Out of bounds [Shirley]

[olivervontrapp]

Place: Newcastle, England.
Time: 15:23
Weather: A few clouds. Windy.

There he was. The young boy leaning against the cold pole near the news stands. What was he doing here anyways? He knew he was lost. He knew he couldn't find his dad or any of his family. He had nowhere to go. That's right. He was a young Aryan boy in which whom was lost. He didn't care. No, he didn't. He was quite grateful for being lost. He didn't need any of his father's attitude at the moment anyways. He just wanted to be free. Freedom was never granted in Berlin. If you wanted to freedom, you would have to cross a soldier's path, and if you did, you'd find your head cut off by the end of your last second.

What the bloody hell was he doing here? He was young boy for goodness sakes. He shouldn't be here, he should be at home. He knew that but he had no choice. He didn't exactly know why he ended up here. It was just miraculous actually. He liked it better than Berlin, that was for sure. He glanced at the people that walked past him. They looked like wild animals in a hurry. He noticed many soldiers too. Weird soldiers. They didn't look like Nazis at all. They looked different, much different. They looked quite cheerful, not like the ones in Berlin, that was for sure.

He glanced up at the newsman. He looked quite old, maybe around sixty four, sixty six? Oliver shrugged his shoulders, he didn't know. He pushed himself off the pole and kept his glance at the newsman. The newsman looked down at Oliver and said in a very strong American accent - "And how may I help you, young sir?" At first, Oliver was quite confused at the man's words. Oh, right. He knew what he meant. "Um, a newspaper please." He asked quite kindly, although he had a very strong, childlike German accent. He noticed how the man's eyes widened. This made Oliver rush with confusion. The man gave Oliver a newspaper and Oliver put a few coins he knicked off a woman into the man's hands.

Oliver walked over to a wooden bench and plopped down. He put down his satchel next to him and began reading the newspaper. He knew how to read, and write. It wasn't very hard. He had gone to school. He still went to school, although, right now he was stuck here for some god forsaken reason. He really wanted to go home because he knew for sure that this indeed did not feel like home at all. Air raids in Britain? He asked himself mentally. It wasn't surprising.

[Ben Shirley]

The war was going on and it was a hard one to fight. The Germans were almost gaining the upper hand and everyone was waiting for the battle that would turn the tide and finish the dreadful blood shed. England was a bustling and busy place like always and always a nice place to stay. Although, the bomb raids is what is irritating everyone the most. New schools demolished a day after they are finished, businesses going out of business for impossible to pay damages and most of all, the economy has dropped to a extremely low level due to ships transporting ships being attacked and destroyed.

The wind flowed and made a pleasant breeze for everyone in England and they were happy about it. It has been raining for weeks on end and they were finally happy that they got a change that rose everyone's spirits and moods. The skies were filled with chirping birds and fluffed up white clouds as they moved slowly through the sky. They moved so slow, their movement was not even noticeable.

The British army had of course, soldiers. Some were ex-soldiers, others were retired soldiers, and others are full part soldiers. Ben, was a ex-soldier from the British Division, 49TH Infantry. He was back in England just to check out a few things he has missed and hopefully catch maybe a soldier or two he recognized. Ben was minding his own business as he walked on the hard gray concrete towards a place to grab a bite, he just woke up and he was hungry and ready to drink some good old coffee. While the seconds went by and the passing bystanders passed by, Ben caught a urge to check out the news and the action that has been going on in England. He found that the newspaper would be best, and so he picked up the pace so he could find a newspaper stand much quicker.

Ben continued to walk the sidewalk as the street was filled with Taxi cabs and cars going to who knows where. Ben had not traversed the streets of England in quite awhile, and soon found himself lost in a small amount of time. He was mostly against the idea for asking for directions since no one knows him, and he knows no one. But, once the feeling of being lost became unbearable, Ben finally gave in and asked a random, chubby woman for directions towards the closest newspaper stand.

"Hello Miss, Do you have directions or know the way to the cloest newspaper stand?" said Ben as he slightly stopped the lady with a simple touch to the shoulder.

"Do I know you? Get away from me! You blacks are always begging for things! Why don't you get a JOB like the rest of us?! Go to school and get smarter also! Unless its too much trouble!" shouted the lady in a rage as she continued on her way, being content with herself and showing her dignity.

Ben was in complete shock from such a comment. No one has told him such a thing or has discriminated him like that ever. He now felt the true pain of being a black person and now was filled with doubt of why god made him this way. Was he a bad person in a previous life? Or was he destined to be made fun of and discriminated? Ben found the first idea possible since he believed in reincarnation and still believed in God. No law says people cannot believe in two religions. Ben just tried to shrug off such a comment but knew it was nigh impossible. So he just continued on his way to search for the Newspaper stand.

