Breakfix Breakthrough

It is not uncommon for a personality like Haru to get super into his work. Prior to focusing on adventuring he was rather deep into the crafting life. It looks like he has got a reminder of the fulfilling nature of the work as he toils away in Miho's Ironworks. The time taken away from the work seems only to shade the obsession, but he always makes time to chim Fuka for the small things. The people in his life will never be bested by obsessive behaviors.

However when one avenue is strained, another finds its home. Haru has been working shirtless after a vain attempt to find the Men's Clothing Section in Gwen's store. In replacement he was gifted a hat. With the monocle one might assume a fancy hat that would make a walking Peanut jealous. No. It is a jester's cap that would make a Magitek Infused Clown of the Empire jealous. To top it off it looks like it has been scorched to oblivion. The bells still work though, jingle. In a recent development his shoes are also gone as he walks the forgelands barefoot. Feel the Earth beneath his feet. If it worked for Toph, it can work for Earthbender Haru.

Currently Haru is spinning a series of metallic bands the size of a basketball on his fingers. Indeed he is juggling. With a Jester's hat on. It is part of the forging and enchanting process, he swears. After a few tosses he makes a mental note, "Durability not effected by Juggling style assaults." One must be thorough!

    Fukaziroh knows what it's like to get obsessed over something, both in this world and without. She always tries to make time to do other things of course, and considers it a failing when she can't perform to her own high expectations. She tries not to obsess over *that* however, which... brings its own difficulties.

    Haru's current difficulties are a source of delight and amusement at least, as she's always well into it and entirely supportive when her friends get sucked into something that fascinates them.

    She's careful not to distract him too much from his work of course. No matter she doesn't really understand what he's working on; he considers it vitally important. She's sure to remind him to eat and sleep, and even occasionally bathe, but doesn't hold out much hope that he'll see those things as priorities. Rather than force him to choose which is most important, she needles him and provides opportunities, occasionally dragging him from his work for a very brief time or providing a little assistance or a little food. Or a lap pillow and temple massage. Motivation is important!

    When she comes into the ironworks she stops to take in the sight of Haru. Shirtless, shoeless, but definitely not hatless. For a moment she fears he might have singed his hair off and feel the need to cover it up... but she doubts he'd care if he did so. So, sighing, she comes forward. "That's one way to avoid fouling your clothes with sweat." she claims peevishly. Not that she *actually* minds; it's just banter. "Tell me you haven't been swimming in the forge. You HAVE been, haven't you? Do I need to buy you a new shirt now? Not that this is a bad look, but ... you know, going out in public and all. Good thing I brought food with me so no need to go out. Can't take you anywhere!" she complains, grinning.

Shiruba's current endeavors haven't been to the level of obsession others are dealing with, but they have kept her away and busy helping with the relief efforts in Tolbana between crafting sessions with Kita. So while she's made a trip back to what is more or less New World's surrogate center of activity without Shibuya, with how many members have businesses established there, she is taking time to check in on what others are doing. Like a good guild leader should.

Needless to say the sight that greets her walking into the Ironworks is... interesting. Haru with no shirt. Fukaziroh being Fukaziroh. The wolfgirl shakes her head a bit in bemusement. "I know it can be hard to get someone to bathe in that state of mind Fuka, but wouldn't it be easier to get him to water -before- stripping him?"

Haru points emphatically to the ceiling with the sort of dramatic flair that is accompanied by making a point. A point that must be made with nonverbal announcement. "Sacrifices must be made for the greater good!" he exclaims with pride in his lack of shirt. Secretly he laments the loss of his shoes if only because he completely forgot where he put them and couldn't be distracted long enough to go looking for them. The extended hand outward is joined by another. "And that sacrifice is my shirt. I can really feel the heat of the forge this way and my feet can feel the metalwork coursing through my veins." Which is to say he may have mercury poisoning. The eccentric Artficer /could/ put hi hands down normally, but thats boring, so instead he makes good use of the position to lean forward into a handstand. If you are going to wear a Jester cap, own it.

By miracle of head equipment logic, the cap stays on his head. Haru looks at Fuka, "I know where you can take me. To a math bakery. Because you like a snack from any angle." His eyebrows waggle while upside down. When Shiruba enters he leans to one hand, balancing amazingly on a single hand so he can wave to the illustrious Guild Leader, "Captain, my Captain. Submitting an S.O.S for my shirt. First Private Gwenkins has gone in search, but I fear she is nowhere near the ship now, much to Admiral Morri's dismay."

Weird Artificers shouldn't be allowed to have weirder moods.

    Fuka is always Fuka, and (un)fortunately she has an audience now. An audience who brought up things. She nods solemnly and wisely to Shiruba, commiserating. "Actually he stripped himself. I think." she claims. "I certainly didn't do it. You can tell because if I stripped him it'd be somewhere private. And it'd be hot." She pauses, looks around, then to the forge and Haru. "Hotter." she corrects herself.

