Dec 12 01:24:31 108 PA - Forge of the Rings
From Chronicles
Dec 12 01:24:31 108 PA.
PAVEL'S MEADOW AND FORGE
Mother Nature has her fury out in full force today, with snow slashing down seemingly from every direction, piling up on the two feet of snow already on the ground. Still, despite the hissing and snarly winds, the *bink* *bink *WHAP* *bing* *FFHHHWOOOOSH* *bink* of Pavel's hammer and the quenching of metal can be heard from a great distance. Approaching his meadow's treeline, he has a huge fire stoked, large enough that it can be clearly seen through the blowing snow of midday. Anyone entering the clearing is likely to be beset upon by the ever-friendly, ever-huge Friesian mare, Zoyenka. Pavel's equine transport and companion, who also acts as watchdog. Occasionally one may hear the deep tones from his throat issuing forth a Russian tune.
Rubidia may have been seen long before her arrival, if anyone is paying any attention. She shines bright as the sun and keeps the area in her vicinity comfortably warm in the process. Leisurely she follows Sage to the place where the smith works, and once close enough to feel the heat of the forge she lets her light fade, so as to not to blind the craftsman.
When they begin to approach the forge, Sage is all too happy to greet the mare. She does have a certain touch with animals, and a small bribe to offer the animal. Along with a friendly touch or two assuming the mare is agreeable. Either way, she'll likely make it past the unusual choice of guard creatures. "Pavel!" She calls out, figuring a simple shout probably has the best chance of catching the man's attention.
The blacksmith does look up as the glowing star approaches, though he continues to work his metal with equal skill even as his eyes are looking another direction. It's all in the wrist. The star is not recognized, but Sage is. Not that either of them have really met significantly, but you need to have a good memory when one is in charge of making things. He lifts a hand and waves it in the air, "Allo!" The metal that he'd previously been holding continues to turn for new hammer blows. Meanwhile, Zoyenka is an extremely friendly horse, and likely not just happy to see Sage, but continually nuzzling the top of her head with big horse lips as she does to most people who enter.
"Hi there." Rubidia chirps back to the smith, dashing ahead a bit into the workplace proper, and kind of abandoning Sage to the horse. "Are you busy?" She inquires with an innocent glance to whatever work was being done before their arrival.
"Hey..." Sage replies to the man in a more normal tone before chuckling at the horse's antics. She doesn't seem to be annoyed, though, as she simply reaches up to pat and rub the horse's head before murmuring to the horse. Then she turns her attention back towards the man, "I think Rubidia liked those place settings as much as I did." She mentions simply.
"Oh?" Pavel holds up a hand and shoves his things into the coals, where they can just remain heated. Even though the flames suddenly dampen by about half. He takes another moment to wipe his sooty hands on his big apron, which is then promptly hung on its peg. An unfortunate pass to scratch his cheek leaves a scar of black material beneath his eyes, but he seems happy to see the two women. Zoyenka has followed, but as trained to do, turned back at the forge itself, heading back out into the snowy meadow. "Ees good heer szat Roobeedeeah laheeked plaheece setteengs, too. Pavel vohrk on szem fohr be vyery good. Vhat ees fohr good veesyet toodeh?" His big brown eyes are obviously happy and pleased to see visitors.
"We're on a mission of love." Rubidia answers excitedly, watching the smith adjust to receive guests and customers. "And Sage is right, your dinnerware is exquisite. I really likes the flower motifs, it inspired me to come with another request. That is if you like gardening."
Sage can't help but smile and drift a little closer to the other woman, letting one of her hands touch lightly against the other woman's back. "And that seems to be our main reason to visiting." She comments softly, "Although, I may be the best gardener of the three of us." She adds with a little musing, meant more in jest than anything else.
Pavel's chin pulls back a tad at Rubidia's words, with a curios expression in his eyes. "Szenk yoo! Pavel noht fohr gyetteeng een dert veet plahnts, no. Ees noht fohr me. Pretty, da. Boot noht foon fohr Pavel, nyet." He then watches as the two women pull closer, and asks, "Lohve?" Then not even attempting American, "Lyubvi?"
Rubidia nods in encouragement to Pavel and then gives a wide smile to Sage. "Of course you are, that’s why you will appreciate these efforts the most." She offers her partner, holding her hand affectionately as they close back together. "Yes, a mission of love. I need ring to adorn her finger."
