hadriel_logs | Axes, chainsaws, and turnout gear

[Luke doesn't have a hard time finding his way; Curufin's directions are good and accurate. He can hear the hammering as he gets close, followed by Curufin stepping out to greet him.]

Yes, it's me. It's good to meet you in person.

[He's still feeling a lot of different things about doing this, but if he can use his abilities to help others, there's no reason he shouldn't. And, it's a way to help here, where there aren't too many things like back home that he can do.]

It is good to meet you, too!

[ And he steps away from the door and indicates that Luke should come in. ] This is the carpentry shop, as I said. Welcome!

[ There are shelves on two walls from floor to ceiling, filled with the smaller tools and hardware. There are several workbenches, with vises and other equipment. The heavier tools all hang from the wall above the bench or the walls on either side of the door, each in its place. There is lumber stacked under the bench and in a heap beside it. The project Curufin is working on is a wooden frame that will hold congealing cement, a single unit that will need to be duplicated many times in order to produce a cement walk around the pumping station, and the cement platform that will hold the machinery in the center. It's not really his major project right now, the pump itself is. But he's giving the setting some thought, and his thoughts tend to flow out of his hands in the form of physical constructions. ]

[ There is also a coffee maker in the corner, and clean cups. He puts a fresh filter in and fills it with the dark hand-ground coffee, and sets it to perc. ] Wait, let me find us a couple of chairs. [ He drags the chairs out of a corner and places them so that the two men can converse comfortably. Waits for Luke to sit down before he does. ]

So, you've spoken a little of your thought on this job. What kinds of things do you see yourself doing? And do you have other thoughts or questions?

Edited 2017-08-20 22:57 (UTC)

[He looks around, taking in the shop, impressed by what Curufin has managed to build so far.] It looks nice...you've done a good job with it. You've got some great skills. [He offers a smile.]

[He listens to the question, thinking for a moment.] I'd probably be good at the engineering part...like I said, I'm used to keeping machines running, although I imagine it's not quite the same as back home. But, I'm willing to work on rescues as well.

I can use my abilities to find someone even if I can't see them easily, and I can move objects others might not have an easy time lifting. I should also have no problem shielding myself if I have to, and anyone I'm moving, to keep anything burning from getting too close.

The only thing that I'd need to be careful of is not getting too tired. If I push myself too far, I'll have a harder time using my abilities.

I do have a couple of questions...what kind of equipment do you have or have you been able to find? What sort of machines do you have?

[ Smiles back. ] Thank you!

We definitely need people in both areas!

Your special abilities are a great fit for the kind of situations we might find ourselves having to deal with. [ He chuckles. ] Guard HQ nearly burned down at the end of January, and I raced inside to get anybody out who might be in there. Nobody was, except for the arsonist. She cleared out and the roof fell in on me. Luckily, I'm very strong. I was able to shift the roof beam off me and get away. But what if it had been somebody else?

We'll make sure you only use your abilities when it's really needed, and then you'll have the energy where it's needed. [ At least, that'll work if the whole city is not burning down. ]

I and a few other people started working on the project less than two weeks ago. We're going to need a pumping station at the riverside, and the design for that is underway. The idea is to be able to pump river water into a holding tank, which can be of any size we are able to build. Then, each of the fire engines will have it's own internal tank as well. We'll pump the water from the riverside tank into the trucks, and then the hoses can be connected to the truck's tank when it's time to put out a fire. We'll need a way to pressurize the water stream as it's exiting the truck tanks.

That's actually an interim solution to the problem of getting the water to the fire. Ideally, we'll also have access to the city's water mains. In order to make that happen, we need to talk some god into giving us a map of the city water system. And since they rarely give anything away for free, somebody (us) will have to pay for it. And then we'll have to dig down to wherever the water pipes are and install whatever kinds of fireplugs and valves will be needed. All of that could take time, and so for now, we're going with the interim solution.

