Author's note: Hey guys, sorry the chapter's a little late. I've been away on holidays :).

This chapter you get to meet two new (sorta) characters. Are you excited? 'Cause I'm excited. This is one of my favourite chapters to date. Unfortunately it does mean some of the others characters need to take a back seat for a little bit, but don't worry you'll see them again soon.

Anyway, the support for this fic has been phenomenal, it really makes me smile. So I really hope you enjoy :).

Poppy let out a long breath, feeling her shoulders relax as she started walking away from the school. She couldn't wait to get home. School was all well and good but her classmates were so noisy and immature. She much preferred the time she spent with her dad in the forge, learning his trade from him and conversing with his regular customers. At least they knew how to hold a proper conversation and the meaning of silence. She mentally shrugged, figuring her classmates would grow up eventually.

She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't register the incoming footsteps until they were right next to her.

"Hi," the bright voice pulled the rest of her attention back to the present. Glancing to her left she was greeted by the sight of the brown furred yordling walking beside her, mentally taking in his messy brown hair and almost bouncing walk. His blue eyes sparkled with energy and curiosity as he continued, "I'm Kennen. What's your name?"

"Poppy," she replied shortly, unsure what to make of him. He looked vaguely familiar, most likely he was one of her many classmates. Even after six years of schooling she hadn't really learnt to tell them all apart.

Kennen however didn't seem to notice her hesitation. Instead his eyes lit up bright as did his smile. "Oh that's a pretty name. Are you named after the flower? I know this must seem kinda random but I've seen you around before. We have a couple of classes together, did you know that? I've seen you in there trying to bore holes through the white board with your eyes. Why do you do that? Do you even know you're doing it? What was I saying? Oh yes. I've see you walking this way home almost every single day this way but you're always walking alone so I thought you might like some company," he rambled on before pausing for a breath.

Poppy raised an eyebrow at the speech. "No. Yes. No. I guess if you want," she listed off, hoping that he would either calm down soon or get bored of her short answers and run off somewhere else. Above all she dearly hoped he couldn't keep that sort of pace up the whole way home.

Unfortunately for her it seemed he could. His incessant chatter continued for the entire trip, only pausing long enough for a breath and to hear her response. Not that her increasingly shorter answers seemed to give him the hint to shut up and go away. In the end she just started ignoring him completely, though even that didn't have the effect she was hoping for. He just kept talking, seemingly content to keep the conversation going by himself.

Finally, he paused. The lack of movement and noise drawing Poppy's tried and tired focus. "My home is down that way," he pointed down the adjoining street, "so I have to go now. But I enjoyed talking to you. See you tomorrow Poppy!" And before she could even respond he'd rushed off, leaving her on the corner in bewilderment. With a sigh she continued walking on her own, grateful for the small moment of peace she had to herself.

Despite her slow pace she reached the forge not long after, stopping in the doorway to enjoy the heat washing over her as she watched her dad work away. She'd grown up in this forge, wandering around her dad's feet even as a baby. Her earliest memories were of his low booming voice and the ringing of metal on metal; of the firelight and the heat; and the smell of smoke and iron. Nothing else felt as much like home and nothing could calm her down more than being here. It was her haven; her sanctuary.

As she watched Blomgrun doused the piece he was working on before turning to her with a smile.

"Hello Poppy," he greeted her, opening his arms in invitation.

Crossing the room without a thought she gave him a hug, feeling his strong arms surround her. "Hi daddy."

He chuckled, "So how was your day? Make any new friends?"

Poppy thought about the young kit Kennen that had walked home with her. "Nope," she answered.

Unfortunately for her, her new "non-friend" obviously didn't get that memo. Every day, without fail, he'd find her as she was leaving school to walk with her. And every day, without fail, he would talk nonstop the entire trip.

Poppy honestly didn't know how he did it. How it was he could find so many things to talk about. And how it was he had the energy to bounce around the whole time without taking a breath. Regardless, it was driving her insane. She'd given up on subtlety a while ago but even the direct approach wasn't working. He just didn't seem to get that she wanted nothing to do with him. Why couldn't he understand that his mere presence was rapidly deteriorating her patience and courtesy? Honestly, some days she got home about ready to pull her hair out.

Her increasingly sour mood hadn't gone unnoticed by her dad either. Several times he'd raised his eyebrows at her when she'd stormed in, causing her to take a couple of deep breaths to control her temper. He hadn't commented on it though and Poppy hadn't really been in the mood to explain.

Not that it mattered at the moment however. Finally, after a week of incredible composure and endurance, it was the weekend: meaning two full days of peace with her dad. Currently the two of them were in the forge, where Blomgrun was teaching her some of the finer arts of blacksmithing.

