* It is Thursday, the sixth of May, in the year eighteen eighty-six.  The
cobblestone streets of Paris are slick with the last spring fog of the year. 
The pebbly, almost gravel-covered surface of the industrial district are a
different matter.  By sunrise, heavy traffic along the docks, outside the
factories, and all around the warehouses has rubbed away any semblance of
morning mist.
* At the expensive end of the warehouse district, the buildings are large and
thick-walled, often with guards and heavy locks and even a few bins reaching out
over the waters of the Seine to help busy tenants circumvent the delays often
associated with the docks.
* One of these warehouses stands out from its neighbors; its roof is slightly
peaked, and a few thin chimneys poke up toward the sky like metal weeds.  The
warehouse seems to have only two doors: a single, huge shuttered door that
dominates the front wall, and a smaller, pedestrian doorway near one side.  Foot
and cart traffic is heavy outside, as the factories and shippers begin their
days just before sunrise and don't let up until after dusk.
* Gabriel is standing in the traffic outside the warehouse! The traffic flows
smoothly around him as he simply stands there, for some inexplicable reason...
or maybe explainable, actually. He checks at a card in his hand and checks the
address, confirms they're correct, and then walks steadily to the warehouse
through a gap in the traffic.
* Gabriel knocks on the smaller, pedestrian door and awaits a response.
* Gabriel waits for a few moments, then notices a small odd button set in the
doorframe. After a bit more waiting, he pushes the button, hoping it'll do,
um... something.
* After a brief pause, the door makes a buzzing sound like an angry bee in a tin
can, and then it swings inward a centimeter or two.
* Gabriel looks strangely at the buzzing, now open, door, but takes it as an
invitation to go in and steps forward, opening it the rest of the way. "Hello,
Miss Chambelleau?"
* Omar, dressed in slightly more pedestrian browns and grays than his usual blue
and white garb, walks down the street with a slightly uncertain look on his
face. When he notices Mr. Mehler, however, he nods as if something were
confirmed, and strides confidently up. "Hello, Mr. Mehler. A pleasure to meet
you again," he greets with a very white smile.
* The door ceases its buzzing as soon as Gabriel pushes it open farther.  The
waiting room just inside the door is an open affair with a modest, apparently
unused desk off to the right side and a staircase some distance behind it,
against the wall farthest from the street.  The waiting room has a high ceiling
and an airy feeling to it, but the main warehouse beyond opens before Gabriel
and Omar like a cavern.
* Omar cranes his neck a bit to take in as much as he can without actually
stepping inside, as if not willing to enter without a more express invitation.
"Big."
* Gabriel looks around, then turns to Omar. "Oh, Omar. Nice meeting you too.
And, yes. I did notice that to. It's definitely better than if it was all
cluttered up."
* The ceiling there is easily six meters from the floor, and large, lead-paned
windows high on the walls cast slants of sunlight down into the room, though it
is difficult to tell the difference because of the bright glow of dozens of
electric lights.
<Omar> Larger spaces can appear neater than smaller ones, if just for their
ability to hold the same amount while leaving more space free. But this place is
impressive even beyond that. I can see why Captain Avignon is interested in the
proprietress. ...I assume meeting her and seeing her 'Guardian' is your purpose
here, as well, and that our meeting is not mere happy coincidence? ^_^
* Gabriel chuckles. "I won't argue, it probably isn't coincidence. And I'm
interested in her 'Guardian' as well."
* The warehouse is spotlessly clean, surprisingly so for such a large space. The
floors are cement, and there are several areas of note: the small living area
off in the far corner, a large vat surrounded by chemistry equipment, a firing
range, and a large, metal-reinforced area with a variety of tools hanging
nearby.
<Omar> Hm. I do hope she's in. She wouldn't leave her door unlocked if she
weren't, do you suppose?
<Gabriel> I would hope not.
* Oh, and let's not forget the three-meter olive-and-silver behemoth standing
just off to the side of the reinforced area.
