Tempering a Spark *Private*

[Blazeymix 890]

Solid steps echoed in a long hallway of the building of weaklings. This building had nothing but mobians and legionairs that were useless in combat, therefore they were put to use in this building as nurses, doctors, scientists, what have you. Mynt was disgusted to share air with such pathetic trifle, the though of passing them by in the corridors without gutting them making her feel sick and furious. They always stared at her, each little worm terrified of the raven that passed them by. As she always wore black, they often called her such names in gossip, pointing at her and whispering behind her back as if she didn't notice. Occassionally she'd make a glance toward one such whisperer, only for them to turn ashen and scurry away by her very gaze.

 

It mattered not where she was. Whether it was in a building of weaklings or in the presence of the men she commanded; there were always whispers, always disgusted or terrified looks. Anybody she spoke too would shake in their boots. Good. She liked it that way. Fear was power, she commanded her men so well because they knew their commander was deadly, powerful. They felt confident in her presence. Or perhaps afraid of what she'd do to them were they to mess up. Even Lien-Da, the ruler of the Legion itself showed slight amounts of nervousness around Mynt.

 

The powerful General had no friends. Allies at best, but no friends. Even Lilith, that girl she chose to keep as a plaything, was more so a pet than a friend. She simply obeyed and feared Mynt. This was how life was, Mynt didn't have friends, didn't need them. Friends, family, it all made her weak. A weakness that would compromise her judgement and even her life. Besides, she found no one save Lilith she didn't want to slaughter just by staring at them.

 

As she drew nearer to her destination the room temperature began to increase, growing warmer and warmer until reaching the workshop for where she went to repair her tools, weapons and gear. Opening the large doors and shutting them behind her as she walked inside, Mynt carried a blank unpleasant expression as she made her way toward the big shirtless oaf who called himself the Blacksmith. Without a word she dropped her belongings that needed work on his table without even giving him a passing glance, and turned to leave. The place smelled like sweat and burning iron. The quicker she was out of there, the better.

 

The following day she'd come back to gather her things, now fixed and cleaned and in working order, she never questioned this because that man should know what's in stake were he to make a mistake with her things. That, and she always found that her equipment was in top shape every time. Every week or other she would make the same short visit to get her things back in top shape. She would notice his glances at her in the corner of her eye, but she never shared one back, often disgusted he would dare to meet her with his eyes. Perhaps like all the others he simply stared out of fear, or awe of the rumors. He was no different than any other coward in the building, or even in the Legion.

 

Yet the more she visited to get her things repaired or gather them after being repaired, she noticed his stares becoming more prominant, more strong. Whatever. This final time she had enough of his glances, and finally turned to look at him as she backhanded him across the face with powerful force before taking her bag of repaired/polished gear and leaving. Perhaps that would teach the fool to look. She made her way out of there, her hand still feeling a bit raw from the strike and left the building toward her 'home'. As she set the bag of her things on top of the table and sat down on the chair in front of it, she unzipped the large bag to inspect her things as was the usual after repairs.

 

Her gun looked fine, especially shiny this time. Her rod, the most important weapon, expertly clean and looked as if brand new. The leather completely new. Something shiny, a glint of light reflecting off of the object caught her eye. It was inside the bag, and at first Mynt thought it might be a trap. That bastard would die for this. However after a careful, closer look, Mynt pulled the metal object from the bag and stared blankly at the thing between her fingers. It was a metal rose.

 

                                                                         *                                             *                                            *

 

Again it was time to get her things repaired, Mynt with her usual scowl stepped inside the hot room and walked toward the table to set her things. The Blacksmith sitting at his anvil crafting metal as usual. She could feel his gaze on her again, yet this time she did not feel anger. She didn't know what she felt.

[Blitscreet 552]

It was the same thing every day, working the metal and forge. Legionnaires and other mercenaries loyal to Robotnik would come in, drop off their stuff for him to fix and then pick it up the next day. Other days there would be a special task on top of those repairs. It was expected of him, they looked at him like a broken man, like he was just some tool useful only until he messed up.

It had been this way for years now, ever since the coup, a captive in the siege. Normally those captured would have been roboticized, but Bartholomew Magnum was special. He himself was responsible for all the amazing weapons and armor that the Acorn Royal Family was outfitted with, a prodigy from birth in these skills he was quick to learn and master. Now held as a slave, forced to work for the very man who would take every bit of freedom from those who deserved it, who came to him and gave him a choice, work for him, or he would start executing helpless Robians. Those whom he knew, held against their will in a metal stasis.

