<Gods_Mechanic>	Today, the Overseer had you do something very strange. The ugly old man, with his unclean fingers that were quick to grab any 'misbehaving' workers, and his dripping nose, from which mucus constantly seemed to spill, lined the entire bunkhouse in a row. The low light from the gas lanterns illuminating the sooty hallway.

Purio stands noncommitally in line, his heavily bandaged right arm tucked close to him. His right eye is also covered in the same way, though his left stares ahead with an empty, pit-like gaze.

<Gods_Mechanic> The Overseer, who's name you never heard, nor care to heard, stalked through the rows. Lately, he had taken to carrying a switch, and he swished it behind his back, as if daring one of the Polyps to step out of line.
	"Listen up, ya cancerous knobs. I have, an important visitor, so I expect no complications today. If any a' you runts ruin this enterprise...I'll punish the lot a ya." The Overseer was not a very inventive individual, so that threat predictably he just wouldn't feed them.

Purio's gaze turns to follow him without him moving his head. It's the first time there's been a visitor of any kind to this hellhole as far as he can remember-- after all, why would anyone visit? He ponders this silently as he waits to see if the Overseer will go on.

<Gods_Mechanic> As he wheezed out the normal amount of threats, a door opened somewhere. The old entrance, hardly been well-used, shrieked as it was forced open. The light was harsh, and several of the young, misshapen children averted their weak eyes.

Purio remains completely still, though somehow without visibly changing his expression, he exudes displeasure at the presence of this invasive illumination.

<Gods_Mechanic> Three figures strolled in, masked in the burning glow. One stood straight and tall, a smaller, more squashed silhouette by its side. Behind them, what could only be a mountain followed, a dark shadow that towered above everything.
	The doors closed, with a snap on rusty spring hinges, returning the dank, safe gloom to the hall.

Purio swallows hard as he looks up the enormous one, and a single bead of sweat rolls from his temple. His gaze is nervous now.

<Gods_Mechanic> The figure in front, clothed in fine dress, observed the ragtag line. A look crossed his face, an unrecognizable emotion. The bolder of a shadow was a Monster of a man, reaching high above the six foot doors. He was bald, and wearing a double-breasted suit that looked like it was tailored for a bull. His great sledge like arms pushed a cart, strange appartus abound, like the ones the strange men who call themselves Doctors use, the Overseer occasionally let them down to poke and prod.
	The third figure was an old man, his features....strange. His skin was a leather-ed tanned, like yellowed work boots. He wire white, and an apron that was surely splotched with blood.

Purio observes them quietly with a curious eye, trying to look as uninteresting as possible while willing his right knee to stop shaking. It won't, though.

<Gods_Mechanic> The dandy in front swiveled his head, his eyes piercing.
	"Will all those that can speak the English tongue. Step foward."
	He voice was commanding, steely.

Purio hesitates, but then takes a step.

<Gods_Mechanic> A few others in the line stepped forward as well. The trio turned, wheeling the cart. They paused, at each child in line. Purio could not see what they were doing.

Purio contemplates taking a step back so as not to have them stop at him, but figures that will just draw more attention to him. He remains still.

<Gods_Mechanic> They wheeled closer, the squeaking of the cart, the muttering of the men. Occasionally, there was a yip of pain, or a tert reply from a fellow laborer.
	They grew close now, he could see the Giant's great head.

Purio curses very quietly. Too late to try backing up now.

<Gods_Mechanic> Their talk was intelligible now
	"This one?"
	"Too feral...but."
	There was a hiss of pneumatics, and a girl they called Sark whimpered.
	"Hmm...eight parts, but only a thirty six constructive match...."
	"Shame..." The cart wheeled, the speech repeated. Finally, the three men stood in front of Purio.
	"Look at that, self-deprecation." This from the strong, commanding gentleman.

Purio is miniscule before the lot of them, not even half a foot higher than five. He looks up at them and swallows again, his one visible eye a crystal blue.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Matters little, if this one does not possess quality."
	This from the strange, twisted man, who looked so very different.
	"Boy, extend your arm." the little twisted man steped forward, holding a very large needle attached to some strange contraption, with tubes leading to and from the cart.

Purio offers his left, nervously.

