"She's a spark, yer ladyship," Fat Bob replied. "Yer Uncle 'twas as well. Us clanks needs a spark to keep us runnin' and able to chat and such." "I see," Lilja replied. She looked at the young woman with renewed interest. "She's surprisingly common looking." "Ehm. Ehm. Well. Looks be deceivin' as I'm sure yer ladyship do ken." Fat Bob placed his large hand on the back of the young woman just descended from the ladder. "Yer ladyship, I'm proud ter present ter yeh Miss Sonja Steelsinger!" He gently propelled her forward. Sonja removed her magnifying spectacles the better to examine Lilja. "Pleased I am, of a certain, to meet yeh, Ma'am. Yer th' Guv'ner's neice? I heard tell as yer heir to th' manufactory and the 'ole lot." Sonja appeared a bit uncertain of how to proceed. "So, am I to curtsey er what?" Lilja smiled and suppressed a giggle. She was unused to her status eliciting such discomfort from others. "That would be quite unnecessary, Miss Steelsinger." Fat Bob continued his introductions. "Miss, this 'ere personage yeh rightly do ken is teh new Guv'ner. I 'xpect yeh can call her 'yer ladyship'." Lilja laughed. "I'm well pleased if you call me Ma'am or Mistress Darkstar, Miss Steelsinger." Lilja paused and considered the situation. "Might you consider joining me to sup? We can become acquainted and you can help me better understand what the clanks have you doing that I might formalize your employment." "I dinna want to put you out, Ma'am," Sonja replied. "But I admit I'm more then a bit peckish." "Then that's settled." Meanwhile, the tiny clank called Pannikin chattered in the language of clanks with the Guardian. An English translation of the chittering, clicking sounds would be as follows. Pannikin: "An' didja know th' new Guv'ner's a Spark yeh great knob?" to which the Guardian replied, "Not notice 'til little clank point out!" Pannikin replied, "Thet uhvver knob, Fat Bob, likely dinna notice either. Pair uh blinkin' scrap piles th' two uh yeh!" Pannkikin looked at the two women with interest. "One spark is risky. Two of 'em could be th' uhpackyklips!" Molly's art notes: Set up and rendered in Poser 12.0.500 with the Superfly Cycles 2 rendering engine. Some buildings and other surroundings are by 1971s as is the little clank. The main setting is inside the Clockwork Factory by Meshbox. Sonja Steelsinger, is based on La Femme modified with morphs and textures by Afrodite-Ohki who also made her hair. Lilja Darkstar is also based on La Femme with morphs and textures by Tempesta3d; her hair is by Afrodite-Ohki and outfit is Dark Aurora by Ravenhair. The Guardian is by Jonnte and Fat Bob by Simon3d. The two partially dissasembled clanks and the big one are by Cybertenko. It's easiest to follow the story (if you like) at DeviantArt. It begins here: https://www.deviantart.com/mollyfootman/art/Lilja-Darkstar-ponders-875997592 I love me some Steampunk!