Pinfeathers!

Task 11: Intro & Connections

Name: Dr. Archimedes Feathursby Age: 63 Gender: Cis man (he/him) Occupation: Dean at Redwood College Sexuality: Gay Birthplace: Redwood Hollow Redwood Hollow Residency: Lifelong resident

FULL BIO | MUSINGS | HEADCANONS | ALL MUSES

If Archie was anything, it was stubborn. Yes, he could ask any of the students and staff surrounding him on campus for help, but then he'd have to admit he was an old man who couldn't do the things he used to do, and he couldn't have that. So here he was, carrying a stack of books that reached above his nose with two hands that were quickly becoming too sweaty for his liking. As he attempted to readjust himself, the toe of his shoe hit a raised crack in the pavement and he felt himself beginning to fall forward.

In his day, Archie had met many students that seemed to have no interest in academic pursuit. Once upon a time, he was one of those students. It wasn't until the latter half of his life did he even finish his first degree, let alone his third and fourth. So when he met these youngsters who hemmed and hawed, he had a feeling that deep down, they would eventually find their passion and return to pursue it, even if it was in their forties.

For Tina Bell, it seemed to be a lot sooner. While he didn't often work with the beauty school at Redwood College, he did hear of her graduation, if only by overhearing the joy of the now relieved professors. It filled his crotchety old heart with joy to think that the young girl who landed herself in his principal's office time and time again now proudly hung a degree on her wall.

He needed to make sure she was proud. It was some time after the actual graduation ceremony that he found himself running into her at the grocery store, while he perused flavorless cereals. When he saw her signature blonde bun pass, he perked up. "Ah, Miss Bell. I wanted to congratulate you on your graduation."

The day had started out nice enough--a little overcast, but warm with a jacket. As time passed, he would look out the windows and see the clouds darkening, but he shrugged it off. The weatherman had said there was very low chance of precipitation today.

The weatherman was wrong. Within minutes of his trek home, the heavens opened and rain began to downpour. He didn’t have time to even begin looking for shelter before he was soaked to the bone. Still, as he passed the park, he saw a gazebo where people were beginning to huddle for shelter. He made a sharp turn to join them but his foot slipped out from underneath him, sending him sprawling on his back.

“AGH!” The noise of his body hitting the wet pavement was a deeply unpleasant one, and the vibrations of pain were staggering. A younger Archie would have pushed himself up to the tune of a long and inappropriate string of curses. But present Archie could barely bring himself to move. He could hear footsteps approaching and he winced, calling out, “I-I’m fine, just give me a minute!”

~

“Good call, good call,” Tina nodded, wholeheartedly agreeing on behalf of everyone that Archie should indeed not be the one to give talks. Not that she would sit through this Mr. Sullivan’s talks either. It would be a damn miracle if she even sat through any talks when she finally did bite the bullet and go back on her course.

She may or may not have been compensating for the crippling fear that no one was going to show up. Regardless, it would be nice to have someone there that had known James in his younger days. “You have to stay for at least one dance and a piece of cake. I’m sure you have excellent moves.”

--

He had to refrain from rolling his eyes with how enthusiastically she agreed with him. Yes, he’s a blowhard, he’s a windbag--he’d heard it all before. In all honesty, the fact that she was even talking to him at all without trying to completely drag him through the mud was a win in and of itself.

The laugh he gave sounded more like a scoff or a huff as he shook his head. “I’ll stay for cake and to watch a dance. I don’t think there’s anything you can offer me that would bring me out on that dance floor.” On that, he was fairly certain. His dancing days were long behind him, and (hopefully) no one in attendance had been around to remember those days.

-

Ares chuckled, it wasn’t like Archie couldn’t have said no - he would’ve understood if that were the case. “Yes, I’ll make sure to fill it in quite neatly, luckily before the war I actually did get a master degree in teaching specialized in kids with special needs.”

--

“Is that so?” He asked, eyebrows raising. It was a little surprising but honestly quite impressive. “Well, we’re always looking for professors with experience in special needs. If teaching is something you find you enjoy, I’m sure you’d be able to upgrade from adjunct to full time professor within a semester or two. Especially with those credentials.”

A person in need

“Hey, do you think platonic soulmates are a thing?” Simba asked over the phone, he was calling his friend Percy who he has been suspecting of having feelings for his friend Timon, though he could be mistaken - though the way they were together was a bit well-

He was just about to hear the reply when he found someone in distress. “Gotta go Perc - I’ll talk to you soon.” He muttered before seeing what was wrong.

