[center][h3]--- [i]The Village Center > Northwestern Village (Smithy)[/i] ---[/h3][h2][i][b]Akitsugu[/b][/i][/h2]Early Afternoon
[@Xaltwind][@ERode][@Dragonydas][@Rune_Alchemist][/center][hr][hr]
Miyusahime's voice froze Akitsugu the moment before he was about to draw--the expression that flashed across his face was one of both disbelief and what seemed to be...fear? Shock? It was the kind of expression someone makes when they have, without realizing it, exposed a secret about themselves.

But at that moment Myrr stepped up between them, and though her voice was soft, she vindicated Akitsugu's belief that the tools would be put to much better use in his possession. That validation gave the young man what he needed to take another deep breath---though his nostrils still flared angrily---and push his blade back into the sheath.

"Yes," he replied to Myrr, "and that way is for her to give them back---and then explain what she's done to my workshop." His eyes still glared hard at MacKinnon, and he had not yet removed his hand from the hilt.

Others were gathering now, and for the first time Akitsugu noticed the little girl behind MacKinnon. Their argument had, understandably, scared the child, and for a moment the blacksmith looked regretful. But as he sensed the large man---Daryl, right?---behind him, and the carpenter took a stern hold on his shoulder, once more Akitsugu set his jawline in a neutral expression. With a sigh, he let go of the sword's grip.

"Leftovers they may be, sir, they're all I've got until I can make new ones. And her [i]thievery[/i], much as I detest it, isn't what provoked me so." He crossed his arms and once again glared at MacKinnon. "She implied, just now, that all her rooting around has done something [i]destructive[/i] to the smithy." He turned to look side-eye at the large man. "Would [i]you[/i] tolerate someone who stole your tools, destroyed your shop, and then had the [i]gall[/i] to [b]taunt[/b] you about it?"

The merchant, whose name Akitsugu wasn't sure he'd learned yet, took the fence-sitting position and pointed out what he felt were the flaws in both parties' reasoning. The blacksmith sniffed, and held up one palm to show Daryl he had no more hostile intentions before slipping out from under the man's grip. 

"Again, I had assumed that by stating my profession and intentions, anyone who came across the smithy would leave it be for my use. Just as I would have left a carpenter's shop to Sir Daryl, or a tavern of any sort to Sir Brom. I suppose I should beg your forgiveness," he spat the next words with more venom as he looked back at the quote-unquote treasure hunter, "for assuming the same [i]decency[/i] of certain others in the group."

But the old man went on to lecture Akitsugu for his response. When he gave the blacksmith a stern, clearly unamused look, he would find that the red-head met it with the same intensity he'd conserved so far for MacKinnon alone. Clearly, the young swordsman felt [i]completely[/i] justified in what he'd done. But, as the grandfather turned to lecture MacKinnon next, the smith felt there wasn't any need to keep defending himself.

"If you'll excuse me, Sir Daryl." Akitsugu made a curt bow, "I must go check on the smithy---"

At that moment, a newcomer arrived. At first, Akitsugu thought [i]"What [u]now!?"[/u][/i] as he turned towards the voice, but then his eyes blinked very rapidly.

[i]By the great kami, THERE'S SO MUCH SKIN!?!?[/i] For a moment the expression on his face went beyond "neutral" to simply, profoundly, "blank." The only indicator of a single activated brain cell was that of a blush that began to redden his cheeks---then, Akitsugu whirled with a sudden energy and pointed at MacKinnon.

"You will return my tools post-haste! Do NOT put water on them! Sir Daryl, I'm going to check my shop!"

Compared to his earlier attitude, this sudden urgency seemed almost panicked. But the red-head's coat and robes swished in the air as he hurried to the [b]north western[/b] edge of the village, practically jogging with one hand steadying the sheathe of his blade---which, once again, produced a sound very much like human speech.

"Oi! Aren't you [sub]going to thank me for...[/sub]"