After what seemed like hours, Ben found a sign that had a arrow that pointed towards the newspaper stand. Ben followed the arrows direction for quite awhile until he found a stand that had a counter, piled up and stacked with the days newspaper.

"Hey sir, do you run this place?" asked Ben as he walked up the counter and found the man reading a magazine or book.

"Oh yes! Yes I do! Would you like a newspaper?" said the man as he put down the magazine and quickly got up to his feet, readying his hands so they could skillfully take one copy of newspaper, take Ben's money, and then give back any change. All in one swift movement.

"Of course sir, one copy please," said Ben as he patiently waited for the man to take a copy of a newspaper from the counter and hand it to him.

"That will be 2 pounds and a crown my good friend!" said the man.

"Very well, Here is the money and I am on my way," said Ben as he gave the man the money and then found a bench to sit on. He also found a little boy sitting on the same bench but was quite curious on what he was doing here.

"Hey Little man, how you doing?" said Ben to the little boy. He didn't want to be too out going or ask too many suspicious questions, so he asked a simple one and kept on reading.

[olivervontrapp]

"Hey Little man, how you doing?"

The young Aryan boy glanced up at a man that had just sat down next to him. He was quite startled. He had bounced off from his place but kept his actions to a limit. He gulped. He watched the man quite closely. Hmm, he seemed quite safe to be honest. He noticed the man's colour. He must've gotten a lot of rude comments here. Many British people disliked the Black race. Actually, Oliver didn't really mind it. He was a curious little boy. He was an explorer. He kept his gaze on the man for a few seconds, but then glanced back down on his own newspaper and continued to read it. He began wondering why the man had sat down next to him. It was quite odd.

He then silently put down the newspaper and glanced towards a grocery. He understood a bit of English. The man seemed to have a little hint of slang in him. Oliver nodded. "Just, um. Chilling I guess?" He learnt the slang from one of his friends whom was said to have lived in America for six full years. How did he get so far? His friend was German for goodness sakes. Didn't anybody catch him especially within these wars? He was still slightly confused and he certainly did not know the world yet. He wanted to sail the seven seas. He wanted to ride on wagons and travel the whole world and discover if the world was really flat or not. He wanted to break myths. Was the world really flat? Somebody told him it was just a myth but he wanted to find out for sure.

He picked his newspaper back up and read more. He liked reading. It was one of his major interests when he was bored. He loved reading adventure books, those were his favorites and will always be his favorites. He disliked History books. As his grandfather one said - "The work your father is doing now is history in the making, my boy!" Pfft, as if. More like murders in the making. His younger sister Gretyl was ever so fond of Nazis and wars. He disliked her views very much. She was a blonde idiot.

He then folded up the newspaper and placed it down near his leg. He glanced up at the man. "So where are you from? I'm from Germany." He said with a light hearted smile. He disliked discrimination and class distinction. Why did they create such things in the first place? Why couldn't everyone just be equal and then everybody would get along and the world would be a much happier place. If Oliver was Fuhrer instead of Adolf Hitler, he would make that happen within a click.

It was quite sunny outside. He liked sun. He barely had it in Berlin. The coldness of Berlin never grew old. He then glanced towards a woman holding an umbrella. She walked past Oliver giving him an odd look. When she had turned away, he knicked two pounds from her back pocket without her looking. Oliver chuckled and placed the two pounds into his pockets. Fat old ladies. They were too fat to even notice the world around them.

[Ben Shirley]

The news paper was better than Ben expected. There was so much stuff he had missed out on, and he was mostly checking the military and sports section. Looked like the commander of the 7AD has gotten his brother in, Tyler D. Brentwood. This seemed strange to Ben since he never knew the 7AD existed, while he only knew the 49TH infantry existed. He thought it was the only British Division but he was obviously stupid enough to think such a thing. Ben was still wondering about the boy as he continued reading. Ben was fascinated by books ever since he started reading them when he was around 5. He had read mostly fictional and mystery books and so he always tried to find out the truth.

"Just, um. Chilling I guess?"

"Chillin 'ey? That is what I be doing with this weather and all, nice day to be chillin," said Ben as he got interested in to the boy, wondering why the boy was so pale white. Just like.....The Germans.

He shrugged off that idea and soon went back to his own business as he read the news paper. He thought of getting glasses since he felt like his eye sight was getting worse ever since that strange feeling he had in Africa as he spoke with the Sergeant Major Andrew J. Ryan. There rescue was secure and fairly easy but the small notice Andrew gave him about some strange African Disease didn't seem so far-fetched after all. He was always tired and had a hard time seeing things for quite some time now. He was positive after his little chat with this interesting little boy, he would go see the docs to give him a good check up.

