[It has been an utterly miserable month or two. Arthur has never had a very solid sense of time, and it's gone even further to hell here. So, it seems has his life.
Between losing the only thing he really cared about in this world, and the whole burning alive fiasco, it hasn't been a fun time for him of late. But! He'd made a deal, and a project is just what he needs right now. Something to keep him busy. He's drawn up some basic blueprints for what he has in mind, and it shouldn't be too big of a project.
And Eddie will be a great deal more comfortable when it's done. Particularly if cold weather follows the warm. One needs a proper bed and insulation when it gets cold.
He pulls up to where they've agreed to meet, his own mini bus looking much better than it had the last time Eddie saw it. Arthur's been working on it in his spare time, when he's felt well enough to.]
[ The van is an incredibly sad state right now; nothing but a lumpy mattress, a pile of blankets and poorly folded clothing, and a guitar still without an amp. Eddie makes due with the situation, but he has to admit that it would be nice to have something a little more comfortable, especially with the weather beginning to turn. ]
Hey, man.
[ He grins and essentially swings out of his shabby vehicle, waving to Arthur as he does. Clearly, heās having at least a slightly easier time of things than Arthur. ]
Thanks again for doing this. I have a couple ideas and some cool things I found if youāre open, but uh, if the artist doesnāt accept backseat work, by all meansā¦
Of course. Here, come round the back, I'll show you what I've drafted up and we can see what we can do about your ideas.
[Arthur gestures with his hand for Eddie to follow him and heads to the back his little bus. He opens the doors to show his cheery yellow interior - a chest bed, a row of sunshine yellow cabinets with white trim, a hot plate and tea kettle. He grabs a handle at the foot of the bed, just beneath the 'mattress', and gives it a tug. A smoothly polished board slides out - an improvised desk.
He's rather proud of his own little set up. It's nice than some of the bunkers he's stayed in, though that's a terribly low bar.]
[ Eddie is more than happy to follow, and when he ducks his head into the microbus, his eyes light up. Itās a little too bright and cheery for his own personal taste, but thatās fine. This is Arthurās space, not his, and it looks fantastic. Itās tidier than the whole of Eddieās room back home, and the craftsmanship is genuinely impressive.
He grins as the improvised desk makes its appearance, and he claps politely.]
Holy shit, dude. This is amazing. You seriously did all of this yourself? Like--just you?
[Arthur glances over, tilting his head. It's nothing all that impressive, as far as he's concerned. Just cabinets, really. One with padding on top to make a bed. He has to remind himself that not everyone has had the same life as him. Not everyone has reason to know how to make things like this.]
It's just scraps of wood and bits and bobs cobbled together into various squares. All very basic, really. You'll get a firsthand look at it soon.
[Perhaps Eddie would even like to help a bit. Another pair of hands to hold things steady always makes the work go a bit faster.]
I was thinking something similar. A bed that doubles as storage and a cabinet or cupboard of some kind opposite. We hang a curtain here behind the seating....
[ It may not be much in reality, but to Eddie, itās genuinely impressive that someoneās managed to turn a microbus into something comfortable and livable. It also probably helps that Eddie has never done a large-scale project like this himself. Small things like dice towers, sure, and heās helped his uncle out a couple of times, but thatās about the extent.
He light up as Arthur unrolls his plans, crowding in to get a good look at them. He has no complaints, but he does reach out to point and make a few minor suggestions of his own. Nothing too crazyāa reserved spot for his guitar and amp, a slight adjustment to some of the cabinets, nothing that adds much extra work at all. ]
Hey, uhāso no need to work all this in, but I picked up some stuff that looked kind of interesting if you think you can incorporate any of it.
[ He takes off to his own van one more, lugging out bits and bobs like a little magpie with an array of treasure. All the basics are there, but he also has pieces of swirling metal that have patinaed into a rainbow of colors over the years, interesting pieces of wood in all different shades, colorful bits of glass, and even a carved wooden dragon. He grins as he holds that particular piece up, and it's clear that it's his favorite in the bunch. ]
[Arthur ambles over to take a look at what Eddie's amassed. It reminds him a bit of the random assortment of things that Jonny had collected in his tree house. Though, thankfully, lacking in creepy dolls.]
Well, I'm sure we can display some of these nicely.
