Piper started at the question. She looked at the strange device in Kaii's paws, suddenly a little apprehensive of the unknown. "Er, I suppose," she allowed.
Open Side Adventure Special Accommodations
- Thread starter Corporal Sarra Piper
- Start date
Kaii Nashirou
Rating: Able Seabeast
Engineer's Mate
Gentry: Gentlebeast
Urk Expedition Service Badge
- Character Biography
- Click Here
Kaii thus turned to Swifttail. "Swift, mind helping me? Keep this spun please as I attach the thing."
- Character Biography
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Swifttail nodded as Piper spoke, ears attentive. He hadn’t even thought about her tail. Of course lack of control over it would throw her balance off. He stepped closer, giving a faint, apologetic tilt of his head.
“Should’ve seen that meself. Sharp eye ye’ve got there.” His paw brushed the edge of the frame as though to steady it. “Shows how yer literally part o’ the build crew, yerself. Spottin’ what the rest of us miss.”
His gaze drifted to Kaii as the marble fox rummaged in his toolbag, curiosity tugging his ears forward. When the little whirling contraption came out and started to spin, Swifttail’s eyes widened.
“Great seasons, mate… are ye really strappin’ a spinny t’ her?” His voice wavered between awe and disbelief, but his grin was genuine.
He gave a low chuckle, tail flicking.
“Looks a bit daft, sure, but… might be clever with the right fittings. Not every first try’s neat an’ tidy. Ain’t that the whole game o’ tinkerin’?”
Catching Piper’s apprehension, he offered her a small smile.
“Nothin’ t’worry over. Just a quick experiment. If it goes flyin’ off, I’ll be the one catches it.”
When Kaii turned to him, Swifttail barked a laugh and reached for the device.
“Aye, I’ll keep it spinnin’. Though if this thing takes off like a top, don’t blame me fer lettin’ it sail.”
He set it whirling as best he could, ears forward in curiosity as he watched Kaii work.
“Should’ve seen that meself. Sharp eye ye’ve got there.” His paw brushed the edge of the frame as though to steady it. “Shows how yer literally part o’ the build crew, yerself. Spottin’ what the rest of us miss.”
His gaze drifted to Kaii as the marble fox rummaged in his toolbag, curiosity tugging his ears forward. When the little whirling contraption came out and started to spin, Swifttail’s eyes widened.
“Great seasons, mate… are ye really strappin’ a spinny t’ her?” His voice wavered between awe and disbelief, but his grin was genuine.
He gave a low chuckle, tail flicking.
“Looks a bit daft, sure, but… might be clever with the right fittings. Not every first try’s neat an’ tidy. Ain’t that the whole game o’ tinkerin’?”
Catching Piper’s apprehension, he offered her a small smile.
“Nothin’ t’worry over. Just a quick experiment. If it goes flyin’ off, I’ll be the one catches it.”
When Kaii turned to him, Swifttail barked a laugh and reached for the device.
“Aye, I’ll keep it spinnin’. Though if this thing takes off like a top, don’t blame me fer lettin’ it sail.”
He set it whirling as best he could, ears forward in curiosity as he watched Kaii work.
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Piper watched the pair work, her eyes widening at their work. "So, what does that thing do?" she inquired, nodding to the strange spinning gadget.
Kaii Nashirou
Rating: Able Seabeast
Engineer's Mate
Gentry: Gentlebeast
Urk Expedition Service Badge
- Character Biography
- Click Here
For all Kaii's brilliance, he too was prone to mistakes. Especially when he got fixated onto one idea. He already did show earlier to Swift that overcomplicating things and missing the simpler solutions was a flaw of his. As such, indeed he put the rope over Piper and prepared a small knot at the end that was going to hold the spinning device.
In his mind, that was going to simulate the intricacies of having the tail. Something hanging behind that on its own could apply countering force when you were losing balance. Bringing your body up with a tug by reminding it that it goes in the wrong direction. The idea was indeed sound.
But the application, as the young engineer would learn, was not.
The spinning device, after it was put on the rope was... unstable to say the least. It did not seem at all like something that would be safe to have near one's back. And when Kaii let it go, almost got to scrape Piper's tail. Kaii caught it quickly, at the small cost of cutting his paws.
A short hiss of pain after, Kaii sighed and let out the air he held. He did set the device to the side and then moved to bandage up his paws. Fortunately, it wasn't hard to find some at the place they were at.
While doing so he realised his mistake and turned politely to the other two beasts. "Apologies for that. Don't fret however. I know it wasn't seeming the nicest, but that was a mistake on my part... Swift, do you think we have things on paw to make a small cage for it?"
