[Doctor Mephiston Luciferion Bahl] - [At the bar] - [Talking to a group of people]<br/><br/>"Art?" Mephiston waved a hand as if to sweep away the idea, clearly embarrassed.  "Hardly good sir, but I'm flattered you would think so.  While my inventions fulfill their function, they've never lived up to the intent in which I had designed them for.  I'd despair but resting in melancholy has never been my way: you'd only have to look around at the world and see something beautiful.  Truly, if I were not atheist, I would still need no god or religion, for there is something holy to be seen every new day."<br/>Smiling all the while, Mephiston spoke with such... zeal that it was absolutely clear just how much he believed his own words.  If Mephiston had found religion instead of science, he'd be at the forefront of a crusade, spreading the good word and preaching good will, with such fire inside that there'd never be a need to bring sword and fire: he'd just bludgeon them with personality.  Depending on a person's frame of mind, it was either fortunate or unfortunate Mephiston found solace equations and facts.<br/><br/>Mephiston turned to Thaddeus as he acknowledged the man's words.<br/>"Ah, I can see what happened.  Unfortunately, I have spent quite some time traveling, and have not had much opportunity to stay at any given city for very long.  Usually a quick stop for supplies and fuel and then departure.  More than likely, your messages have been received by my family, who handle the accounts and process any requests for me.  I can only assume that they expected that I'd stop to call them sometime and they would be able to update me on any changes since I had left.  As for the design plans for a tri-barreled cannon..."<br/>Mephiston mused for a second, trying to dredge up the relevant memories.<br/>"Yes, I think I remember it.  Very excited at first, but then I started basic design.  Scrapped the plans: too many inefficiencies in terms of loading, and the turn of speed wasn't really worth it.  No, came up with something better: twin barreled but uses the principle behind a bola to achieve its effects.  Has any one heard of the exciting discovering work done by Simon Charlesworth on the tensile strength of string?  Fascinating really, all those different materials and properties.  If anyone cares to hear about it later, I have the paper inside my vehicle, makes for a great light read.  Regardless, his research indicates that properly treated with certain chemicals, hemp rope can be given the tensile strength of steel cables.  Given a sufficient length of hemp, the projectile can wrap around small to medium sized aircraft and crush it, and larger aircraft get struck in two different places at once.  Best of all, the loading procedure isn't complicated, so can be used to rather great affect by the common soldier.  Haven't delved into exploration of alterations in payload, but it will give me something to do while I enjoy my morning tea.  Would you rather wait until I've worked on that or would you rather possess the plans I've made already?"<br/><br/>Seeing Marie slide up to Chang, Mephiston bowed.<br/>"My compliments, that was an excellent song you sang earlier.  I can only wonder what other skills you may possess."