Arterius

The sparks were flying and metal clashed against the metal. The hammering echoed across the garage . Lizzy was hammering away a piece of plate that was dented a couple days ago. After she straightened it up she walked up to the gigantic knight looking machine. Using a ladder the goblin woman went up to the machine's knees. She put a piece of metal back its place then, then using her left hand index finger like a blowtorch she made sure the piece stayed in place.

After she was done Lizzy swept sweat off her forehead with right hand “Phew all done big boy.” she spoke to the machine. She climbed down the ladder then moved them to the side “Alright, you good to go.” goblin said, walking away. The Iron Saints eyes flashed icy blue color before the machine began to walk on its own leaving the garage.

Placing the ladder back to its place Lizzy returned to her office she built in the corner of the garage. Sitting down she put her feet on the desk. Her left arm shot up, grabbing the blade of the knife between left index and middle fingers. “You're getting predictable, Cowboy.” she said to her pet crab who just tried to assassinate her. The crab released the knife then plopped down on goblins lap before skittering up her leg and jumping on the table.

Lizzy opened the drawer then tossed the knife inside other knives she took away from Cowboy. Closing the drawer she exhaled “What a peaceful day.” she said to herself, grabbing a news magazine to entertain herself.

Or not. After a short while the sound of scraping and tortured metal could be heard along side the typical sound of a saint in motion. And a commanding voice that carried above it all "Please get him into a gantry and then see to it that you're in one as well! Menders! Do not worry about repairs. Replace the whole part if it's damaged. There has been an accident and these two are needed back at the scene!"

It was quite the scene that entered the center. A pair of saints, one who's legs were clearly beyond repair and it's reasonablely intact partner, save for a missing left arm. That had been tied with a rope to it's waist, dragging along the ground.

The more intact of the two was supporting the crippled saint, working with the menders to get it's damaged brother into a gantry before stepping up to the one directly beside it.

But the most interesting sight was that of Eulogy making her way across the work floor, her own right arm held in her left hand, heading directly towards Lizzy's little office.

Arriving at the door to the little office, Eulogy uses the hand of her detached arm to knock on the door. "Ms. Gearworth? You're expertise is needed." The doll sounded much less commanding now, her tone soft and polite. She almost sounded apologetic as she stood there, holding up the broken arm.

But peace didn’t last for long for Lizzy J. Hearing a knock on the door Lizzy almost fell off her chair. Getting up she opened the door, she saw Eulogy, one of the sister dolls. Looking at Eulogy then at detached arm Lizzy parted her lips “Allow me to give you a hand.” she then gestured at her small office “Sit.” goblin added. Even if it was a fairly small office full of scraps of metal, wires, tools and God knows what else it was big enough for Eulogy and Lizzy J to be comfortable. Taking arm from Eulogy she carefully inspected the damage. “So how did you get disarmed?” Lizzy J asked, looking at Eulogy, goblins eyes sparkling with devilish glee. Her job was boring and such small things like puns brought joy to her heart.

Ducking into the office, she had to duck through most doors, Eulogy takes a seat on the office floor. As she watched Lizzy inspect the arm she recounts the incident "Nothing too terrible Ms. Gearworth. I went to check on those two I came with at the docks. While I was there some cargo got loose while being lifted. It smashed into the first saints legs...who then fell into it's brother arm."

Holding up her still attached arm for Lizzy to see, Eulogy nodded at a deep impression on her forearm "Only thing I could do to stop the fall of both was to use my aetherwire to catch them. Thankfully not a single person was injured." Finishing her tale Eulogy just shrugged. Just another day in the city.

As for the arm? Aside from the damage of being violently yanked from it's owner it was in passable shape. It also showed a lack of recent maintenance, as indicated by some very light rust in spots. Whether or not this contributed to its failure was anyone's guess.

“How many times I said to call me Lizzy. Mr. Gearworth sounds too official.” Lizzy replied back to Iron doll who was explaining how she got her hand messed up. “Don’t worry about those two, they will be taken care of. You should be more careful like your sister. Anyways, I'll fix your arm.” Lizzy said as her own robotic arms palm began to glow faint blue. Her fingers bent and shifted into something that reminded a blow torch. Walking up to the doll, Lizzy placed hand where it originally was. The goblin lifted Eulogie's arm up before sticking her finger in the gap. The faint blue light could be seen emitting following a tingling sensation. The missing limb was connected back to the iron doll’s body. Moving her hand away Lizzy’s hand returned back to normal. “There you go. It will do for now, but I have to upgrade you soon.” Lizzy said, crossing arms under her chest.

