This would be a rumination coming from Polo Swarovski's mind. He was currently atop his video game console in his hands, absorbing the game intently like a sponge, desolated in the recreation room with only him and the two dimension characters in the mechanical framed console. The baroque atmosphere of the room- and Haven for that matter- clashed onto Polo's debilitating demeanor as he huffed and puffed while pressing the buttons rapidly. It was a distressing time this time for Polo to commit to his job in the entertainment affairs; he was circumventing it by playing video games on the video game console Polly gave him. It was weird how she gave him the console just before the her father's obituary in the Primaries wing.

   Polo's rumination was harkening back to when he was an undergraduate in the Academy. It was Mechanical Engineering class, a class Polo was never fond of. If he were to like it, he'd give it its deserved attention and effort into it. But alas, Mechanical Engineering was not for everyone, one of them being the prodigious entertainment campaigner Polo whose creativity knew no bounds. He found himself paired up with the soi-distant prodigious inventor, Ridge Kindler.

   Ridge always rubbed Polo the wrong way. The boy just did not live up to the bright, young, and handsome inventor. He felt like Ridge was a sixty year old misanthrope wrapped in a cocoon of intelligence and youth. Something about Ridge's mannerisms, speech style, and demeanor put Polo off, to say the least.

   Polo stared at Ridge who was idly eating cashews while staring at the board filled with intricate instructions and formulas for reference. He hesitated before breaking the ice with a crooked smile, "Hey, man. You're Ridge, the inventor, yeah?"

   Ridge clarified, "That's me."

   "Cool, cool." Polo was more disheartened by Ridge's disinterest in the meet and greet your partner series, but he expected it. He pushed that aside and continued, trying to ease into Ridge's thick skull when it came to socializing, "Sooo we're partners for the automaton project, right? I can't believe I got the smart kid."

   "That's a stereotype," Ridge replied flatly as he flicked cashews into his mouth.

   Polo cursed himself inwardly for opening a can of worms. He did not mean to sound rude. He backpedaled, "Ya know you're not supposed to be eating in class, right? Not to be the bearer of bad news but they suspend-"

   "I convinced the teacher that it was for an extra experiment. I told him it was related to how mechanical processing affects the digestion rate for cashews." Ridge explained as he wagged his finger at Polo. "I even told the teacher that the way I eat it also affects the digestion rate. I won't bore you with details, but one word; upthrust."

   "Yeah, I'm too stupid to understand that." Polo sighed and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms behind his head. He said, "So, I'll just leave the work to you. I have an upcoming event and I have to brainstorm, you see."

   Ridge wagged his finger, "No can do, buddy. You'll lend a hand by literally lending a hand. I'll devise a blueprint for the automaton I have in mind that is related to patterns and balance in kinematics. You'll use your two little beady eyes to look at the blueprint and details, and then you'll use your two big meaty arms to build the automaton. You're a pool master so I don't expect any less from you."

   Polo sniggered and retaliated playfully, "So that's how it should be, metal whiz? And you sure you don't wanna bribe someone or do all the work for us?"

   "Anyone else would screw it up. I don't trust anybody. I only manipulate if it benefits me." Ridge unrolled a parchment and produced a pen from his chest pocket. He started sketching the basic structure of the automaton while having his other hand flick cashews into his mouth. He looks at Polo and said, "I tell you what? Use your stealthy hands to steal some of the mechanisms from the other tables. Doesn't matter what they are. Sprockets, crank handles, whatever. Just bring them here."

  Polo smirked and raised his eyebrow, "Are you asking me to steal? Now that's more like it." He got up from his seat and made his way over to some other tables, discreetly taking bits and pieces from them as he continued to glance at Ridge. Ridge continued sketching the details of the automaton in his usual languid fashion. He also glanced at Polo with a raised brow. He finishes the package of cashews just when he also finishes sketching the automaton. He ran a hand through his hair while tracing his finger on the blueprint.

   Polo finally returned and beamed at Ridge while setting the handful of tools and apparatuses on the table, "Here ya go, whatever all those things are."

   Ridge inspected the materials while aligning them in order for how they will be used. He looked at Polo and wagged his finger at the empty cashew package, "Now, I need you to fill this package with water. Whatever the water is. Just make sure it's water.

   We're going to make a hydrocephalic automaton that functions like an ink producer. The water will basically be the power cell of the automaton, and its purpose is to reuse the water in its brain to create any type of ink using the extra materials you brought out of its fingers. The way it produces the ink is how it's related to pattern and balance between kinematic and condensed matter."

   Polo huffed, "I can't stand standing anymore. Why can't you-"

   "Don't ask any more questions. I'm being generous with the responses. I'd usually shoo people off, but I'm making an exception for you. Now, shoo!" Ridge said indignantly as he took the package and closed it with a bronze funnel.

