A Proper Forge

[Pearce Lockheed]

Another day, another shop. The marquis wasn't trying to visit every business on the island but he was making a point to speak to and make purchases from a lot of them. The economy was not what it could be in Aralore after the war and the move and more battles. With the queen away and the government rightfully focused on military, Pearce was doing his part.

Of course, it helped that he had the saved wealth and income to spend. And that shopping was enjoyable. But for him, part of the point was meeting the people he shared his home with. Which was a little nerve wracking still, but not so much anymore. It was easier with luxury items and commodities than with farmers and blacksmiths, such as the one today.

Pearce had been a soldier once, had dropped that life only to pick it up again for his queen. He was more than willing to do so again. But...weapons were not his favorite thing. Luckily, he was here for someone else.

He had never been to a proper forge beford. The structure was not that of a typical shop, the heat and sting of the coals as he stepped out of his carriage were quite different than he was used to. The noble wasn't sure of he was supposed to enter the forge proper or if perhaps there was some other...shop front? "Um, hello? I'm Pearce Lockheed. I was told a Caleb Shaw here is an expert blacksmith?"

Vera Shaw

[Vera Shaw]

Lips pressed together as she hummed softly to herself, carefully prodding the fire of the forge as she felt its heat wash over her. In the winter, it was often a welcoming sensation, but after a few hours it could become as unbearable as the sun in the middle of summer. Still, Vera did whatever she could to help her brother in the smithy. Perhaps, when time allowed, Caleb could teach her more about how to actually create the weapons.

With her affliction, however, certain things proved a little difficult for her. Regardless of the rest of her senses being heightened, and that she had gotten so used to navigating the world by shadows, Vera had to remember she had limits. To an extent. Her brother was often having to remind her not to do anything, well...stupid.

Sometimes, it couldn't be helped.

Her head tilted, hearing the man's light footsteps as he entered the smithy before he spoke up. The lithe, young woman turned around to face the open doorway with a gentle smile. From this distance, and how she was able to pinpoint where he stood, Pearce may not notice that Vera was actually blind. She did well to hide it by pretending to inspect her hands or the ground beneath her, and yet the strange painting of moving shadows she could still see aided her. "You heard correctly, sir," she said pleasantly. "My brother is just out back and should return shortly. Are you picking up a commission or wishing to purchase something?" If she could help, she would, but for now she stood there facing his direction as he hands laced together in front of her.

[Caleb Shaw]

Aralore was a lot different than Teronna, he was finding. There were parts of home he missed, but he knew that they would be better off here. He hoped, at least. A new home meant a new start. He and Vera didn’t know anyone, other than the Aldridge family, and Caleb was alright with that. He wasn’t much of a people-person and would rather spend his days in silence if he could.

Despite the forge being quiet for the day, as far as business went, Caleb kept himself busy with orders he had received and with creating various ironwork should anyone wish to browse from a collection and choose without needing to wait for it to be crafted.

He had been out back dealing with the man who sourced him with the iron he needed to do his job. After paying the man and stacking the iron neatly, he grabbed a bundle and carried it back out front. Perhaps it was just that he was in the zone, that he didn’t realize there was a visitor in the forge. He spoke, but only to Vera as he continued towards the workbench where he placed the bundle of iron down.

“How are you doing, Vera?” He said without looking up. He picked up one of the sticks of iron and set part of it into the forge to begin the melting process. But he got that strange feeling that there were eyes on him, or a presence behind him, so he turned slightly but continued with moving the iron through the flames. When he spotted Pearce, he looked him over briefly. It was obvious that the man was a noble. In his experience, nobles didn’t typically visit, or come inside of a shop, but usually sent one of their servants.

“Can I help you?” He was sure Vera had already greeted the man, but he didn’t want to appear rude by not saying anything. Before Pearce answered, he was already looking away, mostly to keep watch on the piece of iron in the flames to ensure it did not overheat.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce hadn't been expecting to find a young woman instead. Not that he thought women couldn't be craftsmen or work a forge, but what he had heard carried no mention of the girl. Well, he supposed Caleb could be a rather ambiguous name, but there had very certainly be a 'he/him' in the conversation he had had. It set him just slightly off balance, as did many things. The woman very quickly set him right again, mentioning her brother.

"Oh, ah..." he hesitated and took a breath to avoid stumbling over the word. "Purchase something. My name is Pearce. Might I ask after your name, miss?" he asked. The girl seemed a very sharp, pleasant sort, though her fingers lacing together suggested she had a bit of anxiety as well.

The nobleman's question was answered almost as the words left his mouth, a man who could only be the Caleb Shaw in question entering a side door and placing a heavy bundle on a table. Pearce offered the girl a sort of embarrassed smile at the awkwardness. He didn't otherwise speak or move, not wanting to interrupt or seem rude, considering he hadn't been spoken too. If he had to guess from looking at them, the pair were siblings. The marquis couldn't help but study the man's back for a moment. He was handsome and there was a sort of appealing serious nature about him. It was admittedly a bit intimidating.

