Axe 02 - Video- Open to Both

[gloinul]

[He really doesn't like using this thing for anything more than responding to others but. Well.

Gimli starts the feed up and he has three of his five axes out in front of him, sharpening a fourth.]

Thought I might as well let the world at large know that if you are at all interesting in helping to rebuild the gates of the Cothromach, I'm the Dwarf you should speak to. I'm fairly certain anyone interested is already here, but. [And he shrugs] I hope you have people to vouch for you if you're interested. I do not tolerate slackers or liars on my jobs, nor do I tolerate saboteurs.

[Well, that explains the show of axes.

And he is done with this very painful task. The feed just cuts out]

Comments

[steeledskin]

-- A nomadic life upon the Drabwurld's roads is no life at all, surely. [ a beat. ] Are your cousins so handy in some trade as you are?

[ perhaps pride in their work can persuade the dwarves to consider the city. sansa is a crafty creature -- though she means well, at heart. ]

[gloinul]

Dwarves are used to such life.

[There's a hint of...resigned awareness to his tone when he says that, enough to imply that they're not used to it because they want to be.]

And they are, aye, though I should explain that my craft is in fact simply art. I make decorations and occasionally sketch designs for a Dwarf's tattoos if the need arises. Necessity, however, taught me to build gates and direct construction.

[steeledskin]

[ ah! but this only comes as sweeter news to her -- ] You are an artisan?

[ she likes the thought. ink, perhaps, means little and less to her. but decorations! fine delicate metalwork! although her jewellery is on the light side this day, she still wears her proud cloak-pin shaped like a direwolf's head. ]

What art do you make? Please, do tell me.

[gloinul]

[He laughs.]

Cloak pins, metal sculptures, settings for gemstones, metal beads, that sort of thing, much to my father's dismay. He is a banker and wanted me to either follow in his footsteps or my uncle the healer's.

[steeledskin]

Well! [ she keeps her conversation light: effervescent. ] I believe your craft -- art, as you say -- is a noble one. All good souls love beautiful things.

[gloinul]

Aye, that they do, though you are flattering me, my Lady.

[steeledskin]

It is flattery well-meant and earnestly given. I promise.

[gloinul]

Still flattery! I am not used to such pretty words!

[Well, there's Legolas but he's an Elf. Pretty words are all they're capable of.]

[steeledskin]

What a shame that is. [ her smile is small -- and only barely sly. ] You ought to have told me so before we struck our deal, Master Gimli, else I would have offered instead to pay you only in honeyed praise.

[gloinul]

Honeyed praise won't keep my axes sharp!

[But he laughs]

Might work on my cousins, though. They've always been weak for pretty faces and prettier words.

[steeledskin]

I will keep that well in mind. [ a contented pause: it's such a relief that he is easy to speak with. ] Will you tell me more about your kin? Only if you wish to.

[gloinul]

My cousins, you mean? There's not much to tell. Fili is the eldest, Kili is reckless, and they're typical brothers. I am currently twice Kili's age, thanks to the faeries taking me from eighty years after they took them, and they are still terrors.

[steeledskin]

Younger family can be a trial for anyone's patience -- [ she's barely a woman herself and yet she tries to sound so sagely when she claims this experience. after all, she has arya for a younger sister. ]

[gloinul]

Especially when they are technically your elders. It is very confusing.

[steeledskin]

-- Do not tell me they expect you to obey them because of it.

[ she tries to imagine with considerable horror what life would be like if arya was suddenly her elder. ]

[gloinul]

Oh, no, they've never been like that, aside from a brief moment of "we're princes" when they were children. But it is very strange!

[steeledskin]

..And are they?

[ princes? yikes. ]

[gloinul]

Princes? Aye, they are direct descendants of Durin. I am from a branch family, third or fourth in line to the throne. But do not worry, none of us harp on it whatsoever and I, at least, prefer to be treated as normally as possible.

[steeledskin]

[ even so, her at-last warm and friendly demeanour suddenly stiffens. sansa becomes drawn -- perhaps distant. ]

I...I had no notion of it. Apologies, Master Gimli. Had I known your cousins were princes--

[ what? perhaps she might have dined with them more spectacularly or made some better effort to reach out and welcome them. she can ill afford the disappointment of royalty. ]

[gloinul]

[He waves her off]

If we did not make a spectacle of it, I assure you that we are perfectly fine. You are a wonderful host, Lady Stark, and we are feeling quite welcome in your city. Do not worry.

[steeledskin]

I have lived in a royal palace for some time -- back in Westeros. I know these offerings are paltry in comparison. But you are very sweet to tell me otherwise. Then again, I am led to believe dwarven royalty is a different matter entirely.

[gloinul]

I do not know how it works here, but the Dwarves of Middle-earth do have a different system of government compared to Men and our royals are not so...obviously royal to outsiders, at least in my opinion.

[steeledskin]

-- A different system, Master Gimli?

[gloinul]

Aye, and to explain it would require a history lesson I have neither the time or permission to give you.

[Really, it's probably not that different but. Well. Dwarves.]

[steeledskin]

Permission! Are the dwarves of your lands so secretive?

[ she's a respectful lady; she will not press. ]