It's very early; the sun hasn't even begun to peek up over the treetops. However, there is activity in at least one of the Stonebarrow workshops … namely Zahnrad's. Lights burn in the windows, illuminating Zahnrad gathering up a stack of papers, some sort of measuring tape, some calipers, a pouch of tools, and really, a few things too strange to be obvious as to their function. He ties his bag shut, then goes over to a bizarre apparatus on a far bench. It looks … well, like some sort of clockwork mechanism attached two four small bellows. He cranks on it, then furrows his brow and the bellows inhale, then expel air, in some sort of a sequence. Apparently not satisfied with the exact timing, the Kadie starts fiddling with the gearing.

A rapid knocking comes from the shop's entrance, followed by a call of, "Coooieee! Ya in there Zahn?" The voice is all too familiar to the Kadie.

"No, I'm a replica of Zahn he built!" Zahnrad calls back, then walks over to the gear-door. He releases the locking mechanism and gives the bar a tug, rolling the door aside. "Of course I'm in here," he says.

"Up awfully early, ain'cha?" asks the visitor – a naked, wet Akwavi known to all and sundry as Emmett Oggton. "Thought I'd better check, in case somethin' was on fire."

Zahnrad looks Emmett up and down, blinks, then deadpans, "Sorry Emmett, I'm just not your type." He snorts a laugh, then steps away from the door. "Nope, I've just been getting together some stuff to take up to the old castle. Had some extra time, so I've been tinkering on part of an engine design until Amelia and Olivia get here," he says.

"What, that wheezing thingy over there?" the otter asks, pointing to the odd device on the far bench. "Can I see it?"

"Yes, that wheezing thingy. And certainly," Zahn replies and walks over to the table. "It's based on an idea I had for a plant misting device for the farmers. No one wanted to buy it, though. They were afraid of hanging them in their trees for some reason."

Showing he has some manners, Emmett shakes the excess water out his fur before stepping inside. "Heh, farmers. They're too old-fashioned to change," he comments, as he leans over the device with his whiskers twitching in interest. "So, it's an engine that runs on water then?"

"Ah, not exactly. On things like lamp oil, cooking oil, or even booze," Zahnrad replies and prods a gear a notch further. "I still haven't done any experimentation to figure out which works best. This thing is the bit that'll act as a sprayer for the fuel. I'm trying to get the timing on it right so only one bellows bit fires at a time. You see, it'll spray a mist of the fuel into a cylinder, kind of like a steam engine piston. When the piston is almost all the way to the top of the cylinder, I need to ignite the fuel somehow … which should cause an explosion and push the piston out with a lot of force. Put together several pistons in a row, you can get one firing, which can be used to provide power to whatever, and move the other pistons, expelling out the spent fuel, compressing the next to go, and so on. It's kinda like a steam engine, but more compact … and a bit more dangerous."

"Expelling out spent fuel?" Emmett asks, looking at Zahn now. "You mean it'll be belching booze fumes while it runs?"

Zahnrad tilts his head. "You know, I've never thought of it that way, but yes, it would," he says. "Basically, the hot air and leftovers get shoved out by the next piston firing in sequence. This is all theory, of course. I have no idea if it'll actually work."

The otter grins, and says, "You know, if you need some really good fuel, I could possibly lay me paws on a jug of scumble. It's made from apples you know." There's an evil twinkle in Emmett's eye, as he adds, "Well, mostly apples."

"And what else?" Zahnrad inquires as he quirks his brow.

"Secret recipe stuff," Emmett confides. "But it's really powerful. Uncle Jed's still has blown up so many times, they made him move it off the barge."

Zahnrad considers that. "It would be worth a try. How easy does it ignite?" he asks. He looks back at the device and spins the gearing again. "And really, I need to figure out what to build the real thing out of. This is a mock up. I need to use something that can stand up to explosions without blowing apart. I wish we had a good supply of metal, but bah. Maybe some high temperature thick pottery clay would work."

"Well, Jed won't even burp near a flame," Emmett says, looking thoughtful. "Can't you just bang some flint and metal together to make it burn, or use a pilot light?"

