(Untitled)

[oh_so_pleasant]

Each day Elwood spends on the island is better than the last. He absolutely could not be happier about his life at the moment (unless, of course, the Island would be gracious enough to send his dear sister, Veta Louise, and lovely niece, Myrtle Mae, to spend time with him). Why, every single morning, he awakens to an island that is bustling with

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[stoicsidekick]

William spent a fair share of his free time (which was scant by the count of most island residents, but he liked it that way) in the Winchester. Archie was here most mornings for pestering and fond mockery, and even when he wasn't, the place had a home-y pub-like feel to it that reminded William of England, and of that life so long ago when he had spent most of his time on land in such establishments. The Winchester was a mite warmer and unquestionably cleaner than most places like it, but that just made it an even more appealing place to spend a quiet afternoon.

He had been aware of the man sitting nearby in an absent sort of way, had even nodded to him when he sat, but William hadn't expected to be addressed - the fellow was talking to him, wasn't he? He slid his gaze in the stranger's direction and arched an eyebrow as he brought his pint to his lips. "Pardon?"

[oh_so_pleasant]

"Oh, hello," Elwood says to the man, lifting his own glass to take a drink. The island beer is quite different than any beer he had consumed back home; it is heavier, more flavorful in some ways. He quite likes it, though not so much so that it will ever become more dear to him than his drink of choice, Scotch and Soda.

Though he had been addressing Harvey and not this fellow, Elwood is more than happy to engage in conversation. It is, after all, one of the past-times he prizes most.

"I was speaking to Harvey, actually," he continues, gesturing with his free hand to the seat beside him. "My name is Dowd, Elwood P. I do hope we aren't disturbing you."

[stoicsidekick]

William blinked - once, twice - as he made a go at processing this man's reply. He's simple, the sailor realized quickly enough, though harmlessly so as far as he could tell. But being a simpleton was no crime, and William was not one to judge, especially when a fellow was being perfectly polite.

"Not at all, sir." He offered his hand across the expanse where Dowd-the-simpleton's friend supposedly sat. "William Bush."

[oh_so_pleasant]

"Delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Bush!" Elwood exclaims. Beaming, he firmly shakes the gentleman's proffered hand and releases it after the adequate time for an introductory handshake arrives.

"I knew a few Bushes back home -- lovely people, although Mr. Bush the elder is quite getting on in years, the poor man. It gets harder and harder for folks to be mobile around as they age." He takes a sip of his drink and raises the glass in toast. "To our health, may it stay with us as long as we deserve it."

[stoicsidekick]

The man's enthusiasm was baffling, but not entirely unfamiliar to William - he had spent too many years with Archie by his side - and so he nodded politely, and raised his own glass for a brief moment in comradeship before taking another drink. "Have you been here long, Mr. Dowd?" He suspected not, as the man looked hardly familiar.

[oh_so_pleasant]

"Perhaps a month and a half, I would say," Elwood muses, taking a sip now and then of his beverage. "I have never been so good at keeping track of days, even with the aid of a calendar, I must confess. And what of yourself, Mr. Bush? You seem quite comfortable here -- or perhaps change simply suits you better than most."

[stoicsidekick]

Bush snorted softly, a sort of self-deprecating laugh. Did that mean he finally looked the part, in his rolled up shirtsleeves and the sturdy trousers they called "blue jeans," though he has yet to sacrifice his queue? "No, sir, not at all. I took my time about it, as a matter of fact. I've been here six years."

[oh_so_pleasant]

"Six years!" Elwood exclaims with a gasp. Why, a lot happens in the span of six years -- both here on the island and at home. "You surely have seen a lot of interesting things during your time here, Mr. Bush."

Beside him, Harvey comments and Elwood relays the message. "Harvey would like to know what your most pleasant memory about this place is, being here and experiencing the strange and wondrous life the island provides."

[stoicsidekick]

"Most pleasant, eh?" Against his will, Bush's gaze skittered over to the empty seat where this 'Harvey' supposedly sat. This was a madman indeed, if a harmless one. But he sipped his drink and kept his thoughts to himself. "Building my own boat, I suppose. I did a bit of carpentry in my youth and was good enough at it, but Fate took me in other directions. The chance to come back to that was... not unwelcome."