Chapter 2: 1880, John Doe and Richard Roe

Rainy spent the next week stalking her new friend. During the day he would work odd jobs or win money in competitions before returning home as late as possible.

After their first run from the police, Rainy was not invited back into the Brando residence. "You wouldn't want to meet my father, trust me," was Dio's only explanation.

Which was how the hobbit made another few friends.

It was dark and rainy that day, causing Rainy to sneak through the back alleys of London with caution–not that they minded the rain much, but they had already slipped twice on the wet cobblestone. They had just rounded another corner when a voice called out.

"Oi! You there!"

Rainy looked around and saw a boy with dull blond hair about four years older (and three heads taller) than themselves standing underneath a tarp that was strung up by a brick wall to make a makeshift tent. The boy waved her over.

"I've seen you wandering these parts for a few days now. You're not from around here are you."

Not having understood a word, Rainy did not reply.

"Well I'm Robby and these here are my friends," he pointed towards three other boys that were sat underneath the tarp.

The one who seemed closest to Robby in age waved enthusiastically, "I'm Tom," he introduced himself.

"And those two we call John Doe and Richard Roe," Robby explained, "They don't speak much, so we don't know their actual names."

"We named them after the song," Tom laughed, "And what about you?"

Rainy looked between the boys. Even without a grasp on their language, they had been able to figure out that introductions had just taken place–though she had not been able to retain any of their names.

"Rainy," they declared, pointing at themself.

"Really? That's a funny name," Tom remarked.

"Well, it's as good as any," said Robby. "What are you doing around here?"

The hobbit continued to look between them.

"Uh, I don't think he speaks English," Tom remarked.

"Do you know any other languages to try?" Robby asked his friend.

"Uhh, gesundheit?" Tom guessed.

There was no reaction from their new friend.

"Guess not."

"I have literally no idea what you're saying," Rainy supplied in their native tongue.

"Woah! Never heard that before," Tom said, "What about you?"

Robby shook his head. John and Richard watched on silently.

"I know how to say fuck ," Rainy supplied before trying to remember other words they had picked up from Dio, "Useless, mongrel, fool, weakling, rat shit-"

"Alright, so it seems you've learned some words," Robby interrupted as Tom broke out in laughter.

"I wonder who taught him that," he laughed.

Robby grinned as well, "Well, don't worry, Rainy, we'll bring you up to speed."

Although Rainy's time was now also occupied with her new friends, they made a point out of keeping up with Dio. Which was how they found out about the poison that the boy was buying.

"What?" was their first question when he exited the shady store.

Dio, who hadn't heard her coming up from behind him, flinched visibly before spinning around, "Bloody hell, don't sneak up on me like that!"

They moved further into one of the many dirty alleyways as Rainy insistently pointed at his pocket, which now held the mysterious substance.

"Well if you must know, it's a poison," Dio revealed, "It's not like you could warn anyone anyway."

Not appreciating his tone, Rainy narrowed her eyes, "Rude."

Dio rose an eyebrow, "Seems you've learned a new word."

Rainy motioned towards his pocket again.

"Alright, alright," he slapped their hand away. "It's POY-ZUHN," he enunciated, miming as if to drink before moving his hand as if to slit his throat.

The hobbit nodded in understanding, "Poison," they repeated before switching to their native tongue and repeating the same word again.

"That's your word for it then?" Dio presumed, "I still don't believe you're speaking an actual language, you know. Maybe you were just kicked in the head by a horse as a child. It would certainly explain some things."

Sensing that they were being insulted again, Rainy pointed at the boy with their index finger, "Asshole."

"How is it you only ever pick up those kinds of words without me having to explain them?"

"No," she replied before stalking off.

"That doesn't even make any sense," Dio followed behind them before stopping. What was he doing? Why was he following of his own volition?

Disgusted with himself, he turned to walk in the direction of his own home. He had a father to poison after all.

The next time Dio had news to share, it was in the form of a letter that he was going to send.

"Apparently my father got some rich fool to owe him. Since he's going to croak soon, this fool is supposed to take me in."

"You. Leaving?" Rainy asked, having understood some of his words and guessed the broader meaning.

"I am," he confirmed, "Which means I'll finally be rid of you," he tacked on with a mean grin.

Immediately, Rainy clung onto his arm, "No."

"Let go of me," the blond hissed, trying to shake them off.

"No."

"I will punch you!" he threatened, fruitlessly trying to free his arm.

"No."

"I don't even think you know what I'm saying."

"No."

Dio sighed, "You are a pest," he concluded and stopped his attempts.

Rainy grinned up at him.

"Very well then, you shall accompany me in giving up this letter."

The two children marched through town to find a rider that would take the letter to the countryside on the outskirts of London.

"This is the first time my father has ever given me money for anything other than buying him booze," Dio muttered after paying the rider.

"Money," Rainy repeated, having learned that word a while back. They pulled out a pearl necklace they had pilfered a few minutes ago.

"You really ought to limit the amount of things you're stealing, you know," Dio told them–his voice was tired, as he had told her this many times already.

"Steal. Easy."

"It's probably because you're so tiny. You're so small, people just don't see you."

"Steal. Kneecaps."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Rainy gave him an ominous grin. Dio would deny the shudder that went down his back until his dying day (which, as he would come to know in the future, was very far away indeed).

The two children pawned off the necklace to one of the many shady people that could be found within the streets of London, with Dio doing all the talking, of course.

Afterwards, they visited a local bakery for some treats and made themselves comfortable in a nearby sit-up.

"Just so you know, I won't be coming back for you once I escape this hellhole," Dio said in-between bites.

Rainy hummed, "No escape. I," they replied.

"Me," Dio corrected reluctantly. "No escape from me."

"No escape," Rainy repeated.

They finished their treats in companionable silence as both contemplated exactly how their future would pan out.

Two giants live in Britain's land,
John Doe and Richard Roe,
Who always travel hand in hand,
John Doe and Richard Roe.

- Excerpt from the 1834 English song "John Doe and Richard Roe"