"It's suppose to sound official. Im here on buisness besides bringing two in." Said Eulogy while watching Lizzy work intently "Besides...she has to be careful. Mausolea isn't built like I am. You know that." Eulogy make a noise of discomfort as her arm was reattached.

After a few moments of moving the arm here and there to see that it all worked she smiled at Lizzy. "Thanks aunt Lizzy." Eulogy fell silent for several moments before speaking softly while looking down at her hands "I haven't received anything new or been overhauled since mom passed. Two decades."

Looking up into Lizzy's eyes Eulogy made the reason for her visit clear "I'm here to unseal mom's Red Crypt...Artificer Egris's lab under the center. I sent a message tube to my sister but I don't know if she will come."

The soft tink tink tink of porcelain confirmed the arrival of mausolea. Her flowing steps brought her into view. "I recieved the letter." Her voice was as soft and smooth as silk. She was actually in excellent condition as she received regular maintenance and cleaned herself constantly with fine materials and oils. How very aristocratic of her. Nary a spot of filth or dust ever had time to collect on her. Her hair was immaculate, as was her face..save for a small Crack in her actual face plate near the eye. Which was tye second reason she was here. "I had a minor accident with a client. She was very clumsy. A replacement would be just grand Lizzy dear."

“Indeed she was not meant for direct confrontation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be more careful.” Lizzy replied back to the iron doll. The goblin smiled back until Eulogy mentioned the red crypt. “There is no such thing, Eulogy who told you this?” Lizzy said with her tone of voice being much more colder.


Her mechanical arm emitted crimson light meaning Lizzy was ready to stop Eulogy here and now if she pushed further. But it was too late a second iron doll joined them now Lizzy was stuck between two iron dolls. Her mechanical arm stopped glowing “Mausolea, you should teach your sister how to be more careful.” When Mausolea mentioned damage Lizzy walked up to her desk, opening the drawer she took a small bottle with white substance. Putting some on her finger she walked to Mausolea. Lizzy ran her finger with substance across the crack. The tiny gap began to close. “There you go, Mausolea.” Lizzy said with a smile while trying to hide her true emotions from sisters.

"I am bound to serve the city not to be careful. If I'm hurt while keeping a citizen from harm...it was worth it." Eulogy stated matter of factly with a smile. But that smile quickly disappeared when she was lied to, the sweet voice becoming cold "Where do you think I first awoke? I'm telling you as a courtesy." For the briefest of moments the doll's red eyes appear to flash a hellish red. "Never lie to me again Lizzy."

Just like Lizzy, Eulogy quickly changed her tune when her sister arrived. She didn't wish for her sister to see her angry. She gave a gentle smile and wave at her sister before slowly getting up from the floor "I'm glad you came. I know you didn't get to spend much time with mom...so I thought you'd like to see her lab while I retrieve a few things."

Eulogy would look at her sister questioningly as she explained her accident "A client? I can't send any extra saints out right now but tell me more as we walk. I'm too tall for this office." She'd ask before gently rapping on the office roof her head and shoulders were currently pressed against.

"I suppose I could stand to look around the old lab for a few minutes. My attachment to our mother is. Limited." She looked towards Lizzy. "I'm afraid I'm rather incapable of stopping my sister from doing anything" shifting back to eulogy. "It was an accident. The client tripped on a table leg. Such problems happen. Not all are blessed with gracefullness. ".. she paused for a moment, then looked to lizzy. You are.. concerned? Is there something dangerous in the lab that concerns you? Something we do not know of that should be avoided for the safety of ourselves?" She was very good at reading people. It's why she was so good at negotiating deals. "

Lizzy J glared at Eulogy, clearly not happy with the doll's behavior. She feared that Gabriella's scenario might repeat itself, and then they must scrap everything and start from scratch. Lizzy let out a sigh before looking at her mechanical arm. “Sometimes it’s best to leave the past behind, but I cannot stop you.” Lizzy said, shaking her head, shifting her attention to another doll “I know, don’t worry about it.” Lizzy then listened to Mausolea explain what happened. “No you two should be fine there. It’s just a little bit dusty that’s all.” Lizzy then stepped out of her ‘office’ “I guess I'll be joining you two. I have nothing better to do anyways.” Lizzy added then turned her head to look at both dolls.