In his mind, that was going to simulate the intricacies of having the tail. Something hanging behind that on its own could apply countering force when you were losing balance. Bringing your body up with a tug by reminding it that it goes in the wrong direction. The idea was indeed sound.
But the application, as the young engineer would learn, was not.
The spinning device, after it was put on the rope was... unstable to say the least. It did not seem at all like something that would be safe to have near one's back. And when Kaii let it go, almost got to scrape Piper's tail. Kaii caught it quickly, at the small cost of cutting his paws.
A short hiss of pain after, Kaii sighed and let out the air he held. He did set the device to the side and then moved to bandage up his paws. Fortunately, it wasn't hard to find some at the place they were at.
While doing so he realised his mistake and turned politely to the other two beasts. "Apologies for that. Don't fret however. I know it wasn't seeming the nicest, but that was a mistake on my part... Swift, do you think we have things on paw to make a small cage for it?"
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Swifttail flinched as the device whipped wild, ears shooting back when it nearly clipped Piper. He steadied the frame with a paw and shot her a quick, apologetic look, before his gaze darted to Kaii. His face was wide-eyed, concern growing on his face.
“Great seasons, mate, ye near made a weapon out of it! You okay, mate?”
After seeing that Kaii wasn't bleeding out, he tapped the air with a claw as he thought aloud.
“See, if it just dangles, it swings like a pendulum an’ fights itself. To work proper, it’s got t’ be anchored snug, right t’ her tail. Bag it, strap it, whatever keeps it tight. That way the force travels through her frame like it’s meant to.”
He rubbed his jaw a moment, tail swishing slow.
“Could even rig a ripcord, so she can spin it up quick when she needs the balance. Not my kind o’ fix, but with some refinement… aye, might just do.”
“Great seasons, mate, ye near made a weapon out of it! You okay, mate?”
After seeing that Kaii wasn't bleeding out, he tapped the air with a claw as he thought aloud.
“See, if it just dangles, it swings like a pendulum an’ fights itself. To work proper, it’s got t’ be anchored snug, right t’ her tail. Bag it, strap it, whatever keeps it tight. That way the force travels through her frame like it’s meant to.”
He rubbed his jaw a moment, tail swishing slow.
“Could even rig a ripcord, so she can spin it up quick when she needs the balance. Not my kind o’ fix, but with some refinement… aye, might just do.”
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Piper started at the violent misadventure of the prototype and the suddenness of Kaii's wounds. As he bandaged his paws and the pair of foxes discussed the problem, she inquired, "So, wait, a ripcord? So, how does the whirly thing work exactly? I'm still a bit lost on that. Won't it send my tail whirling about?"
Kaii Nashirou
Rating: Able Seabeast
Engineer's Mate
Gentry: Gentlebeast
Urk Expedition Service Badge
- Character Biography
- Click Here
Kaii listened to Swift thoughts and he couldn't agree more. He came to similar conclusions but to hear his friend share them did allow them to rethink the solution with their perspective in mind. Kaii did notice (albeit too late) that letting it dangle was a lost cause. Well, at least with what he came up with after words as well as what Swift said, the concept was concluded.
"Well, I still would ask you then if you think we can make a frame-cage for it. It would be attached, as per your suggestion, either to the tail itself or right above it. I think the latter makes more sense to avoid the issues when the tail gets stuck or latches onto something." Kaii set the spinny aside and took the measuring compass from his bag. In the process of doing so, he answered to Piper. "This spinning device is made in such way that, as long as it spins, it manages to counteract most distortions and level its axis perpendicularly to the ground, no matter if you are on a slope, rocking with a ship or anything like that. If attached in correct way to your back, it will try to level itself at all times, meaning you will feel a slight tug on your back as long as you are not in levelled yourself. It should greatly help you with balance considering lack of input from your tail."
Kaii then opened his notebook and put down the numbers for crunching. Instantly starting to do so in fact. His gaze was now focused on the numbers as he spoke to Swifttail again. "Also, Swift. Ripcord is a fantastic idea. Always great to have you around."
"Well, I still would ask you then if you think we can make a frame-cage for it. It would be attached, as per your suggestion, either to the tail itself or right above it. I think the latter makes more sense to avoid the issues when the tail gets stuck or latches onto something." Kaii set the spinny aside and took the measuring compass from his bag. In the process of doing so, he answered to Piper. "This spinning device is made in such way that, as long as it spins, it manages to counteract most distortions and level its axis perpendicularly to the ground, no matter if you are on a slope, rocking with a ship or anything like that. If attached in correct way to your back, it will try to level itself at all times, meaning you will feel a slight tug on your back as long as you are not in levelled yourself. It should greatly help you with balance considering lack of input from your tail."
