[attr="class","therivtop1"]

[attr="class","therivlyric2"]

I got that fire in my soul

[attr="class","therivmid1"]



Breathing steady, eyes focused on the task at hand through the darkened slit of the welding mask. Fire licked out of the torch, melting metal together to gradually form a rough corner. As the edge was reached, a long, almost relieved exhale drifted through his lips as he drew back. The torch was released as he lifted the welding mask, feeling the warmth of layers of welding gear hugging his body... He could not understand how occupations like the Canadian railway maintenance company handled hot summers when welding outside... Even on a pleasant autumn day with the garage door open, Warren found himself growing warm.

[break][break]

The valve was turned off, the tall man knowing he would be finished for the day. All the connections were welded together for a unique table design that would combine metalwork and woodwork. However, the base frame was a network of metal bars that would have wooden panels inserted into them. Everything would be smoothed out and sanded later with any blemishes being polished up accordingly. The helmet, jacket and gloves were stripped and set beside the workbench. Once hands were freed from his gloves, he wiped one across his forehead as a long exhale left his lips.

[break][break]

The tall man left the workbench, grabbing a water bottle from the counter before exiting out the open garage door. The cap was twisted open, Warren took a long drink while cooling down. Golden eyes glanced around his surroundings as he relaxed for a few moments. Then he caught it, somebody looking at the fantasy castle mailbox with a dragon on it. It was not the first time somebody stopped to admire the metalwork he completed to replace the plan, non-locking box previously there. However, the surprise arrived when he realized who was admiring his work.

[break][break]

A smile formed as the bottle was withdrawn from his lips. The tall man waved from the opening of the garage, a broad smile on his face.

[break][break]

"Hey, Will! Didn't expect to see you out this way," he hollered over, moving closer. "Admiring the mailbox, eh?"

[break][break]

A rumble of a laugh escaped Warren as he approached his coworker. As he approached, his eyes properly took everything about Willow in... including the large canine attached to a bar he held. The grin across Warren's face widened upon seeing the wolf he assumed was the service animal, Dunkin'.

[break][break]

"Ah, this must be him, right? Dunkin'?" The large man asked with a broad grin. "He's a handsome boy, that's for sure."

[break][break]

Respectfully, Warren kept his hands to himself. As big and fluffy as Dunkin' appeared, the service animal was working. The walk could primarily be for Dunkin' to exercise, but it changed nothing about the situation. The vest was on, therefore, Dunkin' was at work.

[attr="class","therivtop1"]

[attr="class","therivlyric2"]

I got that fire in my soul

[attr="class","therivmid1"]



Customized mailboxes were somewhat of a rarity in Warren's experiences. His was a byproduct of the previous mailbox's wooden post rotting and the metallic box possessing a series of dents and a broken-off flag with the handle attempting to follow. Thus, remaking the entire box complete with a metal, weighted post and a theme his daughter would enjoy became the inspiration. The fairytale castle was glorious, with a thickened base before the drawbridge letter slot. Additionally, it auto-locked in the base, allowing for people to drop off payments for his work when needed in a safe place.

[break][break]

As he approached, he caught the sign, the large man pausing his words. The quiet remained as Willow put his hearing aids on to properly hear him. The apology was greeted with a slight dismissive hand wave to nonverbally communicate not to worry about it. How was Willow supposed to know he would randomly stumble across someone? If the librarian felt he did not require the aids on his walk, Warren was not about to question it. The world of the deaf was one unfamiliar to him. There were vague notions Warren was aware of, but merely concepts connected to Willow as an individual.

[break][break]

The large man nodded with a broad smile on his face. "It's good to meet him. I haven't bought his treat yet, but this is a good indicator of how big he is."

[break][break]

While Warren could not touch Dunkin' for the time, his golden eyes curiously glanced over the service animal. He wanted to take everything in about Dunkin', including his weight and physical muscle mass. At times, those played key roles in a creature's needs. The topic of the mailbox made Warren's smile broaden as he gently ran his fingers over the metal tiles of the castle roof. A thunderous laugh escaped his chest, his joy in talking about one of his many masterpieces growing evident.

[break][break]

"Yep. The old one was falling apart, so I remade it around when we moved in," he began, his grin warming. "My daughter, Penny, she loves fairytales. So a fairytale castle fitted with a dragon seemed like something she would enjoy seeing. It's also a great example of my skills for when people ask for custom work. Feel free to look over it and touch it! I have had plenty of people take a look at it and it is a sturdy piece."

