The Most Wholesome Place in the World
Summer 2021, Week 3
Wednesday morning
Saint Marsh Orphanage, The Wards
Storyteller
The day at the orphanage was like any other during the summer, beginning with Saint Marsh rousing the children and readying them and early bird volunteers for breakfast.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Aloy has been awake since before the sun was up. He had to commute quite a distance to get here. He was sporting some bruising on his face and cuts. Tobias Marsh hadn’t seen Aloysius for a bit. Well not since he learnt he had powers and grew. Aloy was now six foot two inches and a lot leaner and more muscular. People were going to start noticing. Okay Aloy. If they ask about the scratches it’s cus I got into a fight and lost, and the new physique is a new diet and workout routine. He thought to himself as he helped prepare breakfast. Holding back a lot of force with a smile. Softly humming the start of A-Punk to himself. “Mornin’.” He smiled to whoever else was with him or walked over. His voice was lower too. He wore his usual loose hoodie and baggy tracksuit pants.Saint Marsh
The man smiles and greets Aloy with a firm handshake, almost as if his arrival was expected like a cliched Himalayan monk. He speaks with his thick Irish accent, "Mornin', m'boy! Long time, no see!" He adjusts his glasses as he looks over Aloy, impressed with the changes since last he saw him. "Started growin' again and built some muscle, have ye? I hope yer stayin' out of trouble..." Noting the cuts and bruises, he adds, "Well, too much trouble. I s'pose the Wards aren't very kind to passersby, are they?"Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Aloy’s handshake was very strong despite the fact he was holding back. He smiled at seeing Tobias, he was always a bit like a father figure for the times he’s worked here. “Yep. Got on a new diet and workout style at home. It’s been too long! I meant to stop by sooner, but I had some stupid school chaos to clean up. They needed a signature from my mother or somethin’ I dunno.” Aloy shrugged and chuckled a bit rubbing a cut on his cheek. “They ain’t but y’know I can handle myself. Also doesn’t help I can’t not run my mouth. How are the kids holding up?” Aloy asked with a weak smile as he got back to very very carefully doing what he was so he didn’t smash anything. Its not lying if they just presume it was fighting and not flying into your window, right? God I almost destroyed the side of my house...Saint Marsh
"New diet, eh? Seems ta work wonders for ya." He winks as he adds, "Though I rather like ma meat, bread and 'taters, so I could never follow wit' the vegan or palemo-whatsit trends."Storyteller
Looking around, Aloy can see that a few of the faces he's come to know are gone, hopefully to good homes. A few familiar faces remain, however, and a few new ones are present as well. They all seem to be absorbed in whatever each friend's circle seems to be dealing with, and as they notice Aloy walk in, ones that recognize him wave, some enthusiastically while others shyly give a smaller wave.Saint Marsh
"As fer the kiddos, Alec is still a right gobshite, gettin' into arguments with his brothers an' sisters, though Millie breaks it up afore he gets too scrappy..." He drones on about all the kids as he shuffles over to the enormous skillet, where today he has prepared his interesting but tasty concoction of scrambled eggs, ground sausage, diced potatoes and onion, which Aloy has come to know as 'Egg Mess'. "I'm not sure what yer diet needs, but I can whip somethin' up fer ya if ya need."Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
“As expected of those two.” He chuckled a bit happy to hear all the news about the kids as he finishes cutting up and dicing the last of the potatoes and onions. Throwing them into the skillet. “Nah don’t worry about me. I’ve had plenty to eat. My diet is annoying. But there you go for the Egg Mess.” He chuckled a bit. Yeah Aloy really annoying to eat fast food all day like a pig, isn’t it? You ate ten burger meals on the trip here. He softly shook his head and started pulling out plates and dishes getting everything ready for when it was done cooking as his stomach rumbled a bit. “Ignore that. My stomach’s being greedy again.” Jesus Christ we just ate like half an hour ago calm down. A look of realisation came across his face as he cleaned and checked the plates. He wasn’t sure what caused it as a single thought popped into his mind. This is my first conversation of the summer….wow that’s….sad. He also waved to all of the new and old people around alike warmly.Saint Marsh
