Up and Down I go

"What's gonna happen today? I'm super-excited!" 

[what-a-dirk-blog]

Oh, maaan. Ivan’s actually doing it, huh?

You can do it bro! 

[ivan-t-your-love]

*Ivan wonders if he’s quite willing to say much about his plans, so he feels the need to think on his feet. What to say that was not too much?* Well, um, it’s something I’ve got plenty of time to prepare the room for, that’s for certain. I do still need to have some of the furniture delivered.

*He himself takes some time to imagine what the room would look like in lavender. He nods* You’re right! Besides, I think I ordered far too many pink items already, so the lavender would be a nice touch. And you’re sure you’re alright with me repainting?

[what-a-dirk-blog]

[Preparation for a new room.... furniture.... too many pink items... Dirk wasn’t the smartest kid in the block but he had his own conclusions to his older brother’s SUSPICIOUS actions]

[he crosses his arms, a finger tapping as he fakes a glare] ...just what are you up to?

[he decides to let it slide though-- if he was keeping it such a mystery right now, he probably didn’t want it fount out yet. Being the awesome, and not to mention cute, little brother that he was, he just laughs it off, waving a hand to dismiss it] You better not leave me out of it! And to think I came all this way...

[what-a-dirk-blog]

“... today is definitely not my day. Crucial misses! Geez!”

“Ah, well. There’s always next year~”

[what-a-dirk-blog]

After Chelsea is... me?

So ready for this!

[what-a-dirk-blog]

making a quick list since I won’t be replying until after the festival (oh yeah!)

dirk (who needs more threads, reply/ask if interested) owes: Raven

waiting on: Ivan, Tina, Chelsea

leon owes: Iris, Cliff, Sonja, Nami, Mistel, 

waiting on: Sephia, Frey, Pia, Luna, Klaus, Barrett, Kiel, Venti, Clorica, Lillian

kana owes: Johnny (<3), Sephia, Gwen, Kathy, 

waiting on: Popuri, Renee, Ivan, Tina, Katie, Dylas, Carlos, Phillip, Lillian, Pia, Quinn, Ash, Will, Mikhail

[what-a-dirk-blog]

Sticks and Stones - Dirk/Raven

[raven-reborn]

Raven was not one to hide her annoyance, letting out an audible sigh as the man asked to watch her work.  “Fine,” she mumbled as she turned back to her sketch, trying her best to make it as accurate as possible.  “Just… yes, please try not to get in the way.  I don’t care if you talk though.”

It did not take long before she had finished the sketch, quickly jotting down materials as a final addition to the page.  She then turned to the man, handing him the photo back.  “The work isn’t very interesting though… not much of a story to tell.  It’s all really slow.”

As the man mentioned the town he was from, Raven looked up from her desk, turning to him with sudden interest.  “Oh, so that’s where you’re from… I figured you weren’t from around here.  I go to Konohana often.”

[what-a-dirk-blog]

In all honesty, he feels relieved that he can talk. He didn’t come all this way to just watch her make a ring after all, he was also just as curious about the blacksmith herself. He sits himself down and watches, taking off his hat as he did. “You actually make something-- not boring at all. Try delivering packages day in and day out...lots of papercuts for the mail too.”

He probably shouldn’t whine-- he did actually like his job because of the people he meets. But this-- making rings and the like-- was something that fascinated them. The notion of creating something beautiful from a freakin rock was amazing, okay???

He lits up when she acknowledges Konohana, now 200% sure it was her, “I know! At least I heard a certain blacksmith does... I’m Dirk, by the way! I live right across Phil’s farm.”

[what-a-dirk-blog]

Sticks and Stones - Dirk/Raven

[raven-reborn]

Of course he went for the sketch.  “Alright then, I’ll do that,” Raven sighed, not appreciating the extra work but knowing that she did not have much of a choice.

“Okay… I’ll definitely try my best to make the ring at close as possible, but… it won’t be perfect,” she says as she quickly measures the ring and scribbles the measurements on a blank piece of paper.  Beside the measurement, she begins the sketch, placing the original photo on the desk beside her.

“Uh…” Stopping her drawing for a moment, Raven looks up at the man.  She then takes the opportunity to hand him the plain ring back, before answering his question.  “Watch me sketch or make the ring… ?