“Can I help you?”

@happieststarters

It was like he’d seen a ghost. The man standing before him was much older than the boy he had known, but his face was unmistakable. He looked so much like his father. The color drained from Archie’s face as the memories came flooding back--how as principal, he’d had to pull together an assembly to explain to the student body that their classmate had gone missing--how even though he refused to indulge in the rumors of murder, he still had to deal with them flying around the school. As the years passed, everyone seemed to move on, but in the back of his mind he’d always wondered what had happened to--

“Simba Proud?” He asked in disbelief as the man turned to him, clearly concerned with what Archie believed must be a rather horrifying expression on his face. “Is...is that really you...?”

-

like most of the other people who’s loved ones had fallen victim to the attack, jane had been spending all her time at ray’s bedside. she was engrossed in her new hobby of knitting that ray’s grandmother and mother had taught her. knitting away her anxiety seemed like a better plan than pacing around the room non-stop - which she had done for the first three days. 

working on her pattern was the laser focus she needed when her attention had been caught by a knock at the door. “oh, mr feathursby” she acknowledged, placing the knitting down and getting up from her seat. “hello, how are you?” she asked instinctively. it was a common question that had been thrown around the hospital a countless amount of times “i’m okay, as good as i can be given the situation.” she replied, looking back to see the love of her life unconscious in the hospital bed. “i’m hopeful now that other patients are waking up.” she smiled, she had to look on the bright side “how have you been? do you have a loved one in?”

--

Archie gave a small nod at his name. While Jane hadn’t been one of his students or staff, it was often that his teachers working in wildlife science teamed up with the Redwood Zoo, so the two at least had passing knowledge of one another. “I’m alright,” he replied, though obviously didn’t want to focus on himself in a situation like this. He stepped farther into the room. “Of course...I can only imagine.” As he neared her, his eyes dropped to the project she was working on. “Wow...this is really impressive. Never could get the hang of knitting myself. How long have you been doing it for?”

He continued to nod along with her hopeful sentiment. “Absolutely. I’m sure Ray will be following them all shortly,” he said, looking up at the man unconscious in the cot. “He’s a strong one, and he has a lot of excellent people looking after him,” he said, giving Jane a smile. They were rare, coming from him, but it was likely she needed one now more than ever. At her question, he shook his head. “No, nothing like that,” he said. “But former students of mine are here, as well as just...people I’ve watched grow up.” Both those in the hospital beds and those that sat by their side. “I know well wishes can seem hollow in times like these, but what kind of academic would I be were I not supporting the community that I teach?” The sentimentality of it all made him shift uncomfortably as he cleared his throat. “What I mean is...I’m here if you need anything.”

◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ 

Lorelai bristled at his words. It was an unfortunate contradiction the way she longed to gravitate towards those who would argue with her and yet she utterly despised being told she was wrong. Archie fell into this niché rather well. Miraculously, she kept her cool and smiled briefly instead. “Perhaps a Nespresso machine will do just that then. What are you and your own living off in the, ah, teacher’s lounge?”

It was with some admitted amusement she saw the way he bristled right back, nostrils flaring with a might at her words. She had no doubt Archie was ready to tell her just how wrong she was then too. There may have even been a PowerPoint presentation involved, she dreaded to think. The huff landed them back into neutral territory which was most likely for the best, for now. “Oh, never. I imagine there’d be quite an outcry despite how unique Redwood is in that respect. Oh, Archibald, I’d never make you beg-,” she paused, before briefly shrugged- “Alright so that’s not strictly true. You’d perhaps have to lay on the complimentary adjectives a little thicker if you wanted a Nespresso machine yourself but if it’s for the sake of our future lawyers in the making… I’ll have it arranged.”

--

These two always knew how to push each other’s buttons. Always had, even back when they worked together all those years ago. She was bristling, he was bristling, there was bristling everywhere. Despite it all, they both kept tight-lipped smiles as they passed their jabs back and forth. “We have a,” he paused briefly before sighing. “Mr. Coffee. Probably not fancy enough for your lot but it’s what we can afford on a budget.”

He shut his eyes and inhaled deeply. “Archimedes,” he corrected her, unsure if she was just trying to rile him up or genuinely forgot his name. Both were equally aggravating options. He shook his head. “Donations would be going to more important matters than a “Nespresso machine”, thank you very much.” Then again, it might boost the morale of his staff if he could get something nicer than a Mr. Coffee. Something to consider. “If your contribution is substantial enough, you could get something named after you at the college. Far better than any inane compliments I could come up with.”

