Wayfinding | Aaravos x Reader |

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 14: EXTRATERRESTRIAL

Aaravos.

It was unworldly, unparalleled and delicately handcrafted.

Vowels and consonants were perfectly aligned to produce a name that, if called upon, would send goosebumps to raid the speaker's flesh.

It was fitting for such an enigmatic and cunning character.

But you were an imbecile and a pubescent child. Plus, you had no idea who you were consorting with. So - as though it was your sacred mission - you obstinately called your mentor after your favourite legume crop.

Peanut.

Peanut. Peanut. Peanut.

Sometimes, if you were feeling really audacious, you'd address the entity as 'pean' or 'nutter' which almost always made the poor fool want to divorce life altogether. Of course, he never explicitly expressed his resentment. In fact, he assumed silence since the day he offered up his name. But to be fair, you did not suspect - even an ounce - that your peanut-situation was what muted him. Instead, you thought your guardian was being mysterious as per usual.

Anyhow, despite trying to summon Peanut's company every single minute of the day, he was not necessarily the only thing that occupied you. As promised, Arkeus had taken it upon himself to teach you his family trade. Though, after the two suns, he took his leave to promote his shop to the townsfolk. They were still under the impression that the blacksmith did not have the resources to continue his craft. With that being said, to ensure that you were not entirely abandoned, the man left Uzner in charge.

You didn't necessarily complain about the change in authority. After all, the smithing lessons were a lot less stern with the boy. Yet, you couldn't help but notice that despite his exuberance and enthusiasm, Uzner lacked precision and patience when it came to forging. But he was just so proud of his work. You thought it would be cruel to speak against that. Fortunately, Mr. Seymour swung by often and made some suggestions - based on his wisdom of human anatomy and little understanding of the trade - to correct your methods.

Also, in regards to the alchemist, after noticing your pained little squints at the presence of piercing light, Arkeus and Theodore manufactured a pair of bronze goggles for you. It was avante-garde and a little steampunkish. It captured a few odd looks here and there. But that wasn't why the two friends regretted giving you the gift. It was because you were absolutely reluctant to take it off your bloody face. While bathing, sleeping, eating - the device was always there, haunting the Smiths and Seymours with its unruly presence. Luckily, they eventually got used to it and accepted the goggles as a piece of your identity.

Anyways, back to smithing.

Regardless of Uzner's unsatisfactory lectures, you seemed to have grasped the trade. Eager to impress the blacksmiths, you practiced the skill from dusk to dawn. You even tried to forge other items like keys, sculptures and small weapons. But in all honesty, you spent most of the time grindling armour. It was your favorite part of the process, after all. The wild grin on your lips when you were engraving little swirls, runes and stars could melt the hearts of spectators.

Unfortunately, Arkeus was never able to bear witness to your boundless content. But one evening, he was able to achieve just that. Though, it broke his spirit to see you slouched over the anvil with sheets of sketches in your hands. He knew he should have been more present in your training. And he was awfully proud that you learned his family business so diligently. But - regardless of how important every other step is - Arkeus believed that a blacksmith can only be a blacksmith if they loved forging and annealing over life itself.