[what-a-dirk-blog]

She worked efficiently and promptly-- something that truly impressed Dirk. Not one to waste time, he could only watch and observe as she does her thing. He pockets the ring once it was handed to him and flashes a grin at her question, raising two fingers up as well. “Both~♪ If it’s okay.”

Raising the rest of his fingers, he keeps them closely together and starts a promise, “Won’t get in the way, Ma’am. That’s a promise. I’ll even shush while you work if you like it more when it’s quiet.”

He was definitely sounding like such a handful customer-- first asking for a sketch, and now wanting to stick around. There was always the option of making her life easier, but really, he couldn't help it-- he wanted to see it for himself. “Kinda curious about how they’re made, you know? Makes a nice story to tell once I get back to Konohana, too.”

[mininori-archives]

You got something there! [Dirk & Minori]

It was a quiet day, a kind of day for Minori to just hang around and do some things. What were those things? Well, she had no idea so far, just take a nice stroll around Oak Tree Town or something!

Summer was around the corner, the weather was already changing from the sweet warmth of Spring to something a little cooler. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she began on her way, hoping to not smudge her makeup or ruin her hair from just a simple day out and about.

Walking away from her farm, Minori passed by a brown haired man. She whipped her head around (her hair almost hitting her straight in the face), as she noticed something on the guy’s face. What…. what was that on his face? She felt like she knew the answer, but she just wanted to make sure whoever this young man was knew what was on his face. Raising an eyebrow, she spoke up loudly so he would hear her, maybe answer back. “Hey, you have something on your face.”

[what-a-dirk-blog]

As a kid, he was often told he was too mischievous for his own good. Now, as a fully independent adult, he finds himself if there was actually a thing such as “being too kind”. He keeps his head low as he makes his last few deliveries in Oak Tree Town, admittedly way too conscious of his face.

Just do your job... do your job... do your job... “--!” 

And of course he gets noticed.

Dirk stops and wasn’t all that eager to turn around and face the girl he had just passed by. “... it’s not that bad, right?” He laughs a little too awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck as his head drops low again. There was a shade of pink in his cheeks, not because he was flustering up, but because he had actually applied some powder on it. If someone looked closely, they could see the poorly applied eyeliner as well a hint of pale lipstick. Thank the gods and goddesses that he was in a town where his friends weren't around (or his brother!!!) because this surely would have been... odd. 

[what-a-dirk-blog]

Sticks and Stones - Dirk/Raven

[raven-reborn]

As the man held out the paper, Raven looked at it curiously.  She then took off her gloves, shoving the soot covered cloth into her pockets before reaching out and taking the picture from his hands.  “It’s good enough, don’t worry… I just hope you don’t mind me keeping the photo while I work on the ring?”  She paused, thinking of another alternative.  “Either that or you have to wait while I draw a sketch of it…” It would not be as good as having the photo, but it would work.

“I’ll try to replicate it to the best of my ability.  It won’t be perfect, but… I can try my best.”  Raven had never asked to do a task like this one, but she figured that she could at least give it a shot.  The ring would be hard to make, but not impossible.

Reaching out to take out the simple ring that he offered for size reference, Raven took it and carefully placed it on the counter.  “Give me a second to measure this and you can take it back.”

[what-a-dirk-blog]

From what he’s seen, blacksmithing was a messy job. There was probably fire involved too-- and heat and paper didn’t work well. He went with his instincts and opts for the sketch, feeling more reassured with it than taking a risk. “Err, definitely a sketch, if you don’t mind? I don’t mind waiting.”

He feels more at ease with the ring, noticeably not as cautious about it compared to the old photograph. “Sure thing, it’s just a plain old ring for reference. And don’t worry about perfecting it, that crazy old lady will probably be overjoyed just by seeing something even a teensy tiny bit similar to it. But I’m looking forward to how you do!”

To duplicate something from a picture though... Dirk’s only craft was cooking, so he wasn’t experienced in anything similar. He takes a leap of fate and dared to ask-- “Can I watch closely while you do it?” 

[cheerynewsgirl]

A Recipe For Disaster || Tina & Dirk

[cheerynewsgirl]

Taking steps closer towards her house, with a skip in her step she hopped onto the doorstep. Turning a little swiftly on her feet to face back to him. “Well I was thinking of making something sweet…Maybe a crepe? Otherwise spaghetti sounds good too!”

