[The Glass Reverie] Don't Touch That, It's Hot. (Ronin)

[Phoenix]

10th of Spring, 511AV Normally, all Avora stuck together. As nice and supportive as this sounds, it is usually true whether or not the individuals actually want to be around the other or not. The Craft Gallery was the heart of the Avora, their work place. The rooms that branched off the main corridor of the gallery supplied the workman caste with almost everything they need in one convenient, sometimes crowded, place. There was one exception, however. The Glass Reverie was the 'secret getaway' for the Glassblowers. For whatever reason, their workspace was set apart from the rest of the Craft gallery. Perhaps it was built before or after the rest of the workshops or perhaps the rest of the Avora complained of the heat and smell. The real truth was, the glassworkers needed a place with ventilation. And that is where the Glass Reverie came in. Along the same side of the mountain as the rest of the Craft Gallery, the Reverie was open to the air. Large windows dotted the far edge of the room, but were covered most of the time and only opened fully in dire emergencies as large amounts of oxygen on a seriously hot fire was never a good idea. But the option was there. The windows were large enough for a Wind Eagle to fly into, with enough room on the ledge for them to land. In theory this was built intentionally as a fire escape; the birds being the workers way to safety. However, this has yet to be tested as caution is practically beaten into the heads of every apprentice, journeyman, master and visitor of the Reverie. Most of the room was taken up with huge Batch Ovens. Four of them, to be exact, right in the middle of the room. Their mouths all pointed in a different direction, positioned in a circle as to give everyone working at an oven adequate space. The workspace was rather large towards the front, but actually doubled in size as one made their way towards the back. It was along the back wall that the rest of the ovens needed in glassworking were found. Marble tables were placed along another wall. Benches, cabinets and other tables held the rest of the glassblowers tools. Everything was kept neat and orderly. In fact, most of the tables and ovens looked repetitious, all looking generally the same with only slight differences that an unskilled eye might not even notice. Were anyone to step in and watch a glassblower at work, it all looked very easy and fun. Who didn't like to melt things in fire? How wrong they were. Nevin was a huge, buff, brutally strong man with dark mahogany-red hair and a voice so deep it settled in your bones. He didn't shout commands or yell orders. He spoke them in a normal, almost conversational tone, and despite this tone, everyone jumped to obey the Master Glassworker. He didn't scowl or puff himself up with crossed arms and a cross expression. No, his chiseled features were set in a neutral, if not friendly expression. His hands were always busy, the muscles in his arms seeming to ripple whenever he moved, giving off the impression of absurd strength. His gray eyes didn't simply help him keep tabs on the shop but smiled with a job well done, or scowled at mistakes. Most people wear their expression on their faces. Nevin wore his expressions in his eyes. And he was always there. Some Avora would joke that Nevin stoked one of the fires at night, and curled up next to one of his beloved ovens. As it was, for those wishing to learn the skill of glassworking, it was best to find him in the early mornings or late evenings. The less hustle and bustle going on, the easier it was to teach and learn.

[Ronin]

