Every puzzle has an answer!

Randall Ascot here! Famous archaeologist! Well. SOON to be famous archaeologist! Do you have any relics or artifacts to show me? I'm pretty good at deciphering things too! ((Independant teen/child Randall account; spoilers won't be tagged so watch out!))

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Henry’s mood worsens with every minute that passes, especially when the maid decides she’s done as much as she can and turns to lead them to Mr Ascot’s office. He holds his little bag even tighter as he worries with a rising panic, thinking about how much he doesn’t want to go, not now. Not when it means going away from where his mum used to be. Not if it means going away from his only friend in the whole world.

He looks back at Randall as the boy suddenly grabs his hand, struck with confusion and then stern deference. Henry is a big boy. Henry shouldn’t cry. Especially not when Master Randall is counting on him to be brave, although Henry doesn’t feel very brave at all and a nasty part in his mind wonders what the point of doing what he should be doing is if he’s going to have to go away anyway, but the fear as they reach Mr Ascot’s office makes Henry forget everything else. He doesn’t want to leave.

Randall is far more confident than Henry is, but then Master Randall always is; he doesn’t worry about getting in trouble much even though he doesn’t like it, Master Randall always feels that something else is much more interesting than following the rules or being careful. Even though Henry can’t really even imagine acting like that, he admires his friend all the same. It certainly makes him a lot more fun to be around, even if it’s a little dangerous, and-

Henry’s gaze drops down firmly to the ground as he is brought directly in front of Randall’s father. He already feels awfully shy and scared whenever he has to address him in particular, but it’s much much worse now. Henry’s tiny hands curl to hold his bag in front of him again, as small as he can be. Randall’s father always sounds stern but he sounds especially stern now, and as he deals with Randall in the usually brusque way he most often does Henry shrinks in on himself even more. Especially when Randall’s father turns to him and asks him to explain himself.

When Henry was littler than he is now his mother used to take more responsibility for him and there was such a surer sense of what to do and how to avoid getting into trouble, and so Henry didn’t have to deal with Mr Ascot as much. But even the meaner maids seemed to treat the Lord of the house with a degree of unease, and Henry - especially since his mother passed away - was very scared of Randall’s father. He doesn’t really know what his mother thought of him, but perhaps it doesn’t really matter because now he won’t ever know, and Henry thinks about this for a moment and feels even more sad than scared.

I want Henry to explain himself. Don’t speak until I ask you too Randall. Your turn will come.

Henry looks up again with stunned panic, suddenly having forgotten what to say or how to speak now that he’s faced with explaining himself in front of Mr Ascot when he was going to be sent away anyway and when he’s helped Master Randall sneak out and they’ve been away without explaining and when he even ate some stolen food meant for Master Randall’s birthday party! He stares over a little stupidly at his friend as the ginger tells him to remember what he told him and the moments it takes him to remember makes Henry flinch when he looks back at Randall’s father’s stern expression.)

"I-I- I’m sorry M-mister Ascot S-sir! I don’t know- I di- I didn’t mean to, I- I just wanted to-"

(It all comes out in a rush as fear muddies Henry’s thoughts and jumbles his words, and he cringes as he struggles to take responsibility for his own actions, brow creasing as his gaze wavers upwards. Even with being one of the tallest boys in the village already Henry only barely is able to see over the top of Mr Ascot’s expensive desk and at the man behind it.)

"I-I know it’s my fault Sir, I know I shouldn’t have gone an’ I shouldn’t ‘ave gone with Master Randall or let ‘im stay out for so long a-an’ it’s all my fault- I don’t know why I-"

(He’s starting to babble now and he knows it but it’s hard to say anything clever at all when Mr Ascot is saying precisely nothing and Henry feels like he needs to keep talking but he also needs to say things that help not things that make things worse worse worse and suddenly he’s thinking about being sent away again and he has to wring his tiny hands together and try his hardest not to cry-)

“Please Sir p-please please do- don’ make me go away, Sir! I-I know I’ve been bad but I-I’ll be extra good I’ll never be bad again…! I- I’ll work extra ‘ard an I won’t even ‘ave any supper or nothin or ask for anythin’, I don’t need to ‘ave a room t myself either, I don’t! B-but please s-sir- I-I don’t want to g- Pl-please c-can I work like- like mum, y’don’t have to p-pay me anything, I- I don’t want to go away!”

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Randall is very proud of Henry for not crying, and he grins at the taller boy encouragingly. It doesn't really last long though as Henry mostly does break down and starts babbling that he'll give up lots of things in order to stay, and that wasn't the plan at all.)

"No. No! Don't be silly!"

(He glares at Henry and lets go of his hand disdainfully. It feels a bit bad, but he gets so angry that Henry is selling himself short, literally, that he wants to shout at him a little. His cheeks are very red with frustration, and he turns to his father angrily, stamping a little foot.)

"Henry is being stupid! Because none of it was his fault. I bullied him into it, I was really bad! I...I said I'd thump him if he didn't!"

(Mr Ascot raises an eyebrow, but doesn't interject. Clearly, it's Randall's turn now.)

"Henry kept saying that we shouldn't and that we were going to get into trouble, but I was really horrible and I didn't listen to him! So... so, so you can't send Henry away because if you do I'll cry and cry and cry and I won't eat anything and then I'll starve and die and it'll be all your fault!"

(His voice steadily raises as he talks, and his chubby hands clench into hard little fists.)

"And when we were in the forest I was being even worse and I was going to run away and probably get lost in the rain but Henry stopped me, so if anything he should be rewarded! So if you send Henry away I will hate you father, I will hate you, hate you hate yo-"

That's enough, Randall.

(Randall's breathing is a little heavily from his outburst, but he shuts up, still glaring at his father. He crosses his arms and waits. There was nothing more to say now. Mr Ascot is silent for a long time, he could be very shouty and scary a lot of the time, but he certainly doesn't look like he's going to blow up now.)

Henry. You aren't going anywhere. And you're keeping your room.

(His gaze flickers away for a moment, as if his mind is elsewhere.)

Boys. I do not appreciate being lied to. I'm very much aware that this was Randall's doing, but I hardly think you were bullied into it Henry.

(His eyebrows narrow into an even sterner expression, but still, he doesn't shout. He'd been like this a lot after Miss Ledore died.)

You're grounded Randall. But it shall be put into place by the end of the week after your birthday is over. I've had enough of you being so irresponsible.

(Randall goes even redder with anger, but doesn't say anything. Henry's fate was more important right now.)

And Henry. You... it has been decided, that we're going to take you out of school. With your mother gone, there's certain expenses we have to make up for.

[forgottenchancellor]

(Henry hates hates hates being in trouble and he feels even more bad because this time he knew he was going to be in trouble and he still went away with Master Randall, and that makes it a million times worse than the times he’s gotten into trouble without knowing why or how. The thought of having to go away somewhere strange and scary without his only friend makes him even more unhappy and he really has to try his best to be on his best behaviour and listen carefully to the maid and stop crying. He doesn’t mean it, really, it just feels all too much with the strange day and Master Randall being sad and him maybe having to go away really soon.

It still keeps raining so Henry feels a bit silly trying to wipe his own tears away when his face just gets wet anyway, but he feels bad and he tries his best to pull himself together quickly because even if he might g-get sent away he needs to do what’s expected of him and be a good boy. Even so, he can’t help snivelling as they slowly make their way back to the house, even when he looks down at his toy robot and even with Master Randall holding his hand.

As far as Henry is concerned, he knows things aren’t going to be okay even when they get back inside where it’s warm and not raining. Things were always scary and hard working for the Ascots but now Master Randall has told him that he might get sent away because his mother d-d- w-went away, Henry only worries even more, and he dreads getting back to the house, much less having to see Master Randall’s father. His father is a tall and scary man and Henry always feels nervous being near him, but now there’s even more reason to worry.

We’ll both speak to father, alright? We’ll convince him! You just have to say all that stuff you said to her, right?

Master Randall whispers to him eagerly but he doesn’t sound as excited as he usually does when he’s found out something about a story about treasure; he still sounds very nervous. Henry just looks more worried and has to look at the ground as they walk for a bit before he talks again.)

