aefenglom | un: machinequeen • video

Entry tags:

un: machinequeen • video

Name: Nico
Date: 18/07
Format: Video

Alright, so here's the thing—

( The video begins with the camera pointing up at what appears to be a neatly thatched cottage ceiling, but it's quickly lifted and moved so that it's propped up to show what appears to be a kitchen. Appears to be, because at the moment it's also functioning as a tinkering-station-cum-greenhouse for Nico, her piles of scrap metal and magical textbooks taking over the majority of the counter space.

The woman herself doesn't seem to be in the best of moods. Before she can get into it she brandishes a cross-head screwdriver at someone off screen with a "Hey! Get outta here, I'm fixin' this!", before reaching over to a semi-hidden fruit-bowl and hurling an apple towards the intruder. A long-suffering sigh follows, and she drags a hand through the mess of her hair as she turns her attention to the camera again. )

Right, so. My associate here, he just doesn't have any appreciation for the love an' care I put into my creations. He thinks he can just run around breakin' them without any consideration for the time it takes to fix 'em again.

( She tosses the screwdriver onto the table, then reaches over to pull a mechanical arm into the frame. It certainly looks as though it's seen better days: there's visible damage to the forearm, one of the fingers is missing, and where the prosthetic would connect to Nero's elbow there's a tangled mass of frayed wires. )

Only problem is, they don't wanna be fixed any more. Nothin' I do works—an' I made this from scratch, you understand? These are my babies.

( Her lips pull into a frown as she places it back down onto the table. )

So I gotta wonder, is this a magic thing? I've been up all hours of the night with these books I borrowed from the Coven— ( A vague gesture is made towards her chaotic piles of research. ) But even if I'm supposed to be a witch, my "magic" ain't good enough for makin' technology work yet.

( And you know, Nico's just going to avoid mentioning the whole Bond thing for the time being, because while she now has a pressing need to regulate her magic? The thought of relying on someone else makes her wrinkle her nose. )

Anyone got any bright ideas? Or— ( Your pride, Nico. Swallow it. ) Maybe someone could point me in the direction of a magi ... tech ... tutor? I can't pay much, but I'm real handy. I can do repairs, run errands—heck, the only thing I won't do is cook. Trust me, you definitely don't want that.

( She slants a grin towards the camera. )

Nicoletta Goldstein, by the way, but if you're gonna help me out then you can just call me Nico.

( And there's a wink as she reaches over to shut off the feed. )

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[Don't mind Jin Guangyao, he's just going to strategically set his watch camera so that his mechanical bronze prosthetic hand is visible on screen. He does have snake eyes and a few tan scales around the edges of his face, so he's clearly no help on the witchy front, but:]

I understand it can be difficult to make other worlds' technology function here. But if you need any financial assistance for your tutelage, I would be more than willing to lend you some aid.

You might also like to contact Percy at the forge. He's a very talented individual.

heh. handy.

[that's it that's the reply]

[He scratched his cheek as he took in the mechanical arm and stuff. He had to admit, that looked awesome. Like, something straight out of a video game awesome! ~~irony~~]

Uh, so I’m no tech expert but can I ask what’s supposed to power it normally? My music player worked until the battery ran out and it’s not like I can charge it so, I assume just about anything woulda worked until you lose the power source.

( Just give her a minute to admire said bronze prosthetic hand: it looks like a a fine piece of craftsmanship, to the point where she really has to hold herself back from laying on the questions. )

Hey, I know Percy! We've met a couple times, seems like a nice guy. ( A beat. ) Did he help you with that hand of yours?

( But also, hold up. Financial assistance? Is this guy some kind of rich benefactor or something? )

... And what kinda financial aid we talkin'? Are you gonna charge it back to me with crazy interest?

Well, shit, I didn't know we had a comedy genius in the house tonight

you should be more aware of your own talents.

[s'all you random lady]

Yeah, this one's a little bit more complicated than a music player.

( She raises an eyebrow as she raises the Devil Breaker again, just for emphasis. )

This baby right here? It runs on left-over demon parts, but it's not out of juice yet. It just doesn't wanna work.

Edited (Y i k e s) 2020-07-14 23:07 (UTC)

Oh, wonderful! Yes, he did, in fact, and I should say that it has improved the quality of my life considerably.

Please consider allowing me to make a simple donation or two -- it isn't so much, with only a modest income. But you might say I have a personal interest in assisting with these sorts of technological marvels -- and it's important to help fellow Mirrorbound get a head start on life here as well, I tend to think.

Can't beat a good prosthetic! You'll have to let me take a look at it sometime, just so I can see how clever he is.

( She's teasing, for the most part, but also please let her see how he likes to work?? )

That's real generous of you, but I don't just wanna take your charity for nothin'. ( The idea of accepting money for free just doesn't sit right with her. ) Is there something I could do to earn it?

If you'd like, you're welcome to visit any time.

[Teasing or not, it's fine.]

Perhaps you could simply keep me up to date on your own work? So many others come from worlds more technologically advanced than my own, and it's truly an honor to have an opportunity to see such things in person. Even when it seems to require a little magical augmentation.

You think I could monetise it?

Oh, for sure! Just meant I figured if it wasn't some kinda electricity, it'd be something else.