When the man turned to him and eyed him up, Pearce offered a pleasant, if nervous smile. "Yes, I..." he trailed off, deciding to start somewhere else mid sentence. "What do you make here?" Well, that made him sound stupid. "I mean, is there something sp-pecific you enjoy crafting? As a blacksmith?" He didn't mind the lack of eye contact or consideration while he spoke. It was honestly less stressful without eyes on him.

[Vera Shaw]

Vera's head canted slightly to the other side as she listened to the man, the pleasant smile still on her face. She was patient, knowing that if she was unable to help him that Caleb would certainly be back in at any moment.

She was no craftsman of any sort, no, although the process had always fascinated her, even if she couldn't physically see as easily as everyone else. Still, she saw the light from the fires, the sparks of embers, she could hear the melody of the hammer against steel. It was beautiful, and Caleb did wonderful work.

"Well, hello, Pearce," she added, prepared to share her name as the man had requested but it would seem her brother took that moment to finally enter, speaking it for her. The way he moved and spoke, Vera could only guess that Caleb hadn't noticed the man, and she couldn't help but smirk. Funny how the blind one had been more alert. She could have giggled at that.

Pressing her lips together for a second to suppress her humor, she answered her brother. "I'm well, and just greeting a new customer," she pointed out, continuing to remain there with her hands casually laced in front of her. Then, knowing Caleb had the situation handled, she went back to work, idly stoking the fires and cleaning up tools that had been left aside from previous jobs. Vera made sure to be as quiet and careful as possible so as to not interrupt the two's conversation.

[Caleb Shaw]

Caleb felt somewhat awkward in the sense that he hadn’t spotted the man upon entering the shop. He typically was in the zone when it came to his work, and often had to be yelled at to gain his attention if Vera was not there to handle those who walked in.

He smiled easily at Vera, appreciative of her attentiveness, though he didn’t quite catch onto the humor that Vera found in the situation, completely oblivious of it, honestly--but mostly because he never really saw Vera as blind, despite her condition. He did his best to treat her as normally as he possibly could.

Pearce’s question caused him to raise a brow and he smirked, stifling his urge to laugh at him. Was it not obvious to the man what he made? The place was filled with metals, swords, armory, ironwork… Or was the man mocking him in some way? Caleb was about to offer up some sarcastic and smart response, but Peace was correcting himself.

He turned around with the glowing red stick of iron and set it down on the anvil. “Might want to cover your ears,” he said, though he hadn’t given much of a warning before he quickly began to hammer down against the metal, causing the loud clanging to echo through the shop. He didn’t mean to be rude, but once he started in this process, he couldn’t stop until he got to a certain point, or the work would become ruined. The delay also gave him a chance to try and think about how to respond to the man’s curious question.

Caleb wasn’t certain if he had ever been asked that before--what he enjoyed crafting. Either this man was just being curious and nosy about his work, or he hadn’t a clue about any of it, and wanted to get his opinion on what the man might need or was looking for.

Once he finished shaping the metal, he quickly moved to place it into a metal barrel filled with water to quench the steel, instantly causing a loud sizzling sound, steam emitting into the air. It was then that he could take a break in the process, so he set the steel down on his workbench and lifted a rag to wipe at his hands as he moved closer to Pearce, offering his hand. “Caleb Shaw, and you are?” He perhaps wasn’t the most polite or proper at addressing nobles and other people, as he just didn’t care much for any of it. “And I enjoy crafting everything I do...But I suppose I like the more intricate pieces I can put more skill into. Weaponry, armor, and shields with some sort of design to them... sculptures.” He shrugged his broad shoulders and scratched the back of his head. “If it can be made of metal, I can make it.”

He looked the man over for a brief moment, “is there something specific you are looking for?”

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce was unknowingly beyond grateful Vera was present. He most certainly would not have been capable of yelling for the man's attention. Part of it was the need to be physically loud and clear in order to yell for attention. And part of it was the mental confidence needed to muster the command to call attention to himself and thereby interrupt someone else's focus. Simply put, Pearce did not have the capacity to shout on a normal basis.

He understood the smirk and shifted awkwardly. That was fine, the man could laugh at him. Pearce understood it was a...somewhat obvious question that had slipped out and he blushed, but pushed forward.

Being that he was in a smithy, Pearce had somewhat prepared himself for loud noises. That did not prevent him from jumping out of his skin a little all the same. Even with the warning. If anything it just made him more embarrassed, his face even more red. He swallowed loudly and rubbed his hands over his jacket sleeves, in a similar vein to how one might sooth a startled feline companion. He understood enough about any craft that there were times one needed to focus, and considering the hammering didn't allow for much by way of conversation, Pearce didn't take any offense. He attempted to get accustomed to the noise and to relax, glancing over at Vera and smiling at her hesitantly, mostly just looking for moral support.

