Star Charm

Having a pet… was a major pain in the tail feathers! While Alarogan had been intrigued by the egg when he found it in the desert, and even eager to see it hatch, he hadn’t expected the creature that emerged to be so… underhoof. It was not the male’s first time dealing with children, he had a few of his own he visited on rare occasions, but this was the first one that he couldn’t just push off onto a hen and leave it at that.

The puppy sized dragon constantly wanted to be underhoof while Ro was trying to work, and each time he pushed the creature away, it would latch its small teeth and claws around his ankle in retribution. Of course, being so small, the bites were more a nuisance than painful, and usually resulted in another kick back.

Eventually the dragon was becoming so distracting that Ro turned and reached down to pick the creature up by the tail and deposit it in the nest box he had kept the egg in. It was full of feathers and straw and right beside the forge so the dragon could sleep in warmth. Once he had caught the dragon actually sleeping in the fire, its head hanging out of the flames and snoring with smoke coming from its nose.

It was certainly a strange creature indeed.

“Stay.” he said and dropped in a bird for the dragon to eat while he worked. He was just picking up his hammer again when he saw a dark figure touch down outside his forge. Shuffling his wings, he noted it was a rather handsome dark male, a slaver he had seen from time to time but never had any long conversations with.

It had been several days since Jiraiya had found that odd star rock. On that one night when the stars started falling from the sky, one had whizzed right by him in the sky. He had raced after it to where it landed in a cloud of dust and dirt on the ground and was rather excited to see what it could be. After all it must be a gift from the gods! But when he got to it, it was, well, rather disappointing. It was a bloody rock?! What could he do with a damn rock?

However. He would not risk the wrath of the gods. If they sent this to him, there must be some potential in it. So he took the rock home and had it since. Until he had talked with one of his mercenaries about how they went to this blacksmith to make him some armour. Jiraiya had to admit the worked metal did look nice and clean and seeing it had given him the idea that maybe this blacksmith could do something with his find. After grabbing the rock, he asked if the mercenary could lead him to this tiercel. It was not long before he was landing in front of the blacksmith's workplace with both of his guards beside him.

He stepped into the place, raising his brows as he cast his eyes around the place. It looked like any other blacksmith’s den, with a fiery pit in the middle, along with metals and finished pieces strewn about. But what was most curious was that there was a small pen beside the forge, but was not able to see what was in it at this distance. Instead, he finally turned his gaze to the tiercel standing in the middle of the room.

“Alarogan, I presume?” He asked distractedly as he stepped forward, leaning slightly forward to see into the pen. His brows shot up as he saw an odd lizard creature munching on a bird within a pile of nesting materials. “Interesting…” He mumbled as he pulled back, deciding to look at another thing that caught his eye instead. “I am Jiraiya, and have heard some good things about your work.” Motioning to the tiercel who suggested him, on his left,

“So I am interested in your business. See. I found this strange rock from when the stars started falling, and was wondering if you could craft it into something that I could actually use. Maybe some kind of decoration I could wear, hmm?”

Turning back to look at the black tiercel, he smiled broadly as his eyes slipped down to see a slave brand on his shoulder. Ah, he would be well acquainted with his work then. Although this could hinder with the bargain if this tiercel held any ill feelings towards the trade… But he could always find another to do his bidding if he refuses. “I have some slave labour I can offer in return for your efforts of course.” Jiraiya offered with a wink to the male.  

“Interested?”

Alarogen couldn’t supress the smile when he saw the surprise on the other tiercel’s face as he gazed into the nesting box at his pet. It was interesting to see how others react to the little creature and he wondered if he had a similar look when the dragon had hatched. The dragon looked back at Jiraiya with a huff of smoke from its nose, a dismissive snort that showed how little the dragon cared for the pettiness of other species.

“Don’t be offended, it is always like that with customers, and my brother for that matter.” Alarogan chuckled, amused. He cast his eyes to the guard at Jiraiya’s left, noting the armor he had only given the other earlier that day. It was quite an expensive commission, but Ro was pleased with how it fit the other male, complimenting their graying dun feathers quite well indeed.

Ro’s long feathered ears flicked forward with a slight twitch as Jiraiya explained that he wanted a strange stone crafted into a decoration for himself and once the other showed Alarogen the stone, he nodded slowly. “I see. I found a similar object not long after finding the egg that hatched that creature.” He said and turned to walk to a small shelf, pulling down a charm he had crafted from the stone, shaped like a feather but sharp on the edges, held firmly in a frame of gold half way down the outside edges and through the middle like the shaft of the feather. Suspended behind the charm were two of his own tail feathers, clipped near the golden eye spots.

