[ the tug of his sleeve gets a brief glance, before he ends up being aptly led to class. it's a lot of content to pack in a single lesson, and while callisto was the sort with a certain impatience to him, he does remain seated through it.
but, who knew he would learn actual blacksmithing... ] You had learned all this before...? You really do have a whole wealth of knowledge. [ it kind of reminds him a bit of duke's daughter and her interest in archaeology... ]
I guess so. It's familiar, like wood carving and sculpting. I just don't remember the words for the parts.
[ And they won't ever stick, in any language... Forge, anvil, bellows. Those are the pieces of the blacksmith puzzle. Siffrin remembers them for now. ]
... They might've been common practices where I was born. That's my guess.
[ Probably. Best lead they've got about it, anyway. ]
As in your body remembers even when the words escape you? And somehow, your mind seems to follow? [ somehow, it sounds a lot like siffrin's lessons somehow. the world, no, the world he's seen through their eyes... was truly mysterious. ]
Then should I consider this a lesson in your childhood? Almost?
[ it did make the experience feel a bit more meaningful at least. ]
back at home, he likely would never have had such an opportunity. or rather, such whims were likely not to find him. ] It is rather entertaining. At the very least, I never considered the work put into forging common items...
[ just weapons... ] I think with the right amount of encouragement and incentive, I could come to like it even more. [ thanks siffrin. ]
[ the idea that anyone could reward a prince is a bit funny to callisto. but, he doesn't find it pompous if just because it's siffrin (and also because it was his own suggestion, but listen, it doesn't mean he has to be reasonable). ]
While normally it would be a piece of land or a diamond mine, I have gotten a bit tired of those... [ he smiles. ] What about you give me what you like? Something you haven't divulged to me yet. That way I can look forward to it.
[ so no palmiers this time... got to make it like 1% more challenging. ]
[ ... Oh, easy. Siffrin smiles a little wider, evidently excited. ]
Okay. No cutting corner your first time, Callisto. With practice comes privilege.
[ Heheh. Siffrin supposes he can work on it while Callisto works on his pieces, both practice and the one he'd requested... ]
After you've warmed the metal enough to work it, but not enough for it to turn gooey, um... it's hard to describe, but you'll follow your gut on where to strike. That's the metal telling you where to go when you ask. For me, I usually... talk to it, whatever comes to mind. Apparently. That's what my family members said.
[ (And it made the knife sharp! It worked! So!
...
Them noticing that about you... How much did they see?) ]
[ admittedly, it's nice to focus ones attention on something physical. it doesn't end up being nearly as toiling as he expects, but his own definition of the word could have been seen as warped due to his own life experiences.
in a sense, he sees where siffrin is coming from, even more when he has the pieces in hand, all fired up. he sees the shift in textures, and the way the metal glistens. he isn't sure if he's doing it in accordance to the instruction, or if he truly is simply relying on his intuition. maybe they're one and the same. as for talking to it— ] Whatever comes to mind? I don't think a string of curses would be very good for its upbringing.
[ he's not actually going to curse though.
but, he's striking it. ] Is thinking up the names of my enemies the best technique? [ and!! he is definitely striking it hard enough the metal is ending up more warped than it is becoming a cohesive piece of anything. thankfully it's practice, right? ]
As long as it helps you focus. For me, it's usually... a wish kind of. You can repeat it as many times as it feels right.
[ He needs to be gentler, too... oh. ]
Instead of your enemies, [ which may be the reason he's hitting it so hard, ] you can try psyching it up. Telling it that it's going to be the strongest, most beautiful piece in the world because it's come from your hands. To inspire it. That's kind of what it is, inspiring.
[ See how that does as they let their own warm... Callisto will get to see what they mean in a minute. ]
he's not sure if he's ever ardently wished for something in his entire life. perhaps, as a child, but the novelty of it soon wore off in light of other events, ones that changed his entire world view. maybe that's why he can only hammer away with similar sentiments.
he looks back at the warped piece of metal, before turning back to siffrin. waiting on his instruction, but certainly not without his own thoughts. ] Instead of psyching it up, that sounds much like the recipe to spoil it. Can you say that would not affect its character in all the wrong ways?
... There's nothing wrong with being spoiled, though. It means someone loved you. A lot.
