Luckless Night

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((March 6, 1622. 7:12:54 PM))

Caden watched people carefully over the glow of lighting, Garn safely strapped to his back. It had gotten dark, which meant that he would have to be careful to avoid mainly the rougher characters and to instead try his luck with the rubbish bins and maybe the sympathetic ladies that cooed over his "cuteness", whatever they meant.

He would get a much better yield, and would be able to avoid really shady characters.

As a man walked by with his daughter on his back, presumably on their way to a party, Caden watched them longingly. How long had it been since he had gotten a piggyback ride from his father, Uncle Isaac, or Reuben? Far too long, in his opinion.

Tearing his eyes away from the father and daughter, Caden began to root cautiously through the closest trash pile that he could find. If he was really lucky...

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Julian had, like he often did on a whim, walked down to the local police station and asked if any word from his daughter was gotten. It had been almost a year since she was taken from him, and by now he was more of an eyesore than anything else in the office.

He was walking along the street, idly thinking to himself about what to fix for dinner. Maybe some chicken? Lapis loved chicken... Letting out a sign, he continued walking, deciding that something simpler would be a better idea, since it was late.

Still, it was so hard to cook for one. He was so used to, at the very least, cooking for Lapis as well, and sometimes her friends who would stay the night with her.

As he walked, he had to do a double take when he saw a young girl rifling in a trash can. Looking again, he realized it wasn't a girl; it was a boy who was wearing clothes much too small for him. It didn't take a genius to see this kid was a street urchin.

Too kind hearted to look the other way, Julian paused for a moment, then crossed the street and quietly walked up to the boy.

"Excuse me?" He said softly, kneeling so he was more at the boy's level, as not to scare him. "Are you alright? Where are your parents?" He asked this gently. Was he a runaway? Or an orphan? Why wasn't he in the orphanage if that was the case?

The concept of his little Lapis living in such conditions made him almost want to weep. He knew some may think he was just replacing his daughter, but in his mind, he was trying to help another child who seemed to be without parents.

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Caden continued to root through the trash, occasionally picking things up and either discarding them or carefully wrapping them in some paper and putting them in his pockets. He was so intent on his rummaging that he didn't notice the man coming up behind him. When Julian spoke, the child let out a surprised squeak and turned around, big green eyes staring up at the man before him.

Not quite knowing who this person was, Caden didn't answer the question right away, instead shying away into a nearby corner and staring at Julian.

"I-I'm f-fine, m-mister... a-and my p-parents are w-with the L-Lord." He managed to squeak out, not moving from where he was sitting. The man didn't look much like those thugs that tended to bother him and try to steal Garn...

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<sub>What an unusual sight to behold on the public ground.

A man riding on top of what is a large grey Arabian horse, the large grey and green decorated poncho draped over his almost western style clothing. The man tipped his brown rimmed cowboy hat towards anybody who looked, and of one say, they would see a bright silver cross draped around his neck and attached by an old worn leather string.

"Evenin' Ma'am." Benedict spoke casually to a woman who admired the powerful horse he rode. Of course this man very much preferred the company of Lila over some metallic car. Yeah, he was old fashioned like that.

It led to some awkward situations at the airports, though.

Benedict would have gotten around to walking right past Julian and a kid, but something made Lila stop in her tracks. Benedict patted the horse and clicked his tongue towards her.

"Easy, girl. Did somethin' spook you?" He looked over to see the kid and Julian. Hm. Kid looked familiar, but he saw lots of kids in his life... He may just resemble one.</sub>

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Julian was so focused on the little boy that he was completely oblivious to the man on the horse behind him. As Caden shrank away, he frowned slightly and raised his hands to show he was unarmed. "Don't worry, little one. I mean you no harm." He said.

As he was told that his parents were dead, Julian acquired a mournful expression. "So you are alone, dear boy?" He asked.

After a moment, he smiled softly, holding out a hand for the boy to take. "I know I'm a stranger, but I was just on my way home to prepare supper. Would you like to come join me, even if it's only for tonight?"

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Caden remained hidden where he was, though he knew perfectly well that the man could see him. The other hadn't tried to hurt him yet, and he hadn't tried to steal Garn either. Maybe he really was a nice man that he hadn't met before?

His eyes flickered to Benedict as the other came up with a horse, blinking. Horse! Horse! He wanted to pet the horse, but... adults. Even if he recognized one of them as the man from the church he sometimes stayed at, he was still much too shy to come right out at the moment.

"Um..." He didn't understand why Julian was offering to take him home for dinner, and the thoughts of Julian doing anything bad to him didn't even occur. Supper sounded nice. And Caden was naive.

"I-If it w-won't b-be too much t-trouble...?" The boy sounded hopeful.

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<sub>Benedict just watched the scene, wondering if he'll be paid attention to at this point. Either way, he adjusted his cross, and then looked at the boy harder. Wait a minute! He remembered this child now! It was Little Caden! He grinned at the kid and took off his hat.

"I remember you now. You're Little Caden. Remember me? It's Father Benedict." He smiled at the kid, but then found himself lurching forward as Lila the horse nudged her way through the alley to sniff Caden.

I remember you too! You liked me! You were the nicest Foal Human I met... Lila's expression seemed to reveal that and she used her long neck and head, nuzzling past Julian to reach out and used her prehensile lips to play with Caden's hair. Lila's big brown eyes looked into Caden's as she tried to mother the kid.

"Take is easy, Lila. I know you like kids too..." Benedict was a bit red from embarrassment over Lila's behavior now.</sub>

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"Of course not. It'll be no trouble at all, little one." He said, standing and holding his hand out. "I'm Juli-agh!" Part way through his introduction, he was shoved aside by a large mammal.

