Hephaestus
Part VIII - Tipping The Balance
Over the next few weeks, Melanie began to think Layton was wrong about the Tailie metallurgist. While Hes was never what she would have termed the most pleasant of people, he seemed to always temper his demeanor when he was around her, always treating her with at least some sort of respect.
But shortly into the fifth week of Hes working in his new forge, he finally seemed ready to make the move Layton had been warning her about.
That night there was a council meeting where Melanie was making one of her rare appearances. Overall, although it seemed to be the way things worked best for the group assembled, she disliked the bickering that still seemed to go on among the factions.
Layton tried to explain to her if she came to the meetings more often, she would see that this was simply they way they got things done. Someone made a suggestion, someone opposed it, they argued it out with a lot 'boisterous discussion', then they voted, and the matter was settled.
"But why all the yelling and screaming?" She protested one night when they were both laying in bed talking about it after she had brought the matter up from a previous meeting.
Layton simply smiled back at her. "Because it's more fun that way."
Melanie sighed as she stared at him across the bed, not sure if he was being serious or not.
"The council meetings should be organized and civil." She answered his smile. "And it is your responsibility to make them that way."
"Why?"
"Why what? Why should they be organized and civil, or why is it your responsibility to make them that way?"
"Both."
"Both? Because you would get more done, that's 'why'."
"And the meetings wouldn't be nearly as much fun. Plus I think half the people there would fall asleep if I ran the meetings your way, and the other half would stop coming."
Melanie just shook her head and turned back to her book.
"Things get done, Melanie." He would add as he watched her. "But sometimes you have to let people have a little free reign to get them done their way."
"It just very...chaotic."
"And sometimes chaos works."
At this particular meeting, Melanie was pleasantly chatting with a council member who had taken a seat next to her, expressing his pleasure at seeing her attending the meeting that night. He was just beginning to make a play for her vote in a matter he was presenting that night when her attention was distracted by a last minute entrance to the meeting.
Walking in the door with his characteristic limp, Hephaestus stopped and waited for a moment as he studied the filled seats around the table. One of the council members seemed to recognize the train's metallurgist and quickly vacated his chair for him out of respect.
Accepting the man's chair, Hephaestus seated himself at the table. The position put him with his back to the door and halfway between Melanie and Layton, who, as always, sat directly across from each other at the large table.
Melanie quickly exchanged a glance with Layton, who barely acknowledged it as he turned his attention to the newest member at the table.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the council." He addressed the gathering. "For those of you who are not familiar with the gentleman who just joined this meeting, this is Hephaestus. I am sure you have heard of his work for the train and will show due appreciation for his service to Snowpiercer and welcome him to this council meeting."
Those around the table quickly began offered welcomes and words of appreciation for Hes and his service to the train. All of this Melanie carefully watched, noting how much the man seemed to like the attention and soaked up every ounce of praise he was given. But not out of any of his own appreciation of what was being given by the others around him, but more as though he felt he was entitled to it.
When the greetings quieted down, Layton began the meeting.
While he didn't offer much by way of comments or suggestions, Melanie hardly ever took her attention off the man. Layton had warned her Hephaestus was methodical and cunning when it came to his forcing a 'gift' from someone. Layton had told her he felt Hes was going to make a move soon, coming to claim his 'gift' when she failed to present him with one on her own.
Melanie couldn't think of a better time for him to do this then exactly where he had positioned himself now. Trying to force her to whatever his demands were in front of the entire council.
Melanie continued to carefully watch the meeting progress right to its conclusion without Hes making any move to disrupt any of the proceedings. If anything, he seemed to watch everything going on with a keen interest, particularly seeming to enjoy the more lively arguments that broke out.
As the meeting concluded, Hes still made no move to interject anything as he accepted more offers of admiration for his work from the other council members as they left.
Soon the only three people left in the room were Melanie, Layton, and Hephaestus.
Sure that this wasn't by idle chance, Layton leaned casually over the table, resting his arms on it. "It was good of you to come to the council meeting tonight, Hes." He commented. "But somehow I can't help but think you came with a reason."
Hes regarded the man for a moment. "Always so suspicious of others, or honestly have to put effort into it?"
"And you seem to forget where I came from. 'Suspicious' kept you alive there."
Hes shook his head as he turned to the table. "No interest in you tonight." He stated, then turned to Melanie. "Interest is in pretty little engineer."
Melanie showed little reaction to the man's statement. "And what is your interest in me tonight, Hes?"
"Hes gave a 'gift'. Have got nothing in return."
So here it was. Hephaestus had come calling for what he felt was his due, just as Layton had warned her he would.
Layton turned to Melanie, but didn't say anything. Although she caught his movement out of the corner of her eye, she never took her eyes off the metallurgist.
"I think I have more than returned in kind for your 'gift', Hephaestus." Melanie replied in a level tone.
"Have given nothing back for 'gift'." Hephaestus replied in the same level tone. "When a 'gift' is given, one must be given in return. Hephaestus gave pretty little engineer a 'gift'. Have been waiting for 'gift' in return. But none has come."
Melanie crossed her arms over her chest. "All right. You want a 'gift'. I'll give you something."
But Hephaestus shook his head. "Nay. Hephaestus has waited a long time for 'gift'. Has been very patient. Pretty little engineer has forfeited right to give 'gift'."
"What does that mean?"
"It means," Layton stated, joining the conversation, "that he now gets the right to choose his 'gift' from you. And that he can asked for whatever he wants. It was one of the rules he imposed in the Tail to make sure he always got a 'gift' in return. That no one tried to cheat him."
Hephaestus turned to the man for a moment, then slowly let his gaze drift back to Melanie.
"Layton understands the laws of the train better than pretty little engineer it seems. And is correct. Have forfeited right to give 'gift' now. Now Hes gets to choose 'gift'."
"But not exceeding the price of the 'gift' you gave, Hes." Layton spoke up again.
The metallurgist gave him a cunning smile. "Hephaestus does not cheat. But has also done a great service to this train. Making parts for train benefits all on the train. And is only one on train who can do this. No one else can work forge."
"That is true, Hes." Melanie agreed. "But while you make those parts, you don't know where they go, what needs replacing or when, and you don't understand how to keep the engine running. The train works because everyone has a skill they contribute to keep it running. You supply the parts, I keep the engine running, and Layton keeps everything running in order."
"Does not change point that Hes gave 'gift', and did not get one in return. Now gets to choose 'gift."
Melanie set herself to face the man's demand for his 'gift'.
"All right." She stated. "What is it you want?"
"Hes gave you a train." The man stated with a growing smile. "Want train in return."