The Ymheqxhya Family Mansion forebodingly awaited its two first ever visitors, its gates twitching errantly in the wind with the sound of rusted metal. Both visitors were transfixed to the haunting atmosphere they were attempting to brave, while otherwise unaware of their surroundings.

“Thank you both for all your hard work. Since you have worked so hard on our behalf, please do come inside. I would be glad to ensure both of you get to enjoy a memorable dinner in recognition for your services.” Mrs. Ymheqxhya startled both Vwyx and Sryine in that moment, not even having been aware of the other’s presence. Vwyx herself had been wondering how she should approach the gate at all, not even aware she was no longer alone. Sryine took the opportunity to notice the bookshelf that was now accompanying them, which looked to be almost exactly her height. Both of them realized that this turn of events answered a few questions they might have had, but in turn things had gotten even more complicated.

Vwyx looked upon both of the others. By now, it was clear that the woman inviting them in lived here, and thus was her client in this delivery. Technically, it wouldn’t have been fair of her to just give up part way, for most anyone else in the village she would go to the full lengths of ensuring such a bookshelf would be placed in its destined abode for usage, maybe even helped them to stock it if the situation was right. Nothing about this situation right now felt right at all, but she couldn’t rightfully believe her task was completed at this. Even the other girl, looking to be about Vwyx’s age, seemed equally as out of place. Leaving everything to this other girl, someone who didn’t even look like she could properly carry the bookshelf despite her being taller.. Vwyn would have to see this through. However, she wasn’t about to simply accept a dinner invitation, and was far too determined to not intrude to that extent.

Sryine was similar minded regarding the dinner invitation, as she looked upon the other visitor. This would be the craftswoman who had produced and delivered the bookshelf she was standing beside. Sryine was certain that the craftswoman would not have yet recognized her, considering the lack of reaction people generally have to her presence. Sryine could still understand why, the circumstances were far too distracting for too many thoughts on the matter. As is, she was compelled to call her victory after having discovered the bookshelf and make for her escape. But not only was her earlier resolution intruding on that, the feelings of fleeing someone who had asked for her help feeling too unjust, but now she was feeling sorry for the woman who had been left with the responsibility of this delivery. She was still the daughter of the current chief, running away before her peer did would not be responsible in the least.

Effectively bound in compulsion to the other, both girls followed their host into the mansion, slipping past the front gates. Sryine found her offers to help with the bookshelf turned down, so instead helped with the doors along the way. Once inside the front doors, Vwyx collapsed to the floor, having overspent her own abilities in the process. It made evident just how hard Vwyx had been working, if her stamina was already spent in the process. Vwyx however was also the only human present, and Sryine was fully aware that humans had much more stamina than elves like her and their host. Meanwhile, Vwyx being human would mean that her senses weren’t as sharp as anyone else present. This was in fact why Vwyx still did not recognize Sryine in the poor lighting that was outside, and even was still unaware she was the only human present.

“I’ll go call my husband. He’s still probably in the laboratory working on his latest invention. The bookshelf is going into the library down the right hall, I’ve got a box of tomes already prepared for shelving.” “Laboratory? Inventions?” “Library? Tomes?” Mrs. Ymheqxhya’s words brought Vwyx and Sryine into a state of new found hope. Those words held some personal ambition for each of them, and invested into their attention. Vwyx was back on her feet with newly inspired energy, already carrying the bookshelf to its destination. Sryine was fervently looking around in Vwyx’s wake, unable to pass beyond the obstructing bookshelf to reach her goal just beyond. The bookshelf finally passed into the library as Mrs. Ymheqxhya returned with her husband.

“Perfect. My wife’s tomes were starting to stock up a bit too much space, we really needed the extra storage. It really is a marvelous make, this bookshelf, the craftsmanship is excellent. Looks pretty sturdy, and is actually longer than I predicted. Here, let me make some space for it.” Mr. Ymheqxhya carried a peculiar object and set it on the floor before a bookshelf. Manipulating one end of the plank-shaped instrument, the bookshelf at the other end lifted off the ground without any visible effort at all. Sliding the plank carefully, he was able to precision place the bookshelf into a new location. Vwyx was entranced, she had never seen such an instrument before. Being able to carry such excessive weight so easily and so accurately, it was amazing. She could personally imagine several useful implementations for such an instrument.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Ymheqxhya began loading tomes upon the bookshelf. The very first book placed was a second copy of the very book she had just finished reading, ‘Crystalline Blossoms’. Sryine rushed to check the stack for any further books of interest. Most of these were actually tomes of the gift, resources for the application of the gift as inspired by the Instrumentation Era, but some of them were research related to it. None of the books were actually stories of the Terran Mythos, but were similar enough to still gauge a degree of her interest. None of them were things she would find elsewhere in the village, and most of them she had never had the opportunity to read before. Sryine paused, catching herself reading a book without any invitation. No matter how tempting it might be, it would be rude to just dive in without any invitation.

