Thin Ice

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((November 13, 1622, afternoon. Andromeda and Reuben.))

Sometimes he forgot how cold it could get when it was springtime or summertime. As it was, he was now shivering underneath a blanket, wondering how long his food supplies were going to last, as Cardinal took over most of the command of the ship.

"I hate this," he mumbled to himself. Winter was always one of his least favorite seasons. Right now, he was going to remain in his cozy blanket, with the airship floating in the sea to avoid using up precious electricity and fuel, and remain there.

He ought to start the ship up again at some point. Didn't want the engines to freeze.

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<sub>Naturally, Andromeda's ship was nearby in the works, and the man, knowing that any ship that was floating around in the ice cold water was probably in for a surprise, decided to try and raid it. Or at least he WOULD, but this is Reuben's ship and he had every intention of finding that boy and making sure he was okay.

Luck seemed to have gone through to him this time and the man was happy to toss down a rope in the middle of winter, throw on his black cloak, dark blue scarf and gloves, and then slide down to land on the ship with an audible thunk.

"Knock knock." Andromeda smirked underneath his scarf as he slipped into the ship to try and kidnap his son for the day and spoil him.</sub>

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The first person that saw Andromeda on the ship was Cardinal. He just stared at the man for a bit. He'd seen the ship, he'd seen the rope, and by this point? He was giving up on ever not having the man appear unannounced and usually alerted Reuben to the other's presence. It wasn't as if he could throw the other out anyways.

"Reuben, it's your guest."

Reuben made a bit of a grumbling sound. He was dressed in what he normally wore, except there was a nice warm blanket around him. He stared at Andy as the other just casually slipped into the ship.

"Hi Pops, do you mind not dropping in unannounced sometimes?"

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<sub>Andromeda smirked when the other spoke up and then adjusted his coat as he waved off Daniela at the top. He wold give the ships some space as to not rouse suspicion and then looked over to Cardinal when he spoke up. Indeed, it was at this point even the girls were used to him suddenly deciding to visit Benedict or Reuben for the days.

"Hey sonny." he then put his hand son his hips when the other grumbled about him literally dropping in unannounced, but the older man just laughed. "That's just not my style. how are you holding up?"

Yes, Andy did have genuine concern for the young man, and he would keep his eye out for both him and Benedict.</sub>

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Honestly, Cardinal couldn't do much as of now. Maybe Reuben would get some care taken for him, or whatever humans needed. At least he didn't feel temperatures nearly as badly as the human did. Reuben was used to Andy dropping in unannounced as well; it just drove him ballistic sometimes.

"Still, you can try and not drive everyone crazy, right?" Oh wait. He was talking to Andromeda. "I'm fine. It's just a little chilly."

Freezing his butt off was more accurate.

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<sub>Andy would definitely take care of his son. On a fatherly manner, that is. He walked over to Reuben when he spoke up and then put his hand up to his forehead. He seemed fine for now. Not sick or anything. He'd laugh as Reuben protested.

"That's pretty much my job." He then looked down at Reuben when he spoke up. Chilly? "Son, it's in the negative celsius out there." He then ruffled Reuben's hair.</sub>

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It had better be in a fatherly manner, because Reuben wasn't sure he wanted Andy taking care of him in any other way. The young man frowned a bit as Andy felt his forehead. Seriously, the other being parental like this was just... strange. He raised his eyebrows as Andy proclaimed it to be his job.

"Of course, how could I forget?" He replied dryly, letting out a few shivers from the cold. "...Alright, maybe it is extremely cold."

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<sub>Yes, it was odd. Andromeda was actually trying to take care of the kid, but he felt in his own way that taking care of Reuben could prevent the kid from being just like his own father. or maybe it was to make up for the mistake me made. Maybe it was something else. Either way it was rather strange, but heartwarming at the same time.

"OH don't get sassy with me." He spoke back, but he wasn't mad, especially by the tone of his voice. He then sat next to the kid, glancing over at him. "Listen do you need anything? Extra fuel? Firewood? Any food? I still have extra."

