Arc 3 Part 2
After the successful commission of the crab cages, Vil and Pearluna saw more commissions as word spread. Most commissions were for everyday objects with an enhanced durability enchantment added on. Sadly some of the commissions were impossible to add enchantments, like self cleaning dishes, because Pearluna either did not know how to do it or it would require the user to be trained to activate the enchantment like Vil. However, unlike Vil, Pearluna couldn’t teach ever person in Mariana how to use mana. Just too many people that don’t have enough time to learn.
Today was one such commission being completed. Vil and Pearluna were meeting a cuttlefish naiad in the forge next to a pile of wooden plates and utensils. “I added the durability enchantment as requested.” Pearluna picked up a wooden plate. “Vil suggested that I focus the enchantment on the surface itself.”
Vil then picked up a metal knife and ran the sharp end down the plate like he was peeling the wood. None of the wood was peeled off. “As you can see there will be no splinters.” He explained. “So now there will be less concern of them harming the employees and the customers.” He placed the plate back on the stack. “So what do you think, Cepha?”
The naiad’s tentacle reached for a plate while her hands picked up a fork and knife. What Vil demonstrated was true. There was no part of the plate with a splinter on it. She then looked at the utensils. There was a wavy like pattern on them. The metal for the utensils themselves was clearly not iron. “These aren’t made of iron. What is it?” She asked.
Vil looked proud. “They are made of steel. My first batch of it to be exact.”
“He was making steel when you asked for the new plates and utensils.” Pearluna stated. “You should have seen how motivated he became to make these be his first project using steel.”
Vil then explained. “I finished my quota for smelting iron ingots. So I finally had the time to make some steel between commissions.” He then pointed at one of the knife blades. “The wave pattern is the result of me folding the iron.”
Cepha picked up a knife and moved it to see the light reflect off the blade. The pattern shone through. “I like the pattern. It reminds me of the ocean waves and it gives an exotic flair.”
She placed the knife down. “Here’s your pay.” She handed the money to Pearluna. “And thank you.” She politely bowed to the pair.
Everything was placed into a small crate for transport. “Would you like me to make it lighter for you?” Pearluna offered with a magic sigil appearing in her open hand.
The cuttlefish naiad shook her head. “These tentacles are not just for show you know.” Her two tentacles wrapped around the crate and lifted it up. “You two are always welcome to the bar, just ask for me when you do.”
Cepha then proceeded to leave the forge with her haul, leaving the pair to their own devices. Pearluna then moved to leave too. “I’m going to Aiya’s. Turns out the enchanted cold kimonos are a hit and she needs me to make some more.”
Vil just waved to her retreating form. “Have fun out there.”
Vil left the door to the forge open as he went back to work on his consistent hammer project. Most of it was made out of iron, however where the hammer is supposed to hit was a flat block of steel. Vil also had a crank attached to the gear that would make everything move. All that was missing was the hammer part itself.
Vil walked over to a piece of iron that he had put aside. As he picked it up he heard a knock on the side of the forge’s front door. “Vil you in there?” It was Jacob that spoke.
“I’m in the back!” Vil placed the iron on the anvil and started putting coal into the forge.
He heard the footsteps of the two brothers approach. “The four pallets are on the right when you enter.” He pointed in the general direction.
“Thaaank you.” The younger brother said as he put one pallet on a pallet jack. “Hey, where’s your witch friend?”
“You just missed her.” Vil lit the coal and started using the bellow to pump air into the flames.
As John was taking one pallet out to the wagon Jacob then asked. “So are you two in a relationship? I mean you both are living in the same home, but I didn’t want to assume.”
Vil inserted the iron into the forge. “We are. I just don’t really know what to do.”
John came back in and traded with Jacob. Having heard the conversation just outside he asked. “Have you taken her on a date?”
The iron was sufficiently heated and Vil took it out to start flattening it on the anvil. “I don’t really know where to take her. I may have been spending too much time in here than exploring Mariana.”
The Schmidt brothers traded the jack again. “Well, what does she like?”
Vil placed the flattened iron back into the forge to soak up some of the coal smoke. “She likes eating sea food. I don’t think I can afford an expensive dinner with her though.”
Both wolfmen laughed before Jacob spoke. “Does she really come off as some sort of demanding noble to you. Because from what we have seen, she is just a normal girl.” He took the last pallet outside to load the wagon.
John, inside the forge, mentions. “Yeah, a vampire and a witch but pretty normal.”
Vil took out the now heated flat iron and started to fold it on the anvil. Both brothers were now standing a safe distance from him as he finished hammering the fold. Jacob then got an idea. “How about taking her to Cepha’s bar tonight?”
“She did say that we were welcome to her establishment.” Vil placed the iron back into the forge’s flames.