[He plucks his cigarettes out of his boilersuit pocket and lights one up, peering at the wood and metal pieces, shifting them around in his mind.]
Some of this can be used for cabinetry. Or...what sort of vibe are you hopping for? I know the young folks like their psychedelia and pop art, and you've got some very good foundational pieces for psychedelic wall art with an industrial twist...
[ Itās clear heās been collecting things, because next, he goes rummaging for something else, his voice becoming muffled from the confines of his open van. ]
When I was a kid, my uncleāhe, uh, got me this calendar. It was these full color illustrations of Lord of the Rings. It was great. I mean, aside from the handlebar moustache they gave Aragorn, but I basically kept it forever. I didnāt find that one, but I did findā
[ He clambers from the van, right back into Arthurās, something clutched in his hands. ]
This one.
[ Grinning, he slams down a tattered calendar. The month of July has been torn in two and the pages are yellowing, but his inspiration is clear. ]
And believe me, Iām not expecting real grandeur and luxury in the form of a shitty Chevy Nomad, but, uhā¦it might be enough to give you some inspirations. And Iām not beyond psychedelic wall art with an industrial twist either.
[Arthur breaks into a grin as he sees the pictures Eddie has to offer for a guideline. Brilliant!]
Ah, a fellow appreciator of swords and sorcery! I had quite a few copies of Tales of Wonder and Fantasy when I was a lad. And a very well worn copy of The Sword in the Stone - my mum gave me all sorts of Arthurian legend books, but that one was my favorite. It was all about Arthur as a boy, and as a boy Arthur myself...
[He chuckles a little. Such high hopes his mother had, naming him after Britain's most famous maybe king. If he ever really existed. No wonder her ghost had seemed so sad when they'd met. He really hadn't lived up to it.
But those thoughts are pushed aside as he nods and ponders and flips through the calendar.]
I think we can manage a design you're quite happy with. Er...though it's going take longer than I'd originally quoted you. Detailing and carving work and all of that.
Hell yeah, dude. I had a book of Arthurian legends as well. Have you seriously never read Lord of the Rings?
[ Because he failed to list it and any self-respecting sword and sorcery appreciator should read Lord of the Rings. Itās practically the blueprint for all modern fantasy in the westā¦ ]
Well, uh, maybe I could help? I mean, the most woodwork Iāve ever really done is like, a bird house and some dice towers, but Iāve done a little wood burning. And, uhā¦Iām not beyond being humbled into learning either.
[ Honestly, from the sound of it, itās something he would like to do, and not just out of obligation. Heās missing home and his uncle and friends more than heād realized, and heās determined to find ways to connect with others. Even if it means learning a new skill. ]
Itās kind of the least I can offer for saddling you with more work.
[Arthur's expression is mildly perplexed, and he shakes his head.]
Afraid not. Of course, if it came out any time after 1940, there's no way for me to know about it. I think the last new book we got was an Agatha Christie. Well, discounting anything published in Wellington Wells, but let's just say that my fellow Wellies were not terribly literarily inclined.
[He had been in publishing, so to speak, and had read all of the 'new' manuscripts. Which were mostly bizarrely rewritten Shakespeare plays, devoid of all violence or tragedy, and local guides. Not terribly stimulating reads. Thank Dog he'd been in a position to steal old books before they were burned.
But his thoughts quickly move on as Eddie keeps talking. He...wants to learn woodworking? From Arthur? No one ever wants to learn anything from him, they just want him to do things for them. The universe's errand boy, that's Arthur Hastings. Coming from Wellington, he'd long had the underlying assumption that all his knowledge would just....be lost. Like everything in that Dog forsaken village. His entire university education would go to waste. It was only here, in this world, he's been able to utilize it and do something with it.
And now Eddie is asking to help him and learn, to be a part of this renovation project. It's strangely touching. Genuinely so.]
That would be...quite nice, young master Eddie. Quite nice indeed.
[ For some reason, despite meeting people from both his future, his past, and worlds that he wouldnāt know even existed back home, itās the fact that someone could not be familiar with Lord of the Rings thatās absolutely boggling Eddieās mind. Itās also terribly sad. He was born in 1966, and thus has never experienced a world without the Lord of the Rings and its impact. ]
Uh...1950-something? I guess you just missed it. But dude, if you like Arthurian legends, youād love it. Iāll pass it along if I find a copy.
