Kitty and the Sea

config.header.left: "" config.header.right: "" -- [align center] # {story.name} a steam-powered dream 2019 [continue] > [[Edition notice]] > [[First page->Feline Industries Waterfront]]

_{story.name}_: a steam-powered dream Dreamed up in 2019 by [[Felix Pleșoianu->https://felix.plesoianu.ro/]]. Made with [[Tweego->https://www.motoslave.net/tweego/]] and [[Chapbook->https://klembot.github.io/chapbook/]]. _{story.name}_ is free and open source under the [[Artistic License 2.0->https://opensource.org/licenses/Artistic-2.0]]. [[Never stop dreaming!->Title page]]

config.header.left: "**{passage.name}**" config.header.right: "{back link}" -- A waterfront road passes between the shore of the Glimmersea and a row of old industrial buildings. In front of an imposing warehouse with arched windows that burrow into red brick walls, a {reveal link: 'T-shaped jetty', text: 'T-shaped jetty leading up [[to a looming lighthouse->Jetty at Feline Industries]]'} extends into the sea, wave after wave breaking noisily against it. Shrieking seagulls circle overhead, gliding on the breeze. The warehouse's bay doors have a smaller, humanoid-sized door cut into them, which in turn has a cat door at the bottom. Above, on the wall, a banner proclaims: "[[Feline Industries Recycling Center]]". Far to the north, beyond a barren expanse, pale light reveals a small town. The sign pointing that way says: "To Centaur Square". {reveal link: 'It looks like a short trip.', text: 'Trying to follow its directions however makes the town appear more distant with every step. Only a solitary line of paw prints marks the way.'}

_noise: random.d6 -- Pale sunlight filters in through ample windows, making the red brick walls seem even older than they are. Two rows of steel columns lead towards {reveal link: 'the counter', text: 'the counter (which supports a gloriously intricate calculating machine)'} sitting in front of a {reveal link: 'false wall', text: 'false wall that conceals [[another doorway->Recycling Center Backyard]],'} covered in shelves. The sounds of the sea echo weakly through ample [[entrance doors->Feline Industries Waterfront]]. Chains dangle from a bridge crane overhead, ready to pick up and move the {reveal link: 'sorting bins', text: 'sorting bins full of discarded machine parts'} waiting their turn to be processed. Somewhere off to the side, a cast iron staircase spirals upwards [[into the rafters->Feline bedroom]]. [if _noise === 1] You hear the cat door, but when you look that way nothing stirs. [if _noise === 2] Shiny eyes look at you from the dark. You blink and they're gone. [if _noise === 3] A feline shadow passes in front of a window, ghostly silent. [if _noise === 4] A long-tailed shadow darts through a patch of light on little scurrying feet. [if _noise === 5] The dangling chains clatter against each other.

A rectangular patch of deep blue sky hangs above walls of solid red brick. Now and then the occasional cloud rolls in, softening the sunlight. Old machinery piles up in the corners, mostly against the walls of [[the building->Feline Industries Recycling Center]], which stares back with multi-faceted windows. Crushed stone on the ground creaks underfoot. A small table sits in a corner, surrounded by comfy chairs and topped by an umbrella in the colors of summer. Off to a side, clothes that might fit a large housecat are hanged out to dry, not far from a worn-out couch under an awning, and there's a swing affixed to the lone tree in the middle of it all. [if 3 <= now.month && now.month <= 5] It's spring. The tree is a magnificent bouquet of flowers, casting its fresh shadow over the courtyard while bees hum among the branches. [if 6 <= now.month && now.month <= 8] It's summer. The tree's lush foliage casts its shimmering shadow over much of the backyard, making for a nice private shelter from the sun. [if 9 <= now.month && now.month <= 11] It's autumn. The tree is shedding its crown of fire, littering the yard with flakes of red gold. [if now.month < 3 || now.month > 11] It's winter. The tree is a dark skeleton half buried in snow, snapping wooden fingers at nobody in particular with each gust of wind.

