Replies to This Discussion

ValkyrPermalink Reply by ✓ Eirik Olivier Tostain on January 8, 2020 at 15:53

The Valkyr hadn’t known anyone like Joaquin before. The young Nephilim was intriguing. Eirik constantly learned that his friend seemed like a wise old soul. If he had been born in the past; Rik was almost certain that he could have been a Viking or a Knight of some kind. Especially with his weapon type, he preferred to use. Maybe, that was always one of the reasons why the pair had always understood each other. For someone centuries younger than him; Joaquin was talented, in their line of work. And it left the Valkyr impressed. Since he had been around/working with weapons from a young age himself. Whilst the Nephilim tended to share some of the more modern techniques, when working with weapon. Eirik tended to teach him the older ways; especially when it came to preserving weapons for a long amount of time.

It seemed like he had surprised Joaquin with his visit. Raising a slight eyebrow. “You’re not kicking me out already, are you?” A usual, joke between the pair.  His joking tone evident.

“I had spare time, so thought I would stop by and see how you’re doing.” After giving his friend a smile. “Hope, I am not interrupting you too much?” It wouldn’t be the first time. Eirik had stumbled upon Joa struggling with a weapon. During those times, he would offer his help and guidance. After all, two heads were better than one, when it came to solving certain things. That had proven to be true, on numerous occasions over the last few years. At least, it seemed to be a relevantly quiet time of the day for Joa and his own business.

ValkyrPermalink Reply by ✓ Eirik Olivier Tostain on January 25, 2020 at 17:10

The Valkyr recalled that a few times the Nephilim seemed to be a bit forgetful. Having to remind Joa, of certain time slots, the pair had reserved in the past. But today was different. This was a spontaneous drop by. The Valkyr was relieved, that he had help from Javier at the shop, since the new year. Or he’d be up to his neck with his schedule. Chuckling slightly, as Joaquin asked about a meeting. “No, don’t worry...you’re good. I’d remind you, if we had a meeting scheduled.” He assured him.

Listening to Joaquin tell him, how he was reconstructing an old dagger, the Valkyr smiled. “Ah, that can be quite challenging sometimes. How old is the dagger?” he asked curious. As the question was turned back on him, Eirik looked at the younger male. “I’ve been working on a rather complicated weapon, it’s taking me a bit longer than I’d like it to...with other orders and my students at the compound keeping me busy.” Thinking back on the order a certain Diviner/Guard had given him. He never seen anything so well thought out, for a customized request. “But, I just recently hired a new assistant. Which eases off my schedule, a little bit.” With him having more people asking for his help to train them, Eirik needed a bit more time away from the shop. And since, his students were busy with their own respective jobs/errands, he thought he’d use this spare time to visit Joa instead. As the Nephilim mentioned he needed some help fixing a bow. Eirik looked slightly confused. “Since, when does Elysium have a bow?” He questioned, his brow slightly raised. The former Viking had dated Joaquin’s sister, a while back. Whilst their relationship didn’t exactly work out in the romantic aspect, the two still remained close friends and Eirik still looked out for her. But in all the time, he knew Elysium. He never recalled seeing her with a weapon. Much less a bow and arrow. Unaware, that Joaquin had met his other sister.

“I can look at it for you.” Of course, he didn’t mind. With time to spare, Eirik could use that time to see what he could do about his sister’s bow. He could understand why his unknown sister, felt attached to her bow, even if it was over-used. It’d be hard to adjust to a new one, if she chose another. Heading towards the back room with the Nephilim Male, Eirik wondered how long it’d take to fix the over-used bow.

ValkyrPermalink Reply by ✓ Eirik Olivier Tostain on January 31, 2020 at 18:25

The Viking nodded, as Joaquin told him a bit about the dagger he was currently working on. “Mhh, every dagger is unique as the next one.” Having worked with plenty, he knew what beauties they were. But that Joaquin found an old one such as that, was impressive. But the Valkyr knew his Nephilim friend had a good eye for restoring old daggers. So he wasn’t too worried about it. And luckily, he had plenty of spare time to work on it, with business slowly picking up again. Over the centuries, he found each weapon had it’s challenges. Whether in creation, preserving or restoring the older ones. But that was the beauty and art of their work.

