Salvage ~ V1: Nuts and Bolts (Steampunk/ Gaslamp Romantasy ~ FxM, MxM)

Chapter 33: Do You Find This Amusing?

Master Giao took his leave, and Kazia picked the battery up from its table to reattach it to the transmitter.

It felt heavy when she lifted it, and her legs were a bit shaky from running up all the stairs twice.

Wavering, she bumped against the portal, and fell forward hard onto the grass of the bailey again.

"Lady Devratha?" said a familiar voice.

Kazia looked up to find herself sprawled at the feet of Sir Palanaida, Amelys, and Kelvaran.

"Wherever did you come from?" Eaphan said with delighted surprise.

"Is that my battery?" Kelvaran said darkly.

"It is," Kazia replied, sitting up.

"Shouldn't it be attached to my transmitter?"

"Yes," Kazia answered. "I was just... trying something."

"May I, Lady Devratha?" Eaphan said, offering a hand to Kazia.

He helped her up off the ground as Amelys shot Kelvaran a disappointed glance.

"Are you alright? Not hurt I hope," Eaphan added.

"Not at all, thank you," Kazia said, brushing her skirt down. "I appear to be in one piece."

"This is strangely serendipitous, Lady Devratha. I had intended to find you. I am opening an exhibit tomorrow evening at the University Archive, and thought it might be of interest to you. I had hoped you would consider joining me."

"Oh," Kazia answered.

She felt a shy hope fluttering in his chest and her eyes widened as she realized what he was asking her.

"Oh...Sir Palanaida, you are too kind, but I have been thoroughly engrossed in some very sensitive work of late. I don't know that I'll be able to lay it aside so soon."

She felt a wave of irritation from Kelvaran, but brushed it aside.

"That is unfortunate, for me at least. Perhaps another evening? The exhibit will run for some time, only there's a reception for the opening tomorrow."

"Perhaps another evening," Kazia said. "But please do tell me about the exhibit."

"It is a timeline of scientific progress, from magic into modern science, beginning with very early folk magic, to the formalization of Alchemy, into today's pure science."

"That does indeed sound fascinating."

"Well, if you change your mind, just give them my name at the door and you will be admitted. I must take my leave of you now. Lord Meratha has graciously lent me a few Artifacts for the exhibit and I must go get them on display. Good day to you all."

"Good day, Sir Palenaida, and thank you for the kind invitation," Kazia answered.

She smiled and gave a short laugh as she turned to the others.

"I'm very sorry, Mistress, for my entrance."

"Do you find this amusing?" Kelvaran asked, "Popping up unexpectedly?"

Kazia shrugged.

"A bit amusing, perhaps."

"I seem to recall you being just as giddy when you learned to cast a portal," Amelys said to Kelvaran.

"If you are finished with my battery, I'll take it now," he answered.

"In fact, Master Giao has given me an idea for your transmitter that I intend to try straight away," she retorted. "So I will keep the battery for now, if you don't mind."