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| A Bit Of Bread; Charlie's Debut | |
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| Topic Started: 22 Nov 2007, 06:45 PM (418 Views) | |
| Charlie Munro | 22 Nov 2007, 06:45 PM Post #1 |
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His bare feet slapped over the cobblestones, carrying him nimbly through the afternoon crowds. Angry shouts rang out from behind him as a handful of red-coated marines took up the pursuit. The presence of their weapons made the people hurry out of their way, which meant they were passing through the crowd with far more ease than was Charlie. That they had been so close by when he'd knocked several pieces of bread off the baker's cart was the worst sort of luck. He hadn't done a very good job of making sure it was safe before undertaking his almost-daily ritual of grabbing a bit of food and running. The marines pursuing him seemed to be getting closer. That wasn't good. Charlie was at his top speed, which on an uncluttered street would save him. In this crowd, however, he had to weave around people and that slowed him down. The half a loaf of bread stuffed into his shirt wasn't helping much, either. People were calling out in annoyance at him as he wound his way through the crowd, his spindly legs flashing pale against the darker colours of the breeches and skirts around him. He didn't like being so close to so many adults. Somebody would get clever and lay a hand on him, and then it would be entirely over. "Stop that boy!" The cry had gone up from the gang of marines behind him. A couple of men swiped at him but Charlie dodged away from their hands. He was nearly to the end of the street. If he could make it there, he'd be able to duck down an alley and essentially disappear. His grumbling stomach demanded to be fed and having the bread loaf so close against his thin midriff was no help. Only a little bit farther. Charlie cut sharply around a lumbering boat of a woman and at last reached the open street. Free and clear now. A boy appeared out of nowhere just as Charlie was angling toward the nearest alley and collision was inevitable. The orphan boy fell mostly in the direction he'd been running, landing on his back with a whuff. With the wind knocked from his lungs by the fall, the most he could do immediately was heave himself to his knees. His dirty fingers patted the bugle in his shirt and he was reassured that the stolen bread was still intact. Air was passing with greater ease into his lungs and there was a warm sensation oozing slowly down his left ankle. The latter was something he could worry about later. In only a moment he'd be fit to dash off again. He turned an unhappy glower toward the other boy as he sucked in large breaths, striving to regain his wind as quickly as possible. What did he think he was doing, getting into Charlie's way like that? |
 
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| Keegan McAllister | 22 Nov 2007, 06:45 PM Post #2 |
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Arithmetic was stupid! So was reading, and writing! It was allll stupid. What was the point anyway? Lots of people got through life without doing any of that stuff, and they were all right. They were dirt poor, but they were still all right. Like pirates! Robin would be a pirate! Yeah! So as he walked home from his tutor's house, Robin snapped a small branch off a tiny tree and began waving it around like a sword. John tried to quiet him down, so Robin was glad to be rid of him when he went to work at the shop. Then Robin was alone with his imagination, stabbing imaginary thieves who were stupid enough to steal his treasure. He was in the middle of fending off a particularly scraggly pirate when someone actually did knock him down. He let out a cry as he tumbled to the ground in a great heap of clothes and books and papers. He groaned at the thought of his mother's reaction to his newly dirty state. He rolled over and sat up with a grunt, then glared at the person who had knocked into him, which turned out to be a boy. A boy even dirtier than Robin. Probably dirtier than Robin had ever been in his life. The boy had a weird lump on his stomach. "Watch where yer goin'!" Robin declared, whipping his stick-sword around to point at the boy's face. "There's no reason to be runnin' aroun' like you are, bumpin' inta people." |
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| Charlie Munro | 22 Nov 2007, 06:46 PM Post #3 |
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The marines were getting uncomfortably close. They'd be clear of the crowd in a few moments. Charlie got halfway to his feet when the other boy regained his own senses and spoke up to delay him. "Watch where yer goin'!" The other boy cried, waving a stick. "There's no reason to be runnin' aroun' like you are, bumpin' inta people." Startled by the stick being pointed at him, Charlie scuttled backward. He was already feeling disinclined to like the boy owing to his sharp comments. It was something he could be properly irritated about later. His most pressing concern was escape. "Sorry," the orphan muttered, stumbling to his feet. The marines were breaking through the crowd and there wasn't any more time to waste. Charlie again patted the bulge in his shirt to reassure himself that his precious loaf of bread was still there, then he glanced at the other boy. It was likely the marines would think the stick-wielding fellow to be helping Charlie in some way and carry him off to the dungeon to rot. Delaying his flight only long enough to snap "Run!", Charlie sprang away and was off toward the alley. It had been his original destination, before he'd run full-on into the other lad. He didn't know if the boy would follow or not, but it was best if he did. |
