A sigh of wheezing relief escaped Noble’s lips, as if relieved of a terrible burden. He grinned and straightened his back. Just as the other divine teenagers of the group were trying to think of something to say, he made himself known.
“That’s right!” boomed Noble, “my Lord, I came to Dyrnwyn to seek forgiveness for casting out Diligence, and I was beaten most severely; most deservedly. We fought, against your demands and decree, but we have come out on the other side.”
Diligence began to puff his chest out, “Hey, hey, hey! I forgave him; I didn’t just beat his ass for nothin’.”
Smart was next, “We wanted to tell you, to get your help, but if we had–...”
Clever filled in with, “--... we thought you wouldn’t trust us if it came to this.”
Creative spoke, but his gaze was fixed upon Willow, “But you foresaw that. Ever since Jotungard. To now.”
Again it came to Smart, who also looked at the Allomancer, “Then… you weren’t just some human.”
A pair of right hands slapped Willow on the back, as Clever joined back in, “I knew you were special! I always wondered how you found me on the beach.”
“A mysterious traveler! Come upon me at my darkest hour, at our darkest hour!” laughed Noble at the incredulity.
“Sounds like we didn’t need Dad in tha’ first place,” mentioned Diligence, slugging Willow on the shoulder. The rest of the artisans looked at him, and he felt their eyes. He shrugged at them, and turned to Mr. Caxton get a little affirmation for his statement, but found the Alchemist wasn’t there. Diligence called out for him, but Clever wrapped a couple of arms around him, and pulled him back to the group.
“Who are you calling Dad?” she asked, laughing.
“I… I don’t know,” Diligence rubbed his head, “it just came outta my mouth.”
“We should celebrate!” cried Noble, throwing his battered arms into the air, “We are all united again! As one! A reunion of Diligence and his quarrids with the rest of the world!”
The other four began to throw in their opinions, either approving, dissenting or trying to remind Noble of his ragged state.
As they carried on, a golem pulled itself from the nearby garden walls, and began to trudge to an open space in the garden a little ways off. It didn’t seem to pay them any mind, appearing so taken with surveying the area. With a discerning gaze, it looked up and down a few trees, and then counted some paces between. Once satisfied, it turned, facing the Archives, presenting a saber in its hand. It was waiting.
Willow, it seemed, had yet to earn her gold star.
[The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Taking the range of taps in stride as she allowed herself a moment of feeling accomplished, Willow smiled softly as the Artisans seemed to finally be unwinding. All the other interactions she’d had with them had been colored by a certain unease, but for the first time everything felt genuine. As though, at least for a moment, the world wasn’t holding its breath. She had been about to offer up her opinion about a party when she became distracted by the golem. Sure enough, once it had finished its task it held out a saber. That’s right. While a party sounded nice, Willow’s own task wasn’t yet complete. The immediate threat had been handled, or so she hoped, but the broader calamity still loomed like a dark cloud on the horizon.
“Hey Noble. One thing, real quick,” the Brit interrupted. “I need help with something, and you might be the best way for me to find some.”
“Hey Noble. One thing, real quick,” the Brit interrupted. “I need help with something, and you might be the best way for me to find some.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
The group had been in a mix of celebration and groans when Willow made her request. A few of them seemed locked in a debate of whether or not making the quarrids travel back to the city to celebrate was putting too much onus on them. The opposition seemed to think it was an imposition to make them host the celebration. Yet all talk stopped as Noble burst from the throng, as if he had not been beaten so severely.
“Make any request, Willow,” declared Noble, “and I shall fulfill it. You have asked for nothing except what was necessary until now; I would be honored to repay some portion of your valor and chivalry.”
Clever crossed her arms and pursed her lips, “You could ask us for help, too.”
“Aren’t you busy?” asked Smart, squinting.
“Aren’t you always busy?” added Creative.
“N-no,” tensed Clever, turning red in the face, “I have space to work on things… from time to time…”
“Yeah, juss’ never whenever we need ya for somethin’,” quipped Diligence, “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Make any request, Willow,” declared Noble, “and I shall fulfill it. You have asked for nothing except what was necessary until now; I would be honored to repay some portion of your valor and chivalry.”
Clever crossed her arms and pursed her lips, “You could ask us for help, too.”
“Aren’t you busy?” asked Smart, squinting.
“Aren’t you always busy?” added Creative.
