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Wellard had had a lot on his mind lately, so he was a bit surprised when a note appeared for him on the Bar. He opened it carefully, reading- then looked at the tab board with with relief. He will certainly have to find a way to thank the Commodore- the plan did work.

So, it is with lighter heart that he sits down at a table with a view of the Observation Windows. Dinner first, then star-mapping and ship designing. Anyone is welcome for either one.

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There is a quiet thunk on the table, the result of a book being set down as another man settles quite comfortably across from Wellard.

"I've been reading, this evening. It has helped the time pass remarkably quickly."

Wellard looks up, and grins at Avar. "You did get it, then. I've not quite understood all of the later things, but isn't it fascinating, sir?"

Avar's smile is very bright for a moment.

"It is, indeed. Though some of the particulars are still a little beyond my ken."

Only some?

"The engines, and... most anything past that?" Which had been the part that went over Wellard's head.

"At least the designs were easy enough to see, and figure out. But there were things before those engines, that were easy enough."

Avar nods.

"Unfortunately yes to the first part. Though I suspect practice--should we be able to obtain materials, might help with that. As to the other, occasionally the vocabulary does not quite overlap as well as I would wish."

He smiles slightly.

"Some things are very difficult to translate."

Wellard blinks, and frowns faintly. "I hadn't thought of that, sir. My apologies."

A deep breath, thinking of things. "... For building, we will have to ask if it would be permissable to use an area outside. Something like a shipyard, though it wouldn't quite have to be right at the lakeside."

"Better it not be, in some ways. Particularly if we have trouble with the," and here he waves one hand as he searches for the word, "engines."

He nods slowly, thinking. "We'll have to look over some of the designs, and see how much room we will actually need, then ask." Wellard blinks.

"... And find out how to set up a ship yard."

This means more books.

"We are fortunate, then, in that we both have nothing but time."

He smiles.

Wellard smiles a bit wryly at that, and nods. "Quite true, Mister Avar- though I would hope it doesn't take quite too long for us to actually build something and show some progress."

"I should think not, as we both seem to be quick learners. But mechanisms are not quite my forte. Seeing as I have little practice in designing them."

"Those I most likely could figure out- just that I don't quite have much experience in building anything." A deep breath, looking at the papers.

"I will have to learn, I do think."

"Learning prevents decay of the mind, in all honestly. And it also prevents boredom."

Particularly when you work until you're exhausted. But at least this work promises to prove rewarding.

And there are no life-or-death consequences for failing to meet deadlines either, in this. He chuckles. "Something to do- and not anything I thought I would have ever would have done."

He looks at both copies of the book thoughtfully.

"... There's also an option that wasn't mentioned in that at all, that I saw at least."

Avar raises both eyebrows.

"Was there, indeed? I am very interested to hear it."

Wellard nods, and... if he is just the smallest bit smug at knowing about this before Avar, it does not show. Much.

"There's a young lady here who is a student of magic, that I've talked to. And that is what she suggested- using magic, for the lift."

Avar looks both intrigued and a little cautious.

"And the dangers inherent in that? Did she discuss those, as well?"

He nods. "There would be dangers, yes- but... well."

Wellard opens the closest book to the picture of the concord.

"Any of these are dangerous- it would just be dangerous in different ways."

"Some are, so far as I have seen, easier to plan for than others."

He smiles.

"Though I admit I am intrigued."

"So am I. I- I don't think magic would be... easy. However its done, it is probably work of some sort, but it may work better in some of these than the engines and so on." Wellard grins a bit.

"Thought not to say that it wouldn't be fun to actually finally figure out what they mean by all of the things for engines."

"I would not doubt it. I would not doubt either point, in truth."

He laughs.

"It were best, perhaps, to try both."

"We'd have to at least learn the 'hows' of both, even if we couldn't do them. I will see about asking Miss Elda about the levitation spell she mentioned, and how hard it is for her to do. The engines..." He toys with his cup of tea, thinking.

"... I think there's a good deal to learn before learning about those."

"I agree with you. Though now I confess I am curious to meet this 'Elda'."

He looks at Wellard carefully.

"She is a friend, or only an acquaintance?"

Wellard blinks, looking back up to Avar.

"I met her here, sir- and we've talked a few times."

"I see. So, on the way to being a friend, then?"

Avar is resolutely not smiling, not at all.

He slightly puzzled nod. "I- I would think so, yes."

"Well enough."

He collects himself--internally, at least, and sets his mind back on the business of shipbuilding and cross-cultural/lingual communication.

"You said she is familiar with magic?"

"... Much more than me, to be certain." Given that Wellard knows nothing about magic, however...

"She is a student in her own world, and still learning."

"So are we all, after a fashion."

Avar's smile is rueful but amused, as well, and he taps one the books in front of them.

"It is somewhere to begin, at the very least."

"Certainly- and... I do think I would ask to see her practice and examples with the levitation spells, and then a lot of testing them out on something as large as a ship." With a rueful grin. "But after that, she would certainly pass her tests in her school on them, I would think."

"That might go a fair way to serving as payment for her efforts, certainly."

He looks thoughtful, rubbing at his jaw.

"Though I do wonder how it would be best tested with passengers."

"Lots of testing on its own, perhaps? We could tether it to something, and see how stable it was on its own, being up in the air. And how long it could stay up easily. Then..." He blinks, and looks at the sketches.

"... then we be very careful?"

Avar stifles another laugh. It sounds more like a cough.

"Perhaps we should consider putting other safeguards in place. Physical and not merely magical, if such can be arranged."

"Of course." Wellard blinks, and then nods. "... Did you have some ideas on that, sir?"

Avar frowns.

"At the moment, I believe not. Particularly because I do not know how this magic works, so I cannot very well guess at its weaknesses."

"We can certainly ask her about that." Wellard nods.

"Though... given just the idea of a ship up in the air, there are probably a great deal of things we should do for safety."

Avar nods, smiling at Wellard.

"I certainly agree with you on that score. I have no desire to die twice. And I'd prefer not to break bones, either."

Given Wellard's general opinion of doctors, he does not argue with Avar. A nod, and he looks at the sketches.

"Well, falling overboard from a regular ship wasn't a good idea either."

"No, though water is arguably easier to swim in than air. Some of the time, at the least."

Wellard blinks, biting his lip.

"... I don't know how to swim. Most of the sailors aboard ship didn't know how to, really."

"We will add that to the list, then, if you do not object."

"Um." He blinks, then shakes his head. "No sir."

"It's not an entirely unpleasant task."

Though the lake shark might complicate things.

Wellard would probably be in much distress if he kenw about the lake shark- so it may not be best for him to find out.

He nods, and shrugs. "I- I just never had a chance to learn. When I was young, I lived in London, and the River Thames..." Wellard makes a face. "No one would want to swim in it. Later, in Kent-" He shrugs a gain, frowning faintly at his tea cup.

"And in the navy, it wasn't thought necissary."

Avar's expression is pinched for a moment, then it relaxes.

"Well, it is easily enough remedied here. And there is no shame in not knowing how. I merely enjoy it, and I feel everyone else should have the same experience."

Well, that, and it's useful to know how not to drown when you're cast overboard.

"... The lake would be much better than the Thames or the ocean, to be sure." Carefully. Wellard is still getting used to the idea.

"There are, so far as I have seen, plenty of shallow places. You will be in little danger of total submersion."

He smiles, tilting his head a bit to better see Wellard's face.

"At least initially."

He is resigned to, and amused at the idea, so he gives Avar a nod. "... Though we can wait until the lake warms up, I hope?" Wryly, as the two ship geeks go back to their sketches and research.

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