* Claudia is sitting on the kneeling bipedal machine's shoulder, tinkering with
something in the neck area.
* Gabriel clears his throat and calls out to Claudia. "Miss Chambelleau?"
* Omar knocks politely on the now-open door, still not having entered. Hopefully
Miss Chambelleau can hear it. He doesn't say anything, however, since Gabriel
spoke up first.
<Claudia> Come in, I unlocked the door for a reason!
* Gabriel walks further into the space, looking around a bit more.
* Gabriel blinks as he takes in the three meter tall suit of robot.
<Omar> Oh! Thank you. *steps in*
* Omar emits a low whistle as he takes a better look at the metal behemoth, now
that he's inside. "Wow."
<Claudia> * The robot is huge, even for a construct of its side, with large,
three-layer shoulder pads, a broad chest, a cylindrical head with a glass visor,
and stocky legs. There's some kind of rifle attached to its back, and a huge
metal device on its right arm.
* Claudia is an incredibly attractive young woman with waist-length white-blonde
hair, bright green eyes, and a black padded suit that accents her figure quite
nicely.
<Omar> So. This is what you were talking about last night? It is indeed
marvelous, in the most literal sense of the word. *tilting his neck back so far
that he's almost falling over backwards to look at Claudia as he walks up close
to it*
* Gabriel is, for the record, a rather pale young German man, no older than 23.
His skin is very pale even for that, however, and his fingers are rather
elongated more than normal. Apart from this, he's moderately attractive, and
dressed in casual grays. "I must say it is unusual. Is it as effective as it
looks, however? I would hope more so."
* Omar, also for the record, is an Arabic boy, probably in his early teens. As
mentioned before, today he's wearing browns and grays, looking very like an
unusually clean newsboy or such.
* Claudia smiles, brushing her hair back. "Oh, quite a bit more."
* Gabriel also has, because his player missed it, short black hair and impassive
gray eyes.
* Omar 's black hair is covered mostly by his cap. "Oooh. Can you demonstrate?"
He's almost brimming with boyish excitement!
* Gabriel chuckles.
<Gabriel> If it's not too much trouble, anyways.
<Claudia> I'm afraid not, the boiler breached on a test-run yesterday and is
being repaired.
<Gabriel> That's a shame.
<Omar> Awww.
<Omar> ...can I see the --er, place where you sit when you pilot it...what's
that called again? I fear I'm not as well-versed in technical terminology as I
would like. ^^;
* Gabriel thinks. "Um... The seat?"
<Omar> No, the little room the seat's in.
<Gabriel> Oh.
* Claudia slides off the Guardian's shoulder, down its conveniently-placed arm,
and onto the ground. "The cockpit."
<Omar> Right! The cockpit! Hello again. I'm Omar, Captain Avignon's ward. I'm
not sure if you remember me from yesterday. *holds out his hand for a
hand-shake*
<Gabriel> And I am Mr. Mehler, another who has Avignon contacted on the issue of
the problems as of late.  As you noticed from last night, Miss Chambelleau.
* Claudia shakes Omar's hand, reaching between the two halves of the machine's
chest plate. It splits and slides open with a hiss, as the tops of the legs fall
forward and the head raises up.
* Gabriel thinks for a few moments. "Is it supposed to do that?"
<Omar> Wow, neat! What runs it with the boiler not functioning?
<Claudia> * The inside of the Guardian is padded and comfortable, with several
fans running to keep the air circulating. There are also places to put arms and
legs.
<Claudia> It is.. and it's currently hooked up to the warehouse's generator. It
hampers mobility but allows self-defense and is very convenient.
* Gabriel nods. "So how long until the 'boiler' is fixed?"
<Omar> Oh. This is...electricity, right? Like-- *mutters an apology for talking
over Gabe and goes silent so Claudia can answer his question*
<Claudia> I should have it repaired by tomorrow. And, yes, it's electricity. The
reason I don't want to give a demonstration is because it would overtax the
generator and I'd rather not risk that unless the lab comes under attack.
