"I don't mind, it sounds very interesting. I had a friend who tried to do something like that but I don't think he had enough - background - to get much out of it."

"Well, I can explain what I'm thinking and what we're testing as I go. That often helps when I start thinking in circles, anyway."

And they can go do science to magic! Focusing on the immediately useful, not basic principles, for now though. It turns out that duplicating and enlarging chunks of coal is more efficient in terms of Mabel's time and energy than magical fires.

"Not as good for air pollution, but that is about a hundred items down the list of priorities right now. How do you feel about a half-shift of this as work, tomorrow? That will be enough coal that I can slosh around the shifts some, take people out of the coal mines and put them in greenhouses and infirmaries and help deal with the other looming resource issues."

If only they could miraculously greenhouse-effect their way into not being frozen.

"I'm perfectly all right with that - I don't actually know how long your shifts are but I assume it's not an absolutely ridiculous amount of time."

"A full shift is eight to noon, half hour break for lunch, twelve-thirty to six. We had to do extended shifts for a while - six AM to eight PM - but thankfully that is no longer necessary for most jobs, and I try to rotate the people taking hard shifts."

"That's fine. I'm glad to be able to help."

"I'm sure I appreciate it. I'll make sure you have one of the better rooms, and get food first. If you need something else, we can try to figure something out. It's not even favoritism so much as safeguarding useful skills."

Obviously the best result would be not having been eaten by a mirrorsnake, but as far as alternatives go, it could be worse.

"I'm not picky as long as I can get by. Thank you." Pause. "Oh, and not that I expect it to come up very often, but if someone finds my wand -" she gestures at it "- unattended, say in my room or left on a table, then I would really recommend leaving it, since they've been known to fling non-magical people into walls when waved by them."

"...Noted. I will spread the word not to touch the wand."

"In theory just holding it should be safe, but wands might have very generous definitions of 'wave'. Is there anything else we should talk about? - immediately, I mean, not in general."

"As I said, no touching the wand, to be safe. Nothing immediate that I can think of - more test ideas, but that can wait - perhaps I should introduce you around, but at your preference."

"I do like to meet new people."

Theodore introduces her to various people, mostly by their titles. Head Doctor, Cook Supervisor, Head Metallurgist, Head of Construction, Head of Security, Labour Representative - they're all kind of tired and blur together just a bit. He doesn't explain magic to them in so many words, except for a whispered conversation with the Security guy. Security guy promises to keep people away from Mab's room and warn anyone who might go in there about the wand.

Mabel meets people! Meeting people is important. She makes sure to thank the security guy.

The edges of introductions aren't quite clear. She gets the feeling she's straining her remembering-people capacity for the day. "What time is it now, do you know?"

"Almost six, now. Dinner time. And then resting time."

"Where do people normally eat?"

"I'll escort you to the cookhouse. The menu is remnants of His Majesty's Finest Canned Beans And Tinned Biscuits, plus locally grown potatoes, greens, and legumes, and if we're lucky perhaps a bit of meat, the origins of which it may be best not to worry too much about."

They have to go out in the cold cold cold again to get to the cookhouse, but it seems that the inner city is at least a bit warmer than the open snowfield, with heat leaking from the buildings and radiating from the Generator, and the wind being mostly blocked.

The cookhouse is crowded and loud but contains hot food and slightly ramshackle cafeteria style tables!

Hot food is a wonderful thing. She goes about acquiring some and sees if she can catch a glimpse of anyone she knows.

Glen, the boss of the little scouting expedition that found her, is talking to Cooper, the guy who takes care of the dogs, all the way on the far side of the place.

She makes her way over to them.

"Can't do it. Dogs don't think like that."

"Look, all I'm asking is-"

"No. Not possible. They's trained but they's still animals."

"It's just-"

"No." Cooper takes a bite of his food, totally calm.

Glen sighs, then notices Mabel. "Oh, hello again. Did you manage to see the Captain?"

"I did! He seemed very reasonable, and it's good to have more of my situation sorted out. Sorry to interrupt your talk, you were saying about dogs - ?"

Cooper shoots an annoyed glance. "No."

"Well, apparently I was wrong."

"He want the dogs to behave like automata, not living creatures. Sit still, be quiet, go in straight line. Will not happen."

"I've never been around dogs very much. A lot of birds and cats. Dogs always seemed - friendlier, in a way. Is the way they're acting causing problems?"

"No, no, no. They're fine. Just- Fine. It's all fine!"

"House dogs are nice, fluffy, stupid creatures. Sled dogs are not as nice."

"As far as animals with jobs go, I knew a very mean cat, but I'm guessing dogs do less prowling about and terrifying schoolchildren."