[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.

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Master Randall cuts Henry off and the taller boy stops talking immediately, wringing his hands as he looks down again in anguish. It feels even worse to hear Randall so angry, especially when he pulls away from Henry and angrily tries to tell his father that it was all his fault and not Henry's at all. Even if Master Randall is angry at Henry, Henry very very much does not want him to take all the blame and get into trouble, especially not the day before his birthday!

It feels even worse because Randall then starts lying a lot, saying that he was being really bad and forcing Henry to come along when really it's not true, and Henry himself has always been taught never to tell a lie and that makes him feel worse, especially because Randall is still doing it for him. If Henry hadn't gone with him and skipped work and not told anyone where they were going or what they were doing, they wouldn't even be in this trouble in the first place.

Henry droops his head and stares at the ground even harder as Master Randall goes on; he has always felt a bit embarrassed anyway when Randall throws a tantrum because it's something he's been taught never to do although sometimes he wishes he was less of a crybaby and could throw a tantrum one day. But not today, not even when he's faced with the horrible reality that he'll be sent away.

Mr Ascot's cross voice cuts through all thought and even stops Randall's angry outburst cold. Even someone as fearless as Master Randall had his limits, and Mr Ascot's word was - usually - one of them. But the older man sitting at the desk doesn't say anything else for a long while, allowing Henry to wallow in building anxiousness as his shorter friend silently fumes beside him.

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

Henry suddenly realises how much he's been cowering and straightens up mostly by instinct. He's always been taught to view the Ascot family with utmost respect and it's especially the case now, especially when- when- Did Mr Ascot say he wasn't going anywhere?)

"Th-thank you, s-Sir!"

(He doesn't really know what to say, and he doesn't know whether to feel completely happy or wary, but it doesn't look like it's his place to talk right now anyway, because Mr Ascot doesn't seem to be paying much attention to him or expecting a reply. Henry shrinks back again a moment later when Randall's father sternly tells them off of lying, although the way he is now is much much better than he used to be. He doesn't seem to be as shouty these days, although Henry has also had to run into him less.

Randall is grounded for their bad behaviour, although at least he isn't grounded and not allowed to have his birthday party, although it still doesn't quite seem very fair since Henry might have stopped this from happening altogether if he hadn't agreed to run off with Master Randall and shirk his duties. But it's a light punishment nonetheless, and it has Henry's tummy doing funny things as he waits for his own punishment to be decided on.

Henry didn't even realise he was holding his breath until he gives out a small sigh and nods, still not looking up as Mr Ascot tells him that in fact they aren't going to send him far away at all. They're going to take him out of school. He's not sure what to think about it, on one hand going to school is the one thing he has in common with the other children in the village, it's one of the things that lets him spend more time with Master Randall, and see Master Randall's friends - on the other hand it's much much much better than being sent away altogether, and Henry is grateful for that most of all.)

"...thank you, Sir. I-I understand. I-"

(Henry wrings his tiny hands and looks up at Master Randall's father anxiously, trying his best to look grateful but succeeding in simply looking worried.)

"Th-thank you! I-I'll do my best, Sir!"

(Mr Ascot seems grim but not horribly angry, that same sort of quiet sternness that makes Henry scared but willing to listen.

That's enough. There isn't much to be done now. I don't expect to find out that either of you have been misbehaving or running off anywhere without telling anyone, you're to be on your best behaviour.

Henry wants to apologise some more; for causing a fuss, for making such trouble for the house, for Master Randall, for Mr Ascot. But he knows enough to know that he shouldn't, not now. He might not have many toys, or clothes, or a big room, or even... or even a mum. But Henry knows he's been very lucky today, and as long as he can stay here, even if... even if Master Randall is mad at him just now, he know's he's very lucky indeed.)

[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'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]

"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]

(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]

(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]

(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]

(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…”

[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]

(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]

"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]

(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]

"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."

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

[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]

[waiting-on-a-friend]

-

(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]

[waiting-on-a-friend]

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]

Far, far in the past...

[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.)

[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]

Far, far in the past...

[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!”

[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]

Far, far in the past...

[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!"

[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]

Far, far in the past...

[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!)

[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]

Far, far in the past...

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Henry, of course, selects the tiniest cake in the room. Randall opens his mouth to say something along the lines of “No, you have to have more than that! You can’t just have one piddly cake!” but decides against it. Henry certainly didn’t like pressure being placed on him, and Randall doesn’t want him to feel like he’s done something wrong. And although the ginger isn’t going to let him know, this day was more about Henry than it was about him.)

"Nothing else? I-I mean. That’s fine."

(He tugs a couple of paper bags out the the cupboard so they didn’t get crumbs in their satchels (Henry was especially finicky about it, even though his bag was an old tatty thing, but Randall doesn’t remark upon it.) He passes on to his friend and tips one…two…six of the cakes into the bag.)

"I’m hungry okay?”

