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[forgeabettertomorrow]

You're reached Darin Altway, Master Blacksmith! Got something that needs doing? Just let me know you're fixin' for and I'll fix it right up for ya!

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[forgeabettertomorrow]

Garrus, I landed a blow on his jaw that I know could flatten an anvil. His head shouldn’t just be gone. It should be a distant memory. But he took it and kept coming. He was a force of godsdamned nature.

I’m not trying to keep you out of it because if anyone needs more allies? It’s Zelda.

I don’t know if he’s posted anything on the network. He doesn’t seem the type. But we damaged his ship good so it’s going to need to post up for repairs. I doubt he’ll go to Eltrut. Maybe Nogard but also doubtful.

I’m trying not to press Zelda on what she knows about him because it’s hard on her and she deserves some time to just be Zelda. Like I said, she’s my priority. That’s why I’m asking you.

You’re one of my best friends, Garrus. That’s why I’m telling you this at all.

In the meantime, I’m gonna do something I never thought I’d do.

[thearchangel]

Then maybe he has some kind of barrier against physical attacks like that. Different worlds, different rules. Remember?

Fine - she was already on my radar anyway. Reminds me of someone from the crew I served with.

Damaged ship is something. Unless he has mechanics - or whatever passes for those around here - he'll have to land somewhere with repair facilities. What kind of damage? Easier to keep an eye out if I know that.

[And then snoop around every shipyard he can find. No big deal.]


Do what? Ask Zelda out? Because, honestly, if you don't, I'm about to for you.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[...'Barrier' huh? Makes sense. Apparently the Master Sword is the only thing that can hurt him so maybe because Darin's power is similar in nature it was diluted...?]

[...He might have to look into this.]

I don't know if he has accomplices. Acolytes. Whatever. They're called shipwrights. Look for shipwrights, especially any working under the table. I blew a portion of the deck off with that punch along with some decent hull damage. And anchor damage. Ranma got blasted right through the side of the damn hull.

[There's a solid minute before Darin even acknowledges that last part.]

Ask Zelda out where? We don't need to go anywhere.

[thearchangel]

Deck, hull and anchor. Understood. Shipwrights - maybe working for the "Corsairs" if they're more into that sort of thing. Be easier if I actually had a ship but, I can make one up easily enough.

[... the minute stretches.]

[And stretches.]

Dating.

I meant dating.

You know what, I'm just going to do it for you -

[He is not, but this is funnier. And he's a bit of an ass.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What the hell are you talking about?? Zelda's my friend! I'm not gonna ask her to do anything like that!

[Also, she's a princess. She has a (former) knight. Even if they're not involved there's no room for him there anyway!]

Why do you think I want to date her??

[thearchangel]

Need I remind you how you just went on and on ... and on about how she needed protecting and allies and all of that?

You sound like [when I talk about Shepard- Oh. Hm. That's a nerve we're not going to examine today.] half the lovestruck guys I've known in my whole life.

Hold on, I'll get her on the phone -

[Garrus stop pretending like you're calling her.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

HOW DOES ANY OF THAT READ AS LOVESTRUCK! SHE'S IMPORTANT TO ME! I DON'T WANT TO SEE HER GET HURT!

I don't want to see you get hurt either you giant scaly jackass! That doesn't mean I want to lock mandibles with you!

I was talking about training my powers!

[You know, so he can protect her.]

[thearchangel]

Did you really think the whole... vigilante thing only applied to criminals? I was an investigator before that, you know. Besides, we had a whole talk in your forge about her, too.

... Yeah, no one wants to "lock mandibles" with anyone. Do you know how painful that gets?

[PAUSE.]

And why do you want to do that? Be specific now.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What "talk?" I mentioned we had a fight and we worked it out.

But fine, you want to know why? You want damn specifics?

It's because she saved me, Garrus. And I'm not talking about saving me from Ganondorf or anything.

She makes me feel like I'm not alone. That just because I was born to end my world it doesn't mean I can't do something good before my time runs out.

That woman's been through hell and now that hell has followed her here. Everything she does, she does for others and never herself.

She's my hero, Garrus.

So, I'm gonna do what I do best as a smith. Support the real heroes. Support my hero.

So I need to be better.

I want to be better.

[thearchangel]

Yeah, and then you clammed up when I asked what you fought about. The look on your face said it all.


[... Well #$%&.]

[Just what is he supposed to say to that? When it reminds him of half the damn conversations he'd had with Shepard? Painfully reminds him. Of Shepard, and of, strangely, Thane Krios. He hadn't been as privy to all the details of the man's past life, but the gist was similar. They bonded over rifles, after all.]

[The pause is very, very long.]

All right, all right - point taken. [Why is THAT what he said... is he that rattled?] I'll start digging. You don't have to worry about that.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Thank you, Garrus.

[A minute passes.]

You're not actually calling her, are you?

[thearchangel]

Actually, she called me.

[... Not a lie this time. Or you know, teasing him.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Wait what why???

[thearchangel]

Relax, we're just talking.

I can't help it if she's interested in my history.

[Okay NOW he's giving Darin shit.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Okay yeah that's kind of her thing.

[It's cute.}

[thearchangel]

That's why she reminds me of someone back in my world. Another researcher - very into an ancient race that vanished thousands of years ago.

[Liara and Zelda would get along great.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Honestly I love hearing about that stuff. Next time some ruins pop up I think I want to go exploring. See if Zelda wants to come along.

If they're not underwater, you can come too. Otherwise you'll do nothing but complain.

[thearchangel]

You know, one of these days, I'm going to find something that's biologically impossible for your people to do, and make every joke at your expense about that.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Sorry Garrus but even by human standards there isn't really a lot I can't do~!

[Except admit feelings but that's more of a 'man' thing than a 'human' thing.]

[thearchangel]

Withstand radiation without a suit?

[Okay but feelings are low hanging fruit since lol pot kettle here.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[There's a pause.]

You know, I've never tried?

Full disclosure I have no idea how strong I actually am.

[thearchangel]

[ oh my god ]

[thearchangel]

We're not testing that.

No. Just - no testing that.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What?? Why not?? I don't get sick maybe I actually am resistant!

[thearchangel]

Do you have any idea what radiation sickness does to an organic body?