Mikkel and Daniel have a small discussion.
A\N: For the sake of explaining Mikkel's ability a little better. Here's the rundown.
Mjolnir's Temper
Info:
Mjolnir's Temper is a mixture of Shu and Transmutation. First a smithing hammer is covered in Shu, then using Transmutation, when the head is stuck against metal or a mineral, like a match the head is lit with a pseudo fire that comes with its Pros and Cons.
Main Characteristics:
· The colour of fire's heat is related to its last strike: A vibrant blue means, the last strike was weak. A more vibrant red means the strike was stronger.
· The pseudo fire releases heat in conjunction to its colour. Redder is hotter, bluer is colder, and purple would be warm.
· Gliding the hammer along the surface of the metal/mineral doesn't count as a strike. There must be an impact for it to count.
· The last strike must always, be against an anvil for the ability to be cancelled.
Pros:
· The harder the hammer is struck against the metal, the hotter the next strike becomes.
· It's burning sensation can range from magma hot, to ice cold.
Cons:
· It requires absolute precision between each strike.
· Hitting an object too hard (unless it requires hotter temperatures to temper), will cause the next strike to melt the metal/mineral.
The heat affects the user as well, so they can suffer serious burns from constantly hitting the metal too hard.
I just realised I also posted it in chapter 115, but that was before the changes I made. Or did I… hmm… I forgot.
The man was getting through his work, reshaping the last of the moulds, in this case… Killua's yo-yo casing. There was a lot more work to do than just smashing the ingots until he gets a resemblance of what he's striving for.
He still needed to cut it down, to reshape and smooth out all the edges. That might take a couple of weeks in total, but once he has most of the pieces done, he can start to put some of the parts together.
Building the mechanisms, now that's where things will start to get interesting.
The other thing is he'll need to get Daniel as well as Killua, to put their finishing touches on the pieces… their own, designs.
Smacking the metal one more time, he ended his ability by hammering the side of the anvil. Next, he threw the piece into the tub of water before bringing out another part that had been left out to dry, to the workbench.
He raised the seat so he sat comfortably before turning on the machine. The drilling saw hummed to life as he spoke, "So, as you could probably tell, this is where I'm going to cut, trim and soften the edges here. It's going to get loud…" He reached for a visor, putting it on top of his head.
Moving the bust around, he made sure it sat in place so it didn't move around more than he needed it to. He pushed down the visor, his face now covered, "Any questions you want to ask before I start working?"
The boys shook their heads, even though the man couldn't see them.
"I assume silence is a no…"
"No," Killua reaffirmed, "besides the obvious… do we need to stay as I assume… sparks are going to fly."
"If you want to watch, grab a visor off the wall. Otherwise, for the next few weeks, I'll be stuck doing this. I won't need you to stay for this part. Which means… free time for you guys."
Killua turned to his partner, "I'm going to spend time with my sister. Do you want to stay and watch?"
Daniel looked at Mikkel, the man still waiting for the boy's actions, "Maybe a little… just in case I think of any questions."
As Killua left, Daniel grabbed a visor, flipping the cover so it covered his face, "I'm ready."
Mikkel moved the bust, the machine screeching as the metals connected. He controlled the movement, barely shaving anything off as he constantly shifted the product. To fill the dead air, he spoke to the boy, "So, Killua huh… how long have you two been dating?"
"A little more over a year… We actually, met at the Hunter's exam two years ago."
"Cute…" The man hummed as shifted the bust, "Has he met your family and vice versa?"
"Yeah… Killua's family doesn't approve… but then again, they don't like my father."
"If I had a kid, I'd be the same…"
"That's not fair though…"
"To be fair… I'm ashamed to call Vastorie a friend."
"How so…?" Daniel asked with a hint of bemusement. Even that man, although he attributes the man's involvement in his life, to him being in his current position… Mikkel0 wouldn't let any of his kids deal with that man's personality… his humour.
"He's great at what he does, but you two are right. He's a double-edged sword. If you're not careful, you'll lose a limb. You see… he's not always, the sex-humour guy. He conducts himself more like a businessman. He makes deals that best favour him…"
"Except the one about my weapons."
"Correct, he got screwed there. He's going to be salty about it for years to come…" Daniel chuckled at the joke, silence, besides for the machine cutting settling around them. Mikkel shifted his attention "But Killua… I guess I am slightly concerned about him when it comes to you. I get it, you love him. Yadda, yadda, insert reason why he's not manipulative. But He comes off that way for me, because of your silence… you don't like to voice your opinions as much as he does…"
"I argue internally…"
"Speaking about things in the open is much healthier… than keeping it in."