Hands fumbling about trying to balance the bag on her knee so she could grab her keys out of her carrier bag, Tina started hopping in place a little as she searched her bag while holding the other upright with one hand. The bag of ingredients dangerously close to falling off as she kept on rummaging through the mess of paper within.

[what-a-dirk-blog]

Spaghetti.... the horror....

He tries not to let his dislike of the dish show and instead opts to go for the former-- if there was one thing he was good at, it was making desserts! And crepes was definitely on the list!

Before he could tell her that though, she starts doing something silly again-- as soon as the bag starts showing signs of falling off as she hops up and about, it was Dirk’s cue to take action and just forcibly help her whether she wanted to or not. He takes the bag of ingredients and holds it closely, hopefully aiding in her little key search. He lifts the bag up, trying to be as helpful as he can.  “Crepes. Definitely crepes. Buuut, you let me help out a bit, alright?”

[cheerynewsgirl]

A Recipe For Disaster || Tina & Dirk

[cheerynewsgirl]

“Alright then!” Her usual bright smile back on her face, Tina walked next to Dirk, arms hugging the bag tightly so the small packages of food wouldn’t fall out. 

Tilting her head a bit, she shrugged. “I think it should be okay, my best friend works over there too but then again…” She wasn’t sure if the restaurant had a day off that day or not, so if it were open then that wouldn’t be a good idea to just go in and ask. “I guess my house would be the better option then?” A bit of an unsure tone in her voice, Tina still hadn’t cleaned up the bottom floor which was covered in unsorted letters. 

“And, oh! Uh it’s alright, I can handle it. They aren’t too heavy and we’re not that far from my place anyway!” Catching back up to his pace, Tina tried to stay close by in speed. “Just around the corner there and that’s my house~” Shuffling her arms on the bag to readjust the weight, using them to motion to the upcoming corner ahead.

[what-a-dirk-blog]

His face fell when his offer was denied but he was quick to recover, letting his hands rest behind his head instead, casually slowing down so he’d be walking beside her instead.  This girl...

As they turned to the corner and reached what he assumed was her house, he remembered he hasn’t really asked her what exactly it is she wanted to cook. They could prepare simple dishes... but of course it all depended on what she had for ingredients. “Got any dishes in mind? Personally not a big fan of dishes with a lot of vegetables... and spaghetti too.”

[cheerynewsgirl]

A Recipe For Disaster || Tina & Dirk

[cheerynewsgirl]

Lightly leaning against the counter behind, Tina watched as he went about his job of delivering the small parcels. The goods which she asked for being placed onto the counter next to her. Turning back to Hana, she pulled out her wallet handing the elderly woman the amount for the ingredients, thanking the other. 

Taking the ingredients off the table she placed them into her bag carefully, spinning back on her feet to face Dirk. “Well that’s true! I’m only trying to learn now anyway~ But if it all goes bad, I guess I can just rely on the restaurant for food~” Tina was quite excited to learn how to cook something good for once rather than the simple dishes which she had been living on for a while. 

Holding her bag more carefully than before so the food wouldn’t get squished onto each other, Tina walked back a bit with a spring in her step towards the door again. “Anyways! Do you want to borrow the kitchens at Clement’s or is my house fine?” Her voice more excited than before, looking over her shoulder back at Dirk.

[what-a-dirk-blog]

Dirk kept the papers he had Hana signed and waited for his cooking disciple to get ready. The wait didn't last long and he could only watch as her mood switched to a more excitable one. He tries to return the enthusiasm with a grin, but clearly not as much as the bubbly newsgirl. “If all goes bad, we’re going to keep trying~”

As he walks behind her, he ponders for a moment on who that Clement person is. He encountered the name on his deliveries.... “Ah. You mean at the restaurant? Would it be alright? I mean, they will be using the kitchen after all...” But what kind of gentleman would he be if he went on and preferred her home? Not that he had intentions but what would Ivan say? “I’m fine with wherever you’re more comfortable at!”

He tries to keep up with her pace before eventually walking ahead of her. He takes a turn and starts walking backwards, his hands held out. “I feel terrible having you carry all of those. So--?”

[ball-of-sunshine1deac]

You’ve Got Mail [Dirk & Chelsea]

[ball-of-sunshine1deac]

It didn’t take too long for door to be answered, but once it did Chelsea’s eyebrows knit with concern at the sight of the man before her. He looked absolutely exhausted, and the fact that she only needed a few seconds to point it out really said something. His frail form was clearly struggling to hold itself together, using the the doorframe to support its weight. Nonetheless, Chelsea smiled at his greeting.