We're putting up a big shed to house the first fire truck while it's being built. I was thinking of making it an electric vehicle, like the mopeds in the lot over on the west side. [ Grin. ] I stole one, and we're going to reverse-engineer it. I'm an engineer myself, and I can build machines, though most of my experience is in a technologically less advanced era that yours. I'm less familiar with the workings of electronics devices, although I can understand the principles. I once assisted a friend in another world to build an airship, so I'm not entirely unfamiliar with the field of electronics. But I'd rather have more minds and hands than just mine to work on that. And on all of it!

Do any of these ideas grab you?

Edited 2017-08-24 01:05 (UTC)

Water pumps weren't exactly vaperators, and he had a feeling a lot of the parts would be different, but it shouldn't be too hard to pick up, Luke thought. He nodded as it was explained, thinking it did sound interesting. "That might be interesting, yeah. I imagine the technology is a little different than back home, but it's still worth looking into. I might be able to pick up on it with a little study." he said.

He wasn't entirely fond of the issue with 'paying' for things. "I hope it isn't too high a price." he said, hoping the other man would know what he was meaning.

"Then again, the reverse engineering sounds interesting, too. I'd be willing to see if there was any thing I could help you with or make a little easier to understand, if it's things I'm familiar with." he said.

He smiled, fascinated, as

"We'll figure it out together," said Curufin, pleased to have a collaborator. "I have the feeling we are both people who learn by tinkering around, as well as by studying the principles more formally."

"The price depends on which god you ask," he said. "I've made a deal with Tranquility, for instance. For every three people I chill out, he gives me a bottle of a painkilling potion for my son, who still suffers from the injuries that were inflicted on him in our world. The god doesn't care what disturbing emotion I help the person calm down from. So it's a pretty good deal. But Fear or Sorrow would ask for something that created those feelings, so it wouldn't be such a good deal. Helping people find tranquility. . . " And here he laughed. "Not exactly what I was famous for in my world, but actually, I'm pretty good at it. It's hard work, though. I don't know what Love or Delight would ask for. I suppose we could try them and see what they say."

"And I'd really like it if you could give the moped the once-over and see if its insides make sense to you. They kind of do, to me. But I think this is a project for more than one person, too."

Luke nodded. "Yeah. Together." he replied. "And yeah, I've always seemed to be that way." It wasn't just mechanical stuff, but being a Jedi that had been like that.

He listened, not entirely happy with what was being said. "I just wish you didn't have to make deals to get the potion. I can understand it, though...I'd probably look into the same thing if it were my son." He sighed. "I miss him...but at least as long as he's back home...he isn't in danger here." he said. "And at least you're doing good in the process. I've got some experience with that sort of thing myself. It's gratifying, but it can be tough sometimes."

He nodded. "Sure. I'm not sure how much I can tell until I get a look at it, but I'm definitely willing to give it a try."

Curufin is his world's closest equivalent of a Jedi knight, and he would agree with Luke on that. It's mostly learning by experiment.

He isn't entirely easy with the deals with the gods, either. "I wish the Clinic had medications that were as effective. But they are so undersupplied that I don't really want to ask them for what little they've got, especially when it's not as effective as what the gods can cook up. Tranquility's potion seems to have no side effects, either. Which is more than I can say for most drugs."

"I"m sorry that you and your son are not together. I mean. . . not sorry he's out of harm's way, at least, the kind of harm Hadriel can inflict. . . but very sorry you don't have his company." Fathers and sons. The longing never ceases. "Will you tell me about him?"

"You have experience with calming people down? Do you have any particular words of wisdom to say about it?" He's smiling now. "Yes, at least I'm doing something useful."

"How about if we go and take a look at the moped engine in a few minutes? I've built a separate shed for mechanical work, and it's in there. But first, coffee?"

He has heard coffee machine perking, so he gets up and goes to get two cups of coffee and brings them back, hands one to Luke. He sets a small tray, with cream and sugar, on the bench nearest them.

Edited 2017-08-31 14:27 (UTC)

Luke nodded. It was sad to hear about the undersupply problem, but he wasn't surprised. He wished he had more knowledge of healing, but he wasn't like Cilghal. He had taught her, but she already had the talent for it on her own.

