Grinding Gears

[Tabby Whitman-Foster]

Timeframe: Afternoon
Date: July 10th, 2030
Place: No Man's Land, formerly Georgetown, Kentucky
Status: The Chamberlain and Tabby; closed.

"Stein? Stark? Anybody -- can you hear me?"

Tabby tapped her communicator a few times, hearing nothing but dead air on the other end. She had lost track of two of her tech specialists as well as her comm connection, apparently. Which, frankly, were two of the worst timed things ever. Tabby and her small detachment of tech specialists as well as their specially designed silent-running ethanol-fueled transports had left the BPRD a few days ago and BPRD territory the day before. Their objective: recover what they could from the industrial areas of the no man's land that used to be Kentucky and Tennessee, and either mark it for pick-up in the future or haul it back to the Bureau borders.

So far, none of that was going well.

One of the transports had broken down, and Tabby wasn't abandoning it or those it carried in no man's land, especially when the Golden Kingdom lay to the north. So she quickly deduced that the transport needed a replacement water pump and she didn't have the raw materials to make one. But, if pre-Ragnarök records were correct and nothing had happened in the meantime, there was an old Toyota factory nearby that could have water pumps a plenty. Or just one. Tabby just needed one for now.

The fractured and cracked freeway leading into the decrepit city of Georgetown held its share of abandoned pre-Ragnarök vehicles, and Tabby decided that she and the two specialists she decided to take with her on the water pump recovery excursion could check out the old cars first for a suitable water pump. Tabby had thought she found one in an old truck and, after scraping her knuckles several times on the asinine mount-job that must have been done by someone just dicking around, Tabby found the water pump to be cracked. She asked for a status report from the others -- and heard nothing in her comm. Some cautious shouts didn't garner her any answers either, nor did a quick search.
Even if Stein and Stark had gotten themselves eaten or lost the transport still needed a new water pump, damn it. The redhead wiped some of the grease from messing around in the old car on her jeans, scuffed her hiking boots against the ground, adjusted the bandana restraining her mass of red hair, and pulled off her jean button-down to reveal a perspiration-soaked BPRD tank top underneath. She continued into Georgetown alone.

Foster would scold her for being so reckless in no man's land, but Tabby didn't need to tell him everything. Besides, she had her tool bag with her (in which was her wireless soldering iron) and a sidearm. And she could probably figure out what was shorting out her comm when she found cover.

The Toyota factory wasn't hard to find. The scale was massive -- it covered more acres than Tabby wanted to think. Surely, surely, one measly water pump could be lurking within.

Or, you know, displaced cannibals with a prejudice against humans. That could happen too.

One hand on her sidearm and the other on the strap of her tool bag, Tabby approached the doors to what had been the visitor's center. There was no other noise other than the sound of her feet against the pavement and her breathing. Hopefully it stay's that way, she thought to herself as she placed her hand upon the door's handle and gave it a great shove.

[The Chamberlain]

"Intruder, intruder!" The fairy shrieked in the Chamberlain's ear, snapping him out of the light nap he'd treated himself to while going over the food inventory.

"W-what?!" He turned his head around, trying to focus on the leathery little creature buzzing around his head. "What is going on?"

"A human, a human is coming to the gate!" The fairy shrieked.

The Chamberlain blinked, trying to compose his sleep muddled thoughts and keep from looking embarrassed over being caught dozing off. "Are there any others?"

"Two more, but only one is coming here!"

“Is it hostile?”

“Has weapon!”

The Chamberlain stood up quickly. "Summon the butcher guards. I'll be there shortly."

In a blink, the fairy was gone. The Chamberlain shoved down the remains of the human made sweet he'd been nibbling on – Twinkies they were called - for strength and closed the ledger. Making sure that the pen was place exactly two and a half inches beside it, he rounded the desk to quickly check his reflection in the glass wall that held the door to his study.

He was far from his former glory of uniform, but had done the best he could with a black coat and a long, red dress that was thankfully long enough to hide that he was wearing slippers in the shape of fuzzy rabbits. They were hideous, but the most comfortable things he could find to wear.

Deciding that he was passable considering the circumstances, he opened the door and hurried down the corridor. Though decay was creeping in on the building with cracks in the walls and holes in the ceiling, everything was clean from debris. Any plant life attaching itself to the sterile structure had been carefully nurtured and fed by the sunlight that came in through the large windows, creating a strange contrast to the crumbling architecture.

