Arthur Rasa [Pendragon]

Alice glanced at Arthur between gleaning the poster's details. "My great Aunt is from England. Cheshire, I think. And one of her husbands was from Oxford."

They unpinned the poster, turning it toward Arthur. "From what I gather, it's a festival. But there aren't much details. Maybe they're trying to create some buzz. Or it could be a scam."

Arthur glanced at Alice, rubbing the back of his neck as he mulled over their words. They had a point. It could very well be a scam. Plenty of people had lost money by believing a stranger with a charming smile and a convincing story. He wasn't naïve enough to deny that possibility.

But there was another part of him—perhaps the larger part—that whispered this was exactly the sort of strange adventure he'd been searching for. Life had a funny way of rewarding the people willing to take the occasional leap of faith. If he questioned every opportunity that came his way, he'd still be standing exactly where he'd started.

"I came from Cornwall, England," he said with an easy shrug, his smile softening into something nostalgic. "Though I've been sleeping in London for a while now. That place never really slows down."

A quiet laugh escaped him.

"It's always buzzing—cars, people, music, conversations. You could wander through the streets at nearly any hour and still feel like the city's wide awake. I liked it, honestly. There was always something happening."

His expression grew a touch more thoughtful.

"But after a while..." He exhaled slowly. "I suppose you start craving something different. Somewhere quieter. Somewhere that doesn't feel like it's racing ahead without you."

His gaze returned to Alice, a warm smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"So maybe you're right, and this is a scam." He chuckled, the sound light and carefree. "Or maybe it's the beginning of a story I'll be telling for the rest of my life. I haven't quite decided which one I'm hoping for yet."

In her huff, Tina wasn't so quick to take a compliment as she usually was. It was cold out here, and these boxes were heavy, and she almost, almost cursed her own stubbornness. Anyone that knew her well would have known that this was a pretty common occurrence - Miss hyper-independant-raised-around-boys-could-handle-herself-until-she-chose-to-use-it-to-her-advantage. She almost took the compliment. Her nose stuck high in the air. Then she opened her mouth, and instead of saying, 'yes, you're correct', she said:

"You're the only person in Redwood Hollow that has ever said that."

Maybe she was trying to hint to Arthur that he should drop the conversation and run. This wasn't about honesty at all.

"So... do you prefer Miss, then?" Arthur asked, tilting his head. The last thing he'd wanted was to offend Tina. Quite the opposite, really—he'd only been trying to be polite. It seemed, however, that calling her ma'am had struck a nerve. A sheepish grin spread across his face as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"My apologies. I didn't realize it made you feel old." A light chuckle escaped him before he quickly added, "Lesson learned."

His attention shifted to the assortment of things she was carrying. Between the bags and supplies, it looked like quite the load.

"Would you like me to carry some of that?" he offered, gesturing toward her arms. "It looks awfully heavy. I can help until you get wherever you're headed, and then I promise I'll leave you in peace."

He smiled warmly, though there was a sincerity beneath the playful tone. Arthur had always found it difficult to ignore someone who looked like they could use an extra pair of hands. Of course, if she happened to wander somewhere suspicious... well, his curiosity might get the better of him. He'd keep his distance, but he certainly wouldn't stop wondering what she was up to. His expression softened as he looked back at her. "Maybe people just don't notice you the way they should," he said with an easy shrug. "Some people have a habit of overlooking what's right in front of them." He smiled, oblivious to the truth of the matter.

"I don't think they should."

Arthur had her coming to a screeching halt, turning so quickly that everything else in her bundle threatened to teeter off-centre and send her with it.

"MA'AM?!" Tina repeated, so high only dogs could hear her.

She was so taken aback by the greeting that not a single thing that followed -not the glue, not the hammer, not the fumbling, nothing - registered as actually happening. Her ears flushed hot pink, brow knit together.

"Don't ever say that ever again, ever."

Tina snatched her belongings back as best she could.

"If I needed help, I would have already asked for help. You're so nosy."

Arthur blinked in surprise, nearly missing a step as he processed what she'd said.

"What? Ma'am..." His brows lifted in genuine confusion. "Aren't you married?"