And so it was he worked, never leaving that furnace of a room, which made so many people uncomfortable just being around. He heard them talking about him, about the broken Blacksmith, who never spoke. But he heard things too. Some people were always so casual about talking around him. He would be caught staring a couple times but that didn't stop them from talking. 

Most of the gossip was casual hearsay, sometimes about a plan or two. However when the Legion moved in there was one rumor specifically he was very interested in. Something about a woman echidna, with cold grey eyes and black leather clothes. Who could make even the most battle hardened man cry out for mercy. Those ones in particular had him very intrigued. He fancied the day he could set his eyes on this woman.

 

When that day arose, what he saw compared to those rumors threw him off. In all the years he had been held captive, he had learned well how to read people based on their expressions, how they walked, even how they spoke if they did. When he seen this echidna woman, he didn't see this horrible monster, some manifestation of pain and hatred, to be feared and avoided. He seen this beautiful young woman, head held high. 

It was odd for high ranking members of the legion to come down themselves, usually sending a lower ranked recruit to do this sort of thing, but he did his job and when she came back to pick up her stuff he didn't say a word. It went like this for quite some time, every time he would watch her, try to figure her out, even just a little bit. Then on a whim he decided to create her a gift. It wasn't much, a metal rose as a small token of affection for the young woman, something nice for her. He doubted she rarely got anything nice, given the nasty rumors that seemed to circle around her.

However the next day he figured he stared a bit too much as he was met with a firm backhand across his face. What she didn't see as she left, was the wide grin on his face. The first smile he had in a long time.

 

When next she walked through those doors, he kept to himself till she got closer before stopping what he was doing to turn to her with a soft but kind smile. "Nice to see you, figured after last time you might have sent someone else to do this for ya, it pleases me you didn't." It was the first full sentence he had spoken to anyone in a long time.

[Blazeymix 890]

For the first time, her gaze met his as she stood still with her hand on her bag set on the table. The fire from the warm room reflecting off her eyes. Saying nothing at first, she let go of her bag and turned to leave. It was definitely strange to hear him talk. She didn't know why then that she cared. "I trust no one with my weapons," she replied, before walking toward the door. "Except you." With that she left, feeling for some reason as if she had run a mile. After the door closed behind her, she stood there with her back resting against it, confused about things. About that Blacksmith. Why did he show her so much kindness? Was he not aware of who she was? Did he need to be taught a lesson? The fool.

 

It wasn't until the next day that she returned to gather her things. Only this time, she wore her more casual clothes and her hair brushed neatly. Her top was a tan blouse showing a moderate amount of cleavage and her navel, while she wore tight leather pants which matched in color. Stepping inside the room, she walked toward the usual table where her bag would be resting.

[Blitscreet 552]

As she left Burner kept a satisfied smile. To him it felt like more than an accomplishment. It felt as if he finally figured out just what she was about. At least a little bit. And with that after she left he got back to work. By the time she returned the next day, all had been prepared well in advance. As she walked in he took immediate notice of her outfit, as well as her hair. "I must say, I like what you're wearing today. Just wish I had gotten to see it sooner." Setting her bag down onto the table he walked over to the anvil to get back to work, the soft smile on his face showing more as she approached.

[Blazeymix 890]

Stopping in front of the table and turning to face him, she frowned and stared at the big mobian blacksmith in front of her. The smile he gave her, even after she had ignored him all that time, and backhanded him. He still showed no sign of fear or resentment. What was he playing at? "Do you not fear me? Are you not aware of what others say about me?" she asked, her blush at his words showing through her muzzle fur. It wasn't as if she cared if he liked her outfit that she decided to wear that day. The outfit was worn for no particular reason except to try on something different.

[Blitscreet 552]

He took note of the blush, and gave her a small shrug. "What's there to fear? When you live life as a slave as long as I have, there isn't any real fear to be had. As for what others say is none of my business. You haven't done wrong by me, so I see no reason to pay those rumors any mind." Giving her a soft nod as he continued to work the metal. "Though I hate to say it, you shouldn't stay too long in here. The soot and smoke could ruin that nice blouse of yours." 

It actually felt quite nice to get that kind of reaction out of her. It felt like to him that the opinion of others did weigh heavily on her shoulders, so treating her with something other than fear was obligatory. It was like a little light in this big cloud of darkness he lived in. Always doing things for others but never really deriving any real satisfaction or pleasure from it. It was nice actually feeling like he was doing stuff on his own again, versus what he was told or what was expected. If even for a moment, it was nice not feeling quite like a slave.

