He wiped his forehead, pulling the rope to move the rod into the center of the roof.
Nope! I'm good, I think! He stopped for a moment, looking down.
You ever think about the sky, Alec?
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Regarding Chaz, one eyebrow cocked, hands crossed loosely across his chest, Alec turns to look at the storm clouds gathering in the west. "Yes," he says. "I do. On occasion. Mostly on the occasions it's attempting to tear my house down around my ears, but yes, I do. I'm assuming your thinking on the sky has lead t that doodad you were pulling onto your roof." He turns back to the smithy, and walks a bit closer to it. "What exactly does that do, anyway?"
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Yes! See, one day, I intend to fly. And the more I know about the sky and how it works... He tied the rod to the chimney with the robe, grunting as he fastened the knot.
The more likely I am to know how to do it. He looked to the storm clouds again.
Water particles, rubbing together with such energy that it creates static so strong it leaps to earth, destroying trees, houses, anything. His eyes gleamed with a strange steely edge as the wind picked up.
And I intend to harness it.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
A long pause. The curl of a smile. Then Alec is laughing, uproariously, staggering towards the building, laying his hands on it and slumping to his knees, all the while laughing like a maniac. After nearly a full minute, he lays his head against the cool brick-work of the smithy and stays there fighting aftershocks of laughter. "You are crazy," he says, hitches, then nearly starts laughing again.
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
You call me crazy. I prefer to think of it as.... He pulled his goggles down.
Ingenious. Ahaha. He pulled a metal rod from the box and folded it out like a ruler, stretching across the roof as it started to rain.
Watch and learn, Alec. Mages have to study and learn to harness lightning. I'm going to do it with the power of science. He put the rod next to a pole that reached into the building, connecting to a bundle of gears that Alec couldn't see. He looked up into the sky again, the wind whipping his hair and clothing. He pulled his scarf tighter.
Any minute now...
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Kerag was on patrol, the rain drumming against his heavy armor when he approached the Smithy to find Alec and who a cathian on top of the building playing with a rod, the wind whipping and pulling at him. Kerag's curiosity clashed with his instant concern for his friend. He ran closer, cupping his hands as he called out.
I'm fine! I can't possibly get struck with this rod here! Lightning is attracted to metal! Trust me!
The wind picked up and the storm clouds were overhead now. Anyone who knew better was inside, but Chaz just stared into the sky, water pattering on his goggles, soaked to the bone.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Kerag grinned. Although he worried for Chaz, he didn't think the guy to be a daredevil considering how squeamish he was about conflict. He crossed his arms, letting curiosity over rule his concern. The orc smirked.
"So you say! But If anything happens, Its on you Charles!"
Kerag gave a thumbs up, watching the spectacle quite amused.
Last Edit: Oct 1, 2011 19:15:16 GMT -5 by Sir Kerag
Around him the wind whipped, water stung, lightning crashed in the distance, and thunder rumbled through his body. Normally he was not a daredevil. Normally he wouldn't even attempt to face down something with this kind of power. But curiosity and discovery led him on. He had a chance to discover the secrets of the sky and by god he'd have faced worse. He stood firm, his thin, almost frail frame buffeted by the storm. Though he did wonder about his family, the risk of something happening to him...was it worth it?
With an ear-piercing noise, lightning struck the clock tower, three blocks away. He watched in awe as the blinder finger of energy hit the metal pole and was absorbed by it, sparking and burning. Such power. Such majesty. Yes, it was worth it.
Suddenly he heard the rod behind him fall over. He looked back in a panic; the knot hadn't been enough. Fighting the wind and water, he made his way closer, pulling his scarf over his mouth. He grabbed the rod and tilted it back up, heaving and straining, trying to pull the rope tighter.
At that moment, lightning struck the building.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Kerag's jaw dropped, glowing eye widening. The flash blinded him momentarily, the thunderclap nearly deafening him when the lightning struck. He started moving towards the house, rain bombarding him, his clothes drenched. Kerag cupped his hands, calling out to his friend.
"Charles?! CHARLES?!"
His heart drummed faster, and he mentally cursed himself for not stopping Chaz.
Chaz was frozen in place, paralyzed, the electricity coursing through his body. His brain overloaded, flashing images rapidfire before his eyes; his family, his friends, and strangely, a short but sweet vision of what he could use this power for. His mechanical heart pumped quickly, the clockworks spinning overtime as electricity tried to fry the panel in his chest. The glass burst and finally he screamed. The power was too much and he was thrown back onto the roof, rolling to a stop on his side, chestplate smoking.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Kerag heard the scream and bounded for the Smithy, managing to find his way onto the roof. He spotted the Cathian on his side, smoke drifting upwards as Kerag came to his side, shaking Chaz, yelling for him to wake up. It was then that he noticed Chaz was far more complicated than he'd given the cat credit for. He had no idea about his clockwork augmentation, and was speechless as he examined him.
Chaz stared at the sky for a moment, eyes wide, not breathing, mouth open. The panel on his chest was open, and the picture of his family was getting wet. The clockworks didn't move for a moment...then they started clicking. Slowly at first, and then faster. Chaz convulsed and took in a deep breath, holding his chest, hands immediately checking the clockworks to see if they were working. His other hand grabbed at Kerag in a panic.
K...Ker...Kerag! Did you see...I saw it! Did you...oh god. Did you see that?! His hair sizzled and his ears twitched and he looked barely lucid.
Did...I was just...I felt...oh my god.
A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible.
Kerag nearly fell backwards when Chaz suddenly came to, the clockwork was at a stand still on moment, the next they were clicking once more. The cathian wasn't making much sense.
"Thank the old war gods you're alive Charles! See what?! The lightning strike? You're insane antics?!"
Rain continue to fall, pattering off the roof, filling in nearby buckets and soaking the road. Kerag felt a mix of relief and sudden frustration with his friend.
"No more stunts like that my friend. I commend you! Didn't think you had the balls frankly. But you've got a family."
Kerag was so stunned he'd momentarily ignored the clockwork, then he heard the clicking sound, unable to deny it.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Having watched the entire spectacle with nothing short of awe, Alec finally pulls himself to his feet and walks brusquely to stand over Kerag and Chaz. "Anything bent, or twisted?" he asks, looking into the shattered viewing pane. "Broken? Metal, I mean, if your bones are broken you're pretty much S.O.L., friend."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.