Regaining his footing, he looked surprised as he realized it was a horse that pushed him aside. Looking up, he saw it's rider. "Evening." He greeted, still looking a little thrown. "Father Benedict? A man of the lord?" He asked. Silly question, yes, but he was still a mite rattled. "I am Julian Shard." He introduced to the pair of them.

After a moment, he looked back to Caden and gently tried to usher him out of that cramped alley and into the sidewalk. He then glanced up at the horse mounted man. "I was just about to provide this young boy a bite of supper. Since you seem to know one another, I see no harm in another guest. Would you like to join us, Father?" Always friendly, he didn't hesitate in inviting the man as well. He could use the company. And unlike modern streets, it wasn't considered overly odd to invite near strangers to supper.

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Caden almost let out a surprised squeak as the horse suddenly came trotting up to them and shoved "Juli" aside, before she sniffed at him. He perked up upon seeing her; aw, it was the priest's horse! He stroked her head as she nuzzled him, and waved shyly at Benedict.

"H-Hi Lila, h-how are y-you? F-Father B-Benedict, n-nice to s-see you again. I r-remember you."

He knew Benedict was nice, and Julian seemed nice too. He let himself be ushered out from the alley, though he stayed close to the two men and the horse. Dinner sounded really good, now! Oh yeah, he should give Julian his name, but Benedict had already said it. Should he say it again?

"M-My name's C-Caden."

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<sub>Lila would snort in reply to Caden as she played with his hair, that is before Benedict had her back up and she was forced to comply. Well! Maybe Caden would hang out with her now that she found him. She blinked this time.

I'm great! I've been traveling with Ben now. She then shook her head and let her hair ruffle around, as Benedict looked over to Julian. He scratched his hair meekly.

"Aha, yes. Sorry about Lila, my horse. She likes kids." he then looked to Caden and smiled. "Nice to see you're still around. I got worried when you left the church."

Of course then Julian offered him dinner and he seemed taken aback by the kindness. Wow, that usually doesn't happen to him too often, because he wandered around, gave sermons and then had to leave, but... well he had some free time!

"O-oh thanks. Well.. if you can manage the two of us it should be okay." He meekly played with his hair again. Of course, Lila rolled her eyes.. or would have but she's a horse. Her position did look kind of sassy there.

Benedict you're always like that. You're kind of others, don't be surprised others are kind to you back.</sub>

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Julian waves away Lila's behavior, already over it and uncaring. It wasn't Ben's fault. "Nice to meet you both." He smiled after the introductions. "And it would be absolutely no trouble at all. I was actually wishing for company on this night. Come, let's continue this conversation within safe walls which bar the wind and cold."

If the two agreed, Julian would lead his two companions the four blocks it was to his home. He'd totally let Caden hold his hand if he wanted, but RPer doesn't think that's happening any time soon. Once they'd arrive, Julian would look at Benedict and then to Lila. "Hm. I...think we can tether her in the back." He mused aloud. "Would that be alright?"

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Caden didn't know how to speak horse, but he could tell that Lila was quite happy to see him as he stroked her head. He peered up at both Benjamin and Julian as Ben mentioned he had gotten worried after he had left his church. Worried? About him? The little boy tilted his head.

"O-Oh... B-But y-you needed r-room for o-other people, r-right, Father?"

And the dinner was sounding more and more appetizing, so he eagerly walked with Benjamin and Julian while remaining closeby Lila. He was probably small enough that her head was above his, but he was quite happy at the moment. Sorry Julian, no handholding yet, Caden's not comfortable enough.

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<sub>Benedict nodded to the both of them as they started talking and then backed Lila out of the alley as they got accustomed to it all. of course he smiled when Julian spoke up and he then hiked, to get Lila in a walk, keeping pace with the rest of them. Of course Caden spoke up as well and he smiled sadly.

"We've got room for everybody. At least we try to." He smiled at the kid, weaving around traffic. Well... human traffic. He shifted his position around and then spoke up.

"Company. That's all that one needs, and his own faith." He adjusted the brim of his hat as they walked over to their place. he'd have to leave out some food for Lila as well, but she'd be fine otherwise. Maybe a blanket to keep warm too.</sub>

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If asked, Julian would happily provide those things to Benedict for Lila, and smiled as he commented on the two things a person really needs. His smile became lightly sad as he thought to how lonely he had been since his wife and daughter were taken from him. He idly fiddled with the engraved wedding ring he still had on his hand, it's mate currently on his late wife's hand where she lay.

Once they arrived, Julian helped Ben hitch up Lila, got him anything he needed for her, and led the pair inside.

The inside of the home was well kept and comfortable looking with a plush couch with some throw pillows and a fireplace. To get some light into the abode, Julian lit a few electric lamps. "Make yourselves comfortable." He said, stepping into the kitchen and examinging the humming brass cooler's interior. Some already cooked roast was sitting on a shelf. he could make a stew in a reasonable amount of time. "Give me a little bit, and I'll get a stew going." He said, pulling out some potatos and other vegetables.

If either of the two guests looked around, there would be some paintings and photos on the walls. Most of them was of a pretty brown haired woman and a little girl in her lap who looked about four or five. All of the pictures had these two, though some had Julian in them as well.

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Caden tilted his head as Father Benedict said that he tried to make room for everybody. But the others needed the space more than he did, right? So why should he stay? The tiny boy stared as they eventually reached Julian's house. It was quite a nice house...

...And that couch looked so soft! He wanted to flop on it, but that would be rude. He was a rather dirty little boy, after all. Make themselves comfortable? He waited for Lila to be tethered, and then slipped into the kitchen with Julian.

"C-Can I h-help...? I kn-know h-how to m-make a s-stew..."

His stomach grumbled. Being in the sight of real food was making him much hungrier than before.