"Y-yes. M-maybe."

"I-I don’t want to go…"

(Henry feels so sad that he doesn’t say much more until they get back to the house, a sick feeling inside him getting worse and worse. The maid takes them into the closest room which is the laundry where she fetches a nice towel to make sure the boys get dry and don’t catch cold, and Henry does his best to make himself look a bit more presentable while the maid fusses over Master Randall with patience despite her slightly bothered manner. If only he had a comb to brush his hair or even some drier clothes so he wouldn’t make things even worse in front of Randall’s father, but then Henry remembers that its his own fault and if he hadn’t been so irre- irresponsibble then he wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place. Or would he? Is it because of today that Henry is going to be sent away, or is it really because his mum… because his mum went away? Henry feels like he might cry again, so he just looks at the ground sullenly while he waits, little fingers holding his bag with the robot inside it tightly in front of him like the treasure Master Randall couldn’t find.)

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Randall defiantly lets himself be dried off, glancing at Henry with a concerned expression now and again. The maid tries to make them as presentable as possible for his father, but as Randall can see, there's only so much she can do. She tuts, but a flash of concern appears on her face as she regards them, and leads them to her fathers office. He can see Henry clasping his bag, but he grabs his hand, shooting a stern look to him that silently says "don't you dare cry".

They arrive at his fathers office and the maid looks nervous herself, steeling herself for a moment before knocking on the door.)

Mr Ascot...? Ah, so sorry to disturb you sir, but your son is here. And Henry.

(A long pause, and then his fathers voice rumbles though door.)

Send him in. Henry too. 

(The maid gingerly opens the door, gesturing for the boys to go in. Randall drags Henry in, they were going to convince him that Henry could stay.

Randall's father is a broad, tall man. He doesn't really resemble Randall much, the ginger boy had much more of a look of his mother. He's younger than he looks, though this isn't to say that he's youthful, Randall mother was a lot younger than he was. He's stern and he's quiet, and he doesn't smile much. Especially lately, since the passing of Henry's mother. Randall had asked if he was sad about it, and he said he wasn't, but Randall isn't sure if he's convinced, even though he isn't aware of Henry's mother and his father really getting along.

The maid curtsies and skitters away and Randall's father eyes them with a granite stare, then he turns to Henry, almost tiredly, looking him up and down. He sighs. Randall opens his mouth, ready to launch into a full scale rant.)

Enough, Randall. 

(Enough? He hasn't said anything yet! But they need to keep on his fathers good side, maybe the tantrum could wait until if he refused them. He's still looking at Henry.)

I want Henry to explain himself. Don't speak until I ask you too Randall. Your turn will come.

(Randall pouts fiercely, but turns to Henry, nodding to him determinedly, he leans in to whisper to his friend.)

"Remember what I said!"

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Henry still feels like crying a lot more than he has, but he has to try and be respectable for Master Randall, and so he tries his best, even when it still feels like he’s about to start crying again at any moment when Master Randall tries to pat him nicely on the head and still looks so very sad himself.

What is he going to do? Henry’s lower lip starts to tremble again as he thinks about having to go away for good. Never seeing Master Randall again! It’ll be just like it is now, but without Master Randall, and without his mum or his friend Henry can’t think of anything nice at all! He looks at his own muddy shoes shyly and sadly when the ginger takes his hand, and thinks about how nice his friend is to him even when he’s always been told never to expect friendliness from rich people like the Ascots because that’s not his place, and he also thinks about how cold it is.

Henry doesn’t know very much about what happened to his mum, just that she got sick and then… and then she went away. Henry remembers her getting colder and colder the sicker she got, and the chill of the rain really does make Henry want to cry all of a sudden for a reason he doesn’t really understand all that much but is there all the same.

BOYS?

Henry jumps in alarm, shaking in his slightly-too-big shoes at the shock and fear of being found by one of the maids. How long have they been away? How much has Henry missed? Suddenly the great realisation of just how much trouble he’ll be in hits the thin blonde, and he looks down at the ground again in shame as he tries to stop himself from starting crying again. He’s already in so much trouble they want to send him away, and now? Henry can’t even imagine how much trouble he’s in now!

The maid looks awfully cross, and Henry trips so badly over his words trying to apologise that he doesn’t manage to make sense at all and snaps quiet instead as he stands cowed while she fusses over Randall, staring up with wide scared eyes when she turns to him and tells him off.

It’s extra unfair because it really was Master Randall who wanted to go exploring, but Henry would never ever say anything because no one would believe him and, worst of all, Master Randall would get into trouble maybe and Henry definitely doesn’t want that to happen at all. So Henry doesn’t say anything, not even when the maid reminds him of his m-mum, although he does sniff loudly and look down at the ground again in shame.

Master Randall, go back to the house at once. Henry, come here.

The maid sounds especially cross now and Henry feels like crying again. Now he’ll be sent off to another place right away because he hasn’t been good, o-or worse, or-

Henry automatically makes to obey her order, but Randall suddenly hugs him tight and Henry doesn’t know what to do because suddenly his best friend is holding him and Henry is overcome with how much he doesn’t want to go and doesn’t want to leave his best and only friend, and then it’s all too much for him and he starts to sob again.)

"P-please don’t m-make me go! I-I’ll promise I’ll w-work extra ‘a-‘ard an I’ll not do anything bad again I’ll b-be on best behaviour n-nothin’ like this!"

"P-please give me another chance!"

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(He maid falters, looking clearly irritated, but there's some pity in her eyes. She sighs and hitches up her skirt a little so that when she squats to speak to the boys properly, her hem doesn't get muddy. For a few moments, she doesn't speak at all, she merely contemplates them.

Henry really is bothersome to have around, but it's not his fault, he's just a child. The real beef most of the maids have is with his mother, who had been just a young girl when she'd fallen pregnant, forever rushing off with a lanky, tall welsh boy when her shifts ended, who had of course rushed off himself when the news got out. After that, for some reason the Ascots let her have a free room in the servants quarters, and the rest of the staff had to make up her hours. Mr Ascot treated her better than all the other maids, and so did Mrs Ascot, though she didn't look nearly as happy to do so.

And though things went back to normal after Henry was born, she still could't work sufficient hours. Forever having to duck back to look after the boy, though still the Ascot's didn't let her go, and things just became more of a hassle, especially with the arrival of Master Randall and him subsequently tearing up the house.

Then she'd gotten frailer and sicker, and she'd died. And only Henry was left to work. But he was just a child, though he was slowly getting the hand of things, he mostly just got in the way. The maids didn't see why they just didn't let Henry go to a family who would care for him, it would be better for Henry himself, surely?

The maid sighs and shakes her head.)

Stop being so silly. Enough crying now.

(The maid removes her great hooded cloak and wraps it round the both of them, before offering her hand.)

Come on now. I'll cover for you both, just this once, seeing as it's Master Randall's birthday tomorrow. Though your father wants to see you anyway, he's been very worried about you. We'll get you back and dried off before you see him.

(She still looks thoroughly put out, but Randall trusts her not to deceive them, gently unhooking his arms from Henry and tucking the cloak around him carefully.)

"Kay."

(He doesn't take her hand, but he holds Henry's tight, and they follow her in the rain. The thought of seeing his dad frightens Randall a bit, because his father is a very scary man, no matter how much he doesn't wish to admit it, but it's also a chance to plead his case. He whispers to Henry as they walk back to the house.)

"We'll both speak to father, alright? We'll convince him! You just have to say all that stuff you said to her, right?"

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(It’s embarrassing crying like this because big boys don’t cry, especially not in front of their master’s son, but Henry still hasn’t really gotten the hang of it yet, especially after his mum… Well. It feels bad anyway, even if Randall is crying too and that makes Henry even sadder.

Even after all the sad stuff when his mum went away, Henry never thought for one minute that he might get sent away. Was he really such a bad worker? Henry had overhead two of the maids talking about how having someone so little around working with them was annoying and hard for them, even though Henry’s mum helped him if he needed any help, not the maids. But now his mum isn’t… isn’t here anymore, and Henry suddenly thinks of every time he’s spilled water or taken longer to do something than usual in a sad overwhelmed sort of mess of thoughts. Oh no oh no, can’t he have another chance?

