Social, Crafting | The bored Tengu and the Sea

Using 50 lbs Steel to make:
- 5 steel chest armours.
Time: 5 days / 100 xp

Requests open - Price TBD

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Crafting: 1 C-rank steel chain mail
- Tengu crafting bonus: ++
- Final Quality C++
- Final Hardness A

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Crafting: 1 C-rank steel chain mail
- Tengu crafting bonus: ++
- Final Quality C++
- Final Hardness A


Total crafted:
- 2 C-rank steel chain mails

A courier would arrive to Hua Li's forge. The man had been received a package through the Kirigakure mail system and then a name had been given as well. The package would then be given to the courier who would then be tasked with finding the individual who was supposed to receive the package. Eventually, the man would find Hua Li working in a local forge. After confirming her identity, he handed her the package and left.

The Message:

That was all Shimiko was willing to say over a method of communication that was not sealed and protected by her own protocols.

As the courier arrived and asked about her identity, Hua Li steadied her hammer. Once he had confirmed her identity, she received a letter. It revealed to be a mission of its own, requesting her to engineer something new. A communication device of sorts, for long distances. A challenge for sure, for Hua Li wasn't all too certain just yet how to go about that. Furthermore, the mission seemed to be of some importance considering this new invention was to include two kage. Whatever they had planned, she couldn't say, but at least it gave her some idea of what purpose it'd serve. A long distance contact between the two Villages... Quite an ambitious idea.

Having read the letter, a spark of wind chakra shredded the paper to dust before the kijo blew it away with her breath to have it scattered with the wind. She then continued to finish the last rings of her second chain mail in peace, mind mulling over the idea they had requested from her. A communication device. She had a couple of draft ideas. She scratched them. Too cumbersome. Too much material intensive. With every new ring attached to the chain mail, she found a new reason to scrap her initial idea and shape it into something different. By the time the second chain mail was finished, she had a working idea. It'd require some testing, some adjusting, but it was a feasible prototype if anything.

"I'll return swiftly. I have some matters to attend to.", she told the owner of the forge, who nodded slightly confused. What else was he to say. Her presence was already a blessing to his forge, rumours spreading like a wildfire as many believed he had hired a Tengu to improve upon his quality. Less was true, but the Tengu cared none for the gossip of Kiri's civilians, nor for the reputation of others. She was simply making sure she wouldn't waste away in boredom.

As she was already at the market district, her absence would be short. Swift movement and prior investigation of the area allowed her to quickly recall what goods she could buy up where. Some copper, some silicon, a couple of manufactured technologies. She had all she needed to start her first attempts at the prototype plan she had designed in her mind.

---

Buying
- 10lbs Copper
- 10lbs Silicon
- 1x Battery
- Tranducer

Using:
5lbs Copper
3lbs Steel
2lbs Silicon
1x Battery
1x Tranducer

To create a Tele-Conference Machine
Time: 3 days / 30 xp

Having bought the materials she expected to need for her prototype, the Tengu didn't hesitate to try out the schematic she had in mind. Unlike her smithing, this was a work of precision, not one of raw strength and endurance. A job that would take her a couple of days to get everything right and then have it all puzzled together. When that was done, there was no guarantee just yet it would work but if the assembly went fine, the chances were only greater this prototype would function as she had it planned out.

---

Tele-Conference Machine: day 1/3
Total crafted:
- 2 C-rank steel chain mails

Emiki-Chan strolled in and saw the strange craftswoman working at the forge in the Marketplace, if the sources were correct, she could make amazing things and was exactly what Emiki was looking for. "Hello mighty artisan! Emiki would like to hire the services of one whom I heard could make the most amazing things! Emiki has a need for a specialty suit to keep her safe during high speeds of movement, and the more than occasional crash. Would you be willing to help me create it? I can pay." Emiki crowed.

She'd have in her hand. A drawing with a few concepts that would in time allow it to upgrade as needed with a base that would be light, protective, and not need much changing over the years.

[1]

Tinkering away at her new project, the Tengu was disturbed by a visitor in the middle of her joy. From the looks of it, she believed Hua Li to be the owner of the forge here, yet her words appealed more to the Tengu's reputation than the human working in this workshop. Since she had not really given any sort of names as to whom she was referring, the Tengu raised a single eyebrow and threw a sceptical look at the potential customer.

"I'm not too sure who you're talking about, but he's the owner of the forge, miss, not me.", she said, nudging her head to the citizen craftsman nearby. As far as she was concerned, she had no say in Kirigakure or its market district so the chances were great this customer was mistaking her for the owner. "I've heard he's one of the better smiths around town here, if that's what you're asking."

