Technotic Shop

[Ashbringer he/him]

On 10/8/2022 at 0:19 PM, EmulatonStromenkiin said:

"It's been something I thought wise to look into, given this," He held up his hands and his fingernails glinted with a rainbow of metallic shine. "But recently I put it on the backburner for the most part."

"Now," he continued, focusing on her arm, "if your arm joints are completely solid, we could machine joints directly into the ... flesh I guess we could call it. A few swapping attractor and repulser fabrials could simulate muscles adequately as well. But since you still have some movement, I don't think that's an option for a while yet." He sat back in his chair as a thought struck him. 

"For your arm, for now, I might have something that could help." He levered himself up out of his chair with his cane, and made his way to a nondescript door in the back. He glanced toward the remnants of the door and sighed. He made a gesture with his gloved right hand, and glass panes slid down, covering his shelves of wares. another gesture, and there was the click of locks engaging. He opened the door, and stepped through it. 

"Please come into my workspace, Changing One. By the way, what's your name?"

Cassie gave a nod and followed. Changing One. That was an apt name. "Cassandra Adama, although I go by Cassie. I own a metal shop and smith a few streets down. Same mode as you, although I focus more on the metalcraft or Metallic Arts than creating devices. I still don't have a lot of experience with electricity."

"As for my arms..."

She paused, and looked at her arm. It was, as she'd seen countless times in the past few weeks, mostly metal. She'd always seen it as a timer, a death sentence when the skin ran out. But it wasn't that simple - while she could feel the difference in weight and mobility, she could also feel. Like her skin was still there, just different. A deadly curse, but not one relative to how it should be.

Cassie bent her elbow, and the metal flexed like muscle. Not fast, but it moved. It was still a part of her.

Interesting.

"I still have motion, it just takes more effort than perhaps I'd like. And eventually I may need something... more. But for now, if you have ideas, carry on."

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

23 hours ago, Ashbringer said:

Cassie gave a nod and followed. Changing One. That was an apt name. "Cassandra Adama, although I go by Cassie. I own a metal shop and smith a few streets down. Same mode as you, although I focus more on the metalcraft or Metallic Arts than creating devices. I still don't have a lot of experience with electricity."

"As for my arms..."

She paused, and looked at her arm. It was, as she'd seen countless times in the past few weeks, mostly metal. She'd always seen it as a timer, a death sentence when the skin ran out. But it wasn't that simple - while she could feel the difference in weight and mobility, she could also feel. Like her skin was still there, just different. A deadly curse, but not one relative to how it should be.

Cassie bent her elbow, and the metal flexed like muscle. Not fast, but it moved. It was still a part of her.

Interesting.

"I still have motion, it just takes more effort than perhaps I'd like. And eventually I may need something... more. But for now, if you have ideas, carry on."

The workspace was large and clean, with a little clutter on a table, above which hung the skeleton of a metal leg. On the only other table, directly across from the first one, lay a sleeve of black cloth and a matching glove. Demaren carefully picked it up. 

"This is my idea, Cassie. You'll need to slip it on your arm, along with this glove. I'm not sure how well it will work, I only tested it on myself."

@Ashbringer

[Ashbringer he/him]

9 hours ago, EmulatonStromenkiin said:

The workspace was large and clean, with a little clutter on a table, above which hung the skeleton of a metal leg. On the only other table, directly across from the first one, lay a sleeve of black cloth and a matching glove. Demaren carefully picked it up. 

"This is my idea, Cassie. You'll need to slip it on your arm, along with this glove. I'm not sure how well it will work, I only tested it on myself."

@Ashbringer

Cassie took the sleeve and examined it. It... well, she couldn't tell. But at least it didn't seem made for a leg. Was probably a similar idea for Technotic, but if he thought it was worth a shot, she might as well try it.

She slipped the black sleeve over her arm, then paused briefly before exchanging the glove on her left hand for the new glove. "Alright. I can feel it at least."

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

12 hours ago, Ashbringer said:

Cassie took the sleeve and examined it. It... well, she couldn't tell. But at least it didn't seem made for a leg. Was probably a similar idea for Technotic, but if he thought it was worth a shot, she might as well try it.