<Gods_Mechanic> The man plunged the needle in, a quick stabbing pain. The machine drew the dirtied, muddy blood from Purio's veins. The cart made greedy suckling sounds

Purio looks down at the needle with visible distress, but doesn't fight or even move. He opens his mouth as if to ask what they're doing, then closes it again.

<Gods_Mechanic> He inspected the blood, which had been gathered in a round tube. "Fifteen parts, nearly fifty constructive match...." the twisted man grinned...it was not a kind grin. "Interesting, this one should not even be able to stand human contact, let alone work.
	"We may have a match, those statistics show a common trend in the strains we need. We still need an ichor sample."
	Commented the commanding man
	"Boy, the other arm." Commanded the abominable little twisted man

Purio exhales, not certain he likes the twisted man inspecting his personality in that way. His momentary annoyance is overcome by the concept of "ichor." Whatever that is, he guesses its extraction won't be pleasant. He grits his teeth, averting his eyes. Grudgingly he extends it, but not as immediately as the other.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Wait, Minghxo." The commanding men held a hand out to stay the shorter one, who had somehow extended the needle of the extractor, making it look quite frightening.
	"Can you speak?"

<Purio> "Yes." His voice is very unamused-sounding, almost sarcastic.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Why do you bandage yourself?"
	His voice was firm, gentle. He did not demand the answer, but it was made clear he expected one.

Purio makes a slightly displeased sound, "To... look normal."

<Gods_Mechanic> The answer made the man's eyebrows raised, his steel eyes gazing through Purio.
	"And why would you want that?"

Purio makes eye contact at that question, looking troubled.
<Purio> "I guess I don't know." He returns his gaze to its previous nervously averted position.

<Gods_Mechanic> The twisted little man stared in surprise, the gentleman just grinned. The giant, still positioned at the cart, merely observed, neutral and motionless.
	"Another one, Like Cici." Spoke the gentleman
	"Do...do we dare try and repeat?"

Purio raises his one visible eyebrow so that it's not immediately obvious whether he's quizzical or surprised.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Professor, if Lazarus Contingency must be implemented, then we shall go full-course, and open the fuel vents to burn the engine white hot."
	"Risky, we could lose the Mold, and of course, the factors of another one." the twisted man mumbled to himself, before, with quick and devious speed, jabbed the needle into Purio's extended arm.
	It went deep, it burned like a red hot solder. Surely the lengthy needle must have perforated his arm. The sucking sound, and the uniquely horrible feeling of loss, like bugs eating away at Purio's flesh.
	Black tar filled the collection jar. The cart whirred in some perverse mechanical joy at the act

Purio's eye goes wide, and he involuntarily squirms, teeth grit. "Yeah, that wasn't painful or anything." He whispers, despite himself.

<Gods_Mechanic> The giant behind them tilted his head, and the other two stared in wonder. The smaller man examined the black, stained jar, while the tall commanding one bent down, staring Purio dead in the eye.
	This close, the impossibly pressured stare made Purio quite sure the mustached gentleman was quite insane.
	"Was that backtalk, from a Polyp?

Purio blinks, staring back for a moment before his eye drifts to the left. "No." His voice is deadpan again, as if he doesn't care if he is believed or not.

<Gods_Mechanic> The man chuckled. "Oh, yes, we have found quality, Professor. I bet you have a name, don't you, you named yourself, didn't you?" Purio notices the man's gloved hands constantly squeezing open and shut
	One two, squeeze, one two, open. Like clockwork.

Purio is trying not to step backward, but his knee is shaking again. He swallows, then looks him in the eye again with determination, "Purio."

<Gods_Mechanic> "As he stares me in the eye. Beautiful." the man straightened, and looked over his shoulder. The smaller man, who he had called Professor, had begun to boil Purio's stolen fluids.
	"Professor, I do not care if this specimen is twelve degrees of separation from the strain. He's nearly perfect in all regards for our purpose."

Purio just looks completely confused, honestly he expected to be struck.

<Gods_Mechanic> "There is no protest from me. He is three degrees of separation. In all regards...he will suffice." The man tittered, his strange accent grating.
	"Excellent, very well then. Purio, yes. Clever. Clever indeed." The man spoke. "I am Cyrus Weissman, and you have been selected for a very important task."