[break][break]

The mailbox was only one of many examples. There were plenty of works Warren made over the years, both metal and wood. However, the mailbox was front and center of the house; the initial talking piece when people came across his home. At times, his neighbours who received work from his late grandfather told Warren about how they were happy somebody followed his footsteps. His mother did not favour the DIY world, rather, Grandpa Jack said he was a lot like Warren's grandmother.

[attr="class","therivtop1"]

[attr="class","therivlyric2"]

I got that fire in my soul

[attr="class","therivmid1"]



The large man’s eyes were curiously on the courteous wolf hybrid settled beside Willow. The dark, thick fur was gorgeous and appeared incredibly soft. The little twitches of the dog’s ears were sweet, showing his attentiveness. Furthermore, Dunkin’ was being well-behaved as Willow and he talked. While it was not surprising given the hybrid was a service animal, Warren still found himself surprised. Working animals tended to know when to behave, they had expectations of them. A smile touched the dark-haired man’s face at the mention of the treat being something to look forward to.

[break][break]

Further preparations could be more for a suitable treat for Dunkin’, something that could accommodate his massive size. In his list of options, it appeared the rawhide bone was becoming the most suitable option, but Warren wanted to look around regardless. An excited glint entered the golden eyes of the teacher as Willow said he could pet Dunkin’. A smile stretched across Warren’s face, excited about finally getting the opportunity to pet the hybrid.

[break][break]

“If you’re sure,” the tall man spoke.

[break][break]

Gently, Warren reached for the wolf hybrid, rubbing his head. A large smile touched his face as he scratched behind the large canine’s ear. The soft fur felt pleasant under calloused hands, even if it would be a mere few moments.

[break][break]

“Aren’t you a good boy, eh, Dunkin’?” Warren said softly before withdrawing his hand. “I hope you can find a good place for him to run around. I bet he needs it. It’s great he can come to the academy though. Bet it’s helpful having him around.

[break][break]

The large man straightened his back, returning to his full height. A smile stretched across his face watching Willow poke the horn of the dragon. It was amusing watching the librarian feel the need to poke the tiny horn. In a way, Warren could understand the impulse. At times, he enjoyed experiencing the texturing of his creations. Then Willow responded to Warren mentioning Penny and the large man smiled wider. The dark-haired man did not mention his daughter 24/7, but she was a major part of his life. Regardless of how he introduced her into a sentence, it was peculiarly odd for people to be unaware.

[break][break]

“Ah, I somehow always get surprised when people don’t know… you would think I would be used to it by now,” Warren began with a chuckle. “Penny is very creative, mostly with clothing. It’s impressive the accessories she makes when she’s still quite young… She is 15, but still, that clever girl impresses me every day. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

[break][break]

Around when Warren had Penny, the entire situation was a bit of a spectacle in a way. In high school, there were always the additional connotations of him being ‘the teen dad’. The one who narrowly passed a test on a meagre two hours of sleep through some divine miracle. Thus, while not everyone was aware, it still surprised him at times. The other part was Penny’s massive role in Warren’s life. There were many changes centred around that little girl, especially being her father at a young age.

[attr="class","therivtop1"]

[attr="class","therivlyric2"]

I got that fire in my soul

[attr="class","therivmid1"]



The happy noise that escaped Dunkin' somehow widened Warren's smile further. The wolf-dog was a sweetheart and his reaction only proved it further—a waving tail of joy from a simple and short-lived petting of Dunkin's head. While Willow stated it was fine, the large man wanted to avoid going overboard... However, if there was an opportunity, Warren planned to give the large canine a thorough pet down when he was not assisting Willow. Fortunately, the metalworker could be satiated on petting he was allowed for the time. There was a nod of agreement at eventually finding somewhere for Dunkin' to run.

[break][break]

"I'm sure you will and I hope you do. Bet when you do, he will love it. I can imagine him now, sprinting and wagging his tail, the happiest dog in the world," Warren said with a light-hearted chuckle. "Especially with the help he will be giving you. Bet he would love to be treated to some time running around."

[break][break]

The topic of his daughter brought a noticeable shift of brightness in Warren's expression. A pleasant mixture of pride and happiness brimming in his broad grin. Despite the time his daughter came, Warren loved her to death... Then the opportunity to discuss her skills summoned high levels of fatherly pride.

[break][break]

"She can sew alright!" A loud laugh boomed from Warren's chest. "She knits too, makes her own accessories and everything! Quite the little crafter. Fostered it in her and everything. Heck, one of our upcoming projects is Ren Faire costumes. She's really excited about the idea and I'm excited to see her plan for it."