[ Not that Siffrin remembers if they ever were or not, a blank space where it ought to be. ]
It won't affect it poorly. Kids need to be praised, it makes them confident. We praise Bonnie a lot too.
[ That's how they know! It's important! Because even Odile does it!
Out comes the metal, tested with a small tap and settled onto the anvil. Siffrin clearly doesn't mind the questions, anyway. It's only natural Callisto would. ]
Crafting something is the same way. Um, it also has to do with... we use hand gestures, or say something as part of it too, so maybe it's just me that does the second.
That's precisely why they grow up warped. [ loved...
he has a lot to say to that, but doesn't say them. ]
I had no idea you had experience with children...
[ it's a bit surprising. another kernel of knowledge obtained about them. the fact that siffrin was also the type to give out praise... also kind of checks out. except, didn't siffrin also praise them once before? before he could further connect these dots, he does seem more focused on the metal on the anvil.
When I healed you, I closed my eye. That's a gesture too. A movement or a word is all you need. Just... whatever feels right, without forcing it. It's when you force that it warps.
[ Force someone to forget, to change, to grow up too fast... No force is good. But Siffrin'll start work on their own, and the method's more clear:
That is, it seems to be just the same as the instructor's technique, except there's a soft murmur from Siffrin as he works. Almost too low to hear, but... still audible between the strikes, which do seem to flatten well. ]
Please flatten, please flatten, please flatten...
[ It really is. Just like that, for them. A wish, or a plea, or a hope. ]
[ callisto actually has no actual right to speak about other children, or individuals, becoming warped. regardless, he does comprehend the lesson behind it all. he recalls siffrin mentioned the concept before. about it not being about force, but about coaxing it into the state you desire.
even now, it seems like a difficult concept to put into practice for him who was readily labeled a tyrant, but he does put his best foot forward in this case. at least not to botch this second attempt. all the more solidified by what he's seen siffrin do, he does attempt to do the same.
there's no outward murmurs, but he does hope inwardly that it turns out a bit straighter, less warped, and more acceptable to his purposes. who knows, if it's from this earnest desire, but it does certainly end up better than his first attempt. though, definitely imperfect still. ]
While not nearly shaping up to be like yours, what do you think?
[ Look at him go!!! A better second attempt... though it's much like Taryon, Siffrin thinks, and it must truly be embarrassing to mimic them and their way of it. Oh well. What works, works; a strike and a hope is still good enough for Craft to work, and Callisto will get used to it as he tries.
(... Wasn't there a book on Craftonomy in the House? That sure would be useful...) ]
Good. [ Sincerely pleased. ] Um, I'll work out anything that'd be... bad for heat, but leave it alone otherwise, since the things that make it not-perfect are... what makes it yours.
[ ... Yeah!
Besides, ]
We'll be anonymous anyway, so... don't feel pressured.
If this enough to cast pressure on me, I could hardly maintain my position, don't you think? [ whether this be his position in the empire, or in his current one here. either was applicable, even in the sense of what relationship he had as royal magician and crown prince.
though, the thought of anyone thinking he could feel pressure like this, and the sincerity that goes behind such concern isn't completely lost on him. it makes the activity a bit more worthwhile, at the very least. ]
If it's mine, it shall be flawless. [ which he does embed in his thought as he strikes away.
actually, did he even fully know what this is for...? ]
[ ... He doesn't even know what this is for, but he's working so hard on it... It warms Siffrin's heart.
Unlike Callisto's, their own doesn't stay flattened for long -- it isn't as long either, and is quite thin the more they strike it. Another time in the forge, just to make it easier to work, and they start to... make a bend in it, sharper than what their errand required. Bit by bit, it'll take the form of a rose's head in its single sheet, but in time. They have to make a thin stem too, one that can bend...
Same mumbling as before, soft and almost unheard beneath the careful strikes. The Concentration. Maybe it's Callisto's confidence, or maybe it's Crafting listening to his words, but it does seem to be working. ]
[ while he is concentrated at his own task at hand, when he feels he's made decent progress, he finally places the piece back down, letting it finally cool. it's quicker work than he expects in the sense that the window in which it needed to be struck was a lot smaller than he expected. maintaining a specific heat also had its own challenges and he seems to turn these ideas in his head.
idly, he watches siffrin as he ponders on these. as if attempting to garner further insight. he is surprised by the amount of detail siffrin puts into the piece. a rose...? ] What are you concentrating on so deeply? [ was that piece also part of this larger project?
don't mind callisto and his casual way of trying to monopolize their attention. ]
[ It's too bad Callisto's attempt falls a little to the wayside -- in that Siffrin's concentration is unbroken, as if going with the flow of creativity, but the answer soon shows itself as they attach the wire acting as a stem and...
