|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:26 pm
It was when Nathaniel spoke again and asked him a question that Micajah remembered the boy being there, his mind snapping back to his location, and he grinned broadly as he nodded his head. Whenever the topic was brought towards sewing his mood always brightened, no matter how gloomy he'd been only moments before, and this time was no exception.
"I figured that with this knot on my head I can't actually go into the classrooms like I'd planned without getting laughed at so I thought I'd make a hat to cover it up until the swelling and bruise went away."
He quickly reached into his satchel and pulled out the book from before, flipping through until he came to a page that was at least 2/3 empty of anything else. He pulled a pencil out soon after and started to sketch a rough design of his head, which wasn't too difficult to do since he had a pretty average one, and then he started to draw a design over it.
Normally something like this, getting an idea and working it out, would take the youth a while to even start but as his pencil flew over the paper it was like he was inspired.
"What do you think would be better? Butterflies as embroidery or some type of animal ears?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:04 pm
"Butterflies," answered the chemist without much thought. He didn't know why he'd even give in to having this conversation, or why he'd said butterflies. But he figured it would be better than to watch the other go around with animal ears on his head. That reeked of something oddly uncivil and just a tad too weird for the Brit's taste. Not that his taste mattered for Micajah's hat, but still. Slowly though, things were beginning to make sense. The boy had a passion for clothing and sewing just like Nat had a passion for cooking. Although it wasn't their main focus, it was an enjoyable part of their lives and so that was perhaps why he'd been so sensitive about the whole thing.
Although Nathaniel would never hold a conversation about cooking with someone who wasn't generally interested, as long as they listened and responded moderately, he didn't much care or let himself be bothered with their actual concern in the matter. And yet, quite clearly, not everyone was like him. Quite the opposite in fact. Everyone seemed to be unlike him and disliked him for his strange ways of thinking. So were polite manners strange these days? Tilting his head to the side, he leaned just a little closer, respecting Micajah's space but also trying to see the design.
"Definitely butterflies."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:40 pm
A thin smile spread across Micajah's lips, one that quickly turned into a grin, and he drew a few small butterflies here and there on the pattern. They looked a little cartoonish at first glance, but when they were to be actually stitched out he knew that they'd look more defined. He was more sure of his skills when the time actually came down to finishing a project, but in the rough stages it didn't matter so much.
"You know, I like butterflies too. My mother used to have a tattoo of one on her shoulder, and every time she moved her arm it looked like the creature was going into flight. That's probably one of the few things I remember about her."
He said it so nonchalantly as he finished the last of the lines on the paper, his eyes flicking back and forth from the pad to Nathaniel's face and back. He had the general design done now, one that was pressed darker than his earlier sketches, and he seemed to like how it presented itself. The general theme was simple enough that he could do it right now, with the stuff he had that is, and so he moved to take the bag off his shoulder and get out what he could.
"You mind giving me a hand with a few things? I don't have my clamps to hold things down as a I cut so I'll need help."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:17 pm
An intent gaze flickered across the Brit's face as he watched the meticulous planning that seemed to go into Micajah's sewing ideas. It wasn't that Nathaniel particularly even cared about the results, it was the process. He was intrigued and somewhat fascinated to see how others worked with their passions. It would all be stored away in his mind to be analyzed later. How different did other people do things? How much more efficient was it? He loved to learn things and this was just another chance, albeit an odd one. Even the way he was able to make small talk during his planning, and even broken eye contact. It seemed like he half knew it was Nathaniel but didn't care. For the Brit himself knew that Micajah was not a friend of his and yet he seemed to be talking kindly enough to be one.
"Butterflies hm?" he mused thoughtfully, quietly so as not to disturb someone else's passion. He had at least enough respect for that, despite whatever the other youth seemed hellbent on thinking. And then when the other asked the question, the British lad cocked his head and blinked his large emerald eyes.
"... I guess," Nat said thoughtfully, reluctant only because he didn't know what he was doing. He couldn't exactly walk away, and to say no would be utterly rude after staring at him so long. And anyway, what else was he really doing. He compiled notes all the time anyway... wouldn't it be more beneficial to earn a bit more trust and respect from a fellow classmate? He couldn't 'win' over Scyeth (and he didn't want to) but at least Micajah might not dislike him so much anymore. That seemed to be a plus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:58 pm
"Thanks. Hold this."
Micajah thrust the notepad into Nathaniel's arms before he quickly dropped his statchel to the ground and knelt beside it. He opened the flap and started to dig though at a rather interesting pace and as he went he pulled out what looked to be a sewing kit filled with different spools of thread, and finally he managed to reach the bottom of the bag where his fabric was apparently sitting.
