Choir boy

[Deleted]

JULY 5th, about 6:00PM
Cepheid and Benedict mainly. Please get permission before joining.

The Star Man sauntered along the grass casually, a messenger bag draped over his torso, which was stuffed full of starcharts. The thin man made his way across the fields to where one of the larger churches were.

Using his broken 'battle' scope as a walking stick of sorts, he stepped up to the church doors and stepped inside quietly, closing the door behind him.

As he made his way to the alter where one of the church fathers was standing, he dropped a few coins in the donation plate. He then stepped up to the holy man and, speaking quietly as to not disturb the scatter of people, addressed him.

"Father. I apologize for any disturbance my arrival may cause, but I am looking for someone and I hope that you may be able to aid my search?"

[Deleted]

<sub>The church was pretty quiet as Cepheid sauntered up to it, and the Father who was working there, an elderly man in his sixties, wearing the typical garb of a priest, looked over in surprise after sweeping the area. Outside, Benedict would have noticed a couple of horses tied up, one of them lifted her head and stared at Cepheid as he walked past, but that didn't matter. For now.

"Yes, young man?" He asked the strangely garbed man quietly. "If you need assistance, I will do my best."

He didn't recognize the man at first, though it seemed he had some star charts. Maybe having the much younger Benedict help him would be much easier on his back. The boy was washing dishes elsewhere and herding orphans around.</sub>

[Deleted]

From beneath his mask, The Star Man looked over the priest carefully, before replying politely. "I thank you. I am The Star Man, a wandering peddler of star charts and a bit of a magician on the side, performing tricks and illusions for children. I have come seeking a man named 'Benedict'. I was told he was a young man of god, and is accompanied by a rather eccentric mount by the name of Lila." He explained.

"I have a little bit of private business with him, as I carry a message for him from someone...close to him." He didn't feel the need to explain that he was looking for his nephew or it was Ben's father who's message he carried. "I was hoping you would know where this young man was?"

[Deleted]

<sub>Aah, so this man was looking for Benedict after all! The man brightened up a bit as Teh Star Man spoke up. Oh yes, he remembered where he had seen him before... or at least heard of him. The children around this place loved him, for some reason. Of course, once he asked for Benedict, he nodded and then walked over to one of the rooms.

"Benedict! A moment. This man wants to see you." He spoke up. "I'll care for the children." He'd disappear.

The young boy who came out had to have been around eighteen, from Cepheid's observation. He had black hair and eyes that eerily expressed something similar to Nerys or Sine. His face? Looks a lot like the twins, how it angled down, the cheekbones showing, and even the shape of the nose. He was dressed smartly this time, a button down black top with black slacks. He'd left his vest and white long sleeved shirt off in favor of formality.

He looked at The Star Man with a strange curiosity. Why would he come here, and what was he doing?

"What is it?"</sub>

[Deleted]

The Star Man nodded and, in lieu of a physical smile because of the mask, gestured bodily to indicate his gratefulness. He walked quietly behind the priest, keeping his hands lightly clasped behind his back, his scope tucked under his arm.

Before the priest could walk away, he would tap him on the shoulder. "A moment? Here." He would then reach into his bag and hand the man six or seven of his star charts. "My was seal is on the corner of each one, so you know they're real. You may sell them yourself, let the proceeds go towards the church, Father."

Nodding politely as he let the man depart, he turned to Benedict. "Benedict?" He asked. "I am The Star Man. I bring you a message. May I humbly request we speak somewhere away from prying ears?" He'd gesture an arm towards where one of the exits were. Somewhere outside would do well. "Mayhaps you could introduce me to dear Lila while we speak?"

[Deleted]

<sub>The priest would thank The Star Man heartily as he spoke up and then mentioned that he could sell the charts. It was really nice of him, and he knew they would be helpful even out here. As soon as he was out of earshot, Benedict would look back towards Cepheid.

"... A message?" Benedict usually never had any personal messages, and especially not from peddlers. It seemed odd to him, but he did brighten up despite his suspicions, walking outside and motioning for him to follow. Outside, Ceph woudl be directed towards two horses, one a paint, and the other was white. Benedict patted the white one.

"This is Lila. She's mine, and a bit of a handful!" He spoke up. He noticed, again, that Lila seemed very interested in smelling The Star Man.

