Chapter Five

To call this wonder a workshop would be a grave insult given how this place captivates my attention.

Although it lacks the polish and shine of much of Gear Box, the strong wood and brick layouts carry their own vibrant charm along with lively ecosystem of inhabitants.

And judging by many being ferried across the water to set foot here, it seems there are a lot of newcomers.

"Looks like search and rescue parties are still going at it." I neutrally comment as the desperate voyagers rush across to solid ground, eager to complete their grim journey.

"Those who wish deliverance, contribute, or to atone are known to flock to our home." Aurodha gently points out carefully seizing my hand. "It does my heart well to see them here. Safe and sound."

My girlfriend's benevolence just makes my heart melt and I allow my mushy side to run loose by gingerly embracing her arm. "I know this is gonna sound cliché, but... I really don't know how I was lucky enough to show up here."

"Hmhmm, my... are you implying you do not recall the one who rescued you from that malevolent cesspool?"

My smile brightens, knowing full well this time that she's just toying with me. "I haven't which is why, right now, I feel very lucky."

“Wise words.” She coos. “Now, then, shall we take our early entrance? I’m certain you and dear Nion will entertain each other of conversations before all the Workshop bears witness to his masterpiece.”

And already I can’t help but feel very uneasy about the idea.

But Aurodha is not having any of it. “One must emerge from their reclusive shell, darling, and learn to cement bonds whether they be casual or worthwhile.

Making friends. That hasn’t at the top list of priorities since coming here. It’s plausible to argue that me finding lodging and learning a trade are more pressing matters, but I know those are not the only reasons why I haven’t brush up on my social skills.

Meeting people, let alone making friends, is just too much for a newcoming recluse such as myself.

Plus, I highly doubt that I’m just going to hit it off with a legendary producer of an action-piece performance that’s been the talk of the town.

But I guess I have to start off somewhere right. I wish Aurodha would let me just dip my toes into the water instead of just throwing me way into the thick of it.

Thankfully, the soothing glimpse of her gloved hand reaching out to await mine calms the nerves, and like any wannabe competent boyfriend, I lovingly accept her invitation before guiding me in the direction only she knows.

It's not technically that long ago when I disembarked onto the Workshop, recalling a rising sea of fear and uncertainty than relief and content. I know it's stupid, freaking out about getting a pass into one of the safest places this world knows, but it turns out that completing my perilous journey after gods know how many false leads, close calls, and several sleepless nights is a giant me problem.

So, when I see some of the newcomers having that anxious expression painted across their faces, I like to think that I wasn't alone in that ordeal.

Or to be more accurate, they are not alone.

Just so you guys know, breaking down and letting it out is totally okay. Please do... it'll make me feel much better...

My attention is quickly stolen by sneak peaks of the several brick layered workhouses where, at first glance, can be dismissed as establishments past their prime and only managed by skeleton crews. Luckily, I’m able to catch a glimpse of artisans molding together mad and wondrous creations, eccentric tinkers trading the integrity of their postures for radical new technologies, and the occasional collaboration between the two professions.

That is until a sweet rich scent intoxicates my nostrils and I immediately remember that there is a bakery close by!

“Mind if we make a quick detour?” I ask Aurodha.

She turns to me, slightly curious of my intentions. Though as her nose harvests the same sweet aroma, she rolls her eyes and casts an amused grin.

“Only once.” She tells me. “And let us not stay for too long or we’ll both be imprisoned by that wonder.”

“Don’t worry, my willpower is strong right now.”

Finding the bakery proves not to me that much of a maze as I’m able to roughly recall the direction and I can see the same gleeful young woman, hiding her hair with a rough leather cap, ready to climb atop her customized motor scooter with simple bags of her goods carefully packed in the back.

She’s quick to spot us and eagerly waves her hand.

“Aauuurrriiiii!” Her gleeful cry echoes across the air of disembodied voices before sliding off her ride and charging towards us at full speed.

Her size grows smaller as she nears before Aurodha scoops her into the air, spinning her in her tight embrace.

“Oh, you just smell oh so delightful, Cyd! I can just feast on you here and now!”

The girl whose name is Cyd giggles at Aurodha’s words. “Sorry, but that’s not on our menu!”

As the two settle and Cyd returns to the ground, her doe like teal eyes catch mine and her smile grows brighter.

“I wondered if I’d ever see you again!” Cyd cheerfully greets. “Auri told me a lot about you, but… I never thought that… Oh never mind! Cydna’s the name! It’s nice to officially meet you!”

She offers her hand out to solidify the start of a potential friendship and I graciously return the gesture.

“Likewise, Cydna.” I reply, maybe sounding a little too formal for my liking. “Call me, Ken. And… I never got the chance to say thank you for the stuffed bread when I first showed up here. It was very delicious!”

Cydna beams like a holiday ornament. “I’m glad you liked them! Old family secret recipe!” She shifts her attention between Aurodha and me. “Are you two planning on seeing Nion’s performance, tonight, too?”

My spirits are immediately instilled with a small hint of mirth, believing that more would familiar faces will be joining the show.

