[@Tessaract]

Irving probably would've waited for an opportunity to sneak away- either a mission gone wrong, or just stealthing away from the guerrillas. He wouldn't be the type to smash his way out. 

Also, it's less 'Artificing' and more tinkering, but artificing sounded cooler. It's something his original krewe had showed him and that he had honed over the years. The ability to build bombs would also come in handy while he worked with the guerillas. The ability to build his own weapon as well as Vin's hardlight stuff was a like a culmination of all of his efforts- and probably some advice from someone who actually knew what they were doing. 

He probably just joined the vigil because they paid him the most, honestly. And for how long he and Vin have been traveling together, I had thought we agreed on something like 4ish-going-on-5 years. 

The rocket racoon thing is more a reference to his personality type, his background and story is all his own. No copy pastas because I'm allergic to fake carbs.