There was a concept to those words about healing and becoming stronger that Yanyue found fascinating, found simply in the potential fixing of broken cups. It was lovely, they thought. "A sort of beauty that couldn't have happened without first being damaged," Yanyue commented, in their introspective mood.

And there was also something that was very flattering about being told they had spoken words that were wise by the Blacksmith. He spoke fascinating thoughts, while Yanyue simply spoke what their own interpretations of his well. Still, it would be rude to not thank him for the words. "Thank you, but I was just speaking how I saw it," they confessed.

Cheeriness had set in as they listened with a sense of wonder to the Blacksmith speaking of tea. This was all quite fascinating actually, to one who knew so little, and it made Yanyue happy that the Blacksmith was speaking of something that made him happy. "I'll have to try a different tea every time I visit then!" the child proclaimed with earnest delight.

Next came the subject of an enchantment, and Yanyue regarded the Blacksmith with wide, awed eyes. "I would love that!" they proclaimed, delighted by the very idea of moving through the air. It did not have to be flying, for it would still be a sort of freedom they would not have had otherwise.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" they announced their gratitude three times with significant enthusiasm.

"You spoke... how you saw it, as do we all. A new perspective... even from the youngest beings... may reveal wonderful truths." It was said kindly, and there was a smile in the Blacksmith's eyes and voice both as he said it. "I will be sure... to have tea prepared. Now tell me..."

He sipped again, and set the cup down before pushing up from his chair. Cloak swished softly as he made his way back into the workshop proper, which was only a few yards off. "What sort of item... would you like to wear? It might be anything. A piece of armor... or decoration... jewelry..? If you wish, you may look over... what I have. And there is more below... within the Underforge itself. I will create... a new piece... based upon what you want. Or if you find something... that you already adore, of course you may choose that."

This section of wall consisted mostly of weapons, of heavy armor; but there were some pieces that might suit, though their sizes were all wrong. Cuffs for limbs of leather padding and blackened steel, or glove-like contraptions with long, vicious steel claws. But a few other things--rings, and thin jewelry chains, and pendants made of gemstone--were scattered about here and there, too.

There was much to choose from.

@Yanyue

Yanyue shyly ducked their head at the praise from the Blacksmith, which made them feel warm and happy.

The Blacksmith was much like tea, they thought suddenly. An odd thought, a simile, and yet… It fit in their eyes. He needed the heat to work, and he could create many varied things, as varied as tea, with many good properties. But mostly, he made Yanyue feel cozy, and they wished to wrap him within a serpentine hug and bask in that warmth.

”You are like tea,” the child voiced the thought with cheeriness. ”Warm and wonderful,” Yanyue added, in case the statement was too odd on its own.

Yanyue’s gaze scanned the items, thoughtfulness mixed into their cheer. ”It should be new, I think, like I am new. And… decoration, not armor, perhaps jewelry? A piece I can wear even as I grow,” the dragon concluded.

Then the child paused. ”Is that alright?” they asked with their large puppy-eyes regarding the Blacksmith with hope.

Surprised turned into a gentle laugh. "Kind words. Thank you."

The Blacksmith moved to follow along, watching Yanyue check over what was there. "Of course," he murmured. "Do you see any design... that you like? And... what color do you prefer?" He did not want to guess; there was plenty to choose from, between all the varied pieces. He'd let Yanyue pick the precise design.

@Yanyue

The gentle laugh pleased Yanyue who laughed, a chiming delight, in return.

Yanyue’s eye fell on something that might have been an earring or merely a bangle for the ear, or the like. ”Something like that,” they proclaimed, awed at the artistry in the design.

But… the design was not right. ”Something like that but… like your small tree, your teas, and your polite kindness. A shape suited for me, like the things we both like. Thoughtfully made, but not necessarily intricate in the way that exceeds reason.”

The child thought of the bow the other had given and the general aesthetics that the Blacksmith leaned towards. Their conversations of philosophy and practicality both.

Yanyue blinked, uncertain but hopeful. There words sounded like a riddle a bit, really. ”Does that… make sense?”

The Blacksmith stood silent for a time, his head cocked lightly to one side. He studied Yanyue, and seemed to be deep in thought. Likely he was combing over ideas in his mind, keeping some and discarding others, until he stumbled upon just the right one.

"I think I know... what would be best. You may stay... and watch me, or return when you like. It should not take... too long. A few hours... at the most." He turned, making his way over to a shelf, then paused and glanced back. "If you become hungry, or... wish more tea. Tell me, please." Then he began to pick his way through the shelves.

The first wall full of shelves had a large number of smaller molds--all intended for jewelry. All seemed to be molded from metal trays with indented clay or plaster caked within; the shapes of slender chains, pendants, rings, bands, and even ones full of tiny holes used to create wires were visible. He pulled out shelf after shelf, murmuring as he looked through them, before making a soft 'ah!' sort of sound and drawing one out. Then it was back to the shelf for another. Next he went to a different area of his Workshop alcove. Here, there were barrels and crates full of smelted metal ingots. He plucked out two--one silver in color, and one solid gold--and hefted them, carrying them to a small crucible beside the forge. In went the silver, and he placed it above the coals. "Before I truly begin... tell me... do you know any of the magic of air? To sweep a wind upward... a warm breeze, or a sudden gust..?" It seemed he was contemplating the nature of the enchantments.

