milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Javert is in his normal back corner of the bar. It was pouring rain when he finished in the forge for the day, so he came here instead of going out into the woods. He is surrounded by paper, and the odd ruler, and he is drawing something with precision on one sheet - only to finish it, shake his head and toss it away, before taking a new piece and starting again.

This looks like it has been going on for some time, and may continue the rest of the day. And possibly night. A distraction before his hand falls off would perhaps be welcome.

[OOC: Open UNTIL THE END OF TIME. Or next Wednesday. Whichever comes first. <3

ETA: YOU FABULOUS PEOPLE. *flings love at* I must crash, but it's been a blast. Am around all day tomorrow to continue. <3]

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Teja nods, and once more smoothes out the papers he already has in his hands. "Thank you," he says. "Who else asked?"

'The doctor. Lecter, not the brown one.'

He does not ask what will be done with the pictures. On a whim, he takes a new piece of paper and starts sketching the outline of the forge. It only takes a few strokes to bring the building into being; he draws it with the doors open, and idly begins filling in details on what may be seen from the point of view of an outsider.

'I was not planning on telling everyone of my endeavour. I hope you will respect that.'

Teja watches him draw. "People will find it interesting; you will not be able to keep your project unnoticed," he says.

'It is hidden away. It is not on a path. But-' here he shrugs, and imagines Teja with his arm lifted over the anvil; a moment later it is on the page, '-it has already been found once. No doubt it will be again. I am not making an effort to keep people away. Simply not inviting them.'

This place is too small to keep a whole new building secret. He knows that. But these people are nothing to do with him, so he puts their presence from his mind.

"Some people will come and watch the progress on their morning runs or evening walks," Teja says, "that is to be expected: - but I am sure you will get used to ignoring them. It is a small place."

'They should not be running or walking through the undergrowth,' he says, darkly.

'Not that it stopped Valjean - but there, he heard the noise I was making. I am sure there will be others. It is of no moment. I will tell them to go away.'

It is not as if he is concerned with annoying other patrons.

"Just ignore them, Javert," Teja says. "Arguing with them gets tedious."

'Why would I argue with them?'

He makes it sound as though he never argues with anyone. But that said, he puts his pencil down and turns the paper around.

'There. You may have that also, if you would like.'

It is a simple drawing. But still, the forge, accurately represented, with enough detail to humanise it. He has not attempted a person today, but the man is recognisably Teja, down to his dark hair, his height in proportion, his magical apron.

"Thank you!" Teja says. "That is very good; and you are very fast about it, drawing all that between a few sentences."

Pause.

"So I can show this to Pyrrha, and your chapel in the woods need not be mentioned."

Another pause.

"Would you accept something in return for this drawing?"

'It is only lines,' he says dismissively, and starts to push the ones he will keep into a pile.

'It depends on what you would offer.'

"Would you accept the knife I made for you?" Teja says. "I am sure it would help with sharpening pencils, marking trees and the like. If you think it's too much, then choose whatever would help you best from among all that I may give you."

He was afraid that was coming, and is shaking his head before the man is nearly finished.

'You saw me draw that in only a minute or two. It is a sketch, that you may discard as you will. It is not worth a weapon of your craftsmanship.'

No one can possibly refute this, he thinks.

"And this is a drawing of your craftsmanship," Teja says, "or of your innate skill. Which is quite good. If you think the knife is still too much for this, then I would give you some commissions in the future. I can use somebody who draws my designs properly for me to show to customers."

'If you wish a trade, by all means.'

Something for something he understands, as Teja knows.

'But I will take it only after I have produced enough work to have earned it. That is the end of it, monsieur.'

He will not be swayed in this. He will not have his will beaten down until he is just another wretch, taking all that is offered. There will be nothing left of him if he does.

"That sounds quite final, and I accept it," Teja says. "But who says what is enough?"

He ponders that. It is a fair question.

'Ten drawings, perhaps? Dependent on their level of complexity, of course. It may be more. We will see.'

"And you say when it is enough?" Teja says.

'I would hope it will be evident, monsieur.'

He will settle for mutual agreement, if he must. But yes, his word is what he is pushing for.

'Unless you doubt my judgement.'

"You sometimes err on the side of demanding too much of yourself, and undervaluing your own work," Teja says. "But ten complex, detailed drawings that pull my designs into three-dimensional perspective: - that should be a fair price."

Teja will make sure he has commissioned them all by spring, when Javert will be able to start working in earnest, and has a use for that knife.

Edited 2014-01-25 02:19 (UTC)

'No man can demand too much of himself, monsieur.'

It is a crime that more people do not realise this.

'Ten complex, detailed drawings. It hardly seems a fair price still, but if that is your demand.'

Teja starts liking this odd, negative haggling with Javert, and feels that he is getting the upper hand this time.

"You said 'ten' first," he says.

'You are quite correct.'

He is glad Teja is being reasonable.

'Shall we say twenty?'

"Twenty only if you accept the knife for your use after the first five, when fifteen are still owed," Teja says, continuing to haggle.

His eyes narrow. Why is this man always so contrary?

'The first ten.'

"Eight."