As much as the Chamberlain would have preferred to have the butcher guards chase the human away, he was still the gatekeeper of the court, and it was his duty to greet anyone seeking entrance and judge their intentions.

A human was also infinitely better than a servant of prince Nuada. A few had passed through the years, slain by the butcher guards to keep them from giving up their location. Humans though were mostly so intimidated by the guards that they fled on sight, and if not, it was easy enough to distort their memory so that they couldn’t even remember where they’d been.

The Chamberlain reached the end of the stairs that led down to the great hall with the gate. Through the glass door, he could see the outline of the human against the sunlight shining into the hall. In the deep shadows that took over where the light ended, the butcher guards had lined up in a half circle. He took his place in the centre of them as the human came closer.

When the door was pushed open, they all stepped forward into the light, raising their weapons menacingly. With a high, clear voice, the Chamberlain boomed, “Halt, who goes there?!”

[Tabby Whitman-Foster]

She was walking through the door, and then she was inside, and then -- "Oh -- Oh shi--"

Greeting her were a lot of rather intimidating figures sporting helms that reminded her of a toucan's beak, except made from iron or some other dull and unattractive metal instead of a rainbow. In her panic and surprise, she suddenly found herself recalling Toucan Sam for no reason at all. Besides their helms, the figures were also bearing great big slabs of swords, so wide that Tabby was unsure how they could carry them. Unless they had super strength. Which they probably did.

The door swished shut behind her and all Tabby could do was stare and blink for a second. And then a high voice rang out, filling the room with regal command as it demanded to know her identity. The redhead had been too preoccupied eying the guards and their swords, but now her eyes focused on the one who asked the question. He was unlike anything she had ever seen before, and Tabby had seen a myriad of the strange and unconventional during her tenure with the BPRD. A squarish head stood on top a pile of chins. Below that was a large and rounded body, clad in red and black clothing that must have been salvaged. Tabby didn't know what else to think, honestly. All she knew right now was she had a busted comm, a handgun that she didn't even pretend to be good with, and a bag of tools.

So she answered his question as calmly as she could. "I'm, uh..." Tabby looked at the aging surroundings and continued. "Tabby Whitman-Foster. I'm... looking for a water pump?" The statement came out as a question because... well, maybe they had one they wanted to throw at her? Tabby wasn't sure. But the door wasn't too far away, should the guards look at her. I should have brought smoke bombs, the redhead lamented. "Um... yeah. But it appears I'm... intruding?"

[The Chamberlain]

Having spent his whole life around elves, the Chamberlain could tell that the human was female, and judging by her height, an adult. She was wearing plain clothes contrasted by shockingly red hair, and did not look overly confident about the firearm she was carrying.

What was really strange though was that she didn’t seem as horrified as most humans were when confronted with the butcher guards. More... surprised really. Squinting his eyes, he recognized the sign of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defence on her black upper garment. An emissary perhaps? But no, she had not even introduced herself as part of the organisation that stood between prince Nuada and total domination of this continent.

This was a noble cause as far as the Chamberlain was concerned, but it did not change the fact that before Ragnarrök they had had hunted down, imprisoned and even killed those of the magical realm. Even if they were now allies to the princess Nuala, king Balor’s truce had taught him that humans could not be trusted.

The human’s statement that she had come in search of a “water pump” puzzled him further. He could only relate the term to the first primitive contraptions the humans had used to replace wells. Why in the name of Danu would she be coming here to find one?

She did however have the sense to acknowledge her mistake, so he answered, “Indeed you are, human. Leave this place now. What you seek is not here.”

He’d send the fairies after her later to blow dust of forgetfulness in her eyes. Even if she had just stumbled in by mistake, he would not risk the Bureau learning about his location.

[Tabby Whitman-Foster]

They weren't... going to attack her just to attack her? Sure, those huge slab-like swords were intimidating, but Tabby was feeling pretty easy about the fact that the being with the square-ish head was talking rather than threatening. And what was further astonishing was that he seemed so polite about it, besides the fact that he was surrounded by armed guards. And Tabby wondered if maybe, just maybe, he could be reasoned with enough to let her find a water pump. So she conjured every scrap of floury language that she had heard in bogus historical movie dialogue and did a little curtsy, ignoring the fact she was wearing jeans.