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| Keegan McAllister | 22 Nov 2007, 06:47 PM Post #4 |
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"Sorry," the orphan muttered. Robin huffed as he gathered his books and papers and stood up. He took a moment to look at his stockings, now brown and black from the tumbled to the ground. His shirt and waistcoat weren't in much better shape. Now that he was taking stock of his appearance, he suddenly realized he had left his hat at the tutor's house. Again. "Run!" The frantic voice made Robin look up and suddenly the other boy wasn't there. Instead his eyes landed on a group of marines bustling through the crowds, shouting and pointing in Robin's direction. For a moment Robin was terrified and thought he had done something bad. Had his tutor called the marines in because he left his hat at the man's house? That was insane! Then he thought of the boy with the lump and looked over his shoulder. The boy had told him to run, so he knew what was going on. Never one not to follow a leader of some kind, Robin whirled around and dashed after the dirty street urchin. Suddenly he was grinning. It was a game! They were running from the enemy, him and this boy. They were rebels running from a tyrant's force! The boy was fast, but Robin managed to keep up, only barely. "Wait up! Where are we goin'?!" he cried. |
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| Charlie Munro | 22 Nov 2007, 06:47 PM Post #5 |
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"Wait up! Where are we goin'?!" A flash of annoyance went through him. The other boy was following him! Charlie hadn't meant for that. He'd only told the boy to run, not to follow him. Having to look after an unwelcome companion made the risk of being caught much higher. "Anywhere," Charlie replied shortly, ducking left at the end of the alley. He knew he could outrun the marines, but not with the other boy hard on his heels. That meant it would be better to hide somewhere, and quickly. Fortunately, they were in an area of town that he knew very well. A pile of fire-wood was stacked along the back wall of a house, with a large bin of sorts next to it. Charlie hopped into the bin without a second thought, discovering that the bin was filled with stinking, oily old clothes only after he was out of sight within it. Lovely. It would be an unpleasant for the other boy, if he followed Charlie into the bin. Given the nicer clothes the other boy wore, it was likely he would hate getting himself dirty and smelly. Confident that he, at least, was well-concealed from the pursuing marines, Charlie reached down his shirt and tore off a hunk of bread. Even in such uncomfortable surroundings, he was too hungry to not eat even a little. |
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| Keegan McAllister | 22 Nov 2007, 06:48 PM Post #6 |
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"Anywhere," Charlie replied shortly. Robin frowned as he huffed and puffed along after the boy. Anywhere? Didn't the kid have a special secret hideout or something? Robin had a special secret hideout, but it was a long way away near the beach. It was actually just a tiny little alcove in the rock that Keegan had told him about. It kept good cover from the rain and was large enough to stretch out in. Robin could stand in it too, but anyone much taller than him would hit their head. When Robin rounded a corner he only saw the other boy's head disappearing into a box of some kind. The marines were quickly gaining on the slower boy, and since he had got up and ran away they could get him just for suspicious activity! Robin promptly hauled himself into the box after the boy and landed with a small splash into a very dirty mess. "Eyuck," he grumbled, waving his hands around to get the dirty water off his sleeves. He didn't mind getting dirty as much as his mother did. When he was younger he'd get dirty all the time. He just didn't want his mum getting mad at him. He looked up to see the other boy and blinked when he saw he was eating. The weird lump on his stomach was actually a loaf of bread. "Yer eating at a time like this?" he said. "They're gonna hear you munchin' away!" |
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| Charlie Munro | 22 Nov 2007, 06:49 PM Post #7 |
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To his surprise, the other boy dropped into the bin beside him. He made a fair amount of noise as he settled in, which annoyed the orphan. "Eyuck," the boy grumbled, waving his hands around. Charlie scowled when dirty water splattered onto his hunk of bread. "Yer eating at a time like this? They're gonna hear you munchin' away!" The boy added. Charlie glared at him irritably. "They'll hear us if you doesn't shurrup," he grumbled as he finished off his snack. He would have offered the boy a bit of bread if he had been less annoying. Besides, there was little else to while waiting but eat. His grumbling stomach had demanded appeasement. Outside, the drumming of shod feet announced the marines' approach. There were a few moments of pause as the red-coats looked in either direction along the street. Then, they were gone, separating to travel in both directions. Charlie listened intently until the sounds of their running feet had faded before cautiously poking his head out of the bin. The marines were gone. He wasted little time clambering out of the bin and shaking excess dirt off his ragged clothing. That had been a closer brush with the marines than he cared to have, with little thanks to that other boy. Charlie started off in the direction he'd come, his pace quick but no longer a run. The sooner he made it back toward his makeshift home for the week, the better. He didn't really care what the other boy did now, as long as he didn't get in the way again. |
