queenofheartsrp | [video] The Adventure of the Engineer and the Clockwork Cat.

[Reeve is onscreen. The engineer looks as though she's been pulling all-nighters (which she has), but is also very pleased with herself (which she is). This is no accidental transmission, but Reeve's attention does seem a bit-- divided. She glances periodically offscreen.]

Hello there, everyone! Reeve Tuesti, here. I suppose I could call this transmission a Public Service Announcement, that's how it's meant to be considered, anyhow.

I know I've been rather scarce lately, but I've been absorbed in a little project. Not to say I haven't had support-- Jessica has been a great help, as has Sephiroth, of course. I'm sure at times they wondered if the effort would bear any fruit, I know I had my moments! But in the end, I'm happy to say that it did.

[Cait, put that down, please.]

You see, at home I had this special friend. Quite special, since he's the only one of this kind. I made him myself. I dabble in robotics-- for pleasure, really, but I've had some successes, and the greatest of those is Cait. Cait Sith (Cat Shee) is an artificial life form, who pretends to listen to me when it suits him, but has his own ideas as well as a head full of mine. Here, of course, things are a little different.

One moment--

[Reeve leans out of frame briefly. When she reappears, she's in the midst of giving her creation a hand up onto her desk. Said creation comes in at just over 3 feet in height and looks to be a bright-eyed, rather fae-looking black and white cat. Standing upright on its hind-legs. Wearing a crown-- and a cape.

The strange cat peers into the screen, but doesn't speak. Yet.]

So! Cait. My Cait at home is quite the rogue, and this Cait doesn't seem all that much different in that regard-- she does like her joke! But she is female, which is a change, and she doesn't have some of the other Cait's-- offensive abilities. She's a much more basic AI then the other Cait, but then again, she is quite a bit more-- magical. Or so it seems. So there's that. Nature of the materials, I suppose! I do have input into her behavior, but she learns and is independent to the limited degree this place will allow. Those limits are currently being tested.

Cait's a social animal, and I'm sure you'll see her around. When you do, it would be best to remember that she's a bit of a trickster-- aren't you Cait?
[In reply, Cait makes a bow to the screen-- followed by an exaggerated wink.

Reeve smiles, proud and a bit mischievous herself.]

Oh, and ask her to tell your fortune, it's her specialty.

[Cait comes in close to the screen, her lamp-like eyes shining. When she finally speaks, her voice is clear and on the edge of being too loud. It is also oddly accented with what would sound to those who could identify it to be an overblown, comic Scottish lilt.]

Oh, aye! It'll be very special, you can be sure!

[Reeve can be heard chuckling in the background. Cait, being a cat of mystery, makes her exit-- with a sweep of red cape, she's gone. For now. Reeve herself remains.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I did! [Reeve chuckles.] And yes, she can. She's different to my Cait at home, but I enjoy her company just as much.

I'm sure you'll see Cait out and about, but if you ever wanted to drop by my work space and chat with her, you're more than welcome.

[ooc: So, so many apologies for the late reply! I got a bit swamped myself! And no I don't mind at all. <3]

That's great...I'd really like that.

Ah--you're Reeve, right? You know Kuja? She said you were an eng...engineer.

My door is nearly always open!

[Reeve chuckles. She's fond of the other woman. The variety of tyrants she used to at home are much less colorful than Kuja.]

Why yes, I am-- and I do! I am indeed an engineer. I've done a little architectural design and building work for Kuja. Do you know her well?

Kuja lives above our house. We're friends. [Despite Kuja's insistence of the opposite, Xion is determined.]

Well, you see, I've been trying to make a train. But it won't run, because I don't know how trains work...so Kuja said you could help.

Does she now? I'm sure she makes for an interesting neighbor!

[Reeve smiles-- "beams" is more like it, actually.]

Trains, I can do. Even in this place, I expect.
My city runs on trains, you see-- they wind around a central column, hung in mid air. Helping you build a line on the ground shouldn't be too much trouble.

Yes, do come by! We can talk about what you want to accomplish-- then I'll try make it happen!
That's what engineering is all about!

I'm glad! There were trains where I'm from, too. I thought maybe it would help people get around the Gardens. They're a lot bigger now than they used to be.

Do you know where the Clock Tower is? That's where the tram car I made is.

That's a fine idea, Xion. I'm definitely in strong support of public transit. [Reeve beams approval upon you.]

I think I can manage to find my way to the Clock Tower! Would you like you like me to have a look on my own, or should I meet you there? Not that I'm rushing you of course-- just let me know when you'd like me to swing by!

Well, I don't have much else to do, so I'm there a lot of the time. You can come whenever you want.

Well, I seem to be free at the moment, actually!
[Reeve doesn't like to see a girl feeling at loose ends.]
Why don't I swing by-- I'll see you soon.

...

[After a bit of walk, Reeve arrives at the Clocktower (she's left Cait to her own devices. Nothing like a magical robot cat to complicate a planning session. Spotting Zion, she gives the girl a wave.]

Hello, there!

[she waves back, excitedly. She's standing by one of the train tunnels, and there are tracks extending out from it a good ways into the snow. There's also a golden tram car sitting idle on them.]

You came! Thank you so much.

[Reeve smiles, taking a moment to stand back from the tram so as to get the full effect. She straightens her ponytail.]

You're so very welcome! It's no trouble at all.
That is quite an impressive tram car, Zion. It's a copy of those you have in your home universe?

[she nods.] The Clock Tower is from there, too...I made it first. With the station platform and everything, but there are no trains. So I thought it was about time.

Jessica said it needs...a power source. But I don't even know where to start.

[Reeve nods, taking a bit of a tour as she takes it all in.]

It's quite a nice station, Zion.
Well, first I'd have to ask, what's the source of the train's power in your universe? I think known that would give a place to start from at least.

[she ducks her head a bit.] I...don't know. I just know that they ran on tracks and looked like this. The bigger ones had smoke coming out of the top?

Ah, so some sort of fossil fuel-- either on it's own, or used to generate steam... that seems most likely.
[Reeve is talking to herself as much as she is to Zion. Pardon the engineer-- she seems to come out of her trance pretty quickly, smiling down at Zion.]

Well! I think given the size of the tram, and the average load of people it's likely to carry at any given time, steam would work just fine, and be most practical. I take it you'd like an engine built to pull the tram, not be housed within the tram itself?

Um--they were just like this, one car...but it doesn't have to be exactly the same. A separate engine would be okay, I think. I have lots of sand from the wild places, if you need it.

I think I can manage something that just might do the trick. With your help and input of course!

Yes, I'll need sand, so it's good you've plenty of that-- and I'll need to take a little tour of the interior, I can do that now, of course...
when I'm ready, would prefer me start, or would you like to see some preliminary sketches and schematics?

[she tilts her head.]

Well, uh--I don't think I'd really understand them if you showed me, but I can try. [she points to the tunnel entrance.] We can go inside now. It's pretty empty, though.

[video] The Adventure of the Engineer and the Clockwork Cat.

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(apologies for the late reply)

noo worries, but psst-- it's "Xion"!

Haha, I have NO idea why I made that typo! Repeatedly!

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