Jan 12 08:27:45 109 PA - Precision Cutlery
From Chronicles
Jan 12 08:27:45 109 PA.
YAKOV'S DELI
Rasputin is behind the counter, working on a few large pots. It is that magic time, between lunch and dinner. He is making up some sauces for the evening dinners. There are red sauces, white, and a few brown. Another pot is making up noodles of some sort. At the moment he is the only person in the deli, which is fairly uncommon.
The weather continues to be bad, but at least for now the wind has mostly died down, leaving only the temperature - a temperature that a native Russian would be quite content with. Still, Pavel enters the deli dressed in some slightly warmer clothing anyway. He says nothing, quickly shutting the door behind him so as to keep the cold out. Two wooden boxes are riding his shoulders.
The wind whips into the room the smells from the cooking go flying all around the deli, filling it with amazing smells. Peppers, garlic, basil, and so many others... Rasputin doesn't turn around, just focusing on his cooking. He says absently over his shoulder, "Please be comink in, if you are havink questions about da food please be askink." He smiles and then drops a little more herb into a pot of red sauce.
Pavel opens in Russian, a rare place where he can speak native and actually be understood. "Dobryj dyen!" << Rasputin, how's business today? It smells wonderful! >> He's boisterous as always, looking around to see if there are any customers in the deli whom he might hold up with business. Of course, he can't come into Yakov's without asking, << Is Anya around? >>
Rasputin chuckles softly, "No, no. She is out somewhere, between shifts." He turns around and sees who is speaking and chuckles more, "Da, though, I'm sure she will be wanting to know you were asking after her, I will make sure she knows, da?" He grins, turns down all of the burners. He mutters a few words and all of the splatters vanish on his outfit. "How are you doing my friend? Staying warm out there?"
<< Oh? Yes, please! Tell her that I came by. Neat trick with the mess on your shirt, by the way. But! Do you recall a few weeks ago when I was in? You were asking me about replacing your old, dulling knives? >> Pavel walks up to the counter and leans forward, making him tower over the dwarf - though undoubtedly that's just a side effect. He's never seemed to be one to care about his stature. << I have something for you. >>
Rasputin wipes his hands off, even though they are completely clean. Old habits die hard. "Da? You do?" He lifts a brow, "What might that be?" He smiles and leans up to the counter. Of course, he is shorter than you, but no, that hasn't ever bothered him. "Apparently bigger dhan a bread box?" he chuckles and tugs his beard.
The blacksmith straightens up and starts to remove the beautifully made, sculptured and stained boxes from his back. << I didn't do the woodwork, >> Pavel admits right up front. << But, cutlery goes into wood, not metal - not even *my* metal. HA! >> Another large laugh echoes through the deli. If it disturbed stray customers, he doesn't seem to notice. The boxes are almost set on the counter, but he stops, holding them, and says, << Perhaps we should sit down somewhere? If you have time for it? >> After a moment's thought, he offers the alternative, << Or perhaps the kitchen would be appropriate? >>
Rasputin looks back at his food which has all calmed to simmer, "Da, I have a few minutes. Over here," He waves his hand and with a word, the chairs move out at the table usually kept clear for his off time. "So, wood and cutlery. I agree, it does go better with wood. Or perhaps a nice leather." He grins, "So what do you have for me?"
Pavel looks on at the magic. << Ah, more that I cannot do! >> Before he moves to the free table, though, he asks, << Do you have any meat on hand? And just a little piece of that dinosaur hide that I can demonstrate on? I have knives for you, and showing is a more thorough explanation than simply telling. >> He continues to hold the large wooden boxes, one in either hand. In his large smith's hands, they look somewhat more like lunchboxes.
Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da." He walks back and pulls up a small wooden cutting block, and then puts a nice steak on it. He puts it on his table. Then he hurries up down stairs and returns with a small chunk of MDC hide. Perhaps a scrap from a failed crafting project. "Here you go, now what is this all about?"
The smith smiles and places the boxes on the table, then places his rear end in a seat that needs to be shoved a bit farther out than normal. His fluffy coat is hung over the back. Grinning, Pavel repeats, << Cutlery! A new set of knives! Two sets, actually. >> He pauses and admits, << They're rather expensive, but I think I have an idea. But if I may demonstrate? >> He opens up one of the boxes, which opens like a large tackle-box. Twenty blades of all shapes and sizes, clad in brilliant copper. For those who can read Cyrillic, the words, 'Memories of Mother Russia' engraved on each one. << These work your normal meats and hides. >>
Rasputin watches intent as you pull out the blades. Rasputin's eyes grow very wide as he looks at the quality of the knives. He looks at Pavel, "What have you done my friend, for me?" He blinks a bit at he quality and skill put into the crafted items.
<< I've made knives that you asked for. Good knives that will allow you to cut your meat with... well, supernatural precision. >> Pavel selects one of the larger cutting knives and hands it across to Rasputin. << They're made of the same kind of material that stops bullets, so unless you happen to run over them with a tank, not only will they not bend or break, but their blades will never dull - and I assure you, their blades could cut the thin-edge of a piece of paper a dozen times. Plus - >> he taps the blade with a finger << - I doubt that this would ever be an issue, but fire cannot hurt them. Any kind of fire, no matter how strong, or how long. These are for normal meats and hides, but go ahead, try it out. >> The blacksmith sits back in his chair, content to watch.