<Gabriel> You were certainly open about letting us in, I must say.  And I doubt
any would be bold enough to try and attack this particular establishment.
<Claudia> If you weren't welcome, I would have kicked you out, and if you
remained afterwards, I would have shot you.
* Claudia says this in a matter-of-fact tone, closing up the Guardian's chest
cavity.
<Omar> Good. Can't have such a remarkable invention open to the eyes of anyone
you don't trust. It -is- your creation, after all. Glad to see you're sensible
with it. ^_^
* Gabriel smirks. "Very sensible about it."
<Claudia> Yes, well, the Guardian's the closest thing I've had to a boyfriend
for the last six years. I'm very protective of it.
* Claudia pats the robot on the chest, circling around to the rear.
<Gabriel> Mmmmhmmm.  That is a good reason to hold anything dear.
* Omar eyes Claudia strangely. "That's...interesting."
<Claudia> I practically built it from scratch. The metal alloy, the visor, the
boiler design, the fuel, the weaponry... all my inventions.
<Omar> Wow. How'd you come up with the idea?
* Claudia peeks out, smiling wistfully. "I dreamt about it for weeks on end.
Now, come 'round back and I'll show you the rifle."
* Omar smiles excitedly, and hustles around to the back. Not -quite- running.
He's trying to maintain some air of dignity, after all.
* Gabriel walks calmly to the back, taking his time.
<Gabriel> Do you dream about anything else?
<Claudia> ... No, actually.
<Claudia> * The Guardian's back is home to a scaled-up rifle of a most peculiar
design. The trigger and stock are all there, but in place of a normal barrel,
there's a triple-barreled Gatling gun.
<Gabriel> Oh?  That's unfortunate.
<Omar> One should always have something to look forward to, to work towards.
When the Guardian is finished, of what will you dream?
<Claudia> We'll see, won't we?
<Omar> Indeed!
* Gabriel nods.
<Omar> So how fast can this rifle shoot? I've never seen a Gatling rifle before.
<Claudia> In tests, it's gotten up to eight hundred rounds per minute.
* Omar lets out that low whistle again.
<Gabriel> That is quite impressive.
<Omar> So, um... how many people know about this project? It's probably not
public knowledge, or I'd have read it in a paper or something, right?
<Claudia> It's a prototype design, yes. I won't swear you both to secrecy, but..
well, we have lawyers and interests to protect, if you catch my drift.
* Gabriel nods. "If the secret gets out, it's not by my lips."
<Omar> Ah. Mercantile sponsorship, with company secrecy. How'd you convince them
it was a good idea, so they'd throw money your way?
<Claudia> My father owns the company.
* Claudia grins wryly, climbing up onto the shoulder and retrieving her
screwdriver.
* Omar is wandering around up close to the behemoth as he looks closely and
curiously at what details his limited height allow him to see.
<Omar> Oh. That's definitely a plus! ^_^
<Omar> Will you be testing it again tomorrow, then, when the boiler is done
being fixed?
<Claudia> Most assuredly. It was due for an upgrade anyway; the recent batches
have been much more powerful than it was intended for. I'm surprised it held up
this long, really.
<Gabriel> You put more than nuts and bolts into it, that's why.
* Claudia glances back at Gabriel, puzzled. "Pardon?"
<Omar> Huh? *pokes his head back around the Guardian to look at Gabriel*
<Gabriel> If it were just a machine, it'd be broken and never be repaired.  It's
because you're tending to it that it's more than just a machine, and the reason
it's going to stay longer than the... construction should say so.
<Omar> Interesting way to look at it, Mr. Mehler.
<Claudia> It is.. do you have any formal training in mechanics?
* Gabriel smiles. "I'm an artist. I probably have many 'interesting' views on
the most mundane of things."
<Gabriel> Me?  Oh, I'm afraid not.
<Claudia> Pity.
<Gabriel> Why do you ask?
<Claudia> Curiosity, mostly.
<Gabriel> More of my reason for coming here wasn't to see the Guardian, however,
but to see you and get to know you better.  As well as anyone else who received
the same invitation.