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| Keegan McAllister | 22 Nov 2007, 06:53 PM Post #8 |
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"They'll hear us if you doesn't shurrup," he grumbled. Oh, well that was true. Robin nodded sharply and pressed his lips together in a grand display of silence. He watched the boy as he ravenously continued eating the bread. As he stared Robin slowly began to realize that the boy must've been poor, and really hungry. He didn't mind standing around in dirty water either. He looked quite alone, though Robin had never seen him before. At least, he hadn't noticed him. Then again Robin hadn't been around the slums much anymore. He turned his attention to the sounds of the approaching marines, grinning at the situation. To him this was hardly dangerous. It was simply an adventure. If the boy was caught, then it could be something else altogether, but Robin chose to ignore that part. It was all just a game to him. Eventually the thudding feet left and there was nothing to hear. Robin craned his neck to look over the side of the box and saw they were definitely gone. He grinned and turned back to the other boy, only to find he wasn't there. Robin jumped over the side of the box and saw the other boy running into another alley. "Hey wait!" Robin called, heaving himself over the side and landing in a tumble on the ground. He scampered after the boy, glad he wasn't running all out anymore. Robin didn't know if he'd have been able to keep up with that pace for long again. "What's yer name?" he asked, grinning happily. |
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| Charlie Munro | 22 Nov 2007, 06:54 PM Post #9 |
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"Hey wait!" The boy was still following him. Charlie suppressed a shiver of annoyed fear and quickened his pace. He was bound to get caught with this nattily-dressed boy following him around. How could he make the boy go away? "What's yer name?" The boy asked, trotting up with a grin. It was all Charlie could do not to run away from him. What interest did the orphan have to this boy? He carried books, which meant he was probably some rich man's son. Possibly even a merchant's son. Given Charlie's habit of helping himself to various foodstuff off merchant's carts, the odds that he had stolen from this boy's father were great. He held his silence and froze in mid-step as another marine squad tramped past the end of the alley. Their pace suggested a normal patrol, however, which was a relief. How to get rid of this boy following him, though? He couldn't have people trailing along behind him, it drew attention to him. Attention was bad. "Charlie," the orphan answered at length. He said nothing more as he reached the end of the alley and peered cautiously around the corner. The street was clear of marines, so he scampered across. His temporary home wasn't far from here, but he wasn't about to lead some stranger directly to it. The beach would have to do in the interim. Besides, Charlie reasoned, he could do with a brief wash after being in that smelly bin. "Why're you follerin' me?" He asked, ambling in the general direction of the beach. |
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| Keegan McAllister | 25 Nov 2007, 02:35 AM Post #10 |
Foot-in-Mouth Disease
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"Charlie." "Charlie!" Robin chirped, grinning happily. "That's a good name. I'm Robin McAllister." He spoke with an air of superiority, since Ben and Giles sometimes spoke like that. Plus his father was a popular businessman, with a successful store. The boy might even know his father, though the longer Robin looked at him the more he doubted Charlie might be the type to frequent his father's store. Charlie didn't look like he frequented any store. "Why're you follerin' me?" Robin pouted a little bit at Charlie's gruff question. He wasn't acting very nice. And why was he so scared of the soldiers? That seemed weird. Robin had always been drawn to the soldiers and their shiny buttons and pretty swords and fancy dress. They hadn't ever treated him badly either. They were the ones that protected people like him from bad things, like pirates or thieves or bullies. "I dunno," he replied, rolling his shoulders in a shrug. His somber face brightened when he realized where Charlie was going, and his lumbering stroll turned into a happy skip. "You goin' to the beach?" he peeped. "I love the beach! I'm not allowed to go by myself though. I guess it's all right if yer there." He skipped along until he had caught up to Charlie, turning to grin at the boy. "Why were you runnin' from the soldiers?" |
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| Deleted User | 21 Dec 2007, 08:44 PM Post #11 |
