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[thisisamazing]

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[thisisamazing]

[Hiccup's little smile is empathetic, a little embarrassed with himself for asking.] Of course. No, you- you definitely don't have to explain anything to me. [He gestures down to his own replacement leg, unashamed of it.] I nearly fell into a dragon's mouth when I was fifteen. It's- it takes getting used to. The only reason I ask is-... have you looked into a prosthetic yet at all? [That's... probably too forward. Hiccup is a forward person. Once his brain gets going there's no stopping it, and he wonders if he and Percy could make something useful for a change, instead of trying to figure out what part of the city still needs a ballista. (Nowhere. Nowhere needs a ballista. They've built two.)

But sword enchantments are a safer topic, and one he's well familiar with by now.] You know, I- I've done something... similar. Not quite the same thing, but I made an arakh for a dear friend, that's a sword with a big curve in it like so- [He scribbles out a rough approximation on the corner of a sheet of paper.] -and I enchanted it so that the blade would be able to retract into the hilt, for easy concealment. The shape of it meant I couldn't do it mechanically, like my Inferno, so the metal needed to reshape itself. If I changed some things and added some new runes, maybe...

[He jots down a few notes for himself, tip of his tongue poking out thoughtfully.] Mm, you'd be able to use it. Enchantments like mine can be activated by anybody, you'd just have to have the stored magic recharged by a Witch every so often; I could show Zewu-jun how, or you could just come by the forge when it needs it. I don't mind topping it up.

[turmoiling]

As long as it could be used normally if the enchantment ran out at an inopportune time, I certainly won't pass up anything you'd be willing to try. [Jin Guangyao bows his had a little in appreciation before glancing at that missing hand again.]

I have only glanced at prosthetics, but the expense was too great for anything that didn't seem overly fake. I would rather not have anyone notice, if it could be helped at all.

[thisisamazing]

Yeah, I can give it a try. Just give me a couple of weeks and I'll see what I can come up with. [He folds up the papers he's drawn and taken notes on, and slides them into his leather vest for safekeeping. Eventually they'll get pinned up on his wall of projects at the forge.

He lets out a considering hum.] Come by the forge sometime, meet with me and Percy - the man who runs it with me, my- my friend. He does amazing clockworks, all kinds of little moving parts, and I'm pretty old hat at enchantment work by now. We might be able to help. No charge, I'll fund it. Having to- to pay for a replacement limb, it's not right.

[turmoiling]

You're entirely too kind, Young Master Hiccup. My brother told me that people in this world were kind, but I truly could not appreciate the depth of generosity that I would be shown.

[Apparently a little overwhelmed, he actually stands back up so that he can bow properly this time, though admittedly one hand simply has to touch the sleeve of the the other arm.]

[thisisamazing]

Oh, yeah, he's- I guess this isn't- [Lan Xichen had thought it too generous too when Hiccup had given him a gift basket, as thanks for the advice he gave. Where they come from must be kind of bleak, he thinks privately.] Look, it's, it's really nothing! This is just how we are where I come from. We help each other when it's needed. It's neighborly.

[So pls... no bowing... it's weird...]

[turmoiling]

[Jin Guangyao smiles warmly at that.]

I can think of no better neighbours to have, then. I can only hope to match the spirit of your generosity someday. I don't have much to offer as it stands now, but please, if there is ever any way I can repay you, don't hesitate to ask.

[thisisamazing]

Don't worry about it, really. [For all his nasally stutter sometimes, he sounds firm on this, smile genuine. He really is just a friendly country boy.] I know what it's like. [To lose something as close to you as a part of your body. To have to adjust in the aftermath. It was a big boost, for Gobber to have a serviceable leg already waiting for him when he woke up from his near-coma, but that's how things are on Berk. It's a little disappointing to know it's not how it is here, but this gives them an opportunity to do something for the community, something necessary.]

I just hope we can come up with something useful.