"I have a little." He said. "I am glad my father is here. Even though he's troubled so often. I am learning more about him, at least." he said. He was gaining more insight into his father's mindset here than he'd had the chance to back home. He just wished he knew better what to do to help. If there even was a way.

"He's five, my son" he said. "Already showing the stubbornness he got from both my wife and I, and already very smart. This mechanical stuff seems to be in the blood...there are several in the family who have it." He chuckled. "And I think he picked up some of his mom's tendency to be sassy. He's a good kid, though...just a little troubled by everything that's gone on back home while he's been alive." He sighed. "We sent him to a safe place while the war we were in was going on, but it meant we missed a lot of things. And, with the abilities we all share...he feels things that trouble him. I'm hoping he'll settle down a little now that peace has finally come."

About 'calming others' he explained "It's actually probably a little more complicated." He sighed. "It is possible sometimes, with my abilities...I can extend feelings of friendship and calm to them. The rest is, well...the situation with my father. And really, it wasn't so much calming as finally breaking through the hold the darkness had on him. Bringing him back to the light."

He nodded. "All right, that sounds good." he agreed.

Luke wasn't as big a coffee, or kaffe, drinker as Han, but he still drank some every now and then. He accepted a cup and added a little cream and sugar to it. "Thank you."

Edited 2017-09-01 20:29 (UTC)

"You have a little healing power, do you mean? If so, I wonder if it would help Anakin? Yes, he's troubled all right. But don't underestimate the importance of your influence on him -- I mean, just because you are related, and you are here together."

Curufin listened to Luke's description of his young son, and he smiled. It made him think of Celebrimbor, at that same age. "What a nice combination of traits! -- mechanical ability and sass." He grinned.

"I guess it's a good thing you kept him out of the war. At least he was safe."

"How did you break the hold the darkness had on your father? In my world, such a thing is rumored to be possible, but I have never known it to happen. When the Darkness had hold of me, I broke it's hold myself. There was no one capable of doing it for me, not even my own son."

And he took a sip of his own coffee.

He nodded. "Maybe. It's not my area of expertise." he replied.

"Yeah. But with our abilities...he could feel things. That left him scared. I'm trying to help him through it...or was, before all of this."

Luke sighed. "It nearly cost my my life, unfortunately. It was only reached when the Emperor attacked me. I refused to give into my anger. I would not fight my father. The emperor was going to kill me. He used his abilities to electrocute me. It's the worst thing I've ever been through in my life. My father's love for me...that was what did it. He could not stand by and see his son die. Sadly...in saving me, he sacrificed himself. He gave his life to save me..."

His eyes met his new friend's. "Maybe it was like you. I couldn't break though...only he could. Because he loved me."

"I've had that impression when I've spoken with him -- that he can feel things that most people cannot, that the Force makes that possible."

And he listened to Luke's description of how he had saved his father. "You were a loving son," he said, softly. "And Anakin was a loving father. You both refused the Darkness. I am sorry that it turned out the way it did, for him, and for you, and yet. . . perhaps it was the only thing that could have saved him. Maybe in the end, it is only ourselves that can save us -- as you say."

"The Anakin I know is from an earlier time than that event, of course. He couldn't have told me this story, since for him, it hasn't happened yet. He is a very troubled man. And still, I have felt since my first conversation with him that the Light and the Darkness struggle within him, love and hate, but that in the end, he will choose love."

He nodded. "That's true for all of us." he replied. It was toughest when young, like Ben was, but it was always there for most of the family. "All of the family, really, except for one has the Force."

He listened, agreeing. "I'm sorry too, but I'm glad he found peace. And at times, he was still able to visit me...not often, but once or twice. It's a technique only a few master, but it's been a comfort that he and at least one other who was important to me were able to learn."

He agreed with the next words, too. It would be a long road, and a difficult one, but in the end, that was true. "Yes. In the end, he will." he agreed.

