Devices and Artifacts

JP with Lorem, Lucian, mdman and Cindy

May 13, 1889
Ellington Estate, Paris
Midday

Lorem, who had fallen as silent as a mouse compared to the others, had her little sketchbook out and was busy writing down key information that was being shared. She was divergently thinking, brainstorming ideas based on what the conversation was revealing.

Cronk observed Loren sketching or doodling on a pad. He wondered what she was drawing. Maybe that was how Lorem thought. She must draw what she thinks. She thinks in pictures. Either that or she was bored.

“What Pretty Flower say?” Cronk asked.

Lorem blinked and stopped writing, her train of thought being interrupted. She looked up a little sheepishly, as if she had been caught fading from the actual conversation and escaped into her own internal one. Smiling up at Cronk she turned her sketchbook around for him to see. The others could also get a glimpse.

“I think this artifact might have a lot of utility if we could study it.”

The sketchbook was filled with her German script of brainstorming ideas, flowchart diagrams, and gestural low fidelity rough sketches of inventions all inspired by what she had heard about what the eye could do. The one she had been working on, looked like a pair of goggles that incorporated the eye, making it look like a pair of brainwashing apparatus. But the person on the other side had tinted glasses which, based on the arrows, looked like reflected the mind control effect away.

Looking at Lorem's designs was rather inspiring to Vor. He would have never thought of a way to reflect the ill effects of the eye. While the math behind the schematics was almost alien to him, the artistry in the sketches was an interesting window into the Gnome's mind. Something he might want to pry at given a moment of calm. On the other hand though, her statement reflected that of the Children's, eager to learn its secrets and find immediate utility from it.

"This will make the trip to the headquarters rather exciting if allowed access to the artifact and current notes on it. Before I forget again, has there been any news on the Visage, Lady Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth glanced over at Lorem's designs, the Gnome’s design were always fascinating but this was perhaps of even more interest to the mage. She wondered though if using The Eye in a device would somehow backfire on the wearer.

"I will attempt to talk the Baron into letting you see the Eye, but am not sure how much sway I will have on that front. However, I could, most likely convince my father to allow you access." Elizabeth took a sip of her tea, and shook her head slightly to Vor's next question. "Unfortunately, no. I am just hoping that the Children's reverence for all things Arundan have prevented them from harming the Visage."

Pictures always fascinated Cronk. He learned more by seeing than hearing, because his brain always didn’t keep up with the words. However, technical pictures confused Cronk.

It wasn’t just a picture; it was information. The picture was fine. It was the information Cronk didn’t get.

Cronk simply nodded his head, as if he understood the information it relayed. “Pretty Flower good drawer,” he added for clarity.

Lorem smiled and returned her sketchbook to herself to continue finishing her ideas. “Thank you Cronk.”

Cronk smiled and awkward smile, his cheeks flushing. Even though he could not court Lorem because of social standards, she was still special in Cronk’s eyes. He began to wonder, is Pretty Flower in Cronk’s eye? Even though she is so small, could she fit in his eye. He shrugged not knowing the answer.