He had indeed meant the question out of honest curiosity. He had an idea of what a blacksmith made on a daily basis, but he was curious what Shaw specifically enjoyed, if anything. A little because it might color his request, but it was also polite.

Pearce watched the man work attentively, it being a process he had only seen a few times. It always amazed him, how skilled with their hands people could be. He smiled warmly when the man offered his hand and his name, taking it firmly. "Pearce Lockheed," he said simply. The man was actually a lot more intimidating (and attractive) up close. The smell of the sparks and metal and the leather, the sheen of sweat from the heat on his brow, his firm, calloused handshake(and what Pearce could only imagine were massive biceps hidden under his sleeves), the

Sure, Pearce had...specific other tastes but...he struggled with how handsome Caleb. For a moment, he couldn't say anything else and wondered how on earth he had managed to say his own name without stumbling over his tongue. Dear god, Pearce, get it together! You're here buying a gift for your boyfriend, remember? You're very serious, very sexy, very sassy and attractive boyfriend named Zander who you would very much like to marry. Okay? Good. Breathe.

And for the love of god, don't drool.

Pearce stammered wordlessly for a moment, did not drool, gave up trying not to blush, and then took a deep breath and glanced around the shop again at some of those more intricate pieces. "You do seem quite skilled," he appraised. Not that his opinion mannered. Pearce worried he sounded overly patronizing. That wasn't what he meant, he meant it honestly. He felt so nervous for an entirely other reason. "Armor," he said quickly at the direct question of what he wanted. Now he sounded stupid again. "Er, I was looking to commission some light armor for a friend of mine. He's a soldier. Something balanced between strength and not very burdensome. With weather motifs? Like...lightning and storms and wind, if possible? I...can get his measurements and anything else you might need?" Had he been rambling? He was rambling, wasn't he? At least it all came out smoothly.

[Vera Shaw]

Vera often wondered if she should remain in the shop more often, especially to greet any potential customers. It wasn't that she thought her brother was a mean-spirited person or he was intentionally rude, but sometimes he could come across as...gruff? Maybe, in certain ways, he was a little socially awkward, yet that could just be her sisterly side needing to tease him. Still, she was a little better at handling people- even while mostly blind, the young woman had a way of sensing things easier than he could.

Her brow furrowed when Caleb didn't seem to answer Pearce's question right away, and then suddenly there was hammering. Her shoulders rose and fell in a gentle sigh and she nearly rolled her unseeing eyes over him. You'd think that loud noise would startle her, especially with her hearing being far better than most, but perhaps she had gotten so accustomed to it. It was like second nature to hear the striking of iron. Sometimes, she swore it was like hearing a melody.

She had every intention of keeping to herself, but her brother was underselling himself...again. As if what he did was "no big deal". It was a very big deal and a skill not many people had. And this kind gentleman was looking for not just a single weapon or a piece of jewelry, but a full set of armor. Those dark eyes went wide and glinted in her own excitement. She'd always dreamed of becoming a knight and perhaps being fitted for her own armor.

"Well, that sounds intriguing!" she exclaimed quietly, turning around to face them. She still didn't quite try and meet anyone's eyes. "You came to the right place, sir, I promise you. My brother is very good at what he does. Anyone who owns something from Caleb is getting a piece of him- he puts his blood, sweat, and tears into everything!" Was she overselling now? Hmm, she might be, she wasn't entirely sure.

[Caleb Shaw]

Caleb was rather oblivious when it came to other’s feelings or how he came across to them. Emotions were not his strongest suit and he tried avoiding them whenever he could. It left him feeling awkward and unsure of how to respond. He had never been the consoling type.

He offered Pearce a nod of his head, acknowledging his introduction before releasing his hand. After a few breaths, his deep voice echoed through the room, “nice to meet you,” he said perhaps a little later than he should have, making things a bit more awkward as if it weren’t awkward enough already.

At Pearce’s praise regarding him seeming to be quite skilled, he raised a questioning brow but forced a small smile. What did the man know about his skills, what was he basing it on? The work displayed throughout the smithy? Or had his reputation already made its way through parts of the island? Regardless of what it was, he stayed silent and listened as Pearce rambled on with what he wanted him to make.

Light armor. Balanced between strength and not very burdensome. Weather motifs. Lightning. Storms and wind. Caleb nodded, appearing as if he were taking mental notes of the request. It seemed doable and he was already pondering ideas on how to accomplish the design.

He looked to Vera as her voice broke in, responding in such a way that Caleb should have. The job was appealing to him and he looked forward to having the freedom and ability to design and create without too many restrictions.

At Vera’s praise, he shook his head and managed a small smirk, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. He never knew how to respond or accept the compliments, and they only made him feel strange and unsure of how to respond. He huffed a small laugh and shook his head, “Oh, Vera… Not everyone would like to know that my blood, sweat, and tears went into their piece of work.” He glanced back at Pearce and shrugged, “I will do my best to clean it up when I’m done,” he said sarcastically.