saveyourbrain | TEST DRIVE MEME

Damn.

"No clue. Never got to ask her," he explains with a shrug. Yeah, still hurts to say things like that, even when he's lying. Mom wouldn't have known a damn thing about the rock. "All I know is that no one I've asked can read the thing." Aaron might've been able to but--

Wow, he's getting depressing. Killian shakes himself a little, smiling. "Eh, doesn't matter. Your grandkids?" He gestures to the little ones.

It takes a moment before Thorir answers again - he must have leaned back up too quickly, judging by the dizzy spell that is hitting him, but he understands the attempt to change the subject for what it is, and it's not like talking about the kids is something that he is opposed to on principle.

"That they are." He's obviously proud of them, though this also reminds him that they need to head back to Símon - he should be sleeping soundly, but who knows. "That's Frigg and Inger, the eldest, and then there's little Símon in the stroller over there." The girls look up at him, and after a moment supply: "And this is afi." Clearly 'gramps' is totally a name.

Killian smiles and crouches down to the twins' level. Not that he has far to crouch, especially compared to their "Afi", but it's the principle of the thing. "I'm Killian," he replies, offering a hand to the little ones. "What does Afi mean?" He's assumes it means something, anyway.

"It's the same as gramps, just for someone else!" That is the best explanation. Really.

"My actual name is Thorir." He seems to want to continue, but the two girls intercept. "Thrainsson!" "Thorsson!" "That means son of Thrainn and son of Thors and sometimes he uses one" "and sometimes the other!"

Oh, they're precious. "Two last names?" Killian laughs. "How'd that happen?" He glances up at Throrir, curious.

And ignoring how familiar the name "Thrainn" sounds. It doesn't mean anything.

"It's a longer story." He nods over to the stroller. "Let's go over to Símon." It's not really a request, but it's also not a straight up order. Just said by someone who is used to making decisions for more than just himself.

It's a bit strange, but Killian just follows. One hand goes to play with the bracelet he made himself, just to give his hands something to do. He needs to keep his hands occupied most of the time anymore.

Some part of him is wondering why he's not leaving this family alone but the other part of him doesn't care. Nowadays, who knows who'll end up Numbered?

"We're from Iceland originally, which has a system in naming different from America. There, I would be Thorir Thrainsson, because my father's name is Thrainn. But in America, family names exist. So it's been our tradition for generations to combine the two. So one of my sons would be Jón Þórirsson Þórsson." He's never find a perfect way to explain it.

"Is that a costume-made bracelet?" Because if it is, he might have to see about contacting the maker - more partners for the creative side of the business are never bad, and at least from what he can see it is a well-done piece.

That sounds complicated to Killian. Yet it was also familiar, sort of. Huh.

He looks down at his bracelet when Thorir comments on it. "Oh, this? No, I made it." Killian slips it off to better show it off. It's in that style all of his work is, vaguely Norse yet not, only this is much simpler than the stuff he made to raise money for the funeral. "I had some left over bits after a commission so..."

Thorir takes his time to look the piece over as they walk. It's nice - very nice, indeed, the quality of the craftwork definitely exceeding the quality of the materials.

"Is this your trade?" Has he misjudged this person's age? This level of craft points to more than just a few years of learning, and he is self-aware enough to know that he is just as likely to judge other people's ages by their height as all other humans.

Killian shrugs. "I guess? I mean, I don't make a ton of money doing this--that's what the stable's for and I'm only eighteen so--but it's basically the only thing I'm good at," he explains. "Why?" Was this guy going to call him a liar?

"Me and my wife have a side business of crafting various goods. It started out with a simple smithy, but as business evolved, mostly leather, but also semi-precious stones and other natural additions became involved. A lot of it is for reenactment and related purposes these days, but it's still quite varied. We're looking into expanding, but" he nods towards the bracelet "this is something that neither I nor Mardís specialize in.

If you really did this, and are looking to make something of your talent instead of wasting it in a stable, you should come over to the smithy and work alongside us one day." So he can see the place, talk to people, and Thorir and Mardís can see how he does - also so they can see if they'd be able to work together. If they get along. If it was for the main business, he would never propose such an informal route, but... But. But normally he doesn't just recruit strangers in the park, either. Sure, this is some really skilled craftwork and they need someone who could do that, but at the same time... and so young. But somehow, he feels responsible for this young man. "We're only in the smithy roughly half the week, so it wouldn't take you fully away from them; but open up a path."

It takes Killian a moment to process what the older man is saying. Some random dude in the park, who Killian trusts for some reason, maybe because of the grandkids or maybe just because he's got that kind of face, but some dude in park is offering him a job. In a smithy. Making jewelery.

The part of him that knew he wasn't making his jewelery properly is singing. The part of him that's cautious from so much moving around is wary, but that part is largely drowned out. (There's also a part of him thinking that visiting a smithy will trigger some pulses but he thinks if he avoids everything but the jewelery crafting supplies he can avoid anything too suspicious, at least until he knows if anyone is Numbered.)

A smile breaks out across Killian's face and he nods, looking for all the world like an eager puppy. "Honestly, sir, I'd love that."

"You have to understand that I'm not promising anything. I can't make decisions of this kind without my wife's consent, we need to see if we can all work together - a lot of our projects require coordination and joint planning on all sides, so that is important. I also want to see you at work first, and you should want to see what we have to offer first as well." Because sorry, but gift horses from strangers should get looked into the mouth very thoroughly. And if Thorir read the comment that Killian made about his mother earlier was correct, she can't look after him anymore so he needs to do that for himself, and Thorir feels the odd urge to push him into the right direction with that.

