CH34: Criticize
I don't own HTTYD or any of the excitement it brings. I have my own OOC and OC to bring you my own kinda excitement, or headaches, which ever happens first for you the beloved reader.
The chief and I entered the forge. I take a good look around and note that it was similar to Gobber's forge as far as the layout.
We find some stools were we sit facing each other. "I imagine that Chapskin got all the information he could from you, besides you seem unusually used to talking with him so I'm sure if he tried talking you two would get distracted and talk nonsense for hours like I saw you just do. He wouldn't learn anything new. I've seen your kind of relationship before; similar pains often mean that two people have a lot in common. But that means there will be a limit to what can be learned. It's like trying to interrogate your friends or brothers, you trust them too much to get a full account from them, you hesitate and only get partial stories, not lies just not complete recounts, your trust in each other fills in any gaps you find in such story. Chapskin will become the chief in place of his late cousin one day, but now he's still a child who really isn't ready to dive deeply into the responsibility of the job, he's too soft, he needs to be welded into a proper chief. But not today. He has many days to do that and today he should only focus on his new growing family."
"By growing family do you mean, well, there uhh 'relation results'?" I ask him to get a little stability in the conversation.
He's being indirect but it seems he knows and wants to find out what else I haven't said.
"Hmm, did Lanie tell you they were expecting?"
"She did."
"I see, yes that is what I am referring to. You haven't been here long but it seems you've found a good ally in Lanie. I know she is a good person who likes to help everybody but she is also one of my people and I must say that the rumors you caused have been Mmmm,"
"Strange?" He looks me in the eye with a gaze that said I was right but that I also shouldn't try to finish his sentences anymore.
"Yes strange. But having met you before I can't say I am too surprised by the fact you not only garner much sympathy from her but that you can be such a rumor troublemaker."
I try not to interrupt with words so I try to show him I don't understand with my expression. It seems he got my cues and would explain more.
"I remember you from a visit to Berk. It was once but you were easy to remember not for being the chiefs son but for how out of place you were compared to everyone else." Ow that comment kinda hurt.
"I remember you being the kinda center piece of the group of friend you had. This is one of the things I would like to hear from you. I heard your story form Chapskin and while he may find it satisfying, I don't."
Crap! "So what else can I tell you then?"
"This was your fathers doing I'm sure. But I don't buy the whole 'tortured for freeing a captive' story. I see many things wrong with it, which makes me think that you were harmed for another reason. I doubt that as emotional as your father was as I knew him and as protective of you as I saw him, you did something that lead him to think that harming you was for your benefit. So what was it?"
Not what I expected from an interrogation done by a chief. The fact that he's on the right track concerns me, but on the other hand half of what he said also didn't' sound right. "I failed him and all my life never really lived up to his expectation. He didn't like that I wasn't Viking enough and so once he saw that I was getting close to a foreigner to the village he took it as a chance to 'correct' me." Half-truths should work.
He looks at me and thinks. His expression really isn't telling me if he believes me or not. At this point I can only stick to Lanie's stranger story just to be careful. He's the chief but I don't know how he would react to a dragon visitor. Something else but what did he mean my dad was protective of me?
Okay he really is taking his time thinking this over.
Protective of me? All I know is that my dad kept secrets and tried to make me a Viking like him. The only protection of me I could imagine would be all the times he told me to stay in-door, stay out the way, and stay out of trouble.
Back at Stickstone, he's still thinking.
I'm sure like any dad Stoic just wanted what was best for me. But for him what was best probably would have killed me. I can clearly see it now but dragon fighting really isn't my forte, I have no aptitude for fighting but rather am better at understanding them. Until I met Toothless I could only see that I had to fight, no matter how I did it. However for all the trouble I caused doing things my way with my inventions I'm sure it kept me alive more than if I fought directly. But if I did it his way, the Viking way, well I'm sure I would have died long ago. That way just wasn't my way. Maybe if he didn't try so hard to push his ideologies on me or if I actually succeeded at something we could have seen each other a little clearer rather than be as distant as we were all our lives, however in the end we were both too stubborn with each other.
He's still thinking. I'm sure now he was doing it on purpose to unnerve me.
Stoic's way was protecting the tradition he believed was good for me rather than my own good. He tried to encourage me to live his way rather than to grow my way. He was more safeguarding Berks future rather than just me his son. He probably felt I had to grow up to be like him so I could make everyone happy but until recently I never knew what I really wanted or needed to make just me happy. I wonder if I really can ever be fully happy being so close to my past and learning more about the secrets I never knew. All I know now is that the way I was would never make me happy, or anyone else on Berk for that matter.
