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

[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."

[sliceitwithwind]

"True enough." Braig laughed softly, "You should be sure to ask Dilan if he's come up with any interesting new devices."

[mitochondriaaya]

"We haven't seen each other in years," Nevada pointed out. "Interesting devices happen in interesting cases. Do you think he stockpiled?" He doubted it really.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Probably." Braig said with amusement, "That is what he does, after all. I'd let you poke around the lab on your own, but you know how he is if anything gets moved."

[mitochondriaaya]

"He makes interesting and odd devices for you and his kin," Nevada laughed. "And problem solves when one of my old cases amuses him! I'm hardly the inspiration, these days, that any of you are."

[sliceitwithwind]

"He makes interesting and odd devices for every species." Braig said, amused, "There are probably some human sized things laying around."

[mitochondriaaya]

"Yes, but they are just as likely to be atmospheric litmus machines as they are to be offensive!" Some things Dilan would never live down. Who needed to know ambient acidity anyway?! "I don't think you could pay me to enter Dilan's lab and disarrange things!"

[sliceitwithwind]

Braig just laughed at that, "I never took you for a coward, friend." it was teasing, though. He knew just how fussy Dilan got, after all.

[mitochondriaaya]

"I am quite the coward when it comes to causing my friends deliberate distress, yes," he offered amiably. "Now, if someone's life depended on disarranging things in Dilan's lab..."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Then we would gird our loins, true." Braig allowed. Life trumped Dilan's fussing.

[mitochondriaaya]

"Yes, we would." And that defined their lives didn't it? "Ah I have missed traveling. It feels good to be moving again."

[sliceitwithwind]

"It is good to see you again." Braig added, "Letters do not cut it, old friend. I understand the need to raise your niece, but surely you could have brought her for a visit!"

[mitochondriaaya]

"No," he sighed softly. "Not until I was sure she could handle herself in a dangerous situation. There were to be no repeats of what happened with Jerrig's family."

[sliceitwithwind]

"I understand." Braig said, "Still. I have missed you."

[mitochondriaaya]

"As I have missed you, and Dilan, and even your crazy boy with the engines." He chuckled. Done was done though. "Now we are out and about though, and the cases, once you enter the larger arena, never really stay home again." So they would be traveling a lot!

[sliceitwithwind]

"True. And I would be sore mad at you if you picked another air-ship for general travel." Sometimes discrete was necessary...and his baby was anything but.

[mitochondriaaya]

"No, you'd be convinced the man traveling with another ship was a doppelganger and hunt him down ruthlessly." Nevada pointed out cheerfully as he held up his glass for a refill. "And then you'd track me down to throw the body at my feet and demand to know how I let such a thing happen."

[sliceitwithwind]

Braig laughed "Well, perhaps I would at that!" he poured another glass for each of them as Dilan came in and blinked owlishly at the two.

"Things are about half packed." he offered, "Everything else will be stable by noon."

[mitochondriaaya]

"Sit down Dilan, join us." Nevada pushed a chair out with his foot and smiled. "I've missed you, and you've missed Aya. Did you eat? Should we send for a plate?"

[sliceitwithwind]

Dilan smiled as he sat, "That would be nice." and he glanced at his hands. Clean. Good. "I was getting tired, or I would have stayed later. When I get up I'll go finish."

Braig turned his face up for a kiss and nodded, "Thank you for coming back to eat."

"I'm sorry that I missed Miss Brea, Nevada. Hopefully she will not be wroth at my rudeness."