Lynn
Location: Heph's Forge
Who: Hephaestus and Dinlas
When the cool uncle and the edgy nephew join forces...
Stephen
It was nice to see they'd have some privacy from those loitering peasants. Dinlas wondered how hard Hephaestus worked those poor souls under the sweltering heat of the forge. How many burned themselves accidentally? Smashed a finger or two? Collapsed from heat exhaustion? Surely, Uncle Heph wouldn't keep such lousy company—that is if it were entirely up to him. Perhaps some of the lot were there against either of their wills, forced to toil away at the anvil until their arms fell from the bone. But enough daydreaming, Dinlas was here on business.
"Ugh, don't even mention that son-of-a-bitch!" The God of Chaos rolled his eyes at the mention of his father. Secretly, deep down, he admired the war god's ambition. An ambition he certainly inherited. Dinlas followed his uncle to the stone bench he was motioned over towards, hands in his pockets. 
"Things are pretty quiet down there, too damn quiet if you ask me, but," He jut his chin up into the air dramatically, "It's not up to me, now is it?" Of course, if things were to take a turn in the Underworld, say, they entered the conflict, Dinlas would most certainly find something else to complain about. 
"Anyways, I have some business with the *Old cripple* Of the family." He said, echoing Hephaestus. "If there's some room left on that big ass plate of yours, I'd like to request a... Favor. Nothing big, nothing crazy, just a little insurance, if you get what I mean?"
Renee
Hephaestus grinned at Dinlas' response, seeing the fire in his eyes. "Everyone always has business with the forge master," He chuckled. "Cant say I mind it, keeps the mind and hands busy which is always a good thing." He looked over at his nephew as he reached up and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "But insurance, you say? Ah, something to protect yourself perhaps? I have quite the selection here, you know. Armor, weapons... Or perhaps something to help you harness your strength and chaotic energy? I could make you a weapon, something custom designed just for you. Something special, unique, that channels your natural aggression and anger into controlled power. There's no shortage of options for what can be made." 

Hephaestus gestured around the forge with a wave of his arm, motioning to the various tools and metals scattered about. "We've got Divine Steel of course, Celestium, Aouramedim, Shadow Steel, Titan Bone, and Promethium. " Hephaestus paused for dramatic effect before continuing after a sly grin. "Of course, there's also options for tips, points, and finishes made from Dragon Glass, Sea Shard, Star Gold, Devine Silver, and Void Crystals." The Forge God paused there, watching for Dinlas' reaction, knowing good and well some of those were of a rare and somewhat volatile nature- at least in the hands of a lesser craftsman. But he was the blacksmith of the gods, it was what he did and there was yet to be a material he couldn't eventually bend to his will and shape or fashion in some way.

Hephaestus's attention turned then to the expansive collection of items that adorned the walls and tables of the forge. There were axes, maces, daggers, swords of all shapes and sizes – some simple and utilitarian while others were intricately designed with piercing points or serrated edges that looked more suited for gutting enemies than actually cutting through metal. There were bows and crossbows too, restrung and ready for action; quiversful of arrows. A couple staffs and spears had recently been finished, each adorned with a tip that gleamed brightly in the dancing light of the forge.

"Are you looking for something close range like daggers or a more versatile and ranged weapon? I can fashion a bo staff of sorts for you. Or anything else you have in mind can easily be fashioned for you and you alone." Hephaestus smirked, knowing whatever it was his nephew was really after, chances were he could make it.

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Stephen
Could it be? Was Dinlas actually enjoying his time on the surface? No, it can't be. He *Hated* It up here. He hated most things—that was his whole deal—but the hectic craze of the forge and its palatable master seemed to lessen the agony of existing. Hephaestus was powerful, but always in control. Dinlas truly admired his uncle, not just for the skilled artisan he was, but for the man's reasonability—a trait seldom found among the almighty. 
"You know me so well," A smile grew across Dinlas' face at the mention of his chaotic energy, "And you know I like options." 
The younger god gleefully listened to Hephaestus as the craftsman listed his boundless inventory. A few caught Din's attention. Shadow Steel and Titan Bone seemed to 'coolest' in his mind, however, something about Promethium spoke to him as well. Of course, it goes without saying that Dinlas' smile grew wider at the mention of void crystals. 
"Hah! You're spoiling me here, Unc." The man fidgeted where he sat, feet tapping, fingers intertwining and unlocking, eyes wild with possibilities. 
"Shadow Steel, Titan Bone, Promethium... Some cool stuff ya got 'ere. Oh, and void crystals? Yes, please." 
He would continue to stew over the choices presented to him: an axe? A mace? A set of daggers? Or maybe a crossbow? Hmm, probably not a bow.

"I'll have to go the melee route—not much for the whole distance thing. I like to get... Up close and personal, ya feel?" Dinlas threw a few jabs and punches in the air, imitating a cage fighter. "Besides, the whole 'bow and arrow' stuff is more Eros' thing, and I can't *Stand* That insufferable playboy." It was less an insult and more a factual statement, for Din was sure his estranged brother could hit apples off the heads of a hydra with a single arrow. No, showmanship was not the god of chaos' forte. 
"I'm sure anything you cook up will be an absolute beast to wield. I'll leave the details up to the chef." Dinlas winked. He cast a long glance over the forge one more time, picking out all the glorious sharp objects and blunt weapons. Some of the work he saw looked almost too divine to be used in the barbary of war; they were one-of-a-kind artistic masterpieces like perhaps you'd see in a display case. What made these all the more better were that these were made to look *And* Touch. 
"No rush or anythin', but do keep me updated, yeah?" 
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Renee
Hephaestus grinned as he watched his Nephew's eyes dance over the various options and considerations he offered. Hephaestus chuckled, his firm yet also gentle hand clapping Dinlas on the shoulder affectionately. "Of course, my boy. The forge is always open to you, and I'll make sure the weapon selected for you becomes an extension of your chaotic might." 