(Randall pretty much selects a bit of each thing, and soon its not long until the paper bag is full and he starts having to use Henry’s, whining that there wasn’t enough room in his own bag and making quite a show of it, then going on to make the fact that Henry had extra space was the most handy, convenient thing in the world.)

"Phew. It’s a good thing you’re here too, or none of the… my food, would fit. I suppose you can have the stuff that’s in your bag too. I mean, It would be useful if you ate some."

(Waving Henry off flippantly as though he didn’t care if Henry ate it or not (though he very much ones him too!) Randall smugly goes for the fridge and fills up the two special traveling metal bottles he got from Angela for Christmas with orange juice, passing one to his friend. Surely he wouldn’t turn down the drink. They needed to be hydrated after all.)

"Well. We haven’t got much at all. Like, I can barely even see a bloody dent!”

(His mother had scolded him harshly for using the b-word before, but he hears his father use the word when he’s trying to drive in a point, so he tries to mimic the tone.)

"I mean, no-one is going to be able to tell we took anything, we might as well have brought a THIRD bag!"

(He shrugs dramatically and loftily heads to the back door, signalling for Henry to follow. No one would be able to tell stuff was missing. Surely. Of course not. Randall doesn’t dare look back lest he start worrying himself.)

"Oh well. Lets get your spade! I’ll even let you have the longer one today Henry!"

(He starts heading down toward the shed, signalling his friend to follow. So far, so good! Randall’s slight worries melt away once more as he steps out into the cool new air of the morning.)

[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]

Far, far in the past...

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(He brushes himself off as they land on their feet, taking a short breath from when he finishes talking. Henry takes the opportunity to voice his worries once more and Randall turns to him and shakes his head.)

"No Henry, it’s fine see! I said it would be mine tomorrow!"

(But he can see the little worried crease in his friends eyebrows, and Randall knows that poor Henry Ledore certainly won’t settle that easily. But he really wants Henry to enjoy today, and if he was worrying, he wouldn’t enjoy his birthday properly!

Randall turns to look at him and bops him gently on the head, but he smiles and lowers his voice a little.)

"Hey, you forgot my rule already!"

"It’s fine. We won’t take much, and if someone does realize it’s gone missing, which they won’t, I’ll just say that I took it.”

(His smile is small and reassuring rather than his usual great big grin, there’s almost a degree pleading to it. Henry had to be happy tonight.)

"And before you start worrying about me getting in trouble… they can’t tell me off when it’s my birthday! Adults just say "oh he’s over excited" and stuff like that, that’s what happened on my last birthday when I knocked over the cake remember! And it got all over Alphonse too! His face was so funny!"

(He’s laughing again by the end of his sentence, and he tugs Henry toward the kitchen once again. The maids are using the small kitchen in the servants quarters to prepare the standard meals for the day, since the main kitchen is too crammed with party room to fit anything else in. Randall checks for the all clear anyway, and he gently curls his fingers round Henry’s so the taller boy wouldn’t be afraid.)

"Right, what do you want? Better say quick so we can grab it and get out!"

(The kitchen is almost decorated with treats, of every colour and probably ever flavor and Randall’s eyes shine brightly looking upon the selection.)

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Henry tries to stop looking so worried as Master Randall tries to tell him that his plan will all be okay because it's actually his food anyway, just a day early, but he can't seem to straighten out the tight crease in his forehead or uncurl his toes or settle his stomach. Henry is scared of getting into trouble, of course, because he really always seems to get into trouble and it just gives the other servants more of a reason to call him a nuisance or useless when they think he's not listening or are too cross to talk very quietly. But he also remembers very strongly one of the things his mum used to tell him, even when she was going away. She had told him that he always needed to take care of Master Randall and look out for him, and that if he did it, then Master Randall would always look out for him.

So far she's been right! Master Randall is a great friend to Henry, even though he's just a servant, and Henry likes to think that it's not just because of Henry's job that Master Randall is so kind to him. Henry tries to do his job around everyone in the house and none of them are as nice to him as Master Randall is. But anyway, Henry's worry all settles down to the big problem that looking out for Master Randall doesn't always mean doing what he wants to do, but instead what is safe for him to do - and stealing cakes isn't one of them...

He nearly jumps when Randall bops him gently on the head and cheerily chastises him; even though his friend doesn't sound cross at all he still feels bad for failing his birthday request so quickly! What's best for him or not, the biggest priority in Henry's life when Master Randall is concerned is pleasing him and making sure he's happy, and so Henry tries really hard to stop worrying about the rest.)

"Um, s-sorry..."

(Randall just has more and more ideas and excuses and it ends up being a little overwhelming, until Henry just shrugs and stumbles along after his friend as Randall tugs him to the kitchen. There really is no stopping him now!

