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OLDHAMMER SMITHY - MORNING
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Cavro is bent over his workbench, tweaking a long pair of rough iron rods into a vaguely stem-like shape. The forge is burning low, the bellows having been quiet for nearly and hour as the badger toils over his project. The huge street-side doors are open partway, inviting onlookers and customers alike, though the semi-remote side-road location of the smithy naturally reduces the number of the former.
Aurelius wasn't deterred, as he had come looking for Cavro, and found where he was. The bird politely knocks on the side door, and waits at the entrance for Cavro to be done with what he's doing, and able to speak. He's quite happy to wait, as he doesn't want to mess up whatever is being done. Politeness is key, after all!
Cavro nods upon hearing the knock, calling out without turning away from his work. "Ill be with with with you in a moment, please!" He sets the two pieces in the vice, huffing quietly to himself after hopping down from his stool. The badger removes his gloves as he turns to trot over to the doors, spotting Aurelius. "Ah. Good morning. How can I I I help you?"
Aurelius: "Ah. Excellent" He comes over to give a handshake to Cavro "I need some work done for the library. Metalworking, and the like, and I was hoping to engage the services of a professional smith. I am Loremaster Aurelius. I am pleased to meet you. Master Smith Cavro, I believe?"
Cavro glances at his own hand for soot before shaking the offered hand, nodding, though looking a bit bashful about something. "Ah, Master Smith is a a a bit much, but yes I am the the the main smith of the Oldhammer. So you've taken over the library, Loremaster? That that that is good news!
Aurelius: "I do not view it as taking over. Merely that I am ensuring that the library is the best it can be. I am not a ruler, but a servant" He chuckles "A little flowery perhaps, but the intent is there, but..yes. I am to be managing the affairs of the library from herein, which is why I need your help. The building is in dreaful state, and I need much work done before it can be opened"
Cavro nods, smiling at Aurelius. "Of course, I I I would be more than happy to offer my services." He pauses for a moment, smile faltering somewhat. "Although... I have a bit of of of backlog due to some recent events, as well as a rather imposing project on the the the horizon... But if you're not in a rush, I I I can fit in your orders between others!"
Aurelius: "Ah, I would not expect any special treatment. You should attend to things as you deem them needed" he reaches into his bag, and pulls out a large notebook "As for my specifications, I have them here" He passes over an incredibly detailed notebook of what he needs, while he couldn't forge a nail to save his life, his theory is excellent, and the details of what he need are meticulous where they need to be, and much more general when they don't. There's a few subtle errors arising from the oddities of how metal reacts in Respite's climate..but this bird certainly did his homework "It is mostly locks, and reinforcement for the upper floors to hold up the bookshelves there. Though, there are a few other requirements. It's all set out in order of importance too, but if later items can be fit alongside earlier work, then feel free to adjust it"
Aurelius: There is also, of course, a list of items that require prior work done before they can be made use of.
Cavro takes the notebook, looking more and more impressed as he quickly thumbs through it. He doesn't bring up the minor issues that pop out to him, simply nodding until he closes the book. "This is is is going to be far easier than most, as long as you don't mind me making some some some small adjustments here and there." He glances down at the book in his hands. "Do you need this back?"
Aurelius: "Not at all" He chuckles "But, if you would be able to note the adjustments made, I can edit them into my copy" He pats his bag "So I may retain it for future records. You may keep your copy, to do what you wish" He pauses a polite length of time "Now, for the most uncouth part of this all, what shall be your quotation for the job? I believe that 120 gold would be enough, but if you feel that is below your rates, feel free to correct me" It is actually a hair above standard rate.
Cavro considers the work listed in the book and his timeframe, then considers what the work is going towards. He settles on a thought, nodding to himself. "If you can can can secure some books on foreign metallurgy for me, I I I would be happy with 90 gold, honestly. Particularly Sarnian and Orelan, since my training comes from a a a Vamas smith."
Aurelius: "Ah" He pauses a moment "I have a number of such books, however, as I do not wish for the books to be something that are charged for access, I will copy the relevant books, and edit them into a more appropriate form for a smithy, as the ones that I have are more designed for a scholarly setting. I believe that the additional labour will be good compensation for the gold saving"
Cavro blinks, smiling at this kindness. "That is very generous of of of you, thank you. Yes, that will be more than enough as a a a trade off and will benefit us both!" He turns and sets the work order book down on a safe, relatively empty table. "How long have have have you been in Respite, Aurelius?"
