[WoR] Iron Statuette
As a Reosean's knowledge expands, it's important to see where they came from. Draw or write about your Reosean studying scrolls, books, interacting with their craft or perhaps even being instructed by a fellow Reosean in order to learn to craft. Are they succeeding? Or is their project turning into a massive failure? (Ex. taste testing teas or cookies, sharpening a sword and it slipped, mixing up the wrong potions, etc!)
Individual Submission by Mechanic-Drone
Using:
“Damn it!” A deep rumble emerged from the blacksmith’s home into the cold night air.
Within a large female puller covered in crystal growths sat frustrated, standing over what could only be described as a metal turd. Her eyes narrowed, it was clear she was upset and yet, a bit of embarrassment seemed to find itself into them.
A second puller, another female with shook her head in disappointment as she looked over the failed project, “Ragna, you need to be patient when working with metals. You can’t just turn the forge up all the way and rush it. Metal working takes time and patience, and even more so when trying to make a statuette. The silver won’t work well if you heat it too much. It is almost impossible to work with when it acts more like a liquid then a solid.” As she spoke she gestured at the failed “statue” that sat in front of Ragna.
Letting out a deep sigh Ranga nodded her head. She had come so far from her desert home of Thedale to find a master crafter. Perhaps it was she was home sick, or maybe missing her mate Bellona? Regardless it wasn’t in her nature to be so rushed and easily flustered, though it was hard to say what the root cause was.
Ragna nodded at Artemis’s comment as she plunged the silver into the cold water, the cold climate of Roendedn made the water much cooler than she was used to and thus the solid silver chunk seemed back to its raw form almost magically quick. As she pulled it from the now steaming water her eyes narrowed on the chunk of metal, she had to do this. The longer it took her to learn, the longer it meant she would be away from Bellona and the idea of it broke her inside.
“Maybe you should take a break, try again in the morning?” Artemis, the master crafter that had been willing to take her in, looked almost pitifully at Ragna. Her usual broody aurora seemingly changed, which just drove Ragna further into her embarrassment.
“Thank you Artemis. I want to give it one more try if you would let me before I turn in for the evening.” Her voice was much calmer now, fueled by new found motivation and hope, “I want to try slowing the silver’s heat like you said. At least for a bit.” Artemis let out a long sigh before speaking, “Ragna the time I’m talking about to slowly heat it would take hours at a minimum. I’m not here to baby you or tell you what to do but if you truly are going to try again be prepared to give up your sleep and continue on without me.” With those words she left before Ragna could breathe another word, leaving her in the quiet forge alone. The only thing breaking the silence was the occasional pop of the forge from the fire within. She was ready to try again, and ready to lose her sleep over this attempt.
Ever so slowly Ragna once again began the process, but this time at a much slower pace. As the metal grew warmer she pulled it back to cool before continuing over and over. Eventually, after hours had passed the silver had begun to emit a warm glow which lit up the dark forge. With sweat dripping from her brow, Ragna drew the metal from the flames one last time.
As she began to work with it, she used her magic over earth to better shape it into the figure she wanted. Her mind seemed to go blank as she worked in silence, each stroke meaningful and yet seemed almost effortless. Before Ragna had even noticed the sun had begun to rise, and yet, she had done it.
As she looked over it pride welled within her. Carefully she dipped the sculpture into the cool water nearby, causing it to spit and sputter with the rapid temperature change. As she held it in the water for a bit she zoned out enough to not even notice Artemis sneaking up on her, “Please tell me you slept at least a little bit.”
Ragna jumped at the sudden voice and appearance of her teacher. The jolt almost causing her to drop her hard work. Ragna whipped her head around before calming herself. She hesitated for a moment before speaking up, “I won’t lie, I didn’t sleep at all. That being said though I believe I finally finished.” Before Artemis could say anything further Ragna pulled the statue up to display it. The figure was perfectly molded. Every curve, every strand of hair, everything. Artemis was shocked by the artistic talent Ragna displayed and couldn’t help but let her jaw fall slack in shock for just a moment. “Ragna…. That came out… Wow…” Her tone was soft and awestruck but the emotion didn’t seem to last long, “Do you know her?” She spoke now gesturing to the figure, “Surely this is based off of someone rather than a random vayron?”
Ragna felt flustered for a moment, “It’s… It’s based off of my mate back in Thedale.”
Silence filled the air for what felt like an eternity before Artemis began to speak, “Well you are certainly more talented than I initially thought. We are going to have a lot of fun here I think.”
[901 Words]