Day 138 :: so come out of your cave walking on your hands [OPEN]

[orzelbialy]

Who: Frederic, a new building, and YOU
Open: Open
When: Day 138
Where: Southern Bastion, in between the Tower and the Apartments
What: Frederic has used his saved up shards to make a new structure in the Bastion. It seems a bit pointless right now, but he has plans for it to be useful in the future
Format: Action
Warnings: none

[Collecting shards for a certain purpose was a bit slow and tedious for some one like Frederic. In his living years he had wanted for very little, often taken care of by family, friends or close companions such as George Sand and her relatives. He would be hard pressed to call himself spoiled, but truthfully if one were to look at it from an outside perspective his life came very close to it. Patience was an odd virtue for him as well - often waffling between the need for instant gratification for the sake of his art to being able to wait forever without complaint for just about anything else.

In this case, he was having to practice much more of that patience, and it certainly wasn't easy.

But he was well on his way to getting what he wanted, and the start of it was something that he hoped, at least, would be usable not just by him but by other survivors.

So on the 138th day since the Calamity, a new structure will have appeared in the Southern end of the Bastion - a rather large wooden gazebo, complete with furniture inside for sitting and relaxing, curtains and electric lights. Next to it, a small shed had been set up as well, available to store things whenever the deck of the gazebo would need to be cleared off for other things.

In a rare moment of undress, Frederic could be found standing in front of his recent addition, his frilly and ornate jacket removed and the sleeves of his white and blue button down rolled up to his elbows. Even his trademark top hat was gone, all of it left in a neat little pile with his baton next to one of the pillars of the gazebo. The reason for this had been the simple fact that while everything he had paid for had arrived exactly as planned... all the furniture had wound up sitting in a pile outside the gazebo and had to be dragged inside and set up manually.

He was not one for physical labor in the least, but he was stubborn, and rather than ask for help he had attempted to get it in himself.

That went well for all of fifteen minutes and two chairs.

Hands on his knees, panting for breath as if he'd run a marathon, he stared through a mess of hair at the gazebo and the furniture he'd been given.]

... this is a test, isn't it?

[Probably not, but he could believe that if it made him feel better about not being able to move a couple of chairs and tables.]

Comments

[windgod]

[Ippo had been out on his daily run when he spotted something new in the Bastion...a rather cozy looking Gazebo; well, it would have looked more cozy if the furniture hadn't been mostly on the outside. The man on his hands and knees panting didn't really lend to the atmosphere either, but Ippo found that more disconcerting than off putting; so with a small move to pull his hood back, he made his way over and held up a hand, giving the remaining furniture a quick look over to see what was left that needed moving.]

Are...you alright sir? Would you like some help with this stuff?

[orzelbialy]

[The voice got Frederic's attention easily. He looked up with a heavy breath out, managing to get back on his feet without too much complaint. There were perks to being "reborn" within Polka's world before the Calamity struck - while physically still as weak as he had ever been, his body didn't ache and protest the way it had in his living years. It was actually quite nice to be 39 and not feel like he was really 70.]

I'm afraid I need assistance, yes. Even if it means putting my own pride away and admitting I still don't have any skill for manual labor...

[windgod]

[Ippo gave the man a small smile, giving a look at the chairs the man had hauled up into the Gazebo on his own and noting that they did actually look fairly heavy; considering they were meant to stay outside, it made sense for them to be of a more sturdy design.]

Its no problem at all. This stuff looks really heavy, so I can't really blame you for needing a hand.

[And with that, Ippo grabbed two pieces of furniture and hoisted them up onto his shoulders as if it were nothing out of the ordinary and began to walk them up into the Gazebo. After all, he had spent many a year carrying much heavier things to his mother's boat, so he was used to this sort of thing by now.]

[orzelbialy]

Something I didn't plan for, much to my detriment it seems.

[Frederic watched as the young man took the items up as if they were little more than feather weight, mildly surprised at the show of strength. It was impressive, to say the least.

He wasn't about to stand around and do nothing, though. He followed a moment later, looking for the best places to put the furniture.]

I do hope this gets used. I intend to eventually purchase a piano to place in here as well, but I wasn't about to be selfish and claim the space entirely for myself.

[windgod]

You play the piano?

[Ippo said with mild surprise as he set the pieces of furniture down and went to go fetch a few more. He'd never heard a live piano performance before, but he knew what they sounded like and if what he'd heard was any indication, it would be very relaxing to have that around.]

I think it'd be really nice to have someone play the piano here. It would really liven the Bastion up...and I think after everything, we could all use some livening up.

[orzelbialy]

I do. I was quite the famous composer and musician in my living years. Of all the things I miss, being able to speed my fingers across beautiful ivory keys and produce melody after melody has been the one I long for the most.

[After the furniture was set down and Ippo went to get more, Frederic took to moving them about here and there, trying to find the most aesthetically pleasing setup.]

