Wavering Mollisher

A Midnight Walk

Wrapping Lucas’s coat around her body tighter, Della moves closer to Lucas. The two are walking down Main Street in the middle of the night. Della can’t help but feel several eyes on her as the two walk down the cobblestone streets. Della averts her eyes from the men's glares, fearful of what would happen if Lucas wasn’t here.

The black-haired man wraps his arm around her waist, pulling him tightly into his body. “Don’t worry; I won’t let anyone touch you. “He says softly. 

“Oi, you almost done with her? I could use a bit o’ company tonight!” An older gentleman yells out.

“Watch your tongue! She’s my girl!” Lucas snaps at the man.

“Really? Maybe you shouldn’t let her dress like that. Gives men the wrong idea.” The man retorts.

“Sir, one more word, and I promise you will not care what she is wearing!” Lucas threatens. The man falls silent.

“Thank you.” Della looks up at Lucas gratefully.

Lucas hmms in reply, and the two fall silent as they walk down the road. Della watches the steam rise out of the road, and she gets lost in her thoughts. Imagine if steam could power faster flying and driving devices! Perhaps if better wheels and cogs were built, there would be less demand for replacements each year, and places such as poverty-stricken Merryville could get cleaner electricity and perhaps air conditioning!

“Do you think that better cogs and copper wheels could be made that would make steam-power more efficient?” Della asks out loud.

“That is certainly a thought.  Why do you ask?” Lucas asks.

Della didn't realize she stated her thoughts out loud. She gets so lost in her own thoughts at times that she doesn't register when she is thinking or speaking her thought processes. 

Della explains her logic. “I have been thinking about it for some time. Since I was a girl of sixteen, Papa and Mother insisted I apprentice for him for a summer. I remember walking into Papa’s workshop and seeing a large copper wheel on his table. He was fixing one of the cogs for the large stadium. It was the most curious thing I had seen. I asked Papa how such a large object could create something so graceful like steam.  He explained steam power in great detail and since that summer, I have been obsessed with finding an effective alternative. I wasn’t aware of the community on the city's outskirts at the time, but ever since I arrived here, these thoughts have been on my mind. Your community has the worst cogs and wheels in the city! They make the most awful noises from lack of grease and proper care. I can only imagine what type of domino effect this has on the outskirts. I can only assume, due to the lack of steam coming from your streets, that electricity is spotty- at best.”

 Lucas watches Della as she talks. His heart soars as she talks about engineering. Her face lights up as he had never seen; it was clear that engineering and architecture were in this girl’s blood. Lucas vowed to make that smile happen frequently, regardless of what it takes.

“Interesting thoughts. If you’re curious about our cogs, I can get someone to help you retrieve them. I’m sure with your expertise and your father’s hands; you could restore them. Feel free to use them as a study guide if you want to build a bigger cog.”

 Della squeals in delight. “Are you joking?”

Lucas laughs at her adorable reaction. “Why would I joke about such a thing?”

 Della squeals again and wraps her arms around Lucas’s neck, pulling him down to her lips. “Thank you!”

 “Anytime.” Lucas chuckles as he brings his lips to hers.