Reuben better get used to it. Andy was more than happy to provide for his sons, and that did include giving up some of his own luxury.</sub>

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Andy's daddy complex was in full swing, it appeared to be. Reuben didn't mind the daddy complex at all, but at the moment, it was a bit awkward for him. But it was a nice feeling, to have someone to care for him when things were looking bad. And someone to help him out, even if said someone was a wanted air pirate with violent tendencies.

"Hey, if you can be annoying, I can be annoying too," he replied; he had to get it from somewhere, after all. Likely, he got all of Andy's bad genes. "And I'm fine, really."

Definitely the wrong genes, at least.

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<sub>Andy knew about those genes, the stubborn genes. Cepheid certainly proved that as well and now things were going to be a mess because Reuben was freezing and winters around these areas tended to get very bad very quickly. Andy glanced aside to Reuben when he spoke up, not really commenting on Reuben being allowed to get away with being annoying as well. Either way, he stated he was fine and then Andy just let out a loud laugh.

Yeah, right. Like I'd believe that." He then folded his arms and then spoke up, his tone of voice serious. "You're shivering like a tree in wind, and the ship's temperature has to have dropped into the 40's. I doubt you'd be comfortable like that." For now, he would poke and prod Reuben until he said something about it. Really, this kid. Andy's been around enough cold winters to know how bad they are.</sub>

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Those stubborn Callidum genes that Reuben just happened to end up with instead of the more quiet genes from his mom's side. Either way, he kept that cloak wrapped around himself, frowning a bit up at Andromeda as the other laughed at him. Come on, it wasn't that funny.

"I already admitted that it's extra cold..." He grumbled. It was pretty cold, and Andy poking him constantly about it wasn't helping. "Knock it off, Pops." Hey, he'd survived just fine most winters... mostly because he was rarely around other humans so he didn't catch many things.

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<sub>Andromeda looked at Reuben as he spoke up and then the man nodded. He then walked off without a ward, probably confusing his own son, that is before he returned to his own ship with the help of his girls. After a few minutes, they could hear the sound of Andy returning again, this time with a rather large bag.

"Firewood it is, then." He dropped the bag nearby and then looked back at Reuben as he protested. Andy shook his head. No, there was no way Reuben was going to have Andy let go of him. "... You have suitable food?" Without even asking for a reply, he would scour the kitchen.</sub>

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Reuben slumped in his chair the moment then Andy suddenly ran off. Okay, he got Andy to leave him alone. Cardinal, however, gave a surprised glance over at Andromeda. Leaving without a word? That was different. Something was up, and he was proven right the moment the man came back with a large bag of firewood.

The young man just stared at him. "...You're giving me all of that- hey, I'm fine with what I eat!"

"Don't believe a word he says," Cardinal spoke up, despite Reuben's glare. "It's easier to feed one human, but there still isn't a lot for him to have."

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<sub>Andy was happy to help his son. It was this strange feeling that he got, a feeling of hope and a different kind of love. Familial love? That's the feeling he had now and even if Reuben didn't outwardly show it, he knew that kid would appreciate the extra help. Hopefully the kid actually had a furnace in this place. Of course once he checked the kitchen and Cardinal spoke up, he nodded.

"I can spare some bread and meats. I think that's the most we have now. All the fruit has been frozen out in the Dula orchards now. Trees are dead." Quite literally, the stored apples have completely frozen over. That proves how damn cold it was. He would leave, grabbing an extra bag for Reuben. Andy can go hungry for his girls and sons.</sub>

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Andy learned how to love, eh? That was something that a ton of people wouldn't believe... now let's see if it nets Reuben a stepmother in the princess of Seria. Still, Reuben did appreciate the extra help, considering the number of times Andy had robbed him previously. And yes, he did have a furnace. Reuben just shot Cardinal an irritated expression.

"Thank you, Cardinal, he didn't need to know that."

Cardinal just shook his head. Reuben glanced back at Andromeda as the other offered bread and meats. "No fruit is fine... I'm not all that picky when it comes to food."

He stood up, going as far as he can towards Andy, glancing over at the other's airship. Andy really did care about his family... so much for his reputation. It was being shattered to pieces.