Solo Again?

[Kahll]

1st of Fall, 516 AV Right from the door, he could tell something was off. Vacielli’s grin was much too wide and his hands clasped together as soon as Kahll entered. They had broken something again. He had no doubt in his mind he was right, and after waiting for the older man to deal with a customer, his thoughts proved true. “Ah, Kahll! Just the man I wanted to see!” enthusiasm never left the old smith’s voice as he laid his hand on Kahll’s shoulder and slowly ushered him towards the back of the room. “What happened, master Haolven?” the cringe was audible in his voice. What was it this time? They rotated the crank too quickly that time. Someone was sure it was an easy fix another time. If that tiny Kahll can do it – I can fix it too. The excuses that the younger Isur gave when asked about how equipment broke were usually hilarious. Kahll would appreciate the joke if it were not on him. The humor of it wore off after a few incidents. He was usually ecstatic about his job. The ecstasy he felt from it came and went as an adrenaline rush – but once you caught yourself fixing the same bloody thing for the seventh time…well… “Come now, I don’t get that much reverence from my own apprentices. You can call me Vacielli – most everyone does” a practiced smile never left his face as he led Kahll all the way to the workshop door. It must have been tiring to deal with people all day. The smith seemed to enjoy it, but Kahll did not believe the apparent. He knew how much his fingers itched when he did not touch his tools for a few days. It must have been the same for any other artisan. “Very well then – What did they break, Vacielli?” his words hung in the air for a bit before the door opened up and a heartbeat caught in his throat. The crank hung over the edge of Kahll’s workstation; gears cluttered in the middle of it. There were pieces missing, but it was unmistakably the forge’s blower. Judging by the size, it was one of the smaller ones. As if knowing the sight flared Kahll’s temper, Vacielli clasped his shoulder a bit harder and stopped the boy from foaming at the mouth. “There are pieces missing!” the notation was obvious to anyone practicing the craft. The Isur nodded all too quickly “Some of the gears got crushed in frustration, but my eldest is casting their replacements as we speak. The belt…well, we sent a runner to The Bizarre. He should have returned by now, but with Alvadas, you never know. As soon as he returns, I’ll send him your way” he lifted his hand from Kahll’s shoulder. “How did they break it? It was fixed last full moon for Ukalas’ sake!” he stopped himself as he noticed his voice becoming a growl. The smith’s voice was very entertained when he spoke again, “They didn’t” as if that explained something. Kahll looked at the man, raising an eyebrow “Oh, I guess it must have broken on… It was you!” the smith gave what seemed a more genuine smile before nodding “I forgot my own strength for a tick. I apologize” Kahll may have been about to yell, but his jaw dropped at an apology. Using this advantage, Vacielli quickly added “The runner will be sent to you once he returns” then he quickly disappeared through the door, mumbling something about not keeping customers waiting. Kahll developed a tick in his right eye. He kicked the air and clasped his fists tight together. Marching towards his station, he cursed inaudibly before coming forward to gauge how extensive the damage was. As soon as he touched the gears, he found his calm. All of his anger channeled into energy, and he wondered why he even resented fixing things. It was better to build, but there was some catharsis in fixing.