Dec 07 21:53:54 108 PA - Strange Stories and Blades

From Chronicles

Dec 07 21:53:54 108 PA.

YAKOV'S DELI

The deli is fairly quiet tonight, Rasputin is working on doing a fairly deep clean behind the counters. He is working on cleaning several pieces of cutlery at the moment.

Pavel enters, leaving a trail of snow behind him that simply can't be helped, no matter how quickly he closes the door. Whether here for food, friends, fun or information is impossible to tell, though he does march up to the counter and ask in a deep, happy tone, << Hello, Rasputin! Is Anya here? >>

Rasputin chuckles and looks over his shoulder, "Net, net. It is Friday evening, I'm thinkink she has a date with someone." He frowns, "I don't think I approve, but da on a date." He cleans another knife and puts it away. "What can I get for you?"

Pavel slips a very strange blade out from inside his coat and gently places it on the counter. It's sparkling like silver, but clearly not. Though it's nearly as long as a sword, it is geometrically more like a straightened claw. << This is my strange metal. I was told that it was not a normal metal, and I have analyzed it myself - it is not from this world. But more importantly, I was given a story when I was given this object, but I do not understand the story. I'm hoping that someone like you, with a mind much greater than my own, might be able to reason it out. >> The big blacksmith truly does look a bit sheepish at his own apparent shortcomings.

Rasputin shrugs an thinks a few moments, "Da, what is the story with it?" He looks at the weapon, "I've never seen a dagger... Or is it a short sword?" He chuckles, "What is it made out of? Does it cut meat well?" He grins, "Does it keep a blade?"

<< Yes, yes. It's sharp - sharper then than something that I could make without a long, long time of very careful and deliberate effort, >> Pavel admits. He's not too proud as to recognize a quality product. << It's... a weapon of some kind, I don't know what name you'd like to give it. It's mostly titanium, and I'm sure that it would do an excellent job of cutting meat. >> A broad and toothy grin breaks across his face. << The story came to me from a man named Sebastien. He referenced a long ago time, here in the city. Where robots were as men, and they attacked some kind of fair with the intent of killing everyone? >> A quick summary, hopefully to get attention and perhaps not need details.

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da. I know Sebastien, not very well. But I know him." He thinks a few minutes, "I seem to remember some fair and some sort of attack. But, years back, da?" He thinks a few minutes, "And they made a dagger out of what was left? Interesting."

Pavel nods. << Yes, years back. I don't know how many, he didn't say. But yes, they - someone - made a dagger out of this. I'm not clear on that part of the story, but I don't think it's important. I was only hoping that you might recognize it so that the story would make more sense. >> He allows his shoulders to roll with humor. << We can't always get what we want, can we? HA! >> Another one of his big and deep signature laughs echoes, this time through Yakov's Deli. << He started off by telling me that there were things that he couldn't say, that he could only speak in 'generalities.' >>

Rasputin tugs his beard, getting soap in his beard. He mutters and waves his hands and it is gone, "Da. I would imagine there was a news paper article in the Kingsdale news. If it was a large attack, usually those types of things are recorded in papers." He thinks, "Especially if it was at a fair of some kind. It isn't like those happen all dhat often right?" He thinks a bit, "Well, sometimes, people speak in generalities because they don't know, or they are making things up. Da?"

<< I suppose not. But I don't read the letters they use here, >> Pavel explains. << It's true. But Sebastien said that he could only speak in generalities, because he was under the control of another being - a vampire being, whom he referred to as 'she.' As I said, I know my silver, but not my vampires. He said that he was the greatest threat to her and what she was doing, and she caught him. >> A tickle in the back of his throat leads to a minor coughing fit that cuts him off from continuing.

Rasputin tugs his beard a bit, "Dhat doesn't sound right. If he was under the control of a vampire, then he couldn't say anything." He tugs his beard, "Unless he was told by his real master, to make it seem like it was someone else." He thinks a few moments, "Need a drink? Something to wet your throat?" he smiles, washes his hands again and walks over to be ready to pour you something in case. He thinks, "Or he is under the control of another thing which is placing blame." He frowns a bit and seems kind of annoyed.

Pavel listens as the wiser man speaks, but does answer a polite, << Please, I would love a large glass of medovuha. A drink hard to come by around here. And... if you're wondering why I'm coming to you? It's not only because of your knowledge, but also because there's no one else in this city to whom I can speak and clearly get my point across. My spoken English is atrocious, and I don't know if people ever understand me or not. Even the electronic translators, they don't do the language justice. >>

Rasputin nods and pours a pint of medovuha, "Da, I understand. My own English is very pour. Been living in the city for many years, but still have an accent." He chuckles and pours himself a pint for himself, "So, Sebastien is saying that there is something controlling him, yet..." He thinks a bit, "I'm fairly sure that a slave can't speak out of their master. Just isn't possible." He shakes his head, "Unless he wasn't under its full control yet."

<< I was under the impression that he was fully under her control, >> Pavel responds. << But I don't know. He actually said - >> he shakes his head, causing his wavy hair to swing a bit << - he said, 'I now do what she commands.' Then that he said that he'd been command that he could not divulge the nature of his current 'dilemma.' But apparently he was allowed to mention that there was a dilemma. But.. that makes no sense? >> A turned-up tone finishes off a statement that became a question.

Rasputin nods slowly and takes a sip of his drink, "Da. I agree. That is sounding more like someone planting seeds of deception." He thinks a few minutes, "Of course, usually a slave isn't allowed to go far from their master to start with." He tugs his beard and drinks, "Of course, I have two possible cures for blood curse now. Well, I know of them anyway." He chuckles, "I guess that isn't like having it."

<< But what would the deception be? To tell someone that you couldn't talk about something, certainly that would only cause them to be more cautious? >> Pavel takes a moment to enjoy some of the honey mead before continuing. << There were other strange things that he said. That there was no way out. But then, in his words 'If it's any consolation, I think she's stuck with me too. I've made myself more 'useful' to her. I volunteered for this.' >> The large man's voice changes, << That sounds like very, very evil tidings that I do not understand, for a man who then literally broke into tears begging for assistance that I didn't know how to give. >>

Rasputin shakes his head. He thinks a few minutes, "Da, da. Though, are there not vampires in the dregs?" He tugs his beard. He ponders a moment and takes another sip, "Well, if a vampire could get their hooks in one such as Sebastien, then wanted to remove another. It would be interesting to use that slave to send blame towards others." He chuckles, "Or perhaps, hmm." Rasputin shrugs and tugs his beard, "Very strange. Very strange indeed."

That makes Pavel smile, and even emit a mildly happy sigh. << Oh. Good! I'm glad that it's not simply me being dull. I'm not very good at playing games. I'm a very upfront person, so wordplay often sends me for a bit of a loop. But.. this was more, as you can tell. There was more, talking about an evil man who redeemed himself... he gave me this - >> a hand motions toward the blade-claw << - and I thought he was asking me to kill him, if it came to that. But he made it clear that the gift was not that message, so I remain lost. No one seems to know the name 'Kaomas,' or understand the parallel. >>

Rasputin thinks a bit,"Kaomas?" He thinks a few minutes, "I don't know that name either. Why are you asking about that name?" He tugs his beard, "As for games, da. Vampires are known for games, they use them to manipulate everyone. Trying to get what they want," He sighs, "They are evil, after all."

<< I only mention the name because Sebastien kept mentioning it in his story - the story that I was supposed to take as some kind of homily, but where I never found the message. >> Pavel shrugs, a strange and slightly downtrodden look on his face. << Perhaps it would come up in those books, papers and magazines of yours that I can't read? Yes, evil. I make things to fight it.. good things. But this is a very strange game. She would allow Sebastien to say that he is being controlled? Why? To toy with people? >> He waves it off. << Perhaps I should ignore it. I don't even know what it is that he's referring to beyond some group of people trying to do something about some kind of vampire issue. Go back to leading a quiet life of making things and occasionally hunting dinosaurs. >> Wink.