"I thank you for your mercy, sir, and if that is what you so desire, I shall depart post-haste. I would like to inquire, however, if there might be something I can trade or impart to you in return for... perhaps a small search?" Tabby realized that was fairly ambiguous and certainly vague, so she continued quickly. "This water pump I'm looking for is a piece of machinery that this human structure would have produced back when Man ruled the world." Some fantastic creatures were still touchy about that, so Tabby would do her best to skirt around the subject. "I do believe that you would not trifle with me and completely understand that you want me to leave your home and, again, if there is nothing you can gain by my presence, please just say the world, and I shall depart." Perhaps watching all of those awful and historically inaccurate TV dramas when she was on bed rest with the triplets was finally paying off. She'd have to tell Xavier!

She moved on the the matter at hand. "It is of utter importance that I find one, and I would be happy to trade..." She looked to her bag and quickly evaluated its contents in her head. "Some tools, of human make, or some food, though it is scant survival rations. But," And she added this information as though it were the piece de resistance, "I do have a chocolate bar. Is there anything I offer that can tempt you to lend me just a little aid in my quest?"

[The Chamberlain]

Well, it appeared that this human at least had some manners, even if the curtsy was not deep enough for her station. Perhaps the Bureau’s association with the princess had taught them a bit about how to carry themselves properly.

Her language when pleading to be allowed to search the premises was also proper enough, though he had no intention of granting her request. Even if she had no ill intentions, there was nothing she could have that he would risk a human coming close to the book of Co – did she say chocolate?!

On instinct, the Chamberlain licked his thin lips. It’d been so long since he’d had chocolate. He’d built up a decent enough supply of sweets after Ragnarrök broke out, but now all that remained were the seemingly indestructible Twinkies, which were tasty enough, but not chocolate.

Twenty years ago he would not even have considered this, but twenty years ago he did not have to get by on a diet consisting of cats and the flying vermin known as pigeons. It was not even as these were the real royal halls, and if she wanted to look around where the humans had built their machines, she would not even be anywhere near the book.

Satisfied with his rationalizing, the Chamberlain drew himself up, “Normally I would send you on your way, human. But since these are hard times and I recognize that your need is dire, I will grant your request.” He made gesture for her to come closer, “I am the Chamberlain of king Balor, the One-armed King of Elfland and ruler of the Bethmoora clan. Step forward and present what you can offer in exchange for entering our sanctuary, madam Tabby Whitman-Foster.”

He dearly hoped it was a Hershey bar.

[Tabby Whitman-Foster]

Tabby lauded and sang the little victory in her head, utterly proud I herself that she had been able to smuggle the chocolate bar out of the level and resist consuming it thus far. By the way the being licked his lips she knew she had him. After all, regardless of your origins, who didn't like chocolate? Probably Nazis and the Ogdru Jahad, that's who.

At the granting of his permission, Tabby did another awkward and skittles curtsy, crying, "You are too kind and too good, sir! I am most fortunate in meeting such a merciful and benevolent... One as you." he beckoned for her to step forward, and she did so with all of the reverence of a contrite child. Part of Tabby was worried that he was actually going to have the guards shank her and then go rifling through her bag for the candy bar, but she could run if there were any sudden moves. Right?

And then he introduced himself and Tabby had to do her best not to react, just in case. There was no way he could be affiliated with Nuala or Nuada, not in this area of no man's land. And if he were, why would he be shacked up in an old Toyota factory with a bunch of guards? Tabby made a mental note to pass this knowledge onto Abe, who could pass it on to the queen, once she returned to the Bureau. Hopefully, Nuala would find it useful. In the mean time, Tabby took a knee and began pulling things from her tool bag.

There were several tools and gadgets she had designed herself that there was no way she was going to part with, but she easily offered her spare set of screwdrivers, the hammer with the wooden handle, a battery-powered headlamp, and then delved into the survival rations she always kept packed. Tabby pulled out a tin of chicken (Bureau canned), some biscuits that were her attempt at creating hard tack, a bag of trail mix, several packets of powdered orange breakfast drink, and, last but not least, a Hershey's bar with the wrapper still mostly intact. If you didn't mind the off-color old chocolate had, pre-Ragnarök sweets were still totally palatable. And... She had keep a few to give to the kids for bribery or reward purposes. Until they had somehow found out about them and Tabby came home from a long day of welding to find her stash practically demolished.

