Mr. Pemberly, clearly lost in thought, snapped out of it, coming over to the front desk with one raised brow. "Your bird will be 248 aurui, Ms. Alcolett," he said, glancing at the birdcage. "Come back within 30 days of any further issues, and we'll be happy to work on it for you." The woman nodded and began to rustle through her purse.
Aspen went to her workbench, sitting down and organizing meticulously, putting things into their proper place.
Ms. Alcolett paid and left, looking down at her bird affectionately. Mr. Pemberly sighed before coming over to her workdesk, looking over her shoulder. "What are you doing?"
He nodded slowly before taking a seat next to her. "Aspen, it might be time to start on your Journeyman's Creation."
"Mmhm. All apprentices have to create a personal automaton to be put in front of a panel of judges to become a journeyman," he said, folding his arms. "You'd create it, and it would be judged."
"Oh, hardly," he said, raising an eyebrow. "Don't push your luck, Aspen." He stood up and headed to his back room. "Get brainstorming."
A bell chimed, and there came a small explosion behind the Door. The Door, as she had been firmly instructed on her first day, was one she would never be allowed to pass. It was strictly private quarters, Mr. Pemberly told her, and she should feel free to punish anyone who tries to cross to the room beyond.
