Eadgar grunted as he tightened the last bolt into place. The duke had commissioned this automaton months ago and tomorrow it was expected to perform at his estate. He ran a hand over the smooth flanks of the new metal creature, admiring the sleek form that disguised a complex array of gears and springs that would bring it to life. With an affirmative grunt to himself, Eadgar slotted the winding key between the perked up ears and wound his creation to life. 

A steady ticking set the beat of life as gears began to click as they locked into place and began to turn one another. Slowly the joints began to flex, while Eadgar hovered with an oil can, greasing each movement until the motion was as smooth as that of a living being. The ears swiveled and the head turned, positioning itself so that the glass orbs could gaze upon the man who created it before clicking back to its original position. Eadgar smiled to himself as he sat back in the creaky wooden chair and watched the new machine run through its set of poses, sitting and standing according to the clicking of the gears. This would do nicely for the duke. 

When the machine wound itself out, Eadgar wiped it clean of any excess grease and did a light buff on the etched steel so that the striped pattern was defined. He placed the automaton into a cushioned crate. He attached the winding key to a gold chain and hung it about the neck of the precious machine before closing the lid and securing the latch so it could be transported to the Kinder Estate in the morning. 

The journey was uneventful as the estate was only a short ways outside of town. Eadgar arrived just before midday, his donkey pulling the lightly burdened cart through the gate and up to the manor where a uniformed valet greeted them. As Eadgar gathered the crate a butler appeared and informed him that his grace, the Duke, and his young son were in the gardens. 

Erebus Kinder and his son, Nikolaos, were sitting in the shade of a gazebo overlooking their duck pond when the butler announced the arrival of the mechanic. Bowing, Eadgar approached and presented the crate before them. The Duke greeted him with a sly smile and motioned for him to open the crate. Eadgar undid the latch and reached inside, bringing out the automaton and presenting it to the Duke’s son. 

The excitement radiated from Nikolaos as he saw the mechanical cat that was before him. The joy was contagious to the middle aged men around him as he set the metal creature in his lap, admiring the details of the metal as they sparkled in the sunlight. His heart nearly burst with happiness when Eadgar showed him the wind up key and showed him how to bring the animal to life. The boy had been denied furred companions due to severe allergies, and now Eadgar watched with pride as he bonded with his new pet.