But this one made it out. "Oh, lord Chamberlain, what do you think of my meager offerings?"

[The Chamberlain]

It took all of the Chamberlain’s willpower to not start salivating at the sight of what he had come to desire almost as much as king Balor’s resurrection. Still, he kept his face impassive and stepped forward with his hands behind his back to take his time looking over her offerings.

He couldn’t just take the chocolate, but he had no use for her tools and taking all of her food would be dishonorable. He raised his eyes, her bright hair catching his attention and he had an idea.

“They are most satisfactory madam, but I would not want to rob you in these hard times. For entering our domain, you will only have to part with that” – he pointed to the Hershey bar – “and a lock of your lovely hair. In this bleak world, such a colour is a comfort to us all.” The fairy who would get it to stuff it's nest would indeed find it comfortable to rest upon.

By the Chamberlain's command, the butcher guards stood back and he gestured to the darkness resting over the back of the hall.

“I fear I do not know where you might find what you seek in this place, madam, but we shall accompany you to ensure your safety.” And make sure that she didn’t go anywhere where she was not wanted.

He’d also like to take the opportunity to get some news about princess Nuala. Last he had heard that she had borne not one, but two half breed bastards to an unknown father. That effectively ruled her out as a suitable queen of Elfland, but if the odds of the war were looking to be in her favour, he might oversee this indiscretion and seek her out...

[Tabby Whitman-Foster]

Yes! Tabby exulted inside of her head. Not because all she was going to give up was the candy bar, oh no -- but because the Chamberlain had complimented her hair. In a storage closet in the tech shop, she had boxes and boxes of red hair dye that threatened to avalanche and bury and quite possibly concuss whoever opened the door (and Tabby told everyone to keep their nose out of there, it wasn't her fault when Stein decided to poke in and fractured her nose). The engineer hoarded hair dye as violently as possible, for she was determined to never have her hair turn gray or white. Ever. This one compliment on the color from this ancient creature just made Tabby glow with absolute pleasure.

A pleased flush had colored her cheeks, and Tabby couldn't help but grin. "You are so very kind, my lord. Thank you. And I shall be only two happy to provide a lock of my hair, for the compliment that you have given me is of the highest caliber, and I have not been so proud since the last of my children learned to write." Holy crap, what did that say about her life?

Tabby packed up the rest of her offerings but, still on bended knee, offered the candy bar to the Chamberlain. She viewed as a "half-now, half when I leave" sort of transaction, and she wasn't going to withhold the candy. That didn't foster trust.

"That is very kind, my lord. If there is a place where the humans who once inhabited this structure were to have manufactured metallic items, I believe that would be the best place to start. And if there is any power to this building and an... apparatus with a glass screen and a board with buttons upon it, I might be able to readily find what I need so that I can leave you to your affairs, all of which must be more important than I." A little buttering up never hurt, did it?

Tabby shouldered her bag once more and stood, ready to follow the Chamberlain wherever he led. Being led around by him and accompanied by guards was going to make her feel like a proper princess. Or prisoner of war -- you know, whichever. "How long have you been here, my lord?" She wanted to compliment him on the aesthetics of what she had seen, but it would ring false. "This structure seems... sturdy?"

[The Chamberlain]

“Ah, thank you, madam.” The Chamberlain had to resist the urge to rip the chocolate out of her hand when it was offered. He managed to control himself however, depositing it in his coat pocket. The hair he’d have the fairy snag when it took her memories of this place. He’d have to remember to tell the little pest to not leave her completely bald.

“I am afraid there is no power left here, nor any functioning machines, madam. I shall however take you to the place you suggested. If you would be so kind to come this way.” He snapped his fingers, to which the aforementioned fairy appeared and summoned a light to shine them the way through a doorway further down the darkened hall to another corridor. The light was better here thanks to windows, but still dark enough to warrant the fairy’s guidance due to the position of the sun.

As was proper, the Chamberlain walked before by the human who was in turn followed by the butcher guards. Now the rest of the servants had caught on what had happened and scuttled through the shadows to follow them, their presence betrayed by steps and whispers so light they could have been wind.

At the human’s question about the duration of their stay, the Chamberlain answered, “Oh, long enough, madam. As you noticed, this place offers sufficient protection.” Even if she would not remember any of this, he would not give her any more information than necessary. At least not until he’d managed to get some himself.