“Dear, I invited these two women to dinner, if that’s alright. It seems they won’t mind staying for a while at least before returning to their other responsibilities.” Mrs. Ymheqxhya got a nod from her husband in reply, himself not upset about unplanned visitors. Vwyx and Sryine realized in that moment that their opportunity to escape had disappeared with this unexpected temptation. However, the idea was bothering them less and less, given the nature of the temptations ensnaring them. Sryine returned to her book as Vwyx watched Mr. Ymheqxhya set the instrument into a slot of the wall. The easy storage of such an instrument made it even more useful in application, she really wanted one for herself. Mr. Ymheqxhya noticed the sort of audience he had and picked up on all the subtle clues with a nod.

“Anyway, I guess I had best get back to the laboratory, got plenty of other instruments that need my attention there. Though, if your interested, I wouldn’t mind showing off a few of the things we’ve got there.” Mr. Ymheqxhya’s invitation made Vwyx’s eyes sparkle. More instruments, more things like this. This was like a dream come true. Vwyx rushed to follow as she was guided into a large workshop she could only surmise was what they called the laboratory. Instruments of unidentifiable design lay everywhere, on shelves or attached to the walls. Several instruments were even scattered across the many workbenches around the room, a haven of wonder she was still trying to come to terms with. Mr. Ymheqxhya went to one of the workbenches and resumed his work upon a series of metallic fibers. Vwyx watched him work, still completely oblivious as to what his work was actually achieving. Somehow, it looked like he was threading the fibers or something, though it looked slow and tedious. Whatever it was, the careful attention being applied also made it clear that this was somehow a precision job as well.

After an unknown period in oblivion, Sryine looked up from her book as Mrs. Ymheqxhya returned. “Dinner is ready. I’m going to go serve it, can you please let the two in the Laboratory know as well? They are down the hall to the left, down the stairs, third door to the right.” Oh, it seems Mrs. Ymheqxhya had already finished dinner. Sryine had totally zoned out and lost track of time. She carefully returned the borrowed book to its shelf and followed the directions she had been provided. There she came across Vwyx who had also been lost to the same oblivion. Sryine could only respect this degree of devotion into research, the professionalism here was astute. Both of the Ymheqxhya looked to be professors in their areas of study. It was a family wholly devoted in interest to the ambitions of the Instrumentation Era, and the pursuit of further inventions to add to its legend.

“So, food is a thing I guess. Anyone hungry?” Sryine was still honestly not as interested in the food, same as Vwyx. However, neither of them were inclined to denounce such hospitality. Instead, they were considering ways they might be able to each return here again in the future. Overall, there wasn’t all that much to the place, Sryine could probably finish every book before the azure leaves blossomed if given enough opportunity, while Vwyx could only marvel at the handful of instruments around she still mostly did not understand. It wasn’t the biggest wealth of their aspirations imagined, it was just far more than anything else they would find in the village. Vwyx was feeling good about her decision to follow the delivery guy’s suggestion, it seems it really was something she could learn to enjoy.

Vwyx could tell she wasn’t alone in this opinion, it was shared with her new companion in this excursion. In the quality light, with things calming down, she finally took the opportunity to measure her peer in this venture. She knew that the other girl seemed somehow familiar, though she couldn’t claim to place such an elf any better than that. In that moment, she did realize that she was the only human present. It wasn’t unexpected, their village did happen to have more elves than humans, after all. A few centuries ago, this would have been strictly an elven village, but the Instrumentation Era had invited some mutual coexistence between elves and humans. Sure, they were still different species, it wasn’t like it would be possible for Vwyx herself to find a male elf to marry, their species just weren’t compatible. Even so, both species shared the gift in equal measure, and with it were able to improve mutually.