[align center] <svg width="25ex" height="25ex" viewBox="0 0 10 10"> <rect x="0" y="0" width="10" height="10" fill="firebrick"/> <g stroke="maroon" stroke-width="0.5"> <circle cx="3" cy="3" r="1.5" fill="deepskyblue"/> <line x1="3" y1="1.5" x2="3" y2="4.5"/> <line x1="1.5" y1="3" x2="4.5" y2="3"/> </g> <polygon points="10,10 10,3 3,10" fill="maroon"/> </svg> [continue] High in the rafters of the warehouse hides a small room lit by a round window in the background. The furniture consists mainly of a coat rack and metallic shelves, as well as a large cardboard box padded with old clothes. Somewhere in the building's recesses, a fan spins quietly. The coat rack is wonky. The shelves {reveal link: 'hold little', text: 'hold mostly just faded photos of sailors with a large white cat, and assorted mementos: a pipe in its box; a marine chronometer'}. Dust is starting to gather over it all. In a corner, a [[cast iron staircase->Feline Industries Recycling Center]] descends in a dizzying spiral.

Wet rocks covered in algae line the jetty, seagulls marching up and down the line [[where sea meets land->Lonely beach]]. Waves crash deafeningly against the far end, spraying salt water into the air, and the sun is shrouded in a perpetual haze. Back towards shore, [[the waterfront->Feline Industries Waterfront]] is a parade of jagged shapes against deep skies. The pile of rocks that ends the jetty serves as the foundation for a lighthouse that shoots upwards forcefully, {reveal link: 'inviting a look', passage: 'Lighthouse'}.

A narrow strip of rock-strewn sand where algae come to die. Away [[from the jetty->Jetty at Feline Industries]], it just goes on and on, curving outwards until sea blends with sky and the eye can't follow anymore. Under a rocky outcrop hides the unmistakable shape of a {reveal link: 'treasure chest', text: 'treasure chest; it has long since been opened and emptied'}. Hungry gulls march up and down the shore, seldom getting lucky. Now and then, peripheral vision catches a glimpse of a {reveal link: 'large white cat', text: 'scrawny cat who used to be white, looking at the world with sad eyes. His fur dirty and unkempt, missing whiskers, he walks with a barely noticeable limp, glancing around fearfully every now and then, and vanishes when seen straight on'}.

an elegant latticework of brick and steel that pierces the sky, strong ribs alternating with tall, narrow windows in a spiral model. The tapering cylinder supports a room with many small glass panes for a wall, and a domed roof on top. On the near side, an offshoot of the wall forms a protective passageway [[around the door->Ground Floor]]

[align center] <svg width="25ex" height="25ex" viewBox="0 0 10 10"> <rect x="0" y="0" width="10" height="10" fill="slategray"/> <circle cx="8" cy="2" r="1" fill="black"/> <polygon points="8.1,1.9 1,8 2,9" fill="lightgray"/> <polygon points="7.9,1.9 3,4 3.5,4.5" fill="lightgray"/> <polygon points="8.1,2.1 5,7 6,8" fill="lightgray"/> </svg> [continue] The narrow room at the base of the lighthouse somehow seems as tall as the entire building [[from outside->Jetty at Feline Industries]]. The walls are made of stone blocks, pierced by window slits at regular intervals. Stairs [[spiral upwards->Watch Room]] along the walls, while huge weights dangle from chains through an opening in the ceiling, like in a grandfather clock built by giants. Right beneath them, a [[wooden trapdoor->Lighthouse Foundations]] is set in the middle of the floor. {embed passage: 'Lighthouse noises'}

A thick vertical shaft runs down the middle of the watch room, connected to a clockwork mechanism through oversized gears. Through an opening at the base, one can see that the shaft is actually hollow; a pipe runs upwards from a canister set inside. More such canisters are set against the far wall, and a small desk with chair sits under the only window, opposite the staircase that pauses briefly on its spiral path as it emerges from an [[opening in the floor->Ground Floor]] and goes on to vanish [[into the ceiling->Lens Room]]. On the desk, among log books and strange instruments, sits a large, ornate [[table clock->House of Cats]]. {embed passage: 'Lighthouse noises'}

Close examination reveals a table clock built in the shape of a colorful water mill surrounded by a lush garden and rustic fence. At least half a dozen cats are strewn around: on the roof, in a window, among the flowers. On closer inspection they are articulated, mechanical puppets that undoubtedly perform some sort of routine {reveal link: 'at the press of a hidden spring', passage: 'House of Cats routine'}.

...indeed, at the press of a hidden spring, the cats come to life in a concert of whirring noises and cheerful musical chimes. In the backyard, a kitten bounces around in circles, tail in the air; the one in the top floor window is licking her paws, while the tom on the roof swishes his tail, watching a bird. Next to him, the weather vane sways back and forth with a tick-tock noise, while on the side of the building the water wheel turns. The entire show lasts less than a minute, then it all winds down neatly. Silence descends over the [[watch room->Watch Room]] again.

The ground seems very far away as one can't help but look out the {reveal link: 'great circular window', text: 'row after row of window panes among which [[hides a door->Main Gallery]],'} surrounding the top of the tower. In the center of the walkway sits the three meter tall Fresnel lens, distorting the view of the gas lamp inside. Above, the metal cupola of the roof is only pierced by a storm-proof ventilator at its apex; to one side, the floor opens onto an [[abrupt staircase->Watch Room]]. {embed passage: 'Lighthouse noises'}

_noise: random.d4 -- From up here, one can see the land and sea to a great distance; too bad the permanent haze makes all details indistinct. A telescope is affixed to the rusty guard rail; {reveal link: 'it looks to be in poor shape', text: 'surprisingly enough it still works, revealing an island some way off the shore: a jagged, broken peak darkening the horizon with its shadow'}. Halfway around the gallery, a door leads [[back inside->Lens Room]]. [if _noise === 1] Twin plumes of smoke raise on the horizon. A steamer, perhaps? [if _noise === 2] A tiny dark shape straightlines across the sky, whirring faintly. [if _noise === 3] The wind splashes bright sea foam across the jetty.

A ring of pillars plunge down among the rocks beneath the jetty; the sea ebbs and flows between old stone walls, making reflected light dance along every surface, and every little sound echoes loudly. There's an exit {reveal link: 'at the far end', text: 'on the water line, away from where the shore must be'}, wide enough for {reveal link: 'a small boat', text: 'the small motorboat moored to a steel beam, [[ready to go->In a boat at sea]]'}; crooked, narrow steps lead to the [[wooden trapdoor->Ground Floor]] in the ceiling.

_noise: random.d5 -- [if _noise === 1] A wave crashes deafeningly against the base of the tower. [if _noise === 2] Somewhere in the distance, seagulls cry mournfully. [if _noise === 3] A sudden gust of wind rattles the windows.

[align center] <svg width="25ex" height="25ex" viewBox="0 0 10 10"> <rect x="0" y="0" width="10" height="5" fill="lightskyblue"/> <rect x="0" y="5" width="10" height="5" fill="paleturquoise"/> <circle cx="8" cy="2" r="1" fill="gold"/> <line x1="2" y1="6" x2="8" y2="6" stroke="gold" stroke-width="0.1"/> <line x1="3" y1="7" x2="7" y2="7" stroke="gold" stroke-width="0.1"/> </svg> [continue] The boat comes unmoored easily, and slides out on the open water almost by itself. Then the motor starts; soon, the small craft is racing across the glistening mirror, leaving the shore behind. Time passes. It's peaceful out here, far from anything solid. Pistons beat steadily in counterpoint to the calm breath of wind and waves. Overhead, a blurry disc spreads meager light from behind dirty cotton wads. In one direction, [[a lighthouse beckons]] out of the turquoise expanse. Away from there leads [[into the unknown]].