It was yellow though not bright or lemon, almost creamy instead, and as he opened it up and checked over it Micajah smiled bright at Nathaniel. It was as if he'd forgotten his annoyance at the youth completely and he reached his hand out for the notebook to be given back to him. He probably didn't need the pattern to get the basics down, but he would certainly have to look at it for the embroidery.
"Why don't you pick out the thread colors for the butterflies while I get this thing cut out? It'd save me time in the long run."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:23 pm
Taking the book as it was thrust towards him, he blinked in surprise. The other was forceful, but it wasn't out of rudeness. It was out of haste. It seemed like the other youth was likely to have a meltdown if he didn't get everything he wanted done, done right this moment. Nathaniel couldn't peg him for that. Eagerness was good for learning and if mistakes were made, those were good for learning too. Plus, Micajah seemed very knowledgeable; he knew what he was doing, and he wouldn't mess up so easily just out of haste. And so, he held the book gingerly in his hands, trying to be careful. He wouldn't want the other to jostle around his notes, and he had just enough courtesy to not do it to someone else. He'd been properly taught, that was for sure.
Kneeling down next to the other, because now it seemed inconvenient to be hovering over him uselessly, he wondered what he was even doing as he offered back the notepad. What was compelling him to stay? Fascination? Manners? Boredom? He wasn't quite sure, but he didn't have the heart to leave. Curiosity was overtaking his young mind and he wanted to watch the other boy continue with his task.
Thread colors? Tentatively reached out, he looked at the sewing kit with its many spools of thread and tilted his head. There were definitely a lot of colors. "One of these?" He asked cluelessly, holding up a blue-green one that seemed more of a purple-blue than green.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:25 pm
"Yes, that one will work. Find me a few others as well so there will be at least more than one different colored butterflies."
Micajah was marking on the cloth, which he had spread on his knees since he was now sitting down, with a dark pen in the places where the pattern would need to go. It was surprisingly a complicated matter, far from what he'd had no paper, since there were at least three or four different pieces that would make one side of the hat when sewn together.
Soon he was getting a pair of scissors out to cut through the cloth in his marked places, his speed at this task surprising. In reality to Micajah making a hat was no different from sewing a puppet, and he'd made a ton of puppets, so the fastest step was the pattern and the cut out. When it came to sew things together was when he'd slow down.
"Do you have your color choices? Let me see."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:47 pm
Blinking Nathaniel nodded, finding himself submissive to the task for the moment. It was like he was co-existing normally. Doing something he didn't know how to do out of instinct. Two people cooperating for a common cause and purpose. And wasn't that what the whole school was? It gave him an odd feeling and he was slowly gaining a new respect for Micajah. There was a sort of honorable pride in helping someone to what they loved best. He wondered if his aunt had felt like this when she'd helped him cook to his heart's content. Maybe that's why she always smiled?
Rummaging gently through the sewing kit he pulled out a lighter purple, and then a deep burnt ochre color to go along with his strange blue-green. And then he pulled out a spring green spool as well. This should be enough, shouldn't it? Hell if he knew if they'd look good together. He wasn't a color expert. Food and chemicals were totally different from any sort of artsy thing. So if he was wrong, it wasn't his fault really. Would Micajah even speak up if he thought the colors were awful? He figured the boy would, since he would be the one having to wear the thing.
And so, silent, but only because he didn't have anything to say and, not because he was being recessive or anything, he held out the spools to Aja.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:09 pm
"Oh, thanks. Good choices."
Micajah took the spools out of Nathaniel's hands without snatching them and lifted them up to his eye level, checking the amount of thread on each as well as the color. He was actually mildly impressed with the other youth's color choices, as they were vibrant and Micajah had pegged Nat as the type to stick towards darker, more emo-esque colors. Sure it wasn't nice to stereotype, but he was bored anyway.
"You're welcome to go now if you'd like, or stick around. Either way I'm going to be sewing from here on out and may not make much of a conversation partner."
He smiled sheepishly as he reached into a pouch that had been placed against his leg, pulling out a needle and quickly checking it over for size and length. He needed a larger one for the seams and one much smaller for the embroidery, and since he was threading the needle now with the spring green thread it was apparent he'd found what he wanted on his first try.
"That's not to say I won't answer anything you ask of me. I'm not entirely rude."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:50 pm
Nathaniel nodded gratefully and then watched the other begin to work. He seemed endlessly engrossed with the sewing task that he had picked up and cared not if the Brit left or stayed anymore. Bright green eyes seemed entranced by the kindness that still controlled him. Although he was focused on sewing, he still didn't mind Nat's company and in fact nearly welcomed it.