"So where are you from? I'm from Germany."

Ben heard the word that he never liked. Germany. He disliked the country very much ever since what they did to his mom during the time they were in Africa before the war started. Really, Ben thought that the kidnapping and the sudden disappearance of his mom, was the only thing that caused Africa to start fighting and making the British occupy the area.

Ben finally got back to his regular state of mind before remembering what the boy said. He was now deciding to even continue speaking with the boy or just walk away and never speak or see him again.

"I am from Africa but my father is American, I consider myself more along the lines of a full American man but these insults just make me go right back to thinking I am worthless. People in this world are just so cruel," said Ben as he almost had a tear running down his eye. He just put the news paper closer to his face and continued reading, even with his watery eyes.

[olivervontrapp]

"I am from Africa but my father is American, I consider myself more along the lines of a full American man but these insults just make me go right back to thinking I am worthless. People in this world are just so cruel,"

Oliver shook his head hurriedly. "N-no, your not worthless." It was then when his smile had worn off. He noticed how the man had pulled the newspaper closer to his face. He wondered what the man was feeling. He wondered what it was like to walk down the streets without a person or better, an animal shouting some biserk insult at him. He kept on wondering what it felt like to be a different race. He wondered what it felt like to think differently, to act differently, to pray differently ever single night. Oliver was of course, a christian. His father was strongly religious and his mother had a few religous thoughts here and there. Gretyl was too young to understand. She was eight for goodness sakes.

So, this man was African American? That's how Oliver put it in terms of wording. Africa and America - put it together, it makes African American. Oliver grinned weirdly at this thought. School. Oh how pitiful. How disgusting it was. Learning about 'how horrid jews were'. He had different views about them. He knew what jews were. His teacher used to say things like 'Never trust the Jewish. They're the ones who ruined the damn country!' Oliver would usually cock up and eyebrow at this. How did they ruin the country? Why? It was then when set of rhetorical questions ran through Oliver's mind. He never understood how the Jewish took over their land. He didn't exactly want to understand either.

He glanced around. It was so crowded. He strongly disliked crowded areas. Especially ones where you couldn't move an inch. He glanced up at the man. It was then when Oliver started wondering. Who was this stranger? He arched an eyebrow up. He began thinking thoughts. Did he dislike all Germans? Oliver wasn't a very bad German, although, he did have very bad connections with bad Germans. He was Aryan. He knew he was. Even his father noted this fact once on the dinner table. He was a true Aryan indeed.

He loved being Aryan, though. He used to go on camping trips where the boys would all sit around the fire and sing songs all night long until they fell asleep. He had also made many friends. Dozens and dozens of friends, actually. He didn't know where they were now. He was a lost Aryan boy at the moment and he wanted to get home as soon as possible. He hated being in the wildnerness. It was so..wild. He loved the fact that he could run free and do whatever he wanted to do but he did seem to miss home half the time. Maybe it was just a soldier quirk. This may have foreshadowed himself being a soldier in the future, fighting for his country. He never knew.

He kept his strong gaze on the man. "You must get odd remarks every once in a while, sir." He said in a tone of respect. "I hate those mean old jerks anyways. Insults were never really cool." He attempted a soft smile, trying to be as helpful as possible. He also tried to use slang again by using the word 'cool'.

[Ben Shirley]

Ben was now kind of feeling stupid, hiding his feelings from the little dude. He put down the newspaper and looked at the little kid in the eyes with his earrings glistening in the sun with the sunlight from the sun beating on the bench with much heat. The bench was nice and cool when the conversation started, and now it was so warm it felt like the bench was sweating itself. The windy breeze came by in a few seconds, mysteriously. There was supposed to be wind today and only the blazing sun, but a amazing show of breeze popped up. Then, the breeze left as mysteriously as it arrived. Ben paid no attention to this for a while until he turned his attention back to the boy.

"This little dude is from Germany eh? Looks like he gets mean comments just like me I suppose. I wonder how the hell he got here in the first place?" thought Ben as he kept on looking at the little boy with his harmless, brown colored eyes. They had a certain, something to them. They weren't normal eyes, as if they were getting lighter depending on the shade of light showed on them. Ben thought about home, and about his brothers and how they were doing. He wanted to leave the place, but knowing that the little man was there and shared almost the same feelings as him, it made Ben feel wanted and he actually felt equal.

N-no, your not worthless.

Once Ben heard the little boy say these words, he felt all better altogether. The boy had made his day and he was happy for it. They seemed equal, but Ben knew the difference was there. Ben was a African-American and the boy was German. They lived in two different worlds with different views and different laws. With different people and different societies. Ben was not blinded by joy and it was soon short-lived.

You must get odd remarks every once in a while, sir."

"Yeah, I guess sure I do. Little dude, how did you get all the way here, in BRITAIN?" said Ben a little loud, he was purely amazed at that there was a German boy in Britain and no one even noticed.

"Insults were and never are cool. But you are little dude, you are," said Ben as nice as he could, as he tried to touch the boys head and ruffled it up as he patted it. Ben knew it was getting late, and so he extended his arm so that the man could shake it.

"Mind to tell me your name? I am Ben Shirley," said Ben as he smiled a little, very happy to see the young man. Ben now found someone cool to hang out with and hoped they would be good friends. The hatred of Germans still burned in his heart, but he couldn't bring that hatred out onto a little boy so he hosed it down with the water from his will that was plentiful and lush.

[olivervontrapp]

"Yeah, I guess sure I do. Little dude, how did you get all the way here, in BRITAIN?"

Oliver noticed how he increased the level of his voice whilst saying these words. This made Oliver giggle slightly at the man. He was a kid for goodness sakes. It was true. What was a kid like Oliver doing in Britain all by himself? Well, there must of been a good reason or a good explanation for all this but he just couldn't find so he would stay put for now. The place was good and he felt quite safe. Well, safer than Berlin, that was for sure. With all those Nazis running around Berlin and other parts in Germany, he was never sure of safety. This was an Allied country, he knew that. His father had told him many stuff, and so had his Grandfather. But his Grandfather was simply dead now. "Actually, I have absolutely no idea why I'm here. But hey, what's the use of kicking away the fun?" He smiled quite brightly.

"Insults were and never are cool. But you are little dude, you are,"

..Wow. He had never gotten a compliment like that in his whole lifetime of living. All he got was "You'll never get anywhere with that sort of thinking!" And stuff like that. It was horrid, to be honest. "Thank you, sir." He said with a light hearted smile again. He wanted to show his full respect towards this man to show that he indeed respected him and it was the truth and nothing but the truth. He was taught good manners anyways and why shouldn't he use them? That's what Oliver Von Trapp thought. That's what he was taught and he was still learning, too. Oliver shook the man's hand when he had extended it. He was free when he did it too. He simply kept his smile on liking this man more and more.

"Mind to tell me your name? I am Ben Shirley,"

Well, the man wasn't a complete stranger to Oliver at the moment since he got to know him more. "Oliver, sir, Oliver Von Trapp." He replied freely. "Not many people have the name 'Ben'. It's actually very unique and I think that you should be very proud of it." He noticed the man's gestures of leaving. He kept his glance on the man. Oh, no don't leave. He didn't want to walk these streets alone. "Erm, wait sir." He muttered. "C-could I perhaps go with you? Wherever your going?" He silently stuttered. "You, see. I've got nobody."

[Ben Shirley]

Ben walked off into the distant streets until he was stopped from the plea of the small German boy that sat on the bench. Ben instantly stopped, with one foot risen in the air. It was like that for about 5 seconds before he gently landed it on the concrete sidewalk. He knew the kid was a German, so he couldn't bring him with him. It would bring Ben down even more since his own Division would judge him and the little boy. He was just a little man, and Ben knew that he couldn't survive the cold world by himself. So, Ben had to make a choice. Leave the boy by himself so he can fend for himself, or take him under his care and try to keep him hidden from the army. But, a idea just hit Ben.

The little boy didn't have to go with him to the 3ID, the man could just stay at a abandoned house or apartment near where Ben was staying. Ben thought this was a perfect idea, but it was going to be alot of work. Ben usually would get interested in something, then he would find something better to do, and forget the previous project. He was like this lots of times, but he couldn't afford to forget about a little boy who had no one to turn to or any place to live.

Ben rethought his plans and ideas, and then once he felt comfortable with the idea he turned around and walked to the bench where the little boy was sitting. He looked into the boys eyes before he grabbed him and rested him on his shoulders.

"Have you ever ridden on someones shoulders? It is really fun, " said Ben happily as he walked away with the boy on top of his shoulders. He was happy that the boy was happy and so, they both walked away happily, not knowing what the world would bring them.

"Oh, and nice to meet you. Oliver," added Ben before he became quiet, walking towards his apartment where he was staying. But like always, Ben couldn't keep his mouth shut. On the whole way there, he was talking all of kind of nonsense to little Oliver.

To Ben, Oliver was the key to a mission that Ben had never accomplished. The Pursuit of Happiness.

[Daniel Brennan]

Moderation Post

CP:
Corporal Shirley: 9CP

Oliver: 9CP


~Dan