The Reverse Edge Weapons Emporium...Frank Maynard was working in the back on a new type of shotgun. He had seen them back home, but here in Windia, he was amazed that it wasn't even around.
I can't believe it. No lever action shotguns here! If this works, I can file it under my greatest achievements, alongside the Slasher that I had made awhile back...
Diane burst into the Research and Development room, muttering.
"I swear! If ah have t' fix another gun 'cause some idiot doesn't know how ta load th' thing..."
Frank looked over and noticed that his co-worker's tail was waving angrily.
"Whoa... easy there... just calm down..." Frank said while raising his hands in a calming motion.
Diane smoothed out her gray smock. She was about to say something to Frank, when she caught sight of what he was working on.
"Wha' What is that??? Look's like a gun of sorts..." Diane said, tail waving happily.
Frank smiled. "You got that right. It's a lever action combat shotgun that I'm developing for Guard use. We've got weapons like this at home, but I've yet to see one here."
Diane looked confused. "Lever action? Wha?"
Frank chuckled at the woren. "See? Look..." Frank said as he pointed to the blue prints. "The lever here is also the trigger guard. With a simple flick of the wrist, the gun can be cocked and ready for use."
Diane's eyes lit up in amusement. "So... with th' size of this gun..."
Frank looked up from the gun parts that he was assembling. "Right. It's a normal twelve gauge shotgun, but it's small enough to be carried as a handgun."
"Neat! What're ya gunna call it?" Diane asked the Persona User.
"That's easy. The Western Custom." Frank said. He nearly burst out laughing when Diane made a sour face.
"Western Custom? Why that?" The woren told him. Diane's tail was flicking in disapproval.
"Well, guns like this were used in the Wild West back home. When I say Wild West, I mean a time period back in the country I lived in. This reminds me of the guns used in those times, so..." Frank explained.
Diane still had a look of disapproval on her face. "I still dun like the name."
"Well then... what would you call it?" Frank challenged the woren.
"Uh... eh... Jes gimme a second..." Diane stuttered.
"I thought so..." Frank said with a chuckle.
Diane was going to respond when Jess poked her head into the R&D room.
"Frank, Diane... can you help me here? Some customers just came in... Diane, help me work the floor. Frank, can you get the Guard's order ready? Someone's here to pick it up." Jess said, both ears twitching.
"Sure thing, mom." Frank then went to retrieve a clipboard from the wall, checking over it.
"All right, Jess." Diane said with a smile. She walked out of the R&D room, tail waving happily. Frank was soon on her heels.
************************************************** Well then... The Reverse Edge... My first time being here... I wonder what da- I mean, Captain Conwing ordered...Brandon was looking around the shop while he waited for the clerk with the Guard's order. The black winged Windian was looking at the rapiers on display when a voice interrupted his train of thought.
"Welcome to the Reverse Edge! You're here to pick up the order for the Guard, correct?" Frank said as he glanced over his clipboard.
By Ladon! Frank works here! I didn't know...
Brandon turned around with a smile on his face as he turned to look at his friend.
Frank was still looking at his clipboard. "Right then... let's see here... twenty..." At that point, Frank looked up and his eyes went wide in shock.
"Brandon! I didn't know you're part of the Windian Guard!" The Persona User said in shock.
Brandon shrugged. His black wings fluttered lightly with the movement. "Yeah... I know. Nothing big though. But you didn't know?"
Frank shook his head. "Not a clue, man. Hang on. I'll go and get the order ready... Let's see here... twenty revolvers, .357 magnum caliber... ten rapiers, standard Windian Guard design... ten long swords, also standard design... and fifty cases of Reverse Edge premium magnum rounds. Hoo boy... you've got a lot here... Hang on." Frank then ran to the stock room to get the order out.
Brandon continued to look around at the various weapons for sale. What caught his eyes were some odd knife/boomerang weapons.
Hey... I saw Maria with one of those... I think she called it a Slasher, or something like that.