John tried to add incentive. “We will be playing on stage tonight. Draws a crowd but they're good people.”
Vil was folding the iron again when Jacob spoke up. “The food there is also very good. You said that Pearluna like seafood. It’s what Cepha’s bar makes for the most part.”
Vil finished folding the iron again and began the heating process again. “It won’t hurt for me to ask her when she gets back.”
“Well our work here is done. Hope to see you both there tonight.” John waved as he and Jacob both made their way to their wagon.
With the wolfmen gone, Vil was able to concentrate more one his steel making. Throughout the day he continued to fold iron. Eventually in the afternoon, he found himself with a few more steel ingots ready for use in the future. Satisfied with the results of the labor, Vil made his way to the house to clean himself up.
When he exited the shower he heard Pealuna call out. “I’m home!” He made his way downstairs to see the vampire placing her hat and coat on the hangers.
“So how did it go?” He asked as he sat on the couch.
Pearluna sat down next to him. “It went well. I was surprised at how popular the enchantments for the kimonos have become.” She rested her head on his shoulder.
Vil placed his hand on hers. They enjoyed the silence together before Pearluna commented. “Is something wrong?”
“No, why would there be?” He asked.
“Your leg is shaking and your heartbeat is up but not out of control.” She pointed at his left leg moving side to side.
Vil stopped moving his leg. “My heartbeat?”
Pearluna nudges her head on his shoulder. Her head was in a position where she could feel his pulse on his neck. “I can feel it here and when I’m resting on your chest. My mix of naiad and vampire ears are quite sensitive.” Her free finlike ear wiggled when she made that statement.
Seeing this as the best time to ask. Vil admitted. “Yeah there is something I want to ask. Do you want to go out tonight at Cepha’s bar?”
Pearluna remained silent, thinking about what was asked. Vil then said. “If your to tired from today…”
Pearluna lifted her head from his shoulder and stretched her arms. When she finished she smiled at him. “Sure we can go. It’s our first date then.”
Vil stood up and followed her to the door as Pearluna put her white coat and witch hat on. “Is there anything I should…” Vil was stopped when Pearluna took his hand when they stepped outside.
“Just enjoy yourself. A date isn’t all about me, it’s about both of us. So relax.” The witch said as the pair made their way to the bar in the afternoon sun.
<Scene Change>
As the pair approached the bar, they saw a familiar wagon parked next to it. Standing at the entrance were the Schmidt brothers on the lookout. Upon seeing Pearluna and Vil they heard John say. “See I told ya they would show.”
“How about that. Looks like I have to buy you a round after all.” Jacob said as they approached the dating pair.
Pearluna waved at them. “John, Jacob, sorry for not being there when you arrived earlier today.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Jacob waved off the apology. “We’re glad to see that Vil here took our advice.”
“So you're the ones I have to thank for giving Vil here the push.” Pearluna stared teasingly at the blacksmith.
Vil scratched the back of his head. “Thanks for the recommendation of coming here.”
John pulled out his violin. “No problem. Now if you could excuse us, we have some music to put on.” With that, the Schmidt brothers showed themselves into the bar.
Pearluna and Vil could hear the crowd inside cheer as the brothers entered. So they waited a bit before entering themselves. Upon entering they could see how lively the bar was.
There were booths, barstools, and tables with regular chairs. Most filled with patrons from all over Mariana. Looking over at the bar, the pair saw Cepha talking to the Schmidts before making eye contact with Vil and Pearluna. She handed the brothers their drinks before excusing herself.
Since she was making her way to them, the pair waited patiently. She greeted them when she arrived. “It’s good to see you both. I was a little worried that you’d stay in you home forever.”
Vil asked. “Do we come off as that closed off?”
Cepha laughed as she guided them to a booth. “A little, your works have been talk of the town. However, Pearluna here is the only one that makes her way here for either Aiya’s shop or to shop for food.” A tentacle pointed at Vil. “You however have been cooped up in your forge for a week.”
Pearluna sat down while Vil sat across from her. “Sorry to worry everyone. He has been working on his special project for a while.” She was referring to his consistent hammer project. “I’ve noticed that once he starts on something he is passionate about, it is difficult to pull him away.”
Cepha giggled. “Isn’t everyone when they are working on a passion project. You should have seen Aiya in her younger days. Poor fox was thought to have been chained to her own store with how rarely she would leave it.”
The all shared a laugh at that comment. “I’ll let you two read the menu for a bit.” The naiad handed them both menus and walked away to serve other patrons.
As the pair started to read their menus, Jacob and John started playing. The song was upbeat but not too overpowering. ‘This is nice.’ Both Pearluna and Vil thought as the atmosphere of the bar set in. This date was shaping up to be good for them.
