Downgrading for an Upgrade

[Koran]

After donning his newly fabricated Vlince armor and robe of the same material, the tall Shadow Meld quickly made his exit from the armor shop and made his way across the wide boulevard to the nearest weapons shop. Upon entering the rather deserted shop, he supposed it was probably close to that time of day again, he hastily made his way up to the counter and carefully laid his large, black great sword atop it.

"I'm looking to split this blade into two smaller blades, each approximately seventy-two centimeters blade length, each with a hilt of approximately thirty centimeters, bringing the total lengths to approximately one hundred two centimeters apiece. A two centimeter deviation in either direction is acceptable of course. I need the blades to be exactly point eight centimeters thick, this is unfortunately an exact measurement because it plays an important role in the weight of each weapon. Which should be, mind, anywhere from one point three kilograms to one point five kilograms. Anywhere in between is quite acceptable. Also, the curvature of the blade is to be approximately one centimeter. I would like each blade sharpened on the outside edge, from tip to approximately two centimeters up from the hilt. Any additional material left over from the conversion process I would like to simply sell, should there be any that is."

He pushed his massive blade forward a little, his face calm and cool, a small smile persing his lips. "Are these instructions sufficient to complete the task?"

[AdventWings]

"Crap."

Niles scratched his head, trying to digest all the instructions the strange man requested as he was returning from the armoury. As a blacksmith, he was well-acquainted with dealing in custom-forged weaponry of exotic designs. On the one hand, he had supplied an army with hand-forged flintlock muskets. It took him months to finish half the number when the army commander demanded his full order completed. What a pain it was back then.

Well, then again. Hand-forging complex weaponry was one thing. Splitting a weapon in two, even roughly done, was one helluva task.

Who ever heard of breaking a sword in two on purpose?

Well, there's always a first... The blacksmith sighed, studying the Delyn blade in question as to the methods he could use.

"...Well, I think it would be more economical to just buy new blades instead of splitting one in half, but if that's what you want... "

Half-sighing to himself on taking up this incredibly impossible task, Niles went about doing the calculations and making notes of the specific parameteres his customer requested.

"It'll cost you four hundred gold pieces, plus one week for the job to be done. If that's fine with you, I'll give you the order slip and you can retrieve them come next week."

[Koran]

"Two hundred gold," the taller mouthed silently to himself, cursing his unfortunate luck that he had found an extortionist shopkeeper. His clenched fist held itself steady up beside his breast and he resisted the urge to pound the counter, his face clenched in a moment of fury and sorrow. Then, abruptly he calmed, unclenched his fist and put a small smile on his face before turning to face the shopkeeper once more.

"I apologize friend, for I may have mislead you when I gave you my instructions. I may have mention that I wanted you to 'split' my blade into two different blades, there by implying that I wanted you to break the blade and then manufacture and mold them to their specified lengths and thicknesses. If this was the case, I deeply apologize, if not, then allow me to reiterate. I would like you to remelt this blade into two different blades. Of course, if this is not possible, well then, I guess I will have to request that we drop the price a smidgen, as I only have one hundred ninety-nine pieces of gold."

[AdventWings]

With the change in construction request, the blacksmith was more than willing to compromise. Reforging a blade, after all, was much easier done than literally breaking it in two.

"Well, why didn't you say so?" Niles shook his head in self-disdain, wondering to himself just what the hell was wrong with him. He had mistakened the customer's request and it almost ended in a bad case of customer mismanagement.

"If that's the case, one ninety-nine is fine by me. I should have the reforging done in one week, still, but they will be within your requested price range. So, is that a deal?"

[Koran]

The taller leaned back placing both hands on the counter, his face grim after hearing the new terms. "To split the metal and recreate the blade you quoted me two hundred gold pieces and one weeks work but to reforge the metal, you now quote me one hundred ninety-nine gold pieces and one weeks work."

His eyes closed momentarily and he took a visible effort to contain his anger. "Now, we both know that neither of us are stupid men, but please, please, please, please tell me that you could not possibly have just meant what you just said!" He opened his eyes and twisted his mouth into a sickly sneer. "If there is one thing I hate the most in business, it is the notion of being cheated and you, have suddenly picked up the scent of a cheat. Seeing as you quoted me two hundred for obviously harder work, I will only offer ninety-five gold pieces for the easier work of simply reforging the blades."