* Omar nods absently, still wandering around the Guardian and staring.
<Claudia> Ahh. Well, I'm not that interesting.
<Gabriel> You clearly have a hobby.  I'm wondering if there is anything else you
are interested in.
* Claudia sniffs. "This 'hobby' will revolutionize warfare and make us the
wealthiest company in the civilized world."
<Omar> ...is 'revolutionizing' warfare really that good of an idea? This can do
incredible amounts of damage.
<Gabriel> Yes, I am a bit... worried at how much devastation could be caused by
one of these machines, let alone a group of them.
<Claudia> The Guardian has very precise calibration. I won't be accidentally
wrecking Paris, don't you worry.
<Claudia> And it isn't as though it can, say, fire energy beams or set things on
fire. It has a single firearm and the knuckle.
<Omar> That's not the concern. It's a platoon of these fighting another platoon
and intentionally tearing up the landscape. ^^;
<Omar> Of course, so long as you trust your customers' judgement, I suppose it
won't be a problem. ^_^
* Gabriel nods in agreement with Omar.
<Claudia> Well, we only have one customer when it comes to armaments. And as for
tearing up the landscape.. war is already very destructive, the Guardian's thick
armor and production costs should *lower* casualties.
<Omar> Besides, with less scrupulous people than Mr. Mehler and you, Miss
Chambelleau, developing unique and potent abilities, concerns about the
proliferation of Guardian-class weapons are perhaps equivalent to worrying about
the fire ants while the piranhas eat your flesh.
<Gabriel> It would seem that there are those of us with such potent abilities to
counter such a threat, however.
* Omar nods. "That's why the Captain invited you all in. You will work with us,
I hope? If nothing else, I'd love to see your device in action, Miss
Chambelleau."
<Claudia> Well, I'm hoping my father will be persuaded to my initial intent.
<Omar> ...your initial intent being?
<Claudia> The Guardian was not designed as a war machine, but rather as an urban
counter-supernatural police unit.
<Claudia> I believe you've already seen the gendarmes' rather pathetic efforts
against two such super-criminals?
<Omar> Eheh, yes. First hand, I'm sad to say.
<Omar> They did manage it, though! But they are desperately in need of help.
* Gabriel nods. "I've seen such an incident first-hand as well. It wasn't a
pleasant sight."
<Claudia> My hope is not, in fact, to sell my machine to the French Army, but,
rather, to city police.
<Claudia> Equipped with Guardian powered armor, the gendarmes could handle
beings such as Earthquake without extravagant loss of life or limb.
<Claudia> Until I convince Father, however, I will continue to spout the company
line about revolutionizing warfare.
<Gabriel> I don't suppose there is a reason stopping this other than testing?
<Claudia> It requires rather extensive field-testing, yes.
* Claudia rests against the cylindrical head, staring at the ceiling.
<Claudia> What about you two? What do you bring to this.. team?
* Omar tilts his head, looking at Gabriel to answer first.
* Gabriel shrugs. "My art and abilities. I've lived in Paris much of my life,
and from what I've seen, no other city is quite as picturesque. I've received
much from this city, I should give something back. So rather than run away, as
many I know have suggested, I decided to stay and do something about it." He
chuckles. "And I do prefer to look out for the normal person as well as the more
socially elite."
<Omar> Mmhm. *crunches into an apple*
<Claudia> That's very.. moral of you. What are your abilities, exactly?
* Gabriel rubs his chin. "I can't tell you exactly, unfortunately. I do have the
capability to wield a scythe, fly, and control light."
* Gabriel chuckles. "I also play the violin, paint, and am fluent in German,
French, and English."
<Claudia> The violin, hm? Interesting.
<Claudia> And you, Omar?
<Gabriel> I, myself, am also interested in your story.
<Omar> Me? Well, um... I'm fluent in *counts on one hand* five languages, if
that counts. The Captain was kind enough to take me in as his Ward, and for that
I'm very grateful. So I want to help him with this project - it seems like a
very worthwhile endeavor.
