She was in her element, hammering away at the anvil with fervor. In her hand was the new hammer, its sturdiness lending an impressive force to each strike. This force made manipulating the stubborn metal easier, though it left a numb sensation in her hand after a while. A brief pause from time to time was all she needed to shake off the discomfort and dive back into her work.
Determined to prove her skill, she was lost in her own world, the rhythm of the hammer against the anvil like a heartbeat in the forge. Her concentration was only broken by the familiar figure of Lilly stepping into her workshop.
"You have such good timing, Lilly, just like last time," Mia said, acknowledging her friend without missing a beat in her work.
"Hey Mia, is it a bad time?" Lilly asked, observing Mia's intense focus.
"If you don't mind me working on this and being a bit absent-minded, I don't mind talking," Mia replied, continuing to hammer the blade, the sound punctuating their conversation.
They fell into a familiar pattern, talking between the hammer blows to ensure they could hear each other. It was a dance they had done before, and they managed it effortlessly.
"When have I ever minded you being a bit off, Mia?" Lilly joked, a light, playful tone in her voice.
"You are funny. Oh hey, I actually wanted to ask you about the fire-resistant enchantment. I think it would be great for smithing. It gets very hot here at the forge," Mia said, pausing momentarily to catch Lilly's response.
"Oh, I could make a pretty strong one, I think. But I would need something made of at least steel for the enchantment," Lilly responded, thinking ahead to the requirements of the enchantment.
"I can fix that. What would you suggest?" Mia asked, her hammer momentarily still as she considered Lilly's advice.
"I think anything is fine, a bracelet or necklace maybe?" Lilly suggested, her mind already ticking over the possibilities.
"I'll make a bracelet then, after this, of course," Mia decided, resuming her hammering with renewed energy.
"Of course. The blade looks a lot better now, by the way," Lilly commented, admiring the craftsmanship of Mia's work.
"Doesn't it? I have your hammer to thank for that, of course. And you," Mia replied, acknowledging Lilly's contribution.
"Don't mention it, Mia. Is it fine to use then?" Lilly asked, curious about the hammer's performance.
Mia paused her hammering for a moment to consider Lilly's question. "It's a bit rigid, making my hand hurt, but I get by. I added more leather to the handle to make it better, but I still need breaks occasionally. It's amazing for processing metal though. I can swing full force without worry. I don't, since that takes a lot of energy from me, but I think this is making me train harder than before. Earlier, I didn't feel very tired after a day of forging, but I already feel it today."
"That sounds scary; I don't think you need to be stronger. I'm glad the hammer is working out, though," Lilly said, slightly concerned about Mia overexerting herself.
"Absolutely! And I need to be stronger if I'm going to work with the greater metals. Mithril is relatively soft compared to palladium or adamantium," Mia explained, her voice reflecting her determination and ambition.
Mia then moved to the forge, beginning to heat up the blade again. She worked the bellows vigorously, and the increasing heat emanating from the forge highlighted the necessity of a fire-resistant enchantment.
"Oh, but those metals are super expensive, right?" Lilly inquired, thinking about the practical aspects of working with such materials.
"I didn't think you would have even heard of them, honestly," Mia admitted, impressed by Lilly's knowledge.
"Well, I just did. I asked Eldrin what metals would be best for enchanting now that steel is getting too weak for me. He gave me a list, and those were on it," Lilly shared, revealing her recent conversation with Eldrin.
"Oh, right! What would be best to use from now on then?" Mia asked, showing interest in the more suitable materials for Lilly's enchanting.
"He suggested titanium, electrum, or cobalt for now, said those were more affordable. And maybe mithril for jewelry, although that might be overkill," Lilly explained, recalling Eldrin's recommendations.
"I see. Well, all of those are relatively easy to get, and I think they have different strengths. Titanium is very hard and mostly used for weapons or armor. Electrum is a lot softer, so that might be better for jewelry right now. And cobalt has high tensile strength, so it's often used for really strong bows or certain tools. Did he say which were better at handling mana?" Mia inquired, considering the practical applications of each metal.
"Cobalt was best, and titanium worst. Titanium was only above steel and silver, so it isn't very good," Lilly replied.
"Of course, the cheapest metal is the worst. Figures," Mia remarked, slightly amused by the irony.
"Have you tried forging those before?" Lilly asked, curious about Mia's experience with these metals.
"A little bit, but cobalt only once. You need a lot of force to actually mold it, and it has a high melting point," Mia shared, reflecting on her past experiences.
"I like electrum," Lilly stated, considering its suitability for her enchantments.
"Yeah, it's a fine metal. Steel is stronger, so I rarely use it since it's more expensive, but if that's the best metal for you, I'll get some right away," Mia responded, willing to adapt to Lilly's needs.