"All right, m'boy. Thank ye for the help, an' I s'pose if ya already-" His sentence cut off by the rumbling of Aloy's stomach, which prompts Tobias to raise an eyebrow in suspicion. "Surely a bit o' the Mess couldn't hurt, aye?" He begins dishing up plates one by one as the kids and young teens take their dishes and silverware to the skillet, making sure to try and give some kids the bits they preferred and avoid the parts they didn't. Noticing the troubled look on Aloy's face, he asks "Is there somethin' on yer mind, Aloy? Ye got the look of someone adrift in unpleasant thoughts. An' if it's something ye don't want ta talk about, I can understand."Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Aloy helped handing out the plates and introduced himself to the new faces with a soft tone of voice and smile. “Hey there, I’m Aloy it’s nice to meet you, and I’ll be fine without the mess. Just gotten a high eating thing I guess now.” He said with a shrug still warmly smiling. The look on Aloy’s face didn’t disappear when it was brought up. “To be honest with you….this is kinda the first time I’ve talked to someone all summer. You know? I’m not necessarily the friendliest person around or exactly a social butterfly. Just getting used to talking again. I really don’t wanna go back to school either. Everyone’s gonna stare and gawk at me. ‘Oh, who’s that? Oh, it’s Aloy.’ I don’t like all their eyes on me. And someone’s gonna try and touch me I’m calling it now.” He admitted with a shrug before waving it away dismissively with his hand. “So, what’re we doing today? Any special plans?”Saint Marsh
He puts a hand on Aloy's shoulder when everyone has been dished up in an attempt to be consoling. "Well, I s'pose all I can really say is that if they spend all their time gawkin' and starin', they're not getting ta know the kind, wonderful and selfless young man ye are, and they don't deserve ya." He gives him a warm smile. "An' though I respect that you don't want ta go ta school" He purses his lips in a playful mockery of frustration, lightly shaking Aloy's shoulder before releasing it "it's still something ye should see through 'till the end. It's good fer ye to follow through." "As fer the plans today, the mornin' is mostly goin' ta be spent in th' garden" He gestures to the back yard where a fairly sizable plot would typically host a large amount of growing potatoes, onions and peas. He smiles and leans in for a whisper, "An' if they're good we're planning a trip to th' zoo today." "But let's come and sit; it's time fer grace." He smiles and motions toward a seat where two kids insistently pat whilst grinning at Aloy.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Aloy usually had a no touching rule, but Tobias and the kids were obviously an exception. He gave a weak smile; he respected the view of the man but didn’t really belief him at the moment “I dunno if I’m all those things. I’m not that wonderful or kind” he said shaking his head and looking to him again with a sigh. “You’re right but it’s not like I’m good at school anyway. I don’t like the way tests work. It’s stupid or I am it’s one of them.” Aloy sighed and nodded looking to the backyard. “I won’t need gloves for that kinda work. And ooo a trip to the Zoo I hope they’re good we can go see the monkeys and the like. Maybe I’ll wrestle an ape!” Aloy chuckled walking over and sitting down where the kids were patting. “Alright alright I’m comin’ I’m coming. C’mon no eating we gotta do grace first. It’s the respectful thing to do.”Saint Marsh
"All right, boys an' girls. Let us pray." They all held hands with their neighbors at their table, some bowing their heads in prayer, the kids adjacent to Aloy offering to have him join their circle. "O Lord, we thank ya for the bounty you've put before us. We thank ya and all the lives that brought it to our tables. The farmers, delivery people, an' generous souls that help us whenever they can." He smiles at Aloy before returning to grace "We ask that ya bless this food so we can make use of it and make our bodies whole, so that we can be of use to ya and yer designs. In God's name we pray, amen." Following grace, the kids all whisper "Amen".Storyteller
The kids all dig in and begin talking amongst themselves, a few of them asking Aloy various questions. Aloy notices that during breakfast, Tobias pauses and closes his eyes, his brow furrowing on an otherwise neutral expression, and a singular vein that seems to bulge out on his forehead. The kids start to notice, as well with hushed whispers about "I wonder if someone's finding a new family" and "He's doing the thing"Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Aloy wasn’t the religious type. He wasn’t sure if there was a god or not, he didn’t really want to know the answer. He gave a smile to the two offering him to join and softly held their hands and bowed his head in prayer with them. “Amen.” He smiled as everyone dug in and he looked to Tobias Jeez, I know he uses it for a good thing for he looks a bit goofy and weird when he does it. “You all know he’s probably keeping us all safe and seeing if you are all going to be good today. So better be on our best behaviour, shouldn’t we?”Saint Marsh