Keep reading

[what-a-dirk-blog]

He was burning all over. The weight in his eyes prevented him from opening them just yet, so he groans and pressed a hand on his aching head instead. He blacked out for a moment, his consciousness barely there as he rested somewhere soft and comfortable-- he could have sworn he was lying down on the wooden floors just a moment ago.  

His world was spinning and spun even more when he tries to get up. The brunette brushed up his tawny hair, slowly opening his eyes as he looks around the place. Everything was blurry, much to his discomfort. “... get it together, Dirk.” He tells himself before dragging himself to the kitchen, slowly making it close enough to realize he wasn’t alone. 

Blurred as it may be, he saw someone in his kitchen looking for something-- but who was she? He seeks support again by leaning on the walls again, an uncomfortable smile forced, “Lil? Nori..? Reina? Err... Miss Ayame?” Don’t faint. Don’t faint. DON’T FAINT. “S-sorry. I can barely see.”

[what-a-dirk-blog]

Sticks and Stones - Dirk/Raven

[raven-reborn]

It was easy to tell that the man was staring at her, and Raven immediately turned her head away before turning away completely to grab another cloth.  “Sorry, I was just doing some cleaning… my, uh… boss doesn’t really clean the forge often, so a lot of soot tends to accumulate…”

She wiped her face once more with the cloth, making a note to go upstairs and use a mirror once the customer was out of the shop.  “It’s not a bad time though, I can finish cleaning later.”  She knew she probably looked terrible, but it was part of her job, and people normally did not question the mess when they visited the blacksmith.

“A ring… ?  Yeah, I can do that.” She paused, heading over to her desk so she could write the order down.  “What type of ring did you want done?”

[what-a-dirk-blog]

He sighs in relief when he hears she’s free to get the ring done. That’s two for two for his to-do list! Wasting no time, Dirk searches in his satchel for an age old photo and unfolds it for the blacksmith to see. It was the only copy he has, so he takes the liberty of holding out for her, wary of getting it smudged with soot. 

“This is the only reference I have and I know it’s not much, but I hope it’s enough.” In the photo was a woman in her early 20s, a happy smile on her face as she proudly shows off a ring on her finger. It was as vintage as the photo, dating back to even before Dirk was born. “It’s for someone I know. She’s lost her ring and has been dying to get a similar one back.” Hopefully not actually dying. 

“I have her ring size right here too.” And from his satchel, he pulls out another item. It was another ring, but unlike the vintage rhinestone and white iron ring in the picture, this one was a simple bronze band with no decor whatsoever.

[cheerynewsgirl]

A Recipe For Disaster || Tina & Dirk

[cheerynewsgirl]

“Instructions huh…Can’t exactly say I’m the best at that.” With a nervous chuckle she scratched a little at her cheek. Most of the time she just went for a quick meal pretty much well…Anywhere that served food. And close to anything her cooking skills were definitely not the best either, making strange mixes when she tried last time all she could really cook was very simple dishes.

Reaching the front of the general store, Tina opened the door and headed straight in. Walking right up to the counter and discussing with Hana the items she had wanted to buy, Tina looked behind her as the older woman went inside to gather what she had asked for.

Turning around so that she was facing the male she met outside she realised that she hadn’t even introduced herself to him yet! “Ah, sorry I asked all this of you straight away without even knowing who you were!! My name is Tina so what’s yours?” Apologizing for the sudden request but giving quite the swift introduction, she smiled back at him.

[what-a-dirk-blog]

Ah. He was afraid of that. But one way or another, he could probably help out even though she seemed incredibly un-confident about her skills. Heck, he wasn’t even suppose to worry about others. He never taught anyone anything useful in his life. 

“There’s a first for everything, I guess.” He says to himself as the girl went on her merry way ahead while he kept to his much slower pace. When he got himself in the General Store, it didn’t take long for him to spot the old lady aka the recipient of his last batch of deliveries. He offered a kind smile as he headed over to where Tina and Hana, “Good morning. Sorry for interrupting.”

“It’s Dirk. I got a little carried away myself too, no need to apologize.” And speaking of getting carried away... “Ah! Right, I got a bunch of deliveries for you, Maam.” A few signatures here and there and he was finally done!

