Hailing a carriage on this side of the eastern district wasn’t very difficult, but as Thea told the driver where to take them, the man frowned deeply. She noticed the driver staring at the child beside her.

“Miss, I don’t let beggars in my carriage, even if kind ladies like yourself pay for them. It ain’t worth the trouble.” The driver’s tone seemed to be saying, I get you’re soft hearted, but that’s a line in my business I won’t cross.

Thea shook her head. “I think you’re mistaken, sir. This child is a relative of mine. They're going to stay with me for a while. This is no beggar.” She gently opened the child’s hand and smiled. “I can see how you’d make that mistake, but see, there isn’t a speck of dirt on these hands, just some crumbs from our last snack.”

The driver pressed his lips together. “My mistake, Miss. Y’all climb aboard, then.” Once again his tone made it clear that he didn’t quite buy the story, but he had no proof to the contrary, so he let it go.

Relieved, Thea helped the child board the carriage first and followed them up. She closed the door behind them and sat on one seat, expecting the child to sit on the other. She was surprised when they came and sat next to her. Perhaps they’ve taken a liking to me more than I thought. The child’s expressions were mostly calm, curious, or blank, so she was having a hard time guessing what was going on in their mind. But at least she was certain that the child would have kept their distance if they’d disliked her or felt uncomfortable around her.

They certainly wouldn’t have asked to stay in my home–that’s for sure!

The rumble of the carriage was gentle, and the ride was a welcome break to her tired feet, but the inside of the carriage was too quiet. “Do you like roasted root vegetables? I found a new recipe today that I’d like to try with them when we get home. I think it’s best that we get something other than snacks on your stomach, especially before bed, right?”

The child looked up at her with the same neutral stare. “I wouldn’t know. Do you like them?”

“Well, I like them fine, I guess.” She tapped her chin with her pointer finger. “And if you’ve never tried them, then that’s what we’ll do. Hmm…but I can’t keep calling you “child” or “you” now that we’ll be around each other often. I’m Thea Cronwright. Please just call me Thea. And what’s your name?”

“What am I called?” The child seemed to think quite seriously on this question, their face becoming more animated than it had been. Their brows lowered and their lips pressed together as they thought. After a moment, their eyes widened. “You may call me Luin.”

“Alright, Luin. So you’re a boy then?” She stopped herself as she realized that may come off as rude since the child could be sensitive at being mistaken for the wrong gender. Thea certainly knew she wouldn’t want to be mistaken for a boy–at least not unless she meant to be. “Sorry if that’s incorrect. It’s just that your clothes and hair make it a bit difficult to know.”

The child, thankfully, didn’t seem offended in the least. They picked at their robe and at their long hair, seeming to examine it for the first time. “Yes, I think a boy is fine.”

What an odd way to answer, but okay then. Thea mentally shrugged. Luin was definitely peculiar, but who knew what kind of life he’d had before today. At least they were getting to know each other a bit more.

The carriage slowed and came to a stop. Thea reached through the window flap at the front and paid the driver before hopping out and helping Luin down as well. She pretended not to hear the driver mutter under his breath about them as he rode off down the street.

I would have tipped more if he had minded his own business. And she hadn't really lied. Luin didn't look to be a beggar, but she trusted that he'd told her the truth when he'd said he didn't have a home. So the boy was simply homeless, and the most he had asked for was books. And he certainly didn't have to beg for them at a library.

Now that they stood in front of her small townhouse apartments, her anxiety began to creep upwards once more. “W-well, let’s get in and get supper going, I guess.”

Luin had a firm hold on her hand as they walked up the steps to the door. Thea reached inside her coat for the key ring in her skirt pocket. Since the little chain that attached it to the waistband of her skirt wouldn’t stretch very far, she leaned towards the door like she always did and turned the brass key until the lock clicked.