"Flint would wear out too quickly, probably," Zahnrad says and starts playing with his tail. "And I need to be able to ignite it on cue. I'd be worried a pilot light would trigger it too soon, or catch more than just the fuel on fire. And as much as I know you and all the others want to see me blow myself up … er, no. I know things get warmer if you squeeze them, but I don't know if it'll be enough to get it to ignite itself. I'll have to experiment with all the ideas. Maybe I can rig up something that uses miniscule amounts of flint."

"Shame you couldn't store lightning in jars," Emmett says, patting Zahn on the back with a slightly damp paw. "That'd set it off, I reckon, if you let out just a little bit at a time."

"Hmm! Well, if you rub socks together enough, it'll spark," Zahnrad says, getting a gleam in his eyes. "But yeah, storing that would be useful and I'm not sure that can be done. Hey! I can ask Dr. Pike. She may know of things or have access to books on such things."

"Yeah," Emmett agrees, smirking. "She seems the type to go flying in thunderstorms, so prolly knows all about that stuff."

"Hey, she seems okay from what little I've seen of her. That other Eeee that came though seemed nice enough, too, if a bit creepy. He let me measure his wingspan," Zahnrad says.

"That's useful, is it?" Emmett asks.

"Wing size versus weight ratio. Now, if Dr. Pike will let me measure hers, I might be able to figure out what the ratio is," Zahnrad says. He pauses, then taps his temples, commenting, "Wait … don't women get grumpy if you ask their weight?"

"Dunno, never tried," Emmett admits, rubbing his chin. "Still… if you get all that, you can build a giant flying wooden Eeee that farts clouds of booze as it goes, eh? That'd be something to see alright."

"You know, you make my ideas sound really dumb," Zahnrad says and glares at the otter. He then remembers something and asks, "Ah, Emmett, why are you naked?"

"Clothes walked off," the otter says, as if it were something that happened every day. "This idea has possibilities though, if you think about it. I mean, it'd be practically invisible, on account of anyone who claims to have seen a giant Eeee and smelling like scumble wouldn't be believed… "

"Clothing doesn't walk off," Zahnrad replies, then shakes his head. "It's not going to look like an Eeee, anyway. I'm designing the bottom landing bits to be able to land on water. Without wings, it'll just be a fast boat."

"What, you couldn't at least paint some eyes and a mouth on it?" Emmett asks. "And how come you didn't ask why I was wet?"

"We're near the river. Figured you fell in," Zahnrad replies with a shrug. "I could paint eyes and a mouth on it, but that would be silly. What, you want me to scare tourists?"

"Tourists pay good money to be scared," Emmett points out. "S'long as there's no actual danger, like. Could you make it look like a dragon? Belching fire and such?"

Zahnrad waves a hand and says, "Fire would be easy. That's a simple spray of something flammable and light it." He rubs his neck and considers. "It could be made to look like a dragon, I suppose. Particularly if I build the wings off Eeee wing structure."

"Well, I'm sure you can do it, Zany," Emmett asserts, patting the Kadie on the back again. "And as your creative consultant, I'll only charge you half of the virgin sacrifices."

"With you around, I doubt we have any virgins," Zahnrad points out. He taps his temple again, then adds, "Which reminds me, Amelia said she'd help. I should start on the landing pontoons and the base shell. She could certainly help put that together."

"I always figgered her for more of the taking-things-apart-with-extreme-prejudice sort myself," Emmett says. "But I suppose she could have hidden talents."

"She has a lot of talents," Zahnrad replies. "Plus, she can help me find timber to make propellers, plus set it on the warping table."

Emmett grins, but then says, "I bet that's all perfectly innocent too, no matter how it sounds, more's the pity. What are you and your gal-pals going to be doing up at the castle, anyway? Or are they coming along to hold Pike down while you get out your measuring line?"

"You're right, it is all perfectly innocent," Zahnrad replies with a smirk. "The castle? We've been hired to clear out one of the cellars. We can keep the junk we pull out. I'm hoping to get some useful bits or even things like metal chain. Always good to have random parts!"

"Ah, that's right, some wine cellar," Emmett says. "Silas was going to take Aiken Briar to have a look-see too. I imagine you'll be passing by the springs on the way, eh?"

Zahnrad nods. "Most likely, why?" he asks.

