Steampunk AU

[sliceitwithwind]

It was a nice inn, a crossroads of many people where it wouldn't be unusual to see a Chinese courtesan sitting next to an English trader, or a Katzu warrior chatting with an Olia scientist.

It was a little less likely to see a Katzu scientist chattering excitedly with what looked like an Olia pirate, but...not enough that the majority of the patrons to bat more than an eye. The Katzu in question had goggles shoved up on his dreads, and a leather apron over his slightly charred clothing, leather gloves, and an expression of purest glee. The Olia had a missing eye, a gentleman's clothing, and an expression of long-suffering camaraderie.

"And that's when I realised that by adding another boiler I could get triple the power, which was when the automaton stumbled into the table but the point is that it spoke! Words I hadn't given it yet!"

Comments

[mitochondriaaya]

"Of course not. And I"ll need notice if I'm to take you both on a tour. Even I need a pass to do so."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Of course." Braig smiled, and shook his head...then sobered, "How is Jerrig? Really?"

[mitochondriaaya]

"Poorly," Nevada admitted after a moment of looking at his glass. "When he isn't mewed up back in the Germanies, fretting, he's hounding Aya to wed. He thinks I have neglected to indoctrinate her in society, that she lingers at my estate learning embroidery. I do not believe he has touched reality truly since the loss."

[sliceitwithwind]

Braig sighed, truly saddened by that. "Is there aught that I can do?"

[mitochondriaaya]

"I tried many things, for many years, but it became a choice between raising Aya properly or humoring him." And children came first. That was one reason he got along so well with the katzu. "I do not know what else can be done for him my friend, but thank you for the offer."

[sliceitwithwind]

"And children," Braig echoed, "come first. She has become a formidable woman, Nevada. If only more were like her." He nodded at Nevada's other words; it would be nice to help...but he wouldn't tilt at windmills.

[mitochondriaaya]

"The world is some way from accepting more like her," Nevada sighed. "Which is a true pity. And if we encounter something to help Jerrig we will get to him post haste."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Of course we will." Braig agreed, "And...the world may be some way from accepting more like her, but with luck they will come and change it."

[mitochondriaaya]

"I will hold out hope," Nevada toasted Braig ruefully. Yes, this was a man that thought he had done Aya a disservice in his weaker moments. "You know a masquerade will insist on some form of costuming. Did you consider that when you offered to accompany us?"

[sliceitwithwind]

"I am nobility." Braig pointed out dryly, "I can get away with a tuxedo and a mask. Dilan generally wears his usual clothing and people assume he's masked as a scientist."

[mitochondriaaya]

"Ah the simplicity of high breeding," Nevada chuckled. "You and Dilan may be the most exotic things to ever grace this particular venue and you don't even have to put any effort into it!"

[sliceitwithwind]

"This is not actually something that I am unfamiliar with." Braig said mildly.

[mitochondriaaya]

"True, it's just painful to see sometimes. The rest of us must work to appease a host! You just swan about..." yes, he was teasing, but it wasn't anything Braig hadn't heard from him before. "If you're feeling generous your domino mask might have two colors!" SHOCK! Gasp!

[sliceitwithwind]

"Bah." Braig waved a hand languidly, "As though I'm ever that generous."

[mitochondriaaya]

"Prague, what was it, thirty years ago now?" he laughed. "Silver, gold, AND bits of red!"

[sliceitwithwind]

"Ah, well." Braig grinned a little bit, "Dilan made that one. It was remarkably artistic, considering his usual aesthetic."

[mitochondriaaya]

"I'm just saying that the multi-colored mask has happened in the past," Nevada chuckled. "No matter the sentimental reasons."

[sliceitwithwind]

"So it did." Braig allowed, "I would not count on it again, however."

[mitochondriaaya]

"I try not to depend on your costuming choices," Nevada chuckled. "It would be a foolish thing to pin my hopes on." Or his plans.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Yes, it would. If you needed me in costume, however." Braig shrugged, "I will always do what must be done."

[mitochondriaaya]

"Yes, that I try not to take advantage of," he chuckled, finishing his drink. "So I do not require it for frivolous things, and I know Aya will not."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Good. She does not seem a frivolous woman." It wasn't admiring, quite, but it was complimentary.

[mitochondriaaya]

"No," he agreed in amused regret. "No she is not. Besides, I get to dress as the Automaton Warden, and that let's me carry enough weapons for all of us."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Hmph. As though I am ever unarmed?" Braig said, amused, "Or Dilan, for that matter?"

[mitochondriaaya]

"Yes, but I do like overkill in the social setting," he grinned. "Have to prepare for the day a masquerade ball is seeded entirely by the enemy."