"I can understand his struggle more as I've aged...experienced some of the same temptation. I know how difficult it is for him." he admitted. Between the cloned Palpatine and the desperation he'd felt when Mara had been sick, it was very easy to understand how it had happened. "But I had my family there to help me...my sister, back then. Her love helped me to overcome it, similar to how mine helped him."

Curufin nodded. Power is an amazing thing to wield, and to be the possessor of unusual perception is to live a life that will never be ordinary, will never pall. But these things always have a cost. Always.

"I envy you. I cannot bring my own father peace. That must be an amazing thing to do, though. And. . . he came to visit you after his death?" Curufin smiled. "That is a difficult thing to do, and it is indeed an act of love." (He knows. He tried it.)

"And it is well that you have such faith in him. Perhaps that will matter, in the end, that you did. I think it will."

"The love of your family kept you from the same temptation?" That was one of the things that he admired Luke for -- that he could admit to his own Darkness, even if it was not a great part of him. Few could. And not admitting to it -- or giving it another name (like patriotism or loyalty or duty) -- was bound to mask the struggle, sometimes disastrously. But Luke was honest.

"I'm sorry for you. I wish there was a way to help you and him." he replied.

He nodded. "It was comforting to know that he was at peace, that he'd gone into the light." he said. "And yes, I agree. I only hope there is a way you can find that faith in your father, that you can bring him peace."

"Leia...my sister. It was her love that pulled me out of it before it was too late. " he explained.

"Thanks. I wish there were, too. But the only way I could see him again would be to go to the Halls of Mandos, where he is. That's where we Elves are supposed to go when we die. But when I met my own death, I refused, and remained in Middle-earth as a spirit. And now I'm here."

"I wanted to see my dead relatives, but my family bears a curse, or maybe it's more accurate to say a doom. We disobeyed our gods, and were therefore doomed to perpetual residence in the Halls when we die. Normally, Elves can get out by asking to be returned to incarnate life, and my belief is that most do. But after my father died, the seers used their psychic vision and reported that he sits alone in dark thought, and comes no more among his kindred. That about did it for me! I couldn't bear such a fate. I need to be in the living world, where I can make amends for the harm I did while I was alive. I suppose I will end up in the afterlife eventually. And I'll see him then, and I hope I can help him find peace, if he hasn't found it by himself by then. But not now. I had to choose, and I chose life over my father."

He folded his arms, looking a little distressed. He didn't usually tell his history to people outside of the family unless they asked, and Luke hadn't really asked.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm a bad son, for making such a decision."

"But your sister Leia saved you? That is very good. Were you close when you were young? It sounds as though she cared greatly for you."

Edited 2017-09-17 00:58 (UTC)

Luke didn't entirely know how to respond to that, but he did listen. It was a sad story to hear. His face had a sad look, but he tried to stay hopeful. "I don't think so. It's always good to want to make amends. I sometimes still feel as though I am making amends. Trying to show others that I'm not like my father was for too much of his life. And yes, hopefully, then, you can still help him."

Some of the words made Luke think of Chaos, where the spirits of Dark Side users were said to go. He was happy that Anakin didn't seem to have been sent there in the end, as Palpatine probably had.

Curufin smiles a little. Luke is kind.

"Thanks. It is always nice to hear encouraging words. I hang onto that hope, that I will be able to do things that are worthy enough to count as amends, and that someday, I will be able to help my father. Perhaps, though, it is something, that he produced a son who has these aims. Sons. My brothers Maedhros and Maglor are here, too, and I believe their thoughts are not dissimilar."

"And I would say, Luke, that if your father produced a son such as you are, then that itself is a hopeful thing. On your account and on his account. I wish you did not have to make your father's amends; you should be free to live your own life on your own terms. But I suppose it's really not that simple."

"How did your sister Leia save you?"

Luke listened, nodding. "I think you will. You seem like the kind of person...elf...who will be able to." he said.

"It would be nice to meet them sometime, if they'd be interested. I'm always happy to meet someone new."

Luke was in a similar position-both he and Leia were children his father could be proud of.

"Often, it seems love is what can penetrate the darkness. Leia was able to reach me through what had pulled my mind in, to help me break free of the darkness and return to the light." he explained.

