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ALLEYWAY - EARLY MORNING
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Strix was making decent progress in making his little alleyway his own. While he didn't have any formal ownership, he had steadily been expanding his workshop, and setting up tarps overhead to the point now that the entire alley was covered. There was no stopping anyone from coming in, but there was a definitive sense of 'ownership' to the place, slightly dark, with gentle whirs of gears ambiently around the area. Strix was working already, despite the early hour. Not so long ago, he had messaged the guardhouse that his project for Louma was ready, and he was ensuring that it was actually ready..
Louma is flying overhead on her way to the barracks when she spots something odd about one particular alley, recognizing the location and sighing to herself. "I'll have to have a talk... Hm... With Strix, actually..." She banks around, coming to a landing outside the mouth of the alley with a soft thud and a casting of dust. She folds her wings away as she slithers between the buildings, having a look about. "Hello? Strix? Do I have the right alley?"
Strix: "If your are wishing to look for Strix, then yes. This is right alley" Strix was deeper inside, with a needle and thread, stitching on an Insignia of the guard, referencing a picture he had drawn earlier. "Strix has completed coat" He unfurls it, the coat was a thick piece of cotton, or similar, in a single long flowing sheet, with little hooks to keep it together around a serperntine body "Here. Strix is finished" He folds it up, and sets it on the table nearest Louma "Warm, and with many StrixIdeas in it. Strix very happy with this"
Louma blinks when she sees what Strix is finishing up, hesitating for a moment before she picks it up and examines the coat, then holds it up to her chest as she had done before. She pauses then glances toward Strix. "I'm not going to ask how you figured out my measurements. How much is it?"
Strix: "Strix gave you test coat last time we met. Strix got measurements then" He waves a hand vaguely in the air, almost irritated he had to address that. "Strix giving it for Louma. Strix already have money. Strix does not need more. Strix think this be good, as Strix likes Louma" He mutters to himself for a moment, before adding "If Louma want to help back, if anyone ask, mention Strix make it" That done, he gets to the bit he's interested in, where he talks about the stuff he's made "Coat warm, but not too warm in hot weather. Strix try to make anti-metal sheet work..but too hard. Small Anti-metal sheet in centre" He takes out a dagger, and drops it on the sheet, where it sinks in perhaps a half centimeter, before sticking there "Strix use lightningmagnet" He takes the dagger away, and sticks it back in his belt "Strix also put Magic drain in it. Strix not test that, Strix think it work anyway..and last!" He pushes a particular button, and..the guard insignia glows, a few more pushes brightens and darkens it "So Louma not need to carry torch!"
Louma is overwhelmed for a moment, not sure where to start. The coat seems fantastic, though she's not sure how it would compare to her standard issue gear. Of course, she's quite impressed with how he'd thought of the light, even with her minimal night activity. "Something like this would have been a godsend when I was still on night patrol... Warm and lit, might have had an easier time staying awake..." She frowns in thought for a moment, looking to Strix. "You really don't want coin for it? Thank you Strix, this is very generous of you." She quickly puts it on over her light uniform, finding the kobold had managed to adjust the back to rest nicely around her wings. She admires the decent fit for a moment before thinking of something. "You seemed very ready for me to show up, do you have a fortune telling shiny of some sort?"
Strix: "Strix sent message to guardhouse" He seems confused by this line of inquiry "Strix assume Louma here because of message..Strix not have fortune telling shiny..Strix try. Shiny only gives five numbers He quickly checks one of his notepads "4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42" Strix shrugs "If Louma know any use for that. Strix interested" Once the coat is on, Strix makes a few small adjustments, before pointing out the controls for the lights, and how to deactivate the anti magic/anti metal parts "Coat needs to sunbathe for an hour a day. If working in sunlight, should be working though"
Louma chuckles, shrugging. "I'm a guard captain, math isn't something I usually get concerned with." She tenses up somewhat when Strix approaches, but relaxes slowly as he tends the adjustments, listening intently to the instructions. "Alright, sounds simple enough, thank you again. As to the message, I haven't been to the barracks since yesterday morning, so they must not have tried to get it to me. I'll have a word with them on that. I actually have a few questions for you, if you have a moment."