Kaii then opened his notebook and put down the numbers for crunching. Instantly starting to do so in fact. His gaze was now focused on the numbers as he spoke to Swifttail again. "Also, Swift. Ripcord is a fantastic idea. Always great to have you around."
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Swifttail’s ears tipped forward at Piper’s question, and he shook his head softly.
“It ain’t meant t’ whip ye about, Piper. Think of it more like a tug to remind yer brain where ‘upright’ is.”
He glanced over at Kaii’s notebook, tail flicking as a small grin tugged his muzzle.
“Aye, I can put together a cage or frame for it. Jus' need a bench an’ forge, plus the materials...Glad to hear the ripcord notion’s a tidy fit too. Glad ye like it!”
His gaze returned to Piper, softer now.
“But I’ll say plain. We ought t’ test it on somethin’ other than yerself first. I'd sooner have it fail fer one of us while we're makin' it work proper. You’ve enough burdens without bein’ the trial run fer a whirligig tail replacement.”
“It ain’t meant t’ whip ye about, Piper. Think of it more like a tug to remind yer brain where ‘upright’ is.”
He glanced over at Kaii’s notebook, tail flicking as a small grin tugged his muzzle.
“Aye, I can put together a cage or frame for it. Jus' need a bench an’ forge, plus the materials...Glad to hear the ripcord notion’s a tidy fit too. Glad ye like it!”
His gaze returned to Piper, softer now.
“But I’ll say plain. We ought t’ test it on somethin’ other than yerself first. I'd sooner have it fail fer one of us while we're makin' it work proper. You’ve enough burdens without bein’ the trial run fer a whirligig tail replacement.”
Piper listened to the description of the whirlymagig, as she thought of the strange spinning contraption, and couldn't help but agree with the notion of testing it on something other than her own body until they were sure it would work. "Sounds like a good idea," she agreed. "Even if I can't feel my tail, I don't much fancy the idea of it getting caught on something or ripped off."
There was a muffled mewling from the crib in the corner, and Piper's ears immediately swiveled to attention, a mother's instinct bringing her to alertness. "Hold onto that thought," she requested. Carefully she grabbed the levers and shifted them, lowering herself back into the seat as her footpaws, and the brakes on her wheels, were both raised. She carefully maneuvered over to the bassinet, then reversed the process, working the levers to apply the brakes and force herself back to a standing position again. "The whirlymagig is definitely a good idea," she called back to the pair as she reached in and picked up the fussy infant. "Every time I stand up, I feel like I'm losing my balance." As she stood with the infant in her arms, she realized a problem. "Um, so, I just realized that, with the babe taking up my arms, I can't use them to lower myself back into my seat. If my legs were working I could just sit down, but right now the lever is the only thing that gets me up or down. Thoughts?"
There was a muffled mewling from the crib in the corner, and Piper's ears immediately swiveled to attention, a mother's instinct bringing her to alertness. "Hold onto that thought," she requested. Carefully she grabbed the levers and shifted them, lowering herself back into the seat as her footpaws, and the brakes on her wheels, were both raised. She carefully maneuvered over to the bassinet, then reversed the process, working the levers to apply the brakes and force herself back to a standing position again. "The whirlymagig is definitely a good idea," she called back to the pair as she reached in and picked up the fussy infant. "Every time I stand up, I feel like I'm losing my balance." As she stood with the infant in her arms, she realized a problem. "Um, so, I just realized that, with the babe taking up my arms, I can't use them to lower myself back into my seat. If my legs were working I could just sit down, but right now the lever is the only thing that gets me up or down. Thoughts?"
Kaii Nashirou
Rating: Able Seabeast
Engineer's Mate
Gentry: Gentlebeast
Urk Expedition Service Badge
- Character Biography
- Click Here
Kaii had a slightly different idea however, one that was coming out of the logic more than care on this situation. While the pair wanted to test it independently, to Kaii it would be pointless. In this scenario after all, Piper had to have it tuned to her needs and what she could feel. Observing as she moved to the crib, he explained his thinking with a paw on his chin. "I disagree. Testing it on anything but you will not give you the feeling of the balance you need. After all, we cannot build a perfect replica of you nor ask an inanimate object how it feels. Beasts and flesh are more complex than metal and wood and testing it without your input would simply result in something that could be more of a hindrance than help due to lack of proper attunement. This would be fixed with time and attempts, but it would boil down to doing the same work of testing it twice. Making a sturdy casing for you to not get harmed is what we need, but, ultimately, you still ought to be present for the process. It is all made and fine tuned for you in the end."