Rasputin takes the blade from your hand, and begins to care with them. He then works on making several thin cuts, then a few cubes, and finally finishes with the slab of meat. He chuckles a bit, and smiles. Then carefully cleans it off with a rag, "This is amazingly well crafted and the blade is next to none." He shakes his head, "I don't know what to say."
<< Good! >> Pavel booms. << I'm glad that it works. I could make it, but unlike you, I'm not the expert on how to use it. Not on meat, at any rate. But put that aside for a moment. >> Without waiting, he opens up the other box, which opens identically, and contains what seems to be an identical set of knives. However, as he lifts one out and hands it across, he explains, << Now these knives - don't get them confused - will cut through your dinosaur hide like nothing. They have the same properties as the other set, but with a little bit of Kuznya spice? They will cut right through, and with nearly the same proficiency. Go ahead, try it on the dinosaur bits. >>
Before he touches these new knives, he takes the meat he has dices and sliced up, and puts it into one of the large pots. Then he cleans off the cutting board and puts it away. He pulls out a bone white board, and puts the leather strip onto it. He carefully picks up the knives, and then begins to cut it into strips first, then loops, then circles, then... "My god man, this is even more amazing than the other set!" He slips through the leather like a knife through butter. He shakes his head, "Dhere is no way I can afford dhese Pavel, they are amazing." He looks at you, as he cleans the blade and puts it back into the case.
Pavel nods, possibly accepting economics. << I'm glad to see that they function properly in a master's hand, >> is said with a genuine smile. << I would never keep these from you. I don't make anything unless I intend to pass it on. However, I know that you had a very low cap... below ten-thousand, if I recall? It's that, these knives - you won't find them in the Plaza, or in any kitchen store in Kingsdale. Or likely anywhere else in the region. Maybe the continent. >> He shrugs, honestly not knowing the extent of his own uniqueness in this place. << If I were to take them to market myself? I could easily ask sixty-thousand. For one set. Eighty-thousand would be a very reasonable high-end. But as I said, I don't expect to hold your wallet hostage. But perhaps a trade of sorts? Or better said, an arrangement? >> The boxes are closed up neatly... then pushed across the table to Rasputin.
Rasputin shakes his head, "You are kind of like me in that way I guess." He chuckles and looks at the knives, "I do like them, and they will definitely put a fine edge on my work." He tugs his beard and grins, "Dad joke, da?" He chuckles, "Mink can give you perhaps 20000 now? Pay you more when I am more liquid?"
<< I was thinking that perhaps - if this is acceptable - you could pay now what you feel *comfortable* with. As I said, I'm not here to drain your wallet. Then, as you go on your dinosaur hunts and so on, you could give me perhaps... fifteen-percent of your revenue, until the amount is paid? >> Pavel smiles and quickly adds, << As I'm not taking them to market, I think that thirty-five thousand would be a fair price among friends? >> He offers a small shrug - which in his case is a large roll of shoulders - and sits back to see if his idea was reasonable or not.
Rasputin nods slowly, "Da, da." He says, and goes over to the counter and pulls out credit stick. He comes back, and transfers over to you 20000, "Dhen the balance would be 15000 on what I owe you, da?" He smiles a bit, "That is very fair, now I don't know when I will be able to arrange another dino hunt. But this definitely gives me incentive to arrange one sooner than later." He chuckles and tugs his beard a bit.
Pavel smiles widely, though the concept of credsticks is still new to him, and he has to fumble to find his. << Fantastic! It's a deal, then. >> He holds up a staying hand. << No rush. Don't run off for a hunt any time before you normally would have one. I have money to tide me over for other projects until the remainder can be paid. >> He nods then to the two boxes, and then adds, << I doubt that I need to say this, but I'll say it anyway - these are meant for cooking, and skinning, and so on. They will hurt someone if you cut them, but they aren't meant for it, and I believe that you'll find that in those situations, they will actually become rather unwieldy. So don't forget to pack a normal weapon with you when you go on another hunt. >>
Rasputin chuckles and nods, "Da, da. I wouldn't dream of using these works of art in combat." He chuckles, "Only after, when I'm cleaning up the mess, da." He grins, and there is a bit of wickedness to the tinge in his eyes, "To make the mess go a way." He tugs his beard and looks at the boxes and nods slowly at it, "It is an amazing piece of work, and will last a great deal longer than my delectable treats." He smiles a bit, "Da, da."
<< I guarantee that they will, >> Pavel says with a smile. He starts to push his chair away from the table. << But I should be going now. There's a new woman in town who has asked me for a weapon, with precise measurements... but... I don't think that she understands what she's asking, despite her apparent familiarity. >> He shrugs again. << Spears and lances are not the same as a simple a quarterstaff. I need to hunt her down and explain the matter. In this weather? Hopefully it will be easy, driving in the weaker nationalities, right? >> Scoot, scoot.
Rasputin nods slowly and chuckles, "Da, da." He grins, "Quarterstaff? Da, da." He chuckles a bit, "Be careful out there, don't want a killer icicle to catch you wrong." He chuckles a bit, "Thank you again my friend. These are incredible gifts, thank you."
Pavel snatches up his coat and heads for the door. << You're welcome for the cutlery, it was my pleasure. First time I've really needed to do something like this, it was a nice change of pace! >> As he cracks open the exit, he winks at the deli's owner and says in a quieter voice, << Don't forget to tell Anya that I came by. >> Then, without further hesitation, he's back out on the streets to hunt down the woman confused about her own weapons.