"Oh, just… talk loudly when you do," the Akwavi says, getting that mischievous look in his eye again. "Maybe say how you have to go in and check 'em out or something."

"Er, okay… " Zahnrad says and looks at Emmett oddly. His brow furrows for a bit, then he says, "Ah … you took some lady there, didn't you?"

"Could be," Emmett admits, examining the claws on his left hand. "I should prolly be getting back too, a'fore they… she… wakes up."

"Ah … the twins, eh?" Zahnrad asks with a grin. "Say, ah … can you give me advice on something?"

"Sure, advice is free," Emmett says, winking.

It's Zahnrad's turn to fidget some. He starts playing with his tail again, then asks, "Ah, er … well … What's the best way to kiss a girl?"

"Oh, well… " Emmett says, trying to look as erudite as possible for a naked, fluffy otter. "That depends on how far the relationship has gone, see? You gotta start simple and work yer way up. Like, start with a peck on the cheek, and if she doesn't slap you, you try the same on the lips."

Still playing with his tail Zahnrad says, "All right. Good to know in case I ever need to." He lets go of his tail and adds, "Not that I have any reason now to be concerned about it currently, of course."

"Oh, no, o' course you don't," Emmett says, grinning. "Just watch out for hand-holding, cheek nuzzlin' and such. Those're signs of possession more than affection, with some gels."

"Huh, possession, what?" Zahnrad asks, looking honestly confused.

"Kadie girls are pretty territorial, you know," Emmett says, sounding serious. "About more than just trees, too."

"Who said something about Kadie girls?" Zahnrad replies quickly, maybe a bit too quickly. He then just shrugs, saying, "Ah well, noted. Mom'll probably start poking lightly at me again now that we're into spring to date. She does that every year."

"Mmmm-hmmm," Emmett says, nodding. "Yeah, moms can be like that, I suppose. In my experience, though, they're also really good at throwing things too."

"Your mother throws things?" Zahnrad asks, ears perked. "Or … are other mothers throwing things at you?" Zahnrad asks and squints his eyes quizzically.

"A bit of both," Emmett says, grinning. "It's usually worth it though."

Zahnrad laughs and shakes his head. "Speaking of which, are you still after my cousin Deirdre?" he asks.

"Of course I am," the otter replies, looking hurt. "I ain't caught her yet, after all! I been practicing climbing trees and everything."

"She slapped you, didn't she?" Zahnrad asks, grinning. "And besides, I thought you were worried about Kadie territory. You want to be Kadie territory?"

"Ah, you Wingnuts aren't that serious about such stuff," Emmett says, waving a hand. "Now, the fact that she collects complicated knots has me a little worried, but then again… could be interestin'!"

"Hah! You should see the practice lines up in the southern trees of our grove. That was mostly her work, you know. It helps to practice climbing through complicated machines and odd positions. Plus, the bouncing net is rather fun," Zahnrad says and smirks. "So, for a non-Wingnut Kadie, if they lay claim to you, ah, watch out, eh?"

"Well, more like every other girl has to watch out," Emmett says, a little distractedly. "So, just be sure you want to be claimed if things start headin' that way. Unless she's the demure type that expects the guy to do the claiming… "

Zahnrad flicks an ear, then thinks of something. "Hey, Emmett, do you know much about Dr. Pike? I've seen her from afar and all, but I've not actually spoken to her," he says, sounding almost in awe.

"Eh, she's okay, I guess," Emmett says, idly scratching his tail. "I went and introduced myself, o' course. She seems nice, in a sorta spinsterish way. A bit soppy – definitely a nose-in-a-book, head-in-the-clouds sort, I'd say."

"Soppy?" Zahnrad asks. "What made her seem soppy?"

Waving a hand, Emmett explains, "Oh, just full of romantic notions about things. You get that from too much book learning, I reckon, instead of actually going out and experiencing things."

"Did you hit on her?" Zahnrad asks and peers at Emmett.

"Now, I don't go hittin' on everything that is recognizably female y'know," Emmett claims, huffing a bit. "'Sides, I couldn't tell right off. Hard to tell with Eeee, and she was wearing overalls and a big straw hat at the time… "

Zahnrad grins and comments, "Good thought you didn't hit on that visitor, then. Definitely a guy." He considers, then asks, "Now, what about that weird Skeek thing that's apparently working for her. Know anything about him?"