After this exchange, whether Yanyue stayed or left for a time (or asked for more tea), the process was the same: smelting the silver metal, and pouring it into a mold, then doing the same with the gold and a separate mold. There was hammering, and the pouring of oil and water, and the hissing of liquid on molten metal. Given the premade molds, it didn't take too long, but his focus and attention to fine craftsmanship was clear. By the end he'd created a shining silver collar or cuff, with a small medallion that featured a scaled, curving, wingless dragon in gold--not unlike Yanyue! He hadn't put them together, yet, but that would be the last step. That, and the enchantment.

@Yanyue

Yanyue felt the happiest they had ever felt, and they had not even received their gift yet from the Blacksmith. Sure, they were young, but they thought that it might be hard to reach this level of happiness yet again. Or... perhaps not so hard, with the gift they were being given. Anything like flight must be a wondrous experience.

"I will," the child chimed, but they were extremely focused on the process that the Blacksmith did for his creations. At the question, Yanyue obligingly nodded, then realized the Blacksmith was facing away. "Yeah! I can use magic like that! The air is a friend," they proclaimed happily.

It was tempting to ask for more tea, at first, but Yanyue found themself fascinated by the process of the creation than tea, at this very moment, even if that moment lasted hours. They lacked hands, so they would never be able to do such a task themself. But the act of creating items like this, and then applying magic...

Yanyue watched from a distance, awed. "That was amazing! Can I see it? Is it magical yet?" the questions came from their voice freely, trusting the Blacksmith would tell them if they were too much.

The Blacksmith laughed softly. The mold was either magical or very, very complex, because what should have been hours spent linking up tiny chains had instead popped out intact--and flexible. The Blacksmith approached. "You may. I will enchant it... momentarily, but... let me ensure that it will fit."

He spent a moment, if allowed, first showing Yanyue the objects and then carefully checking the size of the chain against their neck, without touching. "Hmm... if you wish it to remain... a collar, later on. You will need to come to me... and have me refit it. That is no problem, and... perhaps you might want... more tea, then." Despite the mask (or mask-like face?) it sounded as though he were smiling, again. "Or you may... wear it, then... on your tail... wrist, ankle."

He then moved back to his bench. A few moments were spent there, hammer to metal, attaching the medallion to the collar. Then he lifted it, checking it against the firelight. "Good. Now... for the magic. Come," he said, and headed for the exit.

He threaded his way with rustling cloak to the mountain path, and then turned, curving his way up into a small stand of trees. In a clearing just behind was a large rectangle, lined with carefully-placed beams of wood. Benches sat here and there around its edges; within were stones, some mossy, of various shapes and sizes. In the sand, which had been carefully raked to resemble the ripples of water, it looked as though these stones were islands. The islands, perhaps, of Leo.

The Blacksmith, carrying the collar, stepped into the sand. He picked his way carefully across it, disturbing it as little as he could, lifting a few leaves scattered in the sand to his face to blow them away. At about the center he lowered himself down, laying the collar before him.

It was a peaceful place, and a peaceful moment, with the call of the sea birds, the rush of air, and the birdsong just nearby all settling like a soft song upon the heart. Magic seemed to swell, and as he placed his hands upon the collar, he spoke in a voice that harmonized with all of it.

"I will try to add the wind to this piece," he said softly, "so that when you gather it... it lifts you higher. And it will strengthen your... warm breezes... so they are maintained, for longer. Together... perhaps... if they are strong enough... if your magic is strong enough... for a time, you will find freedom." He paused, and then sighed as if pleased with something. "That, I think, will be its name... Freedom." A few moments of silence drifted away, with a natural feeling as though this moment was coming to a gentle close. Then he stood, turning, and offered the collar out in both hands--as if asking if Yanyue wished him to affix it. "It is a good conversation... that we have had. But... on a practical note... ensure this is removed before you outgrow it, please." He sounded kind, but amused.

Identified Item!

Yanyue has received an identified item from The Blacksmith!

3★ Freedom A beautiful, silvery cuff with streaks of gold. Its gold medallion pictures an oriental dragon in flight.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Freedom A flexible silver cuff of hundreds of metal links, threaded through with two bands of gold. A medallion set at the front, formed of solid gold, depicts an oriental dragon in flight. "Is freedom freedom if you can only touch the ground, seeing the air but never existing in it?" ELEMENT: MAGIC LEVEL: 100 DURABILITY: 75 SPECIAL: Successful casts of Gust can grant the bearer weak flight for up to fifteen seconds. Successful casts of Jetstream last the full duration of a thread, and do not need to be recast. If Gust is cast while Jetstream is still active, flight may be maintained for up to a minute at a time. MATERIAL: Silver Alloy, Gold ATTACK: N/A ADDED: N/A DEFENSE: N/A WEIGHT: 4 EQUIP: Cuff (collar, bracelet, etc.) Currently owned by: Yanyue

@Yanyue

"I will come back," the child spoke the words easily, yet they had the feel of a vow. "For tea, for adjustments, and for you. Thank you!" They were surprised by the symbol on it, which looked so very much like them.

With eager excitement, the dragon followed the Blacksmith, hoping to witness the magic. They gazed in awe as they felt the magic swell in the air.

Freedom, a fitting name, yet one that the child had given, in a way. They felt honored that the Blacksmith had named a piece of his work after their words.

"Thank you so much! Will you put it on me, please?" Yanyue asked with an air of joy to them.

More quietly, they added, "It's so beautiful... I can't thank you enough, really," the child spoke softly. "I am honored by this gift."

They bowed to the Blacksmith.

"I am glad... that you find it suited. You are welcome--for this, and welcome... to return, as you will."

The flexible collar was snapped gently into place, and the Blacksmith stepped back, framed against his raked sand garden. "You are welcome to stay, but... I suppose you will... be wanting to try this out?" he guessed, gently amused.

@Yanyue