[windgod]

Really?

[Ippo enjoyed music in the rare times he'd been able to sit down with some between his training, maybe he'd this man's music before? Speaking of...]

Oh! I'm sorry, I forgot to ask your name. I'm Ippo Makunouchi, its nice to meet you sir.

[orzelbialy]

[Frederic offered him a smile at that, and followed up with a bow of his own, hand to his chest in the polite manner of his upbringing.]

It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ippo. I am Frederic Francois Chopin.

[windgod]

Chopin...You mean you're the Chopin?

[Ippo had been in the process of picking up another piece of furniture when Frederic dropped that particular bombshell on him. He'd heard all about Chopin in school...they'd had an entire few classes dedicated to his works as a whole, and here the man was in front of him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It was such a shock that he didn't notice the heavy chair slip out of his hand until it came crashing down on his foot; his eyes going wide before a stream of gibberish flew from his mouth, his foot flying into his hand as he hopped around in pain. Not exactly the most graceful first impression to make.]

[thirdoutofthree]

[ That. Is a pretty big gazebo. Viola whistled as she approached, impressed. To be perfectly honest, she was expecting something a lot more gaudy, with Frederic in mind, but this was actually pretty close to her idea of 'tasteful.' ]

[ As she came around to the other side of the gazebo, she found her friend working himself half to death, looking more out of sorts than she had ever imagined possible. It was really, really hard to repress her laughter. ]

If it is, I probably shouldn't help you, then.

[orzelbialy]

[That sure is a terribly unamused look you're getting, Viola.]

So you're just going to let an old man suffer? How do you sleep at night, dear Viola, knowing you do such terrible things to me?

[God Frederic, dramatic much?]

[thirdoutofthree]

[ Wow, that almost sounds like sarcasm. Frederic's penchant for drama just makes Viola smile more. ]

Pretty good, actually. You could use an honest day's work. [ That grin is a bit devilish. ] And since you're not sick anymore, all the more reason to get out and do it.

[orzelbialy]

[So cruel, Viola. So cruel!]

There's quite a difference between easing one in to an honest day's work and merely throwing them to the proverbial wolves. I'll be here for days at this rate!

[thirdoutofthree]

[ She has your best interests in mind. Part of her wondered if Polka would be able to do this task faster, but Viola decided to keep that to herself. ]

No, probably just hours. [ She offered reasonably, then allowed that thought to hang in the air for a minute. ] I suppose I could help you out...

[orzelbialy]

[Rude. :| ]

... it would be appreciated. Even if I have plans for this myself, I'm not being entirely selfish with this purchase. I would like to see it used by others.

[thirdoutofthree]

[ Terribly so. ]

That's awfully nice of you. [ She means that sincerely too as she picks up a chair. ] This would be a nice place to relax when it's night...ish. [ That's still taking her some getting used to. ]

[orzelbialy]

That was what I was hoping. It seems a shame to have so much open air and yet find most of us cooped up within our apartments whenever there isn't something happening beyond the confines of the Bastion.

[He'll at least be helpful, rather than sit and lament his physical weakness. The tables were a bit too much for him, but another chair he can at least partially drag to the two steps leading up in to the gazebo.]

And I'm sure we'd all like to get to know our neighbors away from battle situations.

[gianthobo]

[AZ watched curiously as Frederic pushed and pulled, before pulling out a Pokeball and releasing the Pokemon inside. The nine foot tall Pokemon stood about as tall as his trainer, who nodded towards the furniture. Golurk walked over heavily and picked up a sofa, moving it inside.]

[orzelbialy]

[Well that was certainly startling. Frederic even does a double take when he sees the massive Pokemon lumbering off with the sofa.

He's seen Pokemon before, but Frillish wasn't nearly as large or imposing as this one.

He's... not really sure what to think of it, either.]

[gianthobo]

... He can move it around inside, too.

[His voice is quiet, and a little rough. He's still not used to speaking very much.]

[orzelbialy]

Ah...

[Well, that at least urges Frederic to get back up and stop moping about his lack of physical prowess.

Wow, that is one very... very tall man speaking to him.]

I can reposition them once they're inside. It's merely getting them in there that I'm struggling with.

[gianthobo]

All right.

[He watches the Pokemon carry more furniture in before he speaks again.]

You looked surprised... your world doesn't have Pokemon either?

[orzelbialy]

So it is one then...

[Frederic stared after it for a moment, mildly surprised that his guess was right on.]

In answer to your question, no, my world does not have them. I've met one here, though. Frillish, I believe it was. Partner to a young girl named Hilda.

[gianthobo]

... I haven't spoken to her. I have spoken to N, though. Frillish aren't common where I'm from.

[orzelbialy]

Hilda mentioned... 'regions'? I'm guessing there are those native to one region that aren't commonplace in another?