#towerofart

[365daysofusuk]

December 21st, 2014 - The Perfect Tree

AUTHOR: towerofart

21st of December, 2014 - The Perfect Tree

"What about this tree, Artie?" Alfred asked, standing next to one of the taller pine trees in the supermarket parking lot.

England had only just been able to clear his schedule two days before and had been able to use the plane tickets he'd bought last spring—they'd learned early on during the start of commercial flying that Christmas tickets were to be bought at least six months in advanced if one wanted a seat. It was currently December 23rd, only two days before Christmas. America had put off getting a tree until now so that he and his boyfriend could pick one together, but so far neither could agree on anything. It had already been ten minutes and the weather was only getting colder.

The British gentleman turned from where he'd been admiring a little quaint tree and frowned at the other. "Absolutely not!"

"Aw, why not?" Alfred whined.

"For starters, we wouldn't be able to get the bloody thing through the doorway. I'm not cleaning up after it either. I'm sorry Alfred, but it's too big."

America gave a hmph! and trudged back to England, who pointed out the tree he'd been previously looking at. "What about this one? It's small, but I'm sure it'll look nice next to the windows in the living room."

The American continued to pout. "Too little."

"Ok," England said as he walked on down the row, "What about that one? It's taller."

"Too skinny."

"This one?"

"No. It looks like a pear."

"Fine then. What about this one here? It's perfectly normal."

"...I don't like it."

"Well, which one do you want!" England shouted a bit too loudly, his temper rising.

A brown haired lady in a warm parka walked over to the couple. "Is everything all right here?"

Alfred didn't answer. Instead he folded his arms and quietly moped in England's direction.

"Sorry, we're having a spot of trouble finding the right tree." Arthur sighed and looked apologetically at the woman.

She gave the Brit a knowing look and gestured to them to follow her. "Come on. I think I know the perfect tree for you two."

The three of them walked down to the end of the row of trees and started walking down a row over. "I'm surprised no one's snatched it up until now. You boys are in luck."

They stopped in front of a deep green pine with full branches. The tree stood a foot taller than Alfred and appeared proud. It looked like something someone would see in a Hallmark film.

"I like it. What do you think Alfred?" England turned to the other and asked.

"...I guess its ok." America relented, still trying to hold on to his grouchy mood.

After they had tied the tree to Alfred's car and paid for it, the two headed back home with their new Christmas tree. It was half way home when Arthur remembered something.

"You know that lady looked strikingly familiar," he said.

Alfred quit humming to the Christmas carol they had playing and glanced at his boyfriend before looking back to the road. "Really? I thought she looked kinda familiar too."

Then it dawned on England, who turned to look at America with wide eyes just as the other looked to him.

"No..."

"It couldn't be..."

"Oh, but it was."

———————————————————————————————————-

Sitting in a small café with a warm cup of hot chocolate was a brown haired Hungarian woman. She sipped her drink and smiled at the snow falling outside.

"I hope you boys have a Merry Christmas."

[365daysofusuk]

November 25th, 2014 - Stranger in Town

AUTHOR: towerofart

25th of November, 2014 - Stranger in Town

The Old Wild West was home to outlaws and sheriffs, cowboys and Indians. You only went out West if you were lookin' for gold, a new start, or trouble. Most found trouble, and few found gold, and almost everyone got a new start. But there was one thing that was true all across the Wild West; we were all guilty of something.

"Sheriff! Sheriff Jones!" A little freckled girl with brown braids ran up the front steps to the town police house. Her boots clanked on the warm wooden floor.

"What is it, Miss Becca?" asked the sheriff. He was a tall blond man who sat behind the desk at the other end of the room. Pinned to his breast pocket was a gold star that would every now and then catch the light.

The little girl pointed out toward the town's main road. "Someone new's come ta town!"

The sheriff's eyebrows came together and he walked outside of the building onto the shade of the porch with Becca trailing behind him. Coming up the road from the east was a lone rider. He sat on a brown horse with a well-loaded mule trailing behind on a rope.

