Wheels Are A-Turnin' [Kari]

[Blue]

It was very rare for Courante to have a day off. He almost didn't know what to do with himself. Finally, he decided to take a walk around Corvistowne, instead of sitting at home twiddling his thumbs.

Once he got into the heart of the town, he just meandered about, not really caring about where he was headed. His tail twitched of its own accord, as if it had a mind of its own. Anyone not of the Realm who saw his tail made sure to give him a wide berth, fearing it would suddenly grab them. And if that didn't scare people, his third eye certainly did. He'd gotten quite used to it since it found its home in his forehead. But his new heightened sense of sight was still something he needed to get familiar with.

Just then, his third eye turned in his head to look at something behind him. Focusing on someone black and yellow just like himself, he turned his head so all three eyes could see the Corvie.

This Corvie was a squirrel...with wings. But not feathered wings. No, these were more like a butterfly's wings. As Courante walked closer to the Corvie, he noticed it was outside a shop specializing in mechanical parts. This peaked his interest incredibly, being a mechanical Corvie himself. Soon he stood right next to the odd mix, and he pretended to look for something before he made himself known.

"Hello there. What is it you are looking for? Perhaps I could help you make the right purchase. I happen to be quite learned in mechanics myself." he said, as his mechanical arm of a tail flexed its fingers.

[Kari Muffin]

Parsley wanted to press his nose against the glass as he stared at all the things in the shop window. There was so much for his projects that he needed, and yet couldn't quite afford. Car parts were terribly expensive.

One day things would change if he had anything to say about it. The young man sighed as he eyed one of the smaller tools in the window. That looked like something that he could use to make those bloody music boxes though.

The squirrel blinked at the sudden voice. Both of his eyebrows sailed upwards in confusion. What did this person think he was some sort of kid who didn't know anything about mechanics? He tore his eyes away from the window with small frown.

Oh well then. That was interesting. He hadn't expected that. "Ah, I don't need help.I shop here pretty often, but... I haven't seen someone like you around here before."

[Blue]

Courante took a step back from the squirrel, since he seemed a bit peeved with his presence. He had barged in rather rudely, now that he thought about it. Eh, it was too late to turn back now. Might as well make the best of the situation.

"My apologies." he said with a slight bow of his head. "I should not have intruded on your personal business like that. I suppose I was just intrigued to find someone else that has a mechanical interest. It's not often I leave my lab to wander about town. The name's Courante, by the way."

He turned to look back into the window of the shop. There were a few little gadgets and parts inside that he'd never tinkered with before, and it slightly warmed his hardened old soul. He began to wonder what the fellow next to him was interested in, and he soon found himself vocalizing this thought.

"So, what is it you specialize in? Or do you like to dabble in a little bit of everything?"

[Kari Muffin]

Everyone in Corvistowne was a shut in. It didn't matter how old they were, they always locked themselves in the lab. He shouldn't have been surprised by being approached by a random stranger. It happened pretty often now-a-days. On the bright side the other Corvie didn't seem to be offended that he wasn't some pretty girl.

"It's fine," he said waving a paw. "Nice to meet you Courante. My name is Parsley."

He leaned back to sit on his hind legs, a smile on his face. At least this was an interesting. "I specialize in automotive mechanics. However, I make music boxes to pay the bills. Unfortunately my idea is terribly expensive, and most people don't think my specialization is practical. How about you?" He tilted his head curiously. "Do you specialize in artificial limbs or was that a special addition?"

It was rather skillfully made.

[Blue]

Ah, Parsley. He seemed like a fine lad so far. And he was into mechanics as well! What a happy coincidence. Nothing made Courante happier than tinkering with various machine parts, and now he'd found someone with a similar interest.

Music boxes, mmm? Very small, intricate little pieces of machinery. He rather admired the boy for picking up the hobby. To put so much effort into a project that could be called 'tedious' was quite admirable, since he himself liked to work on a larger scale.

"Likewise to you, Parsley. I must say, I am rather impressed that you are able to produce music boxes. I find them rather complex, but I'm sure a young man like yourself has a better knack for it than me. Speaking of which, you've hit the head on the nail!" He really couldn't believe that the squirrel had guessed so accurately, but his mechanical arm of a tail was quite the giveaway. Chuckling to himself, he continued on.

"I do enjoy making mechanical limbs, and when I was starting out, who better to experiment on than myself? My original tail was rather useless, and my extra arm is quite helpful, especially these days. Although, business has been rather slow."

He hadn't made much as of late, but he hoped business would pick up soon. He could only hope that there was someone out there who could use his services. But maybe...