... carefully set it in front of Callisto, as they take the piece he'd finished to inspect. Of course there's imperfections, there would be with Gebura's as well, but-- ]
This is really good.
[ For a project Siffrin had set them both two as first-timers, and especially for Callisto who hadn't had the extensive talks Gebura was afforded it was remarkably good. Crafting is something anyone can do, and whether it's only a matter of confidence placed in another or not it surely works. ]
Don't touch that until it cools. It's, um, still fragile, so it'll turn brittle if you move it too much.
[ if it was anyone else, he may have been offended by being disregarded. however, he can sense siffrin's concentration and see it in the way he looks over his work. at times like this, he can see a certain passion in siffrin and he wonders if everyone from their world mimicked a similar kind of thinking.
either way, his thoughts don't last long before he sees the completed project. he's impressed by how delicately it could be welded. especially, considering all his efforts for something that was much less detailed. but, it's not like callisto is abashed by his work, either. no, he's full of confidence. all the more at the praise. ]
It seems like mockery considering how skilled you are. [ he's not serious, and it shows he says it in good humor. ] But, I will accept your compliment generously. Your project is sure to be a success.
[ Full of confidence himself, it seems... and he sets Callisto's project back down, kicking his feet lightly before
realizing he should probably explain a little, ]
Um. The flower is... your reward. For doing well, and giving it your all. You can hang it somewhere. Or sit it on something. The stem should bend without breaking, so you can... do a lot with it.
[ It seems a small reward for all Siffrin had claimed they would give the other, but it really is... something important, to them... ]
[ he likes the easy confidence that siffrin seems to have in moments like this. at times, siffrin seems incredibly low profile, but at times like this he can see another side to him. as if he were completely in his own element.
with his own piece cooling, he does put everything down so that he can pick the flower up in his hands and inspect it more clearly. he moves it around his palms. almost as if testing to see if it'd prick his skin. it doesn't, and he seems to smile satisfactorily. ] Sit on it? Do you think I could do much a thing you crafted with your heart and soul?
I will find somewhere fitting for it. [ perhaps, he could fashion it onto his cape or something. much to think about considering his room itself was predominately bare. still, he holds the flower close to his face. as if with the keychains from their outings together, asking if it suited him. ]
callisto wasn't one to deny a compliment; all the more coming from someone who had been nothing but sincere. perhaps, even overly honest at times even in their rejections. there was no sign of that here, but he reflects back on it, with a touch of amusement regardless. ]
No, there is no need for that. [ he looks back down at it. ] Rather, I intend to keep it as is. [ if this is what siffrin crafted in one go and intended to be his, then who was he to change that?
besides, this is coming from callisto who would readily pierce his skin had he desired to wear it that badly. ... and maybe in the future he could. ]
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but, who knew he would learn actual blacksmithing... ] You had learned all this before...? You really do have a whole wealth of knowledge. [ it kind of reminds him a bit of duke's daughter and her interest in archaeology... ]
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[ And they won't ever stick, in any language... Forge, anvil, bellows. Those are the pieces of the blacksmith puzzle. Siffrin remembers them for now. ]
... They might've been common practices where I was born. That's my guess.
[ Probably. Best lead they've got about it, anyway. ]
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Then should I consider this a lesson in your childhood? Almost?
[ it did make the experience feel a bit more meaningful at least. ]
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If... you'd like.
[ Though they do seem happy at the thought. Heheh. ]
What do you think? Of... smithing, and all. Does it seem fun?
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back at home, he likely would never have had such an opportunity. or rather, such whims were likely not to find him. ] It is rather entertaining. At the very least, I never considered the work put into forging common items...
[ just weapons... ] I think with the right amount of encouragement and incentive, I could come to like it even more. [ thanks siffrin. ]
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[ Easy! Some rewards will be fun to figure out... ]
What kind of incentive works best for you?