"That's great, Mia. I'm going to try selling some of my enchanted items soon, and although I don't know how much I could get, I'm sure it will be more than the material cost," Lilly shared her plans, a mix of excitement and nervousness in her voice.
"Oh, we're getting this business off the ground right away? That's great, Lilly! And after seeing this hammer, I can see why it would be valuable," Mia said, encouragingly.
"I hope it goes well, but I'm nervous. An unknown enchantress might not get a lot of business at first," Lilly admitted, voicing her concerns.
"Well, as soon as they try the product, I'm sure you won't be unknown anymore. You might even need a bodyguard, I can volunteer," Mia suggested with a hint of playfulness, moving back to the anvil where the mithril blade was now glowing a slight red from the heat.
Lilly watched as Mia picked up the hammer and resumed her work, her focus returning to the lines and edges of the blade. "That would be great, but I think my new neighbor has it handled. Elly moved in today, you see."
"Already? Where?" Mia asked, momentarily pausing to look up at Lilly with curiosity.
"She bought the house from the Roberts family, and paid extra to have them out today. I think she's in a hurry," Lilly explained, her eyes following Mia as she worked.
"Oh, well then, I guess I'll have to stick to blacksmithing. I would make a great bodyguard, though," Mia said, resuming her hammering with a sense of resolve.
"I know, I've seen your… well, everything really. You're strong," Lilly remarked, her voice carrying a tone of admiration.
"Oh, heh, well… Maybe you even know me better than myself now?" Mia replied, a hint of distraction in her voice as she briefly looked at Lilly, then quickly refocused on her work.
"Exactly, I told you it was too intimate," Lilly responded, her eyes fixed on Mia's movements.
"Whatever, I don't mind you doing it. Someone else would get a hammer to the face, though," Mia said, her hammering steady and rhythmic.
"That's murder," Lilly pointed out, half-joking.
"No, it's suicide. I'm a pure maiden; anyone trying something will be responsible for their own actions, especially men," Mia declared, a firmness in her voice.
"Right, makes sense. I'm suddenly glad I'm not a man," Lilly said, a smile playing on her lips.
"Me too," Mia replied casually, without looking up from her work.
"Huh?" Lilly was caught off guard by the comment.
"I'm glad you're a girl," Mia elaborated, her focus still on the blade.
"... Why?" Lilly asked, curious about Mia's response.
That question made Mia pause in her hammering, and she looked up at Lilly, her face slightly flushed. It was hard to tell if the redness was from the heat of the forge or something else.
"Well… Because otherwise, we might have never been friends. Or worse, we might have been more than friends," Mia said, her voice carrying a hint of seriousness amidst the jesting.
"Hey, if anyone of us could have been a man, it's you. You tomboy," Lilly teased, playfully challenging the gender stereotypes.
Lilly paused, pondering the amusing thought of their roles reversed. The image was both humorous and slightly daring in her mind.
Mia's response was quicker, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice. "What!? Me?"
"You're a blacksmith; I'm a baker. It's obvious who fits what role," Lilly retorted, enjoying their light-hearted exchange.
"Oh, come on, let's challenge the normal gender roles a bit," Mia retorted, her words a bit sharper than before.
"Never change what works, I say," Lilly retorted.
"Well, sorry I don't wash clothes or cook. I guess I'm just a lousy girl then," Mia shot back, her tone carrying a mix of sarcasm and irritation.
"It's a serious problem, Mia. You'll have to find yourself a wife at this rate," Lilly jested, not fully grasping the depth of Mia's reaction.
"Shut up!" Mia exclaimed, now visibly blushing and clearly upset, a reaction that was unusual for their typical banter. Lilly instantly realized she had touched a sensitive nerve, though she wasn't exactly sure what it was.
Mia quickly regained her composure, though her discomfort was evident. "Sorry about yelling at you... I just don't... Uhm..."
"Don't worry about it," Lilly reassured her gently, recognizing the need to tread carefully and respecting Mia's evident discomfort.
'Was that about Mia feeling that she was too manly? Or about… the little thing I felt in her emotions back then. Damn, I said she would need to find a wife, stupid Lilly!' she thought to herself. Lilly didn't feel like she could talk about it, since bringing it up felt like it could be a breach of trust, and be potentially frightening. On the other hand, not mentioning it felt dishonest, especially if Mia wasn't fully aware that Lilly had noticed it.
Recognizing the need to change the subject, Lilly allowed a moment of silence to pass. "So… You'll make a bracelet of some sort then, Mia?"
"...Sure, I'll handle it," Mia replied, her focus shifting back to her work, but the earlier lightness of their conversation had faded.