[Blazeymix 890]

Giving a tch, the Echidna woman gripped her bag and made her way out while muttering, "You are a fool." Indeed he was. He should be like all the others and fear her. He had no idea what she was capable of, how easily it would be for her to gut him right then and there. It was something she had pride in; her skill at deadly combat. After leaving the large room, she stared down at herself and examined her outfit. It didn't matter that he liked it, she knew that much. Still, it didn't hurt to look less threatening every so often.

 

In the next couple of days she found herself thinking about that Blacksmith. She would check her weapons over and over again to see if there were any damages or wear that needed attention. That particular week started slow, making the wait for the next repair/checkup unbearable almost. She decided to request more difficult missions, missions that required the use of force and combat. The plan worked, as she finally stepped inside the Blacksmith's shop again a full 4 days earlier than usual to drop of her equipment. She wore the tan outfit again, as well as a hat over her hair, something that Lilith claimed made her look more feminine. As she casually stepped toward the table, she cleared her throat and dropped the bag of gear in it's usual spot.

[Blitscreet 552]

When Mynt walked in a few days earlier than he expected, it definitely caught Burner off guard. He would never admit it, nor did it show in his work but he did have her on his mind a fair bit, ever since she came in wearing that blouse. He caught himself laying awake a couple nights cursing under his breath. He had made it this long because he refused to really become attached to anyone. He hated it here, but there was no other choice, and tried to push any bit of hope or happiness out. Getting comfortable and such lead him to think of hope of escape and freedom, he had to just keep going one day at a time, until an opportunity presented itself. But still, even when he did allow himself those brief moments of happiness, the sight of that echidna woman blushing, despite everything he had heard about her, that was definitely the one that came to mind.

This day of the week was usually the slowest, so it was the only time he could really work on cleaning the forge. When Mynt came in through those doors, there was no lingering ash or soot, the lighting in the place was actually turned on and not lit by the dim glow of the forge and molten metal. The lights were of course still dim but even then the place was rather spotless. 

He was in the midst of sending the scraps into a chute, designed to take them and bring it to the main Swatbot factory. Mass production didn't need fancy metals after all. Hearing her clear her throat and dropped the bag off, he walked over with a puzzled look on his face. "You're a tad early, not that I'm complaining, but usually you take a bit longer than that to break your toys. Afraid the tools are put away for today, but if you don't mind waiting around a bit I could get em all patched up. Unless you have other things to do, no point in leaving than heading right back then, doesn't take me long anyways." He spoke calmly, wiping his hands off on a cloth as he headed over to the bag, standing at full height. "I like the hat by the way, it really goes well with the blouse."

[Blazeymix 890]

To get her weapons in the shape they were in, Mynt had to do unspeakable things. Things that she rather enjoyed doing, but further provoked the fear and whispers of her comrades behind her back. Doubtless the Blacksmith noticed how bloody, dirty, and scarred her weapons became on a week to bi-weekly basis, yet this time she was forced to get carried away with the violence to put them in the state they were in then. No matter what this oaf thought of her, or why he smiled at her and taken an interest in her, Mynt was a killer. She was the last mobian to deserve any kind of positive attention.

Yet her mind battled itself. Her instincts telling her to ignore the brute and leave, yet something inside her forced her to dress 'casually', to make excuses to see him. Why? Why did this worthless slave have such an affect on her? Why couldn't he simply be like all the others and fear her? There must be a reason. Mynt intended to find out one way or the other.

The words he spoke suddenly drove all those thoughts away, her scattered mind now focusing on the hat he claimed went well with her clothes. Lilith was right then, the Echidna woman would need to reward her later. What drove her mind deeper from previous thoughts was the invitation to stay, something she hadn't expected. Of course she'd never waste time sitting around with someone else, she hated doing such things, especially with non-Echidna trash. Yet his point was true. It would be a bigger waste of time to leave and come back in the same day. "Fine," she answered flatly, her eyes meeting his, forcing her to look away for some reason. It was a strange thing, as all others who met her gaze would themselves turn away.

"This hat could have very well been torn from atop your mother's hair before I slit her throat," she gave an icy reply of defiance, hoping then his reponse would better represent what she was used to when speaking to others. 'Reveal your true self,' she thought, bringing her menacing glare back to his eyes in full force. "Would you like it then?"

[Blitscreet 552]

Burner stopped for a moment, turning to Mynt before letting a soft chuckle escape his lips. He knew what Mynt was doing, but it didn't bother him, and not just what she was doing at this current moment. He did know what she did outside these walls on missions, even he couldn't deny those rumors, and the amount of dried blood he had to clean off her weapons every time wasn't much different. As he opened the bag and took them out he finally replied. 