Eulogy stepped out of the office and stood to her full height "I can't say much to gracefulness sister. My own size makes it hard at times." She says to her sister while motioning back at Lizzy's office.

Looking down at the two of them she motions for them to follow her across the work bay towards the back, talking as she walks "Mom was the only one who could make me do anything. Lizzy and others fear me, an independent construct, starting another bloody twenty-four. It's not an unreasonable fear...but ultimately wrong. I love this city and it's people." While Eulogy was addressing her sister, the last part felt more for Lizzy.

Approaching the back of the bay, Eulogy points to an old, faded red saint gantry against the wall. "Stand here by me. Don't move." Is all she says as she stands in the gantry.

Once satisfied with thier positions, Eulogy reaches up on the side of the gantry, a place difficult to reach for anyone but her, and pulls a hidden lever. With the loud sound of grinding gears, the whole gantry begins to descend downwards.

It was a saint sized elevator. "Time for you to learn who our dear mother really was sister!" Eulogy shouts over the noise of unused machinery coming back to life.

The smaller mechanical being for her part, kept to herself and in the standing spot recommended to her. What a contrast the sisters were. One small and delicate. The other large and in most cases unstoppable. A mirror image of traits.

The goblin followed two iron dolls, Lizzy J smiled listening to Eulogy. “Fear you? Don’t make me bend you over my knee and spank you.” Lizzy replied back playfully smacking Eulogy’s rear. Lizzy felt true fear and Eulogy wasn’t it. She followed Eulogy’s instructions, stopping in her tracks while staying close to the doll. Lizzy looked at Mausolea “Don’t worry. Only scary thing down there is layers of dust.” Lizzy said, trying to cheer up Mausolea who looked nervous. And so the elevator began to descend. Letting out sigh Lizzy looked at her robotic arm “Perhaps this is for the best.” she thought to herself before crossing arms under her chest waiting for the elevator to descend.

As the elevator descended Eulogy looked down at Lizzy with a slight frown "You know it is true, especially when I was first revealed to the public. It had only been a few years after the war. Even today there are still some citizens that reject us." The doll sounded sad as she spoke. She truly did love the city and it's people, even if some of them didn't love her.

The elevator ride was relatively short, only a couple of stories beneath the floors of the service center. When it finally came to a stop the trio was greeted by a great vaulted crypt lit by aether lanterns. Along the walls were carved reliefs of marble and red amber, showing the lives and achievements of the artificers of the Egris family. This continued until the far wall where a lone sarcophagus lay, the wall behind it depicting an honor guard of Saints, one of the sisters at the head of either column. As Eulogy led the trio through the hall she was silent. No eyes had seen this place since it was sealed away. A great family erased and forgotten by the city it had faithfully served.

Reaching the sarcophagus, it was easier to see the great details carved into it. Like the rest of the room it was made of carved marble and amber. The reliefs depicted lines of Iron Saints supporting the lid while the lid itself bore a likeness to Danisa Egris. Inscribed upon a plague on one side read "Danisa Egris, Artificer, Mother of Saints" followed by the stylized D.E. that matched the one on Eulogy.

Eulogy gently ran a hand over the sarcophagus lid as she spoke, looking at her sister with a slight smile "This was once the Egris family's wine cellar, among other things before mother turned it into her workshop. The family itself served the city in some capacity ever since it's earliest days. It took some time, especially in secret, but I thought our mother deserved a proper resting place, even if no living being was to return here. So I turned the first room into the Red Crypt. The lab itself is behind this back wall."

"This place feels..heavy. the air itself has a gravity to it. This is a new experience. I feel..unsettled." truth be told she was used to the more pleasant parts of life. Oh how very sheltered she was. "I never knew mother well...yet.. I feel. Grief, regret." She held her arms wrapped around her as though she felt cold