You had better come bearing news about why you smell like Benedict's dad. Lila would give the man a deadpan expression. or as deadpan as a horse could get.</sub>

[Deleted]

The Star Man followed Benedict, walking casually and with a true Star Man swagger as he did so. He came to a stop behind his nephew and regarded the house, holding out a gloved hand so the horse could sniff him some.

"She is a beautiful mare. Very healthy." He admired. "But anyway, to business, that message I have. Well, it's not so much a message as some information. This may seem forward, and I apologize now for any potential slight I may cause by my words."

He paused to give Benedict time to process thisAnd totally not for dramatic pause before continuing. "You are Benedict, son of a woman named Sine, correct?" He asked. If given an answer, he'd continue.

"I come bearing word from your father. I assure you he holds you no ill intent." He paused again. "He is seeking you out after finally getting word on your identity. I speak truth when I say that, for as long as he's known you existed, he has sought you out."

[Deleted]

<sub>Benedict patted Lila a couple of times, and the mare would give the time to sniff The Star Man, curious about his job, his work... She'll process his fingerprints in her DNA testing lab stomach later. Her ears flicked back and forth as it seems that Benedict and this man were in a very important conversation.

"... Huh?" Benedict frowned. What would he be offended by? He wasn't sure, but Lila seemed to know what's going on, and the young man's breath stopped when this man, The Star Man, spoke about... his father?!

"... Yes, I am Sine's son." Not that he wanted to be, considering the woman never brought him in. He then looked up at The Star Man. "... How am I to believe you? What is your relation to Andromeda?"</sub>

[Deleted]

Ah, he should have seen this coming. There was only one way to prove his relationship with Andromeda. Hopefully, his brother won't kill him for this.

"I do have one way, but I need you to swear upon your faith that you will never tell a soul what I am about to show you." He'd look to Benedict and await a reply, not moving until he swore.

Once he received the promise, The Star Man would gently set his bag down on the ground, look around to ensure there was no other human or Clockwork in the area, he'd reach up and carefully remove his mask, revealing the face on the wanted posters.

"My name is Cepheid Callidum, Andromeda is my twin brother. He wanted to come himself, but we both know that would be foolish, so I have come in his stead, under my guise of the Star Man. I believe it is now obvious why I live under a mask." He smiled slightly, before replacing the mask, in case someone decided to drop in on them.

"I hope that has you convinced that I am indeed, not only a messenger, but your uncle by blood?"

[Deleted]

<sub>Benedict's eyes were hardened a bit. He wasn't easily fooled or as stupid as most people, and he usually wanted proof, but whatever he spoke of, he wanted it to be kept a secret. benedict looked at the horse, as if wondering if he should take the risk. Almost upon that mental question, Lila nudged his back and then bobbed her head up and down as if to say Yes. Go ahead.

"... Considering who my father is, I have no choice but to keep a secret. So yes, I do swear upon my faith." Which was so hard for him to do, especially relating to his sinful father. Everything that he believed in was being tested...

His eyes widened and he found himself stepping back, almost thinking that was Andromeda but... there was no scar, his hair was longer, and... so he was Cepheid Callidum? Callidum, so that's what the last name was.

"I can see why. You could be arrested on the spot..." Benedict breathed. So this... this was his uncle? Well, it was a strange turn of events, and Benedict had to lean on Lila for a bit of support.

"This is a bit too much, but... what does Andromeda have to do with me? I mean... You're telling me he didn't even know I existed? Why? I mean... Sine... had to be Sine..." Benedict looked down, his voice turning bitter by the end.</sub>

[Deleted]

As Ben gave his word, The Star Man nodded and relinquished his mask, smiling softly as he watched Ben reel when he introduced himself. Replacing the mask, he regarded his nephew. "Easy now." He said, watching him lean against his horse.

"It has been difficult. You live under a mask for so long..." He didn't bother finishing. "I know this is a lot to take in, Benedict. Andromeda is your father, he has everything to do with you." Ah, so Ben knew about Sine's antics.

"Yes, When she and my brother part ways, he was unaware of her...'condition'. It was only luck that I was approached by a very young woman, carrying a fatherless child and begging for transport from Dula to Seria. I could not refuse her, so I brought her over and dropped her off at this very Church, many years ago."

