((OOC: Tags to Stormphrax))
It was a bustling day in Selvea. That was very much the norm in the sprawling trade city that Ella called home. She rolled down the street that led to the marketplace closest to her home, her wheeled-chair being pushed by a human-sized golem.
The sun shown brightly down on the pair as Sparky deftly navigated Ella and her vehicle around obstacles. The pair did their best to be unobtrusive, but they still pulled a lot of stares. Not from the marketplace's regulars, they recognized the odd couple and they were used to them. Any strangers to this town or square, however, would be quite surprised by the uncommon sight.
A young girl with short red hair sitting in a chair with wooden wheels attached to it was a novelty in off itself. Add onto that a magnificently constructed golem pushing her from behind and you had a real oddity.
The two moved along, both oblivious to the stares directed at them. Sparky, because he was a golem, and Ella because she was used to being watched. It used to bother her, but she was used to it by now and could effectively ignore the odd looks. The girl chatted amicably with her golem, chattering non-stop. The hulking creation pushing her didn't respond with words, though it did occasionally nod it's head.
Ella was mostly just bouncing invention ideas off of the golem. She knew he wouldn't really be great for conversation, but it was much better than talking to herself. So she continued to speak to the golem, loudly and unabashedly, increasing the number of odd looks she received.
Eventually the pair reached the destination, a small stall in the corner of the square selling fruits. Ella smiled at the shopkeeper, an elderly lady, and the woman smiled back at her. The two were friends, and they spoke warmly about the latest gossip and news as Ella loaded up the sack she'd brought with her with fruit.
It didn't take long to complete that errand, and it wasn't long before the pair were rolling through the marketplace again, searching for the next item on their list. Grocery shopping was one of Ella's favorite chores, since she got to speak with all the shopkeepers, and she loved the opportunity to feel useful to her grandparents. All too often she only felt like a burden.
It took the mismatched pair the better part of the morning to purchase all the items Ella's grandmother had requested, and the pair decided to take a break before heading home. They sat in the shade of the tree and Ella pulled one of the fruits out of her sack. It was an apple, and she wiped it on her tunic before taking a big bite out of it. She sighed with contentment as she swallowed the piece of food.
It was nice to relax every great once and a while. Normally she was so busy working on her next invention in her workshop (a.k.a. her bedroom) that she never had a chance to take a load off. She didn't usually want to either. She liked to keep busy, to keep herself occupied most of the time. Still, even she needed a break very occasionally. Now was one of those rare times. She'd been very busy the past couple of weeks banging her head against a problem with her latest invention. Recently she'd been very interested in the movements of water. She was pretty sure that there was some way to get water to go up on it's own, if she could just figure it out...
She was losing herself in her thoughts, and she felt an idea coming on. She almost had, she was so close, when she noticed something. She'd forgotten to get two loaves of bread. The thought floated through her mind, unwanted and intruding. She was so close, but she'd never get anywhere as long as that annoying thought was there. But if she left, she might lose her idea for good. She could already feel it slipping away...
Quickly, Ella pulled a small number of coins out of her purse and gave them to Sparky. She jotted a quick note down on the back of the grocery list she'd written earlier and handed that to the golem as well. "Take these to the baker and get another loaf of bread, then ring it back here." she commanded it. The golem lumbered off, and Ella sat back, relaxed. She trusted Sparky, and she knew he was smart enough to get the job done right. She just hoped that the baker could read, or knew someone who could.
Oh well, time to go back to her invention. She settled into thinking again, and she had almost reached the place she'd been earlier. Maybe if the tube was shaped like a screw, the water would travel around it and up...
She was lost in thought when the rough hands grabbed her. She tried to scream, but a gloved palm was covering her mouth. Her breathing was constricted, and it only took a few seconds for her to lapse into unconsciousness.