"Sometimes you need to think about some things before you say it."
"That is true…" He paused for a moment, "but from an outsider's perspective, it comes off more like he's persuading you to do things. Things outside of your comfort zone."
"I can tell him no…"
"I can see that… So, bring me up to speed. Tell me what you like about the young man. Inform this little old man."
"Okay… what would you like to know?"
"What's his family like? They don't trust you because of your daddy… but surely, there must be other issues."
"Well, he comes from a family who specializes in one department. Killua wants to try… to do other things with his life, then run the family business." The man hummed, Daniel continuing "Killua wants nothing to do with that side of his family… I believe he wants a connection with them, but their rules and regulations make it impossible for him to gain a foothold from that side of things."
"Hmm… sounds like emotional manipulation. Hard to tell, given that you're avoiding the business side of things."
"Killua can tell you that part…"
"As long as your aware of what it is, I won't force it out of you."
"Anyways, we've been off on our own, adventure. We're discovering things about ourselves… about each other. I can't or won't change anything about it. I like what we have currently… I hope we can learn more things about each other as our relationship progresses."
"Sounds sweet… endearing, I dare say."
"He is…" Daniel smiled under his visor, "I care about him."
"How about your family?"
"Nathan loves him… He loves Alluka. As for my sister, Zaikaria… she doesn't like him for his background. Vastorie, I have no clue… I'd assume, provided Killua makes me happy, he's okay with it. But it's hard to tell with what's going through his head."
"I see… So, with Zaikaria… will anything change her mind?"
"Our history with each other. I think it's possible to change her mind. But like me, she's stubborn. It'll be a while before then…"
"I understand…" Mikkel adjusted the machine slightly, "I think he's smarter than he lets off. I think this process will help you. Sorry for judging him earlier."
"It's okay… he's used to being judged. Hence why we don't talk about his history as much as possible."
"Understandable…" The man shifted his hands, "One more question, actually…"
"Sure…"
"Nathaniel, I assume… you get along with him… as well as Killua?"
"We do…"
"He's aware of our history, Killua and I's history. He loves him… like a son. I believe Killua appreciates that side of him. I do to…"
Mikkel stopped his current action, putting a hold on his task as he spoke "I've met Nathaniel a few times. He… he shows this genuine care for people, unlike Vastorie. Now, I won't argue for Vastorie's defence like in this case. But out of the times I have seen Nathaniel looking in his husband's direction, I'd say… he loves that man. But from the times I've seen Vastorie looking at his partner… It's hard to gauge. He doesn't show any sort of reaction to give away what his feeling. He can certainly show it… but… I can't exactly say it feels forced. It's more like… he's hiding what he's truly feeling… I guess. Maybe it's due to his upbringing. You mentioned your grandfather wants you dead." I wonder if that's why Vastorie acts dismissive with his past… with Daniel and Killua…
As the man returned to his task, Daniel continued the conversation "Yeah… maybe you're right in this case… You'll be correct in the last comment, Vastorie is trying to take him down. He wants to kill his father, but something is stopping him… something we're not aware of. It's hard to know… given that we were told to run, if, we ever meet the man in person. Yet… Nathaniel says he is someone we should talk to if we want to find out more about my father…"
"Did Nathaniel say that you should talk to this Victor guy personally?"
"No… not really. It's to be assumed that he'll be the one that knows the most about Vastorie's childhood."
"Sounds like he knows something about Victor that he hasn't told his husband."
"You think he's keeping a secret…?" The boy brought a hand to his chin, thinking seriously about the words. It would make sense, but he is aware of something Mikkel isn't "But that wouldn't make sense. Victor can wipe the memory of those who see him. It's… one would argue, the perfect form of Zetsu."
"You said see… not talk."
"Here's the thing, we met him in person. He completely wiped our memory of all the times we've seen him and talked to him. We can't remember any of our discussions with the man. Only Vastorie is immune… but we don't know why."
"What if Nathaniel is immune also? I don't mean like Vastorie's case… I mean, he may have a selective memory which is being forced to cling to him… a deal he made with that man."
"A devil's deal…?" Daniel looked away, "It's possible… but wouldn't it have been better if Nathaniel said it outright, rather than holding onto it? Wouldn't it be better to bring it up with his husband at least?"
"Not if there's a rule in place to that memory. Maybe he can't tell anyone about what he knows, or he'll lose it."
Daniel shifted his attention once more, "I'll bring it up with Killua, he's good at conundrums. Thanks for telling me this…"
"No problems, glad to assist."
"Is there anything else you could tell me… about Nathaniel and Vastorie?"
