Feed and Breed (Hati x Mini)

[Mini Magi]

The city was starting to quiet down, and people went to take care of their last businesses of the day. Get some food, finish off an invitation at a friend's place, or simply close their stores. Or in short. It was time to go home. Which was unfortunate. Jack had barely gotten even a few coins together today. The mug in front of her holding just a few copper coins. But what else could she do? She didn't have a special talent, no caretaker, just a few scars on her face that did at least keep away most brutes. But she'd wait a bit longer. The market was just closing down. Maybe a merchant would drop her some leftovers.

[Moon Hound Hati]

There she still sat, in the same spot he’d spotted her in that morning, just past the market stalls, to the side, out of the way. In front of her stood a battered cup that likely held no more than a few coins to rub together. As he drew closer, he could make out the scars on her young face; a pang of sadness and anger surging through his heart. His plate armor boots clicked softly against the cobblestones as he stopped to stand before her. Slowly crouching down, he held out his hand, a fluffy honey bread roll resting in his palm and held securely by his gloved fingers. “You hungry?” Charlemagne asked softly, the corners of his lips managing to tug themselves upward into a small smile as he offered her the bread.

[Mini Magi]

Before she knew it, a knight approached. Armored boots, sword and everything. She instantly froze at the sight since guards usually shooed her away. If it wasn't for the shock, she would have been running by now. And yet, this one held food to her, which she stared at quietly. Upon hearing his question, she gave him a nod, then reached for her mug, got up, and held it up to him. It wasn't much, but it was what she earned today, and she was ready to give the whole mug away if it meant a sweet treat. Beggars were usually not allowed inside stores, so this felt like a rare chance.

[Moon Hound Hati]

Charlemagne bit his lip to push back the tears that were beginning to form in the corner of his eyes. Gingerly, he placed his hand on the small one that offered the cracked mug containing her few, measly coins. It was truly a heartbreaking sight for the knight of the realm to witness. “That’s alright… You don’t have to give me anything in return,” he managed to croak out softly, almost breaking down into tears. Pushing the honey bread into her hands, he beckoned to have a bite. Then, after watching her eat for a few long moments, he asked, “What’s your name, little one? Do you have anywhere to stay, anyone to care for you?”

[Mini Magi]

A free treat? Too good to be true, but then he went as far as to put it into her hands. She'd remain on edge, but at least she wouldn't worry about this one becoming mean anytime soon. What's more important, she had food! With a little "Hrm!" She sunk a corner of it into her mouth and bit it off. The sweet taste was like a firework! But rather than be noisy about it, she quietly chewed, and by now had her eyes locked on his face. Since her mouth was still full, she shook her head, though this was not entirely true. There were a few dry spots to sleep at. And she was small enough to squeeze into places the adults could not. As for her name, however, she gulped down, then replied "Jack" and bit out another piece.

 

[Moon Hound Hati]

“Nice to meet you, Jack. I’m Charlemagne… But if that’s too hard, just call me Char,” he responded with a slightly larger smile, happy to see she at least had an appetite. Like he had suspected, though, she was a street orphan. Despite the scars she carried and the lack of proper grooming and bathing, it was clear that she was a pretty girl and he feared for what would happen to her if he simply left Jack to her devices. Deep down, he was reminded of his own youth, having wandered the streets for a few years when the plague known as Scarlet Rot had claimed both his parents and he was left without a friend or family to care for him. “Would you like to come with me, Jack, to my home? I’ll be making some dinner and would be happy if you came to eat with me,” he then offered.

[Mini Magi]

Still looking at him, she simply repeated "Char," to memorize it. Now the kind face had a name. And there was more. He offered her a place to stay. She broke eye contact and looked to her left, the market. Some would call her dumb for not taking the offer right away, but the contrary was the case. She was thinking. Weighing her options, considering chances. It wouldn't be difficult to see that there was something going through that little head. 

After a few seconds, she got up, put her treat on her mug, and ran into the alley behind her. Sounds of small pieces of metal would be heard, followed by her coming back, with a handful of coins between her hands. Simply put: She had a stash she wanted to take with her since she decided to follow him. Jack put the coins in her mug, picked up her treat, held her mug in the other, and got a bit closer to him. "Ready." It was a safe guess that she was in follow mode now, and taking a few steps confirmed that since she kept a fixed distance of about half a step at his left side.