The boat gracefully allows itself to be steered. "Faster," it seems to say. "Faster!" But the throttle only goes so far. More time passes; the lighthouse grows slowly at first, then suddenly it's a towering mass straight ahead. Among its rocky foundations, a little entrance draws the boat in like a tired animal returning [[to its nest->Lighthouse Foundations]].

The boat gracefully allows itself to be steered. "Faster," it seems to say. "Faster!" But the throttle only goes so far. More time passes, then a shadow begins to rise out of the waters: a jagged, broken peak, with bare rock covered here and there by patches of green. The sea enters the mountainside through a jagged opening at water level, wide enough to accomodate a small ship. [[Further in->Underground lake]], the water grows progressively still and clear.

Light from the surface seeps in through a jagged opening at the end of the cavern. A narrow ledge goes around the dark, still waters, leading from a small but sturdy dock to the beginning of a narrow railtrack. The latter makes a loop before disappearing into a dark tunnel; a few mine carts [[await their passengers->Maze of tunnels]]. There's {reveal link: 'a small boat', text: 'the now-familiar motorboat, still here and still [[ready to go->In a boat at sea]]'}, moored at the dock next to a [[bigger vessel->The Flying Fish]] with a smooth, arched back barely rising above the water.

The mine cart gets moving almost by itself once the brake is released, and quickly picks up speed. Soon it's rolling thunderously down tunnel after tunnel, that twist and turn every which way. One {reveal link: 'slants downwards', text: 'descends in a spiral, towards [[a place of water and echoes->Underground lake]]'}; another {reveal link: 'climbs gently', text: 'climbs in a wide loop before emerging into a [[wider space->Magic Factory]]'}; from a side passage ahead comes a {reveal link: 'faint glow', text: 'faint glow that grows steadily, until all of a sudden [[you are there->Round Chamber]]'}. And more are leading {reveal link: 'into the unknown', text: 'down promising avenues, only to circle back towards the same tangle of tracks'}.

[align center] <svg width="25ex" height="25ex" viewBox="0 0 10 10"> <rect x="0" y="0" width="10" height="10" fill="dimgray"/> <g stroke="dodgerblue" stroke-width="0.3" fill="darkgray"> <circle cx="5" cy="5" r="2"/> <circle cx="5" cy="5" r="4" fill="none"/> <line x1="5" y1="3" x2="5" y2="7"/> <rect x="-1" y="4.25" width="3.25" height="1.5" rx="0.3" ry="0.3"/> </g> </svg> [continue] It's a round chamber with walls made of grey stone blocks. A narrow railtrack comes out of a dark tunnel and makes a loop around the room before going back the same way; a few mine carts [[await their passengers->Maze of tunnels]]. Dying arc lamps around the loop cast a ghostly light on the [[massive steel door->Vault Under the Mountain]] at the opposite end. A deep rumbling sound comes from behind one of the walls; the air is damp, and otherwise still.

The [[double doors->Round Chamber]] yield with a pneumatic sigh, allowing you in. Sculpted stone columns support the roof of an otherwise natural cavern. Trophy cases line the walls, each containing a piece of machinery illuminated by a single, fading arc lamp, and more machinery -- pumps, tanks and pipes -- are scattered among them. An unusually large trophy case is set against the back wall, partly masked by a column, and flanked by two bigger lamps. {reveal link: 'It is empty.', text: 'Its contents are long gone, only a brass frame left in place to remind of it.'} The air is stale, and dust reigns mostly everywhere. The floor vibrates with a deep rumbling noise, so faint it may be just an impression.

