STEAM LONDON: Realms of Aether Game Thread

[Nigel Wetherby]

"Oh absolutely. It seems that the components added to Talos were in fact something called Aetheric plasma. Aetheric plasma is only slightly hinted at by the maker files, but it's supposedly some sort of catalyst that changes normal electricity into aetheric energy. Think of it as a sort of energetic magnifyer. it's supposedly far too small for even the most powerful microscopes to see, but it was apparently created around the same time the universe was. Here's the clincher. Talos is practically made entirely of the stuff! He's a walking energy magnifyer! Theoretically, If ye ran an electric curren through 'im ye could level a city, or power a nation! The problem is that it's incredibly unstable in its raw form. Whoever altared Talos found a way to lower its conductivity and solidify it into an exceedingly hard alloy. Hard enough to pierce even my Deus skin."
Patrick practically spewed this new info like a veritable geyser, and to be perfecly honest, he looked rather spent upon delivering the knowledge to his fellow companions.
"What gets me, is tha fact that he was changed around tha time Sigmund here suffered his attack."

[Stella Gaslight]

"I think that whatever catalyst caused both Sigmund's pain and the changing of Talos must have come from from somewhere beyond our world.  This of course means that we are not the only ones with dimensional travel. Whatever it is they wanted they did not get and there is no doubt in my mind that they will try something again so be careful and we will do our best to figure out how this has been happening.  Unfortunately until there is another attack there is only so much we can do."  Emma did not like the idea of waiting for something that could hurt the near indestructible Patrick to make the next move.

[MWBailey]

Dreyfuss, Nadya, Arachne, Cain, and Angel had finished their supper, and ha dthen flown to the School, Angel Carrying Arachne and Dreyfuss Carrying Nadya, while Cain Flew alongside in case either became tired (not likely in Angel's case, but more than possible in Dreyfuss's), and thus arrived in tim eto be ushered in with the others. On the way to the school, and while waiting for Patrick to receive them Dreyfuss thought back to Angel's question about Wine, and how he answered it, or tried to.

"Dreyfuss what dose that taste like? Cain says it is made out of grapes gone icky."

"Well, he's right, in a sense. Wine is really made of fermented grape juice (and other kinds of juices). this red wine is made from a certain variety of red grape grown in..." he looked at the bottle, which had no label, then at the bottom, which was no help either, since it showed the mark of a British bottlemaker, so he said simply, "somewhere in mainland Europe."

"Okay, but what does it taste like?"

Dreyfuss nearly did an impromptu winetasting demonstration , with decscriptions of burgundy grapes and flowers in teh morning mists in teh fields of Chateau Briand, but then relaized that Arachne and cain were trying to keep from sullying the angelic young construct, and siad, "Well, it tastes about how cain describes it. but I'm one of those who like that kind of thing. it's an acquired taste. He turned his head so that Angel would not see him wink at Arachne, who almost betrayed no change of emotion, but did sort of "Hmmpp hmm" as if chopping off an unladylike guffaw, and at Nadya, who stared at him so stoically that it was obvious she was fighting to keep from snickering.

Talos came at about that time, interrupting his reverie; ad tyey went in together, Nadya walking between Dreyfuss and Arachne.

I hope I didn't confuse poor Angel girl again, he sent, I seem to have a n unfortunate knack for that.

[Duellist]

Leyton glanced at the bottle briefly and decided against offering his opinion on wine from 'somewhere in mainland Europe' - he had tasted the kinds of wine made by unskilled vintners from unnamed grapes and formed a strong suspicion regarding the widespread popularity of Vodka as one moved away from the Mediterranean. 

"Many learned people have preached against the imbibing of alcohol, people you may do well to heed," he opined, "though few of them host very exciting dinner-parties...."

[Stella Gaslight]

Angel giggled "Dreyfuss you are silly."  She just did not understand why anyone would drink stuff that had gone bad on purpose.  One time with spoiled milk cured her of ever wanting to try it again.