It’s scary enough thinking about being sent away to a completely new place, but the worst thing of all is not even having Randall around anymore to be his friend and teach him new interesting things and be nice to him.

Even now Randall tries to be nice to him and tries to make himself stop crying enough to talk and try to cheer Henry up, which almost makes him feel even worse. When the ginger says that he’ll tantrum and not let Henry anyone make Henry leave, the blonde hiccups and tries his best to hold it all in, even though he can’t quite stop the tears from running. Master Randall is so kind, to Henry of all people and it makes him so sad to think he might not see him again.)

"B-but they might still-"

(Henry is glad when Randall just cuts him off and keeps excitedly rambling, even though it’s always alarming whenever he suddenly does it. It really is overwhelming when Randall says that he’ll go so far as to run away with him, and Henry smiles wonkily even though he still feels upset, because the idea of living in a big house with Randall and even Angela sounds like a lot of fun, even though it’s probably impossible.)

"Y-yeah,"

(He sniffs again and tries to rub at his eyes because it’s embarrassing to be like this in front of Master Randall. It’s impossible, but it’s nice of his friend to say.)

"Um… E-even if- even if I… well I’ll, you’re my best friend Master Randall, an’ I’ll n-never f-forget, um-"

(It’s hard even talking like this and it makes Henry feel even colder and more scared, and he looks down for a moment as he tries so, so hard to be respectable.)

"Um, but I’ll… y-you’re right, I shouldn’t need to worry because I ‘ave- …because I trust you an’ we’ll… You think it’ll be okay so I’ll… It’ll be okay."

(It doesn’t feel okay at all, but as with everything Master Randall really loves and thinks he knows a lot about, it somehow seems more real than any other silly excuses to make himself feel better. It has to be true. Henry doesn’t know what he’ll do otherwise.)

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

"Mmn."

(Randall nods helplessly, trying to reassure the taller boy, usually he's not so touchy and feely, but Randall is just as upset as Henry is, so the reassurances are for himself as well as him. He pats Henry on the head and clumsily brushes away his tears with his chubby fingers, though the rain dashes them away beforehand.

It really is getting freezing cold now, and Randall isn't sure what to do, he really was so certain that they'd find treasure today, that all his problems would vanish like the usually did, but no luck. He sniffs mournfully, reaching forward to grasp Henry's fingers.)

BOYS?

(The ginger whips his head around to see one of the heftier maids behind them, looking very annoyed and wet, though she was wearing a hooded cloak under her hitched up dress. She'd obviously been sent out to look for them, and she didn't look very happy about it at all. Oh dear.)

What on earth are you doing out here? You silly children! Everyone has been worried sick for you Master Randall, do you want a nasty cold at you grand birthday party tomorrow?

(She huffs but looks slightly relieved to, before glaring at poor Henry.)

And as for you Henry, was this your idea? I know you can't go to the birthday party tomorrow, but this was a very foolish thing to do. Dragging young Master Randall out into the rain, really! After what happened to your mother too, you should know better! 

(Randall frowns, but shakes his head at the accusation. The maid reaches out her hand to Henry, gesturing him to come over.)

Master Randall, go back to the house at once. Henry, come here.

(Randall's about to protest, but it's useless arguing with the maid, they never listened properly. He could easily explain to his mother that it was his idea, and she'd probably believe him too, but right now, the idea of being separated from Henry scares him terribly. He loops his arms round his friend and hugs him tightly, staring defiantly at the maid with a look at said. "We ain't moving.")

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Randall is still sad, and he doesn’t budge one bit, not even when Henry shakily begs for him to come back home to shelter from the rain. Despite having to have learnt a lot of things very quickly, including a lot of sad things that most kids didn’t learn for a while yet, Henry doesn’t know very much about what… what happened to his mum. But he does know that if you get cold and sick and weak that… that bad things happen and the most scary thought of all is that Master Randall will get cold and sick too from the rain.

It’s a terribly upsetting thought and Henry feels a hard lump in his throat, but he tries his best not to cry or panic because his mum always used to try and teach him not to worry so much about some things. Henry wishes he was a bit more like Angela, or even Dalston a little bit because both of them are better at getting Randall to do things or stop doing things like being grumpy or stubborn one way or another, much better than Henry is. He really doesn’t want to make Randall sadder or angrier at him, but the worry makes him anxious to make his friend go back home. What if…

Suddenly Randall looks up, and Henry is happy one moment and worried again the next because Randall doesn’t even look angry, he looks really sad, really really sad like he’s crying…!)

"M-master Randall.."

(And then… and then Master Randall really does cry, and he keeps crying and it’s so hard to even realise what he’s saying because it all comes out in a hiccuping blubbering messy rush of words and Henry has a difficult time understanding sometimes anyway, and- and-

B-but it’s too late n’now fathers goin’ to send you away b-b-because Miss Ledore’s dead and she can’t work n’more!

Tears have already pricked at the corners of Henry’s own eyes simply at the feeling of being so close to someone he admires so much crying, but once Randall says this Henry feels like he’s been shocked, maybe like when he’d accidentally burned his hand on a too-hot teacup. But this is much much worse, and the more it settles in the more rapidly Henry gets upset himself. Was- i-is this true? Is he really being sent away?!

Well before he even realises it and even before Randall stops his anguished wailing, Henry is crying too, body locked up in worried and sad and scared emotion. He hates crying in front of his best friend but he can’t stop; first his mum d-d-dies and now… and now…?

He’s going to be sent away?

Henry feels really sick. It’s not fair. H-has he just not been good enough? Has he not been trying hard enough? W-will they give him another chance? The taller boy only barely manages to catch his balance and his friend’s balance when Master Randall suddenly and without warning jumps at him, pulling him into a hug and making Henry feel even more sick with shock and sadness. Master Randall. He’ll be sent away from Master Randall. The only person left in the whole world who is really really nice to him.

What does he do?)

"I-I d-don’ w-want to go neither, a- I-I don’ want to go!"

(Henry is crying still even in the hug, and his legs feel weak like he might suddenly just faint. No mum. No Miss Angie. No Master Randall. He clumsily manages to hold his friend back in the hug, tight as he can as if if he holds onto Master Randall he can stay with him.)

"Wh-what did I d-do wrong? M-maybe there’s somethin’…!"

(He’s shaking as he tries to think of ides, and it’s hard with how they’re standing and how Henry still doesn’t want to cry on Randall even in the rain. He hiccups a few times as he tries to just breathe because everything feels so scary and he feels even more sick than before, but the fact that he’s suddenly going to be taken away from his friend makes him almost positively wail.)

"I-I don’ w-want to go, not- n-not- not now y-you’re the only person who-who’s nice to me in the whole w-world now…!"

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(If Randall wasn't so caught up in wailing himself, he probably would have regretted blurting out everything so harshly, since Henry wasn't usually one to take things well. He sniffs and hiccups and bawls and it only makes it worse when Henry clings to him and cries just has hard.)

Wh-what did I d-do wrong? M-maybe there’s somethin’…! 

(Randall just shakes his head with despair and confusion, because Henry hasn't done anything wrong. Henry's never done anything wrong in his life. He's never been mean, he's never stolen anything, he's never even said a swear word. Randall has done lots of mean things, he's had tantrums and snatched toys and he's even stole that book from the library like he'd told Henry before, but nothing bad ever seemed to happen to him. His mum hadn't died, he didn't have to sleep in a cold creaky bed, he didn't have to do lots of chores after school.

It's not fair. For the first time in Randall Ascot's life, he feels terribly, stabblingly guilty, and he's not even sure why. Randall had never done anything bad to Henry, he never wanted to, he liked Henry. Henry was one of his favorite people in the world.)

I-I don’ w-want to go, not- n-not- not now y-you’re the only person who-who’s nice to me in the whole w-world now…! 

(The ginger boy sniffs hard, expression fierce now. Henry was crying and Randall was crying, but Randall didn't have any right to cry! Henry had lots of reasons too, and he's never scolded the taller boy for blubbing over silly little things, as he often did, and Randall understands now. Henry had lots of things to cry about, and Randall didn't.