He finally opens his eyes, the vein disappearing, and for a brief moment he looks to Aloy with a knowing smile before turning towards the kids. Ah, ya poor sweet boy. Don't worry, yer secret's safe with me "Looks like ya rascals are in fer a treat today, but that doesn't mean ya can spoil it! Alec, I'm lookin' at you" he adds jokingly.Storyteller
After breakfast is finished and dishes are washed, they all move to the garden, ensuring the crops are weeded and watered. While this is going on, Aloy is assailed with questions from the kids, ranging from "How did you get so buff?" to "Do you like girls? Ew!"Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Shit he knows. I didn’t wanna pull him or the kids into this. Aloy gave a weak smile back and awkwardly rubbed his neck letting humming to himself quietly while everyone finished up breakfast and he held getting to work in the gardens. “Okay, okay! One at a time. I’m almost an adult but I still have issues hearing.” He chuckled as he looked to who asked how he got so buff. “I changed how I was eating and started eating better and working out more and I grew taller from a growth spurt. A-and yes, I like girls my age. It’s not ew! You’ll all understand when you’re my age. Ya just learn to appreciate beauty around ya more.” he said with a chuckle plucking out weeds as he got to work. Normally Aloy would have work gloves or complained about how hard it was to get a good grip. He tried to keep that up despite the fact he was ripping them quite easily out of the ground gloveless. “What’s wrong with liking girls? If you say cooties, you’re wrong.”Storyteller
The kids were, thankfully, oblivious to the difference in weeding. The boys started to protest that cooties are, in fact, real while some of the girls retorted that it's the boys that have the cooties. Tobias is occupied with helping the kids find the difference between the weeds and the actual crop, moving from row to row and helping pick the weeds that were missed.Saint Marsh
One of the kids asked him "Why do we put the yucky eggshells in the garden?" "Well, Lyle, think of all that's left over when we eat th' things we can eat. There's still nutrients that we don't need that plants love in the parts we don't eat..." He drones on as he weeds with the kids.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
“Cooties aren’t real. I’m telling you, and if they were the adults would have it since they kiss each all other the time.” Aloy grinned as he stood up knowing that all the kids would respond with a disgusted ew. As he walked over to join Tobias. “Mhmm, that’s right it’s called compost I think, it’s why we’ve got the green bins, do you mind if I talk to Tobias for a minute alone, please?” He asked politely looking to him. Waiting for the kids to leave them be a little. “Alright what did ya see? What gave it away?”Saint Marsh
He chuckles a little bit, and says quietly "I may be old, m'boy, but I'm still sharp enough to be in th' block. I know that proper diet an' exercise do wonders, but they usually take a bit ta get the results ya did without yer stomach churnin'. As fer what I saw..." he grimaces "Try ta work on yer landings when yer up in th' air. Durable as ye might have become, hittin' th' ground or a building is not a very comfortable way to land." His expression softens. "I'm sorry if it seems like it's too much. Young men yer age have enough changes in yer lives ta deal with without all these crazy things going on."Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
Aloy chuckled a bit rubbing his neck before he whispered back “Uh yeah. You’re right I’ve uh been working on that part… and going straight… and turning… that’s how I actually got the uh… Yeah.” He pointed to the bruises on his face with a soft chuckle. “Don’t worry. It’s just gonna add a few more problems to my life but it’s nothing I can’t handle in it. Life ain’t gonna get easier but I gotta do what I can.” He admitted with a shrug squatting down to pull out some more weeds. “But thanks for keepin’ it on the downlow. I didn’t wanna bring you into it if I could.”Saint Marsh
