Dec 10 19:44:58 108 PA - A Friendly Gift and Conversation

From Chronicles

Dec 10 19:44:58 108 PA.

YAKOV'S DELI

The deli is quiet at almost 8'o'clock tonight. Rasputin is working on some prep work for the morning's breakfast menu. He is by himself, singing some old Russian song. Something about two lost lovers who never find each other, always just missing.

Pavel enters, snow flying in behind him, despite his best efforts at closing it quickly. With him today is his huge hammer, but with a twist - a silver coating polished so perfectly that it could be used as a mirror. << Ah, I recognize that song, >> Pavel says when then entry is finally shut. << It is a good song. Makes me long for home, though. How're you tonight, Rasputin? Any chance that there's some warm stroganoff laying around? >>

Rasputin looks over his shoulder and chuckles, "Da, da. I'm doing OK." He replies in Russian, "Just working on breakfast stuff." He grins, "I'm glad you stopped by though, wanted to give you something." He walks over to the counter and pulls out a small case, "This is a bit of my work." He hands you the case, "Tell me what you think."

The blacksmith lifts it and looks at it. << Pretty, very pretty. It's not wood. Bone? Tooth? >> He raises it before his face, dangling it from two big fingers. << You crafted this yourself? You really are quite the chef, aren't you? Making your own cutlery! You don't even need me. >> Pavel ends, smiling, still holding the bone dagger as if he's not sure what to do with it.

Rasputin chuckles, "Da, da. But it isn't really a fine edge." He grins, "Bone may not be your thing, but it seems soft but it is very durable. In case you don't want to crush something," and nods at the hammer, "You might, be able to silver it if you wanted to do it." He tugs his beard, "Did somethink change with dhat?" He nods to hammer.

Pavel slides a small knife out of his tool belt. The smaller of the two silvered blades. << I think they do the same thing, but of different materials. But yes, I could silver this fine bone blade. But I wouldn't, it's a piece of craftsmanship that shouldn't be covered. >> The small knife is pushed across the counter top as he looks to the hammer that he lowers to eye-height of a dwarf. << Yeah, I silvered it. It has the potential now to temporarily knock out a vampire with a single swing. With all the talk of vampires around, I figured that it couldn't hurt. Plus - >> he takes out his larger blade and slams its hilt against the silver metal, which doesn't even ding << - I can keep hitting everything else with it, and it makes no difference. But I can check my teeth in it! >> He smiles widely to demonstrate, then laugh.

Rasputin chuckles softly, "Da, da." He grins, "Please, keep da bone knife. Never know when are needink somethink like dhat. Da? Dis, non-conductive. It is Tiger Raptor bone. And able to take a heck of a pounding, maybe net like your hammer. But still, very strong. Just think of it as a gift, da?"

<< Oh, well.. thank you very much! I'll keep it with me in case I need something sharp but non-conductive. >> Pavel grins, and looks around for a place in his tool belt where it might fit temporarily. << What is a Tiger Raptor? One of those things that I clubbed on Bartholemew's hunt? I've never seen dinosaurs before now. None in Krazny Kut. Didn't even see them in the Federation. >>

Rasputin chuckles, "Net, net. Dhey are much more nasty actually. They have nasty long claws, leap, and well, are eight to nine feet tall." He tugs his beard, "Dhey hunt in packs, and love to disembowel their food." He shudders, "We got jumped one time, when I was out huntink."

Pavel thinks for a moment, scratches at his chin - one that has once more quickly grown back in, despite a thorough morning shave - and finally says, << I don't know. I'll take your word for it, but that sounds like exactly what happened to us on Bartholemew's hunt. HA! >> Another loud laugh echoes through the deli. Hopefully there's no one to be bothered by it.

Rasputin nods slowly, "So, how have you been the past few days?" Of course, without you noticing perhaps, he has started making some stroganoff in a large pan. He plates up a plate for you, a large plate. And sets it down, "Da?" He grins, "Though, those dinos don't have nearly as nasty of claws, Ostrosaurus's, I believe. They aren't too bad, and don't hunt as skillfully."

<< Oh. Well, hopefully we can make another Russian outing of it if something like it happens again, >> Pavel says, finally tucking the bone knife not into the metal belt, but inside of his fluffy, fur-lined coat. << I have been making things. That's what I do, as much as you cook - and probably just as naturally. >> There's a grin there. << Jaxain and Bartholemew needed some blades, those were the most interesting. But most everything is for the average guy. Plows, hammers, saws... and I am a poor man, because unlike the shops in town, if someone can't afford what they need? I give it free, or take in trade. It's a good life, though. Svarog blessed me, and I feel good about it. >>

Rasputin chuckles and nods. He tugs his beard, "Da, da. My prices are kind of da same. Many people pay what dhey can and others leave more." He chuckles, "Of course, it is a business but I control my deals with other businesses, net the prices to my customers." He narrows his eyes, "I'm net a good person when doing business deals," He chuckles, "But, da, is all good."

