For Grimholdkeeper

[arlenarkenstone]

The Nexus labs are kind of quieter than they used to be, but back on the old Nexus noticeboard there are still directions here with a weird little handwritten advertisement for a glassworks and alchemy supply. It also says to ask about specialty creations such as prosthetic organs. It's kind of a weird sign and also a little bit old but very pretty. It says to ask for Arlen Arkenstone. At the actual Laboratory complex entrance his name is on the map, and up the halls there is light and heat from where it is supposed to be even if the rooms around it are dusty now. The door is ajar.

Comments

[arlenarkenstone]

"It likes to be useful, I think." He fills it with water from a tap that comes directly out of a pipe. The walls are kind of unfinished with pipes and beams and things showing.

"You have an item you want me to look at?"

[grimholdkeeper]

"Makes sense." He watches another moment, then shakes his head and retrieves the bundle he's brought. "Yes. It's an item I've had for two or three years, a sword purportedly made of glass. It's very sharp, and very tough, and obviously enchanted. Is there somewhere I can set this?"

[arlenarkenstone]

He puts the kettle closer to the fire where it kind of hops a little like it's dancing by itself.

"That... sounds impractical." He clears a space carefully on a nearby table and nods. "It must be heavily enchanted, to still be functional?"

[grimholdkeeper]

"Oh, very. I'm told it was a religious talisman for a small cult in the 1800s, but I haven't been able to trace it, and I think it may actually be far older than that."

He sets the case on the table and pulls the fabric away, then opens the fastenings. The sword within is clear glass, with only a strip of leather wrapped around the handle. It appears to be a single piece of material, and is shaped like a kalis sword, perhaps longer, with ripples along the blade.

[arlenarkenstone]

He adjusts his glasses and leans closer and sort of moves one hand over top of it for just a few seconds, not touching. "That's... I've never seen anything like it." He tilts his head a little and squints.

"You know, I... don't think I like it."

[grimholdkeeper]

"I can't blame you there. I have a strong suspicion it's been used for sacrifice or ritual combat." The current around the blade seem to bear out this statement, although physically it's pristine and quite beautiful.

"And that's the issue, actually. Over the period of time I've had it, the aura has gotten progressively darker and more restless. I don't think it was meant to be this dangerous, and I hate to just unmake it, but it's a little risky to keep around."

[arlenarkenstone]

"It's hungry." He nods and frowns a little. "If you don't want to unmake it you could just disenchant it, but the magics on... it are so locked together you would have to strip it completely, I think. That would leave it very fragile."

He taps a bone finger against his face thoughtfully.

[grimholdkeeper]

"Exactly. Which is why I brought it here. I thought you might have a more solid idea of what kind of enchantments made it so strong. With more information I might be able to work on it without breaking it."

[arlenarkenstone]

"How much time do you have?" He gets a couple of cups because the teapot is starting to hop up and down and whistle now.

[grimholdkeeper]

"I'm not in a rush. I suppose the artifact itself will have to dictate the timeline. And I'm willing to pay whatever fee you feel is fair, in money or goods."

He glances at the teapot, stifling a smile.

[arlenarkenstone]

"I will take either. I suppose that I am low on food..." He opens a couple of tins before he finds the right tea, and pours water into both cups. The teapot wriggles when he sets it down on the edge of the table and tries to hop closer toward Balthazar.

"It could take hours or days or weeks. It is... harder to analyze something you can't take apart."

[grimholdkeeper]

"I have weeks. I probably have decades. How low are you? I could do a grocery run for you, if you want."

He takes the liberty of sitting and smiles at the teapot. "Yes, thank you, I'm looking forward to drinking it." He talks this way to animals, too.

[arlenarkenstone]

"I will try not to take decades." He sounds completely serious, like it just might have been a possibility. He is a very serious person.

He also puts his bare hand on the teakettle for just a minute, to check the temperature and maybe to calm it down a little. "I would not touch it, if I were you. I... have soup...? I think..." He blinks and adjusts his glasses.

[grimholdkeeper]

Balthazar nods slightly. "Appreciated. And I'll...wait a minute to pat it on the head."

He straightens and removes his hat, like it's just occurred to him. "Food is not hard to get where I come from. I'm happy to fetch things, if you want."

[arlenarkenstone]

"Nexus food is unsafe. I have... not ventured out, in too long." He sits down again but he seems more alive and awake then he did when Balthazar first came in. "But if you get food for me, I can focus on the sword."

[grimholdkeeper]

"I can pay you in money, too," he says, and pats his pockets, getting out a piece of scrap paper and a stub of pencil. "What do you need, as far as groceries? Do you have cold storage?"

[arlenarkenstone]

"I have less need for money." He holds his cup in both hands and sips, and walks back toward a corner of the room to look in an old cupboard. "Tinned goods. Soup. Bread. Cheese. Foods that do not spoil easily." The cupboard he opens is close to empty and he frowns at the bare shelves. "I have a small electric refrigerator."

[grimholdkeeper]

"Have you considered preservation spells? Fresh fruit and vegetables aren't hard for me to come by, but there's pretty perishable." He's taking notes, attentive.

[arlenarkenstone]

"I am... no longer as skilled in magic... as I was." He frowns at the pantry and then lifts one hand and frowns at it a little, then comes back to the long tables and chairs there. He has very sturdy chairs. His still creaks a little when he sits down. "But fruit and vegetables would be nice."

[grimholdkeeper]

"Oh? For preservation, ritual circles can be effective. Or I could help." Watching the gesture, he thinks he gets what Arlen means.

"All right. Do you eat meat, eggs, or drink milk?" He assumes he's not a vegan; he mentioned cheese already.

[arlenarkenstone]

Arlen does not have glass hands just because they are pretty.

"Yes, any of the above. I am not selective." He sips his tea and adds, "I'm low on tea, as well."

[grimholdkeeper]

"Fair enough." He scribbles on the list. "Any non-food items? Soap or laundry detergent? Paper products?"

The teapot is cooler now, so he reaches out to pet it.

[arlenarkenstone]

The teapot kind of cuddles up to his hand. It's still very warm.

Arlen thinks for a minute. "No... I believe I'm all right on those. My assistant brings things, sometimes." Not food usually though, because maybe he just doesn't think of it.

"Perhaps I should simply go out, but it... seems to be winter in most dimensions, and I do not do well in the cold."

[grimholdkeeper]

It's an endearing little piece of crockery, isn't it? He's going to buy it a tea cozy.

"It's winter where I live, yes, but I'm sure there are warmer dimensions, and there are warm places on my world. If you really wanted to go somewhere. But I'm happy to deliver, as well."

[arlenarkenstone]

So maybe it is an excuse! But the way he was all wrapped up and huddled by the furnace is a sign.

He watches Balthazar petting his teapot. It likes petting. "I traveled for a very long time. It... has been nice to settle in somewhere, but perhaps... I should go out before I simply rust in place like some abandoned automaton..." He blinks and looks thoughtful because he's not usually that poetic.