Astrid finds that Quincy certainly has a cynical view of things, but she doesn’t hold it against him. It’s obvious he’s been through some rough times in his life, and if there’s any way to try to improve that, she’s determined to try. Even if it’s just the small adventure of meeting someone new and getting a new spear. There’s no reason not to try if the worst that can happen is that it doesn’t ultimately work out. Better to try and find out than not to try at all.

“I s’pose it depends on the person,” she says with an optimistic shrug. “I’d rather know than not. Can’t say it didn’t work out if ya didn’t try an’ see what happens. As far as a lightnin’ spear, I’ve seen a spear with lightnin’ magic, but I ain’t thrown one, an’ I never seen a spear made a’ lightnin’. Imagine that’s a bit tough, but that’s what makes this particularly challengin’.” Almost like a gremlin, she rubs her hands together, excited.

Once they get to the workshop and Astrid starts presenting various mockup spears and designs to Quincy, she watches as he goes over them. Balance? Weight? Gah, of course, why didn’t she consider these things! This is why she needs an expert to give her feedback so that she can make something even better! Then “wacky” catches his attention, and Astrid perks up.

“Aye! Wacky! I got this design that’s all twisty, an’ the theory is that it’ll spin through the air! An’ this other one isn’t yer typical throwin’ shape, but if ya could pulse magic through it, ya could guide it. Dunno if it’ll work since I ain’t made ‘em yet. But earlier ya mentioned a lightnin’ spear… an’ I’ve been thinkin’ about makin’ a spear that fires off like a bolt since lightnin’ is me specialty an’ spears are yers!”

She is clearly very excited about this project.

Quincy's hand slowly massaged the back of his neck at her words. A story is just that a story, there wasn't any reason for things to be pushed or tried to emulate them. A spear made of lightning sounded like one of the wildest things he'd heard of as far as Spears went. How would someone even hold it, could a spear of lightning even be used in a more typical setting without fear of completely smiting their opposition? A sinking feeling began to grow in the pit of his stomach, and no this had nothing to do with the hangover. 

Astrid's imagination was proving to be a rather interesting antithesis to his more grounded thought process. Even if he shook all those thoughts aside, one stuck in his mind like honey to a spoon. A burning desire came over him to voice this persistent tree of questions. He felt the need to hide these questions from the more than eager young blacksmith. So placing his hand over his mouth and in a hushed voice he began to speak.

“What would it take to make a spear from lightning? How would you hold it? What kind of tools would you even need? …How would it fly when thrown?”

A spear made of lightning seemed the stuff of legends. Why was he even entertaining such a notion? A spear made of lightning. That would be a very interesting thing to see. A spear. Made entirely of lightning… His attention returned to Astrid as she was going over those wacky ideas of hers. His face began to contort. Just the idea of it not being the typical shape made him question it. Could he even aim that thing? Then she went on about pulsing magic. Just who did she think he was? “Alright. I think you're underestimating me by a fair bit. I'm magic illiterate. My mastery of this world begins and ends with the spear. Me performing some kind of feat of magic is a laughable notion.” His voice softly trailed off, a hint of disappointment escaping him. How would he use this masterpiece without magic? Would she even care to make it if he couldn't use it? Was this opportunity dead in the water before it even got the chance to take flight? After each thought his demeanor changed more and more, his jaw clenched and his brow furrowed. Would he not get to see the spear made of lightning because of his own ineptitude?

While Quincy deliberates over the idea of a lightning spear, Astrid listens to his musing about how it would work. They’re all excellent questions: ones that she will figure out as things progress. She writes them down nevertheless because rather than be stopped by what might be impossible, she wants to focus on what she knows is possible. She knows she can fire a bolt of lightning from her hands, and that once seemed to be an absolutely impossible feat. Anything can happen if you put your mind to it, at least, in Astrid’s opinion.

