The Rose Blacksmith

“Wow… you got to see a dragon; Remnant sounds like such an awesome place. And a scythe sniper rifle, now that’s a girl I just have to meet.” The blacksmith’s voice was full of awe and for what seemed like so long ago, Weiss got to once again see silver eyes that were full of wonder. “Hmmm… It would be unfair of me to deny that you’ve paid up but a part of me definitely needs to hear more.”  Turning towards the wall behind her she reached up and pressed a button that retracted the front glass panel of Ice Queen, placing it in one hand she also swiped the plaque with the other, gently placing it next to Myrtenaster, the two weapons laid side by side, Weiss’ eyes were drawn to both of them. While she considered her rapier perfectly fit for purpose, she couldn’t deny that Ice Queen certainly had its own strengths, she could see that its dust chambers were larger and more numerous meaning less reloads but more dust and the dual blades implied to her that it would be heavier.

Without realizing it herself, her right hand started to reach for the grip, but a small cough stopped her. The blacksmith was spinning the plaque on the counter only stopping when she had Weiss’ attention, sliding it towards Weiss as she spoke. “A broken promise reforged, so what promise did you make, and no it can’t be something cheap like promising to go to bed earlier and staying up late. Not to be arrogant but I consider this weapon to be near perfection, a foundational promise of character, relationships etc, you get the idea and then how are you going to fix that.” If Weiss was listening she didn’t show it, her eyes had settled on the plaque flowing across the name and cost repeatedly, there was a minute of heavy silence as a small smile spread across the blacksmith as she recognised the woman in front of her understood.

As Weiss spoke her voice was a mixture of reverence and sorrow. “I could always catch her when she fell. I promised I was going to be the best teammate and what hurts the most, I couldn’t tell you when I broke my promise, there came a point that she felt like she couldn’t turn to me to catch her, she was falling and I couldn’t see it. Like ice in a pond, the cracks started almost so small, things taken for granted or expected without regard or understanding and then they got bigger, but I was blind, I had broken my promise long before the ice gave way but by then it was too late. I lost her and I’ve been searching for her ever since, to say I’m sorry, I failed her, and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to her.”

“What would you do?” The blacksmith asked.

“Anything, I’ll right every injustice of our world, slay an immortal being, rebuild every destroyed building, protect our future because I know that with her, I can do anything and everything but this time, I’ll be doing it for her. We’ve always brought the best out of each other and what makes all this even harder, we were separated once before and now a second time, I refuse to let there be a third.” As Weiss finished she looked up and stared into the eyes of the blacksmith, she could feel the tears threatening to break free, her vision blurring.

“Is this the same girl? The one with the weight of the world on her shoulders?” The blacksmith asked as if avoiding saying her name. “Yes.” Weiss spoke softly. “And she shouldn’t have to, but I know what she’s like. If she feels she has to, then I’ll carry it with her.”

Silence again descended on the two only being broken by the scraping sound as the blacksmith slowly slid the plaque back towards her and next to the register, a small ding rang out from it. The blacksmith’s gaze turned to the register unsure how to continue, in the corner of her eye she could see small droplets forming on the counter, before either of them could continue however three sounds rang out in quick succession.

A loud crash as the shop door swung open aggressively which was quickly followed by the noise of the bell ringing as it shook violently at the force and a feint voice travelled not far behind though the blacksmith could only start to make out one word “Yan…” Before what can only be described as an unstoppable force took her off her feet crashing her into the ground. Weiss’ eyes shot up, leaning over the counter she saw a crash of yellow and red.

“GET OFF!” the blacksmith screamed, she couldn’t pull herself free from the perpetrator but they managed to stand up together as the taller blonde girl remained locked to the blacksmiths side. “Yang, please slow down.” Came from a voice as another entrance was made though much less destructive, the third entry appeared next to Weiss but before she could explain, the blacksmith shouted again. “GET OFF, I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING BUT I WILL…”

“YANG…” pleaded Blake. “The tea remember.” Eyes widening in anger and with newfound strength the blacksmith was able to throw Yang back forcing her to hit the wall behind her with a thud, before the other two could react Ice Queen was raised to Blake’s throat. “I may be just a blacksmith…” the weapon shook in the blacksmith’s hand as she struggled to contain her emotions. “But if you mention tea again, I’ll slit your throat.” A sob broke the tension as Red, Black and Yellow looked towards its origins, Weiss was looking at the blacksmith with such sadness.

“What did you do to her?” asked Yang her voice straining, the blacksmith turned, pointing the rapier towards her now. “Ah so she speaks. She knew the cost! What about you huh? The cost of a door, a new bell, the carpenter will charge an arm and a leg…literally.”

