[PAST] Lost (Mattie and Arthur)

[Mattie Williams]

He was running. Running from the group of boys just a little older than he. They wanted something from him... he didn't know what. But he did know that he was lost, and he was in the place that Maman had always told him never to go - the Slums. How he'd gotten here, he didn't know... he'd been chasing the ball that one of the boys kicked away back in the Inventor's District.. he'd been playing there because Papa was at work. And the ball had disappeared and he hadn't wanted to go back empty handed and...

Well, he was here now, and running, and they were gaining on him. It didn't help that he was carrying his stuffed bear... Kuma kept getting caught on crates and boxes and loose cobbles.

And then his foot got caught and he went sprawling. He didn't cry out - that was a sure way to have the entire group of boys down on him immediately - but they were coming regardless. He'd scraped his knee and his hand... and where was Kuma? And his glasses? Violet eyes watered, but no tears fell. Papa always said that he had to be strong... So he'd... he had to find his glasses first. And then he could see to find Kuma. And then he could run til he found a trustworthy looking adult or something... he... he didn't know. He wanted his Maman.

[Cpt. Arthur Kirkland]

Being in the slums was a dangerous game, especially if you didn't know what you were doing. Especially if you were alone. Especially if you were a 'foreigner'.

It isn't long before a whole gang of kids surround Matthew, leering down at him. One of them is holding the ball in victoy.

"Hey, I like new toys. Don't you?"

There's the typical murmur of kids giggles in agreement. They start shuffling forward, menacingly.

"Wonder what we can do with our new toy...."

They're about to beat the ever-living crap out Matthew, but the kid holding the ball halts suddenly, a frown piercing his expression. He looks up.

A rather straggly kid is stood there -- though it's clear he's at the least of the same age as these kids, if not older. But by how run down he looks it's clear he's an outsider to the group - most of them all seem to be wearing the same sort of clothing.

He stands in front of Matthew, fists clenched. His expression can't be seen from Matthew's point of view but Arthur narrows his eyes. The leader of the gang tilts his head in suspicion.

"Oi, what do you think you're doing here? We ran you out ages ago. You know what would happen if we ever saw you again."

Arthur freezes for a long moment, but his shoulders straighten. He turns to the side and spits.

"Yeah. I do. But you're not getting him. He hasn't done anything wrong. He's just a kid."

"You're not? You're younger than me, Kirkland!"

"He's just. A kid."

He growls, and stalks to stalk towards Arthur.

"I'm going to show you what happens when someone disobeys my rules --"

Arthur steps forward, and punches him straight across the face. Just as quickly, he swings back towards Matthew and motions him to run before any of the kids can catch on.

He disappears into the fight.

[Mattie Williams]

His fingers closed around his glasses at last. With a soft sigh of relief, Mattie jams them back on his nose. And there was Kuma, not a foot away - thankfully, not in any puddles. He reached for the bear, and had just barely gotten hold of it before the kids surrounded him.

At their words, he flinched, trying to find his voice enough to stammer out apologies, promises, pleas - anything to get him out of here and away from them. And nothing worked... they kept closing in on him. Rather than attempt to run and probably make it worse, Mattie just curled into a ball, trying to protect both his bear and his glasses - he couldn't let them break his glasses... they couldn't afford new ones.

But then there was a pause in the footsteps. Mattie chanced a glance up, blinking in surprise when he noticed someone else standing in front of him. Upon realizing that this kid was on his side, Mattie straightened, then scrambled to a standing position.

Kirkland. That was this kid's name - the one that was defending him. Mattie would have to remember that and thank him properly, because Maman would expect it. When the older boy punched the other, Mattie's eyes widened, but he turned and ran when directed. ... Ran all of about two blocks... he still had no idea where to go, or where, exactly, he was. Maybe Kirkland could help him?