Well. He did now. Henry might be leaving, and Henry is clearly as sad about this as Randall was. So Randall needed to be strong for his friend.)

"Y-You haven't done anything!"

"I'm not going to let father send you away, okay? I'm going to cry and break things and refuse to eat and go to school until he lets you stay. And then he'll have to because dads aren't allowed to let their sons not go to school!"

(He harshly wipes his tears away, though his eyes are still terribly watery and his face terribly red and sore.)

"N'even if they do send you away, I'll run away with you and...and we can leave Angie a forwardin' address so she can come visit us and... we'll keep looking for the treasure to buy the house and then she can live with us too and... and...."

(He swallows hard, trembling from the cold and how frightening the prospect of losing Henry was, but his eyes are determined.)

"...I won't let them split us up Henry!"

[waiting-on-a-friend]

"T-today…?"

(Henry knows, really, that Randall is just sulking, but he sounds so sullen and certain that it does worry him still, and the blonde feels even more anxious, small voice melting away under the cold raindrops as he continues to stand by his friend in slightly confused uncertainty.

Master Randall usually is quite cheery, but he can also be very changeable, showing off his emotions a lot more openly and proudly, although Henry feels that maybe Master Randall is also embarrassed or something since it really is a mighty sulk he seems to be wallowing in. He won’t even look at Henry and he even grumpily says he doesn’t care about his birthday! Henry almost says something, but- …but…

Don’t care about nuthin. Not stupid coins or stupid walls. I don’t care. Go away. I know you’ve been itching to get back for ages now.

It’s so alarming and hurtful hearing Master Randall tell him to go away that Henry flinches when he hears it, but he tries his hardest not to cry and just ends up looking wide-eyed and worried instead, biting his bottom lip a little as he keeps trying not to be too upset. He knows Master Randall is just sad and maybe embarrassed that he didn’t find anything, and Henry feels much the same way and feels bad wanting to apologise and draw attention to it. But it’s really, really hard seeing his best friend this way and Henry just looks down at his shoes which are now awfully muddy and tries to ignore the sad empty feeling inside himself.

Master Randall tells him to go away again and Henry looks up suddenly as he thinks he realises what the biggest problem at all seems to be with his friend - he sounds sad, and that’s the worst of all! Henry wants awfully to help him, but Henry hasn’t been very helpful today at all, no coins or walls or anything. Randall will probably feel excited about his birthday again soon, but knowing that everything has disappointed his friend that much makes Henry sad in return.)

"Um,"

(Henry hovers over Randall for a few moments, not sure what to do or say, but he feels bad and although he probably would very much like to sheepishly go home, he doesn’t really feel like it’s a good idea leaving his friend here.)

"U-um, I- I-I will go away, m-Master Randall! If you want…!”

"But, um, you really should come back too, it- it’s your birthday tomorrow after all an’ you mustn’t catch cold before then… I should have tried ‘arder to find something for you, I-I’m sorry…"

(He swallows the lump in his throat, seeing how Randall still must be sad because he doesn’t move at all from his spot, and the blonde wrings his hands once more, moving away a little to give his friend some space before his final plea.)

"Um, but please- p-please come back out of the rain, Master Randall…! I- y-you don’t want to get sick…!"

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Henry refuses to leave, despite how mean Randall is being to him. The taller boy is clearly more concerned with getting Randall home and out of the cold than he is and it makes Randall just want to cry home. He rather pathetically waves Henry away and sniffles into his sleeve, though he really is getting cold now, and Henry's woolly borrowed sweater certainly wasn't waterproof. If they didn't go soon Henry was going end up just like...

The ginger sniffs fiercely once more, swallowing his tears down. It's useless though, if he looks up or moves at all, he really is going to bawl.)

Um, but please- p-please come back out of the rain, Master Randall…! I- y-you don’t want to get sick…! 

(He finally looks up at Henry, faced utterly crumpled, rain dashing away the tears, but his red cheeks betraying him. He doesn't want Henry to think he's angry at him, even if it would be awfully embarrassing.)

"...I needed it today. So I could buy you a house..."

(He hiccups again and his mouth falls into a wailing letterbox shape as he balls into his fists, crying noisily through the sound of the pouring rain.)

"B-but it's too late n'now fathers goin' to send you away b-b-because Miss Ledore's dead and she can't work n'more!"

(His shoulders shake as he sobs and cries loudly, his embarrassment at crying like a baby in front of Henry only making him bawl louder.)

"N'I don't w-w-want you t'go cause I'll miss you lots and it's not fair!"

(He clumsily pulls himself to his feet and launches himself at Henry in a hug, words still messily falling out his mouth.)

"Please don't go Henry! You can hide in my room and I'll sneak you up snacks and stuff and you c-ccan sleep in my b-bed and the grown ups don't ever have to know! J-just please don't go, y-you're my best friend..."

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

im so glad you guys aren't dead ;_;

((Ack fear not! though Henry-mun and I are very busy right now (Henry mun has also been holidayin for a month!) we're still active when we can! Thank you for stickin with us!))

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

"Glowin’… an’ rocks an’ coins…"

(Randall of course knows exactly what they should be looking for, which is no surprise to Henry because Randall makes it his business to know everything, even when Henry sometimes thinks and sometimes definitely knows that Randall doesn’t really know at all. The taller boy traces his friend’s words carefully over in his mind, looking a little distractedly up at the sky through the dappled trees, before Randall decides they’d better get on with it and start looking, and Henry follows his lead with a little burst of raw and childish excitement.

Time ticks on and it really is very fun looking around and feeling included in his friend’s cheerful search, and as bad as it may be, Henry quickly begins to forget about worrying about chores back at the house and even forgets a little about how different he is from Master Randall, which is really his favourite bit about spending time with him altogether because unlike everyone else, the ginger doesn’t really seem to care Henry is a servant or that he has no parents anymore.

It’s luckily a sunny day for the most part and this helps Henry not really notice how late it must be, although worry starts to creep in when they don’t find anything at all and Randall just tells him they have to search further on out of the clearing. But Henry feels very safe with his friend there and it is really quite fun and he doesn’t really want to stop, so the blonde just listens to Randall and follows him along.

Rain starts to fall heavily, dampening the earlier sunshine, and Henry knows it must be quite late by now. But they still don’t stop. It doesn’t feel as fun now, and Randall doesn’t talk so much and seems a lot less cheerful, and that makes Henry feel nervous and a little cold inside. Anything he tries to say is quickly hushed by his friend, and Henry resorts to not saying much at all, nervously tight-lipped as they continue.

Another hour and Henry feels even more nervous; nearly returned back to the normal footpath, neither of them appear to have found anything much of consequence - not even any interesting rocks - and suddenly worries like missing out on who-knows-how-much work and duties and even homework become much more prominent again. Oh dear…! Henry wishes he could say something but he’s not too sure what Randall will be happy with, and if he wasn’t lugging around his now-a-little-heavy spade with him he would clasp his hands together with nervousness as Randall suddenly stops his searching and dejectedly returns to the clearing, sitting himself moodily down on the ground. With delicate unease, Henry moves over cautiously to his friend and tries to neatly lay down his own shovel next to Randall’s before turning to look at the boy, feeling just as lost as he appears disappointed.

Randall sometimes gets in moods like this, because like Henry’s mama taught him everyone has different moods - even though some of them like the maids never seem to be anything other than cross - and Henry usually isn’t very sure what to do when he does because it’s usually Randall that gets himself out of them. Sometimes he sulks when he doesn’t get something he wants or if he gets a question wrong at school or if Angela isn’t impressed by something new he tells her, and sometimes the sulking can take a long time, but Randall always ends up suddenly deciding he’s better (usually in time for tea if it’s something he particularly likes). But Henry feels especially bad this time, because Randall really wanted to find something special with Henry, and he can’t help but feel bad that he might not have done enough to help.)

"Um…"

(It’s tricky thinking of what to say, because all Henry wants to do is say sorry, but he knows that when Randall’s in this sort of mood that won’t help.)

"Well… well famous explorers usually take lots of time to find things, so maybe…"

(He’s really not very good at this, and Henry wrings his hands together a little, looking down at his shoes and wishing with all his might that they might have found something to cheer his friend up.)