Rasputin chuckles softly and tugs his beard. Then he goes still, "You said Kaomas?" He thinks a few moments, "Go to the graveyard. I want to say, I remember something there." He sips his drink, "I walk there sometimes, ya know. I want to say, I remember that name there." He sighs, "If there is a vampire who is trying to toy with people, letting them know about the fact that a vampire is doing it. Kind of a risk." He sips his drink again, thinking on it.

Pavel smiles. Smirks. Laughs at himself. << Unless Kaomas was a Russian, I won't be able to read his headstone, either. We should talk to his dead spirit, see if he has any advice. HA! >> Another loud laugh, and one that probably expresses that his suggestion was pure jest. << Do vampires play games with other vampires? I thought, I thought that there was some kind of hierarchy? Or is there infighting? >> A small shrug follows. << Perhaps I should know more about what it is that I make weapons to defeat. >>

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da." He looks at you and blinks, "Dead spirit?" He chuckles, "Dhat is a bit harder than it might sound." He chuckles, and sips his drink. "Da, vampires are made by entities which all hate each other. So each one has its own vampires and they use them to attack the others. As well as those on the planet they are trying to take over. They make Masters, and in turn Secondary. They can make more Secondary or Wild." He shrugs, "Kind of a pyramid scheme."

<< Oh. Far too complicated for me, Rasputin. I guess I'm just out of my league right now. >> He swallows his honey beverage and puts an appropriate amount of credits on the counter. << Thank you, my friend. Unless you'd like to keep up a friendly conversion - which I'd enjoy - I won't keep you with my dimwitted babbling. Perhaps I'll look for Anya? >> Pavel smirks a little at that. Is he serious? Who knows.

Rasputin chuckles a bit and finishes his own drink, "Net, net. I'm sure that you would baffle me with talk about metal working. Da?" He thinks a few minutes, "I was wondering, how much for a good set of butchers knives? Ones which can cut normal meats. And perhapsink, ones which can be cutting, not normal meats?" He thinks, "Or can you be making knives like dhat? Do you normally do horseshoes and things?"

<< Oh, no. I tried to make it clear on my flier - it's not meant as a boast, but I can basically make anything that you want, as long as it's metal. Even metal with moving parts, though that takes longer. Just not electronics - I can fix those, at least a little, but not make them. >> Pavel looks down at the counter. << Just some cutlery? That's a very, very easy issue. How many knives, and how large? And... how thick a hide will you have to cut through? >>

Rasputin thinks a bit, "Da, da. So regular knives which I could use for regular animals." He shows you his normal ones, "Basically, some better ones just like this. These are OK, just hard to find good knives in this town." He chuckles, "Ones that don't vibrate and splatter meat everywhere." Rasputin tugs his beard, "Another drink?" He pours himself another one, "As for the others, it would be to cut through Dinos. I have a Wilk's laser, but it is so inaccurate." He shakes his head.

Pavel chuckles. << Just regular knives for regular food? I could make you a full cutlery set of the most exquisite lines, sharpest edge and even decorate them for a thousand credits. If you just want two new knives? >> He thinks on it. << One-fifty? For cutting dinosaur hide, it would depend on how easily you want to cut. More expensive because of the time put in, but not much. Again, for a simple set of dinosaur-quality cutlery? Three-thousand would be a delivery cost, perhaps only two depending on certain factors. However, as I said - it could be more, depending on just how easily you want to cut. >>

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, well a set of good knives for slaughtering, and fillets." He basically shows you his set of knives on the wall. It is a fairly extensive set of about 20 different knives, "I would love to update these things." Most are really warn down, blades almost non-existent. He chuckles, "As for the set which can cut dinos, it would have to be super sharp. Sharp enough to help me make fine cuts through thick hide. Perhaps something which can assist me with how difficult it is to skin and clean these animals."