[break][break]

There was irony in Warren commending his daughter's skills in fashion and sewing while wearing a shirt with a few small holes and a worn collar... Over time, a majority of the large man's wardrobe transitioned to some type of 'hard work shirt'. Yet, he was completely oblivious to the notion as he spoke about how they were working on an upcoming Ren Faire project.

[attr="class","therivtop1"]

[attr="class","therivlyric2"]

I got that fire in my soul

[attr="class","therivmid1"]



The irony was lost on Warren as he happily chattered about his pride and joy. Despite his daughter's infatuation with the world of fashion, clothing and accessories, it was not derived from Warren. If asked, he would assume his mother, general feminine interests or even friends. The man was a crafter by heart and fostered the desire for self-creation over fashionability. The irony was easily pointed out when he felt the soft tug of his as Willow pointed out one of the litany of holes covering his shirt. From ones made from flaking burns or rips from start metallic barbs catching his clothes, they were endless.

[break][break]

At the indication of the hole and words, a loud laugh escaped Warren as he smiled broadly at the white-haired librarian. The second comment brought out a slight flush of embarrassment... For Warren's wardrobe, it was normal to find many shirts that were defiled by his craftsmanship.

[break][break]

"Lucky for her then that she is attending Panacea, so she is spared from endless hole patching," he said, a chuckle rumbling from his chest.

[break][break]

The house had grown a little lonely without Penelope around. A year had been spent adjusting to the situation, but Warren still found it peculiar. From his late teens, Penny had been a crucial part of Warren's life. Somebody he cared for and grew alongside in some ways. While he saw his daughter many times, watching her gain her independence inspired a sense of pride mingling subtly with that pang of loneliness. Fortunately, there was an endless list of projects to keep the man busy throughout those lonely days. A smile touched his face, a variation of pride at the thought of showing off the metal framework.

[break][break]

"Yes, I was! C'mon, I'll even show you it... but it hasn't been sanded down yet, so it will look a little rough," Warren offered, gesturing for Willow to follow.

[break][break]

Past the large truck parked in the front lane, Warren walked, heading into the opened garage door. Rather than space for the vehicle, there were a variety of different machines and a couple of workbenches. On the large, fire-resistant, metal table was the metallic framework of the current project. However, in the workshop, a lot of projects existed, some being work-in-progress and others completed and awaiting pickup. There were jewelry stands, carvings, hooks and a variety of other creations, both in wood and metal. The man approached the framework piece, setting his authentic hand upon it.

[break][break]

"This is the metal framework of it, but you see how the top has all those spaces? I'm going to cut wood pieces for it, polish them up, screw them in. It has a really nice effect! I can show you the picture of what it will look like if you want," Warren offered further.

[break][break]

The framework was still rough and unpolished. Metal was melted together with extra material being put where needed. The lack of polish made it obvious the metalwork was freshly done with no touch-ups. There was a lot of work that required verifying the overall structure and refining and smoothing where needed.

[attr="class","therivtop1"]

[attr="class","therivlyric2"]

I got that fire in my soul

[attr="class","therivmid1"]



Clothing patch jobs were a rarity for the plethora of hole-infested shirts returned to the closet. Fixing was unnecessary when Warren could throw them on for shop work. Then when they became tatters? Easy to ripped apart for cheap rag alternatives to save a little money. However, the thought of Penelope sewing through the endless pile of damaged clothing prompted a chuckle. Thankfully, Warren only asked for patch jobs along the seams, something easier to fix and less intrusive to the overall design. These were categorized as “fixable” compared to the front and center rips or burn holes.

[break][break]

“Suppose she did get lucky given that, eh? Maybe I will ask her about being allowed to show you some of her projects. The things she makes are impressive,” Warren asked, a broad grin etched across his lips.

[break][break]

The projects his daughter pursued were whimsical, her fairytale aesthetic resulted in unique and gorgeous clothing. He adored bearing witness to her creative fervour. Everything Penny wore was not a disguise to fit in, but rather, brazenly the girl herself wore on her sleeve. It was something that sparked pride in Warren whenever he saw the young woman Penny was gradually becoming. Gradually, Warren had brought Willow into the workshop. As they settled in, the large man noticed the equally large dog settled beside him. The brunette shuffled a little when Willow mentioned wanting to see the finished product. He lifted a finger on the metal prosthetic as his hands slid down below the welding pants to hug the phone out of his pocket.