Becca stared at the traveller from the porch railing. The man had stopped to read the town's sign. "He looks funny."

The man did look just that. He wore a black elegant tail coat and he sat in the saddle strange. Atop his head was a top hat that barely provided him adequate shading and the poor mule behind him suffered under expensive looking bags and boxes.

"That he does, Miss Becca... That he does." The sheriff stepped down onto the dust road. He walked over to the strange man with a long, bow-legged gait. "Howdy, sir."

The stranger looked up quickly, noticing the sheriff's badge. "Oh, hello there. Are you the authority for this... town?"

Sheriff Jones's noes scrunched up. The fellow had a weird way of speaking. "Yea, I guess you could say that. I'm Sheriff Alfred Jones. What brings you 'round here?"

It was the man's turn to scrunch up his nose. "My name Arthur Kirkland. I come from England, across the Pacific. I was told there is quite a booming business starting in Western America, so I thought I'd come and try my hand." The man paused and looked around at the collection of wooden buildings. "But, it would seem I have been miss-informed."

"It'd seem that way," Jones chuckled, "Well, yer welcome to stay here as long as ya like."

"Thank you. Would you mind pointing me in the direction of your town's inn?"

Alfred chuckled again and started to walk along the town's main road. "We don't have an inn, Mr Kirkland. No one ever bothers comin' out to a place like this. Yer welcome to stay at my place though. I'm sure I could find you a place to bunker down."

"Ah, thank you." Arthur said, tipping his hat from atop his horse. The mule trailing behind him flicked its ears and brayed.

Alfred grinned up at the Englishman. "No problem. Now, let's get these two poor creatures some water and you some proper clothes."

Arthur dismounted with a frown, straightening his overcoat. "What's wrong with my current attire?"

The sheriff's grin widened. "Oh, nothing..."

[365daysofusuk]

October 3rd, 2014 - A Last Retreat at Helm's Deep

AUTHOR: towerofart

3rd of October, 2014 - A Last Retreat atelm's Deep

"Arthur!" One of the soldiers of Helm's Deep yelled, slashing at an orc before retreating back to a small group of his fellow men with silver chainmail covering their heads. He ran toward the one farthest to the left, who had just fallen to the ground.

"We can't stand here forever Alfred; the other soldiers are already starting to fall back!" Even shouting, Alfred could barely hear his brother Matthew over the din.

"Give me one minute!"

"I'll try!" Matthew said before deflecting a blow and moving to cover his brother and the body behind him. The man next to him, Francis, moved to cover Matthew's right flank.

Alfred sank to his knees and grabbed Arthur's limp hand in his free one. "Arthur! You have to stay with me! We'll get you to the Glittering Caves where someone can heal you. I promise!"

Arthur wheezed and coughed. "Leave me... I'll...I'll only slow you down...You have to get back to the others..."

Alfred choked back a sob. "No. I'm taking you wi—"

"Alfred!" Francis warned. Alfred swung around, blocking a black blade just in time before it sliced off his arm.

Matthew quickly slew the orc before another one came at them. "We can't keep this up anymore! We have to fall back!"

"Leave!" Arthur groaned, blood seeping from his side through the ill fitted chainmail.

Alfred wrapped his arms around Arthur's and pulled him onto his back. "Not without you I ain't!"

Matthew was the first to start running back along the rough ground toward the Deep's main stronghold. From the main fortress of Hornburg they would await orders from the commanders, but it was a long run before they would be even remotely safe under its defences.

Alfred was next to run, Arthur's body a dead weight on his back. Francis quickly followed behind, covering their rear. The rain had made the ground slippery with mud and bodies, but the three soldiers ran without stopping toward the inner walls.

A quiet voice came from just above Alfred's ear. "Al...Alfred—"

"Shhh. Don't talk. We're almost there. Just a bit farther." He opened his mouth to speak again when a familiar cry came from behind him. Ahead, Matthew turned; a horrid look on his face.

"Francis!" Matthew started to run back but his brother held out a hand and stopped him.