His gaze wandered over the assortment of weapons on display - some still glowing faintly with heat from recent forging, others bearing marks of wear and tear that only added to their battle-worn character. Each piece waiting for the master craftsman's touch to bring them back to life once more. Hephaestus turned back to Dinlas. "And don't worry about any of the beautiful aesthetics that are added to your piece," He added with a wink, "They'll still serve their purpose when it comes time to put them to good use." The smell of burning coal and hot iron mixed with the cooler scent of water from the nearby quenching pool, creating a unique aroma that both Dinals and Hephaestus likely found oddly comforting. 

The forge master watched his nephew, the heaviness in his heart increasing as he thought about the life he'd been forced into. In a story far too familiar to Hephaestus, he knew Dinlas had been abandoned, regarded as not 'good enough' by his godly parents. It was bad enough the treatment shown to his nephew, but it was made all the worse in Hephaestus' mind considering it was Ares and Aphrodite who had committed that sin of abandoning their child. It was a big part of why Hephaestus had felt such a connection to Dinlas, despite his parentage, and had always tried to be there for him as much as he could.

Blinking slightly, Hephaestus brought his thoughts back to the present as he looked at Dinlas with a small fond smile. "I will have something for you by the end of the week most likely. But you are of course always welcome to come by before. Even if it not related to 'business' things" He said with a small head tilt towards his nephew. "I know you do not come up often, but I always do enjoy the visits and being able to catch up with you, Dinlas. Don't be a stranger, alright?"

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Stephen
It was an odd feeling. What was it? Peace? Comfort? Contentment? He felt at ease. It felt wrong, but he couldn't help that warm fuzzy feeling from worming it's way into his core like a parasitic insect into a shining ripe apple. Sure, the forge itself seemed to pulse with the light of glowing embers, but there was a special kind of warmth in the Hephaestus' cracked smile; the way his quiet chuckles bubbled up from his chest with a smooth finish found only in top shelf whiskey. 

Nah, couldn't be. It was most likely the excitement from hearing how soon his new toy would be completed. That tantalizing rush of adrenaline as he takes it for a test drive—that was surely what Dinlas was feeling. Nothing else could bring his bastard self this much joy. Certainly not spending quality time with palatable family. 
"A week is nothing compared to the *Millenia* This thing will serve me. Ah, it's like I can hear it now: their screams as they realize it's far too late to bow down and beg for forgiveness." Dinlas softly shut his eyes as he swayed and hummed in delight at the disasters dancing in his pieced together mind. A beautiful sight accompanied by a symphony of terror; everything crashing and burning. 

"Maybe." Dinlas was pulled from his fantasies. "I guess I could show up from time to time." He cast a long thoughtful gaze across the forge. It wasn't too bad—being up here and all that—not so bad to leave him brooding in the Underworld as per usual. "Yeah, alright, I'll come by sometime, but to be clear: I'm only doing this for you, Unc, not because I *Like it* Up here or anything." The angsty god grumbled, hopping up from where he was seated besides Heph. "Fuck, maybe even before it's ready... Just to check in on the process, y'know." Dinlas scratched his nose. "Guess uh, we're done here then? I'll... See ya later?" He was bad with goodbyes, unless it was an Irish Goodbye—those he was great at. Effortlessly, even. 

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Renee
Hephaestus grinned at his nephew and gave a small nod. He wasnt going to make things too awkward with drawn out goodbyes, but he was going to wave Dinlas over. "It has been far too long since your last visit, at least give your old Unc a hug to hold me over till you decide to drop by again huh?"

The forge god held out one arm and gave a crooked grin as he saw his nephew roll his eyes slightly even as he walked over. Giving Dinlas a quick hug, Hephaestus managed to drop a little something into his pocket, hopefully to not be discovered until later when his nephew was back in the darkness of the Underworld. It was a simple silver ring, plain enough at first glance. But etched into it in fine engraved script almost too intricate to see, there were the words to a simple incantation. 

Blessing and enchanting the things he made was far from rare, but this simple ring in particular had received special attention. Whether Dinlas would wear it or not Hephaestus left up to him, but if he chose to, the ring would hopefully provide him with bit of protection, a little boost to luck, and a slight shift of odds should Dinlas find himself in a tight spot. Hephaestus knew his nephew and his temper and his rage and he also knew there was no way to turn that off or change it. It was who Dinlas was and to ask that of him would be cruel and heartless- none of them could be anything other than what they were. 

But the forge god cared deeply for Dinals, seeing him as more of a son in many ways than simply a nephew.Even when he could not be there to keep an eye on him, Hephaestus wanted to do what he could to help him, even in a small way. With a fond smile and nod he let go and watched as Dinlas let the forge, watching him disappear out of sight before turning back to the fires with a soft sigh. He definitely was going to have his work cut out for him with this special order!

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