“I’m sure I could make you something from your’s.” He said with a smug, almost flirty smirk. As he saw Jiraiya’s eyes linger on the mark that branded his right shoulder, he flexed his muscles a bit, resisting the urge to point out he was no longer anyone’s property.

“Slave labour, hm..” He considered, looking at the uncrafted space rock and putting his own finished charm away. “I suppose we can bargain that, if you have some slaves with strong earth magic,” the black tiercel said casually, “I have no interest in other magics or general work, what I require is workers to mine up the metals and gems that I use for crafting. If you wish me to make you a charm of fine quality, I will need two slaves of strong magic to work for me, and I will return them once the debt is paid. Unless they are particularly useful, in which case I may buy them from you. If that’s acceptable, leave the stone and one or two of your feathers with me and bring the slaves when you come to pick up the charm. May even use the feathers in the charm.”

Ro always found signatures or other seals difficult to organize when there were so many who either have no claws or had no seals. It was easier to get a feather or two, which would hold the customer’s scent or unique patterns of color, and make it near impossible for them to cheat him.

“I am hardly offended by your creatures actions. I have had my fair share of disobedient pets - when they act up, you just have to nip it in the bud, quick and hard. Only way to get them trained right, I say.” Jiraiya’s gaze flicked toward the small lizard thing again before smiling, “I bet that little lizard can be quite useful if you can get it to what you wish. I don’t suppose that that little beast would be up for sale, hmm?” He very much doubt it would, after all if he got it from the stars who would be stupid enough to part with a god’s gift? Still he had to at least try, jealousy streaked through him at this tiercel being deserving of a… Well, a weird lizard, when he only got one a damn rock.

Hearing that he had already made a charm from this substance, made Jiraiya perked his ears up with a devious smile, slightly amused at the tiercels discomfort when he saw his brand. “Ahh, excellent. I am glad to hear it, that means it should not take overly long then.”

He watched with interest as Alarogan brought down the charm he made before. Stepping closer Jiraiya looked at is with scrutiny. He may not know everything there was to metalwork but he made sure he knew about the basics and the quality of items. That way he would not be so easily deceived when making transactions, which would save him plenty of time since he would not have to make that Saraph aware of the dangers that would arise when someone tricks the one and only, Jiraiya. And he was not someone that easily forgives.

The charm looked to be have made with care, and was crafted with pride. Satisfied with the example, Jiraiya focused his glance to the blacksmith. “Absolutely stunning. I expect to have my charm done equally enticing. Though, of course, I want mine quite original. Perhaps, thicker necklace or more decorations. Really your choice, you are the designer after all…” Jiraiya drawled on. “Just something unique.”

At the talk of payments, Jiraiya’s face broke into a wide charming grin, “Ahh yes of course, I have my fair share of excellent earth users and make sure they train in this skill well. If two is what you need, then two it shall be.” Turning to his henchmen Jiraiya motioned one over. “Go and get Adorna and Maldinal. Make haste, we would not want to keep our blacksmith waiting longer then he has too.” He watched his guard quickly leave and fly into the air before turning to Ro again. “I will be either sending one of my henchmen or coming myself to keep tabs on them while they work in your care. And I do hope you understand that this is at no offence, but I must keep track of my investments and make sure they stay in good health… “ Jiraiya said sternly with a raised brow. His slaves were his wealth and if they were badly maimed, well then the user would learn the repercussions of harming his slaves.

“And almost forgot the feathers…” Jiraiya looked over his wings, searching for the right feathers. He was not the flashest of Saraphs, a fact that he often disliked about himself, but at least he was strong and, above all, a very cunning one. Even the most handsome tiercel can be as dumb as a rock and achieve nothing in his life. With a grimace he realized all the feather in reach were all plain black ones. Moving to one of the shiny metal plates that hung from the blacksmith’s walls, he raised his plumage and admired the feathers framed his head. “Hmmm, as these seem to be my most attractive feathers, would you mind plucking two of them?” Jiraiya asked the other black tiercel with a raised suggestive brow.

Alarogan was quiet as the black male told him how to properly ‘train’ his new pet, and while it was good business manners to let the customer speak their piece and suggest whatever they liked, it didn’t stop the chill that slithered up his back. Yes, technically Jiraiya was talking about the dragon, but the former slave had no doubt that he spoke from experience in training slaves, something Ro had no desire to listen to. He knew how other tiercels trained their slaves, both the labor slaves and the pets, it was arguable that he had been both to his own sire. In reality, it was his mother that was the ‘pet’, the wingless apple of Thoth’s eye, while her son was as much of a nuisance as his free, albino son was.

