Fandom Island Museum, Thursday Daytime

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was on time and busy at work. Though unlike prior weeks this was not the busyness that came from trying to distract himself. Yes, it wasn't yet a full week out from things he'd rather not have weighing on him. But enough time had passed and enough pleasant things had happened in the midst of it all that Steven wasn't in a bad place as far as his mood or thoughts went.

Instead he was working because he'd been inspired by his recent visit to another museum. There was nothing like seeing how other places did things to get ideas for what could and couldn't work at your own museum. As such, Steven was writing up ideas for new placards and signs to help guide visitors from one exhibit to the next.

As always, he was interruptible though.

[open]

Comments

[mylandmyrules]

Nell stopped by to see Steven. "Good morning," she said cheerfully. "How are you doing today?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Nell, hello!" Steven said. "Better now for seeing a friend. How are you?"

[mylandmyrules]

"I am well," she said. "I made some meat pies to bring to Boc, and while I was doing that I experimented with making a vegan version and thought I'd bring some by for you to try. I think they're better heated up if you have a microwave here, and, of course, they'll need to be refrigerated."

She handed him a small packet. "Also, if Marc would like to try some I made some extra meat ones here." Another small packet. One marked clearly with a V the other with an M.

[hasaknightjob]

"That's kind, cheers," Steven said as he took them. "I'll look forward to eating mine later. How is Boc? I saw him couple weeks ago. Haven't had a chance to come by since. I think he works Thursdays now? Hard going visiting when you're working yourself."

[mylandmyrules]

"He seems well," Nell said. "Still very shy and self-effacing, but hopefully starting to settle in."

She smiled at him. "I gave him a pair of my skirty pants to alter and he did a beautiful job with them."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled back. "Why do I suppose you didn't need the help so much as you were helping him feel useful?"

Which Steven considered a good thing, to be clear.

[mylandmyrules]

She dimpled a smile at him. "Why, Mr. Grant... Would I do such a thing?"

Of course she would. "It seemed a harmless enough thing. And, as I'd expected he would, he did a marvelous job with them. I've also been bringing him extra or 'not quite good enough to sell' food, so he'll have some."

[hasaknightjob]

"Steven's fine," Steven said, absently. Not that Nell had known anything about that given that it hadn't come up in all the time he'd known each other, but just in case for future. Regardless, Boc was the better topic to hand. "I had that sense myself. I dropped off a Purim gift for him and had to reassure him there wasn't anything needed if he took it. Lucky that you warned me he had that way about him. Knew to try a gentle hand, there."

[mylandmyrules]

"He's very sweet, but so shy and unsure of his worth," Nell said. "I do like him very much."

[hasaknightjob]

"Is he working Thursdays regular now?" Steven asked. "When I saw him it was a Friday. Bit easier for me to pop by then."

[mylandmyrules]

"I'm honestly not sure," Nell said. "I'm pretty sure he's staying there, so he's probably around quite a bit."

[hasaknightjob]

"Sort of like you and your shop then?" Steven asked. "Home and office, so to speak?"

[mylandmyrules]

"Given what I know about him, he's probably found a little closet or back room where he's staying - thinking he doesn't deserve anything better," Nell said. "But at least he's not staying out in the woods now. I'd know that."

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh no, especially not in winter," Steven said. Granted it had been a warmer winter than usual but still. "Hopefully he's got a nice spot for himself. He wouldn't be the first to stay at his job before finding a proper home."

Llewellyn had stayed in a cell for a while before moving into his flat, for example.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell nodded. "Exactly. If he's warm and safe that's the most important thing."

[hasaknightjob]

"I wish I had things to offer him to work on," Steven said. "He seems the sort who likes being useful. I've nothing that needs mending or altering though."

[mylandmyrules]

"I was thinking I'd ask him to make up another pair of skirty pants for me," Nell said. "He can keep a pair for a pattern and it might give him a little more confidence."

[hasaknightjob]

"And you'd certainly be forgiving if he made any mistakes," Steven said. "I mean - I don't know that he would, but he seems like the type to worry about it."

[mylandmyrules]

"He definitely would be," Nell agreed. "But for me the worst thing that could happen is I'd be out a little money for fabric."

[hasaknightjob]

"Hopefully it works out," Steven said. "He seems like he could use the confidence boost. Poor thing, treated so badly where he came from."

[mylandmyrules]

"Well, he'll get lots of support here," Nell said. "But anything else will happen in its own time."

[hasaknightjob]

"That's true," Steven said. "Hard pressed to find rude people about here. Marc and I know that one personally. And Boc's only just arrived. Imagine he'll be even better as he gets his feet under him. Meets more people."

[mylandmyrules]

"Might even get him to meet my eyes one day," Nell said with a smile. "But yes, I think people will be kind to him."

And heaven help anyone who wasn't or who tried to take advantage of him. They'd have to face the wrath of Nell!

[hasaknightjob]

"He is a shy one, isn't he?" Steven agreed. "But if anyone could draw him out I'm sure it's you. You've a good hand with that."

[mylandmyrules]

"In some ways he's not unlike me," Nell said. "Or at least younger me when I arrived here."

[hasaknightjob]

"And you share sewing in common," Steven said. "Something familiar to him you can both chat about. Put him at ease."

As much as Boc could be put at ease these days. Steven had only met him the once but he had the impression Boc's version of "ease" was very tense still.

[mylandmyrules]

"Exactly," Nell said. "Whatever I can do to help. People were very kind to me when I arrived, so it's only right that I help others when I can."