Eirik slightly chuckled at his comment. Maybe, he always took on more than he could handle. But that never stopped him. Rather be busy than to be bored. “Can you blame me? I am always in high demand, anyways.” Eirik was one of the best trainers. So he rarely turned students away. “Besides, whom else would be stubborn and determined enough to take on teaching your sister?” Eirik joked, since Elysium happened to one of the few outside of his faction, that he was helping. Everyone knew, how Elysium avoiding anything that came close to combat and fighting. But she couldn’t be untrained forever, not in this city. It was a long haul process with her. Eirik was just glad, she hadn’t tried to run out off his training lessons...yet. The Valkyr nodded slightly, as Joaquin mentioned he didn’t really want an assistant. “Not everyone prefers one.” But that was okay. If Joa managed on his own, then he was fine. But his schedule probably wasn’t as hectic as Eirik’s.

He rose an eyebrow, at the name given. Siobhan? That name sounded new to him. Looking surprised, as he revealed he had a half sister. “Well, that’s certainly new. Which side are you related from?” he asked curious. It seemed like Joa’s family was getting a bit more complicated, with that piece of information. When Eirik laid his eyes on the bow. Instantly, he began to inspect every inch of it. “The string also looks fragile.” he noted how worn out it all seemed to look. “A part of me would be tempted to tell her, to buy a new bow. But since it means a lot to her. I’ll see what I can do to fix it up.” But it probably won’t be a quick job. “Don’t thank me yet.” Eirik chuckled. Joa could thank him, once it would be fixed up. As Complicated as it looked, he wasn’t one to back away from a challenge. Ever. And he wouldn’t start now.

ValkyrPermalink Reply by ✓ Eirik Olivier Tostain on February 1, 2020 at 16:23

Old weapons were a rarity in the world. Eirik had a lot of old weapons in his store. Most of which, he kept perfectly preserved for many decades and centuries. So he knew, why Joaquin took pride in restoring any old weapons that he found, rusting away. The two always seemed to share a love of the old and unique. “The Unique one’s are more interesting.” he agreed. Eirik always varied his weapons style. No two daggers looked or felt the same. Not unless they were dual daggers. The Valkyr nodded. “Most of them have been rusted to the point of no restoration. You’re quite lucky, you found an old one, that still has a chance of being saved.” He rarely got human customers come into the store. Not unless they worked for the council and were in need of weapon for protection. 

As he wished him good luck, Eirik just laughed. He knew why Joaquin would say that. Knowing Elysium’s tendencies all too well. “Well, she hasn’t run out of training yet...but if she keeps trying to give me therapy sessions during, I might have to sellotape her mouth shut.” He joked. Eirik knew that Ely was stalling. And he wasn’t too happy about that. He was there to teach her how to fight. Not get therapy mumbo-jumbo instead. As Joa warned him, about why he stopped training, Elysium. Eirik chuckled. “Oh she knows, that won’t work on me.” The Former Viking, didn’t take shit like that, during his training lessons. All of his students knew that, including Elysium. “I suppose, if you’re not so busy outside of running the business, you’ll do fine keeping up with business here, on your own.” Understanding his reasoning for preferring to doing this alone. If Joa was maybe a bit more social, Eirik could see him having help...outside of him of course, in the store.

Eirik had to say, he was kind of impressed that Elysium kept a secret. Usually, she couldn’t keep things to herself. The Valkyr nodded, in understanding. “Well, hopefully things between you three, will be good.” Eirik spoke of Joa, Elysium and their half sister. Maybe it wasn’t a bad thing, him having another family member here in the city, he could get close to. “Oh, I will be able to fix it. It might just take me longer than today.” Maybe two days-three days tops. But he would try and do as much as he could today, to get it underway. “Do you have any spare wood lying about? Preferably oak.” He would need some extra wood, to help fill the cracks and make the bow more sturdy again. Plus Oak would blend in, with the current wood that the bow was created from.

