A day had passed since the surprise bandit raid, and Garrok Halforcen found solace in his work. The morning sun bathed the hustle and bustle of the town in a warm glow as he stood before his wagon, engrossed in his forge. Nyx and Fang, his loyal Dire wolves, lay nearby, their watchful eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
Curiosity permeated the air, drawing discreet gazes from onlookers. Gnomes and Goblins, with their affinity for tinkering and mechanical devices, were particularly intrigued by the mechanisms of Garrok's guns. The Dwarves, renowned for their expertise in firearms, were curious about his unique fighting style. Humans and Elves saw in him a potential hireling for their endeavors, while the Beast-kin sought his allegiance to their clans. The orcs, ever cautious, observed him with suspicion and intrigue.
Among the crowd, a redheaded gnome girl exuded restless energy. Tink, as she preferred to be called, stood taller than most gnomes at 1.2 meters. Her fiery red shoulder length hair flowed in waves around her face, and a pair of goggles rested on her forehead, ready to be pulled down when needed. Emerald green eyes brimmed with curiosity, contrasting with her slightly pale, freckled skin that betrayed a hint of nervousness.
Tink's attire reflected her mechanical inclinations. She wore light green trousers adorned with numerous pouches, reaching down to her ankle-length boots. A yellow sleeveless tunic, cinched with a tool bag, was covered by a light green vest, its pockets filled with an assortment of tools and instruments. She wore bracelets on her wrists, adorned with tiny bells that jingled with her every move. Strapped to her back was a crossbow of peculiar design, featuring grooved metal wheels instead of traditional limbs, with a string attached to coil springs on the sides of the foregrip.
During the bandit raid, Tink had watched from a second-floor window of the Caravanserai, her SPAL (Spring Powered Arrow Launching) bow, her beloved creation in hand. From her vantage point, she had an excellent view of the action below, including Garrok and his uniquely designed long-gun. The sight of a Half-Orc wielding such a weapon had piqued her curiosity, but it was his impressive rate of fire that truly captured her attention. She was determined to learn more.
Summoning her courage, Tink cautiously approached Garrok,
The imposing presence of the wolves made her nervous, but their relaxed posture slightly eased her nerves. She holds out her hands, showing them to be empty and meant no harm.
“Good doggies, good doggies, please don’t eat me…” she nervously crooned.
The wolves just stared at her, but they didn’t make any aggressive moves. She finally got close enough and with a voice tinged with excitement, she introduces herself,
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"Hello there! I'm Tinker Gearlocke, but you can call me Tink!" she greeted him with a mix of excitement and nerves.
Engrossed in his work, Garrok initially ignored her presence, focused on maintaining his guns.
As Tink's curiosity got the better of her, she couldn't contain her barrage of questions any longer.
"I saw you fight the other day; you were amazing!" she exclaimed. "How did you manage to shoot so fast?!"
On and on the Gnome girl barrages him with questions. Just as she was about to give up and leave, he finally responded, his voice gruff yet not unkind.
"I'm busy, we can talk after I finish."
Though momentarily disappointed, Tink's face quickly brightened as Garrok added, "You can watch, but stay quiet." With eager enthusiasm, she nodded and settled nearby, her eyes fixed on him as he continued his work.
For the next several minutes, Tink stood in silent awe, absorbing every movement and technique Garrok employed. She marveled at his skill, the way he shaped the metal with precision and cared for his firearms. The rhythmic sound of the hammer against metal became a symphony of craftsmanship, filling her with reverence.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Garrok finally turned his gaze towards Tink and nodded in approval. "You've got patience, I'll give you that," he remarked, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Excitement danced in Tink's emerald eyes as she mustered the courage to offer her assistance. "You can finish faster if I help you!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with determination.
Garrok regarded her for a moment, seemingly contemplating her words. Then, reaching into one of his bags, he pulled out a paper cartridge. "Can you make this?" he grunted, his gaze fixed on her.
While Tink had observed him using these paper cartridges to reload his long-gun, she had no idea how to make one. Determined to prove herself, she replied, "If you show me how, I can make them for you."
Garrok led her to a nearby desk, handing her a powder horn, a bag of shot, and a wooden peg. With practiced motions, he used the peg to shape the paper, folding one end and pouring powder into the cavity. Placing a single shot on top of the powder, he wrapped and folded the other end, creating a completed cartridge. He handed it to Tink, who observed the process closely.
Eager to learn, Tink spent the next hour crafting paper cartridges under Garrok's watchful eye. As they worked side by side, a sense of camaraderie began to form between them. Once they finished, Tink extended an invitation to Garrok. "Would you like to join me for a drink at the Caravanserai? I'd love to know more about you."
Garrok's expression softened, his gruffness giving way to a rare warmth. "Sure," he replied, "but first, help me pack up the forge and gather the wolves. They'll behave if you don't show fear."
Tink's nervousness transformed into happiness as she nodded eagerly, ready to assist. Together, they secured the forge and organized the tools, the wolves observing their every move. With everything in order, they set off towards the bustling Caravanserai, a place where travelers, merchants, and adventurers converged.
As they walked side by side, in companionable silence broken only by the clinking of their footsteps and the faint jingle of Tink's bracelets, a bond began to form between the unlikely pair. Tink's emerald eyes glimmered with curiosity and admiration, while Garrok's rugged demeanor softened in the presence of genuine interest and companionship.
Little did they know that this chance encounter would mark the beginning of a beautiful relationship, one that would intertwine their fates in unforeseen ways.