etrayalogs | Whisper to iron (closed)

Entry tags:

Whisper to iron (closed)

WHO: Vax'ildan Vessar, Dion Lesage
WHEN: January
WHERE: Near the apartments
WHAT: Thief lessons
NOTES\WARNINGS: None.

[ It's been a rough couple of weeks since returning to Etraya. Between people disappearing and conducting searches, all the upset and worry can wear a half-elf down. Vax needs to remember that he can't simply dwell on those unfortunate circumstances all the time, even if brooding is something he's quite good at.

After recently gifting Dion a set of lockpicks, he needs to follow through with teaching Dion how to use them, and that provides a welcome distraction.

At first, he thought he'd just have Dion practice on a few padlocks, but then, he thought he'd make it a bit more interesting. Vax sends a message, asking Dion if he's up for some lessons and invites him to meet at an empty three-story building a few blocks from the apartments. That's where Vax is waiting outside for his friend to arrive. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You needn't thank me for that.

[ Doubtless an expected response by now. ]

I did bring him supplies, yes. He'd requested some provisions, and I had a few ideas of my own.

[ Dion has had the benefit of a longer tenure and seeing more worlds, so he could contribute some useful ideas and supplies as a result. ]

Oh. I'm sure he appreciated it.

[ Vax has always appreciated it when Dion has gone out of his way to feed him. Were he sick, he knows he would be grateful. ]

And did you bring your tools, apprentice?

I only hope he sees a swift recovery.

[ He'll be sure to bring more books and food until Joshua's health improves.

Don't go getting sick, Vax. ]

As for the tools, I did bring them with me. It would be difficult to learn otherwise.

[ Vax also hopes for Joshua's recovery. It wouldn't do if he remained sick long term. Eventually, another mission will come around and that could become difficult. ]

Good. Let's get started.

[ The rogue leads the way over to the building, where the pair of front doors have been chained shut with a padlock. ]

I thought it might be more fun if we opened locks on an actual building.

[ Vax is responsible for setting the locks in place, though. ]

Do you know the basics of how a lock works?

[ Dion follows him along, eyeing the new adornment on the doors. He's roamed the area enough to know those are new. ]

I recall someone explaining them to me, not long ago.

[ A certain half-elf rogue, in fact. ]

Is there more I ought to know?

[ Vax smiles a bit sheepishly. Right, he did go on a bit about the need for the tools to be so thin. ]

Yeah, about locks themselves, not just the picks.

[ He cups the padlock in his hand once they've approached the doors. ]

There are different types of locks, which require different tools. A lock like this has pins inside. They're easy to start with. This one is small; only four pins. Once the pins are lifted from the core, the lock can be turned and opened. That's where the tools come in.

Pins...

[ It seems a little abstract to him, yet it makes sense at the same time. He doesn't know what to make of that, but he decides not to dwell on that.

In the bunker he'd had a notion of what could be used on the prison locks despite having no reason to. ]

How do you gauge their placement?

[ Dion seems to understand what pins are if he knows they have placements they need to be at for a lock to open. ]

You have to feel for it. Give me your hand. Palm up.

[ Vax thinks he can demonstrate the idea and holds his hand out for Dion's. ]

[ Dion eyes Vax's waiting hand briefly. The purpose isn't clear to him, but this is Vax, so he's sure there is a reason. ]

Very well.

[ He lifts a hand to place in Vax's, palm up as he specified. ]

[ Vax holds Dion's hand from beneath, then curls Dion's three fingers to his palm so only his index finger is left. ]

Imagine your finger is the pick. You insert it into the top of the lock chamber and feel around for the pins.

[ Vax's other hand moves above Dion's hand, running his four fingertips across the top of Dion's finger, as if those four fingers were pins inside the lock. ]

Then, you move the pick to try and push the pins up, but you'll feel some resistance.

[ The hand under Dion's pushes his index finger up against one of Vax's fingers, while applying a slight pressure down against Dion's finger. ]

[ As Vax explains, Dion's eyes remain on their hands, following gestures and movements with a small, thoughtful frown.

It's a fine illustration, and easy enough to understand. ]

It seems straightforward in principle.