And so the boy who was filled with proper manners, and would see things through to the end. Sitting down near the other, not close enough to disturb but enough to not seem ignorant, he watched him sew and then tilted his head as he took out his own notebook and pen. "Should I have questions? If nothing else I'd rather just watch you and take notes of my own. I've never really seen anyone sew..." He seemed awkward and out of place now, but he was doing his best to be polite, despite how difficult the situation was becoming to understand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:59 pm
"Do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. I'm not asking you to stay but I'm not telling you to leave either. I figure you're grown up enough to know what it is you want to do."
Micajah winced slightly as he poked the tip of his index finger with the needle, a careless move since he wasn't paying too much attention thanks to taking the time to speak to Nathaniel, but he wasn't upset or anything by the little needle punch. It was a fun feeling to have an ache in his finger again, one he'd been missing thanks to his lack of sewing lately.
"I don't mind the company though, if that helps you out at all."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:14 pm
Despite himself, the British boy couldn't help but roll his eyes ever so slightly at this comment. It seemed rather condescending in a sort of way, but the proper young gentlemen would take it with a sense of humor. And so, with a polite smile, he went back to his notes and journal, compiling his daily activities as per the usual. He seemingly missed the slight injury that Micajah missed within the few seconds it took him to grab one of his three notebooks and then prepared to get comfortable. It was certainly odd to be sitting around with this boy of all the others. And in truth, Nathaniel would've much preferred the company of More or Jaden, but also in truth, Micajah was becoming more and more tolerable as time passed by.
"It's quite all right. I intend to stay to do my work anyway since I already decided I was staying from the moment I sat down," voiced Nathaniel in a rather short and slightly sarcastic tone. However, there was something about his gaze that wasn't entirely everything his voice made him sound like. In fact, he was rather amused by the thing Micajah kept saying. 'Do what you want.' 'Grown up enough.' 'If it helps you.' As if Nat couldn't decide for himself. Yes, it was definitely amusing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:02 pm
Micajah shrugged, not wanting to say much else. He had better things to do now that he was on the embroidery portion of that hat, the frame already finished and stitched properly together. He had done a weak spot marking of where he wanted the butterflies to be in a light pink marker and was making their outline using the spring green. Some parts looked thicker than others because of how he was going to try and blend the different colors together, but for now he ignored it and went about his way.
The pad of his index finger on his right hand was poked all to ribbons, as he sewed mainly with his left hand, and he hoped that blood from the tiny pricks wouldn't seep into the fabric. He should have been using newspaper as a liner to prevent anything like that from happening, but too little to late in this case. It's not like anyone else was going to wear this hat anyway.
"Do you see some tiny scissors over there next to the thread box? Hand 'em over if you find them."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:46 pm
Admiring the handiwork with a slight shake of his head, he took the time and rearranged a series of notes. And so while he kept his hands from being covered in ink, his companion had decorated himself in with little holes. Quite the odd duo at work, but interesting nonetheless. They were as similar as they were different. Both profoundly intelligent and yet one liked to sew where the other preferred to cook. One seemed all too conceited and the other rather proper and realistic. And yet, they were both highly dedicated to their crafts and hobbies of choice. The link of respect that bound them together in this moment lay in the reality of the situation.
And when Micajah spoke up to ask about scissors, Nathaniel found himself obliging. It had become a mechanical reaction. The shift from note-taking to searching had been so smooth that he almost seemed as if he was doing it out of premonition. Finding them, he lifted them carefully into his hands so as not to cut himself, and offered them out to the other, silent all the while. There was no reason to speak. There was reason for very little anymore. Reason didn't play into it. It didn't require thinking. Movements became reaction. Thought drifted away. Nat had slipped into himself and yet a part of him was still moderately aware of the other boy, and even slightly grateful for the company.
Strange... how sometimes everyone seemed to be at his throat or completely at peace with him, maybe even ignorant entirely. It was strangely pleasant. Odd, but pleasant. Like the whole world. Sometimes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:46 pm
"Thanks. I'm about done here but I think I'll need my sewing machine to actually finish the hem right. My stitches aren't straight enough to look any good, while I'm kind of impressed at how my butterflies came out. Whatcha think?"
While he had been waiting on the scissors he had simply pulled the needle off the thread he'd needed and went on to another, so several loose strands hung down from the opposite side of the embroidered butterflies. They were pretty to look at, what with their different colors blending well, and as they had been arranged in different poses it allowed for a motion-like look.
"I'm still kind of weak when it comes to things like this, my real skill is in sewing stuffed animals or puppets. Those are fun to do because it doesn't matter how sloppy you get - you can lie and say you meant to do it that way in the first place."
He chuckled slightly as he snipped away the thread ends with the scissors, taking a motion to tie them into tight knots lest they slip out when he decided to wash the hat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