Strix: "Strix has some time. First project done, and Strix not started next project" He sits down on his stool "Strix maybe make shiny for lifting heavy things...." He's attentive at the very least, and not overly suspicious of the idea of being questioned
Louma nods, thinking for a moment on that. "Actually, that could be helpful, too..." She settles, coiling her tail under herself and resting on it. "Simply put, some guards are going out to find a dangerous bear, but we need to capture him alive. You don't happen to have anything that could be of use to us in that vein, do you?"
Strix considers the request "Bear..Bears..." He rolls the word around, hopping to the ground "Bears very strong, scary..tough fur.." Strix starts rummaging around "Ah!" he takes out a long metal rod (Long for him, not so much for anyone else) "Strix think that lightning shot could work! Lightning make bear not able to move for...short time. Could use to tie up then. Strix need time to work on. How long Strix have?" He seems to be getting into this, he's been given a project! "Who going out? Not trust everyone with shiny like this. Bad in wrong hands..could hurt people if used wrong. Shiny used to hurt bear very bad for non-bear"
Louma nods, slightly concerned at the idea of using something he called a lightning shot, but Garwin is big and strong, as he says. "Myself, Nesseth, and a handful of other volunteers. We're leaving in a few days, once our preparations are complete." She eyes up the rod with a worried look. "You're sure that will only stun him?"
Strix: "Stun, maybe small burns if used too close, but best thing Strix can think of that will stop bear without hurting bear too badly. Things can still go wrong, but Strix think this safest idea. Other idea would maybe be net..but that be very big.and hard to use if bear angry"
Louma chuckles at the mention of the net. "That was actually one thing we have, a large chain net meant to drag strong predators down. But more options is always a good idea." She nods, uncoiling as she remembers that she is in fact due at the barracks. "Alright, I'd like to request a 'lightning shot', if you think it can be ready in a few days. Thank you for your help, Strix." She finds a genuine smile for the kobold this time, giving him a shallow bow.
Strix: "Strix not sure that best plan. If Non-bear strong enough to life net, then bear very able to lift it..maybe if specially weighted so.." Strix descends into inventormumbling for a bit "Strix able to make good rod in a few days. Yes!"
Louma nods in agreement. She pauses to muse to herself, "And since it's Garwin we're after, that's two of our strongest guards off the table." She sighs, shaking her head before looking back to Strix. "Excellent, I look forward to it, and of course, I hope we don't have to use it for the bear's sake." She bows again. "Is there anything else I should know before I let you get back to your work?"
Strix: "There are many things that Louma should know" There's a long pause "Strix not think of any that Strix knows that Strix knows Louma does not know..but Strix confident that those things exist"
Louma pauses to try and parse what Strix says, nodding when she thinks she gets it. "Probably, yes. Not enough time this morning to compare notes, though." She smiles.
Strix: "Although..Strix notice that more people Strix not recognize around Strix's alleyway. Strix not sure if that just because of free ham, but Strix think Strix should mention it" He nods "If Louma is happy to leave now without more questions, Strix can start working"
Louma tilts her head a bit. "Ah, yes, Respite has had a bit of upturn in new arrivals lately. Anyone in particular that concerns you?"
Strix: "Strix not get good look. Strix just..." He pauses "Kobold sense of when predator about. Strix not sure how to say it"
Louma nods, giving the kobold a reassuring look. "Alright, just don't hesitate to come to us with any concerns." She gives the kobold a final shallow bow. "If that's all, I'll take my leave." She turns toward the entrance of the alley, "And thank you for the coat, Strix. I really appreciate it!"
Strix: "Strix appreciates the appreciation!"
Louma giggles, waving over her shoulder as she exits the alley, prepared to test the coats fit properly. She spreads her wings without any issue, smiling to herself as she takes off, dust and down floating away. She has hopes for Strix's invention, as the net is a difficult and clumsy solution at best.
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RESPITE FALLS GENERATOR BUILDING - LATE AFTERNOON
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Nesseth flexes the frills lining his head as he strides up to the front door of (what he's hoping is) May's house right beside the generator's main structure. He takes a moment to mentally review what he needs to ask, then raises a scaled hand to knock.
Maybelline yawns slightly as she heads to the door. She's still in pretty casual wear, but hadn't planned to see Louma today (not that she'd mind if she just stopped by). She opens the door with a smile, but links as she recognizes the face behind it, "Oh! Nesseth. Wasn't expecting you... uh... is something up?"