Emiki looked at the craftsman the bird like human nodded towards and Emiki gave a shake of her head, before before replying in Emiki's usual cheerful manner, "No, Emiki meant you. Emiki has heard rumors that you could make interesting things. He is, more experienced, but Emiki's already broke most of his creations from hitting things when moving at speeds far higher than most people can even dream of. No, Emiki has heard you are a good craftswoman, and wouldn't cringe if Emiki asked you for something ... non-traditional. Hopefully you can make something that won't shatter when Emiki's going over 200 meters per second and runs into a target with the force of a rocket assisted sledgehammer. With an explosive tag attached to it.

"Honestly, Emiki feels bad that other craftsmen can't make things that are made for insanely high speed movements. But you? You make interesting things, if you are interested in a challenge, I, Emiki Hiyama! Will be most appreciative! And will proudly sponsor and advertise your services."

[2]

She'd halt for a moment when Emiki spoke about 'breaking his things' and 'running into things with the force of a rocket assisted sledgedhammer'. Though it was not her business to question how one wanted to use their body, it certainly didn't sound like a healthy way of going about it the way this Emiki did. She'd scratch her head in thought for a moment, then continue to tinker on her new invention. After a couple of seconds, she'd speak up.

"I recon you'd need something flexible. A suit of sorts, perhaps. Something that can cushion impact to some degree. But if you really intend to hit into a wall at 200 meters a second, you'll also need a sturdy piece of armour. It'd be a long period of crafting and adjusting... Hard work, quite a few bits of materials. What would that bring me, other than sponsoring the Tengu of Kumogakure?"

She'd allow the client to think about her offer. Obviously, coin to even the costs was the bare minimum. The challenge was a nice offer, though in the end she was still crafting for the good of another. Double so for someone of a rival Village. The yokai wondered what more this Emiki had to offer besides work, reputation and coin. After all, those who didn't try caught naught but emptiness in life.

---

Tele-Conference Machine: day 2/3
Total crafted:
- 2 C-rank steel chain mails

Emiki thought about it for a moment and came with two replies she could think of, "Emiki can offer exclusive rights to build all Armor for Emiki until the end of time or until Emiki runs so fast that she out runs time. So Emiki's reputation will be shared with you. Secondly for every suit or upgrade you complete Emiki will owe you one question free, have to accept it favor. With the usual provisions of course. No asking anything that would betray our nations, or my friends or family. Past that, anything and everything is allowable. No welching."

Of course that would show why Emiki wasn't inheriting the family company. She was atrociously bad at haggling. Almost as bad as she was at subtlety and tact.

[3]

Hua Li halted in the middle of her work as she picked up on the 'offer'. Exclusivity was not that bad an option but it didn't guarantee future work. If this one set of armour is all she'd ever need, it left with precious little future to look forward to. She was less impressed, or certain, about those 'free questions'. A good informant could be a gold mine, but the Tengu wasn't sure if this client was that much of an asset on matters of knowledge. Shinobi or not. She really seemed the sort to be all about raw physical aptitude. Not that she'd off a berserker... She had seen her fair share of Oni wildly trashing most of the Yokai's hoarded guards like they were mere ragdolls.

"Let me first draft up an idea for your armour. See if you like it or not. Once that's up, I might have an idea of the total cost on materials and the workload it will give me. It'd be much easier then to see what your whole armour should be worth. Then we should talk price. It's a sure means we both get a solid value out of this trade. What you say?"

Leaving the offer in the air, the Tengu continued her project. Adding the last bits and pieces before she could see the prototype all finished up. The 'Tele-Conference Machine' was a reality. All it required now was some stress testing, and once she'd be satisfied with the result she'd be able to make her customer, someone not to be trifled with, happy.

---

Tele-Conference Machine: Day 3/3
Total crafted:
- 2 C-rank steel chain mails
- 1 B-rank Tele-Conference Machine

Emiki watched with interest at the machine the Tengu was crafting. She let loose a whistle of appreciation at the artistry of the machine. Thankfully she knew she was a surprising source of information, not that she ever asked for it, but a blessing for being seen as an idiot, was that people had rather loose lips around her.

Of course they were right that she didn't know or care about a lot of the things she overheard, but thankfully smart people were the ones who were able to take apart things for what was useful, and she was forced to learn juicy stuff at The HIVE, sure she failed at the academic side of things, but she could at least memorize enough to eek out a pass.

But favors were usually easy, 'beat up X', 'steal Y', 'do QUKRX'. But occasionally she got something challenging, and Emiki loved herself a challenge. Much like her reason for being the fastest, to prove that one could indeed outrun Fate and could beat Light in a race. She did think the story of a person running so fast that they could kick themselves in the back of the head was too funny to not try.

As the Tengu told her she'd draw up a design, and talk prices Emiki let loose an excited squee, "That sounds perfect! That is more than fair. By the by noble artisan of gear, what is your name?"