The man thought about it for a second, "No… not really. Their lives are as much as a mystery to you as they are to me."
"Thank you for the information." The boy turned away, taking off his mask to hang it on the wall with the others, "It means a lot to me… I'm trying to understand my situation better… my family better…"
When the boy left, the screeching of the machine deafened the silence. Such an interesting predicament he's in… I won't probe. It's not for me to find out… but hearing the boy is in this position… It worries me. I'll make sure this weapon is the best I've ever made… I'll make sure it'll protect that boy!
"~"
Killua thought about the insinuation, the possibility of the information being somewhat true in a sense. It'll make sense… there are some glaring plot holes, but that doesn't mean there isn't some truth in them to be found.
Shifting his attention, Killua addresses the situation, "I can see why some of the information holds water. There are issues to be found, but what if it's true… Nathaniel knows something, but he can't tell anyone… unless they tell it back to him. But we run the risk of him being unable to validate those claims."
"Yeah…"
"But it's a start…" Killua spoke calmly as he ran a comb through Alluka's hair.
She finally had enough, being wedged in the middle of the boys like some third wheel in a discussion, "Am I a background character to you guys…?"
"No…" Killua whined, "You're not. You're my unbelievably cute sister."
"But you talk to Daniel more than me… it's making me very jealous."
Daniel knelt on the floor, closer to Alluka "Sorry about making you feel this way. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
"Hmm…" Alluka thought about it. There were so many choices, so many possibilities to improve her standing. Nathaniel made a promise to her, but due to their circumstances, he was unable to do it. Maybe, she could get her brother or Daniel, to step into that position…
Actually… she'd have a better chance with Daniel than she has with her brother. He was overprotective of her, "There is one thing…"
"Sure…" Killua smiled from above, "Anything for you."
"Two things, actually! I want to get stronger for my big brother."
"No…" Killua stated flatly, causing not only Alluka to whine, but Daniel frown, "I will not put you in such a position. I'll protect you, no matter what… you don't need to force yourself to train to protect me. I want to be there to protect you, not the other way around…"
"Killua, don't be like this…" Daniel argued flatly.
"No…" The boy returned, "I won't allow you to persuade me. End of this discussion. What's the other thing?"
"We should allow some freedom for your sister. If she wants to get stronger, let her. We won't push her through the kind of training either of us went through. But at least, start somewhere with her…"
"But…"
Alluka puffed up her cheeks, "It's not fair of big brother. You want me to be this pretty little girl."
"Which you are…" Daniel and Killua stated calmly.
Alluka giggled at her brother and partner agreeing together casually. But the sadness she felt afterwards, showed in her words, "Shouldn't I be allowed," she pointed a single finger upward, "as my big brother would say it, to be a cute girl that's still able to kick some ass."
"First, of all…" Killua pushed her finger down, "I agree with the first half, not the second. This isn't like how I told Nanika to never come out. You are precious to me, not just Daniel. I want to be there to protect you, now and forever…"
"I understand… but I want to be able to protect the brother I love, too."
"Not against the dangers we're up against. Besides, I have this perfect slave who'll throw himself at my feet if I were to step in a muddy puddle."
Daniel shrugged, "I guess he has a point there…"
"You're supposed to disagree…" Killua's ears burned from embarrassment. He was hoping for a bit of objection, not complete agreement. He coughed, hoping that it calms his blush down a little "I don't like the idea of you putting yourself into danger…"
"What if it's to protect myself, so you don't have to."
Killua was about to object, but he found himself unable to come up with a proper rebuttal. He could say something, it's just in this case… it would be unjustified. She wants to be strong enough to defend herself. If she could kick boys or girls, if, he were to be fair here. If they ever hurt her… he'd be happy with that outcome, even if it was considered unladylike. But on the other hand… it means he'll no longer be able to protect the sister he loves, from danger with she knew how to kick that danger's ass "Let's say I were to allow… some form of basic training. Would that make you happy?"
"Yes!" Alluka beamed brightly, "I'll be happy!"
"Weight training… we'll start easy and build you up."
"Yay!"
"Basic defence training, nothing serious!"
Daniel this time cheered. His partner relaxed a little "Yay!"
Killua pulled the comb away from his sister's hair, crossing his arms at the two most precious to him cheering, loudly he might add "Nothing dangerous or serious… understood."
Alluka sat up, nodding her head profusely at her brother, "Yes! Yes! You're the best big brother on the planet…"
Killua hid his face at the words, cheeks burning once more, "Sure, sure… What's the other thing?"
"I want pretty dresses!"