“I’m sorry.” Said the blonde through a cracking voice. The blacksmiths stance softened as she looked at the woman in front of her, lowering Ice Queen, she placed it back onto the counter. “This is yours now, I know she will serve you well.” “What’s going on here?” asked Blake as she placed a supportive hand on Weiss’ shoulder. “Surely you recognise a business transaction, she paid the price, she gets what she wanted.” Blake lent across and picked up the plaque to read it. “If you aren’t going to buy anything then get out but if not then she…” the blacksmith pointed towards Yang. “She goes last.”

“Look at the wall.” Weiss stated matter-of-factly. Blake and Yang flicked between the items and two rapiers on the counter. “What does it say?” Yang asked as she walked beside Blake to read the plaque. Weiss wiped her eyes with her sleeve “I think I get it now. It’s not a place you go, it’s a place you know.” She said cryptically.

“Yes, and thanks to you, now I know.” Said the blacksmith sarcastically, clearly annoyed as she brushed her clothes free of the creases caused by the bear hug she had just suffered. “Now I know about how you failed the scythe girl with the world on her shoulders and not to be rude but judging by your actions, you all know each other so either you go.” She pointed towards Blake then Yang. “Or leave.”

“Why is that crossed out.” Yang interrupted pointing towards the plaque next to the shotgun. The blacksmith pinched her nose in frustration before letting out a heavy breath before looking towards the display herself. “The best and worst… I don’t have any siblings…” Blake’s back straightened in surprise as she felt Yang grasp her hand tightly as they listened. “But I know that those two memories would be held tightly, it didn’t sit right with me, I don’t even know why I made it like that. I mean come on it has a smile like it’s trying to make you laugh, while it what, pulverises you?”

“Do you have any siblings?” the blacksmith asked Blake who shook her head. “Then no offence but you won’t be able to pay the cost… You are lucky you’re huntress here has already paid the cost that’s makes this offer available and as much as I’d love to charge more. Learn about this world of Remnant, I’d rather you actually spend something. It seems unfair that she shoulders the whole burden so far, wouldn’t you think?” Red, Black and Yellow looked over at Weiss again the trio united for the first time emotionally as they looked at Weiss with sympathy.

“What’s the riddle?” asked Blake confidently leading the blacksmith to grow a small smirk. “I sensed you’d ask about that, all these matching colours are going to give me a headache. I’m gonna be honest, it’s not one riddle, it’s three. Two weapons for one riddle hardly seemed fair, so I added two of my own…” The blacksmith’s eyes gazed up to Blake’s ears. “…You seem like a confident cat. Ready?” Blake nodded.

“There were two people. He is strong, she is weak. They both had four but now she has three. What am I?” The blacksmith stared at Blake confidently as she could see the gears turning as a crease developed between her eyebrows she looked down at the counter as Weiss put Myrtenaster back in her holster and held Ice Queen in her hand. Blake’s face softened, looking back up at the blacksmith.

“A survivor.” Blake said causing the smug expression to drop of the blacksmith. “Humph… I suppose you’re right; I prefer my answer though.” She looked over to Yang scornfully. “In over my head, blonde.” She spoke with contempt. “NO!” interrupted Blake. “She is… we all are survivors.” The blacksmith turned up to the display. “You know every time I asked that riddle people thought it was about how he is strong. They think these are weapons of strength, they’re not. I don’t know about all of us being survivors, but I have to admit, these look like the weapons of a survivor.”

The blacksmith turned back to Weiss. “What was that school called again? You know that one with the dragon.” Weiss frowned slightly. “Beacon.” She responded. “Alright, riddle number two.”

“I came to Beacon in a case. My owner was ashamed. Read only after dark and discovered by unsuitable eyes. What am I?”

“Ninja’s of- “Yang was cut off buy Blakes hand covering her mouth and a stern glare from the blacksmith. “The cat answers not you.” She said sternly. Blake lowered her hand and tapped the side of her head. “Don’t rush, you only get one guess.” Blake’s eyes locked onto the blacksmiths. “Thanks Weiss, it’s a place YOU know.” With emphasis she gestured towards the blacksmith. “And you never called it buy its name. A book of filth?” she asked, certain it was correct. “Ding, ding.” The blacksmith responded sarcastically, crossing her arms as she did. “I hope you are ready for the third then.”

