SoulCoil

Sleep deprivation had a funny way of making an ass out of people.

Take Enri, for example. Just couldn't pay enough attention during a last-minute meeting his boss pushed on him. Barely got himself presentable in time, and it showed in the wrinkles of his shirt. Asked a pressing (and scathing) question of a higher-regarded salary man. Something about pay discrepancies: paid time off being a waste when the man spent so much of his time on the clock chasing tail.

Something like that.

And just like that, Enri was off the dream gig. No rubbing elbows with the jazziest fucker in town, while chatting up the business team behind his dream label. It was all lined up so perfect, before...

"The fuck, Enri... You had one job."

A lie, of course. Same as always. But it sounded better than the truth.
It was always too hard to admit when his plate was too full.

After a bit of wandering, he found himself in a quieter part of town. Had nothing to do with his Revenant, for once.
That was always nice.

Found himself leaning against a wall in some spacious back alley, and not the hobo-occupied or rat-infested kind. This one seemed out of place in a city, to be honest. It was more like the kind you'd find in a small town: tall wooden fences blocking off yards behind and between brick buildings. The alley itself a car and a half wide, with a clear exit.

A few other alleys dumped into this one, Enri realized, so there was probably a small maze between the fenced yards back here.

He looked up at the gray sky and smiled. At least it looked gloomy today, all clouds and foreboding. It wasn't damp enough to rain, but it was the next best thing.

Enri let the quiet be, for a while.
Then he slid down, sitting on his ass and resting his eyes. He only wished his hands could do the same. They needed something. Anything. So they fidgeted with bits of lint and loose change in his pockets.

"Hmmm-mmmmm, mmm-mm-mm-mmmm-mm, hmmm hmmm-mmmm...." he began to hum the intro to a song he knew and loved. And his hands relaxed into a rhythm, at least. They formed the chords and strummed imaginary strings.

"Somewhere, over the rainbow. Way up, high..."

Aeon had found himself alone, his wolf-Revenant partner hadn't the energy or the willingness to go out with him on such a day. Aeon hadn't a worry before he ended up in the same area. It was a, somewhat, nicer place that he liked to visit to clear his head when something was wrong or he was stressed, and with all that had recently happened, he was probably the most stressed out teen you would see.

Without his normal cloak he still carried his blue messenger bag, carrying a few items of value to him within it. He had a gray and white shirt, with jeans on. It wasn't anything strange for someone of his age to be wearing. What was strange is seeing a teen around this part of the town, as normally they were in the more lively part of town.

As he waltzed around he heard someone humming, recognizing the tune. Aeon followed the humming, catching himself singing the next line with the stranger out of instinct, "...And the dreams that you dreamed of, once in a lullaby."

Aeon assumed it was only him who had heard it, but maybe more would be attracted by the singing like he had been.

If Enri was aware of the accompaniment, it was only vaguely. He was too focused the sound of his own voice in his ears, and keeping it from cracking. That was the thing about this song... on a good day, it was bouncy and cheery enough to keep him in high spirits.

Days like these? Well... It still cheered him up, in the end, but its soulful delivery could be overwhelming.

So he focused on keeping his singing as steady as he could.

"Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds flyy. Aand, the dreams that you dreamed of: dreams really do come true-ooh ohhh."

Eyes remained closed - so he didn't see the boy approach. Didn't hear the footsteps at first, because he let his voice swell to fill the alley. Surprising acoustics back here, he'd think later.

"Someday I'll wish upon a star, wake up where the clouds are far behind. Meee-ee-ohh-- Where trouble melts like lemon drops, high above the chimney tops: that's where, you'll find, meee-ohhh."

For now, all that mattered was the song. Everything else could just drift away.

Aeon smiled, deciding to not interrupt the man as he sung. He quietly sat doen next to the man, humming along as he listened. The man seemed caught up in his own music, so he decided to wait till the man finished singing to say anything.

As he listened he looked up to the sky, for a gloomy day, the song was rather uplifting. He liked the fact that some people could make the most out dreary situations and turn them into joy. It made Aeon start to daydream as he listened. Seeing the world from a different perspective. As bad as the competition was, it was one of the things that made him able to meet new people, new friends, and he valued that.

"Somewhere, over the rainbow. Bluebirds fly. And. The. Dream that you dare to... Oh why, oh why can't I?"

His voice softened for the last part, faded into silence. Stuck in his throat, to be honest. Enri shook his head, running a hand through his curls before he finally opened his eyes.

He would not be crying today. No sir! No tears. Today.

"Well, Enri I gotta hand it to ya, you really know how to-- Ay!" He jumped to his feet (felt more like he jumped 10 feet) and scrambled back. "Ah, shit. You, hah, you scared the crap outta me, kid!"

This was, oddly convenient. Gave his brain a side-rail to shunt his emotions to. Leave feeling sorry for himself behind for a bit.
He chuckled. "Wow. You, uh... You been here the whole time and I just miss you? Or'd you walk up after?"