As Joa suggested them getting drinks. Eirik looked slightly surprised, the Nephilim suggested it first. “I think, we might be needing them.” he chuckled. “You wearing your sociable head on, today?” he joked.It was usually, Eirik dragging him out to a bar, to have the younger male socialise. 

ValkyrPermalink Reply by ✓ Eirik Olivier Tostain on February 3, 2020 at 20:42

The Valkyr didn’t seem to mind, any time Joaquin was searching for anything new and old, in his own weaponry store. Knowing how most people were inquisitive. Rik too pride in the fact,people were curious about what his job had to offer. He never hid anything. And if it helped inspire people like Joaquin, all the better for it. “I am sure it wasn’t.” Eirik believed him. “Unless you have good connections around the city, stuff can be hard to find.” Not everyone was always willing to give something up so easily. So people more or less had to bargain for it.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” Eirik told Joaquin. They both knew his sister pretty well. But Elysium also knew Eirik too well to know, not to try her usual tactics on him. As it wouldn’t work on him. Rik was pretty set in his own ways. And having been alive for so long, plenty of people tried various techniques on him to get out of training. But he wouldn’t have it. “Yeah, If only she embraced that potential a bit more. She can’t keep relying on her witt and therapy talk, to get herself out of sticky situations.” One of the main reasons Eirik took up training her, was because of the strange things going on around the city. He looked over at his Nephilim friend, with an eyebrow raised. “Since when? As far as I know, you don’t take on more students like me.” he chuckled. It wasn’t often, that Eirik heard about Joaquin having new Nephilim trainees.

“That’s always a good start.” Eirik chuckled, when Joa mentioned that they haven’t fallen out yet. Hopefully there wouldn’t be much cause to. But he knew how sibling spats could get. From the stories both Ely and Joa had told him. He knew the challenge was a big one. But he was prepared to take it on, as it meant a lot to Joaquin’s new found sister. So he’d save the bow, as best as he could. Hopefully, it’d look brand new once he’d be done with it. When the Nephilim returned with some spare wood. Eirik took the box. “Thanks, This should do the trick.” Eirik looked through the scrap pieces of wood. Taking out smaller pieces. That were still strong and healthy. As he headed over to the table, with the pieces. Eirik set up his station. Grabbing some wood glue aswell.

“We both know, I’d drag you there regardless.” He retorted, hearing his playful threat. Eirik cut up some of the spare wood pieces, into even smaller bits; that could help him fill out the cracks in the bow. The process took a while. But the Valkyr knew, how long and thin the pieces had to be from previous experience, and from looking at how worn the bow was.

ValkyrPermalink Reply by ✓ Eirik Olivier Tostain on February 4, 2020 at 18:18

It was refreshing, that Eirik didn’t have to consider the Nephilim a rival. Being Rivals, wouldn’t get them anywhere decent in trying to get their stores to function. It worked better for them both, with their alliance. Eirik chuckled lightly. “Of course we do.” he smirked. It helped knowing where to look, and that they knew what they wanted; when they were hunting after weapons every so often, if they weren’t restoring and making them from scratch. In some respects, the Valkyr preferred to make weapons from scratch and keep his old works for selling. As hunting down old weapons, didn’t come easily and cost a lot of money. Whilst maintaining anything old he had to offer, took time but wasn’t as expensive, as head hunting from a collector.

“I tried telling her that before, but you know how stubborn she is.” The former Viking sighed. “Always on about being a pacifist and not wanting to hurt anyone.” Elysium did need to toughen up a little bit. Especially if she was to defend herself, in dangerous times. Eirik was still trying to teach her the difference between self defence and hurting someone on purpose. She seemed to get the two mixed up. He caught onto the silent thank you. Giving him a nod. It was no secret, that Rik still cared for his ex. And wouldn’t want anything to happen to her; as the two remained on close terms as good friends. It seemed for a few moments, one detail slipped from his mind. Getting a reminder from the Nephilim. “I guess you know your limits.” Eirik chuckled. The former Viking was always stubborn and it was a habit of his; taking on too much. Even before he was turned into a Valkyr. Something that stuck with him his entire existence. Eirik nodded. “She’s family, makes sense.”