   After Polo came back with a container of water, he started laughing, causing some water to spill over. On impulse, Ridge shielded the blueprint, leaving only some of his hair damp. He neatened his hair and said explosively, "Good riddance to carefulness!"

   Polo shrugged and set the container down, "I just find it funny that such a smart guy can't do his own work" He sat back down and teased, "Maybe you're not as smart as I thought."

   "It's called being efficient and fair." Ridge re-arranged the materials in order. He tapped on a metallic ribcage of the automaton and said, "Now, I want you to start with the basic structure of the automaton. Follow the steps I drew and wrote on the blueprint."

   Ridge stood by and leaned against the table while running his semi-wet hand through his hair as he stared intently at Polo's handcrafting. He caught him glancing at him in confusion and said crossly, "I'm not the extra instruction sheet that is a simplified version of this already easy blueprint. I would've made it more complex if I was dealing with a sharper guy."

   "I know I know. I've got it"

   Ridge nodded and continued to stare at Polos handcrafting with a mentor's gaze. He wagged his index finger at him and warned him while squinting at the fingers that's being attached to the hands loosely, "The fingers are the most important part of this! Don't make me regret asking you to be my arms for this project."

   "I'm doing my best, okay? You gotta relax a bit." The raven haired grumbled with a slight undercurrent of annoyance in his voice.

   Once Ridge was sure that Polo was getting the hang of it, he pushed himself off the table and walked over to where the materials and mechanisms were. He worked on dismantling some materials and connecting the mechanisms with a concentrated yet relaxed expression. He finished configuring the mechanisms segment and yoking them with the funnel of the package. He rotated some of the sprockets with the tubes filled with charcoal as ink and lets his eyes wander to what Polo was doing. Upon seeing how the lost man could not decide between plugging the thumb into the hand or plugging the hand first into the wrist, Ridge clicked his tongue and moved closer, guiding Polo's gloved hand towards tools and saying "You have to work more quickly than that, Polo. You can do both at the same time."

   "Got it. Securely tie the thumb to the hand, right?" Polo repeated, his voice slightly hoarse as he strained to regain his focus.

   "Okay but quickly. We need to work on the head next so that it'll be ready for prime time. I'll be in charge for the head, 'cause I'm the head here." Ridge snorted wryly at his own remark while shaking his head as he screwed more of the sprockets onto the crank handles. Polo scoffed and mumbled, "Brainiac can't even be fun..."

   Polo envied Ridge's single-minded focus and quick thinking skills, but he never admitted it  aloud. He instead looked at Ridge with jealous eyes. Nonetheless, he wear his usual friendly charm as he smiled while whistling off tune. When Ridge plucked down the metallic face plate he was holding with a clang, he saw Polo staring at him with pleading eyes whilst whistling and said, "Do you want to listen to some music while we work or what?"

   Before Polo could answer, Ridge said as he unlatched his bag and pulled out an intricately designed miniature jukebox, "I created mini jukebox where the sounds produced can only be heard by someone within half a mile. I bring it with me in case." He paused and laughed deprecatingly, "In case I should keep a music lover busy!"

   It was almost an excuse to flaunt his own creation. Nevertheless, Polo could not deny that he was not impressed. Now it was safe to say that Ridge was a prodigious inventor. A grin spread across his face and he and nudged Ridge, "And you didn't think to mention that earlier, dude?"

   Ridge shrugged as he rotated a switch until it started playing a guitar based composition. Polo bobbed his head to the music and commented, "I didn't take you to be a guitar kind of music."

   "I don't. I just have it in the jukebox."

   "Why though?"

   "Good question, "Ridge spoke through gritted teeth and a concentrated expression. His brows furrowed as he tried screwing an antenna like material into the head's top. His wrinkles slithered way as he seamlessly dug it into the side. He looked at Polo and smiles slyly as he wagged his finger, "Because I knew we'd pair up."

   "Oh, to keep this crazy gamer dog at bay?"

   "Exactly. Better than sedating you or chaining you up."

   "Say again?"

   "Never mind."

   Ridge raised a hand for silence while fishing the front pocket of his bag until he scooped up a seemingly normal eight ball, "And since I knew we'd pair up, I've noticed how troubled you'd be in the face of decisions so I made you this. An assistant in situations where you're indecisive- so basically all of your life."

   Polo raised his brows and sprung forward, humming gleefully as he eyeballed the ball. Ridge handed the magic eight ball to him gently like it was a fragile gemstone. This is when it crossed Polo's mind that despite Ridge being a hard nut to crack, he loved to make connections with others to a certain degree. He proved to be austere throughout all the years in the Academy, but there were those special moments when Ridge loosened up and let his inner kindness stream through.