Here's a long cavern with a high, arched ceiling. Close to one end, next to a {reveal link: 'flight of stairs', text: 'narrow staircase dug into rock, [[leading abruptly upwards->Ancient tree]]'}, flowing water sets in motion an oversided clockwork mechanism with no apparent purpose before entering a tangle of pipes bristling with valves and meters. Along the opposite wall, several workbenches huddle around a large machine with constantly moving pistons and flywheels. And right in the middle sits an armored sphere with thick cables going into it; from reinforced viewports escapes {reveal link: 'a bluish flicker', text: 'the flickering blue light of impossibly distant celestial bodies floating in the black void within the machine'}. Opposite from the stairs, a narrow rail track on which mine carts [[await their passengers->Maze of tunnels]] makes a complete loop before vanishing inside a dark tunnel.

A perch suitable for winged creatures hangs above a floor covered in a deep layer of feathers, straw and other soft materials. The walls are dark wood, the living heart of a tree, and the only light comes from a narrow opening, {reveal link: 'leading outside', text: 'beyond which lies not as much as a ledge; just a steep slope going down all the way to the foaming sea below. In the distance, a red-and-white matchstick pokes out of a dark stripe: the lighthouse, and the shoreline behind it'}. The rear wall has collapsed entirely [[into a tunnel->Magic Factory]] leading down among tree roots, from which mechanical noises can be heard.

A teardrop-shaped hull made of steel plates solidly welded together and painted bright yellow sports a pair of articulated fins about one third along the sides and a couple of small ones towards the stern, where a fishtail-like rudder guards a powerful propeller. The whole vehicle is maybe 10 meters long and 3 meters in diameter at the fins, which look longer than the hull itself; hard to tell with them folded. At the bow, a pair of armored windows make up the "eyes", and a hatch on the upper deck makes it look like the fish is wearing a funny hat. A plank leads up [[from the dock->Underground lake]] to this [[one visible entrance->Bridge]]; next to it one can see half a name painted on the hull: _The Flying Fish_.

Polished steel walls curve in on you as the bridge tapers towards the ship's bow. Right there, between the "eyes" of the fish, there is a panel bristling with brass wheels, levers and meters. At the opposite end, across a floor made of metal grating, a heavy bulkhead door leads further [[into the ship->Cabin]]. And right in the middle of the ceiling a hatch [[leads outside->The Flying Fish]]. There are no chairs or benches, but a coffer and a massive roll of cable make for impromptu seating.

A tiny cabin is squeezed {reveal link: 'between bulkheads', text: 'between bulkhead doors ([[one leading fore->Bridge]], [[the other aft->Engine room]])'}, no more than two and a half meters across. The port side is taken up by a bunk bed, while on the starboard side there is a tiny table with two benches. Small cabinets tucked in any free corner contain a a variety of useful items: hard tack, a first aid kit, simple tools, blankets. The coat and cap of a steamboat captain hang next to the bunk bed, except they're sized for a large housecat. An identical coat, only humanoid-sized, serves as bed cover. It's worn-out and covered in cat hairs.

[align center] <svg width="25ex" height="25ex" viewBox="0 0 10 10"> <rect x="0" y="0" width="10" height="10" fill="slategray"/> <g stroke="darkgoldenrod" stroke-width="0.5" fill="slategray"> <circle cx="5" cy="5" r="4" fill="darkviolet"/> <circle cx="7" cy="7" r="2.5" fill="none"/> <circle cx="5" cy="5" r="0.75"/> <rect x="1.7" y="4" width="2" height="7" rx="0.5" ry="0.5"/> </g> </svg> [continue] The room is conical in shape, tapering off towards the aft end of the _Flying Fish_. Halfway along there is a large steel ring of intricate design, in which a vortex of violet light spins perpetually, and with it a long axle protruding fore and aft. Gearboxes connect it to smaller shafts, presumably leading to the propeller and wings of the vehicle. Safely out of the way, a bulkhead door [[leads fore->Cabin]].