Eternal Rising

"Sofija here is putting them through the first field test, so to speak, because she is more likely to put them through more.  I may speed in sports wings, but she flies like an apocalypse is following."  Ernest rolled his eyes.  It was true that Sofija often pulled a lot more aerial stunts than he did, but it wasn’t the real reason for her testing them.  "Not to mention, I’d hate to get a new assistant.  I swear I’d never find one more dedicated, organized, and hard working."

The organized part was really a lie.  Ernest was organized enough for two people, and she was more like organized chaos.  But Ouro didn’t need to know that.

Big Snap was smart in regard to many things; he was especially good at keeping illegal activity from tying back to him, an example that Ouro hoped to follow. Big Snap however had been a stubborn and ruthless individual, who didn't hesitate to use force and threats to get what he wanted, Ouro preferred a more persuasive approach and he had no desire to hurt or strong arm people who didn't deserve it.

Srinshee leaned to one side, stuffing his hands in his pockets to hide the sweat. “I see, the cat really is up there.” Any minute now, the police would come soaring by, and something about him would look suspicious enough that they would drag him off for questioning. There was not a day of his life he’d survive that.

"My company has been experimenting with a new technology for wings that no one else has to date.  Simply put, we’ve developed a process to make titanium a viable metal to use in wings.  It is such an expensive process that not even my optimistic side foresees it being part of mass production for years to come.  Not a soul outside the group of materials engineers and scientists knows about it, yet.  Sofija is currently testing the very first pair of titanium wings."  Ernest explained, motioning to his assistant’s open wings.

"You may have noticed they have a slightly different lustre that is more appealing than steel or aluminium.  Titanium wings are stronger, while being lighter than steel.  They are stronger than aluminium as well, but not quite as light.  I firmly believe the potential of titanium’s strength worth the trade for more weight.  Sofija - thankfully, I suppose - doesn’t have to put the wings through much strain, but you may just be the person to put the titanium wings to the test."  Ernest discussed objectively.

"I’d prefer if you kept it out of the limelight, even though I’m sure word will get out soon enough.  It’s not like anyone else has the funding and resources to get the results with titanium my company has, anyway," Ernest finished his spiel on titanium.  "I had my personal favourite designer create the stunning wings Sofija is wearing, but I can certainly have one of my other professional designers work with you to design a pair of your own.  We were already starting on the materials for a second pair of titanium wings at Wings of Wax, so it won’t take quite as long as it would from start to finish.  It isn’t cheap to produce titanium in a form that’s useful, so I will have to charge a steep price for them.  I’m sure we could work something out."

"A secret you say? Color me interested." Who wouldn't be interested in a secret? It was a pitch he saw coming from a mile away, but an effective one none the less.

"Funny you should mention her…  I ran into her browsing the tabloids earlier today and they were saying you had risen from the dead, something about aliens, you know.  She didn’t believe you were alive or that you’d be running the mafia.  What an unpleasant surprise this will be for her."  He attempted to wipe the smirk off his face.  Ernest liked seeing the Governess in a fit as much as anyone else.

He took another sip, careful not to choke, before addressing the battered wings.

"What a mess…"  Ernest eyed them, leaning his chin against his hand.  "You’ll probably need something nice and strong, I’m sure.  I suppose there’s the poor man’s standard steel.  Or the more expensive aluminium alloy.  It is lighter; works well when it gets cold in the higher reaches of the spires, unlike steel; and it corrodes less readily than steel.  I imagine you would have the funds for aluminium, yes?  Aluminium is a bit of a newer thing, but the Gilded sector has been jumping all over the stuff.  It’s making me rich.  Well, more rich."

Ernest took a moment on the threshold to look over the sign with sky blue and coffee coloured script, and a swooping bird, saying Java Sparrow Cafe.  The place wasn’t busy, but it wasn’t empty, either.  From the front window, Ernest could see the place had an interesting combination of rich decoration and recycled decoration.  There were many mismatched pieces, yet they somehow came together as they balanced around the space.  As he entered, Sofija followed like a shadow, despite the lightness of her appearance in the new thistle dress she wore.  The place was well lit, providing a pleasant atmosphere, but it was arranged to leave space and obstacles between groups to provide privacy, even though it was small, without being closed off.

The Pearlcatcher had cleared everyone out and of course there were no cameras (not that it mattered because they would be talking about legal things). The man seemed a little too eager to please his new boss, or maybe he was just following a routine which had been long drilled into his head, either way, it made Ouro feel slightly paranoid.

"Any legal wings are really just the same deal as with any other client.  If he wants wings, we can make them.

He entered the room to see a pearlcatcher with a coffee, waiting for him.  The man looked a little bored.  Ernest knew he probably shouldn’t bother doing any business himself, but he did get bored, and he liked working with the people doing special orders.  Usually these kinds of business inquiries were of that nature, so he met with them personally.

Ernest caught the ball he had been tossing in the air above him repeatedly.  He was procrastinating today.  The only thing that needed to get done had been a meeting earlier, so he had dropped himself into a comfortable position laying on his bed.

"Are you going to take that?"  Sofija asked, though Ernest figured she knew the answer.

Sofija stuck her tongue out at him before reaching for the phone at her desk and answering it anyway.

"Hello, Sofija speaking."  This phone line was only called by people in the company, so they already knew who they were calling.  After a pause, his assistant relayed the message, then, "are you going to meet with this guy?"

"Whatever.  Conference Room 524.  A half hour." Ernest replied with a bored expression.  He may as well.  Sofija said goodbye and hung up, holding back laughter at Ernest’s behavior.  This was why he had someone to answer calls.  The board would kill him for this kind of behavior.  Maybe they were already planning to do so.  Who knew?

"...for now."