“Unfortunately, I am not looking to sell the creature,” he said firmly, “I don’t have much love for Roth or the gods of the other species, but that creature may have its uses to me when it grows. If nothing else it will allow me more rest as the metals melt slowly from the heat. Do you have any idea how long that takes if not kept under constant heat?” he asked, though expected no answer. The other was a slaver, metal working was likely not his forte even if he liked to stare and examine the work of others like he could point out every flaw. It took an artist to see flaws, and the one that crafted the work often saw the most where others saw none.

Still, it did make Alarogan feel good to be praised for his work. Everyone enjoyed praise, some even enjoying it when it was not rightfully directed toward them… Alarogan’s thoughts drifted to his brother, who hated being spoken of so much that he took everything he heard as an insult.

“Of course you may check on them, though they will not be working here. My mine is outside the oasis, I’ll show it to you when the slaves arrive and you may visit whenever you wish.” he said and a grin spread across his beaked face as Jiraiya examined himself in the polished metal, and asked if he could retrieve the feathers. Oh the temptation to just grab a whole clump of them and pull.. But the black saraph had to reign in such thoughts. If he just stripped all his customers of feathers, he would not have much business at all.

So the blacksmith stepped up and leaned in preen through the other stallion’s feathers, drawing each feather through his sharp beak before finding a few that were already loose, pulling them free with little to no effort. He moved them to the table with the meteor stone and looked at Jiraiya, icy blue eyes gleaming nearly orange in the fire, “Nice doing business with you, it should be finished in a matter of days.”

He didn’t flinch as the tiercel plucked the two feathers with ease. Raising his head he stared back at the tiercel with a pleasant smile. “Good, I shall be back then to come and get it. I am sure I won’t be disappointed.” Turning away he motioned the guard he lad left to start leaving with him before stopping to look back more seriously. “And if this transaction turns out to be well, then I would be interested in using your services again for any future needs. I am good to those who are good to me.” With that he continued out through the door into the glaring sun. With a few beats of his wings he once more in the air flying home and feeling rather pleased with today’s bargain. He rather liked the blacksmith, it was always more pleasant to be dealing with a tiercel who was straightforward and reasonable in prices. Yes, if the tiercel made his charm nicely then he will be coming back for sure.

- 2 weeks later -

“Sire the blacksmith says your charm is finally completed and can be picked up…”
 
The meek voice made Jiraiya slowly open his eyes to look at her lazily. Did he always have to be disturbed when he was sunbathing? Sighing he slowly got up to his feet from the plush pillows he was laying on. Stretching his wings out, he strided over to the small slave that gave him the message. She was a tiny little grey Nombeko, but she was very fast on her feet and was one of his best ground messengers. “Go to Koruh, and tell him go fetch the slaves that are working in the mine for the blacksmith?” The small thing nodded nervously before scampering off. He watched her run off before snorting. Guess it was his turn to leave. Next time he will have to ask Ro to just drop it off..

Grabbing a ripe fruit from one of his tables he took a bite from the juicy mango before he willed his wings to set off. Once in the air, he idly rode the thermal updrafts, eating his fruit from his talons until he was near the blacksmiths. Folding his wings in close, he dropped from the skies like a hawk after its prey. Wind blasted in his face and he smiled as blew through feathers. It was a true blessing from Roth that he gave them wings to fly. Jiraiya could not imagine not being able to fly. Reaching close to the earth, he struck out his wings to slow him down and with a few flaps he landed neatly on the ground outside the blacksmith’s. He hadn’t been back since he first made the order and instead just sent his henchmen to check up on things. An issue had arisen and Jiraiya had not had much time to come himself. Normally he would have just gotten one of his slaves to pick up his ordered items, but this was no normal item, no, this was a special charm, made from the very gift that the god gave him. He would make sure that he would be the one to pick this charm up. Curiosity filled as he wondered what the charm will look like. He desperately hoped that the blacksmith didn’t screw it up, that would be rather... disappointing.

Folding his wings back in so that laid neatly on his back and threw the rest of his mango to the ground before he strided into the store with a pleasant smile. 