She slipped the black sleeve over her arm, then paused briefly before exchanging the glove on her left hand for the new glove. "Alright. I can feel it at least."

Demaren nodded. "Good. Now..." He reached up and pressed a point on the shoulder. The sleeve began to hum, and the point he had touched began to glow. Lines glowed blue in the black fabric, tracing down her arm and along the fingers of the gloves.

"That should do it. Try some normal movements."

Quote

It's an enhancer, causing stronger and faster movement, so it should make the movement of her arm and hand faster/easier.

@Ashbringer

[Ashbringer he/him]

On 10/11/2022 at 0:33 PM, EmulatonStromenkiin said:

Demaren nodded. "Good. Now..." He reached up and pressed a point on the shoulder. The sleeve began to hum, and the point he had touched began to glow. Lines glowed blue in the black fabric, tracing down her arm and along the fingers of the gloves.

"That should do it. Try some normal movements."

Cassie shifted, and her arm moved too. It felt somewhat smoother, but... stranger. She couldn't tell if it was just not how she'd gotten used to moving or was actually made weird by the addition of motion. It sure felt like there were little magnets, pulling at her arm and hand and fingers.

"It certainly is effective. But I don't know how useful it would be for me. Too... it would take a lot of getting used to. A full arm glove might be more natural. That, and I'd imagine the technology would extrapolate more to your condition."

She paused. "Perhaps if things get worse. Is it a fabrial, or another motivator?" 

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

16 hours ago, Ashbringer said:

Cassie shifted, and her arm moved too. It felt somewhat smoother, but... stranger. She couldn't tell if it was just not how she'd gotten used to moving or was actually made weird by the addition of motion. It sure felt like there were little magnets, pulling at her arm and hand and fingers.

"It certainly is effective. But I don't know how useful it would be for me. Too... it would take a lot of getting used to. A full arm glove might be more natural. That, and I'd imagine the technology would extrapolate more to your condition."

She paused. "Perhaps if things get worse. Is it a fabrial, or another motivator?" 

Demaren raised an eyebrow. "My condition is that I am missing a leg. No need to be shy about that." He pointed at the device. "That is a prototype, I should be able to make a more effective one tuned you, as a full arm glove. That does make a great deal of sense." He paused, thinking. "Any device designed to alleviate some of the effects of the change would take a great deal of getting used to, as you have adapted to life and movement with the stiffer joints. Not sure what you want on that perspective."

His eyes slid along the glowing blue lines. "It's not a fabrial, but it's not a motivator either. It's a prototype for what might eventually be an exosuit. It uses some epic-based technology for energy fueling, and for energy transfer." He smiled slightly. "It's based somewhat on a book I read ages ago, before the rising."

[Ashbringer he/him]

On 10/13/2022 at 0:49 PM, EmulatonStromenkiin said:

Demaren raised an eyebrow. "My condition is that I am missing a leg. No need to be shy about that." He pointed at the device. "That is a prototype, I should be able to make a more effective one tuned you, as a full arm glove. That does make a great deal of sense." He paused, thinking. "Any device designed to alleviate some of the effects of the change would take a great deal of getting used to, as you have adapted to life and movement with the stiffer joints. Not sure what you want on that perspective."

His eyes slid along the glowing blue lines. "It's not a fabrial, but it's not a motivator either. It's a prototype for what might eventually be an exosuit. It uses some epic-based technology for energy fueling, and for energy transfer." He smiled slightly. "It's based somewhat on a book I read ages ago, before the rising."

Cassie nodded. "Interesting."

The design was certainly... well, interesting. She wasn't sure how else to describe it. A full arm or suit would almost certainly help her movement, at least until she froze up entirely. And like Technotic said, there were ways to get around that. Different ways, but ways.

So why was she so apprehensive?

She knew. It wasn't a permanent solution, and it would be something she'd be dependent on for the rest of her life. Cassie knew that there wasn't a much better one - while her Project was in theory permanent, she'd need Investiture regularly to survive. But still.

But still...

"I'm not sure what I want either. I had... an idea. I don't think I'll find it here, though. But this will at least help the short term. I'd buy a commission on a left-arm glove."