Sage offers a fond smile to Rubidia, "I'll look forward to it." She replies simply before looking over towards the man. "And, I will need a ring to adorn hers." She adds, "Although, I may opt for a different sort of pattern." She concedes.
"Oh? Ees fohr good fryend behrszdeh? Sehm deh? Vyery oonusuahl, boot hahppeyns! Present fohr go arouhnd soon ahgehn?" Pave smiles, wondering what the job will be exactly, as he moves to inspect the fingers in question. The two index fingers, of course, which is where rings of friendly love go. "Szees vyery speciahl! Vyery good, da. Have aheedeeah fohr vhat ees yoo vahnt for Sehge?" He looks at Rubidia. "For Roobieedeeya?" He looks at Sage.
Rubidia nods. "Yes, we're getting married this spring." She confirms and gives another nod. I'd like a rose, made of metal, and real as life. If possible. I'm also considering buying gems to be put into it but am open to your input."
Sage offers a gentle squeeze to the other woman's hand at the mention of a rose. She purses her lips briefly as she considers, "And, hers should have something like a star or light themed about it... I'm hoping we could work together on it." She comments, looking to Pavel.
Pavel is slightly surprised by the announcement, but rolls into a quick Russian, "Vash brak byt mozhet, polna radosti i schast'ya!" It's said in kind and reverent tones, whatever it means. Then he starts analyzing the two ring fingers - the ones on the right hands, where Russian wedding rings go. He nods, perhaps already considering options. After a moment of shaking those two right-hand ring fingers between his own thumb and forefinger, he excuses himself to a distant, unused corner of his forge, where distant, unused drawers are kept. One of them opens to reveal a pristine language translator. Clearly never used, or almost-never used. He grabs it, grumbling probably some very foul things in Russian as he walks back, frowning. It gets flipped on, and he starts to speak in his native tongue. It takes three seconds for the machine to start spitting it out in American. << I hate this thing. If I'm going to speak, I need to speak, or I'll never learn. But when it comes to people asking for items, I use it because I need specifics. Sorry for lag time that it has. So a rose and a star. How big are you thinking? >>
Rubidia pauses looking at Sage's hand and considers. She actually lifts it up so she can hold her other hand over it and try to estimate dimensions. "I don’t want it so small that you can't tell its a rose when she's standing right beside you. But I don’t want it so big that it's cumbersome and interferes with skills." She explains, trying to measure the comfort zone on Sage's hand. "Do you have any suggestions for additional details?"
Sage doesn't resist the other woman's lifting of her hand, letting the consideration be done. She purses her lips as she considers the options. "It can take up most of the top between the knuckle and joint on the back side, I think, but I would prefer it if it did not take up much on the front side of the finger." She comments, before taking a moment to consider the other woman's own finger. "How big would you like yours to be?" She asks softly to the other woman, "Mine just needs to catch the light some to symbolize its essence." She adds with a little musing.
<< Those could be beautiful. I could do a rose ring that might wrap around the finger like leaves? In fact, it could even sit on the knuckle itself, and bend, covering the area above and below. >> Pavel then frowns and waits for the machine to finish speaking for him. << As for catching the light, I can do that. Did you two have any metals in mind? Or perhaps stone settings? >> Hmm, yes. A giant of a man with dirty hands and soot on his face talking about making fine jewelry. How refreshing!
"Well copper can be red and green like a real rose. Real as life is the most important part to me. And I have quite a bit of credits to invest in gems if appropriate. Maybe rubies or similarly red stones," Rubidia continues before looking at her right hand in consideration. "It couldn’t extend below my knuckle, that would interfere with the guitar. But rising higher is fine."
"I was thinking silver might be best. It would likely shine the brightest." Sage comments, before pausing to consider. "There seem to be a few options for stones as one simply has to look to the skies to see blues, whites, reds, and of course, yellow." She comments, "Or perhaps some combination thereof."
Pavel listens and nods. << If I might offer a suggestion. A white rose has always symbolized a pure love. Red is for passion, and green? Well, I've never heard of a green rose having any kind of significance. Or even *seeing* a green rose! I could give it a small base of emeralds, though. >> He stops, sighs loudly and rolls his eyes, waiting for the damn piece of technology that he holds to translate his words. Finally. << So I would offer that perhaps a rose of silver, a white metal rose could be beautiful. No stones; roses never have visible centers where a stone would be appropriate. >> Hmm, speaking as a true jeweler? To Sage, he offers, << Yes. A blue gem and diamonds would be beautiful for a sky. I would avoid red - to me that would indicate a sunset, where you want to be full of life. Also, I'd stay away from yellow. It never looks good, no matter how it's done, the quality of the gem, or the intent. Only exception? Amber necklace. So... I would unfold a starburst of small diamonds on 'petals' out from a large aquamarine. >> Once more, he has to sigh and wait for the machine to catch up, shrugging apologetically and cursing foul words - quietly enough that they don't get translated.