“N-no,” tensed Clever, turning red in the face, “I have space to work on things… from time to time…”
“Yeah, juss’ never whenever we need ya for somethin’,” quipped Diligence, “You haven’t changed a bit.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“Heh, I appreciate the enthusiasm, gang,” Willow started, settling back as a bit more tension seemed to ease from her. It was good seeing them all together. Despite everything that had happened, she still could tell they were a family. “This request is mostly for Noble since its one of his specific skills, but if any of ya can think of ways to pitch in I’d definitely appreciate it. Anyway…”
Willow took one of her crossed arms and hooked a thumb over her shoulder, pointing at the golem.
“Caxton has thrown me into the deep end for learning how to use a saber. No metals to act as a crutch, I need to get good enough to beat him in a duel. Which is a big ask considering I’ve, so far, gotten a total of two or three swings in before either getting stabbed in the chest or having my arm chopped off. So, I need an instructor. I need to train, practice, and spar. Train the right muscles, practice the right stances, and spar to lock the techniques into muscle memory. ‘cause, up ‘til now, I sorta jus’ been swinging, and it sure ain’t working. Willing to help?”
Willow took one of her crossed arms and hooked a thumb over her shoulder, pointing at the golem.
“Caxton has thrown me into the deep end for learning how to use a saber. No metals to act as a crutch, I need to get good enough to beat him in a duel. Which is a big ask considering I’ve, so far, gotten a total of two or three swings in before either getting stabbed in the chest or having my arm chopped off. So, I need an instructor. I need to train, practice, and spar. Train the right muscles, practice the right stances, and spar to lock the techniques into muscle memory. ‘cause, up ‘til now, I sorta jus’ been swinging, and it sure ain’t working. Willing to help?”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“The Golem?”
Clever arched a brow as she scratched her head with one hand, hooding her eyes with another, and planting the remainder on her hips. The others seemed to be equally perplexed, taking in the stolid sentry.
“Is that one of yours, Clever?” Creative surmised, tucking his wings to his chest.
“No… Yes? That looks like one of the first I made; back when we lived out here.”
“I could prolly spank that thing blind-folded,” boasted Diligence, looking ready to do just that, “don’ look like no duelist.”
Again, Noble’s booming voice shook up the whole scene.
“It would be my honor,” declared Noble, with great conviction, “to show you the saber. My knowledge was given to me most graciously by an iron-hearted teacher, and my technique would assist you against that foul golem, Caxton.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” chimed Smart.
“Have I neglected something, wise sage?”
Smart, adopting a similar stance to her sister, knocked Noble on the flank, before doing the same to Willow with another hand.
“How would your legwork translate, I wonder?” she asked, a little smile forming.
“Augh, stricken before we even begin,” groaned Noble.
Clever arched a brow as she scratched her head with one hand, hooding her eyes with another, and planting the remainder on her hips. The others seemed to be equally perplexed, taking in the stolid sentry.
“Is that one of yours, Clever?” Creative surmised, tucking his wings to his chest.
“No… Yes? That looks like one of the first I made; back when we lived out here.”
“I could prolly spank that thing blind-folded,” boasted Diligence, looking ready to do just that, “don’ look like no duelist.”
Again, Noble’s booming voice shook up the whole scene.
“It would be my honor,” declared Noble, with great conviction, “to show you the saber. My knowledge was given to me most graciously by an iron-hearted teacher, and my technique would assist you against that foul golem, Caxton.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” chimed Smart.
“Have I neglected something, wise sage?”
Smart, adopting a similar stance to her sister, knocked Noble on the flank, before doing the same to Willow with another hand.
“How would your legwork translate, I wonder?” she asked, a little smile forming.
“Augh, stricken before we even begin,” groaned Noble.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
All Willow could do was scrunch her eyes and hang her head. For the first part of the conversation, it was because of how oddly dopey some of the Artisans could be. For the second part of the conversation, it was because she hadn’t considered the importance of leg work. It should have been obvious to her, but so it goes.
“You two,” began the allomancer as she gestured between Noble and Diligence. “Weren’t here at the start, so you get a pass. To catch ya up, Caxton is the Sage’s name. Full name Percy Caxton. I will be calling him Caxton from here out, and now everyone is on the same page. As for the footwork…”
Willow scratched her chin as she looked contemplative.
“We can cross that bridge when we get to it. If I can get most, or even some, of the form down, then I can try and focus on observing Caxton’s footwork next time we’re dueling. Get’s me a leg up, either way.”