~

“Drag on?” Tina repeated. “Oh, you make life sound very exciting, Arch. How have you not been invited onto a TedTalk yet?” Tina was, frankly, terrible at heeding anyone’s advice or cautionary tales. She had to learn everything herself the hard way, for the lesson to really stick. (And even then, sometimes it didn’t.)

“I mean, I can think of something deeply humiliating if you want me to,” she hummed. “But… I suppose you’re right. I don’t think James will let me cause too much mischief at the wedding.” He hadn’t reigned her in, per se, but he did occupy a significant amount of her attention. “I do actually mean it, though. You can come, and you could see him there.”

--

He expected nothing less from Tina Bell. Over the years, he grew to know her type all too well. The kind that would never concede to a thing he had to say. Regardless, he would say it anyway. Even if his words would only reach their ears in the middle of an existential crisis, at least he had planted the seeds. “I’m not one for talks. That’s more Mr. Sullivan’s job.” Frankly, any of his teachers would give amazing talks, but he knew Sulley had just come back from giving one at a convention.

He watched her carefully. The way that she spoke of James seemed to bring out something different in her, something he’d never seen before. Maybe with the help of a good hand, the wild Tina could be tamed after all. Still, he looked surprised when she doubled down on the invitation. “Really? Well...I might stop by and give my best wishes. I won’t bog down your ceremony, nor your reception for that matter.”

Ares snickered. He had hoped Bo at least would’ve shown up, but he could understand if the party of Charlotte was more appealing. “I know, I have many great ideas.” He said witty before looking at the front. “Well, I thank you for showing up, Archie. I was wondering if you per chance needed a speaker for the school about history of war?” He was in need of a job. And he always had been a soldier - aside from war history, he didn’t know much.

--

Archie nodded. With the bare minimum of decency done, he was more than happy to get out of their way and get on with his own life. However, the question came as a surprise of him. “A bold move. Who am I to say “no” to the groom-to-be?” He joked. “While we don’t have any military history courses currently available, we’re always looking for adjunct professors to introduce new classes and subjects. If you can get a curriculum to me before the spring semester starts, I may be able to get you in for the sooner rather than later.”

.

Anna would be embarrassed, however things like this were constantly happening to her, it wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last time a bunch of snow fall on her and someone was watching.

“Yes, just…. Colder.” She said moving her arms to hug herself to preserve the little bit of heat she still had. “The  La Bouff party wasn’t exactly my style, but leaving was not a good idea. I should have stayed, but things would be a lot worse if I had high heels.” She chuckled, the idea of walking with high heels was already terrible, in the snow, she would end up breaking herself completely.

--

Archie scoffed, shaking his head. “Honestly, it’s ridiculous to throw a fancy party in the middle of winter. When women are expected to wear dresses and heels? It’s practically a death sentence,” he lectured. “Here.” Unbuttoning his jacket, he shrugged it off and folded it over his arm to offer to her. “Wrap yourself up before you catch a cold, would you?”

Certainly, he wasn’t about to leave her with his jacket, so for better or worse, he was stuck with her for now. And they were certainly not about to return to the party. “If you need a place to warm up, the campus library is open 24/7, even during holiday break. I can swipe you in.”

Anna left the party, the night had been fun, however the theme wasn’t exactly something she felt like she fit in, the dress was too tight, and she had problems moving, even without high heels she was still tripping and falling, she ripped her dress open so she could walk like a normal person, however she didn’t felt like she fit in anymore. Hans was right about her, it didn’t matter how many time she tried, she would never fit in with those people, not like Elsa did. “Stupid dress. stupid party…” Anna whispered as she walked toward her house, kicking a small rock, to make it roll. “Why is so cold outside?” She spoke alone, unlike Elsa, the cold did bothered her, after all. kicking the small rock a little bit stronger and making it hit a tree, the snow that the tree was holding with one of her branches fall on top of Anna’s head. “Today’s not my day.” She said realizing someone else had seem all the scene play out.

--

Archie would rather drop dead than spend his New Year’s Eve at the La Bouff Bash. Town events were one thing, where he had to attend out of a sense of obligation and duty towards his career. But a private house party? With an endless sea of people, cacophony of raucous music, and everflowing alcohol from all directions? Hard pass.

