(no subject)

[road_to_calvary]

 
There is a lot of activity at the stables today. Valjean managed to track Javert down yesterday (despite concerted efforts by the latter to avoid him), and persuaded him to donate his stockpile of spare bricks to the repair effort. They have to be brought over from the church building site, so Javert is rolling piles over in a wheelbarrow while Valjean knocks the fire-damaged wooden planks out of the back of the stables. There are some large bags of supplies ready to be mixed into mortar, and Valjean is hoping to get the two worst damaged stalls fixed by nightfall.

At least one of the two will welcome help!


[OOC: I've just had an hour of my life cruelly stolen, so I'm going to crash pretty soon. Feel free to threadhop if desired, and I'll be around all day tomorrow to continue. Thanks to all who've tagged! <3]

Comments

[is_the_motion]

Bonnie has a visible five month bump now, and as such won't be doing any heavy lifting.

But she gives Valjean a wave.

"You want any power tools?"

[road_to_calvary]

He smiles in return, and runs his arm over his brow.

'Do you have anything that will easily remove nails? The planks fall out easily at the centre, but many are still attached at the ends.'

He has a hammer, and it is easy enough to lever them out. But he will not turn down assistance! It is a group building, after all.

[is_the_motion]

"Sure." Bonnie nods. "Got a circular saw too if you want wood cuttin' to length."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan appears from the woods and silently studies the work going on, trying to decide how best he can help.

He's lost condition and strength in the last year, and he knows it, but he wants to do something.

[never_shall_yield]

Valjean has also lost condition and strength in the last year, but everyone can contribute something! He waves in Athelstan's direction, but it is Javert who sees him first and addresses him.

'Step aside if you please, monsieur.'

He is also coming out of the woods, and the path is narrow. This wheelbarrow is heavy.

'There is plenty to do if you wish to help,' he adds over his shoulder, trundling on.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan glances around, sees the whwheelbarrow, and immediately does step out of the way, then follows Javert down the path.

"What can I do?"

[starrydome]

A little while later, an elf lord wanders out of the forest and heads toward the stables when he sees activity there.

His hair is braided and pinned back and he is simply clad today, in breeches and a woolly tunic. And he would be more than happy to help.

[road_to_calvary]

'Good afternoon, Elrond.'

Valjean smiles, and pours a cup of water out of a jug. It is warmer today than it has been.

'Are you well, monsieur?'

[starrydome]

Elrond nods. Graciously.
"I am well enough," he replies. Then he nods at the building materials. "And you are hard at work. Would extra hands be useful?"

[dont_mention_the_tips]

"Want some help?" asks Wil squinting in the sun as he strolls near the stables.

[never_shall_yield]

Javert trundles past, and glowers in the direction of the newcomer. But he says, 'if you wish, monsieur,' because this is not his project, and therefore cannot insist they are left to do it themselves this time.

Valjean is far more polite, luckily.

'If you have the will, and time, monsieur. I am Jean Valjean, and this is Javert.'

He bows lightly. Javert does not, but he is still holding awheelbarrow so has an excuse.

[dont_mention_the_tips]

"I'm Wil Ohmsford," he says offering a gloved hand, "Where do you need me?"

[the_cupbearer]

"Well, this looks interesting," is Ganymede's only introduction, standing a little aside from the two men; he's changed since he was last in the bar. He's wearing dark jeans and boots, a blue shirt so deep it's nearly black, hair longer and tied with a leather band.

"What happened here?"

[never_shall_yield]

Ahaha. Javert, holding the handles of a wheelbarrow full of bricks, looks stricken and quite lost for words.

Valjean is quite oblivious to it, and merely smiles pleasantly.

'Hello, Ganymede. There was a fire, and we are fixing the damage. How are you?'

[the_cupbearer]

"I'm well," he answers equally pleasantly, nodding his head to Valjean before looking over at Javert, a quizzical expression passing over his face.

"Would you like any help? I can take orders well enough."

[not_his_pa]

(OOC: Does handwaving him being around work for you?)

William's been helping Valjean and Javert throughout the day as well as tracking down the few remaining loose animals. In the afternoon, he comes towards the working area leading a horse on a rope halter and waves to them.

[road_to_calvary]

[OOC: Yes, allgood!]


At this stage in proceedings, the bricks have all been brought over and the wood cleared. Javert has refused to let Valjean carry bricks, and is carrying them inside ready for laying. Valjean is mixing mortar with a careful eye.

'Hello, William,' he says, looking up with a smile.

'Have you found them all?'

[not_his_pa]

"I believe so, they'll be glad to be home. How's the work goin'? Glad to see all the folks comin' out to help,"

The forest is blooming and there's pollen and petals on him from Spring starting to make itself known.

Better late than never?

[soldier_blade]

Sonya wasn't around when the fire started, but having spent a good year in the stables, the least she was able to do was lend a hand in picking things up. Her ribs were nearly healed, so while long exertions still left her sore, she was no longer compelled to take it easy.

She arrived at the stables, wearing the familiar black BDUs. "Hey..you need any more help?"

[road_to_calvary]

They are at the stage of repairs where the wood is cleared away, and they are ready to start laying bricks. Javert is stacking them inside ready for use, and Valjean is mixing mortar. He looks up and smiles.

'Most certainly, if you are willing. Can you lay bricks?'

[soldier_blade]

"I can. Just say where." Repair work was easy enough, and Sonya was just stir-crazy enough to do any sort of labor.

She goes to where the bricks are being stacked.

[heartbeneathastone]

Marius Pontmercy, not renowned for his perceptiveness or his awareness of current events, looks rather surprised when he happens to glance up as he passes the charred stable.

"Was there a fire?" he says, as much to himself as to anyone working who might overhear him?

[ooc: if you're still taking threads!]

[never_shall_yield]

[OOC: Of course! :D!]

Javert glances up as he walks by pushing a wheelbarrow, almost looks away and then stops dead.

'Yes.'

He would consider someone oblivious who had not noticed this, but this is Pontmercy. So.

[bigarmy_strangepants]

Ragnar Lothbrok arrives at some point,marrying a large axe that is more tool than weapon.

"Tell me what I can do," he says to Valjean, who is clearly in charge.

[road_to_calvary]

That is certainly a large axe. It will be useful. Valjean eyes it, then laughs.

'I think you would be well suited to knocking the damaged wood out of the back of the stalls, monsieur. I think it would take you no time at all.'