Purio looks between the two of them, wondering if either will explain what that means.
<Purio> "Task... sir?" He inquires simply, not trying his luck in disrespecting him at the prospect of being allowed out of this place.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Oh yes, you are a perfect candidate, for the great honor of *waiting*. But, let us not discuss such matters in this..." The man's eyes wandered "Detestable, and very nearly hellish habitat."

Purio smiles for the first time since they walked up. His smile is not innocent or kind, but it does successfully describe that he agrees with Weissman's appraisal of the place.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Percival, please escort Pur-" The man laughed. "Purio, I cannot very well believe it....ahem, yes. Please escort Purio outside to the carriage."
	"I must discuss business with Mr. Talibet." The Overseer had approached at this. Weissman had just gifted you the name of your life's Tyrant.
	The giant nodded. "Yezz, Maaster Weissman. Masterr Purio." The giant said, enunciating each word, lengthening them.
	"Please, allow me to ezzcort you." the giant moved, his feet like cinderblocks, beckoning with one great arm.

Purio's eye turns to look at his previous tormentor, his smile becoming more pronounced-- and more malicious. It's not quite at 'taunting' level, still rather subtle. He turns his attention to the giant, and scurries along beside him like a mouse beside a bear. His body language suggests that he fears being crushed, but he obeys.

<Gods_Mechanic> Percival shepherds Purio along, opening the old cranky entrance with surprising finesse for him.

Purio steps out into the light blindly, pulling loose bandages to offer his eye some shade and trying not to bump into anything.

<Gods_Mechanic> The light blinds Purio, and the doors snap shut, making a loud *CLANG*. The now free Polyp could swear he heard two bangs from the doors, but that was probably just the doors settling wrong.
	Percival's firm hands guide Purio along a rocky and worn down street, to a waiting motor car.

Purio is still squinting, though his eyes have begun to adjust. His eye wanders unvoluntarily as it always does in the formerly brief moments of being outside, taking in the scenery he's unaccustomed to.

<Gods_Mechanic> The street is not the most impressive sight, with littered side walks and ugly store fronts, but at least it provides sweet clean air.
	The doors to the motorcade open, and Purio is helped inside. The giant sits him on one end, before settling his massive frame at the other. His small, black eyes...are always observing. They don't seem to look, or feel for anything, simply noting it's presence.

Purio's bluish eye is currently curious of everything, it and his still-present slightly unsettling grin implying a smug joy at the situation.

<Gods_Mechanic> Moments pass, and soon they turn to minutes. The motor rumbles, the giant remains motionless.

<Purio> "... We are waiting." Purio declares in a dry tone, trying to fold his hands on his lap before remembering he doesn't have two. Instead he glares at his bandages.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Yez."
	Percival tonelessly uttered.

<Purio> roves his eye about the cab, taking it in without so much as tilting his head.

<Gods_Mechanic> The cab is incredibly well designed, but there is a hint of the pragmatic touch. The seats are cushioned, but metal and study. The windows are slotted....for what purpose Purio cannot see. There is design, but there is mostly function.

Purio's stomach growls suddenly in the silence, and he looks away nonchalantly.

<Gods_Mechanic> The door to the carriage opened, and Cyrus climbed aboard. He boredly wiped a gloved hand, as if to sweep away dust or soot...it looked immaculate from where Purio was."Back to Quarters." he called, stepping aboard as the motor car started to roll.
	He took a seat a few away from Percival, and retrieved a pipe and snuff from some unseen compartment.

Purio is extremely far from immaculate and now equally aware of it.

<Gods_Mechanic> "I don't expect you to understand, Purio. Nor do I want you to."
	"Simply that, from now on, you have been given freedoms and privileges beyond anything you've dreamed."
	He puffed on the pipe, smoke being sucked away by the open window.

<Purio> "I'm not quite dumb enough to question that." He says, quietly and for once without a hint of sarcasm.

<Gods_Mechanic> "And if all goes according to such the plan I have laid out, you never will have to."
	"Time will pass, and you shan't have a care in the world, besides a few duties which are of extreme importance. Yet to you, will hopefully just be, busywork."

Purio is silent. He doesn't really need to voice his obvious acceptance of this plan, anyway.

