005 - [VIDEO]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[As is probably a common sight by now, when the video blips on, Darin is in his forge. It's almost as if he never goes home. Where does this guy even live anyway?]

[And, just as always, the space behind him is just as full of random wares and projects as ever. Never let it said that the man doesn't like to keep busy.]

So, I ran to the store yesterday just to see if I could snag some more discount Halloween candy and literally everything was changed over to...whatever it is holiday people on this world celebrate next. Since this one didn't seem to have anything to do with ghosts or witches or the undead, I decided to take a look at some of the decorations and I have to ask...

[Darin holds up this chintzy plastic wreathe and a plastic wireframe reindeer meant to go on someone's lawn.]

Do people really pay top dollar for something that literally took no effort?

Not gonna lie though, it gave me an idea. People aren't so much willing to buy military grade weapons and armor anymore, and since I've had some recent practice in crafting metal flowers, I figured I'd try my hand at something new.

[Darin reaches offscreen to his workbench and hauls up two metal holiday wreathes]

I could stain them appropriate colors and whatnot and I guarantee these will last longer than anything else. So, what do you all think? Are there any other decorations you think I should try my hand at? I admit, I had a lot of fun making these.

Comments

[am_i_a_monster]

Looks like they've got the Christmas stuff out.

[Abigail gestures to the plastic wreath and reindeer and smirks.]

Did you pay top dollar for them?  You probably could have gotten those at a dollar store.  

[She changes to a more sincere smile.]

Your wreaths are beautiful.  You could make metal ornaments next.  Or a decorative stocking.  Maybe an entire metal tree!  I wonder if you could make a garland with lights.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

The what stuff?

Admittedly, I didn't pay top dollar, but the prices on some of the stuff I was seeing was still pretty high.

[He does beam at the compliment.]

Thank you! I don't really have any reference point for what any of these decorations are supposed to mean, but I can definitely whip something up.

I was thinking about making another wreathe and drilling holes to thread the lights through. Whatever this holiday is about, people love these lights.

[am_i_a_monster]

Christmas.  December 25. And Christmas Eve on the 24th.  They're big holidays. Wait until after Christmas and that same stuff will be really, really cheap.

The holiday is based in religion.  I'm not religious myself, but I know it has to do with the birth of Jesus.  It's become a lot more than though.  Lots of people celebrate it.  They usually put up a tree in their house, decorate it with ornaments and put gifts under it.  They decorate the outside of the house with lights.  It can be really pretty. People get together with their friends and family to exchange gifts and spend time together too.  

I think your wreath would like great on a door, especially if you put lights on it. Red and Green are the traditional colours. White lights are more elegant in my opinion.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Huh. Sounds like a really major holiday. Halloween was fun and all, but it had more of a harvest festival feel to it.

A harvest festival with terrifying ghosts.

People give gifts? What kind of gifts?

[am_i_a_monster]

All kinds of gifts.  It's fun to get a gift that shows how well you know the person, something they really like.  I think that's better than just spending a lot of money, you know? Sometimes I even make the gifts.

Big gifts are wrapped and put under the tree.  Stockings are put over the fireplace.  Smaller gifts go into the stockings.  They're not the same as the stockings you wear on your feet.  They're decorative.  Just a sec.

[She opens a box and pulls out a red Christmas stocking, with the words 'Meowy Christmas' embroidered on it. She holds it up to show him.]

That's a Christmas stocking.  It's traditional to say Merry Christmas to people.  This stocking's for one of my cats...so it says meowy.

video;

[ghoulking]

Christmas is very important in western countries, so they go an extra mile for it.

Are you going to celebrate it? [ or are you just going after easy money, darin? ]

Re: video;

[forgeabettertomorrow]

From what I hear it's very family oriented. I lost mine when I was five and I haven't seen my adopted father for almost two years.

I don't really know if I'd qualify to celebrate it. I'd rather just make it more fun for others to do so.

Re: video;

[ghoulking]

Uhm- I suppose in western countries, certainly. [ it's a romantic holiday in japan, not exactly family oriented. ] Every person celebrates it the way they want.

Re: video;

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What about in eastern countries?

video

[legosi]

What is the holiday about?

Re: video

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Whoa! A beastkin!]