His mind immediately began trying to piece everything together. It certainly wasn't to that charming fellow, Peter Pan—that much Arthur had managed to figure out. Which meant it had to be someone else in town. Yet he'd swear he'd caught Tina stealing a kiss with her boss not all that long ago. He quickly cleared his throat, shoving the wonderfully scandalous thought into the back of his mind before his imagination could run any further.

Ahem.

"Besides," he continued, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips, "you don't exactly strike me as the type who asks for help, Miss Tina." There was no judgment in his voice—only quiet observation. "You always seem like you've got everything under control, even when the world's trying its best to prove otherwise."

"You look like you've been busy. Someone keeping you occupied?"

Arthur let out a warm laugh, shifting the equipment in his arms with practiced ease. "Who isn't keeping me occupied?" he teased, a fond snicker escaping him. "James and Misty both hired me to help set up the stages for their performances. It's some extra money, so I can't really complain. Keeps me busy, too."

His smile softened ever so slightly as he glanced at Bailey. "Considering how things have been..." He paused, brows knitting together for a moment. "Actually... did I ever tell you I was homeless for a while?" The question came gently, almost absentmindedly, as though he couldn't quite remember whether that chapter of his life had ever come up.

Arthur shrugged, though there was quiet pride behind the gesture. "It's behind me now. I've got a roof over my head, I'm studying again, and somehow I've ended up juggling two jobs." A grin returned to his face, bright and genuine. "Life's a little chaotic, sure—but it's a good kind of chaotic."

"Man, it's really great to see the town getting together for something like this, don't you think? I mean, this could make a real impact on people."

Arthur finally managed to steal a moment for himself, drifting away from the bustle of the festival grounds after spending most of the day helping the performers. The adrenaline that had carried him through sound checks, hurried errands, and backstage chaos was beginning to ebb, leaving a pleasant exhaustion settling deep into his bones. Deciding he had more than earned a snack, he wandered through the lively paths lined with music, laughter, and the warm aroma of festival food, taking in the atmosphere with a quiet sense of satisfaction.

"Bailey!" he called, spotting the familiar face through the crowd, a broad smile spreading across his own. Falling into step beside them, Arthur swept a hand toward the festival stretching out before them, alive with people, music, and joy. "What do you think? It's great, isn't it?" There was unmistakable pride in his voice. Watching Redwood come alive like this felt like witnessing the first chapter of something extraordinary—a town turning the page toward a brighter future. In many ways, it mirrored his own journey. Just as Redwood was embracing a fresh beginning, so too had Arthur found himself writing a new story, one filled with hope and finally belonging.

"Anna!" Arthur called out the moment he spotted her, his face instantly lighting up with a bright, genuine grin. He lifted a hand in greeting before pointing enthusiastically toward the poster hanging nearby. "You've seen it too! Doesn't it look exciting? I only caught a glimpse of it a minute ago, but now I can't stop wondering what it'll be like. It sounds like the sort of thing that's worth seeing, don't you think?"

Without waiting too long, he wandered over and settled into the seat beside her, careful not to invade her space. His smile never quite left his face, and there was an unmistakable excitement in his eyes, as though he had been waiting to share some good news with someone.

"Things have actually been looking up for me," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish chuckle. "I managed to get myself two jobs, and I found a place to stay." He laughed softly, relief evident in his voice. "So... no more sleeping in a cardboard box on the ground for me."

His expression softened into one of sincere gratitude as he looked at her.

"I really wanted to thank you, Anna. You were one of the first people to show me kindness when I arrived here, and I don't think I've properly told you how much that meant to me. It made those first few days a lot less frightening."

He hesitated for a brief moment before offering another warm smile.

"So... I was wondering if you'd let me repay at least a tiny part of that kindness. Would you like to have a coffee with me? My treat, of course. Or tea, hot chocolate... whatever you'd prefer." He gave a small, hopeful laugh. "I'd just enjoy the chance to spend a little time talking with you."

hayden walked through the bustling bar of mount olympus, crowds chatting and laughing to fill the noise of the establishment. he headed towards the crowd and nodded to the bartender on the clock to pour him his usual.

Arthur took a cautious look around the elegant bar, his eyes wandering over the polished wood, neatly arranged bottles, and warm lighting. It was certainly fancier than any place he had ever set foot in. For a brief moment, he wondered if he was even dressed appropriately to be there. Spotting the man who appeared to own the establishment, Arthur approached with a polite, almost nervous smile.