“The worst thin’ anyone can do is underestimate someone else, includin’ themselves!” Astrid declares whilst going through drawers and pulling out various metal ingots. “I used ta just be a scrawny kid sittin’ aimless on the streets. Now I got everythin’ I never imagined possible. So we, Mister Quincy,” Astrid turns and points a gold-colored ingot at him, “are gonna make the impossible possible!” Then her eyes lock on the ingot, almost sparkling with delight. This will make a perfect addition to the spear! She tosses it into a smelting pot along with a few other metals.

“Most important thin’ ain’t whether or not ya know how ta use magic, it’s makin’ sure the magic is enchanted into the metals right. Ya can learn how ta use that a lot easier than learnin’ a spell ‘cause I’ll be the one writin’ all the Formulae out. You just gotta tap into it. Anyway, tell me about how ta balance a spear properly an’ which one a’ them shapes ya prefer! We’ll figure it out together!”

In the meantime, Astrid gets right to work. With the ingots in the smelting pot, she hoists it over to the strange looking forge on the left with a lever. There is no fire going beneath it, not even a coal littering the floor. She simply opens the heavy metal door, sets the pot inside, latches the door tight, then pulls the lever. Instantly, the thrum of electricity reverberates throughout the room, and a flickering blue light can be seen peeking out from behind the door.

Once Quincy picks out a design he prefers, Astrid spends time with him refining the prototypes, shaving off metal or adjusting the weight by adding more metal as temporary fixes until the balance is just right – or at least to Quincy’s satisfaction. The whole while, she takes notes and measurements and literally beats the metal into an unrefined shape until it’s close enough. With a prototype mostly done, it’s on to the final product, which she makes by pouring the now red hot liquid metal into the mold used for the initial prototype and then taking it to the anvil to shape. This is, of course, not a quick process, and at some point, Astrid creates another Replicant to get them snacks and drinks for a break.

After what feels like (and is) many hours, an unrefined but workable spear sits on the table ready to be tested for balance adjustments and other fixes before Astrid can get to polishing and engraving the magical runes. “I got targets in the backyard,” she says while sipping on some mysterious fizzy liquid in a bottle. The way it glows makes it look like a potion, but it doesn’t seem to have any noticeable magical effects otherwise. “Test it out fer me!”

His gaze fell to the stone beneath their feet. Underestimating the self versus underestimating the task which was worse? One could lead to stagnancy, the idea of being lesser, and underachievement. The other could lead to the injury of one's self or others, the bruising of the ego, and potentially death. Quincy felt one was far worse than the other but at this point new better than to bring that up to the little lady. Her nature was almost as strong a stench on her as the alcohol was on him. Nay saying and odds didn't seem like things she cared about unless they truly helped the situation. Though he felt she'd still listen. So ‘they’ were going to make the impossible happen. A hand instinctively landed on his chin and as he began to get further into though his fingers ran through it occasionally twirling parts here and there.

How long had it been since he'd worried about the balance of a spear? An eternity it would seem. No, far worse.This Quincy had never worried about it. To think himself the man he once was seemed a foolish notion, he couldn't even claim to wear his clothes in the same fashion. To try to address this problem as someone he wasn't would only lead them to failure, that he was certain. His technique was always good, but thinking back on all those throws he knew it was never perfect. Lifting one of Astrid's previous attempts he began to run through the motions. When he was younger what he lacked in mastery and skill he was able to make up for in muscle and force. Now he'd have to leave that way in the past with the man it belonged to, honestly his body would thank him for it. 

That gold ingot burned into his memory. Gold never seemed like something one could just waste so Quincy knew they had to get it right. “What you said barely made sense, but I think I get it. I don't have to worry about learning to make lightning. I just have to know when to throw it at the dragon. I can do that. I may not know my ingots but I know a good spear when I see one. When it comes to balance…” His words on the subject were selected carefully as if making a guide for anyone to follow. Though he couldn't give proper weights and measurements he was able to find words for how things should feel. From the distinct whistle and effortless piercing of the spear as its head cut through the air down to the careful unparalleled balance. This would hopefully give her a good point of reference to start from. As they truly began he couldn't help but think of something he once heard a butcher yell at an unruly customer. Though only the fruits of the young lady's efforts would be able to tell if the phrase was truly applicable.