"I am glad you could join us."  Emma said from her chair.  "Helena tells me the mission was a success."

[MWBailey]

Dreyfuss answered, "A success, yes, and I learned a new way to use the whitefire and the pistol. Well, wand, I guess would be more accurate, although I've never heard of a wand that can be set like a hydrant...

"Unfortunately, we also had a casualty. Young Morrissey from Stratfordshire; his parents moved out to Yorkshire a while back, which is why it took so long for me to deliver his effects; apparently my eyeball glowing thing is permanent now, as well." He said with a slightly stressed out sigh. It bothered him slightly that he had such a frightening characteristic.

[Nigel Wetherby]

"To an extent." Cain sighed. "We were unable to save Morrisey. In my opinion, no mission is sucessful when a friend is lost." Cain's words still held some residual sadness which was quickly done away with.
"However, we were able to save and perhaps even start a new civilisation."
Cain began to tell them the story of their own tragic deaths as well as the gleaming hope for the construct villaige.

Between you and I Angel is generally easy to confuse, though I mean no offense to her. She is simply innocent, a very endearing quality in her. I hope she never loses that cheerful spirit and warm disposition.

[Stella Gaslight]

"Make sure Morrissey's family knows myself and the Aether League are willing to help however we can.  I wish I could have gone with you, I am sure I could have helped."  Emma sounded wistful working with Patrick was fun bit she missed the ship.  "Don't worry about yourself too much Dreyfuss this may just be your logical evolution.  I mean you saw how much Patrick changed over time, it only stands to reason that you would change as well right?"

[Nigel Wetherby]

"Well, Jen became sort of an Angel. I became a semi-construct. So perhaps yer transformation will lead a different result..." Patrick leaned in uncomfortably close to dreyfuss, examining his flourescent eye.
"Verrryyy interesting. Dreyfuss, could ye perhaps start up a journal ta catagorize yer transformations? I'd like ta learn as much about this as possible."

[MWBailey]

Yes, I suppose you're right, Emma, Dreyfuss answered. ' I delivered young Morrissey's effects and the remainder of his pay, quite a tidy sum If I may say so, and I told them not to hesitate to call if they want for anything. In the Marauders we always tried to make sure that the parents or whoever was left behind always had what they needed.

I Also handled the invitation to the funeral myself, it's something I've always insisted on. The funeral, by the way, is scheduled for the morning after we get back from our next mission, at which time We'll send a blimp out to the farmstead and pick up the parents and any family who want to attend, and ferry them to Highgate for the ceremony. We already have the permits to fire the salute, and the family'll receive all four flags; the Texas Battle Flag, the Aether League Flame, The Union Jack, And the Marauder Quadcolor, Dreyfuss informed the group. "As for a ride to the funeral and all for the dock and Row folk, we'll also set up a blimp, maybe two to carry as many of the personnel of both ships, and folk from the Row, to the funeral as want to go, then take all blimp loads to the Wrench and Hammer for the wake, those who don't want to attend that can go back with their respective blimp or debark at the pub and make their own arrangements. Creeds's already given permission to use his landing stage on the roof."

Dreyfuss was taken slightly aback by Patrick's request. "I suppose; yes, I will, Patrick. I can't promise a gripping plot, but it'll all be in there."

Oh! as for a ride to the funeral and all for the dock and Row folk, we'll also set up a blimp, maybe two to carry as many of the personnel of both ships, and folk from the Row, to the funeral as want to go, then take all blimp loads to the Wrench and Hammer for the wake, those who don't want to attend that can go back with their respective blimp or debark at the pub and make their own arrangements. Creeds's already given permission to use his landing stage on the roof."


Hear, hear. I told the village protector, their version of Talos, that I loved her like a child of my own village. It's true, she's been like a long-lost child niece ever since I first met her on the Boheme.

[Stella Gaslight]

Angel had found some of Jen's jam cookies and was happily munching away. "We should sing for him Cain, just like the other Talos sung for the fallen ones." 