<Gods_Mechanic> "If things do not go well, as often is with the best laid plans, then unfortunately, you will be called into duty."
	"You are familiar with hardship, and such a duty would be hardship.

<Purio> "Yes." He says, stratching the back of his head, "Whatever it is, I'm... grateful." The word sounds strange on his tongue, and it's obvious it's not something he's ever said before with honesty.

<Gods_Mechanic> "And manners? My, your education is certainly expanded for a Polyp. Yes, Purio. You will be very happy here, because I feel it is my duty to equate the pain I may cause, with content and happy living."
	"And already, there is much to be repaid for you."

<Purio> "What am I to do?" He asks with a tone that suggests he doesn't understand, or at least believe he is meant for, a scope of work beyond that which he has done in terms of employment.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Prepare your body, and mind, to combat the unthinkable. But, in the meantime...finger sandwich? Tea?" Like magic, Percival had produced a silver platter, perfectly aligned kettle, plate, and food.

Purio looks hungrily down at the presented food. While trying not to show that he has absolutely no concept of etiquette, his appetite is apparent in how readily he devours it. He seems dubious of the tea.

<Gods_Mechanic> Percival poured and passed a small saucer to Cyrus, who inspected it closely, grimaced, and promptly tossed the whole thing out the window.
	This process looped over three times, before finally Cyrus accepted the cup and took a sip.

Purio takes a cup of tea in both hands, and sips it. He stares inscrutably for a fleeting moment, then quickly drains the rest of the cup greedily.

<Gods_Mechanic> The ride went on for what felt like hours, hardly any words being spoken between the two. Tlight outside the window faded to a dull orange. Finally, they pulled to a stop, the engine hissing steam.

<Purio> seems sated after his magic trick of making the tray of food noticeably lighter and consuming more tea, and perhaps bold enough to ask questions. "Where are we?" His voice is unassuming and flat.

<Gods_Mechanic> "A private estate, where you shall remain until you are called upon." Cyrus said, pulling open the door. It opened to a large garage, electric lights humming noisily. Rows upon rows of motorized wagons and trollies filled the large, bleak, floor. Some of them were armored, and looked quite deadly.

Purio hops out, his foot bouncing as he looks about. Perhaps he's excited, or perhaps just caffeinated.

<Gods_Mechanic> The massive Percival followed. "I shaall take you to meeet Miz Karin." he spoke...as suddenly the carriage they came in descended into the floor on a grinding platform.
	Cyrus did not get out.

Purio nods, observing the odd surroundings as he allows the butler to lead the way.

<Gods_Mechanic> The massive butler beckoned for Purio to follow his coatailed back, as he led the Polyp through a strange twisting maze of corridors and stairs.

Purio follows nimbly, his eye alert as he scans the left side of everything they pass. Definitely caffeinated at this point, the tea was probably a bit much in comparison to what Polyps regularly receive-- especially given his scrawny size.

<Gods_Mechanic> Soon, Percival was dropped in a very cozy looking room. There was a fireplace, large shelves filled with books and strange looking items, and actual furniture.
	"Eef you require anything, uze the Morse box." Percival pointed to the speaker in the corner.
	"In time, Miss Kaarin will arrive." the butler turned a normal looking wall, which opened into a secret door...that was hardly five feet high.

Purio looks a bit like an oversized dust mote in this particular surrounding. "Ah... okay. I wait here, then." He turns his attention to the bizarre items, trying to find anything he recognizes among them.

<Gods_Mechanic> "No...thiz is your room. For the time being."

Purio looks extremely perplexed, and takes it in in more detail.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Door to Dormitory and lavatory." Percival said, noticing his confusion and pointing out a mahogany door at the end.
	WIth that, he stepped into the tiny Servant's passage and disappeared without a trace. He slowly turns his gaze up to the ceiling. "I feel... very small."

Purio picks a book at random from the shelf and allows it to fall open in his hand, midway through. He holds it up, quite upside-down, and looks confused at it.

<Gods_Mechanic> Someone knocked on one of the three wooden and brass doors. "Hello, may I come in?" A soft, svelte voice crackled over the Morse box.

Purio hurridly attempts to close the book and place it back with one hand, and clumsily drops it. It doesn't immediately occur to him to respond, but after contemplating the fact that he's alone in the room he calls back, "Yes, sorry." while retrieving the book.