    She turns a grin on, regarding Haru, though the grin carries a hint of long-suffering burden. "Did you step on hot metalwork and that's why it's coursing through your veins now?" she asks, crossing her arms and making a pose. Yes, you probably know the one. "Yes, I do like a snack. But if you want me to BE a snack, you're going to have to be clean. And well rested too!" she says. No telling if she's actually making a serious offer here or it's a cunning ploy to take care of Haru's ... needs. For rest and hygiene of course! "Or you can have some of my H snacks." she offers instead, bringing what appears to be a fresh roast cluck cluck leg out of inventory. "I don't have any shirts in your size, but I might have some berries here too. Pretty sure they're not poisonous. Oh! And bread. Hm, should've found something to stick into the bread so you could eat one-handed while working..."

"..." Shiruba just stares at the conversation exchange. "I have no idea what he just said, but seeing as he's in one of those moods, I'm going to take that as being progress in some form." She's wondering how Miho is putting up with having a bunch of goofballs taking up part of her work space right now.

Haru produces an additional eyebrow waggle every time Fuka says Hot or Hotter. The Artificer remains upside down on one hand for only a moment longer, "I am not saying it didn't happen," he notes on Fuka's inquiry to if Haru injured himself into having more iron in his bloodstream then he should. "I am also not saying it did," the human adds before he rolls back to a standing position. Ta da! Showfinger hands. A look to Shiruba. Showfinger hands. He may have been hanging out with Shenmi too much.

"Forge has a dry heat," Haru says as he takes to Fuka's suggestions by wrapping his arms around her in a sudden zombie attack. "So I'm already filthy," he growls meaninglessly and giving Fuka's wings a gnaw. Playful and mindless, yes, a touch, but he does also wrangle the real food made from real cluck clucks, and nom on that after.

Accessory crafter obtains accessory attachment: Fuka. Haru looks to Shiruba with a single wild eye of a man that has not known sleep in days outside when Fuka cunningly gets him to rest, "Progress has been made. The hearts of a nation, forged in warm metals of copper and gold. Tian and I are on the verge of a breakthrough, if I may be so bold." And... now he is rhyming.

    Fuka yelps as she's assaulted. Perhaps tellingly she doesn't break out a weapon or discharge lightning to stop the attack. Attachment indeed. "You're all sweaty, H!" she protests, using some force to keep Haru's mouth (or at least teeth!) off her. Not extreme force or anything. Despite her size she could no doubt overpower Haru physically, but it's not like she's trying to hurt him. Much.

    She casts a look at Shiruba as if to say 'see what I have to put up with?', but it's spoiled somewhat by an inadvertent and kind of goofy grin. "I think he said something about needing a shirt and Gwen's too far away to get him one. Just ignore it." she advises once Haru claims food instead of her. "So, progress! Wait are you like... burning actual hearts in the forge? Like some kind of volcano god sacrifice? That seems a little grim, but I guess it's in the interest of peace. Right?" she asks, worried. Well, not actually worried. More like she seems to think she should at least act worried.

"I... doubt they literally mean hearts. Heart shaped, maybe." Shiruba shakes her head a little again. "What's important is that they are making progress. Being able to safely remove Crowns will hopefully be the turning point we need in this ongoing affair. Not just for taking back Mac Anu, but being able to deny the Palace Land army their biggest resource in personel. Not to mention a lot of them are essentially slaves being forced to fight."

Then she looks around the shop. "I don't see Miho about yet. Maybe I'll just leave a notice for her."

Haru's assault is vigorous but short lived. His energy reserves are on the low side when the bursts of mania pass. He still eats his food with the dignity of a proud woof, despite being hooman. Gnaw gnaw. "Those are trade secrets. But you know how forges require virgin sacrifices, the heart of dragons, and metal from outer space?" Gnaw gnaw.

Thats it. Haru does not finish that line of thought. It is left lingering there.

"It'll probably put a big target on our noggins, too," Haru observes as he takes the last bite of his Fuka provided clucking snack. Finally the tall guy takes a let the enervation hit him. "If I had this big trump card strategy, first thing I would do is secure the ability to be the sole producer of the item. Similar to monopolies in distribution of microprocessors. If other people start with a similar product, they are a threat and you shut them down or," he motions a hand, "worse, make it obsolete. Which this would." He takes a deep breath and exhales, lounging on Fuka with his body weight. In a physical match there is no question, she could probably throw the Wave Artes user out of the shop and into the street. "So when you start disclosing any results to the powers that be. The tribunal of knowledge and forthwith grand poobahs of the Alliances and Kingdoms," he goes on, "remember that the information also puts lives at risk. Tian and I are no stranger to death threats and assassination attempts, but he has been through enough and its worth having the conversation." Yes, despite the overly trope dramatics, Haru is not a martyr nor wanting other people to be without some informed consent.