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

On 10/15/2022 at 0:36 AM, Ashbringer said:

Cassie nodded. "Interesting."

The design was certainly... well, interesting. She wasn't sure how else to describe it. A full arm or suit would almost certainly help her movement, at least until she froze up entirely. And like Technotic said, there were ways to get around that. Different ways, but ways.

So why was she so apprehensive?

She knew. It wasn't a permanent solution, and it would be something she'd be dependent on for the rest of her life. Cassie knew that there wasn't a much better one - while her Project was in theory permanent, she'd need Investiture regularly to survive. But still.

But still...

"I'm not sure what I want either. I had... an idea. I don't think I'll find it here, though. But this will at least help the short term. I'd buy a commission on a left-arm glove."

"I am perfectly willing to do that. Costs a garnet mark on commission, and another on delivery. Given the prototype and the materials I need for it, should be done within three days." 

Demaren gave her a piercing look. "I doubt that there is a permanent mechanical solution. You would always be relying on something." His eyes narrowed as a thought struck him.

"Some sort of enhancer fabrial might work, though. Perhaps enhancing human movement? I don't have the right fabrial gems, I only have a few paired ones right now."

@Ashbringer

[Ashbringer he/him]

On 10/17/2022 at 1:06 PM, EmulatonStromenkiin said:

"I am perfectly willing to do that. Costs a garnet mark on commission, and another on delivery. Given the prototype and the materials I need for it, should be done within three days." 

Demaren gave her a piercing look. "I doubt that there is a permanent mechanical solution. You would always be relying on something." His eyes narrowed as a thought struck him.

"Some sort of enhancer fabrial might work, though. Perhaps enhancing human movement? I don't have the right fabrial gems, I only have a few paired ones right now."

@Ashbringer

Cassandra gave a sad smile. “It could work. It’s more on the track I was looking for. But I don’t know how much of me is human anymore. I’ll pay for the comission on the glove though,” she added, removing the strange enhancer and fishing in her bag for the right mark.

”This planet has so much… there has to be something. Somewhere.”

She was in denial, still looking for a perfect bargain. Even still, that surprised her. She’d never been one to follow a rigid pattern of how she reacted to things, even after getting the Soulcaster. She hadn’t felt angry at her diagnosis. Just… stunned. In denial. Then straight to bargaining, trying to find a way out.

There was a way out. Hang up the Soulcaster. Take whatever enhancing devices Technotic had available, whatever connection she would need, and live the rest of her life as a simple Lurcher and blacksmith. Sell the Soulcaster to the highest bidder, bury it, break it, cast it into Shadesmar or some lost Alley. Get rid of it.

But she couldn’t. She still wanted to bargain.

And the project was the only offer left.

”If you have designs for how those fabrials work, I may have another way to power them. I could pay for that as well.”

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

1 hour ago, Ashbringer said:

Cassandra gave a sad smile. “It could work. It’s more on the track I was looking for. But I don’t know how much of me is human anymore. I’ll pay for the comission on the glove though,” she added, removing the strange enhancer and fishing in her bag for the right mark.

”This planet has so much… there has to be something. Somewhere.”

She was in denial, still looking for a perfect bargain. Even still, that surprised her. She’d never been one to follow a rigid pattern of how she reacted to things, even after getting the Soulcaster. She hadn’t felt angry at her diagnosis. Just… stunned. In denial. Then straight to bargaining, trying to find a way out.

There was a way out. Hang up the Soulcaster. Take whatever enhancing devices Technotic had available, whatever connection she would need, and live the rest of her life as a simple Lurcher and blacksmith. Sell the Soulcaster to the highest bidder, bury it, break it, cast it into Shadesmar or some lost Alley. Get rid of it.

But she couldn’t. She still wanted to bargain.

And the project was the only offer left.

”If you have designs for how those fabrials work, I may have another way to power them. I could pay for that as well.”

He accepted the mark, and put it in his pocket. "From what I understand about fabrials, It probably depends on how you see yourself. Or the movement you want to have. Something else to study." He grinned fiercely. "There might be something, somewhere. The price would probably be high." his face grew grim. "Be wary of that. The worlds, not just his one, are cruel."