"If Jen says I can go out among people I would like to attend the funeral.  When George come back I will tell him of the sacrifice young Morrissey made.  It will never be forgotten." Emma bowed her head for a moment.

"Emma, Sigmund and I have yet to have dinner so if..."

"By all means go eat. You are far to well dressed to not have something planned for tonight." Emma interrupted and made Helena blush just a bit 

[MWBailey]

Dreyfuss grinned as Helena and Sigmund made their goodbyes and headed out. They made such a cute couple, it got Dreyfuss thinking...

I ought to take you and Arachne out somewhere soon; Or just you, if she doesn't want to go. As many times as you've saved whats left of my sanity, and my bacon so far, you deserve far more than that, in fact.

[Nigel Wetherby]

Easy now, yankee. If I didn't know better, i'd say you were trying something...

Jen only chuckled as Angel hapilly muched in a style reminescent to an eager raccoon.
"Angel, where did your table manners go?" She laughed.
"You have to forgive her, if it's sweet she's magnetically attracted to it." Patrick quipped. The husband and wife laughed.
"You'll have to ask Morissey's relatives if you can sing, but with your voices, I should see no  problem." Patrick speculated, though he might see how they would want a good christian burial and not...well whatever religion Angel might be. He would need to ask her about that at some point.

Sigmund had been escorted beforehand to Patrick's wardrobe. A thin, rather bothersome construct who rolled around on a single metal sphere at the bottom of a rigid "Leg" that ended in a three clawed socket.
Its multitude of thin metal hands measured, tested what fabrics suited him and calculated each possible outcome. The finished product was a suit that could have been pulled off by a seasoned military general, complete with crimson cape and gold tassels. A feathered, tricorner was placed on his head and given an impish tilt with the flick of a single metal digit.
"Vundabar!" The construct exclaimed, giving a deep bow as it applauded itself with its mutliple hands. Sigmund stared in the mirror and admired the...ornate design of the outfit.

[Stella Gaslight]

Cain smiled and sighed some how Angel had managed to near her eyebrow.  Despite his continual etiquette lessons she always managed to get dirty in some outlandish way.  "Have some Cain they are strawberry flavored and good."  She always shared, some times rather forcefully but she shared none the less.

Helena was wide eyed as Sigmund descended the staircase.  "You look amazing. I almost feel under dressed." She took his arm as they met on the landing.  "So are you ready to paint the town red?" 

[Nigel Wetherby]

"Well, after our fiasco I suppose I could use a cookie." He took the red-topped disk and took a rather polite and dignified bite. Courtesy was a strong thing in the mind of a construct. But nowhere NEAR as strong as the sweet taste of a strawberry jam cookie which vanished into his mouth as if it had plummeted into a black hole.

"Thanks, Patrick built Heinrich very well. He sewed madame Arachne an entire wardrobe when she donated half of it to Angel. Er...is the hat too much? It makes me feel rather...foppish." He didn't tell her that beforehand, Heinrich had coated his face in white, chalky powder and placed a helm of white, tightly wound hair on his headm both of which he quickly disposed of when the construct was not looking, so as not to offend it.

[Stella Gaslight]

"I may have to take the hat for myself.  It reminds me of an old friend of my father's named Constantine who had cause quite a scandal in France in his younger days."  They walked hand in hand out on to the moon lit lawn and to the spider cart.  Helena set the controls for Tonazos and contentedly held Sigmund's hand as the cart ambled along.  Sitting close together with him in the cool evening breeze was so pleasant she was almost sad when they reached their destination.

Tonazos was a little hole in the wall Italian restaurant that Sigmund almost passed by, mistaking it for a private residence.  Helena knocked on the door and they were taken back to a candlelit courtyard with a fountain splashing away and the most wonderful smells wafting out of the kitchen.  The waiter gave them a menu and two tall chilled glasses of ice water.  "Just pick whatever sounds good, that is what I do and they have yet to disappoint me."