In the end his pride and responsibility was with his people not me. I was just a way for him to keep the village going the way it has been for seven generations. He's a chief first and always, he's a dad… not with me.
"You don't believe that your father was protective of you do you?" Oh not another one. I hate it when people intercept my thoughts. "The doubt you have in your eyes when I said that and your own telling of him correcting you, sounds like you two had a strained relationship."
"If we ever had one at all."
He pulled out a parchment from a pouch and handed it to me. "Cal approached me about this yesterday, I never knew about it myself. It might open your eyes to your father a little."
I look it over and see it was a ? "What the hell is this?" a summons for negotiation and trade?
"Four months ago Berk sent this out to several villages. It was a call for an arranged marriage for you and any village that wished to increase relations."
"…That BASTARD! So he actually did do that!" Stickstone must not have expected my outburst.
"Uhhh Yes he did. I was not present during the discussion but Cal was."
"I don't care who was present, I can figure the rest out myself. He tried to pawn me off to get someone better, like I was some badly built house needing to be torn down and replaced! He was outsourcing just so that I wouldn't become the chief and so tried to get a new lineage started!"
"Stop right there! I don't know what issues you have with your father but he is still your father and a fellow chief, don't go assuming things just because you don't know what happened or your personal feelings towards him! Now listen to what happened!" I was quieted but I was still pissed.
"According to Cal what had seemed to be a simple negotiation for an arranged marriage was far more complicated than that. Rather than a trade it was more like a blind dating game. Your father called for that meeting to find someone who would be able to marry you. I don't know what was said about you but from what I heard there were some villages that accepted the offer."
"Who in the hell would be so stupid and to try and curse a girl with all of this?" I gesture to myself.
"We did apparently. And so did Phlemjer and a few other tribes." I only recognize Phlemjer as one of the most active volcano island. They have to worry about eruptions as much as dragon raids.
"What?"
"I don't know what else happened but it seemed that deliberation from the negotiator seemed to put off making any decisions till they had a chance to debate it with their chief."
I got plenty of questions about this but something hit me he talks of a negotiation who was present at this. "Who was Berks lead negotiator?"
"Cal told me it was the blacksmith of your village, Gobber the Belch."
…
"Sir were you present during this?"
"No as I mentioned it was Cal our village's negotiator."
"Then would it be too much to ask that you withdraw from this topic and proceed to interrogate me concerning my presence here on your island." I didn't feel it but from his view of me he knew I touched a very bad topic. "Because sir I am unsure I would like to hear about this second hand. Not when it involves my dead master."
He nodded to show he would move on. "I can introduce you to Cal later if you'd like. I'm sure you could learn more from her."
"Right." But I really don't care anymore.
"It seems you have had some trouble back in Berk." Understatement. "But I really doubt that it was as bad as you seemed to take it as." Unlikely.
"I've seen your case many times; a kid gets confused and upset and runs away. It happened a lot even with the kids here, they have an argument with their parents and runway thinking it's for the best. I'm sure yours is a more extreme case of this given your injuries and the fact you fled on boat rather than into the forest, but I'm sure that once we can we can take you back to Berk and discuss this with your father and everyone else involved. We can clear this whole mess and have you back home better than before." Not happening.
"But I will not force you, take your time and settle here for a while and once you feel your ready we can head back to Berk or bring them here or however and patch up you problems." I'll be long gone before that ever happens.
"All I'm saying is that I don't feel you need to go thru all this trouble of having Lanie cover for you, I understand what you're going thru I really do." Again unlikely.
"I was the same when I was your age always fussing with my parents and arguing about my future. And I had a son who was in the same position you are in of always trying to live up to expectations. I know that chiefhood drives everyone insane, it did me, my son, my father, your father, you, and soon Chapskin." The thought of an insane Chapskin make me a little happy.
"I'm sure that no matter what, whether your story is true or not, it will all work out in the end. Besides we still have some time before anyone can leave Grissgom with the ice. By then I'm sure we will not only have come up with a solution but who knows maybe you will even find yourself a lucky girl. Huh huh?" And another one poking at me about my love life. Thou the literal nudging at my side was making this more annoying.
He finally got up and was heading out the forge. "Well I have work to do. If you want to talk more about that arranged marriage then I'm sure I can get you to Cal, but if you do I should warn you she…. pushy."
"Wha?" But he left and soon everyone from before came in.