"If ya ever need ta talk or vent, I'm always willin' ta bend an ear." He smiles and resumes his normal voice. "And I know you might call me old-fashioned, but I know there's a libr'y in Old Towne that'll have what yer lookin' ta learn. They've got lots of stuff ta learn, from finances to cookbooks and hist'ry." He gives a wink, happy to keep the appearance of normalcy to curious children. "I'm friends with th' head librarian, and they are sharp as a filletin' knife. Ask fer either Lavrentis or Lavrentia, whoever is available."Storyteller
After about half an hour, a small girl by the name of Anabelle lightly tugs on Aloy's hoodie and says, "The bees are saying there's food in the flowers... should we eat the flowers?"Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
“I’ll have to go have a chat with them sometimes. Help me study for all that.” He winked back and got to work silently for the next half hour keeping an eye on the kids until Anabelle asks that question and he blinks if this was an animated series it would be making the plink noises as he did so. “Uh. Well Annabelle. Probably not a good idea, see some flowers aren’t good to eat and we should leave the flowers alone so the bees can spread the pollen….which little bee told you that?”Storyteller
She points to a little bumblebee buzzing about, dutifully moving from flower to flower. "That one. She says her name is ZZZZZZzzzzZZzz.." she buzzes as if she was speaking to the bee and it flies over, perching on her hand.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
“So, you can talk to bees?” He asked warmly with a smile his eyes looking to Tobias as he was asking him if she’s an evo. Before he whispered to the bee. “It’s nice to meet you ZZZZZZzzzzZZzz, you can call me Aloy”Storyteller
Ana nods happily and adds "I am also friends with Mr. Chichecer, but I have to keep telling him that bird feeders are for birds, not squirrels." She giggles as the bee flies off. "She says hello Aloy but needs to get back to work."Saint Marsh
In response to the question, he smiles "Aye, Anna is. It seems she can talk to th' animals and insects. I caught her chittering at the squirrel that's been in the feeders lately." His smile turns to that of slight melancholy "I've been tryin' ta teach the kids that just because she's different, we don't want ta be mean to her because she has feelins, too. She's been a target for Alec a lot lately and thank the Lord Millie stands up fer her."Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
“Tsk Tsk. It’s for the birds not squirrels. And it’s okay I understand how bosses can be.” Aloy gave a warm smile as he talked to the bee, before a nod to Tobias. Before he looked back to Anna with a whisper. “You know that’s a really special ability you got there. Makes you special. People might try and treat you differently because of it but ignore them. They’re probably just jealous they can’t talk to animals like you.” Aloy looked to Alec. He understood young boys liked to tease but targeting someone else isn’t fun. Maybe they should have a chat…Storyteller
She grins wide with the compliment. "Yeah! I'm like a Disney princess! La lala laaaaaa" She sings about as well as expected from a child, twirling once before happily moving on to resume picking the last of the weeds.Saint Marsh
His smile gets warmer and playfully remarks "Not wonderful or kind, eh? I think she'll beg ta differ." He winks and announces "All right, ev'ryone! I think that's enough weedin' fer the day. And since ev'ryone did a wond'rous job, I think we've all earned a trip to th' zoo!" The little ones cheer, some of the young teens roll their eyes while others try and match the excitement of the younger kids.Aloysius ‘Aloy’ Fumi
“Exactly like a Disney princess.” He gave a soft smile as she twirls away and looks to Tobias. “Yeah yeah. Well she hasn’t seen me deal with bullies.” Aloy smiled at the cheer and scanned to see who was excited so he could change how he acts depending on it as he nods to Tobias with a wink “I’ll pack up here. You all better be ready when I’m done. Just drop ya gloves and that on the ground and I’ll deal with it.” Aloy started to pack up. His newly large frame squatting down and grabbing the gloves and items that were placed onto the ground. He didn’t mind this. He wanted to give the younger teens some time to mope a bit before they all left.Storyteller
They carried on with getting ready to travel the Wards, Aloy being a physically intimidating deterrent for any errant thug that may cross their way. Ensuring all the children hold hands and are in sight of at least one helper, traveling as a group with Saint Marsh at the helm. They make their way to the subway, taking it to the Museum district to reward the excited children with a trip to the zoo.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
July 7, 2021
Authors
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