His expression lightened. "I don't have any designs right now, I just have vague ideas. I can probably make some designs later. As for alternate powering, that would be very useful. Stormlight can be hard to get ahold of. I have figured out how to convert it to electricity, and have several massive capacitors from just a mark worth. The process is complicated, though." 

Unknowingly, he started to speak elendeesse.

Quote

or whatever her native language is.

"You should probably use the soulcaster less, for the time being. Not stop completely, just less."

[Ashbringer he/him]

On 10/18/2022 at 4:46 PM, EmulatonStromenkiin said:

He accepted the mark, and put it in his pocket. "From what I understand about fabrials, It probably depends on how you see yourself. Or the movement you want to have. Something else to study." He grinned fiercely. "There might be something, somewhere. The price would probably be high." his face grew grim. "Be wary of that. The worlds, not just his one, are cruel."

His expression lightened. "I don't have any designs right now, I just have vague ideas. I can probably make some designs later. As for alternate powering, that would be very useful. Stormlight can be hard to get ahold of. I have figured out how to convert it to electricity, and have several massive capacitors from just a mark worth. The process is complicated, though." 

Unknowingly, he started to speak elendeesse.

"You should probably use the soulcaster less, for the time being. Not stop completely, just less."

Cassie gave a small start. Stormlight to electricity... that was a huge leap in technology. Perhaps not an unexpected one, with Surge fabrials and the Alleyplanet's resources, but still nothing she'd ever seen. And even the least efficient way could get a lot of power.

"The mysteries of Intent are... beyond me. Definitely a part of my studies. And Stormlight is almost more available than electricity."

She paused. Was that Scadrial's language? It had been a while, and she hadn't taken Technotic for a Scadrian. But he was full of surprises.

"I'd think I'll keep using it a little. I have a few things I still need it for anyway. Speaking of which... perhaps I should be going. I have a few things left to try with my designs."

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

On 10/21/2022 at 10:40 AM, Ashbringer said:

Cassie gave a small start. Stormlight to electricity... that was a huge leap in technology. Perhaps not an unexpected one, with Surge fabrials and the Alleyplanet's resources, but still nothing she'd ever seen. And even the least efficient way could get a lot of power.

"The mysteries of Intent are... beyond me. Definitely a part of my studies. And Stormlight is almost more available than electricity."

She paused. Was that Scadrial's language? It had been a while, and she hadn't taken Technotic for a Scadrian. But he was full of surprises.

"I'd think I'll keep using it a little. I have a few things I still need it for anyway. Speaking of which... perhaps I should be going. I have a few things left to try with my designs."

Quote

to clarify, the language shift is a manifestation of his latent polyglot capabilities, which are beginning to activate

"That's true, but you can at least generate electricity pretty cheaply. Stormlight must be shipped in, making it more expensive for the time being." Demaren shrugged.

"Fair enough, but some other advice, then. Know your limits, and respect them." He grimaced, remembering mistakes once made. "As for leaving, you are welcome to. The door is unlocked from the inside. Where should I contact you when the arm-glove is complete?"

@Ashbringer

Edited October 25, 2022 by EmulatonStromenkiin

[SymphonianBookworm she/her]

Sarian blinked, as if coming out from a daze. Bad memories had popped up. "Hi. Sorry I... zoned out." She looked at the newcomer. "Ah, I didn't catch your name? Mine's Sarian."

[Ashbringer he/him]

On 10/21/2022 at 5:29 PM, EmulatonStromenkiin said:

"That's true, but you can at least generate electricity pretty cheaply. Stormlight must be shipped in, making it more expensive for the time being." Demaren shrugged.

"Fair enough, but some other advice, then. Know your limits, and respect them." He grimaced, remembering mistakes once made. "As for leaving, you are welcome to. The door is unlocked from the inside. Where should I contact you when the arm-glove is complete?"

@Ashbringer

Cassie gave a nod. Part of her had... hesitated, in that moment. Perhaps it was a sense of lack of invitation. Perhaps the part of her that wondered if she'd be alive in the weeks to come was rising more than she thought.