"So. What did he learn about the Loser?" Chapskin questioned me.
"Your chief learned that I might have some commitment issues."
"Ok I have no idea what that means. So still feel up to working here in the forge. Just so you know we don't get overtime here."
"I can manage." One thing is that after that talk I feel really energized, or pissed off. I don't know they might be the same thing at this point.
"So whatcha making?" Chapskin pressed on me about my plan here in the forge.
"Better seen then explained. It's the same for any kind of project. Isn't it the same for you Winner?"
"Hmm your right Loser. It's like that idea that one's actions and results speak louder than just words and planning."
"Exactly. So what do you say Winner, Forge time."
"Forge time."
He starts getting ready by putting on a welding apron and handing me one as well. I saw that his apron was custom made so it just slipped on without tying in the back. Probably due to the fact he only had one arm, can't tie like that.
Thinking this the two of us realized that the other four were getting themselves comfortable in here.
"What are you guys doing?"
"We're not missing this. You two are fun to watch."
"How so?"
"Winner? Loser? You two are like best friends crossed with bitter rivals. That's just fun to watch."
"Red get out. And take everyone with you."
"You and what army?"
"Dryfins don't forget, you're in my territory now."
"You're going to regret it if you stay." I add to his threat knowing what he means. Once I start it's going to get really hot in here.
"Hey we'll leave if you want us to but on one condition." Red bargains with Chapskin with a mischievous grin.
"Hahh. Fine what do you want Red?"
"I want to see the ring and sword you and Shazz are going to be vowing with."
"That's bad luck."
"That's the deal. Take it or leave it."
Chapskin doesn't look happy about it but looking at the crowd he gives in. "Loser this is all your fault."
"Hey you're the one who can't say no."
"That's not true."
"Winner let me give you a reminder and example. 'Yes dear'." I give the best impersonation I can of him. Maybe if I was taller than maybe it would be more accurate.
He looks like he's trying to find a comeback to what I told him but eventually he just gives up. "Alright, but no touching."
He goes to another room rustles around and returns showing us a long decorated box. It looks big enough to fit the sword. "Ok Coralmold could you hand me the key."
…
At that everyone present including me starts slowly shaking with their head at his obliviousness; he seems to keep forgetting that that guy, Coralmold, he isn't here. It took him a second to realize why we were shaking our heads.
"OHhhuuu?!"
We just keep shaking our heads at his stupidity.
"Uhh this isn't as bad it seems."
We continue to shake our heads in disappointment.
"I can fix this!"
We continue to show our disappointment. "Chapskin, Shazz is going to kill you if she finds out you can't open the box to your ceremonial sword."
"Weddings, the final battle of life and death for the groom."
"Shut up Loser! That is not true!"
"Nah I'm with him on this Chapskin. It's Ragnarok for you man." Dryfins backs me up with Hardnail nodding in the same support.
"Okay you guys don't know what you're talking about, weddings are a blessing." Red tried to counter our statement.
"I'm sorry Red but I think I have to side with the guys on this. Seems more trouble than it's worth." Kendra joined us.
"Ok you guys are crazy. Weddings are an amazing passage in life. It the time were were …. Ah I know. Weddings are a wonder. Like the lights of heaven shines on you for just that one instance and all the world seems to revolve around you. It's a moment that all the gods smile at your happiness and offer blessings and peace to you and your husband."
We all look at her considering what she said.
"Unfortunately those moments before the actual wedding are practically Ragnarok like Dryfins described. That's even more so for the groom. You've seen how crazy some of them have become before the day itself remember." Kendra argued with her sister.
Red seems to try to counter this but then she just suddenly agrees. "Crazies right, this whole thing is turning Shazz into a lunatic. Seriously Chapskin did you know that she wants shark for the reception and the after party dinner."
"Yeah, she told me about that."
"Is she kidding? How does she expect to do that?"
"Cravings huh? Yeah that sounds about right. Well I'm sure you guys can figure out how to fish a shark for dinner later. Now back to the box. What are you going to do Winner?"
"Hey Chapskin can't you just bust it open?" Dryfins offers.
"Yeah that would do it. Come on grab an ax and crack this nut open!" Hangnail doubles the suggestion.
"NO!" Red, Chapskin, and Kendra screamed out.
"Why?" Dryfins and Hangnail moan in response.
"It's just a decorated box, not like you need it." I add with the guys.
"Because Loser as Best man you have to carry that box along with the sword in it."
"Why didn't you just say that?"