"Is there anything else I should make while I'm at it? I can get some electrum by tomorrow, I think, and it's easy to work on," Mia offered, already planning her next steps.
"Oh, I guess more bracelets to sell would be nice. I have 4 flowers left, so that would be nice to have. Do you need some money or something for the electrum?" Lilly inquired, wanting to ensure Mia had everything she needed.
"No, that's fine. I'll make you 4 bracelets. I think I'll manage to finish them all tomorrow. Or do you want some nice detailing as well?" Mia asked, ready to tailor her work to Lilly's specifications.
"Well, 3 of them will hopefully be sold, so some decorating might be good. What do you think?" Lilly suggested, considering the appeal of the bracelets to potential buyers.
"Good point, I'll just decorate all of them then. I guess I should be a bit more girly, so a decorated bracelet would do nicely," Mia said, though her tone suggested she wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea.
'Ah, that's an insecurity I can work on without worrying,' Lilly thought to herself.
"Mia… I love you just the way you are. I really don't think you need to be anything but who you are, okay?"
"Wow, okay Lilly. I was just joking!" Mia replied, her face redder than Lilly had seen in a long time. "...But thanks, I'll remember that."
"No problem, Mia. You're close to finishing now, right?" Lilly asked, looking to change the subject to something more comfortable.
"Yeah, it looks good now. Hey, could you check it for cracks with your mana thingy after it cools?"
"Oh, sure. I guess that's useful, huh?" Lilly responded, pleased that her skills were of practical use.
"Yeah, knowing the makeup of something so precisely would be a great ability to have. Do you think I have the gift?" Mia wondered aloud.
"No idea, Mia. There might be an enchantment that could help you with that, though. Or if you want to practice spells, I could teach it to you," Lilly offered.
"Nah, I'm not suited to spells. But an enchantment could work if you find one," Mia decided, preferring a more tangible solution.
"I'll see what I can find. Does it take long to cool down mithril?" Lilly inquired, interested in the properties of the metal.
"Faster than most metals since it's so light, but it's still too hot for liquid cooling. A few more minutes should be fine," Mia explained.
They settled into a comfortable silence, patiently waiting for the mithril to cool. Well, one of them was comfortable and patient at least.
"Gods, I hope this sword is good, Lilly. I… I'm a bit scared you'll become too good for my forging," Mia voiced her concern, a hint of vulnerability in her tone.
"I really don't think you should worry, Mia. I'm far from even using mithril right now. Even with the amulet powering me up, I can't overpower steel. And even if I could use mithril or adamantium, there are jewels that can be inserted into your items that would make them handle enchantments a lot better. You won't ever slow down my progress, I'm sure," Lilly reassured her, acknowledging Mia's skills and contributions.
"...Okay, that's good. But stronger is still better, right?" Mia sought confirmation, her ambition evident in her question.
"Sure, I won't mind you becoming some legendary blacksmith if you want. I'm just saying you don't have to, at all,"
Mia smiled slightly at Lilly's words. "You know, that has kind of become my goal lately. More so after your new hobby started, but even before then, I had hopes. And with your potential tools, it's closer than I dared to think back then."
"Our potential tools, Mia. It's a partnership. 50/50 split," Lilly declared, emphasizing their collaboration.
"Well then, put it there, partner," Mia extended her hand.
They shook hands, sealing the official start of their partnership. There was a sense of excitement and promise in that handshake, a symbol of their mutual commitment and shared dreams.
"50/50 seems too good for me though, Lilly. Won't your material cost more than mine?" Mia questioned, concerned about the fairness of their agreement.
"It's non-negotiable. And maybe it will, but the work you put into each item is a lot higher than mine," Lilly stated firmly, valuing Mia's craftsmanship.
"Fine then. The blade is ready now; let me just cool it properly," Mia said, moving to complete the final step of her work.
She carefully placed the mithril blade into a small pool of water. There was only a slight boiling reaction, as the blade had already cooled down significantly.
"Now you can touch it, Lilly," Mia announced, stepping back to give Lilly space.
"Okay, here I go,"
Mia watched anxiously as Lilly held the blade in her hands, her nerves palpable in the charged atmosphere of the forge. Lilly's touch was gentle and focused as she infused her mana into the blade, feeling its intricate details and structure.
The blade was remarkable. Lilly sensed a vast space within it, much larger than what she was accustomed to. 'That must be the capacity for mana then. I would need a whole lot more to fill it up,' Lilly thought, impressed by the potential of the blade. She found no fractures or cracks; the metal was flawless, with lines that were smooth and elegant. Although it appeared to be a normal shortsword, the craftsmanship spoke volumes about Mia's skill and dedication.
