Kettenrad Workshop
Zahnrad's personal workshop. It's located near the Mint dam where Zahnrad spends a good deal of time working on the gearing that links the waterwheels to the various machines that are used in the Wingnut workshops and the Miller's paper mills. It's an unusual shop, even for a Wingnut. The door is, in fact, not really a door. It's a rather large wooden gear that's attached to a stabilizer bar. The bar has handles on it that allow visitors to pull and simply roll the gear out of the way on some makeshift wooden teeth that line the floor. Over the 'doorway' a plaque is mounted that reads "Kettenrad Workshop. If it's broken, we can fix it. If it's not broken, we can still fix it!"

It's already been nearly a full day since Zahnrad brought the original plans for rebuilding the town out of the archives, yet so far he hasn't had a real chance to study them. First there was showing Amy the hot tub, which ended up lasting until dinner time. Then there was preparing for the yearly planning meeting with his suggestion for using his new engine to help with the dredging test. And now the meeting is finally done with, Amelia and Gunther are nowhere to be found, and Zahn has plenty of time to himself.

Zahnrad clears his work desk in his usual manner. Namely he lays his arm flat on it and walks along it, sweeping everything onto the floor. With a flick of his wrist, he unfurls the plans and then sits down on his stool. The old stool creaks in protest as it always seems to and Zahn just reflexively wraps his toes around the legs. Hunching over the plans to examine them, he mutters to himself, "Now, let's see here… "

The plans are typically complicated. The original Wingnut design had a separate sewage system fed by the river, which would circulate through the town and flow out at the tannery – which actually put the waste to use. Beneath that is the drainage system for shunting rain and floodwater out to the swamp. While it doesn't show the use of any preexisting tunnels… it does follow a route that suggests it's trying to work around some underground obstacle.

"Not a bad plan," Zahnrad muses, impressed. He looks at the oddness of the reroute and scratches his neck. "Was there a bedrock issue they had to work around? What is that?" Pulling out a piece of paper, he starts drawing the shape of what the tunnels seem to be going around, to try and get an idea if it seems natural and chaotic shaped, or something made and a very definite shape.

The anomaly looks like it runs in a straight line from east to west, although the depth may vary. The way the pipes are made to curve and twist hides any hint of just how straight it might be, however, given the usual 6-foot spacing between the pipes. There's also something beginning to register in the back of Zahn's brain – but it isn't directly related to the task at hand, so is easy to ignore.

"Odd spacing, odd spacing," Zahnrad muses and rubs absently at his ear. "What was the spacing on sections of that weird airship we found in the underground workshop?" he muses and digs through his various stacks of notes, looking for the diagrams he made the day they were down there.

That odd something becomes a little more persistent now. Looking through the notes on the crashed airship doesn't seem to shed any light on the significance of the pipe spacing. Chances are it was set up that way so it would be easier to find the pipes or dig down between them to do maintenance.

"Could just be maintenance tunnels," Zahnrad comments and starts picking the inside of his ear with the end of a pencil. He sits back and idly looks around his workshop for a break and to think.

While thinking, Zahn begins to feel a warm, pleasant sensation. It finally occurs to him what's been at the back of his mind for the past few minutes: the smell of freshly baked bread. And it's getting stronger. "Are you in there, Zahnrad?" comes the soft voice of Parsley Chalk at the gear-door.

"Yeah, I'm here. Just musing over some old plans of the town and trying to figure out why Abner went crazy and what really happened to him," Zahn calls out, "The door should be unlocked."

The giant gear rolls aside slightly, and Parsley eases into the workshop carrying a covered basket. She's dressed in her typical milk-maid dress, and smiles brightly at the Kadie. "I heard Amy and Gunther and Olivia over at the castle, so figured you might be a little lonely," the Lapi says, and comes over to the desk.

"Oh, I'm okay, but I don't mind the company anyway," Zahn says and waves to a paper laden chain, "And they're up to something weird. Not sure what. I've got my own things to investigate." His tail twitches and then he reaches over with his feet to shake the papers off so Parsley can sit. "How's Clover doing?"

Parsley sits, and uncovers the basket to reveal a lunch of fresh nut-bread, cheese and even a bottle of wine. "She's getting her strength back, and is hoping you'll come visit again soon," the doe replies, and suddenly turns her ears back to try and hide a blush.

Zahn blinks. "Hoping I will come to visit? Why?" he asks, "And … why are your ears red?"

Instead of answering, Parsley offers Zahn a piece of bread – holding it out as if expecting him to eat it out of her hand. "Oh… well, we miss you is all," she says.

Hands full of papers, Zahn leans over and takes it into his mouth. "I thoughtht she coultht stantht me," he tries to say around the bread in his mouth.