<Gods_Mechanic> The door opened, silently. A woman walked in, swaddled in floral and red silken cloth. her skin was an exotic brown, her features light and pretty. She smiled warmly, holding close a clipboard and a strange looking mechanism, from which spools of paper trailed behind her like tails.
	"Purio, yes? Hello little one. You may call me, Miss Karin, or simply Karin, if you would prefer that."
	"I know that titles can sometimes make one such as yourself rather agitated."

Purio nods, "I'll call you Miss Karin." His tone belies that her pointing out of 'one such as yourself' is probably the reason for his decision.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Very well." She nodded. "In any case, welcome to a new home."

<Purio> "It's... big." He holds his arms wide, trailing bandages from his right in a gesture of his impression of its size.

<Gods_Mechanic> "There are two other rooms adjoining this one. The size may take some getting used to."

<Purio> "I think I'll endure it." He grins.

<Gods_Mechanic> "If you require anything, do not hesitate to ask me, and I will acquire it for you post haste." She gave another bright smile to the young man, tapping out some unseen note on the machine. The paper spool whirred, and her tails grew an inch longer.

Purio looks down uncertainly, tucking his arm back in where it was, "I think knowing what I'm expected to do would be the only thing."

<Gods_Mechanic> "Mhhh, Cyrus has prohibited me from telling you much...That will come in time. For now he has only said you must "Grow and prosper."
	"He can be so unfortunately vague at times."

Purio scratches the side of his head, lost once again. "There are books in here." He points back at them.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Yes, those are yours as well. It is alright if you cannot read them, I will teach you."

Purio smiles, "Really? Uh..." He seems to be racking his brain for other things to ask if he's allowed to do, likely not completely grasping the concept of being free. He doesn't seem to come to any conclusion, so he simply looks vaguely eager in place.

<Gods_Mechanic> "It is a wonderful feeling, no?"
	"Overwhelming."

<Purio> "Yyyyes." He says, contemplatively. "But what do I do?"

<Gods_Mechanic> "Whatever pleases you. Within reason of course."
	"You could start with cleaning off the grime." She suggested.

Purio looks down at himself. He's got a thin coat of dry muck-armor that appears to have made itself one with his skin. He looks back up at her. "With water?"

<Gods_Mechanic> "And soap, if you are up to it."

<Purio> "Hm. Just like cleaning gears. All right, I'll try it." He stands straighter as if this is a noble cause he has undergone.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Would you like assistance, or perhaps...some privacy?"

Purio gazes down at his right arm, hesitating. "Honestly, privacy. If I can't work it out... well, I'll figure it out."

<Gods_Mechanic> "I am only a button away, would you like fresh bandages waiting? Or perhaps something more, inconspicious?

<Purio> "Inconspicuous?" He says in a way that could either mean that's a word that's beyond his grasp, or that he doesn't know what would be more inconspicuous. Possibly both.

<Gods_Mechanic> "Clothes, slings. Any thing of that nature." The woman replied, matter of factly.

<Purio> "I hate this clothing." He says seriously, looking down at the outfit he came here in, "So if it's fine, bandages and clothes-- whatever is normal I guess." He contemplates, but mostly appears to be trying not to ask for too much, "A sling would actually help, too."

<Gods_Mechanic> "Then I will have a new set of clothing and bandages waiting for you." She nodded, and turned to leave.

Purio waits for her to exit, then explores his new habitat until he finds the bath. Knowing at least basically how it's supposed to work he manages to douse himself with freezing water, then scalding water before figuring out that you can turn both on at once.
He exits once he thinks he's figured out what "clean" is supposed to look like, drying off before locating the promised clothing and bandages. Applying the bandages, he examines the clothing to tell if it's anything he could work out how one is supposed to wear.

<Gods_Mechanic> they were...well they were honestly the best clothes Purio had probably ever laid his hands upon. Although plain, soft colors, they were of astounding quality.

Purio dresses, wondering vaguely if this is really what other people wear all the time. Finally, he throws on the sling and exits. Now he looks more like a normal child who had an unfortunate run-in with some hateful bricks rather than a filthy Polyp hiding beneath some bandages.

<Gods_Mechanic> Fed, cleaned, and finally proper attired, Purio has apparently been left alone in the great big room.