The bow was pretty heavily over-used and damaged. So it’d take a few steps of repairing, including fixing the cracks and new string. The Viking was mainly focused on the repair. But still paying attention to what Joaquin was saying. Once he had all the pieces of wood sorted out. Eirik grabbed the smaller light brush for the glue. Smearing light layer of wood glue between the cracks of the bow. Before carefully and efficiently placing the small wood pieces into the cracks. They sunk in, like small missing pieces of a puzzle. Repeating the process, with every crack in the bow. “She’s got Kenelm blood in her, and is a Nephilim. I am sure she’s skilled. Besides, with how heavily used this bow is. I’d say she has good skills.” Otherwise, the bow wouldn’t be used as much. Seeing a few splinters too. Eirik lightly brushed some wood glue on the back.

Before pressing the wood back into place. By the time, the cracks and splinters were fixed. It passed a few good hours of talking and fixing. “This will take a while to dry. Best to leave it overnight. After it’s all dry and set in place. I can fix the string and any additional touches to make it look new again.” Which would include a fresh coat of pain and sealant wax, to keep it shiny and looking new. Maybe fixing up the faded out engravings. Already the bow was looking much improved. The pieces of wood blending in perfectly,like there were no cracks and dents.

ValkyrPermalink Reply by ✓ Eirik Olivier Tostain on February 16, 2020 at 15:45

The Viking’s attention snapped back towards his friend, as he mentioned expanding the business. “Like expanding the store?” Eirik asked; as that was the first thought that came to mind; when he heard what his Nephilim buddy, was thinking for the future. Bigger store would mean more stock/options for customers. Although a part of him, had a feeling that Joaquin was hinting at something else. When he mentioned the 50/50 partnership. It made sense. Why not put their skills/knowledge into use as a team, instead of running two seperate shops? He was surprised, but also felt honored. With how busy he had been, it didn’t occur to him. At least one of them, had their heads screwed on straight, to think of something like that. “I think that’s a great idea actually. And come to think of it, it makes sense...since we make a good team.” Eirik shot him a grin. It would be just a matter of finding a new store, that was bigger and would suit their needs/and then relocating all their stuff/closing down the current one’s.

Eirik thought of Elysium being another species. A darker creature didn't suit her. “Something tells me, she’d get around it too, if she had to.” But it would be something, Joa’s sister would suffer from, if things had been any other way. “Yeah, yeah keep bragging.” Eirik said with a chuckle, as Joa kept pressing how Elysium wasn’t his worry, in regards to training. When it came to combat. Joaquin was very much like Eirik. Loving a good challenge and not minding if he ended up bloody and beaten, same like his opponent. Coming from different times; he had been used to a lot of injuries, bruising. So being rough was his second nature. Unlike the Nephilim; he was a single child. So didn’t have any siblings to feel protective over. But the majority of close friends he had; felt like family to him, that he’d protect with all he had. “I suppose your brotherly instincts are always right.” If anything, both Elysium and Siobhan were lucky to have him, as a brother.

Both of them kept busy, with working on the current weapons. He chuckled at his comment about his sister’s bow. “ I’ve seen pretty badly worn out bows in my time. Your sister’s lucky, this one can still be saved.” Compared to some, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Rik couldn’t help but think of the older days; he was quite skilled in a variety of weapons from a young age. And best young archer in his clan. But his talents came with anything with blades, or sharp weapons. “It’s been centuries, since I been out hunting with a bow.” If he used a bow, it was in training with students, or for pleasure with target practise. As Joaquin offered his own assistance. The Viking glanced over at him. “What do you know about spring loaded weapons, that can function as multi-purpose a weapon?” he asked. “It’s for a costumer. She’s requesting a very...elaborate...unorthodox weapon. I am pretty sure, I can do it. But it’s also very modern and working with springs, isn’t my area of expertise, so it's taking me much longer, than I'd like it to.” That’s why it was taking him so long, to make sure the weapon he was working on for Iris; would function the way she’d want it to. If one weapon could give him a head-ache. That was it. “I am sure it will. Do tell her to be careful with it, for the first week though. Just so nothing falls apart and crumbles, after it’s all fixed.” As everything will need some time to properly settle, after a major fix like this.