If anything, he was probably just going to go home and fall asleep before midnight even struck. When you’ve gone through as many new years as he had, the charm of it wore off quickly, leaving another meaningless holiday for him to gripe about.

He was on his way back from the campus, empty of students but always with more work to do, when he noticed a woman walking from the other direction, muttering to herself. While he normally would’ve just let her pass without a word, the snow falling on her had him jumping into action, going to approach. He held out a hand to her. “It certainly isn’t. Are you alright?”

I do

“I don’t see a lot of people.” Ares joked as he stood behind a curtain in the church, he was about to get married to Gaspard when he realised that someone was chuckling behind him. “Oh?” He said as he turned around to see who it was, it was a bit of a blur so he hoped that their voices would tell him who they were.

@happieststarters​

Archie stifled his chuckle. “I have to admit, it’s a spark of genius to get married on New Years Eve, so not a single soul will show up. Wish I’d thought of it myself.” Not that he was getting married, ever. “I just stopped by to give my well wishes and congratulations. I’ll be on my way before the ceremony.”

~

Nani was really trying not to let this whole situation get to her, but her stress levels were sky rocketing, and her bloodstream was about 90% caffeine at this point. While her family were safe, unaffected by the apparent poisoning, her best friend had been one of the victims, as had a few of the relatives of kids who attended her dance school. She was on Super Big Sister Mode, comforting anyone who needed it, and paying enough visits to the hospital to make sure Becky’s family were doing alright.

Nani had been visiting Becky in the adjacent room, offering her brother TJ as much comfort as he needed. When it was her time to go, she stepped into the room neighbouring Becky’s for a moment of reprieve before she had to return to the chaos of her home. She had shut her eyes for a moment, but was startled when a knock came at the door not moments later. “Mr. Feathursby!” Nani replied quickly, hand on her chest to calm her nerve. “I’m– Yeah. I’m fine! I, uh, didn’t hear you come in. Do you– are you– Do you need the room?”

--

Archie’s eyes scanned around the room. It was devoid of people except for Nani--who he must assume was visiting someone. Whoever it was though, they certainly weren’t here. It seemed as if she was trying to find some reprieve and solitude in the chaos of everything around her. While there was some guilt about interrupting that, he had a feeling she needed someone to support her, rather than just wallow by herself.

But even he wasn’t heartless. While he had not attended the carnival, the news of its events certainly found his ears. Many of the victims were those he knew, whether they be former or current students, or the very people that he was constantly belittling. For weeks, he didn’t know what to do. After all, he wasn’t one for grand showings of compassion such as flowers, nor would his presence over comatose bodies do anyone any good.

However, when the victims started to wake up...he figured the least he could do was visit. Have someone to listen to and offer help. Sometimes that’s all people needed. As he passed by one of the doors of the hospital wing, he knocked gently on the doorframe to make his presence known. “Excuse me,” he cleared his throat. “Are you alright...?”

-

Ella certainly couldn’t fix all of her issues, not alone it seems. But the support she was given, meant the world to her. It made the carry all the more bearable. At least now, she knew that she didn’t have to handle things alone. And that things that weren’t in her control shouldn’t be in her control.

“Yeah, Hayden Persephone and the boys, even my godmother.” She said with a smile, it felt weird to smile - undeserving at times. Honestly, she was a mess.

“I suppose I could look for some employees - perhaps I can put some flyers in Adam’s café.” She nodded. “Thank you sir.” His advice truly helped her out.

“I’ll leave you be, I need to get home for my daughter’s birthday party, the party won’t set up itself, and it’s her first birthday, so It’s a special one.” Though in Ella’s eyes, all birthdays were special.

--

Archie nodded along, until the name ‘Hayden’ hit his ears. Once a regular of Redwood’s underworld, he knew all too well the business that Hayden and his family did. So it was extremely odd to him to hear that Ella of all people considered him a support. “I had no idea you were close with the Bodaway family,” he said, his expression and voice lined with concern. “How is it that you came to be close to them, if I can ask?”

The rest of it sounded fine. Hiring new employees was always a financial risk, but the relief and support that came from it would ultimately be a benefit. Ella was a smart girl and he doubted her business would go under anytime soon. Especially if she had the financial support of the Bodaway family.

“Well, tell your daughter I said happy birthday,” he relayed with a small smile. “And best of luck to you. If you need anything at all, please feel free to reach out.