But as he had finished a new issue happened to show up. Kaii walked over and himself helped Piper to sit down by manipulating the mechanisms that she couldn't use. There was a simple solution but one that would require rebuilding the current mechanism from the scratch. A humble emergency Button, with slow release mechanism, possibly using a set of springs as well. As soon as Piper got to sit again, Kaii walked over to the blueprint he had still on the desk and poured his idea onto it. "I think... a simple button around your right hip is something you should be able to reach even when handling a kit. Making it... is going to take time however, possibly a full rebuild of the mechanism so far as it has to include a set of coil springs to not make you fall down too fast."
But as he had finished a new issue happened to show up. Kaii walked over and himself helped Piper to sit down by manipulating the mechanisms that she couldn't use. There was a simple solution but one that would require rebuilding the current mechanism from the scratch. A humble emergency Button, with slow release mechanism, possibly using a set of springs as well. As soon as Piper got to sit again, Kaii walked over to the blueprint he had still on the desk and poured his idea onto it. "I think... a simple button around your right hip is something you should be able to reach even when handling a kit. Making it... is going to take time however, possibly a full rebuild of the mechanism so far as it has to include a set of coil springs to not make you fall down too fast."
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Swifttail listened in silence as Kaii reasoned through his plan, the fox’s ears tipped forward in quiet thought. He didn’t argue this time. Kaii was right. No machine or other beast could mirror how Piper moved, how she’d feel each tug of the balance.
Instead, his claws absently tracing the shape of a ring in the air as his mind turned over the build.
“We’ll need a cage that won’t weigh her down,” he murmured half to himself. “Wrought iron for the ring and cage. Thin, tempered. Light wood for the frame, maybe cedar, keep the balance right. Springs at the joints, just enough give t’ take the strain…”
His gaze flicked to the blueprints as Kaii added the new button mechanism, and a small smile crept across his muzzle.
“A button’s clever, Kaii. Safer, too. She’ll keep her paws free that way.”
He reached for his own scrap of parchment, mirroring his friend and mentor, charcoal stick scratching out the beginnings of a containment housing. The air between them filled with the soft rhythm of shared work. Two engineers, one idea, refining it into something that might just make a difference.
Instead, his claws absently tracing the shape of a ring in the air as his mind turned over the build.
“We’ll need a cage that won’t weigh her down,” he murmured half to himself. “Wrought iron for the ring and cage. Thin, tempered. Light wood for the frame, maybe cedar, keep the balance right. Springs at the joints, just enough give t’ take the strain…”
His gaze flicked to the blueprints as Kaii added the new button mechanism, and a small smile crept across his muzzle.
“A button’s clever, Kaii. Safer, too. She’ll keep her paws free that way.”
He reached for his own scrap of parchment, mirroring his friend and mentor, charcoal stick scratching out the beginnings of a containment housing. The air between them filled with the soft rhythm of shared work. Two engineers, one idea, refining it into something that might just make a difference.
Piper's expression still registered doubt about having a potentially dangerous, experimental contraption strapped to her body, but she suppressed it in favor of faith in the pair. They'd done incredible work on the wheelchair thus far; she'd consigned herself to the possibility of never being able to stand or be useful again, and they had given that possibility back to her, so they deserved a little trust. Setting the infant in her lap, she wheeled over to the desk and retrieved the bottled formula from off a shelf, then backed up to the tub in which the frozen Morgan and Vihma had been warmed. There was a pot set inside the tub under the hot water faucet; a bit of quick maneuvering of the handles sent a mixed stream of hot and cold water into the tub, which Piper adjusted to be reasonably warm. Then, with the pot half-full, she shut off the water and set the bottled formula in the pot to warm while she focused on the shrewbabe instead.