[ball-of-sunshine1deac]

You’ve Got Mail [Dirk & Chelsea]

The weather was gradually growing hotter as summer approached, and it wasn’t being very kind to the petite farmer. Trekking down a steep mountain under the blazing sun somehow sounded like a good idea at first, but now that she had experienced it she didn’t know what she was thinking. Her parents were to blame for this, though. Her mother had given her a distressed call about how she had accidentally sent a surprise package for Chelsea to Konohana, and couldn’t find a way to get it back. At that note Chelsea also attempted to contact the post office at Konohana, but her efforts were futile. 

So there she was, finally at the entrance of Konohana with beads of sweat trickling down her face and breaths so shallow she hand to crouch down to even them out. One would think she would have better stamina being a farmer, but whatever physical labor she was put through was paced and did not compare to this in any way. After a good drink from a nearby spring and some asking around, Chelsea found herself in front of the local mailman’s house, finally relaxed now that she had reached her destination.

After smoothing out her shirt and re-adjusting her bandana, the brunette balled her hand into a fist and knocked on the chestnut door, patiently awaiting a response.

[what-a-dirk-blog]

This wasn’t a very good day for the friendly neighborhood mailman. Wrapped in two layers of comforters, Dirk still felt like he was in the middle of winter. Why did he never listen to anyone’s advice about bringing umbrellas on the off chance it might rain? It always rained when he least expected it. On his way back home, still high up in the mountain, it started pouring. No matter how fast he ran, he still went home drenched that night. And even if he showered before going to sleep, the morning still greeted him with a terrible fever.

What would Ivan say? 

Oh, no. God forbid his brother actually found out he not only still lived alone, worked until midnight, barely had any breaks, AND was sick? He wouldn’t hear the end of it. 

He managed a quick meal, just plain old rice with fried egg on top. The dirty dish was still on his sink, the energy to clean it was lost on him. Today, he’ll just sleep. Probably catch up on mail tomorrow... probably rest early too...

He dozed off at the thought of resting-- but it was quick to end when he heard a knock. Someone was visiting him? Odd, considering everyone knew of his schedule. He was normally up and about now. Could it be Ivan? “...” 

“I’ll be right there.” Please don’t be my brother. Please. Please. His prayer was on loop as he crawled his way to the door, a layer of comforter still wrapped around him. When he finally got to the door, he looked through the peep-hole to prepare himself. Female. Stranger. Not Ivan. This was good. He could have pretended not to be home but he was already here so he might as well get it over with.

Opening the door for the stranger, he leaned on the wooden frame to keep himself from falling, his head spinning like crazy. He managed to say-- “Good morning.”-- before ultimately falling backwards, his entire self unable to keep up with another second of consciousness.

[what-a-dirk-blog]

Sticks and Stones - Dirk/Raven

[raven-reborn]

“Gaius how do you work in this mess…”

Raven muttered to herself as she attempted to clean up Gaius’ work area to the side of the shop.  With the man out of town for the day and the forge not burning brightly, Raven was able to give it a proper cleaning.  She was covered from head to toe in soot, but it was a job that had to be done.

However, her job was interrupted when she heard the sound of the door opening, and Raven quickly stood up and attempted to clean herself off.  “O-One second, I’m just around the corner…” She brushed off her arms and pat her gloves together in attempt to rid them of some of the blackness.  Grabbing a cloth from a nearby table, she wiped down her face as she appeared in the main room of the shop.

“Hi, sorry… I’m the one who makes jewellery here,” she said as she took down her hair from the ponytail she had been wearing it in.  With that, she had made herself as presentable as possible.  “What did you need?”

[what-a-dirk-blog]

For a short time, no one came up. It was impossible for it to be closed since, well... he got inside. But soon enough, a voice proved him right and he heaved a sigh of relief. It was a girl’s voice-- it should be Raven. Otherwise, it would have been terrible to have come all the way here for nothing! 

Adjusting his hat, tucking in his brown mess of a hair, he waited until she-who-is-around-the-corner showed herself, and lo and behold, there she was. Red hair? Check. Eleven ears? Check. Covered in black? Umm.

“You got a little...here and...ermm.. is this a bad time?” Dirk scratched his check and titled his head some, trying to guess what she could have been doing to make such a mess. He never smithed before and all he knows is fire was definitely involved so there’s that... “If you’re busy I could come back a little later? Just needed to get a ring done.”