"Yeah, coming from the guy that has a lot of catching up to do on the subject I'm pretty sure we could spend all day telling you all the plans."
"Before or after we start beating the heck out of each other because one of us says something stupid to the other?"
"I'm thinking we could squeeze it in between. I'm also thinking that after the explanation and the your beat down we can go sightseeing, you haven't seen much of Grissgom right?"
"No I haven't, but I'm not sure if it's necessary. Really not sure how long I'll be here."
"Well you're here now. Might as well get comfortable, you're here on this safe isolated island. Seas frozen so unless the gods showed you how to fly you're here."
"Your isolated island could also be call a really big locked room or cage."
"We're not trapped here, you just can't leave yet."
"Isn't that the definition of trapped? Not able to go anywhere."
"Yet, remember yet. That makes…. No difference does it?"
"No cause being trapped at any point is a temporary thing, it always ends in either being release or death."
"Huh."
"Uh huh. See?"
"Yeah I do. It just a gap point between being free and the future."
"Till death do you part?"
"Shut up! It's not like that!"
"Ok enough with the bromance you two."
"Red's right. I got to figure out how to open this without damaging the box or the content."
"Or dying. See trapped." I add. I could see the frustration rising on his face.
"Uww, Its so much fun to see you sweat Chapskin." Hardnail commented on his predicament.
"You guys gotta shut up and help me."
"Fine. Pass it here, I can open it." They look at me dubiously but Chapskin passed it to me nonetheless. I pull out Gobber's knife and jam the tip in the key hole and with a pop let the padlock fall unsealing the treasure inside.
"What the?"
"You're just full of surprises aren't you?"
"Ok so he's like one of us now right. He's like a bandage bag full of fun tricks."
"Can we just focus on Chapskins wedding, or funeral, whichever Shazz decides on." I tuck the knife away in my belt.
"Ok so the knife isn't so useless. Where'd you get that thing or even how'd you do that in the first place?"
"I think that's enough. Listen everybody, I have things I want to do here and as fun as this is becoming I want to get my project done by tonight. So look at the sword and please give us some work space." I talk over them. I don't know if they'll do it but if maybe Chapskin can back me up then maybe we can get them out and finish my work. I'm sure between the two of us we could finish my custom made crutch.
"Come on guys let's give them their space." Kendra was the one who heralded them out. "Listen we're going to stay close and we do want to see what you're making. Between your knife and your reputation you've got us all curious." Great, I got a reputation, and probably not a good one either.
"Wait don't!"
"Kendra I still haven't!"
"Stop pushing on my butt!"
With that the four leave leaving me alone with Chapskin to work on my custom crutch.
"Well Loser, seems you've been holding out on us. So let's see what you got. Truthfully I'm curious as to what you can make as a Blacksmith."
"We'll see. I'm usually a disappointment on that part, but yeah it will be different than anything you've made I'm sure."
It didn't take us long to find a pace and method to work together. At first we only spoke a few words of command about this and that but eventually we didn't even need to do that. We were able to work together without even telling the other what to do.
We didn't work in silence however. It was awkward but we kept making small talk that seemed to drift from topic to topic without any relevant subject.
The topics that we shifted thru include ideas of travel, common knowledge and education we learned, what we do about sickness, pets we'd would keep, how to would build a ship, what we would do stranded on an island, who would win in a fight, what's the better weapon for different situations, how we did when we tried to climb a mountain one time, what's the better way to swim leisurely backstroke or dogpaddle, chicken vs fish for a better meal, books that we've read, things we wished trader Johan had in stock, how many times a week we bathe, why people have green eyes blue eyes and brown eyes yet no orange eyes, what's the better scream of excitement, what you would do if babies actually had a say in choosing their own name, how to fashion leather pants that don't ride up the crotch, and if ones height made any difference on how you sleep at night.
We just moved from topic to topic without care if it made sense, had a conclusion, or anything.
Now we're on the latest topic, inspired by what I saw in the corner. "So you made that shield harness yourself? Crisscrossing leather belts attached to that uniquely shaped shield so it holds on your shoulder like a pauldon, creative. How do you compensate for the weight and the pegging's so they don't fall out or tear off the leather?"
"I distributed the weight so it's not all concentrated on one point. The harness may look centered on the shield but its actual weight is more off centered to the top then the middle so it balances better when I wear it. It's wider at the peak and narrows to the bottom to make sure it continually balanced on my shoulder even during impact, that way I don't have to adjust the position in battle and only have to shift my own body to how I need to be positioned. I still have to replace the straps every now and then but that's not a big deal."