"Ol' Igor? I'm pretty sure he came with the castle," Emmett says, rubbing his chin again. "Haven't really talked to him much, outside of the other night. Bit of a mystery, that fella."

"What about the castle? What did happen to ol' vampy?" Zahnrad asks then wanders over to dig in one of the crates. "And you know, I wonder if I still have that stake throwing modified crossbow in here," he says as he digs. A few moments later, he gives up digging, commenting, "Nope, must've scrapped it for parts."

"Vampy?" Emmett asks, then blinks and says, "Oh, you mean old Lord Snapfish? Pretty sure he lived… well, unlived or whatever you call it… at the manor. I don't recall anyone ever living up at the old castle but some sort of caretaker."

"The caretaker being Igor?" Zahnrad asks, as he pokes at something odd pulled from one of the crates. The Kadie looks like he's not even quite sure what it is.

"Probably, or else his dad or something," Emmett says, looking around Zahn's shoulder to see what's in the crate. "Assumin' he had one."

"I think he's got an eye for Olivia," Zahnrad comments. "He was looking at her funny. Or maybe that's because he's just weird." The crate if full of various half-built geared things. One even looks like a shoe, on a stick, connected to a gear.

"What's in there, some sort of automatic arse-kicking machine?" Emmett asks, then says, "Oh, Olivia Weaver? Well, she's an eyeful the first time you see her, that's for sure. Always amazes me how she isn't constantly harassed by Creens."

Zahnrad quirks a grin, saying, "That was part of an 'Akwavi door defense system'. Since someone I know kept trying to take my door!" He then shrugs and says, "As for Olivia, who's to say she isn't? Or maybe they have some sort of secret Creen repellent dye up in those Weaver mills," he says. "Oh, yeah, I need to make a note to head over there in a couple of days. One of their looms is acting up again. I really hope it's not number four."

"What's special about number four?" Emmett asks, stepping back from the crate. "Is it the Loom O' Doom or something? Got a taste for blood, possessed by demons, sticks in the morning and such?"

"If I didn't know better, I would swear number four hates everyone from the clan Wingnut," Zahn says with a shudder. "It came close to making my father a eunuch once, it broke Dieter's arm, tore fur off my hand and poor Deirdra got caught up in it and ended up getting woven into a big ball." He pauses, then adds, "Er, well, she rather enjoyed that, but Deirdre's a bit strange."

"Sounds like a demon to me," Emmett says, making a sign to ward off the Evil Eye. "My mother had a demonically possessed wooden ladle. Whenever my dad came home smelling o' scumble, it'd leap into her hand and whack him a good one in the wedding tackle."

Zahnrad winces, "Yow." Zahn rubs his chin, then asks, to change that particular subject, "Hey, what's Isolde up to these days now that Morgan's the head witch of the town? Any idea, Mr. Snoop?"

"Well, it don't pay to be spying on witches you know," Emmett says, then leans in close to whisper, "but I know fer a fact she still does all the midwifing, and brews some of the more complicated potions and spells."

Zahnrad quirks a grin. "Can't say I blame Morgan for not wanting to midwife," he says. "I wouldn't want to watch that either."

"I hear she spends a lot of time visiting with the witches over in Splotch and Trollhaven too," Emmett says, tapping his nose. "Never caught 'em dancing around nude up on the Rock though."

Zahnrad makes a face. "Would you want to?" he asks and shudders at the thought. "She always creeped me out, and I rarely ever saw her when she was the active witch. Maybe it was because she was midwife for my mother when I was born. Or maybe it's because she's just spooky."

"It's the pointy hats," Emmett says. "They're intimidating. Even on old Mother Birchbaum from Splotch, and she's shorter than a Skeek and practically egg-shaped."

Zahnrad does an impressive effort of not laughing at that description. "Hey, odd curiosity … what can you tell me about Amelia's father?" he asks.

"I wouldn't want to run into him on a dark night," Emmett says, and shivers. "Old Stoneface Blacktail isn't exactly the sociable sort. Hardly ever comes into town, and I never seen him at the Tavern. A man of few words, as they say."

Zahnrad shudders again. "I was hoping those rumors weren't true," he admits.

