Cormack Owle
5. The Captain and The Engineer: Why?
'Oh no. Please, God, not that!' Vincent silently prayed as he turned to see what it was that had crashed beside him. There it was: his treasured wooden and copper compass broken into two pieces upon the floor.
Gazing up from the broken compass, Aiden saw the look on Vincent's face. He looked as if something had broken inside of him. The pain in his eyes for that split second was so palpable! For some reason, it was as if for that split second he could feel the captain's pain, himself! He felt a deep sense of guilt. He cleared his throat and leaned down, picking up the pieces and gently turning them in his hands to inspect them. Luckily, it didn't seem to have taken a lot of damage. In fact, the break was not a difficult fix!
Aiden stood, holding the two pieces to his chest and gazed at Vincent empathetically. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize you were right behind me." Vincent looked up from the floor and at the compass at Aiden's chest. Before he could think of something to say, Aiden continued, "It just needs a bit of tweaking. Come on. I'll fix it!"
"Wait! Just....hold on!" Vincent looked up sharply and a stoic expression spread over his face as he shook his head. "I'll take it to get it fixed at a real mechanic's shop. Don't worry about it. Just give it-"
"But that's what I do!" Aiden responded, gesturing with his head towards the door. "My father runs an engineering workshop not far from here. I'll fix it for you, free of charge. It's my fault it's broken." Vincent stared now at Aiden's face. He could see the pleading look in his eyes and that partial hopeful smile. There was no way he was gonna let this kid work on his compass! He opened his mouth to demand the compass back when Aiden pleaded, "Please?" Vincent clenched his teeth as he felt his will suddenly break. What the hell?! He gave a sigh and closed his eyes before responding in a resigned tone, "Fine. Lead the way."
Aiden led Vincent out of the tavern and turned down the street away from the city square. It was a short walk and soon they were heading down Craftsman Alley. As they walked, Aiden heard his name called a couple of times by some of the smiths and merchants. He would always smile and wave back. He led Vincent down towards the end of the street towards a sturdy looking two story house. The sign above the stairs read: Anderson & Sons Engineering.
Aiden was surprised to find that the shop was locked up. His father must be out running errands. Or maybe he was having lunch with Ms. Moore from down the street! He let himself into the shop and held the door open for Vincent before walking straight to his working station by the window. Aiden set down the compass and turned to light the lantern so he could work. Once he did that, he turned to the windows and opened them so they could get some fresh, cool air in here!
While Aiden began setting up, Vincent stepped hesitantly into the workshop. He glanced around, taking in the appearance of the place. It was a good size and definitely had the look of a successful engineer’s shop. He heard the sounds of a tool case being unlatched and his attention returned to the compass. He'd not spoken a word since they’d departed the tavern. He watched as Aiden began to inspect a piece of the compass under the lamplight.
Aiden selected a tiny hammer and felt a touch surprised to hear the captain finally speaking a moment later. "You said this is your father's shop?" Aiden smiled a bit as he began to tap gently on the copper with the hammer. "Yeah. He's been doing it his whole life just like me." Aiden began to fix the tiny dents, working diligently and quickly. "He even created his own unique design with the jetboard. It's a big hit with the youth out here. Heh. Other people have tried to copy his skills but they can't come close." Vincent stared at him silently, his expression giving nothing away regarding his thoughts. Though truth be told, he felt a small headache coming on again. He could tell that Aiden was a rambler. And indeed, Aiden continued to speak.
"I remember when I was a wee lad I was fascinated by old engineering books I found here in Papa's workshop. Mama taught me to read and soon enough I was building my own toys. My favorite was when I made my first paper lantern." Aiden set down the hammer and began digging in the desk for screws. "Papa was impressed and I'd even figured it out on my own and he made me his apprentice right then and there. I wanted to be like him."
"Then why do you want to go so much? You have your parents and dreams of following in your father's footsteps. Why take the chance that you'll never return home?" Vincent's question weighed on Aiden but he knew his answer already. His eyes remained focused but his mind drifted slightly. "Very recently I was reminded that you only have one life to live. My mama would say that we all go about our lives living out our own stories but rarely do we get the chance to turn it into an adventure. So when she died a few years ago, she reminded me that it's okay to follow my dreams and reach for the stars. There is so much out there and I hear the call; I want to experience more than these four walls. I've loved airships and have been fascinated all my life. So even if I don't make it, at least I tried. I love my home but there's something missing and I'm hoping I'll find it out there." Aiden licked his lips, glancing at Vincent who just stared right back at him, a touch of intensity in that oceanic blue eye of his as if he almost didn't know what to say at all to this. "I'm going to get my chance. If not today, then one day I will." He gave a small shrug, a satisfied smile on his lips as he took the needed screw and set it, grasping a small screwdriver that he needed and began to tighten it.
