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!"

The lunch has moved to the outside at Zahn's insistence that it was just too warm in the workshop. Of course, it might also be because since it's also now a public area, perhaps it will keep Parsley's attentions a little more in check.

"Isn't this where you cut wood without your shirt on?" the Lapi asks.

"Uh, yes. How did you know that?" Zahn asks as he looks up from his spot around a hastily thrown together table.

"Otters," Parsley explains.

"Is it important that I cut wood without my shirt on?" Zahn has to ask next.

"I don't know much about cutting wood," Parsley admits with a grin. "But it's more fun to watch someone do it shirtless, usually. And the otters can charge more for the best spying spots."

"Er, wait, do people spy on me out here?" Zahn asks with his usual confused look. "I mean, I know, uh, you have interest in me right now … but that's just because of what happened, right? You haven't watched me before, have you?"

"Wellll," Parsley says, running a finger across the top of the 'table' as she goes. "Now that Deirdre is spending her free time away from the dam, there's probably more scrutiny on you and Gunther. It helps that Amy's here a lot too. I heard you were both out here chopping wood naked once, is that true?"

"Er, no. We've never done that," Zahnrad answers. He certainly doesn't remember doing that, anyway. "We've bathed together a few times in the hot springs and the other day in the hot tub … wait, why am I telling you that?"

"Oh, the one in your Archives?" Parsley asks, her ears perking up.

"Yeah, that one. I know you've been there so I'm hardly breaking any rules talking about it," Zahn notes.

Parsley nods and smiles, saying, "When you will be able to build more of those, anyway?"

"Well, haven't really had a reason to," Zahnrad says with a shrug. "Why?"

"I just think they'd be popular," Parsley notes. "You could do your bathing and laundry right in the home."

"They're not for doing laundry," Zahnrad comments. He taps the side of his head, remembering something, "Oh, yes! You can help me with something before we go. I need help with something Lapi excel at… "

"Digging?" Parsley guesses.

"Close! I need you to look at the old town diagrams and see if the underground tunnels form a pattern," Zahn says. He darts off inside, only to return with the plans he had earlier. The Kadie lays them before Parsley, then leans in, chest pressed against her back as he looks over her shoulders. "See how oddly the sewer lines go?" he explains.

The Lapi studies the diagrams for a few moments, then says, "This map doesn't have elevation marks or show underground topology. There are all sorts of reasons for them to go out of their way like this."

"Any that you know of specifically under the town? I'm thinking that Abner uncovered something down there," Zahn explains, "Which drove him loopy."

Parsley blinks at that. "What do you mean, drove him loopy? Is this to do with Clover?"

Zahn nods. "I think something similar happened to Abner. Only … he didn't have anyone to rescue him," he says, then sits down beside Parsley. "I haven't stopped thinking about what happened to Clover since we got back."

"Do you think she's going to go crazy?" Parsley asks with wide, frightened eyes as she looks over at the Kadie. "She's already become… docile, like when we were younger. Maybe it switches you around, so a humble Abner became an aggressive megalomaniac?"

"No, I don't think she's going to go crazy. I think we stopped it in time," Zahnrad says reassuringly and puts his arm around Parsley's shoulder to try and calm her. "What I'm trying to figure out is what they're trying to tell us. The information is amazingly complex. I wrote down what I remembered. I've even seen some of it before when investigating a ruin."

"The place where you heard underground thumping sounds?" Parsley asks, and looks at the map again. "I can't tell anything from this, really. We need the original ground survey map from when they tested the soil with the well-tap augers."

"That should be in the archives too, I think," Zahn notes and rolls the map back up. "As for where, no, actually. It was further down in a forgotten city or sorts. And … you know that Pike's ancestor also encountered them? We found his records."

"Encountered who?" Parsley asks. "A lost city? Under us?" She's started to look a bit alarmed now.

"Ruins. People long gone, Parsley. Maybe even those who built the Barrow. Don't worry, it's not near the Chalk warren," Zahn says, "And as for what: trolls."

"Trolls are just a bedtime story to make children behave," Parsley declares, as if desperately wanting to believe just that.

"Well, they may not be trolls from the stories, but there are some strange creatures that live deep, where the scent of sulfur is strong," Zahn says. He sighs and rubs at an ear, thinking. He then reaches over and puts his hand under her chin and turns her head towards him. Looking into her eyes, he says, "And, I do not think they mean us any harm. They could have harmed us long ago. In fact, it was they who brought Miranda out from the underground. I think they're somehow just trying to communicate with us. You're not in any danger, Parsley … and I will get to the bottom of this."