"We can't bother Matthew! The orcs are almost upon us. I'm sorry." He shifted Arthur on his back and started to run again, but it was only several paces before an arrow lodged in the back of his calf. Alfred stumbled, almost dropping his burden, but running on.

He couldn't see Matthew anymore in the rain and in the chaos.

Arthur spoke up again, just barely audible above the din. "Alfred... In case... I-if we don't make it..." Alfred didn't bother to stop him this time, so he kept going. "If this is it, then I'd like to say... I lov—"

A black blade came down on Alfred's shoulder and Arthur's arm. The two crashed down into the mud in a bloody heap, Arthur falling first. Alfred was over him as if he could give the other man some protection from the incoming army that ran in through the hole in the Deeping Wall.

"Arthur?" Alfred feebly asked.

No response.

"Arthur?" he tried again, tears mixing in the rain. He pushed back the other's chainmail hood with shaking fingers and took Arthur's hand.

A heavy foot came down on Alfred's lower back and he gritted his teeth. "Come on Arthur..."

Another body—whether orc or human he didn't know—fell across their legs, trapping them under its weight. "...A-Arthur?"

After that he couldn't risk the energy to speak again.

As the two soldiers among many lay in the mud, Alfred turned his head just enough to see an edge of the sky above amid the carnage in the wet mud.

Look Arthur, he thought, smiling. The sun's coming out...

[365daysofusuk]

September 20th, 2014

AUTHOR: towerofart

30th of September, 2014 - Saving Him From the Ending

——————————————————

(Note: This drabble was inspired by this tumblr post.)

——————————————————

Arthur was mixing up dough for scones when it happened.

The doorbell rang. Being the sensible wizard he was Arthur grabbed his staff from where it rested against the table before unlocking the door.

"Who are you and wha—" Who the hell was that?!

He was a very odd fellow for sure, dressed in the most insensible clothes. Honestly, this wasn't the West. There was no need for riding trousers, and certainly only the most dimly witted would walk around in such a brightly coloured shirt with no cloak. The man was smiling so much he looked as if he would burst from excitement at any moment.

"You don't know me, but my name is Alfred and I'm a HUGE fan of yours! You see, in the universe I come from you're a character in a book. I know how it all ends and it's bad. So I found a way here! I just want to try to change this story to a happy ending." The man rushed out all of his words in one breath.

Arthur stood rooted to his spot in confusion. "...W-what?"

"I come from an—"

"Don't say it again! Honestly, once was enough."

The two spent the next few minutes quietly watching each other. Every little move was carefully observed with a mix of curiosity, confusion, and awe. That is, until the strange man named Alfred blurted out, "...Can I come in?"

He must have been the most cheerful, clueless person Arthur had ever had the misfortune to meet. Honestly, no one was quiet or sincere these days. It was all courage and heroics.

The wizard sighed and started to reluctantly open the door wider so this strange new person could step inside his cluttered home; if only to point him toward the nearest town and send the man back out again. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let you—Hey! You can't just invite yourself into my house! Stop wandering off on—THAT IS A VERY FRAGILE AND POWERFUL ARTIFACT. PUT IT DOWN."

[365daysofusuk]

August 1st, 2014 - Thieves at the Manor

ARTIST: demotif

AUTHOR: towerofart

August 1st, 2014 - Thieves at the Manor

“Welcome to the Vargas Manor, Mr Rogers.”

Alfred nodded to the butler and continued inside the decadent house. Directly inside was a long hall. Paintings of the powerful men and women of the family lined the walls. Alfred glanced at a few as he walked. Too bad we can’t come back later to grab one of those paintings. They’d be worth a fortune.

At the end of the hall and through a set of large doors was the main ballroom. The polite chatter of rich people before they’ve had enough wine filled the room with constant noise.

It took effort not to look for his accomplice. He should be here already, milling about in the crowd. Had he got in? They’d had some trouble getting his name on the roster. Maybe—

His thoughts were halted as a voice asked from his right, “And who might you be?”