[Nigel Wetherby]

Sigmund flipped through menu, the strange mediterranian titles for each dish seemed rather disorienting.
"Er, I will have the ravioli with the calamari rings." He had no idea what either were, but they sounded fairly edible, and the rick earthy smell of the heady spices seemed only to promise he would not regret his choice. As for a drink, he simply allowed Helena to choose, due to his own inexperience with the subject of libations.

[MWBailey]

Dreyfuss watched as Sigmund and Helena walked by. "Upon my word, Sigmund, I thought my full-dress greatcoat was a tad fancy, but you look like Wellington himself, or maybe Nelson, or Kitchener.

Well, of course I'm planning something, mi corazon -- I'm trying to plan an outing! OK, calm down, I know what you meant, and I'll have to admit that the thought did cross my mind, but surely you know by now that I'm not going to force you into anything. Of course, if you want first crack at starting something, he teased, trying to be gentle about it, I'd be willing to oblige.
And before you ask, yes, I did mean that little term of endearment; it would slip out sooner or later anyway.

There was a long pause during which Dreyfuss began to fear that he had mortally offended Nadya, and that she would never speak to him again, and then --

Hush, senor, do not be silly, I would not do that to you! He suddenly felt lips lightly touch his cheek. and her voice in his skull, with its own hint of a chuckle, There, we will have to be satisfied with that for now. Was that really so great a thing for you?

It's more the thought than the act, but yes. .Surely his mindvoice didnt really sound as grateful and strident as it seemed to him.

She hugged him then, mentally and physically, and he returned the favor, gently.

[Stella Gaslight]

"And I think I will have the Gnocchi marinara, bruschetta with olive oil and prosciutto and some of that lovely Rosso Barbera I had last time, Please."  The water nodded and vanished back to the kitchens. "Sigmund I am sorry I forgot to ask but are you all right with wine?"  She wanted to avoid another coffee incident.

[MWBailey]

"Emma, would you like for us to send a blimp here to pick you upo for the funeral, or should I or one of my men hire a hansom, or something fancier? The Elmo carries six such craft for use as Life and Long boats, although I must admit we've had scant use for them lately," Dreyfuss said, preparing himself to put his 'wings on and recruit angel or cain to carry Arachne. as they returned to the bordello.

Which do you prefer, miss Emma?

Outside the school, on the roof of a building across the street, a female figure in a leather-and-woolen action suit readied a cartridge rifle that was fitted with a telescopic sight. As she aimed, the silver-plated handle of a cane came down on the back of her head, knocking her out cold.

Sir Charles Tayle, Dreyfuss' de facto boss on the British side of things, had decided to dirty his hands and stop these senseless attacks on Dreyfuss and his people.

"Bind her, gag her, and then carry her to our offices in Whitehall. I want to have every detail of her explanation written down," Tayle said, turning and walking down the back staircase, out into the alley, and across the street to the school, knocking on the door and asking to be let in, so that he could speak with the commodore and the assembled guests.

[Stella Gaslight]

"I think I would much prefer a blimp but anything would be fine providing it is not a boat."  Emma absolutely hated travel on the water and became very sea sick, very fast.

Cain was currently cleaning the sticky off Angel when she piped up.  "Mama do you want an Angel ride home?"

[MWBailey]

One of Patrick's constructs entered the room at that point, and addressed the assembled guests,"Your pardon, sirs and ladies, but there is a man who is waiting to see you all, he says, "but especially Mr. O'Landry and Commodore Dreyfuss -!- Mr. Charles Tayle, of His Majesty's service--!", the construct barely managed to blurt out before Tayle walked in. The effect on the group besides Dreyfuss was interesting, given the fact that Dreyfuss did not know for certain if any of them had met the fellow before...

Mr. O'Landry; Trip; Emma; Arachne; Mrs. O'Landry; Cain; Angel; Sir Jaisen; adn you, my dear, must be Nadya Zarate. I trust you have found our plane to be of satisfactory diversion?