Mr. Ymheqxhya put everything away and started leading the way back. “I don’t think I’ve taken the opportunity myself yet, but thank you both for your help with that bookshelf earlier. We were afraid we would have to make yet another request from beyond the village, which might have taken no less than several days more for anything to arrive. To think it would be such high quality too, you young lady certainly know your craft. Your assistant is also appreciated, I’m certain that bringing the bookshelf without such help would have been very difficult.” Mr. Ymheqxhya wasn’t even fully aware of the terms of events that had lead to the bookshelf’s delivery, thinking both girls were responsible in equal measure. This made Sryine feel guilty, knowing that it truly was Vwyx alone who had brought it the entire way. Vwyx could understand the confusion, but felt credit was fair. Having to work with the lady of the mansion directly would have been terrifying for her before she had her fears resolved inside, clearly her peer was braver than she was.

The three of them reached the dining room at this point and found an opportunity to further appreciate their circumstances. A small table had been set beside what would have been their regular table, in order for it to support the additional guests. Served across the table was a display of an unfamiliar casserole, with a small salad-like appetizer and a small bun of some strange design. Neither of them could recognize the food set before them, still piping hot and fresh, but the smells generated from such foods was having their mouth water just the same. Much like the family here, it was a foreign dish that might look strange at first, but once given a chance was definitely worth the investment. Both girls were starting to regret their previous assessment, everything might look creepy from the outside, but clearly the family were some genuine honest good people.

Sryine took account of the table and realized something else didn’t make sense. “There is an extra plate set, are we expecting someone else?” “Right! I remember hearing a rumor that you might have a daughter. Is it true, then?” Sryine herself had no knowledge that the family might have a daughter too, but such would explain the fifth plate at the table. Vwyx had almost forgotten that bit of information amidst the excitement of the circumstances, with nothing else to show for proving the point. Even so, such a fifth member of the dinner had not yet arrived.

“Yes, well, she’ll be here soon enough. She would know it’s dinner time, but the observatory is still a fair distance away.” “Observatory, is that the tower on the hill beyond your home?” “Yes, Khyzae spends most of her time in the observatory, keeping to her own passion. Still being new to the village, it's clear she just feels out of place.” Mrs. Ymheqxhya’s statement had reminded Sryine of the tower she had noticed earlier today. Sryine as well had forgotten her own discovery after everything that had happened since. Vwyx was silently processing the idea, herself totally unaware of the existence of any tower nearby.

“Maybe while we wait for her to arrive, I’ll show you both some of our other work in the room next door. There is a model there of her, which could at least serve for introductions in her absence.” Mr. Ymheqxhya guided the two girls to a nearby room, both girls curious as to what they might find. Both of them had grown to appreciate the family’s work so far, so they were eager for the opportunity to see more, even if the presence of food was still making them hungry. They both passed through the doorway of a faintly lit room, an open window causing the lamps in the room to flicker shadows at random. Vwyx turned into the room and almost bumped into a person.. who fell from a rack in a clutter on the floor. Vwyx went flush pale at the scene as Sryine screamed at another person dangling lifeless from the wall. They both took an opportunity to survey the scene and saw countless other such lifeless people scattered across the room. What was quickly obvious was that they weren’t looking at corpses, as the lifeless bodies scattered around the room held no sense of decay, not even a pretense of death. More so, it was becoming increasingly obvious that these figures had never seen life before, their realistic appearance bespoke the quality of their artificial nature.

“Sorry for the clutter, this room itself has become a bit of a mess. We really haven’t found a good way to organize it, after all. But here, come this way. This Ersatz was modeled after our daughter, looks exactly like her. We were lucky she had been willing to help with its creation, even back in the city, she had spent most of her time away from home. Every day, it’s as if she grows more and more distant.” Mr. Ymheqxhya indicated one of the figures resting plainly on a table, clearly getting more respect than any of its peers. Vwyx was starting to clue in on the situation, the Ymheqxhya Family had been able to produce these.. Ersatz? It was not a phrase she was familiar with. For being hand-made, this was a terrifying work of art. The fearful pretense was not lost, she was certain she would be having nightmares of this scene for days, but she still could not help but to appreciate it.

“So.. what’s an Ersatz and how are they made?” Vwyx decided to put voice to her inquiry while Sryine was still occupied with trying to calm down. Sryine herself was deep in the darker recesses of her imagination, contemplating haunting horrors that should never exist beyond the fiction that it was written for. In this, she was her own worst enemy, painting the scene in a shroud far nightmarish than it even looked. Stories of the undead host, of people who had their souls devoured by phantoms as they fell lifelessly to the floor. She was mentally reminding herself that none of those things were real, ghosts and ghouls did not actually exist. She herself was not aware of the phrase Ersatz either, and was desperate for a good explanation so as to resolve her own fears.

