300kgbackpack: (Default)
Sam Porter Bridges ([personal profile] 300kgbackpack) wrote in [community profile] ph_logs2023-11-07 12:47 am

[Winter Open] | We'll be fine, you and I

Who Sam, Lou, and the island as a whole
What Construction and establishing connections
When Through the chilly season
Where [I've Been Everywhere plays in the distance]
Warnings: Canon-typical morbidity


1. The Routine
Sam has done well for himself, all things considered, when it comes to finding and then settling into the job that he's accustomed to, and yet doesn't require nearly the high capacity running that he was previously beholden to. He could do laps with the load that he carries now, comparatively. He doesn't necessarily need the skeletal upgrade that he had once kept on him at all times. Doesn't mean he wouldn't look into it when he and River managed to touch base again while he checked in on the progress on the non-static bedframe that the medics were thinking about, but that could come later. He could build back up from scratch, just like the last time.

With his pack in place courtesy of the village's couriers, Sam makes his way around the bulk of the island. He touches base with anyone that needs him for something, lifts a hand when he's greeted, and on days when he has a heavier load, a baby sling with his three month old child tight against his chest.

He might have an order for you, or you might have an order for him, tacked to the bulletin board that he passes by every day. Either way, he's fine doing business with you. He wouldn't even really argue against someone walking along with him if he's headed somewhere along their path.

2. Construction
In between work, Sam can be spotted taking heavy loads into the woods. Maybe it's all slung over his back, maybe he's managed to borrow a cart, but it all seems to be construction material; wood, stone, a hell of a lot of nails, screws, and some tools. He won't be particularly cagey about it if asked: he doesn't want to be as close to the village, not a fan of the bustle when he doesn't have a task at hand. He had, during his explorations of the island, come across some hollowed out, dilapidated cabins in Lockwood Forest and that, he'd decided, was exactly what he needed. He would not, of course, make any indication that he wants help with this project. This is his, after all, and he would happily shoulder all of the labor himself.

Most times, when he's actively working on the cabin, Lou is not there. He can't risk having her in the middle of this project. In those instances, she will be with Eddie over at his farm, or else with Sally, making friends with Gwen. He doesn't have a safe place to keep her out here yet after all, and trying to rebuild or make repairs with an infant attached to your body is almost harder than trusting someone to watch her.

He will be working on this from the outside in: Roofing, windows, porch and stairs, then heating, water, and mounting a few lamps. Fixing up the fireplace would probably require more hands than just his. At least he has access to the library and manuals on how to do the basic stuff, but other, more knowledgeable folks might want to step in to shore up what he's trying to do.

It will be cute, eventually. For now, it's a bit of a disaster area.

3. Porter Springs
There are times when Sam disappears for a bit longer than usual. Sometimes, there are stragglers out in the woods, up at the bluffs, other factions that don't come near the village proper but still need supplies or to send messages back and forth all the same. That's where he comes in, taking the jobs that the more skittish postal workers can't, or won't, do. It's part of what could ostensibly be called his mission, to provide for even the most remote preppers that otherwise refuse contact with the wider world.

This is how, after a longer trip out where he has of course taken Lou with him, he's found, at the western end of Crane's Ridge, a geothermal spring that smells very slightly of sulfur and immediately gives him some vestige of relief after the trek.

Sam doesn't care if there's anyone else around. He's going to offload his pack, strip out of the layers of his gear, toss it all off to one side away from the water, and sink right in. Lou is held at the edge of the water to acclimate to the temperature, then allowed to float along just over the top of Sam's stomach when he lays back. Very zen, very comfy.

4. Wildcard
Do you want to come and visit with Sam in his temporary home out on the outskirts? Perhaps visit with him when he's doing his rounds? Touch base for appointments or find him climbing trees, climbing cliffs, occasionally climbing buildings... Maybe you've spotted him sitting on the beach with his shirt off. Maybe you've spotted him sleeping somewhere inadvisable because he sat down for a few minutes too long. The world is your proverbial oyster, if it includes seeing Sam being Sam.
maltesefalcon: (cloak)

wildcard

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2023-11-14 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
How hawkward is it to climb a building and find someone already perched there and brooding? Because that's what happens to Sam one afternoon--there is absolutely a bird dad on top of the whatever-building-this-is, sitting at the edge and watching over the town.
thelatechrisfreeman: (wanderer (PB))

Construction (lunch break?)

[personal profile] thelatechrisfreeman 2023-11-14 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
So it's a further walk than before. Doesn't stop Chris from coming out with a meal for Sam again -- some freshly made sandwiches and chilled mint tea, this time.

