A Clock That Doesn't Tick-Tock

Hold it right there, sonny boy! What do you think you're doing busting down my door like that? You're from that damned village, aren't you? Well, I want nothing to do with your ilk. Get out of my house right this second!

I didn't mean to alarm you, ma'am. I just wanted to ask you a...

Well, I have no answers for you. Now get gone back to your silly village!

Can I at least ask why you dislike the residents of Horai so much?

That was an impressive triple negative. But the people there now weren't here back then and...

N-No, I was just going! No stoning necessary, I promise.

And make sure you stay gone!

That...didn't go at all like I thought.

But there's no use trying to force a conversation with someone unwilling. Maybe somebody in Horai could help.

Oh, Aldo! Impeccable timing.

How so?

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next with this gunpowder prototype. I need some direction.

I don't think I'm the best person to ask. What about Henry or the other villagers?

I've already asked them all and to no avail. *sigh* What to do, what to do?

Oh. I suppose I should ask why you're here. Did you need some explosive work done? Or did you simply wish to gaze upon my lovely visage? You little rascal, you!

Actually, Hilda...

I went to speak with the old lady who lives on the other side of the bridge, but...

How could I have forgotten?! I've yet to ask her about helping me further my gunpowder project! I tried saying hello to her once before but she chased me out of her house by pelting me with fruit pits. That was some time ago now.

No reason I shouldn't pay her another visit. Come now, Aldo! Off we go!

But that stony welcome was exactly what I came here to ask about...

Grandma, I demand that you tell me what I should do about my cannonade conundrum!

Goodness me, there's two of you wretches in my house now! And clamoring for a stranger's kindness without so much as a "please" to boot!

Aldo, I expect we'll be locked in discussion for quite a while so feel free to appreciate the rear view while you wait, dear.

Never mind that, haven't you two been arguing rather than "discussing"?

Arguing? Oh, you are too much! No, this is just how a fine lady negotiates in the face of hesitation. Granny will come round.

Well! Is your father's mother hiding someplace nice and cosy inside my house too?

Because I'm not your Grandma, I don't have any grandchildren, and if I did they'd be nothing like you!

Well, since you're so eager to shoo me off, help me with my gunpowder and I'll be out of your hair in a flash.

Oh, I'd just love to! Except I can't teach what I don't know, can I? What do I look like, girl, an encyclopedia?

Are you sure? Like, really, really sure? Because I don't think that's true.

Forget it, Hilda. If she says she can't help you there's no point in...

I'm not your Granny and you will stop addressing me as such right this instant. Grace is my name and it works just fine!

Well, as a lady called Hilda I'm definitely the more stylishly named party. And then there's how well it matches my elegance.

Hardly! I see in you none of the qualities becoming of a name like that. None at all.

And I'm not sure why I've entertained your foolishness this long in the first place. So get out of my house!

Ugh, Granny! What am I to do with you?

Absolutely nothing, I hope! My, I'd love to hear what your parents think of this flagrant disrespect for your elders.

...Yeah, so would I.

Oh?

What's that on top of the cupboards?

A watch?

Y-You, ! Impudent child! Ransacking people's homes like a vagrant now, are we?

I'm assuming this watch is yours but why leave it to gather dust, and in this state too? Look, it's broken. The hands don't even move.

Put it down, now! That is none of your concern.

It is now since I'm going to fix it. I won't be long. See you later, Granny!

H-Hold on, you, !

That watch seems pretty important to you. Don't worry, I'll get her to give it back.

That old piece o'junk? Hah! She can scrap it for all I care.

I'm sure you don't mean that. I'll go see what Hilda's up to now.

Hilda, about that watch you took from Grace...

Oh, Aldo! Impeccable timing.

Right, I'll take it back to her now.

That's not what I meant. I'm having trouble getting the thing going again.

Of course you are. Your area of expertise doesn't cover clockwork, unless I'm mistaken.

Mistaken you are. Well, you're right that clockwork isn't my specialty but I can fix up a simple trinket like this just fine.

Oh, I wouldn't have guessed.

A fine lady always keeps a man guessing. Now, Aldo, would you do me a favor?

Sure. What do you need?

I need to swap out a part that I don't have a replacement for here, you see.

So you want me to get it for you? Okay. Where can I find it?

Good, you're learning. Speak with one of the fishermen in Rinde. Ask him for Snailwhale Whiskers. I'm sure he'll be generous enough to spare a share.

Rinde, right? Okay, I'll be back before long.

Thank you, darling!

YOU! You're the guy who was here when Miss Hilda was on her rampage all about town!

I-I think "rampage" is a strong word, don't you?

We haven't seen her since. Did you take her someplace else? Someplace hopefully far away?

You...could say that. I guess.

Well, in spite of everything I hope she's doing well, wherever she is.

She's doing just fine, believe me.

In fact, she's why I came here to find you now.

NO! Has she mesmerised you too? Have you come to recruit me into some kind of plan for her return?!

What? No. She told me you could spare some Snailwhale Whiskers for her.

O-Oh! Oh, my poor heart. Don't scare me like that. Well, that's a short order compared to having her back in town, that's for sure! Of course. I'll bring you some right now. Wait there a moment.

That'd be great. Thanks!

Here you go! If she sent you to get these that can only mean she's back to making watches. Hilda's a great horologist, you know! If only she stuck to making things that tick and tock but don't explode afterwards, huh?

Haha! Funnily enough, she's more help as a maker of bombs these days.

Is that so? Well, give her my regards.

Will do. Thanks again!

All right, back to Hilda's place!

I'm back with those Snailwhale Whiskers, Hilda.

Perfect. All I have to do is fit those in and the repairs are finished.

That's great. Glad I didn't keep you waiting then.

This won't take long so try and behave yourself until I'm done. You'll get your thank you hug later.

Uh, I'll pass on that too.

*clink clink* *humming* ...Aldo?

Huh?

Did you know that watchmakers always engrave their works with their own unique insignias to signify that they made them?

No, I didn't. That's pretty interesting. Does that watch have some sort of a special marking too?

No. I just wanted to show off my smarts.

Oh.

At last! It's finished.

Really? Great work, Hilda.

It's better than great, it's fantastic! Just as one would expect from a proper lady.

Let's return the watch to her A.S.A.P. She'll be overjoyed.

Try not to quarrell with her like last time, okay?

Oh, Aldo, we weren't quarrelling! I'm telling you, that is simply how adult ladies talk things over. You silly goose.

Why? What happened?

Well, whatever. Let's just hand this watch back to Grace as soon as we can.

Yoohoo! Granny! I have your watch here, all fixed up and ready for you to wear again.

Hah! And were you expecting a thank you? Don't hold your breath. I didn't ask for your help so you won't get one word of thanks for it.

Oh, that's fine. I'm not bothered about that. I'd much rather have you listen to what I have to say instead.

The extent of your obstinacy is amazing. Shameless, I say! Go on, spit it out then. And then leave me alone.

Of course.

Look at this.

That's...!

The same watch as yours, yes?

My father, who was a watchmaker, made it especially for me. There exists only one other like it in the entire world.

"One other"?

......

I'm sorry, do forgive me. Since your watch and mine looked so similar I just couldn't help myself. Well, I'll get going now but I'll be back another time. See you then, Gran, I mean, Grace.

......

......

Well, I'll get going too, Grace.

Just a moment, sonny boy!

Hm?

Next time she comes barging into my home at the very least the polite thing to do would be to bring a gift along with her.

......

Heh, you got it. I will!