<span style="color: #ff99cc">"O-oh? Well, sorry, then."</span>Nodding apologetically to the feline, Cid gave a not of agreement,<span style="color: #ff99cc"> "A-alright, lead the way."</span>and falling mostly into step behind her, constantly looking about with mild concern.<span style="color: #ff99cc"> "O-only recently? S-smart move, believe me. Er... Um, well, n-not, not that I'd no. N-n-nope, no sireebob, I-I mean, Just the news is bad enough. Lord knows how b-b-bad the un-filtered truth is... N-not that the news is hiding anything from us, of course... Er... I'll shut up now..."</span><br/><br/>Stepping into the wagon, poor Cid had to crouch a bit just to fit in. As the topic of references came up, the mechanic gave a nod, and slow, loud, overly dramatic gulp, adjusting his tie,<span style="color: #ff99cc">"Um, y-yea, sure... References..." </span>while finagling his way into the offered chair. Hat in lap, and bag left by the door, he look a slow, curious gander about the wagon, noting several discrepancies, but thinking better then to speak of it. Her sudden question, and confused stare brought the man back to focus upon her...<br/><br/><span style="color: #ff99cc">"Um, yea... About that... I... I just..."</span>Then finally bowed his head.<span style="color: #ff99cc">"Sorry Miss Catherine, but I know... I know I can, and I have, and... Well..."</span>A slow, strangely tired sigh escaped his lips.<span style="color: #ff99cc">"My father once said, not to me, but he said it, that one's life is measured in accomplishments... B what we do, and how we're remembered..."</span>Glancing up, he offered a weak smile,<span style="color: #ff99cc"> "I'm assuming, you know who he is..."</span>Then stared out the window, a slow, strange smile creeping across his lips.<span style="color: #ff99cc">"Some call him the Father of American Steam-tech... Innovator of motorized airships and warships... Me? Well... I think doing my part to make people smile, I think it sounds like a good venture... No bad taste in the mouth. Being in the Cirque, behind the scenes... Those were the best years of my life... I felt like I was doing something, making a -difference- in people's lives... A difference I could live with later..."</span><br/><br/>Again he sighed, shaking his head.<span style="color: #ff99cc">"This must all sound, well, you know... Like poppy cog or something. But... But that's how I feel."</span><div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>