ValkyrPermalink Reply by ✓ Eirik Olivier Tostain on February 21, 2020 at 13:41

Expanding a business was alway a tricky thing. One had to have the time, resources and a right partner to go into it with; or things could fall apart, rather quickly. Which is why, Eirik wouldn’t even consider doing this, if he hadn’t been so close with the Nephilim. Joaquin and him, had a strong mutual bond and there was a trust between each other. Therefore, good partner-ship. “You know, I wouldn’t agree if anyone else would ask.” he said honestly. “Yeah, I don’t think either of us could afford to expand on our own. I have so much stuff at home...cause storage isn’t big enough...and there’s only so much, one can put up in displays, without over-doing it.” Eirik always hoped, he could get more of his master-pieces out there. Especially a few hidden gems he had at home. “You have a good point. I am sure, it’ll be a huge hit with both of us working together. The extra room, with a bigger store will be a plus.” Especially when it came to putting their work together and having extra storage room.

The Valkyr chuckled at Joaquin’s joke. “You know, if I tried taking her there...she’d try and kill me. And probably you, for suggesting it.” That’d be rather amusing, to see how Elysium would handle a fight club. No doubt, trying to run away and wiggle out of it, as usual. He wasn’t so sure, Joa’s sister would appreciate the spirit of what it was about. But it might teach her a lesson or two, when it came to dismissing it so easily.

Rik had always admired Joa’s skills. Sometimes learning new things from the Nephilim; especially about more modern things. As Modern things, didn’t come easily to the Valkyr. The Former Viking was set in the olden ways and very old fashioned; so he was more comfortable with the olden eras, when it came to everything including his work. “It must hold a very special place in her heart, if she doesn’t wish to part with it.” Wondering if it had been a gift from someone close to his sister. But once he was done with it, she wouldn’t have to. “No, a lot of people prefer blades...not to mention guns.” Now, he was no expert on guns. But he had a supplier, whom he had a deal with; often trading for a few guns here and there. Personally, Eirik wouldn’t handle a gun himself. Not unless, he was training one of his students with their weapon of choice.

He slightly chuckled. “You know, I am old..fashioned and modern things...are...like dealing with aliens to me.” he joked. “Although, if you did see this particular design yourself, you too would be scratching your head.” In all his time, he didn’t recall seeing anything so complex and little wiggle room to adjust, to his own liking when working on commissions to make it work. “If it’ll give me a little idea, of how to make it work; then it’ll come in handy.” It didn’t need to be exactly what his customer was asking after; but every little helps. When Joa took out a box. Eirik began to look through it. Examining the pieces of random weaponry inside; to see how it all fit together and what kind of uses it had. To see, if it’d give him any ideas on how to tackle his current commission. Whilst it wasn’t exactly what he was looking for. One of the items reminded him of the baton aspect of the weapon. “It’s not exactly, what I am after...but it helps a little.” he assured him. The Valkyr slightly chuckled, at his words. “That’s a good point. I am sure, she’ll admire it for a while,if she’s missed it so.” Feeling his phone buzzing. The Valkyr reached into his back pocket. Pulling it out.

Seeing the text, caused him to sigh. “Do they ever give me a break?” he muttered to himself. The Former Viking, had an emergency with one of his students. “Sorry bud, I think I might have to take a rain-check, on those drinks. One of my students needs me Asap.” Hating to cut their evening short. But seemed like he was needed elsewhere. “I’ll stop by, sometime over the next few days to finish of your sister’s bow.”