|
Post by SilverSugar on Jul 22, 2008 21:07:00 GMT -5
Rebecca Shelts was hungry. It was a feeling she'd been getting used to lately, not that that made it any easier. The young girl was busy looking for anyone willing to give her something to eat, or even some spare change. She walked up to a group of women coming out of a store. "Excuse me?" she asked looking up at them hopefully.
"Huh?" one of the women looked down at her with a puzzled expression, which then turned to slight disgust as she saw Ritzy's tattered appearance. "I'm sorry we don't have much money on us dear."
"It's okay..." Ritzy tried to understand why they wouldn't want to give her anything, but it was beyond her. She turned to leave when one of the women caught her shoulder.
"Here sweety," the woman handed Ritzy a foil wrapped protein bar, "I'm sorry I can't give more."
Ritzy's face brighten as she wrapped her fingers around the bit of food, "Thank you, this is plenty!" With that she turned to leave, heading back toward a bench on the other side of the street where she liked to eat any food she obtained throughout the day. As she sat down she reached into her pocket to produce Floppy, her toy rabbit. She smiled as she hugged her toy and opened up her bit of lunch.
The protein bar had little taste and it's texture would be terrible, but to Ritzy it may as well have been a feast. Before she took a bite the tiny eight-year-old bowed her head in prayer. "Thank you for this food. And please watch over that nice lady..."
After her food was gone, Ritzy's stomach still growling, she headed off towards the small playground near the Church. They had a water fountain which she could drink out of to quench her thirst. Unfortunately it would take her at least twenty minutes to walk there, considering she had to cross several busy intersections first, but that was just another part of her life these days...
As she made it to the first of the crossings Ritzy struggled to push in the button which would make her trip across the road safer... It just seemed to be stuck...she'd have to ask for help. The girl looked around, but didn't see anyone she was willing to bother. There weren't any women around, and she was too afraid to ask a man for help.
"Do not worry little one, " a kind voice met her ears, "Someone will come to cross soon." Yes, the angel spoke the truth. If she just waited patiently, eventually someone else would need to walk through the intersection.
|
|
Ashe
Student
Lolsaywut?
Posts: 61
|
Post by Ashe on Jul 22, 2008 23:23:47 GMT -5
((Mind if I join^^))
Katan chuckled to himself as he walked out the exit of the grocery store. His hands full of bags. How is it I go in for a few things and end up leaving with half the store. A smile reached his lips as he walked around the corner.
I have to get a car at some point, Ky’s going to hate walking to school every morning. He dodged around several people, keeping the bags as still as possible. “Alright, I got the milk, the eggs, the bread, the sushi…” He mumbled to himself, shuddering in disgust at the last one. “How she eats that stuff I’ll never know.”
A few boys on skateboards came rushing by, Katan dodged them expertly, keeping himself from falling on the ground. “Hey! Watch it guys!” he yelled after him, walking backwards to the cross walk. Glancing around he debated on rushing across the street, nodding his head to the side he took one step forwards. Then he noticed the little girl standing beside the button.
“Uh,” He put his foot back down. Alright I’ll be the good guy, show the kid not to jaywalk. “Need some help sweetie?” He lifted one of his arms weighed with bags to quickly push in the button. It was slightly rusty and he could understand why she may have had trouble with it, that and her size. He took in her clothing, noticing how dirty she was.
Someone that young? Really. He glanced around to see if anyone else was around, someone who may be with her, looking for her. And all alone?
He spotted a Denny's across the street. Katan smiled down at her, nudging her lightly with his foot. “Hey kiddo, do you like pancakes?” He hoped she wouldn’t think he was some weirdo, he just wanted to feed the small thing.
The crosswalk light lit up, telling them to cross.
|
|
|
Post by SilverSugar on Jul 23, 2008 2:19:28 GMT -5
“Need some help sweetie?”
Ritzy looked up in slight alarm at the distinctly male voice addressing her.
"I didn't think you meant someone like that would come." she thought to the angels. It seemed almost cruel given her fears. However, she couldn't just refuse, her thirst was growing by the minute. Ritzy gave a slight nod of her head.