* Omar smiles a bit, almost laughing at himself, before snapping the fingers of
his right hand. He throws another apple - which wasn't there before - up at
Claudia and repeats the gesture for Gabriel. "And I'm a bit of a magician. A
Fakir, in my native language. Just a minor talent, I fear, but I hope it's
useful." ^_^
* Claudia catches the apple, smiling. "Flight and magic. This should be fun."
* Gabriel takes up the apple slowly and grins. "Nice trick. True magic is
something that is rare indeed."
* Omar blushes, not that it's easy to see on his dark complexion. "Well,
honestly, it's nothing much. I...forgive me if I'm a little nervous about
showing off, but I don't like people knowing I can do it. But if we're going to
be working together, you'll figure it out eventually anyway."
<Omar> But...what would you call Earthquake, if not magic?
* Gabriel nods. "I suppose so. But my abilities aren't magic either. And I'm
sure you'll agree that they were easily in the realm of paranormal."
<Omar> Hm. Perhaps we have a study of the difference between 'paranormal' and
'true magic' in the works, here. *chuckles*
<Claudia> It'd be very interesting..
* Omar takes another bite of his apple.
<Claudia> But since I'm not gifted like you two, I'll just rely on my Guardian's
strength to get me through.
<Gabriel> I'd say you're gifted to be able to craft something like that.
<Omar> Indeed. Genius is a gift unto itself.
* Claudia smiles, blushing slightly. "Well, thank you."
<Omar> -I- couldn't make something like this awesome machine. Not by myself.
<Omar> You're welcome, Miss Chambelleau. But we only speak the truth. ^_^
<Gabriel> Perhaps you couldn't do it by yourself.  I doubt I could do it with
help.  I really am a mess when it comes to mechanics.
<Claudia> Oh, it's really quite easy when you put your mind to it. It's just
like every other kind of science; all the pieces fit into place when you look at
them right.
<Omar> Maybe you can show me sometime! I didn't know science had come so far.
The only thing close I've ever heard of was a Hebrew spell to animate clay
dolls. ...or was it an Egyptian one to make hieroglyph come to life? *scratches
head puzzledly*
<Claudia> That's the problem with all of those other scientists out there. They
limit themselves to a single field and it takes forever for advances like
powered armor to come about.
<Claudia> I've had to study metallurgy, armoring, gunsmithing, alchemy,
robotics..
<Omar> Wow. That's tons of studying. @_@
<Gabriel> Claudia?  You lost me around alchemy and robotics.
<Claudia> The universities were very helpful, though.
<Omar> Psst. She stopped on robotics, Mr. Mehler. *stage-whispered*
<Gabriel> Well, that'd be a good reason I lost track around then, wouldn't it?
* Gabriel grins.
<Omar> Yep!
<Claudia> If you're interested in any of that, I'll walk you through the basics
sometime.
<Gabriel> I'd appreciate it.
<Claudia> And, even though this has been an excellent discussion, I'll have to
ask you to leave now. These hydraulics really must get finished and then I have
twelve hours or so to finish the boiler.
<Omar> Certainly, Miss Chambelleau. Though I'd love to stay and watch you work,
I'd hate to be in your way. And the Captain entrusted me with a couple more
errands to run while I was out. Thank you for your time. It was a pleasure
seeing both of you again. *bows, court-style, and semi-jogs out*
* Gabriel watches Omar leave. "That as it may, it was nice meeting you Miss
Chambelleau. Or may I call you Claudia? I'm sorry if it slipped, I've never been
one to favor formal titles."
<Claudia> In private, certainly.
* Claudia smiles and makes a shooing motion. "Now, go on. Lots of work to do."
* Gabriel grins and starts out. "Thank you. You may call me Gabriel if you wish,
and I look forward to meeting you again. Goodbye Claudia." He calmly walks out
the door and closes it behind him.
* Claudia presses the button on the wall, which locks the door securely, and
goes back to working on the neck.