[ Candy, maybe... Bonnie liked being rewarded that way too. ]
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While normally it would be a piece of land or a diamond mine, I have gotten a bit tired of those... [ he smiles. ] What about you give me what you like? Something you haven't divulged to me yet. That way I can look forward to it.
[ so no palmiers this time... got to make it like 1% more challenging. ]
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Okay. No cutting corner your first time, Callisto. With practice comes privilege.
[ Heheh. Siffrin supposes he can work on it while Callisto works on his pieces, both practice and the one he'd requested... ]
After you've warmed the metal enough to work it, but not enough for it to turn gooey, um... it's hard to describe, but you'll follow your gut on where to strike. That's the metal telling you where to go when you ask. For me, I usually... talk to it, whatever comes to mind. Apparently. That's what my family members said.
[ (And it made the knife sharp! It worked! So!
...
Them noticing that about you... How much did they see?) ]
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in a sense, he sees where siffrin is coming from, even more when he has the pieces in hand, all fired up. he sees the shift in textures, and the way the metal glistens. he isn't sure if he's doing it in accordance to the instruction, or if he truly is simply relying on his intuition. maybe they're one and the same. as for talking to it— ] Whatever comes to mind? I don't think a string of curses would be very good for its upbringing.
[ he's not actually going to curse though.
but, he's striking it. ] Is thinking up the names of my enemies the best technique? [ and!! he is definitely striking it hard enough the metal is ending up more warped than it is becoming a cohesive piece of anything. thankfully it's practice, right? ]
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[ He needs to be gentler, too... oh. ]
Instead of your enemies, [ which may be the reason he's hitting it so hard, ] you can try psyching it up. Telling it that it's going to be the strongest, most beautiful piece in the world because it's come from your hands. To inspire it. That's kind of what it is, inspiring.
[ See how that does as they let their own warm... Callisto will get to see what they mean in a minute. ]
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he's not sure if he's ever ardently wished for something in his entire life. perhaps, as a child, but the novelty of it soon wore off in light of other events, ones that changed his entire world view. maybe that's why he can only hammer away with similar sentiments.
he looks back at the warped piece of metal, before turning back to siffrin. waiting on his instruction, but certainly not without his own thoughts. ] Instead of psyching it up, that sounds much like the recipe to spoil it. Can you say that would not affect its character in all the wrong ways?
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[ Not that Siffrin remembers if they ever were or not, a blank space where it ought to be. ]
It won't affect it poorly. Kids need to be praised, it makes them confident. We praise Bonnie a lot too.
[ That's how they know! It's important! Because even Odile does it!
Out comes the metal, tested with a small tap and settled onto the anvil. Siffrin clearly doesn't mind the questions, anyway. It's only natural Callisto would. ]
Crafting something is the same way. Um, it also has to do with... we use hand gestures, or say something as part of it too, so maybe it's just me that does the second.
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he has a lot to say to that, but doesn't say them. ]
I had no idea you had experience with children...
[ it's a bit surprising. another kernel of knowledge obtained about them. the fact that siffrin was also the type to give out praise... also kind of checks out. except, didn't siffrin also praise them once before? before he could further connect these dots, he does seem more focused on the metal on the anvil.
.... hand gestures??? looks at siffrin's hands. ]
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When I healed you, I closed my eye. That's a gesture too. A movement or a word is all you need. Just... whatever feels right, without forcing it. It's when you force that it warps.
[ Force someone to forget, to change, to grow up too fast... No force is good. But Siffrin'll start work on their own, and the method's more clear:
That is, it seems to be just the same as the instructor's technique, except there's a soft murmur from Siffrin as he works. Almost too low to hear, but... still audible between the strikes, which do seem to flatten well. ]
Please flatten, please flatten, please flatten...
[ It really is. Just like that, for them. A wish, or a plea, or a hope. ]
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even now, it seems like a difficult concept to put into practice for him who was readily labeled a tyrant, but he does put his best foot forward in this case. at least not to botch this second attempt. all the more solidified by what he's seen siffrin do, he does attempt to do the same.
there's no outward murmurs, but he does hope inwardly that it turns out a bit straighter, less warped, and more acceptable to his purposes. who knows, if it's from this earnest desire, but it does certainly end up better than his first attempt. though, definitely imperfect still. ]
While not nearly shaping up to be like yours, what do you think?