“You are with the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defence, are you not, madam? I could not help but notice the symbol on your garment. Are there any news of princess Nuala, daughter of king Balor?”

[Tabby Whitman-Foster]

How many times did Tabby have to remind herself to bring an electric pulse and a generator when she was out in the field? This had to be like the seven-hundredth time. She always found machinery that could make her life easier, if used initially. But Tabby would just have to tie a string around her finger and remember next time. Or remember that she tried to remember next time which, really, is probably how it was going to happen. "Thank you, my lord. I am grateful for any assistance rendered, I just hope that a manual search will not consume any more of your valuable time on my behalf."

The redhead dutifully followed the Chamberlain, watching the swishing of his robe and dress as the walked and staying alert just in case this was some sort of ruse. As they walked further into the bowels of the old factory, Tabby heard the lightest of sounds from the darkness. She could not tell what they came from, per se, but Tabby was beginning to think that the Chamberlain had much more than guards secreted away here.

Tabby gave an interested nod at his reply, though he couldn't see it, and followed up with, "And from the outside, as well as the inside, this structure seems quote large. I hope it's accommodating to your needs." Depending on how many guards and miscellaneous people he actually had with him, this massive plant might actually be too small. A shiver ran down Tabby's back at the thought because, should things turn hostile, she was already laughably outnumbered with her present company.

"I am!" Tabby was not surprised at his observation (she was wearing a BPRD tank top after all), but she was astonished at his query of Nuala. Kentucky was equally close to the Golden Kingdom and Greater Elfland, but she assumed the Chamberlain didn't get out much. "Yes, my lord." Tabby began. She knew little more than general facts about the elf queen anyway. There was nothing wrong with sharing them. "King Balor's daughter has named herself queen of an extensive kingdom to the east. She calls it 'Greater Elfland.' The Bureau that I work for grants assistance at some times, but from what I heard, King Balor's daughter is doing an admirable job acting as ruler of her lands." The proper manner of addressing her was as "Her Majesty," but... Tabby wasn't sure the Chamberlain would be hip to that jive, and she didn't want to call the queen "Her highness," so repeating "King Balor's daughter" seemed the only appropriate and accurate course of action at the moment.

[The Chamberlain]

“Do not worry yourself, madam, we have all the time in the world”, the Chamberlain assured her as they rounded a corner. At her further questioning that was obviously meant to find out their numbers, he only gave a vague affirmative sound as reply.

Despite him already knowing about the royal twins proclaiming themselves rulers over their respective kingdoms, his mood darkened considerably when the human answered his query about the princess. She had no right naming herself queen, no more than her brother! Without the traditional crowning ceremony, both of them were nothing more than pretenders. Scandalous and disrespectful it was, and more than a little hurtful when it came to Nuala. Did she truly not value the traditions of her people any more than her brother?

The Chamberlain did not even bother hiding his disapproval when he spoke again, “Greater Elfland? Interesting choice of name, since it is my understanding that the Golden Kingdom surpasses it in size. As does the areas your organisation controls. Those are highly unfavourable odds for a lone ruler to face, unless she has someone who stands beside her?” He doubted that the human knew the identity of the father of the princess’ bastards, but it was always possible that he had stepped forward. If he at least was of a prominent family, the damage to the princess’ reputation could perhaps be somewhat repaired.

It would be naive though to think that it was only the princess’ questionable liason that had made so many support her brother. He had promised them freedom from humanity and had given it; the fact that he had murdered his own father for it mattered little.

But the Chamberlain still lived on the hope that something would turn the odds in the princess' favour, anything so that he could leave this hell hole and safely give her his support.

[Tabby Whitman-Foster]

It was so odd to find that the Chamberlain, who came off first as offensive and perhaps even threatening, had turned into a host that was currently displaying unwavering hospitality. It almost made Tabby happy that she had ended up stumbling into the Toyota factory on her own (unless Stein and Stark were wounded or dead. Then her happiness would be dulled). And even if this was just a ruse to lead Tabby to a gristly death or daring escape, he was certainly being a gentleman about it! I need to carry chocolate bars into enemy territory more often...

