Viktor was leaning over his work table with Singed, consulting a plan for a brand new hexcore for his third hand. Which was why he couldn't hear the knock on the door.

After a long time of nobody answering, curiosity got the better of Mira and she tried the handle. The door was unlocked and she entered.

"Hello?" Her voice echoed in the hall. "Anyone here?"

Suddenly she felt a knife pressed against her neck and heard a voice. It was one she had heard before and it belong to no other than Singed, the Mad Chemist.

"Who are you and what do you want here?" he said in his low baritone.

Mira gulped. "I...I'm just a courier. I bring the screwdriver Viktor ordered. The door was unlocked so I thought-"

"Let her go, Singed." It was Viktor who spoke now, his robotic voice betraying no sign of emotion.

Singed let go off her and Mira's hand subconsciously darted to her neck.

"You, do not do that again. If it was me who noticed you first, you would not be breathing anymore, stupid girl."

Suddenly Mira felt anger seizing her. She had had enough of this. "Well, if you don't want people to go into your lab, maybe you shouldn't leave the door open!"

A seemingly endless moment of silence followed. Then both men started laughing.

"I like this one, Viktor, she's got fire. Now now, little one, give him what you are supposed to."

Mira handed Viktor the package, taking a pouch of gold in return, then she just strode out without a word.

"What was that about?" Singed asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" was the answer. The mage sounded irritated.

Singed laughed again. "I think this little vixen likes you, my friend."

The Machine Herald waved his hand dismissively. "Nonsense. Now, let us focus on the work, shall we."

Singed couldn't help smiling. He was starting to get very curious how things would turn out.

The shopkeeper yordle was confused. He was quite sure something was wrong with his young assistant that day. She was in a terrible mood ever since she came back from the delivery rounds, to the point that she almost threw a lamp at a particularly unpleasant customer. Of course, the answer he got out of her upon answering what had happened was: "Nothing." If he could go off what he knew from his wife (and he correctly assumed that there weren't many differences between yordle and human women when it came to these things), it meant "Everything. But I'm not in the mood to talk about it." So he just left her alone, hoping she would calm down before she started breaking things.

Mira was very, very angry. She wasn't sure if it was herself she was mad at for being such a stupid goose, Viktor for being so aloof and calling her a "stupid girl" or the world in general. Not that it mattered. There was a storm raging inside her head. Luckily the day was busy and time passed relatively fast. After a few hours she finally managed to wrap everything up for the day and head home. There she slammed the door to her room closed, threw herself on the bed, burried her face into her pillow and pretended she couldn't feel the stinging of tears in her eyes.

A week later, she was peacefully repairing an antique clock in the back of the shop, when she heard the doorbell and heavy footsteps. Surely enough, it was Viktor. He looked around, probably searching for the shopkeeper. But he had gone for lunch not long ago and wouldn't be back for quite some time. Which meant Mira had to take care of whatever request the man had herself. She stood up and made her way to the counter.

Viktor surprised her by speaking before she even managed to open her mouth. "Good day," he said in his thick accent. "I am looking for the owner, I need a couple parts for a new hexcore and I was hoping to discuss it with him..."

Mira smirked. "I'm afraid he's not here at the moment and he won't be back for quite a while," she replied, trying to pierce Viktor with her eyes. Seeing him had reminded her of the incident a week ago and it just made her angry again. "However, I can help you as well if you need."

They ended up talking for over an hour. When the yordle finally came back, Viktor was already leaving.

"Thank you very much for the advice. I am impressed by your knowledge. I will consider what you have told me." He stood in silence for a second but then continued. "I would also like to offer an apology if I offended you the other day."

This made Mira smile. She was right, he wasn't a complete jerk. "It's alright, nothing to be sorry about. Have a good day."

The shopkeeper shook his head. The girl had been furious mere hours ago and now she walked around with a smile on her face and a distant look in her eyes. Well...at least she was happy and no customer was endangered by flying lamps...for now anyway.

Viktor worked on his new core for hours. To his surprise, it turned out amazing, the girl was right. He was very much impressed by her extensive knowledge of techmaturgy. People who hadn't studied the College usually knew next to nothing, let alone people who hadn't studied it and were women. She seemed to be full of surprises. He decided it would be a good idea to consult her again soon.

A few days later, they spoke again. And after another short period of time, again. After his third visit to the shop he decided he trusted her enough.

"Mira. Maybe...maybe you could come visit me in my lab some day. I have many interesting devices there and also...also some books you might like. Also...I could use a bit of advice from time to time."

Mira smiled, it was clear he was very uncomfortable saying it like this but it made her heart jump. He actually liked her...or at least it seemed like it. She smiled at him.

"Gladly."