The Hourglass  [Part 17]

(Books by Authors Who Never Existed:  A Steampunk Hybrid story)

By the author of BARD: Owner of the Gemstone

He glances down at Lady Oolong as they walk towards Mrs. Claws and Mr. TLC’s house.  “Really, he’s your father?”

Lady Oolong stares up at him and smirks.  “Chief Shabuni, you are so inquisitive.  I’ve heard about a person like you.  It’s whispered, that in one of the books by authors who never existed, a certain, very real, detective exists.  Do your eyes always move side-to-side like that?”

He halts.  “It’s called nystagmus.”

“Must mean you are magical.  You might want to wear special glasses.” Lady Oolong rubs her thumb along the drake handle of her cane.

“Your father wore special glasses.  Did he have any eye disorders?”  Two could play the game of distraction.

“I don’t know who my real father is,” she says, walking towards the front door.  “But Mr. Intrepid was as close as I got.”

He waited for her to say more but gave up as Mrs. Claws let them into her house.

“I brought tea, dear,” Lady Oolong says to Mrs. Claws. 

“Oh, that’s thoughtful,” Mrs. claws says, rubbing her hands together.  “Chamomile?”

“Much better,” Lady Oolong replies with a toothy smile.  “A mixture of chamomile, licorice root, tulsi and more.”

“That would be wonderful.  I’ll boil some water.”

As Mrs. Claws departs for the kitchen, he sees Mr. TLC bound down the stairs and leap onto the Salinas desk.

“This must be Mr. TLC,” Lady Oolong says.

“Protector of the house,” he replies with fondness.

“Well, you two talk, while I go into the kitchen to help Mrs. Claws.”

He steps closer to the now sitting Mr. TLC, and whispers, “Keep an on that one.”

Mr. TLC leaps off the desk.

He ducks under the lintel of the doorway to the kitchen. 

Inspectors Harper and Campbell are sitting at the kitchen table, eating sandwiches, Mrs. Claws must have made them.  Once she catches sight of him, Inspector Campbell wipes her mouth with her sleeve.  “Mr. Clockwind got caught in an emergency but should be here soon.”

“Well, that smells ready,” he hears Lady Oolong say from behind him.

“It does, and what a wonderful aroma,” Mrs. Claws replies.

“I must be going then,” Lady Oolong says.

He turns around, and sees the two ladies standing side by side in front of an ornate Chinese teapot. 

Lady Oolong smiles up at him with hooded eyes.  “I’ll let myself out.”

After many repeated goodbyes and thankyous for the tea, he sees Lady Oolong saunter up the walkway.

He turns to Mr. TLC.

“She—flipped—the—hourglass—on—the—brass—man,” Mr. TLC tells him.

***

Taylor Norris, RMT (Lady Evelyn Oolong): taynorris@gmail.com

My Jolly Sailor Bold—Mermaid performed by @_melegie

Perched Drake Cane by FireandSteel.ca

I just saw a fantastic steampunk post by @Hannah_redfoxcloset with art by @creadoresasueldo

One of the goals for these writing experiments is to include makers, and models of Steampunk.  Ben Lanzenstein of Switzerland creates Steampunk vehicles, weapons, and more.  I will be posting a short interview with Ben in very near future.  Meanwhile, you can see his work at:  ben_lanzenstein

Unwoman.com

Joanne Gosling (as Lady Marina Steamsail):  Jgosling@calclosets.com

Fireandsteel.ca Dragonrider Folding Knife

GRACEART Unisex Steampunk Top Hat with Goggles

Alivila.Y Fashion: Women’s Faux Leather Steampunk Corset Victorian Bustier Top

Tags: #sciencefiction, #steampunk, #storytelling