Aurelius: "Not long at all. Perhaps a week. I have been spending my time doing my research, to know how to properly set up the library, and engage the key people I need to make such a thing happen" He gives a small smile "I confess my generosity is somewhat self serving. I always try to get the best work out of any that I hire, and I find the best first step is to ensure they are paid well. I believe many of my compatriots hold the idea that others should be proud to further the cause of knowledge, and..while I hope that you will be proud to do so. Pride does not a full belly make!"
Cavro nods, grinning. "You speak true, I I I am more than happy to be part of reviving the library, but I am am am also happy with a warm meal and a roof over my head."
Aurelius: "Of course! Now, if you would lend some local knowledge, do you know of any good woodworkers? A smith is important, but metal bookshelves lack a certain..charm, don't you think?"
Cavro chuckles, nodding. "Wood does have some warmth to it, I I I can't deny that. Well..." Cavro goes on to answer a handful of questions that Aurelius has for him about town, the two making friendly talk between before parting ways to ply their respective trades.
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ERIKA'S GARDEN - AFTERNOON
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Cavro adjusts the burlap wrap that he's toting ahead of him as he wanders down the alley path into the foliage, taking his usual careful steps as he pokes through and takes a look around. "Erika? Are you home~?"
Erika crawls from under one of the bigger bushes, grunting a bit as she makes her way to ground she can stand up in: "Unh. Yeah, I'm here!" She's actually wearing clothes this time, for as much as her usual loincloth and chest wrap count as such.
Cavro tilts his head seeing Erika crawling out, chuckling lightly. He sets the bundle down on her porch and trots over to offer a hand up. "Doing a a a little deep pruning?"
Erika takes the offered hand with a smile: "Something like that. Doing stuff I couldn't when... you know."
Cavro nods, trading the helping hand out for a warm hug as soon as she's standing, ignoring any dustiness. "Yes, much to to to catch up on, hmm?"
Erika hugs tightly, then as she lets go, nuzzles Cavro's neck: "That I do. But... well, I'm just happy to be back."
Cavro blushes at the nuzzle, grinning. He looks about at all the work she's already done, nodding. "You you you didn't waste any time, that's for sure. I'm glad you kept that that that passion, considering... Well the source." He looks down a bit, somewhat wishing he hadn't brought it up.
Erika blinks, tilting her head: "What do you mean?" She blinks again, then finally connects: "O-oh! Right. It was a flower, but I can't just leave what I love for it."
Cavro nods, smiling at her. "I know, it's a a a bit silly to think one bad thing would do that, sorry. Have you spoken to Doctor Plume since you were cured?"
Erika looks aside a bit: "W-well, no. I figure they're busy enough without me butting in."
Cavro nods again, though a bit more slowly. "It's only been a a a few days, after all. Wait, aren't I supposed to to to be the one that doesn't want to bother the Doctor?"
Erika blushes a bit: "W-well... yeah. But I just... haven't gotten to it?"
Cavro chuckles, leaning against Erika for a moment. "I'm just teasing a a bit, my love. But... Is there something bothering you?"
Erika leans on Cavro, hesitating for a bit before she talks: "I... maybe. I feel like I'm still... afraid, skittish like I was before the cure."
Cavro blinks, hesitating for a second before he looks up at her. "Afraid of what?"
Erika looks aside, going quieter: "Like... sudden movements. Like I'm subconsciously seeing predators that aren't there."
Cavro wraps his arm around her hips in a half-hug. "Do you think it it it might just be a lingering thing? Maybe it will go away on it's own?"
Erika nods slowly, leaning on Cavro again: "I hope so. I still feel a bit 'off', but to be fair I was on four legs for so long..."
Cavro sighs, closing his eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry, I had no idea." He pauses for a moment. "You were working under that bush, not not not hiding, right?"
Erika blinks: "Oh. Working. Yeah, I was. The roots needed work I couldn't do without hands." She pauses, looking at Cavro: "...why do you ask?"
Cavro looks up at Erika with a hint of worry. "I don't know, I I I had the thought maybe you hid when I was coming toward the garden."
Erika blinks again: "Oh. Uh, no... my... 'instincts', if you will, they veer more towards running away than hiding..." She nuzzles Cavro's shoulder: "Not that I want to hide from you."