[AdventWings]

Niles scratched his head once more, wondering what in the world the customer was talking about.

"You may have misunderstood me, sir." He began, not wanting to lose a customer to something as simple as a miscommunication. "I quoted four hundred gold for the splitting, sir, not two hundred. Secondly, I still require one week of work if the blades were to be forged correctly. But if you insist..."

Heaving a sigh, the blacksmith realized this one was not going to be so forgiving of his blunder.

"One eighty pieces for the reforging of your blades. Delyn isn't hard to work with, but it certainly isn't as easy as steel."

[Koran]

The taller blinked in surprise, his mind racing back over the words the shopkeeper had said in the preceding moments. Shit, how the hell could I have missed that? Cursing under his breath for the second time since he had gotten into the shop, the taller man smoothed his features once more and replaced the smile on his face.

"My apologies friend, for both the earlier confusion and this second, rather embarrassing mix up. Your asking price will be just fine, and as any well to do customer tips his hired craftsman, you can have everything else as well. Nineteen gold isn't much in any part of the world when it comes to hardware, but I feel it is the least I can do."

The taller pushed his heavy blade closer toward the other man. "Now, you mentioned an order slip?"

[AdventWings]

Niles sighed with relief after having cleared the miscommunication. At least that was the hardest part he felt about the exchange.

"Yes, here you are."

Handing his customer the order slip, the blacksmith took the sword up with a smile of reassurance.

"One week's time is all I need. As for the payment, next week when you return for your blades would be fine."

[Koran]

*~* One week later *~*

The shop door jingled faintly as the white robed man entered and carefully made his way up to the counter. The shop had picked up some business in the last few days it seemed, as it was quite full of eager shoppers and young warriors of all types. Hmm, perhaps this wasn't the best time to return. Hopefully I can get in and out without much fuss.

Weaving his way to the counter the cyborg stood patiently in line behind a young woman who was purchasing a short bow and the associated quiver with a wide grin.

"Thank you kind sir!" She said enthusiastically as she scooped up the weapons and, clutching them close to her chest, darted from the counter and toward the door. The cyborg had to quickly dodge from her path, lest he be run over while she was caught up in the moment of her newest purchase, and shook his head in befuddlement as he watched her depart. He stepped up to the counter and pulled his order slip and purse from beneath he robe.

"I believe I have an order waiting for me, so I won't take up much of your time." His tone was simple and kind. He wanted to not piss anyone off in this place, it might end, Badly.

[AdventWings]

"Welcome back, sir. I'll get your orders in a moment."

Niles disappeared under the counter for a second and produced a pair of blades bundled in a cloth towel. Laying them on the counter for the warrior's inspection, the blacksmith turned around to get his helper to attend the other customers.

"Here you are, sir. I hope my craftsmanship is to your liking."

[Koran]

Carefully drawing forth one of the blades from the bundled cloth, the cyborg twisted it around a bit, hefting it gently in his hands, inspecting its craftsmanship for any blatantly obvious flaws. The blade was as light as a feather in his hand and he could tell it was razor sharp. His lips curved back into a small smile.

Replacing the sword to the bundle from whence it came, the taller pushed the purse of gold toward the shopkeeper. "You will find everything in order here and I thank you for your time."

Bowing slightly and twisting around, the taller squeezed his way out of the busy shop and into the street beyond. Now all I need is to find a way to get a scabbard for these two weapons.

[AdventWings]

With a breath of relief, the blacksmith stowed away the man's pay. It was a lot harder than it seemed at first, but the satisfied expression was as rewarding as the money in his stash.

"Well, business as usual, I guess." He shrugged before attending to a new customer looking to buy a brand new sword.

((Transaction Complete.

Koran loses 180 GP and receives his reforged curve swords. Specs are listed in the first post of the thread and craftsmanship is above average. (Custom-forged, after all.)

Koran also receives 100 EXP for good IC interactions.

Thank you for dropping by! Please come again!))