Aeon let out a little laugh as the man jumped. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I just wanted to listen, that's all. And I heard you while I was on a walk, it just so happened that I decided to come and see who was singing." He smiled, standing up.

Aeon nodded, "That's a great song, not to mention you sing rather well too." If there was anything off it may have been why a teen was around this part of town alone, but otherwise it seemed completely normal, at least to Aeon it seemed normal.

He gave another small laugh, relaxing as the kid talked. For the praise, he bowed and gave a flourish with one hand, his earlier tiredness melting away. At least for the moment.

"Well," he offered, a gleam of pleasure in his eye, "as an aspiring entertainer, I aim to please!"

The ear, the eye - everything he could, really... To a point.

If Enri thought about it, it was still a little early in the day to see someone this kid's age out and about. But, hey. Who was he to judge? He was never too good at staying in class, himself.

"So, I can see you're a curious one. You go by anything in particular? Or can I keep calling you 'kid'?" He teased.

Aeon let out a little chuckle, "Aeon, Aeon Aurora." He spoke, gleefully smiling. "And you sir, who might you be?" He asked, wondering who this mysterious entertainer was.

As far as he knew this was just a stranger, lost in the world with music as his comfort. Or he could be just some guy who happened to know the song. Anything was possible really. It wouldn't be obvious that he was in the competition, if the stranger even knew about it, but life has strange ways of forcing you to meet new people that are closer than you think.

"Aeon..." Enri frowned a moment. The name tickled at the back of his head, rattling around between the happenings of the last week or so.

"Ah! I was wondering when we'd finally cross paths." He beamed at the kid, offering a hand to shake. "You're a friend of Miss Vera and Mortimus! I'm Enri. Your friend, Vapor talked a bit about you, but I didn't expect you'd be so young! It's a pleasure to meet you."

Enri regarded Aeon with some amusement. Kid struck him as the virtuous sort.

Sure, any person in this competition was a threat. Probably at least slightly vicious at heart... But this kid would have to be pushed to draw it out.

Heck, he'd probably need to be dragged, kicking and screaming, with threats being made to another before he resorted to violence.

"Oh! So your Enri! Its a pleasure to meet you." He smiled, shaking his hand. "Yes, Vapor mentioned you as well, but I didn't think I'd find you here. Especially today."

"And I may be young, but I'm no helpless competitor. Actually I'm quite helpful. I helped Vera by making her a sword for self defense. I'm a blacksmith you see, and I love being able to help others out, so if you need something made I'd be glad to help." He said with a chipper tone

Aeon was the type that had the moral compass being set towards going out of his way to help others. It was the sort of thing that made him cautious with his decisions that could have unintentional effects. Although it made him plenty of friends. He even met someone who he didn't even think knew about the contest only to be shown that this man was one of his allies.

Enri laughed, shaking his head. "Kids these days... Wherever do they get the idea that youth equals helplessness? Hapless, maybe, but all of us in this competition are if you ask me."

Hearing about the boy's trade reminded Enri that he was barely armed, now. His new gun, he'd had to leave behind - no way to hide it in his meeting attire, since (for whatever silly reason) his bosses didn't want him to wear a suit. Dress professional, they said, but no coats.

His silver dagger, he'd lost in the woods. His switchblade, while with him, didn't do much good tucked inside his briefcase. Enri felt vulnerable, and rightly so.

"Hmm... So you can craft blades, but do you ever make armor?" Enri blinked, slightly amused. "Nah, nevermind. Could you imagine? Trying to walk around town in a set of armor? The looks you'd get from people!" He laughed.

Aeon let out a snicker at the request of armor. Sure it was possible, but like Enri said you'd get looks from everyone. And it would be heavy no doubt.

"Well technically I could make armor. But it's just as you said, stares from everyone, but it would be pretty funny. Although concealed weaponry is important and all, but blades may be a small portion of my skills. I actually can make just about any type of close ranged weaponry. I personally have a spear that I keep at my smith. And a dagger that I keep on hand just in case." Aeon tapped the pocket of his pants with a smile. "Never know when it might be needed and it's within laws and regulations for me to have."

Aeon wasn't entirely sure why, but he liked this man. Something about his personality just rubbed him the right way. He was charismatic, and gave off the charm of 'hey, I'm just tryin to get by life in one piece.' Something he could relate to.

"Hm. Not bad!" Enri nodded. He hadn't even noticed that the kid was carrying a weapon. "Very nice," he decided.

Then he lightly crossed his arms, so his elbow had a place to rest and he could rub his chin a moment. Enri tilted his head, watching carefully.

Within laws and regulations... He was fairly sure his own switchblade was too long to fit that mold. But....

"Couple questions for you, if you don't mind answering." Enri smiled, "Do you know off the top of your head what length a blade can before it's illegal? And have you ever tried your hand at throwing knives? I hear they're a pain to make unless you specialize, since it's easy to get the weight wrong."