“What book does a…” she paused to remove the smudge of dirt off her cheek with her right hand. “Filthy blacksmith need?” There was a moment of silence as Blake waited for her to continue. “Is that it?” Asked the cat. Her answer being a nod from the blacksmith. “That’s far too vague.” Blake exclaimed as the blacksmith shrugged. “You probably won’t believe me anyway, but I’m loathe to give anymore hints.” Blake paused for a moment, her eyes landing on the numbered tags attached to every weapon as an echo repeated in her head, you seem like a confident cat. Ruby had never referred to her trait so casually like Yang did, let alone try and make a pun out of it. The blacksmiths eyes widened slightly the growing silence feeding her anticipation. “Is it a catalogue?” She asked. The blacksmith rested her hand over her heart before walking in front of the register, she opened a draw producing a thick brown leather book, as she flicked through the pages it became clear to the group it was a sort archive, listing all the weapons made by the blacksmith and their associated cost, stopping on one page she turned it around for the rest to read. A hopeless riddle.

“You know, it felt unfair, my purpose is to be a blacksmith not a Riddler. I make weapons not enigmas, but fair is fair, you opened the closed book, and I would be lying if I said it didn’t give me a drop of hope.” As she finished the register dinged causing the display to open, enabling the blacksmith to pass to Blake her newly earned items. “You know I have to say.” Looking over at Weiss as she spoke. “I felt like yours cost more, it’s like whoever decided on these costs acted arbitrarily, one heavy, one light.”

“You don’t choose?” Yang asked surprised. “The cost I mean.” The blacksmith shook her head. “I’m no appraiser, my purpose is to make weapons not evaluate their worth. When I finish what I’m making, it gets a little number, and its cost goes in the catalogue. If it’s deemed as something valuable, it gets a plaque. Like I said to her earlier I’m no fraudulent raccoon, the universe decides not me.”

The blacksmith turned to Yang. “So battering ram, I guess it is your turn, although I already have a feeling on your choice, so… Do you at least have a sibling?” she asked flat and straight forward. If the blacksmith sensed just how deeply she cut Yang asking so bluntly she didn’t show it. Pulling out a six-sided dice the blacksmith asked Yang. “So you want me to decide which memory goes first?” Yang nodded, so the blacksmith rolled the dice across the counter the faces changing from numbers to happy and sad faces, it skipped across until landing on a smiling face, the blacksmith looking up to Yang signalling her to start. Yang tightened her grip on Blake’s hand, the Faunus reciprocated, grounding Yang and giving her the confidence to continue.

“My sister… Ruby, she always wanted to be like our mum, a hero, a huntress. Dad at first, he was dead set against it, he had already lost so much he didn’t want to risk losing more. He wouldn’t say no but his opinion was clear. Ruby was crushed and ever since our mum died, she never really smiled, well that’s not true… she would smile and laugh at my jokes, no matter how bad they were. So I thought I could be her hero, I could go out and protect people for her, I could even learn to protect her. One day, Ember Celica, one kept jamming, I had no idea why and Ruby, without missing a beat she stood up and snatched her from my hands and walked away. She was in our workshop for hours and when she came out, she was covered in grime, sweat and oil but when she passed me the gauntlet she had this grin that went from ear to ear, It’ll never jam again, she said and she was right. Bec… Because of that I convinced my uncle to pressure dad to let her become a huntress. I was so proud of her when she built her first weapon and I’ll never forget that smile, her first own smile.” Yang’s eyes snapped up to the blacksmith “Happy?” She snapped.

The blacksmith looked away with shame. “See what I mean now, a cost too high.”

What do you mean?” Asked Weiss.

“Look at you all, I can tell that was a happy memory for you, but it made you all just… just so sad.” The blacksmith turned back to Yang. “Some things just aren’t worth their cost.”

“No!” snapped back Yang. “My sister was priceless. She sought to protect all life, but she forgot that hers was just as precious. When I last saw her eyes, my heart shattered, she looked at me as if she were apologising, as if she was a failure. It was then I realized I had failed as a sister. I said I would protect her from the monsters and demons, but I was so wrapped up in overcoming my demons, I failed to notice her own. She thought it was better to fall through the ground, that in some way she was protecting us from her. So that’s my worse memory of my sister, those eyes once so full of hope were filled with shame and defeat.”

The register dinged again though no one acted immediately, Weiss and Blake comforted Yang as the blacksmith slid some tissue across the counter. “On the house. No cost.” She said before picking up the shotgun along with a strap so it can be slung over the shoulder and placing it on the counter as well.

“I’m sorry to bring this to an abrupt end but it’s closing time and I have to- “The blacksmith started but was cut off by Weiss. “What about the chest?” she asked.

“Why do you care?” The blacksmith snapped back.