Speaking With Lorem

JP with Lorem and Cindy

May 12, 1889
Mid-morning

With Elizabeth busy with the interviews, Harold knew he had time to speak with Lorem.

The Gnome Engineer intrigued him, mostly because her work was rather fascinating but also due to her, seemingly, always positive demeanor. Harold had met Gnomes before, of course, but never had been able to spend more than a few moments with them. He was interested in varied cultures, so the range cultures living at Elizabeth’s home intrigued him. Plus knowing the people staying their helped the Butler do his job better. As, of course, no Butler just answers doors. Harold was in charge of most household things: the servants, seeing to the needs and comfort of the occupants and the will of the Lady of the house. The occupants though were such a wide range, it kept it interesting.

Harold made his way to the carriage house - now the lab and room of Lorem, and knocked on the door waiting for a response.

The sounds of fabrication and tinkering that Harold heard as he approached the workshop came to a halt. Next the sound of things shifting, followed by a series of unlocking clicks on the other side of the door. It opened 27 degrees, and he would have to look down to see the kind expression and pleasant smile of Lorem looking back at him.

“Why hello sir.” She greeted cordially. Then looked briefly around to see if there were others with him. “What brings you out here? Is there something I can help you with?”

The sound of all the locks were a little more surprising than the other noises coming from the workshop. He returned a friendly smile towards the Gnome.

"Miss Ipsum, Lady Elizabeth has sent me to see of you have anything that might of use for the backup team." Harold figured he could explain anything else as necessary.

Lorem used both hands and some leverage to push the heavy door all the way open. She was inviting Harold inside. As he entered, he would see there her interesting self designed modular living area and then what appeared to be a variety of project zones all about the room. The gnome had been busy.

“The probability is high. What exactly do you think they might need? What I mean is, do you know what they may come across? That would help narrow it down.”

Harold entered and looked around, it was just full of interesting looking projects and he hadn't seen the inside of this building since Lorem had moved into it, a lot had changed in it in a small amount of time.

"Well, Miss Lagrave and Mr. Cronk have the weapons they will be using, so, this is just for the Lady herself." Harold explained. "Lady Elizabeth has a small pistol she will likely bring with her but other small hand held weapons would be good. They will likely encounter magic users, guards and possibly general members of the Children of The Sea. Also, there is always the possibility they might run into one of Lamaire's monsters." Harold figured that had covered it, hopefully there was something that could help with some of that.

Lorem walked over to a work desk that contained the two prototype fabrications of the hand cannons. One the larger size and the other her smaller handheld personal one. Next to them were the chest and satchel full of the different grenade options. She directed Harold to come look.

“Well these are hot off the assembly line. Non lethal, in theory, but lots of possible combinations depending on the situation and how you use them creatively.”

She waited to see if this was enough, or if he wanted another option..

Harold didn't know that the smaller one was Lorem’s personal one. Yet, he knew the larger one was too big. "Maybe the smaller one. She needs something which is easy to conceal. Is there something to carry the grenades in?"

Lorem was happy to oblige and handed the hand held one to him. Then she pointed to the satchel full of grenades that could be worn like an over the shoulder purse. “There is an illustrated manual inside the satchel that shows how to use it and explains each grenade type.”

"This looks perfect. Th... Danke." Using the Gnome's mother tongue to thank her. "May I ask a more personal question of you? If you don't mind. By all means feel free not to answer." Harold cautiously spoke.

Lorem was getting the satchel situated for Harold, making sure everything was in order and all compartments filled. She closed it and gave it a loving pat. “You may.” She replied sweetly, her hands going into her pockets as she waited. She was curious to what it is he would ask.

"How are you doing? I mean you must miss your family. I don't mean to pry, but I just wanted to make sure you were alright with this change in your life." He knew she was young, and what he had been able to tell from that first tea was her father and her were close, it was just she always seemed upbeat and it would be hard to tell if she was homesick or anything like that.

Lorem took a brief sigh as she paused to think about that question. It may have come across that she had been so busy that she hadn’t actually stopped to think about that. Coming to a realization she smiled knowingly to herself as she had formulated her response. “Da and Ma always say you make things not to hide away for yourself, but to have a purpose in this world. So here I am trying to solve complex problems this world throws. I am performing the function for that which I am made. I am very grateful and full of joy.” Her smile had grown bigger as she shared.

“I do miss them though. Like a hydro sprocket coil misses its magnesium transistor.” She giggled. “When we see each other again I am sure we will have the best of time sharing what has transpired between now and then.”

She then turned the tides on Harold. “While you are here, might I ask if there is anything that I could make that may help make your life easier, or more efficient?”

Harold smiled at her response. She seemed to be truly born to this work. He then gave a nod of understanding, to what she said about seeing her family again.

The question surprised him, he was always able to ask Lady Elizabeth, her parents or Mr. Sung for what he needed, but other occupants had never asked. "You do not have a device which reads minds around here, do you?" Though it was clearly said in jest. "There are two things that perhaps you could help me with. I have been thinking on getting a steam-powered serving tray to try it out, possibly more if it's efficient enough. The other thing is this," Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a silver pocket watch, it was polished but looked old, like something that had been handed down through generations. "This pocket watch is very important to me but I fear it's age is showing. The mechanisms are not working as they should and the parts are becoming difficult to find. If you could update it, I would be grateful." Harold handed the watch for Lorem to look it over. It was fairly plan, just a small scroll work on the outside. Inside it looked like a standard watch, white dial with black Roman numerals for the numbers, two black hands told the time. The time was off by five minutes, which was a lot when punctuality was important to your position.

Lorem laughed innocently at his joke, but there was definitely a part of her brain that started to wonder if she could make something that reads minds.

“I have an idea for the serving tray. Would you be object to installing a miniature steam engine and track. The food could conduct itself from the kitchen to the serving areas? “ her thoughts began racing.

Lorem’s eyes got bigger with childlike excitement when she saw him produce the pocket watch. If you give a gnome a watch, what will happen next? She carefully took the time piece and began inspecting it. Closing her eyes she listened to it near her ear. “Your friend here is sleepy. I will absolutely help. Hold all projects, I will get on this right away.” She seemed to interact with the object as if it were alive.

"I would not be opposed to the steam engine or track but anything like that would have to be approved by Lady Elizabeth, and possibly her parents. I can let you know what they say." Of course, Harold couldn't just have things installed as he wished.

Harold smiled at her enthusiasm over the watch, for a time piece, it was pretty average but it was the only thing he had that was past down from his father. It was perhaps best, it didn't stand out as it kept it from being noticed and, subsequently, stolen at the workhouse when he was younger. "Thank you, I do greatly appreciate it." He began to take the small hand cannon and the satchel. "And thank you for this, I am sure Lady Elizabeth will be much appreciative. I will be certain she gets them. I must be getting back to work now but it was nice speaking with you."

Lorem quickly interjected “of course” when Harold reminded her that changes to the operations, grounds, or structures needed prior approval before being installed. She considered that an unspoken rule.

Lorem would walk Harold to the door and curtseyed politely as he exited the workshop. “I am honored to help. Thank you ever so much for stopping by. It was nice speaking to you too and you are always welcome.” She would watch him head back to the main house and wave should he look back. Once gone, she locked herself back in the workshop and put her attention on the pocket watch.