Waking up the next day, Evelyn walked into the common room, Hallbjorn and Sadie already lounging on the couches. Sadie wore a long green dress, which complemented her golden hair nicely.
Hallbjorn wore a set of casual common cloth clothes covered in patches and tears. “Morning Evelyn,” He called, running a hand through his messy hair. “You and Prim are going shopping today right?”
“Yea,” she said, sitting on the couch next to him. “Do you mind picking up some groceries for tonight?” He asked, handing her a bag of coins and a scrappy paper with a list.
“Yeah, no problem.” She replied, taking the items.
Primrose flew into the common room with an excited squeal, her hat flying off her head and bending her Antenne backward. “Ahhh owowowowowowow!”
Fixing her hat, Primrose patted down her clothes, a short skirt with a maple leaf pattern, and a light brown loose short-sleeved shirt.
“Good job Prim,” Sadie snorted, slithering over to adjust Prim's clothes. “Heyyyyy,” Prim whined, “I'm an adult and I can fix my own clothes!”
“Yeah but you're still a dumbass Prim.” Pouting, Primrose stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry.
Smiling, Evelyn reflected on her situation and was okay with it. “There are certainly worse worlds to wake up in,” she thought.
Leaving the dorm with Primrose, she and Evelyn walked into town. “So what is the giant metal pillar anyway?”
“That,” Prim said, gesturing up, “Is the Adamant Tower. It’s a fucking MASSIVE metal pillar. As far as we know it’s indestructible.”
Looking up at the pillar, she pondered what it could be.
Her warm breath made Evelyn shiver.
Continuing onwards, Prim led them to a small shop with a few dresses on mannequins in the windows. “Evelyn, welcome to the OCC, Obelisk clothing company!” Opening the door, Prim strode in like she owned the place. “Primrose, is that you I can hear making a ruckus around my shop?” An older woman yelled from the back room. An older orc woman walked out, her tusks capped with gold accessories. “Hey, Gelvira!” Primrose cheered. “I've brought a new customer, my treat today.”
Raising her eyebrows, Gelvira appraised Evelyn. “I can work with this, what’s your name girl?”
“Evelyn, mam,”
Gelvira snorted, “I'm no mam; just call me Gelvira. Let’s get you measured, Evelyn.”
Taking Evelyn to a small changing room, Gelvira took a few basic measurements. Then, stepping out, she drew the curtain closed, leaving Evelyn to wait. “Alright Evelyn, Prim picked out some clothes for you, and she’s paying so you should probably try them on.”
Sighing, Evelyn agreed. Elvira slid a pile of clothes under the curtain. Picking them up, she found a pair of gray high-waisted shorts with overall straps, some black thigh-high socks, and a button beige button-down shirt.
“Oh my god this is perfect,” She thought to herself. Putting on the clothes, Evelyn stepped out. “Gelvira, i'll take 3 sets of these.”
Raising her brows, Gelvira chuckled, “Sold. Any other clothes you're looking for?”
“Well i am going to need shoes.”
Primrose jumped up, her hand raised. “I know where we can get those! Gelvira,” She said, turning to the orc, “Can those other sets be sent to my dorm? And can Evelyn's old clothes be scrapped?”
“Can do. That will be 2 gold.” Handing over the coins, Prim dragged Evelyn out the door and down the street.
She turned sharply into a shop, causing Evelyn to trip and almost fall. Then, walking up to the counter, Prim rang a small desk bell.
“What can i do fo-“ The man who answered sighed, “What can i do for you Primrose?”
“My friend needs some boots, what else?” Snorting, the man gestured to racks along each wall, “then go looking, we have plenty for purchase, no wait required, and you KNOW that.”
“Can i buy her those special boots?”
A grin spread across the man's face, “Let’s do business. 10 gold no less.”
“15 with a cleaning set included.”
“Deal” The two shook hands before Evelyn could comprehend what was happening.
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Stepping into the back, the man returned with a pair of knee-high leather boots and handed them to Evelyn.
“Try ‘em on. These babies are made of wyrm hide. Most things that you throw at them will bounce right off. They are not indestructible. There's a 5 gold repairs free. Keep quiet where you got these. I can only make so many so quick and don’t want word getting out there.”
Primrose dragged Evelyn again into the street by tossing the coins on the counter. “Good luck, miss!” The cobbler shouted after them
The two continued to the market to pick up the ingredients for Hallbjorn.
Before returning to the dorm, Primrose brought Evelyn to a blacksmith shop.
“We have to get you some kind of weapon,” She said.
Pushing Evelyn in, Prim stood outside the shop, not going in. Rolling her eyes, Evelyn started browsing the various items on display.
All different kinds and sizes of swords and axes leaned against the wall. In the back of the room was an archway leading to the forge, where a fire giant hammered away, his bright red hair flowing in the breeze of a small fan.
“Greetings girl,” The smith bellowed, “How may I assist you today?” He stopped, dropping the massive hammer on the ground with a thud. “I have a tool I need made.”
The giant snorted, “don't we all.” Then, standing up, he towered over Evelyn by three-four feet. “Do you have a design schematic?”
“I can make one for all the pieces i will need to assemble it.”
“Are you a tool maker?”
“Engineer. I can make pretty much anything with the right tools.”
The man nodded, “And this will be said tool?”
“Indeed it will.”
The giant walked through the archway, “Join me in the workshop.”
The smith sat down behind the counter. “My name is Volfrum, son of Merdin, Smith by blood.”
“Im Dr. Evelyn Writer, Engineer by trade”
Volfrum nodded in satisfaction at her greeting, “You impress me Evelyn, most do not respond in kind to my traditional greeting.”
Taking out a large sheet of grid paper, the smith slid it toward Evelyn. “If you can put your design on paper, I can make it.”
Taking the paper, Evelyn took a pen that Volfrum held out for her. Then, holding it over the form, she printed the lines.
Each piece would require pounds of solid metal and meticulous measurements. Finally, the full design of the massive wrench took shape, longer than Evelyn's forearm.
“Quite a serious piece of equipment,” Volfrum examined the design. “30 gold, and i can have it done in 5 days. Then, 45 and I can do it in 3. And finally, 60, and I can get it done tonight.”
Standing, he walked to the main door, “And you, fae, can come join your friend inside.”
Primrose carefully stepped in, waving, “h-hey, Volfrum. How’s it going?”
“Miss. Grøn.” Volfrum glared down at the short fae girl, her Antenne drawn back, folding behind her head. Then, reaching into her pocket, Prim took out a small coin purse. “60 for Evelyn and 40 for me.” Grabbing the coins, Volfrum dropped them on his desk and returned to the forge, hammering away.
Machines whirred, and torches welded as the arms assembled each part. A metal spine lay on a table in the center of the room. In the back of the room, a brain floated in a tube. Hooked up to the brain, wires connected to a large computer. “Micheal, how's the download going?”
“Download at 60%, compiling at 15%,” he responded, typing at the computer.
“How the hell did she even design this,” a woman said, walking out from the other side of the computer, “I’m a top mind in my field and i cant understand fuck all in this code.”
Micheal chuckled, “Evelyns a mystery alright. God damned genius. She’d probably be in charge of the institute by now if she didn’t enlist to fight the bugs.”
“And look where that got her,” the woman gestured at the brain. “Yeah, it got her a fully funded android body,” Micheal chuckled. “And look at this thing! It’s probably the most advanced robotics project in decades.” He gestured at the mechanical body slowly being assembled. Its main structure was complete; only a few final pieces before the skeleton was finished.
The skeleton was picked up, a layer of skin-like material was stretched over it, and lines were cut around any openings.
“Upload ready!” Micheal shouted
Cass began a countdown, hitting a large button.
A power surge ran through the computer and then into the android. A deep orange glow bloomed from within, its eyes bursting with light.
Waking up the next day, Evelyn got her clothes on and made her way into the common room. Nicodemus used a wall-mounted bar to do pull-ups, his pale skin slick with sweat.
Primrose was sitting on the ceiling meditating, strands of green energy anchoring her.
“Ah Evelyn,” Nicodemus said, “Today we have a supervised quest for class, will you be joining us?”
Dropping from the ceiling, Primrose flipped to her feed and clasped Evelyn's hands, “You GOTTA!”
Widening her eyes, Prim ran into the kitchen and brought Evelyn a heavy leather bag. “I picked up your stuff from Volfrum! He said,” she raised her finger and replicated Volfrums voice, “tell Evelyn to come by if she has any other things she needs making, but you fae can feel free to stop coming.”
Sighing, Evelyn took the bag from her and dumped it on the table. Primrose watched with fascination as Evelyn assembled each part one by one. The solid metal bricks formed into the 50-pound adjustable wrench.
“I always wanted to make this thing,” Evelyn said, doing a couple test swings. “With this i can confidently join you all if you have me.”
“Definitely,” Hallbjorn said, coming up behind them. He was covered chest to toe in heavy plate armor with two great shields strapped to his arms. “Primrose, Nicodemus, 30 minutes; let's get ready.”
Nodding, they both went to their rooms. Sadie was out next, her metal breastplate contrasting well with her black hair. Her leather skirt and corset kept her torso protected and light. A shortsword hung from her hip and a buckler on her left arm.
Nicodemus entered the room in a solid black cloak with its hood pulled up.
Primrose bounced in with all of her gear from the first day reequipped.