She (Piper had confirmed in changing nappies that the babe was indeed a she) had gone through an initially troubling few days where she wasn't eating well, was sleeping poorly, and fussed most of the night through, but the babe seemed to be better now and even was growing a little bit. The weasel jill smiled sadly as she recalled her daughter at that age, how adorable she had been, despite the trials that motherhood had brought upon the soldier. I should have stayed. I should have been there. She forced the dark thoughts from her mind as she played with the shrewbabe, letting her suckle on a finger until the formula was heated. "Until the contraption is ready, I can probably use a sling to hold her while I raise or lower myself," Piper mused. "It's a short-term solution. Speaking of the longer term..." She glanced up at the pair. "I've been trying to think of a name for her. She can't go through her life just being called the shrewbabe. I've been having trouble though," she confessed. "I'm not great with names, really. It was my husband who came up with our daughter's name, and even that was just naming her for his mother. Do either of you have any suggestions before I go asking that fox lad for help?"
She (Piper had confirmed in changing nappies that the babe was indeed a she) had gone through an initially troubling few days where she wasn't eating well, was sleeping poorly, and fussed most of the night through, but the babe seemed to be better now and even was growing a little bit. The weasel jill smiled sadly as she recalled her daughter at that age, how adorable she had been, despite the trials that motherhood had brought upon the soldier. I should have stayed. I should have been there. She forced the dark thoughts from her mind as she played with the shrewbabe, letting her suckle on a finger until the formula was heated. "Until the contraption is ready, I can probably use a sling to hold her while I raise or lower myself," Piper mused. "It's a short-term solution. Speaking of the longer term..." She glanced up at the pair. "I've been trying to think of a name for her. She can't go through her life just being called the shrewbabe. I've been having trouble though," she confessed. "I'm not great with names, really. It was my husband who came up with our daughter's name, and even that was just naming her for his mother. Do either of you have any suggestions before I go asking that fox lad for help?"
Kaii Nashirou
Rating: Able Seabeast
Engineer's Mate
Gentry: Gentlebeast
Urk Expedition Service Badge
- Character Biography
- Click Here
"Yuki-Onna. Or Yuki simply. It means snow." Said Kaii with zero hesitation at all.
He still continued his work, staring at the blueprint, taking measures and doing quick calculations to see if the button concept was feasible without making the contraption too complex or bulky. Especially he was concerned about the springs. Swift was already doing his part and Kaii was content with that. It allowed him to not think at least about that one matter and leave it to someone he had trust in.
Thus it allowed his ever-working mind to process the question with a lot of depth despite very small time that was needed for it. Now he could explain it.
"Yes it is Fyadoran, it comes from a legend that in the variation my family passed is quite fitting. The legend of the snow-girl. Legend that speaks of a girl born from snow and winter, manifesting and coming out on New Year's day, seeking to play with other kits. Usually with those being afraid and resulting in her take them by force, not knowing any better." Kaii slowly explained, hoping that the two will see the same parallels he does. His flat baritone carefully accentuating the words.
"Yet, on one of those nights, amid the blizzard, she was shown kindness by one kit. The power of it being so strong it turned the girl into pure gold by the next morning. It does not seem like a good ending, but the legend is meant to show that even a creature seemingly wicked needs just a bit of love to become precious." Kaii finished and looked at the little shrewbabe. Breaking his work for a second.
"I find it fitting. We see shrews as vile barbarians, but maybe this one can become a gold-hearted beast, it just needs proper love and care. Besides, she comes from land of snow. The name is perfect to me." He finished and gave the child a small smile, before returning to work again on the blueprint.
He still continued his work, staring at the blueprint, taking measures and doing quick calculations to see if the button concept was feasible without making the contraption too complex or bulky. Especially he was concerned about the springs. Swift was already doing his part and Kaii was content with that. It allowed him to not think at least about that one matter and leave it to someone he had trust in.
Thus it allowed his ever-working mind to process the question with a lot of depth despite very small time that was needed for it. Now he could explain it.
"Yes it is Fyadoran, it comes from a legend that in the variation my family passed is quite fitting. The legend of the snow-girl. Legend that speaks of a girl born from snow and winter, manifesting and coming out on New Year's day, seeking to play with other kits. Usually with those being afraid and resulting in her take them by force, not knowing any better." Kaii slowly explained, hoping that the two will see the same parallels he does. His flat baritone carefully accentuating the words.
"Yet, on one of those nights, amid the blizzard, she was shown kindness by one kit. The power of it being so strong it turned the girl into pure gold by the next morning. It does not seem like a good ending, but the legend is meant to show that even a creature seemingly wicked needs just a bit of love to become precious." Kaii finished and looked at the little shrewbabe. Breaking his work for a second.
"I find it fitting. We see shrews as vile barbarians, but maybe this one can become a gold-hearted beast, it just needs proper love and care. Besides, she comes from land of snow. The name is perfect to me." He finished and gave the child a small smile, before returning to work again on the blueprint.
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