Open Chronicles The First Town

[Alistair Krixus]

It took every ounce of willpower for Alistair to keep the smile on his face. Pawel could play the hero of the people part all he wanted, and Amos was oblivious to such concerns, but Alistair could only think of one thing. This man was trying to influence their workers. For now, it may be congratulations, but just as quickly they would be rioting for better pay trying to hold a metaphorical knife to their throats.

"Yes, the more the merrier."

He turned towards Vult as that was easier to deal with and did not make Alistair want to kill someone.

"Alas, science is not so easy that one can conjure every perfect design for the betterment of the world, at the simple drop of a hat. We are thankful that are dear friend Amos was able to discover this one."

Alistair considered himself an academic in his own right and he had spent much of his life trying to expand Vel Anir's magical understandings. At best, he had added small twists in theory or rediscovered lost knowledge, but what Amos had done was like the equivalent of flight when one was only used to crawling.

"Don't worry Amos. I've already set up a plan to greet the Ministers and ensure they are taken care of."

 

[Pawel Wilhart]

Even at Amos' insistence that his illness was nothing to worry about, Pawel couldn't hide his grimace, only exacerbated by the man's revelation that he was born in the gutters. It was a disservice to his achievements to stand here and only consider grief.

This was an occasion to celebrate, not commiserate.

"No pressure then," he finally spoke, forcing himself to smile at the mention of two workers holding him in high regard. Turbulence churned in his stomach, like gravity had briefly forgotten about his insides. "Ah, the weight of expectation."

A pause, thoughtful.

"Or maybe indigestion."

Turning to glance at Lord Krixus and Initiate Vult, the young politician offered his toothiest grin, a hand reaching out to scratch at the back of his head. It seemed that they would all be set up for the evening when the locomotive was due to arrive—a chance to witness the march of progress.

"Well, I'm sure that this fine young man has plenty more questions for you both," Pawel offered before loosening a low whistle that was far less impressive than Cady's and did not budge Marzi an inch, "and I would hate to disrupt his journalistic endeavours." Instead, he had to wander over to the large dog and heft her onto her feet, to which she responded with a muffled groan. "Not to mention there's a new draft Bill to review."

Perhaps time for a nap, too? It wasn't a terribly important Bill, something about cattle roaming rights, and seemed likely to be defeated in chambers.

Ah, who was he kidding?

"I will see you all again come the evening, I imagine," he said, still smiling as he steered Miss Marzipan towards The Silver Pony, "but Amos, please let me know when the workers have time for me. I don't want any fuss on my account."

 

[Saderzaine Vult]

Sader watched in slight amusement as Pawel mentioned congratulating the workers before shutting up, a wise move on the man's part. He then noticed that Dreadlord Krixus had a seemingly more forced smile than before. The normally stoic proctor was not regularly bursting with joy in the first place, so the initiate guessed that if looks could kill, the look they were holding back wouldn't even leave the poor politician time to know what hit him.

"Of course. I didn't mean to imply such a thing if I did." he said calmly. With what the implications of this locomotive brought with them, it was the truth. Getting people where they needed to go was a problem any civilization faced, and this was surely a monumental step in the right direction. In fairness, that was what made an article on it so easy to write. There was simply an endless amount of material to draw from, and Amos' motivations were sparkling clean, perhaps even heroic.

He kept a friendly look upon his face when Pawel turned in his direction, taking the moment to think about how best to start his article. Perhaps a brief mention of the scientist's origins in order to begin the path towards talking about the locomotive? Yes, I don't think that should upset anyone. The evening, wasn't it, the time for that last demonstration where the train would arrive. That would probably be the better time to get more subjective material, but...a mention of Proctor Krixus' involvement would likely do good for his credibility as a reporter.

His ears perked up at the realization that Pawel had chosen this moment to leave. Well, that wasn't ideal. He was momentarily distracted by the whistle and looked over to the brown fluffy mountain of dog flopped on the ground. Their name! Why did I never ask that? Quickly shaking his head to clear out all the cuteness, he began to worry about how long he had before the two business partners went on their merry way. It appeared that the ball had been passed to him by Pawel, and there was little to do now but play it.

