(un-edited and has not been proof read)

Chapter Six

The festivities, the whole reason for the gathering, did not start until another three hours had passed. By this point everyone had shopped to their hearts content, eaten more than they had in the previous week and also drunk a bit too much. Thus the atmosphere, as the inventors and avid clockwork fans brought out their own wares, was thrumming with energy and excitement. The audience as well as the fellow participants would judge the technology, give advice and quite often steal ideas.

It was fun for all, but this gathering also held a serious side. If their designs didn’t hold up in front of this crowd, there was no chance that it would hold up to the scrutiny of the Clockwork’s Fair which was to be held in three weeks’ time. There the designers would have hundreds of the world’s best eyeing every detail trying to find fault. It was why people from several counties over often flocked to the area to participate – where else would they get an opportunity like that.

After searching out her two co-workers, Mimi, Stretch and Cog stood side by side with their clockwork dog on proud display for everyone to see. They hadn’t activated it yet, it just lay there at their feet like a snoozing Labrador. 

For once, the trio were suitably underwhelmed. Most had brought things that they had shown at the other gatherings only with a few changes. One for instance had brought a machine which when wound up, would turn on its axel rotating whatever was inside so that it gets an even coverage – of what Mimi wasn’t sure. The dials on the side meant that the person could control the revolutions the speed and the number of times it would turn before stopping. Undoubtedly the group could see the potential applications but it wasn’t anything they had seen or thought of before. In truth, the trio had made something similar in the early days of their designs. For them now, the aim was to either imitate life or create something that would improve the quality of life.

Heck the trio had even designed a completely clockwork house, that would work on a timer to operate the households facilities. It would be incredible but the intricacies were beyond even their means at that time. Millie wasn’t stupid enough to think her father wouldn’t notice her empty vault.

Finally people approached them, to look and to criticise. Used to the formalities by now, Stretch crouched down and inserted a tiny key into the metal dog’s collar, he twisted sharply three times. The mechanisms clicked over and over for several minutes drawing raised eyebrows as they all waited on tenterhooks for something to happen. Most started to turn away rather underwhelmed.

But then the snout lifted from the ground and the metal dog gave a yawn before lazily crawling to its feet. That was the part that the trio was proud of the most, that they had been able to make the dog move and act just like a living breathing animal rather than a beast made of metal. He was adorable, obedient and did not leave steaming piles of mess upon the floors – that was another small miracle.

Now up on its feet the door started prancing around, yapping at people’s ankles before dancing away, the perfect imitations of a puppy looking to play. Several people reached forwards to stroke the metal beast, their fingers caressing over the designs, before retreating with a nod. In these circles, that gesture was one of the biggest accolades one could get.

She had an interest in the extendable arm which she thought could have a more practical application as a base for their new automaton but

It was someone else’s clockwork that drew her attention, it wasn’t anything innovative but it was beautiful. It was one of the reasons she had half of her clothes and accessories commissioned by the woman. Tapping her friend of the shoulders, Millie nodded towards the woman with sandy coloured hair who was currently swarmed with eager young grease addicts just pining to own one of her newest designs.

Pushing her way to the front, Millie used her height and distinctive hair to her advantage. She only had to stand there with her arms folded across her chest for ten seconds before the petite woman barrelled around her stall and enveloped Millie in a hug.

“Hey Mimi, how’s my favourite customer?”

Several behind started to grumble at her words but she snorted and waved them off.

“I’m good, and you know you only like me for my money.” The blonde rolled her grey eyes before scanning the wares on the table.

“Of course, who wouldn’t love you for your money?”

“Exactly.” Clapping her hands together when the smaller woman stepped away, she allowed herself to peruse the stall. “Do you have a new cuff I can have? You know the one with the tools and picks embedded into the design?”

The petite woman chuckled and nodded her head.

“I thought you might say that, you’ve lost how many so far?” The playful grin she gave diffused any slight the comments may have caused, but she was perfectly right. Millie had a habit of losing her gear, on purpose though was the big question. “I also have a pocket watch, though it has some extra purposes. Hang on.”

Disappearing behind the table, she crouched down and searched through until she reappeared with several cloth covered bundles.

The first one she rolled open to reveal a cuff that would cover the entirety of her forearm. It was excellent for defence as the metal proved as a shield for her arm so she could use it to defence against incoming fists and blades. But Millie’s favourite feature was the various tools embedded into the design which could be released by using the correct latches.

“That’ll do nicely.” Her grey eyes then latched onto the other bundles and she tilted her head to the side inquisitively. “What about those?”

“This is a telescope, nothing innovative but the dials here allow you to change focus and lenses so you can use it during the day and during the night. Not the average gear but we all know the kind of trouble you often find yourself in.” The young blonde raised a brow and stared at her in a way that told her she should know exactly what she meant. “And finally this is the pocket watch, nothing unusual but if you flip the front, it has a recording device which you can then use to capture sound and play it back at your leisure. I will warn you that I am intending to sell these to the government for Queen Victoria’s guard so it is only available for a limited time.”

Nodding her head, the young woman brought out her money bag and shook some coins into her palm.

“I’ll take them, and please make me an extra one of these,” she lifted the cuff up and waved it around. “We all know I will lose this one within the month.”

Laughter followed and after her purchases were wrapped and bagged the two woman parted ways with pleasant greetings and promises to see each other again soon.

Millie then proceeded to join her friends and do something she had not done for a long while, she bought a drink and she allowed herself to get a little bit drunk. She figured that after the past few days she deserved a little enjoyment but it was also why, when Percy and she staggered back to Clancy manor a few hours later, she couldn’t be sure whether there had really been someone in the shadows watching them both.

No, she assured herself, it was just the alcohol giving her hallucinations.

If only that were true.