"I s'pose I be guilty o' bein' a bit eccentric," Sonja Steelsinger began. "You probably ken my beginnin's are 'umble if truth be told." She paused to begin consuming the dessert, a fine chocolate cake. "Me parents ain't known to me. I seem always teh 'ave called th' street me home. One thing, though; I ken th' aether. I see's it dancin' and allus tryin' to go to ground. I learned to make it obey me. So, I am indeed a spark." "She made me outta scraps in th' alleys, she did!" Pannikin declared. "An' I'm twice as bright as them two knobs waitin' outside!" "I am impressed by Pannikin's abilities, Miss Steelsinger. They speak highly of your talent." Lilja considered briefly. "I clearly need the abilities of a spark to maintain my extensive staff as well as to develop new products. I have so many ideas but lack the skills to bring them to the light of day." She fixed her gaze on the common looking woman wolfing down cake. "I will happily quadruple whatever the clanks have offered you in compensation to continue your work and to meet with me regularly to consider new projects that your skills might make possible!" Sonja did not bother to hide her pleasure. "That'd suit me most fine, it would. I'd like teh continue to make th' manufactory me place of residence it it's all th' same, Ma'am." Lilja also did not bother to hide her pleasure. "Excellent. I'll have the Darkstar Engineering barrister draw up papers for your signature." Sonja blushed. "It'll 'ave to be me mark, I'm afraid. I've not so much in th' way of letters." "Not a problem. How about this for a start?" Lilja reached across the table offering her hand. Sonja took it after wiping crumbs from her own hand and firmly shook. "It's agreed!" "We should go before the clanks we left in the street cause a sensation, I think." Lilja glanced through the screen and out the window and grimaced. "Well! A bit late for that, I'm afraid." Sonja watched her new employer intently and thought, "It's 'ard teh believe she don't know she's not in need of a spark. Clear as day she don't know she's infected with the spark as deep as you please! I wonder if she'll ever wake up teh 'er talent?" Molly's art notes: Set up and rendered in Poser 12.0.500 with the Superfly Cycles 2 rendering engine. 1971s Brings us Pannikin. The main setting is Dinner for 2 by Blue Tree Studio and the barely seen exterior set is the Victorian Arcade, also by Blue Tree Studio. 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 waiter is based on David 3 wearing various stuff available at DAZ. 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!