“Without question!” Aurodha chirps. “That means we will see you there, too?”

“Eeyup!” Cydna nods. “I have to complete these distributions to the newcomers, but after that I’ll be there in a gyp!”

I pick up the hint that the conversation might be taking longer than originally planned, so I decide that this would be the perfect time to improvise.

It doesn’t take much persuasion from Aurodha to dismiss myself from the group before I enter the bakery only to have my sense be overwhelmed with the mouthwatering smell of freshly baked stuffed bread.

The displays of each succulent type are proudly on display with a tall and stocky looking canine beastman carefully withdrawing a fresh batch from the mouth of a fuming oven.

His sharp eyes, one of them resembling a what looks like an infused periscope, are quick to notice me, and the jitters kick in. But only for a moment, remembering my mission.

“Hi, um… I’ll go ahead and take one orange crème filled custard please.” Before quickly adding. “Oh, and quickly grill it too, please!”

His grunts with no hesitation as his weary movements pick up in speed, almost like he’s happy to get some business.

Though catching a glimpse of a raw adhesion on one of his arms makes my spirits dim.

“Fancy seeing the performance, tonight?” A low, almost suave voice is not what I expect from this hulking brute of a… employee.

I smile, determined to make decent small talk. “Yes, sir. My girlfriend invited me and… well, I never say no to a good show.”

“Well then… cheers to that.” He begins to carefully to smite the smooth surface of my order with hot iron. "Have to say this is a first. Never had a customer like you before."

My brow quirks up. "Excuse me?" 

"Young lad, not all mangled and stitched, never mind having a pulse." A chuckle follows. "And they say unicorns only exist in fairy tales."

I can only respond with a laugh bordering on awkward as this guy is starting to give me the creeps. But hey and least he says I'm good looking in his own morbid way. 

My grilled custard is ready, wearing a golden-brown coat with hints of smooth charcoal ornaments on its crunchy shell.

“That it then?”

I nod. “That’ll do it.”

“Right… 50 gael, 7 Arcees, or just 90 copper nuggets?”

I’m still getting used to the various types of currency used here, but doing a few odd jobs and the power of rationing and saving has me loaded with boat load of Arcees. I rummage through my pockets to pull out the crumpled cards with various numbers with the golden stained exterior depicting their age and handed them over in exchange for my food.

The baker begins gazing over the cards and I can’t help but feel a little nervous that I might have screwed up! But after a low grunt he places them under the table.

“Will that be all?”

“Huh? Oh, y-yeah! I’m good!”

“Well, off with you then.” The jerking of his head motions towards the exit.

I nod and begin my departure with a spring in my step, debating if coming here alone would be the safe thing to do. Still, the warm sensation of my prize safely tucked in my bag gives me the small comfort that I completed my mission.

And thus I quickly return to Aurodha, right where I left her, still chatting away with Cydna.

“Oh really?! Well then…”

Both of them quickly turn to me upon reaching close proximity and that’s when Cydna breaches all of my boundaries and get up close and personal.

“Listen here: I know this is your first time at this, but don’t think I’ll be going easy on you!” She warns, very dramatically. “I’ve been at this for far too long now, and I’m not going let victory slip from my hands this time around! So be ready to see what I have in store for this epic showdown!”

At a complete loss and a little intimidated, I crane my attention over to Aurodha expelling a bubbly giggle.

“Watch out, darling. It seems the competition is poised to steal victory for the contest!”

“Oh! I see now!” I let out a nervous laugh, still a little unnerved by the intense gaze Cydna is throwing me.

“I’ll be off now, but I’ll be keeping an eye on you. And many others who would dare try to take my rightful prize away from me!”

Geez it sounds like you’re trying to take them out of the contest by… no… no she’s not like that…

She huffs before mounting her scooter. “But tonight, we’ll have a truce at the First Act! See you guys there!”

With the blend of chugging and buzzing from her vehicle, heavy mist escapes the pipes at the rear before splattering its warm humid presence on my visage.

Steam powered? Cool!

And with that my first rival spins off letting the howling of her engine be proudly heard to all in the Workshop.

“I trust your diversion was to your liking?” Aurodha’s voice brings me out of my subtle fear of Cydna’s ‘threat’ earlier.

The perfect distraction, and transition!

“Very much so!” I offer the bag to one amazing girlfriend.

Aurodha looks slightly taken aback, but after her nose picks up the same wondrous scent that’s been blessing my nostrils, a smile of pure elation.

She accepts my gift, speechless as she does so, before peering inside the bag and grinning wider.

Aurodha then glances up at me, her bright aura encircling her casts away stress and worries I’m not even aware of.

“I fear size might be a little much.” She tells me. “Soooo… I trust I can count on you to help me finish it?”

I hum nodding. “I don’t see why not. Thank you.”

She scoffs and hugs me close. “No, thank you!”

Not long after we are back on track before being the in presence of a massive ironclad vessel with a small walkway connecting land to the ship.

Aurodha squeezes my hand “Hard to imagine this maritime war beast now serves as this city’s very first cinema.”

Wait… did she say cinema?!