Ronin had been waiting for this day for nearly a week. Since the last master who taught Ronin died, Ronin hadn't been able to work in the Glass Reverie. He missed the feel of the extreme heat permeating from the large ovens, the smell of dyes melting into glass, and the constant sound of roaring fires and the occasional novice dropping their current project, the shattering drawing the eyes of all the other workers, adding to their shame. Ronin knew all to well what it was like to be in that position, as he had broken his share of pieces. All those familiar sights and sounds that he had missed over the past few weeks would finally be accessible to him again. It would be glorious. Ronin got up before the crack of dawn that morning. He had spoken to his new teacher, Nevin, a few days prior, and he was told to be at the Glass Reverie bright and early. Ronin had no intention to disappoint on his first day. After all, despite Nevin being more of a gentle giant, he was still a giant and Ronin had no interest in incurring his wrath. As Ronin went about his morning routine of getting dressed and washed up a bit, his mind was on other things. He reminisced about the time he had spent with his former master and all the things he had learned. He tried to review every lesson he had learned in the past, so that he would be able to breeze through the first few lessons his new master would have for him. Ronin's mind slowly drifted from thoughts of his lessons to thoughts of his teacher. He never realized the friendship he had with his master until he was gone. It was just another of the cruelties of winter, and Ronin tried desperately to purge the thoughts from his mind. Mostly successful, and dressed for work, Ronin was on his way, navigating the inner warrens on his way between his room and the Glass Reverie. It was not a long trip, which was one of the things he enjoyed about his job as an apprentice glass worker, and in almost no time at all, he arrived. The familiar aspects of the Glass Reverie were only partial intact. The heat and smell were the same, but at this terribly early hour, the place was nearly empty. There was no bustle of workers, trying not to scald others with hot glass as they worked in close proximity to each other. Save one, there was no sound of tools scoring glass to be cut. However, in the back of the room, there was a figure standing at a workbench, working on whatever masterpiece he had planned for today. From the hulking size of the man alone, Ronin was able to tell that it was Nevin, and he quickly made his way over to him, hoping he wasn't late. Ronin's boots, clicking across the floor with every step, could be heard clearly against the eerily quiet room, and gave plenty warning that he was approaching. A barrage of worried thoughts flooded Ronin's mind as he approached; everything from whether this was the correct day to show up, to if he remembered how long a batch of glass should stay in the fire. His mind was a cluttered mess, and it showed when he tried to speak. "Ronin, my name is hel-..." He paused and shook his head as if forcibly clearing the worried thoughts from his mind. "I'm apologize. What I mean to say is, my name is Ronin. Do you remember? We spoke the other day about me training under your tutelage." The worry that he was here at the wrong time or even on the wrong day began to creep back, but Ronin fought hard to make sure it didn't show.

[Phoenix]

Nevin was aware of the boys approach before Ronin even rounded the corner into the Reverie. Keeping his back turned, the Master kept to his work, gently molding the hot ball of glass on the end of his tube. His plan was to simply ignore the boy until he gathered the courage to speak first. Nevin appreciated courage. And it was a good thing too, that he did keep his back facing towards Ronin, for as he stumbled over his words in his nervous state, Nevin couldn't help but crack a small smile. It wouldn't do for his new protégé to think he was making fun of him. "Well, good of you to show up, Ronin. I am Nevin, but you can call me Sir." With those smiling eyes and completely neutral face, it was hard to tell whether he was kidding or not. "Half the time, kids see this place and turn heel. It is pretty intimidating, I suppose." Gray eyes swept the expanse of the room once as he turned. When he came around to face Ronin, his arms were crossed over his chest, his project left to melt in the fire as he leaned back against one of the many tables in the room. "So you want to learn, eh? Are you sure, son? It's a lot of work. And it's not going to be easy. I'm going to work you really hard, but you'll be the better for it, in the end." Shoving off from the table, Nevin motioned for Ronin to follow as he strode towards where the numerous cubbys hung from the wall. "Pick one, and this is where your outside belongings are kept. Best to keep your clothes simple and out of the way. Frills catch on fire and pointy objects, and usually just knock things over." From there, Nevin moved to the cabnets that held all the tools. "And here is our first lesson. Pick up a tool, any one, and tell me what it is. You can't learn a craft if you don't know your instruments like the back of your hand." Arms across the chest once more, and Nevin lapsed into silence as he waited.

[Ronin]

Nevin was more intimidating than Ronin was prepared for, and he could see why most kids turn and leave when they meet him. However, Ronin wasn't going to let the man's large size scare him away. "Yes, sir. I'm here to learn." Ronin followed as Nevin walked away, and continued right on past the cubbys. Ronin knew enough to know not to bring excess items into the Glass Reverie, so he had nothing to put in them. It was good for Ronin to have a bit of a refresher course. If he remembered properly, he still had a fairly good grasp of the tools of the trade. Ronin picked up a metal rod with a sharp, diamond tip. "This is a Diamond Tip Cutter. It is used to score glass to the point it can be broken along a desired line." Ronin spoke with confidence, sure that he was correct. He smiled with satisfaction and set the tool back on the table. "Is there another tool you would like me to identify?" Ronin's words may have seemed cocky, but his attitude wasn't. He was genuinely happy that he was getting this test, and he was excited that he managed to get this one right. The warmth of the Glass Reverie was comforting to Ronin. It made him calm and collected, and it just felt right. Here, Ronin could seen himself being at home for a long time and enjoying his work. Hopefully, this teacher would be able to teach him everything he needed to know in order to make glassblowing his way to move up in life.