“Oh, hello,” he gracefully picked up one gloved hand of the lady standing next to him and kissing the knuckles, “My name is Steven Rogers. Who is the lovely lady that I have the privilege of talking to?”

The woman laughed at him before she answered. “Elizabeta. Elizabeta Hèderváry.”

Throughout the party Alfred and Elizabeta talked. Occasionally they would drift off to other people, but she would always come back to chat.

As per usual at large rich people’s parties, there was lots of wine and other alcohol. Though, if he ever were to take even a taste Arthur would have his head. They weren’t supposed to be drunk on the job. Everyone else however, was showing clear signs of having sipped at quite a few of the drinks that the waiters were carrying around the room.

Soon it was edging up to time. Alfred had been able to loose Elizabeta a few minutes ago, and it was closing in on his cue. 12:20...12:21...12:22! Show time.

It wasn’t difficult to slip out of the crowd unnoticed. He quietly exited to an empty hallway that had only been dimly lit. Not ten minutes later the door to the ballroom opened again, closing quietly. Someone walked up behind Alfred, glancing up at the statue that the American had taken to looking at.

“Very beautiful, but we can’t snatch it.”

Alfred smiled and turned to see the man behind him. Arthur Kirkland was dressed in a white shirt, black bowtie, and some very handsome tails. “I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t admire the sculpture’s skill, Mr Ford Prefect.”

“Oh hush. It’s a brilliant cover name.”

“Dude? You could have gone with ‘Bruce Wayne’ and it would have been less obvious.”

“Says the man who is using Steve Rodgers as a cover name.”

“Aw, but that’s different. I bet these people haven’t even picked up a comic book.”

Arthur rolled his eyes and kissed him, patting his cheek before starting to walk down the dark hallway. “Enough chit-chat; we don’t have much time.”

The two walked swiftly through the maze of corridors and rooms. A memorised map led them to their first destination: the maids’ silverware closet.

It didn’t take long for them to move on. They took a silver knife here, a spoon there, and made sure to make it all seem very random and hard to follow. The silverware was slipped in shoes or up sleeves within seconds and disappeared.

“Now the best stuff.” Alfred adopted a stereotypical evil smirk and he held his hands together, wiggling the fingers.

“Stop it! Now is not the time to fool around.” Arthur still smiled at his partner’s antics before walking off toward their next target.

A couple more twists and turns later they were at the doors to the Mistress’s Chambers. Until recently, no one had occupied the room in some time. However, recently a family friend of the Vargas family had moved in—thus the party that had covered their entrance—and there was now a lady of the house.

Alfred bent down and started picking the lock on one of the double doors. “You know, I met Hèderváry. She was rather nice…”

Arthur leaned against the other door into the room. “You need to stop getting attached to our targets’. It does you no good and makes you clumsy.”

The two stayed silent until the click of the lock opening. Alfred smiled and noted, “New record,” before he slipped inside.

They only had a few minutes before the guards would come around. The two thieves worked quickly and silently. Arthur went straight to the jewellery chest that sat on a vanity in one corner. Alfred focused on the furnishings of the room. A few candles, some golden nobs from the drawers, and a brush sitting on top of the large dresser were a couple among his pickings.

They exited the chambers as quickly as they had entered and started down the hallway again, heading toward the closest exit—a side door built for the maids’ and butlers’ use.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” called a gruff voice of one of the guards from behind them.

Apparently, they weren’t as quick as they thought. The two knew they wouldn’t be able to talk their way out of this one.

“Ready to run, love?” Arthur asked as they came to a servants’ side door.

Alfred laughed, opening the door wide and ran outside. He called back to his partner running behind him, “Always.”

And with that, they disappeared into the night, having lived to steal another day.

[ghost-of-prussia]

c, m, n, and h

C: Where I would like to live.

Florence, Italy.

M: Random fact about me.

I’m writing a story that might never be finished, but I’d like to publish it one day.

N: Favorite day of the year.

I don’t have one.

H: Favourite book.

Anne Rice’s Queen of the Damned.