“Hey kiddo, do you like pancakes?” the man smiled and prodded her gently with his foot. At the touch Ritzy paled visibly and jolted a step backward, her body arching into a cat-like bristle. She couldn't help it. She quickly shook her head 'no' to the offer of food, but her stomach betrayed her with a loud rumble unbecoming of one her size.
She bit her lip as she tried not to cry. What was the point in being afraid anymore? Was she not away from that terrible man at last? That was probably the most nagging of her thoughts, she really did try to believe that people were good. And surely this man meant well, but Ritzy still couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye, even if he was being polite.
"If there was ever a time to put your faith in God, this is it," the cool voice rang out of thin air as clear as crystal to the little girl, "You cannot be afraid of everyone... Yes there are bad people in the world, but there is also so much good."
As Ritzy made it to the other side of the street she took a deep breath, mustered all her courage, and said, "I-I don't like pancakes, but... I think, I think I still like eggs." Her voice was hardly audible despite the amount of effort she put behind her words. Either way it was a big step in the little girl's life.
Yes, a step towards life...
|
|
Ashe
Student
Lolsaywut?
Posts: 61
|
Post by Ashe on Jul 23, 2008 18:08:19 GMT -5
Katan was slightly baffled by the small girls reaction to him. Sure she probably had people staring at her weird all day and refusing to look at her, and then he comes along and offers her a free breakfast, he glanced at his watch, okay free lunch.
He watched her walk across the street, staying close to her and watching the other people as they passed by. His thoughts kept running back to his childhood, growing up in the streets of Cairo and walking alone. His lips twitched to the side, gripping the bags tighter he stopped by her side once they reached the sidewalk again.
"I-I don't like pancakes, but... I think, I think I still like eggs." Her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper. But Katan caught it and let a smile reach his lips. Glancing up he used his foot to point her in the right direction.
“Well eggs it is!” He chuckled, walking over to the Denny’s and moving all the bags to one hand so he could hold the door open for her. Stepping inside he dropped the bags into a booth and scooted in beside them letting the girl have the other side to herself.
“Go ahead and look through the menu, get what ever you want… No sweets though, you need some protein.” He smiled at her, trying to wave down a waiter.
|
|
|
Post by SilverSugar on Jul 23, 2008 19:22:42 GMT -5
Ritzy sat down on the other side of the booth stiffly, it was hard for her to relax. Picking up a menu the young girl struggled to read it. Holding it nearly an inch from her face she searched for a cheaper set of items. Too hungry to focus she instead resorted to looking at the pictures. Everything looked so good...
A few moments later a waiter strode up to their booth with a pad of paper, "Can I get you guys anything to drink to start off with?" He had a friendly smile on his face, addressing the man across from Ritzy first. When his gaze finally shifted to Ritzy his smile seemed to brighten even more. "How about a Raspberry Soda, on the house?"
"Water is..." Ritzy met the gaze of the waiter and recognized him as not being human.
"I insist," the angel said writing it down on his pad before looking back at the other booth occupant, "We also have a fresh pot of coffee."
It really was amazing just how many Angels took human form while patrolling on Earth. It was equally amazing, at least to Ritzy at just how many adults failed too see these beings for what they were. Then again, the angels were clever with disguise... This one looked like just a regular teenager who might be working temporarily to save money for an expensive skateboard or a game system, something like that. Nothing at all to suggest he was really working for a much higher authority.
|
|
Ashe
Student
Lolsaywut?
Posts: 61
|
Post by Ashe on Jul 23, 2008 20:03:54 GMT -5
He watched the girl stare at the menu, he wagered her to be around eight or so and nearly smacked himself in the head. She probably doesn’t know how to read you dolt! He hadn’t even thought about that when he first saw her, she just seemed… lost.
Smiling up at the waiter he nodded his head, “Coffee sounds good. Just black please.” She was a modest little thing, only wanting water when he offered her the entire menu if she wanted. He would have insisted on the Raspberry Soda for her.
He smiled down at her again, in Cairo when one kid got a piece of food he was lucky to make it ten feet before other kids attacked him. In fact Katan would give his food to the others, keeping only a small morsel for himself, or someone who deserved it more.