Edited March 25, 2022 by Mini Magi

[Moon Hound Hati]

Charlemagne practiced patience as he simply waited and observed as Jack first appeared to think about his offer for a while before scurrying off for a moment to retrieve some coin she had, apparently, stashed out of sight. While part of him wanted to pick her up and carry her home, he figured that, based on her stance, she might get skittish if he got too close now. Instead, he rose back up to a stand and turned around. “Alright, follow me, then,” he said before leading her off through the market, making sure to keep his pace calm so that she could easily keep up and glancing at her frequently to make sure they didn’t get separated – even if the marketplace and streets were fairly calm at this hour.

After about a fifteen-minute walk, they arrived at his home: a brick house at the end of a street in one of the quieter quarters of the city. While not the biggest place around, it was large enough for the two of them. “Come on in, Jack,” he said after unlocking the door and holding it open for her.

[Mini Magi]

Jack turned out to have no trouble at all following him. Partly because she was of course focusing on him, and partly because he was walking a bit slow, which she noticed. What she also noticed is how he accepted her distance. That was honestly a good sign. 

After some time, they arrived at a brick house. She took note that it seemed a bit big for one person, and assumed that he either had good ties, or a lot of money. She took another look around when he invited her in, as if checking if there were more people around, but eventually, cute little taps of her little feet led her past the door and into the house.

[Moon Hound Hati]

While it wasn’t the biggest house in the neighborhood, it was certainly big enough for a bachelor knight of the realm, especially considering he’d just moved to the city a few weeks ago, being assigned the knight-guard regiment here. Closing the door behind them, he sat down at the small table in the kitchen slash dining area and began undoing the straps and binds for his armor. “I’ll get working on dinner in a minute, Jack. Feel free to explore the house, but take care not to touch anything that looks dangerous, alright?”

[Mini Magi]

Jack nodded to his suggestion, but paid her attention to him first, watching how he took off his armor. Only after that, her eyes wandered around and finally began to explore. And just as he told her to, she did not touch anything that looked dangerous, such as the weapons here and there, or the fireplace. She went up a few stairs, and since she wasn't getting a bad reaction, went up next. There she stayed away from the stone, although it looked interesting. Also from the chest, even if it looked interesting. It was only on her way back down that she noticed the carpet, which was made from an entire bear. All in all, it was a nice home, and having explored it all, Jack sat down on the last stair and looked into the fireplace. Not because she was cold, but simply because she wasn't sure what to do now.

[Moon Hound Hati]

After he’d stripped off his plate and leather armor pieces, placing them on and beneath a mannequin bust meant for displaying and easily storing away chest armor, he went ahead got a fire going in the main fireplace before doing the same for the stove in the kitchen by taking some smoldering charcoal from the first fire to quickstart the stove. Putting a pot filled with water on it, he began cutting up vegetables and some chicken filet for a hearty chicken soup. That should fill their bellies well when served with some bread. About half an hour or so later, dinner was served. “Come eat, Jack,” he said with a smile, putting down two bowls at the small dining table. Grabbing a stool for her to sit on, he placed it by the table.

[Mini Magi]

Jack watched quietly as he cooked, and her stomach once gave a comment about how anticipated this meal was. It also showed that she knew restraint, keeping her little behind right on the last stair. Dinner was eventually served, and two bowls were put on the table. And... she was offered a seat? She sat down on it, and observed him again, even though there was food in front of her. Wait. Was that already the permission to eat? He was nice to her so far after all. With her eyes locked onto him, she reached for the bowl. ...Nothing from him. Huh. Taking it a step further, she lifted the bowl, still nothing, and took a sip. He was even worried whenever she liked it or not. There was again something going through her head, but shortly after, she tilted the bowl a little and began to drink and eat from it that way. 

The meal was good. Warm, filling. It had been some time since she had a warm meal. But what now? She remembered that he had only invited her to dinner, so odds were she had to leave now. "Thank you." She said. The first time she spoke without it being a reply of some sort. "Good bye," a small nod and she got up, her mug in her hands again, and went for the direction of the door.

[Moon Hound Hati]

Taking his time eating his own soup, Charlemagne was more pre-occupied watching Jack eat hers, hoping she liked it. At first it seemed like she was unsure if she was even allowed to eat her share. He was happy when she did eventually go all out and ate. Somewhat unsurisingly, she just drank her soup without using a spoon to eat. Such things aren’t exactly taught to street urchins, after all. What did surpise him, though, was the fact that she was ready to leave after thanking him for the meal, once her bowl had been emptied.