Apparently it's a religious holiday that celebrates being together with your family and close friends. Presents are exchanged and whatnot, but the way some of these stores are advertising makes me think that it's a huge deal.

Re: video

[legosi]

Oh, they have religion here. [ Legosi doesn't care much about it ]

Well, it sounds nice. I wonder if people from other worlds are welcome to celebrate it, too.

Re: video

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah, I'm kind and in the same sense of mind as you on that one.

I don't see why not. Do you have family or friends here?

Video

[bindsthedead]

Weapons- Do you make swords? And as for decorations... what about snowflakes?

Re: Video

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah, I can do both of those really easil--...

...Hey, wait.

Haven't we met before??

Video

[bindsthedead]

People have said I've been here before, but I don't remember.

Re: Video

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You're...[He taps at his temple, thinking.]

Sabriel? Was that it?

We met awhile back! You told me all about your magic. You don't remember?

video

[girlybruiser]

You made those? What a wonderful talent!

[ As much as she loves greenery, she can appreciate someone's skill for that. ]

I've seen some shops with holiday lawn decor. Perhaps you can try your hand at something like that?

Re: video

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I did! Sometimes I like to challenge myself and make something a little more delicate than just high end weapons and armor.

Lawn decor, huh? Anything specific related to the holiday? I want to strike while the iron is hot, so to speak.

[girlybruiser]

Weapons and armor... those don't sound easy to make.

[ A giggle. ]

They seem to like to use reindeer and snowmen for lawn decor. And I've seen penguins!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

For an amateur, they definitely are! But I happen to be a master blacksmith. Nothing is out of the realm of possibility for yours truly.

Hmmm...those seem interesting and challenging enough. Maybe I can throw together a more abstract look as opposed to just simple metal sculptures.

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[shadowglitter]

[ odin is still in love with this dude and ALSO has an appreciation for his craftsmanship in a way that other people might not, given that he's pretty into metalwork himself. he's in the middle of writing up something positive and affirmative and kind and supportive and encouraging and, you know, relevant, when instead he gets distracted by another thought and latches onto that instead. ]

DO YOU TAKE COMMISSIONS!!!!!!!!!!!
DESPITE THE LIFE I'VE LED CRAFTING AND HONING WEAPONS AND ARMOUR BELOVED BY VALIANT HEROES AND FEARED BY THE IMMEASURABLY HEARTLESS VILLAINS OF MY HOMELAND, I HAVE A PROJECT THAT I'VE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH
I COULD USE THE TOUCH OF A MASTER TO GUIDE ME THROUGH THIS MURKY VOID OF DISAPPOINTMENT AND INEPTITUDE

Re: text

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I love commissions!!

Whats the project?? Screw it whatever it is Im in

you had me at 'master'

Re: text

[shadowglitter]

Okay.
I have a dog. Well, I have three dogs, but I have one dog in particular on whom my attention is focused. Currently. I mean, I love all my dogs, I'm just-- don't get it twisted. All my dogs are perfect. We're just talking about one dog in particular right now. Okay? Calm down.

She is noble. Famous. Politically inclined. Currently presiding over all of Maurtia Falls. This is a fact. She's deputy ambassador. A hero with angel wings. Metaphorically. Maybe literally.
I fear for her life on a daily basis, given that most politicians I knew back home succumbed to the whims of tyrannical leadership and were ultimately overthrown by their livid and betrayed populace. I've been trying to make her a set of armour and some appropriate armaments befitting her stature to protect her in case an attempt is ever made on her life due to the poor choices she makes in governing the joy of the many, but.
But.
She's tiny. And.
Unfortunately, I've wasted my life chasing the pursuit of crafting heroic weaponry and armor that befits hosts who are taller than seven to twelve inches. I don't know how to make armor that small without it losing its integrity or its shape!! This is actually the second time being unable to make armor to those specifications has impacted my personal life, but that's... that... don't worry about that.

So.
SO.
THIS IS HER
CAN YOU MAKE HER A SUIT OF ARMOUR!!!!!!!!

Re: text

[forgeabettertomorrow]

she is adorable and angelic and OF COURSE I WILL MAKE HER ARMOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE NEVER BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH A MORE NOBLE PURSUIT THAN THIS!!!!!!