[Open]

[fireforger]

As she stepped into the foyer of the Outsider's Hotel, Daja wasn't just accompanied by her Trader Staff today. On her other arm she held a beautiful shield, made of steel and decorated with twisting dragons. And in the very centre, a symbol that some members of the crew may find familiar.

Daja thumbed over her own symbols, adorning the brass cap of her staff. She knew the importance of symbols; they represented who you are, your history and your people. She had not hesitated to agree to Katara's request that the symbol be included.

But now, she had to find Katara so that the trade could be completed. Patently she waited in the foyer, hoping that she could ask someone who might know where she could find Katara.

[[ooc: pretend that there isn't any wood on the shield - it's just all steel. Also while Daja's looking for Katara, anyone else can talk to her!]]

Comments

[badassfreakingoverlord]

The Overlord made a practice of dropping in on the Outsiders headquarters every so often -- mostly because he still has every intention of using the Outsiders as loyal if irritably do-gooding minions, and consequently had taken a personal interest in their activities.

So lucky, lucky Daja, as she stepped in, would find herself approached by a green-haired, vapid girl carrying a book. That book had a face, and that face is saying, "Huh. Nice shield."

[fireforger]

When Daja had first woken, she would have blinked at the green hair - but by now, she had seen many stranger things. The talking book, however? That was considerably stranger. She bowed, although it was somewhat hesitant - she wasn't sure if she should address the book or the girl.

"Thank you - it was made for Katara. I hope that it will serve her well."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Katara?" The book lifted an eyebrow in surprise. "I didn't know she used those. She seemed like a martial arts kind of girl..."

The gears in Zetta's head, glacial though their pace might be, turned just enough to complete a thought. "You must be the girl with the forge..." The book frowned as it struggled to remember that commversation. "...Daja?"

[fireforger]

"I believe she intends to learn," Daja explained politely. "And yes, I am Daja the blacksmith. May I help you?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"We talked on the omnicomm. I'm Zetta." The demon Overlord. The being incapable of recognizing what exactly that long pause and quick exit from the conversation had meant.

Also: totally a book.

"I wanted to sound you out on getting some work done."

[fireforger]

In a moment, Daja's expression became carefully unrevealing. Inwardly however, she was worried - very worried. How was she supposed to deal with a demon?!

"Good day, Zetta," she said, utterly polite. "Thank you for considering me, however I am afraid I am currently very busy working with the Engineering Department." Although not busy enough to not have time for clients - but she didn't want to tell Zetta that. "I am sorry that I cannot assist. If you'll excuse me, I must deliver this to Katara."

Hopefully, Zetta would not push and she could quickly make her escape.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Hey! W-What the hell? you're totally putting me off here!" The Overlord seemed less furious or outraged than... confounded. "I can tell! At least own up to the real reason!"

Strange as it is, after all this time on the ship, he doesn't even consider the idea that it's because he's a demon.

[fireforger]

Daja bowed, hoping to placate the demon with polite platitudes. "I apologise, but cannot always accept every commission."

Rising from her bow, she gathered up her courage. "I have my reputation to consider. And I will not craft something that I know will be used for evil."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Huh."

The Overlord considered this for a moment.

"Okay, but for what it's worth, it's not for me. I wanted to give my apprentice a gift. Vikings, I guess, make a big deal about helmets... or at least she does about hers. She's not anywhere near 'evil'."

Neither was Zetta, honestly, but he had no idea of the fact. Don't tell him.

"If you want to say no? That's fine. But ask Katara before you make up your mind. She knows the girl I'm talking about a little."

[hack-rat.livejournal.com]

Alex walked into the foyer from the pool area. He was dressed, but between the wet hair, the towel around his neck, and the wet rat on his shoulder, it seemed like he had just been swimming.

Seeing the strange face he looked rather surprised and mildly alarmed, but he had been slowly been getting better with social situations since he got on board. All that meant was that he didn't turn around awkwardly and walk back towards the pool. Instead he had enough time to notice the familiar symbol on the shield.

"Th-that l-looks l-like the s-symbol on K-Katara's necklace," he noted, "Are you a f-friend of hers?"

[fireforger]

Daja was surprised to see someone looking so wet inside a building - had he just taken a bath? - but nonetheless, she hid her surprise and bowed.

"Yes, I am a friend of Katara's," Daja said, speaking softly. The boy looked very nervous; she didn't want to startle him. "And this shield was crafted for her - she requested the symbol of her tribe specifically."