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to report that, in response to the Commodore's recent submission of information, shall we say, a certain Miss Mariana Cloude-Liszte has been apprehended by myself and certain elements of - ahem - the Black Company. We shall be closely questioning her, and I promise you, we shall get to the bottom of her recent and disturbing activities.

"May I add that we "apprehended" the suspect on the roof of the building immediately opposite this one; she was readying a rather powerful rifle for use; it was pointed, generally, toward the front door of the school, and she was muttering your name, Dreyfuss."

"We have actually been investigating her for some months, ever since she began acting peculiarly, that is to say, "outside the plan," so to speak, when ingratiating herself to a certain archduke during a recent mission. We did not anticipate her sudden development of a taste for spectacular assassination, however, and for that I apologize most profusely."

"Please pardon me for interrupting your evening," he apologized, "and now I must go." he turned to leave.

Dreyfuss swore under his breath, and muttered "hell hath no fury,' verily..."

Nadya, I didnt tell him about your world-walking ability; he and his organization have developed a nasty reputation for ferreting things out by means that, eh, would not normally occur to decent folk, however, so I wouldn't inquire too closely about that if I were you. You might wish you hadn't asked.

[Nigel Wetherby]

"But of course, my little Angel!" She cheered. "I would be delighted to fly with you. Cain, would you be a gentleman and Carry Nadya for me?"
"Of course Ma'am."

"I doubt I've any problem with wine, I've made due with the hyper-astringent stuff we're given in our secondary canteens. A little fermented grape juice should be no problem." He recalled the sweet taste of the dry Pinot Noir that was passed around during the Christmas celebrations at the academy among the staff. Jen and Patrick had grown pink in the cheeks and vanished to their quarters minutes before Sigmund had finished his latest glass.
Moments later, a rather distraught (and half burnt) chef emerged from a smoky kitchen.
"Escuzi Signora Helena, de pasta citter, she is well...on fire. And-a de squid has gone stinky. We can-a get-a you something else, and of course it will-a be on de house."

"Well, that's dissapointing..." Sigmund seemed rather glum, his curiosity to the taste of calamari would go unsated for the day. "What dishes are available?"
"Sphaghetti and meatballs?" The chef greatly hoped the young man who appeared to be -judging by his hat- of seasoned military employment would not pull out a revolver or aether gun to finish the job the automatic pasta cutter had started.
"Well, I've never tried that. It sounds rather good."
The chef exhaled in releif and quickly bolted into the kitchen.

[Stella Gaslight]

"Bye Patrick, bye Jen lady, Feel better Emma lady."  Angel took Mama's hand anD they walked out tougher.

The waiter came back with a huge platter of spaghetti and meatballs. Obviously trying to make up for their orders being unfulfilled by the sheer quantity of food.  He set two smaller plates down, a large basket of bread and poured them two glasses of deep red wine and left the bottle. Then he looked over at Sigmund and vanished as if to avoid an angry outburst.  "This smells lovely." Helena said dishing out a helping and digging in.  She did not notice that one strand of pasta still connected her with the heap and that bit was currently being wound around Sigmund's fork.

[Nigel Wetherby]

"You may rest easy, mister...er...whatever your name is. My army will not destroy your business this day." He spoke in a voice with false depth that Helena could easily defuse. The terrified chef bolted into the kitchen, yelling in italian about free gelato and urging a man with an accordian to entertain the two as they ate. Sigmund placed the bundle of noodles into his mouth and slurped at the noodle with a smirk, proud of his acting skill. His noodle met a slight resistance which caused him to lean foreward, unaware of where this doughy thread led him. Their lips pressed together near the beginning of the song. Her lips tasted of marinara sauce and wine. His head was positively swimming.

Can took Nadya's hands and began his flight out the window at Angel's side. Nadya was terribly thankful that she was wearing black bloomers as hey flew above the shopping district.