[break][break]

“I should really just put it on the counter while I work,” he said aloud, quiet and more to himself.

[break][break]

The phone was passed to the metallic hand as the flesh one tapped away at the screen. Easily, he brought up a picture of a sanded frame with fresh, polished wood screwed in. Once on his phone, he offered it over to Willow.

[break][break]

“It’s for a client. Feel free to take it a moment and zoom in or whatever, but that is what the commission is for,” he explained with a broad smile. “The wood is going to be an oak, polished and cut to fit flush. I think it will burn out nice once I get it done.”

[break][break]

The explanation was automatic and quick. The finished product would have a gorgeous contrast between the black metal and lighter wood colours. Multiple products had left Warren’s garage, and this table was not among the first wood and metal pieces the large man had made.

[break][break]

“I have a cupboard and table where I keep my personal works or stuff for Penny. There isn’t much right now, just a shelf organizer I have been wood carving one for her desk for school and the chest plate I’m working on for the Renfaire,” Warren offered.

[break][break]

Those projects were confined to a back corner where the rarely used hand tools also sat. It was easier to organize commissions somewhere Warren could see them and go through them. There was ease in looking over every project and seeing what needed work. Once finished, they would then be moved to a front cabinet where he could easily bring them out through the garage door or via the house… Unless the project was too large, but that was why the truck was banished from the garage.

[attr="class","therivtop1"]

[attr="class","therivlyric2"]

I got that fire in my soul

[attr="class","therivmid1"]



Craftsmanship was a familiarity that warmed Warren's soul and it showed in the effort he gave. The picture on the phone was the commissioner's sample, but design-wise, the tall man saw endless photos of it. Providing examples of the work Warren wished to accomplish filled him with immense giddiness. Sharing the world he invested countless hours into filled Warren with happiness. Workshops were where Warren spent the majority of his time; both in youth and adulthood. The compliment that reached the brunette's ears made a deep laugh rumbled out of him. The notion of magic being dashed over the work to refine it.

[break][break]

"I wish, it would have made it easier... but I enjoy the work," he responded with another laugh.

[break][break]

The mere mention of Penelope's sewing brought warmth to Warren's face. Pride was easily felt when the widow-armed man thought about the young woman he was fortunate to have as a daughter. Her creativity was boundless and Warren always admired it.

[break][break]

"I can promise they look amazing," Warren assured, cheerfulness in his voice.

[break][break]

Inside the closet was the shaped, thin metal for the beginnings of a dragon-themed chest plate and suit of armour. A draconic aesthetic made for an interesting twist on knight armour. Additionally, it made the overall style more complex and intriguing for Warren's tastes. As he went into describing the armour a little, the flesh arm settled on the frame while the metallic one gestured along as the brunette spoke.

[break][break]

"Yeah, yeah! It will have a draconic vibe," Warren explained, voice soft. "I liked the idea of armour suits with those visuals. It feels like a twist on a classic knight. Since the knight goes to the castle to save the princess. I don't know how far I will go down that path, making all the little pieces takes time of course and my plan will be a lot already."

[break][break]

Over the weekend, progress would be made on the suit of armour. The large man wanted to gradually go down the list, focusing on the chest plate before transitioning to the helmet. A 'hmm' escaped Warren as he adjusted to take back the offered phone, grabbing it to take a look. A smile stretched across the face of the brunette when he saw the picture. His mother had sent him a picture of a photo from her scrapbook from around when Penny was born. In it was Marie, lying in the hospital bed, exhausted, but smiling. Straw blonde hair clung to her forehead from the exertion of child birth. Baby Penny cradled in a teenage Warren's arms with his mother standing behind him with his father.

[break][break]

The tall frames of his parents showed where Warren received his intense height from, specifically his tall and lankier father. On the bitter end, he remembered Marie and her parents never taking a picture with Penny... The young mother appeared gungho despite the exhaustion creeping in. However, he always assumed it was because shortly after the picture, Marie had fallen asleep... Alas, given how the Fontaine Family handled Penny later... Warren found himself disturbingly unsure even if he would never say it aloud.

[break][break]

"Ah... My mom was looking through old photos and found one from the day Penny was born, didn't even know she had it," Warren explained with a chuckle. "I thought I had all the pictures, but I was missing this one. It's hard to keep track of in the exhausting mess."

[break][break]

There was no need to explain the picture, but it left Warren automatically. The large man was always open about most topics, speaking about them with hardly any hesitation... but with Willow? It was somehow a little easier to share those portions of his life. Thus, the brunette spoke about it with no hesitation.