Emiki felt a little rude not asking earlier, but better late than never to learn of the one that was going to craft her gear.

[4]

"I believe I'm called Hua Li, of Kumogakure. Daitengu of the Yokai, if that even means anything here."

The Tele-Conference Machine then vanished into a scroll as a simple enough Fuinjutsu trick pocketed it and protected it from future gaping of others. At this point in time, the prototype was potentially an attractive treasure worth stealing and thus required proper measures of protection. Rolling up the scroll, sealing it and tucking it under her demon armour like she was hiding keys in her cleavage, she then grabbed her cloak from the smithy.

"I have some business to run for the time being. We'll meet again once I have the idea of your armour sketched out. Fair winds."

Her body would amass chakra and shimmer before the eyes of Emiki momentarily before she vanished completely from sight. An old trick. A common trick, too. But one that had its uses in a place such as the market. Once she had safely vanished from prying eyes, she then made her way towards the temporary quarters she was given as a visiting proctor.

---

[Exit]

Total crafted:
- 2 C-rank steel chain mails
- 1 B-rank Tele-Conference Machine


XP earned: 70 + 90 = 160 XP

Crafting: 70 XP
- Armour Smithing: 2 x C-rank: 40 xp
- Engineering: 1 x B-rank: 30 xp

Social: 90 XP
- Solo posts: 3 x 5
- Multi posts: 6 x 10

At hearing Hua Li's name and title Emiki would squee, "Emiki does not know what most of those words mean, but they do sound cool and rather impressive. Emiki is most pleased to meet your acquaintance."

At hearing that Hua Li had places to be Emiki would nod, "Emiki does as well. Emiki will stop by after the exams to talk more about your ideas and hear stories of your amazing skills. Emiki is excited Daitengu Hua Li of Kumogakure."

Giving a bow she'd leave before following her out with her Sensei.

[5]

Using 30 lbs Steel to make:
- 3 steel chest armours.
Time: 3 days / 60 xp

Requests open - Price TBD

After she had concluded her business, the Demon Smith returned the next day. More work to do. She was still bored, if anything. Just waiting for the big events in the Chuunin Exam to happen. She wasn't all that familiar with this event, never having been part of it. And being a proctor changed little about her understanding. Sure, the idea of putting shinobi skills to the test to earn their advance sounded intriguing to say the least, but unfortunately that joy would not be given to her. A jounin such as herself had to content herself with trying to shake out as many failures as possible to make sure only the strong remained. An odd thought in the eyes of the Tengu, for her kind of Yokai weren't exactly the kind to rely purely on skill.

Whatever the reason was she had been chosen, she didn't know. Neither did she care. An order was an order, and since she was currently waiting for the next set of instructions she put the whole Chuunin Exam thing to the side so as to peacefully work on her next set of armours. The forge of the owner quickly was sparked to life under her expert hands, and not too long after that raw metals were being molten into something more useful.

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Crafting:
- 1 C-rank steel armour [C++/A]

crafting: 20xp | solo post: 5xp

There was something soothing about hearing the typical reverberation that came with hammering away on an anvil. Something that could only be mimicked by the sound of metal on metal in an all-out war. The sort of war she had heard in the tales of samurai and elder yokai warriors. The sort that was sorely lacking these days. The Tengu allowed molten steel to shape up in ring molds as the owner of the shop hammered away to shape his blade into the form he desired. The Demon Smith watched how molten steel took shape and cooled off with a sizzle, calculating she'd soon have enough materials to craft another chain mail. Her fourth.

People had come and gone, watching the wares. But few bothered to buy up the goods. In times of peace such as these, none needed the safety of armour or the boldness of weapons. She'd have more luck crafting tools for the peasant, but the proud smith cared little for such mundane requirements. The Tengu art was lost on crafts like that; weapons and armour was what made their blood pump as it reminded them of old stories of heroism past. How long had it not been...? Too long. But given time, Hua Li would make sure war would return into the world.

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Crafting:
- 1 C-rank steel armour [C++/A]

Crafted:
- 1 C-rank steel armour [C++/A]

crafting: 20xp | solo post: 5xp
Total: 40 xp | 10 xp

The last of the chain mails was in her hands now. Every ring being connected by her expert hands. It was hardly a challenge at this point when she had long since lost count of the amount of rings she had connected for these handful of steel armours. Even if she liked the cadence of it, it was about time she dropped this tedious work and crafted something else for a change. Perhaps a series of scale mails, since layering plates was another of those much needed skills for any armour smith worth their salt.

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[EXIT]

Crafting:
- 1 C-rank steel chain mail [C++/A]

Crafted:
- 2 C-rank steel chain mail [C++/A]

crafting: 20xp | solo post: 5xp
Total: 60 xp | 15 xp
Armour smithing rank up!