Luckily there's no one around when they creep in, but Henry keeps looking around fearfully even as they stand there. If a maid catches them in there they'll get into so much trouble and maybe Henry won't even get any supper let alone the breakfast his stomach still wants. Master Randall's hand suddenly holding Henry's feels good, though, and it stops making him feel just as scared as he might keep feeling without him.)

"Um..."

(Henry looks around at all the food finally, a little wide-eyed in awe at everything that is laid out on the benches, so bright and colourful and fresh-looking that it makes his mouth water. Henry would really like to take it all to taste and try, but instead he decides on pointing to a small-looking cupcake.)

"Um, o- 'ow about that one, M-Master Randall...?"

(He blushes in embarrassment and looks a little to his feet)

"W-well that's what I.... would like anyway.... y-you could 'ave anythin you wanted... hah..."

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

Far, far in the past...

[thefearlessgingerexplorer-blog]

(Randall nods in triumph. Henry liked the jumper! Though the ginger boy didn’t doubt that he would like it for a second, no one knew Henry better than he did after all.)

"Good! Now you won’t get cold. I don’t any gloves, but look!"

(He takes Henry’s skinny wrists and tugs the sleeves so they cover his hands, though the tips of his fingers still poke out.)

"That’ll keep your hands warm! Aren’t I clever?"

(He smiles at how much Henry seems to suit the jumper, he wishes he could ask his mum to embroider Henry’s name on it too, but that would involve telling his mother he gave the jumper to Henry in the first place, and that news would travel to his father quick. Even the robot that Randall gave Henry has to stay hidden from the adults, and Randall can’t risk giving Henry too many things because the taller boy simply didn’t have places to hide them.

Randall can’t help but think if they shared a room, it would save a whole lot of silly bother, and it would be better for Henry too! They could use Henry’s room for something else and he wouldn’t have to be cold all the time. Plus the idea that Henry has to sleep in the bed his mother died in gives Randall the heebee jeebees, so he dreads to think what poor Henry thinks about it all. Though the blonde boy seems to just take everything in stride.

But adults had to complicate everything, and Henry had to stay where he was. Though from the things he’d been hearing it seemed like Henry wouldn’t even be able to stay at the house. That thought makes Randall feel very sad indeed, but surely Henry wouldn’t have to go anywhere. Henry didn’t have anywhere else to go after all….)

"Right! No more dilly dallying! Lets go!"

(Randall scrambles out of the window first and leans over once he’s though to offer Henry his hand, knowing the support would make his friend feel a bit safer as he clambered out.)

"Come on! We have to be quick so we can get as much food as possible!"

(Randall’s stomach rumbles loudly as he thinks of all the delicious things laid out in the kitchen, Sadly the vast chocolate buttercream birthday cake (with three layers!) couldn’t be touched, because the maids would notice, but the fairy cakes, party rings, sausage rolls and finger foods of the like were all free game!)

"I’m starving too! You won’t believe how much stuff is in there Henry!" 

[waiting-on-a-friend]

(Henry is still a little bit lost in the excitement and awe of Randall giving him a jumper, and he isn't entirely ready when the ginger grabs his wrists to demonstrate his ingenious plan, although he watches seriously and curls his fingers around the edges of the sleeves when Randall pulls away. It is a lot warmer than normal, certainly much warmer than what he usually wears in winter, and he nods with a small smile in agreement. Randall is clever, even if he scares Henry sometimes with how excited and risky he can be with his ideas.

His friend offers him his hand once he clambers out of the window and Henry takes it nervously, a bit shaky but still mostly calm. He's done this a lot of times before anyway, and it's alright, because Master Randall - and their robot friend - is there to help him.

Once they're down on the ground Henry worries a little about the jumper again, still scared that they might get caught and Henry will get into trouble for stealing Master Randall's jumper or some other half-truth, but it's hard to concentrate on worrying completely with the ginger by his side - mostly because he never stops talking!)

"B-but we can't take all of it, Master Randall! Or even some of it, someone'll notice...!"

(Henry doesn't even know what food there is, although Randall has excitedly told him about everything he imagined there would be - although Henry is doubtful that there really will be a giant chocolate dinosaur that will roar and frighten Dalston if he's mean... Some of the maids have been in charge with all the cooking, but Henry is too small and he's not been allowed to even go into the kitchen during the last few days. He knows he'll eventually be allowed to learn how to cook properly, but a big event like a party or meeting has no place for a little boy like Henry to accidentally trip or say the wrong thing - not that Henry would even say much at all if he were allowed; people he doesn't really know still scare him a little.

Still, even Randall mentioning the food makes him feel hungry. Henry usually feels a little hungry, but he's used to it, even if it's a little more than usual now that his mum is gone and she doesn't sometimes share with him anymore. It's alright though, he still gets fed well enough and it's much more than he'd ever get if he was out on the street; it's only small wonder he's feeling hungry now, since he hasn't eaten any breakfast yet! He keeps worrying, but the idea of maybe taking one little thing is a little more appealing by the moment...)