[ In principle, because it clearly requires skill and finesse. ]

[ It does take some practice to get it right, but Vax is sure Dion will get it. ]

You keep pushing the pin until you feel it give a little. Instead of being stiff, it'll bounce back a bit.

[ The tension in Vax's finger eases so there's a slight give. ]

It means the pin has met the spring behind it, and that's the sweet spot. On some locks, you might even hear the pin click into place. Course, hearing it is a little easier for me than you.

[ He's got his half-elf ears to thank. ]

If you push it beyond that, you'll jam it up and have to start all the pins over again.

[ Dion has gathered that Vax can hear better than he can. He'll just have to pay close attention to what he's doing.

As he'd thought, it seems no small measure of skill is required. ]

It must take a great deal of practice.

[ But he has the benefit of guidance, so it doesn't seem as daunting as it might otherwise. ]

I will bear these details in mind.

At least we have lots of time between missions.

[ Dion can get all the practice he wants. With a nod and a smile, Vax releases Dion's hand. ]

I'm sure you'll get it in no time. Ready to try? You'll need two of your tools for this. A pick and a turning tool. That's the thicker, sturdier one.

[ For this occasion, Dion had tucked the tools into the breast pocket of the jacket he's wearing, one he'd purchased on Earth. It's a simple denim affair; something he chose before it seemed durable.

He pulls out the tools he thinks Vax means and holds them up for his review. ]

These ones?

That's it. Let me have the big one.

[ Vax crouches down in front of the padlock holding the chain shut and waits to receive the turning tool. Once Dion joins him, Vax continues. ]

If it's a padlock like this, you want to hold it in your left hand. Then, you take the hook of the turning tool and set it into the bottom of the lock, just to grab onto it, and start to turn it to create some tension, and keep the tension in place with your thumb.

[ He helps with the placement of Dion's hand, cradling the lock while keeping the tool in place. ]

But you don't want to force the tool too hard. That's how they break. Then, you get to picking with your other hand. If you get all the pins in the right position, the turning tool will move and the lock will open.

[ Dion pays close attention, observing as he listens. Vax makes it sound simple enough, but in practice it's surely challenging. ]

And you said these tools commonly break?

[ Once more, Dion can but wonder why more durable materials aren't utilized. If they need to be slim and light, there are metals that fit the bill.

Are they all too expensive on Vax's world? ]

I mean, not all the time, but even an expert can snap a pick. Wrong tension, being too forceful, or just some imperfection in the metal can exist.

[ He wonders if anyone will spot them and wonder what they're doing crouched down close to each other in front of the door. ]

But if it breaks, we'll get another one.

[ His eyebrows knit together, still no more at ease with the thought of breaking Vax's gift than he was before. ]

Even so, I shall be careful.

[ Yes the tools are made to be used, but also, they were given to him by his friend... ]

[ Vax chuckles softly. Dion's concern about the tools is cute. He just figures Dion isn't in the habit of wanting to break anything. His hand comes to rest on Dion's shoulder. ]

Go on, then.

[ Vax remains close to observe. ]

Very well.

[ Has Vax seen how intensely focused Dion can be when given a task up close? If not, he does on this occasion, as Dion attempts to apply Vax's instructions to opening the lock.

Despite this, he looks befuddled when the shackle obligingly pops out of the lock's body. ]

...That does not seem correct.

[ Yes, in concept it made sense to him, but in practice it can only be luck. Accordingly, he just snaps that shackle back into place. ]

[ Vax observes Dion's action. Good technique. His hands seem to be moving correctly. ]

Try bobbing your...

[ And then it's open. ]

Uh...

[ Could it be luck? That was quite fast. ]

[ Dion frowns at the lock, resuming the placement of his tools.

It's strange. He followed Vax's instructions, but it feels as though it was too easy. Suspiciously so. ]

I suppose that was "beginner's luck".

[ It's all he can surmise. ]

[ Vax certainly didn't rig it. Maybe it was too easy for Dion? ]

Or you're a fucking natural.

[ The rogue isn't sure if he's surprised, proud, or annoyed. Maybe all of the above. ]

[ Dion pauses to shoot a skeptical look at him.

There is surely no way he has some talent for this. ]

I'm inclined to think luck is more likely.

[ And then he turns his attention back to the lock. ]

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