“You two,” began the allomancer as she gestured between Noble and Diligence. “Weren’t here at the start, so you get a pass. To catch ya up, Caxton is the Sage’s name. Full name Percy Caxton. I will be calling him Caxton from here out, and now everyone is on the same page. As for the footwork…”
Willow scratched her chin as she looked contemplative.
“We can cross that bridge when we get to it. If I can get most, or even some, of the form down, then I can try and focus on observing Caxton’s footwork next time we’re dueling. Get’s me a leg up, either way.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“My name?” Smart almost said at an audible volume; the others looked at her curiously, before giving questioning glances at Willow. Creative and Noble smiled in a way that looked like they were just trying to nod along, but Clever and Diligence looked genuinely lost, “Are we talking about someone else?”
Noble put a belaying hand on Smart’s shoulder.
“As our chivalrous friend said, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” repeated Noble, appearing eager to get started, “let it be known that we owe Metal-eater a great debt. Let us not question her methods, but instead endeavor to prove ourselves as stalwart allies. Clever; could you repurpose some of the inert golems here in the garden?”
“I don’t have my tools, but getting them working my just require some torque,” Clever pumped an arm.
“Creative, can you arrange an area for training?” asked Noble.
“A stage?”
“Effectively,” smiled the Centaur.
Creative cast a weary glance at Willow, and shook his head, “I can not discourage you from the path ahead, so I will do my best.”
“Glorious! Diligence, brother.”
The Forge God sneered, “What?”
“Shall you join me in glorious martial practice?”
“You mean I get t’smack dump truck ova’ ‘ere f’fun?”
“... Yes!”
“I’m in,” Diligence slammed his fists together. Smart, having been quiet since her initial interjection rose a hand, waiting until Noble called upon her.
“Yes, please, go ahead,” encouraged the Captain.
“You didn’t give me something to do,” Smart’s four hands weaved in and out of each other, eager to participate.
“Naturally! What better use of intellect than intelligence? If this Sage Persacasson is haunting our realm, we should know more of him. See if you and yours can learn of him; any enemy of Metal-eater is an enemy of ours, and it does not do to have kine like Vengeance walking unknown in our home!” resolved Noble, to the warm agreement of the rest of the artisans.
Noble put a belaying hand on Smart’s shoulder.
“As our chivalrous friend said, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” repeated Noble, appearing eager to get started, “let it be known that we owe Metal-eater a great debt. Let us not question her methods, but instead endeavor to prove ourselves as stalwart allies. Clever; could you repurpose some of the inert golems here in the garden?”
“I don’t have my tools, but getting them working my just require some torque,” Clever pumped an arm.
“Creative, can you arrange an area for training?” asked Noble.
“A stage?”
“Effectively,” smiled the Centaur.
Creative cast a weary glance at Willow, and shook his head, “I can not discourage you from the path ahead, so I will do my best.”
“Glorious! Diligence, brother.”
The Forge God sneered, “What?”
“Shall you join me in glorious martial practice?”
“You mean I get t’smack dump truck ova’ ‘ere f’fun?”
“... Yes!”
“I’m in,” Diligence slammed his fists together. Smart, having been quiet since her initial interjection rose a hand, waiting until Noble called upon her.
“Yes, please, go ahead,” encouraged the Captain.
“You didn’t give me something to do,” Smart’s four hands weaved in and out of each other, eager to participate.
“Naturally! What better use of intellect than intelligence? If this Sage Persacasson is haunting our realm, we should know more of him. See if you and yours can learn of him; any enemy of Metal-eater is an enemy of ours, and it does not do to have kine like Vengeance walking unknown in our home!” resolved Noble, to the warm agreement of the rest of the artisans.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“It’s two names. Percy,” Willow gesticulated with her hands to emphasize a space, not wanting to say the word space so as to not risk Percy going by Percival Space Caxton. “Caxton. Like my full name is Willow Fairburn, since… why am I getting so worked up about this? Never mind, let’s just move on. Caxton is literally the guy y’all answer too.”
Pointing towards Diligence.
“The dad ya didn’t want knowing about your fight? Percy Caxton. So, sorry Smart, while yes, Caxton is haunting this realm, it is, in fact, his realm. Have fun spying though.”
Now that that was covered and hopefully settled, she turned back to Diligence and scowled.
“Last matter before continuing. One; how do you know what a dump truck is? Two; you had better of been referring to the golem.”
Rubbing her face, she returned to her usual default expression akin to happy-go-lucky.
“Kay, so, about how long do yall think it’ll be until Noble an’ I… and Diligence… can start training? ‘cause iffen it’s gonna be a bit, then I’mma hop back upstairs to grab some things.”
