[It's a few days after his conversation with Hiccup that Jin Guangyao makes the trip out to the forge, following along the well-marked path. He didn't really want to ask Lan Xichen's advice for gifts, having only spoken once with Hiccup, and unsure exactly what dragons prefer as well. But presumably there would be another visit, if all went well.
The smoke rising from the chimney is clue enough that someone is about, so he knocks on the door lightly. Perhaps more heavily if the first isn't answered, because he expects forge work to be loud.]
[ The door opens a moment or so after the second knock, and the reason for the wait is fairly apparent as Percy appears in full work mode: shirt sleeves pushed up to his elbows, coat long forgotten and work goggles shoved haphazardly up onto his forehead. He blinks once at the unfamiliar face then draws himself up on reflex. People have come by for various reasons often enough and Percy's manners have been drilled into him too deep not to be polite even when trying to find his way out of a project-haze. ]
My apologies for interrupting. Young Master Hiccup suggested I should visit regarding a potential project. Would you be Percy, then?
[Look, with people using single short names like Momo and nothing else, and Hiccup's level of formality not being so high, that's really all he has to go on here.]
[ Percy opens his mouth on instinct to introduce himself properly, and just about manages to catch himself in time as he remembers the last time he tried that. Not a dance he'd like to do again, if Hiccup has already provided an out.
Instead he just smiles slightly and steps to the side to unblock the doorway. ]
[You can't escape the courtesy, Percy, even if he doesn't have a full name to go on, there's still the bowing. It's just that it's fairly obvious that he's missing one hand with the way the bow is performed, thanks Ancient Fantasy China.]
I'm known as Jin Guangyao, or Lianfang-Zun. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Young Master Percy. [He says as he steps inside to take in the workshop.] I was told you might be the man to speak to about a project of a little more delicate nature than forging swords. [Hs voice gets a little softer, sadder, as he pulls back the sleeve to make the full extent of the injury apparent, his hand very neatly cut above the wrist.] I had a very unfortunate altercation not long before I arrived here, and it does make life difficult at times.
[ It's a thoughtful sort of sound as Percy turns to give the injury a considering look. It's a clean cut, at least, which is an improvement over the last time he'd tried to craft a prosthetic. Granted he'd also had to do that one on the fly. But the thought does make his eyes flick back up to the man himself to give him a considering look. ]
And are you looking for a replacement, or something else?
I had been thinking of a replacement, yes. Something that would not look too out of place. It really gives the wrong impression entirely, when I was the one being stolen from. [He says softly, as if a little personally injured by the possibilities. Get that out there before any assumptions are made about why exactly he's missing a hand. Curiosity doesn't preclude a small pause and a follow-up question though:]
May I ask, what sort of thing do you mean by 'something else'?
[ The reference to a wrong impression just earns something of a blank look, but Percy moves along quickly enough. There are enough variations on worlds to be found in this place that he's not entirely sure he wants to know.
And besides, the question has him huffing something like a laugh. ]
The last thing of this sort I made was not particularly hand shaped. He seemed quite pleased with it. [ Though Viktor had certainly been his own sort of person. ] I will grant you that nothing quite makes up for the loss of opposable thumbs, however.
[Whatever this alternative is, vaguely unspecified in Percy's words, leaves Jin Guangyao's look smiling but faintly concerned in the sense of, does he really want to know? The mind wanders into some strange places when it's put like that.]
I'm glad to hear that others are satisfied with your work. However, I would be more than fortunate enough if it was a normal hand to all appearances and function.
[ One side of Percy's mouth curves upwards as he moves over to his own work table, shifting a few in-progress designs out of the way. The guns can wait, for the moment. ]
We'll need to take some measurements, of course. Do you have any thought about preferred materials?
[He folds the appropriate sleeve back neatly a couple times, expression placid while a quiet thought or two about Lan Wangji and exactly what he'd do to him if he could happens to pass through his mind.]
I hadn't given that part so much thought. I'm hardly the expert here, so I can only defer to your judgement on what would be best for everyday life.
Well I can't say I've done this too often, so I suppose we'll start somewhere and see how it goes.
[ Best to keep expectations middling. But Percy pulls out a new sheet of drafting paper and lays it out, gesturing for Jin Guangyao to come closer. ]
Both hands, please. You're a monster?
[ It still feels odd to say, even after all his time in the city. There don't seem to be any good alternatives, however, so Percy will just have to live with it. ]
[Jin Guangyao doesn't care for how it sounds, or the answer he has to give either, but shows little sign of it, stepping closer and holding out the one hand, and the other, well, stump.]
Yes. But from what I can gather, I shouldn't expect much change to my arms over time.
[He really hopes so, anyway. Because the leg situation (or soon to be lack thereof) is troubling enough.]