   But now, Polo was peeling his own fingers off while keeping his bleary eyes focused on the screen. It was addicting. He couldn't stop. He just had to continue. And there Polly was, in all her cunningness and animosity, standing by the door of the recreation room while appraising Polo Swarovski. Polly's demeaning presence and willowy figure could subdue anyone in the vicinity. Her hair was plaited until her waist and her hair accessories complemented her grey downturned eyes. Her apron was a stark contrast to her abstract mosaic embellished boots. She was swirling a bottle of grape soda in her hand that was reminiscent of deep toxic wine.

   Polly spoke bluntly, "You know you abetted Ridge Kindler, right?"

   It was time that Polo returned the favor to Ridge again, even if it meant going out on a limb against Professor Yulek's architect daughter who is one of the few who is able to commune with governors. Polo has been harboring admiration for Ridge ever since Ridge left a salient mark on him.  "It was Ivan...Ivan Pellet was the one who entered the manor in Alula. Not Ridge." Polo huffed and glanced up at Polly with hidden detest in his eyes though he keeps his usually friendly smile, "What brings you here anyway, Polly? I figured you'd be off living your own life as a master architect, not keeping tabs on this crazy gamer dog."

   "Not now, Polo. You know this game is one that I don't play." Polly stated coldly as she crossed her arms, cradling the bottle after smacking her lips.

   "You won't get the game anyway," Polo lazily replied as his eyes followed the ostentatious character slashing his way through obstacles. Polo raised a freehand as to shush her before she could speak until he the console rung, indicating the success of the level. He smiled and lifted his tired eyes to meet her iron-hard ones, "I can assure you, ma'am, that Ivan Pellet is the one who left fingerprints on the printer and secured himself the QR code via a porter from the forensic distortion you and the crew detected. He's out in Nevah, that's beyond doubt. He always wanted to go there, anyway. That boy just had the burning need to look for his dad he thinks left the amusement part as free retirement and is living in the Outdoors. Ivan is extinguishing that burning need as we speak."

   "Or he already did so a long time ago..." Polly muttered pensively. She then spoke while shuffling her feet, "If I don't find Ivan outside as you claim him to be, I will personally exemplify his supposed happenstance onto you."

   Polo sniggered as he moved onto the next level, "I always found the Havenian punishment through literal expulsion ridiculous. Even uncompromising, might I add."

   "Well, rules are rules, and they can't be bent. And don't think that I'll let the "but there is no rule stating otherwise" remark slide."

   Polo clamped his own mouth shut with his video game console as he eyed Polly. Her presence suddenly got sinister as she finished the last sip of grape juice and clenched her teeth. She pirouetted deftly in her heel and left the room, shutting the door behind her as darkness enveloped the whole room save for the radiation of the video game console.

   At the same time, Ivan was blithely skipping towards Ridge's room. He had just mixed his own red field jacket with Guantum's- whose clothes were eerily similar to Ridge's, but he never realized it. He thought as he frolicked through the Scapulars Wing, "Oh boyster, I'm screwed! So that Guantum guy took my jacket and I took his- but then it turns out to be Ridge's and Ridge is waiting for the exchange in his room? What kind of messed up drug dealing commerce act is this! It's like straight out of a play."

   Once Ivan reached the door, he was surprised to find a miniature doorway imbedded in the door. Guantum never warned him of that- was it some sort of jack-in-the-box machination? He inserted the specialized keycard into a hidden opening underneath the door handle and proceeded to roll a scrap that just appeared in a flag style, making it seem like a broken material to any other person. Once he heard an inviting click, he fling the door open, sweeping off some of the boxes laid out in front of it from inside the room. He wasted no time in scanning the room as he strode towards his own red jacket slung over a swivel chair. Once he switched the jackets with a broadening smile, his fingers fished his pockets to ensure everything was there.

   "The stickers, the lollipops, and-"

   Ivan furrowed his brows, looking disconcerted. His fingers stopped prodding against the inside of his pocket as he felt a small foreign box. He pulled it out and popped the lid open to reveal a sheet of paper. He pulled it out and unfurled it, reading the rather messy text:

   "This is from Ridge Kindler. Ivan, you're reading this while we're roaming the Outdoors. That's right, it's a small world with big opportunities for people like you and me. This lies beyond your scope of interest; it is a need that you come with us to our outings to Nevah. Your dad should be here, somewhere, waiting for his own cherished amusement park predecessor to find him.

   Do not let anyone catch the tail of this message. It's between you and me. Who are the "we" I mentioned before? Well, come and answer it for yourself!"