History repeats itself

Dear Diary,

My, what a difference three months makes. I'd taken to dressing in the local casual style while in the workshop. Science is fairly difficult to do in a petticoat and corset, and I was without the former, wearing only my corset and shirt with a lightweight dress. It was much more comfortable than proper attire while still keeping my billowing shirt from getting caught in the gears. It would be very scandalous back at the estate, but here, no one even batted an eye. My "patron" Mr Singh was due back at any time, and I was sure he'd have a sketch in hand, ready to work.

I was adjusting the Autoriveter for a new project when suddenly a girl, topless and clutching a Aether pistol that looked like it belonged in a museum came crashing through the front door. Her hair was disheveled, and I'd guess that she'd been crying. I was shocked at first, but then thought back to my own first meeting with Wayland.

"Is he dead? Trask?" I asked, startling the girl. I removed my safety goggles, and began to walk toward her carefully. She shook her head.

"I hit him in the arm. He's going to kill me!" she said with a whimper.

"Relax..."

"Lisette." she said. She was a lovely girl, perhaps a year older than I. From her features, I'd guess that she came from one of the old Danish families.

"Lisette." I repeated. "Did you drink the wine?" I asked. She shook her head no. I sighed in relief. My own tale informed me that that would make the rest of what was about to happen easier.

"Did he succeed?" I asked, quietly. She paused for a moment, and then nodded her head.

"As he ravished me, I was able to slip his pistol from its holster. He jumped back, and I was able to fire one shot at him. I grabbed my dress and ran here, the first shop by the hotel." she said. She was obviously traumatized. I lead her upstairs, and opened a blue and gray tin. Inside was a Pharmafruit, a naturally occurring plant that, when eaten, provokes a similar reaction to laudanum. She sat on the bed, quietly eating it. As she did so, I gently lifted her skirt. There was no doubt about it. Lisette, whoever she was, was a woman now. Her eyelids grew heavy as she slowly sank into the bed. I covered her up, and stealed myself for the encounter that was surely about to happen.

I grabbed the pistol, and went downstairs.

"Hello, Mr Trask. I said, descending the staircase. I was wearing my heavy riding boots to protect from dropped objects, so any attempt at stealth was pointless. He was waiting there without a jacket. One of his sleeves was torn off, and around his bicep was a bandage.

"Where is she? She's going in for attempted murder, that bitch!" he said, snarling. He had brass knuckles on his good hand, and a large machete on his belt. I exited the last stair, and casually walked over to a workdesk, the one with the Somatrain schedule. It should be pulling in at any time, and Wayland would tell him to leave. Still, I was going to have to stall him.

"Oh, another helpless girl get the better of you?" I said, feigning concern. "You've done your job. Why don't you take your pistol, patch up your arm, and get out while your ahead." I said, holding the pistol on one finger by the triggergaurd as I as leaned against a workbench.

"Oh aye, I did me job, but that bitch is gonna' get punished for this." he said, indicating his arm.

I must say I'm not proud of what happened next, but I had to buy some time. And in truth, I was still mad at Wayland, and was what my father would call "acting out". What a fool I was.

"So you are going to punish this girl..." I said, tossing his pistol back to him. "...when you haven't even punished the last one." I said, leaning back with both hands on the worktable, a slight smile and flash of daring in my eyes. He hefted the pistol, looked at it confusedly, looked at me, and grinned. I nodded, and took a breath. He holstered his pistol and started to remove his suspenders as he walked towards me. This was going to hurt.