Action. Thought. "Speech."

Forgraves, after a long, LONG nap had wasted no time in making his journey back to leo, the thulite gem held tightly in a pouch, tied around his waste and bobbing as he walked.

Kitty's reading, even if at the end it wasn't truthful (he wouldn't know otherwise), had ensured him questions had to be asked, and needed to be given answers. if the blacksmith would give them is an entirely different story.

he padded around the workshop, listening for any sign of the familiar, rhythmic slam of a hammer, or really any other sign of life.

"Blacksmith!! are you home?" he called. "i'd like to speak with you!"

He was still there--still working--the clang of hammer almost nonstop.

To one side he had a pile of items almost as tall as he was: bracelets and collars, steel sleeves and iron bracers. He did not spare more than a harried glance up as Forgraves entered.

"H-hello? Can I help you?" he asked; he sounded rather busy, but polite enough, in the end.

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

His ears rang at the sound of the hammer, whimpering slightly.

would he be a bother, doing this now? he supposed better now than never... theres also nothing promising he'd be here later.

"s-sorry if youre busy! i just-" he paused, digging the tulite out of his pouch. "-wanted to ask you some q-questions about.. this? if you remember it..?" he asked, holding it out. he didn't know how long ago this thing existed. he assumed it must be old, given how it had been buried under rubble when he found it, had to dig it out over the course of several minutes even, but.. he thought it worth it. "found it on an old belt.. in the underforge?"

"I am busy, but you are still... welcome here," the Blacksmith offered softly, after a moment, the clang of a hammer punctuating the center of his sentence.

A moment passed as he examined his work, a brief look over it, turning the worked metal in one hand. Then he glanced over, peering, at the Thulite.

"Many gemstones... have passed through my workshop. Can you describe... the piece to which it was... attached?" he asked, head tilting a little. And he was already going back to work, then: turning the metal the other way, hammering it into shapes with gentler taps of the steel.

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

he hummed, thinking back.

"it was silver, i think, some sort of belt? it had silver lace-like decoration, VERY big, bigger than me. though uh- i suppose most things down there are. it had 25 other stones like it on there? but this one was the biggest, it was in the middle. they all matched, i think" he chirped, tryna remember what else he could note about it. "it was a master level stone, belonged to something big, black n feathery. total overkill. killed by a big jerk with fat hands, if i remember what i was told right. my friend- kitty, she looked into it, saw its past n stuff."

his ears started to HURT with how loud that hammer was. ouch. maybe if the blacksmith didn't know anything he'd be leaving sooner than he thought. how did the guy deal with this all day...? "its okay if you dont r-remember it! its just not everyday you find a live gemstone attached to a belt."

A master's stone-? This jerked the Blacksmith's head up from canted and thoughtful to staring in surprise at Forgraves.

But no-... That could not be. He remembered that stone. Oh, yes; he remembered. With a sad sigh he laid his hammer down. "One... of many. No Master, no. A victim... of the arenas. I do not know who it was. Only that it was the loser, and its stone was taken as a prize. A... trophy. I am sorry," he added, though he didn't say what for; and then, more quietly, "If you keep the stone... treat it kindly. If you connect with what once lay within... be wary. The creatures of those days... were made for one purpose. You... would not survive it."

@Forgraves

Action. Thought. "Speech."

He seemed to look confused, for a moment. no master..?

oh. yeah, wait. "o-oh! sorry- i keep forgetting there are cave masters- i just meant really powerful, not- not that! sorry, if i confused you" he mewed, embarrassed.

he looked up. he supposed it was just normal back then. others being killed fo trophies. he guessed it was likely a power thing. to show dominance. grimly, he compared the sentiment to that of wanting to show off a painting someone made. it must be the same pride here that led to this creatures demise, to prove the talent, power and skill of the one responsible. he believed the blacksmith when he said he wouldn't survive it. it doesn't sound as if he would've been particularly popular, helping instead of hurting. he'd be considered weak, surely.

he already was, if he's honest with himself.

he held the thulite gently. this little stone, so full of life and purpose... he'd need to be careful. treat it kindly.
almost absently, he added to that thought, "give it was azzy ALMOST gave me"
the implications almost surprised him. Azrael was a good father. he wasn't the warmest, but his odd form of love was still love. he just... it didn't seem to be the same love forgraves gave. that was okay, but it had its flaws. he'd show this creature compassion, protection, love. it's what it deserves. he nodded at the blacksmith, "thank you, i... i really do apologize for intruding at such a time, but.. i appreciate what you've told me, even if it wasn't as specific as i think i expected. i do that, sometimes.." he hummed. he smiled at the blacksmith. "i'll take care of it best i can. sorry for going through your underforge. was curious"

he stood back up, whining as he realized his leg had both fallen asleep and was being steadily roasted by the hot stone floor. "b-bye, blacksmith! i'll uh.. see you when i finish what i promised, hopefully."

exit

"Oh, it isn't... a bother, please," the Blacksmith answered softly, glancing up again with what was almost alarm. No; he hadn't meant to be dismissive-! His little visitor mustn't think that.

"Please, visit again when you like... it is no trouble. It is only... that I am very busy. I have many things that I must make..."

He let out a soft sigh, and shook his head; and then the clang of the hammer resumed as he returned to his hard work.

@Forgraves