Hmm, was that too crazy of an idea? Heh, nothing was too crazy as far as Corvies were concerned! Courante decided to take a chance on the boy.

"Say, how would you feel about partnering up and opening a shop together? I know we've only met, but the idea literally just came to me, so I thought I'd see if you were interested."

He certainly wouldn't be offended if the reply was 'no'. It was a random thought, after all.

[Kari Muffin]

Oh, so he had made it. Well that was lovely. And that could have been terribly useful. Though Parsley would be the first to admit that he actually enjoyed having a big fluffy tail. He couldn't imagine any of his body replaced with metal. When it came to experimenting on himself it was a no. Perhaps it was because of his father's story?

The squirrel blinked at the sudden question that was purposed to him. What exactly was he going to do with a question like that? He had just met this man seconds ago and he was suddenly proposing working together.

This was more something for his loud sister to deal with.

But he couldn't just stare blankly.

"Maybe we should get to know each other first. I mean... just so we know who we're dealing with. I don't know if your shop and my shop could work together, even if we deal in mechanics. Music boxes pay the bills for me, and you have your limbs which is your actually concentration I imagine. My real specialize is automobiles. Though I imagine cars have a better connection to artificial limbs than tiny intricate trinkets...." His ears pulled back.

"Would you like to accompany me inside so we can talk some more?"

[Blue]

Upon hearing Parsley's response, his mechanical tail betrayed his thoughts as it twitched and drooped slightly. He shouldn't have had his hopes up, since what the Corvie in front him said was true. They had only just met, and how could he expect the boy to trust him so easily? He really needed to work on his people skills.

Courante stepped back and bowed his head slightly. "Forgive me, I was too forward. You're quite right, we should get to know each other better first before jumping into anything. Shall we head inside?"

Being a gentleman, he allowed the other Corvie to enter the store first before he went in himself. He got a small jolt of pleasure when his eyes gazed upon all the gears, bolts and other parts lining the shelves. Regaining his composure, he walked to stand beside Parsley.

"Since I've been talking your ear off, would you like to tell me more about yourself? Maybe we can do this while you look for what you need."

[Kari Muffin]

The squirrel bowed his head in thanks as the chipmunk allowed him into the store first. A smile creeping onto his face as he caught sight of all the wonderful parts and materials that he could buy. But he had to show some restraint. Working with automobiles was a terribly expensive and the parts were normally through the roof even if they weren't new. Of course he could manage to tailor his own, but the good materials he needed were normally out of his price range.

His ears twitched at the other Corive's statement.

Oh right. Talking about himself.

He walked over to the part of the store with the parts he needed. "Well, There's not much to know about me I suppose. I actually moved from Tulgey Wood to my father's old house here in Corvistowne. My full name is Parsley Caulfield, though I rarely use my surname since not many people remember what my great...great grandfather did. Beyond that I've made it my business to try to make an advancement with automobiles."

He picked up one of the parts and examined it closely. It actually looked decent for the price that they wanted.... maybe today was his lucky day?

[Blue]

As the squirrel walked and talked around the store, the chipmunk followed and listened. So the boy was from Tulgey Wood, eh? What a strange place to come from. One of his parents must be from the region then, if he'd originally lived there.

When Parsley mentioned his surname, Courante racked his brain to see if he recognized it at all. Caulfield...Caulfield...nope, it wasn't ringing any bells. Ah, well, maybe he could ask more about his great great grandfather if he really felt like it.

Automobiles. Yes, he'd mentioned this earlier, before that vein of conversation became awkward, thanks to Courante himself. However, it seemed that Parsley found a part he needed, the way he was looking at it. It didn't look like anything he used in his line of mechanics, so it must be a car part the squirrel was inspecting.

Interested in finding out what it was, he inquired about it. "So, may I ask what it is you're holding? Doesn't look like anything I've ever used before."

[Kari Muffin]

"Spark plug," he replied as he glanced at the other parts on the shelves. It was the only one. And there were only a few other parts he could use. "I need to get a battery too." He commented as he started to walk in the direction.

And then he remembered his manners. Dad had mentioned something about being interested in what other people do and where they come from. "So what about you? I don't know anything about you besides your... specialty. Which is blatantly obvious."

The squirrel looked up and down the shelves. Sometimes he cursed the world for being so small compared to a lot of other Cards who ran around. Doors were just a little too high, things were just a little too awkward. Right now the battery he was debating over was freakishly high up on the top of the shelves.

Bastards. His nose wrinkled as he started to search through a few of the lower grade batteries. At least they had more of a selection of these.