"Really?" the doe asks, as she next takes out some glasses and pours the wine. "We've both been thinking about you a lot since that ritual. Of course, Clover doesn't remember you being in her mind… "

Zahnrad manages a swallow. "Really? Did you have a project for me to work on?" he asks cluelessly. "And what happened to Clover, by the way, may solve an old mystery of Stonebarrow."

"If anyone can solve it, I'm sure you can, Zahn," Parsley says, and notes the Kadie's hands are still full. "Want me to give you some wine?" she asks, holding up one of the glasses.

"Oh, sure!" Zahnrad agrees, smiling, "Thanks Parsley." He sets down one of the papers and taps on it. "You know what happened to Clover? That bit with her head? It happened to Abner too. I, uh, got to examine part of him. I think that's why he went berserk. I also think it plays a part in his death. I don't think it was the Blacktails."

"Abner?" Parsley asks, and then takes a swig from the glass before leaning in towards Zahn.

"Wingnut Clan founder. The one who tried to take over the town back when Buf … er, way back," Zahnrad notes. When Parsley leans in, Zahn just … looks at her. "Uh, what are you doing?" he asks the Lapi.

Taking Zahn's cheeks in her hands, Parsley gives him a very unexpected – and wine-filled – kiss.

Zahnrad's tail sticks straight out behind him and puffs up to twice it's normal size. His eyes also grow to near saucers. He's so shocked, he doesn't even think to resist it. He, well, actually swallows the wine.

The doe finally pulls back, and says, "Oh… you said you wanted me to give you some wine, didn't you Zahn?" She doesn't pull back much though, and leaning forward in that low-cut milk-maid bodice gives Zahn an interesting view as well.

"Uhm, yeah, I did," Zahnrad stammers; looking for all the world some poor critter in a trap. "I just didn't expect it like that. Uh, why did you do it like that? Not that it wasn't nice, but… " He sort of trails off in a chitter.

The Lapi blinks at Zahn's reaction, and searches his face for a few moments. "Don't you… I mean, you ran through our souls, Zahn, don't you feel a connection to us?" she asks.

"I'm lucky if I can find my shorts in the morning," Zahnrad starts to say, then blinks. "That's what I was feeling before you showed up. It was a strange sensation and before you knocked … there was this warmth."

"And it's really warm in here right now, isn't it? I should open a window… " Zahn adds nervously.

"That's so much trouble though," Parsley says, and reaches for Zahn's shirt now.

"No it isn't! They're all on gears. I just have … to … " Zahn says and trails off. He doesn't try to move away, but he does shake his head. "Ack, what about Amelia? I mean, I know that uh, things, geh. Yeah, a bit intense and all. But it's just from that spell… "

Parsley's hands stop in mid-reach, and she blinks at Zahn with her big brown eyes. "Oh… Oh! I shouldn't be doing this!" she says, and pulls back her hands to cover her chest. "I'm so sorry Zahn! I'm not usually so selfish… "

And suddenly Zahnrad looks disappointed. He has to shake his head again … but then does scoot his chair closer to the Lapi. "Well, you didn't really do anything yet to be sorry for," he reasons out in hopes to make her feel better. He reaches over and takes her hands, too. "I mean, I'm really flattered. I just … well, you have Emmett, I have Amelia."

"You must think me just awful to have come here while Clover is still in her sickbed," Parsley says, her ears drooping. "I… should have waited until she was recovered, then we could both have you together… "

Zahnrad blinks repeatedly at Parsley's reasoning. "Uh, wait, you're upset because Clover isn't here? Not because of what was happening?" he has to ask.

"Again… I apologize for acting so selfishly," Parsley says, her chin pointed at the floor now. "Will you wait for the both of us?" she asks, looking up slightly. "If you can't… I'm sure Clover will understand… "

Zahnrad's mouth sort of hangs open. He keeps trying to say something, and nothing will come out. Looking frustrated, he tries to distract himself by reaching over and lifting Parsley's chin. "Please, slow down here," he says, trying to keep from hyperventilating, "You're telling me that you and Clover … want me? As, uh, your shared boyfriend? Your, uh, heh, uh, non-Lapi outlet?"

"Boyfriend?" Parsley asks, blinking. "Oh no! Don't be silly, you're Amelia's boyfriend," she says, rolling her eyes cutely.

"Then what? I … uh, well, I don't know how Lapi work," Zahn admits.

"Silly," the doe says, and swats lightly at Zahn's nose with her paw. "We just want to make love with you a few times. Every so often. That's all!"

"Er, won't Amelia get mad?" is all Zahn can thing of asking.

Zahnrad also has to now rub his nose.

"Why would she?" Parsley asks, tilting her head. "I mean, we'd be training you for her, and she wouldn't have to worry about you getting all frustrated before she's ready."