"It looks great, Mia. No fractures or cracks as far as I can tell," Lilly announced, her voice carrying a tone of admiration.
"Yes! Haha! Take that, old man. Ooooold man, beaten by his daughter, too weak to even lift my hammer," Mia exclaimed triumphantly, her excitement evident in her voice.
"I feel like you're happy for the wrong reasons here, Mia," Lilly pointed out, amused by Mia's reaction.
"He deserves it, having so little faith in his daughter," Mia defended her elation, her tone a mix of jest and genuine indignation.
"Yeah, it couldn't be that he knows you're stubborn and petty and would try until you made it," Lilly teased, joining in Mia's playful mood.
"Don't ruin this, Lilly; he's not that smart," Mia retorted, her smile indicating that she was partly joking.
"Such nice words coming from the forgery today, Mia," Mr. Gorton, Mia's father, remarked as he emerged from the door leading to the hallway of the house, arriving just in time to catch the tail end of their conversation.
"Hey, you sad old man, look at this!" Mia, unrelenting in her playful jabs at her father, proudly showed him the blade. "'Too hard to forge,' I believe were your words. I hope you didn't eat before coming because those words will be a mouthful."
Mr. Gorton momentarily ignored Mia's teasing as he inspected the blade, his experienced eyes assessing its quality. After a moment, his face broke into a broad smile.
"Haha, 18 years old and already forging mithril, that's my girl. It's good you turned out to be decent at smithing since you can't do anything else," he said with a chuckle, his pride evident despite the teasing tone.
"You almost sounded proud there for a split second. Too bad you're too much of a sore loser to let it show properly," Mia shot back, her voice a mix of sarcasm and affection.
"Hah, it's a shame you took after your father there, I guess. At least you got your mother's good looks, but with my height and strength, it makes a weird combo, scaring away any suitors. Could you help her, Lilly?" Mr. Gorton asked, turning to Lilly with a playful glint in his eye.
"Don't bring her into this, Dad, and stay away from my love life!" Mia protested, her tone half-serious.
"Well, someone has to do something. I'm only 22 years older than you, you know," he quipped, his humor unwavering.
"Gods, why are you like this? Go inside. As the superior smith, I banish you from the forge," Mia declared, ushering him towards the door with a mix of amusement and mock frustration.
Mr. Gorton laughed heartily as he retreated. "Hahah, nice to see you, Lilly," he said, disappearing from view.
"You too, Mr. Gorton," Lilly replied. She had long become accustomed to their playful bickering and knew better than to take sides. In the past, aligning herself with either Mia or her father usually led to awkward situations, so she found it best to enjoy their banter from a safe distance.
"He's proud of you," Lilly said, trying to reassure Mia after her father had left.
"Oh, did you read his mind?" Mia asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"Even you could tell, Mia," Lilly pointed out, knowing full well that Mia was aware of her father's pride.
"Sure, he's just so bad at showing it," Mia conceded, her tone softening a bit.
Lilly knew it was best not to highlight the similarities between Mia and her father, so she chose to remain silent on that front.
"Then I have the order for 3 girly bracelets and one normal one, made from electrum," Mia confirmed, getting back to business.
"Decorations aren't girly, unless you make flowers and stuff. Wouldn't a dragon bracelet look cool?" Lilly suggested, thinking about the design.
"Oh, good point. It even fits with the function," Mia agreed, liking the idea.
"Yeah, we might want to keep that in mind in the future. A flowery fire-protection bracelet might seem amateurish," Lilly added, considering the thematic coherence of their designs.
"You're right, Lilly. I'll make 4 dragon bracelets then, might take me two days," Mia decided, inspired by the concept.
"Sounds great. I'll go look for some suitors for you in the meantime then," Lilly joked, lightening the mood.
Mia scoffed at that. "Gods, can you believe him?" she said, referring back to her father's comments.
"He wants you to be happy, Mia," Lilly gently reminded her.
"Gods, could you stop being so damn insightful all the time? I know he does, but you should let me vent my frustrations to you, my friend," Mia expressed, a playful hint of exasperation in her voice.
Lilly was taken aback for a moment, realizing she was the one with the least understanding of the situation. "Good point. Yeah, what a hopeless guy he is, that man," she said, trying her best to sound sincere in her agreement.
"You should practice that sincerity a bit for next time," Mia teased, her mood lightening.
"Got it, see you tomorrow, Mia!" Lilly said with a smile, ready to leave.
"Goodbye, Lilly!" Mia called out as Lilly headed out of the forge.
Their friendship, a blend of support, understanding, and playful banter, was a testament to the strong bond they shared. As Lilly left, she felt grateful for their connection and looked forward to seeing the dragon bracelets Mia would create.