"Hello there, sir," he greeted warmly. "I was wondering if I could order a glass of water... or perhaps a cola, if that's alright."

He clasped his hands behind his back, standing up a little straighter than usual. For some reason, he felt compelled to be especially respectful toward the stranger. The man carried himself with remarkable confidence and grace, the sort that commanded attention without ever asking for it.

There was something else, too.

Arthur couldn't quite put his finger on it, but beneath the polished smile and impeccable posture lingered the faint impression of danger—like a wolf wearing an expensive suit. It wasn't enough to frighten him, only enough to make him choose his words a little more carefully.

"Oh, and before you ask," Arthur added with an awkward little laugh, "I'm not old enough to drink alcohol."

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"I will be in a year, though. So... I figured I'd stick to the non-alcoholic options until then. I'd rather not get either of us into trouble."

His smile returned, genuine and friendly.

"I'm Arthur, by the way. It's nice to meet you. This place is beautiful—you must have put a lot of work into it."

Arthur's eyes immediately lit up the moment he spotted the person he had been hoping to run into all day.

Tina Bell.

His coworker, and, in his mind, the woman who had quite literally saved him when he'd first started at the hotel, and even before that. She had been the first to show him kindness when he was overwhelmed and hopelessly lost, and Arthur wasn't sure she even realized how much that had meant to him.

If he hadn't been gay—which he most certainly was—he probably would've developed the biggest crush imaginable. Instead, what he felt was an immense amount of admiration and gratitude. Tina was the kind of person he wanted as a lifelong friend.

As she hurried past, Arthur noticed a hammer tumble from her belongings, followed by a bottle of glue that rolled a short distance across the floor.

"Tina! Ma'am!" he called after her, waving one arm to catch her attention. "You dropped some stuff!"

Without hesitation, he bent down and scooped up the hammer before chasing after the runaway bottle of glue. Catching it just before it rolled underneath a nearby bench, he let out a triumphant little, "Aha!"

Cradling both items carefully, Arthur jogged after her, his slightly-too-big work shoes squeaking against the pavement.

"There you are!" he said with a bright smile, slightly out of breath as he held out the hammer and glue. "I think these belong to you."

Once she had taken them back, Arthur clasped his hands behind his back, rocking lightly on his heels.

"So..." he asked with unmistakable curiosity, "where are you off to? It looks like you're about to build something—or fix something."

His smile widened.

"Need an extra pair of hands? I'm not the handiest person in the world..." He paused, thinking back to his many DIY mishaps before sheepishly correcting himself. "...Actually, that's probably an overstatement. But I am enthusiastic, and I follow instructions really well."

Arthur leaned slightly to one side, peeking around Alice's shoulder to get a better look at the paper they were holding. His curiosity got the better of him, his head tilting as he tried to make out what was written.

"Oh, festivals?" he said with a small smile. "Those were pretty common where I lived."

His voice carried a hint of nostalgia as he thought back.

"I grew up in a big city in the UK, so there always seemed to be something going on. Street fairs, food festivals, music events... even if you weren't planning to go, you'd somehow end up wandering through one."

He chuckled softly.

"I kind of miss that. There was always this feeling that the city was alive."

Arthur straightened up again, folding his hands behind his back.

"Coming here to Redwood has been... different." He smiled warmly, though there was a touch of homesickness behind it. "It's quieter. Nicer, in a way. People actually seem to know each other."

He glanced back at the paper before looking at Alice again.

"So... is there a festival coming up? It sounds like it could be fun. I haven't really had the chance to explore much since I moved here."

"Oh, it's just the tag. Wait... allow me."

Arthur stepped around behind the woman, careful not to invade her space too abruptly. "Sorry," he murmured first, giving her a moment before gently brushing her hair aside with the back of his fingers. With practiced care, he tucked the clothing tag neatly back beneath the collar where it belonged, making sure it wouldn't be sticking out anymore.

"There..." he said with a small, satisfied smile as he stepped back. "That looks much better."

He absentmindedly rubbed the back of his own neck as he glanced at the collar of his shirt.

"I usually just cut mine out," he admitted with a quiet chuckle. "I'm on the spectrum, and clothing tags are just... way too itchy for me. I always notice them, no matter how small they are."

