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Arthur Phoenix: Just cuz it was the height of Winter, with the cold and wind whipping about did not mean a Summer could relax. Not only did the freehold always need protecting, but there was always time to better one's self.
And it was upon this idea that one Arthur was meditating. Sitting in the hollow, the soft pop of a fire crackled from a fireplace behind him as he inspected and oiled the community gear. At the moment the wizened had taken a particular interest in the knives.
A small cloths. Glided here and there as he applied a light sheen, before checking the balance and grip of each weapon. He'd been growing quite adept with handling knives of late.
"You guys are looking so pretty." He mused quietly to the blades.
Aurelio Menegi: Aurelio made his way into the hollow from the mundane side, dressed in all black as tended to be his way. The Torrent chuckled quietly as he spotted Artie at work, giving him a nod as he headed his way. "See you beat me to it."
Arthur Phoenix: Bright eyes looked up with a little sparkle. "Hi 'Relio! Oh. I didn't know anyone else came by and did this. If you wanna help you can start on the armors? I haven't gotten their way quite yet?"
"How've you been? It's been a bit."
Aurelio Menegi: "Some do now and again, to keep things in good order." Aurelio claimed a seat near the fire, nodding at the mention of the armor and claiming one set to start working on. "Been well. Work at the studio is good, getting some recognition of my own there."
Arthur Phoenix: "Oh. That's great then. A good group effort. Keepin' the gear in tip top." He chuckled before inspecting the edge geometry and sharpness of his current charge.
"Oh really? That's awesome. I gotta swing by your place and poke around some time. Maybe nab something to spruce up my shop's counter. I bought some plants from Charlie's flower shop but more bits sounds fun to collect." Artie posited.
Aurelio Menegi: "Indeed. One cannot fight well with dull tools and worn armor, after all." He nodded with a small smirk, looking over the armor in hand to see what needed to be worked on. "Would be good to see you there. There is a gallery for finished pieces, and things can be made as well."
Arthur Phoenix: "Oooh. A commission could be fun... But what?" He ponders setting the knife back down.
"I guess I'll have to take a good look at the shop to figure it out. Ask the counter if they want another glass partner to hang out with... Speaking of partners though, Aurelio would you maybe be interested in helping me with a uh... Project?"
Aurelio Menegi: "Partner?" Aurelio's eyebrow arched up at that, moreso as Artie continued. "What sort of project?"
Arthur Phoenix: "Well I asked Sigrun if she thought I could be a hunter and she told me yes, but I'd have to take the test. Which is to assemble a group and lead them on a trek to find something in the hedge to benefit the freehold. So I figured why not take my fellow pages." Artie says with a shrug.
Aurelio Menegi: "Ah..." He nodded quietly. "Could help with such, yes."
Arthur Phoenix: "I figure you, Glitch, and Lif would be perfect partners. I like hanging with other summers but I haven't done it much I guess. And if we scout out something weird, maybe pull in an Autumn or Spring to do some nosing or negotiating."
Aurelio Menegi: "Sounds like a plan. Been meaning to talk with Lif anyway, about her role in the court and maybe walking in her steps."
Arthur Phoenix: Artie's eyes get a little glittery. "Really? Wow. That's so cool! What would your special niche be?" He asks excitedly, turning to properly face the other man.
Aurelio Menegi: "My work, for the most part. I have felt more as an artist who fights instead of a warrior who makes, if you follow." He paused in his tending to the armor in his hands to look towards Artie. "Not sure if the hunter's path is for me, but the adept might be."
Arthur Phoenix: Artie nods. "I get exactly what you mean. I've felt in between those roles sometimes too. I've wished I was doing more creating and more fighting. But then other times I feel goofy and inadequate. Like a baby trying to hang out with giants. Have you ever talked to the Quartermaster? Maybe you'd do well working with her?"
Aurelio Menegi: "Not yet, no...hadn't thought to do so." He seemed intrigued by the idea, sticking a mental pin in it for the moment. "Would likely need other connections for that, but it is an idea."
Arthur Phoenix: "That's true. I've considered it too but I figured the same. I'm good at getting people things but people need more than stuff. Stuff is just..." He shrugs, unsure of how to say what he wants exactly.