“Uh, would you mind giving us a few more minutes to decide what we want?” He smiled warmly up at the waiter, for some reason he seemed… Pure?
Gazing back at the girl he smiled sheepishly. “If you need some help reading the menu I don’t mind helping you.” He would have just ordered for her, but he wanted her to decide what she wanted. She had been accepting whatever scraps of food people felt like throwing at her, here he was going to let her choose what to enjoy.
It was the least he could do.
|
|
|
Post by SilverSugar on Jul 23, 2008 21:22:24 GMT -5
“Black Coffee coming up Sir," the angel jotted this down, "And that's not a problem. Take all the time you need."
The man sitting across from Ritzy gave her a small smile, "“If you need some help reading the menu I don’t mind helping you.”
Ritzy lowered her gaze shamefully. If she'd been able to stay in school she'd have probably been better at reading. It didn't help that her vision was bad. She shook her head slowly, "I'll just take whatever is the least expensive. I don't want to be trouble." She still didn't understand why she had accepted his offer to come here in the first place, granted the presence of an Angel made her feel a little better about it. Like it was supposed to be this way...
Ritzy glanced up in time to see the Angelic Waiter returning with a tray. For some reason, despite her vision being so faulty, Rebecca was always able to see the Angels clearly. He arrived at the booth with a warm smile, "Here we are, one black coffee rippin' hot. And a nice Raspberry Soda for the little lady." He set both drinks down in front of their proper owners along with a two glasses of ice water and a pair of straws.
The angel turned saying as he did, "It's quiet today so when you're all ready to order just give a holler."
"Thank you," Ritzy replied softly, reaching for her soda and one of the paper-wrapped straws. She slid her drink towards her, being unable to lift it without spilling its contents. She tore open the top of the straw's rapping and pulled out the slender red tube. Bending it she stuck it into her drink and swirled it around before leaning forward and drawing a mouthful of the bubbly piquant concoction. To her that simple soda was like heaven, and it astounded her when she remembered something an Angel once told her.
"For all the joys of Earth, Heaven is more than you could even begin to grasp, but that doesn't mean you should stop looking at this World and its beauty. Enjoy all it has to offer while you are in it little one."
And indeed she wouldn't, not now when she'd just had another taste of what most would take for-granted. A smile almost flickered across her small weathered face. It really was a treat to have something besides foul tasting fountain water to drink.
|
|
Ashe
Student
Lolsaywut?
Posts: 61
|
Post by Ashe on Jul 23, 2008 22:06:47 GMT -5
The cheapest thing on the menu… He almost chuckled, his eyes crinkled lightly as he smiled at her. “I know how you’re feeling right now, or at least I think I know how you’re feeling.” He rested his arms on the table, keeping them folded so she could see them.
“I’m an orphan too.” He took a look at her clothes, something tugged at his heart. “And right now I only want to give you a meal.” Just a small tease to a normal life. He felt bad about doing this. Knowing the poor girl would have to leave here and fight for her next meal.
Taking a sip of his coffee he sighed, his eyes going back to her. Setting the cup down he glanced out the window, squinting from the sunlight. Katan watched the pedestrians in the street, his hand coming up to push back his white hair. “My name is Katan.” He didn’t look at her, he kept his gaze outside. “You don’t have to give me yours, I want you to think of me as a friend.” He finally returned his attention to her.
“What do you like to eat?” He took the menu from her. “Pretend like everything is free, you can whatever you want.”
|
|
|
Post by SilverSugar on Jul 24, 2008 2:42:37 GMT -5
Ritzy let out a heavy sigh as Katan took her menu, telling her she could have whatever she would like. So this man knew what it was like to live on the streets. He understood how hard it was, but he hadn't gone through all that she had... He couldn't really understand. However they did have one thing in common, neither of them had parents anymore. Not that Ritzy really was an orphan, technically, she was just lost...
"I want you to think of me as a friend," Katan said, while staring out the window.
The girl thought this over. A friend? Ritzy knew that she must have had friends before, but they too like her parents, were lost to her broken memory. Sorrowed once again by her cruel fate Ritzy dropped her gaze.
