"Sinclair." I burst into the shop with a wide smile on my face. "I brought you some customers."

"You did?" His face lights up for a moment only to drop into a suspicious glare. "Wait, what do you want?"

"Well... you see, I recently branched out into the textile arts." I take out the mockup sewing machine for him to see. "My home has had these for a couple centuries now, at least. And, I can get it to do what it supposed to with magic, but I have no idea about how to make the insides actually work."

"I can assure you that we are interested in buying clocks though." Rem and Cecil step up beside me. "The quality you have on display is remarkable, especially for the location. I'm surprised that your business is having trouble, these are easily the equal of if not better than what you can find in the center of town."

"Oh, quit kissing my ass and just let me see the damned thing." The old clockmaker grumps and comes out from behind the counter. "I was going to come see your lab later today. I suppose you saved me the trip."

"Good man." I demonstrate the sewing machine for him. "I also have a few ideas for a knitting machine and automating the loom, but again, I'm not very good with machines."

"Those can wait." He says while glaring at me sideways. "Tell me about this."

"Well, this is as close as I could make it to some of the older models." I explain and start walking him through the features. "...So, as you can see there are four moving bits that all need to work in sync with each other. These older models worked off of a treadle, or sometimes a hand crank. But we already have the turbine, so I was thinking we could just use that, though it might need some sort of speed control."

"This..." Sinclair trails off and just stares at the machine.

"Yes, I know." I smile at the older man and pat him on the shoulder. "I think Sinclair's Sewing Machines has a nice ring to it too. And, everyone needs clothes after all, so there won't be any problem selling them."

"But-but..." He trails off again.

"I could keep it to myself? Heh." I laugh. "Why bother? It's not like I need another business; I'm mostly just doing this to spite that Wolfsfeld woman. Ooh, you have to name the first model 'The Wolfsbane'." I start giggling and everyone else soon joins in. All except Sinclair, he's still standing there dumbstruck.

"Nnh, my whole shop is set up to work with brass though." Sinclair says as though he's looking for an excuse not to accept. "This is going to need iron and steel."

"I can provide seed money if you need it, just talk to Amelia." Her eyes light up when I offer that. "I can work with metals too, so I can help build the machines you'll need to build these machines."

"What if I just want to make clocks?" The man asks in a defeated tone.

"Nothing stopping you." I smile. "And, I'm sure that word about this shop will spread once everyone learns that its owner is responsible for the new sewing machines."

"Nng. I hate you." The old man grumbles, but a smile grows wide on his face. "Fine, let's do this. Open this thing up and start with the main shaft running from this wheel on the side here..."

It takes us a bit over an hour to create a fully functioning treadle style sewing machine. Sinclair chose to work on that first since not everyone will be able to install the turbines.

"Finally!" Sinclair exclaims after we get the damned shuttle to work like it should. "I was about ready to go back to Cecil's idea."

"About time too, I was almost out of magic." I say with a sigh and sit back in my chair. "Did we really need to make everything out of brass? And, why are there no trees around here?"

"You said you could work metal." The crotchety bastard smirks at me.

"I'm glad you didn't go with my idea." Cecil says while examining the completed machine. "You were right, the boat style shuttle would have limited the bobbin size."

"Yes." Rem agrees. "This will let people work much longer without having to replace it."

"Well, I'm glad you guys like it." I nod at them while rubbing my temples. "But, I need a break. I know I said I'd talk to him about the loom and knitting machine too, but I can't handle any more machines right now."

"That is quite alright." The weaver smiles down at me. "Just watching the two of you work was worth the trip. But, I saw you taking some notes earlier, and I was hoping you could leave those knitting hooks behind." He says hopefully.

"Mhm. Not sure how useful my notes will be, but sure. And, here..." I make a few more hooks and a cylindrical holder for them. "If you're staying here maybe you can watch Sinclair get this to work the hard way." I smirk and demonstrate how they work for the clockmaker before setting everything down next to the sewing machine.

"I hate you." Sinclair reiterates and my smirk grows into a grin when his eye starts twitching as he examines what will surely, soon be a knitting machine.

"Anyone else staying?" I ask and get up from my chair.

"I will." Rem declares. "I still need to buy a clock after all." He adds with a smile.

"Could you drop me off at home?" Lauren asks. "But, don't forget that you still owe me a trip through the clothing district."

"Yes, yes. I remember." I nod. "And, sorry that you three got stuck watching us work for the past hour." I apologize to the women.

"I'm always happy to watch you do magic." Apricot smiles. "But, you're right, that did get kind of boring."

"Ugh! Especially that bit at the end." Amelia agrees. "'No, try this' 'Well, that didn't work but maybe this will.' 'No, no, no, it's got to be like this.'" Everyone but Sinclair and I laugh as she imitates what we sounded like while trying to get that damned shuttle and bobbin to work.

"Alright let's get going then, I need some greenery." I head for the door before calling over my shoulder. "Thanks for working with me again, Sinclair. And, uh... Have fun with that." He's currently lifting each hook in turn while Cecil holds the yarn for him.

"..." The man just glares at me until I leave his shop.