"Well, y-you can’t feel too bad, Master Randall, since… since it was only today, an’ I picked where to look, a-an’ you know I’m not… I’m not so good at this stuff as you, so…"

"Um… M-maybe we- well maybe you’ll find somethin’ better tom- well, tomorrow’s your birthday but maybe… I’m sure soon you’ll find something amazing! So… so don’t feel so bad. An’ I’m sorry I couldn’t… help much."

(It's very wet and cold being hunched up on the grass which was becoming very muddy, and now the the long gone afternoon sun is behind the hills, Randall can't help but shiver a bit with the cold drops dripping down on his person. But even so, he defiantly stays where he is, even though he has to get Henry home before he gets cold and sick. But right now, he's so gravely disappointed, that all of his energy isn't being put into making sure he doesn't cry in front of his friend, turning away and hunching even more into himself as Henry lays down his shovel and tries to talk to him.)

"Don't have any time. Needed t'find it today."

(He sniffs miserably, and though he's not looking at Henry, he can practically sense him wringing his hands nervously, eyebrows furrowing as he desperately tries to make him feel better, despite his own shy hang ups. Even so, he can't appreciate it now, even though he might never get the chance to appreciate it again.)

"Don't care about my birthday. It's going to be rubbish now."

"Don't care about nuthin. Not stupid coins or stupid walls. I don't care. Go away. I know you've been itching to get back for ages now."

(He hates being mean to Henry, it's like kicking Bambi, but if Henry doesn't go away now then Randall really is going to cry like a baby in front of him, and that'll ruin his reputation. What Henry thinks of him matters terribly, Henry's the one who always looks at him with awe, hangs on to his every word and acts delighted when something good happens to him. He really loves Henry, and he isn't sure what he's going to do without him.

His face utterly crumples as it all dawns on him. No wall, no treasure, no money, and soon no Henry. Randall couldn't buy him a big house to live in and now he was going to be sent away. The ginger buries his face into his folded arms, hiccuping as he desperately tries to hold back his sobs.)

"G-hic-Go away!"

[waiting-on-a-friend]

Every puzzle has an answer!: waiting-on-a-friend: Every puzzle has an answer!: waiting-on-a-friend:...

(Henry stares anxiously as Randall looks around and thinks over his words. He hopes he's said the right thing, but the boy really can't think of any other suggestion. If this special wall was somewhere, it wouldn't be anywhere people visited much or they would have found it already! Of course, tucked away in Henry's mind is that Master Randall is being far too hopeful, that if this wall was really so amazing and important then people probably would have torn the whole forest apart the way rich powerful people always seem to do.

As usual Randall doesn't even give any warning, he just bounds towards the darker forest and leaves Henry staring after him with some alarm before the ginger turns on his heels and runs back to fetch him, and Henry has to pick up his feet just to keep up.

The forest is very thick and Henry has to keep very close to his friend to avoid being caught by a stray branch or tripped up by tangled roots. Randall keeps him close though and Henry is very glad for it; Randall always keeps an eye out for Henry even when he doesn't deserve it, and although he knows he should just feel lucky, Henry always feels especially happy that Master Randall thinks him good enough to look out for most of the time.

Henry blushes with pride as Randall finds the hidden clearing perfect for their hunt for the wall, even if he feels a bit embarrassed when Randall brushes him off and he realises how messy and improper he must look, but it's okay because Master Randall is happy with him and Henry watches in awe as his friend makes a little flag and plants it in the center of the forest proudly.)

"D-do you think we'll really find this wall, Master Randall?"

(Readjusting his grip on the strap of his satchel, Henry moves closer to his friend and the flag and looks around. It's a bit darker than he would like but there is still good light through the canopy and it's only the morning probably still anyway, and besides, it's still close to memory knoll and - Henry shakes his head free of his silly worrying and tries to be a little more brave. He rests his shovel on the ground and looks around again before turning back to his friend.)

"So what do you think we should look for, Master Randall? Clues?"

(Henry has of course accompanied Randall on< lots of little expeditions before when he's allowed, but he always likes asking Master Randall what the best course of action would be. This is his passion, after all, and if anyone knows how to find a mysterious wall, in Henry's eyes, only Randall is clever enough. No question!)

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Randall nods at Henry's first question, but he doesn't look at him, far too concentrated on digging the photo clipping out of his satchel again, furrowing his brow with thought. Henry's next question is something he's considering himself, and the truth is, the ginger boy isn't sure, but he can't let Henry know that.)

"Glowing stuff."

"N'coins. And rocks that are funny shapes."

(He figures that things that don't look formed by nature are the things to look for, the Azran were ancient, but their technology went beyond most terrible old civilizations, maybe their relics would be more cleanly carved and easy to spot. Either way, the search begins, and he motions Henry to start looking too, his small body fizzing with excitement. But there's a weight of anxiousness somewhere deep in his belly, though Randall tries to ignore it.

For the first hour, they happily dig and rummage, chatting and laughing. It's great, just like how it had been before. The red head feels awfully optimistic, and they cover an impressive surface area as the morning goes on.

Then noon approaches, and they've nearly covered the whole clearing, with nothing out of the ordinary found. Randall huffs, and just declares that they have to branch out a little.

Another hour passes, and it begins to rain a little, tiny cold drops stinging their cheeks, but Randall refuses to give up. He needs that treasure after all, for Henry's future, for his future.

It's nearly three o'clock when the rain starts to come down harder, and Randall seems much less happier than before, a frown etched into his face as he shushes Henry irritably at every little worry that leaves the taller boys mouth.

They've nearly covered the entire darker half of Norwell as another hour passes, and the two boys are almost nearly back on the regular footpath. Still nothing. 

Randall suddenly stops, and looks rather lost, biting his lip before wandering back into the clearing, throwing his shovel to the ground, and sitting on the wet and muddy ground, hunched away from his friend.)

"..."

[waiting-on-a-friend]

Every puzzle has an answer!: waiting-on-a-friend: Every puzzle has an answer!: Far, far in the...

-

(Henry nearly shouts when he turns to see Randall almost run into a tree, but thankfully the boy turns just in time. Phew! Henry knows a bit about looking after scrapes but he's usually not allowed to take any bandages with him because he's usually not allowed out, and as everyone tries to remind Master Randall, the ginger shouldn't be doing anything dangerous enough where he could get hurt in the first place!

He nearly asks Randall if he's okay, but the young master seems happy enough, and Henry certainly doesn't want to embarrass him. It already feels a little scary to Henry when he looks around and hears how quiet everything is, but he reminds himself that he's just being silly and that it's still just the same old place he sometimes sneaks out with Randall to visit, even if Henry being able to sneak out is becoming rarer and rarer and rarer...

Whoops! Henry snaps to attention as soon as he realises that Randall is asking him where the famous, secret wall is, and Henry freezes a little, intimidated that Randall would ask him such important advice. Henry likes hearing about what his friend finds out and helping him dig when he is allowed, but he still isn't really very used to being asked for his own opinion. His mum is- ...was the only person who really seemed to care about it, except for Randall, but Master Randall was a different sort of special to his mum, although Henry still isn't too sure just how.

Where would the Azran hide a wall...? Henry finds himself peering around wide-eyed at his surroundings, trying to figure out just what he thinks, let alone what he should say. He stares with a little concern at the forest.

"Um... well, m-maybe..."

(Readjusting the strap on his little satchel, Henry swallows a little noisily and then looks back at his friend with some concern.)

"Um... W-well if... no one's found it in a long long time... then it must be somewhere 'idden. M-maybe it's deeper in the forest over there? Somewhere where the people that come 'ere don't visit much. M-maybe...?"

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Henry looks a bit worried, though that's nothing new. It's hard to imagine his taller friend without an anxious expression. He does pull through for him though, like always, looking carefully around and thinking about Randall's question. He waits patiently, seeing his mind ticking carefully behind his large eyes.)

M-maybe it's deeper in the forest over there? Somewhere where the people that come 'ere don't visit much. M-maybe...? 