The Lapi's ears droop and fold back tight against her skull. "Oh… oh, I don't think I should be hearing about any of this. It's probably a big secret. I don't want to know secrets, Zahn!"

"Then I won't say any more on it. Do you trust that I'll solve it, though?" Zahn asks.

"You're the only one trying to, right?" Parsley asks, just to make certain.

"Far as I know. You know me, can't let go of a challenge, even if it kills me," Zahn quips.

"I trust you to solve it or die trying then, Zahnrad," the Lapi says, and gives Zahn a kiss.

The kiss leaves Zahn blinking a lot again. "Well, uh," he says, "I hope I don't die and all. I have a lot of things I still want to do and a lot more friends than I ever thought. Just saying I'm persistent, yes."

"So am I!" Parsley says, grinning. "I still plan to reward Gunther for saving me that time, once he's a little older and can appreciate it."

Zahn laughs and shakes his head. "He cares a lot more about people than he'll admit," he notes, "And he's not one to accept rewards for things."

"I'll just be sneaky about it," Parsley says, looking sly. "Nene and Bebe owe me a few favors, after all."

Zahnrad chuckles and shakes his head. "And you don't have to reward me for saving Clover … nor does she, you know," he says, "I was glad to do it."

"Oh, this isn't a reward," Parsley promises. "We're just glad to do it too!"

"Uhm, but won't it hurt your reputations? I mean, you're the two cutest Lapi in town. I'm, well, the town weirdo," Zahnrad says lamely.

"Well, I'm the cutest now, and part of my reputation is making sure the 'weirdos' don't feel too left out," Parsley reminds Zahn. "And… well, Clover is acting like her old position is already gone. She's got all those little scars now, and her scalp isn't going to be really back to normal for some time, even if she agrees to let Igor clean it up."

"Oh," Zahnrad says and looks at the table. "I … well, I hope she doesn't feel too bad. I mean, it could have been much worse. What happened to me when the Necromancer attacked was far more damaging, really. I still ache some days from it. Would Clover be happy to get visitors? I was thinking I should go see her in a short bit. I know we've fought a lot before, but … I never wanted her hurt."

"She'd like a visit from you, yes," Parsley says. "Even from Amy… just not anyone else from town yet. She's pretty self-conscious about her appearance."

"Should I bring her anything? Is there anything she really likes?" Zahn asks.

"Flowers are good," Parsley notes. "Or mint. She likes mint."

"Mint is easy; it grows on the dam," Zahn notes and stands. "Well, shall we go see her, then? I just need to toss the plans in my shop, lock up, grab some mint, and we can be on our way."

"Alright," Parsley says, and starts packing up what's left of the lunch to bring back to the castle. "Amy and Olivia are probably still at the castle too. Maybe even Gunther."

"I think they're busy researching something. I wouldn't, ah, mind seeing Clover with just you along first. I … well, I'm still not sure what to make of … the weird feelings," Zahn tries to explain.

"You shouldn't think of them as being weird feelings," Parsley says.

"Er, but they are weird to me. Being near you makes me feel funky right now. I can't even explain it, other than a warmth," Zahnrad says. The Kadie then slips inside to deposit the map. Returning a minute later, he rolls the door closed and sets the complex lock.

"Warmth isn't weird," Parsley insists, and holds out a hand to Zahn.

Zahn takes her hand and heads in the direction of the dam. "Okay, okay," he relents. After walking for a bit, he comments, "… I have to admit the way you brought me lunch was … fun." He's decidedly not looking at Parsley when he says it.

"I brought it to you in a basket, though," Parsley points out with a giggle. "How does Amelia usually do it?"

"Well, not how you brought it then, but how you served it. Especially the wine," Zahnrad mutters and keeps looking towards the dam.

"Oh, was it more of a surprise than how I brought you chalk?" Parsley asks, giving Zahn's hand a squeeze.

"Well, yes," Zahn admits. The two finally reach the base of the dam. Instead of picking mint at its base, the Kadie lets go of Parsley's hand and climbs up part of the front. Holding himself in place with his feet, he picks some mint that grows on its face.

"Kadies always have nicely toned butts from hanging by their feet, I think," Parsley comments. "We Lapi get them from running, of course."