"If you are still willing to try for a day, we can swap contact data and find a date that fits us both."

He nods, understanding completely. Even if it doesn't work out, who's to say that this won't lead to something else? He's used to sort of rolling with the punches for the most part.

Besides, even if he feels like he can trust Thorir, there's that slightly paranoid part of Killian that refuses to die. He's gotten better with trusting people in the months he's been on the Network, but Thorir's not on the Network as far as he knows.

Still, he's eager. Way more eager than he would have been a week ago.

"That makes sense, yeah," he replies. "I, uh, I think I've got one of the cards I give out at the craft fair in my wallet--that work?"

"Sure." He wouldn't have expected this young man to have cards, but that really makes things easier, and Thorir pulls out his own wallet to produce a card and put Killian's into it - the "Thorsson's hardware" logo on it might look familiar to Killian even if he doesn't normally deal with hardware, it's one of the largest local businesses and fairly active socially on the local level as well.

"I'll call you when I have spoken to my wife. If I haven't called you by tomorrow evening, you are free to call me."

It seemed like the thing to do, when he set up his Etsy and a booth at the fair. Granted, that was because his handwriting was awful and if people wanted to get more pieces they'd need to know where to go.

He digs his wallet and the card out, still smiling a bit as he hands the card over. He does recognize the logo; when he's alone Killian fully plans on freaking the hell out that. "Got it." Then, remembering his manners: "It was nice to meet you, Mr. Thorrson."

"Likewise." The younger man's enthusiasm is a good sign to Thorir, and he also gets the feeling that his wife will like him - all good things. He really hopes that all of this will work out.

He stops and offers Killian a hand. "I'll call you soon. If Mardís says yes to this, I'll see to setting up a day next week and we will see each other then, so make sure to know what days you could be free for that."

Killian shakes Thorir's hand firmly. "Got it. I'll bring a few samples, to better show you two what I can do if that's alright?"

[ooc: That'd be perfect; to when would you want to date it? Also could we continue the thread a bit into the trial day, so Thorir can show Killian around the store and can introduce him to his wife, and learn a bit more about Killian's situation? and then just ftb in a "and the rest of the day went well" kind of way?]

"I want to see you work, more than that, but more work of your hands is also welcome. Bring it with you." Thorir's handshake mirror's Killians. When he lets go, he drops his hand and looks at the other man to say "I'll see you." And then at the girls that have followed the exchange for a bit. "What do you say?"

"Bye!" "And sorry for running you over!" "But you should really grow!" ...the last of which will get the girl a stern glance from her grandfather, which results in a slightly unsure "...but if you drink your milk and don't eat too much candy you will!" and, after another look at her grandfather "...and if not it's okay because you won't hit your head on doors like afi!"

[[ooc: that all works for me! you can decide when to date it since Thorir's not in the game yet]]

Killian winces at the "but you should grow" before laughing a little. "I'm not got going to grow anymore," he replies. "Trust me, I'm all grown up. This is as tall as I'll ever be." All he has to look forward to is shrinking. Unless past-him was a tall Dwarf (and he's hoping this is the case). To Thorir, he nods. "I'll talk to you later."

Thorir will wait for Killian to be gone and then give the girls a talk-to about how you don't tell adults that they are short. Especially when they are men. ...And then deal with a lot of questions about why, and from his height that guy should still be growing!

For now, he'll just return the nod, "Likewise", again, and then turn to check on the baby in the stroller.

He'll message Killian the next morning and propose Tuesday or Wednesday of the next week, telling the young man that he should arrive at eight - half an hour before the store opens - and to wear acceptable but sturdy clothes. ~~No suit or ratty looking clothing, please.~~ The place that he names is the information counter of the store, located near the entrance.

And Killian responds with an "I'll be there".

He's there right on time, dancing from foot to foot as he waits for Thorir and his wife to show up. Unfortunately, his pants are a little tattered around the bottom since he's short and it's damn near impossible to find pants that fit him perfectly, but otherwise he dressed as appropriately as he could. Nothing too flammable and nothing that had been worn to work before. A box with some of his work is sitting on the counter next to him.

Thorir and Mardís (I might change her PB) will be on time. They greet all workers that they encounter on their way, or greet them back - nothing to really keep anyone up, but the atmosphere is clearly pleasant and respectful from both sides. Thorir stops two metres short of Killian, far enough away so they can talk easily despite their difference in height.

"It's good to see you." He makes a hand gesture to indicate Killian, hand open, just a short wave. "This is Killian Ryan." He indicates his wife with the same gesture. "Mardís Dvalinsdóttir, my wife."

The woman smiles at Kili and offers her hand as a greeting. She's only slightly shorter than her husband, still stunning and holding herself in a way that thoroughly matches the self-assured stance of her husband. "It's good to meet you."

Why is he so short and why are all these people so goddamn tall.

Killian just smiles and nods, however, shaking hands with both of them. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Dvalinsdóttir." He stumbles over the name a bit, but he manages it more or less. "Thank you for agreeing to let me visit."

TEST DRIVE MEME

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

also if you wanna carry this over into game I am cool with this

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

/making notes for Echos XD

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)