As if on cue the angel returned with his pad of paper to take their order. Upon seeing how depressed the girl had suddenly become, his expression softened even more. He addressed Katan however, knowing the girl didn't really feel like talking about anything.
"Don't worry, no kid I know can resist chicken strips and fries. We'll start with that, and if she wants anything else she's welcome to it. What can I get for..." here the angel paused, leaning closer to Katan he eyed the grocery bags questioningly, "Say, does of that need to be refrigerated? You're welcome to use our fridge..."
Ritzy looked across the table, now she felt guilty again. What if his own food spoiled because of her?
|
|
Ashe
Student
Lolsaywut?
Posts: 61
|
Post by Ashe on Jul 24, 2008 4:40:41 GMT -5
“Hmm.” Katan glanced at the grocery bags beside him. “Oh, ha.” He rubbed the back of his neck again. “I forgot I had those with me. Nah, all I have in there is some milk. It’ll be fine.” He smiled up at the waiter. “Thanks though. All I need is the coffee, just keep it coming.” He chuckled to himself, taking another sip of the black brew before him.
“Keep the food coming for her too, healthy stuff. You know?” He winked at the waiter again and nearly smacked himself in the head. You’re such an idiot. Closing his eyes he glanced back out the window. He tried to stare at his reflection, but people continued to walk pass the restaurant and sent shadows over his little spot.
He glanced at the little girl from the corner of his eye, inspecting her clothing and current state. I wonder if she’ll let me by her some actual clothes. He shook his head, Nah, she’s too modest. Turning back to her he kept the same warm smile on his face.
“Do you like your soda?” He kept his hands folded on the table before her, making sure he could always see them. In Cairo if you couldn’t see the hands of the one across from you, you didn’t know what would happen to your life. Knives are easily hidden up sleeves and in boots. He blinked a few times, realizing he hadn’t thought about his childhood in the longest time, and now after meeting her, he couldn’t stop.
|
|
|
Post by SilverSugar on Jul 24, 2008 11:15:54 GMT -5
"I forgot I had those with me. Nah, all I have in there is some milk. It’ll be fine," Katan said rubbing the back of his neck. Ritzy saw this action and assumed it must have been some sort of habit.
"Well, alright. If you do find anything in there that could use a little chill before you go, please tell me." As the waiter continued talking Ritzy heard him say something else, just for her special ears, "I think you'd find you can learn a lot from this man. He is a good person. I'm not saying you have to, but you might want to stay with him for a while."
Ritzy shifted in her seat when she heard that, but how could she refuse an angel, honestly?! Sure she had free-will, but she wasn't exactly one to ignore a suggestion like that either. “Do you like your soda?" Katan asked her with a kind smile that actually made the small girl want to trust again. Katan had such a calm demeanor, unthreatening, and genuinely kind. It had been a very long time since anyone had shown Ritzy that kind of treatment...
The Angel had made his point.
She'd drunk almost half of the tangy drink already, but if that wasn't enough of a clue she was happy with it, she gave an honest nod of approval. Shutting her eyes in order to think clearer, Ritzy made a choice , when her eyes came open again she pushed the drink in his direction wordlessly offering him a sip.
A few minutes later the Angelic waiter returned carrying another tray, this time loaded up with an assortment of foods. He slid a small salad portion directly in front of Ritzy first and put a sampler plate and her chicken strips down beside it. Clearly he wanted her to eat the salad first...and the little girl had no problem with this. "Thank you!" she said with more enthusiasm than she'd had in a long time.
As she got ready to eat Ritzy reached into her pocket and set Floppy down beside her. It always made her meals better when she could look at the fluffy brown toy. Before she even touched her food she bowed her head...but remembering Katan, she looked up at him expectantly, waiting for him to join her in prayer. When it came to matters of God the little girl could forget her fears almost immediately, although she herself didn't realize it.
Looking back Rebecca would remember that payer and smile...
|
|
Ashe
Student
Lolsaywut?
Posts: 61
|
Post by Ashe on Jul 24, 2008 13:32:39 GMT -5
He felt his smile grow at her nod, the nudging of the glass sent more warmth to it. The small notion seemed like nothing, but from her it was probably a big step towards trusting someone, towards trusting anything. And Katan acknowledged the glass with a nod of his own head, “I’m glad you like it.” He pushed it towards her again a grin pressed to his lips.