Zahn's tail frizzes out at the comment. But, he does manage to get some mint and scamper back down. The mint gets tucked into one of his many pockets. "It's actually from managing our tails," Zahnrad explains with a sheepish grin. "I'd offer to race you to the castle, but I know you would win." Instead of taking her hand, he actually slips his arm around Parsley's, then says, "Let's go see Clover and make her feel better."

"Okay, I hope you can cheer her up!" Parsley says brightly, and tries to skip instead of walk.

---

Guestroom
Most castle bedrooms are not full of cobwebs, ancient tapestries covering secret passages or furniture placed specifically to cast ominous shadows – but Igor is nothing if not a traditionalist. What does stand out of place in this mix are the two large four-poster beds. They have gargoyles on the posts and carved clawed feet, as expected, but the second must have been moved in to make room somewhere else in the castle.

Coming in the through back door, it's possible to get to the sleeping quarters by using the old servants' stair. This way, Parsley was able to lead Zahn to Clover's room without letting anyone in the main hall know about it. Clover herself is propped up in bed with a lot of pillows, and has an open book resting across her chest, and some sort of blond wig on her head (which needs to be better fitted). Her facial fur is matted from crying, it looks like, and her eyes seem a bit puffy as well.

Zahnrad reaches around and raps his knuckles on the door frame. "I hear there's a Lapi in here that's feeling a bit down," Zahn calls out. "Is it all right if I come in? Parsley said you were feeling a little lonely here and I thought we should come by."

Clover squeaks in surprise and bolts upright, which causes the book to fly across the bed and bare her chest. She scrambles to draw up the bedsheet instead. "Zahn! I didn't know you were going to be coming by," she says, her ears folded back while blushing.

"Neither did I until about half an hour ago. So, we're both surprised," Zahn comments as he finally comes in. He walks over and sits down on the edge of the bed near Clover. "You're looking a lot better than when I brought you here," he observes with a smile. "You really had me worried."

The Lapi pulls the sheet right up to her nose now. "I look like I stuck my head in a frying pan, Zahn," she claims. "It's not that bad, Parsley counters. "It's not like it's your whole head."

"You look fine," Zahnrad says, "And you don't need to be wearing that wig." He even reaches over and tries to tug the sheet down enough so that she's not covering her face, at least. "Trust me on this. I am the town expert on serious injury."

"But… we don't match anymore," Clover says, gesturing to Parsley as she lets go of the sheet with one hand. "Igor says he can regrow my scalp and get rid of the scarred parts… but it sounds creepy."

"You didn't match when you dyed your hair black, either," Zahn points out as he fishes out the mint he brought, then offers it to Clover. "And as for Igor … he's creepy, yes. But he also seems to mean well. I would be dead if it weren't for him. Or if not dead, severely crippled."

Clover accepts a mint leaf and chews on it. "I barely remember dying my hair. I don't know exactly what happened to me, Zahn, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't some accident. I did something that got me into a mess, didn't I?" she asks.

"Nothing we couldn't fix so don't worry about it. Right now you just need to get well," Zahnrad says with a shrug. He reaches towards the wig, then asks, "May I remove it? I want to see how you're healing."

The Lapi actually winces, which causes the wig to slip a bit on its own. "Okay, but… Did you ever think I was pretty, Zahn?"

Zahn eases the wig off to see how she is healing. "Was? You still are pretty, Clover," he says in an attempt to make her feel better. "Anyway, it shouldn't matter what I think."

"It does," Clover murmurs. Her head still looks it was attacked by an electric sucker-fish, with circular welts rising up from the bare skin. The color is starting to look normal though – whatever Igor puts on it to reduce the bruising works really well, and there doesn't seem to be any swelling or irritation. From examining Abner's preserved scalp though, Zahn can imagine the scar tissue under the rings running to the bone.

Zahn lightly feels over the bumps. "If this hurts, just tell me," he notes. "Anyway, I've always thought you and Parsley were pretty. I think everyone in town does, you know. We just never got along well," he comments idly and certainly not in any accusatory manner. "Is that why you've been crying? Because you think you're … ugly now?"

"Lots of reasons," Clover says. "Igor put something on my head so it wouldn't itch, so it's kind of numb. I don't think I can retake my social position again now though. Deirdre will have moved in while I'm out of circulation."

"Do you really want that position back? It's partially responsible for what happened to you," Zahnrad points out and lifts his hand away from her head. Now he reaches under her chin and lifts it up, adding, "And besides, that position doesn't offer anything close to the one thing you'll always have and no one can take from you."

"What one thing is that?" Clover asks, looking up at Zahn.