[ He immediately assumes Arthur is from a time prior to 1950, rather than simply from a horribly censorship-happy society. Because thatās the simple explanation.
He certainly doesnāt expect such a response to a simple request to help with this project. Genuine and touched, like Eddie asking just made Arthurās entire life. He figures that this is a big project and he may as well make himself useful, especially if he canāt repay Arthur very well for his work. It would probably make his uncle proud to hear itās something heās opted to try outāif he ever sees the old man again. ]
Great, man. Just, uh, let me know where you want to start and Iāll give it my best shot.
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satanicpanics) wrote2025-05-14 05:18 pm
Action
Between losing the only thing he really cared about in this world, and the whole burning alive fiasco, it hasn't been a fun time for him of late. But! He'd made a deal, and a project is just what he needs right now. Something to keep him busy. He's drawn up some basic blueprints for what he has in mind, and it shouldn't be too big of a project.
And Eddie will be a great deal more comfortable when it's done. Particularly if cold weather follows the warm. One needs a proper bed and insulation when it gets cold.
He pulls up to where they've agreed to meet, his own mini bus looking much better than it had the last time Eddie saw it. Arthur's been working on it in his spare time, when he's felt well enough to.]
no subject
Hey, man.
[ He grins and essentially swings out of his shabby vehicle, waving to Arthur as he does. Clearly, heās having at least a slightly easier time of things than Arthur. ]
Thanks again for doing this. I have a couple ideas and some cool things I found if youāre open, but uh, if the artist doesnāt accept backseat work, by all meansā¦
no subject
[Arthur gestures with his hand for Eddie to follow him and heads to the back his little bus. He opens the doors to show his cheery yellow interior - a chest bed, a row of sunshine yellow cabinets with white trim, a hot plate and tea kettle. He grabs a handle at the foot of the bed, just beneath the 'mattress', and gives it a tug. A smoothly polished board slides out - an improvised desk.
He's rather proud of his own little set up. It's nice than some of the bunkers he's stayed in, though that's a terribly low bar.]
You can see what I've done with mine.
no subject
He grins as the improvised desk makes its appearance, and he claps politely.]
Holy shit, dude. This is amazing. You seriously did all of this yourself? Like--just you?
no subject
[Arthur glances over, tilting his head. It's nothing all that impressive, as far as he's concerned. Just cabinets, really. One with padding on top to make a bed. He has to remind himself that not everyone has had the same life as him. Not everyone has reason to know how to make things like this.]
It's just scraps of wood and bits and bobs cobbled together into various squares. All very basic, really. You'll get a firsthand look at it soon.
[Perhaps Eddie would even like to help a bit. Another pair of hands to hold things steady always makes the work go a bit faster.]
I was thinking something similar. A bed that doubles as storage and a cabinet or cupboard of some kind opposite. We hang a curtain here behind the seating....
[He's unrolling his plans as he outlines them.]
no subject
He light up as Arthur unrolls his plans, crowding in to get a good look at them. He has no complaints, but he does reach out to point and make a few minor suggestions of his own. Nothing too crazyāa reserved spot for his guitar and amp, a slight adjustment to some of the cabinets, nothing that adds much extra work at all. ]
Hey, uhāso no need to work all this in, but I picked up some stuff that looked kind of interesting if you think you can incorporate any of it.
[ He takes off to his own van one more, lugging out bits and bobs like a little magpie with an array of treasure. All the basics are there, but he also has pieces of swirling metal that have patinaed into a rainbow of colors over the years, interesting pieces of wood in all different shades, colorful bits of glass, and even a carved wooden dragon. He grins as he holds that particular piece up, and it's clear that it's his favorite in the bunch. ]
Obviously I'll help.
no subject
[Arthur ambles over to take a look at what Eddie's amassed. It reminds him a bit of the random assortment of things that Jonny had collected in his tree house. Though, thankfully, lacking in creepy dolls.]
Well, I'm sure we can display some of these nicely.
[He plucks his cigarettes out of his boilersuit pocket and lights one up, peering at the wood and metal pieces, shifting them around in his mind.]