"The Metallurgic Emporium. If I'm not there, Poller can help you at the front desk. And thank you."

Cassie walked to the still-damaged door, giving a brief nod to the other customer there. Then she paused.

"And... be careful. Something is happening. Something bigger than this, than... I don't know. just be ready."

She didn't know what she was talking about. She'd just felt uneasy. Uneasy! Was it that sense of dread at what she was planning? What she was becoming? She'd looked inside herself and said no, it was real, but Cassie had done that before and missed so much. So, so much. 

And yet that nagging sense that something was wrong remained.

So Cassie gave a last glance, then left.

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

Demaren nodded in agreement. something odd was happening, though he couldn't tell what. Some sort of events were excelerating, and there was a growing sense of anticipation and dread in the air. He turned to Sarain.

"How can I help you, friend?" he asked as he sat back down in his chair.

@SymphonianBookworm

Edited October 27, 2022 by EmulatonStromenkiin

[Bookmaster007]

Willbur wandered in through the front door, his head down with a screwdriver in his map

"I need a break. I'll come back to this one in a bit"

As he's swapping guns, he notices that he is indoors now.

"Oh, where am I?"

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

Quote

sorry, quick backstory

Demaren closed up the shop and went to bed.

In the morning, Demaren was using a handheld scanner to map the structure of the building. He was standing in the middle of the storefront, scanning the walls, when Willbur wandered in.

"Good morning, welcome to Technotic's shop. How may I help you?"

[Bookmaster007]

"Oh, a shop, is it? What exactly do you sell here?"

Willbur took out a new gun and began unscrewing it

"Is there anywhere i could put these parts"

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

Demaren raised his eyebrow in surprise. 

"I sell bespoke technology, and some more basic things. There is a table right next to you."

[Bookmaster007]

Willbur moved over to the table

"Thank you. Do you have any of those fancy new guns?"

After a bit of tinkering

"Yes,Yes that's it."

He raises a worn feed lever

"You have one of these?"

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

"I don't generally carry weapons here, but I think I have a few basic parts." 

He finished the scan and set it to upload to his mainframe. He then walked over to a small cabinet and opened it. "Any gun parts I have should be in here."

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

Quote

This thread is in Era 6, and has been since 5 posts back.

Demaren looked up from the front desk as a figure in a dark blue cloak walked in.

“I did not expect to see you again, not after you ran out. Even with the remaining motivator as incentive,” Demaren commented

Balance’s golden eyes gleamed in the shadows of his cowl, which obscured the rest of his face. 

“I cannot lie, Technotic. My promises and oaths bind me tighter than any chains. What tasks do you have for me?” His voice buzzed faintly, but he hoped Demaren would not notice.

Demaren pushed himself up from his seat with a grunt, somewhat disbelieving of Balance’s assertion of complete truthfulness. He tapped a pattern of the surface of the desk, and a hologram of his shop building was projected upwards, slowly rotating.

“The removal of the Forgery caused unpredictable changes, resetting some repairs and constructions, and even completely removing people and materials from existence. Several load-bearing beams have nearly rotted through overnight, and at least two redundant supports have vanished.” Demaren grimaced. “Luckily, nothing has collapsed yet, but I need to replace them as soon as possible. I have the materials cut to size, but I am unable to install them. I did manage to remove the ceiling for easy access.” He gestured to the exposed ceiling beams above.

Balance repressed a sigh and got to work, careful to hide his changed hand and face from Demaren. After issuing a few more instructions and observing Balance work for a moment, Demaren headed into his workshop, saying something about finishing a glove. It took several hours, but Balance enjoyed the work. The hard physical labor did not require much of his powers, except for the largest beams, and it allowed him to get lost in the work. Just as he finished putting the last support beam in, Demaren came out with a satisfied smile on his face.

“I finished putting in the beams,” Balance said, dissipating the last of the wireframe constructs he had made to support the beams and house while he worked.

“Good,” Demaren said absently as he examined Balance’s work. “I… What happened to you?” his eyes had strayed to Balance’s face, and he had seen the wireframe. He seemed fascinated, not horrified.

Balance winced at the question, realizing belatedly that he had let his hood fall down as he worked.

