Arthur stared up at the overcast skies, cross legged and silent as he sat in the old bell tower. He had come up to the place as he always did, after it had stopped ringing. Only the man who rang the bells every hour knew that he sat there.
It was his ritual. He would sit there in the bell tower of the old cathedral, staring down and about at the slowly growing and aging city. He managed his way up there the moment the bells stopped ringing. Sometimes, he could hear the dull thrumming of their chimes still resounding about their copper bodies. He would bring nothing with him but his thoughts and his weary emerald eyes. They shone with an age that did not match his appearance whatsoever; and his mind softly tossed barely comprehensible thoughts between its nonexistant hands.
The bell man always shouted up at him that the hour had passed when he came. It was to prevent a repitition of an incident that had occoured a few years before. It had resulted in Arthur being nearly deafened, and nonetheless very startled. The unnanounced ringing of cathedral sized bells was none too calming up close.
He enjoyed watching, knowing that no one was aware he was there. He came, rain or shine; snow or sleet. He had seen many, many things. He'd seen the carriages turn slowly into automobiles, and the cobblestone streets slowly wear down flat; riddled with ruts and paths from the traffic of both wheels and feet.
He had seen winter cascade down upon the rooftops; his feet still colder than the snow that had taken the city. But he would stay. He would stay the whole hour, and he would not bother with anything else other than his mind.
He would watch as young couples marched cheerily past battle worn veterans, weary old men and comfort seeking widows. He had seen children both well dressed and ragged. They would peruse the streets differently, though they always acted as if the streets were theirs. He had seen top hats and bonnets converge back and forth across the square. He would watch as birds of all shapes and sizes and coloration darted from rooftops and into the vast open sky.
Yet, he did not leave to join them and their free spirited ways.
Sometimes, he was so still and calm they approached him. They didn't mind when he stretched their wings gently to look at the bones and feathers that had been sewn so cleverly together by a force he did not know.
They were much different than his own wings, he would remark silently to himself. His wings were so big and heavy he had to allow them to slump off the edge and back into the cavernous opening the bells hung over. They were pale, dirty blonde. It was a color very similar -if not exactly the same as his hair. There were large black bars that stretched across the larger feathers of his wings, breaking along each edge into slightly riveted patterns.
Like a seabird's wings, the bell man said.
The wings jutted from his lower back smoothly; some small feathers even peppering his spine. They didn't bother him so much. His wings were so large they dragged behind him when he walked. He was clean shaven. He didn't like facial hair, as much as he found it amusing and sometimes fitting on the faces of the men so far below. He kept his hair short as well, as respect to those who cared for him. It was wild, and undone; hard to tame. If it was a little longer it would be easy to take care of, but he didn't bother asking if he could grow it out. It didn't bother him, if it kept those around him happy.
"The hour's up!" The bell man called up, and Arthur glanced down.
"Alright, I'll be down!"
With that, he stood, before leaning forward slightly and using his feet to push off the ledge. He kept his wings spread slightly, wide enough for him to glide, but short enough so the feathers didn't bend against the walls of the tower. He floated down simply, sometimes using his feet to kick back from the walls and avoid running into them.
Arthur finally plopped to the ground as he glanced up at the bell man.
The bell man's name was Joshua. Joshua was kind, middle aged and intelligent. Even given the simple job he had, as soon as he finished ringing the bells he made it his duty to walk with Arthur about the church for a while, talking.
He was an odd man, Arthur thought. But he was the source of Arthur's knowledge of the outside world.
He had been taught how to read and write. He knew how, to him it was easy and soothing. But Joshua brought him more than merely a bible and the priest's records of this and that. Joshua brought him pamphlets. Advertisments, newspapers. A radio. The radio hadn't been all Joshua's doing, however. There was a nun named Marie who often cared for children down the road. She and Joshua had decided it would be a fine gift for him. They were both aware that even though he was nervous to step foot outside the large oaken doors, he was still bewildered by the world outside the cathedral.
But he had withdrawn from it for many reasons, long ago.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to get a newspaper for you today." The man stated. Arthur merely shook his head.
"It's alright. You know, you don't need to get anything for me."
"No, no. While it's funny to see you try and figure out what some of us are talking about, I'd rather you stay up to date."
"Well, thank you. How is your wife?"
"She's doing well. She became part of a knitting group, to help prepare."
"Ah. I've been wondering why she hasn't been around here lately."
Arthur stared down at the old worn carpet on the floor, before his vision drifted about to the candelabras along the hall. It wouldn't be long until they arrived to the Babtismal. Then, Arthur would have to leave in order to help prepare for the evening meal.
"What's the word from the Mainland?"
"It's not good, I'm afraid." Joshua sighed lightly, before stopping.
Arthur stopped as well, glancing over at the man. His highly held wings sloped slightly.
"Is something the matter?"
"Well... if things really are going to be as bad as they seem... with the Germans seeming so active now and all... I might have to go into service. For defense. And it's not all bad, I suppose. I'm just worried. I'm worried about Elizabeth. And everyone here."
Arthur paused a moment, before offering a small smile. "I'm sure we'll all be fine. I can keep watch over Elizabeth if need be. And we'll pray for you. We all will."
Joshua appeared reassured by that. "Thank you."
"Of course!" Arthur smiled again, attempting to lighten the very suddenly darkened mood. He began to walk again. "Perhaps later tomorrow, you can take some pastries from here to Elizabeth. She must be working hard."
He was met with a nod and a strained smile. "Yes, I'll do that. You keep your ear on the radio then, alright?"
"Of course." He answered simply.
They rounded the corner, and Joshua let out a small sigh, before turning to face Arthur with the same strained smile.
"I'll see you tomorrow." He assured, patting the slightly shorter man's shoulder.
"Goodbye until then!" Arthur called after a moment's hesitation, before watching as the man vanished down the hall.