The Chamberlain seemed rather affronted at the information Tabby provided and the name that Nuala had bestowed upon her kingdom. "Yeah... I think she's trying to hearken back to her father's kingdom, but that also seems kind of nonsensical because wasn't Elfland over in Ireland? I'm not good with human history; forget me being good with the history of fantastic races." Did that come out disrespectful? Maybe. But Tabby's puzzlement was genuine.

"Ummm..." Tabby didn't think that the Chamberlain would appreciate the frequency with which the Bureau aided Nuala in securing her borders Her bastard of a twin was ferocious and annoying, and since the BPRD and the Blue Palace were allies, there was really nothing odd about one ally bolstering the other. "She has no... consort? She doesn't have someone to share power with, but King Balor's daughter is supported in her most dire times by the Bureau. We've been allies with her for over twenty years, and I do not think that will ever change." The whole fact that she mothered Abe's illegitimate children probably had something to do with that too.

"I have not seen King Balor's daughter since she left the Bureau at the start of Ragnarök, but in the short time I knew her, I thought her to be a very sweet and capable woman. I daresay that her successful rule of the lands she has claimed as her own has proved that she does not need anyone to stand beside her, just a little help from her friends now and then."

[The Chamberlain]

“Do not worry yourself, madam.” The Chamberlain refrained from commenting that if the princess truly wanted to pay respect to her heritage, she would not have declared this new land at all. The human was not at fault for this, and it would not do to be rude to a guest.

Her confirmation that the princess still remained unwed did not lift his spirits though. The support from the human organisation meant little for the princess’ chances in this war, even if they could hold their own against the prince. What she needed was the support of the other elven clans, but it was unlikely she would ever get it when Nuada was so successful in his stance against humanity.

The Chamberlain did not reflect much over the human mentioning that she had seen the princess in person. It’d been twenty years after all, and he just could not imagine she would have been in the princess’ confidence. It was obvious that she did not hold any kind of prominent position within the Bureau. If she had, she would have introduced herself as such.

His morose thoughts were diverted by them reaching their destination, the great hall were the humans had built their machines. Darkness rested heavily over the abandoned carcasses of half-finished vehicles, covered in dust and afflicted with rust where the roof had let the rain in.

“Here we are, madam.” The Chamberlain stepped aside and gestured with his long arm to the darkness. “I fear I would be of no help in your search, but you may take the time you need. Oh, and to ensure you will have no hinders.” He snapped his fingers, upon which a swarm of fairies appeared above their heads, their small lights doing an adequate job of chasing the shadows away. “Go wherever you wish, they will make sure your path is clear.”

[Tabby Whitman-Foster]

The redhead offered the Chamberlain a smile and did not do anything else to break the silence as they continued to walk. Instead, her blue eyes constantly moved, observing what he had made of the abandoned factory. Despite the signs of age, that could not much be helped, the presence of fauna and flora was something that Tabby absolutely delighted in. She heard tell that Queen Nuala's own palace had a symbiosis with nature, and thought perhaps the Chamberlain would be pleased to know of this.

"The way that some of the plants grow in spite of man'a building here reminds me of reports I have heard of the place King Balor's daughter makes her home. There, walls and nature coexist and I hear it is very beautiful." She paused for a moment before adding, "Just as it is very beautiful here."

They came to a stop, and as the Chamberlain offered her aid in the form of illuminating fairies, Tabby's face could not help but light up in positive delight when their glow touched her face. "You do have my sincere thanks, my lord! This is so marvelous -- I cannot wait to tell my children of this." The triplets would very much like the story, and probably Thor and Ciaran too, and Riley, now that she thought of it. This made her think of Nuala and Abe's children -- did he know of them? "Did you know that King Balor would be a grandfather through his daughter? If not, I shall tell you more upon my return."

Hesitantly at first, Tabby entered and began to search here and there, faithfully accompanied by the illuminating fairies. Her bravery increased as she continued her search, climbing onto machinery after checking it's strength and crawling beneath assembly lines. There was a trove of technology here, and perhaps she would suggest a trade between the Chamberlain and the Bureau for the salvage it would provide -- but she was unsure if they had enough chocolate to tempt his acceptance.

And then, finally, in a pile of deteriorated boxes, Tabby found a water pump. Only dust had gotten to the machinery, making it a fantastic replacement for the token one.

Tabby returned to the Chamberlain, showing her find before she put it into her tool bag. "Thank you so very much, my lord." She praised with a huge smile. "I do not know what I would have done with your assistance."