Vincent's gaze lowered to the compass as he listened to Aiden's long winded speech. Aiden continued, "The idea of flying the skies, working every day with the engines and finding new, creative ways to make it better sounds like heaven to me. I don't consider anything a failure because no matter what, I learn. I am an engineer. I don't want to just be a deckhand. So if today's not the day, then that's okay, you know? Every day is a gift and I plan to make the most of it."
Aiden set down the screwdriver and checked the compass. He gave a small grin and held it out to Vincent who was now staring at him once more; always so stoic. Vincent reached out to take the compass, gazing down at it and to his relief found it looked as good as before! This kid was...good. Very good. He opened it up and gazed at the inscription before gazing back at Aiden and closing it. "Thank you." "It's my pleasure, Captain. And I am very sorry about the compass. Please accept my apologies." Vincent inhaled slowly and let it out before saying, "It's fine." He stared at the boy for another few seconds then turned to go, heading for the door.
Aiden let Vincent be the one to break their gaze, that small smile upon his lips. He wasn't going to let all this get him down. He began packing up his tools once more as he heard the door opening, the captain letting himself out. However, he didn't hear it close.
Vincent stood at the door, hand on the jamb as he stared at the opposite wall and warred with himself. Oh, he was going to regret this! He turned slightly and glanced at Aiden over his shoulder. "Tomorrow at eleven o'clock, be at the South Dock at bay four. Leon's Claw is the name of the ship. Don't be late."
Aiden's eyes widened as he stared at the captain. "R-really?!" he asked in a barely contained excited voice. Vincent sighed and responded, "Really." He looked ahead, walking through the open door and closing it behind him. As he closed the door, he heard Aiden shout "YES!" through the door. Vincent shook his head and left, heading for Leon's Claw to inform his First Mate of their newest addition to the crew. "You're gonna be the death of me, kid."
***
Next Part: www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/50772816831/in/datepo...
To read the rest of the story, here's the album link:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/albums/72157717075565127
***Please note this is a BOY LOVE (BL/yaoi/gay) series. It is a slow burn and rated PG13!***
***
Special thank you to Vin Aydin Raven-Mysterious for collaborating with me on this series and co-starring as The Captain!
~
DISCORD SERVER: That's right! The Captain and the Engineer has a Discord Server! If you would like to join and chat with other crewmates and see what's new and happening before it gets posted to Flickr, click the link!
***NEW!!!!***
The Captain and the Engineer now has a FACEBOOK PAGE! Please come Like, Follow, and join the crew! Thank you so much for all your support!
FACEBOOK PAGE:
5. The Captain and The Engineer: Why?
'Oh no. Please, God, not that!' Vincent silently prayed as he turned to see what it was that had crashed beside him. There it was: his treasured wooden and copper compass broken into two pieces upon the floor.
Gazing up from the broken compass, Aiden saw the look on Vincent's face. He looked as if something had broken inside of him. The pain in his eyes for that split second was so palpable! For some reason, it was as if for that split second he could feel the captain's pain, himself! He felt a deep sense of guilt. He cleared his throat and leaned down, picking up the pieces and gently turning them in his hands to inspect them. Luckily, it didn't seem to have taken a lot of damage. In fact, the break was not a difficult fix!
Aiden stood, holding the two pieces to his chest and gazed at Vincent empathetically. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize you were right behind me." Vincent looked up from the floor and at the compass at Aiden's chest. Before he could think of something to say, Aiden continued, "It just needs a bit of tweaking. Come on. I'll fix it!"
"Wait! Just....hold on!" Vincent looked up sharply and a stoic expression spread over his face as he shook his head. "I'll take it to get it fixed at a real mechanic's shop. Don't worry about it. Just give it-"
"But that's what I do!" Aiden responded, gesturing with his head towards the door. "My father runs an engineering workshop not far from here. I'll fix it for you, free of charge. It's my fault it's broken." Vincent stared now at Aiden's face. He could see the pleading look in his eyes and that partial hopeful smile. There was no way he was gonna let this kid work on his compass! He opened his mouth to demand the compass back when Aiden pleaded, "Please?" Vincent clenched his teeth as he felt his will suddenly break. What the hell?! He gave a sigh and closed his eyes before responding in a resigned tone, "Fine. Lead the way."
Aiden led Vincent out of the tavern and turned down the street away from the city square. It was a short walk and soon they were heading down Craftsman Alley. As they walked, Aiden heard his name called a couple of times by some of the smiths and merchants. He would always smile and wave back. He led Vincent down towards the end of the street towards a sturdy looking two story house. The sign above the stairs read: Anderson & Sons Engineering.
Aiden was surprised to find that the shop was locked up. His father must be out running errands. Or maybe he was having lunch with Ms. Moore from down the street! He let himself into the shop and held the door open for Vincent before walking straight to his working station by the window. Aiden set down the compass and turned to light the lantern so he could work. Once he did that, he turned to the windows and opened them so they could get some fresh, cool air in here!