"Ah, sunlight." I just luxuriate in the bright summer sun for a moment. "Hey, Flicker. I sorry you had to wait out here for us. Do you want a snack?" I conjure a couple of apples for the horse.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"You're a good horse, aren't you?" Amelia scratches her behind the ears.

"Of course she is, you picked her out." I smile and pull the blonde in for a kiss that only stops when Lauren coughs. "So, which way to your house?"

"Back the way we came from." Lauren points back towards the center of town. "But, you don't have to take me all the way. Just drop me off at the first open carriage we come across."

"Oh, don't be silly, Lauren." Amelia dances over and pulls her friend into a hug. "You know how long I've wanted to get on over on that overly-critical cow. Now, it's happening because of you. The least we can do is give you a ride home."

"Are you really going to make Sinclair sell it as The Wolfsbane?" The elf titters as I get us turned about.

"That cow started it first." I use Amelia's moniker for her rather than the much harsher words that I might have chosen. "I don't particularly care about my reputation, but that doesn't mean that I'm just going to stand by while someone drags my name through the mud."

"What about Felicia, are you still going to try and steal her away?" Amelia asks. "With Cecil on our side, we don't actually need her anymore."

"Are you kidding? Of course, I'm still going to try." I laugh. "I bet that Felicia is the real force behind Wolfsfeld's shop. And, even if we don't need a weaver, we can still use a good manager. Hells, I'll open up a weaving department just to get her on board if I have to. Cecil will understand, and I can make it up to him if he doesn't."

"I think just introducing him to Sinclair and that knitting machine will more than make up for any disappointment that he might feel." She chuckles. "And, you're right about needing a good manager. I can handle the money, you the ideas, but we're going to have workers and will need someone to deal with them."

"I can handle you two." Apricot says with a leer.

"Yes, but you probably shouldn't in the middle of the street." I say and peel her hand away from my crotch, Amelia doing the same with the one going after her chest.

"Snerk. Are all pixies like this, or is it just you?" Lauren asks with a snort.

"Yes." The pixie smirks.

"Whatever." The elf rolls her eyes. "Make a left here."

We get Lauren to her house after a few minutes, and the place itself is at least equivalent to the Rialta's home. It's a different style and somewhat smaller, but also looks to be more richly appointed.

"I'll see you again soon, yeah?" Lauren pulls Amelia in for a hug. "I know you're caught up with the new romance and trying to take over the city with your new business, but we all missed you while you were up dealing with your aunt."

"I missed you girls too." Amelia gives her friend a big squeeze. "I promise not to be a stranger. Not that you'll let me be, not with Sorrel owing you clothes."

"You still owe me a look through your closet too." Lauren smirks. "Drawings are one thing; I want to see some outfits in person."

"Mhm, Sorrel's going to be busy with the healing fair tomorrow." Amelia says after a second's pause. "I just don't have his touch for that though, so why don't you get the girls together again and come over. We can all play dress up like we used to."

"Yeah, that sounds fun." Lauren smiles. "Not like there's much else to do on healing day anyways. Helen and Li-Li will probably have to work in the evening, but we can still make a day of it. Just have Sorrel put aside some that wine for us."

"Nnh." Apricot whines. "I have to choose between watching Sorrel throw his magic around and the five of you all getting naked and drunk? Not fair!"

"If you pick me, I won't let you spy on them with magic." I interject when she gets a calculating look on her face.

""Hahahaha."" Amelia and Lauren start laughing when the pixie's face falls.

"And, if you pick me, you have to keep your hands to yourself." Amelia adds making poor little Apricot sag in place.

"You two are mean." The pixie pouts and pulls her knees up to her chin.

"Don't worry, Sweetie." I pat her on the head. "You've got wings; you can fly back and forth to get frustrated by both of us showing off." The three of us laugh again when her face lights up only to fall again.

"Quit picking on me." She swats my hand away. "I thought we were supposed to be picking on you today." Her eyes light up once more and sparks dance on her fingertips.

"And, that's my cue to leave." Lauren starts heading for her house. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Are you really okay?" Amelia sits down next to me after waving goodbye to Lauren. "I am so sorry for that."

"I already told you, I'm fine." I pull her into a side hug and tell Flicker to take us to the nearest property agent. "I'd offer to let you check for yourself, but public road and all that. Remind me to add an enclosed cabin and tinted windows when I build the vehicle to take us to the Capital."

"You know, we're not far from my parent's house." A shy smile and a light blush play on her features. "No one is likely to be there this time of day." Flicker makes a U-turn before she even finishes her sentence.

"Can you please promise not to just tease this time?." The need comes through loud and clear in my voice. "Please?"

"Oh, I think you deserve a little treat after that accident earlier." Amelia squeezes my knee, though her eyes are locked on something she wants to squeeze much more. "But, I don't think we're done teasing you just yet."

"Oh, yes." Apricot purrs. "It was way too much fun watching you struggle to keep your cool."

"Promise to be a little more gentle this time?" I kiss Amelia when she cringes at my words. "I don't mind things getting a little rough, but that was more than just a little."

"Shut up." Amelia ducks her head. "I already said I'm sorry."

"Mhm, but you haven't proved it yet." I whisper into her ear before taking her into my arms and hopping out of the wagon right in front of her house. Fortunately, she was right and no one else is here.

***