(Randall looks round to where Henry's talking about, off the path and away from the river. It's a little dark down there, and no one really goes through that way. Mostly it was just lots of undergrowth and it didn't have anything of interest.

But exactly! No one went down there! Randall's face lights up and he rushes over to the diversion, ducking under a large branch.)

"Yeah! You're a genius Henry!"

(He doubles back and drags Henry into the undergrowth, tugging aside some stray greenery to get past until they found a clearing. Both of them literally look like they've been dragged through a hedge backwards, and Randall turns to him and brushes him off sheepishly.)

"Wow, it really is overgrown here. You're completely spot on right though! This is the perfect place for an Azran artifact!"

(He scans the ground and finds a large stick, pulling a handkerchief out of his satchel and tying it round the top like a flag, proudly sticking it in the center of the clearing.)

"I, Randall Ascot, declare this site a seck-shanned off place for digging and stuff under the Ledore and Ascot name! Only the famous archaeologists Henry and Randall may look around here!"

"Now lets get started!"

[waiting-on-a-friend]

Every puzzle has an answer!: Far, far in the past...

thefearlessgingerexplorer:

(Randall stares for a moment and Henry suddenly worries that he's done something wrong, but his friend must simply have been taken by some flight of fancy because he seems cheerful enough when he pats his head, and Henry scrabbles to brush off his hands from crumbs with alarm when Randall ducks down to grab his hand, but his friend doesn't seem to mind much, and really the skinny blonde is glad, even if it makes him feel a bitstrange sometimes. Master Randall is always so nice to him!)

(But suddenly Randall seems a little uncomfortable, and Henry feels sad in turn, looking down earnestly at his usually energetic friend.)

"Oh- Master Randall, don't feel sad! It's alright, an' 'sides you've invited everyone from school to your party! That's a lot of people anyway, you'll barely know I'm not there!"

(He then worries that maybe he's said too much, Master Randall is allowed to invite everyone he wishes, after all! A little flustered, Henry tries to change the subject back to the exciting idea of treasure, and thankfully that seems to cheer Randall up. Not only Randall, too - as the ginger jumps back to enthusing about all the amazing things they could do with their riches, Henry lets himself be carried along with the excitement and enthusiasm, and when Randall springs forward and gestures for Henry to follow suit, Henry stumbles a little but endeavours to catch up to him.)

"Y-yes! Lead on, Master Randall!"

(And as Henry adjusts his little bag and hurries to follow his friend, he smiles at the thought of adventure, and how happy his friend seems. What more could a small boy want?)

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(He tries not to frown as Henry exclaims that he'll hardly know he's not there, because this isn't true at all. Alphonse and Angela were both lots of fun, but the rest of the class were so boring. They were interested in boring things, and they did everything their boring parents told them to do. At least Angela had the sense to ignore her parents. Sometimes. Though they'd be on constant watch at the party, trying to look for something to pick on in the house. They didn't get on very well with his father. At least Dalston's parents did, but Dalston seemed to care more about being popular and having lots of money than hanging out with him lately. Angela always softened him up though, so hopefully all of that would work out, though Randall suddenly doesn't feel as excited about his party anymore. None of them were quite like Henry.

But that didn't make sense it itself because Henry didn't really... say interesting things. Unless Randall prompted him of course, and getting Henry to open up at all was very hard work, but the ginger relished it when he managed to, Henry was just such an odd delight to him.)

Y-yes! Lead on, Master Randall!  

(It's lucky Henry calls out to him at the moment, because the ginger nearly hurtles headlong into a tree, he skids to a stop and carefully looks around, Norwell was in the woods somewhere, at the end of the river, but where abouts in the trees? The woods weren't that big, but even so, there were big hills and small cliffs and all sorts of places where a wall could be! And the undergrowth was so thick around here too. Come on Randall, if you're going to find some Azran treasure, you need to think like an Azran! But how did an Azran even think...? Perhaps one of Henry's little gems of wisdom would be helpful here.)

"Henry!"

(He's grasping Henry's hands once more, trying to ignore the fact that his voice echoes in the dimness and quietness of the wood.)

"If you were part of an ancient civilization, where would you put up a wall here? What do you think?"

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

Far, far in the past...

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Randall still seems tickled pink by the idea of Alphonse living in a doggie house because he keeps smiling and giggling even when Henry talks about things that aren’t really funny or anything. The thin blonde stares in awe as Randall tries to show off and keep talking about what the big house might be like, getting excited himself as he thinks about it some more. That really would be something! Henry can’t even imagine that much treasure to buy a big house, but Master Randall sure seems to, and it just sounds so exciting that Henry can’t help it.

He makes a bit of a frown though when his friend tells him that not only did he steal that page from a book that belonged to the library, but Master Randall also told off the lady that worked there! Henry can’t help staring wide with awe and worry, and he wonders just how special Randall’s father is that the ginger can rip a library book and still not get into trouble! Henry knows Randall’s parents are the most important people he knows, but it’s even more impressive - and scary - that even saying that Randall is their son lets him get away with something so naughty.)

"R-right in front of ‘er?!"

"Y-you’re really lucky not to get into trouble for that, Master Randall! An’ all for a picture!"

(Henry isn’t really cross though, just surprised and a little worried. But Master Randall just seems more proud than anything, and Henry feels comfortable enough - if a little guilty - to take another cake to eat. He normally never gets anything near this much food, and lately he hasn’t been hungry much at all, not after his mum went away. But being out here in the sunshine on a secret picnic with so much food that Henry would normally never be allowed to touch, let alone eat! - and sitting with Master Randall, it all makes Henry rather hungry. He finishes his cake and holds his bag a little bit closer, remembering his friend inside.)

"Um, thank you for… for takin’ me along with you, Master Randall, an’- an’ letting me have some of your birthday food…"

(He blushes a bit and looks down at his feet and the morning dew gathering on his shoes from the wet grass.)

"D’you really think we’ll find treasure if we find this Nor-well?”

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Randall just grins cheekily at the ever so slightly reprimanding tone of Henry's voice, putting away the cake cases and throwing the abandoned crusts of his sandwiches out on the grass for the birds before brushing himself off. Randall isn't nearly as neat as Henry, but when it comes to his own appearance, he's surprisingly finicky, liking his hair to keep in the exact same brushed back way his mother fixed for him every morning, and liking to keep his fine jumpers and knitted vests clean, even while he was out digging! It also made his parents less suspecting that he'd been out and about.

Once he's done brushing himself off and de-stickying his hands, he looks up at Henry in only vague surprise, blushing slightly as Henry thanks him so sincerely. He really wishes Henry wouldn't say things like that sometimes, because it makes him feel like they're not really friends, but instead servant and master, but at the same time, it really does feel so good to be properly appreciated and admired. He goes over to Henry to awkwardly pat his head and he takes the taller boys hands to pull him up to stand.)

"It's okay."

"I wish you could eat it at my birthday party though."

(He kicks the ground a bit and shoves his hands in his pockets, looking at his feet as he momentarily comes over a little shy and sad. Why did things have to be the way they were?)

D’you really think we’ll find treasure if we find this Nor-well? 

(Well they wouldn't have to be that way soon because Randall was going to change it all! Henry's question revs him up once more and he grins again, nodding enthusiastically.)

"Yep! Lots and lots and lots!"

"We're going to have to keep bringing buckets back and forth to carry it all home! But that won't be so hard because we can just buy a man to take us in an automobile back and forth with just the first handful!"

(Flushed with excitement once more and the prospect of happy change in the light of all the horrible and sad change lately, Randall rushes off, hollering back at Henry to follow.)

"Come on! Lets go! To the future that awaits!"

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

Far, far in the past...

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Randall certainly has no worries about their stolen food, and Henry almost watches him scarf down treat after treat, but blushes in embarrassment instead. It’s rude to stare and Henry feels ashamed, although he doesn’t have much time to feel it for long because Randall is already passing him a sandwich of his own.