While Aiden began setting up, Vincent stepped hesitantly into the workshop. He glanced around, taking in the appearance of the place. It was a good size and definitely had the look of a successful engineer’s shop. He heard the sounds of a tool case being unlatched and his attention returned to the compass. He'd not spoken a word since they’d departed the tavern. He watched as Aiden began to inspect a piece of the compass under the lamplight.
Aiden selected a tiny hammer and felt a touch surprised to hear the captain finally speaking a moment later. "You said this is your father's shop?" Aiden smiled a bit as he began to tap gently on the copper with the hammer. "Yeah. He's been doing it his whole life just like me." Aiden began to fix the tiny dents, working diligently and quickly. "He even created his own unique design with the jetboard. It's a big hit with the youth out here. Heh. Other people have tried to copy his skills but they can't come close." Vincent stared at him silently, his expression giving nothing away regarding his thoughts. Though truth be told, he felt a small headache coming on again. He could tell that Aiden was a rambler. And indeed, Aiden continued to speak.
"I remember when I was a wee lad I was fascinated by old engineering books I found here in Papa's workshop. Mama taught me to read and soon enough I was building my own toys. My favorite was when I made my first paper lantern." Aiden set down the hammer and began digging in the desk for screws. "Papa was impressed and I'd even figured it out on my own and he made me his apprentice right then and there. I wanted to be like him."
"Then why do you want to go so much? You have your parents and dreams of following in your father's footsteps. Why take the chance that you'll never return home?" Vincent's question weighed on Aiden but he knew his answer already. His eyes remained focused but his mind drifted slightly. "Very recently I was reminded that you only have one life to live. My mama would say that we all go about our lives living out our own stories but rarely do we get the chance to turn it into an adventure. So when she died a few years ago, she reminded me that it's okay to follow my dreams and reach for the stars. There is so much out there and I hear the call; I want to experience more than these four walls. I've loved airships and have been fascinated all my life. So even if I don't make it, at least I tried. I love my home but there's something missing and I'm hoping I'll find it out there." Aiden licked his lips, glancing at Vincent who just stared right back at him, a touch of intensity in that oceanic blue eye of his as if he almost didn't know what to say at all to this. "I'm going to get my chance. If not today, then one day I will." He gave a small shrug, a satisfied smile on his lips as he took the needed screw and set it, grasping a small screwdriver that he needed and began to tighten it.
Vincent's gaze lowered to the compass as he listened to Aiden's long winded speech. Aiden continued, "The idea of flying the skies, working every day with the engines and finding new, creative ways to make it better sounds like heaven to me. I don't consider anything a failure because no matter what, I learn. I am an engineer. I don't want to just be a deckhand. So if today's not the day, then that's okay, you know? Every day is a gift and I plan to make the most of it."
Aiden set down the screwdriver and checked the compass. He gave a small grin and held it out to Vincent who was now staring at him once more; always so stoic. Vincent reached out to take the compass, gazing down at it and to his relief found it looked as good as before! This kid was...good. Very good. He opened it up and gazed at the inscription before gazing back at Aiden and closing it. "Thank you." "It's my pleasure, Captain. And I am very sorry about the compass. Please accept my apologies." Vincent inhaled slowly and let it out before saying, "It's fine." He stared at the boy for another few seconds then turned to go, heading for the door.
Aiden let Vincent be the one to break their gaze, that small smile upon his lips. He wasn't going to let all this get him down. He began packing up his tools once more as he heard the door opening, the captain letting himself out. However, he didn't hear it close.
Vincent stood at the door, hand on the jamb as he stared at the opposite wall and warred with himself. Oh, he was going to regret this! He turned slightly and glanced at Aiden over his shoulder. "Tomorrow at eleven o'clock, be at the South Dock at bay four. Leon's Claw is the name of the ship. Don't be late."
Aiden's eyes widened as he stared at the captain. "R-really?!" he asked in a barely contained excited voice. Vincent sighed and responded, "Really." He looked ahead, walking through the open door and closing it behind him. As he closed the door, he heard Aiden shout "YES!" through the door. Vincent shook his head and left, heading for Leon's Claw to inform his First Mate of their newest addition to the crew. "You're gonna be the death of me, kid."
***
Next Part: www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/50772816831/in/datepo...
To read the rest of the story, here's the album link:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/albums/72157717075565127
***Please note this is a BOY LOVE (BL/yaoi/gay) series. It is a slow burn and rated PG13!***
***
Special thank you to Vin Aydin Raven-Mysterious for collaborating with me on this series and co-starring as The Captain!
~
DISCORD SERVER: That's right! The Captain and the Engineer has a Discord Server! If you would like to join and chat with other crewmates and see what's new and happening before it gets posted to Flickr, click the link!
***NEW!!!!***
The Captain and the Engineer now has a FACEBOOK PAGE! Please come Like, Follow, and join the crew! Thank you so much for all your support!
FACEBOOK PAGE: