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Author	Topic: The Shoe Maker's Gift (OC's)
CodyMonKenobi Registered: Jan '01	Date Posted: 8/11 6:30pm Subject: The Shoe Maker's Gift (OC's) - Date Edited: 8/11 9:21pm (1 edits total) Edited By: CodyMonKenobi
	Title: The Shoe Maker’s Gift Author(s): CodyMonKenobi Timeframe: 389 BBY Characters: Dalbhach Malstead (OC), Ozan Balut (OC), Kurdret Yavuz Genre: Fantasy, action. Keywords: OC’s underworld, Gangsters Summary:Dalbhach Malstead was a very small person with a very big gift, who had always been pushed around. It wasn’t until he met Ozan Balut that he realized just how special his gift could make him. He learns to dream big, but the lure of greed and revenge may be to big for him. This was planned for the Essential guide to OC's challenge, but it was supposed to be a one shot and shortly after starting it I realized that was going to happen. Thanks to NYCityGurl for betaing for me. I hope you all enjoy it. Positive and negative feedback are always welcome. The Shoe Maker’s Gift Deep in what the Republic knew as the Unknown Regions was a planet called Etu-Seru. Etu-Seru was a major trading hub in the region. Its capital city was comprised of the Ground Level and the Upper Level. The Ground Level was where you found most of your criminals, your poor, or people who were just not normal; that is to say, not normal for a human. But, to Dalbhach Malstead, it was just home. You see, Dalbhach fell into two categories. He had never been wealthy at all; in fact, he just barely scraped by, but he was also different than most. He was pretty sure he was human, but he was very small in stature, only about waist high to the average man. He wasn’t born on this planet; he had just ended up here and never left. His adoptive mother worked on a traveling act. He was raised around actors, magicians, singers, but none of them were wealthy, just a bunch of vagabonds. They had all heard whispers that there was a great big Galactic Republic somewhere out there, where lots of money could be made, but before they got there, Dalbhach’s mother became ill. Her boss, who feared for the rest of his act, decided it would be better to leave her behind than risk infecting the whole crew. So at the age of fifteen, Dalbhach went to work caring for his mother, but she didn’t last very long. By the time that he was in his mid-forties, he was still in the same place. Dalbhach generally kept to himself at work at Shworlton’s Shoe Factory. Living in the rough Ground Level and being a very small person meant that more days than not, the bigger people were pushing him around. Having lived with the small troupe for some time, he had learned a small trick or two. It was one of the few things that did make Dalbhach somewhat special. He had learned a few simple card tricks, which were little more than counting cards or a trick of the hand, and he could make small coins disappear and reappear, which made him very popular with the small kids in his neighborhood. Dalbhach walked to the shoe factory, much like he had every morning for the past eleven years. The sun had barely risen yet, but what little of it had peaked caused his unmanageably long, fiery red mane and long red beard shine. He prided himself in his work; he was probably the best shoe maker in the factory. The boots he wore glowed and were very well taken care of. They seemed out of place with the rags that he wore over the rest of his body. He couldn’t afford fine clothing, but seeing as he got an employee discount on his shoes, he always managed to make sure that his feet were covered in the best he could get. He got to work fifteen minutes early, as was the company policy. But as he walked up to scan in for work, everyone pushed ahead of him, mumbling things such as “Out of the tiny,” or “Aren’t you supposed to be at school now? Let the adults up front.” This always angered him, but what could he do? They were all much bigger than he. The plant supervisor just watched and laughed as they pushed him around. It was just like any other day in the plant, or so it seemed. Just after their lunchtime break, the whole plant was filled with whispers. Kudret Yavuz, a gangster who ruled the Ground Level, was walking through the plant. Everyone feared him. Dalbhach knew better than most that the Ground Level was full of bullies, but Kudret was the biggest of them all. Dalbhach had no plans to get in the way, so he went right back to his work station and busied himself. He glanced up once and saw his supervisor talking to the gangster and a young man who looked to be kin to him, and to Dalbhach’s surprise, they were all looking at him. Dread filled his tiny insides. Why had he looked at them, and why were they looking at him? Deep down he knew that something bad was about to happen. It wasn’t long after that that his boss came over to him, “Dalbhach, I need you to come into my office, please.” The small man stepped down off his stool and accompanied his boss. He had never been called to his superior’s office before, and he was nervous. He felt as if his bones were going to shake his skin right off of him, and he tried to quiet the chattering of his teeth. His boss shut the door behind them and then strolled over and leaned against his desk. “I guess you know that we had a visit from Mr. Yavuz and his nephew Koray.” Dalbhach eyed him suspiciously for a moment before answering. “Ah might have been hearin’ it,” he responded in his deep foreign accent. The other man looked up to the ceiling and let out a long heavy sigh. “Look, there is no easy way to put this. Mr. Yavuz is a very powerful man. His nephew Koray needs a job, and at the moment I don’t have an open spot.” Dalbhach’s breath caught in his throat, it didn’t take much to realize what he was saying. “But sir, ah am the best worker here. This job is the only thin’ ah got. Ya can’t do this to meh,” he pleaded in his small, shrill voice. “Look, don’t make this harder on me than it already is. I hired you when no one else would. I know you’re a good worker, but I can’t tell Mr. Yavuz no,” the man said in an irritated, almost scared voice. “But, there are other people that deserve this, not meh,” he still pleaded. The other man just shook his head and turned and picked up a stack of papers off his desk. “Dalbhach, I am sorry to do this. But company policy states that you are to scan into work fifteen minutes ahead of to your shift, and for the last three months you have scanned in thirteen minutes beforehand. Due to your excessive tardiness I am going to have to fire you.” Dalbhach walked all the way home, his head hanging low and shoulders sagging thinking that this had to be the worst day in his pathetic, miserable life and that nothing would make him smile again as rain pelted down on him. Then he heard a sweet little voice. “Hi, Dalb. You are going home early.” Dalbhach looked up and smiled at the little girl, well, little by most accounts, but not his. It was young Aygul Fidin. She was about eleven years old, or so he figured. She was pale, had no hair, and was terminally ill, but her parents couldn’t afford to pay for her treatment. The rest of the children avoided her and she wasn’t allowed to go to school even though her condition was not contagious. It angered him how bad the prejudices were even on the ground level. “Hello there, las. What are you doin out here in the rain?” he asked, genuinely concerned for her. She smiled at him, like she always did. “Oh, I don’t mind. I am having a good day today and just didn’t want to stay inside.” She dug into her pocket and pulled out a small coin and her eyes filled up with hope. “Dad gave me a tunc today; will you do the magic trick for me? Please?” She begged the small man. He had a soft spot in his heart for the young girl, and because he did, her parents were always kind to him. He really didn’t really have many friends, but they were about as close as he got. “Okay, then, if you promise to be a good girl fer your mum an dad, and fer heaven’s sake get inside before ya chill your bones.” The young girl just smiled gleefully and nodded her agreement. Dalbach took the small, bronze-colored coin in his hand, “Now ya see it.” He closed his eyes as if concentrating hard and an assortment of brilliant colors flew out of his hand where the coin sat, and then it was gone. “Now ya don’.” The young girl’s pale face lit up with joy as she giggled, and in a moment the colors shot into his other hand, making an arch. In his opposite hand sat the girl’s tunc. He patted her on the shoulder as she waved and retreated back into her home. He was nearly home now; Aygul and her family lived only six houses down from him. As he neared his doorstep an unfamiliar voice called out, “Hey, sir. Hey, little guy.” Normally Dalbhach would have kept walking, knowing the type of people in the neighborhood, but something stopped him. A young man, barely in his twenties, came jogging up. “Hey,” he said panting to catch his breath. “I saw you do that trick. How did you do that?” he asked with a look of astonishment on his face. Dalbhach smiled up at the young man. “A true magician never reveals his secrets lad,” was the only response he gave. The small man started to turn back toward his apartment, but the boy placed a hand on his shoulder. “Look, you want to go get some ale or something?” He could see by the look on Dalbhach’s face that he was about to decline and added, “I’m buying.” Dalbhach was not used to people being kind to him; all his life’s experience told him to go inside and forget the boy had spoken to him. But no one had ever invited him out for a drink before. Why shouldn’t he- that was the way you made friends, wasn’t it? He simply nodded, and off they went. -----signature----- We rednecks like to stay with-in the four main food groups. Steak, potatoes, gravy, and beer, with hard liquor in moderation. U.S. Army Field Artillery The Shoe Make's Gift http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/3034
