literature

The Mechanic of Gears and Gadgets chap. 1

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Literature Text

Chapter One 

Imperial Business




A woman stood in a large steam balloon as it descended to the landing platform of a grand manor. The manor was one of thousands of odd structures in the huge mountain city. Elegant bridges connected the mountains, the mountain tops flattened and crammed with houses. The manor was built on the side of a mountain, the landing platform extending over a cliff. Airships, balloons, and mechanical animals flew around the sky above the city. Steam rose from houses and machines, and the sun made all the buildings glow in the morning light. It was early, but already the skies were crowded. the balloon the woman stood in was carefully maneuvered by its pilot. The woman's bodyguards stood close to her, should the balloon basket jerk. As the balloon got closer to its destination, the woman could hear clanking, banging, and gears turning. The sound of a skilled mechanic. 

***

I rubbed some sticky oil off my hands and onto a dirty rag. I was laying in my back, under a large machine. The copper panels had been removed, revealing exposed wires and gears to me. A large drop of oil fell from a leaking hose onto my forehead, but I didn't bother to wipe it away. The humming of the gears around me was like music, and so I didn't hear the approaching people until someone tapped on my foot. 

Crawling out from under the mechanical contraption, I faced three people. Two tall men wearing imperial uniforms, and a well dressed woman stared at me. the woman was tall, wearing a tiny blue jacket, a grey dress with a long skirt, and carrying a lacy parasol. 

"Hello?" I said meekly. 

"Can you direct me to the Master Marian Mechanic of Gear and Gadgets?" The woman asked. 

"That would be me actually" I informed the woman, annoyed. The woman looked surprised, then smiled. 

"Well I have much to discuss, might we move to your parlor for some tea?" She said, her eyes taking in my machines and tools set up in the large garage.

"Yes, of course, come with me Madam" I said, leading her just outside the garage and across the landing platform to the open French doors. Inside was the large parlor, furnished with red velvet settees, oil paintings, and clocks. The woman sat down on a settee daintily, looking relieved. I sat opposite of her, watch the guards stand in the doorway. 

The woman studied me for a moments, her pale blue eyes frowning at my attire. I wore a worn, pinstripe frock, the right sleeve was ripped halfway down the forearm, exposing my mechanical arm. From the elbow down, my right arm was brass rods, hinges, and wires. The woman quickly averted her eyes from my arm, looking at my messy dark brown braid. 

My maid, a five foot tall robot, made from a life size porcelain doll, approached us, I instructed her to go brew some tea and bring some pie. The maid, named Marisol, left the room, a few clicks and whizzes accompanying it. 

"So, may I ask who you are?" I asked the visitor. 

"Of course, I am Lady Gwenifar. Queen Eugenia sent me to request some things for her" The woman said. Lady Gwenifar snapped her fingers, one of the guards brought her a letter, which she handed to me. The large envelope had the royal crest, an ivy leaf, stamped into the wax seal. I tore open the envelope, reading the letter. The maid returned with a tray of refreshments while I read. 

Dear Rose, the Master Marian Mechanic of Gears and Gadgets, 

No doubt you know the turmoil going on with our neighboring kingdom, and that war will certainly ensue. As I attempt to regain peace, I am requesting that you build three black, Steambirds, armed with various weaponry. Your contribution to our national security will be paid for. The details written by my general are included, along with a bank note for fifteen thousand silvers. 

Your Queen and friend, 
Eugenia Mary Wenfar 


I closed the letter, returning it to the envelope that contained the promised papers. Lady Gwenifar was nibbling a cookie and watching me intently. I took a sip of the tea, despite hating tea, and swallowed. 

"Is the letter all you came to deliver?" I asked, rising from my seat. Lady Gwenifar stood, setting her china teacup down, and curtsied. 

"Yes, thank you for the tea"she stated. I curtsied back, and lead her back to her balloon. I waved, smiling as the balloon cast off, riding into the azure sky. It was soon lost amongst the other airships. I dropped my hand. 