They're feeling a little silly, so when Sam's cabin comes into sight (and earshot), they sing out, "Oh, oh, wait a minute Mister Postman!" to announce their presence. And they give Sam a grin when he looks over.
maltesefalcon: (cloak)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2023-11-15 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
There is a taloned hand offered while Sam is clamboring up, but when that's not taken, Cerrit moves back to settle onto the roof, not crowding. "Course not. Plenty of room."
thelatechrisfreeman: (laughter (PB) candid)

[personal profile] thelatechrisfreeman 2023-11-15 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"I figured you might forget to eat again!" Chris says, and holds up their basket with both hands, so he can see it, "I brought you lunch, so get your ass down here!"
maltesefalcon: (realization)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2023-11-16 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
Cerrit's just going to...y'know. Watch over the human while he sleeps? Because clearly, clearly that's his job now. It's like when a feral cat deposits her kittens in your lap, right? You are then obligated to protect them while she cats off like a fucker.
thelatechrisfreeman: (insomnia (PB))

[personal profile] thelatechrisfreeman 2023-11-16 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Apparently, being more dead than average means that hunger signals get messed up. At least, that's the impression I get from the Shade. He forgets to eat, too, like me."

Chris smiles. "I hope you like the sandwiches. I bought the meat from Hogwash Hams, the lettuce is from my neighbor's backyard garden, and I made the bread myself. I never knew how simple the recipe for bread is, til I came here!"
thelatechrisfreeman: (lean (PB))

[personal profile] thelatechrisfreeman 2023-11-16 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Only the ones that give me cause to worry," Chris says. They flounce over to the front steps, then sit and wink at Sam so he knows that was a joke.

When Sam comes over as well, Chris explains, "For real, I do it because I consider you a friend. And it helps me, too. For some reason, I can remember to worry about someone else eating easier than I remember to feed myself."
maltesefalcon: (stoicism)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2023-11-17 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, no, Cerrit is just. Gonna wait. As you do. Once Sam starts to stir, there's a gentle throat clear, a soft hem-hem so Sam knows he's not alone and doesn't freak out.
thelatechrisfreeman: (trollface (PB) candid)

[personal profile] thelatechrisfreeman 2023-11-17 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
If Sam had given in to that urge, Chris only would have laughed.

Chris picks up one of the sandwiches themself, and... it's nice, eating in companionable silence for a little bit. And then, Sam speaks up, and Chris actually has to think back to realize what he's referring to.

"Apology accepted. You're a good guy, Sam."
maltesefalcon: (regal eagle)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2023-11-18 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
"Making sure you don't sleepwalk off the edge of a roof or something. What are you doing up here?"

C'mon, he's a bird, this is his domain. He was made for up. Humans were made for down. But he's almost more curious than anything.
thelatechrisfreeman: (property of... (PB))

[personal profile] thelatechrisfreeman 2023-11-19 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
"Takes more than that to get rid of me," Chris says.

Let's not get into exactly what would make Chris fuck off from somebody, because it's highly unlikely that kind of thing will happen here. Chris has learned their lessons, even if it was the hard way.

"I like you being around too, Sam. Let's leave that shit behind in the past. No hard feelings?"
theydrewfirstblood: (fear{ i'm not prepared to run away)

Construction {sorta >.>} CW: mild PTSD flashback

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2023-11-19 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
John loves and hates the woods.

In Hope, where he ran might have been the only truly rational thought he had and that wasn’t saying a lot beyond I’ll be safe. Every instant of his training, every second of his military instruction…every horrifying moment in the war proved that he could only ever truly protect himself in one place.

But now as safe as he knows he is, going out to hunt or just to try and escape the nightmares, he’s reminded of Hope at every fucking turn.

And that isn’t helped by stumbling across a man lugging supplies through the trees. He looks rough with his loose hair and the load on his back, but the posture hits the right button in John’s brain to scream military or cop.

…I’ll give you a war you won’t believe.

He doesn’t want the cold fury that fills him. He wants the fear even less—

His footfall is likely heard. But John has vanished behind a tree before Sam can turn to try and spot him.

And he may or may not pick up on the fact that, during his journey to the construction site, he’s being followed.
thelatechrisfreeman: (hey now (PB))

[personal profile] thelatechrisfreeman 2023-11-19 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I gotcha. My little place in town? Town Hall had to arrange for it to get fixed up and livable, by other folks who know what they're doing. I wouldn't have been able to. 'S part of why I stayed in the Oak and Iron til the beginning of this month."

Chris taps their chin. "You could probably pop in to Town Hall and ask them for a lead, or I could do that for ya!"

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