Rubidia frowns slightly as she's misunderstood and shakes her head. "No no, the green is the leaves and stem. Emerald encrusted it fine I guess." She clarifies quickly before considering the ring to adorn her own finger. "Any of that sounds lovely."
In contrast, Sage only seems to be mildly amused at the man's comments about a green rose. It isn't her idea, after all. "I will point out that I do work a fair bit with my hands." She mentions as she looks to the man, "Cooking, spa work and gardening... so I would keep that in mind when designing the ring. Although, I suppose taking it off at select times might be workable." She pauses to consider the suggestion for her own ring suggestion. "I like the sounds of that." She replies, "Perhaps you can run a couple designs past me along with the estimates of each." She suggests.
With a smile, Pavel nods, but must admit to slight confusion. << So... I should talk to you, Rubidia, about your own ring, or the one for Sage? And vise-versa? Are they to remain secrets? Do they come together as one payment, or two private jobs with silence between them? I'd hate to ruin a special moment only because I didn't know what was happening. >> Sage receives a larger smile. << Sure, I will draw up some designs and try to price them out. Though I really can't know for certain until I approach my suppliers. I keep some metals on hand, but I don't receive much call for gems, I'll admit. >>
"Well the general concepts would have been impossible to keep secret anyway. But I'm sure the final picture will be best if it is a surprise. We both have our expectations by what's been said. So you're task will be to surpass them." Rubidia answers calmly before shaking her head. "Separate bills of course, and utmost discretion. I don’t want to know how much she spends on it." She continues before giving slight pause before asking. "Should we purchase the gems ourselves?"
Sage gets a smile on her lips as the other woman lays out the guideline for the rings. "Yes, it would probably be best if there was some level of secrecy." She agrees, before she purses her lips at the question. "It may be able to arrange something." She comments, "But, I'm likely not the only one with some connections and who can say whom might have better." She considers the smith.
After listening to Rubidia and Sage, Pavel shakes his head negatively. << No, I'll price the gems and purchase them. I'll know exactly what I need, and I'm used to bartering with my dealers for better prices. But if perhaps you would both write down on separate sheets of paper, or whisper into my ear what your budget is? Then I will know what I have to work with. >> Then again, his mouth quirks, but this time as he waits for the translator to finish, he makes his right hand 'mouth' along with the words as if, 'blah blah blah.'
Rubidia doesn’t hesitate, and is quickly whispering her price into his ear in very fluent Russian. Then she steps back and waits for the blush that indicates he realizes she's understood all his cursing so far.
Sage purses her lips, while letting her partner whisper the estimate. She waits for the other woman to step away before she wanders in closer to whisper to the man her own price. Whether she's understood the man's curses really depends on whether she brought the translator that can hide within one's ear.
Pavel doesn't blush, he smiles when Rubidia speaks in his native tongue. << Ah! Vash otets byl fermerom svinyei? >> The common slang for someone playing dirty tricks on another. Followed by a swift nod to indicate that he received her budget. Sage receives a smile as well, and he then switches off the translator and allows it to lay dead in his hand. "Pavel veel drahv sohm pohseebeelehtees, try to geht esteehmaht of praheece, so fohr bosz Roobeedeeya ahnd Sehge. Fohr... one veek? To mehk idea, to poot to pehpehr, to szeenk ohn praheece. Veek ees ohkehy?" He smiles, but out of nowhere a sudden burst of wind blows a handful in his face - causing him to laugh, at which point the flame over the coals quadruples in size.
Rubidia wrinkles her nose with a wry smile at Pavel's joke, shaking her head as she considers a come back. It's probably a weak one, but it does seem the most fitting as he is a smith. <<Smotret yaitsa. Meshok polon gvozdyei.>> She replies with a soft elbow jab.
With a wink and a nod, Pavel shakes the hands of both women, congratulating them in three languages. Russian and Euro he does well. American? The thought was there. Then he's back to his metalwork, as Zoyenka trots over almost as if she'd been paying attention to the conversation, and will tag along with Sage until they reach the edge of her meadow.