Brandon took a closer look at the display. His eyes widened in surprise when it had said that Frank was the one who developed the weapon.
He made this? Ladon... these are very nice! I should ask him about it the next time we spar...
At that moment, Frank came out of the back room. He placed one box down, retreated to the back, then came out with a couple more boxes. Once more, Frank ran to the back before returning with a dolly.
"Jeez Brandon! You've got a load here! Hang on, I'll ask Jess If I can help you deliver this stuff..."
Brandon shook his head. "You don't have to, I'll manage."
Frank raised an eyebrow. "Right... you're going to carry all these weapons by yourself. I doubt you'd make it two steps out the door."
The black winged Windian raised his hands in defeat. "All right... all right... I could use the help..."
Frank smiled. "Okay, just give me a second." The human went off to find Jess. After a brief conversation, Frank loaded up the dolly and wheeled it over to where his friend was.
"Brandon... could you get that box off the top? I need to see..." The voice of Frank said from behind the tower of crates.
The Windian chuckled. "Sure thing... we don't need you running over anything, do we?"
"Hush you! Mom! I'll be back as soon as I'm done with this delivery!" Frank called out.
Brandon glanced at Frank.
Mom? If Ms. Rorins is his mother... then... what happened...
"All right Frank! Hurry back, okay?" Jess said to her adopted son, tail waving.
"Sure thing! Oh yeah... Diane! Don't mess with what I'm working on in the R&D room... Please?"
Diane chuckled. "Frank... Frank Frank Frank... Would I do anythin' like tha'?"
"Yes!" Frank said. With that word, Diane pouted.
"Aww.. yer no fun..." The woren said, tail waving innocently.
And with that, the duo left.
************************************************** "Frank, do you mind me asking a question?" The raven winged windian said."Go ahead..." The Persona User said as he continued to push the dolly full of weapons along the street.
"You called Ms. Rorins mom... Do you know what..." Brandon stopped when he saw the pained look on his friend's face.
"I'd... I'd rather not talk about it..." Frank said quietly. The Windian took that as his cue not to butt in any farther.
Eventually, both of them made it to the headquarters of the Windian Guard.
"Frank! Great to see you again!" A female voice said from behind them.
"Hey Maria! How's it going?" The Persona User asked the older Guard.
"Pretty good, actually. Oh! Since you're here to deliver some weapons... why don't I introduce you to the captain? Since the incident and all..." The golden winged Windian told him.
Brandon raised an eyebrow before stealing a glance at Frank.
Incident? Wait... the coliseum? No way... It couldn't be...
"Sure thing, Maria. Just let me unload these first..." The Persona User said as he concentrated on his task at hand.
Brandon and Frank reached the Guard's armory. The two proceeded to unload the weapons and ammo. As they did so, both talked about their next sparring session. The black winged Windian was also giving Frank more pointers on how to fight and such.
Finally, they were finished. Brandon led Frank over to the captain's office.
"Captain Conwing will see you now..." Brandon told his friend.
"Conwing? Your father?" Frank asked astounded.
The Windian shrugged. "He is, but I don't make a big deal out of it."
Frank nodded, then slowly entered the office. Matt Conwing looked up, and offered the Persona User a smile.
"Frank Maynard... welcome! Maria's told me about you!" The captain said to Frank.
"I just wanted to thank you personally. What you did in the coliseum was astounding. When you see Kate and Tellka, let them know that I'd like to see them as well." Matt Conwing said with a sense of pride in his voice.
Frank saluted, since he figured it was the proper thing to do. "I will, sir, but now, I must get back to work."
Matt nodded. "I understand. Thank you again, Frank!" And with that, Frank left the office, and nearly ran into Brandon.
"Hey man... I get off in about an hour. Want to spar later?" Frank asked.
Brandon grinned. "Would I ever turn that down? Okay, I'll see you then."
"Take care!" Frank said as he left.
Brandon watched his friend leave before turning to his thoughts. He overheard the conversation in the office.
Frank was the one in the coliseum...