Cavro blushes, letting out a relieved chuckle. "I I I'm glad, that would be... A little hard to to to bear if you were frightened of me, honestly."
Erika nuzzles Cavro again in response: "Never~."
Cavro blushes, purring at the nuzzle before kissing Erika.
Erika lets out a small giggle, just holding Cavro close: "You're way too amazing to be afraid of."
Cavro blushes brighter, his purr deepening a little. "You're the amazing one, my love. The the the way you fought through such a a a cruel curse..." He hugs her tight, sighing. "So strong, I I I admire you so much~"
Erika blushes: "I j-just survived it... a-and it would have been a lot harder without you."
Cavro shakes his head slightly. "I... I almost left at first. I'm still so sorry for for for that..."
Erika looks at Cavro. Her voice is low: "I-it... it hurt. I t-thought you were gonna go for good... b-but I am glad you came back."
Cavro looks up at her, slightly misty eyed. "You've been in in in my life almost as long as I can remember... Of course I I I couldn't abandon you... But... I I I was scared, too."
Erika whispers, smiling: "I t-think we both were a lot."
Cavro manages a weak smile despite a slight quiver in his voice. "Yes, we were..."
Erika leans to nuzzle Cavro's neck again: "Things are better now~."
Cavro leans into the nuzzling with a hum. "You're right... I'll try to be a a a little less depressing."
Erika lets out a soft giggle: "Let's think about better things. Like us."
Cavro chuckles lightly as he looks to her with less mist than before. "But Erika, if I I I think about you any more than I do, I'll never get get get anything done~"
Erika sticks out her tongue: "Such a shame that would be~."
Cavro sticks his tongue out in retaliation. "You you you don't know the half of it! It's fine most of the time, but sometimes..." He blushes brightly, clearing his throat. "N-nevermind that... Just rambling."
Erika leans on Cavro, intentionally pushing him with her rear now that she can once again: "Keep rambling... I think I like it."
Cavro chuckles at the push, clearly not minding. He puts his arm around her waist, leaning against the beautiful okapi. "It it it's not your fault, really~ I mean... some of it is..." His fingers rest at the top of her loincloth, though Cavro's eyes are locked to hers.
Erika does not mind Cavro's touch though she glances at his fingers before looking back at him: "My fault or not, I like it. Or you. Both? Both is good."
Cavro blushes, his hand drifting up her side, fingertips just brushing her lightly. "I I I don't know, but I guess at the end, I don't mind either way~"
Erika giggles and fails to objec to Cavro's hands on her sides: "Works for me, whether or not you are working~." She whispers: "Hammerin' arms~."
Cavro smiles lovingly at Erika, tracing his fingers back down her sides slowly. "Perhaps I should let let let you get back to catching up with your garden though?"
Erika leans on Cavro, smiling: "Leave me all alone? Aww." It's obvious she's not exactly being too serious though.
Cavro leans against Erika, nuzzling against her as his fingers bump over the loincloth and gently sweep along the outsides of her thighs. "Hmm... You're right, I I I can't do that, I suppose~"
Erika giggles: "Your choice~."
Cavro blushes brightly, standing on tiptoe to kiss Erika, a bolder hand shifting across to her inner thigh.
Erika kisses Cavro back, her own hands starting to find their way around his body. "Mm~. Good choice."
Cavro sighs, holding close to Erika with one arm while the other... Well. "Most wonderful distraction, you are."
Erika somehow still fails to object to Cavro's movements: "I'd hate to be an unwonderful distraction~..."
Cavro feels her loincloth sliding against his forearm as fingertips tease up her thigh. "Impossible, surely~" His blush and purr betray Cavro's otherwise completely undetectable growing lust.
Erika giggles and leans onto Cavro, mm'ing softly: "Everything's possible...~"
Cavro hums lightly, looking up to Erika as his thumb brushes ever so close. "When I look at you, that that that sounds so true~" He nudges his hand up at the last word, leaning in for another kiss at the same moment.
Erika mmhm's, then mmhm's again upon Cavro's touch: "MmHMM!" She kisses him passionately, starting to lead him towards her house though she's not being very subtle or effective about it.
Cavro returns her passion, not even remotely resisting her lead toward the house, blushing brightly as they step over the forgotten bundle toward the back door. It can be dealt with when the weather is a little cooler.