[hack-rat.livejournal.com]

He went red when she bowed, "R-really, there's n-no need ta b-bow!" He ran his fingers through his wet hair and then awkwardly shook the water off his hand, having forgotten that it was so wet, "I-if you're a f-friend of K-Katara's then y-you c-can't be a bad person. It's a b-beautiful shield, I'm s-sure she'll love it!"

[fireforger]

"In my culture, bowing is the polite way to greet someone," Daja said, amused. "I would be rude if I did not bow."

"Thank you - I take great pride in my work." She held up the shield higher, her expression warm. "I love nothing more then to craft something which is both strong and beautiful."

[hack-rat.livejournal.com]

He went a little redder and bowed when she said that it was the polite way to greet someone. "S-sorry."

He smiled "I-it really is beautiful. An' w-well, I d-don' know much about thin's l-like shields an' swords, b-but it looks strong ta me. I'm s-sure K-Katara'll be really happy w-with it!"

[fireforger]

Daja laughed. "You don't have to bow back if that's not the way of your people," she explained. "I know that different people have many different ways."

"I hope she will," Daja said softly. "And I'm sorry, I should introduce myself: I am Daja Kisubo."

[hack-rat.livejournal.com]

He went red again and scratched at his head, "I-I'm Alex, Alex F-Furest." He offered his scarred hand cautiously, "w-we usually shake hands wh-where I'm from."

[fireforger]

"Good to meet you, Alex Furest," Daja said, taking the offered hand. She paid no attention to his scars at all - he wouldn't be the first person she knew to bear such marks. And it certainly wasn't any stranger then the living metal that coated her own left palm. "Have you been on Stacy long?"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara had come out for a moment to take in some of the outside. She'd spent most of that day planning out how to show the Outsiders what she'd seen when they tried to take on the Ohm: Grunts strength, firebug's attack, and the tank's relentless bulk were all to be a part of what would have to be avoided, and then eventually engaged. That, she was sure, the newcomers would help with.

And here, she met up with someone unexpected.

"Oh, Daja!" Katara exclaimed, smiling. "Nice to see..."

And then she saw the shield, her mouth dropping.

[fireforger]

"Katara," Daja said, bowing quickly. As she rose from her bow, a slightly anxious expression crossed her face.

"Do you like it?" she said nervously. "I know you didn't ask for the dragons, but I thought..."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara put a hand up to the older girl's shoulder. "No, I should be the one bowing. This is a work of beauty and elegance. I couldn't have asked for a better shield than this. You are truly gifted in your craft."

She smiled. "In my world they are associated with the Fire Nation, but the dragons are also wise creatures with the ability to bring forth knowledge to those who seek it. It fits the shield perfectly."

There weren't words enough for this.

[fireforger]

Daja smiled - seeing the expressions of those who loved her work was always one of the joys of being a smith. She held the shield out to Katara, for her to take. "I hope then that this shield will bring you wisdom, as well as protection." She held the shield out, so that Katara may take it. "Will you try it on?"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara took the shield, and gave the older girl a short bow. "I hope I can do your craft justice, by using this well and carrying it with purpose in battle."

She nodded, taking the shield and holding it on her right hand, gripping it to test out the weight. It held well, demanding she steady her hand but enough that it didn't overwhelm you. She would have to strengthen her arm a little more, but just enough that she thought it was perfect.

"It's like you knew somehow," she said, smiling. "This is perfect!"

[fireforger]

"As long as it protects you from harm, is will have fulfilled it's purpose," Daja reassured Katara.

Moving closer, Daja checked the straps to make sure they fitted Katara properly. For a moment, Daja was all business as she ensured that everything was to her satisfaction. Then, she nodded - the shield fit as it should, and would serve Katara well.

"I'm afraid my scrying skills aren't anywhere near that that advanced," Daja said, amused. "This must simply be a fortunate coincidence."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

She nodded. She could definitely see that this would serve her well: there was no way that she could have said anything else. She swallowed, and rose the shield high above her a moment, and then set it at her back.

"This works. You deserve every bit of what you asked for and more. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

She held off at hugging, of course. no point in getting too emotional.

[fireforger]

Daja did know that she could have asked for more - and had Katara not been a friend, she probably would have. "You're welcome, Katara. There's no need to rush with payment - just bring it to my forge when you can."

She paused for a moment, considering. There was something she had wanted to ask Katara, after that conversation she had earlier with Zetta... "Would you mind if I asked you a question, Katara?"