Luckless Night

[Deleted]

<sub>Benedict would tether up a rather grumpy looking Lila, before he asked if there was any hay, seeds, or even apples and various fruits or vegetables that Lila would munch on. After all, she doesn't get apples very often and those are her favorite, of course. Lila then bounced her head, happy to have Benedict's poncho on her as she rested.

"Thank you, Julian. You are indeed very kind." Benedict spoke up to him as he went inside, awkwardly looking at the very comfortable looking couch. He did admire the paintings and photos though, but he noticed how quiet the household was, and... well, Julian did have a wedding ring on his finger. Where was the wife and girl?

"Hm..." Benedict thought. Maybe they were gone... in a good way or a bad way...?</sub>

[Deleted]

There was in fact a few apples in the cooler, in which Julian was more than happy to relinquish to the mammal. He gave a modest smile as Benedict spoke to him, and then let the pair of them step inside first.

Julian wouldn't have minded at all if Caden flopped onto the couch, and he would have cared even less about the mess. It gave him something to do, and it would give him something to smile about, seeing such a scruffy boy look genuinely comfortable. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Benedict was looking at the paintings and photographs on the walls, however.

As Caden offered to help cook, he looked at him. "Are you sure? You don't need too." If Caden insisted, he'd smile warmly. "Oh alright then. But go wash up some!" He'd point in the direction of the washroom for Caden to go get the worst of the grime off.

With or without Caden's help, Julian would see to it that some potatoes and other vegetables were washed, peeled, and sliced for the stew, and he took th leftover roast and cut it into smaller pieces and tossed in as well, using some of the fluids from the meat to make a gravy.

[Deleted]

Caden would even happily help Benedict deliver those apples to Lila if he let him, trotting back inside like a good child afterwards.

Except Caden didn't want to make such a huge mess on the couch! Julian would have to clean it later, and that wouldn't be nice! The child put his hands behind his back and gave a shy little fidget upon Julian saying that he didn't need to. "B-But I sh-should th-thank y-you, r-right?"

...Okay. Washing up. The child made a face like most kids would, but he obeyed and went into the washroom. He managed to get some of the grime off and quickly came back out. He wanted to be a good boy and to help!

"...~"

[Deleted]

<sub>Benedict definitely appreciated the help he got for Lila, and Lila seemed very happy now that she was near some grass, and she could eat some of her favorite foods! So Benedict was inside now, safe and sound, and with Caden who seemed pretty helpful. He did appreciate the help the kid did offer when he was at the church too, but right now he was just focusing on what to do.

"Hm..." He then went into the kitchen, might as well see if there'sanything to help with, like setting the table or anything. "I'll be glad to help too. I may be a guest, but it's part of my nature." he explained. Of course his reason was due to his background, rather than how Caden was. But they both were naturally helpers.

Unlike his brother... Benedict thought back to him. No... best not to.</sub>

[Deleted]

Julian looked between his two guests, and after a moment smiled. "Oh alright then, if you really want to." He answered. Stepping over to a small cubby in the side of the kitchen, Julian withdrew a small stool and sat it by the counter for Caden to stand upon so he could help peel and cut some vegetables.

As for Benedict, Julian gave directions for him to please get some bowls down and to go into the icebox and withdraw some bread he had baked the other day. "I know it's not the absolute freshest, but I wasn't expecting guests, so I didn't think to bake any more." He smiled sheepishly as if guilty that he wasn't better prepared, despite the fact he could not have anticipated their coming.

As Caden saw to the vegetables, Julian saw to the meat and gravy, getting it in the pot and beginning to get it heated up. He'd then turn to Caden to see how the veggies were going,

[Deleted]

Happy that he was going to be allowed to 'earn' his dinner, Caden stood on the stool that Julian got for him. Yes, he had helped around with the chores in Benedict's church, not wanting to give the man any reason to kick him out for as long as he had stayed there. He took the vegetables and the knife that Julian gave him, and began to cut and peel them.

He was still a child, so it wasn't as perfect as it would have been, but they were still done decently; he had learned how to do it while in the orphanage, even if he hadn't been able to stand the orphanage.

...That wasn't fresh bread? Caden tilted his head at that. He hadn't seen bread that fresh in a long time, actually, but Julian thought it wasn't fresh? What could really fresh bread taste like, then?![/color]

"I-I'm done, M-Mr. Shard!" the child said, putting the knife down and gesturing to the pile of vegetables.

[Deleted]

<sub>Benedict would help cut whatever vegetables that Caden might have had trouble with, even showing him a few tips on how to deal with them though Benedict knows the feeling about eating nothing but chili on his trips from city to city. Julian had mentioned that the bread wasn't fresh and he then chuckled.

"On the bright side, anything is better than hard tack." Oh man, Benedict's teeth hurt at the mention of that hard bread. Sure it was useful and didn't grow molds or fungus, but man... it was unpleasant, tasteless, and... well... hurts his teeth.