The process felt longer than it took. As they went back and forth over the design and measurements Quincy began to find the forge less and less comfortable. Shedding his outer layer of clothing after the first hour and tying his hair up after the third hour, the few gray hairs he had were shining in view now. He would not fail her, nor would he fail himself. Astrid's replicant got them refreshments but only the refreshing taste of water was allowed to grace his lips as he continued to focus on the task at hand intently watching Astrid whenever she was working the forge. Until finally there it was. The spear really laid there on the table… as if it was waiting. Astrid mentioned targets and testing Quincy could only stare. What they had done felt unreal. How was this going to be lightning? Could it even fly properly? Were their measurements correct? And would the design throw off the flight pattern? Wiping the sweat from his brow he let out a soft sigh and slowly grabbed the spear. It in fact was real. Nodding to the young lady with a face contorted by fear and determination.

Making his way outside and not two feet out of the door he truly hefted the spear. The material was light, lighter than some wooden spears he'd used before. Without thought he simply spun the instrument in his hands. The first spin with two hands. He found it light, an eyebrow raised as his bravery grew. The next spin with one hand. His eyes widened and he found his bravery was through the roof. Just as the spear leveled out at the center of his chest he rolled it around just his fingers and began to almost dance with it. A series of twirls around his body, above his head, and behind his back until finally mid spin his leg stomped forward and the spear landed perfectly in his hands as his body flowed forward into an offensive stance. “Where are these targets and how should I tap into this formula of yours?”

Having never made a spear before, Astrid accepts every bit of criticism Quincy has to offer while she works. She wants this to be workable first, perfect second. Perfect can come once they have something that works. Every chance he has to test the weight, she lets him have it. There’s a lot more finesse in balancing a spear than a hammer, and even a hammer needs a proper weighting to it, the same way a sword does. Honestly, Astrid hopes she can learn a thing or two in throwing techniques to make her own tossing of hammers more effective.

All in all, Astrid really appreciates Quincy’s focus and attention through the whole process. She knows it isn’t easy to be stuck inside working on a project nonstop for hours at a time. To her, it’s easy, but for most other folks, it can be boring, especially if they’ve got nothing active to do. That’s why she works so hard to include him in all the decisions and changes. While they take a break, she goes over some of the magical runes that she plans to etch into the haft that will hopefully let it take on the form of lightning. Admittedly, she’s never made a weapon that can do this before, but she knows lightning and forging, so she’ll figure it out one way or another.

She of course lets him feel it out before bothering to etch any runes into it. That needs a few tests before she does it on the final spear. Astrid watches Quincy spin the spear with a surprising deftness for a guy who was previously very drunk. She’s honestly incredibly impressed by the feat. Leni uses spears, but she’s not often very blazen with the wielding of them. This guy might just be on another level entirely.

It feels good to give him some of the confidence back.

“Ah, they’re in the yard,” Astrid says, making her way over to a backdoor and opening it up to reveal a rather well kept grassy yard. There’s a greenhouse and a stone fence built along the edge of the cliff. A set of well-worn training dummies is set against a stone wall across the yard, and the wall itself has seen better days. Training has definitely been done there.

“I haven’t added the magic to it yet. I wanna make sure it throws as good as possible beforehand. But when I do, you’ll feel it. It’ll be like… a buzzin’ in yer fingertips that has a mind of its own.” Wanting to get some fresh air, she grabs a few materials, scrap metal, notes, and tools and sits on a bench to see what’s going on. Meanwhile she works to etch a test formula into the scrap metal. “Go on, throw it!”