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"Charlie!" The boy chirped. "That's a nice name, I think. My name's Robin. Robin McAllister." Was he meant to be impressed by the name? Charlie didn't pay attention to the names of adults around town, so "McAllister" meant nothing to him. This lad's da could be a sailor for all Charlie knew. "You goin' to the beach? I love the beach. It's so fun to fish an' swim an' play around. By the way, why were you runnin' before? Runnin' from the soldiers too. They're the good guys. No reason to run from them." Charlie scowled. He didn't know how to fish or swim, and playing around was something he rarely did. Most of his energy was devoted to the getting of food and the subsequent escaping from pursuit. Besides, there were precious few children in town who would want to play with him. Shrugging, the orphan gave a little hop as the cobbled street gave way to simple dirt. The beach was not far from that point. He could sit down and enjoy his stolen meal in relative peace. Of course, with young Robin having invited himself along, Charlie would have to share part of the bread. "They got swords," Charlie answered simply. "Swords are bad." It was all he felt he had to say, because swords were bad and men with swords did bad things. The dirt path gave way to sand, which pleased him. He was nearly to his favourite place in the entire town. |
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| Keegan McAllister | 22 Dec 2007, 09:30 PM Post #12 |
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Foot-in-Mouth Disease
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"They got swords," Charlie answered simply. "Swords are bad." Robin tilted his head to the side in thought. Bad? Well, he guessed that depended on just who had the sword. Some men were bad, like pirates or thieves (except Jack Sparrow!) but others were good people, like the soldiers. They used those swords to protect innocent people and punish wrongdoers. Charlie seemed to think anyone who had a sword at all was bad. "They en't bad!" Robin peeped, making a grand jump once the cobbles gave way to dirt. "I mean, they kin be dang'rous but not all people who use swords're bad or anythin.'" He trotted a little catch back up with Charlie, looking around curiously. "An' y'know that dun explain why you was runnin' from 'em in the firs' place," Robin said, grinning at Charlie. "Didja steal that bread or somethin'? That'd make 'em go after ya, definitely." Suddenly the little boy grinned in a more evil fashion, quietly falling behind. He looked around and found a stick, then promptly picked it up. He scampered back to Charlie and stuck the little boy in the back. "Ha, thief! I have you now!" he triumphantly cried. |
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| Deleted User | 9 Jan 2008, 03:19 PM Post #13 |
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"They en't bad! I mean, they kin be dang'rous but not all people who use swords're bad or anythin." McAllister chirruped. "An' y'know that dun explain why you was runnin' from 'em in the firs' place. Didja steal that bread or somethin'? That'd make 'em go after ya, definitely." Charlie tried not to scowl. Swords were bad. They hurt people. The men who carried swords often hurt people with those swords. That alone was enough for him to give such men as wide a berth as possible. And so what if he'd stolen the bread anyway? He had to eat somehow. Most people didn't make a habit out of feeding him, and those few who did often had respectable company. Shrugging, he ambled toward the ocean, doing his best to think of anything but swords. "Ha, thief! I have you now!" Robin cried and Charlie paused, beginning to turn back and snap at the boy to quiet him. Something pointy prodded him in the back and he nearly leaped out of his skin. He sprang away into a dead sprint without a second thought, instantly terrified. If he'd known that boy had a sword, or any other sort of blade, he would have found a way to leave him behind in town. The boy would probably chase him now. There were few places to hide on the open beach, something Charlie had learned after much exploring. Nearly twenty yards away from where the other boy stood, Charlie slowed and reluctantly stopped. A glance back toward the boy revealed that he held no sword at all, but rather a stick. Stupid boy. The orphan bit down on his lip and fought back the frightened and angry tears stinging his eyes. Hadn't he said swords were bad? Why did the boy have to play at having a sword? He trudged another few paces toward the water before plopping himself into the sand. His legs were tired and the bread stuffed down his shirt was demanding to be eaten. It would be better if the other boy just went home. |
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| Keegan McAllister | 15 Jan 2008, 03:40 AM Post #14 |
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Foot-in-Mouth Disease
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Robin froze in his thrusting pose as soon as Charlie bolted. He was utterly shocked. His eyes were wide and his jaw was slack. Did Charlie really think he had a sword on him? He was just a boy! Keegan could go around with swords, maybe even John, but Robin didn't know the first thing about real swordplay. He slowly straightened up as Charlie began slowing down. Despite the distance, he easily read the young boy's face. He was very upset. The stick was still in his hands. He promptly dropped it, slouching with guilt. Apparently Charlie really was afraid of swords. True, he had told Robin this fact, but the boy didn't really think much of it. Sometimes it was fun to scare someone, but he knew he had taken this too far. His mother's commanding voice echoed in his mind. He had to go apologize. He left his books where they lay and ambled toward Charlie, his hands in his pockets. His lower lip stuck out an incredible amount. He'd always been very skilled at pouting. Sometimes he could use it to his advantage and coerce sweets and candies from his sisters, but this time he was genuinely upset. He sat down next to Charlie and circled his arms around his upright knees. "I'm real sorry, Charlie," he murmured, a little shy. "I mean, I didn't know you was that scared of 'em. I don't got any sword on me, really. Honest." |
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