Sep 12 14:28:53 109 PA - Delivering a Gift, an Apology or Both

From Chronicles

Sep 12 14:28:53 109 PA.

YAKOV'S DELI

Rasputin is sitting at his usual table, messing with some small electrical device. He is reviewing it, and then looking at a group of maps. It beeps a few times. The frowns a bit and mutters. He tugs his beard, then tries again.

Pavel steps into the deli just after lunchtime. His hammer is with him, but not in his hands. Rather, it's slung across his shoulders by what could qualify as an anchor chain for small watercraft. The reason perhaps, that it's not in his hands is that they are otherwise occupied. Specifically, each one holds the handle of a wooden box, stained mahogany with a few metal details, each about the size of a box of tackle.

Rasputin just sits here, not looking up. He is mutter to himself in Russian, something having to do with damn electornic device not doing what it is supposed to be doing.

The smiths makes his way through the lingering crowd, stopping but not sitting yet near Rasputin. << That's why you should stay away from anything more complicated than what I can build for you, >> Pavel suggests, gazing at the machine and trying to figure out exactly what it might be.

Rasputin mutters and in Russian he says, "This thing is new and it won't do what I want it do," he pokes it again, and it beeps at him. He mutters and finally looks up, "Da, da. How are you doing this afternoon Pavel?"

<< I'm doing better than you, apparently, >> Pavel answers with a light laugh. << What is it? You want me to hit it a few times and see if that helps? Here, a gift. >> He doesn't put down the boxes, but does use them to push a chair away from the table and seats himself, doing a neat little back-twist to flick the heavy hammer off his body and against the wall.

Rasputin mutters and puts down the machine and looks at the two nice boxes. He says in Russian, "What are these my friend?" He tugs his beard and thinks a few minutes, " Rasputin's eyes go a little wide, "Mind da was, da?" He grins, "So what are you having in the cases?"

Pavel gently pushes the boxes across the table, displaying a little plaque on the top of each one beneath the folding handle, which clearly displays in Cyrillic and Latin - you can't be too careful - the simple words, "Rasputin's Tools." << My gift, my apology, the best tools for working leather that you're likely to find in your life, if I may be so bold about myself, >> he adds with a little pride. Indeed, the boxes would fold out to display everything that could be dreamed of.

Rasputin looks to the two cases, and opens them. He begins to go over them, looking at them very carefully. He goes over them, looking at each inch of each blade, looking over the handles and blades alike. He eyes each mark and shape. After what is several minutes, he whistles softly. "These are incredible, perhaps better than the other set even." He nods and smiles, "Thank you very much, these are lovely. I can't wait to use them."

Pavel dips his head low. << You are very welcome. I hope they bring you many sets of armor, and possibly a dowry to give to that pretty dwarf lady you'll meet some day, >> he jokes. << Not better than the other two sets, just different tools for different jobs. Don't go screwing them up! >>

Rasputin nods slowly then laughs out loud, in Russian he says, "No, no. No dowry for me," he grins and shakes his head, "and I won't confuse these two sets. They are fairly different and lovely." He smiles broadly, "I'll make a few sets, and then when I have gotten the hang of them, I'll get more tricky." He grins a bit, "Thank you again."

<< You're welcome again. Maybe you can go off and hunt some dinosaurs again, this time for the hide rather than the meat? >> Pavel's brows raise as he delves into territory that he isn't completely versed in.

Rasputin grins a bit and nods, "I'm pondering going back sooner than normal, but still for food," he pauses, "Gabriel is fairly convincing about helping those refugees, and how much help they will need." He thinks a bit, "Maybe if I can get a few dinos, or larger ones I can feed more people. Sure, I'll get a good price for it, due to the sheer amount of meat. But it will do some serious good as well." He tugs his beard and nods.

Pavel nods, looking as if he's not entirely sure of this topic, either. << From the magic city? Tolkeen? I heard there were the strange things happening, that's for sure. Refugees disappearing from here. Perhaps they will need tools? >> He looks hopeful that he might be needed more than usual. Suddenly, he snaps his fingers with a sufficiently loud *CRACK* to echo across the room. << I meant to ride down today rather than walk, so you could meet Blagodat. >>

Rasputin chuckles softly and says in Russian, "Isn't that one of the horses from when we traveled to Laramy a week ago?"

The smith looks blank for a moment, then embarrassed. << Oh. Yes. I knew there was something familiar. >> Pavel sighs and pauses. << I guess I've been busier than I thought. Taking those tools, just opened up more room for people expecting work. Not that I don't like to do the work, of course. Just that even fun work can get tiring. Particularly when it's detail work. You must know, yes? >> He gestures toward the deli counter and the patrons.

Rasputin nods slowly,"Da, da. It only takes a few small incorrect ingredients and the whole batch is crap." He chuckles a bit, "Of course, I know fairly quickly. Your work takes longer, da?"

Pavel shrugs. << Eh, maybe. Maybe not. People like people like me because we're quick at what we do, but you're right, it's still probably longer than preparing a meal. >> His eyes roam around the local tables. << Did you get all your studying for your spell finished? >>

Rasputin smiles, "Da, when my souffle falls, it it just a few hours to try it." He chuckles and shakes his head, "Net, net. I have a several more years of research, but I'm taking a break as I work on the protection for my windows." He thinks a few minutes, "I'm thinking of just going with my original design, but I can change it at some point if I need too."

<< The riot shades, you mean, or something else? >> Pavel's eyes brighten up, perhaps as there's work to be done, or at least the possibility of sharing information. << You could always arm your staff and have them defend the deli from the rooftops. I'm sure that it would get you in the news. I heard someone say a few days ago, 'any advertising is good advertising.' >> He's probably joking, but one never can tell.

Rasputin shakes his head and gets fairly serious, "Net, I wouldn't have Anya, or any of my people defending this place. I might do somethings to help defend it, but I won't put my people in harms way." He sighs, "I'll try and figure it out, though it is hard to do the deli and other things at the same time, da?" He chuckles, "Of course there is always the problem with da how long it takes to do a dino hunt as well, da."

Pavel thinks for a moment, then suggests, << You could hire someone like Leonard? Someone who breaks holes in space? >> He motions through a physical explanation of what he just said. << Then just have a strong person or a winch or something to push the body through? >>

Rasputin shakes his head, "Da, true. Though, not sure if people can do what you are suggestion so easily, and some of those creatures are 10 tons, da."

Pavel gives a small shrug. << That's not so much weight. Get a few people together, some sturdy poles and you can move it anywhere you want it to go. But I'm sure that a mage would charge lots of money to pull of such a feat. Have you heard any more news of things going on? It's sad what happened to that mining place. Don't really think I'd be much help, though. >>

Rasputin shakes his head, "I've been focusing so much, I've missed much of da news." He looks up over and notices that a bit more time than he thought had gone by. He looks to you, "I'm sorry my friend, I need to get some stuff in line for tonight." Rasputin closes the knife sets, folds up the maps, and puts the electronic device into his pocket. "I'm so sorry, but you will have to excuse me."

Pavel stands with the dwarf, grabbing his hammer as he does so. << That's okay, I'll be out of your hair. I hope the tools bring you many years of... fun. See you later. >>