Nesseth nods and smiles a bit. "Sorry if I woke you up, May, but I was hoping to ask a couple of questions if you've got some time." He pauses, realizing how interrogation-ish that sounded, "...Or rather, could I ask to pick at your brain a bit for some thoughts?"
Maybelline shakes her head, "Didn't wake me... just haven't gone to sleep yet." She tilts her head a bit, "Err... yeah, come on in?" She steps away from the door to let Nesseth in. The house is fairly standard in size, but May has slowly been adding stools and booster seat accomodations to account for her size in reaching the counters and such.
Nesseth nods gratefully as he steps over the threshold and takes a little look around. "Thank you, May. Wow... you're cleaning this place up really nicely. Last time I came in here when the previous engineer was still around, the place was a mess..."
Maybelline shrugs, "Nothing much, just a bit of housekeeping. It's mostly all their stuff too, I've not really got the money to buy new furniture for myself yet, or really add any personal touches. The rest is just for convenience." She motions towards a small table with one chair with a booster seat, two standards, and one side of the table conspiciously lacking a chair at all.
Nesseth walks over and pulls out one of the regular chairs, taking a seat after a moment of stretching. He casts the shortest of looks at the chairless side of the table, but quickly figures out why it's empty. "Still, it's already got a much different feel in here than before. It's cozier, I'd say."
Maybelline shrugs, but there's a hint of a smile on her face. "Maybe it's just that 'lived in feel'." She climbs into her seat and nods, "So, what were you gonna 'pick my brain' about, eh?"
Nesseth chuckles. "Maybe..." He sighs as he settles into his seat a bit, "Well... it's about that trip some of the guards are going to be heading out on. Did Louma already talk with you about it?"
Maybelline frowns, nodding, "She did... I'm worried but..." She shakes her head, "I'm guessing you're going too?"
Nesseth nods. "Yeah. I'm one of the group's trackers, and one of a few hunters, since our target is... well... a feral bear that's probably also a fellow guard." He shrugs a bit, "The goal's to try and capture him, but that's all stuff we'll be tackling once we head out. I wanted to ask you something magitech-related."
Maybelline 's frown deepens at the details, but she nods, "Err... sure. Anything I can do to help."
Nesseth hums. "Well... the fact of the matter is that we're gonna be out in the mountains for a bit. Plume suggested that, if the trip ends up being a longer one, I consider getting or setting up some kind of portable water distiller, just in case. I was wondering if you happened to have schematics or parts... or anything of the sort sitting around that might be of use for that."
Maybelline pauses, thinking. "I mean... maybe a few parts, but definitely no power sources, which is really all you need there to make an effective one. How much time do you have until you leave? Louma said it wouldn't be for a few days... I could probably cobble something together? But it might not be terribly efficient."
Nesseth shrugs a bit. "A few days, from Louma's best guess. I don't necessarily need it built, since I tinker with magitech a bit anyway, thanks to my crossbow. Mostly, if there are parts and a schematic, I could put it together in the field if we need it. I doubt we will, but it never hurts to be certain."
Maybelline nods, considering. "Well, like I said, power source is gonna be the key component... if I can get you that, and the basic design, you can surely cobble something together. Since, basically, you need like... four parts for an adequate distiller. You'd want more if you were building anything more long term, of course, but for travel and the like... yeah, four parts."
Nesseth nods again as he listens. "Then... I'll probably ask Vix to see if she's got any leads on a power source of some sort." He pauses for a moment, thinking, "Or... I could ask Bracvar if he happens to have a spare on hand, er... claw, since his wagon's refrigerated to keep his catch fresh."
Maybelline smiles, "Hopefully one of them can hook you up. One second..." She hops down from her seat and walks out towards the generator room, unlocking the door and heading down the hall. A minute later she returns carrying some drafting paper and a quill. She hops back up into the chair and sits down, unfurling the paper between her and Nesseth. "Okay, I'll keep this sketch simple, because what the parts are is less important then the set-up, alright?"
Nesseth waits patiently for May as she heads out of the room. He smiles and nods as he sits up straighter, clearly ready to learn. "Alright then, ready whenever you are, May."