Killua sighed in defeat, "I guess we're going to need to get you another luggage bag the way we're going… I guess we, as in Daniel and I should also get some clothes too. Maybe tomorrow…"
Alluka hugged her brother, smiling brightly at having both of her requests fulfilled.
Daniel stood up, pulling his partner and his, if he were, to be honest… sister-in-law into a hug "I'm proud of my soon-to-be-husband."
"First… we're too young… second, you're not exactly wrong." He smiled, a faint blush still present, "But that's not for a long time." Shifting his gaze, he addressed Alluka's first request, "I'll see if Mikkel knows where to get one of those ballistic weighted vests with pockets for weights. Also, I'll check to see if he can make weighted plates to fill the pockets, or if he needs to special order them in. The stuff we had back at home was custom made."
"Yeah… those vests… the cups, doors… it reached a point where I had to help poor Leorio open doors."
"I remember that…" Killua laughed at the cherished memory, finding himself smiling from the fondness he had for his past, especially that time. He never thought the friends he made from the Hunter's Exam would come back to his home of residence to save him… but now looking back at it, it brought him some grief as well.
He had been standing on the cold floors built over the top of the cage that housed his poor sister…
While she had been in isolation, he had not only been stripped of his memories of her, but he spent time being tortured, locked up… when he could've been spending it with his sister.
Hell, he'd have probably tried to find a way to bring Alluka. Getting her to experience the things he got to, except for Greed Island, she wouldn't have been able to enter that game, given that it was Nanika who uses the Nen wishing ability… not Alluka. She's just a conduit.
Then again… there was some use to having those memories of Alluka being stripped. The experiences he went through, helped him formulate a plan to remove her from their family's clutches.
So Illumi, ultimately, helped him discover a way to break the grip their family had over them.
Smirking, Killua pointed at his partner, "It was hilarious hearing how he desperately struggled to sip from those cups… whereas you could pick it up like it weighed nothing to you."
"Well… to be fair, I had training for a while. Thinking back… it's a shame I was on par with Leorio in the end… I was unable to open the same number of doors as you could." Killua tried to feint embarrassment but was unable to do so, thanks to his blushing cheeks. Daniel ignored his cute boyfriend for a moment longer "Anyways, it's a good thing I was there to assist, or Zebro would've had to become our personal, butler… not just our trainer." Shifting his gaze, he smiled at Alluka, "It was just sad knowing that you didn't get to visit your sister upon returning home at that time…"
Killua found himself crossing his arms, an eyebrow raised from his partner's words. Did their sliver of a connection allow him to feel that sentiment of sorrow, or did he put the pieces together, considering he didn't bring up Alluka until much later into their friendship?
Alluka blinked in surprise, seeing the two of them reminisce over a memory she wasn't involved in, yet it was about her… specifically, her confinement. Holding out her finger, she touched Daniel's nose like she had seen him do countless times to her brother, effectively, giving him a 'boop' on the nose.
Daniel smiled from the action. It was cute, although, he couldn't fathom why she did it to him "Oh, what was that for…?"
"You always do it to Killua…"
"I do…" The boy's eyes flicked up to meet his partner's, "I do it out of endearment though."
"Oh…" Alluka pulled back her finger, "I want to know why you brought me up in the conversation just now?"
"You were involved… not physically, mentally. Killua was desperately trying to remember about his cute little sister… but your older brother forced him to forget about you."
Alluka puffed up her cheeks in a comical matter, "Is that why you never visited me?"
"Not necessarily. I was on a trip around the world… but when I was at home, you're right… I should've visited you. I would've visited you… I'd even try to bring you to meet my new friends at the time. I was just thinking…" The boy sighed in defeat, unhappy with what he was about to admit to his sister he loves and adores "I was glad that didn't happen."
Alluka was visibly hurt by the words If Killua remembered her, he would've never brought her to meet his friends. Even if Nanika was there, that they feared her… Killua knew how to recover from the situation.
Killua stepped up to his sister, poking her on the nose. From pain, she switched to confusion "No… I'm not glad in that way. I mean it… From my experience, I learned more about Nen, about Nanika from my experience with Nen… I'm glad because now I knew how Nanika functions, including how to help and protect you. I'm stronger than when I was when I came back after the Hunter's exam…" Pulling his hand back, he continued to smile "You'll meet the rest of my friends, properly… once we're able to protect you from our family's radar…"
"Until then…" Drawing his eyes to his partner, he offered the boy a smile, "we'll protect her. We'll help her grow…" He then turned to his sister, "It's a promise I'll keep with you, as long as if you're put in danger, you won't risk your safety."
"I promise!" The girl cheered loudly, happy with the outcome.