It feels almost good in a wicked way to be having cakes and sweets and special little party sandwiches cut smooth and neat, let alone the mere fact that Henry has the chance to taste some of the food he only ever gets to see sometimes if he’s sweeping the floors away from a party and a maid has to hurry past with a tray. He feels terribly naughty, but with Randall being so cheery and happy about eating and being together and having a little party all to themselves, Henry still enjoys it all. And the food really does taste good…

He’s glad that Randall waits until he’s swallowed before the boy shows him a piece of paper with a photograph, because Henry gasps in shock. Had Randall…? He has to squint a bit in the sunshine to read what it says under the picture, the words are printed neatly so he manages to read that it says Norwell after a bit of thinking. Henry is okay at reading but Randall is much better, especially since Randall gets lots of free time and study time and books to keep as well as books from the library. Randall reads great big books too, even if Henry thinks he might really just read bits of them sometimes, but that’s okay because the books Randall reads are usually big boring ones and Randall usually always looks for the exciting adventure in the story, like he usually does with everything.

Randall thought Norwell was down the river! Randall always has big ideas for secrets and amazing things that are somehow just right here in Stansbury, and Henry doesn’t always believe him because they really aren’t always true, although it’s usually fun to follow him on his adventure. The deeper parts of the forest that surrounds one side of the valley town scares Henry a little, but he doesn’t want Randall to ever know and he really, really wants to spend some time with his friend, so Henry says nothing, although he does smile as he imagines a big house to live in. He even guiltily thinks of living there and not doing any of the chores as if he was a master of the house, and he nervously fumbles with the cap of his bottle to drink a little of the juice.

Henry nearly laughs before Randall even makes his joke; he can’t help it, Randall laughing at the thought before he says it is funny enough in itself. He’s earnest when he finally replies though, although he still finds it a bit funny, even if he’s still scared of Dalston because the boy is always a bit of a bully to him.)

"It would ‘ave to be a big doggie house though! On account of ‘im being so tall!”

"B-but that would be real nice, imagine living in a great big house like that! Do you really think Nor-well will ‘ave so much treasure that you could buy a house? Wow!"

(He chews at his bottom lip for a moment before frowning and then bursting with concern.)

"A-an’ you didn’t take that page from a book in the library, did you, Master Randall? Y-you’ll get in so much trouble!”

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Randall is already giggling helplessly at the thought of Alphonse squashed in a little dog house, but the thought of one being made for his size seems even more ridiculous and he doubles over laughing as Henry adds to the image.)

"Y-yes! With a lead and a bowl of water! That would be so silly!"

(He settles a little, still smiling and giggling occasionally, but he tries to hold it back to listen to what Henry then says. Truth be told, he has no idea how much treasure would be there, but in lots of books and stories, people seemed to think treasure implied lots of money and worth indeed, even if it was just a small chest of coins like in his pirate books, but the page he'd brought with him said that there should be much more than that! A roomful of it maybe! He could buy all the houses in the world with that!)

"Not just a normal boring house! But a big house! A house that's bigger than... b-bigger than..."

(He pauses for a moment and thinks, and spreads his arms wide to demonstrate how large the house in question would be, started to get a little more than over excited.)

"Bigger than the world!!"

(Randall suddenly pauses and thinks for a moment. If they find the treasure today, then Randall could buy the giant house, and Henry wouldn't have to go away like the adults were saying because Randall will have bought a house for him! It was all going to work out after all!)

"Huh?"

(He's brought out of his thoughts again at Henry's fretting, though there's some awe mixed in with the concern. Actually, the library gave Randall the book because it was an old donation and no one seemed interested, but Henry being so impressed with him is too good a feeling to pass up.)

"Yep! I didn't even use scissors. Just ripped it out right in front of the lady and when she got cross I said "Shush Missus! Or my dad will tell you off!" and she did!"

(Randall feels so giddy and excited from his recent revelation that he flushes with delight, suddenly eager to explore and find that treasure! He doesn't press Henry though, waiting patiently for him to finish his food.)

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

Far, far in the past...

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Henry is glad when Master Randall sits in the spot he suggests, and maybe a little proud, but mostly relieved that his friend doesn’t think his suggestion is stupid and makes a big fuss and embarrasses him. He follows along carefully, still carrying his bag and the drink bottle and the longer spade dutifully as they make a space near the great big tree in the sun.

It’s a bit chilly, and Henry does shiver a little even with the great big jumper Randall has let him borrow as they sit down on the still-a-little-wet grass. It’s moments like these that he wishes his trousers reach all the way to his ankles, but it’s alright. It’s nice to be included in something special just with Master Randall, especially when he can hopefully impress him or make him happy. When Master Randall is happy he has a funny sort of way of speaking a bit quicker and being excited and he smiles really big and it makes Henry feel happy too, and sometimes Henry does or says something that makes Master Randall happy and it’s the best feeling, and-

Henry blushes and slouches a little, embarrassed as Randall suddenly mentions how thin he looks. He doesn’t like anyone mentioning how he looks at all, especially when he’s the skinniest and nearly the tallest boy in their year and also one of the quietest. He doesn’t really like people paying much attention to him at all, really; it’s easier, and it’s what the maids said was why he was allowed to stay there, if he was quiet and helpful and didn’t get in the way. That was back when his mum was still around, but it still seems to be true w-without… it’s just easier.)

"Y-yes Master Randall, I ‘ave, Master Randall."

(He looks at the ground feeling ashamed as the ginger lectures him and balls up his little hands into fists and back to normal again a little as he tries not to get too embarrassed and cry.

It’s mostly the truth anyway. Henry usually tries to eat what he gets given, but it’s been hard lately and he just hasn’t felt hungry like he usually does, especially when he has to sit there at the table while all the other workers ignore him and there’s a space where his mum used to sit with him. He got into trouble for skipping his meals though and so now if he’s not Hungry he just eats as much as he can, and Randall telling him to eat just makes him worry more.

Randall shoves one of the small cakes in Henry’s hands and upends the rest of their ill-gotten gains onto a blanket before snatching one of the treats himself and eating it. Henry looks down at the sticky cake in his own hands. It really looks good…)

"That’s right! E-explorers need lots of energy, right?"

(Well, Randall wants him to. And he needs to eat something for breakfast to have energy for the rest of the day. And, well, Henry sort of wants to too. So he takes a little gulp and then takes a little bite.

And it really is tasty! Henry does smile a bit then; even though he still feels guilty for stealing the food, he never really gets the chance to eat anything like it, and it’s so tasty he can’t help but feel happy.)

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Henry almost crumples at first, and Randall has to act quickly to make sure he's happy again, and he even eats the cake and looks happier pretty quickly. Randall sighs with relief and grins happily. Fishing out a cake for him to eat himself and eating the whole thing in a big chomp.

It probably wasn't a good idea to eat cake for breakfast, but Randall doesn't really care, he starts munching on a cheese sandwich straight after and he passes Henry one too, before gulping down some of his juice.

He lets them just settle for a while, shutting up a little for once so as not to distract Henry from his food, but he keeps directing small sunny smiles to his friend to keep the silence comfortable as they ate. Soon Randall isn't worrying as much anymore, and after his second sandwich and cake, he waits patiently for Henry to finish too. The he pulls a carefully folded piece of paper out of his bag.)

"I was in the library the other day, and I found this!"

"It's a bit blurry, but its the only picture the man who wrote the book could take. It was a really long book, so I couldn't read it all, but I read the page this was on! Look below it!"

(Below the photo, was the caption Norwell. Below that was a paragraph about how the writer had come across it and found it intriguing, but no one would take him seriously that anything was of significance there and so the picture was all he had, and that the place would probably be overgrown by now.)

"That man thought something was special about Norwell! That's what I think is down the river where all the thick trees are! Should we look for it Henry? Maybe when the man said he thought it was sig-niff-i-cant, he meant there might be treasure there! Then you and me will find the treasure and we can buy a special house to live in. Maybe Angie can live there too if she if her mother and father let her."

(He suddenly collapses into giggles and covers his mouth at a thought that just strikes him.)

"And maybe Alphonse can live in a doggie house round the back!"

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

Far, far in the past...

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Henry likes getting to use the longer shovel because he’s taller himself and he always has to stoop a bit when he uses the short shovel, but he doesn’t mind so much because he’s usually not as strong as Master Randall is, and the ginger usually likes doing the more important part of the digging - well, the part where he was likely to strike something. Henry feels good being able to carry it, anyway, since it’s heavier and although Henry isn’t so strong it feels like he’s doing something very useful and helpful by carrying it.

