Fox
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Dragonfly grimaced. "Good plan. Science." focus "Not that huge - stuck to one spot, remember. Poor range, large power drain. Interesting as an experiment but not too useful or practical yet. Might be huge if I had a way to make it smaller, portable. Longer-lasting. Underlying technology is very, very dangerous - would never market it or supply it to the public. Limits ultimate utility. Unfortunately true of a lot of what I build. Just not safe in the wrong hands."
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Dragonfly had turned a nice red herself, eyes a little unfocused as her brain (ever helpful) paid very close attention to everything Jill had said. She got her faculties back under control eventually, though, and fumbled with getting the platforms back into their place until the worst of the blush had faded and she felt a little better about turning around and having her face seen again. Well, half-seen, anyway. love my visor - pick something safe to comment on "The shirt is...fine. Probably a little cold, but looks good on you. Not like some heroes don't...wear less. Most won't judge like the receptionist. Though admit I try to dress more conservatively in public myself; never know what people might think. Can always save 'just the overalls' for when I'm alone. Comfortable and lack of shirt's sleeves is safer but not really...hahh. Mmh." for the love of - change the subject - you were asked a question? "Ah. Not really...didn't quite 'just make' the platform." She coughed, pointing at the open and unfinished platform on the desk. "Developed them on and off for the last...mmh. Six months? About that. Fairly limited. Has given me a couple insights into a smaller, portable design that could project 'copies' at a short distance...power requirement would be enormous."
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"Mmh. No, Schrödinger's cat is more a commentary on the absurdity of--" "Not...really important," the other Dragonfly interjected. "Platforms...mmh. It's a trick. With a lot of physics. Reality is...flexible. Platforms...convince reality that they all exist in one spot, and so should everything above them. Reality believes them, and I exist in more than one spot at once, independently. Contained divergent reality. Both of 'me' are real, can touch things, move things. Think, feel." The interrupted Dragonfly was tapping a finger on her leg, but nodded. "With one major problem. Effect is local. Can't...mmh." The pair raised an eyebrow at each other, frowned, and played a quick game of rock-paper-scissors. The loser sighed and put her arm out to her side, beyond the edge of the platform...where it promptly disappeared, dissolving away into thin air. "Can't actually exist beyond the platform. Platform can't be very large, either. Power requirements are...unkind." The 'first' Dragonfly - the original - reached down and flicked a switch, the duplicate shrugging as she twitched and disappeared. "Still working on it. For a good cause. Original idea was to play a multi-instrument piece of music solo, if you can believe it. Project...evolved." She reached down to turn the platforms back on their side, shoving them toward the closet...and then paused, blinking. "Sexy spiderweb....?"
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"Hmph," Dragonfly snorted, opening a closet - also piled high with gizmos and gadgets, most of them obviously not complete - and pulling out a matching pair of platforms. "Magic. Lucky you don't wake up with tentacles or something. Turn people into frogs all you want," she ribbed, setting the pair up near each other and standing on one. "I...will stick with science." She hit a little switch in the corner of her platform; both machines, in perfect sync, made a sound like a capacitor charging up.... ....and nothing happened. The young woman scowled and gave her device a swift kick. Suddenly there were two of her, one on each machine. Both Dragonflies flickered now and again but seemed awfully solid and real, lightly illuminated from below by light escaping through the seams of the physics-warping craftsmanship underfoot. "Not quite perfected yet," started the Dragonfly on the right, frowning. "Still slightly unstable." "Still," countered the Dragonfly on the left, head tilted. "Designed to work as a system of four. To be expected."
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"'Live is pain,'" Dragonfly wryly quoted, tilting her head. "'Anyone who says differently is selling something.' Look forward to one day getting my own tour, however. Your hospital, or whatever you decide to use your skills for." She paused, and then grimaced. "Sorry, didn't mean to sound like...not intended as pressure. Encouragement, maybe. Wishing you success for some definition of the word. Not...don't always phrase things well." Sighing, she followed Jill's gaze to the platform. "Mmh. Yes. ....funny to hear from someone who's magic. Tinker with that off and on. Part of a set of four...want to see what they do?"
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Mara glanced at Jessica, then at what Jessica was glancing at, and quickly swept the little device off the table and into her bag. Coughing lightly, she reached out for a menu of her own. "It...is probably time to order, isn't it? ....sorry. Suppose...I suppose waiters probably don't appreciate having their silverware turned into science experiments." She buried her face behind the menu, grimacing. great first impression - use the restaurant table as a workbench - well done
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Dragonfly just rolled her eyes, but she smiled a little. "Smart enough, obviously. And 'super smart' isn't always worth the cost." The elevator ride down was only a couple floors, accomplished in no time. She stepped out into a hallway, leading Jill past some empty rooms and offices. "But a good philosophy. I like it. Doesn't waste time. Makes sure you live on your own terms - very important." She opened a door into a reasonably-sized office - one whole wall was almost entirely window, with a pretty good view out into Hanover. A large, wheeled whiteboard sat against one wall, covered in scribbles and equations that seemed to make liberal use of symbols not found in most textbooks; every other available surface was covered in widgets, parts, and half-completed devices or diagrams. The desk, especially, was almost completely dominated by a large flat platform turned upside-down, the base plate missing and exposing a lot of machinery that...seemed to continue, impossibly, several feet right down into the desk itself. "My...office," Dragonfly noted rather unnecessarily. "Feels weird to say...mmh. Anyway. Not much special, but private, and comfortable. Nice view."