Pointing towards Diligence.
“The dad ya didn’t want knowing about your fight? Percy Caxton. So, sorry Smart, while yes, Caxton is haunting this realm, it is, in fact, his realm. Have fun spying though.”
Now that that was covered and hopefully settled, she turned back to Diligence and scowled.
“Last matter before continuing. One; how do you know what a dump truck is? Two; you had better of been referring to the golem.”
Rubbing her face, she returned to her usual default expression akin to happy-go-lucky.
“Kay, so, about how long do yall think it’ll be until Noble an’ I… and Diligence… can start training? ‘cause iffen it’s gonna be a bit, then I’mma hop back upstairs to grab some things.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“Willow,” came Smart’s voice as she hooked the Allomancer’s shoulder with her fingers. The Scholar’s marred face was further marred by concern and worry. Coming around, she grabbed Willow’s shoulders and cupped her face, inspecting it, “are you okay? Do you feel light headed? Have you eaten today?”
“Maybe you should consider taking the day off,” suggested Creative, coming up to Smart’s side, like a doctor offering a second opinion
“Yea, I dunno who you think Parsicaskton is, but we ain’ answered to no one in…” Diligence opined aloud, “... what…”
“A few hundred years? Not since we were little,” Clever joined in, leaning over Willow’s shoulder to get a good look at her face. It was in this moment that she learned what it wasike to have as many as eight hands on her at once, from just two people, “When Creative starts seeing things, he usually takes a week off to sort himself out.”
“Visions are overwhelming,” interjected Creative, “sometimes they can influence your view on reality.”
A ninth hand joined the party and rested on Willow’s shoulder.
“I did not want to call attention to it,” Noble asserted, “but I am also concerned. Rest may be the best course of action. Discounting your convalescence, you crossed from Jotungard to the edge of the Vengeance's domain in only a couple of days.”
“Maybe you should consider taking the day off,” suggested Creative, coming up to Smart’s side, like a doctor offering a second opinion
“Yea, I dunno who you think Parsicaskton is, but we ain’ answered to no one in…” Diligence opined aloud, “... what…”
“A few hundred years? Not since we were little,” Clever joined in, leaning over Willow’s shoulder to get a good look at her face. It was in this moment that she learned what it wasike to have as many as eight hands on her at once, from just two people, “When Creative starts seeing things, he usually takes a week off to sort himself out.”
“Visions are overwhelming,” interjected Creative, “sometimes they can influence your view on reality.”
A ninth hand joined the party and rested on Willow’s shoulder.
“I did not want to call attention to it,” Noble asserted, “but I am also concerned. Rest may be the best course of action. Discounting your convalescence, you crossed from Jotungard to the edge of the Vengeance's domain in only a couple of days.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“Uh’m fahwn,” Willow began, but stopped to free her face from Smart’s hands. “I’m fine, y’all. Hell, better than fine since I’ve still got Pewter in my system. On top of that, I ate some fish ‘n’ chips earlier before beating up Diligence down in his man-cave, and I don’t get visions unless I eat Gold or Electrum. I’m dropping this name debacle though, call Sage-Patron-Maker-Lord-Father-Caxton whatever you want. As for a day off, again, I’m fine. I’ve spent most of the last few days sleeping.”
While that last bit was true, it wasn’t quite factual; but the Artisans didn’t need to know that.
“If you insist, just know I’m gonna still be spending a solid chunk of the day training on my own. I don’t like wasting metals, and some of the metal I ate last a couple hours. Which, on that subject, Diligence, can I get another order of bearings? I ate more than intended today dealing with you. Then my other bit o’ business, I have the spriggan that stole from me strung up in my common room and would like to get my lasso back. Need some judgement rendered on ‘im so I can be rid of him yapping at me about the Slumberer-Broken-Dreamer-Unwoken every time I leave my bedroom.”
While that last bit was true, it wasn’t quite factual; but the Artisans didn’t need to know that.
“If you insist, just know I’m gonna still be spending a solid chunk of the day training on my own. I don’t like wasting metals, and some of the metal I ate last a couple hours. Which, on that subject, Diligence, can I get another order of bearings? I ate more than intended today dealing with you. Then my other bit o’ business, I have the spriggan that stole from me strung up in my common room and would like to get my lasso back. Need some judgement rendered on ‘im so I can be rid of him yapping at me about the Slumberer-Broken-Dreamer-Unwoken every time I leave my bedroom.”