>>6354752“‘<span class="mu-i">Airship Store?!</span>’” Your question might’ve been the funniest thing the old Mox has ever heard with how he reacts! The ship’s corridors echo his boisterous belly laughter minutes after he stops, and when Joji finally addresses you again his voice barely rises over a weak wheeze!
“No, lad… Shuuri is… Shuuri’s the first of her line, y’know!” He triumphantly explains! “Sure, she’s not the first to fly Zoral’s skies, but what if you can’t levitate? What if you’re allergic to magic? What if you want to cruise in <span class="mu-s">STYLE!?</span>
What if you don’t have wings, you ask, trying not to smirk at Rezzie? Another laugh bursts free of the tinker’s mouth!
“WINGS, he says! HA! I like you, Antot!”
… It’s <span class="mu-i">Anton</span>-
“I know what you’re thinking: ‘But Mister Joji, sir–magic’s-’ Well you’re <span class="mu-s">WRONG!</span>” He snarls, the sudden change of mood startling all three of you! “Folk rely far too much on magic these days! Hardly even pick up a tool anymore! I don’t like it–too snobby! Too dangerous! We Mox got machinery in our blood, y’see–we sailed the seas, plumbed its depths, hells, we’d all be speakin’ Chytrese right now if it weren’t fer’ Mox Engineering!”
The Anti-Magic Bombs, right? Joji grunts in assent.
“Mhm, mhm… not partial ta’ violence myself, but I’m no fool–Tinkers build answers to problems! Questions! Conundrums! And wars, well…” He sighs. “Wars were far too common of a problem back in the day… still are.”
“But Shuuri here…” TT interjects with a reassuring smile, “She’s… she’s not a weapon, right? She’s made to help people!” You didn’t know how Joji might react to that statement, but you certainly didn’t expect him to pick the Durher up and spin her around like a long-long daughter!
“THAT’S! EXACTLY! <span class="mu-s">IT!</span>” He laughs as the poor girl struggles not to lose her lunch! “Shuuri, she’s… she’s a testament to common ingenuity! A symbol of a brighter, better future!” Dropping TT like a sack of beets, the pilot begins to pace back and forth down the hall!
“Powerful, reliable steam engines! Triple-welded bulkheads coupled with anti-weathering enamel! Minimal detriment to the air and landscape! A smooth, sultry ride that gets people where they wanna go at a reasonable pace! Ample crew quarters and amenities! State-of-the-Art Navigation systems-”
You and TT share a look while the Mox continues to ramble. You don’t even need to say a word to know what she’s thinking–if you could rope Joji into your little adventure…
“-gotta wiggle the handle a bit, but it’s not too fatal anymore!” Stopping to take a deep breath, the tinkerer turns his goggle-clad eyes your way! “Ooh, I <span class="mu-i">LOVE</span> talking about my Starcutter! That’s the proper name fer’ it, y’know–doesn’t it ring like a bell? Just you wait, lad–Shuuri’s children will blot out the sky one day!”
>CONTD. 