Some of this can be used for cabinetry. Or...what sort of vibe are you hopping for? I know the young folks like their psychedelia and pop art, and you've got some very good foundational pieces for psychedelic wall art with an industrial twist...
no subject
[ Itās clear heās been collecting things, because next, he goes rummaging for something else, his voice becoming muffled from the confines of his open van. ]
When I was a kid, my uncleāhe, uh, got me this calendar. It was these full color illustrations of Lord of the Rings. It was great. I mean, aside from the handlebar moustache they gave Aragorn, but I basically kept it forever. I didnāt find that one, but I did findā
[ He clambers from the van, right back into Arthurās, something clutched in his hands. ]
This one.
[ Grinning, he slams down a tattered calendar. The month of July has been torn in two and the pages are yellowing, but his inspiration is clear. ]
And believe me, Iām not expecting real grandeur and luxury in the form of a shitty Chevy Nomad, but, uhā¦it might be enough to give you some inspirations. And Iām not beyond psychedelic wall art with an industrial twist either.
no subject
Ah, a fellow appreciator of swords and sorcery! I had quite a few copies of Tales of Wonder and Fantasy when I was a lad. And a very well worn copy of The Sword in the Stone - my mum gave me all sorts of Arthurian legend books, but that one was my favorite. It was all about Arthur as a boy, and as a boy Arthur myself...
[He chuckles a little. Such high hopes his mother had, naming him after Britain's most famous maybe king. If he ever really existed. No wonder her ghost had seemed so sad when they'd met. He really hadn't lived up to it.
But those thoughts are pushed aside as he nods and ponders and flips through the calendar.]
I think we can manage a design you're quite happy with. Er...though it's going take longer than I'd originally quoted you. Detailing and carving work and all of that.
no subject
[ Because he failed to list it and any self-respecting sword and sorcery appreciator should read Lord of the Rings. Itās practically the blueprint for all modern fantasy in the westā¦ ]
Well, uh, maybe I could help? I mean, the most woodwork Iāve ever really done is like, a bird house and some dice towers, but Iāve done a little wood burning. And, uhā¦Iām not beyond being humbled into learning either.
[ Honestly, from the sound of it, itās something he would like to do, and not just out of obligation. Heās missing home and his uncle and friends more than heād realized, and heās determined to find ways to connect with others. Even if it means learning a new skill. ]
Itās kind of the least I can offer for saddling you with more work.
no subject
[Arthur's expression is mildly perplexed, and he shakes his head.]
Afraid not. Of course, if it came out any time after 1940, there's no way for me to know about it. I think the last new book we got was an Agatha Christie. Well, discounting anything published in Wellington Wells, but let's just say that my fellow Wellies were not terribly literarily inclined.
[He had been in publishing, so to speak, and had read all of the 'new' manuscripts. Which were mostly bizarrely rewritten Shakespeare plays, devoid of all violence or tragedy, and local guides. Not terribly stimulating reads. Thank Dog he'd been in a position to steal old books before they were burned.
But his thoughts quickly move on as Eddie keeps talking. He...wants to learn woodworking? From Arthur? No one ever wants to learn anything from him, they just want him to do things for them. The universe's errand boy, that's Arthur Hastings. Coming from Wellington, he'd long had the underlying assumption that all his knowledge would just....be lost. Like everything in that Dog forsaken village. His entire university education would go to waste. It was only here, in this world, he's been able to utilize it and do something with it.
And now Eddie is asking to help him and learn, to be a part of this renovation project. It's strangely touching. Genuinely so.]
That would be...quite nice, young master Eddie. Quite nice indeed.
no subject
Uh...1950-something? I guess you just missed it. But dude, if you like Arthurian legends, youād love it. Iāll pass it along if I find a copy.
[ He immediately assumes Arthur is from a time prior to 1950, rather than simply from a horribly censorship-happy society. Because thatās the simple explanation.
He certainly doesnāt expect such a response to a simple request to help with this project. Genuine and touched, like Eddie asking just made Arthurās entire life. He figures that this is a big project and he may as well make himself useful, especially if he canāt repay Arthur very well for his work. It would probably make his uncle proud to hear itās something heās opted to try outāif he ever sees the old man again. ]
Great, man. Just, uh, let me know where you want to start and Iāll give it my best shot.