Arthur shrugged lightly, looking a little sheepish for having volunteered the information.

"It also saves me the hassle of them poking out all the time." He smiled to himself. "I don't know why manufacturers insist on making them so stiff."

The last part was almost muttered under his breath rather than directed at Rita, as though he was simply voicing a long-standing complaint to the universe.

Only then did he realize he'd been rambling. His cheeks warmed ever so slightly, and he gave an apologetic smile.

"Sorry... I tend to think out loud sometimes.".

"I-I'm fine..." Arthur replied with a small, reassuring smile as he accepted the card. His curiosity quickly got the better of him, and he turned the sleek little rectangle over in his hands, carefully examining both sides. The print was crisp, the lettering clean, and the cardstock felt surprisingly sturdy between his fingers.

"So this is a taxi business..." he murmured to himself, more impressed than he had expected to be.

His gaze lifted back to the stranger, genuine interest shining in his eyes.

"Oh, thank you for the lovely card." He smiled warmly. "They've been printed really well. Did you print them yourself, or did you have someone make them for you?"

Arthur continued to inspect it for another moment, absentmindedly running a thumb along the smooth edge before carefully slipping it into his pocket, making sure not to bend it.

"I'm Arthur, by the way." He held out his hand with an easy, friendly smile. "It's nice to meet you."

He tilted his head slightly, unable to hide his curiosity.

"So... how long have you been running the taxi business? It seems like one of those jobs where you end up collecting hundreds of interesting stories just by driving people around."

Ariana knew she should have gone home an hour ago. Really she had, but then a new book on the library shelf had caught her attention and before she knew it she was fully engrossed, turning pages and making notes on the most intriguing sections.

Now, she was hurrying home, walking as fast as she could. The streetlights were glowing, most of the shops had already closed for the evening and the air had that quie,t late - night feeling that made everything seem softer.

She had her bag hanging off one shoulder and a stack of library books pressed against her chest, the top book still open. She was so busy trying to finish a reading a section as she walked that she nearly walked straight into someone.

"Oh my god! I am so sorry!" she exclaimed, stumbling back as an embarrassed laught left her lips.

"I swear I'm not usually a danger to the public."

Arthur landed flat on his backside with a loud, pained "Oof!" The impact echoed through him, and for a few moments he simply sat there on the pavement, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin while trying to pretend it hadn't hurt nearly as much as it actually did.

"Darn..." he muttered under his breath.

He looked up at the young woman, offering her a small, reassuring smile despite the awkward fall.

"It's okay," he said quickly, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm fine... I think."

Slowly pushing himself back up into a sitting position, he studied her face for a moment before recognition lit up his own.

"Ariana, right?" he asked. "I've seen you around college before. I don't think we've actually talked, though."

He brushed the dust from his pants before letting out a quiet laugh at himself.

"I guess this isn't exactly the best first impression."

Arthur hesitated for a second, nervously scratching the back of his neck. Then an idea seemed to pop into his head.

"Actually..." His expression brightened. "If you really want to repay me, would you maybe teach me how to swim?"

He rubbed the back of his neck again, looking almost embarrassed by the request.

"I know it sounds kind of silly, but... I never learned." He let out an awkward chuckle. "The weather's been so warm lately, and everyone at work keeps jumping into the pool whenever they get the chance. I'm honestly a little jealous."

His smile softened into something more genuine.

"I just end up sitting at the edge with my feet in the water while everyone else is having fun." He shrugged. "It'd be nice not to be afraid of it anymore."

Arthur looked back at Ariana hopefully.

"So... what do you think? I promise I'm a quick learner." He paused before adding with a grin, "Though you might have to stop me from panicking if I think I'm sinking."

"OH NO, MR. SMEE, SIR!"

Arthur's eyes went wide in horror the second he saw the older man disappear into the pool. Without thinking twice, he rushed to the edge, nearly skidding on the wet tiles in his haste. He immediately dropped to one knee and stretched his arm out as far as he could, careful not to lean too far over the water himself. Swimming was one thing Arthur absolutely could not do, and the last thing anyone needed was two employees in the pool.

"Here! Grab my hand!" he called, his voice filled with genuine panic.