Zahn reaches over with his free hand and tugs Parsley closer. "A sister who loves you dearly and did everything she could to find you. She asked Amy and I to look for you after you disappeared," he explains.

"And you actually did it, even though I was never nice to you," Clover says. "Why help me?"

At that, Zahn has to shrug a bit. "Because she asked. And because even though you hadn't been nice to me, I didn't want bad things to happen to you. Best answer I can give," he admits. "I guess I know what it can feel like to be alone and hurt, you know? I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

Clover then throws her arms around Zahn and nearly pulls him down on top of her – but her strength isn't fully recovered yet.

"Bwah!" goes Zahn and for the second time today his tail sticks straight out. "And here's how I know you two are twins; you both try to make my heart stop! Uhm, what are you trying to do?"

"Hug you?" Clover replies, sounding unsure. She feels really warm, too.

Zahn's arms close around Clover finally and he hugs her. "You'll be all right, you'll see," he tells her. "In a few months you'll be back to trying to make me miserable." He even grins at that.

"Well, only in public, maybe," Clover says. "If Deirdre's taken over, I suppose I don't have to worry about Amelia anymore… "

"I really have no idea. I never did figure out how all that is supposed to work. People claim my stuff is hard to figure out … well, girls are harder," Zahnrad notes. Remembering something else, Zahn coughs a few times, then glances between Parsley and Clover. "Uh, Parsley mentioned a bit ago that you and her were thinking a lot about me."

"Well, yeah, we can't get you out of our heads for some reason," Clover notes. "Maybe it's just curiosity? I mean, Amy wants you… "

"Well, I'm sure that will pass, right?" Zahnrad offers Clover. "I mean, would you really want to do something with me, then regret it later… ?"

"Why would I regret it?" Clover asks. "I mean, you still think I'm attractive even after being really messed up like I am."

"I, uh, okay, I'm not sure why you would regret it," Zahnrad has to admit. "And you aren't messed up that badly, really. I'm just … I don't know what to say here … other than the abject terror that Amelia would kill me!"

"If she really loves you, she won't kill you," Clover reasons. "Besides, you're a Kadie. It doesn't count when you sleep with a Lapi."

"Is that true?" Zahn asks Parsley as a second opinion.

"Well, Kadie girls tend to only be territorial with other Kadies," Parsley admits. "But you can always ask her."

Zahn wilts a bit. "I'll consider it," he answers. "I just have to say up front that, well … if we do, uh … you'll probably be disappointed."

"What do you mean?" both Lapis ask simultaneously.

"No experience," Zahnrad mutters.

"Oh, then we can teach you stuff," Parsley says. Even Clover nods to that.

Zahn looks to Parsley, then leans over and whispers in Clover's ear what Parsley had whispered to him earlier. And when he sits back, he asks, again, "Is that really possible?"

"Oh sure, with both of us helping," Clover says. "Two Kadies could do it, I think, since they can grab onto the walls and ceiling easier… "

"Once again I think I can say: Lapi's scare me," Zahnrad admits.

Parsley puts her hands on Zahn's shoulders from behind (now he's trapped between the sisters) and nibbles on his ear before asking, "Are we really so scary?"

Zahn goes completely tense. "Yes," he squeaks.

"You squirrels are all too tense," Clover says, and tries to get Zahn to rest with his head against her chest. "Amelia probably doesn't know how to clean your ears," she comments. "So just relax and let us do it."

Zahnrad is back to his 'critter in a trap' look, his eyes as big as saucers, when his head is pulled down against Clover's chest. Apparently, he's in enough shock that he can't even resist…

Apparently ear-cleaning is very important to Lapis, since the tools are right there next to the bed. Parsley and Clover each work on a different ear, scraping out excess wax (and soot and sawdust and all the other workshop debris) that accumulates.

As much as Zahn doesn't want to admit it … it is rather enjoyable. Eventually, the very tense Kadie is actually quite relaxed. At one point he even comments, "I didn't know my ears were that dirty… "

"That's because you never tried to clean them," Clover comments. "You need to take care of yourself. Wingnuts hardly ever think about these things. Nor Blacktails."

"But they work fine… " Zahnrad mutters in sort of a daze. "And I do take care of myself… What more do you think I should be doing… ?"

"You could trim your hair a little," Parsley suggests. "Or at least keep it braided."

"Mmgh," mutters Zahn. Apparently, he's really relaxed now where he sits between the twins. It's not too much longer before he's actually asleep, looking for all the world content. Of course, whether he'll wake up calm is another matter entirely…