"Well I'd be tad more concerned if my mother hadn't passed away quite some time ago, but despite that I still say it is quite a lovely hat. Especially on your head." His smile never really faltering. Unless she had actually done it to his own mother, than he would probably have a different tone, but he couldn't bring it past the fact that despite everything, it felt like Mynt was testing him, and he wasn't about to fall for such an obvious trick to rile him up. In his mind, he would form his own opinions, despite her trying to make him despise her by bringing the thought of her slitting his mothers throat into his head.

As he examined her weapons he gave a soft whistle. "Well, you certainly did a number on them this time, no simple repairs either, I'm going to have to replace a few parts for your gun, given your rods nature being echidna tech, its still relatively easy to fix and polish up though." With that he got to work, giving her a soft smile each time he glanced her way.

[Blazeymix 890]

Her glare faltering, she realized even that did not change the look in his eyes when he stared at her. Something was amiss. As she watched him work on her things, she continued to battle with her mind, fighting to figure out what he was playing at. Perhaps he was a spy, meant to reel her in before shiving her with one of his tools. Or maybe, he was simply a lonely brute, having been without a woman for many years, he likely was desperate for anything. Even one with a reputation like Mynt's. That must be it. This pathetic creature merely wanted relations from her. She would find out his true intentions this very moment.

Standing up without a word, albeit loudly, she slipped down her blouse, revealing her breasts and walked up to him. She then pressed her front to his back, squeezing her soft mounds on him as she wrapped her arms around his large frame. She grabbed his hand from his tools, and attempted to guide it to slip under the front of her pants toward her crotch. "This is what you want, is it not?" she whispered in a seductive manner, edging him on, knowing that he would take the bait and the mystery would be solved. "Take me then. Go on."

[Blitscreet 552]

Burner had effectively zoned out as he kept working on Mynts pistol. He chuckled softly, almost inaudible a couple times, thinking back to the hat comment. Those kinds of threats and expressions were wasted on him. Robotnik had already tortured him well past breaking point, so anything Mynt could do or say wouldn't have much of an efftect on him, including her rod which he was already well aware of its capabilities. 

However when she stood up behind him, barechested hug to his back, there was no ignoring that. He could feel her mounds squished against his back as her hands slid around front. 

However when she spoke again, taking his jands and bringing them to her crotch he pulled away before turning around to face her. 

He wore a solemn expression on his face this time as he pulled up her blouse. "I'm afraid you've got it all wrong. I was simply showing you some kindness. I don't want anything in return."

As much as he wanted too, and as much as he could just take her. No amount of torture could break that bit of morality. He didn't care how savage or brutal her reputation was, or how some people would call it deserving, he needed some control in his life, to keep himself sane, or he would just walk out those doors and end it all right there. The small explosive surgically attached to the back of his neck would see to that. 

[Blazeymix 890]

Smacking his hand away, the echidna retreated with a scowl. "To hell with your kindness. It's not needed." Breathing in deep with a gripped fist Mynt fixed her blouse and began to make for the door. She cursed herself, unable to fathom the man, unable to understand him and his 'kindness'. No one was kind to her, no one liked her. She preferred it that way. She enjoyed it that way. Mobians were cowards and vermin, easily torn open and all red inside. Mynt was in no way a good person. She was a killer, a powerful warrior that knew nothing but pain and violence. There was no room for that fool's kindness. It went against her very nature to accept such weakness.

Yet she wanted to turn around, to walk back and sit down to share his presence for a little longer at least, but her body wouldn't allow it. She continued to walk away, her pride at stake, her denial of her true feelings, of having feelings at all. She knew she was better without them, if any were to know she had them at all, her reputation would be shattered. No one would fear her, a woman they thought was as cold as dried ice, after seeing her display even the smallest amount of positivity toward another. That was not who she was anyway.

 

[Blitscreet 552]

Before she made it to the door he managed to close the gap and take her by the shoulder to stop her, at least for a moment to talk to her again. It wasn't just the fact he could see she didn't want to leave, he didn't want her to leave just yet either. 

"How about you come back and sit down. I can can get you a drink instead. I'm pretty sure I have some good stuff if you want something hard, or even just water otherwise." Offering a drink was definitely out of character for him, especially since getting liquor was a rare occurance. He would offer food if she wished, but that was something less appealing. Given he really didn't get anything more than something that barely passed as food, which kept him sustained throughout the day. 

