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Maryl grabbed Seth by the shoulders, feeling like she was attempting to flee, "Well wait. I'm sure dad wouldn't mind if ballet just wasn't in your heart, you should tell him." she paused to get a deep breath, "What about your IQ? what's your IQ?", She asked abruptly, wanting to prod at Seth to get an answer.

"Wow!" In her surprise, Maryl's grip loosened. She slowly let go and patted Seth's shoulders, moving to her side and putting one arm around Seth. "Look, You're a child prodigy right? I'm sure he'd forgive you. Besides, lots of child prodigies end up in their field of study early in life. It isn't like you couldn't have just told me that sooner." She tapped Seth's nose with her index finger and grinned.

Maryl helped herself to the simmering pots left on the stove as Seth started walking toward the hallway. "That expression," she called back, " is called jealousy. I remember getting that same look from a gnome wizard a few months ago before we met." She finished topping her plate off and took it to the table, "Take care, sis. Tell me about the refuge when you get back." Since their conversation was over, Maryl quietly started eating. She had awoken to a crippling hunger that morning that only became more and more apparent as she finally got to the stove only seconds ago.

Menos felt a slight chill from a familiar octave through the gating. He glanced back briefly and sighed. "Sounds like my ride is here," he joked as he adjusted a scrap of paper he had brought with him from the marketplace. Firmly holding out the sheet of paper, Menos nodded to Kel. "Since my visit must be cut short, I have an order. I would like you to craft a greatsword for me. The details are on the order sheet for dimensions, the adamantite and quicksilver should be delivered to you before day's end." After placing his order, Menos abruptly turned about and started toward the gate raising one hand for a brief wave. "My next order will likely be a suit of ceremonial armor. Till then."

Stepping out of the gate, Menos rounded the doorway and approached Cyra with a calm and straight face.

"My Prince!!!" Cyra said happily as she ran up to the man. "I have searched every where for you. What have I missed? Are you to be crowned yet?" She said breathlessly. "Are we going to stay here?" She made a face at the sun, her skin dried easily and the nearest fountain was a good ten minute walk to the other side of town.

Opening the workshop gate and standing in the opening with the door held ajar, Seth immediately noticed Menos just outside with Cyra discussing something. Having people right there at the gate meant it wasn't a good idea to just take off and fly to work. After a deep breath and sigh, Seth turned around and headed back in, letting the gate swing shut behind her.

Somewhat determined, Seth paced back across the workshop floor to stand before kel. She looked up at him, then lowered her head trying to hide the fact that she was very quickly turning red, "Dad, I'm sorry."

Kel shifted from his position of having his arms folded as he leaned against the wall to stand straight up, as he was a bit caught off guard by his daughter's sudden apology. "What's this about?", he asked scratching his head. For all he knew Seth had a personality not unlike his brother's and didn't apologize for anything unless it was extremely important.

"Ballet. I know you paid a lot for the lessons, the top notch instructor, and studio time, and I just dropped out. I hate to sound selfish but I just couldn't take the pressure, and I'm sorry."

"Kel ticked an eyebrow and patted Seth on the head, "It's fine. I figured it just wasn't in your heart. I had the disposable income, another parent said I should use it to help expand your horizons. Well besides what the psychologist said." Kel dropped his face into his free hand remembering the child psychologist he had spoken to about Seth's development. Guy was a hack, but at least he was right about a few things. "Anyway, it lead you to... what was it indie gymnastics, and parkour?" Kel tried to remember the names. It was confusing to hear the first time, and still confusing to him now.

Seth quietly nodded.

"Anyway, as long as you're happy in the end, I don't mind. Hell, when I was your age I didn't have any goals in mind at all. I took up blacksmithing at around 20."

Rather relieved by her father's comforting words, Seth nodded and looked up to face him again. "There's one more thing." Seth took a deep breath and nodded once, "I need you to train me."

Kel's eyes narrowed as his expression changed to a more serious face. "I suppose I anticipated that one. Though I figured it wouldn't come for another three years at least. Now, why do you want this?"

"I had to fight the light elementalist spawned by the late king and queen's little magic trick. He was a bit unstable but he could be dangerous when he gets older. Who knows what his counterpart is gonna be able to do?"

Kel nodded, "This is true. I did give you basic self defense training already though, and you seem proficient with your firearms."

"That won't be enough.", Seth interrupted, shaking her head. "With that and the things I picked up from the gnomes, it isn't enough. I might not be able to fend off an experienced elementalist with what I have now. If it wasn't for Maryl, I might not have survived against Hrothgar."

Kel took a deep breath as he remembered the first time he met that giant. It did seem like the guy was all talk but then there was the fact that he destroyed the castle the first time. Thinking back, Kel remembered that he encountered a blasted Balor as he was trying to leave the flaming mountains. The world was dangerous indeed. "Okay. I'll train you, but this is a serious commitment. You can't be a late riser anymore."

Seth nodded in agreement, and bowed. "That's fine. I'm prepared for this."

Seth turned around and watched quietly as Moriarty departed from the shop and vanished into the daylight beyond. A bit creeped out by his visage she asked quietly, "Are you sure it was a good idea to take him on as a client? He seems sort of diabolical."

As Kel had been watching too, he shook his head and seemed to trail off in his gaze as he answered, "The arms and equipment I've crafted over the years are likely going to bring about the end of countless lives. It's possible they might even come to turn against their creator. I'm resigned to that fact, every smith has to be."

"Oookay...", was all Seth could figure to say. Her father's answer was fairly unpleasant too. Shaking her head clear of any further brooding thoughts, Seth returned to the shelves and grabbed an uncovered sword from it, bringing it over to her father and holding it up. "Also, could you tell me about this sword? I found it shortly after my fight with the light kid. It was encased in a pillar on top of the tower."

Without saying a word, Kel took his magnifier from his breast pocket and took the blade, holding it in better light to closely inspect it.

"I suppose I don't see any harm in that..." save for that Vasyly might want to garrote me. Menos sighed inwardly, scratching his head a bit uncomfortably. At the moment he couldn't help but wonder where the flighty bard was. "Well, lets be off. I don't want to use up too much time." Sith a brisk pace, Menos started walking back toward the thicker interior of town, making his way toward City hall.