bgsnow

Hey, do you remember who this is?

What? You say something?

I mean, we're already lying here on the ground. I think maybe we should take a little nap first...

*sigh* Let me remind you, then.

I... I know this girl who commissioned two craftsmen on this street to make me a Durin-style fountain pen.

She had books in her bag and the words of her homeland in her head, but she's unwilling to touch any of them again.

Whenever she lifts her pen, she is reminded of the snow-drenched cloak she wore, and begins writing letters that will never be sent.

Why won't they get sent? Did the railway to the next city break down or something?

Sorry, I digress...

Anyway, she just wanted something as a token, to mark her sealing away of those bygone days, after which she can finally become...

Hm... what would she become?

A scribe?

She wouldn't be completely saying goodbye to her past, then.

So does she want this fountain pen or not?

...Never mind.

In this story, we'll let her become a mead salesperson! Then, she'll drink merrily along with everyone else, and the smell of the alcohol will reach every corner of the artificial lake!

Oh! Ohh! I like how this story turns out! I love it!

It's a good thing we didn't have anything in the back of the truck. That said, I did put two barrels of mead in there!

What? You brought mead? You should've said so! I would've stood up so much sooner!

Come, cheers!

—I'll have a cup too. Thanks.

Um, actually, about twenty days ago, I commissioned you two to make me a fountain pen.

So... may I ask where it is?

Oh, oh! It's you! Now I remember!

We finished it alright, but we forgot who gave us the commission.

Hold on... a fountain pen?

I don't think we made a fountain pen.

Technically, part of it is a fountain pen.

But long story short, we made a crossbow.

A crossbow?

I... Why would I want a weapon?

Well, I forgot who you were, but I still remember what you told us.

Your description was too vivid. I had no idea why someone would want to stab their heart with a pen, but I felt it like a crossbow bolt through my heart!

...Huh?

Hm... Do you think you could make me an actual fountain pen this time? Also, I'd like a typewriter, too.

Avdotya, you're back.

Right, I want to look for magazines popular among the Durins, to see what kind of advertising copy draws their attention.

I'm pretty sure you can find those on the bookshelves right by the door. I mean, lots of people flip through them every day!

Many thanks.

Right, Avdotya. Avdotya... Have I seen your name somewhere recently?

Yes, I gave myself a Durin-style surname to make it easier to send in submissions.

Which has to mean I saw your name in a recent magazine.

And I thought you didn't want to write anymore.

...There were two Durins who made me a collectible that's even more suited for sealing away my past.

As for the fountain pen and typewriter... there's no harm in continuing to use them.

Oh, I've found it! Avdotya...

...'Razorpen.'

I... I must keep writing.

After all, I know I can't truly leave it behind me.