    "You know what else requires virgins? Unicorns!" Fuka notes, appropos of absolutely nothing. She is, however, quite pure of heart (if not of mind) and would be great at a forge if she could be bothered with that kind of thing. Her actual eligibility in terms of unicorns and sacrifices aside, she frowns at the discussion. "It'll take a long time to free them all, one at a time." she notes. Not that it shouldn't be done because of course it should... but they also need a more immediate fix. One thing at a time though. Learn how to deal with the crowns, then explore and exploit that information for further options. "Rome wasn't burned down in a day, and all that." she cites.

    Fuka supports Haru, both emotionally, physically, and with the occasional bread and cluck cluck leg. "Speaking of wrecking anyone that tries that on you, I successfully mounted the enchantment conduit. Pretty sure it'll work." she says cryptically. Haru might know what she's talking about since he'd helped her with enchanting theory during the design, but she's being cryptic for a reason. Drama. "This is going to be SO much fun to use..." she grins.

Shiruba nods in agreement to Haru. "This sort of information only goes to those that need to know about it. We don't want the enemy to learn we figured it out until it's too late to stop us. Use their overconfidence in its control to our advantage." Idly she picks up a parchment and takes a quill from her cartography kit to scribble down a few things. Then looks up again. "Haru, I know it's not one of your specialties, but from the aspect of an accessory smith, do you know anything about the tools used in woodworking?" It's worth asking, even if she's probably going to get a partially non-sequitor answer in his current frame of mind. "The amount of work being done to having housing and defenses for the refugees in Tolbana is wearing down equipment right quick."

Haru drapes over Fuka both as typical Haru adornment but also for the fatigue levels. A nap is in his near future. "So much fun. I can't wait to see that thing in action," he waggles his eyebrows to put a bit of levity to the whole 'the scientists of the Manhattan project are at risk of enemy agents' topic he raised up. "Can't wait to see it. It also serves as a circuit interupt to use instead of my Air Sprite, Yumi, in that switch move I was working on." He stiffles a yawn as, truth be told, he has been in a lot of projects lately. Not Wake levels, but he is putting in the hours!

It may be the fact that Haru is adept at managing his time that he can split away from the thoughts of the accessory work to consider woodworking connections. Any thought could help bring a better synthesis to the original problem. "Lets see. I know Earth rather well and molding it in Construction level hues would be more Metalworking equipment. Where Accessory Forging might play in is machinery." Now the three of them are all New Worlders, so Haru's next line of thought to use New World methods over old comes naturally, "I think Enchantment has more application and fortuately you have the Enchanting Couple right here." He gives a tooth, if tired, grin, "That wasn't your question, though. So enchanted accessories that give a boost to the skill come to mind, like rings and goggles. Precision Carpentry equipment exists too, mostly in supporting Metalworking. A Lathe comes to mind. Also Artistanry style support with chisels and lapadary gilding."

A hand motions, "As a Summoner, I also wonder if Earth Sprites could help. Terra rocks." Literally. Its his Earth Sprite.

    Fuka agrees of course about not blabbing. She may say way too much sometimes, but not about things like that! She waits patiently while Haru blabs about equipment, keeping up support on more than one level. Non-sequitur indeed. "You mean like... hammers and stuff?" she asks, seeking clarity. "Probably blacksmith work?" she adds uncertainly. Not her area of expertise. "Could probably use some enchanting if you're looking to do stuff with magical wood..." she pauses to waggle her eyebrows, Haru having rubbed off on her a bit. "But if you're looking for a lot of tools to do a lot of basic construction... you probably need quantity?"

    Leaning in to counterbalance Haru, Fuka grins. "Poor guy, you must be exhausted. Am I going to have to carry you off to bed?" she asks. Then winks. "That offer is probably not nearly as fun as it could be, considering how much sleep you need! And you'd be in such a rush to get back to your work... I probably couldn't compete with that!" she complains. Not that she'd try to compete. She's content to be here, to help out, and to be appreciated for both.

"Well, yes, general tools and stuff for the refugee support efforts." Shiruba jots most of the notes down, finding an amusement in how so many of the Crafting professions can connect to or feed from others. "But I will eventually need my own tools as well. Sturdy but compact so I can take in the field with me, in case I need to repair my bow or wittle extra arrows. Can't always run back to town when I need something."