"And that's the reason you made it in that V shape rather than the standard circle. It shifts the point where you hold it squarely. I see you made it full metal than wood, that's gotta be heavy."
"I practiced a lot with it to get my body used to the weight. The original idea was two shields for both sides to balance it out and max defense but it was too heavy for me. Nearly broke my legs trying to move like that. At least I have a spare."
"If you ask me that's a worthless weapon. Too many weak points and drawbacks."
"Oh is that what you think Loser."
"Yeah. For starters no matter how strong you are I still think it's too heavy for prolonged or everyday carry."
"I make due."
"Second it's fixed. You can't use it to defend from all directions. You have to swing your whole body just to change it defense position from the side to face forward."
"I just alternate the combat uses of my sides, shielded right side and sword or another weapon on my left. Its standard offence and defense just more fixed in my way of fighting. I defend on my right and counter with my armed left side. Works better than you would think."
"Good strategy but it's really the only one you can use. I guess you could just ram people with it but that probably be a last ditch attack, one that's easy to avoid."
"What about you? What's a Losers weapon of choice?"
"Run."
"Huh?"
"Runaway, run and search. Look for a way that's... truthfully I'd rather not fight. But if I have to I'll fight to runaway. Unlike you I have no reason to look for fights.
"Sure sounds like the Losers route. And I don't look for fights, I'm just ready for when I have to. As for you I think that if all you do is run then you live with some heavy regrets and die with them too."
"Regret, sure I got plenty of those. But those regrets as painful as they are to remember also drive me to my limit. They drive me to make sure my regret and losses are not for nothing."
"Even if you're all alone? That empty loneliness when you look around and see friends weren't there was enough that it almost drove me to suicide."
"Me too. But you were rescued from it"
"And you could only push on hoping to escape it."
"So how is it for you to see the wrong way your life could have gone?"
"Same as you feel looking at the life that would have been the happiest."
Irritating
"But you know what I find really annoying Winner? Metal Shinguards."
"Yeah those things are stupid. All you have to do is aim for the knee or ankle."
"I don't know about the tactical weaknesses but I just think that their bad fashion. I mean when they snap off they always cut off your toes when it falls off."
"Right when you're running. I know. It happened to my dad, chief Stickstone, and my cousin Splinterbone. Chopped their toes clean off."
I noted that my fatigue and weakness left my body as I worked and talked.
Looking out the cracks of the window I don't see any light so it must be night already. By my count it's been at least five or six hours of being in this forge.
The results to the time spent "Done!" Chapskin exclaimed.
"Yep the parts are done just need to put it together in a few minutes after they fully cool."
"Well you got forging skills."
"Yeah thanks."
Once we doused the welding pit and the left over steel, we head to the window to open it and get some fresh cool air. When we open it we see that Red and Shazz had their ears pressed against where the shutter was closed.
The two of us look at the eavesdropping girls who take a minute to respond. "You know a few conversations back, I think yak meat is better than fish or chicken." Red replied.
"Shazz Red what are you two doing?"
"Listening."
"Gathering dirt."
"I doubt you got much. It's hard to hear in here even if your inside."
"I only caught a bit of what you two said. So would you like to repeat anything I might have missed?"
"No." Chapskin told her and I shake my head.
"You two are no fun." Red complained.
I step back and let them continue talking. Now that I'm not doing anything I can feel the pain throbbing in my arms and it even worse than usual. I always get a little tired after using the forge in Berk but it was more than usual, probably because I'm hurt enough that my body just wasn't really up to the work. Looking at my bandaged arms I think that I'm actually lucky I managed to work without collapsing or hurting myself further in an accident. It hurts, really really hurts, but I'm more tired than in pain.
But it's not just physical fatigue; my talk with Stickstone about that arranged marriage deal about me unnerved me a bit and is now fixed at the forefront of my mind. I can say that I really don't care about that now since I no longer have a place in Berk so marriage to benefit anyone is no longer my problem, but something still was bothering me. Gobber knew about this. I can't imagine what he could have been doing in something like that, but there is the small chance, really tiny, that that Cal person could have learned or heard something that might be useful to me. Chances of that are actually decent considering she supposed to be the gossip hound here.
"That's the kind of face that says you have too much to think about."
I was shocked out of my thinking and look over to Chapskin, Red, and Shazz chatting about their wedding plans. So who?
"You should be more attentive with your body. Pushing yourself is bound to catch up to you later."
I turn around to see Kendra standing behind me while wiping her flushed and sweating forehead. "When?"