Two weeks seemed to pass quickly, especially with him only having to work a few hours each day and leave the dragon hatchling to keep the fires burning while he otherwise relaxed in the sun or the moonlight. It had been ages since he went to the market only to browse what was on sale and sample foreign foods… as well as other things that were interesting on sale. One particularly good day was spent with a tiercel that resembled a blue parrot, though Ro was to tired to work when he did get home.

Oh well, one day lost wasn’t going to hurt the outcome.

Ro took advantage of his fireproof talons and fur as he guided the hot molten metals into their molds, scratching markers into them as they gradually cooled. Then he picked up the tongs and dipped them in ice water to solidify the metal into delicately engraved bars, marked with grooves where the meteor fragments would be secured.

He was glad that he had already made a charm from a similar stone, it let him work without feeling blind to how the material would react to his tools. All in all, it took a week’s worth of days to finish, scattered across two weeks by other commissions and Alarogan just wanting to make the slaver wait longer. That was all he could do to spite the black tiercel’s profession.

Alarogan was just hammering some ingots into plates, using his magic to make the flames flicker up and around the metal to that it was shaped more easily, when he heard the flapping of wings outside it forge. Flicking his ear to the side he barely turned his head to see Jiraiya had returned for his charm, just as expected. “Not big on patience, are you?” he asked but left the metals to a small woven basket, opening up to pull out the necklace.

While the other charm had been crafted from gold, this one was made with silver, the leather cord around the neck reinforced with polished steel rings. There were several engraved bars that were pressed together but allowed to move individually to they did no pinch when worn. The indigo purple meteor shards were placed down the center of each bar along the outside, while the inside had seemingly irregular gaps between stones. It was only when the middle bars were pressed firmly beside each other that the stones formed the shape of Jiraiya’s brand, like a sun with its rays forming wings around it.

“Do you like it?” Ro asked with a smug, rather pleased smile on his face.

Jiraiya grinned even further at the tiercel’s response. “No, I never was, even as a fledgling. Time can be better spent elsewhere and I am a very busy man.” He mused, giving the tiercel a rather humorous smirk. He strided up where the blacksmith stood near the small woven basket. Pulling out a shiny silver charm, Jiraiya’s gaze never left it. It was perfect. It was both flashy and simplistic. The silver shined brilliantly, catching all eyes but didn’t have fancy feathers that would only get in the way. Looking closer he noticed the small intricate work engraved into each of the bars and smiled at the skill it would have taken for it.

Looking up from the charm, he gazed at the tiercel with admiration, “I am rather pleased with this charm. Your work is proven to meet expectations then.” Jiraiya murmured as reached up to grab the charm in his own talons. He would need help to put it on, but he sure as hell was not willing to ask blacksmith to help with it… After looking over the charm again he turned back to Ro once more, “And did my slaves work for you well? They didn’t cause you any grief, I hope.” Jiraiya asked curiousy, if they had caused trouble for one of his clients he will have to remind them of their place. They were to do exactly what they were told or else face the consequences. Their disobedience shined badly on him, and he would not tolerate being shamed by them.

“I’ve never known a fledgeling to be patient, my brother and I got into a lot of trouble when we were little. Usually to our father’s displeasure..” Ro paused, the muscles in his foreleg twitching a little as he remembered how furious his father often became with them. How it felt to have a hot iron brand pressed hard against his lean shoulder, not yet built with muscles as it was now. Even though he was immune to flames, the heat had still scarred him deeply, leaving the rather ugly slave brand on his shoulder even to this day.

Alarogan took comfort in the slaver’s compliments, though he knew they were greatly understated by how his eyes shined as he looked at the silver. Perhaps he didn’t know how to properly compliment others? That seemed typical of a slave merchant.

“They worked well indeed,” the blacksmith said casually, thinking of the two rodent like nombekos, who had made quite efficient diggers. “You should reward them, because they found most of the silver in that charm necklace you are ogling so fondly,” he smirked, though he knew he had already rewarded them. Each time a slave brought out good quality metals, they would get a treat, or even a few coins from the blacksmith. Good metals meant it took less time to separate it from the lumps of rock. So Ro was satisfied to think that even if Jiraiya didn’t think their services worth praising, he couldn’t take away the feeling of achievement and reward already given.

“And if your henchman is already at the mines, tell him to leave my collars behind, I may have need of them soon.” Ro said casually, thinking it wouldn't be the first time someone just took a slave back with the marked leather collar still around their necks. It was annoying to always have to replace them.

“Well, since you have your charm, I suppose I should bid you farewell, and I hope to do business with you again soon.” he said with a sly smile before turning to return to his metal working.