Meanwhile, in Gravesfield, a family was about to get a new member.
Manny Noceda had been quick to bring the boy he'd found to the police; the boy didn't remember much; one minute he'd been following a lady they assumed was his mother, the next he was alone in the woods. The boy had devoured the cookies given to him, as if he hadn;t had a full meal in days. But aside from that, he was closed off.
After a few hours, the Gravesfield police were looking for a way to relieve themselves of the brat; who hadn't even given his name. There was not talking to strangers, but then there was this ridiculousness!
"I can take him, officers." Manny offered. "He seems to trust me, at least."
The police did just that. Manny offered the boy a hand and led him to his small but comfortable house.
"I don't suppose you'll tell me your name?" Manny asked as they walked up the steps.
"...Why?"
"...Why? Is that your name? Why?" Manny asked, smiling slightly when the boy chuckled.
"No, no, no. I mean...why are you helping me?"
"You needed help." Manny said. "Whatever reason is there?"
This seemed like a otherworldy, un-understandable concept to the boy, which filled Manny with worry. What had be been through? Sighing away the worry, he entered.
"Camilla? Luz?"
"Dad!" A little girl, no older than six with her hair in a trio of pigtails, raced towards Manny, who caught her into a hug and nuzzled her nose. Soon followed a Dominican woman with short hair and glasses, who smiled at the scene before spying the boy hiding behind her husband. Despite not being a 'human' doctor, she could see signs of hunger and fear.
"Hola." She smiled warmly. "My name is Camilla. This is mine and Manny's dfaughter Luz. Can i ask what our name is?"
"...Ben." The boy finally said. "Ben Dragoni."
"Are you a witch?" Luz asked innocently. "Your ears are pointy like one."
"Mija!" Camilla gasped. "Pardones ben, she..."
"Actually?" Ben said. "...kind of."
Spying a dying flower, Ben walked over to it, spun a circle...and soon the flower was as if it was freshly plucked.
"...I...I probably shouldn't have done that." Ben said suddenly, turning to see looks of horror and shock...and while Camilla was shocked, Luz and Manny's eyes were wide, glowing and they were smiling like idiots. "...Um...?"
Manny then raced into the house and came back with several books, only for Camilla to stop and lecture him in a langauge Ben didn't understand. L:uz however, looked at Ben as if he was a Coven Head...a feeling Ben liked.
"You...you don't hate witches?" Ben asked.
Luz shook her head.
"I mean, you're the first I've met, so...No, can't say i do."
For some reason, this brought a warmth to Ben's soul.
Long story short? By the end of the week? Ben Dragoni was in the Foster Care of the Noceda family...mostyly because it seemed Camilla had a weakness for her husband and daughter's puppy pout...whcih they taight to Ben.
A little mini-chapter to keep the little subplot of Ben and Luz going!
This was part of the last chapter, but I removed it to focus and then forgot to add it back in. Whoopise!
Inspired by the story KnightmareLord and I started, I DID change it thought.
In our original story, Ben first met the Noceda family when at an Azura book launch. and taking inspiration from Cowboy Alchemist's 'Seveth Son' (give it a read if you haven't yet), he was living in an orphanage as the Big brother and bully hunter. We'll still see some elements of this down the line though.
With this mini chapter done, I wonder if any readsrs have suggestions for Ben and Luz to meet Olivier, Eda and the Calamity trio before their respective serieses begin. I do have a major arc/movie planned do0wn the line 'Warlocks with Badges' but if you readers have suggestions for earlier meetings than that, feel free to share in reviews.
Until we meet again? Stay safe, warm and happy!