He took a breath. "As a matter of fact, it was not until recently that my brother and I were able to once again cross paths, and it was only by luck of chance that our conversation led to our realization of your existence." He paused. "We encountered Sine and her husband, quite by accident, in our search for some medicine, and I must say, I hold little doubt that he may very well had slain her had I not been there."

He looked directly at Ben. "I do not try to justify my brother. He has done monstrous things and I hold little doubt that he is damned, however. He is my blood, and I cannot deny him. Not when it was because of his sacrifice that I escaped his fate. Andy is a bitter man with little faith in humanity, but to those who he cares for, he is as doting as a father." He smiled under the mask. "He simply wishes to see his true son. His eldest son. He awaits me in Truesdale in one week's time. It is a five day journey to arrive there, so if I am to arrive on time, I must leave at dawn on the 8th."

Ceph then turned and picked up his bag, putting the strap on his shoulder. "I will be at the docks until then. Simply ask for The Star Man, and I will answer." With that, he turned to go, stopping a few paces forward and looking back. "Just keep one thing in mind, Ben." He said.

"Those who are most capable of great good are also those most capable of great evil."

With that, he turned and proceeded to depart, walking back towards the city proper.

[Deleted]

<sub>Lila was more than happy to support him, now relieved that the situation now was being taken care of, but even she was surprised that a man like Andromeda could produce offspring like Reuben and Benedict. It was a very unusual case for him but at the same time, his thoughts were still reeling. He had to steady himself, with the support of the very motherly horse, and look up to listen to him.

"So that's where you came in..." He murmured. So everything up to here had been pure chance, just luck of the draw, and Cepheid had been the one that possibly saved his life and future.

"I can feel for Andromeda on Sine, though. If I weren't a priest boy I would have damned her for what happened. ... In fact I'm surprised my real father hadn't killed her on the spot." Benedict listened to the man carefully, and... it suddenly came to his mind that, yes, even the damned who are forgiven, they did some great good in their life. So... Andy really wanted to see him, after all. Just like Reuben said. Reuben!

"W-wait, what about Reuben?" Benedict jumped up to put a hand on The Star Man's shoulder.</sub>

[Deleted]

The Star Man nodded softly as he allowed Benedict quiet so he could process all of this information. It was likely that, had Sine not approached him so many years ago, she might have gotten transport from much less honorable men, or even worse, been forced to remain in Dula. These possibilities were actually why he allowed her passage on his ship that day.

"I try not to speak ill of others, but I myself cannot find it in my heart to forgive her for what she did to both you and mine brother." He replied. "I admit, I was dazed at the time, but I was aware enough to understand just how heartbroken he was over learning the whole truth. He dreamed of being able to return to a lover and child, you know." He nodded slightly as Ben mentioned Andy killing Sine right then. "He would have. She and her husband both. Had I not been there to restrain him, he would have."

As he was departing, he hear Ben call out to him about Reuben. He stopped and glanced back at his nephew as he asked about the boy. "Reuben is currently in mine brother's care, after getting himself in a spot of trouble in Dula." He explained. "Bounty hunters, you see. They attacked the boy and only good fortune allowed Andromeda to be present to aid in his rescue. Still, your half brother did not escape without injury, and is currently being taken care of on board the Star Crash. I hold little doubt that Andy won't be letting him off until he is healed. He has a very odd way of showing it, but he does care."

[Deleted]

<sub>Benedict didn't say anything as Cepheid spoke about Andy meeting Sine. So that's what happened. Sine broke his heart and turned her back on Ben himself. That was... colder than anything even Andy had done. He quickly turned around to look at Lila, who nuzzled him in return.

"... He and I could have had a normal life." He spoke simply. That was all Ben wanted. He just wanted a father, and a mother. Just a happy family. Eighteen years out of his life...

So that's what happened to Reuben. He perked up a bit, mostly in worry as he heard Bounty Hunters got him, but Andy actually... rescued him. Which seemed pretty amazing in of itself. Could Sine do that?

So weird. He regarded the woman as the worst one, and the violent rapist pirate as the better of the pair. But Cepheid was right.

"Thanks for letting me know.. about everything." Ben bit his lip. He needed to mull over this. Thank goodness he could have time to get to the airship to let Cepheid know.</sub>