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(... Wasn't there a book on Craftonomy in the House? That sure would be useful...) ]
Good. [ Sincerely pleased. ] Um, I'll work out anything that'd be... bad for heat, but leave it alone otherwise, since the things that make it not-perfect are... what makes it yours.
[ ... Yeah!
Besides, ]
We'll be anonymous anyway, so... don't feel pressured.
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though, the thought of anyone thinking he could feel pressure like this, and the sincerity that goes behind such concern isn't completely lost on him. it makes the activity a bit more worthwhile, at the very least. ]
If it's mine, it shall be flawless. [ which he does embed in his thought as he strikes away.
actually, did he even fully know what this is for...? ]
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[ ... He doesn't even know
what this is for, but he's working so hard on it... It warms Siffrin's heart.
Unlike Callisto's, their own doesn't stay flattened for long -- it isn't as long either, and is quite thin the more they strike it. Another time in the forge, just to make it easier to work, and they start to... make a bend in it, sharper than what their errand required. Bit by bit, it'll take the form of a rose's head in its single sheet, but in time. They have to make a thin stem too, one that can bend...
Same mumbling as before, soft and almost unheard beneath the careful strikes. The Concentration. Maybe it's Callisto's confidence, or maybe it's Crafting listening to his words, but it does seem to be working. ]
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idly, he watches siffrin as he ponders on these. as if attempting to garner further insight. he is surprised by the amount of detail siffrin puts into the piece. a rose...? ] What are you concentrating on so deeply? [ was that piece also part of this larger project?
don't mind callisto and his casual way of trying to monopolize their attention. ]
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... carefully set it in front of Callisto, as they take the piece he'd finished to inspect. Of course there's imperfections, there would be with Gebura's as well, but-- ]
This is really good.
[ For a project Siffrin had set them both two as first-timers, and especially for Callisto who hadn't had the extensive talks Gebura was afforded it was remarkably good. Crafting is something anyone can do, and whether it's only a matter of confidence placed in another or not it surely works. ]
Don't touch that until it cools. It's, um, still fragile, so it'll turn brittle if you move it too much.
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either way, his thoughts don't last long before he sees the completed project. he's impressed by how delicately it could be welded. especially, considering all his efforts for something that was much less detailed. but, it's not like callisto is abashed by his work, either. no, he's full of confidence. all the more at the praise. ]
It seems like mockery considering how skilled you are. [ he's not serious, and it shows he says it in good humor. ] But, I will accept your compliment generously. Your project is sure to be a success.
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[ Full of confidence himself, it seems... and he sets Callisto's project back down, kicking his feet lightly before
realizing he should probably explain a little, ]
Um. The flower is... your reward. For doing well, and giving it your all. You can hang it somewhere. Or sit it on something. The stem should bend without breaking, so you can... do a lot with it.
[ It seems a small reward for all Siffrin had claimed they would give the other, but it really is... something important, to them... ]
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with his own piece cooling, he does put everything down so that he can pick the flower up in his hands and inspect it more clearly. he moves it around his palms. almost as if testing to see if it'd prick his skin. it doesn't, and he seems to smile satisfactorily. ] Sit on it? Do you think I could do much a thing you crafted with your heart and soul?
I will find somewhere fitting for it. [ perhaps, he could fashion it onto his cape or something. much to think about considering his room itself was predominately bare. still, he holds the flower close to his face. as if with the keychains from their outings together, asking if it suited him. ]
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Heart and soul... Yeah. It does have special meaning, and Siffrin smiles softer. Now it's complete... the trio of flowers. ]
It suits you well. If you'd like, I can make a clasp for it too, so you can wear it.
[ A small matter, apparently. ]
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callisto wasn't one to deny a compliment; all the more coming from someone who had been nothing but sincere. perhaps, even overly honest at times even in their rejections. there was no sign of that here, but he reflects back on it, with a touch of amusement regardless. ]
No, there is no need for that. [ he looks back down at it. ] Rather, I intend to keep it as is. [ if this is what siffrin crafted in one go and intended to be his, then who was he to change that?
besides, this is coming from callisto who would readily pierce his skin had he desired to wear it that badly. ... and maybe in the future he could. ]