[Blazeymix 890]

When the hand gripped her shoulder, she felt a sense of relief inside her. Any other hand would have been shattered, broken or cut off for daring to touch her. Mynt simply swiped his hand off of her shoulder like batting a fly and turned around to walk back to the table. "I will stay," she replied, sitting in a chair next to it. Folding her arms, her silver eyes met the Blacksmith's.

"What is your name, then?" she shot, a hint of annoyance in her tone.

[Blitscreet 552]

For most it would be a little confusing dealing with someone who seemingly changed their minds so often. But for Burner, as he was very keen when it came to people's actions after watching them come and go for so long, he had learned to recognize when someone was dealing with a bit of internal turmoil. As she sat down he smiled at her and headed over to a small fridge, built himself, as most of his luxuries were. "So would you like anything to drink while you wait? I have some ice water, or some aged rum, thirty years old before the coup." He chuckled softly before just taking both and setting them on the table next to Mynt.

"As for my name, I am Bartholomew Magnum. Most people I knew called me Burner. I would ask the same but that would be pointless, as is obvious, your name was a part of those rumors. I'd like to drop the officer title and just call you Mynt if that is alright?"

[Blazeymix 890]

"You may refer to me as Mistres-- no," she stopped herself, wiping her hair away from her eyes. "Mynt is fine, Bartholomew." The strong woman crossed her legs, then spoke. "I will accept water," she replied with a frown. She never drank such things as alcohol. She preffered her senses to be as optimal as possible. "You are the Blacksmith who was captured during the War. A prisoner alone in this chamber ever since. Am I correct?"

[Blitscreet 552]

Nodding softly with a smile he took the liquor and put it back in the fridge leaving the water. "Aye I was, Blacksmith for the royal family, forged most if not all the armor and weapons for them. Robotnik thought it would be best to keep me around, flesh and blood that is, seeing as how even he respects that doing some things yourself is much more efficient. Implanted an explosive device attached to my spine on the back of my neck, his little insurance policy, keeping me in this room." He went back to fixing her pistol, but this time keeping some of his attention on her as well.

"Well apparently the damage isn't as bad as I initially thought. Just a lot of dried and caked blood." Completely disassembling the pistol he separated the delicate electronics from it and put the rest into a mild acid bath to clean it. The rod could wait a bit since it was easier. Once he finished that he walked over and took a seat next to Mynt. "You know, despite all the talk about you, as well as your attempt to keep up that appearance, if it wasn't for how banged up your weapons are, I would find it impossible to believe a beauty such as yourself capable of such acts."

[Blazeymix 890]

Mynt thought about his story. How much time he was forced to spend trapped in that room in isolation. Trapped was a feeling Mynt knew all too well, she related to this man then, understanding his situation and appreciating it more. The Blacksmith had whispers of his own, rumors of how he never spoke, that he was a prisoner there with his crime being the murder of some members of the Royal Family. All rubbish.

The compliment caught her off guard, forcing her to look away with her usual scowl. "Your jokes are not amusing," she replied, her face burning.

[Blitscreet 552]

"You call them jokes, I call them compliments. If you plan on spending more time around me you're likely going to get them more often." He smiled, then suddenly took her hand before kissing it. Then got up to go back to tinkering with her weapons. It didn't take long for him to polish up and reassemble her gun, looking even better than before. Her rod was simple enough as it stripped the leather surrounding the steel core before replacing it.

Once all was said and done he placed them back in the bag before bringing it over to the table where she sat. "And there you go." Giving her another smile he sat back down beside her again. "You know, you don't have to bang up your weapons to come see me. Any time past midnight is fine, that's when the last of the other people in this building leave. They lock the place down usually so only those with the key are allowed in. I'm pretty sure getting a key would be a lot easier than banging up your weapons. I doubt you would find it as enjoyable however."

Stretching back on the chair, he cracked his knuckles before letting out a deep sigh. "So how about you go get yourself a key, and come back later? Up to you though, I certainly wouldn't mind actually spending time with you and getting to know you better. Entirely up to you though." Sitting up straight Burner leaned over to gently lift her hat to look her in the eyes. "But I know that I would really like it if you did. We could make it a date." 

The last word out of his mouth came a little rough. He hadn't really thought that word at all, but sitting right in his work space was the deadliest echidna in the Legion, prettied up for him, so as of right now he was not going to waste this opportunity. The worst thing that could happen he figured was that Robotnik sent here to kill him after toying with him for a while, give him that slight bit of hope that he could be happy before taking it away. At this point he didn't care, he wanted to see how this would go.