Steampunk Family

Philomena’s Observation Book, Thursday

By Madame vonHedwig on Monday, May 11th, 2009

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Thursday

Unmitigated disaster.  I know Mother would say that my surviving the experience is mitigation enough, and perhaps I shall feel that way next week, but just now the bottom of the boulder-strewn ravine looks cozy, and most importantly, secluded!

Pelly helped me carry the wings up to our room.  I couldn’t possibly wear them through the school. I hate having everyone talking about me and guessing what I’m up to.  Besides, I’ve designed them for flight, not comfort.  Pelly, usually supportive and the best possible roommate, got a bit dramatic while I prepared.  Not shrill, exactly, but an innovative scientific mind can be oppressed by overuse of words like “plummet” and “plunge to your death”.  This is science, not a penny dreadful!

Or so I had hoped.  Plummet, as it happened, was le mot juste.

It was difficult to diagnose the problem while on the way down.  I spent much of last night (after nurse released me) looking at the apparatus, and I see clearly now that I need to add articulation at what would be the elbow.  Otherwise I will never be able to capitalize on the thermal drafts that so benefit larger birds of prey.  I wish now I had looked more at eagles than my parents’ pigeons, but that is the point of experimentation! Back to the drawing board…

This story began here and is continued here.

Tags: Academy, flying, gas, lamp, light, parachute, Philomena, steam, steampunk, stories, story, von Hedwig, ya, young adult