The moment Mr. Smee's hand met his, Arthur tightened his grip and carefully pulled, using all the strength he had to help haul his new coworker back onto solid ground. Once Mr. Smee was safely sitting at the poolside, Arthur let out a relieved sigh he hadn't even realized he'd been holding.

"Are you alright, Mr. Smee, sir?" he asked, kneeling beside him with worry written all over his face. His eyes quickly scanned the older man for any injuries, as if he expected to find something broken simply because of the scare.

"Wait! Don't move!" Arthur blurted before springing back to his feet. "I'll get you a towel!"

He hurried off at an almost comical pace, returning only moments later with the fluffiest towel he could find. Holding it out with both hands, he offered it to Mr. Smee with an apologetic smile, despite not having been responsible for the accident.

"Here... you must be freezing. I-I hope you're not hurt." He hesitated for a moment before nervously adding, "I would've jumped in after you, but... I can't actually swim." Arthur rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "So I figured it was better if at least one of us stayed out of the pool."

he watched on as the guy introduced himself and rambled on. "good to meet you, i'm john. finance and business major with no part time job." he introduced himself "sorry you've had to meet me before my nicotine fix"

"Oh, it's alright," Arthur said, his attention already shifting to the lighter in his hands. He frowned in concentration as he flicked the wheel. Click. A tiny spark appeared before dying just as quickly.

"Hm..." He tried again.

Click. Nothing.

Arthur tilted the lighter slightly, inspecting it as though that might somehow encourage it to cooperate. He pressed his lips together before giving it one last determined flick.

Click. A steady flame blossomed to life.

"There we go," he murmured, sounding far more pleased than the situation probably warranted Holding the lighter with careful, almost exaggerated precision, Arthur leaned forward and brought the flame to John's cigarette. He made sure to keep enough distance that neither John's fingers nor his own would get singed, waiting patiently until the tip glowed before pulling the lighter away with a satisfied nod. As soon as the cigarette was lit, he snapped the lid shut, the metallic clink sounding oddly triumphant.

"Psychology major," he said, slipping the lighter back into his pocket. "I work at the Neverland Hotel, and at the music store too."

A modest smile tugged at his lips. "So... I've been keeping busy." He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling that familiar bashfulness creep in. "I'm still pretty new in town."

The words were true enough, though they left out a significant chapter of his arrival. He didn't mention the freezing nights spent curled up on a park bench, or the cardboard box he'd called shelter when the weather got particularly bad. He didn't mention how people had walked past him without a second glance, or how he'd wondered if this town would ever become home. Those memories still felt too raw, too humiliating to share so casually. Instead, he simply smiled, hoping the conversation would stay focused on the present—the part of his life that was finally beginning to look a little brighter.

He let out a laugh as Arthur assured him that he hadn't licked it. "Honestly it's so hot, I wouldn't even care." Toulouse held up the ice cream cone and licked the side of it that was beginning to melt. "See?" he chuckled once more. 'Nah, don't worry about it. As a famous musician once said, I like vanilla, it's the finest of the flavors." He gave a playful grin.

"How have you been beating the heat?"

Arthur smiled, the expression small but genuine. "I'm glad the icecream is to your liking." His voice softened as he continued, almost dropping to a whisper. "And... I've been well."

The words felt strange on his tongue. He wasn't used to anyone asking how he was doing, let alone seeming to genuinely care about the answer. For so long, his wellbeing had been an afterthought—even to himself—that sincere concern still caught him off guard. It was different. Different in a good way.

A shy smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I have a room at the hotel now," he said, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. "James was kind enough to give me a job there, and I also work for Misty, so..." He let out a quiet, almost sheepish laugh. "My days have been pretty busy." His eyes lit up just a little more at the next part.

"Oh, and I started college."

There was unmistakable excitement beneath his modest tone. It still felt surreal to say it out loud. Not long ago, he'd been sleeping on park benches and wondering where his next meal would come from. Now he had a roof over his head, two jobs that people trusted him with, and classes to attend.

It wasn't always easy. Some days left him exhausted, racing from one responsibility to the next, but he didn't mind.

For the first time in a long while, Arthur felt like his life was moving forward instead of simply trying to survive. And that feeling alone made every early morning and every aching muscle worth it.