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Post by England on Mar 8, 2010 17:54:48 GMT -5
After leaving his ship behind at the docks to stock up, Arthur booked it down into London proper after changing into his formal wear. He was to report in to the Queen of all he had learned while out on his missions and, while he didn't particularily want to show up, he really had no excuse.
But, to give himself more time to miss a chance for an audience with her, he took his time walking down through the many bustling streets of downtown London, relishing in the sights and smells that felt more like home than home did (perhaps it was the lack of siblings?). A bit like a labyrinth, the city was an amazing place to explore when he found himself needing to feel lost - but no matter where he was, he could always find his way about. It was odd, but not something he cared to worry about.
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Post by japan on Mar 8, 2010 19:05:50 GMT -5
Bare feet slapped against the pavement as a dirtied and ripped cloak fluttered with movement. Will was moving in and out of the crowd trying to get away from a burly looking man. Cradled in his hands was a rabbit and a couple of apples.
He 'rescued' the rabbit and took some apples to feed himself and the bunny for another day. He didn't want the rabbit to die and he knew that, that was going to happen if he didn't get it from it's cage. He just felt so sad when he saw it he had to help!
Without watching where he was going he bumped into someone and dropped the two apples but clung to the rabbit. He fell backwards but was quick on his feet again.
"I'm sorry!" he said in a hurried voice before starting to move off again but the burly man had caught up and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.
"Let me go!" He said as he struggled from the man's hold. The man didn't though he scolded Will for taking what was his and was sure to have him in the stockades for this. He didn't want that! He just wanted to help the rabbit and be able to feed it! How wrong was that?
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Post by England on Mar 8, 2010 19:46:26 GMT -5
Delving deeper into the poorer section of London, Arthur was off in his own mind when he felt something small collide into his leg. With a startled look down, he saw a small boy, carrying a rabbit and the apples on the ground that he must have dropped. He was about to say something to the little one - was even in the process of kneeling down to pick up the dropped fruit when the child was... assaulted by a very angry looking man.
It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on - small child with no shoes and rather grubby looking, an angry man and what would certainly be stolen produce laying on the mucky cobblestones. But that also didn't make seeing the man hurt a small boy any easier to take.
"Excuse me." he said in his best 'no nonsense' voice. "But put that child down right. Now."
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Post by japan on Mar 8, 2010 19:58:07 GMT -5
The man didn't seem like he was going to give in to a man smaller then him.
"and if I don't?" he said and Will took his chance to bit the man's arms. Not very good tasting but the man howled and released him. Will feel to the ground and quickly ran to the man who had stood up for him somewhat. He felt a slight connection with this man for some odd reason. He just hoped the man wouldn't turn him in to the police.
The man growled after he recovered and seemed to get even uglier with rage. And with that he charged at Will and the man protecting him.
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Post by England on Mar 8, 2010 20:40:06 GMT -5
With a quick, practiced motion, the cane that was clenched in his left hand (while his right trailed behind him to pat the boy on the head) was up and with three well placed 'thwacks' - one to the gut, one to the knees and one to the head - Arthur scowled at the injured - and possibly down on the ground, writhing in pain - man.
"Never. Hurt. Children." he growled at him, holding the cane out like a sword.
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Post by japan on Mar 8, 2010 20:53:17 GMT -5
The man groaned and was basically unconscious. Will sighed in relief and looked up at the man who saved him.
"Thank you..." He said kneeling down to pick up the dirtied apples so he could still have something to eat. He'd probably was them off in a nearby river or something so they wouldn't be so bad. The bunny in his arms wiggled a bit but otherwise settled down.
He was glad the man came to his rescue but he didn't know what to do to repay him he looked up again at the man before looking away. He had really nice clothes. Someone like Will shouldn't look eye to eye with him.
"I wish I could repay you, some how."
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Post by England on Mar 8, 2010 21:05:47 GMT -5
Satisfied with the man's unconsciousness, Arthur was quick to kneeling down, using his cane to keep him up without touching the ground. "Did he hurt you, child?" he asked, concerned eyes roving over the dirty, torn clothes and equally filthy skin - goodness, he could have masses of bruises and he wouldn't be able to tell!
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Post by japan on Mar 8, 2010 21:17:00 GMT -5
"No, I'm fine" Will said as he cradled the three items in his arms. After all he never really felt anything but slight aches and pains but otherwise the man on the ground had hit him. Oh no he had learned to move faster and dodge well so he didn't think he was hurt.
"Thank you again mister...I'm sorry I can't repay you." He said again. He really hoped he didn't have to repay the man, because the only thing he had was the clothes on his back and the bunny now.
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Post by England on Mar 9, 2010 19:08:50 GMT -5
He bit his lip, glancing from the boy to the unconscious man and back again. "...look, I don't think I hit him hard enough for him to stay down very long... is there somewhere I can escort you to? Somewhere you and your little friend can be safe?" he hoped that there was, even as a part of him told him that he should take the youngling in.
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Post by japan on Mar 9, 2010 19:19:56 GMT -5
Will thought about a safe place, but the only place he could think of was the ruined house on the outskirts of town. He really didn't want the man to see what he lived in after all men of wealth usually stayed away from those areas.
"No, I-I'll be okay." Will said moving away a little bit. "I can find my way home. Thank you again Mister!"
With that he turned on his heel, or at least turned around. Skin on flagstones didn't work well and started to head off towards the outskirts of town with muddied apples and rabbit in hand.
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Post by England on Mar 11, 2010 11:54:30 GMT -5
He paused for a moment, looking at the little boy and the way he refused to allow him to help him home - which to Arthur, told him that the boy didn't actually have a home.
"Wait a moment." he called as he stood up and followed. "I would feel better knowing you had a place to hide out for now... and from the looks of it, a decent meal for you and your friend." Why did he feel odd inviting a small child back to his ship? Oh right, because a pirate ship was no place for someone as young as he.
"Would it bother you too much to spend some time on my ship? It's warm, dry and comes with a meal and a bed for the night."
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Post by japan on Mar 11, 2010 17:51:00 GMT -5
Will stopped and looked at the man for a moment. A ship? Was he being tricked into joining the crew. But then again would it be so bad from the life he was living. And the man had already did enough for him so should he really impose?
"B-but mister you've already done enough for me. I'll be okay." Will said trying to really decided if he should or shouldn't go with this man to a ship. After all what if they were pirates? Bad people that hurt others?
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Post by England on Mar 12, 2010 20:01:11 GMT -5
"I've done naught but what I would have done for any person." He offered his hand, looking concerned for the child. "Allow me the honor of dinner and a bed for one night? My honor as a gentleman would allow me to do no less."
He wouldn't mention the pirate bit at all - no need to scare the little one.
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Post by japan on Mar 12, 2010 21:41:03 GMT -5
Will hugged the bunny closer and figured that a man so well dressed couldn't be a pirate and was a true gentlemen. He could be from far off lands on a business trip or something.
"Okay..." Will finally said after some consideration after all a night couldn't hurt right? In any bed it sounded so good and a meal! He's been living off stolen vegetables and fruits that a full meal sounded so good. He took the man's hand before forgetting that he hadn't introduced himself.
"Oh, I'm Will."
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Post by England on Mar 16, 2010 19:17:07 GMT -5
Giving that small hand a firm shake, Arthur smiled and hefted his light body up into his arms so the boy's bare feet wouldn't have to walk on the harsh cobblestones. "And my name is Arthur - Captain Kirkland to most." Setting a quick pace, he made his way back towards his ship. For once, his ability to always find his way in London worked very well for him, cutting down the time it took exponentially.
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