"You're not disrupting anything. Good day!" he replied, mind ablaze.

It was only after the minister had left that he felt compelled to speak again. "Well then, I have a request to make of the both of you, if that is fine. Would you mind recounting for me how you two came to work together? You can make it short if you like, I can only imagine you have other responsibilities."

Amos Alistair Krixus

 

[Amos]

"I shall minister!" He called after Pawel as the man departed, making careful note to ensure the workers would be at the arrival of the train. Most would already be there for maintenance and unloading, it would be a simple matter to ensure the rest would come as well.

A few minutes delay at getting to the Tavern's wouldn't be too much of an issue, especially when it was one of their own Ministers come to talk. He already knew most admired the man, he doubted any of them would need much of a push to come.

"How we..." Amos blinked. "Ah, well that was a simple matter. Lord Krixus stumbled upon me when I was beginning to survey the tracks for the locomotive..."

Amos explained for a little while more, speaking until Alistair broke in and offered his own side of things. Eventually however the small gathering broke up and the two Scientists went on their way to attend other affairs. Departing and wishing the young Initiate luck on his journalistic endeavors, though telling him he was welcome at the arrival of the train later that evening.

As the sun turned and twilight began to arrive, the rumble of the Locomotive echoed down the tracks. Steam raising from the front engine where water was heated to cool the arcane-powered engine.

Upon the platform in the town stood Amos, Alistair, and of course dozens of workers.

The train pulled into the station, slowing down with great thundering beats of it's breaks. A loud shriek echoing out as the routine almost freely fell into place. The conductors setting to work to cool the engines further and replace those crystals that needed replacing. The rest of the workers quickly setting about unloading the cargo onto wagons.

All in all the process took mere minutes, and as they finished, the men once again gathered upon the platform. Ready to hear a speech and break for a drink.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair much preferred Amos' description of their first meeting, so he only added a few extra details for Vult. The truth was less coincidental as Alistair had heard rumblings of the venture from members of House Luana at social gatherings before Alistair had gone out of his way to track Amos down to see the value of the invention and inventor with his own eyes.

As the three separated from their discussion, Alistair had to get right back to work. If Amos was the point of this project, with a hyper and singular focus on the invention and nothing else, then Alistair was the shield covering all of the gaps. He had his hands in ever other part of this pop-up town ensuring everything else around the locomotive went off without a hitch.

He returned to the company of Amos and others at the arrival of the invention into the station. Alistair focused far more on the workers themselves rather than the vehicle, as Amos would surely handle that.

"It is all running fantastically my friend. The workers are beginning to look comfortable in working with it all. The amount of supplies it carried would have taken a caravan of the same size nearly three times as long."

Amos

 

[Pawel Wilhart]

The draft bill had not been an enlightening read, nor would it change the future of mankind. In fact, it had taken Wilhart several passes to read the entire bill in full. Minister d'Avernus was well-known for using obtuse and archaic language, which caused eyes to water from the sheer effort it took to understand his words.

Eventually, Pawel had given up, instead opting to take that nap that had seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream before.

When the evening's arrival was forthcoming, he abandoned the bill. He made his way to the platform where the train was due to arrive, mingling with the workers (under the diligent supervision of Lord Krixus) and rolling up his sleeves to help their preparations for the locomotive's arrival. The man wasn't unfamiliar with labour, but he was with their labour, and while largely he probably hindered more than help, it was a good opportunity to get to know them.

His conversations had mainly remained personal, focusing on who the workers were, where they were from, and how they felt being at the forefront of innovation. There was enthusiasm shared across the board, an infectious feeling that Pawel wasn't immune to.

An enthusiasm that eventually made way for awe.

He'd never seen or heard anything like it, and the Minister was caught gawping as the locomotive pulled into the station. Even Miss Marzipan was animated, at least by her standards, her great booming barks welcoming the train as she sat by his side.

It was the future right before them.