"Alright, what should we do next?" He asked.</sub>

[Deleted]

It was a very peaceful scene, the three of them working together to make a meal. When was the last time a child used that stool to stand beside him? He tried not to think of Lapis as he looked over to Caden and inspected his work with a smile. "That looks good, Caden!" He praised, checking the pot and deeming it ready for the veggies. "Thank you for your help, both of you." He said as he carefully pushed the ingredients into the stewing mass, giving it more bulk.

No, it wasn't fresh fresh, it was a couple days old, though it was kept well stores, so it was soft. "Oh, my. Yes, I do believe you're right." He answered Benedict about the hard tack. "I've never had the need to have such, but I have not heard its praises."

He'd turn the heat up a little more on the pot and stir it, watching it bubble lightly. "It will be a few minutes before it is done. Thank you for helping, why don't we sit at the table for a little bit while we wait?" He suggested as he put the things he used to cook with in the sink. He'd wash them later.

[Deleted]

The little child had no idea that Julian was thinking of his long lost daughter as he stood on the stool cutting those vegetables. Caden beamed with pride as Julian praised him, hopping off the stool as Julian put the veggies in the stew.

"Y-You're w-welcome, M-Mr. Shard!" Caden then wrinkled his nose as Benedict began talking about hard bread. Eww, hard bread. He much preferred soft bread, like the ones that Julian had for them today.

"U-Um... o-okay!" The boy quickly trotted over to the table, hesitating before gingerly sitting on the chairs, as if afraid he was going to ruin them.

[Deleted]

<sub>Benedict would finish helping with the kitchen before he walked over with Caden. He'd help the child in his seat and scoot the chair a bit closer, even contemplating asking for a pillow to prop the kid up. Either way, Benedict was careful not to scrape the floor as he seated himself too.

"Ah, I remember having to go off of that and stale water back when I traveled long distances. He shook his head. "Anything's better than hard tack." Even Minecraft Zombie flesh.

"So what do you do for a living, Julian?" Might as well ask. He seemed like a very saintly person anyway. Of course once he learned abotu the past he would go on a revenge spree pray for the safety of the child.</sub>

[Deleted]

He tried not to think of his missing six year old too much as the three of them worked. He'd cast a glance at Caden every now and then, however, to ensure he wasn't having any trouble.

He listened to Benedict as they walked to the table, discussing breads and trail rations while Caden seemed really nervous in the chair. "My, I must say, you have far more tolerance than I do." He commented, seating himself only after both of his guests did. "I'd have no patience for such fare. You're a better man than I."

Then the subject changed to his profession. "I'm an artisan of sorts. I design and make jewelry. Metal etching, placing and cutting gemstones, the works." He explained casually.

[Deleted]

Nope, not having any trouble. Working in an orphanage would have helped him develop a lot of skills that he otherwise would not have, but Caden met Julian's eyes at one point, giving a little squeak and quickly turning away.

"Thank you, Father," Caden said politely as Benedict helped him with the chair, though the boy was probably way too small to actually be seen by most people at the table. The small boy tilted his head as he mentioned that he was an artisan, looking quite interested in that.

"Th-That s-sounds n-nice~."

[Deleted]

<sub>"I know, but when you live off what I live on, you appreciate anything that comes your way." He explained. Whether it's Hard Tack or a nice meal, Benedict would appreciate either.

Benedict would politely listen to both Caden and Julian as they spoke up about their general job descriptions. Well, not Caden. Benedict knew the kid was poor and he wished he would stay with him, but... well, Julian or not, he knew the kid would be safe for the night now.

"Aah I see. I'm just a wandering priest myself." He explained. "I do sermons and speeches at local churches or various places. I do admit, while it is rough, the countryside is very beautiful..."</sub>

[Deleted]

Julian smiled at Caden as he saw just how far the child's politeness went. Such a darling boy. And set of parents would kill to adopt the child, he was sure.

"I find it a nice way to get along in life." He answered cheerily. He turned to Benedict and provided the man his attention. Okay, he had picked up on him being a wanderer and a priest, now he just got confirmation. "I do not envy you the path you have chosen, Father, wandering from place to place and spreading the word of our lord with no single place to call home." He paused. "I am always one for company. If you ever find yourself coming this way again, please don't hesitate to come knocking, I would be more than happy to put you up for a night or two." He turned to the orphan at the table. "That goes for you too, child." He smiled. Things were lonely since his family was shattered, any form of company was a welcome sight, and he'd also be helping them with his offer, so they all won.

[Deleted]

Too bad that Caden didn't really... want a new set of parents right now. Besides, if he wasn't lucky, his polite nature could make him the target of bad people. Caden looked over at Garn, who he had settled down beside the dining table, and then back up at the two older men with big eyes.

"I j-just... um... I j-just u-use Garn t-to dig g-gravesites for people..." He sighed a little. He was good at it, thanks to Garn, but it wasn't something he would really want to do. He masked his emotions with a cheerful smile and looked up at Julian.

"R-Really...? B-But I do n-not w-want to i-impose on y-you, Mr. Shard..." The man was so nice!