Maybelline begins to draw a pretty abstract design, "Okay, so you obviously need a sealed container for the water, with some kind of escape at the top. The power element needs to be beneath it, to boil the water, and then your escape should be enough. to let the water cool and collect in this second container, with some kind of escape for any additional gases. You don't want the whole thing blowing up from trapped gases." She chuckles, "Trust me."
Nesseth hums quietly, examining the drawing as it comes into being. The design, while definitely confusing at first glance, starts to resolve into a rather elegant-looking piece of work in his head as his eyes trace along the path the water should take. "And once purified, the water can be distributed as needed. I'm guessing the heating element can be swapped out with another heat source if needed, like, say... a fire?"
Maybelline nods, "Oh yeah, easily. But like, I don't know if maybe you were all going full stealth with no fires or whatever, but if you've got a campfire, that'll work too. Most important parts are keeping the first container totally sealed so none of the steam escapes..." she traces along the longer tube at the top, "And making this long enough for the steam to cool and recondense back into the second container before it can escape the vent. Ideally, you have a long piece of tubing... I might have something that'll work for that, actually."
Nesseth nods again. "Okay, so a sealed first container... and does the neck of it have to be a straight one? I need to conserve space, since I'll be carrying this in my pack, after all."
Maybelline shakes her head, "Not really..." She draws a second diagram, forgoing the initial long tube to do a concave top leading to second container above the first. "Could do it like this, with the heat evaporating the water, it condenses up top, then drips down into the collection here. The stuff in the bottom's gotta be filthy, by the way, don't drink that, and clean it whenever possible."
Nesseth hums. "If all goes well, I'll be able to clean it after every use, and it won't see much use at all overall." He rubs his chin in thought as he stares at the two drawings, considering something.
Maybelline nods, "I'm guessing you'll have water rations to start with. I uh, guess I don't know how drinkable water outside of the town is."
Nesseth shrugs a bit. "Eh... it's not bad, but definitely could use purifying when possible. It'll save your life most times even without purification, though. Melted snow works better since you have to boil it anyway." He reaches over and taps at the first picture's spout, "I was wondering, though... I've seen similar things elsewhere, but they tend to have coiled spouts. Is that any more effective at condensing water?"
Maybelline scratches her head, "Prooobably? I mean, surely so. But maybe moot at this small scale, and I'd have to build out prototypes and test to really figure out most the efficient process. The coiled tube here seems the better bet, if you've got the parts and the room for it."
Nesseth hums and nods. "Gotcha. It's probably best we leave the experiments in the lab, rather than field testing it straight away..." He pauses and smiles, "Well, I'll go and ask around to see if there might be a spare power supply available in town. Is there a particular kind of power supply I need to search for?"
Maybelline shrugs, "Condenscened. Fire magic obviously the most ideal, since you're boiling water. I think I got a tube that might work for you, but I'll have to dig it out. My spare parts are sorely lacking after we got the temporary generator up and running."
Nesseth nods again. "Alright, I'll see if I can get something of the sort from either Vix or Bracvar." He dips his head in a grateful little bow, "Thanks for the help, May. It'll help keep the entire group a little more comfortable during the trek."
Maybelline gives Nesseth a thumbs up, "My pleasure, Nesseth! I mean, it's sorta what I'm here for."
Nesseth chuckles and stands up with a smile. "And it's a good thing we've got you here, now. I'm glad we've got someone as capable as you in charge of this place." He takes a moment to slide his chair back into place next to the table, "Anyway... I'll have to get going. I'm hoping I can catch Vix at the marketplace or something before she packs up for the day, and maybe see if I can find Bracvar tomorrow morning."
Maybelline hops off her seat to see Nesseth to the door, "Sounds good. I'll see if I can't scrounge up that tubing for you, stop by sometime tomorrow and I'll let you know!"
Nesseth walks with May to the door and waves as he steps back out of the building. "Then I'll drop by after I find Bracvar. Hopefully I'll come by with some good news about the power supply!"
Maybelline nods, "Good luck, Nesseth! Stay uh... stay safe out there when you go. I'm already worried enough about Louma, and just... yeah. Stay safe, all of you."
Nesseth tries to give May a reassuring smile as he starts to head out. "We'll be okay, May. We're all trying to make sure we prepare as best as we can so we make it back quickly and safely. Once we head out, we'll be back before you know it!"
Maybelline gives a shaky smile back. "Well... good. I'll be waiting."