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VaderLVR64 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 9/1 6:34am Subject: The Shoe Maker's Gift (OC's)
	Dalbhach was not used to people being kind to him; all his life’s experience told him to go inside and forget the boy had spoken to him. But no one had ever invited him out for a drink before. Why shouldn’t he- that was the way you made friends, wasn’t it? He simply nodded, and off they went. There has to be more to this. I hope so anyway! Loved it. Your OC is interesting, complex and real. Please PM me if you update this. -----signature----- R.I.P John, Alex, Jason, and Christian Never forgotten Soldiers' Angels http://soldiersangels.org/ 2114 soldiers waiting for someone to care
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MsLanna Title: CR GSFF Central = Offizieller Burger Brater Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 9/5 3:21pm Subject: The Shoe Maker's Gift (OC's)
	That's a very interesting set up you have there. I'm so curious to see where you take it. It's nice to see some of the normal people's lives in the GFFA for a change. Though i have the feeling Dalbhach's life won't stay so normal for much longer. Please pm me when you update, would you? -----signature----- I give up. Fett is great. "What would you have me do?" "Endure." Cuyir adate jate, bal droten ori'dush Proud Master and buir'ika of Commander_Ducky. My New Title: Lords and Ladies of the Empire
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Thumper09 Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 9/13 1:52pm Subject: The Shoe Maker's Gift (OC's)
	This is a fascinating start! I wonder who the young man is that Dalbhach just met. I'm also curious to see what will happen to him now. You've painted a good picture of how hard life is on the Ground Level and how much tougher it is for a person like Dalbhach. It's great to see that it hasn't totally gotten him down, and even in the aftermath of a totally unfair firing from his job, he still is kind to Aygul. Great story! -----signature----- "Like anything worth writing, it came inexplicably and without method." -Karen Eiffel, Stranger Than Fiction "Adamantine"--Rebel OC vig http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30390799 "That's 'stupid plan, sir,' Lieutenant." -Wedge
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Corellian_Ale Registered: Mar '08	Date Posted: 9/16 7:46pm Subject: The Shoe Maker's Gift (OC's)
	I agree the others CodyMon, excellent entry... but there seems to be more to this story, right? If there is and you post it, make sure you PM me! -----signature----- "An elegant weapon for more civilized times, eh?" "Well, guess what, times have changed." - "Boss"; RC-1138 Shades of Gray II - Acts of Contrition: http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/30043243
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BigE Registered: Jul '02	Date Posted: 9/18 8:59am Subject: The Shoe Maker's Gift (OC's)
	A touching story. Dalbhach suffers from so much misfortune and he’s so kindhearted that one can’t help but feel bad for him. Sounds like you aim to continue this tale – I’m in! (i.e. you must PM me as well) p.s. the accent is just fine, sir! (and that’s no blarney) -----signature----- Not charging for Awesomeness. Gentlemen's Writing Guild 'Shipwrecked' challenge: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/30481486/r30519170/ psst: It's "crazy good", says a source. Eduard Cullen = Gary Stu. Yep, I said it.
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Commander-DWH Title: Shiny Fan Fiction Manager Registered: Nov '03	Date Posted: 9/19 9:52pm Subject: The Shoe Maker's Gift (OC's)
	Mmmm, intriguing, most intriguing. I am definitely curious about what will happen to Dalbach now. Interesting look into an often-ignored segment of the galaxy! -----signature----- Complements (KOTOR)- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/21177927/ Luminosity- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/27900517/ Barefoot hippie in the OC revolution Master of the lovely and talented SoA
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CodyMonKenobi Registered: Jan '01	Date Posted: 9/23 8:51pm Subject: The Shoe Maker's Gift (OC's)
	Thanks for the replies and kind words everyone. I wasn't sure if this was going to pick up any interest, and work has been hectic. I will get something written this week. -----signature----- We rednecks like to stay with-in the four main food groups. Steak, potatoes, gravy, and beer, with hard liquor in moderation. U.S. Army Field Artillery The Shoe Make's Gift http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/3034
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