Topaz first noticed the timepiece when the others were speaking to Sir Mathis about the Keystone, the reason they were there in the first place. While they spoke, she had been drawn to a display case down on the lower level of the library. She resisted the urge to investigate it close up, certain that one of the others would notice her if she wandered off.

Now that they were temporarily seeking a safe haven within the striped giraffe's mansion, it was a perfect opportunity for her to indulge her curiousity. Her mother always insisted she was getting into anything and everything. Topaz knew it was not only a trait of her feline nature, but that it was a family aspect as well. She was her mother's daughter, compelled to parse out this latest mystery.

Topaz stepped into the library on a soundless paw. She noted no other occupants other than herself. Once her ears confirmed she was alone, she entered the room. There were countless books on the Talwyn and their history. It was likely that this was the most complete collection anywhere of such knowledge. She alas was not here for their breadth of information, though she knew she could spend hours reading each and every book.

The young kitten made certain her tail was clear of the doorway and walked into the library's first level. Straight ahead of it she saw the case. Inside of it was a disc shaped golden object.

She knew she shouldn't be here. Sir Walter did not keep a staff, and the only others in the house were herself, Kyle, Lauren, and Chris. The odds of her being caught were minimal.

Steeling herself, she reached into her bag and pulled out a set of fine tools. Eyeing the lock, Topaz picked the tumblers with relative ease. The case clicked open, and there was her prize. She reached out for it with both paws intending only to look. It seemed to shine from a light source she could not identify. The longer she held it, the more it seemed to do so. The object, labeled here as a 'timepiece', had missing gears. Three, to be exact. She cursed, knowing it would not function properly without them. Regardless, she took a screwdriver and raised it up to tinker with it.

"What are you doing?" a male voice asked. She almost dropped it until she realized it was Kyle. Chris likely would have yelled, and she did not know what Lauren would do, having made a decision to keep as much distance between them as she could for the time being.

"I'm sorry, I was just looking."

Kyle folded his arms. "With your paws and a set of tools?"

"Okay, I was going to tinker with it. I don't know why but I know this technology for some reason. Please, don't tell on me," Topaz said. She widened her eyes in her most pleading expression. It was her favorite weapon against bedtime as a kitten.

The giraffe shook his head. "Now you know Chris wouldn't allow you to mess with that."

"Okay." She sighed and put it back in the case, but before she closed it, Kyle inserted his hand into the gap between the latch. "Huh?"

"So I guess it's lucky that he's not here." Kyle handed it back to her. "Look, I know that if I walk you back to your room you'll just be back here in an hour. Now you do what you have to do, just promise me you won't break it, okay?"

Topaz giggled as she set the device on the nearest table. "You're the best." She kissed him on the cheek and returned her attention to the device. As soon as her paw touched the surface of the timepiece, the innards glowed again, and it projected something into the air.

"Well, look at that." Kyle placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I know this technology, but from where?" she asked no one in particular.

Art by  fox-die