"Why, do you have to go meet him or something?" the Akwavi asks, lounging against the bench. "Didn't think they had any machinery."

Zahnrad shrugs. "Amelia and I are friends. I'm sure I'll end up around him at some point, is all," he says. "And you're right, they don't have any machinery."

"Ah, so you figger you'll get invited over for dinner then, since your family's having Amy over?" Emmett asks, grinning.

"The thought has crossed my mind," Zahnrad says and starts poking at an odd looking machine. It promptly goes 'Pffft!'. "I'm more, ah, worried, what he may think of Amy and I."

"Of you and Amy what?" Emmett asks, waggling his eyebrows now. "Kissin' in the Tavern?"

Zahnrad facepalms. "You saw that, huh?" he asks muffledly.

"Well, Mandy mentioned it to me," Emmett says. "I was a bit preoccupied at the time."

"She confuses me," Zahnrad admits and flicks his tail about, then holds it up. "I either want to run, or pursue. Usually both at the same time. Argh." He waves his hands wildly, saying, "Machines are just sooo much simpler!"

"Like loom four?" Emmett teases.

"You see, with loom four, I know it's bad for my health!" Zahnrad says, completely missing the teasing "Amy is … well, she's exciting!"

Emmett seems genuinely surprised by that statement. "Well, I suppose she can be. Maybe you can think of her as a bit like that exploding engine of yours," the otter suggests, pointing to the would-be fuel sprayer. "You'll probably have a lot of misfires before you get things sparking off right, but once you do… voom!"

Zahnrad shrugs and says, "If that's even where things go. I really have no idea. I'm just going to enjoy hanging out with her and try to make her smile. And, I think people misjudge her." He then waves a hand and says, "I really hope I can get that engine working. I really think the idea is sound. I'm doing it in stages this time, testing out each part standalone. The first part will be more of a boat, than an airship. I guess I ought to warn the Oggtons when I plan to test run, huh?"

"Oh yeah, you'd better," Emmett says. "We'll want to move our boats and get a good spot to watch from."

"So … how high have the bets been getting? And what are the usual wagers?" Zahnrad asks and looks aside at Emmett.

"Well, we can't rightly set the odds until we get a good look at the craft before the run," Emmett says. "Then there's the weather to take into account, water level, obstacles and so on. It's pretty complicated. But your last one was paying four to one if you made it more than a hundred yards. Six to one if you did it without major injury."

"And if I get myself killed?" Zahnrad asks bluntly.

"Even odds," Emmett admits. "No one wants to profit offa tragedy, you know."

"Heh, but you consider it," Zahnrad points out. He then shrugs and says, "Eh, I know it's dangerous, but I have to do it. Personal thing."

"I can relate," Emmett says, hooking his thumbs into invisible lapels. "Gotta have excitement and adventure to make life taste better."

Zahnrad laughs. "Something like that. I have to prove, to myself at least, I'm not some useless inventor from the armpit of the world," he says with a shrug. "I don't want to spend my life like every Wingnut before me."

"Just so long as you spend it on something, that's what I say," Emmett says, laughing as well and thumping Zahn on the back. "Speaking of which… does your cousin take an early-morning swim or anything?" he asks, leering.

Zahnrad quirks a grin. "Swim, no. Early morning swing and climb, yes. I hear she bounces and bobs in, ah, interesting ways. Particularly in that outfit made of all rope and knots," he replies, then adds, "Want to know a good place to watch? The second watch platform has a great view of the ropeline nets."

Emmett grabs Zahn's hand and pumps it vigorously, saying, "You're a real pal Zahn! I'd better get going now, don't forget to surprise the twins, they've got these cute little birthmarks near their tails!" The Akwavi manages to say it all in a single breath, and nearly as fast as a native speaker of Skeek.

Zahnrad tries to keep up with the shake! "N… no problem!" he rattles out in a chittering way. "J… just look for the oak with the three knots, t… take the elevator uuuu … up all the way!" He finally pulls his hand away and mutters some sort of random chitter, then just walks back over to the injection system. "Now, it's off by two teeth, I think… " he says, eyes narrowed and intense as he looks over the device.

Unnoticed, the otter bounds out of the workshop on all fours.