[ Percy makes a thoughtful sound, and then mostly loses track of the conversation for a moment as he leans over to begin making markings on the paper he's laid out, jotting down little notes and reminders that will make sense to no one but himself. It takes a moment for him to wrench himself back out of whatever mental trails he's tumbled down, and to nod briefly in Jin Guangyao's direction. ]
Thank you. [ He gestures vaguely that the man can have his hands back, then leans back against the edge of the worktable. ]And I suppose then any magic will have to be enchanted into it. Doable, possibly. I'll have to discuss it with Hiccup.
[Pulling back his arms, Jin Guangyao sweeps back his sleeves into place and performs another small bow in gratitude.]
I leave it entirely in your own capable hands.
[He hesitates for a moment before adding with a soft smile.]
I'm afraid that, so recently arrived, I have little to offer in exchange at the moment. But if there is anything that yourself or Young Master Hiccup could ask for, by all means, please ask.
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[action] [at the forge!] [probably backdated a good few days but w/e]
The smoke rising from the chimney is clue enough that someone is about, so he knocks on the door lightly. Perhaps more heavily if the first isn't answered, because he expects forge work to be loud.]
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Good afternoon. Can I help you?
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[Look, with people using single short names like Momo and nothing else, and Hiccup's level of formality not being so high, that's really all he has to go on here.]
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Instead he just smiles slightly and steps to the side to unblock the doorway. ]
I am. Please, come in.
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I'm known as Jin Guangyao, or Lianfang-Zun. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Young Master Percy. [He says as he steps inside to take in the workshop.] I was told you might be the man to speak to about a project of a little more delicate nature than forging swords. [Hs voice gets a little softer, sadder, as he pulls back the sleeve to make the full extent of the injury apparent, his hand very neatly cut above the wrist.] I had a very unfortunate altercation not long before I arrived here, and it does make life difficult at times.
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[ It's a thoughtful sort of sound as Percy turns to give the injury a considering look. It's a clean cut, at least, which is an improvement over the last time he'd tried to craft a prosthetic. Granted he'd also had to do that one on the fly. But the thought does make his eyes flick back up to the man himself to give him a considering look. ]
And are you looking for a replacement, or something else?
[ It's worth the asking, just in case. ]
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May I ask, what sort of thing do you mean by 'something else'?
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And besides, the question has him huffing something like a laugh. ]
The last thing of this sort I made was not particularly hand shaped. He seemed quite pleased with it. [ Though Viktor had certainly been his own sort of person. ] I will grant you that nothing quite makes up for the loss of opposable thumbs, however.
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I'm glad to hear that others are satisfied with your work. However, I would be more than fortunate enough if it was a normal hand to all appearances and function.
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[ One side of Percy's mouth curves upwards as he moves over to his own work table, shifting a few in-progress designs out of the way. The guns can wait, for the moment. ]
We'll need to take some measurements, of course. Do you have any thought about preferred materials?
no subject
[He folds the appropriate sleeve back neatly a couple times, expression placid while a quiet thought or two about Lan Wangji and exactly what he'd do to him if he could happens to pass through his mind.]
I hadn't given that part so much thought. I'm hardly the expert here, so I can only defer to your judgement on what would be best for everyday life.
no subject
[ Best to keep expectations middling. But Percy pulls out a new sheet of drafting paper and lays it out, gesturing for Jin Guangyao to come closer. ]
Both hands, please. You're a monster?
[ It still feels odd to say, even after all his time in the city. There don't seem to be any good alternatives, however, so Percy will just have to live with it. ]
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Yes. But from what I can gather, I shouldn't expect much change to my arms over time.
[He really hopes so, anyway. Because the leg situation (or soon to be lack thereof) is troubling enough.]
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Thank you. [ He gestures vaguely that the man can have his hands back, then leans back against the edge of the worktable. ]And I suppose then any magic will have to be enchanted into it. Doable, possibly. I'll have to discuss it with Hiccup.
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I leave it entirely in your own capable hands.
[He hesitates for a moment before adding with a soft smile.]
I'm afraid that, so recently arrived, I have little to offer in exchange at the moment. But if there is anything that yourself or Young Master Hiccup could ask for, by all means, please ask.
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[ Percy blinks once, then lets out a huff of a laugh, waving off the offer. ]
No, don't worry about it. I mean, I can only speak for myself, but I imagine Hiccup would say much the same.
[ For something like this, he can make an assumption. ]
We can talk if you decide you need upgrades.
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Jin Guangyao's eyebrows rise a little at the suggestion.]
Upgrades? I'm grateful enough for the assistance as it is. Still, I'll bear the offer in mind.
[But he'll have to think on that idea... especially once it's finished, he supposes.]