"Uh, well, because it would be Clover?" Zahn has to point out … looking for all the world confused, freaked, and … interested all at the same time. "And you do know that … well, I haven't ever… "

"Oh, I've broken in lots of Kadies, don't worry!" Parsley says proudly. "I mean… lots! Probably a few of your cousins… "

"I'm worried you two will break me. Then Amelia will break what's left of me for letting you break me!" Zahnrad babbles.

The doe finally registers Zahn's anxiety, and says, "Well, you could ask her if she wants to join in… "

"You are trying to kill me," Zahnrad reasons out.

"Would it be better if I talked to her about it first then?" Parsley asks, nearly sighing. "I mean, really, it's not like we were other Kadies."

Zahnrad rubs his forehead, looking as if he's got a major headache. "You and Clover have actually talked about this? I mean … she wants … ?"

"You're her hero, Zahn," Parsley says, as if that was explanation enough. "Nobody's ever saved her before, or cared enough to risk themselves for her… I mean, other than me."

"I just crawled in a hole and carried her out," Zahn says lamely. He rubs his neck for a bit, then asks, "Would it be okay if we both went to go talk to Clover?"

"Oh, you'll come visit her in the castle then?" Parsley asks. "She's moving better now, and her bed is plenty big and really soft. I mean, it's like being on an overstuffed pillow… "

"Sure. I am wondering how her head is doing," Zahn admits honestly. "Plus, maybe I could spy on what Olivia and Amelia are up to… " He looks to the food, then does add, "After we eat lunch, though. I'm hungry."

"Mmmm… oh, that kind of hungry!" Parsley says, and starts serving out the rest of the lunch. "Yeah, you'll need to build up your energy. Especially if Amelia gets you first. I mean, you don't want to cramp up or pull any muscles during the chase… "

"Oh, I don't think she wants me to chase her any time soon. At least, she hasn't given any indication of it," Zahnrad comments, then looks to Parsley. "You only brought that one wine glass, didn't you?"

"I didn't think we'd need more," Parsley says, and then admits, "besides, I couldn't find two that matched in the castle. Igor must be in charge of the kitchen."

"Well, uhm," Zahnrad says with a nervous grin and rubs the back of his neck. "Maybe we don't even need that one much. Learning how to do the trick you just did would impress Amelia, I bet. Can I, uh, try that trick with you?"

Parsley smiles, and says, "Of course! Your education is important, after all. And since your little brother is also going for twins, you'll be able to pass along what you learn."

"I'm not doing that with Gunther," Zahnrad says very quickly as he takes up the glass. "Just don't, uh, this is for Amelia." he insists.

Taking the bottle, Parsley clinks it against the glass as if in toast. "For Amelia then!" she says.

And Zahnrad takes a swig from the glass. And still looking like the nervous critter in the trap … he leans over to Parsley this time. After a few quick breaths through his nose … his lips press to hers and the wine-filled kiss is revisited … only this time he doesn't swallow.

Parsley's good at this, and even licks some of the wine that spilled off of Zahn's lips. "You know, I can suggest some things that I bet Amelia would really like… " she says coyly.

Zahnrad's expression is blank for nearly a minute after that. His head twitches rapidly when his brain finally re-engages. "Uh, what?" he asks dumbly, it not yet registering that this is probably a trap…

The doe leans in to actually whisper into Zahn's ear, resting one hand on his knee in case he jumps out of his seat…

Zahnrad's left eye twitches. "You can do that?" he asks in absolute shock.

"It takes a little practice," Parsley admits with a grin. "And you have to have salve handy just in case… "

"And really, the bound and gagged otter… that's optional too," the doe adds after a moment of thought. "You've got a hammock anyway, I hear… "

Zahn grabs his head. "What are you doing to me?" he pleads. "Amy would kill me. Kill, kill, kill, kill. And yes, I have a hammock, and the hot tub, and … what am I saying?"

"If you want to be really daring though, there's that bat girl who likes Amy," Parsley says. "Her cousin is pretty good. I'll have to ask Dr. Pike about her training regimen for him. Or what she's been feeding him… "

Zahnrad just rubs his face. "Lunch. Food. Eat," he babbles. "Visit Clover after. You can talk to Amelia… "

Picking up some bread and cheese, Parsley nods! "I do admit… I've worked up an appetite for some reason!"

"I can't imagine why," Zahnrad mutters as he tries to just think about food and machines. "How did this happen to me? I mean, there are guys who would kill for this or so I've been told. I just … gah! I don't know what to do! There're no blueprints! There're no plans! I have no equations! I have … two Lapi trying to seduce me is what I have. Just breathe and everything will be all right. Breathing keeps the brain working. In, out, in … bad thought, bad thought! Food. Yes, food."