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"Aah. Poor assumption, then. Apologies. Surprised, though." The elevator dinged and the doors opened, Dragonfly stepping inside and waiting for Jill before pushing the button for floor 9. "Suspect not many people learn a whole language for their medical studies. Not unless they're forced to. Could be wrong...not sure what college requirements tend to be. Still. Shows dedication." There was a good amount of respect in her voice - medicine may not be an area she knew much of, but studying things to dedicate yourself to a craft...that she knew, and considered worthy of complement.
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Tarrant chuckled, shaking the offered hand. "Tarrant McLeod, professor, and friend of the bride. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. A shame about those technologies...I look forward to the day when it saves me a drive!" He took the opportunity - as Archeville dashed into the building - to make a more leisurely entrance himself, politely introducing himself to people he passed as he spent some time poking around the flora and architecture. There aren't enough old structures like you left in the world, you know, old girl. Too many buildings of steel and glass...which are fine, of course, and awfully sturdy and new-age...but there's just something about the old-school stone buildings. It's not quite the same, is it?
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Tarrant hmmed, giving Taylor a polite half-bow as she appeared from inside the building and taking the opportunity to take a look at the inside through the open doors, admiring both the construction and the absolutely beautiful decorating job. "Now that...." he observed with a smile, looking around with senses both visual and...not, "....this is how you decorate a building this elegant. Formal wear worthy of the structure and the occasion, ma'am." Whether that 'ma'am' was directed at the building or the decorator was anyone's guess.
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Dragonfly snorted in agreement. "Fathers. Mmh. A shame, though. It's a beautiful language." She hit the elevator button, frowning. "May be slightly biased there. Admit I don't speak either Spanish or Latin. Latin is...for the magic? Uneducated guess. Seems a common theme in magic-users I've met so far."
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Dragonfly frowned, shaking her head. "Hanover. North. Very large building, shaped like an egg....difficult to miss. Will not be able to let you near sensitive areas, though. No offense. 'Trust but verify,' I think? Have to take precautions." In her head, a fully-autonomous watcher drone was assembling itself, and she had to blink away the idea before it took over too much of her brain. save it for later - interesting idea - wait until you're home She blinked again as she caught up on other conversations. "Doctor of what?" she asked with just a hint of careful mistrust, looking in Doctor Titan's direction.
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She hesitated, and started digging through her scruffy cloth messenger bag to pull out little parts and scraps of metal to buy herself time. "....things," she finally replied, rapidly assembling some parts into a little dome on an inch-high stand. "I...dabble. Build whatever comes to mind, mostly. I don't know anything about magic, sort of mistrust the apparent lack of rules. But...." Mara glanced around to make sure no one was looking before picking up a fork and tapping it on the top of the dome. A quiet little arc of electricity formed between the two metals as she pulled the fork away, and she watched the lightning play across the fork's surface as she moved it around a few centimeters from the device. "....I have found that there are always other methods."
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Dragonfly scowled, tapping a finger on her leg. "Mmh. Something in the water but it's moving too fast. Can't fly, not a very good climber, not a very good swimmer...don't relish the idea of teleporting down into--" She paused, whipping her head around to look behind them like an animal that had picked up a very strange scent. "What is....?" Standing up and folding her motorcycle away into her dimensional pocket, the young woman picked her way back toward where she'd heard just the faintest echo of a response, trying to narrow in on it and pick at it with her mind. "What are you.....?"
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"If you're certain," Dragonfly replied, peering into her now-empty coffee cup to make sure it was truly dry. "Offer stands. Mostly only good at building things, but will lend a hand if it's ever wanted." She pushed herself back upright, stretching a bit. "French super-soldiers, you said? Do you speak it? French, I mean."
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She raised an eyebrow. "Probably a shock. Seems to get a reaction of...." Dragonfly paused, searching for an appropriate word. "....disturbance. From people who discover or develop powers. Have a hard time judging...always had mine. Actually weaker now than it was when I was young. Don't really have a baseline for...mmh. 'Normal'? Still. Will try to help if you need anything."
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"Mmh," Dragonfly eloquently replied, taking a long drink of coffee. "Efficient that way. Giving out numbers is often very awkward. Resisted the urge to rework your phone's software, however; voids the warranty. Also didn't 'snoop' for your number. Impolite, not my business." Apparently invading someone's phone to shove your number into their contact list was completely ordinary and unremarkable. "Mother," she added, remembering the question as she leaned against the window herself. "Family trait, apparently. My mother, her mother, her mother. Presents a bit differently each time - changing technology, probably. Useful. Very handy for my work."