<< I can do that, for both regular hide, and thick hide. Whatever meat you'll ever be likely to come across. Perhaps two full cutlery sets, one for regular meat, one for dinosaur-like meat, of high quality of course. >> Pavel gestures toward the current blunt examples. << Both full sets for.. >> a short pause to think << .. four-thousand credits? >>

Rasputin blinks as you say the price, "Da, da. Dhat isn't such a bad price at all. You sure such a low price?" He ponders a few minutes as he tugs his beard and takes a sip from his newly refreshed pint, "Did you want another drink?" He thinks a few minutes, "I could give you more even, if you feel it is worth it. It is hard to find a good set of knives, so hard to find one. I mean, combat knives sure, but others are impossible."

<< For that? Sure, those are easy. Most of what I do is inexpensive, because most of what I do is for the people out north and east of here who produce the food for the city. At least, a lot of the food, >> Pavel says with a shrug. << If you need something very special, though? I mean, *very* special? I could make the same two sets for forty-thousand. Or if you're looking for the ultimate in kitchen cutlery, even far more expensive than that. I do take pride in my work, as you do in yours. >>

Rasputin chuckles, "Da, da. I don't need dhat much of a set. I don't like flashy or shiny, just functional. High quality and functional." He smiles a bit, "So am I lookink at more than 10000? I could also give you some of it in trade. Though, don't know if you are needink anything of mine."

Pavel shrugs. << Ten-thousand could be a fair price, if that's what you can afford. They won't be of any less quality, but it will take me longer to make them. I'll put some of the higher-paying customers ahead of you, if you aren't in an incredible rush. I'm a poor man, because I don't demand the prices that I could make. In fact, I reimbursed a man for a fine set of swords the other day because I felt that despite their value, he had overpaid. >> The large man yawns and stretches his arms out to the sides. << Does that sound reasonable? I'll test them on some hides, make sure that they do what I'm saying they'll do, before even asking for a single credit. >>

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da. If they make it easier to do my own work, then I think it would be well worth it." He sips some more of his drink, "I could provide a really good handle, something to put the blades and tang into. Would that help at all with the price? Or do you normally make it all solid metal?"

<< I make it of solid metal, though I suppose that I could work with someone to apply some wooden grips, if you wanted. That shouldn't be too much of a problem, though my metal surfaces would be roughed up enough that gripping wouldn't be an issue even if you were drenched in blood. >> Pavel smiles. << I think it would be more of an aesthetic choice. The price is no different. >>

Rasputin shakes his head, "Net, net. I was thinking more bone. I have a bit of bone left over from one of my dino hunts. I could make a handle for them. Just was thinking about it, not sure really. May not be hygienic." He chuckles, "Kind of crazy actually."

Pavel stops to consider for a moment. A few moments, playing at his chin with some big blacksmith's fingers. << I could still make the full tang - I'd have to make the full tang. But leave fastening holes for you, or rough it up for glue... I don't know how you want to apply the bone. But it would need to be an applique. Trying to use an entirely separate piece of full bone would significantly weaken the blade. >> He uses his fingers to indicate a weak point, bending them as if under impact.

Rasputin shakes his head, "If you leave a few holes, I could attach the bone myself easy enough." He thinks a few moments, "If you like what I do, you could always have me do some for others." He chuckles a bit, "Though, doubt it would be a very common request." He thinks a few moments, "Have you ever made a mold? Like, to pour material in and form it into a shape?"

<< I do cast items, sure. Part of being a smith. Why, what is it that you're interested in? >> Pavel's curiosity has now bee piqued.

Rasputin nods slowly and drinks down his drink, "Just thinking about a few projects dis all." He thinks a bit, "I was able to do some myself, but overall I can only do so much. With molds I could do even more, but eh." He tugs his beard then sips more of his drink. "Perhaps another conversation for another time."

With a dip of his head, Pavel excuses himself and heads for the door. << Thank you again, Rasputin. I'll look into what I have already prepared back at the Firebird, see what I can do for that extremely fine cutting that you need. >> Just as he exits, he comments, << I'll be sure to have Zoyenka take a look at it as well, I trust her judgment. Do svidaniya! >> Then he's out into the wintry night.