"You are number one," Haru says as he gives the support Sylph a squeeze with his noodle arms. Those are bare arms, not bear arms, so bear in mind its only as good as a Physical zero can do! "But we are both obsessive workaholics when it comes to the wellbeing of other people," he goes on, shamelessly sappy and resting his head atop of Fuka's. "Mmm," his voice becomes more of a murmur as his energy wanes, "you are not wrong about the need for a nap. The work high is wearing off. When this is all done we are going to have to party for a full night and day." Not day and night? He waggles his eyebrows.

Eyebrows are still waggling as Haru looks to Shiruba, "Shiruba can be number two," he notes. In terms of importance, of course. Guild leader leads guild. "Or Uta. Maybe Gwen? Either way, Fuka Number One. Big fan." Fans. He picks up on the tool topic, "Maybe a size enchantment? No, they can just get stored in inventory. Ah. Sharpness ones? There are accessories to help with fletching, such as the firebird pinion I use in the Featherstorm." At this point his one blue eye is closed as he is talking. "Mm, I wonder if I can make something that lets you craft in your sleep. Sleep crafting." Thats the dream right there.

"An enchantment to keep them from wearing down quickly, that's a good idea." Shiruba adds that to her notes. It's probably the most she's going to get out of a Strange Mood addled Haru right now. "You have your hands full as it is though." She may be commenting more to Fuka at the moment, but it's from a point of experience. Shiruba has had to deal with a lot of friends and guildmembers going through these peculiar moods.

    Work is important, particularly when others' wellbeing is on the line. Fuka can agree with that, and it's a big part of the reason why she's with Haru. Because they share that value, along with a certain strange sense of humour. And contentment. Ah yes, contentedness. Fuka's radiating that now even as the idea of an extended ... party ... is brought up. Oh my. She almost has to fan herself, though that may well be the heat of the forge. Either way she's got a silly grin on her face as Haru clings.

    She listens to Haru's assessment of who could be number two, and doesn't comment. She's quite fond of all of them, and is pretty sure any of them would rate the others higher than themselves.

    "Y'know, I've done some research on it and... well, enchantment is fine for tools for us. If we have enough levels in the right skills then we can make use of enchanted tools. But to just make a tool that's sharper that anyone can use? That's not enchantment. But it can be done and I'm going to figure it out!" she vows. "And ... I mean, not just taking a grindstone to it longer. You know what I mean!" she scowls.

Haru starts to dose as he goes on a ramble, "Earth Magic base provides an inherit improvement to the durability of tools. It'll last longer between repairs and there could also be portable repair kit whetstones crafted to keep both the edge sharp and magic restored." A pause between the next statement as he takes a sharp breath. The tall human straightens up and runs his hand through his white hair, "construction projects could benefit from zone enchantments for the workers to increase the energy and focus." He slaps the side of his face a little bit to wake up, "so people can work harder, longer, and better quality." His eyebrows waggle at Fuka.

"I think that would be a fun project to work on," the man says with a dopey smile on his face. "Prior to the bolt of inspiration for the issue Tian and I are handling, I was looking into quality of life enchantment advancements. Mostly agriculture. Enchanted glass for greenhouse gardens in the towns so people could grow food and herbs at an improved rate that take care when they have to go on extended adventures." A hand gestures, "Tools of the New World to give people their best life. Thats where it is at. Enchanter Life."

"Mmm," the man murmurs, "alright I should be boring and take a nap before that choice is made for me." Haru goes to his workbench to get his jacket. His jacket is not there. Right. No shirt. No jacket. He looks down at his feet. No shoes. "Right," he says to himself.

Shiruba wags the feather end of her quill at Haru. "I will take that to come back and talk to you when you're not engrossed in this very important project." Then jots down another note. "Besides, we'll need tools and stuff to get Shibuya back up to snuff once we reclaim it. The occupants may not of leveled it, but I suspect they're not really -using- a lot of it either. Especially now that they have Mac Anu." She waggles the quill again. "And that is kind of why we need to take our town back first. So they don't have a place to retreat to when they're driven from Mac Anu. They'll have to go back to their home land. Or their fleet. Which would help us find said fleet."

    It does seem like a good idea. Fuka's had some experience being around construction, mostly while supervising. And crafting enchantments too of course. Enchantments to support the construction and guide its purpose. She's not good at either construction or supervising, but it's something she might end up developing.

    "Harder and longer is overrated." Fuka notes mischeviously. "But quality? Yeah, give me some good quality any time." she flirts. "Come on, we should get you to a bed so you can sleep for a bit then get back to work. I will be your taskmistress. Only sleep for you! No play, just work!" she insists, as if it's actually her idea and not something Haru's current mood would insist on. Yeah she knows how these things go, and she's okay with it. If she got upset just because her friends got into something important, she'd be a crappy friend indeed.

    She nods to Shiruba, who also gets these things. "We'll need to repair and rebuild. Probably make defenses too, once we take our home back. We'll do what we can when the time comes!" she promises.