When the waiter returned with her food he liked him even more. He set the salad in front of, he needed to think of a name for her. Grace? No it seemed to old for her…
“Thank you!” Her words caught him by surprise but he didn’t let it show. Until now she had been so quiet, so closed up and shy, but he liked the more bubbly, happy side to her. Katan’s eyes met the little bunny she had pulled from her pocket and they crinkled at the sides in a smile.
He watched her bow her head, pause and then look up at him. He blinked a few times, his head bending to the side only slightly before the light bulb went off. She wants me to pray with her, what a girl. Bowing his own head he peeked up at her once to smile, then closed his eyes as he folded his hands. I’m not a big prayer person, hope she won’t notice.
|
|
|
Post by SilverSugar on Jul 24, 2008 14:04:46 GMT -5
Satisfied that Katan would be joining her Ritzy clasped her hands together and shut her eyes, "Thank you for the yummy food, and thank you for Katan too... He's okay. Please keep watching over us."
The Angelic waiter looked back and forth between the two humans he was serving and bowed his own head. When done he leaned over and filled Katan's coffee cup and headed back to the kitchen.
When Ritzy was finished with her prayer she began eating her salad immediately, but being a child she couldn't resist the salty temptation of her french fries and snuck a few of them as she enjoyed the fresh greens with ranch dressing... In between mouthfuls the small girl mustered up enough courage to talk with Katan. "Me an' Floppy haven't eaten in a restaurant in forever..."
She paused, realizing she'd forgotten to share her name, it only seemed fair considering how nice he was being, "Oh, oh... Mah name's Ritzy! Sorry, I meant to tell you already."
|
|
Ashe
Student
Lolsaywut?
Posts: 61
|
Post by Ashe on Jul 24, 2008 14:20:28 GMT -5
He kept his head bowed. Well I‘m back again. I know I haven’t spoken to you in a long time, and I didn’t necessarily leave on good terms last time. But I only have one simple request, watch over the girl, you know she deserves more than she has. She deserves more than most people. Amen. He peeked his eyes open to see if she was done, she was eating her salad and sneaking french fries. He smiled, bringing his head back up and noticing his full cup of coffee.
"Me an' Floppy haven't eaten in a restaurant in forever..." He heard her voice between mouthfuls of food. Katan sipped his coffee as he watched her, looking at her expectantly when she paused. "Oh, oh... Mah name's Ritzy! Sorry, I meant to tell you already." His smile grew into a toothy one, but he immediately softened it.
“It’s nice to meet you Ritzy.” He nodded his head at her, still smiling. He couldn’t help it, just being around her made him peaceful and happy. Katan then turned his head to the little bunny and nodded at him too. “And it’s nice to meet you as well Floppy.”
|
|
|
Post by SilverSugar on Jul 24, 2008 19:57:08 GMT -5
(OOC: Sorry for the short posty. I seemed to have crashed a bit. My next one will make up for it hopefully. Note me if you want to discuss plot or something.)
“It’s nice to meet you Ritzy, and it’s nice to meet you as well Floppy," Katan nodded at the both of them in turn. He really was starting to grow on Ritzy. Just sitting with someone who was kind without being threatening was a wonderful feeling. Peaceful...
Ritzy kept on eating and in time her plates were empty, and her stomach full.
The waiter returned, still wearing a glowing smile, "Can I interest you guys in some desert, or maybe a little something extra to take for the road?"
-----
(Permission for slight character control given by Midget via IM.)
Ritzy exited the restaurant caring with her a doggy bag full of food complete with a small slice of chocolate cake for later. She gave a polite wave to Katan as he turned to walk down another street. Knowing she'd probably never see him again made the girl feel a tinge of sorrow. He'd been the first man to ever get remotely close to her. For some reason she wasn't as afraid of him as others.
Katan had been worried about her going off alone, but Ritzy told him she wasn't going far. The Church close by had been letting her sleep on the pews for the past few weeks. It was pretty save from the elements...and hardly anyone visited it at night. It really was the only place Ritzy felt safe at night. Darkness terrified her almost as much as men did...
|
|