"I never left the forge. Lanie asked me to take care of you so just in case you hurt yourself I stayed in here. I'm just surprised neither of you noticed me."
"You're surprised!? I'm dead shocked I never noticed you in here!"
"So then what was on your mind? Seems like you have too much to think about their all alone."
"Just thinking about what I heard from your chief."
She offers me a hand which I take and she leads me to a stool I assume she was using.
"Was it a harsh scolding or deep wisdom filled but boring lesson?"
"He tried to do both but neither really seemed to make an impression."
"So then what was it?"
"Just more dirty laundry that keeps popping up around me. Hey what can you tell me about the woman named Cal."
"What about my mom?"
"She's you mom?"
"Adoptive mom. What about her? Just in case I should have you know she is married."
"All this marriage and who's with who crap is making me sick. Seems like that all anyone cares about here."
"It's the hot topic now because of the wedding. Gossips the biggest pass time in Grissgom because around here there are not many exciting things to do, except for the usual dragon raid. Trust me by next week we'll find something else to chatter about."
"That's probably going to be the pregnancy then."
"I wouldn't expect them to do that till much later. Unless"
"You didn't hear it from me. And I don't think they know either." I see the look of shock on her face as she looks back to Shazz.
"Wow. So how… Lanie?" I just nod in response. "Never mind then. Anyways you were wondering about my mom?"
"Yeah sound like she might have some information that might be useful to me."
"About what?"
"Gha at this point I don't even know, seems like everyone in my life has been toying with me without me ever knowing about it."
It seemed that comment sparked something in her. "Ohhh uhh that whole awkward arranged thing."
"You know about it?" I ask kinda hopeful. "Wait don't tell me"
"No no, well… I just know what you're talking about."
"I really don't want to force it but do you mind telling me what you know?"
"Ehhh" I could understand why she would hesitate. If Grissgom did consent to wed off on of their own then it was likely she, her sister, or someone else she knows could have been the ones stuck with me. "If it's not a problem would you mind my telling you later? I don't mind telling you but I would rather they don't hear." She was pointing the three that were talking by the window. "Truthfully it would be better to hear it from Cal since she is the one who was their but then again it is hard to get the full truth from her without some kind of compensation. She tends to be petty about that kinda thing." Guess that's what the chief meant.
"Sure. So what happened to the other two? Dryfins and Hangnail"
"They hung around for three minutes and soon had enough so they left to find something else to do."
"Sounds familiar." Lot of people in Berk are like that.
In the background there was a hissing of steam that finally dissipated. "Hey Loser your things done."
"Oh good." I start working on putting together the pieces of metal we forged.
"So Chap what did you two make?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know!? You two were working together on it for so long! How can you not know?!"
"Simple I only helped make the pieces. He knows how to put them together."
"So you don't know what kind of weapon it is?"
"It's not a weapon." I inform Shazz and Chapskin.
"Then what is it?"
"It's a crutch." I told them. They look over to see it.
"Hiccup where's your crutch?" They ask looking only at the small shield like item now attached and held steady to my left forearm by a metal ring.
"This is it." He declared holding it up for us to see.
"Hiccup that's not a crutch, that a small shield, others call it a buckler, but not a crutch." Everyone just nodded to agree that it wasn't a cane.
In response I clutch and twist the handle which releases a mechanism made it with and with a piercing 'SHIMFF' sound the shaft of the crutch. I begin walking around with it to feel if it really worked and to my joy it held up. Part of me kinda expected it to snap and send me rolling on the floor.
"Whoa!" Everyone exclaimed in surprised at the effect of the crutch's pole.
"It's a retractable pole, among a few other things." I fiddled on the shield portion of my invention and this time open to reveal a hidden compartment which I stored my lockpicking knife in before closing it again. "I made it to also carry a few small things as well. Things like string, fishing hook, flintstone, you know that kind of stuff."
"It's a carry-on crutch?" Shazz simplified.
"I put in a few other details but yeah that's about right."
"How'd you make it do that appear thing?"
"You mean this?" I return the pole into the shield part attached to my forearm. "Simple, spring loaded. Just my own little flare. Also the spring's tension in the pole helps to make it more comfortable by adjusting to the weight I put on it so it's not too much of a burden on me or too little to make me fall."
After I shifted my weight off the crutch and onto my own feet I suddenly felt my legs give out and I fell flat on my face. "Yeah I can't seem to get up. I can't move."
"So it made you fall?" Chapskin teased me about what I just said.
"Not what I meant and you know it."