Luke's well-wishes were very welcome.

"You might. I was talking with Alphys, one of the scientists who works at the Lab -- but we're both living in Deilight's Housing -- and we were talking about having a block party for the residents and for anybody else who wants to come along and meet us. I still have to get my brothers and my cousins on board with that idea -- haven't pitched it to them yet, in fact. But I think we might manage to pull it off sometime in October or November. And you, of course, would be welcome!"

"Your sister must be a wise person. It takes a lot of living to register that idea that love can pierce the Darkness. Although there really are people who seem to be born knowing that. I wasn't one of them, unfortunately, but I think I understand now. Living up to that understanding isn't always so easy, but at least I try. It is good that Leia came to you, understanding that essential fact, with a heart to match the understanding. You are most lucky, Luke!"

"That sounds good." he said with a nod. "Just let me know when it's arranged. And it's good to hear there's a science lab here...we need all the help we can get."

He listened, nodding in agreement. He had definitely seen both kinds of beings over the years. He nodded.

"I still struggle with guilt over what I did during that time, but I'm glad she stopped it from coming to anything worse than what already was."

"I will!" he promises.

"And yes, there's a science lab here. With a very grouchy scientist as its director. Dr. Marian Tenebris." He laughs. "But I like her a lot."

"Thank goodness for those who are willing to try to stop us!" he added, thinking of his son coming to get him during the Rage event had had him blowing up buildings. Celebrimbor had dragged him off to the orchard to cool down.

"Tell me, Luke, did you feel any different when you were in danger of sucumbing to the Dark Side? Or did your actions just seem entirely logical to you?"

"I might stop by...but I'll be careful about her, I promise." It was at least worth a chance to see if he could make the acquaintance.

He nodded. "Yes, I agree." He listened to the question, thinking a moment, then answered. "At the time, it did seem there was a logic. That's part of the problem with the Dark Side...it corrupts and twists. It alters logic so that things one wouldn't have done before seem to be worth it at the time, for the result that's hoped for."

"You'd better promise! She might grouch you to death!" Another chuckle. But he thinks that being acquainted with Marian has its rewards.

And about the Dark Side: "Yes. The Darkness in my world is like that, too. It persuades a person that there is no other alternative, if that person wants to meet his or her goals."

Luke laughed. "All right, I promise."

He nodded. "I fear that is what happened to my father. I don't know much of the story...I think what family I had was afraid I might go down the same path. But, it's what makes the most sense. I think it's that way in most cases. They start with good intentions, but don't realize what they are getting into."

Curufin nods. "I guess from what your father says of himself that is what happened to him. Perhaps it's understandable that the family feared you would do the same. Still. . . how difficult, to have people looking at you and wondering if you'll gravitate to the darkness -- when you're not your father, you're simply yourself."

"But yes, there's a mortal saying: The road to hell is paved with good intentions An oh, how true that is!"

Edited 2017-10-01 21:59 (UTC)

Luke nodded. He did know that feeling. "Yes, it probably is...They raised me well, but things like what we deal with aren't easy to stop worrying about, I think." he said. "Leia faced the same thing, beings wondering if she would be a good leader or dangerous because of her father. And she's struggled with darkness at times. I'm just glad they were eventually able to see us for who we were instead of who he was."

He nodded. "Very true." he agreed.

"Yes, raising children -- parents do worry, and it isn't easy to stop worrying. But I'm glad for your sake that they were able to see you for who your were. I think they'd be proud of you and your sister!"

And he adds, "Is there anything else you need to know about the Fire Brigade or the plans for the vehicles and equipment? While we're here?"

Edited 2017-10-04 00:38 (UTC)

Luke nodded. "I agree, I think so as well."

They got back down to business as Luke asked a few last questions about the equipment while he had the chance.

And then they divided up the responsibilities for the equipment, it's creation, maintenance and usage, agreed on times and places to work on it, and parted in friendship.

Axes, chainsaws, and turnout gear

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Okay if we wrap this one? I tagged you in the paintball log, at the after party.

Sure.

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