Sparks Flying
Blue and white flame erupted, bathing the room in blinding light. A shrouded figure held the torch and metal rod in gloved hooves as the surface crackled and popped, sending sparks flying. Thankfully, she was protected from the UV light with the hood she wore, equally so with the cloth over her muzzle to block out the sooty scent of metal. Through the window in the hood, she kept her keen eye on the blaze of molten metal binding the two machined metal pipes.
Three thousand Celsius with a lot of Argon is what this recipe called for― as she was working with a very reactive metal: Titanium.
Previously, her work of welding steel had refined her prowess. But now, she faced the unique challenge of working with a non-ferrous metal. The farthest she’d gone with non-corrosive metals was stainless steel, but even that was ferrous.
It was like speaking another language. One that had the same concepts, roots, and principles, yet obeyed them in a different, intuitive way.
She pitched her head back, causing the hood to glide up. Her eyes adjusted to inspect her work, making sure that no blemish escaped. Even the slightest imperfection would cause moisture and rot to build up inside of the pipes. She had to take caution of making sure the void inside was air tight and closed to the surroundings.
Finding the seam satisfactory, she nodded, the hood sliding back down in response as she waited no longer than a second to continue her work.
Titanium was a strong, yet relatively inert metal. It was expensive, but nowhere near to other metals such as platinum, silver, or gold. But the density of such was impractical for her applications. Besides, the more precious the metal, the higher the likeliness of getting nicked by an opportunist.
She could’ve used aluminum, but it was more volatile than titanium, not to mention its tensile strength was inferior to it. So, titanium presented itself as a welcome middle ground; expensive, but not flashy. Light, but strong.
She finished up and lifted her hood, inspecting the weld, slightly admiring her hoofwork. She felt a little hollow as she hauled it over to a protective trunk, holding it as if it were her own newborn. This would be the last time seeing it, her unexpected masterpiece. She smiled, satisfied by both the challenge it offered her to grow, whilst knowing the joy it would bring the pony who needed it.
She shut off the gas and disconnected the power to the torch, making sure everything was in order before she took off. She hauled the trunk into her cart and then strapped in.
Oh, she was excited! They were going to love this!
Torque Wrench carefully opened the wooden door. After doing so, she reached a hoof up to dampen the door chime. After wrestling through the door, she carried the heavy box inside.
“Torque?” A pegasus popped her head up from over the dressing screen.
Torque stopped in her tracks and looked up at the teal pegasus. I’m busted… Torque thought.
Kerfuffle, who was hovering above the dressing screen, looked at Torque with tired eyes.
“I didn’t catch you at a bad time, did I?” Torque asked, her words being muddled through the handle of the box in her mouth. She was hoping that the answer wasn’t going to be ‘no’.
“Oh nonono… You’re completely fine!” Kerfuffle said, gliding down from the dressing screen. She appeared from the other end, limping. Suddenly, Kerfuffle lost her footing and slipped.
Torque spat out the box and dove to catch Kerfuffle before she hit the ground. Kerfuffle had regained her balance just in time, using her wings to counter her fall. Immediately after, she glided towards the nearest chair and sat on her haunches. “Apologies, Torque.”
“No. It’s my fault.” Torque said, glancing at Kerfluffle’s missing appendage. “Sorry about snapping your peg leg the other day, if I didn’t insist you help me at the shop, none of this would’ve happened.”
“Pfft!” Kerfuffle waved a hoof. “It’s alright, Torque. It happens… I just got to wait until the new one arrives!”
“Well, you see, that’s funny, because…” She picked the box back up and then approached Kerfuffle. Setting the box as near as she could, her eyes quickly caught a glance of Kerfuffle’s nub. “I have a little bit of a surprise for you.”
She opened the latches of the box, and immediately, the gleam from the metal met both of the mare’s eyes.
“What-What’s this?” Kerfuffle asked.
Torque caught a slight hint of excitement in her friend’s voice. She’d almost missed her friend’s expression if she didn’t sneak a glance: Kerfuffle had her hooves to her muzzle, tears coming into her eyes. “You-you shouldn’t have!”
“All in a day’s work,” Torque said with faux-modesty. “Titanium prosthetic, almost an exact replica of your wooden one.”
“And here I thought you were being a little cryptic insisting you keep the peg leg” Kerfuffle said, elbowing her.
“Well, I think this answers your question,” Torque said. “Try it on!”
Like a foal opening a Hearth’s warming present, she took the titanium joint and fitted it onto her amputated leg. As she finished, she winced.
“Metal still a little too hot?” Torque asked. I should’ve checked…
“No, it’s… erm…” Kerfuffle stared at Torque, her mouth hanging open for a moment. “Uhm… tight?”
Torque face-hoofed. “Of course! Metal expands when heated! Why didn’t I remember that when I was making the measurements!?” She held her hooves up. “Sorry, Kerfuffle, but I’ll have to redo this.”
“Nono.” Kerfuffle held the prosthetic carefully, still fiddling with it, she carefully wedged it and smiled. “It fits! No need!”
“That can’t possibly be good for you.” Torque motioned like a mother trying to get her foal to spit out a cookie. “You’ll cut off circulation.”
Kerfuffle sighed as she took off the leg and placed it in Torque’s hooves.
“Sorry to get your hopes up, hopefully I’ll be able to get it adjusted by tomorrow.” Torque placed the prosthetic back in the insulation and then closed it, clicking the latches back on, before proceeding towards the door.
“W-wait!” Kerfuffle said.
Torque spun around, right as Kerfuffle came limping over to her. She embraced her. “Thank you. Truly. Even if it doesn’t fit, thank you for thinking of me.”
“Anytime!” Torque said. She took another couple steps before Kerfuffle interrupted her again.
“WAIT!”
“What now?” Torque chuckled.
“Can I watch you weld?” Kerfuffle asked.
“Not sure if that’s a good idea…”
“Maybe I can be of some help! OH! I know! I can hold the torch for you… or I can―”
Torque had stuffed a hoof over Kerfuffle’s mouth. With a gleam in her eye, she said, “Sure! Let’s go!”