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"Hm?" Dragonfly blinked from behind her coffee cup. "Ah. No. I mean, yes - but not really concentration. Mutation - inherited. Can talk to computers with my mind." sounds kind of flat said out loud - mmh - name it? - seems stupid "Eyes are...don't know. Unknown biological side-effect? Back near the retina....I think." She shrugged, and took another sip. "Parasites...yes. Or unwelcome guests. Or accidents with experiments that cause the development of new abilities. Or projects gone uncontrolled. Too many possibilities...seemed reasonable to have the option available."
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"Mmh. I believe so." Dragonfly tilted her head the other way, lights dancing behind her eyes as she asked it. "....yes. It is. Not sure if it's ever been used, though. Good for getting patients here in a hurry, getting them into a holding cell if the problem makes them dangerous. Last option isn't entirely containment - nullifiers. Hopefully won't ever have to use them, but can't predict the future." She blinked, raising an eyebrow as the lights faded away. "Don't....think they're hooked up to anything. Recent installment, maybe...have power but don't appear to be connected to anything but themselves. Odd. Will have to ask about that - someone's half-finished project?"
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She nodded, frowning. "Always trade-offs...could have built more equipment into the walls, but then it shuts down the floor when we replace or upgrade. Special or compressed storage slows things down when it malfunctions...." She shrugged. "Patients who don't need the machines could be kept in spare rooms. Or the holding cells...that last one sounds like something they wouldn't be happy with. Perfectly serviceable rooms, though. Just have to remember not to lock the doors." "Still," she added, tilting her head. "Glad it meets standards. Know the machines and how they function but lacked...context."
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The young inventor just hmmed, sipping from her coffee for a moment. "Good to build helpful things," she finally agreed. "Penance, or..." She blinked, and shook her head. "Sorry. Tangents. Maybe more impressive than it looks," she continued, rather modestly. "Will hopefully be able to help a lot of people, yes...eventually. Honestly just one piece of a larger machine, myself. 'Founder' or not. Have to divide my time...but the projects really should help. Quality of life, better equipment, new developments. Can't always punch a problem." She tilted her head, looking around at the machines. "You're the expert. Curious - what do you think? Honestly don't visit this floor much."
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Dragonfly paused, grimacing. "Not....I mean, I am, but...mmh. Odd to think about. Idea just sort of came together...someone suggested it, others agreed it was good, a few of us came forward to contribute resources and expertise." She shifted a little and frowned. "Not sure what to think about being a 'boss lady'. Admit I've thought of starting an independent company, though. Income, new projects. Mostly income. Personal reserve won't hold out forever." She shrugged. "Mostly good to help people. Build things that aren't...that are beneficial. This building just lets us be more...organized. Connected."
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She grumped. "Haven't had a bad accident since...mmh. Early December. That I know of. Simulation suite no longer purges with vacuum and attack drones when there's an error, anyway. Don't even know who designed that. Still need to find them. And smack them." The elevator dinged and the doors opened, letting them out into a clean white hallway full of broad windows and doors looking into rooms full of medical research and equipment that'd make the most high-quality private hospitals in the world weep. "Eleventh floor; medical research and facilities," she announced, a little pride in her voice. "One of the best in the city. Possibly not in the world...hard to compete with some specialists. Relatively small patient capacity limits us somewhat, but we have good people and equipment. No founders with significant medical skills that I know of, however. So sometimes an unfortunate lack of focus on these floors."
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Dragonfly shrugged, stepping into the elevator as the doors opened and pressing the button for the 11th floor once Jill had joined her. "I am. Robots and ray guns, I mean. Medical knowledge is...limited. Mostly abstract. But the Lab does everything - engineering, chemistry, medicine. Also...mmh." She tilted her head, frowning at the floor indicator, which had switched to trying to take them to floor 13. Lights danced behind her eyes and the system switched back to taking the pair to 11. "Also... occasional injury. Accident or mishap or...well, haven't had deliberate sabotage yet, but possibilities are there. Good to have quality facilities on hand. Can do some research, push the field, provide aid for on-site personnel or...not sure, but probably take a small load off nearby hospitals in an emergency. Grue attack or...." She shrugged. "Just useful to have. Devoted two floors to it."
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Dragonfly grimaced a little. "Try to mess with time as little as possible. Dangerous...highly suspect there are individuals and groups who watch that sort of thing very carefully anyway. But the theory is interesting, and there are some...careful applications. If I can't make the day longer I can do more than one thing at once in that day. Fun challenge." She led Jill back toward the elevator, hitting a button and watching the numbers tick down. "Could at least start with a tour. Don't get to show things off often...not very good at leading crowds." plus - last time almost died - don't mention that out loud "Implied you enjoyed biology or medicine at the N....earlier? Could show you the med floors."