"I don't mind answering at all." Aeon replied with a smile, "I believe its somewhere around 5 to 6 inches in length at maximum before it starts to get sketchy with the law. And actually yes, I have once before, and your statement is true it is fairly difficult to make throwing knives, but with enough time, trial and error I have made a few, but none out of silver yet. It would take some time to account for a different metal, cause of different weight, ya know? I'd have to make a few to get a feel for the right weight, but once I get it right I'm sure could make some if you needed." Aeon finished, chipper as ever.

He did have one question for Enri though, one that he knew would probably be asked in return, but he didn't mind.

"Hey Enri, where's your Revenant? Her name was Amanita, right? Vapor didn't really give me too much details on her, but I was wondering where she might be if your just hanging around here." Aeon inquired out of curiosity.

Ah. Damn. Enri wouldn't be just wandering town with that thing at his hip. No way the cops would let that fly... Toed the line on length and style. Too much prejudice against switchblades. (For good reason, mostly).

He shrugged. "Well, I don't know If I need them, but it never hurts to prepare... And when this all blows over, who knows? Maybe I can integrate them into my act and make it big as the sharp singer. Juggle some knives while I dance." He stepped a bit of salsa and grinned. "Wouldn't that be something."

This shrug was different. Indifferent, and pointedly so.

"Ah, who can say where Amanita goes? She's a cat, she slinks around where she pleases whenever it pleases her to go. Or maybe she's napping someplace warm." Enri rubbed the back of his neck. "I suppose I could ask the same of you but unless they're in trouble..... it really doesn't matter."

For a moment, he wondered if the human in a pair would know if their Revenant died someplace. They were linked, in a way, so would distance mean nothing? Then he shook his head.

"They'll turn up, eventually."

"Yeah, I suppose so." Aeon replied, he knew Vapor well enough to know that the wolf Revenant was probably just lazily sleeping in the workshop. If not that, then Vapor was probably out looking around the city's parks, he had a tendency to wander around the parks, enjoying the sights.

"Hey Enri, I've been wondering something for a while now. What would happen if we tried to leave the town? If the competitors all were chosen from the same city, what would happen if someone tried to get on a bus or a plane to another city." Aeon asked, he figured Enri probably didn't know either, but it was better than just leaving that question in his mind.

Despite the chaos of the competition Aeon was surprised that he hadn't tried to leave, but then he remembered that he was sort of stuck. Having to work at his shop or live on the streets alone. It made sense why he didn't leave, but what about the other competitors? Have they tried? And then what?

"Well..... I don't know for long term, but... I skipped town for a few days, er, actually maybe a week." He paused, trying to remember the exact amount of time but it was a dim blur. Whether from current sleep deprivation or the amount of drinking he did at the time wasn't clear.

Then he shook his head and gave a tired smile. "Nothing followed me, not even my own Revenant. Though she tends to go where she wants, like I said. I don't know if she would have tracked me down if I'd...."

It's okay, Enri: you can say it. If you'd ran. You're good at that, remember?

He gave a strained laugh, that overwhelmed feeling from before rising in his chest. "I, uh, came back, though. I've got work here in town that I can't just leave undone."

Yeah. Work. That's what it is.

"HmmmBack to the throwing knives, though - I wonder if you could just silver another, stronger blade to offset silver's relative softness. So it could get the benefit against Revenant and such but still defend against something with a tougher hide. Y'know. Without folding or breaking."

Aeon nodded he had done such things on his own weapons to make them effective without risking being unable to hurt Revenants. It took a simple balance, or at the very least a coat of silver over a stronger metal, either worked.

"I understand, work and all. But yeah, silver on it's own is fairly weak so I normally find myself mixing anywhere from iron, steel, and even bronze once, to make the weapon stronger. No doubt it wouldn't be the easiest, because like I said weight changes from metal to metal so it would take some time to make the right type of throwing knife, if you have the time to wait that is." Aeon nodded absently.

As long as he could maybe make some cash off of selling them he was content with helping, it was what he did, what he loved to do. It may have been in his best interests to make some for himself, but it's not like Aeon knew how to properly throw a throwing knife, he just knew how to make them.

"Well, assuming we live, we have nothing but time!" Enri laughed. "Ehm, but when you say time, how much are you talking? And how much are your services worth? Ideally I'd want two or three knives under 5 inches, if that helps any."

He shifted his weight to one foot, rebalancing into a somewhat dramatic 'thinker' pose.

"... Say, if we make it out of this alright. Or maybe even before that, I could probably trade some knowledge... Pass on some wisdom to you youngsters!" He teased, grinning like a fool.

"Two or three, 5 inch knives. Let me think." Aeon ran some numbers in his head. One ingot of silver, two ingots of another metal, most likely steel. Then the time would be a day for design and weight testing. Another day for forging, then a final day for tempering and final testing.

"The whole process would take around three to five days depending on a number of factors. Cost wise it would be fairly cheap for only three knives, totalling somewhere around $120 and $240. Exact costs are harder to estimate when you have to test weights so I hope you understand." Aeon smiled, the prices and times seemed reasonable for what was needed. It was a lot faster than other places he knew that for sure.