It still feels very scary sneaking out like this even with the spades; they’ll get into so much trouble if they’re caught! Sneaking out without letting anyone know, especially when Henry might need to do weekend chores, s-stealing food from the kitchen meant for Randall’s party tomorrow, sneaking out to explore and do archeology which Master Randall’s parents seemed to hate… It makes him tremble a little when he thinks about it, but Randall is so determined that Henry just follows him. Even if he wanted to run back home he might still get caught returning the food and it would be just as bad.

At least Randall holds his hand and leads him on, and for once he seems to be really careful, so although Henry is still scared, he doesn’t quite feel like crying. Master Randall probably thinks it’s all an exciting game, and although Henry is scared and tense and worried, it makes him happy to be part of it all. It does really feel special to go on an adventure just with Randall for a change, let alone at all!

He can only properly relax once they leave the town and make it to the picturesque clearing where ‘Memory Knoll’ was, a great big field near the river that ran all the way past the Ascot ‘estate’ and also went off into the forest. It was a nice place and Randall and his friends usually liked going there for a picnic - in fact it was in this great field that Randall had first asked Henry to come and play with him and meet his friends as if Henry wasn’t a servant or a strange skinny little boy but another friend worthy of Master Randall’s f-friendship.

Henry looks around and hurries after his friend as Randall races over to the river and looks around himself. It is chilly but the jumper feels good and warm, and Henry smiles a small smile as he looks around, although he looks a little worried for a moment when Randall asks him where he should sit - although he relaxes after he remembers that this is Randall and he probably won’t get into trouble if he answers wrong.)

"Wh-where should we sit? Um, I…"

(He rests the spade in the ground but still holds onto the handle as he looks around, finally setting his mind on the perfect place.)

"…’ow about under the big tree? Where the sun still is, the other side of the shade of it, I mean, um… maybe there? Only… only if you want to!"

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Henry flusters and tells Randall he only has to sit in the spot he suggests if he wants to, and the ginger just nods and makes his way over there. It is a good place, and the sun is a relief in the cold chill of the air. There's even a tinge of sparking frost on the grass, but it'll most likely melt as the morning dissolves away. 

The cold really is coming in early this year and he worries about Henry a bit. The servants quarters had really thin walls, and the sheets on Henry's bed were so thin. Even as they sit and he looks to his friend once more, he looks so awfully thin and fragile in comparison to himself under the big floppy jumper.)

"You look really thin today..."

(He regrets saying it out loud, because Henry usually doesn't like people commenting on his weight. He's not sure why, because people seemed to think it was a good thing. Randall wasn't so sure though, Henry's little wrists look like they could snap at any minute.)

"Have you been eating all your food? You've not been skipping again have you, father says that food is very important and you have to eat three times a day and sometimes even supper too."

(He's not sure why he's fussing, but he makes him so anxious to see Henry like that, especially so soon after the terrible tragedy with his mother. He fishes into his back hastily and pulls out a blanket to spread the food on, tipping every out and offering Henry one of the cakes, practically pushing it into his hand.)

"Eat lots. Okay...?"

(Randall usually isn't one for worrying, but everything had been so scary lately, that for the first time in his life, he actually had an awful lot to worry about. He takes a tart and chews it distractedly, it wouldn't come to that would it...? 

Even if it did, it would be a waste to waste the day! He and Henry needed to enjoy it to the full.)

"We need lots of energy for our adventure after all!"

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

randy why aren't you purpel

"Purple...?"

"...I like purple, but my dad doesn't like me wearing because he says only girls wear purple. That's silly though because Angie never wears purple."

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

Far, far in the past...

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Henry shrinks his hand back almost as soon as Master Randall sounds surprised, already worried he’s done something wrong. He usually tries not to do the wrong thing but sometimes he does it anyway even without meaning to - usually when he has to help the other maids. He feels relieved when Randall pulls out a paper bag for him to use, though, and his cheeks turn pink with embarrassment again as he goes to take the bag from his friend and Master Randall simultaneously shoves it in his hands to hold open for him.)

"Oh! But that’s-"

(Staring wide-eyed after Master Randall as the ginger grabs the cake - and six more to follow! - Henry feels worried again at the same time as being impressed. Master Randall certainly shouldn’t take that much, but Henry has always been told never to put any food back after it’s been touched, so as soon as his friend grabs each cake it may as well be  thrown out anyway. Either way he still feels like an accomplice to something bad, although it’s hard to worry too much when Master Randall has said it will be okay and the food smells so good.

There’s no stopping Randall as he keeps going, and Henry feels like he should say something, but he doesn’t say a thing and just looks to the doorway and feels a little proud when Randall tells him excitedly how useful he is, even when he’s loading his arms down with bags full of sweets.)

"Th-the juice too?"

(Henry wants to say ‘but that’s for special occasion!’ or remind him that it’s for Mr and Mrs Ascot’s breakfast - and Randall’s if he wants to - and not for taking around unless he’s allowed to take it for a picnic, but Randall is making his scary determined clever expression as he fills up the bottles and doesn’t even seem to care about worrying. And the bad thing with Randall is that sometimes he makes you not worry too…

He gasps when Randall swears, feeling like he’ll get into trouble just for listening. What if a maid came in right then and heard Randall swearing and saw Henry with two big bags of the food meant just for Randall’s party tomorrow? Randall is a little right; there is still a lot of food, but Henry worries that the other maids will know. His skin seems to crawl as if it has a scary bug wriggling on it, suddenly more and more scared that someone will come and catch them and he’ll be in so much trouble.

It’s a big relief when Randall tells him to come along outside to get their spades, and Henry hurries along after his friend with wide, worried eyes and also feeling a little bit excited, but when Randall says he’ll let Henry use the longer spade he shakes his head.)

"No! You can’t- I can’t take that from you! I- I don’t deserve it."

(He whispers but he’s still worried, although it feels really good to at least be out of the kitchen, even though Henry worries about the food and has to fuss with his satchel again so that the robot is sitting on top of all the food so it can breathe. Randall looks so excited though, and Henry tries to remember his rule again.)

"Um, well, um… maybe I can carry it for you…Th-then we can take it.”

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(He smirks at how shocked and impressed Henry sounds, Angela never really was all too pleased at his antics, and often told him off and told him to keep them both out of trouble, and Alphonse just scoffed and agreed with her (which didn't impress her either much to the larger boys chagrin). But Henry was always in awe of him, and it felt good, like he was really cool. And Randall knew he was really cool around Henry, not like when his Dad was shouting at him and making him feel small and snivelling and pathetic. Or when his mother was babying him and knitting him silly jumpers, not that he disliked that, but he'd never say anything about it.

Henry's mother babied Henry an awful lot, but that's because she barely got to see him in the day since she was working so much. Randall isn't allowed out of the house after 8'oclock, and sometimes she worked in the house well after that time, so he's not sure how much time together they spent in the evenings. Randall would have thought that maybe she'd been allowed to take shorter shifts, but it didn't seem to be the case. Maybe adults didn't have any choice when it came to work, it wasn't something Randall was looking forward to in the future.

Anyway, back on track! He kept getting lost in his thoughts today. Henry is of course reluctant to take the longer shovel, but he seems to half agree with him, Randall just grins and shoves the spade into his hand.)

"Right. We'll be off!"

(He gives the garden one more careful survey before tugging Henry down to the path outside his house. Though he's acting cocky, today he is particularly careful they won't be seen, Henry getting in trouble was very dangerous right now, and if anything was to be discovered, Randall had many lies prepared to convincingly take everyone upon himself.

He beckons Henry to follow and grasps his hand once more to ensure he stays close, creeping behind automobiles and trees until they were through the town and away from anyone who might reckonize them and entirely in the all clear.)

"Hah! Sorted."

(He lets go of Henry's hand and runs over the knoll and to the river, perhaps they could look around Norwell first. Though they needed to have a little something to eat.)

"Where should we sit? You pick!"

(It's little cold to be picnic weather, but Randall is determined. They were going to have a lovely day no matter what!)