Guiding her hands over the spare piece of iron they were practicing on, the big yordle couldn't help smiling at his daughter's solemn countenance. She was always so serious and focused; it amused him to see such expressions on her young face. The girl was the centre of his life – had been since his wife's passing – it made him so proud to see the person she was becoming. She was kind, loyal, level-headed (most of the time) and much more mature than her age. Her maturity was something that made him both happy and sad to see in her. It was a good trait to have, allowing her to act more rationally in situations most yordlings would struggle in. However, sometimes he wished she could be a little more carefree and child-like. After all, she would only be a child for so long. He wanted her to enjoy it while she could. Only, she just didn't seem interested in spending time with yordles her own age. He'd spent years trying to imperceptibly push her to make friends but she simply rebuked all his actions stubbornly keeping to herself. Honestly, he was at his wits end on what to try next.

"Ho Blomgrun, are you here?" A friendly voice called from the front, breaking him from his musings. With a single nod to Poppy he slid from his spot, rounding the corner to see a dark furred male with pointed ears.

He grinned, clasping the male's arm firmly. "Swifty, long time no see. What brings you here?"

The other yordle returned his greeting with as much fervour. "I need some equipment fixed," he gestured to his bag. "They've lasted me a while but now most of it's starting to go. Figured I'd turn it all in at the same time. Hope it's not too much of a challenge."

Blomgrun chuckled, "For the best smith in all of Bandle City? I doubt it. Plus I like a good challenge now and then." He picked up the bag, rummaging through the items. "So," he continued, examining a dagger with a sharp eye, "Still in the scouts then?"

"Yes. And not planning to retire anytime soon. I still have several good years left in me."

Blomgrun grinned, "Glad to hear it."

Seeing Poppy by the door, he motioned her over. "Poppy meet Miles. He and I were good friends in high school. Miles, this is my daughter Poppy."

"It's nice to meet you," Poppy shook his hand.

"So this is where you live," an exuberant voice sounded, making Poppy freeze. Then, from behind Miles came the bane of her existence. "Hi Poppy," Kennen waved happily. Poppy simply glared.

"Blomgrun," Miles gestured. "This is my son Kennen. And it seems he already knows Poppy."

"Uh huh," Kennen nodded to his dad. "Poppy and I are in the same class at school. And we walk home together. You have a really neat house by the way."

"Really now?" Blomgrun smiled. He ignored Poppy's stricken look as she rapidly shook her head back and forth, her pigtails flying out behind her from the momentum. He was a smart man, more than capable of putting the kit's words and his daughter's recent behaviour together to work out what was going on. And with that knowledge a new plan started to form. He knew his daughter was stubborn but she needed to spend some time with other kids her age – even if she needed a little push. "Well," he clasped his hands together. "Any friend of Poppy's is welcome here. Would you like to stay for a while?"

"Really?" Kennen asked excitedly.

"Really?" Poppy's echo was full of horror.

"Are you sure that's alright?" Miles asked. "Kennen can be quite a handful."

Blomgrun chuckled, "So was I when I was younger. Yet my dad still put up with me. I wouldn't be doing him any justice if I didn't do the same. And Poppy would benefit from spending some time with someone her age. Just come back this afternoon. You can pick up your equipment and your son."

"Alright." Miles conceded shaking the smith's hand once more. "Thanks Blomgrun. You be good Kennen."

"I will," the smaller yordle waved goodbye to his dad before bouncing after Blomgrun to the back of the forge. Behind them, Poppy sullenly followed only to find the menace running around the room, looking at everything and asking a million questions.

Blomgrun simply chuckled at his actions, patiently answering his questions before he called the boy over to watch as he started fixing the equipment. Both ignored Poppy's glare as Blomgrun started talking. "Working with metal requires patience and endurance. You need the physical strength and energy to mould the metal to your will, but they must also be tempered with a calm mind. Otherwise you will tire too easily and your work will become messy. Keep your hands steady and focus. Your work should be the centre of your focus. Listen to what it is telling you; there is only so much shaping a metal can take. At the same time, never forget about your surroundings. The forge is a dangerous place and you may need to move quickly out of the way of something. Now, this dagger has a flaw near its centre – an open pocket that's been weakened by use. That needs to be fixed, though it will never be as good as it was. Firstly the metal needs to be heated." The smith's instructions continued as he worked, explaining the basics as he fixed the scout's equipment.

Kennen, for his part, was no longer bouncing around. Instead he was almost standing calmly, focused completely on Blomgrun's words. The only sign of movement was the occasional twitch of his ear as he watched the yordle work with wide, curious eyes; the constant flow of new information stilling his form.

Eventually however Blomgrun stopped, turning to the two children. "I'm sure that's enough out of me. Why don't you two go play outside while I finish up."

Kennen brightened, immediately seizing upon the idea. "Ok cool! Thank you!" he called, pulling Poppy along behind him before she could say anything. Blomgrun laughed quietly to himself at her last pained expression before turning back to his work.

And there you have it. Sorry it's a bit shorter than normal. Let me know what you think :)