“Easy, they are the lifeless husks that are drawn in by the family, tempted to promises of good food and hospitality before being frozen in an eternal stare.” “Khyzaxliehriyxia! You’re scaring our guests with such wild stories.” “Hey, we’re showing people the family doll house, you would think the point would be to instill terror in its presence.” Khyzae had finally shown up, adding an extra touch of fear to the scene before them. Khyzae’s mother caught Sryine mid-feint as she scolded her daughter. Sryine had completely lost all sense of composure as the sudden voice behind her spoke the depth of her dark imagination. Vwyx looked over the new girl, taking into account just how similar Khyzae was in fact to the Ersatz they had been shown, as if a perfect twin match. Khyzae was even shorter than Vwyx, probably no more than 7 and 4 Uyn, putting Vwyx at almost exactly middle-height of her peers. Khyzae’s 150cm statue was small, but she was over a year Vwyx’s elder.

The conversation ended abruptly at that, as everyone made their way out of the eerie room. Gradually, Sryine regained consciousness thanks to Khyzae’s mother. Once her composure was restored, everyone sat down at last for the dinner served for them, thankfully still very warm. The two guests were finding the taste of the food offered as amazing as it had smelled. Both were compelled to ask questions regarding the nature of the food, but each turned to Khyzae in concern with how that would turn out. It would be a shame for Khyzae to paint such delicious food in the worst of light, ruining their appetite, and their initial impressions didn’t instill much confidence that their ignorance would be handled any other way. Sryine at least could identify the general nature of everything she ate. The salad was exclusively a collection of vegetables that had probably been imported from elsewhere. The casserole itself seemed to be homemade from imported goods, unfamiliar grains sheeted in layers over a creamy sauce. There was a rich and tender meat within the casserole, again difficult for her to identify, but somehow it seemed to be from some kind of avian creature, simply by texture alone. Even if she was wrong, it was a story she was going to hold fast to.

“Thanks for the meal, going back to the observatory now.” “Not now honey, we have guests.” “You have guests, I have stuff I plan to finish tonight.” “Honey, please at least wait for them to finish. Maybe the three of you could go to the observatory after dinner and you could show them the things you do there. After terrifying the poor girls earlier, it would be only fair.” Khyzae was not impressed by the turn of events, having responsibility compounded upon her by her mother for her earlier actions. However, she did have a large assortment of plans that night, getting a couple of hands to help with things might allow her to finish everything on schedule. However, that would depend on what sort of skill set her guests would be providing her.

“Well, what kind of occasion lead us to having such guests in the first place?” “Your father and I were requesting a bookshelf from the village, which this young woman had produced and delivered all by herself. After putting in some extra quality touches in its design, with such skilled design, we felt it only proper to treat her to something extra. This other young woman meanwhile helped me track down their family by collecting information from the locals, so that we could locate what was going on with the previous bookshelf.” Khyzae nodded her head, a craftswoman and someone skilled at organizing information, very valuable abilities. She could have used such help a long time ago, it would have provided her ample opportunity to properly provide some training, but late would still be better than never.

“Awesome, you’re both hired. Assistant number one, you’re good with information, so I’ll find you some numbers to crunch for me. Hopefully your ability with numbers is as good as it is with facts. Assistant number two, you’re better with your hands, I’ll need you to assemble some parts for me as I make some final touches. Glad to have you both on the team.” “Hey! I have a name you know. Why am I just Assistant number two anyway?” “Oh, you have a name, huh? Then why have neither of you bothered with introductions? Instead, you’re leaving my mother to speak up on your behalf.” Khyzae had a point that Vwyx hadn’t even realized. Sure, Vwyx was still lost as to how their number order had been reversed after the original introduction, but even after everything she didn’t even know the name of the other guest. Sryine herself was only aware of Vwyx’s family name, not having at any point been offered introductions beyond that.

“Let me show you how it’s done. As you may have heard, my name is Khyzae, and I’m the daughter of a couple of nutcase researchers who have decided to drag me out to your dusty little village. I spent my time in my little observatory, watching the night sky and working on my own little projects therein. Glad to meet you both. Who's next?” Khyzae made her introduction simple, speaking volumes of her own opinion. The two other girls were easily aware that Khyzae wasn’t as eager to follow her parents out into the middle of nowhere, which alone was building a bond for both of the girls. Sryine was in appreciation of the concept of an observatory designed to watch over the night sky, fantasising notions of someone who appreciates the beauty of natural scenery. Vwyx meanwhile was curious to learn more of what kind of projects Khyzae might be working on in such an environment, taking into account the sort of family interests that could have influenced such projects. Both of them were interested in learning more.

