Outside, near the forge

[mechanicalswans]

It is evening, and Weyland is outside letting his two horses walk around in the area near the forge. None of the participants is quite as meets the eye: Weyland, still in his airman's uniform (Imperial German, WWI) passing himself off as human; the magnificent black horse Hrimfaxa, the last of the fae horses of his world, being passed off as an ordinary horse.

And then there's the other horse, which hasn't got any skin on. This would be more horrifying if it weren't all made of metal, and being built from the inside out; Weyland has gotten as far as the bones and muscles, and is comparing the movements of the two horses, to make sure that they match. Beautiful, if a bit on the morbid side. It'll look a lot healthier once its exterior is finished.

Botherable, though it's probably not a good idea to sneak up on any of them.

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Comments

[ostro_goth]

Teja is not sneaking; in no way.

He is watching, quite fascinated, from beside the stable door where is own horse, Bramble, is looking out.

[mechanicalswans]

The mechanical horse doesn't yet have the intelligence and independence to move without being given orders, and its mannerisms are lacking--it would be firmly in the uncanny valley even if it had a proper exterior. But the basic movements, walking and turning and appearing to graze, are convincing enough. It does what the living horse does, but a fraction of a second later.

Weyland watches intently, pleased even as he looks for signs of flaws.

[ostro_goth]

"It is very cunningly made," Teja says, admiring. "Is its right fore-leg lagging just a fraction of a second, maybe?"

[mechanicalswans]

"It stumbled earlier," he says, "and I think that put something slightly out of alignment. These things are delicate, at least until they are finished and turned loose on their own."

[ostro_goth]

"It is delicate work, getting all the many tiny parts of such inventions working together just right," Teja says.

He pats Bramble's neck. Real men and horses know that on their own.

[mechanicalswans]

"It is," he agrees. "It will be able to heal itself, once it is finished, but for now..."

For now he rather enjoys watching the way it moves. Beautiful, in its way.

"I will be glad when it's done."

[ostro_goth]

"Is not making it, and working it all out, part of the fun?" Teja asks.

Indeed, he said 'fun'.

[mechanicalswans]

"Of course," he nods, "but in a situation like this, where I have no stables of my own to keep it--the less time it spends in this intermediate stage, where it will draw attention, the better. Hrimfaxa is a remarkable horse, but she is a horse of flesh and blood. Also, she can fight back."

[ostro_goth]

"Do you have ways to turn it on and off?" Teja asks.

[mechanicalswans]

"For now," he says, "all I need to do is stop giving it orders, and it will stand perfectly still, like a child's toy set aside. It has orders to do exactly what Hrimfaxa does. Once it is finished, and has a life of its own, I will still be able to turn it off, but it will be more difficult. Then, you won't be able to tell the difference between it and a living horse, if all goes well."

[ostro_goth]

"Then why not store it with the metal and the wood, in the shed behind the forge, until it is finished and can go with the horses?" Teja suggests.

[mechanicalswans]

"I can keep it in the stable," he says. "Hide in plain sight--something horse-shaped in a shadowy stall, surrounded by other horses, should not attract much attention. And it will be staying there once finished anyway."

[ostro_goth]

"If one of those that care for the horses, enters and finds a horse that is not a horse," Teja says, "they shall be startled indeed."

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate has been tending to her evening chores, and is just now on her way out of the stable. She knew Weyland had come to see his horse, of course. But the skinned mechanical beast with them gives her a shock so sharp she literally loses her footing.

It takes her a minute before she has the confidence to start moving forward.

"Weyland."

The greeting is quiet, breathless, and awed.

[mechanicalswans]

"There you are," he says quietly, glancing over. "I had wanted to speak with you--I hope you won't mind if I keep another horse here? I don't want Hrimfaxa to be alone, and now that I have put this one together, I won't be taking it apart to store in the forge anymore."

[ikissdhimbck]

She blinks her silver dollar eyes.

"Here... In the stable? When?"

Her voice is a touch halting as the surprise works its way through her system.

[mechanicalswans]

"I would like to keep it in there starting tonight," he says, "but if it takes time to get things ready, I can make other arrangements. Or help to get things ready, if you need any help."

[ikissdhimbck]

"No, not at all!"

She shakes her head, sighing with laughter.

"I jus' wasn't expectin'... It's a machine? I mean, 'course it's a machine, it's just so..."

So real.

[mechanicalswans]

"It won't be, by the time I am done," he says with a small smile. "Like Hildegard, a creature that is made of metal but is fueled by eating food. I used to make living things more often, but something as intelligent as the fae horses, that takes more effort."

[ikissdhimbck]

She lays her hand gently upon Hrimfaxa, though her eyes stay upon the beast of uncloaked sinew.

"Will it be able t'live like a real horse? Like Hrimfaxa?"

[mechanicalswans]

"Of course," he says. "That was the idea--I don't want her to be alone, and I don't want to have just one horse anymore. This way I will be able to breed an entire stable of horses, eventually."

From anyone else, this might seem like a crazy thing to say, but for him it is perfectly reasonable.

[ikissdhimbck]

Lucky for him, Kate has grown accustomed to these fits of insanity, and seems not the least bit taken aback. Though, lips parted and eyes wide, she does take note of that.

"So it will be able t'breed."

[mechanicalswans]

"It will," he nods, and then corrects himself: "He will. I hope it won't cause any problems--I can certainly afford to pay for the boarding and upkeep of two horses, you just let me know what you would like for your time."

[ikissdhimbck]

It isn't until she hears the word 'he' that the full gravity of what Weyland is saying descends upon her, along with the reality of this strange animal's existence. Her reaction could not be other than the broad smile she flashes him.

"It won't cause any problems. We have the room for him -- we always have the room -- an' he certainly won't be the only stallion of unusual breed on the property. I'd be happy t'take him under my personal care, no compensation required."

[mechanicalswans]

"I'll need discretion, of course," he says. "But I trust you completely, in these things."

Aside from what he knows of her nature, and her ability to be discreet, it seems to him it just makes good business sense.

"He'll look much better when he's finished."