worked armor into his frock coat. ]

Fair enough. [ And it does paint a very particular picture. ] Do you want me to run the design by you once I have it or are you trusting my sense of taste?

[ One eyebrow lifts over his glasses to go with his faintly sardonic tone. ]

[ Geralt lifts his eyebrow in return. ] As long as it's functional.

[ Design for taste matters little to him, though he can appreciate the offer. He suspects whatever the blacksmith comes up with, it'll be nicer than what Geralt has in mind.

Though perhaps Jaskier will enjoy a pretty design enough not to complain that Geralt has given him what is effectively a tool to be used on himself and that that is, for all intents and purposes, not the most ideal gift. ]

How long will you need?

[ Functional is easy enough, but there's no point in not at least attempting to overdo a project. Percy flicks him an amused look before his eyes focus on nothing in particular for a moment. ]

Hm, call it a week, on the outside? It will take me a day or so to get the metals melted down and separated, at least. [ And that will give him some design time. Doubtless it'll actually take that long, but better to give himself some lead time when it's not one of his own projects.

Also, Vex might come in and force him to sleep at some point. And unfortunate but unavoidable consideration. ]

I'll let you know if I finish sooner.

[ A week's more than fair. No hurry, in any, case, before the next full moon. He nods. ] Geralt. Is the name.

[ In case the blacksmith wants to reach out to him earlier. He leaves it at that, exiting without much ceremony or greeting. He returns -- either a week later or when he's informed the commission is done -- with payment on hand.

He's curious, he'll admit. Just to see what he ends up receiving. If the quality is solid, he'll have to return another time to get his swords looked at. ]

[ Percy has let it go the length of the week, mostly because he's gotten a bit carried away with testing out an idea or two. The faint look of surprise on his face as Geralt reappears is more down to losing track of time, than anything. ]

Ah, hello. One second.

[ He leaves the door open for Geralt to come in as he likes. The bear is missing this time, but the rest of the space looks about the same is a bit more chaotic as Percy picks his way through the mess to find what he's looking for.

The piece of metal he holds out resembles nothing so much as an intricately engraved knife handle with a small mechanism at one end. He might have gotten a bit carried away with the design work too. ]

Here. Make sure to aim this bit [ he taps at the mechanism ] away from you and then press down.

[ When he does, the silver-coated blade shoots out and promptly locks into place. ]

[ This time, Geralt's not left waiting out there. An improvement. He follows the blacksmith into the shop.

Laying eyes on the weapon, Geralt blinks. He raises an eyebrow. Geralt had anticipated a bit of work on the grip, maybe a small gem on the end. This is a hell of a lot more intricate. Fit for a prince's display.

Or a bard.

Geralt tests the balance of the dagger in hand -- gloved, in anticipation of the silver. That spring mechanism; it's uncommon, but it works. It means Jaskier can keep it tucked in a pocket. ]

Nice work. [ His approval is punctuated with the cunes he owes, set down on the counter. He can see why the blacksmith gets away with being absentminded. Solid craftsmanship. ] Might have to drop by again.

You're welcome to.

[ He tilts his head slightly, giving the man and then the money, a considering look. It seems like a terrible idea to turn down more work. And yet. ]

I'll be honest with you, blades aren't my specialty. You're better off looking to Hiccup for that. [ Percy's head tips towards the direction of the other, currently empt half of the workshop, what seems like someone else's workspace. ]

But I'm happy to help where I can.

[ No? The admission catches his interest. He follows the blacksmith's indication towards the other side of the shop.

Hmm. He doesn't plan on forging any new blades soon, but an honest merchant is one he'll keep in mind. ]

I'll remember that. [ He eyes the blacksmith's workbench. ] What's yours, then?

[ Armoury instead? Or just common tools? He'd planned on stepping out without taking much more of the man's time, but now he's curious. ]

Ah. Mechanisms, mainly. Clockworks. Occasionally armor and the like. [ A wry smile flickers across his face, curving at one side of his mouth before it vanishes again. ] Explosives.

[ It's all true, if not the entire truth. Percy very purposefully refuses to let himself glance over at the rifle resting against the wall, twisting back towards his workbench instead. He'll cast bullets by the dozens, fix whatever needs fixing, but no more guns. Not for anyone else. ]

I do repairs a fair bit, for all manner of things. One has to be flexible around here, I've found.

[ Lucky, then, that Geralt doesn't recognize the weapon against the wall for what it is. It's the mention of explosives that interests him. ]

Might come in handy. [ With some of his silver gear no longer usable, he's been looking for alternatives. Could he let Jaskier know? He'll bring it up when he finds him later.

After a moment, he gives the blacksmith a nod. No reason to take up more of his time. ] See you around.

[open] how am i gonna be an optimist about this

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