“I guess I’m next. I’m.. uh.. my name is Sryine and I’m the daughter of the village chief. Though, I don’t have much to do with my family, instead I spend most of my time reading. I especially love reading books of the Terran Mythos, and some of the inspiration that started the Instrumentation Era.” Sryine started off shy at first, but once given the opportunity to talk about her passions, the rest of her introduction spilled out freely. Khyzae nodded silently as Vwyx was surprised. Vwyx hadn’t yet been aware that her peer here was the village chief’s daughter herself. Her work had kept her away from the central workings of the village, so she hadn’t had the opportunity to actually meet Sryine before, but she knew that Sryine’s family was effectively her family’s boss in all manners of her craft. Technically, Sryine’s family was a boss in all manners of anything, being village chief, but to have brought her completed work before the daughter of her boss so unceremoniously was something she felt shame for.

“Sorry, so.. as you know, I’m a craftswoman, but so is the rest of my family. It’s sorta a family thing after all. Anyway, my name is Vwyx, and while I’ve spent my whole life devoted to my craft, it isn’t exactly the sort of thing I love to do. Simple ordinary things are kinda boring and old fashioned, I want to instead learn how to make better things. It’s why I’ve dabbled into learning instrumentation, so that I can one day create things I could honestly feel proud of.” Vwyx’s introduction was scattered without a sense of direction, but even Sryine was picking up how Vwyx was dreaming about making a difference. It was clear they were both unsatisfied with the everyday, something they both had in common.

“Thank you, Sryine, Vwyx. I can definitely see the sort of potential you could bring to the stuff I’m working on. It’s a surprise honestly to find such cultivated intent in such a backwater village, why I would have to think you both are as excited to be a part of this dusty drab as I am. It is an honest to goodness pleasure to meet such forward-thinking people, really and truly. In fact, considering this, I’m sorry for scaring you both earlier. Yes, to make up for such a poor first impression, I should take you to the Observatory and show you around. Considering your interests, you might find it a positive experience. Just please be aware, I do have a tight deadline, and I will need to devote time to my original goals. I hope that in exchange, you will both be eager to help me with my own.. Instrumentation project.” Khyzae’s words here brought the three of them together in a makeshift team that would affect their lives going forward. Neither Vwyx nor Sryine were fully aware as to what Khyzae’s project entailed, but they were fully enticed by what they knew so far. Wrapping up dinner, the three of them prepared to make the journey for the Observatory atop the hill. It was not until they had departed that Vwyx realized that she had never been given a real answer as to the nature of the Ersatz they had seen earlier. Nevertheless, it was something that could wait for their return, she would always have the opportunity to inquire further another time.

Khyzae’s father made one further trip into the Ersatz room, putting back everything the way it was originally. He had still been unable to discover a way to finish this project, and he doubted he ever would. The design was flawless, each of the dolls there almost questionably lifelike in their realism. But the gift had one limitation he had never found a way around. While he could make beings so realistic as to be alive, and even fill them with knowledge and all such, what still remained impossible was to sustain autonomous sentience. The gift had no way to ensure such a creation lived beyond the focus it was given. After a few minutes of trying, the doll would simply resume its lifeless state. His latest attempt was to weave fibers imprinted with DNA, his current project. It had already been a form of success, the Ersatz of his daughter actually already contained his daughter’s DNA.

The people of this world, Celese, did not know of it as DNA, only as a person’s living signature, the unique imprint of their being that shapes them as a person. Just earlier today, he had completed a syphon that replicates a blood sample he obtained from his daughter, allowing him to generate and process her blood through the fibers he had produced, and even that had been a success. He had emulated the entire blood circulation system required of the gift, in hopes that he could design something that was capable of sustaining its own gift autonomously, but something was still missing. He had as yet been able to artificially create a person’s essence, and without it he could not empower the Ersatz to its own will. Without such a will, it was incapable of resolving its own measure of the gift. Without that degree of sentience, the Ersatz would never have its own degree of autonomy, and never be anything more than just lifelike dolls.

Khyzae’s father went back to his work, determined to figure out a way to artificially produce a life essence. After all, it was their family ambition to discover a way to find a way past the biggest obstacle presented by the gift, to provide an almost robotic autonomy for the gift.