Aurelio Menegi: "Things have meaning?" He gave a quizzical look, curious to see if he was following the same path of thought.
Arthur Phoenix: "They do but..." The wizened's face screws up a little, "People tend to need other people or services more than things sometimes. Often even."
"It's that thing where people say money can't buy happiness. Stuff only does so much."
Aurelio Menegi: "Ah...I follow." He nodded quietly. "Not as easy to do, either to give or ask for, but worth it."
Arthur Phoenix: Arthur sighs a bit. Conflicted. "As a craftsman, I love making things though. At my shop I love the look on people's face when I show them their commissions or get the fit just right so I like to think, stuff can make people really happy."
He shakes his head. "I dunno. Feels more philosophical than I wanna get. Speaking of fighting though, how has your training been going? I seem to recall you wanted to get tougher?"
Aurelio Menegi: " I feel the same when other see my work and what was in their heads is now before them. If you make what someone wants but cannot do themselves you do a service, and if it brings others joy then all the better."
The Torrent looked like he could continue on that train of thought for a while yet, but didn't push and followed the diversion as Artie changed the subject. "It goes well. Getting better with the blade and with grappling, along with learning new weavings to aid such things."
Arthur Phoenix: A smile crosses Artie's face at that. "Yeah! That's it! Taking an idea and making it real feels so good." The domovoi lights up.
"Neat. I don't think I'd be a good wrestler. I'd be afraid to hurt my hands." He admits. "Weavings? What's that?"
Aurelio Menegi: "I learned some before, but since being There made that sort of fighting more...effective it was worth continuing."
He paused a moment at the question, having to think on the answer. "Ah...contracts. Was term used by those who taught me when I got back in Venice."
Arthur Phoenix: "Ooh. I see. That's cool. I didn't realize there were other terms for 'em but that makes sense." He nods.
"And it's nice that there was at least a little benefit to There. The magic is nice if nothing else. It's... Almost weird to me that I can fight given my role There. I was a maker too. Using what I made is what got me free though."
Aurelio Menegi: "Some good, yes. I would not have seen the world as it is now, or met those that I have here." He couldn't help but smile at the thought of one person in particular, nodding before he continued. "I was brought There to fix something in the Lady's home and she kept me there to do more work. I remember flames in my escape, but not how they came into it."
Arthur Phoenix: Sharp eyes zone in on the marble man as Artie leans forward. "Hmm... 'Relio... Are you thinkin' about somebody?" The smith asks curiously, with a touch of coyness. "Do you have a... Crush?"
Aurelio Menegi: Blushing wasn't really a thing for Aurelio, what with the marble skin and whatnot, but the smile warmed and went a little shy at the question. "I am close with someone, yes."
Arthur Phoenix: His jaw drops in surprise. "Oh my gosh! Really?! How didn't I know? Do I know them? How long have you been 'close'? I'm so jealous."
Aurelio Menegi: "It hasn't really come up, and yes. Jack, with the Verdant, for a few months now."
Arthur Phoenix: The tailor mimes his head exploding. "Oh my god! How?! When?! How didn't I know? I just saw him at Christmas! So you guys like... Date?"
Aurelio Menegi: "We spoke more at first in his role with the court, but it became...more, in time." Another small smile crossed the Torrent's face at that. "We spend good times together, and he doesn't mind the cold. Was afraid he might at first, but been lucky there."
Arthur Phoenix: The smith grins, his ears wiggling a little, the fire seeming a little brighter at his pleased expression. "That's so awesome! I hope that happens for me one day... But the opposite. I need someone to handle the heat."
Aurelio Menegi: "Best of luck. It was not expected, but...needed. Had left more distance between me and others than I had thought."
Arthur Phoenix: "Yeah..." He offers with a sigh. "I think it's just a matter of waiting. Love can't be rushed is all. But maybe I'm just not supposed to find it. Like... What if my soulmate isn't on this continent? Or even in this time period?" He laments.
"I've supposed that's just how life be."
Aurelio Menegi: "Don't be too hard on yourself. If someone comes that you feel at home with, follow it. It may work better than you think."
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