Pavel can only smile at that. << I'm not a good person, I'm just a person. I live like everyone else, and do what I can to help where I can. I'm sure that I'm extraordinarily boring, even if people come by to confess confusing things to me. Which... >> the big blacksmith seems to have a sudden realization << ...is odd. If Sebastien is controlled, then how was he able to come to me and ask to have his chain sword re-silvered? Then further allowed me to make it so that the silver won't flake off? Hmm. That's interesting. >>

Rasputin chuckles, "Da, da." The tugs his beard, "Of course, if he is controlled, perhaps the puppet master wants its puppet to be very good protection for them?" He shrugs, "Net sure."

<< But protection of silver? Would a vampire fear other vampires that much? Very strange, but not my department. >> Then there's a smile, and his eyes shift to different parts of the deli before he leans in conspiratorially. << If I were attacked by a vampire, and of course assume that it wouldn't just mist away, it would be very easy for me to just pull its arms out to its sides and hold it there until the sun came up, no matter how much it tried to escape. But my strength is something that I have until now kept to myself. I appreciate simply being Pavel the blacksmith. >>

Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da. Vampires of one Master usually hate Vampires of another. Justink, how it goes, kind of like cocks in the same coup, da?" He thinks a moment, "More?" He picks up the pan and offers you more of the pan which has plenty more, "If you are jumped by one, stake them in the heart with silver or wood. Don't try holdink them, they will mist on you." He says, his tone fairly serious, "Beat them with that," He points to your silver hammer, "Until they stop moving, then stake them. Don't mess around." His tone continues, "They have gifts which are very unpredictable."

Pavel smiles, then laughs. << Yes, like I said, I should be able to put one down with one hit, unless my swing is off. Then the staking is simple. But perhaps I'll just leave it to you? >> He's quiet for a moment, then comments, << I've been practicing with large-scale use of materials and excavation. If you have another dinosaur hunt against these.. tiger raptors? That attack in groups? I could build you a pretty nice fortress from which to base the hunt. It's fun to be practicing! >>

Rasputin nods, "Da, da." He grins, "Been dery busy lately trying to do research, difficult to find time to get away for a trip." He sighs, "Of course, it does help to have additional fundings. Sellink da meat and hide, and things makes a great deal of profit. But I always worry about flooding the market." He smiles, "If I'm able to get those tools, I can make more suits of hide armor. Dhich I can sell. Of course, right now I'm net so good, often times damage material."

<< Is hide armor something that the mages wear? I think that the mages in the Federation liked to wear it. Some of it looked like leather, some of it looked like scales. I make chain mail. It's very good, >> Pavel says with a certain amount of proud commentary. << You must do very well for yourself, to be able to keep the deli open, a full staff, I assume some kind of rent, paying for cooking ingredients... >> his speech trails off questioningly.

Rasputin shakes his head, "Net, net. Dis place was left to me by my teacher." He tugs his beard, "But the others, I do have to keepink running. Dhough, my armor doesn't sell for much. It's heavy, bulky. And just normal, buttink mages can be wearink it as it is all leather and natural, dhich is good." He shrugs abit, "Dhough, dino hunts helpink supplement the costs."

Pavel asks, << The hide armor, it can be cut with a blade like the bone knife you've given me? Or is it harder? Things around here seem to need that tougher form. >> His big hammer is lifted up and swung over his shoulder. There's a big, looooong inhale before he asks, << Is there any way that I can take the stroganoff with me? Do you have a bag? Maybe I bowl that I can return? >>

Rasputin shakes his head, "Net, net. Much harder, once I'm done it is as good as any medium suit of combat armor, but much heavier. I'm just learnink, da. Maybe I can make something lighter, but eh," He shrugs a bit, "Oh and net EBA, of course." As he talks, he puts it all into a nice to-go container for you, "Da, da. Of course." He puts it on the counter for you. "I'm just learnink dhat skill, but working on it."

The local magic blacksmith happily accepts the to-go box, promising, << I'll be sure to keep it warm and enjoy it! But.. learning skills is part of life. I figure that if you stop learning things... your brain will atrophy. It's not enough to just use what you already know. Besides, if we were given such capacity, we should use it! >> He then looks around and the nearly empty delicatessen. Though he'd probably call it more of a small restaurant. << I won't take up more of your time. Thank you so much for the bone! I'll be sure to keep it with me. >> He turns to leave and opens the door, allowing in a strong blast of cold air that he doesn't seem to mind. Right before it closes, he turns and calls with a laugh, << Tell Anya that I said hello! >>