“Ah, Jack, wait!” he called out, abruptly standing up as she began making her way to the front door. Catching himself though, knowing his sudden raise of voice might have frightened her, he took a deep breath to calm himself before slowly lowering himself to one knee, putting him on about eye level with the orphan girl. He should have made clear that he intended to do more for her than just offer a meal. “Would you… like to stay here, Jack? Live here, with me, for as long as you want to?” he asked with a soft and kind smile, making it clear that he wanted to take care of her for as long as she wanted him to.

[Mini Magi]

Jack turned to him when he spoke, and indeed took half a step back when he came close. She was still on edge, even if not as much as before. And then his offer came. Again, thoughts went through her head, but she didn't seem to get to a conclusion this time since she took a bit longer to respond. "Why?" She asked, and followed up. "Adults are cruel. My former master and his friends used me like a toy. Cut me," She pointed onto the larger scar on her face. "burned me," then pointed to the other scar which was smaller, but dangerously close to her eye "pit me against beasts and monsters for their fun. Only fed me when I screamed well enough. Yet you are nice." Even if the good part came now, her voice was still quiet and monotone. "Gave me a treat, good food, warmth. Now you offer me a home. Why? I can't do anything. As a plaything?" People needed to benefit from the other in some way. That much she knew. But she didn't understand why he would want her. Not that she minded the offer at all. 

[Moon Hound Hati]

Sadness washed over the knight of the realm as he listened to her words, heard what had been done to her as a toy, a slave, property. Corruption and evil seeped through the underbelly of this city, festering and rotting, bleeding and killing the pure and defenseless like Jack. Deep inside, he seethed with anger, but right now the sadness he felt on her behalf was overwhelming. Softly, he sighed, shaking his head. “You’re right, Jack… Many adults are cruel. And you didn’t deserve that cruelty. I can’t undo what’s been done to you, but… At least I can try to keep you safe and happy from here on out.”

Edited March 27, 2022 by Moon Hound Hati

[Mini Magi]

He was... offering help, wasn't he? He felt strange, out of place. Her experiences taught her very different things about how strong people were. And yet, here he was. First giving her food, now offering a place to stay. And she... wanted to believe that, wanted to have someone. Jack started moving towards him, one step after another, until her head bumped into him. "I'll work hard. Lean things. Be useful. Will you... please... be my kind master?" Her voice cracked, her body shivered. If this was a dream, she wanted to wake up right away before the comfort of a kind soul lulled her in, and at the same time stay a bit longer.

[Moon Hound Hati]

Charlemagne said nothing, for he was rendered to silence by the heartwrenching emotions that surged through him, caused by this young girl opening up to him just a little as her own desperate desire to be loved and cared for began to slip through the cracks of the walls she had built around her little heart. Instead, he simply nodded as an arm wrapped itself around Jack’s petite frame, hugging her firmly as if afraid she might fall and shatter if he’d let go of her now. “Yes… Of course,” he finally managed to croak out, barely more audible than a whisper, out as he bit back his tears.

[Mini Magi]

She was quiet at first, trying to process what was happening, trying to decide whenever this was a dream or not. But... no. This felt warm, comforting. Her dreams weren't like that. And soon enough... sobbing. and the feeling of something wet against his shirt. She was hugging him tightly at this point, her hands clenched to fists. And finally, exhaustion caught up with her. Right in his arms, the little girl fell asleep, still with a couple of tears at the corners of her eyes, but breathing softly and calmly. 

[Moon Hound Hati]

The knight said nothing and simply held the young girl close as she sobbed into his vest as the walls around her heart seemed to be crumbling to dust. She was letting it all out and that was good, he thought. For the longest time, they would remain like this, until the sobbing and crying finally gave way to soft, shallow breathing.

She had fallen asleep. The poor thing. The tragedy of her life had finally found an outlet and it had sapped all her energy – of which she likely had little, to begin with, as a hungry street orphan.

Gingerly, Charlemagne gathered Jack up into his arms and quietly carried her upstairs, to the bed. Pulling back the covers with one hand, he gently put her to rest, only to find that she had a death grip on his clothes. He attempted to carefully peel her little fingers lose, but it would be to no avail. Sighing, he gathered her up again and laid down in the bed, instead, with the girl wrapped in his arms, letting her sleep on his chest. Hopefully, her grip would loosen soon as she slept and he could put her properly to bed. However, things didn’t go quite like that and he ended up falling asleep, as well.