As I headed back to my work, I spotted Father, who was standing in the second story balcony. He shook his head, smiling, before disappearing back inside. I laughed, and headed into my workshop. As I fixed the leak to my copper-plated motorcar, I worried about the Queen's request. 

I can't refuse the request, but to build death machines, war machines, was horrendous. My fame and fortune as the Master Marian Mechanic of Gears and Gadgets had been achieved by building the SteamCreatures. The SteamCreatures were wooden-metal mechanical animals that flew. I owned several factories building and selling the models, cats, dogs, elephants, birds, dragons, and lions. They were small and graceful, able to hold one pilot, and fly with metal wings made up of thousands of metal feathers. 

When I finished the motorcar, I pulled a small bell from my leather boots, which were covered straps, holding a set of wrenches and screwdrivers. The bell  called Marisol outside, where I told her to bring some lemonade to my bedroom. Sliding the bell back in the strap on my left leg, I headed into the manor, through the parlor. 

The large house had many rooms, Six bedrooms, a library, a forge, two parlors, three bathrooms, a cellar, the bollard room, the dining room, and many closets. My bedroom was on the third floor, across from the library. I hurried into my bedroom, and opened my closet. Dozens of ball gowns, riding dresses, and day dresses filled the closet to the maximum capacity. I needed to change in order to go to a meeting, and a dingy work dress wouldn't do.

I chose a dusty rose colored frock, with a wide hoop skirt. The maid entered the room, sitting a silver tray holding a pitcher of lemonade on a small table. Marisol helped me put the dress on, pulling the ribbon corset strings tight and tying them into neat bows. The maid pulled my dark hair from the messy braid, brushing it out and putting my hair in a braided updo. Marisol laced my work boots, which were hidden under my skirts. 

I twirled in front of a full length mirror, satisfied. My bionic arm was polished and shone. Women always told me to wear long lace gloves to disguise my arm, but I was proud of it, my arm gave away who I was, a mechanic and an inventor. The letter from the queen sat on the tray of lemonade, I put it into a pocket hidden in the fold of my dress. I tucked a pale pink rose in my hair, and pulled on my matching bonnet. After sipping the lemonade, I headed to the front of the manor. 

Father's butler, Fredrick, real man, opened the door of the copper-plated motorcar. Most motorcars were painted black or red, but I loved copper, and left the motorcar as it was. The driver was an older robot, missing some of its plates and the face fully exposing its inner gears and wires. The motorcar drove through the manor gates, and onto the busy city streets. 

I stared out the window as the car whizzed into the business district. The detailed architecture of the city never ceased to amaze me. Children ran around the sidewalks, laughing, A few people walked carefully groomed dogs, and I saw a man selling colorful balloons for a copper. 

The business district had several factories that I owned, building the steam creatures. My accumulating fortune supported my father and I. Fame had followed the success of the steam creatures, which the rich and adventurous flocked to buy. The stream creatures held flew very fast, running on little water and solar power. I had my own model, a bronze owl, which I kept in my garage. 

The motor car stopped outside a large shop. The disabled, robotic driver couldn't stand properly, so I opened my door myself and climbed out of the vehicle. Holding my skirts off the ground and dodging a few puddles, I entered the large shop.

a new story I am diligently, and enthusiastically writing. sorry this first chapter is short, the next one will be longer
© 2014 - 2024 sweetmanillagirl
Comments3
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GoldenNocturna's avatar
Interesting beginning. I love myself a good steampunk story! :) As far as constructive criticism goes, I feel that reiterating the fact that Marian designed the SteamCreatures is redundant. In fact, elaborating about it seems unnecessary for this chapter, as it doesn't do much to propel the story forward; plus, in the first person POV, the narrator rarely discusses things he/she already knows about him/herself, unless it's to a character unfamiliar with him/her or to the situation. 

Also, I didn't really understand this line: "the driver, a older robot, missing some of its plates and the face fully exposed its inner gears and wires."

Other than that, this was a great start! Keep writing!