[Of course, eyes go a bit wide at the 'left over demon parts' because what?]

Demons? For real?! [Beat.] Wait, how do left over demon parts power a metal prosthetic?

You know, I might just have to take you up on that, Mister ...

( And she leaves that open so he can answer! )

I mean, you could always just come over an' watch every now and then. If you got an eye for learning I could probably teach you a thing or two as well, if you like?

Jin Guangyao. Also known as Lianfang-zun to some, but there's no need for that much formality between us, is there?

[Not when he's all smiles and fellow-Mirrorbound this-and-that.]

That sounds delightful, Nico. Have you found a workspace for yourself yet?

You don't have demons where you're from?

( Huh. Weird! )

And it's easy: you just gotta have a real thorough understanding of alchemy, mechanics, and a who lotta creativity.

( So, y'know, it's not easy at all 8') )

Jin Guangyao. Got it.

( Nico doesn't do formal 8') )

And uh ... ( She gestures around herself: ) Just the kitchen so far! But I'm gonna get some savings together, see if I can't get myself a little workshop set up somewhere. It's not so bad; still more space than I had when I was working in the van.

Uh.... kinda? It's complicated.

[Do Shadows count? Probably, but they also don't show up in the human world sooo...

He squints at that.]

That doesn't sound easy at all. But I am learning alchemy! Probably not the kind that involve demons though. Huh, so it still won't work even if you do learn this place's alchemy, huh? You mentioned the magitech, and that seems what powers this place like... all the way. I don't think I've seen gas or electricity so your best bet does seem to try the magitech stuff!

Like, I don't know any specific tutor but the school could probably have a class or two?

[And on this end is a whole entire rectangular robot, made of metal and everything. With the addition of fur along his arms, claws on his fingertips, and bunny ears too tall for the camera to capture atop his... body(??), it's obvious he is no Witch. But at least he's mechanical, just like the arm.

With his screen lit red, he crosses his arms and speaks in a voice deep, booming, and synthesized.]

A TALENTED "MACHINE QUEEN," FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO REPAIR HER VERY OWN WORK... I SEE. A TERRIBLE CONUNDRUM! AN UNFORTUNATE TWIST! BUT I CAN'T FATHOM WHY. GIVEN THAT ANY OLD MECHANICAL OBJECT SHOULD WORK JUST FINE.

[And here, he raises a finger, as though pointing out a conditional:]

ASSUMING... THAT YOU HAVE ALL OF THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS NEEDED TO POWER THE ARM. DOES IT RUN ON MAGIC? ELECTRICITY? SOME OTHERWORLDLY FUEL BEYOND COMPREHENSION?? OR DOES IT PERFORM SPECIAL FUNCTIONS, BEYOND HUMAN CAPABILITIES?

[In his (electrically-powered) experience, that appears to make all the difference in Aefenglom. Any additional feature on his own body is completely useless. (Thank goodness he's not (really) a magic-operated being. The entire city would be that much quieter without him! And Who Would Want That?)]

I was able to get my camera working with help from the Coven, but I don't know if what they did for that'll work for prosthetics. Pretty sure they can help you get lessons on the tech here, though.

[Don't mind Alphys, she's just drooling over the piles of scrap metal in the background for a moment before remembering she's making a video reply.]

Oh! Uhhh... I'm a monster so I'm probably not as knowledgeable about this stuff as somebody else, but there's like, uh, different schools of magic here, right? There's gotta be one that can help with making tech run. L-like an enchantment to power it with magic!

What about it is ah...refusing to be fixed?

[ It looks in fairly good shape from what Percy can see. And also far beyond anything he understands, which is even more interesting. ]

( Nico perks up a little when he mentions he's learning alchemy, if on;y because she's also trying to get her head around the ever so slightly different way alchemy is performed here. She wants to bring herself up to speed as quickly as possible, so ... )

Oh yeah? You been takin' those alchemy classes for a while or are you kinda new here, like me?

( Potential study buddy?? She offers a little grin: )

And you're right, but if I can get a tutor on the side then I'll be able to learn even more quickly. No harm in askin' around, right?

( Well this is ... intense, to say the least, but as luck would have it this isn't Nico's first conversation with a robot! Still, an incredulous little laugh escapes her as she takes in the way he talks, watches his screen change colour, before shaking her head and offering a shrug. )

I mean, I guess it'd fall into the "otherworldly fuel" and "functions beyond human capabilities" camp? That sounds about right. The mechanics are pretty standard but it's alchemy that really makes 'em tick.

( What kind of alchemy, he might ask? She grins. )

These things run on bits of leftover demon, and so far it look like this place is pretty much demon-free.

Huh ... you mean you went to them and asked a favour?

( Makes sense. Maybe she'd be able to get a bit of "tide you over" magic from them, just to get one of the Devil Breakers up and running again. )

And yeah, I guess, I'm just hopin' I'll be able to double down. ( Spoiler: she's a nerd, and she wants to know if anyone has the kind of knowledge that the Coven witches might withhold for a while. ) Better two teachers than just the one, right?

Basically. They were pretty nice about it too, since it's not like it's anyone's fault nothing works.

[Honestly she's probably got the right idea regarding knowledge.]

Unfortunately all I know are healers and musicians, so unless you need to know how to heal burns or something....

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un: machinequeen • video

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