Check on Nemo

I think I'll go see what Nemo's up to.

She's taught me how to operate machines, and how to build simple devices.

Perhaps there might be something I can help her with right now.

She's probably in her studio in the back.

I leave the mansion and head for the yard.

"Whoa!" I hear Nemo shout in surprise followed by a loud noise.

Was that an explosion?

I run towards Nemo's shack. "I heard something. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, fine. I was trying to install one of the newest-model steam engines." Nemo smiles grimly as she struggles out of a cloud of smoke. "The pressure built up too high, so it... Boom!"

"Yes, I heard it."

"But it's not a problem! I'm a genius engineer!"

"What does being an engineer have to do with it?"

"Anyway, look at the Ornithopter! I'm glad I prepared a backup steam engine." The winged machine is a short distance from the scene of the explosion. "This baby has a key role in our plan."

"You're amazing, Nemo. Now that you've taught me so much, I understand just how incredible you really are."

"What's this? Are you falling for me?"

"No, that's not it."

"Ugh. You're a natural at rejecting me."

"Did you have someone teach you about engineering and all this?"

"Hmm... I guess there was this submarine captain. He's more like a co-inventor, actually." Nemo looks a bit nostalgic as she talks, absent-mindedly spinning her wrench around and around in her hand. "I feel like I understand the wonders of science better than anyone else."

"You're probably right."

Nemo smiles so confidently that I can't but agree with her.

I keep talking with her for a while. Listening to Nemo excitedly talk about her machines gradually calms my nerves.