“I’m not sure,” he said hesitantly, his voice buzzing distinctly. “I believe it happened during what you called earlier the breaking of the Forgery, but I do not know anything beyond. It does seem to have expanded my capabilities with my powers.” He grimaced, for once irritated at his inability to lie. But this was partially why he had come, to get a more knowledgeable opinion about the strange condition he had. “My hand and part of my arm changed as well,” he continued, baring it to Demaren.

Demaren’s eyes seemed to burst alight, and decades fell away from him. Balance recognized the light in Demaren’s eyes. It was a burning curiosity, akin to what he once had, what had driven him to explore and discover, to the detriment of millions. His eyes briefly clouded with tears, but Demaren was examining his hand and did not notice.

“Interesting,” Demaren muttered as he poked at Balance’s hand. There was a resistance between the bright wireframe lines similar to what he had read about Rithmatic Lines of Forbiddance.

“If I had to guess,” he said after a moment, “This is some form of savant. I’m far from an expert, mostly because I have not had time to study up on it, but I know of someone who is.” he smiled faintly. “I have to deliver something to them today anyway, so we can talk with them then.” He clumped into his workshop and grabbed a small package.

“Let’s go,” he said as he maladroitly shut the door. Balance followed him silently, pulling up his hood and hiding his hand in his cloak.

Edited December 28, 2022 by EmulatonStromenkiin

[+Sorana she/her]

Mike wrapped his thin coat tight around his body, his hands covered in thin gloves and bit on his lower lip in thought. He was cold, but he kept his hands near his body to make sure his fingers would stay quick and flexibel. Ever since the world had changed he had been hanging in the air, without a real place to go. His gang had disbanded, or never existed, he wasn't quite sure which of it, and in the end he found that he didn't really care. He wasn't homeless and he still had his contacts throughout the city. Some were different people than before, but they still worked the same way and he knew their quirks. Who cared about faces anyway.

And so here he was. Standing outside a shop selling weird stuff, watching as someone switched the lights off and closed the door. That was good. Nobody expected a thief during the day. Because the sun was shining and light made it hard to hide. But what most people didn't know, was that you could hide as easily during daylight than you could in the dark With the right clothing, you were able to vanish admist a crowd of people in a second. With the right posture you belonged to those around you, you vanished because they saw you and didn't see you at the same time. Because you were exactly as they expected you to be. Nothing more, but another nameless face in a nameless crowd. Nothing more but a part of the setting of their life.

He walked towards the door, knocked and then lowered his hands towards the knob. He tried to turn it around, but it didn't move and he nodded a little to himself. He had to be careful. Maybe there were some other security meassures in place. Maybe there weren't. He lifted his right hand to knock again, while his left hand reached into his pocket and took out his tools. He took a small step back and looked at the lock, then shifted his body a little to cover what he was doing. Quickly he inserted his picklocks and moved them around until he could feel the first bolt. It took him a little while, the lock was of good quality and he had to start again at one point. But then he heared a soft click and was able to push the door open.

"Thank you." he said loudly and pulled up his scarf to cover most of his face before he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. He was greeted by a clean room, with a few chairs and a large semicircular desk. On the desk were some tools he couldn't quite place, but he only gave them a short glance. He wasn't here for the tools, or the schematics, or the fabrials this shop seemed to sell. With some luck the owner would notice that he had been here for a while. He paused for a moment, looked through the room to ensure that he knew the location of the windows and doors.

Go to the shop, there is a lab in one of the rooms in the back. There is a safe hidden somewhere. Steal the motivator you'll find inside.

His client's instructions were short, but they would be enough. And maybe - Mike moved his eyes over some of the fabrials and he considered to take one of them, too. He could sell them in a few days. But no, the more he took, the easier it would be to detect that he had been here. He walked over to a door on the other side of the room and opened it. Behind it was a laboratory, full of complicated looking tools and half finished projects. In the middle of the room was a machine weaving something, the room filled with it's quiet regular noise. In awe he looked around, feeling as if he had stepped into a story. If it worked it would be like one of the robots in the movies Alask had loved so much. Feeling a little sorry for robbing someone who was able to create such wonderful things he reached into his small backpack and took out a litte device with a wire attached on one end. It gave a slight buzz when he moved it along the floors, looking for a larger source of metal that might indicate a safe. He found one in a wall close to a corner and packed his device away again. He moved his hands over the surface in front of him and felt a little gap, carefully hidden admist the structure of the wall. There. He pushed and a part the wall moved aside, letting him see a safe. With a satisfied smile he reached into his pocket again and took out an ear trumpet. He wasn't the most skilled when it came to safes, but he hoped that he had enough time to open it quietly. He closed his eyes and pressed his ear with the trumpet against the safe, silently cursing the machine for its annoying backnoise. Slowly he turned the first wheel, waited for the soft noise that would announce the right number. Nothing. Gritting his teeth in frustration he took a deep breath and then tried again. This time he heard a very soft noise, just as the machine made a short break and was quiet for a moment. He continued and then, finally was able to pull the door of the safe open and look inside. The motivator was easy to spot and he smiled in satisfaction as he looked for some kind of alarm system before he took it out.

Quickly he stowed it in his backpack and then closed the door of the safe again, moved the little wheels to the same numbers they had displayed before. Then he pushed the button again and the wall closed, hid the safe from view, before he headed towards the door, pausing only a short moment next to the machine. It looked really, really cool. Who knew what it was creating. Maybe a suit for a superhero. Podering about that possibility, he left the lab, without noticing, that when he walked past a table, a few sheets of paper gently flew down towards the floor. He closed the door of the lab and then left the shop again, quickly looking up and down the street. The man, two houses down the road was the same one than before and so he didn't take the time to lock the front door again, as it would be suspicious if he stayed too long this time. He couldn't pretend to wait for someone to answer his knocks of a shop he'd just visited. That didn't make any sense. Instead he turned to the right and kept his pace even, normal, as he walked back towards the Univeristy District. There he would place a little note with the barkeep of the Failed Exam. And then he would hand this thing over and receive his money and focus on his next job. Mike moved towards one of the larger streets, careful to appear at ease and relaxed.

@EmulatonStromenkiin

Edited January 24, 2023 by Sorana
typo

[EmulatonStromenkiin he/him]

It was the morning after Balance had been carted home from Cassandra's Metalurgic Emporium. Demaren had spent most of the night fixing the security systems and keeping an eye on the two devices he was fabricating, sleeping on a small cot in his laboratory for a few hours in the depths of the night. He had managed to retrieve some footage of the intruder who stole the motivator from a small camera in the safe that had remained untouched, but it didn't tell him much. He glanced over at the humming machine that was weaving a jumpsuit. it was nearly completed, and then he would test it. It probably had thirty minutes left. There was a loud beeping sound, and he turned to the now still machine in the center of the room. Lying on its bed was a silvery leg, several joints and pistons clearly visible outside of the main body of the limb. He smiled for a moment, then frowned. Embedding the control panel might be a problem, he thought, especially since I can't do it to myself. There was a noise from the door, and a clumping sound as Balance's booted feet entered.

"I see that you're up," Demaren commented, still pondering on the artificial limb. "You were out for about sixteen hours."

Balance grunted. "Have you found the location of the Motivator?" he asked, the buzz in his voice very plain and giving it a mechanical sound.

"The tracking system is nearly back on line, another hour and I should have the precise location," Demaren said as he turned towards Balance, who was still wearing the same set of smooth, loose clothes and his cloak. He froze as he noticed Balance's face. Nearly half of his face was now composed of the blue lines, even taking the eye from that side. "That's much worse than I thought it would be," he finally said after a moment. "How well can you see?"

Balance snorted. "As well as ever, though the framesight will not fade now."

Demaren studied Balance for a moment more, then shrugged. There wasn't anything he could do about it now, he thought fatalistically. "Well, I have to embed a device in my leg, and you get to help by watching to make sure nothing goes wrong. We will be able to finish it before the tracking system is done if we start now. He picked up the cybernetic leg from the machine in the center of the room, and made his way to a small room cut off from the rest of the building.

"I'll do it in my cleanroom, come along." Balance followed wordlessly behind him.